Week 8: Bears (3-4) @ Patriots (5-2) Noon Fox/780

[rawaction]

Slauson likely has a torn pec. If so, he's done for the season. Banner year folks! Banner year.

 

FWIW, Slauson and Houston probably out for the year after having missed 0 games in their careers before September.

[UMFan83]

Slauson likely has a torn pec. If so, he's done for the season. Banner year folks! Banner year.

 

FWIW, Slauson and Houston probably out for the year after having missed 0 games in their careers before September.

 

And Allen missing a game after starting like 150 straight games.

[Ryne Ween]

The colts will probably not win this game but this is how an actual great offense can keep a team in the game. The steelers have destroyed the colts defense in the same way the patriots did to the bears today.

[cubbyvirus00]

I'm not ready to fire Emery. We're paying for Angelos sins of shitty drafting for years. He left this team with nothing

[Soul]

Look, I'm not arguing the defense is good. But they've been about what is expected.

 

Hugely disagree with that; we were expecting/hoping for a mediocre defense.

 

Completely exposed by great QBs, completely dependent on the turnover.

 

The latter isn't what anyone (I hope) was expecting; they are literally dependent on the turnover and have absolutely no other way of stopping the opposing team.

 

And frankly, for a team that has invested so much in the offensive side of the ball in talent, money and coaching the fact that they aren't good enough offensively is much more concerning.

 

But one would assume the offensive talent is still there, unless we're just assuming they've forgotten how to play. The defense was garbage last year and has only gotten worse; that's far more concerning to me because there's not even a baseline of tolerable that we can hope they can back to since for a season and a half now they've shown nothing. An offense simply isn't going to carry a team if you've effectively abandoned half of the team based on the product you've put on the field.

 

Well you were wrong hoping for mediocre. They brought back the same [expletive] LB corps. Got older at S and only improved at nickel with a rookie. With injuries, both units that were among the worst in the league last year got worse. The hope was the DL would hide the deficiencies, but they haven't, though the Bears have been solid against the run for the most part. They have NOT gotten worse. And that's pretty much how the game works now. Nobody can stop any good offense. You hope for a big mistake on the offense (turnover, blown protection for sack, penalty).

 

And there are examples of teams who have basically ignored half the ball and been successful. Last year's Colts, SB winning Saints, etc. Their offenses have been elite though, and the Bears aren't there despite having all the tools to be there and some precedence for it to have happened this year by now.

The whole damn offseason was dedicated to improving the defense. How can it be wrong to hope for improvement to mediocre? That was the entire plan!

[Sammy Sofa]

Well you were wrong hoping for mediocre. They brought back the same [expletive] LB corps. Got older at S and only improved at nickel with a rookie. With injuries, both units that were among the worst in the league last year got worse. The hope was the DL would hide the deficiencies, but they haven't, though the Bears have been solid against the run for the most part. They have NOT gotten worse. And that's pretty much how the game works now. Nobody can stop any good offense. You hope for a big mistake on the offense (turnover, blown protection for sack, penalty).

 

That's an over simplification that also completely ignores how bad the special teams are, too. "The game" isn't just throwing out such a ridiculously lopsided team and hoping the offense carries it; the Bears are too deeply flawed for that to work. How many competitive teams go out there with one of the very worst defenses in the league two years running and without an elite QB (and apparently questionable, at best, coaching all around) and kick ass? I like Cutler and he can be damn good, but it's becoming more and more clear that he's got the guy to carry such a flawed team. The Bears have to be more balanced, and no, that's not saying the defense has to be amazing or even good, but both it and the ST can't be horrendous. Their offense can be fantastic, but it's set up where everything has to run perfectly. Marshall and Alshon can't be hobbled at all and the OL can't be injured. Cutler was knocked out last year and yet they were still able to succeed with the other offensive parts working. This whole team is a cobbled together mess.

 

This can't just be chalked up only as the offense underperforming; the rest of the team being SO bad and not improving at all off of last year is crippling and inexcusable.

[rawaction]

Well you were wrong hoping for mediocre. They brought back the same [expletive] LB corps. Got older at S and only improved at nickel with a rookie. With injuries, both units that were among the worst in the league last year got worse. The hope was the DL would hide the deficiencies, but they haven't, though the Bears have been solid against the run for the most part. They have NOT gotten worse. And that's pretty much how the game works now. Nobody can stop any good offense. You hope for a big mistake on the offense (turnover, blown protection for sack, penalty).

