or really wrong… b/c i agree with everything you wrote here. :-P

well done.

Truthfully, I started to write that the Bears would have to play perfectly on defense, but than I realized how grim that sounded and how impossible that would be. Our defense will give up yardage against this team. Possibly LOTS of yardage. The counter? Make them earn it. Give them the long field on punts and kickoffs. Hopefully our offense can score frequently against a new defensive scheme that favors our T.E.‘s and could pop holes for Forte. But establish a lead, pin the Pack deep, get aggressive and hope we can contain them. Last year how many of you thought we’d beat the Colts in the opener?? Seriously?? I’m not sure we can win, but my bet is it comes down to special teams play.

The Packers have looked good in pre-season, and that’s a good point to remember – it was pre-season. Wilt summarized things pretty well on what the Bears have to do to win and I am optimistic that with Lovie Smith calling the defensive shots the Bears can slow down GB’s running game and keep the pressure on Rodgers at the same time.

With only 3 down linemen you have to account for which of the 4 linebackers are coming, and believe me someone will be coming on most every down.

You’re right and, as I’m sure you realize, it won’t always be a linebacker.

tooks Ricky Manning Jr’s old number, and Gaines swicted too

nobody seems to even give us a chance evoke any emotions from anyone? we were 9-7 with a really banged up D, and hurt QB, now we have an all pro QB, and somewhat healthy D (urlacher) and young secondary(SS,FS), which could go either way.
but how can we logically assume we didnt get AT least 1 win better, considering we lost a bunch of games by a field goal or less, usually the result of a penalty or missed tackle.
referenced: Here

yet we are picked as 3rd in Division and no playoffs…i say Fire everyone at ESPN

Who will be playing at less than full strength? How much will a (hopefully) improved pass rush keep them from being exposed?

And I, for one, will be watching Afalava closely. If he is as capable as he looked in flashes during the preseason, we might have found quite the 6th rounder. If Al and Knox step up to the plate in the next couple of years, it might compensate for the loss of the two first rounders this off-season.

A fine post, as usual, Wilt.

I’m also concerned about the Packers’ screen plays. With our D being so fast, we get killed with it at times. Alot of their receiving yards are after the catch. Gotta tackle low, guys! Bears swarm tackling! I believe Pisa will be a key to our defenses performance, based on his energy and agressiveness during preseason. He could end up being a major addition this season!
Watching the NFC Playbook on NFLN last night, Jennings was on the sideline excitedly telling everyone who would listen that Vasher just could not cover him. He was playing way off and Jennings was just doing whatever he wanted. I hope Bowman plays. The depth chart is extremely misleading, (I hope!) If we get our guys back, we have a real good chance to beat these guys. Bears 24 Packers 21

I think that’s what got the Bears defense in trouble last season against the Packers. Ryan Grant is a very talented back that if not accounted for can make a huge difference in the game. As far as the offense is concerned I would be completely shocked if Ron Turner doesn’t exposed the huge mismatches against that 3-4 formation. I could see Capers switching to 2-4 Nickel formation so he can match Olsen up with a corner, but to counter that you give Forte the Rock and watch him get 4 to 10 yards easily.