Week 13 - Bears (6-5) at Minnesota (2-8-1) - 12:00 PM, FOX

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Does consistency exist in the NFL without a super-elite QB?

[Guest]

4th and 11 really hurts

Not as much as 17 seconds. Just gotta redirect, bro.

 

I will be paying for those 17 seconds for the rest of my sports life.

[WrigleyField 22]

Does consistency exist in the NFL without a super-elite QB?

Well that helps too, I suppose, but I think even those teams fall apart when the other half drops. And with the salary cap and just random variance you're bound to have dips, but they shouldn't last long and I think Angelo's downspell in that department was lasting too long. But he did bring us one half of the equation (or at least pretty damn close) so I am forever thankful for that.

[WrigleyField 22]

4th and 11 really hurts

Not as much as 17 seconds. Just gotta redirect, bro.

 

I will be paying for those 17 seconds for the rest of my sports life.

Yea, but you'll still have something to redirect to. At least you're not Cleveland?

[mul21]

Vikings had to have like 15 things go their way to win this and they got them all

 

 

That's quite an exaggeration. The Bears also had a lot of things go their way also. It was just an amazing collection of errors and [expletive] ups by both teams.

Terrible refs helped the Vikings in a huge way

 

This. If that was a Bostic taunt, then that was a late hit on Allen. Terrible.

 

I honestly think the most costly error by the refs was the Alshon catch being ruled both short of the first down and inbounds at the end of the first half. It was one or the other but not both and probably cost the Bears a field goal attempt, which based on the way the game ended, would have been pretty huge.

[rawaction]

Vikings had to have like 15 things go their way to win this and they got them all

 

 

That's quite an exaggeration. The Bears also had a lot of things go their way also. It was just an amazing collection of errors and [expletive] ups by both teams.

Terrible refs helped the Vikings in a huge way

 

This. If that was a Bostic taunt, then that was a late hit on Allen. Terrible.

 

I honestly think the most costly error by the refs was the Alshon catch being ruled both short of the first down and inbounds at the end of the first half. It was one or the other but not both and probably cost the Bears a field goal attempt, which based on the way the game ended, would have been pretty huge.

 

Yeah that was bad.

[rawaction]

Does consistency exist in the NFL without a super-elite QB?

 

The Steelers? They've maintained solid seasons despite a coaching change and without a super-elite QB. The Eagles missed the playoffs just twice from 2000-2010 with McNabb, non-elite.

 

That's pretty much it. But it's not like the league is completely littered with super-elite QBs. There's Brady, Peyton, Brees, and Rodgers/Favre carrying the most consistent teams. So, of the 6 teams dominating since 2000, 4 have 1st ballot HoF QBs, and 2 have/had QBs at about Cutler's level.

[cubbyvirus00]

I think it's naive to think Bostic and green have been good. They've been average to below average. The flip side is that they're rookies and should be able to build off this season. They're typically stuck on blocks and often out of position.

 

And yes Emery doesn't really have a defensive stud to hang his hat on going back to the ATL days. This upcoming draft is HUGE for him.

[WrigleyField 22]

I think it's naive to think Bostic and green have been good. They've been average to below average. The flip side is that they're rookies and should be able to build off this season. They're typically stuck on blocks and often out of position.

 

And yes Emery doesn't really have a defensive stud to hang his hat on going back to the ATL days. This upcoming draft is HUGE for him.

While he has no defensive stud (and the Chiefs drafted a big bust in Tyson Jackson while he was there) it is worth noting his teams have done a pretty good job with mid round LBs as starters so even if you're uncertain about Bostic and Greene, that should put your mind at ease a bit. The DL shortcomings does look quite frightening though, especially with first round picks. On the flip side WR history is pretty damn good (with a direct quote from the man in charge that he was responsible for White). Just don't expect any short WR.

 

With his draft history taken as a whole, perhaps you have to consider trying to fill an impact spot on D through FA, go BPA on either side for round 1 and continue to stockpile defensive depth in the mid rounds. Bears should be in pretty decent cap shape, right? Any impact defenders in FA this year?

[WrigleyField 22]

I think it's naive to think Bostic and green have been good. They've been average to below average. The flip side is that they're rookies and should be able to build off this season. They're typically stuck on blocks and often out of position.

 

And yes Emery doesn't really have a defensive stud to hang his hat on going back to the ATL days. This upcoming draft is HUGE for him.

While he has no defensive stud (and the Chiefs drafted a big bust in Tyson Jackson while he was there) it is worth noting his teams have done a pretty good job with mid round LBs as starters so even if you're uncertain about Bostic and Greene, that should put your mind at ease a bit. The DL shortcomings does look quite frightening though, especially with first round picks. On the flip side WR history is pretty damn good (with a direct quote from the man in charge that he was responsible for White). Just don't expect any short WR.

