tshanno@gmail.com
10-02-2008, 03:34 PM
http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=301
Author's note: I've been busy with my "real" job and haven't written
many posts outsiede of game comments lately. I'll be trying to pick
it up but they'll be coming erratically. Please "bear" with me.
Things will get better late in the season.
Bears
* Chicago beat writers continue to push the Bears for playing time
for Kevin Jones and I'm kind of wondering why. Admittedly he looks
good OK but he hasn't done anything yet to make me say, "Wow, this guy
needs to play more." Perhaps seeing him every day is believing.
* Losing Nathan Vasher for the Lions game is a terrible blow.
Let's just say that if Mike Martz were still there, no one would be
calling for more running plays this week. The Bears better get some
pressure from the defensive line this week without the blitz or its
going to be a long day.
* Most college football fans will tell you that last week was a
week of upsets. Question: What do the biggest offenders, USC,
Florida, and Wake Forest, all have in common? Answer: All were
coming off of big games and let down. USC was coming off of Ohio St.,
Florida - Tennessee, and Wake off of Florida St. This is generally
not as big of a problem with professionals because they aren't 19
anymore. But the let down game is still a big danger and consistency
and keeping an even keel are the key to the season. Last week was a
big win for the Bears. But its staying power that counts. Here's
hoping that they take the Lions seriously and play hard for two
halves.
* The Bears will probably miss Brandon Lloyd on Sunday as well.
But even with him, the recieving corps continue to be the weak pint in
the offense. The margin for error will continue to be razor thin ans
long as they lack of a serious deep threat. The only solution is to
catch EVERYTHING and not make mistakes. The Bears are not going to
lose the turnover margin and win many games.
NFC North
*
On Aaron Rodgers:
No major structural damage. Will rehab today and Tuesday.
Wednesday's practice will be key — how he throws, then how he recovers
on Thursday morning. Coaches will get Matt Flynn ready regardless;
reps will be split.
* How Rodgers feel this morning according to Mike McCarthy?
"Pretty positive. He wants to play. … His mindset's strong, very
positive."
Translation: He told me, "What do you mean 'sprain'? Didn't you
hear me? I said it was 'separated'. It had to be separated! I was
in 'intense pain'. Agonizing, you hear? Like, Brett never had to go
out with pain like this, you know?
"No way I'm going back out there. I mean it was OK with a clean
pocket and no one touching me. But now they're going to hit me! It's
separated, you hear?! Separated!!!!"
Others
* Honestly, I wonder if Al Davis ever learns. Didn't he go
throught this with Mike Shanahan. Isn't it obvious that Lane Kiffen
was doing his job? It isn't like he lost the team. They played for
him about as well as they can. Just pay the dude already.
* Having said that, St. Louis absolutely did the right thing by
firing Scott Linehan. I like Linehan as a coordinator and I remember
him putting together some great game plans against the Bears. But its
obvious that he wasn't doing the job as a head coach. The players
didn't respect him and they weren't playing for him. Apparently
management picked Jim Haslett to replace him because the players like
him and at least they'll put forth an effort for him. Here's hoping
that's true.
One Final Thought
I'm surprised that Cedric Benson got signed by the Bengals. As far as
I can tell, you can murder, rape, wife beat, whatever... and you'll
still get a second chance in the NFL. But there's no quicker way to
find yourself out of the league permanently than to get a reputation
for not working hard. Having said that, good luck to him. Maybe he's
learned his lesson. If he did and he's in shape, I think he can still
be a very good back in this league. If he's still showing the lack of
discipline that caused him to be found out at 3 in the morning after
being specifically told to stay out of situations like that, he'll be
out on his rear quicker than you can say "Bust - again".
Author's note: I've been busy with my "real" job and haven't written
many posts outsiede of game comments lately. I'll be trying to pick
it up but they'll be coming erratically. Please "bear" with me.
Things will get better late in the season.
Bears
* Chicago beat writers continue to push the Bears for playing time
for Kevin Jones and I'm kind of wondering why. Admittedly he looks
good OK but he hasn't done anything yet to make me say, "Wow, this guy
needs to play more." Perhaps seeing him every day is believing.
* Losing Nathan Vasher for the Lions game is a terrible blow.
Let's just say that if Mike Martz were still there, no one would be
calling for more running plays this week. The Bears better get some
pressure from the defensive line this week without the blitz or its
going to be a long day.
* Most college football fans will tell you that last week was a
week of upsets. Question: What do the biggest offenders, USC,
Florida, and Wake Forest, all have in common? Answer: All were
coming off of big games and let down. USC was coming off of Ohio St.,
Florida - Tennessee, and Wake off of Florida St. This is generally
not as big of a problem with professionals because they aren't 19
anymore. But the let down game is still a big danger and consistency
and keeping an even keel are the key to the season. Last week was a
big win for the Bears. But its staying power that counts. Here's
hoping that they take the Lions seriously and play hard for two
halves.
* The Bears will probably miss Brandon Lloyd on Sunday as well.
But even with him, the recieving corps continue to be the weak pint in
the offense. The margin for error will continue to be razor thin ans
long as they lack of a serious deep threat. The only solution is to
catch EVERYTHING and not make mistakes. The Bears are not going to
lose the turnover margin and win many games.
NFC North
*
On Aaron Rodgers:
No major structural damage. Will rehab today and Tuesday.
Wednesday's practice will be key — how he throws, then how he recovers
on Thursday morning. Coaches will get Matt Flynn ready regardless;
reps will be split.
* How Rodgers feel this morning according to Mike McCarthy?
"Pretty positive. He wants to play. … His mindset's strong, very
positive."
Translation: He told me, "What do you mean 'sprain'? Didn't you
hear me? I said it was 'separated'. It had to be separated! I was
in 'intense pain'. Agonizing, you hear? Like, Brett never had to go
out with pain like this, you know?
"No way I'm going back out there. I mean it was OK with a clean
pocket and no one touching me. But now they're going to hit me! It's
separated, you hear?! Separated!!!!"
Others
* Honestly, I wonder if Al Davis ever learns. Didn't he go
throught this with Mike Shanahan. Isn't it obvious that Lane Kiffen
was doing his job? It isn't like he lost the team. They played for
him about as well as they can. Just pay the dude already.
* Having said that, St. Louis absolutely did the right thing by
firing Scott Linehan. I like Linehan as a coordinator and I remember
him putting together some great game plans against the Bears. But its
obvious that he wasn't doing the job as a head coach. The players
didn't respect him and they weren't playing for him. Apparently
management picked Jim Haslett to replace him because the players like
him and at least they'll put forth an effort for him. Here's hoping
that's true.
One Final Thought
I'm surprised that Cedric Benson got signed by the Bengals. As far as
I can tell, you can murder, rape, wife beat, whatever... and you'll
still get a second chance in the NFL. But there's no quicker way to
find yourself out of the league permanently than to get a reputation
for not working hard. Having said that, good luck to him. Maybe he's
learned his lesson. If he did and he's in shape, I think he can still
be a very good back in this league. If he's still showing the lack of
discipline that caused him to be found out at 3 in the morning after
being specifically told to stay out of situations like that, he'll be
out on his rear quicker than you can say "Bust - again".