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    <title>SB Nation - Zackary Bowman</title>
    <link>http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman</link>
    <description>Stories From Around SB Nation About Zackary Bowman</description>
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      <title>Cornerbacks: To press or not to press</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/11/10/1123910/cornerbacks-to-press-or-not-to</guid>
      <author>Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/11/10/1123910/cornerbacks-to-press-or-not-to</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:57 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">

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    &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/cornerbacks-to-press-or-not-to&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Photo&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/166602/54766_aptopix_cardinals_bears_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
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          &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/cornerbacks-to-press-or-not-to&quot;&gt;More photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
        
        
          by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP
        
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    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/cornerbacks-to-press-or-not-to&quot;&gt;Browse more photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/291682/wcg_thumb_xo.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/291682/wcg_thumb_xo_medium.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Wcg_thumb_xo_medium&quot; style=&quot;float: left; margin-right: 20;&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;A hot topic of discussion the last few years is how far the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; usually have their corners off the line of scrimmage.&amp;nbsp; Is it a coaching point, or do the players just play off on their own?&amp;nbsp; When they do play some bump and run coverage is it in the defensive game plan to do so or are the DB's making the call to do it?&amp;nbsp; &lt;b&gt;Make no mistake about it, where ever the corners line up it's a coach's call.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;


  
&lt;p&gt;It's schemed where they line up.&amp;nbsp; If a CB is playing off on his own, going against the game plan, and he's getting burned with quick slants or hitches that player will be benched, and conversely if a CB is playing up tight against the coaches wishes and he isn't effective he'll find some pine time as well.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In last Sunday's game it was pointed out that Arizona WR &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1741/Larry_Fitzgerald&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Larry Fitzgerald&lt;/a&gt; likes when corners play him close, and why not, at 6'3&quot; &amp;amp; 217 pounds he's bigger and stronger than most every corner he plays against.&amp;nbsp; While Charles Tillman played tight on a handful of snaps, the Bears played off the majority of the time.&amp;nbsp; &lt;b&gt;When is the opportune time to press?&amp;nbsp; When is it best to play off?&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; Unless you're an elite CB, blessed with incredible make up speed, you play according to scheme.&amp;nbsp; And the Bears scheme usually dictates play loose.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the Cover 2 type defense we've seen in Chicago during the Lovie Smith era, the corners are responsible for the sideline in about 12/13 yards, keeping balls thrown to the flats in front of them.&amp;nbsp; &lt;b&gt;The Bears favor physical corners (Tillman, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16677/Corey_Graham&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Corey Graham&lt;/a&gt;) who &lt;i&gt;should&lt;/i&gt; be able to press.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; In theory, the CB's could easily play press coverage while looking for a back coming to the flat or a slot WR or TE running an out or arrow route into their zone.&amp;nbsp; By pressing the split end they'll throw off the timing of a quick slant or skinny post in between horizontal zones (CB/LB) or a fade or go route behind him (between the CB/S).&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;I've always felt that playing real soft coverage on the WR's in zone gives too much of an advantage to the offense.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; If the CB's play off the slant can be thrown immediately, before the wide out can get close to the 2nd &lt;sup&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;defender in.&amp;nbsp; Pressing up will make the WR have to work to get into his route and give the defense a chance to be effective.&amp;nbsp; With all the 3 step drops the Bears see, doing anything to disrupt the timing patterns should be priority #1.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In some variations of the zone defense, the corners are actually responsible for sticking man to man if they go deep, so pressing them could be a problem.&amp;nbsp; If you try to bump and run, &lt;i&gt;but don't get a good jam&lt;/i&gt;, you risk getting blown by.&amp;nbsp; The same can obviously be said when in man to man, so if the corner doesn't have the speed to stick with a WR, &lt;i&gt;pressing isn't a good idea&lt;/i&gt;.&amp;nbsp; None of the Bears corners have what you would call track speed.&amp;nbsp; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;No 4.3 40's in that group.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; So why take a chance on playing tight.&amp;nbsp; This is the biggest reason why they elect to rarely press.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Generally speaking, defenses that get to the QB with a regularity can press more, with the thinking that routes that take time to develop won't work if the QB is running for his life.&amp;nbsp; And by pressing you take away the quick timing routes QB's look for when they sense a blitz.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other times you'll see some teams funneling wide outs to their help with press coverage.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; For example, if a defense is in a rolled over 3 deep look, &lt;i&gt;(The 3 deep consisting of both safeties rolling over to one corners side with the other corner responsible for the other third of the field)&lt;/i&gt; the corner that is pressing may try and induce the WR to an outside release knowing he has over the top help from a safety.&amp;nbsp; If the team is a primarily a Cover 2 team, this is a great wrinkle to add to the defense.&amp;nbsp; You may get a QB reading Cover 2 off the snap that attempts to hit his WR down the sideline (the usual hole in the Cover 2 between the CB/S), but with the safety over further than in the Cover 2 &lt;i&gt;(because he only has deep third responsibility)&lt;/i&gt; he could be there for the pick.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bottom line is the Bears don't press because they don't have the type of defense that allows you to press, both scheme wise and with their personnel.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; The Bears just don't bring the kind of heat on opposing QB's that would benefit from bump and run coverage.&amp;nbsp; If the Bears did play tight, with the QB having plenty of time to scan the field, NFL WR's would eventually beat the press.&amp;nbsp; &lt;i&gt;Remember no track star DB's in this group.&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp; They could mix things up and press while in zone from time to time, but again if the QB is allowed to sit in the pocket, it'll be easy pickens.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you think of the CB's and/or teams that are successful with the bump and run type coverage, you'll either think of the corners with great make up speed, that could make plays on the ball seemingly where ever they are on the field, or the teams that eat quarterbacks for lunch.&amp;nbsp; Two things we don't see in Chicago.&lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Browns vs. Bears Primer - Joshua Cribbs and Devin Hester</title>
      <guid>http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2009/11/1/1109513/browns-vs-bears-primer-joshua</guid>
      <author>Chris Pokorny</author>
      <link>http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2009/11/1/1109513/browns-vs-bears-primer-joshua</link>
      <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:29:40 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">

