2009 Chicago Bears Preseason Thread - A new era begins

[hawkeyecub]

It's so douchey-good, we might need to post one of the pics for every Cutler passing TD this season.

I vote for

http://www.michiganavemag.com/images/MA_SP09_100_NEW3.jpg

 

His face looks like someone is wearing a "fatter Jay Cutler mask" or like it was just stung by several bees.

 

No, he's just fat:

 

http://www.nflminute.com/wp-content/uploads/jay-cutler-bears.jpg

 

Yeah he just has a really, really fat face.

 

I don't get the fat mask comment. He actually has somewhat of a jawline in that GQ picture.

[rawaction]

HAHA....the pics are toooo funny.

 

http://www.michiganavemag.com/MA_SP09_100_NEW.html

 

He's country-douche.

 

Looks like Brian Urlacher/Bobby Wade were right.

[Soul]

Last year's SI preview: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/

 

None of their 9 guys had the Steelers or Cardinals in the Championship game, much less the Super Bowl. 4 of the MVP votes went to Welker, Hasselback, Romo and LT. Everyone had the Chiefs with the worst record except 2 votes for the Falcons and Ravens.

 

I have the Vikings with a floor of 10 wins, ceiling of 12. Bears between 9-11 and Packers between 8-10. But I have no effing clue.

 

You saw the Cutler GQ pix, yet you still doubt?

[MidoreX]

http://www.michiganavemag.com/images/MA_SP09_100_NEW3.jpghttp://newsblaze.com/pix/2006/1109/pix/davidputty.230.jpg

 

"Hi Five."

[UMFan83]

Last year's SI preview: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/

 

None of their 9 guys had the Steelers or Cardinals in the Championship game, much less the Super Bowl. 4 of the MVP votes went to Welker, Hasselback, Romo and LT. Everyone had the Chiefs with the worst record except 2 votes for the Falcons and Ravens.

 

I have the Vikings with a floor of 10 wins, ceiling of 12. Bears between 9-11 and Packers between 8-10. But I have no effing clue.

 

C'mon, worst case scenario is 10 wins for the Vikings? How how the heck is the Vikings FLOOR as many wins as they had last year? So if the Williams Wall gets suspended 4 games, Favre's frail body causes him an injury that affects his performance like it has 2 of the last 3 seasons (and is too stubborn to sit bc of his streak, and has too much pull to forcibly be sat down), and Harvin has as little impact as 90% of rookie receivers have, they are still winning 10 games? That's awful homerism on your part. Ask a Packers fan how good they were last year and how many wins they ended up with to find out how wrong you are.

 

Personally, I'd say Vikings 6-11 wins, Bears 7-12 wins and Packers 6-12 wins. As much as I hate the Packers, I think if a good amount of things go well for them they have slightly the highest upside although I'm not necessarily making them the favorites. And that's not me hating on your Vikings either, they have a really good team if Favre can play well (big IF), even if not they have a good enough team to make the playoffs/win division.

[hawkeyecub]

Last year's SI preview: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/

 

None of their 9 guys had the Steelers or Cardinals in the Championship game, much less the Super Bowl. 4 of the MVP votes went to Welker, Hasselback, Romo and LT. Everyone had the Chiefs with the worst record except 2 votes for the Falcons and Ravens.

 

I have the Vikings with a floor of 10 wins, ceiling of 12. Bears between 9-11 and Packers between 8-10. But I have no effing clue.

 

C'mon, worst case scenario is 10 wins for the Vikings? How how the heck is the Vikings FLOOR as many wins as they had last year? So if the Williams Wall gets suspended 4 games, Favre's frail body causes him an injury that affects his performance like it has 2 of the last 3 seasons (and is too stubborn to sit bc of his streak, and has too much pull to forcibly be sat down), and Harvin has as little impact as 90% of rookie receivers have, they are still winning 10 games? That's awful homerism on your part. Ask a Packers fan how good they were last year and how many wins they ended up with to find out how wrong you are.

