NightLink: Dan Pompei Answers Questions, and ESPN's Power Rankings

by Dane Noble on Sep 22, 2009 4:00 PM CDT

On the Tribune's blog, Dan Pompei responds to some questions about the lack of production from Matt Forte, about our group of WRs, and the pass rush during the first two games thus far. Here's an excerpt:

What is going on with Matt Forte? He seems tentative to hit the line. Is it the new line or is something going on with him like an injury?

Dave, Omaha, NE

Forte was a little nicked up in camp, but if he's still hurting the Bears are keeping it a closely guarded secret. I don't think Forte has run well, but I think some of it has been out of his control. The Bears played two very good run defenses in their first two games. And they have not blocked for him very well at all. It will be more alarming if Forte continues to struggle this week in Seattle.

Also, ESPN released their week 3 Power Rankings. The Bears beat the defending Super Bowl champs, so surely we had to move up a bit from last week, right? Wrong. Granted, ESPN's rankings don't mean squat, but still. Interestingly enough, the Ravens jumped from #10 to #1.

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ESPN

never gives the Bears any love.

by Fridge72 on Sep 22, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

same thing with EA in madden

They hate the Bears.

by Zarco on Sep 22, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

fine with me, keep it coming

the lack of respect makes it easy to bet on the bears. i got in monday only giving up 2 points to the hasselbeckless seachickens. of course we all know how that could go but it seems like a pretty safe thing to me.

by genetic on Sep 23, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions

It does help

a little with that. I know when I am out of town people are frequently willing to bet against them.

Do you bet online? How is that working for you?

by Fridge72 on Sep 23, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

actually just started this year

thanks to some recommendations on this board. using bodog, seems pretty good so far. they gave a 10% bonus on the first deposit and they have a deal if you bet at least $20 every week you get a $50 bonus at the end of the year.

i got killed betting on the under though, i figured the offenses might be slow the 1st week. i think i lost about $50 the 1st week, won $30 last week so i’m not too far down. just have to be careful betting on your favorite team, you can get a little overconfident.

by genetic on Sep 23, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Cool Thanks

just looked at the website. Looks pretty interesting.

by Fridge72 on Sep 23, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Genetic, I'm with you...

It sucks to hear analyst rip the Bears or maybe just under rate them. With that being said, it’s not too bad. It does make them an easier bet and it also puts a chip on their shoulder…

Players can say they don’t pay attention to the media all they want, but they do.

And locker room pin ups of sports media (or locker-room material) ripping the team have always been used by coaches.

by rdent4hof on Sep 24, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

The running game should pick up as we get deeper into the season...

I don’t think he’s hurt. The line is just starting to come together as a unit. If anything, with Cutler back there, Forte should see more 7-man fronts than anything else. Cutler’s presence can only help the running game this year.

by JimmyMack on Sep 22, 2009 4:30 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah But,

If he don’t “Hit” the holes it doesn’t matter who’s back there.

by Big Ike on Sep 23, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

We moved up one spot. Although I agree we should probably be a bit higher, I think you’ll see bigger gains in these kinds of ranking deals if the run game gets moving and Cutler is consistent.

Everyone just wants to look back at the GB game and say how bad we were. That’s what people remember. If we’d beated the Steelers on Sunday night, I bet it would have been a bigger jump than beating them during an afternoon game that was only shown in some markets.

by Virto on Sep 22, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

Bah

If we’d “beaten.” Beated…wtf is wrong with me, lol?

by Virto on Sep 22, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

It must have been the “Tribune answers questions from the short bus today.”

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Sep 22, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

The Saints

At 7 is such a joke.

FIRE VDN

by gocubs526 on Sep 22, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions

Wow...

The Steelers were no. 1 since the preseason — but if they lose to the Bears, oh geez, they that be that good, right?

I convinced my fiance to use Rays colors for our wedding. What have you done lately?

by BWoodrum on Sep 22, 2009 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

*they can't be that good, right?

I convinced my fiance to use Rays colors for our wedding. What have you done lately?

by BWoodrum on Sep 22, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

There seems to be

some disparity there. The Steelers fall five spots from 1st to 6th. While the Bears only go from 15th up one to 14th.

At the same time, the Ravens go up nine spots from 10th to 1st, they beat the Chargers with no LT. Chargers fall from 6th to 11th.

ESPN is a bunch of highlight reels that should be watched with the television on mute. Usually unless Ditka is talking pre-game. I don’t mind the pre-game show as much.

by Fridge72 on Sep 22, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

So let me get this straight....

The Vikings move up 3 spots for beating the freaking Lions, but we only go up 1 spot for beating the Super Bowl champs? If that ain’t a bias, I don’t know what is.

by uiucjpo on Sep 22, 2009 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

The Cardinals dominated in their last game against the Jaguars and they went down one ranking.

The Bears aren’t the only team getting no respect….

Although the Bears beating the Steelers is more significant than the Cardinals beating the Jags even though they played a close game against the Colts a week ago.

by JoeCB1991 on Sep 22, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Who cares about someones opinion

on who is better after 2 games. Let me have a look at week 10. These rankings are a waste of time..

by tfrabotta on Sep 22, 2009 8:12 PM CDT reply actions

agreed

by mike b on Sep 22, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Really,

I can’t believe they actually have “Power Rankings” this early either. That being said, Since it is only the second game, beating the defending champs should automatically move you at least five slots. Anyway, God Bless the Bears and nobody else.

by Big Ike on Sep 23, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Bear replay on NFLN right now

by tfrabotta on Sep 22, 2009 8:51 PM CDT reply actions

Hey

I actually saw Omilyae block someone!!

by tfrabotta on Sep 22, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Did you happen to get a glance at

the back of his jersey?

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on Sep 22, 2009 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

yes I know I misspelled it!!

but since we don’t have an edit button…….

by tfrabotta on Sep 23, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions

The great thing is – this isn’t the NCAA and ESPN’s rankings mean jack squat.

by poolboy55 on Sep 22, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions

I don't dispute where they're ranked neccessarily

but the logic, or rather non-logic, used to get there is flawed. Baltimore beats the Chargers and they vault nine spots to #1 even though their defense has not looked that great. The Vikings beat Detroit and jump a few spots. And so on…

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Sep 23, 2009 3:29 AM CDT reply actions

Knox and Hester

Knox and Hester are showing as real speed demons. Do the Bears think of using them on the field at the same time? It could make for a very scary situation for DB’s to cover.

by cdjr1950 on Sep 23, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions