Bears 2012 draft grades

Well NFL Christmas has come and gone and a lot of people are wondering if the Bears got a new PS3 or an Atari 2600.  Well like any drafts you won't really know for a few years down the road.  That however will not stop the Monday morning quarterbacks from chiming in on how they think that we should have done this or that.

One of the things that really stood out to me in this draft more so than any in recent memory is the lack of the "safe" picks.  It seems to me that Phil Emery unlike Jerry Angelo before him went after what he tabbed to be the best player available as opposed to reaching for an area of need that has a much lower ceiling.

Exhibit A is right out of the gate with Shea McClellin out of Boise State.  Most had him as more of a linebacker in a 3-4 defense as opposed to a hand in the dirt end in a 4-3 that the Bears run.  Emery had a vision of a very good pass rusher that can be a situational rusher till he adds about 10 to 20 pounds and becomes a three down player.  Unlike Angelo before him he drafted a player for his ability not one that best fits the system.  Systems change players are always players.  Too often that way of drafting failed and Emery is aware that football players with talent far out weigh ones who are good fits for a system.

The "safe" pick here would have Riley Reiff out of Iowa shoring up the offensive line a bit.  Full disclosure that is who I thought they should have taken and was upset that they did not at the time.  But after doing some research and looking at the upside to each pick I changed my tune a bit.  The upside on McClellin blows away that of Reiff.  In contrast the downside is equally great.  But you can not win what you don't put in the middle so we will see.

In the second round Emery continued his bold moves by adding Alshon Jeffery a big 6-4 wide out from South Carolina.  Jeffery was considered a sure fire first round pick coming out of his sophomore season, but a dip in production last year and concerns about his weight made him fall in the Bears lap after trading up five spots to get him.  His dip in production does not concern me because of the teams decision to be more run heavy due to lack of a good quarterback.  His weight seems to be under control after getting with a nutritionist and getting his eating habits in line.

The one move I find odd and made me wonder if Jerry Angelo snuck in the draft room to make the pick (thanks Keith) came in the third round in the form of Brandon Hardin a safety making 8 strait years of drafting a safety.

The Bears added a H-back/Tight end in the forth round (Evan Rodriquez) and finished the day taking two cornerbacks in the sixth and seventh rounds (Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy) to try adding stability to the secondary.  On Sunday they added 11 undrafted free agents.

Missing was any help on the offensive line.  I guess they meant it when they said that they are happy with the group.  I am sure that you will call me crazy but I may just agree with them.  Now before you stop reading and never grace this page again hear me out.

Last year before Cutler went down this group was playing and a very high level.  If you look at the numbers they don't lie.  Cutler was sacked 23 times in ten games last year (11 in the first 2 games) Hanie and McCown were sacked 26 times in 6 games.  During the 5 game winning streak prior to Cutlers injury he was sacked only 4 times.  In two of the games during that streak he was not sacked at all.  So he was sacked only 12 times in his last 8 games not too bad.  Not to mention that the Bears rushed for over 2,000 yards last season the most since 1991.

As we sit I will give the Bears a B on this years draft.  What grade do you give?  I would love to hear from you in comments below and as always....

BEAR DOWN

Who Should the Bears take with their first pick?

A lot has happened since we last spoke.  Brandon Marshall a Bear, Peyton Manning a Bronco, the Bears made some ripples with free agent signings and more.
The Bears and new sheriff Phil Emery have done a nice job at addressing some of the holes that are on this team.  But alas there is still work to be done.

The Bears still need to get younger on defense, they still need to better protect Jay Cutler, they still need a better option opposite Julius Peppers at Defensive end and after losing a couple of players help on the interior line as well.  While they did go out and replace the players they lost at corner back ( with better players too) They still need to get someone in who is a "stud" DB who can play with and eventually replace Peanut Tillman.  Safety, who knows what we have here I think that the Bears coaching staff have no idea how to coach or evaluate this spot.  How many picks have been used on a safety since Lovie Smith has been here? Too many that's how many.  But this is an area that may need to be looked at too.

So with all that being said who do I want the beloved to take with their first pick in the draft?  Michael Floyd WR University of Notre Dame.  First, yes I know the Bears made themselves a whole lot better in stealing Brandon Marshall away from the Dolphins and second yes I know that there is pretty much no way that Floyd is sitting at 19 waiting for the Bears to call, but stay with me for a second and I will tell you why I think this is the best move and how it will work.


First lets talk about how to get Floyd.  This will take some work and a third round pick I assume depending on how high they need to jump in order to get him.  I am not saying give up the house Ala the Julio Jones trade from a year ago.  I am thinking if you can get into the 11th or 12th pick it will do.  That will cost you your third round pick and maybe even a 4th or 5th rounder in the future but it can be done.


Now for everyone who says that Brandon Marshall took care of the need.  Yes he did  fill a  huge void with a true number one that is big and makes defenses change the way they play.  But lets look at it like this.  The Bears are pretty young on the offensive side of the ball, this move would make them a bit younger allowing them to focus on defense almost exclusively the next couple of years.  That is minus a left tackle of course.  Not only that but this would make the Bears receiving corps among the best in the NFL.  Imagine what not only Jay Cutler could do with TWO stud receivers but what life would be like for the angry Matt Forte'.  Plus you could use Devin Hester correctly and not try pushing that square peg into that round hole that they have been trying to do forever.

Let me know what you think.  Am I crazy? Am I a genius? non of the above?  Tell us!
And as always BEAR DOWN!

Free Agent targets

With the deadline for teams to apply franchise tag's done, now is the perfect time to make a wish list for the Bears to go after.  Lets take a look in order who should be targeted by the beloved.  The Bears will have around 28 million to play with minus about 8 million that will go to Matt Forte who was franchised himself on Friday.

Vincent Jackson WR:

San Diego decided against putting the tag on Jackson.  Their loss needs to be the Bears gain.  Jackson is the big target that Jay Cutler would love and would add some credibility to the receiving core.  Dwayne Bowe was my #1 target but the Chiefs tagged him right before the deadline and would cost Two 1st round draft picks a price a bit too steep.

Mario Williams DE/LB:


Admittedly this may be a bit of a pipe dream because of the dollars he will command.  But if you are going to dream, dream big.  Williams and Peppers on the same d-line would be a nightmare for other teams and a dream come true for the Bears and their fans.  This move would make everyone on the line better.  Not to mention make life a whole lot easier on the secondary.

Brandon Carr CB:

With the Chiefs putting the tag on Bowe that leaves the door open for Brandon Carr.  While corner back is a big need for the Bears right now and Carr probably being the best one available, I would not hold my breath that the Bears make a play on him.  First they have the philosophy that with the cover two you do not need shut down corners and secondly they may not want that much invested into the corner back spot.  That being said it would make the Bears one of the best cover teams in football, something that should not be overlooked.

These are the top three names I would love to see play for the Bears next season.  Now there is a second and third tier that the Bears will pick people up but, those will be later in free agency.  Don't be surprised to see the Bears going after a tight end or another receiver in the lesser groups either.  A name I am sure you noticed was left off is Mike Wallace the wide out from Pittsburgh.  Wallace was tendered and would cost a first round pick a price I am not sure the Bears are willing to pay.  With the little  knowledge I have of Phil Emery he seems to be more build the team through the draft, so I don't see them making a move like that.  Speaking of the second tier guys don't be surprised if the Bears kick Marques Colston's tires.  That move I support only as a number 2 guy though.


Lots to consider in the up coming weeks with free agency set to begin in  a couple of weeks it will be interesting to see what the Bears do.  Lets hope they make a splash and not a pebble drop.

BEAR DOWN

Free Agent Wide outs, no thank you Mr. Moss

There has been a lot of talk this week in regards to Randy Moss coming out of retirement and his connection to Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice.  Let me be the first to say that this is a bad idea.  First off Moss is a one trick pony that is a freak without a doubt but once he loses his speed he becomes useless.  Second he is a cancer in the locker room that the Bears do not need.  Lets not do what the Bears do and go after a guy who no longer has it.

Now there are other options when it comes to wide out that I do think the Bears should make a play for, the list is as follows.

Vincent Jackson (SD)
This is my top option in free agency and should be the Bears as well.  Jackson just finished his 3rd 1,000 yard receiving season of his career and would make for a great target for Jay Cutler next season.


DeSean Jackson (PHI)
Jackson will most likely get the Franchise tag this year so will not be an option.  If The Eagles decide against it he could be an option as a solid number 2 for the Bears.  The problem is he overvalues himself and will be looking for top 5 receiver money, he is not in that tier so he may not be interested in coming to Chicago.  The Bears would not try to sign both Jackson's but that would be a formidable one two punch.

Dwayne Bowe (KC)
Bowe is another Franchise Tag guy that most likely will not be an option.  It is not a certainty that he will though so if available the Bears need to make a play on him.  He is big and a red zone beast, an area the Bears are in desperate need of help.


Marques Colston (NO)
Colston is an option that if he hits the market is someone the Bears would be foolish not to target even with his history of injuries. He is a polished route runner with sure hands and is a physical receiver that the Bears have not had for a long time if ever.


I know that a lot of people say Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker are out there and would look good in the blue and orange.  But both are on the wrong side of thirty and are not the big bodied guys the Bears need on their roster.  While Welker is the best slot receiver in the league and maybe the best route runner he would be another undersized receiver on a roster full of them.  Either of these two options would be good coupled with any of the options above or with a wide out the Bears could get in the first round of the draft.

Speaking of the draft if one of the first round talents does not fall to the 19th pick the Bears hold it is important not to over-value another receiver just out of need.  If Michael Floyd form Norte Dame is there I hope the Bears run their pick up to Roger Goodell at the draft.

All said I would love to see the Bears be aggressive in their pursut of shoring up this spot.  While some say the defense is getting old and needs to be restocked, they are still productive.  The premium needs to be on shoring up the offense so it is a better compliment to the defense while they are still playing at a high level.

