The Inside Scoop: A Live Chat with Bears Insider John 'Moon' Mullin
by Dane Noble on Oct 5, 2010 11:57 AM CDT
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Windy City Gridiron has the great pleasure of being joined once again by veteran Bears beat writer John 'Moon' Mullin. As you all know, Moon covers the Bears for CSNChicago, as well as writes his blog View From the Moon.
Having a veteran on board to speak with our members is a real treat, as we get to ask anything we want, and not have to speculate on a lot of things that normally we wouldn't have access to.
A huge Windy City Gridiron "thank you" to Moon for taking time to join us!
Moon will join us in-thread around 3pm CT, so go ahead and get your questions and comments rolling in!
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Offensive Line???
Moon,
What can Mike Tice do with our existing roster to make sure that our Offensive Line does not perform like they did in Sunday’s domination by the Giants?
Unreasonable people make life difficult...
Tice’s answer to me in the tunnel after the NY game when I asked him what else he could do: ‘Suit up.’ I think he was kidding. Think…
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Offensvie line was offensive Monday night
Are the Bears likely to look any free agents available to shore up what is obviously a disfunctional unit or can we expect business as usual from the front office expecting coaching and adjustments to uplift this unit?
White Sox fans need not apply.
by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Oct 5, 2010 12:03 PM CDT reply actions
Sunday night rather than Monday night
White Sox fans need not apply.
by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Oct 5, 2010 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Angelo told me he was looking all offseason – the problem is that the CBA took a big number of prime four-year guys (Mankins, e.g.) off the market before Bears or anyone else had a shot at them.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
What's your opinion of Forte as a running running back?
Where his open-field vision is probably his best attribute, it’s also his greatest weakness as a runner in-between the tackles. He doesn’t seem to keep his feet moving in the pile, and has a difficult breaking tackles and bouncing it outside. Shouldn’t Taylor be the guy to run inside considering Forte’s obvious weakeness? What’s your take?
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
My 2 cents
I think Forte and Taylor are pretty much the same guy. They both are good recievers and blockers but not very strong between-the-tackles.
I wonder if we’ll ever see Kahlil Bell again, just to see if he’s got any of that in him. Not that we’ll run the ball enough to matter anyway.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
From what I've seen so far
Neither one of them is very good, but it sure seems like CT runs with some authority while Forte dances and tip-toes with not much success. CT has a career average of 4.3 ypc, while Forte has never been good with a 3.7 ypc.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
Too bad we don't have a line full
of Steve Hutchinsons.
That might make a 1/2 yard difference.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
Too true
Next year’s draft should yield the Bears next starting C and G to replace Garza and Kreutz. Get some road-grading inside guys to jump start this pathetic running game.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
I’d expect to see Taylor get more business this week. It’s not a size thing with either of them but Taylor has looked quicker to holes and Forte is just not blessed with do-it-alone speed or moves.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Manumaleuna
Moon,
Manu’s blocking looked especially underwhelming, and so far this year he hasn’t blocked at the high level we’ve been expecting. With Dez Clark being inactive against NYG, is there a chance we see Manu flip to the inactives and Clark returned to the active fold? I know with his new contract such a question seems kinda stupid (and it’s small-time compared to the O-Line in general), but we never expected Tommie would be deactivated for a game either. And historically, Clark hasn’t really been a bad blocker.
by Steven Schweickert on Oct 5, 2010 12:19 PM CDT reply actions
86 allowed 2 sacks himself and Olsen a third in a dismal game for TEs – I don’t look for Manumaleuna to sit; too much investment there – but de-activating Clark for Aromashodu and then not playing 19 at all made zero sense for exactly the reason your last sentence mentions.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
What's your assessment of Izzy and Anderson's play so far?
Also, do you believe Angelo and Smith are kicking themselves for cutting Brown and sticking with T. Harris? Thanks!
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
by propheteer on Oct 5, 2010 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
The Bears just told you the take on Anderson; released. And I questioned the Brown move at the time by a team that wanted to win now. Anderson was a one-trick pony even as a rookie, bombed in 2007 and now again – anytime you hand someone a job, you are setting yourselves up for embarrassment.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
You can call me Al, or more aptly Accidental Prophet...:)
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
correction: Propheteer!
