Soul

I looked at the Cowboys and thought the same thing. They've really struggled in preseason, but most people I've heard think they'll pull it together. If we make our FGs that final TD drive w/ LeFevor is for the win. Just sayin'......not that it really means all that much. But I don't think it's too much to ask to make the FGs, and I really don't think we'll be that bad on ST until I actually see it happen in the regular season.

Unfortunately the first 4-5 games are arguably the toughest part of the Bears schedule. If we started 1-3, with the one win being Detroit, we might have a chance to come back and salvage something respectable.

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

I think if any other team placed much value in Fukudome, he would be on that team by now. I don't know about that. We'd probably keep him around as a backup OF if he was paid like that. Other teams would likely do the same. But that contract, for that level of production... To me the Fuku hate is simply just that he makes way too much money. It's not like he doesn't do anything good on the field.

Even if he does, do you have confidence that he is capable of making the right decisions?

My biggest issue is was pass protection. I don't know how the O-line looked ok when Cutler was sacked 4 more times, another time the pressure forced a fumble, and Cutler threw 2 INTs which I'd have to watch again but would think at least some of that was getting rid of the ball under pressure. The Bears can move the ball...they did last year a lot. But with no pass protection and a QB like Cutler that tends to throw a couple of dumbfounding passes per game, way too many possessions end in an INT, lost fumble or a couple of sacks making it a long 3rd down conversion. I don't think the Bears running game and WRs are good enough to overcome multiple turnovers per game by the QB. It's just really frustrating because the Bears have tried everything, signing potentially undervalued FA Olinemen, hiring one of the better oline coaches in the game, etc to improve the line. But the one thing they haven't done was commit the offseason to building the O-line which to me is the most important thing to have. Instead they decided to go with what they had in house which was awful last year, and move them around to their more natural positions and hoped that this and Tice were gonna make the Bears O-line average...I say average because I don't even think Angelo was dumb enough to think that what he built was good enough to build an above average O-line. Oh and he put even more pressure on this O-line when he hired Martz who relies on 5 step drops and perfect timing to make his offense work. You can't do that with an offensive line that is going to leave the QB scrambling multiple times per drive. Cutler had happy feet all game. He played to pressure that wasn't there. Three of the 4 sacks were on Cutler. First one, he just fell down behind the line of scrimmage after having nowhere to throw. Second one, he ran outside the pocket and didn't get rid of it. Third one, was Chris Williams getting beat. Fourth, he ran outside the pocket and wasn't even pressured. Both INTs were bad throws or miscommunications with the WR, and came with no pressure on him. Only the Campbell sack vs. Williams was the only time Cutler had pressure right as he made his drop. The pass blocking was OK. The run blocking was poor though. I also am not as down as I was after watching the replay. I know it's not much, but the Bears have put together FOUR 50+ yard drives with the #1 offense in 15 possessions. And that doesn't include the Forte run or other TD the Bears got on a short field (TD to Knox). Granted, 10 sacks and 2 INTs on 15 possessions is not good either. But I contribute 4 of those sacks to coverage/Cutler. Right now, I'm just as concerned about the defense. They have played the best 1st and 2nd down defense in the history of football this preseason. But 3rd down continues to be a travesty. What makes it so bad is it's not the lack of pass rush, because they have been getting pressure. It's blown coverages, it's soft corners, it's poor tackling, it's losing contain. Makes it worse is that Urlacher, Briggs, and Roach have all been injured in the last 8 days. Major Wright is probably the best coverage safety and he's been hurt. Even when this team gets everyone back, they still haven't played together very much this year. Agree with your points. The only thing I would say is -- we can blame Cutler for some of these sacks, but it's got to be rough not having confidence in your OLine. I would think many QBs in that same situation would have happy feet knowing he's playing behind some shaky players up front. QBs we think of as good ones, too. It's just not a great situation for a franchise QB to try to deliver in, that's all. We knew it would be rough, and it is indeed rough.

My level of concern is rising, preseason or no preseason.

That was horrible. Jay had time to throw and everything, and just dumped it in front to the waiting DB.

My God, we look like the worst FG kicking team to ever attempt to kick FGs.

