I know we're all thinking about who the Bears are going to add to our O-line. Now that they are stalling to do this and many of the higher graded O-lineman have come off of the board, I thought I would compile a list of the remaining lineman that we have to choose from. Let's hope they move in on somebody quick.

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I found myself rummaging through the archives of NFL.com today to do a little evaluation of where our Bears were last season during the preseason and where they are now. Since the first game of the preseason, I've been very hard on every performance the Bears have put on display and for good reason. We have been quite possibly one of the worst performing teams during the 2010 preseason in all three phases and if that is not cause for alarm then I don't know what is.

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Despite the weather, Saturday was a wonderful day to be in Soldier Field enjoying the annual Chicago Bears fan expo. Anytime09 and I, accompanied by our girlfriends, arrived at Soldier Field around 9 am to be one of the first few to enter into all of the excitement that will be the 2010 season. Receiving our scratch off tickets and several random knick-knacks, we stopped to see just which premier players our scratch-off tickets were so lucky to bestow upon us.

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In the past few days I've read a few articles regarding which defensive end position to place Julius Peppers. Julius is normally a right defensive end going against opposing teams' left tackles and attacking the QB's blind side, although he has played left end and he claims it does not matter to him where he lines up. Alex Brown is also a right defensive end and has also switched to left end during the 2007 season when Mark Anderson was given the starting right end job, which shows he's a team player and will do what is best for the team.

Why all this discussion on where to play Peppers? To me, it has left the option open to keep Alex Brown at his position, which as a average DE, he should play stronger at what is most comfortable to him while placing Julius on the left side because simply...he's a freak of nature and will get you production anywhere you place him. But is that the wiser decision to make? Julius is a right defensive end and no matter where he has played in the past, right end is where he is the most successful. It is where we've seen him work his magic and got our collective jaws-dropping at the sheer strength and straight up dominance he has displayed. But there's another side of the coin as well. The right tackle of an opposing team doesn't receive the type of pressure to perform quite like a left tackle does having to protect his QB from what he cannot see. Giving Julius the opportunity to do work against a team's right tackle would seem to be a favorable match-up for the Bears every time the ball is snapped, the only drawback is the QB can see him coming. No matter where you place Peppers, a powerhouse is coming and opposing teams better be prepared.

So how do you decide? You've spent $91 Million dollars bringing in one of the best and most versatile players in the NFL, so now what? In my opinion, he's a right defensive end and as a Bear he needs to play right defensive end, period. We're talking about a guy who has had 81 sacks over his 8 year career while almost exclusively playing right end and has said recently that he prefers to play right end because he leads with his left arm and considers it to be his "strong hand." But even more important than that, the #1 reason why I believe he has to be our starting right end next year can be summed up in two words...forced fumbles. Julius is an absolute monster having generated 30 forced fumbles over the course of his career. By allowing Peppers to get at the QB's blind side is what has made him so successful at forced fumbles and the beautiful spectacle that is the strip-sack! When Julius beats the tackle and you can't see him coming, you better hold on to that ball for dear life or he will take what is rightfully his. That to me is why he has to play right end this season. If you allow the QB to see Julius coming, you are hurting the probability that he will generate a turnover and that's what our defense is all about.

The $91 million dollar man needs to play where he has earned the respect that demands a $91 million dollar contract.

So what do you think, Bears fans? Left or right?

Bear Down.

CSN Chicago Article

Ever since the Bears decided to go "hog wild" in free agency there has been a lot of discussions on WCG about making a play for OJ Atogwe, free safety of the St. Louis Rams. Because the Rams have decided to place the lowest tender possible on Atogwe, many Bears fans, including myself, have become very interested in the prospect of the Bears making a play for the young and talented free safety. There has been a phrase that has been thrown around in discussions lately to help the Bears land Atogwe with little or no resistance from the St. Louis Rams, and that phrase is "poison pill."

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I hope that I'm not the only one who had not known about this but according to Dan Pompei, Bennett had knee surgery and may miss a portion of the off-season workouts. This is a surprise to me because I do not recall Earl having any downtime during the season for any certain injuries or even heading to the sidelines because of one in game, please correct me if I am wrong. This is obviously a disappointment based on the arrival of Martz and his new offensive scheme that, according to him, the whole team will have learned and be ready to execute by the time we open the 2010 season. Earl proved to be a reliable receiver during his first season as a starter and I am excited to see how he progresses next season. I am disappointed though that he is now subjected to a healing process on top of learning a new system; I hope all of that Vanderbilt intelligence pays off and he can be ready by camp, we're going to need him.

