2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[ELCABALLO45]

I personall think the Packers could be favorites for the division, but I can understand it not being the consensus pick.

 

My biggest question about the Packers is how quickly will they adjust to running the 3-4? It's a pretty major change and could result in some early struggles.

 

Yup, which is going to suck at times next year. But if they adjust quickly enough they do have a chance of winning the division as well.

[dew1679666265]

I personall think the Packers could be favorites for the division, but I can understand it not being the consensus pick.

 

My biggest question about the Packers is how quickly will they adjust to running the 3-4? It's a pretty major change and could result in some early struggles.

 

Yup, which is going to suck at times next year. But if they adjust quickly enough they do have a chance of winning the division as well.

 

Definitely.

 

I'm also interested to see what impact Marinelli will have on the Bears d-line. If he can get solid improvement out of the linemen, that defense could become very good again.

[Mark Priors Calves]

as far as vegas goes odds to win nfc north:

 

bears 9-5

packers 9-5

vikings 3-2

detroit 18-1

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm pretty surprised people actually think we can be favorites to win the division. I believe we'll make the playoffs this year, but I definitely didn't think we'd be getting odds like that in Vegas (granted it is Vegas). I think any of the three real teams in the division have a shot to win the division. Should be a fun year.

 

And for what it's worth, Favre had a very good 2007 season. But judging from his two seasons before that and his worst year in his career last year, I'm willing to say that season was a fluke.

[RedFlash]

Definitely.

 

I'm also interested to see what impact Marinelli will have on the Bears d-line. If he can get solid improvement out of the linemen, that defense could become very good again.

 

Very rarely does picking up a coach (or player for that matter) from the worst team in NFL history warrant being a potential big pickup, but that's the case with Marinelli. Both Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp swears about Marinelli and both were Pro Bowl Caliber player and both combined for 9 Pro Bowl trips during his tenure there.

 

Rightfully so that Jay Cutler gets all the headlines in Chicago, but most people know what to expect from Cutler, but Marinelli could end up a more important pickup then Cutler. And that saying something.

[Keener98]

Id like to know who the 10 Qbs are that are supposedly better than Cutler?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Brett Favre lost it?

 

Quite a few years ago, actually, and Packers fans didn't notice as his receivers bailed him out.

 

Before he got hurt last year he had a COMP percent of 70. He had 20 tds and his team was 8-3, but im sure his WR bailed him out on that as well.

 

 

11 games !> several years

[stuy119]

While I think the WR group will look better this year due to Cutler, I think the biggest beneficiary will be Matt Forte. I'm not sold on him being an NFL quality back and thought he might have problems this year. Of course, having to worry about Cutler will keep defenses honest, so he'll have a "transition year" he should have had last year instead of having to be "the man."

[rawaction]

Id like to know who the 10 Qbs are that are supposedly better than Cutler?

 

The only Qbs definitely better than Cutler are P Manning, Brady, Brees.

 

The only others that may even have an argument is Warner, McNabb, Roethlisberger, and Romo. And of this group, 1 will be retired soon, 1 is on his way down, 1 has had the luxury of an amazing defense, and the other has the most talented team in the league and can't win after November.

 

However, I do think another great season by Rivers, Cassel (especially in KC), Rodgers, Eli (especially w/o Plax), a healthy year from Schaub, or an MVP like year by Matt Ryan could put them in the discussion.

 

As of this moment, I would rank Cutler as the 5th or 6th best QB, depending on how you feel about McNabb.

[Keener98]

Id like to know who the 10 Qbs are that are supposedly better than Cutler?

 

The only Qbs definitely better than Cutler are P Manning, Brady, Brees.

 

The only others that may even have an argument is Warner, McNabb, Roethlisberger, and Romo. And of this group, 1 will be retired soon, 1 is on his way down, 1 has had the luxury of an amazing defense, and the other has the most talented team in the league and can't win after November.

 

However, I do think another great season by Rivers, Cassel (especially in KC), Rodgers, Eli (especially w/o Plax), a healthy year from Schaub, or an MVP like year by Matt Ryan could put them in the discussion.

 

As of this moment, I would rank Cutler as the 5th or 6th best QB, depending on how you feel about McNabb.