  &lt;div class=&quot;photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_landscape&quot;&gt;

    &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/browns-vs-bears-primer-joshua&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Chicago Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman (35) celebrates an interception during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/156087/50625_browns_bears_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
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      &lt;p class=&quot;by clearfix&quot;&gt;
        
          &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/browns-vs-bears-primer-joshua&quot;&gt;More photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
        
        
          by M. Spencer Green - AP
        
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        &lt;p class=&quot;cap&quot;&gt;
          
            &lt;strong&gt;3 months ago:&lt;/strong&gt; 
          
          Chicago Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman (35) celebrates an interception during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/browns-vs-bears-primer-joshua&quot;&gt;Browse more photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;Here are some  news, notes and nuggets as the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CLE&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Browns&lt;/a&gt; get set to take on the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; on November 1st, 2009:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This will be the battle of the best kick returners, with &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2638/Joshua_Cribbs&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Joshua Cribbs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; on one side and &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3092/Devin_Hester&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Devin Hester&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; on the other side. Hester doesn't touch the ball on kickoffs anymore though after absorbing the duties of being the Bears' top wide receiver. Cribbs tried to make a similar adjustment to the receiver position, but his output (10 catches for 38 yards) has been far less impressive. Based on Cribbs' style, it makes sense why he's been more productive in the Wildcat formation on run plays.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Just which player &lt;i&gt;is&lt;/i&gt; better at returning kicks? Quite honestly, I think it's unfair to compare the players' contrasting styles. Between the two, personally, I couldn't trade Cribbs for Hester.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Bears do have a suitable replacement this season at returning kickoffs. Rookie &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71530/Johnny_Knox&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Johnny Knox&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, who has also emerged as a decent wide receiver, is averaging 29.0 yards a pop in 18 attempts. Cribbs is averaging 28.9 yards a pop in 25 attempts, but also returns punts.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Almost all of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota will see the Browns vs. Bears game on CBS at 1:00 PM EST, according to the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2009/08-CBS.html&quot;&gt;TV Distribution Maps&lt;/a&gt;. If you hated the announcing crew from the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/PIT&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Steelers&lt;/a&gt; game two weeks ago (Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots), then I suggest you mute your television screen in advance this week.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;People in the Cleveland area will also get to see the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/SFX&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;49ers&lt;/a&gt; take on the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/IND&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Indianapolis Colts&lt;/a&gt; at 1:00 PM on FOX. I love watching &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2807/Peyton_Manning&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Peyton Manning&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; quarterback, and I rarely get to see him in non-prime time games, so I'm sure I'll be flipping channels throughout our game. Pretty much the whole country will get to see &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1941/Brett_Favre&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brett Favre&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; return to Lambeau to face the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/MIN&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Vikings&lt;/a&gt; at 4:00 PM on FOX. That game is begging for a ratings grabber, and I can't wait to see it.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Kicker &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2640/Phil_Dawson&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Phil Dawson&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; looks ready to return as the Browns' field goal kicker this week. The team didn't release &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1127/Billy_Cundiff&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Billy Cundiff&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/b&gt;though, and there's a chance he might be active as well to continue handling kickoff duties this week. The Browns have not attempted a field goal longer than 31 yards since Dawson's injury.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;With tight ends &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2655/Steve_Heiden&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Steve Heiden&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1901/Robert_Royal&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Robert Royal&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, AND &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2428/Greg_Estandia&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Greg Estandia&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; all on the injury report, expect &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2153/Michael_Gaines&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Michael Gaines&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; to continue seeing action this week.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Offensive coordinator &lt;b&gt;Brian Daboll&lt;/b&gt; indicated that &lt;b&gt;Joshua Cribbs&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2009/10/cleveland_browns_insider_offen.html&quot;&gt;might be used more at running back&lt;/a&gt; moving forward. If that happens this week, I'll be both happy and upset. Happy that we went through with it, but upset that Daboll blew the potential surprise facing the Bears' defense.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Browns RB &lt;b&gt;Jamal Lewis&lt;/b&gt; as struggled with a 3.4 yards per carry average this season, but Bears RB &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34543/Matt_Forte&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Matt Forte&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; hasn't had much more luck with a 3.5 yards per carry average.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Chicago is set to have backup running back &lt;b&gt;&quot;The Other Adrian Peterson&quot;&lt;/b&gt; return to action this week. He has been out since Week 4 with a knee injury.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A Browns wide receiver has still yet to catch a touchdown this season. After &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2600/Carson_Palmer&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Carson Palmer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; torched the Bears for five touchdowns last week, will that change this week for Cleveland? You have to imagine that &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2628/Derek_Anderson&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Derek Anderson&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; will have his &quot;beasting&quot; game at &lt;i&gt;some&lt;/i&gt; point...or not.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;With &lt;b&gt;D'Qwell Jackson&lt;/b&gt; out, the Browns' two leading tacklers this season are &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1210/Eric_Barton&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Eric Barton&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3400/Abram_Elam&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Abram Elam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, both former &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/NYJ&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jets&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2919/Jay_Cutler&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jay Cutler&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; was picked 3 times last week; the Browns' defense has 3 picks all season.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Browns will be facing their former teammate, RT &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2680/Kevin_Shaffer&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kevin Shaffer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, who now starts for the Bears. Likewise, the Bears will be facing RT &lt;b&gt;John St. Clair&lt;/b&gt;, their former starter.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Last week, Bears CB &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; struggled all day against &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2580/Chad_Ochocinco&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Chad Ochocinco&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, yielding two touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving to the loud-mouthed receiver. CB &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; also struggled, giving up an early touchdown to WR &lt;b&gt;Chris Henry&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This is the second time the Browns are headed to Chicago this season. They played their on September 3, 2009 for their final preseason game.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! Also, don't forget to change your clocks, otherwise you'll mis-time the start of the Browns game!&lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Lunchtime Links: Chicago Bears Style</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/10/13/1083156/lunchtime-links-chicago-bears-style</guid>
      <author>Dane Noble</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/10/13/1083156/lunchtime-links-chicago-bears-style</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:01:03 -0000</pubDate>
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  &lt;div class=&quot;photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_portrait&quot;&gt;

