2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

 

No argument with what you say, except:

 

All this stuff about the defense being so tired. They're too tired, can't get it done. This was never an acceptable excuse before. If they get too tired, then that also means they aren't as good.

 

They used to get it done IN SPITE OF being too tired.

 

it is an acceptable excuse because performace deteriorates the longer a defense spends on the field, no matter who the players are.

 

Also, it wasn't a necessary excuse before because they were so ridiculously good. They aren't as good a defense now. But they are probably better than last year indicated. Give them an above average offense, instead of one that gained the 26th most yards, and it won't have to be an excuse.

[Magnetic Curses]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

 

No argument with what you say, except:

 

All this stuff about the defense being so tired. They're too tired, can't get it done. This was never an acceptable excuse before. If they get too tired, then that also means they aren't as good.

 

They used to get it done IN SPITE OF being too tired.

 

it is an acceptable excuse because performace deteriorates the longer a defense spends on the field, no matter who the players are.

 

Also, it wasn't a necessary excuse before because they were so ridiculously good. They aren't as good a defense now. But they are probably better than last year indicated. Give them an above average offense, instead of one that gained the 26th most yards, and it won't have to be an excuse.

 

they're definitely not as good as 05 or 06, but they can look just as good if they spend less time on the field. they still have playmakers.

 

the one thing that kind of worries me is that in years past, the bears' strategy was to force the other team to run as many plays as possible by forcing them to go underneath time after time---a strategy that causes more turnovers. to implement this and to force turnovers, you have to have a fairly fast, young team. the bears may have some speed left, but they're getting older and more fragile.

[rawaction]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

[Banedon]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

[Soul]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

 

I will always love Denny Green for the nuggets of gold he gave us after that one.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Bears/Cardinals in 06, Bears/Saints NFC Championship and the Bears/Browns - Bears/49ers comebacks are my favorite games of all-time.

[jersey cubs fan]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

 

It was a fun few minutes, but it was hardly my favorite game. It completely exposed all of Grossman's weaknesses and essentially served as the beginning of the end of his time at the helm, not to mention the end of Mike Brown's. It was a really ugly game. There were a couple road wins against GB that were more enjoyable, and I think the ugly weather destruction of Favre in Soldier Field was also better. The first two games of 2006, when they destroyed GB and Det were pretty nice, and I was at the latter which makes it better to me. Also the Giants and Jets games from that year, moreso the Giants game, were better efforts from the Bears and I was there.

[Banedon]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

 

It was a fun few minutes, but it was hardly my favorite game. It completely exposed all of Grossman's weaknesses and essentially served as the beginning of the end of his time at the helm, not to mention the end of Mike Brown's. It was a really ugly game. There were a couple road wins against GB that were more enjoyable, and I think the ugly weather destruction of Favre in Soldier Field was also better. The first two games of 2006, when they destroyed GB and Det were pretty nice, and I was at the latter which makes it better to me. Also the Giants and Jets games from that year, moreso the Giants game, were better efforts from the Bears and I was there.

 

If I had a choice of watching the Bears/Cardinals game from 06, or the games you mentioned on NFL Network, I'd pick Bears/Cardinals without a second thought. That's how I'm judging it...:P

[cubweiser03]

Watching Matt Leinart dink and dunk his way down the field for the first couple possession freaking pissed me off royally. That was not enjoyable. The 4th quarter was sweet but the buildup to get there was hair pulling. NFC Champ was sweet because of what was on the line. Favre's awful game in the bad weather was great because of the years of ass whooping he gave the Bears. Bears/Browns and Bears/Niners were totally awesome too. Now, I can't wait for Cutler to kick someones ass in the last minutes of a game.

[Soul]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

 

It was a fun few minutes, but it was hardly my favorite game. It completely exposed all of Grossman's weaknesses and essentially served as the beginning of the end of his time at the helm, not to mention the end of Mike Brown's. It was a really ugly game. There were a couple road wins against GB that were more enjoyable, and I think the ugly weather destruction of Favre in Soldier Field was also better. The first two games of 2006, when they destroyed GB and Det were pretty nice, and I was at the latter which makes it better to me. Also the Giants and Jets games from that year, moreso the Giants game, were better efforts from the Bears and I was there.

 

If I had a choice of watching the Bears/Cardinals game from 06, or the games you mentioned on NFL Network, I'd pick Bears/Cardinals without a second thought. That's how I'm judging it...:P

 

He's right though. The Cards did expose Grossman that game. I don't know, of course, but what they did probably became the basis of the rush-heavy schemes he saw from that point after. And we know now, he couldn't handle it.

[Banedon]

You guys are right. It's not as hard to be on the field 32-35 minutes per game when you have a core of 23-26 year olds. Now the core defense, while mostly the same for 06, is 27-30 years old.

 

The 09 Bears defense shouldn't have to be the 06 Bears defense to win a lot of games, though. They don't have the ability to spot Arizona 21 points and score 24 on defense and special teams to win in the 4th quarter. Luckily, they don't have to be extraordinary. But they do have the ability to be pretty good. Pretty good should be good enough to win a lot of games with an improved offense.

 

Still probably my favorite game of the last few years. Although the Bears/Saints NFC Championship is also fun, but more because it was the NFC Championship.

 

It was a fun few minutes, but it was hardly my favorite game. It completely exposed all of Grossman's weaknesses and essentially served as the beginning of the end of his time at the helm, not to mention the end of Mike Brown's. It was a really ugly game. There were a couple road wins against GB that were more enjoyable, and I think the ugly weather destruction of Favre in Soldier Field was also better. The first two games of 2006, when they destroyed GB and Det were pretty nice, and I was at the latter which makes it better to me. Also the Giants and Jets games from that year, moreso the Giants game, were better efforts from the Bears and I was there.