 

Yea I agree with that which is why I questioned Cutler being called a "top 10-15" qb which is ridiculous. Cutler is more of a top 5 qb than he is a top 10-15. I think El Cabello is letting his Packer homerism get in the way.

[Jehrico]

He's a packer fan. What do you expect?

[Magnetic Curses]

Id like to know who the 10 Qbs are that are supposedly better than Cutler?

 

The only Qbs definitely better than Cutler are P Manning, Brady, Brees.

 

The only others that may even have an argument is Warner, McNabb, Roethlisberger, and Romo. And of this group, 1 will be retired soon, 1 is on his way down, 1 has had the luxury of an amazing defense, and the other has the most talented team in the league and can't win after November.

 

However, I do think another great season by Rivers, Cassel (especially in KC), Rodgers, Eli (especially w/o Plax), a healthy year from Schaub, or an MVP like year by Matt Ryan could put them in the discussion.

 

As of this moment, I would rank Cutler as the 5th or 6th best QB, depending on how you feel about McNabb.

 

Yea I agree with that which is why I questioned Cutler being called a "top 10-15" qb which is ridiculous. Cutler is more of a top 5 qb than he is a top 10-15. I think El Cabello is letting his Packer homerism get in the way.

 

cutler has the single best arm in the league.

[Jehrico]

cutler has the single best arm in the league.

QFT

[Magnetic Curses]

The Vikings are the favorites to win the division?

 

Who do you think are?

 

not the vikings. i would pick the packers ahead of the vikings this year.

[rawaction]

cutler has the single best arm in the league.

QFT

 

Jamarcus Russell has a better arm. But it hasn't done him any good.

[dew1679666265]

Yea I agree with that which is why I questioned Cutler being called a "top 10-15" qb which is ridiculous. Cutler is more of a top 5 qb than he is a top 10-15. I think El Cabello is letting his Packer homerism get in the way.

 

It was actually me who referred to him as a "top 10-15 QB". And by that I mean he's definitely one of the top 15 best QBs and probably one of the top 10.

 

As for the QBs I'd put ahead of him: Peyton, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Romo, McNabb and Warner. Carson Palmer is better if he recovers fully from his injury (if he gets back to old form, he's a top 3 QB in the league).

 

Marc Bulger, Matt Schaub and Ben Roethlisberger are comparable, though I'd say Cutler is better than all three. Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers are close, but need another great year or two.

 

Now obviously, I'd take Cutler in a heartbeat over guys like Romo, McNabb, Warner and Bulger because of age and future expectations. But if you're talking about production, Cutler is probably right around top 10. It won't be long until he's top 5, though.

[dew1679666265]

cutler has the single best arm in the league.

QFT

 

Jamarcus Russell has a better arm. But it hasn't done him any good.

 

Russell has, undoubtedly, the strongest arm in the NFL. Cutler may well be the second best, though.

[Magnetic Curses]

cutler has the single best arm in the league.

QFT

 

Jamarcus Russell has a better arm. But it hasn't done him any good.

 

when i say "single best arm in the league", what i mean is an arm that can fire a ball 65-yards down the field without crow-hopping and hit a reciver in stride as he crosses the goal-line.

 

nobody else in the league can make a throw like this, not even a guy like russell who can throw a football through a brick wall:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayItjFT9dQw&feature=related

[rawaction]

Yea I agree with that which is why I questioned Cutler being called a "top 10-15" qb which is ridiculous. Cutler is more of a top 5 qb than he is a top 10-15. I think El Cabello is letting his Packer homerism get in the way.

 

It was actually me who referred to him as a "top 10-15 QB". And by that I mean he's definitely one of the top 15 best QBs and probably one of the top 10.

 

As for the QBs I'd put ahead of him: Peyton, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Romo, McNabb and Warner. Carson Palmer is better if he recovers fully from his injury (if he gets back to old form, he's a top 3 QB in the league).

 

Marc Bulger, Matt Schaub and Ben Roethlisberger are comparable, though I'd say Cutler is better than all three. Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers are close, but need another great year or two.

 

Now obviously, I'd take Cutler in a heartbeat over guys like Romo, McNabb, Warner and Bulger because of age and future expectations. But if you're talking about production, Cutler is probably right around top 10. It won't be long until he's top 5, though.

