Chicago Bears Position Breakdowns: Wide Receiver
by BearsFan1 on Feb 19, 2009 3:00 PM CST
92 comments
The Chicago Bears' second Achilles' heel this season has been the wide receiver position, as they have had few strong receivers over the past few years.
Last season, they had brought back Marty Booker (now gone) and tried their hand with Brandon Lloyd (unrightfully gone).
The Bears still held on to Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Rashied Davis as those who will likely be the main receivers if they decide to keep their current roster through to next season.
However, most who look at the Bears see them as a team that needs to make a move and add a receiver to become contenders next season.
So what does a look at the Bears receiving core reveal?
How are we looking now?
Devin Hester was a player who got better and better as the season progressed and as he was able to learn his position, which hurt his returning ability and, some say, his chances of ever becoming a star.
However, with the number of catches that he had, he actually had a good year. He had over 600 yards and averaged 13 yards per catch.
Although he never had one great, breakthrough game, he consistently had between 50-80 yards and was a constant threat to take a catch all the way for a touchdown, even though he only had three on the year.
Rashied Davis has been an average receiver throughout his entire time as a Bear. Although he was never great, he was never bad and he was somewhat reliable in big situations, just like his game winning catch against the Vikings a few years back.
Davis had 445 yards receiving last year despite having either one or no catches in seven games last year. He averaged just under 13 yards per catch and didn't do anything special.
Earl Bennett was looked at as a rookie who could develop into a strong receiver, but was buried under failed attempts to revive the careers of both Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd, so Bennett had no catches last season.
Possible Free Agent Acquisitions
T.J Housmandzadeh: Although I think it is unlikely that he will ultimately choose Chicago as his home, he is available and the Bears should get into the bidding.
Shaun McDonald: This is a player I like because he has been a back up his entire career to some great players (eg: Tory Holt) and could be a diamond in the rough, only a lot cheaper.
If the Bears don't get their receiver position fixed soon, they could be stuck on another season where the passing game is average at best and their offense goes nowhere, expect a move, and it could be for one of these two.
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Not sure
how we are going to fix it. The only decent FA is Housh and I’m not crazy about giving big money to a 32 yr old (See Moose..). Unless they could pull off a deal for Chad Johnson or Boldin or trade up in the draft to get Maclin. Otherwise we are going to get a second round guy that probably won’t contribute right away (maybe we get lucky with Nicks – rd 2).
by tfrabotta on Feb 19, 2009 3:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Housh
is 31, doesn’t depend on speed, has less years on his body than Moose, and has way better hands than Moose. Not saying I think it will or should happen, but the Moose comparison isn’t accurate.
DEJESUS!!!
by tomas21 on Feb 19, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Birthday
Birth Date September 26, 1977 . He will be 32 at start of season. Moose had good hands before he got here as well. I don’t want to pay $6-8mm per year for an aging wr. It is completely accurate comparison. He also doesn’t have Carson Palmer throwing to him anymore..
by tfrabotta on Feb 20, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Housh
caught 92 balls last year with the worst qb in football throwing to him. He consistently gets open and makes catches, something that Moose never did. Moose had one good season, otherwise he was a very mediocre, 60 catch a season guy. Housh has been consistently catching 90-100 balls a year, and he has less mileage on him than Moose did at this point in his career. The only real comparison between the two is their age, and even that isn’t an equitable comparison because Moose had played significantly more years in the league by that time. Moose is more of a deep threat who depends in speed and quickness to get open after 10 yards. Housh relies on precise routes and body control, something that is much more likely to hold up into his mid 30s.
DEJESUS!!!
by tomas21 on Feb 20, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Moose
is a speed guy?? since when? Are you reviewing 1999 game film? He has been a possession receiver for a long time. Here is another little nugget on Housh, his receiving partner is CHAD JOHNSON. Do you see anyone like that on the Bears? So how is it that Housh who we will be paying $7mm per year, will get free of double teams on a consistent basis?? By the way, a 32 yr old man is still a 32 yr old man and his physical abilities are still deteriorating. He is a wr not a rb, the mileage doesn’t really work. Was housh not running all those years?? Look I like housh but he will not be worth the money at his age when we can spend it in other areas. If he would take say $5mm then maybe..
by tfrabotta on Feb 20, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The 2 years
before the Bears got him, he averaged 15 yards per catch. That’s not possession receiver.
