Bears game 4: Sunday 10/2 vs CAR at noon on Fox

[jersey cubs fan]

Have you never seen a team struggle with the run for a chunk of the game and eventually find some holes, wear down the D and finish with a decent game? I just think that balance is very important.

 

I think that mindset is completely outdated. You win through the air. There is no point in running when you can't and are down big. It would be nice to have a better running game, but the problem is not that they aren't calling for it enough. It's that they aren't good enough.

[imb]

Have you never seen a team struggle with the run for a chunk of the game and eventually find some holes, wear down the D and finish with a decent game? I just think that balance is very important.

 

I think that mindset is completely outdated. You win through the air. There is no point in running when you can't and are down big. It would be nice to have a better running game, but the problem is not that they aren't calling for it enough. It's that they aren't good enough.

 

If the Bears had a decent offensive line/WRs, their offense might be one of the most dangerous in the league, simply because they're not built to that outdated model of run to open up the pass. Like if the Patriots had a big running back capable of 8 catch-100 yard days.

[Soul]

If we lose this game, we'll be 1-3 with 2 much better teams ahead of us and a competitive conference.

 

I'll say it right now: win this game, or season over.

[rawaction]

As I said in the other thread, 1-2 record isn't that bad right now. The problem is the Bears have a tendency to lose ugly when they do lose, just like they did last year. But they have shown that clearly how they lose doesn't have any bearing on the rest of the season. Last year they lost giving up 9 sacks in one half, lost throwing 4 INTs, and got blown out at home in "Bear" weather. Still they won much more than they lost, and their "good" games outnumbered the bad ones.

 

Still have 6 games where they are clearly the better team (as things stand now), and 2 homes games on top of that vs. good, but not great teams (Detroit, SD), and a neutral site game that should feature a pro-Bears crowd.

 

This is the perfect game to get this team jumpstarted. You got a young QB, that has been mistake prone, an OL that hasn't run blocked well and given up plenty of pressure. The Bears should get Marion Barber and Chris Harris back. Roy Williams should be a little healthier (if that even matters). Bennett and Carimi get a step closer to coming back. Not that I expect the game to be easy, but I think the Bears can get a couple turnovers and somewhat execute offensively. Hopefully get pretty close to 100% by the Monday nighter in Detroit and the Bears can possibly go on a little streak. October has the makings of a 3-win month and could be a sweep if things go well health-wise and we get Cutler some confidence back.

[Soul]

Well they better. We've got two undefeated teams and a bunch of other wild card likely clubs. It's not happening if we fall this far behind.

[rawaction]

If we lose this game, we'll be 1-3 with 2 much better teams ahead of us and a competitive conference.

 

I'll say it right now: win this game, or season over.

 

Yeah, gotta win games like this if you want to contend. Last year the Bears lost to 2 inferior teams in Seattle and Washington, but the Bears were 4-1 going into those games, not 1-2. Lose to Carolina, and I think the Bears have very little chance to beat Detroit on the road, on a Monday Night, in front of what will probably be the loudest crowd in Lions history.

[UMFan83]

If we lose this game, we'll be 1-3 with 2 much better teams ahead of us and a competitive conference.

 

I'll say it right now: win this game, or season over.

 

Not to mention we'd be 1-3 with almost half our home schedule already played.

[cubbyvirus00]

I have to admit that theres an ounce in me that wants to see the Bears fail miserably the next 2 games.

 

 

I think that ownership needs to see something like that happen, to see really angry fans and bad press. That will likely lead to a change of GM/Coach.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have to admit that theres an ounce in me that wants to see the Bears fail miserably the next 2 games.

 

 

I think that ownership needs to see something like that happen, to see really angry fans and bad press. That will likely lead to a change of GM/Coach.

 

I am of the belief that this management and coaching staff has built up enough goodwill that simply going on a bad run isn't going to hurt them too bad. They haven't posted back to back sub .500 seasons since they've been together. They are also coming off of an NFC championship appearance. I think the best chance for change is if Angelo finally retires, which may be sooner than people think and they bring in new blood. If they lose the next 6 then maybe I will hope they go on and lose more to create some turnover. But I don't see anything good coming from losing to Carolina or Detroit, so I'd really rather see them win. I also don't want to see them blow the potential Cutler era, or the end of the Peppers/Urlacher/Briggs/Tillman/Harris era.

[cubbyvirus00]

I have to admit that theres an ounce in me that wants to see the Bears fail miserably the next 2 games.

