The Bears Den: July 23, 2010
by David Taylor on Jul 23, 2010 7:00 AM CDT
in The Bears Den
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...where Kev H recently saw a full on double rainbow all across the sky.
Joe Montana thinks Martz can help Cutler.
Ditka to the NFL and the NFLPA - There's no need for greed.
PODCAST: Waddle & Silvy (the Montana and Ditka interviews).
Biggs Positional Breakdown: The Linebackers
Garrett Wolfe's not concerned about a little competition.
Follow WCG on Twitter.
Forbes Ranks the Bears as the 13th Richest Franchise in Sports.
The Rashied Davis Story.
PhotoBlog: Brian Urlacher (buh-bye shirt, hellooo Brian... I mean...)
Pre-Camp Power Poll has the Bears at 22.
NFLPA probing Chicago-based agent.
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Powerful back story about Rashied Davis path to the NFL.
You have to give the man props for overcoming a lot. He’s definitely one of the guys in the NFL doing things the right way. That being said, if he earns a spot on the team it’s fine with me. All I want is for the 6 (or 7) receivers that will help the team the most available when the season starts, regardless of their draft status.
by BigGeorgeTX on Jul 23, 2010 8:20 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
It's not every man who can make it as a WR in the NFL
without the ability to catch or to get separation. Kudos to him for overcoming those challenges.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Also liked what Montana had to say. I couldn't agree more.
Don’t force the ball deep when there’s something wide open underneath. Check down your receivers and hit the open man. Screw the play called if there’s someone wide open who isn’t the player the play is called for. It’s really simple, keep the chains moving and take your opportunities when they present themselves. You don’t have to score on every play, and as long as you have posession the other team can’t score. If Jay can just wrap his head around this the offense should be awesome.
Look deep first...
but never pass up an opportunity to throw to an open receiver.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
+1 for Wolfe's attitude
“That’s something I can’t control,‘’ Wolfe said about the addition of Unga. "They bring in guys all the time to put us in the best position to win. It’s part of being in the NFL.
Have to like the I will do whatever is asked of me to help the team attitude.
His attitude is great
..however, I am tired of seeing pass rushers jump over him to get to the QB. Once was enough.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
by Maelvampyre on Jul 23, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Turdner's offensive assignments were horrible.
I don’t think you’ll see that this season. He’ll be a special-play back IF (big “if”) he makes the roster.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 23, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Garrett Wolfe’s not concerned about a little competition.
HA! Because he’s little!
I think he makes the roster some how.
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 9:26 AM CDT reply actions
Tweet of the day:
ProFootbalFocus:
RT @Schottey: Any war really RT @FO_DougFarrar: A team of Mini-Ditkas would end this labor war immediately.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Other Tweet of the day:
David Haugh:
If Urlacher called Glenn Beck a Neo-Nazi, wouldn’t NFL have something to say-or possibly do? Fox News can’t let insult just slide. Reckless.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Yep
Calling someone a Neo-nazi cause he has a shaved head is ludicrous.
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
How does Roach project as a starter over Pisa?
I just don’t get that. I mean, I like Roach, but ahead of Tinoisamoa? Really? Am I the only one who finds that odd?
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 10:02 AM CDT reply actions
To be fair, Roach played his eyeballs out last year,
and Pisa was hurt. Pisa will probably win the starting job, but they will make him earn it based on last season.
With that logic
Hillenmeyer should start over Lach.
by suckmyditka on Jul 23, 2010 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Urlacher > Pisa
logic be damned
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Add to that, Roach proved he could be be a legit starting LB,
whereas Hillenmeyer proved he couldn’t be. Honestly, HH had very poor performances last year, but his strip of AP helped a lot of folks forget that.
stop yourself!
HH played as well or better than a back up LB can play… I know it’s not saying much, but he’s a reserve for a reason
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree with Lester on that one!
Hunter Hillenmeyer isn’t flashy, but he got the job done with a pretty banged up LB corp towards the end of the season.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 23, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
So......
Hunter puts up better numbers, and actually does the job in the middle that nobody else was able to do, and he’s somehow inferior to Roach?
I don’t get it. Sure, Roach is definitely more physical. But that doesn’t seem to stop Hunter from getting more tackles, forced fumbles or interceptions in fewer games. Just saying……
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
that was Williams, not Roach. Roach never surpasses double digits in a game.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 24, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Whoops, my mistake.........d'oh!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 24, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Not according to some on this site..........