Here's the article.

Thought this was interesting. According to the Florida Times-Union, The Jags are getting set to release wideout Torry Holt with two years remaining on his contract. Holt registered a career low in catches, yards and touchdowns during his first season with the Jaguars. If he is released, it might not be a bad idea for the Bears to pick him up. Torry was his most productive under Martz's system in St. Louis and he could really help our young group of receivers with digesting Martz's playbook and polishing their fundamentals. 

I remember last year after we picked up Cutler a lot of people, including myself, were expressing a desire to have Holt join the Bears for a veteran presence and now that we have Martz our chances are better than ever. With Hester's desire to focus more on the return game it is removing our most veteran receiver into a less significant role, a veteran presence like Holt could be a smart addition. I think this is a move that is likely to happen and should. How do you feel about it?

Link to the article: Jaguars Set to Release WR Holt

Also, the Jags are set to release their OT Tra Thomas.

A day after hiring Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator, the Bears have hired Mike DeBord as their TE coach. DeBord was an offensive line assistant for the Seahawks under MIke Holmgren and last season was the Seahawks tight ends coach under Jim Mora. DeBord is credited with tutoring John Carlson into a very productive TE and has spent 26 seasons coaching in the college ranks.

You can view the article on chicagobears.com HERE.

The Bears are showing that they appear to have a preference for offensive minds with the first name Mike. I am not overwhelmingly familiar with Mike DeBord but I do like that he is credited with helping to mold Carlson into a good tight end for the Seahawks. I personally don't understand why Rob Boras was let go but let's hope DeBord can get the best out of our tight ends.

According to csnchicago.com, Mike Martz traveled to Nashville, TN on Saturday to visit with Jay Cutler personally and discuss the possibility of the two of them working together during the 2010 NFL season. Martz is said to be the only coordinator who took it upon himself to travel and meet with Jay personally. In past interviews, the Bears had flown Cutler to Chicago to meet with the other OC prospects but, in the circumstance of Martz's interview, it appears Jay was not there. Let's hope they are not discussing rumors about him skipping OTA's if Martz is hired.

More is suppose to develop from this story in the near future and here is a link to the article:
Report: Martz Met with Bears' Cutler in Nashville

Let's hope that the meeting went well and, if Martz is to be hired, they are ready to raise hell together in 2010.

Update: espnchicago.com is reporting the same story. Report: Martz met with Cutler

I stumbled across this interview with Mike Ditka speaking to Chicago media about the Bears search for a defensive and offensive coordinator and I wanted to share it with everyone at WCG incase you guys haven't seen it yet. Mike Ditka is legendary in the city of Chicago and helped bring this city to the pinnacle of excellence as a player and as a head coach. You can hear in his voice exactly where his loyalties are and this man embodies all that Chicago Bears football is suppose to represent. 

Actually listening to this just about brought tears to my eyes because the man has so much love for this team and this city that it is such a shame that there is nobody running this organization with a fraction of his passion. I loved his approach to certain coaches who decided to not take a coordinator position with our beloved Bears and his view on that matter brought pride back into my heart about exactly why the Bears are the greatest team in the NFL and anyone who decides to pass on such an opportunity to be a part of our legacy is a fool and doesn't deserve to step one foot onto Soldier Field.

Ditka's views on the future of the Bears and the way the NFL works today gives me the opinion that this guy can still be a quality part of this franchise if he was given the opportunity. If I was part of the McCaskey family, I would hear these words and immediately be on the phone with Ditka about a possible GM position within the Bears. Can you think of anyone who would care about the well being and success of the Bears more than Ditka? Besides it may also help Mr. Halas to rest in peace a bit more comfortably knowing that Ditka was around to help this team return to it's former glory. If the McCaskey's want to bring the faith of the fans back on the side of our management, they could start with a push for Ditka to return. 

Mike Ditka for General Manager in 2011! Who's with me?

Ditka on Bears Coordinator Search

According to John "Moon" Mullin over at CSN Chicago, two separate individuals high up in the Bears' organization have confirmed that Lovie Smith will return as the Bears HC in 2010. As I was watching the Blackhawks game tonight, I saw a headline for this evening's "sports night" that was questioning the security of Lovie as our HC going into 2010, unfortunately I am getting the wrong outcome that I have been hoping for. Apparently Moon feels like this all but secures Lovie to be back next season, although that doesn't mean anything is for certain but it is disappointing none the less. 

The article is posted below and may God have mercy on our souls.

Mullin: Lovie will Return as Bears' Head Coach in 2010

I just came across an article about the Bears/ Packers rivalry which seemed to reach it's peak on November 23, 1986. This story is about a particular Packers' defensive lineman named Charles Martin and why Jim McMahon described this rivalry as a "gang war." I'll let you all read it for yourselves but I thought it was an extremely interesting read about how our Bears franchise could be hailed today had this event not happened. It's funny how much the NFL has changed in 20 years.

Chicago's most notorious nemesis: Packers' Charles Martin

Does Michael Crabtree bother the hell out of anyone else out there as much as he bothers me? A rookie WR already becoming a pre-madonna and threatening to hold out of his entire rookie NFL season because he believes he deserves more money than the 49ers are willing to give him on his rookie contract. What a greedy and selfish prick. He's basing his complaints on what Hayward-Bey is being paid because his ego is taking over and he thinks he deserved to be the first WR taken off the board and he deserves the money DHB's receiving. His advisor is his cousin, probably as ignorant and selfish as him, and he's the one spreading that he might be holding out the whole season in hopes of re-entering the draft in 2010. Guess what, you DEFINITELY AREN'T going to be drafted higher than you were after this show of immaturity.

What the hell is wrong with this guy? He is a ROOKIE not to mention an INJURED ROOKIE and he thinks he can make all these demands and hold out an entire season based on what he thinks he should be paid? What ever happened to being happy to be given the privilege to be in the NFL? This jackass is really making a name for himself already as being another WR who thinks he's bigger and better than anyone else. He's missed all of the 49ers offseason activities nursing his injury and still thinks he's in a position to demand more than what he's given. Guess what Crabtree, no matter how impressive any players' college career has been, then can still be BUSTS and I for one hope that is exactly what you become. 

Aparently, Urlacher and Bobby Wade did some talking and Brian expressed a certain opinion of Cutler that Bobby Wade thought necessary to express to the media. Personally, I doubt this is the truth but thought everyone might get a kick out of the article. Check it out. 

Link.

 What is your take on this? Maybe Wade is trying to divert some negative attention the Vikings will be receiving soon based on Favre's refusal to become a Queen. Talk amongst yourselves.

On today's NFL Live, Tim Hasslebeck spoke about Plaxico Burress and had nothing positive to say about his addition to any team. The story began with coverage on Plaxico's "posse" being denied from entering a New York nightclub. They were turned away from entering because of the guns they brought to the club the night Plaxico shot himself. They then showed a clip of what Tim Hasslebeck spoke of regarding his own playing experience with Burress. He was a teammate with Plax for two years and went on to say what basically translates as being horrible for any locker room. I tried to find a video link for everyone to check it out but I couldn't find one. What I can recall off the top of my head was along the lines of: he was late for meetings, wouldn't run full speed at practice, and would actually leave the field during games if he wasn't getting the ball. I know there was more but that is all i can think of without actually watching it again. 

This was all unsettling to hear because I've been a supporter of Plax during all of our conversations between whether to get him or not. I kept wanting to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and didn't think that a one-year deal would hurt to check him out but you never like to hear things like that. I know the guy would be a huge upgrade to our WR core and I would love his talent to be on the field but I really don't want his character to come with it if that is truly the person he is. Our team can win right now and I'm confident in that, we don't need to try and take that "extra step"in acquiring a big name WR this early into getting our franchise quarterback if it means hurting our locker room.  I'm not going to completely turn on the guy right now because of what I've seen but he has definitely hurt his value to me. Besides, anyone who has a "posse" is kind of a douche anyway. 

via www.mattdahl.com

I know that Rashied Davis is a running gag within the confines of Windy City Gridiron but let's find out what you really think about him. It is reported that Davis is set to return to the slot this season and with Cutler as our QB you could assume that he might have a very productive season. But on the other hand this is Rashied Davis we are talking about and he hasn't been the most reliable of Bears' receivers. So I had an idea to start " The Rashied Davis 2009 Stat Contest" which is a contest that shall prove who on Windy City Gridiron was right about their opinions about Rashied Davis. Heres how the game works:

1. Each participant shall make an estimate on how many TOTAL YARDS and TOUCHDOWNS Rashied Davis                   receives for the entire 2009 regular season.

