Can the Bears survive the loss of Mike Brown

He is not that crucial. Getting the running game going is ten times more important.

no wayyyyyyyyy! Carlos is basically the only for sure pitcher the Cubs have

No wayyyyy! Carlos is the only Picther on the Cubs that is a for sure thing. I think the jury is still out on Hill,Guzman and though it pains me to say, yes Prior.

Well, we're in the second qtr of the season, and let's see how well the bears handle adversity. I'm not worried at all. Yes, Brown is a leader on that defense. But this team has a lot of character, as shown from monday night's game. And that should pull them through.

The answer to this as far as I see it is "probably." While no one can deny the impact (tangible and otherwise) Brown has on the defensive side of the ball, this Bears' D has proven that they as a unit can step up and accommodate for the absence of a star (look at the D-line). Frankly, one can see why Angelo sought a safety this offseason (although trading out of the first round and not looking at the offense first was still a stupid decision); Brown can't stay healthy.

Sadly, the question marks on the Bears continue to be what they've always been--can the offense get it done? We saw Rex completely freeze on Monday, putting the Bears in a position to completely abandon a run they'd never bothered to establish in the first place (blame the coaching staff all you want, but if they'd tried to establish the run while down 20 in the second half, the message board would be full of "too conservative" or "no confidence" nonsense). My answer to that question, for the first time, is "yes." I can't believe I'm saying this, but Rex is aware enough of himself that there's no reason he can't fix his errors, especially during the bye week.

We're almost halfway through an interesting season, true believers. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

No.

I cringed when I heard the news. The Defense has lost a fierce competitor with a nose for the ball. Mike Brown is just not a guy who can play the position, he is a Defensive leader and we will miss him dearly. I heard what LOVIE said about him, and that is key. Mike Brown is an IMPACT player. Huge loss, but that said, I think we will be ok on Defense. We will have lost a lot, but its a hole we have to plug in a bad tire, vs having the Best tire money can buy. That will be the difference. Mike Brown took away things that were not seen, just like Urlacher. I just hope the replacements do a GREAT job, and that hopefully he can make it back for the Playoffs or Superbowl.

Why is Rex always trying for the quick six? He's gotta take some underneath routes sometimes that may stop the linbackers from dropping so deep on the outside guys slant routes.

Brown has no sacks, one pass defended and averages 4 tackles a game. He's popular, likes to play cheerleader and talks a lot of trash. He can still do that from the sideline. He's a good player so that depletes your depth but I think we'll be ok.

It's very crucial for any team to lose a star player, especially a pretty tough run stopper for a safty, but injuries happen just part of the game, plug the hole and troop on, let's not panic people. i believe were pretty deep in the secondary.

I hate losing a proven veteran but they are more prepared to replace him.He knew the writing was on the wall and he could see that it was a make it don't break anything year for him.It's a shame that someone who was so vocal and was a proponent for turning this team around like he did year isn't going to be there.When he came out and said "it's like we suck"last year this team turned it up and kept going until he wasn't there again.I don't care what some of you say it's a huge blow just knowing he isn't there.If B-Lac was out teams would run right up the middle more.With Brown a lot of teams just avoided going in his direction.Like fools,The Cards forgot to avoid Brian and also took it upon themselves to try and take advantage of Brown's absence.That's why Brian had so many oportunities to make plays.They figured that we had one less person in to stop the run.I'm gonna miss him and it takes us down a peg.Still Superbowl bound but without some of the mystique.That said,GO BEARS!!

I think the Bears wiil be just fine. Mike Brown wasn't having a pro bowl type year anyway. Not to say that thae Bear won't miss him. He is a great leader. However, I think any of those guys can step in and do the job.I just feel for Mike Brown because he is a good player.

The difference in having Brown vs. not having him is that the Bears will now go 14-2 instead of 16-0.

There is some intangible about Brown that lifts the play of those around him. That is what makes him a great player. Todd Johnson is a very good player and will be a competent replacement but I fear that some of the weaknesses of the secondary that were exploited in his absence last year will reemerge. Tillman in particular seems more vulnerable when Brown is out.

Urlacher is just learning how to be vocal and how to be a leader on this team and that's largely because of Mike Brown. Mike Brown is his partner in crime and the two of them have been there the longest. Brian would always say I'm not a leader or this is someone else's team but with M.B out so much he could no longer run from his destiny that being said i think the Bears can overcome the loss this time because Brian Urlacher is not afraid to be vocal anymore. i agree with you savannahbearfan that Mike can still be that "cheerleader" he's been for the Bears defense from the sideline because that's pretty much where he's been the last two years. don't get me wrong M.B we love you and I hope you come back next year not this year because we saw what happened last year when you came back too early *see Steve Smith film but at 2 and a half million for the next two years is still a bargain for a safety with his qualities and skills.

Bears will finish 10-6.

Just Kidding...

Lovie has taken the team concept and made it better, theres depth that wasn't there before, Yes Mike Brown is a BIG loss but the coaches and players can't allow it to become like a whinny distraction like a former Cubs manager did on the loss of Derek Lee and drag the whole team down with him.

The Bears will be a different team without Brown. No I don't believe they can replace the irreplaceable. What they can do is absorb the loss and adapt. Whoever comes in to play the position, the Bears must incorporate whatever unique skills that particular player has. If You'll remember Ronnie Lott wasn't the best cover safety, but was a devastating hitter. You can still have a psychological edge against an opponent, just use the tools available. I truly believe in the vibe of this team. This season is going to be akin to reading a novel. Rather than try to figure out how it's going to end, lets just enjoy every twist and turn of the story. I'll still see you in Miami!.

Just to make this point... just because a guy runs his mouth all the time and plays to the cameras and media does not make him a leader. There are plenty of guys that lead by example and with other methods besides jaw jacking and ham boning.

It looks to me like the BEARS aren't keeping ahead of teams without Brown.Two straight runners over 100 yards compared to one the other 6 games.It just goes to show that sometimes we don't know what these players are bringing to the game.Johnson is playing on the line at times and he's looking like a revolving door.Sisgombah.GO BEARS!!

Losing Mike Brown is just like losing Tommie Harris or Brian Urlacher to this defense. Anytime a safety records seven defensive touchdowns in the course of his career, you know he's pretty damn good. There have been games where he has carried this team mentally and physically and without #30 on the football field you can guarentee the bears will not only be short of one pro bowler, but they will be short of one of the greatest safety's in the game today and the heart of their Defense. You can never put as much faith in Chris Harris or Todd Johnson as you can in Mike Brown, and you know that no matter what he will always get the job done. You wont see the same spark or fire in this defense and the "brickhouse" will be one piece short of a championship.