Week 2: Bears (0-1 wtf) @ 49ers (1-0) Sun Night 7:30 PM NBC

[jumbo]

Bellamy, Chris Williams and Boggs promoted from practice squad.

 

Fales, Hayden and Fiammetta waived.

 

Fales waived? That seems poorly thought out...

[Banedon]

Bellamy, Chris Williams and Boggs promoted from practice squad.

 

Fales, Hayden and Fiammetta waived.

 

Fales waived? That seems poorly thought out...

 

They'll stash him on the practice squad if they can, but what else can they do? They need depth at WR right now.

[rawaction]

Gotta remember Fales is hurt too. He has a shoulder injury and hasn't practiced since he played the entire final preseason game. Apparently, the injury isn't bad enough where the Bears can get away with putting him on IR. So, they are gambling that nobody claims an injured unproven QB that lasted about 190 picks in the last draft. Has til 5 tomorrow to get claimed or they'll be able to stash him on the practice squad.

 

Fiametta is also injured so the same gamble is there with him too, though he can't be put on the practice squad.

[Soul]

i feel bad for my liver tomorrow night.

 

I normally try to avoid drinking on work nights but I'm guessing there's no way I can avoid it tomorrow. :|

 

I'm committed to no-alcohol Sundays, so I'm in trouble tonight.

 

All my insane babbling on here will be sober.

 

I just can't believe it's week 2 and we are activating practice squad WRs. Holy [expletive] crap.

[UMFan83]

From Adam shefter:

 

Major questions about Bears WRs, Marshall and Jeffery. One source said "75 percent" sure neither plays tonight. Bears signed two PS WRs Sat.

 

That would make our active WRs....Holmes, Bellamy and Chris Williams? Am I missing someone?

 

Should just sit Cutler tonight so he doesn't get hurt.

[Banedon]

This season really turned ugly fast.

[rawaction]

It would be interesting if Cutler could win or even compete in this game missing 4 starters on offense, including 3 that played at an all pro level last year. Cutler has stepped up in a game like this in the past on Monday Night in Detroit, vs a then good Lions team. This defense also stepped up the last time they were unsure if the offense would be able to produce enough points to win. That MNF game in Green Bay last year, wasn't a complete shutdown of Lacy, but the pass rush was the best it was at any point last season and they took Rodgers out of the game.

 

If Marshall and Jeffery miss, the offense will be all hands on deck. I'd like to see a lot of 2-TE sets, a lot of 2 RB sets to get Forte in the outside passing game and Carey/Draughn in the middle of the field, a lot of quick, short passes to get the ball in the speedy WRs hands and out of Cutler's. It's the formula the Colts used to beat the 49ers early last season in SF. Luck had 1 pass play over 20 yards and Heyward Bey was his leading WR. Also key in that game was the Colts didn't make any mistakes. 0 turnovers, 1 penalty. The Bears are going to have to be pretty flawless in those areas to have a chance, probably even if the WRs play.

 

On defense in that game last year, the Colts didn't exactly stop the run game either. Gore got 7.5 per carry against them, but they were able to contain Kaepernick who also had a poor game throwing the ball due to a consistent pass rush. So it would be nice if Jared Allen does a good Robert Mathis impression tonight. It is worth noting though that the Niners didn't have Crabtree or Vernon Davis for that game.

 

I still think this game is winnable. The 49ers aren't great. They gave up 5 ypc vs. Dallas last week. They gave up over 250 passing yards also and only scored on short fields after turnovers. Regardless of who plays, I don't expect the Bears to get blown out. I think guys like Briggs and Allen are pretty angry about their performance last week, and hope that motivates them to shine on a national stage tonight. The last time Cutler had a game with costly turnovers, he went out and played well the next game, albeit in a loss to NO last year. In fact, Cutler has not had back-to-back multi-INT games since his first year as a Bear. Based on his completion percentage in games after he throws multi-INTs, he seems to keep it more conservative and throw the ball away with a lot of sub 60% completion but 0 INT games.

[Guest]

I missed the big Bellamy preseason game, and what little of him I saw didn't give me much to evaluate. What kind of receiver is he? I know some people felt he deserved the job over Spurlock.

[KaiserCesar]

It would be interesting if Cutler could win or even compete in this game missing 4 starters on offense, including 3 that played at an all pro level last year. Cutler has stepped up in a game like this in the past on Monday Night in Detroit, vs a then good Lions team. This defense also stepped up the last time they were unsure if the offense would be able to produce enough points to win. That MNF game in Green Bay last year, wasn't a complete shutdown of Lacy, but the pass rush was the best it was at any point last season and they took Rodgers out of the game.

