UMFan83

Plus you know that will fool this [expletive] organization into believing we just got off to a poor start this year because of injuries, and we are so close to being awesome. Going even .500 over the rest of the season would be suicide for the 2012 season.

So we signed the worst pass blocking tight end in the league last offseason to be our blocking TE. He predictably sucked as the Bears (only some credit goes to Malelelaufgshsdbgrma) led the league in sacks allowed. Then this offseason we cut him, and trade away the best pass catching tight end we have, who also sucks at pass blocking, for someone only marginally better but still among the worst in the league at pass blocking who is not known as a very adept pass catcher. Wow, what the hell are we doing? At first I thought, oh of course the numbers are skewed, our line sucked last year and we gave up a ton of sacks. Then I saw the 3 year numbers. Oops

Regarding the game, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I don't think we got embarrassed necessarily, but there's no doubt who controlled a majority of the game. The start of the game when both teams are fired up, you have the prideful Bears D going up against the awesome Packers offense with the crowd going nuts and the Packers basically cruise down the field with almost no resistance for TDs on the first 2 possessions. That was a slap in the face the players, and the fans, never really recovered from. I have no idea what if anything the Packers did schematically after that point but the Packers offense didn't score after that 2nd possession. Granted they had multiple sustained drives that led to a red zone INT and a couple inexplicable punts, the 2nd of which caused to turn to the Packer fan behind me and say, "I now understand why u guys hate McCarthy", but the defense did a really good job overall, most importantly when we scores to make it 14-7, the defense came up with 2 consecutive 3 and outs to give the Bears 2 possessions to tie it. Then after the TD to make it 21-14, the Packer really could have run the clock to a point where a tying drive would be nearly impossible but the D got them the ball back. Trust me at that point the Packers fans at Soldier Field were not thinking about how much they were embarrassing us. Anyway, it's really hard to argue that the 2010 Bears were as good as their accomplishments. No doubt about it, the Bears caught a [expletive] of Breaks. Statistically the 3rd worst offense in the NFL with the piss poor OL and the tiny group of unproven receivers somehow made the NFC title game and hosted it. But at the end of the day they were a team that won a couple of close games they probably didn't deserve to win early and somehow were able to improve to the point where people legit took them serious.

They were down 14-0 early and for most of the game, as soon as they made it somewhat interesting they were down by 14 points again. And then were down by 7 with 3 minutes left and a first down inside the 30...oh wait nevermind Lovie called a TO and then Martz called a WR screen on 3rd and 1. On second thought, I change my opinion. Very embarassing.

They were down 14-0 early and for most of the game, as soon as they made it somewhat interesting they were down by 14 points again. And then were down by 7 with 3 minutes left and a first down inside the 30...oh wait nevermind Lovie called a TO and then Martz called a WR screen on 3rd and 1.

I [expletive] hate everyone. They forgot to mention how lazy he is.

Most people think the score was a lot closer than the game was because Rodgers was intercepted by Urlacher in the end zone, and I think 2 different times the Packers opted to punt from at or inside the Bears 40. And then another interception before halftime that was on the Bears side of the field. That said, the defense really did a good job on Rodgers after the 1st quarter, and if the Bears hadn't waited 2.5 quarters to mount an offense, and/or if Hanie didn't throw one right at Raji, we could have won that game. I mean jeez, the fact that we were 30 yards away from tying the game with 2 minutes left despite a ton of stuff going wrong for us including having to play most of the 2nd half and make up a 14 point defecit with our 3rd string QB, says a lot.