 

 

I think that ownership needs to see something like that happen, to see really angry fans and bad press. That will likely lead to a change of GM/Coach.

 

I am of the belief that this management and coaching staff has built up enough goodwill that simply going on a bad run isn't going to hurt them too bad. They haven't posted back to back sub .500 seasons since they've been together. They are also coming off of an NFC championship appearance. I think the best chance for change is if Angelo finally retires, which may be sooner than people think and they bring in new blood. If they lose the next 6 then maybe I will hope they go on and lose more to create some turnover. But I don't see anything good coming from losing to Carolina or Detroit, so I'd really rather see them win. I also don't want to see them blow the potential Cutler era, or the end of the Peppers/Urlacher/Briggs/Tillman/Harris era.

 

I can go along with that. I believe in Cutler IF he's got the right pieces around him. I also would love to see the heart of the defense ride off into the sunset with a title, but Angelo and Lovie just cant understand that their offense needs huge upgrades before they can be taken seriously.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have to admit that theres an ounce in me that wants to see the Bears fail miserably the next 2 games.

 

 

I think that ownership needs to see something like that happen, to see really angry fans and bad press. That will likely lead to a change of GM/Coach.

 

I am of the belief that this management and coaching staff has built up enough goodwill that simply going on a bad run isn't going to hurt them too bad. They haven't posted back to back sub .500 seasons since they've been together. They are also coming off of an NFC championship appearance. I think the best chance for change is if Angelo finally retires, which may be sooner than people think and they bring in new blood. If they lose the next 6 then maybe I will hope they go on and lose more to create some turnover. But I don't see anything good coming from losing to Carolina or Detroit, so I'd really rather see them win. I also don't want to see them blow the potential Cutler era, or the end of the Peppers/Urlacher/Briggs/Tillman/Harris era.

 

I can go along with that. I believe in Cutler IF he's got the right pieces around him. I also would love to see the heart of the defense ride off into the sunset with a title, but Angelo and Lovie just cant understand that their offense needs huge upgrades before they can be taken seriously.

 

I think they understand, I just don't think they know how to go about it. They've brought in numerour free agent receivers, RBs and linemen. They've spent important picks on QBs, RBs and recently some linemen. They've gone after a big name OC. They realize you need to be able to pass to win nowadays, they just aren't good at executing on that knowledge.

[Guest]

Yeah, Lovie and Angelo have built too much good will. This team is coming off an NFC Championship game, they're not going to be on the hot seat even with a losing season.

 

I do hope Angelo retires soon. I know there were grumblings of it last year itself.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, Lovie and Angelo have built too much good will. This team is coming off an NFC Championship game, they're not going to be on the hot seat even with a losing season.

 

I do hope Angelo retires soon. I know there were grumblings of it last year itself.

 

It should probably be for discussion at a later date but I really wonder how the next turnover will go down. It has to be pretty rare for a new GM with any real power to be brought in with a coach that has 8+ years of service time. Most of the time I think those coaches become de facto GMs until they are ousted themselves. But I'd hate to see Lovie as GM. He's not a personel guy, he's a have them all ready to play on Sunday guy. Ideally you'd bring in a fresh face, but realistically you are probably going to look at a short-term guy who is familiar with the system.

[UMFan83]

Have you never seen a team struggle with the run for a chunk of the game and eventually find some holes, wear down the D and finish with a decent game? I just think that balance is very important.

 

I think that mindset is completely outdated. You win through the air. There is no point in running when you can't and are down big. It would be nice to have a better running game, but the problem is not that they aren't calling for it enough. It's that they aren't good enough.

 

Yeah but they also are not a good enough team to pass 40 times a game either. They don't have a line that can block a 3-4 man rush long enough and they don't have receivers that can consistantly get open when the defense is dropping 7-8 back. You can point out that the Bears moved the ball by passing the last 2 games but at the end of the day the ended up with 13 and 17 points scored. It's my opinion that the Bears NEED at least some balance if they are to have any shot at a coherent offense. If the opponents drop back 7 guys every play because the Bears are that predictable on offense they are going to have trouble scoring points, especially when the field shortens in the red zone.

[Guest]

Yeah, Lovie and Angelo have built too much good will. This team is coming off an NFC Championship game, they're not going to be on the hot seat even with a losing season.

 

I do hope Angelo retires soon. I know there were grumblings of it last year itself.

