2009 Chicago Bears Preseason Thread - A new era begins

[JonJayCutler]

As optimistic I am about this season, I don't see us finishing any better than 11-5. That should be good enough for the division though.

[David]

With 16 games, it's almost pointless to attempt to predict win totals, IMO. If you could see them finishing 11-5, they could just as easily finish 12-4 or 13-3. A few plays either way can make that difference.

 

I see them around the 10 win mark.. that could just as easily mean they win 7 games as it would they win 13, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

With 16 games, it's almost pointless to attempt to predict win totals, IMO. If you could see them finishing 11-5, they could just as easily finish 12-4 or 13-3. A few plays either way can make that difference.

 

Screw that, predicting win totals is great for gambling purposes.

[rawaction]

http://www.seattlepi.com/scorecard/nflnews.asp?articleID=173278

 

A pretty decent preview of the Bears. Mentions Cutler being a "winner", but notes some of the same concerns that many people have.

[Soul]

As optimistic I am about this season, I don't see us finishing any better than 11-5. That should be good enough for the division though.

 

11-5 would be a fantasy come true.

[David]

Per Rotoworld (per Sun-Times)

 

Bears coach Lovie Smith all but confirmed Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are his starting corners.

It's interesting because both have been injured throughout camp. Tillman (back surgery) is on target for Week 1 and Bowman (hamstring) is expected back soon. Smith said he was looking at the entire offseason, not just training camp. Corey Graham and Nathan Vasher are looking like the backups.

 

 

Great news.

[Guest]

Per Rotoworld (per Sun-Times)

 

Bears coach Lovie Smith all but confirmed Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are his starting corners.

It's interesting because both have been injured throughout camp. Tillman (back surgery) is on target for Week 1 and Bowman (hamstring) is expected back soon. Smith said he was looking at the entire offseason, not just training camp. Corey Graham and Nathan Vasher are looking like the backups.

 

 

Great news.

 

Niiiiiiice.

 

Where's Brinoch?

[Soul]

Per Rotoworld (per Sun-Times)

 

Bears coach Lovie Smith all but confirmed Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are his starting corners.

It's interesting because both have been injured throughout camp. Tillman (back surgery) is on target for Week 1 and Bowman (hamstring) is expected back soon. Smith said he was looking at the entire offseason, not just training camp. Corey Graham and Nathan Vasher are looking like the backups.

 

 

Great news.

 

Niiiiiiice.

 

Where's Brinoch?

 

Yeah, they finally had to pull the plug on Vasher. He's not responding. Bowman is miles better at this point, I have no doubt. Now if he can just stay healthy. Strangely, I have a feeling Tillman will put in a full year, or close to it.

 

That will make things look much better for us if it works out this way.

[UK1679666180]

Think they could move Vasher to safety?

 

His contract is still at the point where if they cut him, they'll take a cap hit?

[jersey cubs fan]

Think they could move Vasher to safety?

 

His contract is still at the point where if they cut him, they'll take a cap hit?

 

6/25/2007: Signed a five-year, $28 million contract extension through 2012. The deal included a $9.5 million signing bonus and a $2.5 million roster bonus in the second year. 2009: $2.9 million, 2010: $2.95 million, 2011: $3.45 million, 2012: $3.7 million, 2013: Free Agent. Cap Charge: $4.867 million (2009).

 

$9.5m spread over 5 years is 1.9m per. His cap charge is currently 2.9+1.9 = 4.8. If they cut him I believe his cap charge would go to 7.6 (bonus from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) this year. If they wait until next year, when his normal charge would be 4.85, the hit would be 5.7, so a little more justifiable.

 

I think with the depth issues he's safe, for now. But with them being below the cap this year (I believe) and knowing they will have to do something with Cutler, perhaps they'd want to get it out of the way.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I'm a little surprised how much Corey Graham has fallen in the eyes of the Bears. He seemed to be a favorite of the coaching staff last year and now Bowman has bumped him down the depth chart.

 

I still think there's a chance Vasher gets cut. If that's the case, then Graham for sure becomes the third corner.

[kujay]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4409350

 

Didn't see this posted yet. I know Harrison has been discussed here.

 

Can it hurt any?

[rawaction]

I'm a little surprised how much Corey Graham has fallen in the eyes of the Bears. He seemed to be a favorite of the coaching staff last year and now Bowman has bumped him down the depth chart.

 

I still think there's a chance Vasher gets cut. If that's the case, then Graham for sure becomes the third corner.

