CP_414

Sloppy first half for IU, but they still lead by a dozen 29-17. IU should be able to cruise to 4-1 in the Big Ten if they play offense like they have most of the year in the second half.

Looks pretty sick. No way they'll be wearing those this weekend, though. They won't be allowed to with us wearing the Navy tops.

IU-Iowa underway. Thank God I have something to keep my attention off the Bears game for 2 hours.

No they didn't. They said 1 year at 15 and a half million.

They'll end up meeting in the middle at basically the same salary he made in 06. This isn't a big deal.

You're a good man (I'd recommend hating their basketball team too). I hate all things Gators, but my hatred for Urban Meyer trumps all else Gators. All things except Alex Brown, Rex Grossman, Ian Scott, and Todd Johnson, right? :) Of course.

You're a good man (I'd recommend hating their basketball team too). I hate all things Gators, but my hatred for Urban Meyer trumps all else Gators.

This. I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly. Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel. EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right. Not everyone lives in the same area their whole life, and not everyone has the same amount of interest/passion for different sports. That's kind of the point of my posts...I've moved every 2-3 years of my life, yet the idea of not rooting for my hometown team seems bizarre. If anything, living elsewhere so much and moving so often has solidified my love and loyalty to the teams that play where I'm from. Agreed. I grew up in Chicago, then went to college in Indiana, moved to Orlando, now Milwaukee, and I'm moving back to Chicago in a month or so. All the moving has made me an even bigger fan of my Chicago teams and strengthed by Packers hatred. It also gave me a new team to hate: the Florida Gators, I cannot stand their fans or football coach.

On PTI they just said Dungy gave the team Sunday, Monday, and Today off. It's one of those things that probably doesn't make a huge difference, but if the Colts lose Dungy will get some heat. P.S. Go Bears!

Z is going to get paid. I'm talking $140M+ paid.

I would be scared of Bush receiving but not Bush rushing. Does he do kickoffs? Our kickoff coverage was awul last week, so I would be scared of him there. I have no idea where we rank stastically, but I think our punt coverage is pretty solid. Practicing against Hester all week should have them ready for Bush on punt returns. Also, I have a question for the Saints fans. Are you sick of hearing about the team being a symbol for the city and all the pity fans you are getting because of Katrina? That would annoy the hell out of me if it was the Bears. It almost takes away from the talent level of the team like they are some novelty team, overachieving for their fans who are going through such a tough time. While I rant, let me also say I'm sick of people talking about Drew Brees like he went to the Saints to be a savior to the region. He is only there because Miami wouldn't give him a 6th year.

Favre has also been running for his life the past two years. He's being pressured on almost every play. So while he may know what coverage the defense is in, being pressured like that is bound to lead to mistakes and errant throws. But I do see your point. If I'm in possibly the last year of my career, I wouldn't want to be a babysitter either. Unfortunatly, I was forced to watch every Packer game this year (often while watching the Bears at the same time, since I didn't miss a Bears game), and the Packer O-Line was not bad at all. People make a huge deal about the 3 rookies, but they all played quite well, and Favre had ample time to make plays. Now they certainly had a few bad games, but overall the Packer o-line was above average pass blocking, and average in run blovking.

I know he probably should, but Bush doesn't really scare me at all beacuse of our fast LB's. I'm worried about Brees, Duece, Colston, and the Saints defensive front 4, but not Mr. U$C.

There is more to being a quarterback than just how you throw. I'm sure Rodgers has learned a lot about film study, game preparation, defense recognition, etc. Most of the guys that learn from Maddux don't pitch like him. They learn other aspects of the game by watching. Looking at his stats the last two years it's pretty clear defense recognition isn't a strength Favre has at this point in his career. It was been widely reported up here in Wisconsin that Favre this season did spend a lot more time in game prep and watching film than he has in the past, so maybe he had an influence there. However, Favre has also said he is not Rodgers mentor and it is not his job to teach Rodgers, it's the coaches jobs.