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
Hey Moon whats your thoughts on a possible trade for Logan Mankins ?
He would seem to be an upgrade to both guard positions ( he would plug in at LG & allow Garza to move back to his best position RG ) . Also do you think we need to trade Tommie Harris ? Harris spent more time face down aginest the Giants then he did on his feet .
And hey thanks for comin over here and answering some of our questions !
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Oct 5, 2010 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
We like Tommie...
we still believe he can be an elite player. Hahaha.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
MWM, if you’re the Pats, do you let him go for an underperforming D-tackle? Mankins would upgrade any O line but it would be the stunner of the year if Bears dealt enough draft picks to land him. And you’re getting nothing for Harris now – teams see what you see.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe not just Harris ...
… or maybe no Harris at all . But a mix on draft picks and / or players may get it done . All I know is we need better O-linemen or better play from the O-line .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Oct 5, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Welcome back Moon!
If you were going on percentages…
What percent chance, does Cutler have to start this Sunday?
What percent chance, does Chris Williams have to dress Sunday?
And if Cutler does have a set back, do you see Collins or Hanie getting the start?
Cutler 25 percent, likely less
Chris Williams zero for a couple more weeks
Best guess is Hanie now with the Collins’ stinger – will know better tomorrow
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Ticket prices plummeting
if anyone is going and hasn’t bought theirs yet. Buying mine tonight! :)
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Thank you and wow!
That’s a surprising answer considering what early word has been.
I hope he can bounce back in good fashion (for lack of a better term). Admittedly, I haven’t done much research on concussions. I do know, their not good and can having lasting negative effects. Get well Jay!
Watered down Martzfense?
Should Cutler not play Sunday (which, he probably shouldn’t if he’s concussed) and Collins or Hanie get the nod … is it likely that we’ll see a “simplified” offensive game plan from Mike Martz seeing that the back ups don’t get reps in practice when Cutler is healthy?
What kind of effect do you think that will have on production?
after last Sunday, I’m not sure what to expect Martz to do. I also think Lovie Smith reins Martz in a little after the debacle last Sunday; players won’t be the only ones being held accountable.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Cutler
Moon,
Do believe Cutler truly had a concussion? I’ve read Lovie saying Jay showed up to Halas Monday with no symptoms of a concussion. My belief is they pulled Jay from the game to keep him from getting further injured. As silly as it may sound you’ve got to protect your future.
Also, to do you think changing up the O Line during ever game will continue? It’s hard for them to build a chemistry if it’s always changing.
by boondock_saint812 on Oct 5, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions
..during every game will continue.
Sorry about that.
by boondock_saint812 on Oct 5, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Not only thought 6 had a ding, thought he was dinged earlier. Not sure you can ever question Cutler on that kind of thing. And it was a 3-0 game – coaches don’t pull starting QB’s in that kind of situation.
and yes on the OL, and yes on the chemistry issue – look for J’Marcus Webb possibly even to start
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions
If Cutler were to miss, would Lovie tab Collins or Hanie to start?
One time while a young lad, someone made fun of the Ditka name. One time.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Oct 5, 2010 1:11 PM CDT reply actions
will find out Wed. – guess would be Hanie no. 1, Collins no. 2 just because of the stinger
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions
At this point in the season, is it too early
to write Minnesota off and think that the division title is up for grabs between Green Bay and Chicago?
Yes.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Oh, sorry, you weren't asking me were you....
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
not too early at all – Vikings are at NY Jets next Mon., so think 1-3 – Packers and Bears should be 4-1 after Sunday – two words for Minnesota: buh – bye
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
I'm standing at my desk applauding you right now Moon.
Co-Workers be damned!
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
This has single-handedly lifted the all-pervasive gloom that’s been clouding my psyche since the Giants showed us just how it felt to face a defense as dominant as Hampton, Singletary et al.
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - Tom Coughlin, Giants '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
How easy is it for teams (coaches an players)
to shrug off a bad loss like last week? We always hear them say “We’ll learn from our mistakes and get better, and now were focusing on the next opponent.”
