Soul

Actually the reports on Wood, Miller and Prior are positive! Man, I hope and pray Prior is healthy! http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070117&content_id=1780798&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc Not to be a rotten egg, but it is, after all, cubs.com... Translation: there will be no CF acquisition.

Oh I'll be watching. Being a Chicago fan, you've got to savor every big victory becuase Lord knows they don't come around very often.

I didn't think ARam loved the Cubs enough to throw 20-30 mil in the trash either. Give him 6/96. Give him it right now. I could see him accepting 6/100-110 (18 mil/year). I think anything under 100 mil is too low, even for Z who I believe loves the Cubs. Offering 6/96 would be worth a try though. :) http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070116cubsohman,1,4799304.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines Sounds like you're right, Z will be looking to break the $100mil barrier. I hope the Cubs are ready for this, because if you lose Zambrano because you overpaid for Lilly and Marquis? I think that's the point where fans start offing themselves and naming the Cubs in their suicide notes :x

Well, I just checked and last year the Steelers had two SI covers in Jan '06. Patriots had two pre-superbowl SI covers in Jan & Feb '05. So I guess it's not that big of a jinx. Ahhhh, but you checked. Because it made you nervous. *shines bright light in OleMiss's eyes* ADMIT IT!! 8-)

Yes, and not only that, but I believe Russ Grimm's interview with the Bears was his first HC interview. I like him, he's a no-nonsense kind of guy. OLine is the most underrated position coach in football. Shula to Miami might feed the nostalgia of Phins fans, but I just don't see how he's anywhere near ready to coach an NFL team.

Hester is more likely to bring one back, but he is also more likely to muff one and turn it over. You all are talking about the guy who set an NFL record for returns for td. Hester averaged 12.9 ypr to Bush's 7.7. Out of all the positions, you guys picked a bad one to argue. Huh? I wasn't arguing that Hester wasn't as good (he's better), just more likely to turn the ball over on a return. More likely they'll just kick away from him.

If Grossman were smart, he'd be hitting Des Clark as often as possible. A tight end is a quarterback's best friend. Especially when that QB is struggling. I noticed Grossman was at his best when he used Clark and his FB. I'd also like to see more of this. Clark's been very good this year when called on. Grossman only found him a couple times last week. I think McKie got hurt, which explains why there weren't many throws to the FB in the flat. Reid was filling in.

His house would be burned to the ground, his kittens stomped, and he'd be thrown into the river with alligator bait wrapped around his body if he did that. Not happening. After NO fixed the Super Dome for him, there's just no way. That entire city would hunt him down and chop him into little pieces. It would make Modell look like the Pope.

That picture of Olin Kreutz leaping in joy makes me so goddarned happy. Him and Brian Urlacher deserve a Super Bowl ring more than anyone else. They have truly given their heart to this team for a long time. Actually, I think he's breaking someone's jaw right there, they're just out of frame. :P It's super-Kreutz! Off to save the day! 8-)

Just curious cuz I know nothing of Gould, but if he sucked how did he get to the NFL? Basically, because the Bears needed something after Doug Brien didn't work out at all last year. Gould was essentially hammering nails last year. Gould is such a money kicker. His ball is so straight and accurate. I wish he'd pound it into the endzone more on kickoffs, but I'll take a money field goal kicker over a strong legged kickoff guy any time. Perhaps that's why he didn't attract more attention in the NFL. His leg strength. It might be wise to invest in a long kicker at some point, though. Because I think Gould costs us some field position at times. But I hate to complain about him at all. I'll shut up about him. I'm not so sure his distance is all that bad. What's the league average on kickoff depth? All I know is, Gould's kicks regularly land inside the 5, and that's a heck of lot better than Edinger's. It's so gratifying to attend training camp, be blown away at a guy like Gould who *obviously* showed several notches of improvement, and then see it carry all the way through the season to a playoff game-winning kick. It all started in Bourbonnais. =D>

This has me hopeful that the Bears can get back to being disciplined and play better...but I don't know. If they were going to be able to do that, you'd have thought it would happen during the bye week. I wouldn't be so sure. An off week leading up to your first playoff game is exactly the type of atmosphere that would breed going beyond the scheme and being undisciplined. They were obviously going to be jacked up for that game, and playing with a lot of emotion. That's how you "get out of your lanes" so to speak. I think this one win was a huge load off their shoulders. Plus, the defense did tighten up toward the end of the game. Also played well on all the 3rd and shorts. So that's something to build on, I guess. The run defense needs to play better, though. I think the Bears can contain Bush with their speed much in the same way they've held Mike Vick under control. Deuce worries me a lot more because he seems to be a more physical guy. The play where he and his line just carried the pile against Philly for the TD stands out in my mind. These are the type of RB's we tend to struggle more with. True, but IMO he's not more physical than Alexander. Physical, but not MVP physical like Shaun. For me it's the combo of Deuce, Bush, and Brees. Can't focus on anything. You can get beat all over the field. I expect the Bears D to play straight-up to limit the gaping holes that blitzing and stunting would cause. And that worries me---because straight-up D will leave us with little QB pressure.

It was the Chiefs and Ravens. Considering how dismal the Indy defense had been against the run over the final weeks of the season, holding opponents to an average of 70-75 YPG on the ground was pretty impressive. You're right, my bad. Even worse IMO though. Chiefs had no business there. Still not impressive. If a student of mine scores an F on 10 consecutive tests, and then scores a C on a couple, I say "hey nice improvement" but not "that was impressive." Shut Brady down though? In the AFC Championship? Yeah, then I'll hand it to them.

