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Urlacher wasn't horrible last year. Hard to be a bad MLB when your team is one of the best run Ds in the league. But it wasn't a Brian Urlacher year. If he get back to 2006-07 form, this D will be pretty good again. I can't wait for preseason games at least.

He's still around. I don't think he makes the roster though. He regressed as a special teamer and doesn't do as many things as Wolfe does with the ball in his hands. Add to that, Wolfe stepped up on ST (led the team in ST tackles), and can return kicks. I think they only carried 4 Rbs last year because Jones was iffy. If Jones continues to look good, AP should go. Worst case scenario, 2 RBs get hurt....you put Wolfe or McKie back there and let Cutler throw the ball 40 times. Sign somebody for the practice squad for emergency.

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat. I think a lot of the 2 TE sets you will see, will be Dez at TE and Olsen in the slot. From the sound of things, Olsen isn't going to be doing much blocking, especially with Gaines on the roster. I would expect that to be the vast majority of 2 TE sets. However, that is more helpful for a lesser QB that needs the fallback option and safety valves than for a potentially elite QB who can and should stretch the field. It's going to happen, a lot, but it should happen a lot less than it would for Orton. Cutler better get 3 WR + Olsen and Forte in several passing packages, not just a whole lot of 2-2-1. Agreed. Stokley caught 50 as the #3 for Denver and that was with 200 catches between the 1-2. So, despite if you think Olsen can catch 70-80, a 3rd WR is going to have to step up. 3 WR sets means more of Olsen and Forte on LBs and more safeties on WRs.

Watching the TO show, I see he really has a nice setup. His bodyguard is his best friend, and he hangs out with 2 chicks all the time. That's a good way NOT to get in trouble. Become good friends with a woman. They don't c'block they just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat. I think a lot of the 2 TE sets you will see, will be Dez at TE and Olsen in the slot. From the sound of things, Olsen isn't going to be doing much blocking, especially with Gaines on the roster.

Pace has made some nice compliments about him. I still think if Shaffer gets a legit shot, he might beat out Williams, but it may be a case that you have to give Williams every chance to lose the job when games count. Pretty much my impressions from watching on TV. Can make every throw with ease and precision. Brandon Marshall wasn't one of the best WRs after the catch because he's that great. Cutler consistently puts the ball where it needs to be for his WRs to do something with it. But he can also make the throw into coverage away from the defenders. OK isn't a bad thing on the 4th day of camp for a guy who most fans didn't see do anything last year. He's not a "WOW" type WR. Him knowing the plays, running good routes, and catching the ball is good enough for him to be a strong contributor to this team. Also, I have read on other boards that people don't expect much out of him because he didn't catch any passes last year and good WRs are guys that come in right away and catch a lot of balls. Sure, guys like Rice, T.O., and Moss all had big rookie years. And Bennett was in the same draft that produced 90-catch rookie, Eddie Royal. But there are plenty of guys who didn't do anything as rookies who became really good WRs. Jimmy Smith - 0 rookie catches Keenan McCardell- 1 Amani Toomer- 1 Joe Horn - 2 Cris Carter - 5. Granted none of them are Hall of Famers outside of Carter, but they all finished in the top 40 all time in receptions. Carter finished 2nd.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/the-bears-beyond-cutler/ He goes on to say..... I referenced this a few days ago. I don't know where these stats are coming from though.

Hes hitting a HR every 10 at bats or so, considering hes not getting consistent at bats thats pretty impressive. Or, he's hitting a HR ever 10 at bats or so, considering he's not getting consistent at bats, he hasn't had a chance to get exposed full time or have prolonged slumps. There's no way he hits a HR every 10 ABs playing everyday. Oh yeah and him playing 2B would be absolutely disasterous. The Cubs are better off letting him catch and play 3B in instructs and have a similar role he's had this year, except with actually starting him at C if Soto misses a month again or throwing him in right away at 3B when Aramis gets hurt again.

Why can't Bradley play more than 2 games in a row? He hasn't really been hurt much this year. So, it's not like Lou is protecting him like he has and will with Ramirez. Fukudome out makes no sense either. These built in days off for players are getting on my nerves. First, Soriano, then Ramirez, then Theriot, now Bradley and Fukudome on the same day that Ramirez is out for health reasons. Why not let the players suck it up for one more day and give days off in Cincinnati, vs. a team the Cubs B-team should be able to beat anyway?

