Chicago Bear fans thread!

[wildboy26]

Any Chicago Bear fans here. I am super excited about this teams prospects this year. I believe they can go all the way. I was not thrilled with all their draft choices but I have faith in Angelo, one of the best GMs in the World.

I think you will see Benson have a great year. I think you will see Urlacher lead to leagues dominant defence again. Griese will have a great year as the starting QB, and Orton will make great strides as his backup by learning from an established NFL QB which will serve Orton well in the future. Bradley will have a breakout year, and Muhammad will return to his old form. Go BEARS!

[J.R.]

What about Rex Grossman? How's the outlook on his career? :laughing:

Chicago should win the NFC Norris division again. I don't think any of the other teams will even be above .500 next season, so the Bears will win the second easiest division again.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Muhammad returning to his old form? He had one good season in a contract year. He's a career 700-850 yard/3-5 TD wideout getting paid like a star. Also, they played a fairly easy schedule last season. Pitt and Cincy were really the only elite teams they faced all season. They should still win the division because of their weak divisional opponents and strong defense, but them crashing back down to earth also wouldn't be a shock.

[wildboy26]

The only way Chicago wont win the division is both Brian and Kyle get injured in training camp or early in the year and they have to start Rex(blech)Grossman at QB. Benson at running back will be an upgrade over Thomas Jones, Jones is a good RB, but Benson will prove the potential he had coming out of college this year(I believe he will end up starting over Thomas).

I agree there schedule is a bit tougher this year, but it is still pretty easy compared to alot of other teams. Only 3 or 4 true elite teams do they face, and some are ones they have had success against(Carolina who they lost to in the playoffs but crushed in the regular season last year for example).

As for Muhammad I wouldnt be at all surprised to see him return to his one great season.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

As for Muhammad I wouldnt be at all surprised to see him return to his one great season.

He's a 33 year old wideout. That's not likely.

[wildboy26]

He's a 33 year old wideout. That's not likely.

Since I am a big fan of the Bears I might be overly optimistic on a few people, I know this, I just have a hunch he will have a big year, he sounded very angry with his performance last year and seems fired up in the interviews he has done since. He also says he is healthier this year and is not fighting as many small injuries which has helped him train better this summer.

I want all of the Bears to have great seasons except for Grossman who I want to see in the press box, not even on the bench, in the press box as the #3.

[wildboy26]

Thomas Jones is holding out of training camp for now. Upset about his contract as the article suggest or more upset about the talk of Benson taking his place, and the crowded RB situation with Peterson also coming into his own? Only he knows I suppose, atleast until he says more publicly. Will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Gone, not forgotten: Disgruntled running back Thomas Jones continues to stay away from the Bears’ off-season workout program.

He signed a $10 million, four-year deal as a free agent after the 2003 season, but, based on his 1,335 rushing yards last year, Jones believes he’s underpaid.

A trade likely would result in a new, more lucrative contract. But the Bears might be hesitant to let Jones get away, since it would deprive them of the depth they value at running back.

“I figure it all will work out,” said Tom Spender, Bears running backs coach. “I know he hasn’t been there, but I know Thomas, and he is working out. I know he will be ready to go.”

Jones was the key to the Bears’ offense last season. He was fifth in the NFC in rushing yards and third on the Bears with 26 receptions.

“No question that was our guy,” Spencer said. “We’ve got to have Thomas. I hope everything gets squared away so I can get my man back. He did a lot of other things, a lot of the stuff other guys don’t want to do, a lot of that dirty work.”

As a possible hedge against trading Jones, the Bears on Friday signed 5-foot-10, 219-pound running back Tony Hollings to a two-year contract.

Selected in the second round of the 2003 NFL supplemental draft out of Georgia Tech, Hollings has a modest 149 career rushing yards on 49 carries; he has caught 7 passes for 71 yards. He appeared in just two games with the Houston Texans in 2005, with no statistics.

In just four career starts at Georgia Tech, he rushed for 633 yards.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Good, I have Benson in my keeper league.

[wildboy26]

I like Jones but I dont think he underpayed at all. He is pretty good running back, or was last year anyway, but he is not a true elite, he has never even been to the pro bowl in the weaker conference. Also with Benson, and even Peterson coming up, the team could live without him, and he should realize this; nor would he have much chance to be in a better situation with another team at this point in his career.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas Jones move on from Chicago. He's gonna get bumped out this year or next anyways. He has developed into a pretty nice back, and I'm sure a lot of teams would like to have him, but there is no way he'll get elite RB money.

The Bears this season should win the North again but who knows. If that defense is what I think it is, they should be able to make a run at the Super Bowl with all the young players having another year under their belt. The big question mark is if Rex Grossman can command the offense with Muhammad and Bradley/Berrian/Gage as the starting WRs. Their WR core is about as good as the Eagles and since they don't have McNabb behind center, they need to think up a way to keep the offense from losing the game.