 

I think Vasher stays. With your starting CBs not even on the practice field, Vasher at least gives you a guy that has started in his career. If Tillman and Bowman go down in the regular season, with no Vasher, you're looking at Graham and McBride starting with DJ Moore as the 3rd CB and Danieal Manning as the 4th. McBride hasn't been any better, so I think given the choice (which the Bears will have) they'd keep Vasher and his experience and not take the cap hit and get a similar player with a chance of being good again.

 

As for Graham, he pretty much is the 3rd CB at this point. He's been getting some #1 D reps. He's in contention to be the nickel. I would bet if the starting CBs are healthy come game 1, Graham will see more PT than Vasher in the backup role. I think Bowman has earned a spot over Graham because he has practiced well. He's a lot bigger and matches up better on the outside. I don't think the move is because he's so much better than Graham, moreso that he fits better. Kinda like the Omiyale/Beekman situation.

[rawaction]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4409350

 

Didn't see this posted yet. I know Harrison has been discussed here.

 

Can it hurt any?

 

Yes. He has some legal stuff going on. He's at best a 1-year solution. He would be taking time away from someone that could actually develop as a long-time future target of Cutler like Bennett, Rideau, Iglesias, Knox, or Aromashodu. Also, that would mean one of these guys would NOT make the team, along w/ Davis....and that's if the Bears keep the max 6 WRs.

[brinoch]

Per Rotoworld (per Sun-Times)

 

Bears coach Lovie Smith all but confirmed Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are his starting corners.

It's interesting because both have been injured throughout camp. Tillman (back surgery) is on target for Week 1 and Bowman (hamstring) is expected back soon. Smith said he was looking at the entire offseason, not just training camp. Corey Graham and Nathan Vasher are looking like the backups.

 

 

Great news.

 

Niiiiiiice.

 

Where's Brinoch?

 

Tillman still sucks.

[kujay]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4409350

 

Didn't see this posted yet. I know Harrison has been discussed here.

 

Can it hurt any?

 

Yes. He has some legal stuff going on. He's at best a 1-year solution. He would be taking time away from someone that could actually develop as a long-time future target of Cutler like Bennett, Rideau, Iglesias, Knox, or Aromashodu. Also, that would mean one of these guys would NOT make the team, along w/ Davis....and that's if the Bears keep the max 6 WRs.

 

I hear about the Harrison getting in the way of developing the young guys, but I would be fine if Davis never played another snap.

[Banedon]

lol...so Dungy craps all over Cutler, but now he thinks his buddy Harrison would be a great fit? Ok.

[Banedon]

Cutler clarifying the Hester comments, and another tidbit I found interesting:

 

"He's a go down the field and get the ball (receiver)," Cutler said. "I threw a bad ball, didn't give him a chance. I've got to throw it down there and let him run under it. It was a bad throw on my part."

 

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said this week that Cutler should have gone to a shorter receiver route when he had to slide up in the pocket on the play rather than put the ball up for grabs, but in Denver, former coach Mike Shanahan encouraged him to look downfield. He often praised Cutler for going deep, even throwing into coverage, rather than simply dumping off the ball. He believed that approach would make Cutler great, and the Bears certainly don't want to shackle him, either.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4409350

 

Didn't see this posted yet. I know Harrison has been discussed here.

 

Can it hurt any?

 

Yes. He has some legal stuff going on. He's at best a 1-year solution. He would be taking time away from someone that could actually develop as a long-time future target of Cutler like Bennett, Rideau, Iglesias, Knox, or Aromashodu. Also, that would mean one of these guys would NOT make the team, along w/ Davis....and that's if the Bears keep the max 6 WRs.

 

I'm with you on this, but isn't Harrison's legal issue a thing of the past? I thought nothing came of it.

[Banedon]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4409350

 

Didn't see this posted yet. I know Harrison has been discussed here.

 

Can it hurt any?

 

Yes. He has some legal stuff going on. He's at best a 1-year solution. He would be taking time away from someone that could actually develop as a long-time future target of Cutler like Bennett, Rideau, Iglesias, Knox, or Aromashodu. Also, that would mean one of these guys would NOT make the team, along w/ Davis....and that's if the Bears keep the max 6 WRs.

 

I'm with you on this, but isn't Harrison's legal issue a thing of the past? I thought nothing came of it.

 

As of Aug 6th it was still ongoing....unless something has happened since that I'm not aware of.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/06/marvin-harrison-still-waiting/

[JonJayCutler]

Cutler clarifying the Hester comments, and another tidbit I found interesting:

 

"He's a go down the field and get the ball (receiver)," Cutler said. "I threw a bad ball, didn't give him a chance. I've got to throw it down there and let him run under it. It was a bad throw on my part."