    &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/lunchtime-links-chicago-bears-style-2&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Photo&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/136440/52534_lions_bears_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
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          &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/lunchtime-links-chicago-bears-style-2&quot;&gt;More photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
        
        
          by M. Spencer Green - AP
        
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    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/lunchtime-links-chicago-bears-style-2&quot;&gt;Browse more photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/188832/WCG_thumb_Link.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;left&quot; src=&quot;http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/188832/WCG_thumb_Link_medium.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Wcg_thumb_link_medium&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;After doing a quick look around the world wide web, we thought we'd bring you some fresh articles to discuss.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;First, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3078/Rashied_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Rashied Davis&lt;/a&gt; says that he hasn't dropped the thoughts of&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-13-mitchell-oct13,0,1526057.column&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;last year's loss to the Falcons out of his mind&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jeff Dickerson tweeted yesterday afternoon that &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt; were&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://twitter.com/ESPNChiBears&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;the last to leave the practice field&lt;/a&gt;. &amp;nbsp;Can they be ready for &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1192/Roddy_White&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Roddy White&lt;/a&gt;?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Brad Biggs reports that Jon Gruden is the guy that&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Report-Gruden-is-top-choice-for-Daniel-Snyder.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Dan Snydor wants to replace Jim Zorn&lt;/a&gt;. &amp;nbsp;Wait, but Zorn hasn't been fired yet. &amp;nbsp;How do people know this stuff before it happens?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biggs also Tweeted yesterday that Ricky Manning Jr. has signed with the Florida Tuskegees of the UFL.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Random note: &amp;nbsp;the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; have won in three straight years after the Bye week. &amp;nbsp;Unfortunately, this year we don't have the luxury of playing the Niners (06), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/OAK&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Raiders&lt;/a&gt; (07), or &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/DET&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Lions&lt;/a&gt; (08).&lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Notes, Scribbles, and Things Jotted Down: Lions Edition</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/10/5/1070677/notes-scribbles-and-things-jotted</guid>
      <author>Dane Noble</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/10/5/1070677/notes-scribbles-and-things-jotted</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:33:24 -0000</pubDate>
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  &lt;div class=&quot;photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_landscape&quot;&gt;

    &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/notes-scribbles-and-things-jotted-5&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Photo&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/127253/52584_lions_bears_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
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          &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/notes-scribbles-and-things-jotted-5&quot;&gt;More photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
        
        
          by Nam Y. Huh - AP
        
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    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/photos/notes-scribbles-and-things-jotted-5&quot;&gt;Browse more photos &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;Watching NFL games at a sports bar is a whole lot different than it used to be. &amp;nbsp;For &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Chicago Bears&lt;/a&gt; games that aren't nationally televised, I head up to the local pub that has the Sunday Ticket, donned in my favorite navy and orange outfit of the day. &amp;nbsp;The strange thing is, despite being packed like sardines into that place, I don't see many other team colors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I don't hear much cheering for certain teams, but rather specific players on different teams. &amp;nbsp;It absolutely blows my mind to see 300 people jumping from television to television with no interest in anything but the statistics of their fantasy football players. &amp;nbsp;No interest in the local team. &amp;nbsp;No interest in great story lines. &amp;nbsp;No interest in divisional games. &amp;nbsp;Only stats. &amp;nbsp;It's really weird.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;But, for those who have been worried about &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34543/Matt_Forte&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Matt Forte&lt;/a&gt; from a fantasy angle, he ended the day with 121 yards and a TD on the ground, with 19 yards sprinkled in from receptions.&lt;/p&gt;