Chester looks really sharp.

Maybe just go with any guy for the next couple years, let him be chewed up & spit out, and THEN go for the real manager who can take over the real team ready to make the real push. Eric Wedge, come on down!!

Good call Dibs, ya moron.

Bummer. I looked forward to watching him pitch on the Extra Innings package. Think Rob Dibble realizes what a dolt he is?

What I found distasteful was the display of discontent directed at the game officials, especially by Manning. OK, you don't like the new system. Time & Place: there are channels for the organization and players to direct their discontent and dissatisfaction appropriately. It's not like acting like a whiny baby on the field is going to cause the refs to switch back to the old system to make you happy, there on the spot. I was very surprised to see this from Manning, of all people. It was a turn off. I'm glad it was only a preseason game, and that he decides to act like an adult in time for the regular season. Even more distasteful were Jaws & Gruden feeding into it, in support of Manning, right there on the spot. I have no problem speculating on this: if it was, say, Rex Grossman doing the whining, the call would have been more along the lines of "these are the new rules, and you have to figure out how to win within them." But it's Peyton Manning, so it becomes OK.

Yes, I did. I suggest they quit whining and play the damn game.

It does seem possible he could make a comeback in a couple years. Man, that would be amazing :) You're right, if anyone can re-develop Rex, it would be Shanahan. I don't know if that's how they view Rex, though. But I would be fascinated if it happened.

The fact that he'll be starting will definitely make me pay more attention to that Skins/Jets game.

Yep. Me too.

God, that thing reminds me so much of Prior. Turned out Prior wasn't pitching because his arm was in the process of collapsing. We could have used a little more caution with him, especially in '03. Dibble may have been a good closer on the field, but I wouldn't want him anywhere near the decision making points for pitcher development in my organization.

LOL, yeah.

Unholy trinity would definitely be bad...

Barry Rozner is a [expletive] moron That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. He was a dead pull hitter who didn't hit for average and didn't hit for enough power to justify all his Ks. He stole more bases, but was never a spectacular defender. And at least a big a factor in his becoming an elite player as the roids were adjustments he made at the plate, learning to drive the ball away, lay off (as many) garbage pitches and take walks. The notion that he got worse when he started hitting for huge power is as ludicrous as saying it gets colder after the sun rises. It's Sandberg-esque revere the little things to a fault hogwash. The sad thing is, there are probably a whole lot of people who buy it. Sammy was a self-centered player, sure. And he was almost certainly juiced. But the way he has been vilified just boggles my mind. The man was, for about 5 years, the best Cubs player there has ever been. He was the only reason a non-masochistic person had for tuning into Cubs games for a good long while. He was a showboat, but I never felt like he dogged it, and he was never anything but an asset to the team. The hate for him is just silly. He was a jerk to the people around him, and that definitely included Chicago media. And one thing I've learned about Chicago media types: diss them and they'll never let go of their grudge against you. You'll be hearing Sosa painted in the worst possible light until the end of time. Yes, a lot of it is deserved. But I choose to also remember the good times.

i didnt realize how great dewitt had been since coming over. that's encouraging. Yes, it's been good to see. He had a nice game last night too.

It is horrible, no question. One of the commentators I watched pointed out how Williams had his hands way too far inside to be able to bottle up the defender, which lead to an easy ole past him. He did solve that on a successive play, but then appeared to do the same thing again later which lead to another sack. So I also don't want to make any judgements based on just preseason. I'll wait until he blows in the regular season and then let loose on him 8-)

Yeah, as a kid I was never a huge super fan of Sandberg. It's not like I disliked the guy or rooted against him, and I was certainly glad he was on the team...but he was so damn boring. I remember liking guys like Dawson and Maddux and Grace and Sosa a lot more. And I think one of the big reasons I liked Sandberg was this whole "he plays the game the right way" kind of crap. As I've gotten older, I have abandoned that kind of thinking more. I'd prefer to leave Ryno as a pleasant memory from the past. I don't think he'll succeed now, and I'd rather not sit around and watch him become the blame target for angry fans who don't know any better while Jim Hendry lurks in the shadows escaping his well-deserved share. Just choose someone else, please.