 

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said this week that Cutler should have gone to a shorter receiver route when he had to slide up in the pocket on the play rather than put the ball up for grabs, but in Denver, former coach Mike Shanahan encouraged him to look downfield. He often praised Cutler for going deep, even throwing into coverage, rather than simply dumping off the ball. He believed that approach would make Cutler great, and the Bears certainly don't want to shackle him, either.

 

Someone that throws deep and into coverage? Hmm, last time we had a QB who did that he was almost literally run out of town by fans. Our receivers were better back then too.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cutler clarifying the Hester comments, and another tidbit I found interesting:

 

"He's a go down the field and get the ball (receiver)," Cutler said. "I threw a bad ball, didn't give him a chance. I've got to throw it down there and let him run under it. It was a bad throw on my part."

 

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said this week that Cutler should have gone to a shorter receiver route when he had to slide up in the pocket on the play rather than put the ball up for grabs, but in Denver, former coach Mike Shanahan encouraged him to look downfield. He often praised Cutler for going deep, even throwing into coverage, rather than simply dumping off the ball. He believed that approach would make Cutler great, and the Bears certainly don't want to shackle him, either.

 

Someone that throws deep and into coverage? Hmm, last time we had a QB who did that he was almost literally run out of town by fans. Our receivers were better back then too.

 

There's nothing wrong with throwing into coverage deep. An INT way down the field isn't the worst thing. It's the fumbles behind the line and INTs in the flat and underneath that will kill you. Or deep INTs that don't even give a receiver a chance to make a play.

[Banedon]

Cutler clarifying the Hester comments, and another tidbit I found interesting:

 

"He's a go down the field and get the ball (receiver)," Cutler said. "I threw a bad ball, didn't give him a chance. I've got to throw it down there and let him run under it. It was a bad throw on my part."

 

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said this week that Cutler should have gone to a shorter receiver route when he had to slide up in the pocket on the play rather than put the ball up for grabs, but in Denver, former coach Mike Shanahan encouraged him to look downfield. He often praised Cutler for going deep, even throwing into coverage, rather than simply dumping off the ball. He believed that approach would make Cutler great, and the Bears certainly don't want to shackle him, either.

 

Someone that throws deep and into coverage? Hmm, last time we had a QB who did that he was almost literally run out of town by fans. Our receivers were better back then too.

 

Are you arguing that Rex = Cutler?

[JonJayCutler]

Cutler clarifying the Hester comments, and another tidbit I found interesting:

 

"He's a go down the field and get the ball (receiver)," Cutler said. "I threw a bad ball, didn't give him a chance. I've got to throw it down there and let him run under it. It was a bad throw on my part."

 

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said this week that Cutler should have gone to a shorter receiver route when he had to slide up in the pocket on the play rather than put the ball up for grabs, but in Denver, former coach Mike Shanahan encouraged him to look downfield. He often praised Cutler for going deep, even throwing into coverage, rather than simply dumping off the ball. He believed that approach would make Cutler great, and the Bears certainly don't want to shackle him, either.

 

Someone that throws deep and into coverage? Hmm, last time we had a QB who did that he was almost literally run out of town by fans. Our receivers were better back then too.

 

Are you arguing that Rex = Cutler?

 

Not at all. Cutler is obviously the better QB. I'm just saying that they seem to have similarities and I'm a bit more skeptical than I was when we acquired him. Fortuntely for Cutler he can probably make the same dumb plays that Rex made in 2006 and won't get booed for it because he has already won over the city of Chicago.

[jersey cubs fan]

Not at all. Cutler is obviously the better QB. I'm just saying that they seem to have similarities and I'm a bit more skeptical than I was when we acquired him. Fortuntely for Cutler he can probably make the same dumb plays that Rex made in 2006 and won't get booed for it because he has already won over the city of Chicago.

 

But you should have known he had a penchant for INTs when they acquired him.

 

It's not the "same dumb plays". Rex's dumb plays were incomprehensibly dumb. Throwing a pick 40 yards down the field because you were trying to pressure the defense and were a yard off is not the same as panicking in the pocket and throwing the ball 50 feet in the air to a linebacker while falling onto your back. Jay will throw some INT's on a crossing pattern as a guy cuts across the coverage, but he's not nearly the loon that Rex became as things fell apart. I'm not saying there won't be dumb plays, but all QB's throw what look like dumb picks. But all dumb plays are not equally dumb.