  
&lt;p&gt;- The defensive line is firing off the line of scrimmage faster than it has in years, with particular notice of the DEs. &amp;nbsp;Detroit exploited that early, however, by running a lot of misdirection, traps, and screens.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- I officially do not trust &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt; in pass coverage. &amp;nbsp;He gets beat often, is out of position more often, and falls down too much. &amp;nbsp;Sure, he can be a playmaker, but so far this season his coverage skills are no good.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &amp;nbsp;Detroit's TE Heller has some cannons for arms. &amp;nbsp;That dude is HUGE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71530/Johnny_Knox&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Johnny Knox&lt;/a&gt; is making a case for ROY, but is also making a case for having the ball stripped when he is running in the open field. &amp;nbsp;Tuck the ball Johnny!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Once again, our offense had no rhythm early in the game. &amp;nbsp;How can we fix that?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3071/Lance_Briggs&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Lance Briggs&lt;/a&gt; should be headed to the Pro Bowl again. &amp;nbsp;Big plays, tons of speed. &amp;nbsp;He's really good.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- I like &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/18999/Tim_Shaw&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Tim Shaw&lt;/a&gt;. &amp;nbsp;He is very tough on kick off coverage, and plays with a big motor. &amp;nbsp;Made several ST tackles last night.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &amp;nbsp;Chris Williams is going to be a great offensive lineman for us. &amp;nbsp;He still has to learn some of the small things, but considering this is his first season on the field, he does a lot of things right.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3105/Brad_Maynard&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brad Maynard&lt;/a&gt; is awesome.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Getting back to Tillman, in the second quarter, the WR was overthrown (by a mile), and Tillman still decided to push the receiver in the back to the ground. &amp;nbsp;He could have gotten a flag on that one. &amp;nbsp;Also, in the 4th quarter, he hit a WR out of bounds, and laughed about it. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt; covering &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/19053/Calvin_Johnson&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Calvin Johnson&lt;/a&gt;... sheesh.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Matt Stafford has worse hair than &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2919/Jay_Cutler&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jay Cutler&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- 1st half defense was bend + break.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- In the first half, Detroit had 7 different players catch a pass; Chicago had 8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Pass rush came out strong after halftime. &amp;nbsp;Good jorb Marinelli.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16813/Nick_Roach&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nick Roach&lt;/a&gt; plays hard.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Gould from 52!!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- In the 3rd quarter, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3064/Mark_Anderson&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Mark Anderson&lt;/a&gt; ran off the field after a sack... was getting high fives from teammates, but did Urlacher ignore him? &amp;nbsp;Someone watch the replay and let me know.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- For those of you who say &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3099/Olin_Kreutz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Olin Kreutz&lt;/a&gt; is washed up, he was driving people last night.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34553/Craig_Steltz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Craig Steltz&lt;/a&gt; earning his keep on STs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Forte showed some of his shiftiness on his TD run. &amp;nbsp;That's what makes him good... finds the seams and quickly shifts into them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- I don't know why, but I find myself rooting for Culpepper. &amp;nbsp;I've always liked the guy... too bad about the injuries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16689/Garrett_Wolfe&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Garrett Wolfe&lt;/a&gt; loves to trash talk. &amp;nbsp;Gotta love the little man's fire.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3078/Rashied_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Rashied Davis&lt;/a&gt; was thrown to twice, and had 2 receptions (including good awareness of the first down marker on one). &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;- Another 5 sacks last night. &amp;nbsp;Everyone's getting involved in those.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;object class=&quot;mceItemFlash&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; width=&quot;425&quot;&gt;   &lt;param name=&quot;movie&quot; value=&quot;http://www.youtube.com/v/O6O9fV2nVTI&quot; /&gt;   &lt;param name=&quot;wmode&quot; value=&quot;transparent&quot; /&gt;   &lt;embed src=&quot;http://www.youtube.com/v/O6O9fV2nVTI&quot; type=&quot;application/x-shockwave-flash&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; wmode=&quot;transparent&quot; mce_src=&quot;http://www.youtube.com/v/O6O9fV2nVTI&quot; width=&quot;425&quot;&gt;&lt;/embed&gt; &lt;/object&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Nathan Vasher's Job Officially in Flux</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/17/1034735/nathan-vashers-job-officially-in</guid>
      <author>Adam T</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/17/1034735/nathan-vashers-job-officially-in</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:42:29 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">


&lt;p&gt;We've been talking about it for years now.&amp;nbsp; We need to replace &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3125/Nathan_Vasher&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nathan Vasher&lt;/a&gt; as our #2 corner back, but the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; never acted on it.&amp;nbsp; We thought in the beginning of the off-season that this would be the&amp;nbsp;year, with &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16677/Corey_Graham&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Corey Graham&lt;/a&gt; showing some good skills last year.&amp;nbsp;Due to concerns elsewhere, he was moved to safety, only to see him come back to corner too late to make a move to dethrone Vasher.&amp;nbsp; Then &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt; stepped up and seemed a likely candidate until he got hurt.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In week one versus the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/GBP&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Packers&lt;/a&gt;, the Bears ran Vasher, Tillman and Bowman in and out with Tillman and Vasher getting the bulk of the reps.&amp;nbsp; Vasher will still see plenty of time, but the Bears have announced that Bowman &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-17-bears-bits-sep17,0,1143111.story&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;will start next week&lt;/a&gt; against the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/PIT&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Steelers&lt;/a&gt;....kind of.&amp;nbsp; The announcement isn't official, but Bowman has been practicing with the first team offense.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16680/Trumaine_McBride&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Trumaine McBride&lt;/a&gt; out, the Bears cannot shed Vasher yet, but if we can get him covering a third string receiver and not the most dangerous man on the field, perhaps we can avoid these last-second bombs that seem to often&amp;nbsp;beat us.&lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Analysis: How The Chicago Bears Look Coming Into Week 1</title>
      <guid>http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2009/9/9/1022026/analysis-how-the-chicago-bears</guid>
      <author>Brandon</author>
      <link>http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2009/9/9/1022026/analysis-how-the-chicago-bears</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:37 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">

  &lt;div class=&quot;photo-tpl photo-tpl-big_time&quot;&gt;

    &lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn3.sbnation.com/photo_images/188618/50712_Bears_Preview_Football.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Photo&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/99911/50712_bears_preview_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
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          by David Duprey - AP
        