The Bears have enough space under the cap to address both sides of the ball, if they use what they have available.  Now is the time to go and get a Super Bowl or two while the top Bears are still on top of their game.  Let me know what you think and BEAR DOWN!

Bears offseason needs

Over the next few days I will be breaking down what I feel are the Bears biggest off-season needs.  Each day I will be doing a different area of need.  We will start with the biggest need going backwards to the least.

Offensive Line

While the Bears have some nice pieces in place, this group has some holes that need to be addressed.  Be that through free agency or the draft.  While the line did improve from the 56 sack allowed last year down to 49 sacks (tied for fifth-most in the NFL.), the number is a bit deceiving.  In the six starts by Caleb Hannie and Josh McCown the pair was sacked 26 times, in contrast in Cutlers 10 starts he was only sacked 23 times.  So that number could be inflated one could argue. The line did pave the way for 2,015 rushing yards the most by the Bears since 1991.  

Gabe Carimi looks to be the real deal at right tackle and should be a fixture for many years to come. 

Roberto Graza did a nice job converting to center and was named a Pro Bowl alternate while earning a two-year extension along the way.  

Chris Williams looked better each week prior to his season ending injury and should be ready for the start of training camp.    

Chris Spencer

The Bears signed him in hopes that he would replace the departing Olin Kruetz, but he was signed late and did not find a spot until Gabe Carimi went down and forced Lance Louis outside.  He did adapt nicely and could be the front runner next year.

J'Marcus Webb

This is where the Bears need to improve.  Webb resembled a turn-style for much of the season with the worst coming against the Vikings Jared Allen.  While he did OK for parts of the season the consistency was not there.  

If nothing else all the injuries suffered by this unit created depth for the future.  The line will be better day one without adding anyone with Carimi and Williams due back.  Overall this unit fared better then I thought they would at the beginning of the season but that will not get it done.  While Cutler's sacks were down this year, the credit goes to Cutler as much as the line.  Cutler needs more time to set and throw.  This will be helped with Mike Tice calling plays more suited to the strengths of this team, not trying to stick the round peg in the square whole like Martz did before him.

Outlook in free agency/the draft;  Picking at 19 there will not be that stud left tackle the Bears need, so unless they trade up I would bet that wide out is where they go.  

There may be a couple of options via free agency however. 

 Doug Free of the Cowboys could be  a huge prize if Dallas is unable to sign him.  

Jared Gaither from Baltimore is an other option if his back is fully healed he would be an upgrade.

With a couple of smart moves this could become an area of strength for the Bears.  Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN!!

Next up receivers 

Bear Down 2011 NFL playoffs predictions

The playoffs are here and we are on the outside looking in as Bears fans.  So I will give my predictions for this years playoffs that I am sure will be wrong and I will have to modify next week, but here we go anyway.

Wild Card

Cincinnati @ Houston -3

Houston hosts their first ever playoff this week after limping in to the playoffs with three straight loses.  The Bengals themselves backed into the playoffs after losing on Sunday and getting the help they needed with both Denver and the New York Jets both losing.  The Texans last win came to this very Bengal team.  With T.J. Yates will be facing another rookie in Andy Dalton.  I think that Dalton wins this one and the Bengals advance.  21-17

Detroit @ New Orleans -10.5

This is a match up of two high powered offenses.  The over/under on the game is 59.  Drew Brees and company have not lost at home this year, this will not change this week.  Saints 42 Lions 25

Atlanta @ New York -3

Atlanta comes to New York to face a team that should not be in the playoffs.  In what was supposed to be the best division in football 9-7 got the title.  I think the Falcons will be too much for the G-men to handle in another upset I am taking the Falcons 21-17

Pittsburgh @ Denver +8.5

Denver is the only home team getting points this week and with good reason.  Tim Tebow has been just bad.  This is not going to change this week as the Steelers will win this one going away.  Steelers 31 Broncos 9

Divisional round

Atlanta @ Green Bay

This will be a rematch of last years Divisional round with similar results.
Pack 45 Falcons 19

New Orleans @ San Fran

This is a tough one with the 49'ers D and the Saints offense locking horns.  I think this will be a close game that should favor the Niners but Drew Brees finds a way to win with a last second drive.  Saints 24 Niners 21

Cincinnati @ New England

Not much to say about this one.  It will be ugly and over early.  Tom Brady and company will score early and often.  Patriots 35 Bengals 17

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

In what will be in a fight for best game of the weekend with the Saints and Niners, this will be a tough hard fought game that ends with the Ravens moving on.  Ravens 17 Steelers 14

Championships

NFC Championship

New Orleans @ Green Bay

This is the game that turns the Packers dream season into a nightmare.  Drew Brees is going to pick apart the Packer defense and out score the "best" team in football.  I like the Saints defense a lot more then the Packers.  Drew Brees will show why he deserves to be part of the MVP talk with this game.  Saints 45 Packers 38

AFC Championship

Baltimore @ New England

Tom Brady vs. Ray Lewis is what this will be billed.  While the Patriots defense has not been good it will do just enough to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.  Pats 24 Ravens 17

Super Bowl

New Orleans @ New England

Drew Brees is not Joe Flaco and the Saints will win their second title in three years in a shoot out.  Saints 42 Pats 38

Like I said earlier I am sure that this will all be shot to the toilet by Sunday night and I will have to revisit this next week but for now this is how I see it.  Let me know what you think and even though we are not dancing BEAR DOWN!!

