rawaction

Yes, he's shown he can be a factor. But he's a tiny WR with limited abilities, and some people are overstating how good he's been. How does he have limited abilities? Fastest player on the team, shown good hands so far, has shown he's can make a play in the open field. If you are saying his ability is limited because he doesn't project to be a #1. But then you could say the same about Hester and Bennett.

Well, this is was I posted last week. So, much for that. Sunday, the Falcons were well oiled. They were on the field a lot. They had 3 plays over 25 in the game, and one more at 24. And the defense jumped all the way to the middle of the pack vs. both the run and pass. Still, even in the domination, I saw areas where the Bears can attack the Falcons defense. They have a rookie FS who has played well, but the Bears should be able to get in the middle of the field. 51 yards came to Davis in the middle of the field. SF's best success came throwing the ball downfield, as 100 of Hill's 198 yards came on 2 deep throws. I do think we could see a game in the 30s now. ATL has all kinds of confidence coming off a blowout of one of the top defensive teams in the league. But I think the week off could be the neutralizer. I like Hester and Knox on the turf. I like Olsen against their LBs and safeties. I like Cutler with 2 weeks to work with an offense that has been getting better each week.

I was going to post something similar. It really pains me to see. Of course, Cutler and Forte are probably better as a combo, but you have to take into consideration it's Cutler and Forte for Orton, Benson, the pick used to draft Forte (because you didn't have a RB) and the picks traded for Cutler. Still, I can't complain about what the Bears are doing. Thanks to getting a franchise QB, they could be a couple OL and WRs taking the next step away from having an elite offense. There should be no excuse to ignore the OL anymore.

I hope so. I predicted both teams would be 3-1 right now, with the Bears losing the game they did and Min losing the game they should have vs. SF. I would feel a lot better if the Ravens beat them next week though and the Bears beat ATL.

I didn't say there were any must wins. I just said it would be tough to catch the Vikes if they get off to a 2-game lead midway thru the season. And the Vikings were better than the Bears last year. The additions of Favre, Harvin, and a healthy Henderson make them one of the best in the NFC. Plus, the Bears couldn't beat those same Packers in the season opener, though it was on the road vs. home for MIN. That being said, I think the Bears may be better than the Vikings. But I think being 2 games back near the halfway point is going to make things tough. You can look at it as the Bears still get 2 shots at the Vikes, but I see it as the Bears still have to go to Minnesota, which is one of the top 2 or 3 games left they are most likely to lose.

That's the worst possible interpretation of things to come. I don't think it's hard to envision a scenario where the Bears go 4-0 in their next 4, and the Vikings lose to both Pittsburgh and Baltimore. That's just not that far out to me. Vikings will be home for BAL though, and they have played better football this year than the Steelers, though both played their best this past week and Polamalu will undoubtedly be back. I think having the Ravens in the dome will give Min the advantage. They could lose both and the Bears could go 4-0, but I think the odds of both are slim.

Still, even if Favre does wear down in the next month or so, they are still going to be 5-0 Sunday, and likely 6-1 (I don't see them losing to BOTH Pittsburgh and Baltimore) after 7 games. Then they go to GB and could be 7-1 or 6-2 by then. If the Bears go 2-2 in the next stretch, they are 5-3, which isn't bad, but it's still 1-2 games behind and the Vikes would be favored vs. the Bears in Minnesota. Plus, the Bears have the @ San Fran short week, Philly, and @ Min stretch of games after these 4.

3-1 is probably the worst the Bears could do if they want to win the NFC North. The Vikings will be 5-0 after Sunday. Then have 2 tough games vs. BAL and PIT, and unless they lose both and the Bears sweep, they are going to be hard to catch. The Falcons game is clearly the toughest in the stretch, IMO. The Bengals could easily be 4-0 right now, but I think their strengths play right into the Bears hands and the Bears are a better team than them, even being on the road. The only thing I worry about with the Browns is them being desperate for a win at 0-7. However, playing in Chicago should be enough to overcome that. I actually think the Arizona matchup is a good one for the Bears. While the Cards have great WRs, I think the Bears can get pressure on Warner and force some turnovers. Nov. 8 it should be pretty cold if the current weather is any indication and it should be the worst weather game of the year for the Cards. And as was said, they aren't a great team by any means.

I'd like to see that, but I don't think they have the personel. I don't think either of those guys would be effective at all dropping back. It's not about being effective. They just have to cover their area and cut off a passing lane. Both being 6'5" and the two most athletic DL on the team, makes them the most likely candidates.

It's hard for me to imagine a true shootout in this game. Falcons haven't exactly been a well oiled machine so far, and don't figure to get there in SF this weekend. Despite not turning the ball over much, ATL hasn't been on the field as much as they would like offensively. They haven't had any big plays with only 2 plays over 25 yards, though they have played 2 tough defenses in 3 games. Plus, I think both teams are going to try to establish the run a lot. They are 25th and 26th in that area so far this year. That should slow down the scoring some. I think the game will see both teams in the 20s, but I wouldn't expect either in the 30s.

