Thursday Links

by Adam T on Dec 20, 2007 7:48 AM CST in News

Kyle Orton is named starter for this Sunday's game.

Why must people insist on tearing things down. Rick Morrissey thinks the Bears success last season is because of a bad NFC. The NFC has been bad for a few years and is still bad this year. The Bears beat all the teams everybody thought would beat us last year minus the Colts. Let it be.

Morrisey wrote: "This is a poorly coached, talent-thin organization that made poor decisions leading up to this season. This team is so removed from being in last season's Super Bowl, Halas Hall might as well be in Dubai.

Briggs once again says he wants to stay, but will still test the waters.

"I know I've definitely given my heart to Chicago and I wouldn't trade it for anything," Briggs said. "I've had the best time. I've never been around a city that's so in tune to their team. It's been amazing. It's been a great ride."

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and...

The Bears beat all the teams everybody thought would beat us last year minus the Colts.

And the Patriots.

And they also lost to Miami. The only AFC teams they beat were the Jets and the Bills.

With that said, the Bears were really damn good last year. Even if they played in the NFC.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Dec 20, 2007 8:33 AM CST reply actions

Fickle fans and media

It's amazing how much of a switch everyone can make of this team in a year.

Last year: Lovie was a genius and a savior. This year he should be fired and is a poor coach.

Last year: talent was overflowing and we were set for several years of dominance. This year it's talent thin.

And to echo Biglowitzki, how does "The Bears beat all the teams everybody thought would beat us last year minus the Colts" even make sense?

by Arbusto on Dec 20, 2007 9:06 AM CST reply actions

Injuries + Miracles

The Bears won basically all their close games, and really pulled some out of their ass. On top of that we had <10 starts lost to injury.

This year we're losing the close games and had tons of lost starts.

Games decided by 5pts or less:

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Dec 21, 2007 6:14 AM CST up reply actions

<10

On top of that we had <10 starts lost to injury.

Well... being that Mike Brown missed 9 games and Harris missed 4 games, I am pretty sure you are making that up.

Dvoracek missed all 16. So that is 29 games right there.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Dec 21, 2007 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

I meant starters

and I didn't count them all. I wouldn't have counted Dvoracek anyway because he wasn't a starter last season to begin with.

I retract the <10 statement above. We had significantly less injuries last season than this season. Satisfied?

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Dec 21, 2007 4:44 PM CST up reply actions

Bye, Lance

He's played well for us on a consistent basis - but he's a goner after this season. Too may holes to fill at this point for the team.

by Dmac on Dec 20, 2007 11:19 AM CST reply actions

actually

I would think it would make more sense to say that we beat everyone we were expected to beat except the dolphins and the packers, because I am pretty sure the experts didn't give us a chance against the colts or the pats.

all the way to Arizona

by mike @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 20, 2007 12:48 PM CST reply actions

briggs is probably going to get seriously overpaid

he's a great LB, but somebody will offer too much. i hope it's not us, or i hope nobody overpays for him. i'd be all for bringing briggs back at a fair rate. but i doubt that'll happen. that's okay, though. plenty of good LBers get cut every offseason - we can just grab one of them for a few million per year.

by guy incognito on Dec 20, 2007 1:14 PM CST reply actions

Dhani Jones

I always liked him.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 20, 2007 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

good example

we can get a LB like dhani jones who might not quite be briggs, but is good, for much cheaper. use that saved money to pursue another OL - such as fanica (spelling?) from the steelers. draft a RT, at least 1 safety, restructure mike brown's contract, sign a WR who gets cut, restructure moose's contract or cut him, cut miller (if he doesn't take a big paycut - either way still draft his replacement) and archuleta.

by guy incognito on Dec 20, 2007 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

No way they go after an LB.

First, we need to accept the fact that next year will be a rebuilding year. Second, we need to understand that they've signed/drafted about 453 outside LB's the past two years and about 729 CB's/S. Third, they have to give these guys a chance to succeed. Even if they think they're no good, they're at least bodies, and they can always "surprise." They need the money for free agent o-lineman. I'd love to see them sign both Gross and Lilja-although neither is likely, and draft the other positions.

If Lance Briggs goes and Angelo signs a FA LB, I give up on this team until they get new people around. It makes no sense to me with all the draft picks they've used.

by tyger1147 on Dec 20, 2007 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

Williams

I think the team's been pleased with Jamar Williams, and I would think he's the successor to Briggs. I know you don't "replace" Briggs...etc, but Williams seems to he the heir apparent. I'll be surprised if Briggs re-signs.

For all the CB and S we've drafted we don't have any depth at S. Despite that, I think Brown and Archuleta both need to be gone right now. Brown is brittle and Archuleta just plain sucks.

Brown will probably get the job again next year because the only other SS we have signed for next year is Arch/Payne, we'll likely re-sign McGowan, too.

FS is empty behind Manning. Literally no other FS on the roster (I consider Mike Brown SS only). That Chris Harris trade is looking worse than ever.

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Dec 21, 2007 6:01 AM CST up reply actions

Moose gone as well

Moose will probably be gone no matter what he'd agree to regarding a new contract - the guy has definitely lost a step, and we can find other decent possession receivers for much cheaper - and younger.

by Dmac on Dec 20, 2007 4:36 PM CST reply actions

Moose

I'm pretty sure he'll be around next year. And he should be. Even if we resign Berrian, who else do we have?
Rashied Davis will likely be re-signed
Mike Haas
Devin Hester
Mark Bradley

That ain't much.

I'll be surprised if he's not on the team in 08 and 09. I'm fairly certain he'll be cut before 2010 at latest. He'll have a $4M salary that year.

There are a few FA WR's I'd take, but that's if they even hit the market (Crayton, Andre Davis, Hackett).