Was the Bears win worth what it cost?

The Bears finished off the 2011 season with a win in Minnesota on Sunday to the tune of 17 to 13.  But was the victory worth what it cost the Bears?

In the game Brian Urlacher went down with a knee injury and the Bears dropped at least 5 spots in the draft.  The Bears will be picking 19th in Aprils draft.

Now I am not suggesting that the Bears should have dumped this game but, the way they won is what I take issue with.  I said a few weeks back that the Bears needed to treat the last few games as if it where preseason to protect the core of this team.  Now it looks like Urlacher will be OK and does not need surgery but what the heck are they thinking?

Lovie Smith said all week how they wanted to win this game and blah blah blah.  But why?  This is what drives me crazy about this coaching staff.  From all I have heard from players they love Smith and his staff and would run to hell and back for him.  So from that I assume that they have one hell of a coaching staff Monday to Saturday.  But once Sunday rolls around it is a different story.

Sundays game showed just that.  The Bears had nothing to gain by playing full boar with the starters.  They had much to lose.  Not just with draft position but with the chance a key player going down.  The Bears got lucky that Urlacher's injury was not more severe.

Look at the Packers Aaron Rodgers was inactive against the Lions in a game that had no meaning for their playoff outlook.  Now I know that it is different with the Packers being in the playoffs, but with nothing on the line you protect your core.

I think the Bears may need to think about cleaning house.  Smiths miss-handling of challenges and time outs and lack of ability to make adjustments on the fly are just a few reasons why.  Not to mention his evaluations of talent.  Caleb Hanie exhibit A.  What about Kahli Bell?  Every chance he has gotten he has done something with it, yet Smith  refused to play him favoring the likes of Marion Barber, Garret Wolfe and Chester Taylor.  All signs look like Smith is not going to bring offensive coordinator Mike Martz back next year.  With that chances are that this team will need to learn a new offense any way.  Smith just does not get it.

Now I know that a lot of people think Martz should go and I was even one of those until I realized what he brought to the table this year.  With another year in the offense Cutler was putting up a Pro Bowl season, the offense was averaging 26.2 points per game during the five game winning streak all with out the use of a true #1 receiver, and an offensive line that at times was offencive.  Also if you remember Mike Martz said all along how he did not want Caleb Hanie as his back up.  Now he did change his tune this year but I think that was more Smith telling Martz what to say not his true feelings.  So not bringing him back is a mistake.

The Bears will not be making any moves siting injuries as the reason why this season went south.  Good teams get past injuries and win the Packers proved that last season. Not good news for Bear fans.  But I will say that every year the Bears have a down season they come back only once in the Lovie Smith era have the Bears not made the playoffs following a down year so that is something to look towards I guess.

Let me know what you think and BEAR DOWN!

Happy New Year from Bear Down

On this the last day of 2011 I take time to reflect on the year that has passed.
We had a lot of ups and downs this year.  The Bears started out with the big win against the Falcons, only to lose three of their next four.

Then the five game winning streak that made us all run to book rooms in Indy for the Super Bowl.  A funny thing happened in that fifth win, Johnny Knox fell on his route and that was the season.  As Cutler went down so did our hopes.

The Bears will try to stop the current skid on Sunday in hopes of starting 2012 right.

So now lets reflect not on what could have been but, on what should be.  The Bears at worst will pick 17 in this years draft and at best 10 or 11.  There is a huge list of free agents that will be on the market this year, more so then I can ever remember.

This is all good news for a team that may be getting a little long in the tooth on the defensive side of the ball.  The 2012 season has the promise of being a big one for these Bears if the front office can make the right moves.  I will go further into that at seasons end when I will cover the draft and free agency as it arrives.

Unlike most at this time of the year I am not looking for what could be or what I may want the new year to bring.  No I would rather reflect on all that I have and hope that it continues into the new year and beyond.

I am so lucky in so many ways that worrying about the things I don't have would dishonor all that I do.

First and foremost I a have the love and respect of an amazing woman, that to this day do not know what I have done to deserve.  I don't know of anyone who deserves her.  No matter what is going on as long as she is by my side I am going to do just fine.

I have a family that always sticks together through more then most but not as much as some.  For that I could not ask for more.  Not to mention that in the coming year it is going to get a bit bigger as my brother and his wife will welcome a new baby before the Bears take their first snaps of next season.

So there will be no resolutions for me just hopes that my tremendous luck with family and good health to all I love continues.

2012 I do hope will be kinder to my beloved but outside of that I still thank them for all the hard work they put into each Sunday this season I enjoyed it all.