 

If I had a choice of watching the Bears/Cardinals game from 06, or the games you mentioned on NFL Network, I'd pick Bears/Cardinals without a second thought. That's how I'm judging it...:P

 

He's right though. The Cards did expose Grossman that game. I don't know, of course, but what they did probably became the basis of the rush-heavy schemes he saw from that point after. And we know now, he couldn't handle it.

 

Oh I'm not saying Grossman wasn't exposed. I was about ready to give up on that game that night when they started the comeback. I'm just saying, for me, the excitement of the ending made up for the rest of the game. I guess it was just one of the biggest high's of the non-playoff variety that I can remember.

[rawaction]

I remember the AZ-Bears game in 06 for a few reasons. My dish was screwed up and I couldn't watch the game. So, I was following online. I completely gave up on the game and went to bed. That morning I checked online before I went to work and saw a 24-23. When I went to bed it was 23-3. But I must have interpreted as 14-23, because I still went to work thinking the Bears lost. I just thought, oh the Bears got another FG and a garbage TD with a 2-pt conversion.

 

But when I got to work, people were like "man your team got lucky". I had to go online and check it out again. I don't think I knew the Bears won til 10:30 the next day.

[Soul]

I gave up on the game and watched some other stuff. Then right before I was going to sleep, I figured heck with it, and I checked the score. It was much closer, and Kornheiser was freaking out.

 

So I got to see the end of the comeback. Then the Denny Green stuff. I stayed up way too late that night, relishing it.

 

It was a favorite game for me, but I also remember thinking this might be the end of the Grossman magic carpet ride. The next game he was solid again, but I believe that was against a horrible team. Too bad it turned out to be essentially correct.

[Vanilla Ice]

I gave up on the game and watched some other stuff. Then right before I was going to sleep, I figured heck with it, and I checked the score. It was much closer, and Kornheiser was freaking out.

 

So I got to see the end of the comeback. Then the Denny Green stuff. I stayed up way too late that night, relishing it.

 

It was a favorite game for me, but I also remember thinking this might be the end of the Grossman magic carpet ride. The next game he was solid again, but I believe that was against a horrible team. Too bad it turned out to be essentially correct.

Even though I am an Atlanta fan, I will never forget this game.

 

I was up 6 points in my fantasy football matchup that week. My opponent had 0 players left. My only player left was Rex Grossman (who was only starting because it was Peyton's bye week). I obviously thought I was going to win, but Grossman somehow got -7 points and I lost. I missed the playoffs by one game.

[David]

Bears/Cardinals in 06, Bears/Saints NFC Championship and the Bears/Browns - Bears/49ers comebacks are my favorite games of all-time.

 

 

That's pretty much my list, + the Seahawks game in 06 in October. That game was sort of a national coming out party against the reigning NFC champs. I had a lot of fun watching that one.

[rawaction]

Bears/Cardinals in 06, Bears/Saints NFC Championship and the Bears/Browns - Bears/49ers comebacks are my favorite games of all-time.

 

 

That's pretty much my list, + the Seahawks game in 06 in October. That game was sort of a national coming out party against the reigning NFC champs. I had a lot of fun watching that one.

 

Yes, I loved that game. Bears looked good, but against some crappy teams. Going on the road to the west coast and beating Seattle pretty good was when I knew the team had a real shot to do something special that year.

[jersey cubs fan]

I remember the AZ-Bears game in 06 for a few reasons. My dish was screwed up and I couldn't watch the game. So, I was following online. I completely gave up on the game and went to bed. That morning I checked online before I went to work and saw a 24-23. When I went to bed it was 23-3. But I must have interpreted as 14-23, because I still went to work thinking the Bears lost. I just thought, oh the Bears got another FG and a garbage TD with a 2-pt conversion.

 

But when I got to work, people were like "man your team got lucky". I had to go online and check it out again. I don't think I knew the Bears won til 10:30 the next day.

 

I remember watching in the living room, and then in bed. I actually woke up my wife, who isn't a big fan but enjoys watching. She went to sleep thinking they lost bad, and was actually happy that I woke her up to watch the last couple minutes.

[David]

Bears/Cardinals in 06, Bears/Saints NFC Championship and the Bears/Browns - Bears/49ers comebacks are my favorite games of all-time.

 

 

That's pretty much my list, + the Seahawks game in 06 in October. That game was sort of a national coming out party against the reigning NFC champs. I had a lot of fun watching that one.

 

Yes, I loved that game. Bears looked good, but against some crappy teams. Going on the road to the west coast and beating Seattle pretty good was when I knew the team had a real shot to do something special that year.

 

 

That was actually a home game... but yea. It was awesome.

[Soul]

I was at the 2nd Seahawks game, in the playoffs. That was also fun, although very nerve-wracking.

[cubweiser03]

I was at the 2nd Seahawks game, in the playoffs. That was also fun, although very nerve-wracking.

I was with my dad and a friend watching that game. My dad and i were drinking scotch to kill the nerves. The Bears could of easily lost that game if not for the incredible defense stop at the end of the 4th. The only other thing i really remember, no i wasnt that drunk, was the Grossman to Davis seem route. Rashied Davis' highlight of his career.

[rawaction]

I never thought the Bears would lose to Seattle in the playoffs. The game should have never been that close. The Bears were the better team and played better all day.

[Soul]

It was Briggs. Briggs made the miracle stop to save it, so Grossman could make his best toss of the day in overtime to Sheed.

 

There was also a Hester return for TD that was called back on a penalty. I couldn't believe it.

[David]

The deep ball to Berrian immediately answering Seattle's TD was all kinds of awesome.

[Soul]

Good times. I'm ready for more 8-)

[Flames24Rulz]

Even as a Packer fan, watching that Bears-Seahawks game in person was still pretty cool.