Chad Johnson was not effective last year the Bengals had a terrible QB, and Housh still caught 90 balls. I am not making the argument that it makes financial or even good football sense to sign him (it may, but that’s not what I am saying). I am saying that he’s not Moose. If Moose had been signed by the 49ers that year, nobody would be making the comparison. It’s only because a FA receiver about the same age as Moose is available.
Not need to get hostile.
DEJESUS!!!
by tomas21 on Feb 20, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
See Moose?
Umm…
2008: 65 grabs, 14.2 Average with 5 TD’s.
Moose had a big problem in Chicago all right…
Rex.
by sabbath999 on Feb 19, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lucky
We have to get lucky with a draft, who in the hell is going to come to Chicago that is a proven receiver? Let’s see, we have an idiot for a coach that tells everyone we are coming off the bus running – and we cannot run. And we have neckbeard Orton to throw the ball to them. Good Luck on this FA market. Lets hope we can steal a draft pick and hope our coaches can play Bennett.
by stumpo on Feb 19, 2009 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We have an idiot for a coach and we can't run the ball?
Where do we find these people?
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
by Haightminow on Feb 19, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you actually watch the 08 Bears play?
Or are you stuck in 1985 watching reruns?
by McRipper on Feb 19, 2009 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn't say Lovie is an idiot...
I think he is actually a great coach. Last season, he took a team that some said would have the first pick in the NFL Draft to a game away from the playoffs. He really has absolutely no talent, think about our recent first round picks, only two have sort of panned out and that is Tommie Harris and Greg Olsen. Not the recipe for sucess. They should be in the league basement with KC, Oakland, and St. Louis.
by chase17 on Feb 19, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 19, 2009 7:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lovie
Actually I remember someone (Tillman) saying that the Texans “wanted it more than us.” That’s on the HC. The Bears were flat in a game that probably gets them in the playoffs with a win against a team playing for nothing. Terrible.
Actually, here’s the fact of the matter. Lovie and the Bears are an overrated team. Period. Mainly because they made the SB in 2006. The ONLY reason they even made the SB in 06 is that they caught lightning in a bottle when they drafted Devin Hester, who SINGLEHANDEDLY won a number of games that year. Without Hester, they don’t sniff the SB in 2006.
Yeah, Angelo’s the guy who drafted Hester, but Hester had one of the greatest individual seasons in NFL history in 2006. Last time that happened in Chicago was with Gale Sayers over 40 years ago.
The Bears F**Ked up (what a surprise!) One of the greatest Bears ever is now the HC of the hated 49ers. Singletary, in a couple of years, will show everybody what a real NFL coach looks like. The Bears should have made overtures to Singletary long ago that whenever he was ready to get back into the NFL as a coach, there would be a place for him with HIS Bears!
by GeoMak on Feb 19, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mike already said that his passion is to coach the Bears.
So I say let him get a few years experience in San Fran and see what happens with Lovie here in the Chi. I can envision the day and I highly anticipate Samurai Mikes arrival. What were we supposed to do? Fire Lovie on the spot because Mike all of a sudden became an intern coach in San Fran? Come on, be realistic here. Give it some time, I think it will come to pass one day.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
by Haightminow on Feb 19, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Singletary
I have been closely following Singletary in SF since he became interim HC. He said something (I can’t remember exactly what about a month ago) but the underlying tone, the way I percieved it, was that he was less than happy with the Bears.
You missed my point. Of course they shouldn’t fire Lovie (or anyone else) to make room for Mike as HC. In 1994, when Buddy Ryan was named HC of the Cards, he wanted and tried to get Mike to come out to the desert to help him with the Cards. Singletary said that he wanted to spend some time with his family before he went back into the NFL.