I was at the game too. What section were you? It was shocking to see just how bad the Grizzlies are. Gasol looked like he just fell out of bed, and he played like it too----though he still seems to be the best player on the team, that's not saying much. They reminded me of the Bulls right after the dynasty ended. Nothing of note on the roster, shooting that is epic in its badness, and obvious lack of effort. I wish that 1st rounder was in a trade with these guys now, not the Knicks 8-)

Their offense is so explosive that it would cause tons of problems for the Bears defense. The Colts defense has been playing pretty well so far in the playoffs. I would rather see the Bears face the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Patriots have the experience that would probably give them the edge over the Bears as well. That being said, the Bears are going to have to get by a really solid team in the Saints this Sunday. Colts defense has been facing junk offenses, that's why. That all ends this week though. If they stop Brady, that will be impressive. Stopping the Jets and the Ravens is not. As far as the Colts' offense, yes it is good but it really hasn't been all that great this postseason. They thrive on big plays, which is what the Tampa-2 is *supposed* to limit. I would think the Bears are underdogs either way if they make it.

That's pretty much what I'm thinking too. No way would I want to face off against Belichek in a Super Bowl, especially since it would become a huge revenge game for New England, in addition to being a Super Bowl which they've never lost. I'd gladly take the Colts and Peyton over all that nasty synergy.

I wish the Colts would win, and indeed I will be rooting for them. Damn Brady & his Pats though......they're like the monster in a horror movie who just will not die. DIE ALREADY.

The flag was out so early, that I didn't get myself very excited about the runback. I didn't see the flag, so I was way too excited about a non-touchdown. From where we were sitting the flag could be seen immediately. The place was going bazonkers, which was pretty fun to see. I spent the play going "NO! FLAG! NO!" After the FG, of course-----that was really something to see.

The Vikings were solid defensively this year, they just had nothing on offense. In terms of interdivisional defenses, I think the Saints actually had it easier by playing the Bucs and Falcons twice. Given the Bears competition within the division and the fact that they were never fewer than 3 games ahead of the next closest NFC competitor, the Bears last 7 games were all "throwaway" games. They just won 6 of them. That's not to say the Bears didn't play hard in any of them. It's just to say that there was little to no reason to go all out from the Giants game on. Of course, their performance this past week means more, and they didn't exactly play a whole lot better defensively. So who's to say what's going to happen with the defense. Nobody can say. Maybe they stink it up and get killed. Or, maybe they manage the big plays and keep it close. I have no clue what's going to happen. I suspect NO has the advantage next week. I hope not. I do know the larger share of the country will be rooting for the Saints, and against the Bears. That's about all I can say for sure.

ouch I know one thing, the next time Merriman gets "injured" and has to be taken to the locker room, I'd have an NFL escort verify what exactly he's doing back there. Especially when it looks like a serious injury but 5 minutes later he's running around as if nothing happened. Just sayin'. He should no longer have the presumption of being on the level, 'cuz he clearly isn't.

When it comes to Bonds, nothing is a big deal for the Giants. Pumping roids, popping uppers, who cares? Just sign him for big bucks and get that chocolate-brown corvette ready for the in-game party. On a side note, apparently putting a winning team on the field isn't a big deal for the Giants, either.

Sorry to have to say this, but I sincerely hope you are crushed for having missed the greatest moment in Bear history for the past 20 years 8-)

He was just very frustrated and upset, as anyone can understand he would be. Patriots shouldn't be doing that. But then again----that Merriman dance is among the most ridiculous things I've ever seen.

Saints offense is ranked higher than the Bears defense and the Saints D is ranked higher than the Bears offense. The weather is going to be the toughest thing for the Saints in my opinion. Considering the fact that the Saints have not played in VERY COLD WEATHER all yr (disadvantage for teams in the NFC/AFC South, come playoff time, IMO), I think it will be the "cold weather" that hurts the Saints. Playoff time plus cold weather in the midwest is a different brand of football, then regular season plus warm weather in the southern states. I just doubt the ability of the Saints to play smash-mouth football in January. My opinion is...the Bears/Saints game won't be a high scoring game. I believe the Bears will win Sunday, and I don't think it will be as close as some WANT it to be. I'm thinking something like 24-7. I love the Bears, but if they hold the Saints to 7 points, I'll...I don't know what I'll do. It isn't going to happen. The Seahawks scored 24, and the Saints have a much better offense than they do. I hope the Bears shut them down cold, but I can't see that happening. Nor can I. It seems clear the Saints are going to put up points. The only question is, whether the Bears offense can score a few of their own, avoid costly turnovers while getting a couple opportunistic ones themselves. The Bears CAN win this game, but it will be very difficult. Right now, as much as I love my Bears, I'd have to give the edge to NO.

What irritates me is the comment about them maybe not being the better team. The Bears have been a lot better than Seattle this year. They didn't play very well today, but they still won because they're a better team. Believe it or not, that was one of Gene's more tame anti-Bears articles. He's been ripping into this club all year, but even he couldn't ignore those Grossman throws----which nobody can deny were absolutely incredible. Nor could he deny that, in the 4th quarter & overtime, when that defense absolutely NEEDED to stiffen, they did exactly that. You should have read the article he posted a few weeks back. You would have thought Lovie Smith had killed his family or something.

Possibly, but it should be noted that, in Holmgren's eagerness to keep the ball away from Hester, he gave the Bears good field position all day and indeed, in the overtime his punter shanked it off his foot, giving the Bears the opportunity to move the ball into field goal position much more easily. So having Hester will help either way. Coaches can pick their poison: give Hester chances to score, or give the Bears offense good field position. It's a choice I'm more than happy to lay on opposing teams and their coaching staffs.