You can say that about quite a few quarterbacks though. Take away Rice, and Montana and Young's numbers changed dramatically. Bad decisions aren't that uncommon among quarterbacks. Favre has how many interceptions in his career? But he's still considered one of the best. And Favre isn't anybody's mentor either. Aaron Rodgers. Bret doesn't walk through everything for him, but I've heard Rodgers say he's learned a lot from Favre. Beat me to it. Rodgers is next in line in Green Bay. I'm sure he's learned from Favre like a lot of guys have learned from Maddux. All you have to do is watch a guy like that, and you will pick up stuff. I don't think thats true. Favre has embraced Rodgers more this season than last, so I'm sure he has helped, but you can't really learn from watching Favre because his form is worse than Grossman's. Favre has a freak natural talent and Rodgers will never be able to play the game the same style as Favre does. Favre is the ultimate gunslinging, throw off your back foot, throw across the field into double coverage guy, and I don't think you can learn anything good by watching him, unless you have the same ability to do all those things and have success.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics?stat=team&sort=pts&pos=off&league=nfl&season=2&year=2006 Chicago - 427 New Orleans - 413 Not a huge difference, but it's still a difference. Yes, but as I said, the Bears scored a lot of points on defense and special teams. Not really the offense's doing. According to ESPN, that is offensive scoring. I might be mistaken, but that's what I'm finding on ESPN and NFL.com. EDIT: Actually, you might be right. That might be overall scoring, but if that's the case, then I need to search a little harder next time. :lol: That is also their total number of points. I looked at the standings, and they officially have the Bears as scoring 427 points, so those offensive rankings must count both defense and special teams TD's as well, which are at least 10 TD's I think for the Bears, if not more. The point remains the same, however we get the points. The Bears score more than the Saints, they allow less than the Saints, and they have won significantly more than the Saints. Also, stop crying about the schedule, they both went 3-1 against playoff teams. Part of the reason our strength of scedule was so weak was that we gave those teams 13 losses. The difference between the Bears schedule and Saints schedule wouldn't have been as great if we lost 3 more games. What's the big deal anyway? We were beating 6-10 teams when the Saints were beating 7-9 teams, whooptie doo.

Over the course of history there are not many times where you could get fired by the Arizona Cardinals and then take a worse head coaching job. This could be quite historic.

Well then our defense was even more dominant than they get credit for, because I would be willing to bet the Bears offense has given up more points and short fields than most teams due to Rex's awful games this season.

I expect Danieal Manning to make major progress next season. While I wouldn't be opposed to taking a safety, I'd consider looking at the free agent market there first rather than bringing in another rookie. If Mike Brown isn't coming back we will need to add a safety. I know Samuel from New England is a free agent. Could Manning Jr make a good safety? If one of our corners could make the switch we could try to bring in a #1 CB like Nate Clements. Or we could always try to pick up a safety in a trade for Thomas Jones or Wale. However priority number 1 is locking up Briggs and T. Harris and trying to reach a reasonable deal with Vasher. I would also like to see them draft at least one of the top offensive linemen in this draft.

How do you figure? Our offense is ranked higher than your defense, and our defense is ranked higher than your offense. Besides, the Bears were DEAD LAST in strength of schedule this year. The Saints were 3rd highest. You beat a team in the Seahawks who were ranked 19th in the NFL and had lost 3 of their last 5 games, and only beat the Cowboys because Romo messed up. Whereas the Saints beat the Eagles, the 9th ranked team in the NFL, who had won their last 6 games. Our offense was better than your offense based on points, and our defense was better than your defense, and our special teams was better than your special teams. The Bears had a significantly better record than the Saints. What is so confusing about that?

Saints defense is weak? They are 11th in the NFL, and over the last 5 regular season games, not including the throwaway Carolina game where our starters only played one series, the Saints have only given up an average of 12.6 points per game. Over that same 5 game stretch, not including the throwaway game against the Packers, the Bears defense gave up 21.8 points per game. Less than a month ago, the Bears defense gave up 31 points to the 29th ranked offense in the NFL. Kinda like the Bears barely eeked out a win against the Seahawks? The Eagles had the 2nd highest ranked offense in the NFL; Seattle the 19th ranked offense. That's why. If the Saints are so strong how did they go 5-5 in their last 10 regular season games? How did they lose what seemed like a must-win game to the Redskins...at home? Why aren't we playing this game in New Orleans? Listen, the Saints are a good team. They are the second best team in the NFC, but this Saints lovefest is absurd. The Bears finished 2 full games ahead of them in the NFC. Both teams played the same number of games against playoff teams and both won the same number of those games. The Saints are capable of beating the Bears, but if they do so it will be an upset. The Bears are the better team and they have been so all season long. Everyone fears the Saints offense, and it is very good, but the Bears outscored them this season.

I cannot believe it is only Tuesday. This week is going way too slow. No practice for the Bears today just weights and film. Anyone know anything about Bradley's injury yet? GO BEARS!

Iowa at Indiana tonight. Hoosiers are starting to get some votes for the top 25. I think they are 30 and 31st in the two polls. A win tonight and at UConn Saturday and IU could slide in to the top 25 next week. Then the big showdown at Illinois a week from today.

Per the Score, the Cubs sign Ohman to a 2-year $2.5M deal. They also exchanged figures with Prior and Z. No word on if it is 1-year or long term offer with Z. Also, the Sox sign Crede for $5M this season.

I'll be glad to take every one of those lines from those 5 guys.