 

Personally, I'd say Vikings 6-11 wins, Bears 7-12 wins and Packers 6-12 wins. As much as I hate the Packers, I think if a good amount of things go well for them they have slightly the highest upside although I'm not necessarily making them the favorites. And that's not me hating on your Vikings either, they have a really good team if Favre can play well (big IF), even if not they have a good enough team to make the playoffs/win division.

 

I didn't phrase that correctly. Clearly I don't mean that worst case scenario for the Vikings is 10 wins, nor did I mean worst case scenario for the Bears is 9 wins. What I was trying to say is that as things stand right now, I see the Vikings between 10-12 wins, Bears between 9-11 and Packers 8-10. Without foreseeing bad things happening to Cutler, Rodgers, Favre, Forte, Peterson, Jennings, Briggs, Allen, Jennings, Woodson, Kampmann, Winfield, Olsen, Urlacher, Williams', etc.

As to your points about the Vikings...

 

The Williams' case is almost certainly postponed until after the season.

 

Favre of last year was still much better than what the Vikings got at QB. If he gets knocked out I'm more comfortable with Sage/Tarvaris of this year than Gus/Tarvaris of last year.

 

If Percy doesn't have an impact we have the same receiving corps as last year. He may not be DeSean Jackson of last year, but with the amount of plays they've drawn up just for him he'll have more than a little impact in my opinion.

 

The defense was top 8 last year with a collection of street free agents playing MLB after E.J. Henderson's injury. Getting him and our top special teams player (and his backup) back after missing nearly all of last season, they have a good shot at being a legit top 5 defense in the league. Add that to a top 5 running game and Favre/whoever just has to be slightly better than Gus was.

[Sammy Sofa]

It's so douchey-good, we might need to post one of the pics for every Cutler passing TD this season.

I vote for

http://www.michiganavemag.com/images/MA_SP09_100_NEW3.jpg

 

His face looks like someone is wearing a "fatter Jay Cutler mask" or like it was just stung by several bees.

 

No, he's just fat:

 

http://www.nflminute.com/wp-content/uploads/jay-cutler-bears.jpg

 

Yeah he just has a really, really fat face.

 

I don't get the fat mask comment. He actually has somewhat of a jawline in that GQ picture.

 

A jaw holding up a very swollen and blubbery face.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the Bears need specifically one player to become a stud again to get close to SI's predictions and make a deep run in the playoffs. That player is Tommie Harris. Unfortunately his knee is only at 80% now and it isn't going to improve during the season. The Tampa-Two can only thrive if he is playing at a Pro-Bowl level. I don't see how they will be much better than last year if he isn't playing great. Ogunleye and Brown will be double teamed and they aren't good enough to overcome that. Without pressure on the QB, this defense will be picked apart. With that said, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2007 without Harris because he was on IR. But this defense is older and slower upfront and in the middle and less experienced in the defensive backfield compared to that team.

[SpongeWorthy]

I think the Bears need specifically one player to become a stud again to get close to SI's predictions and make a deep run in the playoffs. That player is Tommie Harris. Unfortunately his knee is only at 80% now and it isn't going to improve during the season. The Tampa-Two can only thrive if he is playing at a Pro-Bowl level. I don't see how they will be much better than last year if he isn't playing great. Ogunleye and Brown will be double teamed and they aren't good enough to overcome that. Without pressure on the QB, this defense will be picked apart. With that said, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2007 without Harris because he was on IR. But this defense is older and slower upfront and in the middle and less experienced in the defensive backfield compared to that team.