 

That's an over simplification that also completely ignores how bad the special teams are, too. "The game" isn't just throwing out such a ridiculously lopsided team and hoping the offense carries it; the Bears are too deeply flawed for that to work. How many competitive teams go out there with one of the very worst defenses in the league two years running and without an elite QB (and apparently questionable, at best, coaching all around) and kick ass? I like Cutler and he can be damn good, but it's becoming more and more clear that he's got the guy to carry such a flawed team. The Bears have to be more balanced, and no, that's not saying the defense has to be amazing or even good, but both it and the ST can't be horrendous. Their offense can be fantastic, but it's set up where everything has to run perfectly. Marshall and Alshon can't be hobbled at all and the OL can't be injured. Cutler was knocked out last year and yet they were still able to succeed with the other offensive parts working. This whole team is a cobbled together mess.

 

This can't just be chalked up only as the offense underperforming; the rest of the team being SO bad and not improving at all off of last year is crippling and inexcusable.

 

You can't say I'm ignoring special teams when this is the first mention of ST in this conversation. I'm ignoring it because it wasn't a topic of discussion. I didn't say "the game" was to be a lopsided team. I said "the game" is not having a defense that can stop anybody, because those don't really exist much anymore due to the rules allowing offenses to do whatever they want. And I never said it was all on the offense. But it is the biggest reason. They've turned the ball over too much, they haven't scored enough. Again, the defense and special teams aren't why this team has lost most games. There's no team that could have beaten the Pats today or the Packers a month ago with that defense, but bad turnovers and not enough points is why the Bears didn't beat Buffalo, Miami or Carolina. Especially for a team that was supposed to be able to consistently score enough points when they brought back all 11 starters from a team that did score enough points if it would have had a non-disasterous defense. Hell, the fact that the offense knows the defense is the weak link of the 2 units and doesn't do enough to even keep them off the field is indictment enough.

[Guest]

Our offense also has, I believe, 15 turnovers in the 8 games. So that's near the worst in the league. This doesn't help hide the defense. The defense is very injured whereas the key offensive players have been playing.

 

Our GM and head coach suck ass they need to go immediately. This will never be successful with these [expletive] dickheads running it. Trestman is absolutely he worst head coaching hire ever.

 

Why did you go with key offensive players "playing"? You know full well Marshall and Jeffery were playing through injury and limiting the offense early in the season. And every starting OL besides Long has missed at least one game this season. Let's not pretend like the offense is healthy, and that has played a part in their struggles.

[Sammy Sofa]

You can't say I'm ignoring special teams when this is the first mention of ST in this conversation. I'm ignoring it because it wasn't a topic of discussion.

 

We've been talking about why the Bears stink; they stink to a point that their offense has to truly be elite basically all the time to overcome how putrid the rest of the team is.

 

I didn't say "the game" was to be a lopsided team. I said "the game" is not having a defense that can stop anybody, because those don't really exist much anymore due to the rules allowing offenses to do whatever they want.

 

Bull [expletive]. It's perfectly reasonable to expect the Bears to have done a better job raising the defense from one of the very west to even just tolerably bad. It's perfectly reasonable to expect the defense to not allow teams to march up and down the field on them; about the best you can say about them is they've inexplicably stepped up and turned a few sure touchdowns into field goals. It shouldn't and can't be that you're relying only on turnovers as the only metric of quality defensive play. Just these past two games, it's obscene how rarely the other team has punted. You can't only hope for interceptions or fumbles.

 

And I never said it was all on the offense. But it is the biggest reason. They've turned the ball over too much, they haven't scored enough. Again, the defense and special teams aren't why this team has lost most games.

 

It was obviously on the offense, but now the defense has stepped up to take equal blame. Again, the offense has shown last year, and even at times this year, why they can win games. The defense, at best, has stayed as terrible as they were last year. That's far more concerning to me because there's absolutely no light for that at the end of that tunnel for the rest of the season. Even if the offense turns it on you've got a gushing sieve on the other side of the ball.

 

There's no team that could have beaten the Pats today or the Packers a month ago with that defense, but bad turnovers and not enough points is why the Bears didn't beat Buffalo, Miami or Carolina. Especially for a team that was supposed to be able to consistently score enough points when they brought back all 11 starters from a team that did score enough points if it would have had a non-disasterous defense. Hell, the fact that the offense knows the defense is the weak link of the 2 units and doesn't do enough to even keep them off the field is indictment enough.

 

Again, what we're learning is that the OL basically ran on a razor's edge last year and any major changes and injuries have sent them regressing. Somehow what's happened this year has been more damaging to the Bears starting QB going down last year.

[Sammy Sofa]

Only sulley's teams:

 

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wV50c_lx--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/spnrpwlos8bpqi8zjhsb.gif

[Guest]

Also, if you're replacing Trestman, Todd Bowles is your man.

[Soul]

Only sulley's teams:

 

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wV50c_lx--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/spnrpwlos8bpqi8zjhsb.gif

 

Can't do anything but laugh at it.