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    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn3.sbnation.com/photo_images/188618/50712_Bears_Preview_Football.jpg&quot;&gt;View full size photo &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;I'm at a major disadvantage here because I didn't watch the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Chicago Bears&lt;/a&gt; at all this preseason. I'm sure there are many Bears fans reading the site this week (Welcome!) so feel free to correct all my errors and omissions in the comments. Usually the preseason isn't very telling, but on the eve of the QB Jay Cutler era, it would've been nice to have gotten a sneak peak. Mitchell already&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2009/9/8/1020629/the-season-is-upon-us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;looked at the matchups&lt;/a&gt;. I'm really trying to get a good look at the Bears.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A Tale of Two Pass Rushes. One thing the Bears and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/GBP&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Packers&lt;/a&gt; had in common last season, that neither team wants to repeat again in 2009, is their inability to sack the quarterback.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?season=2008&amp;seasonType=REG&amp;defensiveStatisticCategory=TEAM_PASSING&amp;d-447263-o=2&amp;conference=ALL&amp;tabSeq=2&amp;role=OPP&amp;d-447263-p=1&amp;d-447263-s=PASSING_SACKED&amp;d-447263-n=1&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;In 2008&lt;/a&gt;, Chicago had 28 sacks as a team and the Packers had 27. To address the problem, the Packers made major changes by hiring Dom Capers as defensive coordinator and converting to a 3-4 defense. On the other hand, Chicago didn't rock the boat. Lovie Smith will now&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3831098&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;call the defensive plays&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and defensive coordinator Bob Babich will focus on coaching the linebackers. The big addition in personnel was drafting DE/DT Jarron Gilbert in the 3rd round to provide an inside pass rush. They also drafted DE &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71532/Henry_Melton&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Henry Melton&lt;/a&gt; in the 4th round, but his season ended when&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/09/bears_make_final_cuts_move_3_p.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;he was placed on I.R&lt;/a&gt;. The bigger problem might be the ongoing injury problems to Pro Bowl DT &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3090/Tommie_Harris&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Tommie Harris&lt;/a&gt;, who was&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2009/8/11/984986/bears-dt-tommie-harris-is-still&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;playing on one leg&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;in early August, and&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/8/27/1000570/position-batles-defensive-line&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;everyone is just expecting&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;he'll be out with injuries at some point this season. Will the addition of Gilbert, and the return of Smith to the defensive play calling, be enough to improve their pass rush?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;line-height: 16px;&quot;&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

  
&lt;p&gt;If the pass rush doesn't get to QB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1977/Aaron_Rodgers&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Aaron Rodgers&lt;/a&gt;, then he could be looking at a cast of unknowns in Chicago's secondary. It's all about&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/3/1012469/position-battles-defensive-backs&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;injuries, injuries, injuries&lt;/a&gt;, as the Bears have been without three starters (CB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt;, CB Zack Bowman, and FS Daniel Manning) for most of the preseason. When the Bears depth chart was announced, and it showed CB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16680/Trumaine_McBride&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Trumaine McBride&lt;/a&gt;, CB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3125/Nathan_Vasher&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nathan Vasher&lt;/a&gt;, and FS &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71525/Al_Afalava&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Al Afalava&lt;/a&gt; in the starting lineup, it seemed the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/7/1020358/bears-depth-chart-revealed#storyjump&quot; style=&quot;color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;general consensus in the comments&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;was horror. Bowman was finally healthy last week at Cleveland.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/3021/black-and-blue-all-over-inspecting-bears-secondary&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;According to Kevin Seifert&lt;/a&gt;, Bowman should get his first career start, while Manning should play in the nickel.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chicago was very good at stopping the run last season, and LB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3071/Lance_Briggs&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Lance Briggs&lt;/a&gt; and LB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3124/Brian_Urlacher&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brian Urlacher&lt;/a&gt; should lead a very good unit again in 2009. Although losing DT &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3079/Dusty_Dvoracek&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Dusty Dvoracek&lt;/a&gt; for the season&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4429549&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;with a torn ACL&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;won't help their depth. But even great units have their bad days. RB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16772/Ryan_Grant&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Ryan Grant&lt;/a&gt; had his best game last season (145 yards and 1 TD) against Chicago at Lambeau.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How about the offense? After four paragraphs, you'd think I'd have something to say about the offense. GM Jerry Angelo has done everything he can to turn the offense around in one season. Cutler was a great QB in Denver, and he should still be great. To make sure Cutler starts all 16 games, they added three offensive lineman in free agency. LT &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3241/Orlando_Pace&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Orlando Pace&lt;/a&gt; has made it through all of training camp without an injury and he'll start alongside returning LG &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3083/Roberto_Garza&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Roberto Garza&lt;/a&gt; and C &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3099/Olin_Kreutz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Olin Kreutz&lt;/a&gt;. RG &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1172/Frank_Omiyale&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Frank Omiyale&lt;/a&gt; was&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/2/27/773987/chicago-bears-sign-frank-o&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;signed as a free agent&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;from the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CAR&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Panthers&lt;/a&gt;, and former 1st round OL Chris Williams is at RT. WR &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3092/Devin_Hester&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Devin Hester&lt;/a&gt; and TE Greg Olson have never been great receivers, but Cutler could make them great. Every fantasy draft is expecting a break out season for RB &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34543/Matt_Forte&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Matt Forte&lt;/a&gt;. This should be the best offense the Bears have seen in many seasons, but it still has to prove it on the field.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In Chicago, the offense should be much better. But injuries are threatening to tear the defense apart. Will this season be a case of one step forward (on offense) and one step back (on defense) for the Bears?&lt;/p&gt;
  


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      <title>Bears Make 53</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/5/1017452/bears-make-53</guid>
      <author>Dane Noble</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/5/1017452/bears-make-53</link>
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:20:43 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">


&lt;p&gt;A few surprises, but not too many. &amp;nbsp;Today, the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; w&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6082&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;hittled their roster down to the league mandated 53 players&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;by terminating 3 contracts, waiving 16 players, and placing 3 on Injured Reserve.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;line-height: 18px; color: #0b162a;&quot;&gt;Players who were waived included guard &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71782/Johan_Asiata&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Johan Asiata&lt;/a&gt;, defensive ends &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34535/Ervin_Baldwin&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Ervin Baldwin&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34541/Joe_Clermond&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Joe Clermond&lt;/a&gt;, offensive tackle &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34536/Cody_Balogh&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Cody Balogh&lt;/a&gt;, quarterback &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2135/Brett_Basanez&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brett Basanez&lt;/a&gt;, cornerbacks Rudy Burgess, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16827/Marcus_Hamilton&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Marcus Hamilton&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71788/Woodny_Turenne&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Woodny Turenne&lt;/a&gt;, fullbacks &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1312/Jason_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jason Davis&lt;/a&gt; and Will Ta&amp;rsquo;ufo&amp;rsquo;ou, linebackers Marcus Freeman, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71784/Kevin_Malast&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kevin Malast&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71786/Mike_Rivera&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Mike Rivera&lt;/a&gt;, receiver Eric Peterman, and center &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/30842/Donovan_Raiola&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Donovan Raiola&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;


  
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;line-height: 18px; color: #0b162a;&quot;&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;The Bears can establish an eight-man practice squad on Sunday and also&amp;nbsp;can claim players who&amp;rsquo;ve been waived by other NFL teams. In past seasons, the Bears have typically stocked their practice squad primarily with players they released a day earlier during final cuts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;Here&amp;rsquo;s a breakdown of the 53-man roster as it stands now (in alphabetical order):&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quarterbacks (2):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2919/Jay_Cutler&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jay Cutler&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34545/Caleb_Hanie&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Caleb Hanie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Running backs (3):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34543/Matt_Forte&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Matt Forte&lt;/a&gt;, Adrian Peterson, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16689/Garrett_Wolfe&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Garrett Wolfe&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fullbacks (1):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3108/Jason_McKie&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jason McKie&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wide receivers (6):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2773/Devin_Aromashodu&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Devin Aromashodu&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34538/Earl_Bennett&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Earl Bennett&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3078/Rashied_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Rashied Davis&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3092/Devin_Hester&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Devin Hester&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71528/Juaquin_Iglesias&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Juaquin Iglesias&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71530/Johnny_Knox&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Johnny Knox&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tight ends (4):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3076/Desmond_Clark&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Desmond Clark&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34542/Kellen_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kellen Davis&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2153/Michael_Gaines&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Michael Gaines&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16684/Greg_Olsen&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Greg Olsen&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Offensive linemen (8):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16673/Josh_Beekman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Josh Beekman&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3083/Roberto_Garza&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Roberto Garza&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3099/Olin_Kreutz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Olin Kreutz&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71531/Lance_Louis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Lance Louis&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1172/Frank_Omiyale&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Frank Omiyale&lt;/a&gt;, Orlando&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;Pace, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2680/Kevin_Shaffer&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kevin Shaffer&lt;/a&gt;, Chris Williams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Defensive linemen (9):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2066/Anthony_Adams&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Anthony Adams&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3064/Mark_Anderson&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Mark Anderson&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3074/Alex_Brown&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Alex Brown&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71527/Jarron_Gilbert&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jarron Gilbert&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3090/Tommie_Harris&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Tommie Harris&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/4146/Marcus_Harrison&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Marcus Harrison&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3094/Israel_Idonije&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Israel Idonije&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3113/Adewale_Ogunleye&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Adewale Ogunleye&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/19022/Matt_Toeaina&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Matt Toeaina&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Linebackers (6):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3071/Lance_Briggs&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Lance Briggs&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3093/Hunter_Hillenmeyer&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Hunter Hillenmeyer&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16813/Nick_Roach&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nick Roach&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3255/Pisa_Tinoisamoa&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Pisa Tinoisamoa&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3124/Brian_Urlacher&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brian Urlacher&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3127/Jamar_Williams&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jamar Williams&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cornerbacks (6):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16677/Corey_Graham&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Corey Graham&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16680/Trumaine_McBride&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Trumaine McBride&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71533/D_J_Moore&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;D.J. Moore&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt;, Nate Vasher.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safeties (5):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71525/Al_Afalava&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Al Afalava&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2000/Josh_Bullocks&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Josh Bullocks&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3103/Danieal_Manning&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Danieal Manning&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16685/Kevin_Payne&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kevin Payne&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34553/Craig_Steltz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Craig Steltz&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Specialists (3):&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3085/Robbie_Gould&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Robbie Gould&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3102/Patrick_Mannelly&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Patrick Mannelly&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3105/Brad_Maynard&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brad Maynard&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

  


      </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Position Battles:  Defensive Backs</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/3/1012469/position-battles-defensive-backs</guid>
      <author>Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/3/1012469/position-battles-defensive-backs</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:18 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">

  &lt;div class=&quot;photo-tpl photo-tpl-big_time&quot;&gt;

    &lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn3.sbnation.com/photo_images/161030/49073_Bears_Bills_Football.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Photo&quot; class=&quot;ap_photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/91535/49073_bears_bills_football.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    
    &lt;div class=&quot;photo-meta&quot;&gt;
      &lt;p class=&quot;by clearfix&quot;&gt;
        
        
          by Dean Duprey - AP
        
      &lt;/p&gt;
    
      
    &lt;/div&gt;  
    
    &lt;p class=&quot;more-link&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn3.sbnation.com/photo_images/161030/49073_Bears_Bills_Football.jpg&quot;&gt;View full size photo &amp;raquo;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

  &lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;More so than the young wide receiving corps,&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;the question mark&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; for the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Chicago Bears&lt;/a&gt; is the secondary.&amp;nbsp; &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2919/Jay_Cutler&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jay Cutler&lt;/a&gt; will work with what he's given offensively and make them productive, but the corners and safeties have so much uncertainty surrounding them.&amp;nbsp; Not necessarily because there isn't talent in the group, but because we haven't &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;seen&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt; the talent in the group this off-season.&amp;nbsp; &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3103/Danieal_Manning&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Danieal Manning&lt;/a&gt; have all been hurt and look to be starters once healthy.&amp;nbsp; &lt;b&gt;I wonder if these three were 100% and playing up to their capabilities, would there still be the uneasiness in the air about the DB's?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Last year the Bears carried 10 defensive backs, five safeties and five corners.&amp;nbsp; This season I see them going with the same numbers of DB's, just&amp;nbsp;with a different allocation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

  
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;With Tillman and Bowman yet to return from their injuries and with &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3125/Nathan_Vasher&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nathan Vasher&lt;/a&gt; struggling to regain his Pro Bowl form &lt;b&gt;I think the Bears will go with six corners on the roster in '09.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp; First the obvious 2009 corners;&amp;nbsp; Tillman, Bowman, and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16677/Corey_Graham&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Corey Graham&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp; Graham has had a somewhat quiet preseason, but after his solid '08 campaign and since he hasn't done anything to hurt his chances at sticking, he'll be back.&amp;nbsp; I'm not sure if the Graham to free safety experiment is over, but he's an option at corner, he's capable of playing the nickleback, and if the other corners ever get their health straightened out, he can go back to taking reps at FS.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Of the obvious cuts, you have to expect Rudy Burgess to be gone, along with &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16827/Marcus_Hamilton&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Marcus Hamilton&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16680/Trumaine_McBride&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Trumaine McBride&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp; McBride had a rough game in Denver, and even though he looked capable in some spot starts the last couple years, it's all about &lt;em&gt;&amp;lsquo;what have you done for me lately?'&lt;/em&gt; in the NFL. &amp;nbsp;He needs a good game tonight against the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CLE&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Browns&lt;/a&gt; to give the coaches something to think about.&amp;nbsp; &lt;strong&gt;I think the Bears are looking for a reason to cut him rather than a reason to keep him.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I think &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71788/Woodny_Turenne&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Woodny Turenne&lt;/a&gt; will be cut and brought back to the practice squad if he goes unclaimed.&amp;nbsp; &lt;em&gt;Yes, I know.&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp; Woodney has looked decent this preseason, so before his fan club pipes in, please realize he was finishing out games against some soon to be unemployment statistics and future UFL players.&amp;nbsp; He has some size and skills that would be a welcome addition to the 2010 Bears.&amp;nbsp; But let him hone his craft on the practice squad for a year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Which brings it down to newly signed Roderick Hood, rookie &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71533/D_J_Moore&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;D.J. Moore&lt;/a&gt;, and Vasher for the last three spots.&amp;nbsp; Hood brings experience to the table, Moore has his draft status and potential behind him, and Vasher has the...&amp;nbsp; &lt;i&gt;big money contract?&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp; I'm rooting for Vasher to return to form, &lt;i&gt;I really am,&lt;/i&gt; I'm just not sure if he will.&amp;nbsp; I am expecting the Bears to give him the benefit of doubt and he'll be back this year.&amp;nbsp; If McBride was looking more impressive so far, it'd be a much tougher call.&amp;nbsp; The Cleveland game may be an important one for a couple of these corners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;So...&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp; If the Bears go with six corners, as I believe they will, that leaves four spots for the safeties.&amp;nbsp; Manning, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16685/Kevin_Payne&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kevin Payne&lt;/a&gt;, and rookie surprise &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71525/Al_Afalava&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Al Afalava&lt;/a&gt; will be on the opening day roster and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71783/Dahna_Deleston&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Dahna Deleston&lt;/a&gt; most definitely will not.&amp;nbsp; &lt;strong&gt;What to do with &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2000/Josh_Bullocks&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Josh Bullocks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt; and &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34553/Craig_Steltz&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Craig Steltz&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;?&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp; Steltz was crammed down our throats as the FS starter all off-season, but now he's listed as #2 along with Bullocks.&amp;nbsp; I think this evenings contest may go a long way in determining their fate.&amp;nbsp; I do see a scenario where both make the final 53, (keeping only 3 TE's, or 3 RB's, or 2 QB's...) could open up a roster spot.&amp;nbsp; I think I'd take Bullocks at this point because his experience is at free safety, but Steltz's draft status might keep save him.&lt;/p&gt;
  


 	&lt;fieldset class=&quot;poll-box&quot;&gt;
  &lt;legend&gt;Poll&lt;/legend&gt; 
  &lt;h5 class=&quot;poll-title&quot;&gt;Who would you keep on the Chicago Bears Final 53?&lt;/h5&gt;
  
    
&lt;div id=&quot;poll_container_49588_599284776&quot; class=&quot;poll_container&quot;&gt;
  
    &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option clearfix&quot;&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_percentage&quot; style=&quot;display:none&quot;&gt;50%&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_result&quot;&gt;
      &lt;h5&gt;Craig Steltz&lt;/h5&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_bar&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;vote_count&quot;&gt;231&lt;/span&gt; votes&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;
    &lt;/div&gt;
  
    &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option clearfix&quot;&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_percentage&quot; style=&quot;display:none&quot;&gt;20%&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_result&quot;&gt;
      &lt;h5&gt;Josh Bullocks&lt;/h5&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_bar&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;vote_count&quot;&gt;95&lt;/span&gt; votes&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;
    &lt;/div&gt;
  