 

No way on Earth you can get away with that Carson Palmer argument. That's like saying if the Vikings sign Favre, he'll go ahead of Cutler because he holds all the QB records and is a sure HOF. Palmer hasn't played much or well for 2 years.

 

Romo is an interesting situation though. He's put up better QB ratings than Cutler every year. But his comp % has decreased every year. He has several Rex Grossman like awful games in December on his resume. Three each the last 2 years, Cutler has 3 in his career that bad.

 

I did underestimate Rivers though. He was the best QB statistically in 08. He was mediocre in 07 though, but was pretty good in 06. He's clearly right with Cutler at worst. But his 2007 was Kyle Orton like.

 

I pointed out after the trade that about 1/2 of Cutler's INTs came when his team was down in the 4th quarter or his team was down by more than 2 scores. He seems like a clear case of a guy trying to do too much.

[dew1679666265]

No way on Earth you can get away with that Carson Palmer argument. That's like saying if the Vikings sign Favre, he'll go ahead of Cutler because he holds all the QB records and is a sure HOF. Palmer hasn't played much or well for 2 years.

 

The big difference between Carson and Favre is that Favre is regressing due to age. Palmer has had injury issues. The former is not reversible, the latter is.

 

And Palmer's 2007 season was just as good as Cutler last year (similar QB rating, similar yards/completion and better completion percentage). His 05 and 06 are seasons that Cutler will get to in time, but isn't there yet. Palmer's only had one bad year due to injury - last year. If he's over his injury from last year there's no reason to think he can't be as good as Cutler, if not better. Keep in mind, Palmer is just going to be 30 this year, 3 years younger than Peyton. Palmer also played a full 16 game schedule in 2007. He's only missed time in one season in his career (outside of his first season when he was learning behind Kitna).

 

Romo is an interesting situation though. He's put up better QB ratings than Cutler every year. But his comp % has decreased every year. He has several Rex Grossman like awful games in December on his resume. Three each the last 2 years, Cutler has 3 in his career that bad.

 

Yeah, Romo has been better than Cutler to this point in his career (though very slightly), but I don't expect him to remain that way. At best Romo has likely hit his ceiling, while Cutler is still getting better.

 

I did underestimate Rivers though. He was the best QB statistically in 08. He was mediocre in 07 though, but was pretty good in 06. He's clearly right with Cutler at worst. But his 2007 was Kyle Orton like.

 

It's very easy to underestimate Rivers for some reason. I did until last year, but he's on his way to being one of the best QBs in the league - if he's not there already.

 

I pointed out after the trade that about 1/2 of Cutler's INTs came when his team was down in the 4th quarter or his team was down by more than 2 scores. He seems like a clear case of a guy trying to do too much.

 

Very true, and exactly the reason I think he'll be better this year for the Bears than he was last year for Denver. Chicago has a significantly better defense, which will help Cutler not press as much and will likely improve his numbers. It wouldn't surprise me much if Cutler was unquestionably a top 5 QB by the end of the year.

[Magnetic Curses]

did you guys see schlereth's latest breakdown of the bears on espnchicago? it's not that he's totally ignorant about the team, it's the way he says "chicago bears" at the beginning of the analysis. listen to it, seriously, he's a clown.

i have no idea what he has against the bears, but it must be big and it must go back a ways.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Bears picked up Chase Patton, hooray

[Outshined_One]

did you guys see schlereth's latest breakdown of the bears on espnchicago? it's not that he's totally ignorant about the team, it's the way he says "chicago bears" at the beginning of the analysis. listen to it, seriously, he's a clown.

i have no idea what he has against the bears, but it must be big and it must go back a ways.

 

He's a huge Broncos homer and hates Jay Cutler. His thoughts on the Cutler trade were downright laughable.

[RedFlash]

The Bears picked up Chase Patton, hooray

 

 

Did the Bears sign him or was it a tryout? Cause I believe CJ Bacher of Northwestern and Drew Weatherford of FSU are also in rookie camp.

[SpongeWorthy]

Russell might have a stronger arm from one arm slot and with his feet properly set. He still takes longer to get rid of the ball than Cutler. I'll take Cutler's arm when moving up in the pocket, on the run, or without having his feet set over anyone's.