2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it's got more to do with the way he left Denver than his W/L record.

 

It's weird, because guys force trades and holdout and generally combat with management all the time, and a lot of the time the media, especially former players will defend their right to do that because the guy has to look out for himself and everything. Yet here you have nearly universal hatred for what Cutler did, which was in effect caused by a dumb coaching decision (who tries to replace a stable QB situation?). And many guys are absolutely offended that Cutler didn't follow phone tag protocal with the owner.

[Magnetic Curses]

I think it's got more to do with the way he left Denver than his W/L record.

 

It's weird, because guys force trades and holdout and generally combat with management all the time, and a lot of the time the media, especially former players will defend their right to do that because the guy has to look out for himself and everything. Yet here you have nearly universal hatred for what Cutler did, which was in effect caused by a dumb coaching decision (who tries to replace a stable QB situation?). And many guys are absolutely offended that Cutler didn't follow phone tag protocal with the owner.

 

i know, this makes me incredibly mad, too.

 

hopefully, everyone will have forgotten this as he's winning multiple super bowls in chicago, like those other high-profile "immature" qbs did with their teams.

 

anybody remember the look on eli manning's face after the chargers selected him? remember smug surfer-boy elway threatening to play baseball rather than play in baltimore?

[rawaction]

I think it's got more to do with the way he left Denver than his W/L record.

 

It's weird, because guys force trades and holdout and generally combat with management all the time, and a lot of the time the media, especially former players will defend their right to do that because the guy has to look out for himself and everything. Yet here you have nearly universal hatred for what Cutler did, which was in effect caused by a dumb coaching decision (who tries to replace a stable QB situation?). And many guys are absolutely offended that Cutler didn't follow phone tag protocal with the owner.

 

Exactly, and Brett Favre has basically done it twice in the last 2 years. He quit because he didn't like his GM. He cried because he wanted to pick his team. Then he quit after this past season so he could get out of his contract with the Jets. Yet the only time you hear Brett Favre and crybaby in the same sentence is if you are in the GB city limits, and I think even most of them have gotten over it.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sorry if this has been covered, but the Texans signed Rex Grossman to a $620,000 deal, presumeably as a back up. I guess Im glad hes getting another chance somewhere.

[Soul]

Glad to hear Rex will at least be able to stay in the league for now.

[CP_414]

Good for Rex. Is he the #2 there? Schaub seems to go down quite a bit, so he may see the field.

[rawaction]

Good for Rex. Is he the #2 there? Schaub seems to go down quite a bit, so he may see the field.

 

Looks like he will compete with Dan Orlovsky for the #2. I'd imagine that competition could go either way. If Grossman is the #2, he should get a few starts. Schaub has missed 5 games each of the last 2 years, including leaving 4 others early in 2007. Rosenfels threw over 400 passes as the backup in the last 2 years.

 

Be interesting to see how Rex does with a stud WR in Andre Johnson.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it's got more to do with the way he left Denver than his W/L record.

 

It's weird, because guys force trades and holdout and generally combat with management all the time, and a lot of the time the media, especially former players will defend their right to do that because the guy has to look out for himself and everything. Yet here you have nearly universal hatred for what Cutler did, which was in effect caused by a dumb coaching decision (who tries to replace a stable QB situation?). And many guys are absolutely offended that Cutler didn't follow phone tag protocal with the owner.

 

Exactly, and Brett Favre has basically done it twice in the last 2 years. He quit because he didn't like his GM. He cried because he wanted to pick his team. Then he quit after this past season so he could get out of his contract with the Jets. Yet the only time you hear Brett Favre and crybaby in the same sentence is if you are in the GB city limits, and I think even most of them have gotten over it.

 

To be fair, I think you hear that about Favre a lot, just outside the mainstream media. ESPN's Page 2 will make jokes about it, but that's the extent of the national media's take.

 

By that I mean, blogs like deadspin and Kissingsuzykolber often call out Favre for his antics even if the closest thing the big dogs has done is a guy like Peter King finally expressing frustration that Favre constantly lies to him. But at the same time, those blogs rip on and hate Cutler right alongside the national media.

[David]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/story?columnist=bonkowski_jerry&id=4250022

 

Fun to read fluff piece.

 

 

Also, I don't think this gets talked about enough...

 

"It'll keep us in situations that keep us off the field and keep the offense on the field longer, keep sustaining drives and putting first downs and points together," Brown said. "I mean, it's a different ballgame when you're up 3-0, as opposed to being up 24-7. You know that if the other team wants to win, they need to pass it. And then you can really tee off and we can let our guys go and get after them."

 

 

This defense was extra dominant in 06 when we scored a lot of points early in games. When we had leads, we had the chance to really pressure the QB and get big plays like picks and sacks. Our defense isn't ideal for a grind it out type game where we try to run the ball a lot, play conservative on offense and win 10-7 or whatever. It's at its best when the offense and ST give it a cushion and give it a chance to play riskier. Then, when we have those leads, we can grind it out on offense and run down the clock more. Just my .02.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think that overstates the effect Cutler can have on the defense. I believe the likely offensive improvement will help, but he's not a dink and dunk QB who will keep the defense on the sideline for 20 minutes at a time. He's going to have a lot of quick strike TDs, and his fair share of turnovers, both of which put the defense right back on the field. Where he's going to make the difference is hopefully fewer 3 and outs, and he will give the team a chance to A) pile on points instead of taking a small lead and trying to hang on, B) Come back from deficits. Last year the defense seemed to hang tough for 3 quarters a game hoping to win a close one at the end. That takes its toll.

 

But the bulk of the defensive improvement is going to have to come from the defense itself.

[David]

I think that overstates the effect Cutler can have on the defense. I believe the likely offensive improvement will help, but he's not a dink and dunk QB who will keep the defense on the sideline for 20 minutes at a time. He's going to have a lot of quick strike TDs, and his fair share of turnovers, both of which put the defense right back on the field. Where he's going to make the difference is hopefully fewer 3 and outs, and he will give the team a chance to A) pile on points instead of taking a small lead and trying to hang on, B) Come back from deficits. Last year the defense seemed to hang tough for 3 quarters a game hoping to win a close one at the end. That takes its toll.

 

But the bulk of the defensive improvement is going to have to come from the defense itself.

 

 

As for the bolded, definitely. It's a June fluff piece.

 

But it's not just about the time on the field. It's the situations. Yea, a quick TD puts the defense right back on the field. But leads also = putting the opposing offense in passing situations. Bigger leads (obviously) do this even more so. Whenever we'd build those leads, we'd tee off later in games and get flurries of sacks/picks. That's our specialty. Pressuring the QB and getting turnovers. It's much easier to do that when you know what the other team has to do.

 

This is all pretty obvious, though. Can the season start already?

[jersey cubs fan]

I think that overstates the effect Cutler can have on the defense. I believe the likely offensive improvement will help, but he's not a dink and dunk QB who will keep the defense on the sideline for 20 minutes at a time. He's going to have a lot of quick strike TDs, and his fair share of turnovers, both of which put the defense right back on the field. Where he's going to make the difference is hopefully fewer 3 and outs, and he will give the team a chance to A) pile on points instead of taking a small lead and trying to hang on, B) Come back from deficits. Last year the defense seemed to hang tough for 3 quarters a game hoping to win a close one at the end. That takes its toll.

 

But the bulk of the defensive improvement is going to have to come from the defense itself.

 

 

As for the bolded, definitely. It's a June fluff piece.

 

But it's not just about the time on the field. It's the situations. Yea, a quick TD puts the defense right back on the field. But leads also = putting the opposing offense in passing situations. Bigger leads (obviously) do this even more so. Whenever we'd build those leads, we'd tee off later in games and get flurries of sacks/picks. That's our specialty. Pressuring the QB and getting turnovers. It's much easier to do that when you know what the other team has to do.

 

This is all pretty obvious, though. Can the season start already?

 

Eh, they knew when other teams were going to throw last year and couldn't do a damn thing about it. I think Cutler gives them a little more room for error and probably a little less time on the field.

[David]

This is true. The line obviously has to improve for any of this to matter. Hopefully, Marinelli can get improvement/resurgence out of Tommie and maybe Anderson and maybe Gilbert can make an impact.

[David]

Take it FWIW, which isn't all that much, but a little while ago, Mulligan said he's never seen a better Bears team overall than the one he's seen in OTAs so far.

 

I'm going to just assume he's only covered the Bears since the mid 90's or so, which would still make it a pretty good compliment.

[jersey cubs fan]

Take it FWIW, which isn't all that much, but a little while ago, Mulligan said he's never seen a better Bears team overall than the one he's seen in OTAs so far.

 

I'm going to just assume he's only covered the Bears since the mid 90's or so, which would still make it a pretty good compliment.

 

The 2006 team was excellent. I doubt this team is going to be better. The offense might be slightly better, but the defense is not nearly as good, and the special teams won't have as big an impact.