DEADLINE LOSERS:

I still don't think the OL will be horrible this year. They won't be great but better than last year. I really think they should have picked up someone, at worst for depth. But the reason I am optimistic for the line this year is because of several assumptions I have made. 1) Chris Williams is settling into his G position and while won't be a pro bowl caliber OL, he will be a consistent starter from here on out. 2) I believe Gabe Carimi will be able to start and hold his own from day 1. Not saying he's going to be spectacular on day 1, but he won't have the wild inconsistency issues that Williams had. 3) Webb is a legit prospect, and again, won't be a superstar, but will be improved on last year and eventually a solid piece. I worry about Garza but he seems like he's going the other way, and I don't know what to think of Spencer and the loss of Kreutz. I know no other center but Olin. I wouldnt be surprised if this line ends up in the 15-20 range in FO's run and pass blocking stats. The issues will be if/when there are injuries, because honestly, I have no idea who backs these dudes up. Is Frank Omiyle still on the team? I also recognize if one of those 3 assumptions above don't come true, we could be looking at problems.

Time to see how valuable Kreutz was to the locker room. I'm willing to bet his teammates thought he was an [expletive] but tolerated his "leadership"

I am almost certain that other baseball executives are laughing at the Cubs ineptitude. Some of the things this team does so against the grain of rational thinking. I've learned that bad teams don't drive away fans, bad organizations do.

Yeah probably until this offseason or next years trade deadline please, do explain The Indians, after a hot start, have gone 22-36 since then. They probably aren't that good, and will likely eventually learn that themselves, and when they realize that and realize that Ubaldo has the most value on their team, they will probably put him back on the market again. why do the yankees have an advantage over other teams in acquiring him via trade? I never said they did, just that he'll be available to the Yankees and other teams.

It's really not worth risking having to find and implement a new Center a month before week 1. Just pay him Bears.

So the Bears new thing is to sign failed 1st round D-linemen and hope Rod can turn their careers around. Interesting to say the least.

Yeah probably until this offseason or next years trade deadline please, do explain The Indians, after a hot start, have gone 22-36 since then. They probably aren't that good, and will likely eventually learn that themselves, and when they realize that and realize that Ubaldo has the most value on their team, they will probably put him back on the market again.

Does Taylor have bonuses that hit within the next few weeks? I'd like to see Barber and Taylor battle through camp for backup RB. Really weird FA period for the Bears

Yeah probably until this offseason or next years trade deadline

Do the Indians really think they are good enough to contend? I have no idea about the prospects they are giving up but, it doesn't seem like they are ready to throw away their rebuilding plan to contend this year. They've gone 22-36 since their 30-15 start. Ubaldo will help and he'll be under team control for awhile but is it a move they need to make now?

Does anybody know what he means by that exactly? It sounds like the avg payroll of all 32 teams has to be 99% of the cap, not every single team has to be at 99%. So there are teams that will be spending less than the 99%. At least that's how I'm reading it. Maybe someone here can explain it better??? Also, I heard that they don't have to be at 99% this season, its a gradual thing over the next 3 years that they have to get to.

Wow, I just got free tickets to Paul McCartney tomorrow and then I turn on the TV and see the Cubs have scored a weeks worth of runs, wtf is going on.

The difference (unless I'm mistaken) is that we weren't going to get any comp picks for Kosuke, but we can for Pena. And Pena is more valuable. Do you really think we're going to offer Pena arbitration if our offseason is centered around signing Pujols and/or Fielder? I'm not saying that we know for a fact it is, but it's possible that's the case, and if so I doubt they chance offering Pena arby

Nice to see that at least one person recognized the moment (if half-heartedly). I'm a little disappointed in this place. Wherever he ends up, it's quite a story that deserves recognition. You're disappointed that the 4 people who actually posted in this game thread didn't acknowledge the opposing player on our arch rivals hitting a meaningless milestone that everyone knew he would eventually get? Maybe you are expecting way too much from a fanbase that can barely muster any enthusiasm for our own team.

Nice outing Marmol. I'm sure the Cardinals hitters appreciate the batting practice. 1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K There were at least 5 batters who hit him hard in the inning.

I cant wait until other sports come back so I can stop even occasionally thinking about this team. Damn you Cubs you've made me hate baseball.

The other night he held up the tying run at 3rd because there were 0 outs and that run never got home. This time we're down 5 with 1 out and he sends him to his death.