My point is that the Bears , LONG AGO, should have extended an invitation to MS along the lines of “When you’re ready to get into coaching, let us know because it would be great to get you on staff to start grooming you to (hopefully) someday be OUR HC!”
by GeoMak on Feb 19, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
why?
so singletary is more qualified to be bears head coach because he played on the team, therefore he should receive a handout? the Bears don’t have an obligation to one man. they have an obligation the team and finding who they believe is the best man for the job. They have done that, seeing that Wanny, uncle Dickey, and Lovie has taken the bears to the playoffs.
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 19, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: WHY
You disappoint me here. Nobody said they had an obligation to hire MS. And please, don’t put MS and Dave Wannstedt in the same sentence. Please. Dave Wannstedt is/was one of the sorriest excuses for a HC in NFL history. really. This is a guy who almost completely rode Jimmy Johnson’s coattails into NFL HC’ing jobs.
At least his Dallas counterpart (Norv Turner) designed his own system on offense. Wanny ran JOHNSON"S system on defense as DC and then went out and showed that he was an abject failure as a HC (and with regards to personnel). This is the same guy, who, while HC of the Dolphins overruled EVERYBODY in the Dolphin organization who were set to draft local product Anquan Boldin in 2003, only to draft a LB who played about eight total games for the Dolphins. Boldin had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history that year. Wanny overruled EVERYBODY!
I’m going to assume you know your Bears history. Then you should know that Singletary was basically a player-coach on the field for Buddy Ryan. While Singletary wasn’t the greatest ATHLETE on the 85 Bears, I’m pretty sure that, by anyones standards, he’d be voted “Most likely to be a quality HC” from that team.
Anybody with half a brrain could see, just by the way that MS played and lived his life, that he’d be the most likely guy from that team to end up potentially being a quality HC in the NFL.
I have NO DOUBT, that if you took a poll, from players and coaches alike back then, as to who would be MOST LIKELY to make a great NFL HC, that MS would almost unanimously win that vote.
Nobody is saying that he’s more qualified to be HC cause he played on the team. That’s a stupid comment. Nobody said he should receive a handout. You COMPLETELY miss the point.
The most important element to being a great HC in the NFL, going all the way back to Lombardi, is LEADERSHIP. Few men in life and in football are better leaders than MS!
The Bears had no obligation to Singletary. Unfortunately for them, they’re going to look REALLY STUPID a few years from now when one of their greatest players is considered one of the best HC’s in the NFL. That’s ALL I’m saying.
BTW: I’m pretty sure that, years ago, if the Bears called Singletary, that he would have taken that call.
by GeoMak on Feb 19, 2009 9:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow OK Lemme think of something long and DRAWN OUT to counter
At least his Dallas counterpart (Norv Turner) designed his own system on offense. Wanny ran JOHNSON"S system on defense as DC and then went out and showed that he was an abject failure as a HC
i guess that’s the same fate for singletary, seeing that he’s running mike nolan’s scheme.
I have NO DOUBT, that if you took a poll, from players and coaches alike back then, as to who would be MOST LIKELY to make a great NFL HC, that MS would almost unanimously win that vote
Did you get that quote from an NFL films presentation?
they’re going to look REALLY STUPID a few years from now when one of their greatest players is considered one of the best HC’s in the NFL. That’s ALL I’m saying.
Wow! i didn’t know you’re Miss Cleo! can you predict next weeks lotto numbers for me?
The most important element to being a great HC in the NFL, going all the way back to Lombardi, is LEADERSHIP
Now that’s odd. i know that Lombardi’s Best leader, Bart Starr was head coach of the packers for 8 years. he had one winning season that came in ’82(strike year) and was fired after posting an all time record of 52-76-3
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 19, 2009 10:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: WOW
Actually, he’s NOT running Nolan’s scheme. Nolan ran a hybrid 3-4, 4-3 scheme and one of the first things MS did was simplify it and basically run a 3/4. So YOU’RE WRONG there!. Beyond that you COMPLETELY miss the point here. See, MS has the ONE thing necessary to be a successful HC that Wannstedt NEVER had: That’s the ability to lead your troops into battle. MS has it, Wanny NEVER did! Some guys have it (like Mike Ditka) and some guys don’t (like Dave Wannstedt.