2. At the end of the regular season, we find the WCG participant who came closest to or guessed the exact                         amount of TOTAL YARDS and TOUCHDOWNS he received in 2009.

3. That WCG participant is named the winner and is given the title of "The Rashied MindFreak"

I know the end of the season is very far away from now but I thought it would be an interesting contest and I'd just like to see how many total yards and touchdowns everyone thought he would accumulate through the season. Should make for some interesting discussion until we crown a winner so WCG don't lose this post. Good Luck. 

via silentarchimedes.files.wordpress.com

The way things are looking we could easily be going into our 09' season with a group of unproven receivers. I am okay with this because I believe Cutler can make these young receivers quite productive especially with the other threats of Clark, Olsen, and Forte. In the mean time, why not sign Plaxico or at least bring him in for a visit and let him know that we are interested in his services once his legal matters have been fulfilled. I severely doubt that he will be sentenced to any jail time and if we have to wait until the middle or late season to finally be able to get him on the field, then so be it. If we are going to go without picking up any other veteran WR in free agency and play our drafted WRs and Bennett anyway then I can only see positives from a move like this. The guy can play, he's a big threat with great hands and with him on the field our offense would be extremely potent. Maybe we could even get a decent price for him with all his current troubles. I would be very satisfied with picking him up and waiting to use him until he was available, what do you think?

via sports.popcrunch.com

The Bears need to pick up a veteran WR. I've been waiting every day since "Jay Cutler Day" to hear news about potential WR trades or possible pickups visiting/scheduling visits to Halas Hall that would finally give Jay a legit #1 but alas, I am yet to hear any news. I think this needs to be addressed before the draft because I believe we need to use our higher picks on defense. 

So we've talked about Plaxico. No thanks. No point in wasting money for someone who is going to have to be suspended and probably serve jail time. Haven't mentioned the Jaguar's recently released wideouts (Matt Jones and Reggie Williams) but unless we want to blow some lines during half time, I think we'll pass. Torry Holt, I would love to have you on the Bears for your skill and what you could teach our young receivers. It seems that you may be interested in Tennessee but I believe you would rather get passes from Jay Cutler than Vince "manic depressive" Young or prehistoric Kerry Collins. Look us up ASAP. But now to the point of this blog, how about Chad Ocho Cinco? I am aware that we would have to trade for him but we could make it happen. From watching Sports Center, it seems that the Bengals are interested in getting rid of him and why not bring him here to see what he can do. The guy has had a pretty impressive career if you break it down and would definitely give Cutler a legitimate #1 wideout. 

Receptions/career: 612 
Receiving yards/career: 8905 
Receiving yards/game: 260 on Nov. 12, 2006 at New Orleans 
Receiving yards/season: 1440 in 2007 (Ocho Cinco has the top five seasons in club history) 
Receiving yards/consecutive games: 450, at New Orleans and vs. San Diego in 2006 (also an NFL record) 
100-yd. receiving games/career: 26 
90+ receptions seasons: Four 
100-yd. receiving games/season: Five (shared) 
Receiving TDs/game: Three (shared)

Not to mention that from the 2003 to 2006 seasons he won the AFC receiving title four consecutive years. This guy has major talent. Unlike some of the fore mentioned WR, he does not get into trouble with the law. He has had some feuds with Bengal's management but he's going into his 9th year as a pro, who wouldn't get frustrated and want to get out of the deathtrap that is Cincinatti. His only major flaw would be that of his character. Just like T.O., Chad is known to be a bit full of himself and quite frankly looks like a moron with some of his escapades, but the guy produces. If I had to choose between a productive WR who may either get suspended/ get in trouble with the law or someone who sometimes acts like a complete douche bag and get fined, I'd take the douche bag every time.

In my opinion, it seems that the Bengal's are very much ready to let Chad go, and I think he's definitely worth seeing what it would take to get him. I remember last year in the midst of Chad trying to get traded he came on Chicago radio and talked about how he would make Grossman a star. Well Grossman is gone, Cutler is already a star so why not come win us a Super Bowl? I really don't trust drafting a 2nd round receiver because rookie wideouts are so unpredictable and we already basically have a rookie in Bennett. So what would we have to trade?

