The Bears Den - 9/9/09

by ChiFan13 on Sep 9, 2009 12:00 AM CDT in The Bears Den

Bear_s-den_medium

....where we're convinced the Bears aren't as eloquent writers as the Tribune wants us to think.

In The Den

670 The Score

Do the Bears have an advantage going against a 3-4 defense?

ChicagoBears.com

Charles Tillman is encouraged after finally returning to practice.

Devin Aromashodu knows that his work is just beginning.

Chicago Sun-Times

Desmond Clark stands by his sod commentary.

The offensive firepower of Green Bay is just the first in a tough stretch for the Bears.

The Bears' DB's are all back, but don't expect Lovie Smith to tell you who will start.

Chicago Tribune

Greg Lewis was released by the Patriots....should the Bears take a flyer on him?

Dick Butkus is passionate about his anti-steroid program.

More after the jump....

Rick Morrissey speaketh!

Will the offseason work pay off for Tommie Harris?

Marcus Harrison is ready to play in Green Bay.

Daily Herald

Moral of this article: As long as Cutler wins, he can run his yap all he wants.

Charles Tillman returned to practice, but still has a long way to go.

To Dick Butkus, the defense is still the key for the Bears' success this season.

Wolfe's quickness makes him a big-play threat. I'll believe it when I see it.

ESPN Chicago

Jeff Dickerson believes the Bears' biggest problem on Sunday night will be Ryan Grant.

The Bears announced their 2009 captains.

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Comments

Can I just say

That I hate Rick Morrisey? This guy is a moron. Apparently Cutler is only good for one more win and Forte is going to hit a sophomore slump…whatever.

If the Bears happen to go 0-2 (which is a possibility) he’s going to gloom and doom us all to death.

Hey, Morrisey…are you forgetting Olsen and Clark?

Forte slumping? Doubt it…this kid brings alot of heart to our backfield, the most since Sweetness.

We don’t need Bennett, Hester and co. to look like Jerry Rice, just get open enough to stretch the opposing D. I think they can do this. The first time they try and stack the box on us when they shouldn’t Jay will make them pay.

I think we will take the North this year…and beyond. Our D is going to be the key like Butkus says, and I have faith.

Now someone tell Morrisey to shaddup

by BigAppleBearsFan on Sep 9, 2009 7:24 AM CDT reply actions

I'm a half glass full kinda' guy...

But it is possible Forte slumps this year. It happens all the time. I don’t personally believe it’ll happen (see header), but it is in the realm of possibility, and a little naive, to think otherwise.

Also, the Cutler equals one more win than last season argument is moot. The situations, the teams, the injuries; all of the variables are different than last season. Jay would have been worth more than one win, last year. New season, new rules.

- Smudgers

"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by David Taylor on Sep 9, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions

And Morrissey sucks @$$

he just does it to get a good reader rating. a lot of people read his drivel, and then spout off too him, he’s an attention monger, so instead of talking like everyone else and being ignored because he doesnt have real writing talent (see: Brad Biggs)
he has to write in essence, hate mail, about the bears, my advice, dont even read his crap. this is a guy that needs to suck start a shotgun (sorry)

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 9, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Why does everyone assume we'll lose to the Steelers at home?

It’s not like they “set the world on fire” last year. Most of their games were decided by a few points.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Sep 9, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Good Sir

I most definitely believe we Annihilate the Paper Towl Curtain

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 9, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

morrisey is the worst sports reporter in a city full aof bad sports reporters.

there isnt even any news in the article. he did no reporting to write this article, and its not even well written.

"snuffalufagus fucks my shit up"

by leopoldjones on Sep 9, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Forte is an elite RB but...

he is not a wrecking crew. The Bears, more than secondary help, need a #2 RB that is big and runs angry like T Jones did a few seasons back. This will do many things:

1. Keep Forte fresher by taking a few carries and grinding out tough yards.

2. Wear down opposing D-Lines that make the Bear’s O-linemen more effective.

3. Give Forte chances to get break away TDs later in games.

4. Force opposing safeties to step up and give WRs/TEs an extra step to get separation.

5. Keep the Bear’s D off the field longer keeping them/Harris fresher.

6. Force more teams to obvious passing situations, which allows for more nickel packages, keeping Urlacher from getting beat up in the middle.

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Sep 9, 2009 7:44 AM CDT reply actions

We need a secondary worse than that.

I understand your argument and I agree that those are good reasons to go out and grab a #2 RB, but our secondary is a complete joke. What happens if Tillman or Bowman goes down in-season?

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on Sep 9, 2009 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

And judging by Bowman's past

it seems almost inevitable that this will happen… God i hope not, but we need to prepare for the worst.
Do we just put Vasher in and pray?

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 9, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Pray?

Give your life savings to the church and hope the Big Fella spots you Vasher with tackling abilities.

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on Sep 9, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Honestly...

I guess it’s probably more a bit of both being necessary, but my desire to add an RB is more about the realistic possibility of it succeeding. Good cover guys are much harder to find and take more time to acclimate to “system” defenses like the Bear’s Cover/Tampa2. Adding a quality#2 RB would be a whole lot easier and more immediately effective. I would guess that we fans could name 5-10 RBs that could fit the bill, but maybe only 1 or 2 DBs. I was stunned the Bears kept McBride over Hood; just does not make any sense. Now my only hope is to get a guy like McAister (Chris or Deuce) to fit one of these positions.

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Sep 9, 2009 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions

It certainly helps

that there are several experienced players still available as FAs. There’s no need to bring them in until injury or ineffectiveness forces them to. Although, I’m a little shocked they kept McBride over Hood as well.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Sep 9, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Lance Louis!