[UMFan83]

I didn't see much discussion about this and I was watching at a bar so I didn't hear them mention anything but was Tom Brady over the LOS on that 3rd and 18 conversion at the end of the first half? It sure looked close to me. I know Brady smartly rushed them them to the line and snapped it before a challenge, but I'm surprised there were no replays or discussion of it. If he was over the line, that's a big play. Instead of 24-7 it's only 20-7 and maybe the team doesn't make the mistakes they made at the end of the half.

 

I know the Bears played absolutely terrible and deserved to get blown out but there was a crapload of bad breaks for the Bears in that one.

[Soul]

Also, if you're replacing Trestman, Todd Bowles is your man.

 

Arians really was available and Emery chose not to interview him, right?

 

I don't want him choosing our next coach.

[Soul]

I didn't see much discussion about this and I was watching at a bar so I didn't hear them mention anything but was Tom Brady over the LOS on that 3rd and 18 conversion at the end of the first half? It sure looked close to me. I know Brady smartly rushed them them to the line and snapped it before a challenge, but I'm surprised there were no replays or discussion of it. If he was over the line, that's a big play. Instead of 24-7 it's only 20-7 and maybe the team doesn't make the mistakes they made at the end of the half.

 

I know the Bears played absolutely terrible and deserved to get blown out but there was a crapload of bad breaks for the Bears in that one.

 

didn't matter but I honestly haven't seen a more ridiculous review than the gronk TD

[WrigleyField 22]

Also, if you're replacing Trestman, Todd Bowles is your man.

 

Arians really was available and Emery chose not to interview him, right?

 

I don't want him choosing our next coach.

I thought Arians was the other finalist.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UMFan83]

Also, if you're replacing Trestman, Todd Bowles is your man.

 

Arians really was available and Emery chose not to interview him, right?

 

I don't want him choosing our next coach.

I thought Arians was the other finalist.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The 3 finalists were Trestman, Bevell and Arians

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-14/sports/ct-spt-0115-bears-coaching-search--20130115_1_gm-emery-coach-trestman-head-coach

[Soul]

He had Arians and Trestman in his office and chose Trestman. A choice that is looking so horrible right at the moment.

[gscool89]

They also could have taken Mike McCoy as well.

[Careless]

looking it up, the poll on the expectations for the defense was split evenly between "slightly improved" and "significantly improved"

[JonJayCutler]

To be fair, the defense would likely be just as bad under Arians/McCoy.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

OK, the wish list for next year. Not necessarily in order of importance:

 

1) Three starting linebackers

2) An offensive tackle

3) A safety (I'm not even going to be so greedy as to ask for two)

4) A field-stretching deep threat 3rd WR (I think this would do huge wonders for the passing offense)

5) An athletic DE who can play both the run and pass

6) An entire special teams unit outside of kicker

7) Do we need another CB maybe? Are we happy with Jennings?

 

Ugh.

[gscool89]

OK, the wish list for next year. Not necessarily in order of importance:

 

1) Three starting linebackers

2) An offensive tackle

3) A safety (I'm not even going to be so greedy as to ask for two)

4) A field-stretching deep threat 3rd WR (I think this would do huge wonders for the passing offense)

5) An athletic DE who can play both the run and pass

6) An entire special teams unit outside of kicker

7) Do we need another CB maybe? Are we happy with Jennings?

 

Ugh.

Still might have one in Marquess Wilson who should be back in the 2nd half.

[Guest]

OK, the wish list for next year. Not necessarily in order of importance:

 

1) Three starting linebackers

2) An offensive tackle

3) A safety (I'm not even going to be so greedy as to ask for two)

4) A field-stretching deep threat 3rd WR (I think this would do huge wonders for the passing offense)

5) An athletic DE who can play both the run and pass

6) An entire special teams unit outside of kicker

7) Do we need another CB maybe? Are we happy with Jennings?

 

Ugh.

Still might have one in Marquess Wilson who should be back in the 2nd half.

 

1. They have one starting LB in Bostic.

2. Or a G and kick Long to RT.

3 & 5. Yes.

4. We might also have to worry about replacing Brandon Marshall's production if he spirals. But I agree that speed on the outside would do wonders for this offense. Hopefully Wilson comes back healthy and can make an impact.

7. Jennings hasn't been that great but CB is way too low on the need list. I find it weird that many members in the national media seem to think CB is the Bears' biggest weakness - they probably see that Peanut is done but Fuller was drafted specifically to replace Tillman.

[Guest]

On that note, a couple of CBS mock drafts. Bears pick 9th:

 

Rob Rang - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.

 

Dane Brugler - OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington: The Bears need to get faster and more talented on defense, specifically at the linebacker and defensive backs levels. Thompson is a hybrid linebacker and safety with speed to burn and developing instincts that make his potential very intriguing.