NFL films? No, just common sense. Were you alive in 85? Who, from that team, would YOU say would make the best HC in the future, if not Singletary?
Miss Cleo. No I’m not psychic. Just watch, though. You will see a few years from now.
Starr. NO. NO. NO. YOU just don’t get it. Starr was a GREAT QB. Not a leader in the sense of a HC. As QB, he led the offense (as most QB’s do). By you definition ALL QB’s should be HC’s because the QB is the leader of the offense. What’s Bart Starr have to do with Lombardi? Some guys are great players but aren’t “Leaders of Men.” How many QB’s EVER become NFL HC’s. Probably not very many. Bringing Starr into a conversation about Lombardi is just stupid (and besides the point).
Joe Montana may be the greatest QB of all time. Personally, i don’t think he’d be a great leader as a HC. I could be wrong but that’s just my opinion.
The more you talk the more stupid you sound. Really. Honestly.
by GeoMak on Feb 19, 2009 10:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Do we NEED...
…ALL the rather RANDOM capitalisation? It’s the literary EQUIVALENT of someone HAVING a FIT.
by Spongie on Feb 20, 2009 1:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha!!
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 4:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
one thing i've learned on this blog
when you make statements, bring facts to support it. so far you have brought none. for one singletary STILL runs THAT SCHEME. don’t believe me, watch some replays.
back to the real topic at hand, singletary hasn’t proven anything as a head coach except how to embarrass himself and his team. to predict he will be a great head coach in the future is in fact, a dumb statement because you don’t know that, just like you don’t know the difference between Singletary and Wanny. what you say either makes no sense or is filled with clichés.
to sum it up in five words, Apply Directly To The Forehead.
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 5:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
re: One thing
Of course he runs that scheme: He made changes for the get-go but it’s still the same scheme. Know why? He took over in mid-season. What did you think he was going to do? Change their whole defenseive scheme in week 9? Really. Install a new defensive system mid-week.
That’s STUPID!
All he’s proven is how to embarrass his team. That’s BEYOND idiotic. He changed the culture of that team from day ONE. Virtually all of the players (including Vernon Davis) came out in support of Singletary to be the permanent HC. As well as management. Along with former Niners like Joe Montana.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
You do what a lot of people do whne you have no argument: you mix “apples and oranges.” I made the comment that Wannstedt, not only didn’t run his own defense, but that he rode JJ’s coattails (with the SB winning Cowboys) into a HC’ing job with the Bears.
An “apples to apples” comparison with Singletary would be this: “Did MS ride the coattails of his HC’s into his OWN HC’ing job?”
Doubtful. he was an assistant for six years under Brian Billick and Mike Nolan. In those six years the Ravens and 49ers had exactly ONE winning season and no playoff wins. hard to say he rode those coattails into his own job. Big difference between that and Wanny’s situation.
You are right about one thing though (surprisingly). Nobody KNOWS how well MS will do. I don’t know myself. We are all allowed to make “predictions.” Niners management did just that when they hired him as HC. So did Angelo when he hired Lovie.
Really, to see an example of your football ignorance just go back to the top of this post and reread paragraph one.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Meh,
He thinks Singletary will be a great NFL coach. But there can’t be facts to back that up yet, because he is new to it. It’s just his opinion.
I don’t necessarily agree with him… I think Singletary is undoubtedly a great motivator, and is probably better than most at having the respect of not only his club, but respect from around the league.
But that is just my opinion, and I don’t have any facts to back that up.
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: Meh
Of course it’s an opinion. Duh!
Bill Parcells was almost fired after his first year as HC of the Giants. There weren’t any “facts” to support him one day being a great HC. Just opinions. I’m sure George Young stuck to his “opinion” that Parcells would one day still be a great HC and obviously that came to pass.
