2009 Chicago Bears Preseason Thread - A new era begins

[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?

 

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.

 

It's subjective. Who knows what the Lions could have built their franchise into with good ownership? That's also a huge market, new stadium, etc. At least the Bears actually ARE a strong brand, with good cash flow.

[Banedon]

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

 

Keep an eye out for StarCaps ruling

Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2009 9:43 AM ET

With Week One of the 2009 regular season officially one week away, there's a fairly important item of non-football business that is still pending.

 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has not yet ruled on whether the May 2009 decision preserving the Minnesota statutory claims brought by Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams will be affirmed or reversed.

 

Though the facts and the claims can get convoluted, the next wrinkle in the case is clear. If the district court decision is upheld, the Vikings will have their two starting defensive tackles for the entire 2009 season. If the decision is overturned, the Williams Wall will be dismantled for the first four games of the season, against the Browns, Lions, 49ers, and Packers.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/03/keep-an-eye-out-for-starcaps-ruling/

[jersey cubs fan]

That ownership story is pretty stupid. First off, it's written by Silver, who is just plain old awful. But second of all, what it is basically saying is that the Bears should be more like Dallas and Washington, AKA bloated disgusting behemoth Disney-fied organizations. They are saying the Bears should have some 70,000 seat monstrosity in the outer suburbs with giant parking lots and all the bells and whistles (paid for by the taxpayers of course). Sure the Bears leave some money on the table. They don't have cheerleaders or a giant Pirate ship in the stadium, but big deal. They aren't a public corporation. They are privately owned. They are financially stable, they have been in contention for several years, they pay well, are loyal to employees and spend a lot on players. They aren't penny pinching buffoons or overly involved idiots. They run a nice organization.

[Soul]

That was my take too. Just because they aren't squeezing every last dime of what they could shouldn't mean they rank at the bottom of the league. They've been playing well, they sell out their stadium for every home game instantly, their top players move merchandise...

 

Ridiculous to say the Bears are one of the worst. Just absolutely ridiculous.

[brinoch]

If people really think the Bears are a crappy franchise, just read about how the Redskins squeeze every dime out of their fans in today's Post...

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/02/AR2009090203887.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103984.html?hpid=topnews

 

Hey, look at that. The Redskins aren't on Silver's "Dysfunctional List". I know it's easy to get defensive about your favorite teams, but the Bears aren't a poorly run team (anymore). Before Virginia took things back, though, that was another story.

[jersey cubs fan]

If people really think the Bears are a crappy franchise, just read about how the Redskins squeeze every dime out of their fans in today's Post...

 

And that's the type of thing Silver is criticizing the Bears for not doing. He quotes another owner who is saying you can milk so much more revenue out of the franchise (aka fleece the fans for more money).

[David]

Football Outsiders with a pretty cool look at our offense

 

http://footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-chicago-six

[Banedon]

I'm sitting here thinking about how we can keep Brandon Rideau on the roster. I think all of our WR's are tossups, so it doesn't hurt to carry more of them. And I think Rideau has played pretty well in the preseason.

 

Kevin Jones on the other hand has had a pretty crappy preseason, and really has yet to look good in a Bears uniform. How about cutting Jones, making Peterson your backup RB...a role he's done well in over the years, and then use the extra roster spot for Rideau?

[David]

Cut Jones to keep Rideau?

 

No, thank you.

 

 

Rideau is probably the odd man out at this point... he hasn't shown much in preseason games and has looked slow. Davis's play on ST will keep him around.

[Guest]

I'm sitting here thinking about how we can keep Brandon Rideau on the roster. I think all of our WR's are tossups, so it doesn't hurt to carry more of them. And I think Rideau has played pretty well in the preseason.

 

Kevin Jones on the other hand has had a pretty crappy preseason, and really has yet to look good in a Bears uniform. How about cutting Jones, making Peterson your backup RB...a role he's done well in over the years, and then use the extra roster spot for Rideau?

 

I'm not sure why you'd want to keep Rideau.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm sitting here thinking about how we can keep Brandon Rideau on the roster. I think all of our WR's are tossups, so it doesn't hurt to carry more of them. And I think Rideau has played pretty well in the preseason.

 

Kevin Jones on the other hand has had a pretty crappy preseason, and really has yet to look good in a Bears uniform. How about cutting Jones, making Peterson your backup RB...a role he's done well in over the years, and then use the extra roster spot for Rideau?

 

Jones may not have shown much, but this season is going to depend heavily on production at RB. Forte has to be rested and Peterson just isn't good. He has shown some glimpses in the past, but I can't recall seeing any the past couple years. I'd be all for cutting Wolfe to keep Rideau, but not Jones.

[David]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

[Banedon]

Because our WR's are pretty unproven to say the least. Really other than Hester and Bennett, we don't know what any of the rest of them can do. Keeping Rideau gives you another chance for one to actually be good.

 

Honestly, for me it's more that I don't like Jones. I don't think he's that good. I'd rather seen Petersen in the backup role.

[Banedon]

I think Petersen makes it because of special teams.