But honestly, a loss like we had at the Giants has to affect morales, right?
the funny and telling thing Greg Olsen said after the Green Bay game is that it’s often harder to rebound from a good win than from a bad loss – he was a prophet
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
They say
that you’re never as good as you look in your best game and never as bad as you look during your worst. Which makes sense in keeping with an even-keel perspective.
So, on which side of the middle do you think these Bears lay? Are they closer to the team we saw Sunday or closer to the team we saw in Dallas?
The pessimist in me thinks this is more realistic because even when we looked awesome in Dallas Jay was still getting body slammed. Care to talk me off the ledge?
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
My prediction for them was 10-6 or better, because of some internal signs I saw this summer – I’m standing by that – if you have your laptop out there on the ledge with you, go back to some teams’ Super Bowl years and note some of the ‘bad’ losses – many stunners – not that Bears are a Super Bowl team but there will ALWAYS be a clunker in the season somewhere – even ‘85ers had a couple, albeit that they won, but they’re going to happen
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
wow
you’re better than me
i said 5-11 before the season…
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
You're like my good friend
He’s an eternal Bears pessimist. I think living in Indianapolis softened him up quite a bit.
My prediction was 9-7…I’m sticking to it.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
This year it was less straight up pessimism
and more the fact that over the last two years I let both the Cubs and Bears rip my heart out.
And Martz plus a horror show of an offensive line had me nauseous.
Plus, if they’re completely awful that means we’re one step closer to regime change in Halas Hall. Which is what I want.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
That's about where I had them too, 5-11, 6-10, somewhere around there.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
When you were here last time
someone asked you about Logan Mankins, and you responded:
Mankins was THE target before the CBA issues came to be – but no, I don’t like what you’d have to give up, which would possibly be a 1 or a 2 and the Bears already have hurt themselves without those. But I have liked Mankins ever since he came into the league and said NE hit gold when they got him late in the first round.
Wouldn’t you agree that Mankins is better than a 1 or a 2? Especially since you know what you’re getting with him, and that draft picks, especially early round Angelo ones, are not going to be a guaranteed success story.
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www.cheekymonkeyart.com | facebook.com/cheekymonkeyart | twitter.com/cheekymonkeyart
This would be the Jay Cutler theory
You were going to blow the 1 or 2 anyways, you might as well go for a known commodity.
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
The thing I don't get...
Is the groups that say, “we don’t want to mortgage our future anymore”. To me, that’s B.S.! Aren’t we mortgaging our future (Jay Cutler) by not buying him some protection? And what are we really expecting, Angelo to actually draft a needed OL, with his first pick, and that he would figure out how to evaluate quality at the same time? I just don’t buy into it.
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www.cheekymonkeyart.com | facebook.com/cheekymonkeyart | twitter.com/cheekymonkeyart
I'm not big on losing more draft picks,
but it’s preferable to Jay being wheelchair-ridden by week 10.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
wouldn’t argue too hard against him worth a 1 or 2 – especially if they are on track for a low first-rounder with a decent season – I’m just more a fan of building that group with the draft, although getting Mankins certainly would pretty well qualify
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
best part is getting paid to watch football – is this a great country or what? I’ve done many other things in my life; this is the best – most challenging is building the relationshps that make the job enjoyable but now the climate is to isolate players and coaches from media and that has changed the job
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Lovie Smith is responsible for the product on the field (assistant coaches too)
and Jerry Angelo is responsible for the overall operation of the team.
What is Ted Phillips major role, and how involved is he in the day to day operations? He is Jerry’s boss, but does he hand down orders to Jerry, or does he just let Jerry do his thing?
Ted is totally hands-off on matters of football – he has say in major hirings because of the money involved but he is not a film-watcher the way Michael McCaskey once was with Dave Wannstedt
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the answer is none
Didn’t he hand over all control and/or operations a few years ago?
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
not at all – in fact, with brother George taking over as chairman after this year, it’ll be even less
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Concussion Rules
Early “reports” are that Jay’s “likely” to play against the Panthers on Sunday. With the more stringent rules in the NFL regarding concussions (see below), is Jay practicing with the team and if so, that surely means that he’s already passed all of the test, right?
“Once removed for the duration of a practice or game, the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptotic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant.” link
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www.cheekymonkeyart.com | facebook.com/cheekymonkeyart | twitter.com/cheekymonkeyart
“reports” coming from Jason La Confora’s twitter account.
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www.cheekymonkeyart.com | facebook.com/cheekymonkeyart | twitter.com/cheekymonkeyart
Don't you mean
"reports" “coming” from Jason La Confora’"s" twitter “account”.
“Just saying”
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
will be quite surprised if Cutler starts – organization needs to win but also needs to make a statement on player safety as priority, plus do the right thing.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
True
Considering they put Hillenmeyer on IR for being concussed.
by boondock_saint812 on Oct 5, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
What's the story of your nickname "Moon?"
Does Chris Williams play Sunday? Also, what’s the new timeline for Major Wright’s return?
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
several weeks on both Williams and Wright – maybe after the off week, best guess
‘Moon’ is from the classic cartoon strip ‘Moon Mullins’ (the ‘S’ doesn’t belong) and was hung on me years ago when I first started on the beat and a Bears official coined it -
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Gameplanning the Panthers O
Moon, do you see the Bears stacking the box against the run more? Panthers have a rook QB, and Smith seems out. Will they focus on stopping DeAngelo Williams and Jon Stewart?
absolutely – they are run-stop first anyway and this is a team that can get after you running the ball – Giants abused the run defense, if Bears needed any convincing.
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
it was done to scare the offensive line
You see what happens?! You see what happens when you play like complete and utter garbage!?
He was a non-factor – never thought he was an alternative to Alex Brown in the first place
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions
We've heard that "accountability" is nothing new under Lovie Smith
but it sure seems like 2010 is seeing a lot more of it from him.
Is he getting tougher, or are his moves just getting more publicity?
just more pub, and more public impact because they were being made by a 3-0 team. But they’ve always bounced people on short notice. Mike Green after a first half of first game in 05; Vasher and Payne after game one last year because of one play vs Green Bay; on and on – just that this team is winning and shaking things up, not losing
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
How do you think Peppers will play against the Panthers
I have a feeling he will be Epic, but is it humanly possible to do more than he has done already. Also, we need a back that run straight downhill on goal line carries, or we could spread it out (I’m not apposed) Do you think that Henry Melton could get consideration.
nothuing to indicate anything with Melton, although I’ve asked – as far as Peppers, the surprise will be a game when he DOESN’T play like a $91-million man
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
If I hear the words "Logan" and "Mankins"
anymore, my head will explode. What’s the big “What if” that you’re hearing lately, and is driving you nuts too?
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
Logan Mankins
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www.cheekymonkeyart.com | facebook.com/cheekymonkeyart | twitter.com/cheekymonkeyart
Matt Jones
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
you just nailed it – Logan Mankins
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
the original Miller High Life – hard to find sometimes, but the clear bottle and taste….
now you’ve done it — I’m thirsty!
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:37 PM CDT reply actions
Champagne of Beers
"I'd rather have an ugly win than an ugly loss. Yeah, they had a lot of yards, but yards don't mean crap. Points do." -Brian Urlacher
by BearNecessities on Oct 5, 2010 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I’ve only had it one time. Tasted like piss.
by boondock_saint812 on Oct 5, 2010 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I KNEW IT
That’s the only beer, in my opinion.
Though I will also drink what I call the H-L-squared. (High Life Light, for those in the know)
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
Baby pee in a can.
Awesome.
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
I'm a fan of Zima
One time while a young lad, someone made fun of the Ditka name. One time.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Oct 6, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It's also the cheapest out of the major macro brews in the US.
$8.49 a twelver.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
Flashback
to Miller ponies by the case.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Going to ring off now, folks – let’s do it again very soon – give my best to Logan Mankins
by John 'Moon' Mullin on Oct 5, 2010 3:38 PM CDT reply actions
Awesome
You are one of us now. If you write apost and just say Ditka it magically turns green, give it a try sometime. Thanks again for stopping by.
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
You guys never let me down...
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
by Ditkavsworld on Oct 6, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Who wins between Ditka and a class-5 hurricane?
Ditka’s hair.
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
What's that you said?
The Bears are trading for some guy Mankins?
"How do you know somebody is great? When you see how they respond to adversity. Anybody can man a ship when the waters are calm." - Jerry Angelo
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