 

Yeah, the secondary worries me but I think there's enough talent and depth on the line to be at least serviceable. Hopefully Marinelli is as good as everyone says. The linebackers do not worry me at all though--I think it's a top 5 unit in the league with the addition of Pisa. He's just a huge improvement over Hillenmeyer. Briggs and Urlacher are still among the best players at their respective positions.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the Bears need specifically one player to become a stud again to get close to SI's predictions and make a deep run in the playoffs. That player is Tommie Harris. Unfortunately his knee is only at 80% now and it isn't going to improve during the season. The Tampa-Two can only thrive if he is playing at a Pro-Bowl level. I don't see how they will be much better than last year if he isn't playing great. Ogunleye and Brown will be double teamed and they aren't good enough to overcome that. Without pressure on the QB, this defense will be picked apart. With that said, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2007 without Harris because he was on IR. But this defense is older and slower upfront and in the middle and less experienced in the defensive backfield compared to that team.

 

Yeah, the secondary worries me but I think there's enough talent and depth on the line to be at least serviceable. Hopefully Marinelli is as good as everyone says. The linebackers do not worry me at all though--I think it's a top 5 unit in the league with the addition of Pisa. He's just a huge improvement over Hillenmeyer. Briggs and Urlacher are still among the best players at their respective positions.

 

This defense is serviceable to above average. But even with Cutler, this team isn't going to the Super Bowl unless the offense or defense is top 5.

[Moon Rock]

I'm more optimistic for a Super Bowl appearance next year rather than this year. Still think the Bears are a top WR away from making it to the Super Bowl and I think there are a lot of good ones out there in free agency this offseason.

[SpongeWorthy]

I think the Bears need specifically one player to become a stud again to get close to SI's predictions and make a deep run in the playoffs. That player is Tommie Harris. Unfortunately his knee is only at 80% now and it isn't going to improve during the season. The Tampa-Two can only thrive if he is playing at a Pro-Bowl level. I don't see how they will be much better than last year if he isn't playing great. Ogunleye and Brown will be double teamed and they aren't good enough to overcome that. Without pressure on the QB, this defense will be picked apart. With that said, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2007 without Harris because he was on IR. But this defense is older and slower upfront and in the middle and less experienced in the defensive backfield compared to that team.

 

Yeah, the secondary worries me but I think there's enough talent and depth on the line to be at least serviceable. Hopefully Marinelli is as good as everyone says. The linebackers do not worry me at all though--I think it's a top 5 unit in the league with the addition of Pisa. He's just a huge improvement over Hillenmeyer. Briggs and Urlacher are still among the best players at their respective positions.

 

This defense is serviceable to above average. But even with Cutler, this team isn't going to the Super Bowl unless the offense or defense is top 5.

 

I don't necessarily disagree but I think if you can control the ball, force turnovers, or get great special teams play you can be a SB caliber team without one unit being a killer.

[dew1679666265]

Found this interesting.

 

After five weeks of discussions, the Tennessee Titans are bringing free-agent wide receiver Matt Jones in for a visit Thursday.

Jones' agent, Alan Herman, also has been in contact with the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears regarding Jones, but the Titans are the team that is acting fastest.

[UMFan83]

Last year's SI preview: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/

 

None of their 9 guys had the Steelers or Cardinals in the Championship game, much less the Super Bowl. 4 of the MVP votes went to Welker, Hasselback, Romo and LT. Everyone had the Chiefs with the worst record except 2 votes for the Falcons and Ravens.

 

I have the Vikings with a floor of 10 wins, ceiling of 12. Bears between 9-11 and Packers between 8-10. But I have no effing clue.

 

C'mon, worst case scenario is 10 wins for the Vikings? How how the heck is the Vikings FLOOR as many wins as they had last year? So if the Williams Wall gets suspended 4 games, Favre's frail body causes him an injury that affects his performance like it has 2 of the last 3 seasons (and is too stubborn to sit bc of his streak, and has too much pull to forcibly be sat down), and Harvin has as little impact as 90% of rookie receivers have, they are still winning 10 games? That's awful homerism on your part. Ask a Packers fan how good they were last year and how many wins they ended up with to find out how wrong you are.

 

Personally, I'd say Vikings 6-11 wins, Bears 7-12 wins and Packers 6-12 wins. As much as I hate the Packers, I think if a good amount of things go well for them they have slightly the highest upside although I'm not necessarily making them the favorites. And that's not me hating on your Vikings either, they have a really good team if Favre can play well (big IF), even if not they have a good enough team to make the playoffs/win division.

