Week 2 - Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 3:15 PM CBS

[dew1679666265]

Zach Thomas was cut by the Chiefs, would he be better than Hillenmeyer at this point?

 

He was retiring. Not sure how much he has left.

 

Last I heard, Thomas hadn't officially retired and was still looking for a team. No idea what he has left, though.

 

I'd rather see an athletic guy off of a team's practice squad than Thomas. At least with Brooks, he's familiar with the cover 2. With Thomas, I'm not sure how much he's been around it.

 

Yeah, I think Brooks is a better option than Thomas for the Bears. Just pointing out that Thomas could still be an option and that he isn't retired.

[Flames24Rulz]

Bears have already contacted Derrick Brooks.

 

Interesting, but does he have anything left at all?

 

Shot the resident Reds/Bucs fan (reds44) a text about that and he doesn't seem to think so. He's lost a lot of speed the last few years and his coverage ability isn't very good.

 

It's not a good sign when all the veterans that the Bucs cut in the offseason weren't able to catch on with any other team throughout the summer.

 

Yea I was hoping TT would chime in as I know hes a Bucs fan as well. Even with him losing some speed and such, Id have to believe hes better than Hillenmeyer.

 

That's what I would think too.

 

I don't think it was a coincidence that our running game picked up in the second half when Hillenmeyer replaced Urlacher.

[Keener98]

Personally I think Lovie is best suited for def coordinator, and is way over his head as a NFL head coach. If this season goes down the tubes, Id have to think Angelo may also see this too.

 

I don't think he's in way over his head, but he needs help with specific gameday decisions. He probably needs a much better OC.

 

Hes a good/great guy to have running a defense, but when it comes to the finer points of running a team during a game, he really has no clue. Timeout usage, challenges etc... he has no idea. A better OC would help, but it still wouldnt hide his flaws as a gameday coach.

 

Its too bad Shannahan wouldnt come in to be the OC.

[Banedon]

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears have already been in contact with Brooks. Schefter says Brooks could sign with the team as early as Monday.

[Guest]

Jamar Williams sure as hell better be seeing a lot of playing time.

 

Really? I thought the "Jamar Williams has a load of potential" bandwagon ended two years ago and the "Jamar Williams is a bust" bandwagon is in full force.

 

I'm only basing that on Hunter not being adequate and Jamar Williams having the tools and talent to be much better.

[YearofDaCubs]

Brooks is 36 years old. I'd rather take my chances with a young guy.

[jersey cubs fan]

Personally I think Lovie is best suited for def coordinator, and is way over his head as a NFL head coach. If this season goes down the tubes, Id have to think Angelo may also see this too.

 

I don't think he's in way over his head, but he needs help with specific gameday decisions. He probably needs a much better OC.

 

Hes a good/great guy to have running a defense, but when it comes to the finer points of running a team during a game, he really has no clue. Timeout usage, challenges etc... he has no idea. A better OC would help, but it still wouldnt hide his flaws as a gameday coach.

 

Its too bad Shannahan wouldnt come in to be the OC.

 

I agree that he is lacking in those gameday necessities. I've been criticizing him on that stuff for years. But what I'm saying is I wouldn't go so far as saying he's in way over his head as a head coach. He's perfectly fine Monday-Saturday, it's the gameday issues specifically where he struggles. I think having Marinelli around will actually help with this on the defensive side, but they need somebody other than Turner on offense who can have Lovie's ear and influence his decisions which are so often poor.

[UK1679666180]

If I'm Angelo, I'd be looking at Jaime Winborn (OLB) who was cut by the Falcons 5 days or so ago.

[Keener98]

I have a friend who is saying Briggs in the past has said hes not comfortable as a MLB, is this true? I dont really remember anything like that, but my buddy says he does.

[dew1679666265]

Brooks is 36 years old. I'd rather take my chances with a young guy.

 

If Brooks has anything left I think he's a better option than a young, inexperienced player at this point. If Brooks can still cover ground well enough, he has both the on-field experience and the experience in the Cover 2 system to be far superior than a more athletic young player.

 

The question is, does Brooks have anything left? If he doesn't, then the young player would be the better option. I think Brooks would be worth a look from the Bears, though.

[YearofDaCubs]

Brooks is 36 years old. I'd rather take my chances with a young guy.

 

If Brooks has anything left I think he's a better option than a young, inexperienced player at this point. If Brooks can still cover ground well enough, he has both the on-field experience and the experience in the Cover 2 system to be far superior than a more athletic young player.

 

The question is, does Brooks have anything left? If he doesn't, then the young player would be the better option. I think Brooks would be worth a look from the Bears, though.

I doubt he does, because if he did somebody would have already signed him.

[KingCubsFan]

seriously, briggs to the middle with brooks outside would be decent enough

Why would you want to move our best player out of position? In our scheme, Briggs' OLB position is a much better spot to make plays at anyways.

[dew1679666265]

Brooks is 36 years old. I'd rather take my chances with a young guy.

 

If Brooks has anything left I think he's a better option than a young, inexperienced player at this point. If Brooks can still cover ground well enough, he has both the on-field experience and the experience in the Cover 2 system to be far superior than a more athletic young player.