How could anybody have a set of facts that would prove that someone will be a great HC in the future? Nothing like that exists. It’s ALL opinion until enough FACTs fill the record book years later.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Umm...
I was defending you dog. That was my point… that you had an opinion.
ifuwanna said : “when you make statements, bring facts to support it. so far you have brought none.” My comment was the same as yours: there can be no proof yet, because MS is new. but lack of proof doesn’t mean you can’t have your opinion.
which is why my reply was to him and not you.
lol… don’t argue with people who take your side in an argument… then you just look like a crazy person who is arguing with yourself :)
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was referring to the scheme reference
just so you’d know
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ahh,
My bad. I guess I was locked in on the whole MS head coach thing.
At any rate, continue the argument! You both have really good points… I’m wondering who will fold it first…
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i yield
this discussion is only making my headache worse.
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy
I like Dungy. He’s a great man. NOT a great coach. Good coach, yes. Great coach? No way! By any stretch. He made a comment, early on, that his style shows that you don’t have to be a madman on the sidelines to win (like Lombardi, Ditka, Parcells).
Sorry. I disagree. Yeah, you don’t have to be that way, but it helps.
Dungy got lucky when he inherited one of the all time great QB’s in the league with Peyton Manning. And still, when you look at what they’ve done in Indy with a HOF QB, they have really underachieved. His overall playoff record isn’t very good. A defensive HC with guys like manning and company should have done much better than he has ion the playoffs.
Lovie is a Dungy protege who is too much of a nice guy and not enough of a leader. Mike Tomlin is a Dungy protege who’s far, far less of a nice guy and much more of a leader.
I’ll take a leader over a nice guy all day long in the NFL. When you look at the history of the NFL, most of the Great coaches were “pricks.”
That’s how Dan Hampton described Mike Ditka when asked: Hampton said “He was a prick, but he was OUR prick.”
That’s what you need on the sidelines in the NFL. That’s what I see with Singletary. He showed that in his first game when he threw Vernon Davis out of the game. The next week, in Arizona, Davis made a great TD catch and hugged Singletary on the sidelines. Afterwards, he said that MS was the “best coach he has ever had.” This is the same coach that embarassed him on national TV by sending him to the showers in the 3rd quarter of his first game.
Tough Love. It works in the NFL.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i disagree again
players respond to coaches being theirselves. it makes no difference if they are animated on the sidelines or standing around like a cigar store chief. for every lombardi,Ditka and parcells, there is a Landry, holmgren and Chuck Noll. being a prick will only go so far. just ask billick and gruden
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: I disagree
You’re right. Players respond to coaches being themselves. No doubt.
However, the most successful coaches, by and large, over the long history of the NFL were “drill sergeant dictators.” Period. that’s a fact
You’re right. Being a prick won’t work . . . IF you can’t coach. No doubt.
Ditka: Prick
Landry: Prick
Lombardi: Prick
Parcells: Prick
Ryan: Prick
Noll: Prick
Vermeil: Prick
Coughlin: Prick
Belichick: Prick.
Now, do yourself a favor. Go to the library and check out the book “Instant Replay” by Jerry Kramer and Dick Schaap.
THEN READ IT! And you will learn what I am talking about. My email address is emgeoff@q.com. Email me after you have read it and then tell me if you finally get it or not.
Learn your NFL history.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
YES MAMM!!
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm saving your e-mail
i’ll pick it up it seems like an interesting read.
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: i'm saving . . .
Seriously, read that book. It’s a great book. I haven’t read it for some 30 years but I’m sure it will still read great.
I’m a firm believer in that type of coaching and the problem with Dungy/Lovie is that they are opposed to that type.
Dungy even said that after he became a HC, he wanted to disprove the stereotype: A white guy yelling and screaming on the sidelines. He was talking about Lombardi.
Dungy and Lovie are good coaches. I’m not saying they suck or anything. I just think the “dictator prick” gets more out of his players.
Read that book. If you’re a real football fan you will like it. Email me anytime!