 

If Marshall and Jeffery miss, the offense will be all hands on deck. I'd like to see a lot of 2-TE sets, a lot of 2 RB sets to get Forte in the outside passing game and Carey/Draughn in the middle of the field, a lot of quick, short passes to get the ball in the speedy WRs hands and out of Cutler's. It's the formula the Colts used to beat the 49ers early last season in SF. Luck had 1 pass play over 20 yards and Heyward Bey was his leading WR. Also key in that game was the Colts didn't make any mistakes. 0 turnovers, 1 penalty. The Bears are going to have to be pretty flawless in those areas to have a chance, probably even if the WRs play.

 

On defense in that game last year, the Colts didn't exactly stop the run game either. Gore got 7.5 per carry against them, but they were able to contain Kaepernick who also had a poor game throwing the ball due to a consistent pass rush. So it would be nice if Jared Allen does a good Robert Mathis impression tonight. It is worth noting though that the Niners didn't have Crabtree or Vernon Davis for that game.

 

I still think this game is winnable. The 49ers aren't great. They gave up 5 ypc vs. Dallas last week. They gave up over 250 passing yards also and only scored on short fields after turnovers. Regardless of who plays, I don't expect the Bears to get blown out. I think guys like Briggs and Allen are pretty angry about their performance last week, and hope that motivates them to shine on a national stage tonight. The last time Cutler had a game with costly turnovers, he went out and played well the next game, albeit in a loss to NO last year. In fact, Cutler has not had back-to-back multi-INT games since his first year as a Bear. Based on his completion percentage in games after he throws multi-INTs, he seems to keep it more conservative and throw the ball away with a lot of sub 60% completion but 0 INT games.

 

Nice analysis. I definitely thing we'll see Forte more creatively used with a full week of preparation knowing Marshall and Jeffery may be scratches.

 

Davis and Kaepernick are a nightmare for the Bears personnel. They will probably have to stay in nickel even more than last week and hope that the defensive line can stay fresh and be effective.

[ctcf]

Well, this escalated quickly.

[UMFan83]

I still have a feeling Marshall is going to grind it out. Dude has never played a playoff game and is getting older. Can't afford sitting by while the team starts 0-2 without him.

[Butterscup1679666578]

team's gonna be 0-2 whether he plays or not

[UMFan83]

team's gonna be 0-2 whether he plays or not

 

I know that but he's not going to sit on the sidelines while it happens. He probably believes they can win with him in there.

[JonJayCutler]

Brad Biggs @BradBiggs · 13m

As far as #Bears WR situation goes, my hunch is one of Brandon Marshall OR Alshon Jeffery plays in this game. If not, only 3 WR will dress.

Brad Biggs @BradBiggs · 12m

Certainly possible #Bears could enter game with only three WR dressed, but I find that less likely and more options were on prac squad.

I think Marshall plays and Jeffery sits.

[Soul]

Geez raw stop making me read that much.

[JonJayCutler]

Looks like we won't be more than a game out of first regardless of what happens tonight.

[Soul]

Looks like we won't be more than a game out of first regardless of what happens tonight.

 

I need the receiving corps back and healthy, a better Cutler every week, all kinds of better defense...

 

Much better ST

 

Just a ton of improvements before feeling better about this team.

 

Keeping this game competitive might help a little even though a loss is a loss.

[Guest]

Looks like we won't be more than a game out of first regardless of what happens tonight.

 

I need the receiving corps back and healthy, a better Cutler every week, all kinds of better defense...

 

Much better ST

 

Just a ton of improvements before feeling better about this team.

 

Keeping this game competitive might help a little even though a loss is a loss.

 

The receivers need to be back and healthy. The defense needs to be close to average. Cutler's fine. ST isn't a big deal and is fine.

[Guest]

It's only week 1, but what the hell. DVOA/DAVE rankings thus far:

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teameff

[Guest]

@mikecwright: Brandon is running. Looks like he's testing out that ankle. Looks good so far.

[Guest]

alshon out there testing his hammy too

[Guest]

@mikecwright: Brandon Marshall did more "testing" than Jeffery. Haven't seen Jeffery do anything really besides stretch and play catch w/Marshall.

 

Gotta think Marshall will play.

[Banedon]

John Mullin ‏@CSNMoonMullin 11m

#Bears have WR Alshon Jeffery warming up but sources said #Bears do not want to risk losing him to longer hamstring issue by playing

[treebird]

it would be pretty great if the bears didn't want to push alshon so they just put him in for one play and let him do that end-around

[minnesotacubsfan]

everytime an end-around happens, a hamstring dies