 

I didn't phrase that correctly. Clearly I don't mean that worst case scenario for the Vikings is 10 wins, nor did I mean worst case scenario for the Bears is 9 wins. What I was trying to say is that as things stand right now, I see the Vikings between 10-12 wins, Bears between 9-11 and Packers 8-10. Without foreseeing bad things happening to Cutler, Rodgers, Favre, Forte, Peterson, Jennings, Briggs, Allen, Jennings, Woodson, Kampmann, Winfield, Olsen, Urlacher, Williams', etc.

As to your points about the Vikings...

 

The Williams' case is almost certainly postponed until after the season.

 

Favre of last year was still much better than what the Vikings got at QB. If he gets knocked out I'm more comfortable with Sage/Tarvaris of this year than Gus/Tarvaris of last year.

 

If Percy doesn't have an impact we have the same receiving corps as last year. He may not be DeSean Jackson of last year, but with the amount of plays they've drawn up just for him he'll have more than a little impact in my opinion.

 

The defense was top 8 last year with a collection of street free agents playing MLB after E.J. Henderson's injury. Getting him and our top special teams player (and his backup) back after missing nearly all of last season, they have a good shot at being a legit top 5 defense in the league. Add that to a top 5 running game and Favre/whoever just has to be slightly better than Gus was.

 

I'm sorry but including things like "chance Favre might get hurt" should be in your ceiling/floor projections. Much more than something like Cutler getting hurt. While both could happen, it is far more likely Favre's 41 year old body succumbs to a hit and starts to play erratically like last year.

 

Also, weren't you the guy who was bragging about Tavaris' 98.whatever QB rating last year to point out how people were underrating him? Now your sorta throwing him under the bus saying that the Vikings won despite him last year.

 

There are a lot of things to be optimistic about if you are a Vikings fan this year (and Bears, and Packers). I'm just saying to be a bit realistic. The funny thing is, the chances of both of us looking like idiots in December is slightly higher than either one of us looking like geniuses with the way the NFL is.

[Wilson A2000]

Favre is already hurt. He has a tear in his rotator cuff and a broken rib.

 

1. Should the Bears go after Brandon Marshall? (they have plenty of cap space)

2. Do the Bears have enough to give Denver?

[hawkeyecub]

I'm sorry but including things like "chance Favre might get hurt" should be in your ceiling/floor projections. Much more than something like Cutler getting hurt. While both could happen, it is far more likely Favre's 41 year old body succumbs to a hit and starts to play erratically like last year.

 

Also, weren't you the guy who was bragging about Tavaris' 98.whatever QB rating last year to point out how people were underrating him? Now your sorta throwing him under the bus saying that the Vikings won despite him last year.

 

There are a lot of things to be optimistic about if you are a Vikings fan this year (and Bears, and Packers). I'm just saying to be a bit realistic. The funny thing is, the chances of both of us looking like idiots in December is slightly higher than either one of us looking like geniuses with the way the NFL is.

 

Of course Favre is more likely to get injured. As I've said many times on this board, I think there's only a 1-2 game difference in the regular season between Favre and Sage. I've also said best case scenario is he plays a solid 10-12 games, gets knocked out for a few weeks and then comes back refreshed for the playoff run.

 

I'm not throwing Tarvaris under the bus at all. He had 2 below average games to start (0-2) and 3 really good games to finish before being lousy in the playoffs where they went 2-1. What I was saying was they went 8-3 despite having terrible QB play with Gus. Worse than Tarvaris, worse than Favre was last year, worse than Sage. He was awful and special teams were awful. They won with an underrated, top 6-8 defense and a top 5 running game.