 

It should probably be for discussion at a later date but I really wonder how the next turnover will go down. It has to be pretty rare for a new GM with any real power to be brought in with a coach that has 8+ years of service time. Most of the time I think those coaches become de facto GMs until they are ousted themselves. But I'd hate to see Lovie as GM. He's not a personel guy, he's a have them all ready to play on Sunday guy. Ideally you'd bring in a fresh face, but realistically you are probably going to look at a short-term guy who is familiar with the system.

 

 

I'd imagine they'd just promote Ruskell.

[SpongeWorthy]

Anyone read the excerpts about Payton in SI? Haven't read it yet but I heard it blurbed on Dan Patrick and I guess it goes into his life after football and it being pretty messy.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190867/1/index.htm

[SpongeWorthy]

Sweetness was apparently a big fan of Phish:

 

Back when Payton drove his own RV to Bears training camp, he used to load the rear of the vehicle with tanks of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. At nights and during breaks in the action, players sneaked into Payton's trailer, loaded the nitrous oxide into balloons, then carried them around while taking hits. The goofy laughter could be heard throughout the training facility.

[jersey cubs fan]

Feels like a strange week with very little Bears talk. Considering both Chicago baseball teams have been done for a while I would think there'd be more interest. I think the line has moved from an opening of 7 to 6 now. Really hope that's a sign that the masses are getting goofy about Newton and negative on the Bears than the smart money moving it.

[UMFan83]

Feels like a strange week with very little Bears talk. Considering both Chicago baseball teams have been done for a while I would think there'd be more interest. I think the line has moved from an opening of 7 to 6 now. Really hope that's a sign that the masses are getting goofy about Newton and negative on the Bears than the smart money moving it.

 

The general Bears fan is probably down about the last 2 games and with all the drama in the Wild Card races mid week it makes sense that the attention would be away from the Bears.

[UMFan83]

Chris Harris appears to be out on Sunday.

[JonJayCutler]

Chris Harris appears to be out on Sunday.

 

Full practice participation on Wednesday followed by none Thursday and today. Reaggravated injury? We can beat Carolina without him but it would be nice to have him back for Detroit.

[UMFan83]

Chris Harris appears to be out on Sunday.

 

Full practice participation on Wednesday followed by none Thursday and today. Reaggravated injury? We can beat Carolina without him but it would be nice to have him back for Detroit.

 

Would have been nice to have him to face his former team too, just for that extra motivation from him.

[JonJayCutler]

So it's still early for playoff talk, but after breaking down the rest of the season, I think there is plenty of hope left for this year's Bears assuming they can take care of business against the mediocre to bad teams:

 

vs Carolina- W

@ Detroit- L

vs Minnesota- W

@ Tampa Bay (London)- W

@ Philadelphia- L

vs Detroit- W

vs San Diego- W

@ Oakland- L

vs KC- W

@ Denver- W

vs Seattle- W

@ Green Bay- L

@ Minnesota- W

 

Final Result: 10-6 with a good shot at a WC. Okay so really, after the game in Philly the rest of the schedule looks pretty soft for the most part with the exception of the GB game. The wins given over TB and San Diego could easily be losses, but the losses I gave against Detroit on MNF and Oakland could easily be wins. The key for the Bears will likely be in the last five games, assuming the season doesn't go up in flames before then. Four of the last five teams range from pretty bad to really bad.

 

First things first, take care of business tomorrow. If we don't, we're in deep [expletive].

[UMFan83]

Interesting but critical article by Biggs. At first it seemed like an anti cutler article but it's obvious his main critique is about the man that brought Cutler here.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1002-jay-cutler-bears-chicago--20111002,0,4295070.story

[JonJayCutler]

Interesting but critical article by Biggs. At first it seemed like an anti cutler article but it's obvious his main critique is about the man that brought Cutler here.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1002-jay-cutler-bears-chicago--20111002,0,4295070.story

 

If I was a more superstitious person I would swear that the football gods are dooming the Bears never to be a good passing football team. Seriously, what the hell do we have to do? Besides surround Cutler with sufficient talent and coaching.

 

On a more serious note, however, Cutler hasn't been nearly as bad as that article pretends he's been. He finished off 2009 strong after a horrendous start, had a good year last year, and has so far played alright this year. If people thought he would come here and become elite despite the lack of offensive talent around him then they were simply setting expectations too high. It's true that QBs like Brady and Brees seem to win regardless of their supporting cast, but Cutler isn't Brady or Brees, and he doesn't have to be for it to have been the right move to trade for him. He is still the best Bears QB since Luckman, and there is still plenty of time for him to take it to the next level, but he needs help doing that and right now he's not getting it.