    &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option clearfix&quot;&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_percentage&quot; style=&quot;display:none&quot;&gt;16%&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_result&quot;&gt;
      &lt;h5&gt;Both&lt;/h5&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_bar&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;vote_count&quot;&gt;77&lt;/span&gt; votes&lt;/div&gt;
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    &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option clearfix&quot;&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_percentage&quot; style=&quot;display:none&quot;&gt;11%&lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_result&quot;&gt;
      &lt;h5&gt;Who cares!  I'm in the Woodney Turenne Fan Club!!!&lt;/h5&gt;
      &lt;div class=&quot;poll_option_bar&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;vote_count&quot;&gt;54&lt;/span&gt; votes&lt;/div&gt;
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  &lt;p class=&quot;poll-total-votes&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;457&lt;/strong&gt; votes
      
    | &lt;span class=&quot;poll-has-closed&quot;&gt;Poll has closed&lt;/span&gt;
  
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      <title>Bears have interest in Chris McAllister</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/2/1012696/bears-have-interest-in-chris</guid>
      <author>Adam T</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/9/2/1012696/bears-have-interest-in-chris</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:06:09 -0000</pubDate>
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&lt;p&gt;With the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/CHI&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Bears&lt;/a&gt; pick up of Rod Hood they are helping the depth of the Bears secondary, especially with &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3123/Charles_Tillman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Charles Tillman&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt; still working with injuries, but they might not be done.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to a small bit at the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1747970,CST-SPT-bear02.article&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;end of this article&lt;/a&gt;, the Bears have looked at at least one other:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A league source also said the Bears have inquired about &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1410/Chris_McAlister&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Chris McAlister&lt;/a&gt;, the former Pro Bowl performer for the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/BAL&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Baltimore Ravens&lt;/a&gt; who has worked his way back from knee surgery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It is unclear when during the offseason they inquried about him.&amp;nbsp; This may now be dead news.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At one time McAllister was one of the premiere cornerbacks in the league.&amp;nbsp; At this point I don't know how much he has left.&lt;/p&gt;

  


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      <title>Preseason Game 3 Preview: Chicago @ Denver</title>
      <guid>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/8/28/1006097/preseason-game-3-chicago-denver</guid>
      <author>Dane Noble</author>
      <link>http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2009/8/28/1006097/preseason-game-3-chicago-denver</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:43:58 -0000</pubDate>
      <description type="html">


&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/236173/nfl_dc_orton_cutler_480.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;photo&quot; src=&quot;http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/236173/nfl_dc_orton_cutler_480_medium.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Nfl_dc_orton_cutler_480_medium&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In possibly the most anticipated preseason game of 2009, Sunday's game in Denver will definitely have plenty of drama to go along with the actual football game.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We don't need to rehash everything, but it will certainly be interesting to see &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3114/Kyle_Orton&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Kyle Orton&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2919/Jay_Cutler&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jay Cutler&lt;/a&gt; square off against their former teams, as well as how the city of Denver will welcome Cutler back into his old stadium.&lt;/p&gt;


  
&lt;p&gt;Orton will be without disgruntled WR &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2944/Brandon_Marshall&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brandon Marshall&lt;/a&gt;, as&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4428598&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Marshall was suspended through September 5th&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;for insubordination. &amp;nbsp;Coach Josh McDaniels had this to say:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;line-height: 17px; color: #333333;&quot;&gt;&quot;I'm not sure necessarily if I think it will or I think it won't [work out],&quot; McDaniels said. &quot;I'm just hopeful that it will, because obviously he's a talented football player that we'd love to have pulling in the same direction as the other 79 guys that go out there and work their tail off.&quot;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While most eyes will be on the QBs, look for the rookies of both teams to try and make a splash. &amp;nbsp;For Chicago, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71530/Johnny_Knox&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Johnny Knox&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71528/Juaquin_Iglesias&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Juaquin Iglesias&lt;/a&gt; are both fighting for a roster spot, and in Denver, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71313/Robert_Ayers&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Robert Ayers&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71322/Alphonso_Smith&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Alphonso Smith&lt;/a&gt; will be looking to turn heads. &amp;nbsp;Rookie RB Knowshon Mareno is out after banging up his knee last week, but veteran &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1313/Brian_Dawkins&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brian Dawkins&lt;/a&gt; is expected to play despite nursing a hand injury.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As for Chicago injuries, it is unlikely that &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3103/Danieal_Manning&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Danieal Manning&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34539/Zackary_Bowman&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Zackary Bowman&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3127/Jamar_Williams&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Jamar Williams&lt;/a&gt;, or &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16813/Nick_Roach&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Nick Roach&lt;/a&gt; will see the field on Sunday.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I also came across&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6058&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;this article on the Bears official page&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;that states &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2773/Devin_Aromashodu&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Devin Aromashodu&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3118/Brandon_Rideau&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Brandon Rideau&lt;/a&gt; are both competing against &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/3078/Rashied_Davis&quot; class=&quot;sbn-auto-link&quot;&gt;Rashied Davis&lt;/a&gt; for the #3 WR spot, and that the game in Denver should answer a lot of questions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;line-height: 18px; color: #0b162a;&quot;&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;A fierce competition to be the No. 3 receiver will continue Sunday night in Denver with Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis and Brandon Rideau all in contention for the job.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;&quot;&gt;&quot;It&amp;rsquo;s very competitive, which is what you want,&quot; said receivers coach Darryl Drake. &quot;Each guy brings a little something different to the table. They know what they&amp;rsquo;re competing for, and we&amp;rsquo;re just looking forward to seeing who&amp;rsquo;s going to be the best fit for us and who&amp;rsquo;s going to be able to be a guy who can come in and do the things we need him to do.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The game will air at 8pm Eastern/ 7pm Central time on NBC Sunday night. &amp;nbsp;We will have our Game Thread that day, a quick recap right after the game for all of us download our first thoughts and emotions of what we saw, and after it has all sunken in, more observations and breakdowns Monday and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let us know what you are going to be looking for in the game Sunday... who to keep an eye on, who may be on the bubble, any other players that will be out due to injury.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cutler vs Orton... it's gonna be a fun night!&lt;/p&gt;
  


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