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: Umm
My apologies. I kind of read your post too quickly and not very well. Sorry.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No worries big daddy,
Everything is copasetic (sp?)…
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: No worries
BTW: I like your “handle.” I don’t speak French or anything (if that’s what that is) but I’m pretty sure it says “Go Bears.”
Witty.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LSU Tiger fan...
I bleed purple and gold…
“Geaux Tigers”
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
Using the logic that he was one of the greatest Bears players of all time and that he was a great leader is not an effective argument. Mainly, because the players that are super talented don’t usually make great coaches. Pretty much every star player turned coach has failed. The reason is they don’t have to know the game as much, they can let their athleticism and natural ability take over. On the other hand, average players have to be students of the game, so they know what is going on all the time, because they can’t fall back on athleticism or natural ability. That is why the average players make better coaches, because they know a lot more about football than the better players. Singletary was by no means average.
by chase17 on Feb 20, 2009 7:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
To continue...
how are the Bears an “overrated team” as you say. They were picked to have a top 5 draft choice, possibly #1 overall, and they almost made the playoffs, that is by definition underrated. Plus, they were given no credit at all throughout the season by the national media, even at the beginning of the year when they looked somewhat good.
So it’s not like they are the Cowboys, picked to win the Super Bowl and don’t even make the playoffs.
by chase17 on Feb 20, 2009 7:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: To continue
Look at this more “Big Picture.” I’m not talking about “predicitons” going into last year or any other year. Those are almost always wrong. Next year, most people/publications will predict LAST years division winners to win in 2009, and about half won’t. Things change quick in the NFL
BIg pictue: They went to the SB in 2006 (thanks largely to Hester). They have a lot of talent on that team. Generally speaking, people in the Lovie Smith era are expecting a good team going forward, not a bad team. And they have played well at times during his stretch.
They are overrated because they underachieve. As soon as these guys get big contracts (see Tommie harris) they disappear. Angelo’s BLUNDER by trading (for next to nothing) a team leader and their best RB, Thomas Jones, to get a pile of Dog S**T (Benson) into the line-up. That was a wasted #4 pick that he played over a proven Pro-Bowler. That’s all about ego and stupidity. he didn’t play the “best player.” He plated “his Number 1 pick.”
Lovie Smith. The Number one job of a HC is to get the most out of your players.That’s the hallmark of great coaches going back to Lombardi and forward to guys like Ditka, Parcells, Ryan, Jimmy Johnson and others. Lovie Smith AIN’T one of those guys. All you have to know about that is to listen to comments like what was said after the Texan’s game: “They (the Texans) wanted it more than us.” That’s pathetic. I can imagine a Mike Ditka led team losing to the Texans on the final game. I CAN’T imagine players making that comment after the game with Ditka as HC. Lovie’s not a motivator as a coach. Period.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed with you about Lovie
The Lovie-speak when he should be angry enough to spit blood is really beginning to grate.
by Spongie on Feb 20, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I live in Redskins country and when the Bears are on, my buddies are like “What the hell’s wrong with Lovie? He’s acting like his not even watching a football game”. His demeanor is something a pop warner coach would have coaching kids not a NFL head coach coaching professionals. It’s pathetic really.
by McRipper on Feb 20, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Resident guru
Can you point out to me where I said it did? I don’t remember replying to your post anyways.
by McRipper on Feb 20, 2009 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
The first book I can ever remember reading (for pleasure, back in the 70’s) was Instant Replay, about Lombardi’s Packers. About how Lombardi would work those guys to death, and they’d be hating his guts.
And how, every once in a while, Lombardi would go up to those same players and say something like “Son, one day you’be the best guard in football” and those same players that HATED him would want to run through a brick wall for him. It was “Father Son, Tough Love” at its best
Times change, but deep down, that ALWAYS works in the NFL (providing the coach knows what he’s doing).
It worked for Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, Dick Vermeil, Ditka and Ryan among many others.
You can take those nice guy, quiet, players coaches (like Lovie) all day long.
Give me a dictator ANY day of the week.