[David]

I refuse to say they will or can't be better overall or on defense because the NFL is insanely unpredictable from year to year. Obviously, going into 06 the defense looked a lot better. By the same token, though, our offense was supposed to be trash going into the 06 season and people were trashing the Hester pick left and right ("He's not an NFL corner or WR, why waste a pick on a return specialist").

 

 

That said, if I had to guess, I think the offense should be much better. I should add the disclaimer that I'm talking beyond just points scored.

[jersey cubs fan]

I refuse to say they will or can't be better overall or on defense because the NFL is insanely unpredictable from year to year. Obviously, going into 06 the defense looked a lot better. By the same token, though, our offense was supposed to be trash going into the 06 season and people were trashing the Hester pick left and right ("He's not an NFL corner or WR, why waste a pick on a return specialist").

 

 

That said, if I had to guess, I think the offense should be much better. I should add the disclaimer that I'm talking beyond just points scored.

 

I believe they were either 1st or 2nd in points scored (but that included special teams and maybe defense), but somewhere around 15 in yards. I think you are right that they will gain more yards than that team, but I'm not sure they will score any more points. And while I understand the problems with NFL unpredictability, I don't think have any problem saying the defense won't be as good. It's the same personel, plus a few years of wear and tear. They've added zero impact defensive players since then, only a couple role players. And this defense relies heavily on athleticism, a young man's strength. This is not a scheme defense that will get better with age. Saying this is the best team he's ever seen in shorts completely ignores the very obvious decline in athleticism from the 2006 defense to today's defense.

[rawaction]

I think that overstates the effect Cutler can have on the defense. I believe the likely offensive improvement will help, but he's not a dink and dunk QB who will keep the defense on the sideline for 20 minutes at a time. He's going to have a lot of quick strike TDs, and his fair share of turnovers, both of which put the defense right back on the field. Where he's going to make the difference is hopefully fewer 3 and outs, and he will give the team a chance to A) pile on points instead of taking a small lead and trying to hang on, B) Come back from deficits. Last year the defense seemed to hang tough for 3 quarters a game hoping to win a close one at the end. That takes its toll.

 

But the bulk of the defensive improvement is going to have to come from the defense itself.

 

Exactly. 3 and outs should be minimized with Cutler. That will help a lot. The Bears were a pretty quick striking team last year, due to a lot of points coming on a short field. I think the stat was 0 TD drives over 65 yards last year. I don't think that will be as big of an issue this year. The Bears were fine with the amount of points they scored last year. But they gave up too many, and part of that was due to the D being on the field too long.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears were fine with the amount of points they scored last year. But they gave up too many, and part of that was due to the D being on the field too long.

 

They were "fine", but they were still just 14th. I'd like to see them at least move to top 12, and really they should be top 10 if we're going to think of them as real contenders. Defense was 16 in points allowed, and again, that should be more like top 12 and ideally top 10 as well. That's when you can start talking about the team comparing to 2006.

[Keener98]

Looks like Plax isnt goin to court until 2010. Get him Jerry!

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4254545

[Soul]

Take it FWIW, which isn't all that much, but a little while ago, Mulligan said he's never seen a better Bears team overall than the one he's seen in OTAs so far.

 

I'm going to just assume he's only covered the Bears since the mid 90's or so, which would still make it a pretty good compliment.

 

The 2006 team was excellent. I doubt this team is going to be better. The offense might be slightly better, but the defense is not nearly as good, and the special teams won't have as big an impact.

 

I doubt this team is better than the '06 squad. I heard Mulligan's comments too, and thought they were a bit over the top. I'm expecting improvement, but I'm also trying to keep the expectations under control.

[ctcf]

Looks like Plax isnt goin to court until 2010. Get him Jerry!

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4254545

 

Indeed. He should be all over this.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yes. That needs to happen. I'm already ridiculously amped up for this season. That would somehow magnify it even more.

[RedFlash]

I doubt this team is better than the '06 squad. I heard Mulligan's comments too, and thought they were a bit over the top. I'm expecting improvement, but I'm also trying to keep the expectations under control.

 

Absolutely. The Cubs have taught me to keep expectations to a minimum.

[RedFlash]

Looks like Plax isnt goin to court until 2010. Get him Jerry!

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4254545

 

Yeah, JA should be all over this. But the one thing that bothers me is that Plax said he wants to play for the Jets so that he can "stick it to the Giants." Hey Plax you know how to stick it to the Giants? Sign with the Bears lead them to playoffs and a possible deep run. Something the Jets are at best 50-50 at doing right now. Better yet the Bears don't have to face a NE Patriots team twice a yr or have to face them until the Super Bowl.