I don't know if I like this move, especially this early. I'd rather keep the younger, more athletic Laroque around even though he had very little chance of contributing outside of special teams. However, I don't think this means Hillenmeyer is safe. You still have Roach, Freeman, and Williams as backup LBs. All 3 are more athletic than Hilly at this stage in all their careers. All 3 are probably going to be better special teamers than Hunter also, as that has never been his forte. I think the Bears may still keep 7 LBs though, as they did last year, so maybe that means a guy like Mike Rivera has stepped up.

Meh, who cares, and it helps us as we still have games remaining vs San Diego. Isn't he out until Sept? Cubs play the Padres by then anyway.

It is actually. From Prior and Wood in the rotation to Wood as closer. From Hawkins to Marmol. Howry to Guzman. Dempster from closer to starter. Lilly in. The bullpen has been remarkable at striking guys out for years. Z has been the only constant. He's not a big strikeout guy, but has always thrown enough innings to be among the leaders in the NL.

Put this above Garza's locker. Im already getting a little iritated reading stuff about the oline and nothing about a competition at RG. Lovie mentioned he was excited about the Beekman/Omayle competition at LG, how bout RG damnit. I know its early so im not trying to get to worked up about this. I read something from some guy that used some formula for rating offensive lineman some time ago and according to him, Garza was one of the top 5 guards in the league last year. I'm still not a big fan, but apparantly only fans think he's a mediocre lineman.

Well it's a 10-game road trip. (3 FLA, 3 CIN, 4 COL). 6-4 would be good. However, with St. Louis' schedule, that might not be enough to keep the Cubs in 1st. They have Houston (3), Mets (2), Pit (3) and then Cin (3). The only good pitchers they face (Wandy, Oswalt, Santana) will be facing Carpenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro respectively, so they could conceivably have a favorable pitching matchup in every game. The Cubs get the Phils when they get home. So, 7-3 would be ideal. Sweeping FL might be too much to ask. Sweeping Cincy again will be tough. 3-1 vs. a good Col team will be tough too. But, 2-1, 2-1, 3-1 is doable.

Alderson, really? He's the Pirates 2nd best pitcher if this trade is real.

For a team that could use an offensive boost and doesn't have much money available, Scutaro is worth a look. Shouldn't take much to acquire him.

Pedro Martinez?

Waiting for the day a player says, "I'm really screwed up right now. I'm pretty sure I will be out for longer than people think. I hate rehab and I know that won't go very well."

I assume this is a more minor surgery than what Chris Williams and Brian Urlacher have had in recent years. If it is at all similar, Williams missed much more than 10 weeks. Urlacher was able to play, but wasn't as effective. And I agree Goony, this may be the last year Peanut Tillman is a Bear. The only problem with that is you could be looking at a new CB on the other side and another new FS if that doesn't work out.

I don't know what to think of the Tillman injury. Ten weeks would put him out until the Week 4 Detroit game. However, I don't think he will be out that long. He has had this surgery before in 2006, but it was to end the season. So, while we don't know how long the recovery will take, Peanut should. I don't think this has to mean Graham moves back to CB and Steltz is the starter at FS. I don't think this means the season is shot. I figure at best, Tillman is ready for the opener. At worst, he's back after missing the first 2 games. If Bowman has been as good as advertised in OTAs, he should have no problem filling in for a couple weeks. Would mean DJ Moore will probably have to step up very fast though.

Exactly. I personally like the all-day Saturday setup. But I could deal with Friday night round 1. The all day coverage on Saturday made for a really nice excuse to fire up the grill for the first time of the year and get together with your boys and eat and drink all day. But you have to have some semi-important picks to keep it interesting.

Falcons, Ravens, Vikings, Titans.

FWIW, though Holliday has raked in Busch. He has poor numbers in Wrigley, Minute Maid, GABP, and PNC. He has hit well in Milwaukee though.

Wow! How huge is the Houston series next week? The division may get a lot tighter in the next 7 days. After the makeup with the Nats today, the Cards have 3 at Philly and 4 vs. the Dodgers. The Brewers have red hot ATL, but then have 4 vs. the Nats to get back in it. If the Cubs and Houston split and all teams do about how they are expected this weekend, you could have the top 4 teams seperated by about a 1/2 game.

Yeah, I don't know why anybody would trade Buchholz for VMart.