[JonJayCutler]

The WR situation is really going to be interesting. Hester and Bennett are obviously locks, which leaves six WRs for three spots if they go with five WRs, four spots if they go with six. I think Iglesias and Davis would normally be cut but I can't see us cutting a third round pick, and Davis is a good contributer on ST. I think due to the inexperience, we'll end up going with six WRs, and I'm going to say Peterman and either Rideau/Aromashodu get the boot. I'd prefer to keep Aromashodu over Rideau but thats just me. I think Knox will make the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

 

Peterson is more of a special teams contributor than Wolfe, and neither of those two is a better backup RB option than Jones. If one has to go, it's Wolfe who has done nothing in the NFL so far. I understand wanting to keep more WR in the hopes of having one develop with Cutler. I think Jay is going to turn one of these guys into a legit threat.

[David]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

 

Peterson is more of a special teams contributor than Wolfe, and neither of those two is a better backup RB option than Jones. If one has to go, it's Wolfe who has done nothing in the NFL so far. I understand wanting to keep more WR in the hopes of having one develop with Cutler. I think Jay is going to turn one of these guys into a legit threat.

 

 

 

I'm thinking it will be DA... he has the best speed of the nobodies and has good size and seems to be pretty lanky. If he can figure out his responsibilities and has improved his technique in terms of catching the ball, he could blossom.

 

 

As for Wolfe vs Peterson, I agree with you, but I don't think the coaching staff does.

[JonJayCutler]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

 

Peterson is more of a special teams contributor than Wolfe, and neither of those two is a better backup RB option than Jones. If one has to go, it's Wolfe who has done nothing in the NFL so far. I understand wanting to keep more WR in the hopes of having one develop with Cutler. I think Jay is going to turn one of these guys into a legit threat.

 

 

 

I'm thinking it will be DA... he has the best speed of the nobodies and has good size and seems to be pretty lanky. If he can figure out his responsibilities and has improved his technique in terms of catching the ball, he could blossom.

 

 

As for Wolfe vs Peterson, I agree with you, but I don't think the coaching staff does.

 

Yeah, I think the coaching staff thinks Wolfe is the next Darren Sproles, but I haven't seen anything close to that yet.

[Banedon]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

 

Peterson is more of a special teams contributor than Wolfe, and neither of those two is a better backup RB option than Jones. If one has to go, it's Wolfe who has done nothing in the NFL so far. I understand wanting to keep more WR in the hopes of having one develop with Cutler. I think Jay is going to turn one of these guys into a legit threat.

 

I just don't see it with Jones. I know he used to have some legs but every time I've seen him run with the Bears, he manages to go where the holes aren't.

 

I think he's safe...I don't think the Bears are going to take my suggestion...but I wouldn't shed a tear if Jones wasn't around.

 

I'd be happy with Wolfe being gone, but I don't see that one happening unfortunately.

[David]

Give him a chance to run in a few regular season games.

 

That said, it can be difficult to put up impressive y/c numbers in spot duty. It can also be very easy to, as well. Incredibly fluky.

 

 

But I agree and have noticed that he hasn't been finding the holes in the preseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

Adrian Peterson may not make the team, though. Wolfe is a contributor on special teams too and the Bears seem to like Wolfe more in the offense than Peterson (based on everything I've heard).

 

Peterson is more of a special teams contributor than Wolfe, and neither of those two is a better backup RB option than Jones. If one has to go, it's Wolfe who has done nothing in the NFL so far. I understand wanting to keep more WR in the hopes of having one develop with Cutler. I think Jay is going to turn one of these guys into a legit threat.

 

I just don't see it with Jones. I know he used to have some legs but every time I've seen him run with the Bears, he manages to go where the holes aren't.

 

I think he's safe...I don't think the Bears are going to take my suggestion...but I wouldn't shed a tear if Jones wasn't around.

 

I'd be happy with Wolfe being gone, but I don't see that one happening unfortunately.

 

I wouldn't shed a tear if Jones left either, but I think he's the only hope this team has for a legit backup RB. The other guys are not, and they make each other redundant.

[SpongeWorthy]

Peterson showed better legs than I've seen him have in a long time in the last preseason game. Jones looks like he's got anvils attached to his ankles out there.

[Banedon]

I wouldn't shed a tear if Jones left either, but I think he's the only hope this team has for a legit backup RB. The other guys are not, and they make each other redundant.

 

I think more highly of Petersen than you do. I don't think he's an all-pro by any stretch, but I think he's quicker than Jones right now, and has been in this system for quite some time with some bad QB's and o-lines. With both of those significantly better, I think he could do pretty well. I think he's a whole lot better than Wolfe.

[jersey cubs fan]

I wouldn't shed a tear if Jones left either, but I think he's the only hope this team has for a legit backup RB. The other guys are not, and they make each other redundant.

 

I think more highly of Petersen than you do. I don't think he's an all-pro by any stretch, but I think he's quicker than Jones right now, and has been in this system for quite some time with some bad QB's and o-lines. With both of those significantly better, I think he could do pretty well. I think he's a whole lot better than Wolfe.

 

I think he was an okay backup for a couple years but he's 30 now and not that talented, and it shows.

[Guest]

Hester

Bennett

Iglesias

Knox

Davies

Aromashodu

 

I'd get rid of the rest.

 

And I'd keep Jones and Peterson over Wolfe.