 

I don't see what I'm being unrealistic about. I essentially put the Vikings, Bears and Packers all in the same window with the Vikings being the favorite. Which echoes what Vegas and many analysts are saying. I already clarified that I misused the term "floor" and didn't mean that was worst case scenario. I had the Bears "floor" at 9 wins which also isn't truly the case. Just the windows where I currently see the 3 teams' win totals ending.

 

Anyways, not trying to hijack a Bears thread with a Vikings-centric discussion, we can do that in the NFL thread if you want.

Edited September 3, 2009 by hawkeyecub

[JonJayCutler]

I don't know if I'd be able to live anymore if we lost to you guys that deep in the postseason. That said, I've always wanted to see a Bears-Packers NFC Title game.

I think six or seven teams in the NFC can logically make the claim that they can win the conference this year.

 

 

Same...

 

Beating the Packers for the right to go to the Super Bowl would bring just as much, if not more happiness to me than actually winning the Super Bowl.

[ELCABALLO45]

I don't see anyone laughing at the NFC North anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except the Lions

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOL, Lions

[burnt out cubbie fan]

30. Chicago Bears – Virginia McCaskey (Michael McCaskey, Ted Phillips): From a business perspective, no franchise in sports underachieves like this one. The Bears have a storied history, the NFL’s second-largest market all to themselves and, for the first time in forever, a saleable franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler. The brand should be booming; sponsorship revenues should be raining down upon Halas Hall like M.J.’s fadeway jumpers in the mid-’90s. “They could take that thing and run it to the moon,” one owner says. “But they get less for what they’ve got than any team in our league.” The Bears also react cautiously to league-level proposals for increasing revenue. On a positive note, Michael McCaskey, as chair of the NFL’s Super Bowl committee, does a thorough and comprehensive job of reciting the rules before bids are considered. I can’t imagine where his peers would be without him.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkTRBAKNCS7Mo3emY2Mo_2FDubYF?slug=ms-ownerrankingspartone09020&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[ELCABALLO45]

Some guy on Foxsports.com made his top 10 bold predictions and here was number 7...

 

7. The Chicago Bears will win the NFC North.

 

I've detailed my love for the 2009 Bears in columns throughout the summer, but I'm not sure I've put an official stamp on them for a division championship yet. Well, surprise! Congratulate your 09 NFC North champions. In a division with QB storylines surrounding Brett Favre in Minnesota, Matt Stafford in Detroit and Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, I love Jay Cutler and the Bears.

 

With the league's easiest schedule, a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades and one of the NFL's most innovative defensive minds taking over play-calling duties (again), look for Chicago to bounce back from two straight mediocre seasons and host a playoff game come January.

 

No receivers?

 

Stop that.

 

Devin Hester and Earl Bennett are more than formidable as a 1-2 duo. Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark serve as a top-notch tight end combo. Cutler will only make all of them better football players.

 

If I sound giddy about Cutler, it's because I am. Aided by a manageable schedule, a few years under his belt, a team eager to have him as their leader and both fan base and coaching staff in his corner from the very start, this is the year Jay Cutler enters the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.

 

He'll take the Bears along with him on his rise to super stardom.

[Banedon]

Nothing says "don't cut me" like a bouquet of roses.

 

Which is why Bears wideout Devin Aromashodu's idea is sort of brilliant. Rather than leave his NFL chances to fate, he went ahead and purchased all the Bears coaches flowers:

 

"I sent flowers to all the coaches, to keep me in mind," he said Tuesday.

 

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/Bears-Wideout-Gives-Flowers-to-Coaches-56721097.html

[rawaction]

 

This defense is serviceable to above average. But even with Cutler, this team isn't going to the Super Bowl unless the offense or defense is top 5.

 

Interesting statement. At first glance, a statement saying a team has to be either top 5 in offense or defense to make the Super Bowl seems outlandish. However, when you look at the last 4...Steelers D vs. Cards O, Patriots O vs. Giants D, Colts O vs. Bears D, Steelers D vs. Seahawks O. Only the Giants finished outside of the top 5 in both offense and defense, and they were 7th in defense.