As sad as I may be the season is over I have high hopes for next year that will start on Monday and look forward to next season.

I also would like to thank those who read this rag of a blog and the comments you leave, I do this for the love of the Bears and for you.   So thanks again.

Let me know what you think and for the last time in 2011 BEAR DOWN!!!

Bears Vikings Keys to victory

This week is the last in a season that had a lot of ups and downs.  The Bears went from being serious Super Bowl contenders to a team picking in the top 15 of next years draft.

This game is a throw away game.  The Bears should, but won't use it as a "see what we got" game.  The needs on this team are great.  Leave it to the Bears to take a meaningless game and win, when a loss could put them in the top ten in the draft.

But enough of that.

The Bears will be playing a Vikings team that has packed it in and will be without Adrian Peterson.  Neither team has anything to play for other then pride. On to the keys.

Protect the ball

The Bears can not afford to turn the ball over if they hope to win this game.  Don't turn the ball over and it should be an easy win.

Pressure the quarterback

The pass rush the past few weeks has been non-existent.  They need to get pressure on the quarterback.  Christian Ponder is coming off a concussion and may have a quick trigger finger, this could lead to some bad throws that turn into interceptions.

Force some turnovers

This is another area that has been lacking in the current losing streak.  This is a big part of the Bears winning formula.  Get some takeaways win the game.

This is a bad Vikings team that just wants this season to be over.  While they have shown flashes of being a good team, they don't seem to be able to put it together for 4 quarters.  In a game that means nothing the Bears will pull out all the stops to win, a move I myself do not agree with.  If this year has shown us anything its that we need to know what we have behind the starters.  Had the Bears been better prepared we may have made the playoffs this year.

All that being said this should be an easy win for the Bears.  I am thinking 16-9 Bears.
Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears season done, but do get 5 Pro Bowlers

It has been a bit since my last post, this is do to a couple of things.  First I have not had the heart to do it in the face of one of the most disappointing seasons I can remember.  One that started to look special fell apart as fast as it looked good.  Secondly with the holidays I have been busy trying to hide what I spend from my wife so she could be surprised on Christmas for a change.

So sorry about that.  But in a season filled with hope and sorrow, it looks like we may end on a bright note with the announcement of 5 Bears being named to the Pro Bowl.  This is the most the Bears have sent since their Super Bowl season when they sent 8.

Of the five sent three are first timers.

Charles Tillman:

This is probably the most over-due of the Bears going.  The 8 year vet will be going to his first Pro Bowl after a season that included 11 pass breakups, 107 tackles (3rd on the team) 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

Matt Forte:

Forte becomes the first Bear running back in 20 years to be named to the Pro Bowl.  Forte who was put on the IR on Tuesday led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,487 and was third in rushing with 997 yards at the time of his injury.  Because the Bears put him on the IR he will not participate in the Pro Bowl but an honor non-the-less.  Neal Anderson was the last Bear running back to make a Pro Bowl back in 1991.

Brian Urlacher:

Urlacher has been solid all season for the Bears.  This marks his 8th selection.  Urlacher has 125 tackles good for second on the team.  He also is tied for the team lead in interceptions with 3, he has recovered two fumbles with one going for a score.  With this selection Urlacher ties Dick Butkis, Doug Atkins and Bill George for the third most in franchise history behind only Walter Payton (9) and Mike Singletary (10)

Lance Briggs:

Lance Briggs was selected to his seventh straight Pro Bowl.  Briggs leads the team in tackles with 140 and also has one interception to go along with eight tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.

Corey Graham:

The special teams ace was voted to his first Pro Bowl.  He leads the Bears with 20 special-teams tackles.

Two other Bears were named first alternates, Julius Peppers and Devin Hester.

The Bears will be well represented in Hawaii on January 29th.  I will post an out-look to the off-season later this week along with keys on Friday.

Let me know what you think and like always BEAR DOWN

Seahawks have their way with Bears

Caleb Hanie may have taken his last snap with the Bears, or for that matter any NFL team on Sunday.  Hanie was 10 for 23 for 111 yards with one TD to his team and 2 more to the Seahawks on Sunday.  Hanie finished with 3 INT's on the day and was replaced by Josh McCown.

After a promising first half the Bears came out flat to start the third quarter and the flood gates opened as Seattle scored 31 second half points.  Final 38-14.

Johnny Knox went down in the first quarter with a nasty injury that required the cart to take him off the field.  He was taken to the hospital where he was able to move all his extremities a good sign.  No further word on the extent of the injury.

With only two weeks left in the season the Bears have some choices to make.  One of which is not if Jay Cutler or Matt Forte should return, both should be done for the season.  What they do have to figure out his who will start at quarterback the next two weeks.  Josh McCown is who they most likely will go with, a move that I do not indorse.  The reason being is McCown is not going to be on this team next year, so the Bears need to know what they have in rookie Nathan Enderle.  My guess is he is not the answer.

There are 25+ free agent quarterbacks set to hit the market this off-season a route the Bears must go to prevent this from happing again.