Check out the #3 most important thread for examples…….
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I know...
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
LB depth...
will be needed at some point. Not really a problem to have.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
The difference is
Roach has been healthy and Tino hasn’t. Thus, keeping the starting SAM position.
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
Roach plays small
Roach is way overrated. He has decent speed, but he consistently gets dragged for extra yardage when he makes a tackle. Plus, he lacks good instincts and leadership (see last year).
Pisa is a beast, and could be the most productive LB on the team if he stays healthy and is given the chance to start again. Remember last preseason – Pisa was everywhere and hitting with authority. Pisa also brings an infectious energy to the team, whereas Roach is far from motivating.
I’m happy to have Roach and Hillenmayer for backups, but Pisa needs to be on the field.
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 23, 2010 10:53 AM CDT reply actions
Briggs
..didn’t step up and show much leadership last year either after Urlacher went down, truth to tell.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
by Maelvampyre on Jul 23, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought the same thing
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
In fact, the only LB I thought stepped up at all, in the leadership department, was Hunter. It wasn’t like having Brian out there, but it was definately better than Roach in the middle, and the team seemed less error-prone with Hunter than with Roach. If only Hunter’s physical skills matched his leadership, his football IQ and his heart………
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Well said.
Combine HH’s intelligence and Roach’s athleticism and you’d have another Urlacher.
by Dane Noble on Jul 23, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
True
Although, not as big as Urlacher.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 23, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, Hunter is 6'4", remember.......
So if you through Roach’s frame on Hunter’s body, you get another 54……….lol!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha! Well there is another variable.
Hunter’s smarts and height + Roach’s athleticism and mass = 54.
Done!
Who’s got the morphing machine, Dr. Frankenstein?
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 23, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
To simplify.......
H(s+h) + R(a+m) = 54
Say hello to the perfected Line-Bear-ical Formula………..lmao!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Not as fast, either
Urlacher is damn fast for a 260lb guy.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
I disagree 100% with these statements:
-Roach is way overrated
-he consistently gets dragged for extra yardage when he makes a tackle
-he lacks good instincts
-he lacks leadership (see last year)
-Roach is far from motivating
Outside of your opinion that he is overrated (which is fine, we all have different opinions on different players), I’d love to see some evidence of the other four statements. Roach was a machine last year, and the only knock I could see was his struggle calling the plays and getting people in the proper positions a few times. But, that is just part of being thrust into a situation without having all the training needed.
I do agree with you about Pisa… a beast he is indeed. But Roach showed flashes of unreal athleticism last season, and should see the field quite a bit this year. If he’s not starting at SLB, I’d bet he makes a similar impact on STs like Tim Shaw did last year.
To be fair......
please provide tome evidence that he wasn’t over-rated. It’s an easy thing to say “show me” with the linebackers, but lets face it, evidence is subjective at best.
I personally believe that Urlacher is still the best LB on this team, but some will call out Briggs as the best (and I can admit that a reasonable case can be made for this claim), and I’’ve seen some say Pisa is better, as well (To which I throw the BS card).
But, to be fair, I didn’t see anything out of Roach last season that I didn’t see out of Hunter when he was starting, except for the athleticism that Roach possesses. I actually though Hunter was better when called on in coverage, while Roach was a bit better and a bit more physical in run stopping.
But it’s all just opinion, and unfortunately, that’s all we have. Roach didn’t have beastly stats. He had 75 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 passes defended and 3 forced fumbles. Not bad numbers, but nothing stellar, and only slightly better than Hunter’s ‘07 numbers in the same position, and worse than Hunter’s numbers this season (90 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles while playing 2 fewer games).
I don’t see any evidence of a machine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not down on Roach, per say. I like him and I want him to succeed, but I won’t throw rose colored lenses on and ignore the things that bothered me. And I’ll probably piss some more people off by saying this………Briggs was over-rated last season, as well. Other than his tackles, his stats are very similar to Hillenmeyer’s (118 Tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 passes defended and 0 forced fumbles). I love Briggs (I’m actually writing this while wearing his Navy 55), but he definitely got to the Pro-Bowl on previous credentials. It was not his finest season. And I blame it all on Smith. I think scheme and poor play calling (and a missing 54) held him (and Roach) back.
Now, I completely agree with the first statement you listed there. But the rest of them I disagree with to varying extents. Especially the “dragged” comment. I thought Roach was extremely physical, and his 6 credited missed tackles are pretty darned good for a linebacker.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
For what it's worth, I never asked him to prove the overrated comment,
just give examples of the other 4 comments. When did he show a lack of instincts? When did he get dragged by a RB?
Yes, Roach had some issues while in the middle with playcalling and such (see previous comment) but I don’t think that automatically means he lacked leadership.
When HH was in the middle and Roach was at SLB, Roach looked 10x better. I never saw him lack instincts or get dragged by a RB. He played sideline to sideline, cut off RB lanes with great angles, and had very solid tackling.
Is he fit for MLB? No. Is he fot for SLB? Hell yes he is. Pisa may have the edge on him, but it’s not that big of a margin. Roach could be a bona fide starting SLB in the league… but HH is nothing more than a decent backup.
Again......
I disagree….but only with the difference between Roach and HH. I agree completely with you assessment of the other 4 comments. But I do not agree that Roach has proven that he is a bonafide starter in the league, any more that Hunter did during his extremely similar stint as SLB.
When Hunter was SLB, we all wanted a better SLB. But now Roach is SLB, with eerily similar results and statistics, and Roach is Bona Fide? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Heck, Hunter did more in his “10x” lesser playing, than Roach did. Do looks matter, or results? Because, if you go with results, Hunter had a better season. Period. That doesn’t exactly make me confident in Roach.
You see, I’m not arguing that Hunter proved he’s anything more than a high quality back up. But when Roach puts up similar numbers to what hunter did when Hunter filled that role, and lesser numbers than Hunter posted this season in fewer games, well……..It makes me believe that Roach is a mediocre starter , at best. Just like Hunter was. Can roach improve beyond that? I hope so. Because if not, then the Bears have 2 Bona Fide quality backups………..
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Roach is a decent backup
I agree the HH is best suited as a backup. But he also played better than Roach (at least in my opinion), so that would make Roach backup material as well.
I would love to show you videos of Roach getting dragged for extra yardage (well not really — I would prefer him to tackle like Pisa), but I cannot find any videos of Roach at all. No good ones, no bad ones, nothing (at least not on YouTube).
As for my claims of Roach:
-he lacks good instincts
-he lacks leadership (see last year)
-Roach is far from motivating
I think that Roach’s failure at MLB showed all 3 of those weaknesses. Roach could not diagnose plays well enough to get people into position. Even when he did diagnose a play, he wouldn’t even call out the adjustments loud enough for his own teammates to hear him.
Ultimately, I think HH and Roach are best suited as backups. HH can backup all 3 LB spots, but Roach can certainly not handle the MLB role.
Bring on Pisa!
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 23, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
To be fair.......
The rap on Roach’s failure in the middle is that his voive isn’t loud enough to be heard, not that he lacks leadership or instinct. I’m trying to find the article I read that said as much, and I’ll post a link here when I do. But playing SLB and playing MLB are two different jobs. Pisa isn’t an MLB either, and neither is Briggs. Hell, if Roach’s problems at MLB are indications of a lack of leadership, instincts and motivational technique, then what does that say about Briggs? Honestly? Why didn’t those duties shift to Lance when Brian went down? Is Pisa also better than Lance?
These questions and more on the next episode of The Linebacker Fued!!!!!!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
In short......
I need to see more out of Roach than a one mediocre season to call him a Bona Fide Starter in the NFL……..
And I need to see a lot worse than he has shown to believe a lot of the negative hype he’s unfairly receiving, as well.
Right now I see young LB with a lot of potential that he hasn’t yet reached. I’m hopinng he does, and there’s nothing I’ve seen so far to say that he can’t.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Roach could improve. Pisa is already Bona Fide.
While I’ve been knocking on Roach, I don’t think he’s a bad player. I just think he’s a bit overrated. He’s of similar caliber as HH, but not quite as versatile.
Wheres, I believe Pisa is top-notch LB.
Having HH and Roach backup Briggs, Urlacher, and Pisa is an awesome LB core. Definitely the strongest postion on our team.
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 23, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
All of this.....
I agree with.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 24, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
chances are
pisa and roach will probably both play in the SAM quite a bit. will be a good competition for camp.
Barely graceful ballerinas wearing Grossman jerseys.
Seems appropriate.
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jul 23, 2010 11:42 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
+1 and rec'd!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
AND.......
Any writer who puts the Jets 1st in a power poll is admitting that the rest of the poll was drawn from a hat as well.
I mean, really…….The Jets have a great D. But the offense is relying on a guy who has proven nothing, in Mark Sanchez. Sorry folks, but it’s the truth. Rating Sanchez and Company over the Colts, Saints and others is ludicrous. I see the Jets becoming the new Chargers. Every year their going to be placed high, and every year I’m going to wonder why. And speaking of the Chargers……#4? I’m not even sure the Chargers are #4 in their conference, or even the best team in their division (and that’s not because I think well of the Chiefs, Raiders or Broncos). Meanwhile, the Chargers division rival Broncos sit at 28th? hmmmmm……
This pre-season poll is a joke. And I didn’t even get into the Bears being ranked so low. Can somebody explain to me how every writer out there seems to think the Bears improved by trade, FA and the draft, yet think s the Bears are a worse team? Does this seem a bit stupid to anyone else?
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I have been wondering the same thing
Can somebody explain to me how every writer out there seems to think the Bears improved by trade, FA and the draft, yet think s the Bears are a worse team?
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Cause their racist against Bears.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 23, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I believe the technical term is Ursa-ism! ;)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
how about the panthers at #8
they barely have a defensive line. linebackers could be good, but they have injury and position switch problems. DBs are good, but not great. they have an inexperienced QB and only one decent WR, who is getting old and coming off his worst season since 2004. their running game could be real scary though.
I was going to get to that.....
because it jumped out at me, also, but I could have complained about 20 or so of the rankings, so it started to feel like piling on.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Well yeah I've thought about it too...
I’m not going to drink the Kool-aid and say the Bears are going undefeated or even winning 13 games because there are some holes on this team but critics should at least be fair and logical about there arguments.
Hub Arkush and other critics can’t have it both ways. You can’t on one hand talk about all the additions the Bears made but then turn around and act like this team is going to win 3 games. With no O-line. a young receiving core, a new Qb, losing 2/3 of the linebacker group, and a poor secondary this team went 7-9. I’ll say it again…7 and 9. So with adding one of the best pass rushers in football, one of the better all around backs in football, the best blocking TE in football, upgrading at SS with Chris Harris, and the addition of one of the best offensive minds since Bill Walsh how is this team worst than last year? I think it is a good question.
None of those mentioned additions guarantee you anything but these critics can’t love a 9-7 Jets team or a 9-7 Falcons team on one hand but then turn around and treat this Bears team like the Browns. I don’t quite get it either.
I shoulda also mentioned
that our O-line is still a question mark where we didn’t making any substantial changes. But put me in the camp of those that this Chris Williams will be fine at left tackle and that with Kreutz hopefully being healthy that the O-line will improve a bit more.
I haven't seen this mentioned here
Glenn Beck said Brian Urlacher looked like a Neo-Nazi (which is different than the article saying he called him a Neo-Nazi). Link
And Beck’s apology: Link
I find it funny that he knows so little about sports that he doesn’t know who Urlacher is. I bet if Urlacher had been in studio he wouldn’t have said it, lol.
"I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, 'That would be Red Grange.' And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain. And he said, 'About 750, maybe 800 yards.' And I said, 'Well, 800 yards is just okay.' He sat up in his chair and he said, 'Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.' - Chris Berman
by Sam Householder on Jul 24, 2010 10:00 AM CDT reply actions
His apology was hilarious, though......
Now, I know absolutely nothing about sports, so I didn’t realize that one of them was NFL star Brian Urlacher.
Since then, I have been informed by my staff that Brian — uh, Mr. Urlacher — could kill me with his thumb in nine seconds if he wanted to. Although if we are talking about people in Chicago wanting to beat me up, he’s going to have to stand in a very long line.
Anyway, I apologize to anyone who was offended. I just made a neo-Nazi joke based on the short hair and white skin; I don’t actually think he has fascist plans to take over the Earth.
Now, that’s funny, right there. True, but funny.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 24, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
He does, however, have a facist plan to destroy the opponent's backfield.
by BigGeorgeTX on Jul 26, 2010 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I believe you are correct, sir. Rec'd!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 27, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
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