[wildboy26]

I agree how well the Bears can produce offensively is their key, their defence is unquestionable.

[wildboy26]

It looks like the Chicago Bears are going to put almost the same team on the field as they did last year. Of all the teams in the NFL they have about the least turnover or change from last year of any of them. I like that they have a schedule with 6 games vs division rivals. I think they will win all 6 of those, and that will set them up to win the division again. I am not sure if they will end up with the bye to the conference semis again though.

If the Bears use Griese as their starting QB I predict a 13-3. Their only losses will be to Seatle, Arizona, and Dolphins. If the Bears use Grossman as their starting QB, like unfortunately it looks like they will(hopefully he gets injured again if they do)and they dont come to their senses and change it at some point, or get lucky with him getting injured again, their record will be 7-9 and they will miss the playoffs. They will still lose to Seatle, Arizona, Miami, but also will lose to the Patriots, Giants, Rams, Bucs, 1 of 6 divisional games, and the to the Jets. The team they split the 2 divisional games with, probably either Green Bay or Minnesota, will win the division with either a 8-8 or 9-7 record if Rex is the starting QB for the whole year.

[wildboy26]

The Bears are the only team in the NFL who might have all their starters from last year starting again this year.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

So their offense will be just as pathetic? At least Grossman can throw the ball downfield. Too bad they don't have the receivers to keep defenses honest.

[wildboy26]

I am looking for Bradley or Berrian, whichever one starts as #2 WR to have a breakout year this year. Actually who knows, if both show alot in practice and Muhhamad dissapoints relative to the expectations of him, they might both be in the starting lineup by the middle of the year.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Berrian's a burner from what I saw of him last year. Probably will settle in as the slot receiver with his speed, and should stretch defenses if the Bears throw more next year. I'm not sure how tough he is though, and if he's willing to fight for balls over the middle. Bradley had a solid career from the Sooners on a team with a lethal air attack, but the 2nd year is still a bit soon for most receivers to break out. Unless you're an elite talent it usually takes until the 3rd or 4th year for you to come into your own.

[wildboy26]

Here is a quote for the day- "I'm not trying to be the best quarterback on my team," Grossman said. "I'm trying to be the best quarterback in the league."

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-060725bears,1,4844093.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Good. The kid has a swagger. You need one to be a great QB.

[wildboy26]

Rex Grossman saying he wants to be Peyton Manning and Tom Brady is the equivalent of Jesse Palmer saying he wants to be better then Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. After all their career stats in the NFL are almost identical right now.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

So I guess Wayne Gretzky never should have wanted to be like Gordie Howe when he was little. After all, he hadn't even played an NHL game yet. There is nothing wrong with saying you wanna be great. I would much rather have a QB who wants to be the best than one who just doesn't wanna screw up.

[wildboy26]

Well he could have said he wanted to be the best QB in the NFC. That would still be a huge goal to set for himself, and it would mean he would realize being better then Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Carson Palmer(assuming he recovers from that big injury in last years playoffs) the big 3 QBs in the league is totally unrealistic, atleast for now.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

Him being better than McNabb is unrealistic.

[wildboy26]

Him being better than McNabb is unrealistic.

Actually you are probably right even there, which further emphasizes what I am saying, it is crazy for him to talk about becoming the best QB in the league. Even you are saying it is unrealistic to even be better then McNabb who BTW I fully expect to NOT be the best QB in the NFC any longer, with TO gone and coming off an injury his stock will drop big time from two years ago I predict, then how on earth is it not crazy to talk about being better then Brady, Palmer, and Manning who will throw circles around somebody like McNabb this year.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

Actually you are probably right even there, which further emphasizes what I am saying, it is crazy for him to talk about becoming the best QB in the league. Even you are saying it is unrealistic to even be better then McNabb who BTW I fully expect to NOT be the best QB in the NFC any longer, with TO gone and coming off an injury his stock will drop big time from two years ago I predict, then how on earth is it not crazy to talk about being better then Brady, Palmer, and Manning who will throw circles around somebody like McNabb this year.

McNabb is the 3rd best QB in the league. Grossman can catapult himself into the top 10, maybe top 5 QBs if he had an insanely good season this year, but there is no way he would be considered better than Manning, Brady, or McNabb. I don't expect him to do that, because all he has to do is not screw up. But just because he says he wants to be the best, doesn't mean he's crazy or arrogant. Chad Johnson wants to be like Jerry Rice, but in all likelyhood won't be considered in the same class as Rice. So I guess he should just stop too.

Also, funny that you mention McNabb injury as a deterent to his upcoming season yet say Palmer will be better. You must have missed Palmer having his knee basically destroyed in the playoffs last year. An injury much worse than what McNabb had. McNabb is better than every QB in the league save for Brady and Manning.