Yeah, the blitzing is bad. The LBs crowd the line. Either they both blitz or they both don't. The OL either blocks the guy in front of them or they don't. The back picks up the extra guy or if nobody comes, goes out on a route. It's not that hard to figure out. I do like the nickel, corner and safety blitzes, even though those aren't all that creative either. What I would like to see is more zone blitzing, especially with Anderson at DE and/or Idonije at DT. They are athletic enough to be factors dropping back in coverage with more speed coming off the edge. The 2nd half this week, the pressure the DL has been getting all year, and the fact the Bears are playing the Falcons SHOULD mean that we see far less of the dull blitzes. With All-Pro talent at WR, TE, and QB; the Bears are less likely to leave their defenders 1-on-1. This is going to be the toughest test for the D all year. Strong OL. Good QB. Good run game. Size and speed at WR. Tough matchup at TE. GB and Pitt had questionable OL and run games when the Bears faced them. Seattle didn't have a good TE or as good of a QB. Detroit only had the WR. And a QB that played pretty well.

My keepers currently look to be: Kinsler- 514.8 Tulowitzki- Exemption #3 CGonzalez- Exemption #2 Sizemore- 373 Wainwright- 697.5 Peavy- 281.5 1866.8 total points, 6 players. That would mean Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Dempster are available in a trade.

I'm going to my first regular season NFL game. Chargers @ Steelers Sunday night. I have been to a couple preseason games, including seeing Payton and the Bears at Notre Dame Stadium in the 80s.

I am. Why take away any snaps from this young WR corps when all we've seen of them is good performance and progress on a week to week basis? I don't want an old and bad WR who used to be good on the roster. And I don't want to hear anything about veteran leadership and taking the young guys under his wing, because that couldn't be any further from the type of guy Marvin is. I would have to agree with you on this one. If it was as simple as replacing Rashied Davis' contract and replacing it with Marvin Harrison, I like the idea of seeing him lined up in a 3 or 4 wide and opening up some routes for our speedsters, but that's not going to happen. I'd rather see what the kids can do, also. Cutler is still just a kid himself. I'd like to see how good this core group can become with more time together. I'm thrilled with what I've seen from Bennett and Knox so far. I wouldn't say I'm thrilled. They have looked like young WRs. Knox has made some exciting plays (2 TD catches, bomb), Bennett has made some huge catches in traffic. But Knox got destroyed on the slant in the 4th in GB, and is almost useless if he's not in space. Bennett disappeared vs. Pit and hasn't shown any flash. That being said, I see no reason to bring in anyone to keep them off the field, especially not Harrison. If Harrison is your 4th WR (which he shoudl be at best), then I'd rather see Aromashodu there. The only type of WR I want to see on this team is a guy with some size that can run a slant and not get knocked off his route.

BTW, I thought the Bears LBs really played well yesterday. Briggs was excellent as usual, but Hillenmeyer was good before he got hurt, and I thought Roach was great.

This will not be an easy game by any means. Detroit's numbers don't look flashy offensively (23rd passing, 20th rushing), but they have gotten better each week. They have run better each week, including a great ground game yesterday. Stafford threw 3 INTs in Week 1, 2 in week 2 and none yesterday. They have only allowed Stafford to get sacked 5 times in 3 games, which isn't bad. Detroit is definitely headed in the right direction. At home vs. a team that just broke a 19-game losing streak, the Bears will probably be favored by double digits. But don't be surprised if Detroit keeps this game similar to the last 2, with the Bears needed to put together or stop a game-winning drive at the end. It would be very encouraging though to see a blowout win going into the bye week though.

I know I'm late, but damn IU got screwed. Still pissed about that. One more out of 4 redzone TDs and it's at worst, an OT game. IU did exactly what they needed to do, but couldn't get it done inside the 20. We ran the ball well, kept Michigan's O off the field, we got pressure on the QB, forced a couple TOs, stopped the run other than a couple big plays early. All to have a chance taken away at the end. All I ask for is a chance. Don't think IU would have been able to pull off a score to win it, but at least give us a fair shot.

I thought Carter's hit was clean. I thought he led with his shoulder and he threw his forearms out in front of him. Looked like the helmet to helmet was on the follow thru to me.

I agree with you. Granted they haven't played Michigan caliber opponents, but the D is averaging 3 sacks and 8 TFL per game so far. The DEs are very strong, and can't be blocked all game. Running the ball is the key, as it can keep the Michigan O off the field. Hopefully the Frosh QB can make a few mistakes. IUs best chance is to control the clock and field position.

Olsen has had at least 3 drops that could have extended drives. Of course, one he got absolutely drilled trying to catch. But he has been disappointing.

Hasselbeck's hit looked a lot like the one McNabb took. McNabb has multiple rib injuries though. I don't think Hasselbeck will play.

I'd put the Colts win last year right up there. And the defeat of GB late in the year last year is up there too. But still, a huge win. You wouldn't if you lived here.

It's amazingly awesome that Cutler actually caught the helmet behind his back.

Being it Pittsburgh and having watched these beyotches celebrate 2 rings, I think this is the most satisfying win since beating New Orleans to get to the Superbowl in 2006. And surprisingly its very close to the same feeling.

He was the president when I was at IU. He was actually, very involved in the campus and I met him at least once and saw him several times. I don't fault him at all for getting rid of Coach Knight. It was a move he had to make and a move that was long overdue, IMO.