 

The question is, does Brooks have anything left? If he doesn't, then the young player would be the better option. I think Brooks would be worth a look from the Bears, though.

I doubt he does, because if he did somebody would have already signed him.

 

Probably true, but other teams have missed on players in the past. He's worth a look even if they don't sign him.

[Guest]

If I'm Angelo, I'd be looking at Jaime Winborn (OLB) who was cut by the Falcons 5 days or so ago.

 

Sounds like we need every guy mentioned so far, and Junior Seau. Just about anyone would be better than Hillenmeyer, who I was calling to be cut during the offseason and preseason. And nothing about yesterday's game has changed my mind. Hillenmeyer is a waste of a roster spot. Period.

[UK1679666180]

If I'm Angelo, I'd be looking at Jaime Winborn (OLB) who was cut by the Falcons 5 days or so ago.

 

I'd also look at Paris Lenon who was cut by the Pats.

[UK1679666180]

Of the avail. LBs...

 

1)Paris Lenon

2)Jaime Winborn

3)Matt Wilhelm

 

Anyone other than that and I doubt there will be much (if any) improvement to the current roster.

 

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/06/scouting_report_paris_lenon.html

[UMFan83]

Obviously this year isn't over at all, but I gotta wonder what the future of this defense is now that we'll have another year of aging for the core of the unit. This is a defense that was developing in 2004 around injuries, peaked in 2005, was strong in 2006 and has been a bit of a disappointment but still somewhat good the last 2 seasons. You also have to consider the last major piece that was added to the defense was added in 2004. We have developed some starters since then but none of them (Pisa, Payne, Bowman) are essential pieces. So where do they go from here?

[jersey cubs fan]

Obviously this year isn't over at all, but I gotta wonder what the future of this defense is now that we'll have another year of aging for the core of the unit. This is a defense that was developing in 2004 around injuries, peaked in 2005, was strong in 2006 and has been a bit of a disappointment but still somewhat good the last 2 seasons. You also have to consider the last major piece that was added to the defense was added in 2004. We have developed some starters since then but none of them (Pisa, Payne, Bowman) are essential pieces. So where do they go from here?

 

The draft. They shouldn't have to draft a QB or RB early anytime soon. They will need to rededicate themselves to drafting a ton of defensive help the next couple years.

[Banedon]

Obviously this year isn't over at all, but I gotta wonder what the future of this defense is now that we'll have another year of aging for the core of the unit. This is a defense that was developing in 2004 around injuries, peaked in 2005, was strong in 2006 and has been a bit of a disappointment but still somewhat good the last 2 seasons. You also have to consider the last major piece that was added to the defense was added in 2004. We have developed some starters since then but none of them (Pisa, Payne, Bowman) are essential pieces. So where do they go from here?

 

The draft. They shouldn't have to draft a QB or RB early anytime soon. They will need to rededicate themselves to drafting a ton of defensive help the next couple years.

 

But they'll also need to look at WR's. And they're down a first round pick again this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Obviously this year isn't over at all, but I gotta wonder what the future of this defense is now that we'll have another year of aging for the core of the unit. This is a defense that was developing in 2004 around injuries, peaked in 2005, was strong in 2006 and has been a bit of a disappointment but still somewhat good the last 2 seasons. You also have to consider the last major piece that was added to the defense was added in 2004. We have developed some starters since then but none of them (Pisa, Payne, Bowman) are essential pieces. So where do they go from here?

 

The draft. They shouldn't have to draft a QB or RB early anytime soon. They will need to rededicate themselves to drafting a ton of defensive help the next couple years.

 

But they'll also need to look at WR's. And they're down a first round pick again this year.

 

You don't need 1st round receivers, and if they stuck with Orton they'd probably be using next year's pick on a QB anyway. They can spend a couple mid round picks each year on WR and OL, but they should emphasize defense with most of the rest.

[haubrich91]

I'd move Briggs to the middle and if Brooks does sign, hopefully he can show signs of life.

 

It'll be an interesting week.

[jersey cubs fan]

I would not move Briggs to the middle. You are downgrading at 2 positions then and taking one of your best players out of his comfort zone. It's a different job and I don't think one that he's all that well suited for. I'd rather just find a new MLB and keep Briggs where he is.

[UMFan83]

What time does Lovie do his Monday afternoon presser? I want to say 4:00 but I'm not positive.

[David]

Pisa is day to day

 

Although the Bears received bad news with Brian Urlacher lost for the season, there is a chance another starting linebacker could play against the Steelers on Sunday. Pisa Tinoisamoa is day to day after spraining his right knee in the first quarter of Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Packers, according to an NFL source.

 

He wore a heavy brace after the game. Nick Roach replaced Tinoisamoa in the lineup. If Tinoisamoa is unavailable Sunday, Roach could get the start at strong-side linebacker.

 

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/09/linebacker-pisa-tinaisamoa-day-to-day-with-knee-sprain.html

[Guest]

What time does Lovie do his Monday afternoon presser? I want to say 4:00 but I'm not positive.

 

Bears are supposed to have a 2 pm conference today (now?).