The Bears look like a team that was beat Sunday.  With the season over even though 2 games remain this team has a lot of holes to fill for next season.  If the season ended today the Bears would have the #12 pick in the draft.  A far cry from a team just about a month ago where serious Super Bowl contenders.

Tough season for Bears fans, one I blame Jerry Angelo for.  A team thin at almost every position.  This team is not getting any younger and the window is closing fast.

They need to hit free agency hard and do a better job on draft day if we want a Super Bowl champion.  Let me know what you think and as always.

Bear Down....

Bears Seahawks keys to victory

This week is a must win for the Bears as they face off against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears have had their share of bad luck this year.  Topped off this week with the arrest of Sam Hurd for drug trafficking. He has since been cut and the Bears are looking like they have egg on their collective faces.

Lose this week and your season is over.  Now on to the keys:


Stop the run


The Bears have a similar situation to last week.  They are facing a less then stellar quarterback and need to make him beat them.  Seattle's running game is solid with Marshawn Lynch.  The Bears need to stop him in order to have a chance

Offense needs production


The Bears are averaging a little better then 10 points per game without Cutler.  This needs to improve.  If you give this defense 17 to 20 points we win the game.  It is that simple.

Protect the ball


Last week was better but still the one turnover was a killer.  Keep it tight, keep it clean. The margin for error for this team now is tiny.  If you want any chance to win do not turn the ball over.

I have little faith in this team after what we have seen the past few weeks.  While I would love to tell you they are going to win, I just don't see it.  Without Jay Cutler this is a bad offensive football team.  This week I am thinking 17-6 Seahawks.  Let me know what your score is and BEAR DOWN

Jay Cutler Bears MVP

If these past few weeks have shown us anything, it is just how important Jay Cutler means to this team.

In that time the Bears went from being serious Super Bowl contenders to early to mid-round draftees.

Before the injury the Bears were riding a five game winning streak.  During that streak they where averaging 32.2 points per game.  Since Cutler went down the Bears are 0-3 and averaging just a hair above 10 points per game.

Now to be fair during the five game winning streak the defense did provide 16 points and Devin Hester another 14 to account for 30 of the 161 points scored.  Even removing those points the offense still was averaging 26.2 per contest.

All lot has been made all year of Matt Forte and his importance to this offense.  And while I agree that he his important, I also feel the Bears could win without him.  The same can not be said about Cutler.

The game against Denver proves that point.  Now I know what everyone is thinking A) the Bears lost the game B) Marion Barber was a big reason for the loss.  Both points are very true, but hear me out.  The only touchdown of the game for the Bears came from Barber.  In the game Barber accounted for 57% of the Bears total offense.  Barber rushed for 108 yards and the aforementioned score, as well as 32 yards receiving.  So if not for a couple of bone head moves on his part he would have been the hero as opposed to the goat.

Now don't get me wrong I am not a Matt Forte hater; But Cutler's role on this team just holds a lot more weight in my eyes.

The definition of MVP is the player who is of most value to the team.  I know that may sound obvious or maybe even a bit condescending.  But I find that the MVP for the league or even any given team is more a popularity contest then what it actually intends to be.

A perfect example of that is Michael Jordan, different sport I understand, but every year Jordan played for the Bulls he was the one player that hurt his team most if he went down.

We have that very thing with the Cutler injury.  How much did it hurt the Bears?  It cost them their season.  Are we having this same discussion had Forte been the Bear that went down when Cutler did?  Would the Bears be 0-3 without Forte?  Would the season be lost?  My answer to all of the above is a very simple no.

The only other Bear to have this type of impact on the team after going down is Brian Urlacher.  So I guess we can call them co-MVP's.

Who is your MVP for the Bears?  Let me know...  And as always BEAR DOWN

Bears need to shut it down, and look towards next year.

I have had some time to cool off after what is one of the worst losses I have ever seen the Bears have.  With that comes a certain clarity, the Bears have three games left this year and need to treat them like pre-season.

Now hear me out before you get too crazy on me.  First, they would most likely need to win out in order to make the playoffs, a prospect that does not look very promising at this point.

Even if miracles happen and they make the playoffs, what are their chances?  Even if Cutler and Forte return what are the Bears chances?  Not too good.  Cutler will need to time to find his form and there is just not enough time for that.

What they need to do is shut down and see what they have.

If nothing else is certain, Caleb Hanie is not the answer.  The Bears should sit him and put it Nathan Enderle in and see what they have.  They need to find a back up to Cutler.

Don't risk any further injury's to Cutler, Forte or any other key pieces and look towards next year.  Let Kahli Bell and Enderle run it from here on out, and look to the draft and free agency and hope for a better 2012

Bears give away game, season

What can I say about the Bears loss to the Denver Broncos?  The Bears gave away their season to a team that they should have beat by 20.

Say what you want about Tim Tebow.  I am not a believer.  He brought his team back to tie then win the game yes.  But there is no way anyone can tell me this guy will be starting in December next year.