 

With his draft history taken as a whole, perhaps you have to consider trying to fill an impact spot on D through FA, go BPA on either side for round 1 and continue to stockpile defensive depth in the mid rounds. Bears should be in pretty decent cap shape, right? Any impact defenders in FA this year?

[Old Style]

So everyone is finally agreeing with me that Mr. CFL is a [expletive] head coach? Hate to see I was right a couple months ago.

 

Can't wait till Manziel is the #1 pick next spring.

Show me where I ever said he would be #1. I'll be waiting a long time because I never [expletive] said that.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

[jersey cubs fan]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

 

Fine by me.

[rawaction]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

 

I wouldn't be surprised by an early pick used on a #2 TE. The Bears offense has been great, but it's basically been 2 WRs, a TE, and a RB. Another weapon to throw to can only improve things another notch, TE or another WR.

 

I expect the opposite approach to free agency. A couple vets on 1-year deals on offense (OL, TE, or backup RB). And a concerted effort to build up the D-line with a couple FAs and probably a 1st round draft pick.

[Soul]

Does consistency exist in the NFL without a super-elite QB?

 

The Steelers? They've maintained solid seasons despite a coaching change and without a super-elite QB. The Eagles missed the playoffs just twice from 2000-2010 with McNabb, non-elite.

 

That's pretty much it. But it's not like the league is completely littered with super-elite QBs. There's Brady, Peyton, Brees, and Rodgers/Favre carrying the most consistent teams. So, of the 6 teams dominating since 2000, 4 have 1st ballot HoF QBs, and 2 have/had QBs at about Cutler's level.

 

Ravens should be put on that list, IMO. It's still easier to succeed on a yearly basis by having one great player at QB, rather than try to manage keeping several at other areas.

[Banedon]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

 

I wouldn't be surprised by an early pick used on a #2 TE. The Bears offense has been great, but it's basically been 2 WRs, a TE, and a RB. Another weapon to throw to can only improve things another notch, TE or another WR.

 

I expect the opposite approach to free agency. A couple vets on 1-year deals on offense (OL, TE, or backup RB). And a concerted effort to build up the D-line with a couple FAs and probably a 1st round draft pick.

 

Plus, it scares me every time Martellus gets dinged up. We just don't have impressive TE depth. Even aside from 2 TE sets, just the depth would be great.

[Soul]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

 

I wouldn't be surprised by an early pick used on a #2 TE. The Bears offense has been great, but it's basically been 2 WRs, a TE, and a RB. Another weapon to throw to can only improve things another notch, TE or another WR.

 

I expect the opposite approach to free agency. A couple vets on 1-year deals on offense (OL, TE, or backup RB). And a concerted effort to build up the D-line with a couple FAs and probably a 1st round draft pick.

 

Plus, it scares me every time Martellus gets dinged up. We just don't have impressive TE depth. Even aside from 2 TE sets, just the depth would be great.

 

No worries. Alshon will just play TE too.

[Guest]

I'd look to pick up speed WR to stick in the slot in the 2nd or 3rd but i'd be looking defense pretty much everywhere else.

 

Maybe an OL somewhere later but the defense really needs the attention...the offense is so solid and I don't see a ton of places to add (TE depth, as raw noted, and a 3rd WR...and you're always looking to develop OL).

[Soul]

Screw it. Double down and try to improve your offense even more in the early rounds. Defensive depth later.

 

Fine by me.

 

Fair point - concentrating on a strength rather than a weakness.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

[Banedon]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

 

It was both offense and defense that failed. I mean, we were up 20-10 going into the 4th quarter. So defense gave up too much, and offense didn't score.

[jersey cubs fan]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

I'm not furious at the defense in this game, they probably outperformed their ability.

 

This offense hasn't been scoring for a while now, averaging less than 20 points per four quarters since the GB game.

[Guest]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

 

I've noted a few times that this defense is actually around average (maybe a little below) but our expectations make it seem much worse.

 

That said I just see much more room for external improvement on that side of the ball. If we can have an offense like this and get back to being a well above average defense, this could be a scary good team.

[rawaction]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

I'm not furious at the defense in this game, they probably outperformed their ability.

 

This offense hasn't been scoring for a while now, averaging less than 20 points per four quarters since the GB game.

 

Yeah, the defense couldn't tackle Peterson. That's been the case for years. But they shouldn't have been put in the position to still have to try to tackle him 68 minutes after the game started. The offense didn't score enough, plain and simple. And yeah, the Bears need Cutler back.

[Guest]

The great part about drafting offense is that outside of running back, the successful picks tend to last longer.

 

Side note: In a league averaging 25 ppg, we're all furious at the defense in a 23-20 loss that went deep into OT.

I'm not furious at the defense in this game, they probably outperformed their ability.

 

This offense hasn't been scoring for a while now, averaging less than 20 points per four quarters since the GB game.

 

McCown has performed more than admirably but he just can't seem to do [expletive] in the red zone. I miss Jay throwing that back shoulder to Brandon by the pylon so much.