That’s what’s wrong with Dallas. They won (or got better) with their two dictators (JJ & Parcells) and are a joke with all the nice guys (Switzer, Gailey, Campo and Wade).
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
So Landry was a dictator?
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 20, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Landry
Absolutely. Are you KIDDING me. Really. That’s shocking. You don’t know your football, son. He was EVERY bit the dictator that those other guys were. One BIG Difference, however. He never said two words to anybody. He was a quiet dictator, as opposed to a lunatic dictator like Ditka.
Same drill sergeant, dictator mentality. Just different methods. His players feared Landry just as much as Lombardi’s players feared Vince. One yelled and scremed his head off. the other never siad two words. If you don’t know that then you really don’t know your NFL history.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One thing about Landry,
That was a big reason he was let go, is that he eventually became VERY soft towards his players. He at one point, did rule with an iron fist, but not in the last 2 or 3 seasons.
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 2:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: One thing about Landry
Right, but he was there 29 years. The phrases “icy stare” and “if looks could kill” were invented for Landry.
Ditka tells the story how, when he was coaching for Landry, how Ditka called a fake punt or something and it backfired. How Landry stared daggars at Ditka before he finally walked up to him and very quietly said “Michael, you ever do that again and you’ll be looking for a new job.”
Landry was unique in that, from outward appearances, he look like a quite, nice guy players coach. The truth however, was just the opposite.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lol...
Never heard that story… classic Landry I reckon.
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: LoL
Yeah, that’s a great story. It’s like Ditka and Ryan. Both were classic drill sergeant dictators. But they had ALMOST completely different styles. Ditka (as we all know) would act like an insane lunatic on a regular basis. He couldn’t help himself. Ryan was much, much quieter.
He was much more likely to get his point across with a sarcastic “witty jab” than with screaming or yelling.
Parcells, to me, was combination of both those guys. Loud like Ditka and caustic like Ryan.
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
actually
is the talent level on this team that different from 9-7 playoff team and a 5 win team? no. i don’t think it is. they did better than expected but a poor offense and a pourous defense were their faults before the season, and they held true. If anything, i would claim their schedule was easier than it should have been.
by mike b on Feb 20, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 20, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Actually
Actually, in most cases, you are correct. Most. But I’ll give one case ‘sdifferent that you might have heard of yourself: Mike Ditka. I’ll give you case number two: Mike Singletary.
In case you weren’t following Singletary’s career, his was a PERFECT blend of “great athleticism and of being a student of the game.”
How much do you know about Singletary’s playing career with the Bears?
by GeoMak on Feb 20, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am really hoping that we
address WR in the second round (1st being OLine).
Second rounders are far more productive typically than 3rd rounders and beyond…
i before e, except after c, when c makes a soft sound....
by Dane Noble on Feb 19, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What about Branden Rideau?
He looked great in the preseason and didn’t ever really get much of a shot. Also, what bringing in Kellen Davis a good portion of the time and kick Olsen out to WR? He’s huge and not super fast, but I think we all remember the circus catches in preseason last year. He wouldn’t be a deep threat, but if you had him, Hester, Clark and Olsen all on the field at the same time it could be scary to try to defend.
by lindemrm on Feb 19, 2009 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I am willing to try
anything..and he did make plays..
by tfrabotta on Feb 19, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not that this is completely related
but just saying: Kellen Davis is the primary reason we couldn’t convert 4th and 1 on the fullback dive this year. He got manhandled at the LOS.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
by SackMan on Feb 19, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No question about it-
He’s a major downgrade from Gilmore from a blocking standpoint, but as a receiver he looked good. Hell, send him out as a WR and keep Olsen (slightly better blocker) in tight, either way-
by lindemrm on Feb 19, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was waiting all year for a 3 TE package on short yardage
That Orton could go play-action on and pass to Davis.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
by SackMan on Feb 19, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
problem is...
… we already have to receiver-first tight ends. We don’t really have a very good blocking tight end.
Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.
visit the mindful mission
by big_lowitzki on Feb 19, 2009 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
keep in mind too...
it was the infamous fullback dive too, not like it was a play that worked out well for us much this season.
by lindemrm on Feb 19, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
The Panthers KNEW it was coming the second time we ran it. But, Davis always got blown up on it anyway.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
by SackMan on Feb 19, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Concrete Cyanide
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 19, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Your Right...
Tim Tebow converts that 4th down.
by chase17 on Feb 19, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
+1 to you, sir. You win one free internet…
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 19, 2009 7:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just checked his combine stats,
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=61174&draftyear=2008&genpos=TE
looked pretty quick for a guy that big, he may be giant version of Randy Moss, who knows…
by lindemrm on Feb 19, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice link...
Quick 40 time for his size indeed.
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 19, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice job, ChiFan.
You didn’t miss a single one :)
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 19, 2009 6:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks fella
I tried my hardest.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
by ChiFan13 on Feb 19, 2009 6:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He's a beast
He didn’t block as well as expected, but he has the ability to do anything the Bears ask from him. He’ll get better at the POA and be a huge target for Orton in the middle of the field. I still believe the ‘08 draft will be great when it’s all said and done.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
by propheteer on Feb 19, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TEs mask some WR problems
I’m not saying that the current WR corps is fine. I’d definitely like to see something added. But the thing is, you can’t look at only WRs. You have a receiving corps, which includes your WRs AND your TEs. And out TEs are good enough that they can make up for some of the problems at WR.
People seem to have this view that our receivers are Hester and nothing. Not true. Our receivers are Hester, Olsen, Clark and nothing (small joke). Now, that may not be what you want, but it’s not far from a respectable set. Adding a good #1.5 receiver (think Eddie Kennison in his KC days) would make me comfortable.
Also…Brandon Lloyd was unrightfully let go? Dude had one good game? What makes you think we should have kept him?
by TCBullfrog on Feb 19, 2009 6:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He had one good game
as well as some great catches. The reason he only had one good game is because he got hurt then was put too far down on the depth chart to make any noise. When he played he played well and I would have liked to see more of him.
Make every play lead the way to victory
by BearsFan1 on Feb 19, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we need to add
one FA WR and one through the draft. I’d like to see maybe Bryant Johnson in FA and Iglesias through the draft.
DEJESUS!!!
by tomas21 on Feb 19, 2009 6:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Can they fix their woes? yes.
However I don’t think one off season is going to be able to accomplish the feat. The position is so awful and it needs to be majorly overhauled. Unless Jerry decides to go all out for that position, it will not be fixed this off season..
#34: You'll be missed!
by Chanman25 on Feb 19, 2009 7:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The poll meant...
if they could fix it this year
Make every play lead the way to victory
by BearsFan1 on Feb 19, 2009 7:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Idealistically they could,
however my gut feeling is no sadly..
#34: You'll be missed!
by Chanman25 on Feb 19, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Idealistically
the Lions could win the Super Bowl next year.
but my gut feeling is also no.
Make every play lead the way to victory
by BearsFan1 on Feb 19, 2009 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Think about it
Right now, the steelers have the same record as the lions. scary, huh?
"blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and we'll go from there"
-Lovie Smith
by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 19, 2009 10:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
53% of you so far say, no, we can't fix our WR woes.
I get the feeling that some of you enjoy pouting and sulking in your sorrows.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
by Haightminow on Feb 19, 2009 8:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I was actually assuming that
the poll would be more heavily in favor of no, something more like 60%. However, if Hester lives up to his potential, the Bears could have a big part of the WR problem fixed without having to go and find anybody.
Make every play lead the way to victory
by BearsFan1 on Feb 19, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
WR woes up the ying-yang
I wouldn’t mind McDonald coming in to compete for a starting job. Add him and a rookie within the first two rounds of the draft. JA is too snake-bitten from Moose to pursue Housh.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
by propheteer on Feb 19, 2009 11:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow...
Not that I am interpreting it to mean anything… but at the moment, the poll is 155-156.
Never seen a poll with that many votes be so close.
Things will get better as they improve...
by Dane Noble on Feb 21, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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