With Gaines blocking for him! :-D

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Sep 9, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Forte Sophomore Slump?

It is in the realm of possibilities but I think he will avoid it. The guy is a gym rat, he loves working out, I remember when he got drafted didn’t he say he won’t get into to trouble because if he gets bored he works out? And since I have been following Twitter he is always talking about hitting the gym, even when OTAs and workouts were over and even on off days. So he conditions hard which helps him and the other thing is that he got a lot of rest this offseason to save the wear and tear on his body. I think that these two factors are going to help him be fresher and be able to have as good a season or better than last.

by Sam Householder on Sep 9, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

I couldn't agree more

I believe he’ll see a dip in his number of touches, but should be more efficient with yardage and TDs.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Sep 9, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm thinking

Forte puts up similar numbers rushing, but yes, with far fewer carries

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 9, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Problem is the Bears don't have a viable # 2 running back

Garrett Wolfe isn’t the answer, and this coming from a NIU alumni who watched him play for 3 years in DeKalb.

Adrian Peterson is definitely not the answer either.

Hence why I HOPE the Bears get serious about adding another veteran running back to this roster very soon. Dominick Rhodes is better than anything we have in reserve of Matt Forte right now. Way better in fact.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Sep 9, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree about the Bears not having a viable #2.

But the same argument could be made about our receivers. Heck, you could even argue we don’t have a viable #1 at that position. Yet nothing has really been done to address that since the draft. So why would the Bears go after a running back now? I know that Jones just went down, but we’ve had some pretty obvious issues on offense at the skill positions for quite some time and it seems like the organization is comfortable with Jay Cutler addressing all of them. I hope they’re right. It scares me, but I hope they’re right. In Jay, Lovie, and Jerry we trust. Right?

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Sep 9, 2009 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions

You're right, but the difference, I think is

there is talent at the WR spot that we hope can do the job and have looked decent in the preseason. AP and GW have already had time to show what they can do and, while they both are good ST players, neither looks to be the type of RB to count on for more than a series or two. With the injury rate at the RB position over a 16 game season we need to have a more reliable backup and option for Forte. Look at some of the successful teams over the last couple of years, Giants, Titans, Steelers, Eagles, etc., their second back is someone who could start for a lot of other teams. Now some of the up and coming teams (Texans, Vikings) are setting their backfields up the same way. There is not a lot of dropoff when the 2nd team guy is in for these teams vs. what happens when you go from Forte to Wolfe/Peterson.

by BearFan611 on Sep 10, 2009 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I went to High School with Him

hung out at NIU a bunch… AXA on Greek Row.
i dont believe Wolfe isn’t the answer, none of us had the opportunity to see him play at this level much yet. give the kid a break, i think he’ll surprise a lot of you, he’s EXTREMELY quick

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 10, 2009 5:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Interesting Fact

Roma was picked up by the Dolphins with a pick we traded them for Ayenbadejo..small NFL

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 9, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

well at least one bear stands by what they say

does that mean clark will be cut next year?

by Daseabeez on Sep 9, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

Biggs: Bears one of six teams to carry four TEs on the roster.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Sep 9, 2009 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

Fox Sports ranks the Bears #19 entering the season

Interesting. I’m a little more pessimistic than most Bear fans about this 2009 team, mainly because I see a highly problematic defense. But #19 seems low regardless?

Time to play the games and let this thing sort itself out.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Sep 9, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions

We made the Cutler trade too early.

Now the Vikings are the sexy pick because they’re in the headlines. How the winds of change shift.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Sep 9, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

But that's a good thing

Having the news all about Minny can only provide the Bears with incentive to beat them.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Sep 9, 2009 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

And it gets the pressure off us

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 10, 2009 5:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Plus...

Minnesota has an 40 (something?) year old QB with a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. Reports from last year seemed to suggest he had developed some prima donna-esque habits (like having his own office away from the other players). And if he starts to exhibit the effects of his cuff problem, they will basically be thrusting one of their previously-rejected QBs into the line-up. Good luck with that. I like the Bears in an insider-type-I know the real deal-type of sneaky way!

Getcha Beernuts Ready!

by Fly1965 on Sep 10, 2009 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions

In my Power Rankings

I had the Bears at No. 15 going into the final week of preseason. But I have to say that the more I see this team the better I feel about them. I think that No. 13 would be a fair spot for them. We are right on that fringe of the playoffs and will clearly be in it all season long.

by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Sep 10, 2009 12:39 AM CDT reply actions

Holy crap

i agree with you

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Sep 10, 2009 5:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Against the 3-4

The Bears have been pretty bad. That our offense is better this season than last remains to be seen, and it will have some work to do to be better than our solid (if streaky) 2006 crew. But one thing for certain has been Ron Turner (and our entire offense’s) struggles against the 3-4 defenses. We are just 1-5 against teams that play the 3-4 over the last three years:

9-21 vs. Pitt in 2005
13-17 vs. New England in 2006
17-29 vs. Indianapolis in 2006
3-14 vs. San Diego in 2007
10-34 vs. Dallas in 2007
29-13 vs. Indy in 2008

You can say that those teams were just really good and that we might have gone 1-5 against them for a variety of reasons. But to only crack 17 points one time is troubling. And Green Bay has looked great in the 3-4 so far this preseason.

Also, Cutler has gone just 3-6 SU in nine games against 3-4 defenses. Again, you can say his team wasn’t very good so this point is invalid. I’m not saying one way or another on Cutler, I’m just throwing out the numbers. I am making the point that we most certainly do not have an edge against a 3-4 defense based on what we have done over the past several years.

by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Sep 10, 2009 12:48 AM CDT reply actions