I'm reluctant to give up many picks because of the Cutler deal but for Chad I would definitely give up our 2nd round. Maybe a 3rd and a player. Maybe 2nd and 3rd but one from 09' and one from 2010. 

What do you think? Talk amongst yourselves.

BEAR DOWN!

Lately, I have been overwhelmingly frustrated when reading anything about the Bears offseason moves or lack there of. Already too many players have drifted through and still linger in free agency that could turn our team into a contender while we "hibernate" and pinch our pennies. (Not to mention the few players on the trading block who the Bears should be bending over backwards to attempt to acquire.) I imagine that hearing about Jay Cutler's situation going from bad to worse excites the hopes of Bears fans everywhere, also Cutler hails from Santa Claus, Indiana and has admitted that he grew up a Bears fan. It would be a dream come true to have a Pro Bowl QB who grew up loving the Bears like all of us under center, finally bringing an end to the horrors that plague that position. Yet why do I have to open the paper and read why our management will do nothing to pursue someone who can turn around our franchise? Why do I have to read the quality articles from Bears fans on WCG knowing that all our questions, comments, and concerns will fall on deaf ears? I'm tired of hearing the Bears should offer this and that when I don't see any desire or passion from any of our management. Believing that the Bears problems will be solved by our coaching changes is a joke. It's like Angelo and Lovie are expecting to be gone by the end of next season and don't care about the franchise or winning.

Can we at least hear that the Bears are interested in these players who could turn this team around? Can we at least hear they are making offers even if those offers have been rejected or are along with other offers from other teams? I just don't get it anymore. This nonchalant attitude that echoes through Halas hall makes me ill. How is this helping this team become anything more than what we have been since removed from our Super Bowl year? And for some reason within the Bears it seems like they think all they are doing is the best things for the franchise. I used to really enjoy reading Larry Mayer's blog about the Bears on the official site but after he started posting comments from Bears' fans that disagreed with they're moves, he has shown that his head is securely fashioned up the a** of the Bears' management and thats where it shall stay. Where is the passion and pride of the Chicago Bears when we need it? 

In conclusion, I realize that I am rambling but who better to ramble to than true Bears fans. If Bears management wants to continue this way then why don't they release a statement explaining that they will not be doing anything smart for the rest of the offseason outside of the draft, that way when news hits of potential players on the market who could really help our team we can just read about Urlacher in the weight room or that Bullocks decided on us because of our great tradition. Give me a break. I love the Chicago Bears more than any other team in existence. I believe in the players we have but we all know we are not ready to make a run at the Super Bowl. If they aren't preparing our team for the highest level of success they are preparing them for failure and disappointment. Please let the winds of change blow through Halas Hall...I'm growing weary of this. 

Bear Down. 

What do you think about the Bears picking up Tim Tebow? I respect the guys heart and talent and I think he could be a pro bowl caliber QB. Not to mention, a QB that can scramble and already has a good arm could open up the playbook a bit more for the Bears. We have pressing needs at early rounds (DE, OT, S, LB) and if Tebow falls after a good pick or two I don't see why not. Talk amongst yourselves.

P.S. - PICK UP A WR IN FA!!!! WAKE UP ANGELO!!! I'd rather see Orton next year with a good free agent like Boldin or Housh than a new QB starting anyway.

After todays game I was disgusted with our defense. I can only assume that most Bears fans agree with me. I've been given this impression with the coverage in the news lately about our players losing their faith in the play calling. When I hear them speak they sound disheartened but do not want to place any blame on their coaches or any scheme. They want the blame all their own. I cannot after todays loss place the blame on player performance as the players would want us to believe. I truly believe the blame to lie on the one controlling our defense.

I feel it is time for the Chicago Bears to part with Bob Babich. This is supposed to be one of the most feared defenses in the NFC and even the entire NFL. It is time to return to that greatness and cut the weak link.

It is to my belief that members of the Chicago Bears organization look into fan sites and evaluate how their fans are reacting to the way OUR TEAM is being managed. If you believe that it is time to part with Bob Babich as our defensive coordinator please let your voice be heard, if not your opinion is respected.