 

Only 3 times this century has a team been in the Superbowl while not having a top 5 unit or being top 10 in both. The 2007 Giants, 2003 Panthers, and 2001 Patriots. I don't think the Bears are good enough to be top 5 in either. I think if all goes perfectly, the Bears could be top 10 in both.

[Soul]

30. Chicago Bears – Virginia McCaskey (Michael McCaskey, Ted Phillips): From a business perspective, no franchise in sports underachieves like this one. The Bears have a storied history, the NFL’s second-largest market all to themselves and, for the first time in forever, a saleable franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler. The brand should be booming; sponsorship revenues should be raining down upon Halas Hall like M.J.’s fadeway jumpers in the mid-’90s. “They could take that thing and run it to the moon,” one owner says. “But they get less for what they’ve got than any team in our league.” The Bears also react cautiously to league-level proposals for increasing revenue. On a positive note, Michael McCaskey, as chair of the NFL’s Super Bowl committee, does a thorough and comprehensive job of reciting the rules before bids are considered. I can’t imagine where his peers would be without him.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkTRBAKNCS7Mo3emY2Mo_2FDubYF?slug=ms-ownerrankingspartone09020&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

As I understand it, the Bears are a top 10 franchise in terms of value of the team, and cash flow. How can you be ranked lower than the Lions when that is the case?

 

That ranking seems like a joke to me. I don't think the McCaskeys are one of the best, mind you -- but worse than the Lions? Huh?

[Banedon]

 

This defense is serviceable to above average. But even with Cutler, this team isn't going to the Super Bowl unless the offense or defense is top 5.

 

Interesting statement. At first glance, a statement saying a team has to be either top 5 in offense or defense to make the Super Bowl seems outlandish. However, when you look at the last 4...Steelers D vs. Cards O, Patriots O vs. Giants D, Colts O vs. Bears D, Steelers D vs. Seahawks O. Only the Giants finished outside of the top 5 in both offense and defense, and they were 7th in defense.

 

Only 3 times this century has a team been in the Superbowl while not having a top 5 unit or being top 10 in both. The 2007 Giants, 2003 Panthers, and 2001 Patriots. I don't think the Bears are good enough to be top 5 in either. I think if all goes perfectly, the Bears could be top 10 in both.

 

If you use DVOA....

 

2008 Cards O = 15th

2007 Giants D = 14th

 

Also, the Bears were 7th in Defensive DVOA last year. So if they can maintain the same defense as last year, and break into the top 10 in offense (23rd in Off DVOA last year) then they would meet your definition. (Although I know you weren't referring to DVOA. I just like it.)

[Banedon]

30. Chicago Bears – Virginia McCaskey (Michael McCaskey, Ted Phillips): From a business perspective, no franchise in sports underachieves like this one. The Bears have a storied history, the NFL’s second-largest market all to themselves and, for the first time in forever, a saleable franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler. The brand should be booming; sponsorship revenues should be raining down upon Halas Hall like M.J.’s fadeway jumpers in the mid-’90s. “They could take that thing and run it to the moon,” one owner says. “But they get less for what they’ve got than any team in our league.” The Bears also react cautiously to league-level proposals for increasing revenue. On a positive note, Michael McCaskey, as chair of the NFL’s Super Bowl committee, does a thorough and comprehensive job of reciting the rules before bids are considered. I can’t imagine where his peers would be without him.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkTRBAKNCS7Mo3emY2Mo_2FDubYF?slug=ms-ownerrankingspartone09020&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

As I understand it, the Bears are a top 10 franchise in terms of value of the team, and cash flow. How can you be ranked lower than the Lions when that is the case?

 

That ranking seems like a joke to me. I don't think the McCaskeys are one of the best, mind you -- but worse than the Lions? Huh?

 

I think they mean capitalizing on the popularity of the franchise. The belief in that article is that the Bears have such a following, and such a great sports city, and there's a lot more money and hype to be weilded around, and that isn't being done.

 

I get the point, though I still disagree with the ranking.