[wildboy26]

McNabb is the 3rd best QB in the league. Grossman can catapult himself into the top 10, maybe top 5 QBs if he had an insanely good season this year, but there is no way he would be considered better than Manning, Brady, or McNabb. I don't expect him to do that, because all he has to do is not screw up. But just because he says he wants to be the best, doesn't mean he's crazy or arrogant. Chad Johnson wants to be like Jerry Rice, but in all likelyhood won't be considered in the same class as Rice. So I guess he should just stop too.

Also, funny that you mention McNabb injury as a deterent to his upcoming season yet say Palmer will be better. You must have missed Palmer having his knee basically destroyed in the playoffs last year. An injury much worse than what McNabb had. McNabb is better than every QB in the league save for Brady and Manning.

Actually you are right on Palmer's injury. I am a big fan of his so I am hoping it does not ruin his career, and he might even be able to start the year close to 100%. Still I thought Palmer of last year was better then McNabb was in any year in his career.

I highly doubt you will be saying McNabb is the 3rd best QB in the league after this year. Without TO he will drop down the pecking order, you will see. I doubt he will even be the best QB in the NFC this year. Matt Hasselback or Marc Bulger I predict will be.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

McNabb was one of the best QBs in the NFC before Owens, I don't know why he'd fall off now. Hasselback isn't a big numbers guy, and Bulger doens't have Martz anymore so they may actually hand the ball off with some consistency to Stephen Jackson.

[THE HACK]

McNabb was one of the best QBs in the NFC before Owens, I don't know why he'd fall off now. Hasselback isn't a big numbers guy, and Bulger doens't have Martz anymore so they may actually hand the ball off with some consistency to Stephen Jackson.

The only way he'll fall off is because of his recieving corps and not because of McNabbs abilities.McNabb will come back strong but his recievers are average.I'm saying the Eagles will get Donovan help in the name of Joey Porter from Oakland and McNabb will put up good numbers as usual.

Cheers

[wildboy26]

Unfortunately reports so far are that Rex looks great in camp and looks like a lock to be the Bears starting QB to open the season at this point. Grrrrrrr, oh well I will cheer for the team still inspite of the arrogant rich brat. While I disagree with almost all of LiAmTrAnSdEmOn's opinions on Qbs I do agree with her/him on one thing he/she said, that is that Rex has no chance to ever be a top 3 QB in the NFL, he is much too weak to have any chance of ever doing that.

On another note Benson looks likely to be healed to start the season opener, although not 100% sure yet. Backup fullback Bryan Johnson was hurt, so youngster Brunells will likely backup starter Jason McKie.

[wildboy26]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=16422

"It starts with the quarterback," Smith said. "Our quarterback is throwing the ball exceptionally well I really like what Rex Grossman is doing, what the offense is doing and the progress that they're making."

"He's just playing with so much confidence right now," said quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson. "Being in the system for two years, he knows where our guys are. Now he's reacting to what the defense does and reacting to what he sees.

"His initial practices were good, and then he kind of went through a period where your arm gets kind of tired and dead, and now his arm is back live again. You just go through that phase every time you go through training camp. His arm's fresh again, so he's been extremely sharp."

[wildboy26]

These are articles on the Bears wins so far:

Win vs Packers:http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/packers/9818077/detail.html


Win vs Lions
http://www.register-mail.com/stories/091806/SPO_BB0D3KU7.GID.shtml


Win vs Vikings
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/15600829.html


Win vs Seahawks
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/10/02/sports/sports/43826830ad9aaf5a862571fb001555ee.txt

[wildboy26]

What is going to happen to Chicago on their 3 game road trip when they play New England, NY Jets, and NY Giants? I am worried about that a bit. Also Rex has played much much better at home then on the road so far. He has 11 TDs and 0 INTs in 4 games at home so far, only 2 TDs and 7 INTs in only 3games on the road so far.

Even though the team does not revolve around him by any means, and even have shown they can win when he is awful, that is still reason to think they could be in big trouble vs the Patriots and Giants especialy if that is how he keeps playing on the road.

I still hope we see more of Cedric Benson before the end of the year, but probably have to wait until next year when Jones is likely traded.

[J.R.]

They're in tough against New England, but I see them winning that one and rolling for a pair of wins at Giants Stadium.

[wildboy26]

I hated Rex before the year but I am finding myself cheering for him more since he is more important to the success of my favorite team then I thought he would be, and that makes me feel obligated to cheer for him. I hope he has his best road games of the year so far vs New England and the NY Giants. I want to see him start to perform on the road a couple times anyway like he does at home . So far his rookie success has been mostly a great success, but he hasnt performed that well on the road yet.