The only way the Bears could have gift wrapped this game any better was if they just handed the Broncos the ball and let them run in for a score.

Normally it is my rule not to write this blog angry, but I do not foresee a time that this loss will not make me angry.

Marion Barber needs to be cut and have to find his own way home.  STAY IN BOUNDS AND 2 HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL!  We all learn this in pee-wee.

The coaching staff needs to be fired.  Having the defense in a prevent when you are up 3 with a big leg kicker is dumb football.  They gave Tebow the short passes when all he had to do was get into field goal range.

Tim Tebow is not an NFL quarterback nor will he ever be one.  I do not care how many comebacks he leads his team to.  Once the league catches up to him like it always does.  I.E. the wild cat, run and shoot and too many others to mention, he will be an answer to a trivia question.

I am absolutely sick about this loss as well as the previous two.  This game put the game of football back 70 years.

I don't know about you but I am sick of hearing about Tebow and how he continues to win.  This team wins in spite of him not because of.

Sad, sad day in Chicago.

I don't know if I have much left in the tank after this loss.  Let me know what you think

This week we have a bear down.

Bears-Broncos keys to victory

This week the Bears invade Denver and Tebow land.  Tim Tebow is the much talked of non-quartback quarterback.  There has been great debate over Tebow and whether or not he is a quarterback who will be able to be successful over the long haul.

That debate is not relevant for the Bears this week, what is relevant is if the Bears can stop the Tebow train from continuing on its current path.

Since taking over as the starting quarterback the Broncos have lost just one time.  The way they are winning is what has everyone talking.  The Broncos are using a college offense.

The option offense is a high school and college offense.  Pro teams do not employ this because of the beating it puts on quarterbacks.  Tebow is a big guy at 6-3 and 234 pounds.  He rarely takes big hits and has rushed for 468 yards on 82 carries a 5.7 YPC average with three TD's.

Throwing the ball he is not as proficient.  Only completing 47.5% of his passes.  However he has 10 TD's to only one INT.

The real reason this team has been winning is the defense.   Also Tebow has done a nice job of not giving the ball away.  Now on to the keys:

Turnovers


Caleb Hanie needs to protect the ball.  The Bears can not afford to give the ball away as they have the past two games.  Both losses.  Win the turnover battle and you are well on your way to victory

STAY HOME


The way the option works is the quarterback reads the defense and decides to either take it himself or give to the running back.   The Bears need to be disciplined and keep on their assignments this week.  Much the same way on special teams when you stay in your lane.  The Bears need to do this to keep the Bronco offense off the field.

Run the ball, control the clock


I know that Matt Forte is out, but the Bears still need to run the ball 20 to 25 times in this game.  Marion Barber and Kahli Bell need to run angry and keep the chains moving.  Barber and Bell did a decent job filling in for Forte last week, this needs to continue.  This will be a low scoring game, don't abandon the run keep giving it to them and wear down the defense.

When Cutler went down and I blogged about what the Bears may/should do with him out, I said they would win this game.  Well after last week I am not so sure.  The defense will do its job and give the rest of the league a blue print on how to stop this offense.  But unless Hanie can improve this week it is going to be tough.  I may be looking at this game through Blue and Orange glasses, but I am taking the Bears in a low scoring close game.

BEARS 13, Broncos 6

Let me know your scores and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears give one away

                                   Photo courteous Chicago Sun-Times
Sunday the Bears were a team without an offense.  Matt Forte went down early and the game was down hill from there.

The numbers were horrendous as the Bears did the unthinkable and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.  Caleb Hanie looked like a guy the Bears plucked out of the stands to start todays game.  Hanie was 11 for 24 for a 133 yards and three more picks.  Granted two of them are not on him with a Roy Williams drop, and the last ditch hail mary.

More about the Williams drop; the Bears were driving looking to tie the game when a ball that should have been caught was bobbled by Williams leading to the pick, hence sealing the victory for the Chiefs.  Who would have thought a hail mary at the half would be the game?

None of that would have mattered had the Bears not left so many points on the board.  14 by my count.  First came the Marion Barber miscue not covering the tackle costing the Bears a touchdown, they did move in for a field goal so there are 4 points.

A few positions later Hanie missed a wide open Earl Bennett for an easy TD when he over-threw him, the Bears would punt after a sack and a penalty.  7 more points

The Bears had a nice drive going on the strength of Kahli Bell's running getting down to the Chiefs 7 yard line only to get stuffed and sacked twice on consecutive plays leading to a Robbie Gould missed 41 yard field goal. 3 more points

This Defense deserves much better then this period.

If not for a fluke play at the end of the half, they only give up the one field goal.

This is normally were I would give out my game balls but truth be told, no one deserves any.  Yes the defense did there job in holding the Chiefs to 10 points.  But they were unable to force any turnovers in the loss.

The offensive line gave up 7 sacks to a team that came in with only 13 total on the year.

The offense was 0-11 on third downs.

In spite of the loss the Bears are still a top the wild card in the NFC with Atlanta losing to Houston.  I suspect that the Lions will also lose tonight to the Saints.  Keeping the Bears in the #1 wild card spot.

None of which will mean anything if Caleb Hanie can not improve quick.  Hanie is not only playing for the playoffs but for his career as well.  Hanie is a free agent at seasons end and if he does not get better he will be working at the Gap this time next year.

Early reports are that Forte suffered a knee sprain, there is no word on how long he may be out as of yet.

This is a game the Bears should of won going away but missed chances and bad play equals a loss.

This week we should find out a little more about Jay Cutler's progress and if there is any chance he will be back before season end.  If not, the Bears season may be done...

Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears Chiefs keys to victory

Finally a noon game!  It has been a while.  Not since the Tampa game in London have we had one.  I do not know about you but I much prefer the noon games.  This week Kansas City comes to town, and it could not have come at a better time for the Bears.  The Bears need a game like this.  The Chiefs are just bad right now.

The Chiefs are going to once again start Tyler Palko this week.  Palko has not been up to the task throwing 6 INT's and no TD's in his two starts.  While averaging 104.5 passing yards a game.  Do not expect to see three picks from him on Sunday, he will be pulled in favor of ex-Bear Kyle Orton long before that.

Lets get to the keys!


Protect the ball


We all know what Caleb Hanie did last week.  He needs to tighten things up against the Chiefs.  The Chiefs have been unable to score much as of late, do not give them a short field or any momentum in this game.  The Bears can run away with this one if they protect the ball.

Pressure the QB


Whoever that is.  Last week the Defensive line came up big with a four sack effort.  Lets get a trend started and get after the quarterback this week.  Pressure leads to rushed throws.  Rushed throws lead to turnovers.  Turnovers lead to wins.

Stop the Run


Take away the run, make them beat you in the air.  The Chiefs have done nothing good as of the last few weeks.  But if they do anything well its running the ball.  Now the last two games do not show that, because it was taken away from them.  Hence loses.  Take away the run win the game.


This week should be an easy win for the Bears.  Not a lot of keys really if they do not turn over the ball they should win comfortably.  I think Caleb Hanie has a bounce back and the Bears win big.  Bears 34 Chiefs 6.  Give me your scores and as Always BEAR DOWN!

On a side note: Donvon McNabb cleared wavier's and is a free agent, where do you think he ends up?  I am thinking that the Texans is the most logical.  Let us hope that it is not with the Bears!

One (or three) teams trash is another teams Donovan McNabb?

Donovan McNabb was placed on waivers by the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, begging the question by Bears fans do we put a claim in?

The answer to this question is simple....  NO!

If this was McNabb five years ago it is a no brainer.  But alas it is not.  McNabb has been a shell of him former self and is not a good fit for the Bears.  A lot was made of him going to the Vikings with a fresh start and all that.

The reality is that McNabb was 1-5 as a starter with only five passes of 25-plus yards on the year.

Yes McNabb has been to a Super Bowl and was an 11 year starter, but those days are behind him.  There is too little time for him to get up to speed on the complex offense the Bears run. So for now the Bears need to stand pat and look for Caleb Hanie to improve.

I know that McNabb wants to play for his home team and a lot of fans will say that he is better then Josh McCown and they may be correct but I am not so sure.  McCown knows the offense now.  And lets face it if Hanie goes down it doesn't matter who is the back up the Bears are sunk.

So keep nostalgia at bay, stand pat and focus on K.C.  That's just how I see it, leave me a comment and let me know what you think..  And as always BEAR Down!!

Hannie part two

KC comes to town this week and not too soon for Caleb Hanie.  After his performance against the Raiders nobody wants to get back on the field faster then him.  I expect to see a different Hanie then we saw last week.

Game speed and practice speed are very different.  As hard as players go during the week, it is nothing compared to what happens on game day.  Hanie has not played much in his time with the Bears, so you have to allow time for him to adjust to not only the different looks and blitz's he sees, but to his teammates as well.

It took Jay Cutler almost half the season to start to build a re pore with Roy Williams.  There is a trust that both the QB and the receiver needs to have with one another. Not to mention that Cutler and Hanie's skill set is much different.  The receivers needed a little more time to adjust it seems.  Cutler's arm strength is much more then Hanie's.  So the ball comes out different.

While Hanie was sacked 4 times in Oakland, you have to dig a little deeper before you put them on the O-line.  First is an easy one, a blown call.   Hanie rolled to his right and before stepping out of bounds released the ball.  On at least two others he held the ball a bit too long so really only one sack was truly on the line.

Hanie has said how he does not want to be a game manger.  But you have to crawl before you can walk.  So I think he needs to take baby steps towards his goal and not press so much.  Jay Cutler you are not.  There is no need to try and make every play he would make.  This goes double for Mike Martz.
 

The oddsmakers seem to agree as of now the Bears are 8 point favorites.

Caleb, help out your defense and do not put them in any bad spots on Sunday.  That needs to be goal one.  Lets get back on track this week with a win.  Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN!