Full Court Press

I can take over?

I kind of liked the first quarter. Benson was taking a licking and it was good to see him dish it out a few times. Seems like they took Rex out just before the wheels were about to fall off. They really started creaking I can tell you. Olson was fantastic. The kid actually had a few moves. Speaking of moves I missed the end of the 1st and start of the 2nd because "nature made a collect call and I had to accept the charges". But Griese couldn't have looked more uninterested(Sorry,Ms Justice). Orton made Darryl M. proud. The guy looked like a giant among the kids in the later quarters. All and all not bad. Maybe the "over the counter" Ayabendejo saved his BEAR career with this outing. GO BEARS!!!

have a good vacation is all I got to say this early in the season. Besides, I didn't get the game....being stuck up here and all.

Substitute moderator!!! Parrrrrteeeeeee!

I want Kyle Orton to QB this team...still do. Ced definitely runs downhill, but when he's in space, he's ATrain...we'll all just have to wait and see on that one.

Mark Anderson is a beast...un freakin real

Greg Olsen is gonna cause major problems for defenses....wow

No losers in this game, really. Everybody showed up.

I was actually surprised at the crispness of the starting "D" and "O". Not bad. Even the play calling was sharp. Penalties hurt early, and for guys that have played together as long as the Bears line, that was a little concern. Special teams were my disappointment of the evening, though I really didn't get to see if it was all regulars, a hodgepodge of players or all subs. Last, but not least, were the offensive line back-ups. These kids were shaky at best, and the Sun-Times reminded us that they were a group probably not gonna see a down in the N.F.L. this year. I hope not, cause they were blocking against guys who probably won't see a down in the N.F.L. this year. Offensive line and Babich look to be the keys this year, HEALTH and GUTS.

Mike,make sure you take your pepto because after this week you will be nauseous.

I was basically pleased with the performance of the starting units. Rex was sharp but I was hoping to see more downfield passes and a little more of Rex. Its possible this is a new Rex taking less chances than last year but two series is hardly enough to identify much of a pattern. Things that stood out were the use of safety blitzes by Babich as it appears he will be more aggresive blitzing than Rivera. The announcing was as bad as it could get. In fact I was falling asleep watching the game in the 3Q so I turned the game off and missed and the 4Q fun. Winners, all 3 QB's, Ced, Olson, Bradley, a blitzing Mike Brown and Archuletta, red zone defense and Briggs.

Enjoy your vacay, Roman - I'm jealous. Clem, I swear I had the exact same thought. Let's party!!!!!!

William - nice post. Do you remember what I said about training camp 2 weeks ago? As long as we're all on the same page. (Wait, what?????) And TMI, Willy, please. It was enough about your lactose intolerance and the Golden Grahams. What the hell did you eat for dinner?

Mikey - you sure you're ready for us?

WRD....Nice detail...do you want to tell us anything else? I mean...what color was it? Did it flush down ok? Any residuals? Were you left with that empty feeling?

I know how much you utilize that stock pile of yours. so...dont waste it.

I almost forgot to mention an important detail about Saturdays' game, even though it was the first of the pre-season. Garrett Wolfe played fairly well, and DID NOT miss a block. Way to make Chicago and N.I.U. proud Mr. Wolfe. WRD, why are you falling into the trap of someones' counterfeit life. Remember, fool me once, shame on him, fool me twice, shame on me. Let it amuse itself!

Hello Mike - I do not believe in picking on the new guy or trainee. Hope your time here is a great learning experience. Did Roman leave you with tips or just tossed you into the fire feet first?

Have a good time dicerning the madness.

O'Brien responds: Thanks for the kind words. I'm not able to make a post yet, but hopefully the tech people will fix that soon.

That last Anonymous post sounds a lot like Keith!?

Such a Brown Noser!!

I found this great article....

http://blockingchop.blogspot.com

Didn't get the chance to watch much of the game (didn't see K.O.), but glad it actually inspired some optimism, even if it was against the scrubs of the mighty Texans.

So, Mike--welcome, buddy. What did Roman say to convince you to babysit us losers?

After watching the Bears game, I learned a few things:Garrett Wolfe and Devin Hester are special athletes, the Bears have excellent team depth, the defense is impressive, and the quarterback position is very stable.

Also, thanks to Mike Ditka, I learned most people have ten toes and the food at his new restaurant is good, real good!.

stuckinwisconsin...you should see my Naked Raygun, Effigies, Big Black, and Jesus and the mary chain collection...It's been my work out music since high school...

and welcome Mike....OB, huh?.....applicator free/personal fit protection?...Well, guess you can always say you were designed by a woman for a woman...

Go Bears!!!

Thoughts on the first preseason game:

- Rex was sharp, although its a little easy when you don't throw the ball over 10 yards - he didn't look any better than Griese or especially Orton

- The backup ofensive linemen are terrible, we better hope there are no significant injuries to the offensive line starters this year

- Special teams (especially coverage) looked AWFUL - this had better get fixed pronto

- Running game was stagnant, not a good sign

Overall, Orton was the best quarterback on the field. The defense played well with a short field due to special teams lapses. Need to see better running game.

Anthony, you're right. I couldn't help myself. I'll do better after tonight. And I didn't say the whole word lactose intolerant Julie so that doesn't constitutes(no pun intended) as a bad thing. I let you use you're intelligence and played on words. It was borderline crass but hey this is a sports blog and you have to have intestinal fortitude (no pun intended)to withstand all this testosterone. And I think it was the KFC that did me in the ..,I'm mean, did me in(Period)

Anthony, you're right. I couldn't help myself. I'll do better after tonight. And I didn't say the whole word lactose intolerant Julie so that doesn't constitutes(no pun intended) as a bad thing. I let you use you're intelligence and played on words. It was borderline crass but hey this is a sports blog and you have to have intestinal fortitude (no pun intended)to withstand all this testosterone. And I think it was the KFC that did me in the ..,I mean, did me in(Period)

I wasn't around this blog this time last year - you guys ever talk about fantasy football? My draft is coming up soon.

I guess we are ALL going on vacation this week!

THOMAS JONES GOES DOWN!!!!! UNTOUCHED !!!! OUT FOR MONTHS!!!!

I say again...BEST OFFSEASON DEAL WE COULDA MADE!!!

If I didn't have the stomach for you guys I would've ditched this blog a long time ago. I just think it's weird to post your bowel habits.

So, Mike - we haven't heard from you yet. You okay? We tried to warn you.......

The Bears are in a position where the preseason doesn't really matter for much more than the young guys gaining experience. Our players have been together for so long and have so much experience that we already have a rapport between players on the field and don't need to gain an identity or anything. Our guys are comfortable with eachother and know what to do on the football field. We know how good this team is. We're not going to let the cat out of the bag in the preseason by running any explosive plays. We'll run some vanilla plays and get off the field. Anyone picking the Saints and Eagles have absolutely no clue what makes a good football team. We are head and shoulders above the NFC. Our team did nothing but improve in the offseason, and we're going to kill opposing teams. By the way, the season opener in SD is a SuperBowl preview.

Seriously. We made it to the SuperBowl minus two pro-bowlers on "D". How is that even possible? Take two pro-bowlers off of any team in the NFL besides ours and it ruins their season. The Bears are scary. McNabb wishes he played for us. Anyone who doesn't see us as the favorite is an idiot. "But they lost Thomas Jones and Ron Rivera." Please, we got rid of them to make our team better. I said it before and I'll say it again: We are at the beginning of a dynasty.

When are people going to realize that Mike Ditka is an egomaniacal no-talent loser who latched himself onto the Bears like a giant leech and dragged one of the greatest football teams of all time into mediocrity? He managed to take a team that should have won at least three Superbowls to the Superbowl... once.

The most blatant example of Ditka's incessant need to be the center of attention came during Walter Payton's last game. Payton scored two touchdowns in the first half, and then Ditka only gave the ball to him twice after that. Of course, the Bears didn't score in the second half and they lost. This wasn't the only time Ditka pulled this kind of prima donna crap, but it was the most obvious.

He should be taken off the air and should be embarrassed to show his face in public. If only Buddy Ryan had stayed and Ditka had left the year after the Superbowl, we could look back at that old Bears team as the winning dynasty they should have been.

Go Bears

Wow, John S.....I'm not real happy about how the 85 Bears turned out, either....and I'm not inclined to disagree with what you said all that much....a lot of egos on that team, tho....not just Ditka....and quite honestly, Buddy Ryan proved what type of a Head coach he wasn't cracked up to be ....and let's not forget Mike McCaskey...I know Jimbo played in a lot of games he shouldn't have, but he was always freakin hurt....

But now that you brought it up... I would like to Propose a "Punch a McCaskey" day....Where all Bear fans agree to bail out whoever had the pleasure on that day....

[quote]THOMAS JONES GOES DOWN!!!!! UNTOUCHED !!!! OUT FOR MONTHS!!!!
I say again...BEST OFFSEASON DEAL WE COULDA MADE!!![/quote]

Out for months, huh?....where's the facts? Link?....We had no choice but to make that deal...Good faith for what he did for DaBears ....and here's the worst part....We already dumped 17 million on a guy who couldn't run against Oklafreakinhoma..with an all american line, Roy Williams, and Chris Simms...I'm glad you're impressed by Baylor, Rice, Kansas, and Iowa State...or was it the meaningless game against Green Bay?...or was captain headcase fumbling and woosin out in the Superbowl more your speed?

Sing Everyone...
[b]Without RexandCed...we'll make every play, clear the way to victory
Without RexandCed...we'll win the fight with a might so fearlessly...
We'll never forget why you traded TJ....Ced's a pud...and where's Kyyyyyyyle?
Without RexandCed....we'll do more than useless praying for a crown..
We want pride and joy....not those little boys...and with RexandCed...No Crowwwwwwwwn[/b]

Learn the words....you'll need em September 9th

Hitless...you are funny dude!

you are such a college football maven...u must be a Kansas fan!

I love how everyone bags on a guy who hasnt even started one game.

Dont you have eyes? did you not see the same ridiculous scat back scampers that Thomas Jones would painfully attempt time after time. Yeah, he occasionally squirted out of the pocket, like a speedy zit, but i was never ONCE excited about having him in the backfield, i never once felt confident that if we had 3rd and 3 he could get the first NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER EVEN ONCE!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!

T2J was the parraiah this team needed to get off our necks.

Cedric will fall for more yards than TJ would get with a full head of ping pong ball fueled steam!!!

Ditka is so full of himself, he probably couldn't see the game. The further we get away from 1985, the more fraudulent he seems. He has gotten along way on swagger and personality. When he learns football, let me know. No comment on preseason.

Well I thought all three QBs looked good. I thought rex did okay dinking and dunking. Which is a good sign for him. One thing he needed to learn was to take what the defense was giving him. One good play was the third down play where he was looking for the quick slant to his right, but it wasn't there, so he went to a 2nd , then 3rd target before firing a perfect sideline pass to Muhammad who made a great catch. If it wasn't for penalties they would've scored. Griese rebounded well from his pick as well. Orton played the best statisticly but it was mostly against people fighting for a job on the texans. All and all, I we have a lot to be optimistic about this year.

bculz, just the FACT you got happy TJ got hurt...and used disregard for the FACTS (that's called a LIE) to make it seem worse...ummm, to prove your point?...here are some FACTS for you...links provided...and btw, I know I'm funny

Fanboy..... a term used to describe an individual who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession. Fanboys remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanboy

Homer.....Someone who shows blind loyalty to a team or organization, typically ignoring any shortcomings or faults they have. Also known as the American Bonehead.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Homer

TJ out at least 1Month.

&

your actually not Funny!

im not making it up...you really arent!

~b

Hit....this isnt the Jim Rome show dude...get your own style.

I thought the Bears game was awesome. I went to the Kane County Cougars game, got to go inside the human bowling ball, saw the Jesse White Tumblers perform, witnessed the world's largest pillow fight and enjoyed an awesome fireworks display. There is no better way to enjoy preseason football than by not watching it at all.

People, please take a look at the arrest pictures of Steve McMicheal's ex-wife and the knucklehead caught with her. Understand, they are busted for drug possession, carry guns and they are smiling as though "Hey, this is cool!"

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/511549,WA15mcmichaels.article

Wonder why other ethnic groups do not have this same demeanor? Not starting any controversy, but then again I guess I am if I asked the question. Considering we talking Chicago Bears shop, I was throwing you guys a bone.

Ok..a little funny.

No comparison. Its a wife, not a player!

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN....

Anybody wanna place wagers on Mike Vike?

These odds come straight to you from the Dawg House Casino located in Las Vegas, Nevada....

Odds that Vick is convicted of the crime : 2 to 1

Odds that Vick is acquitted of the crime: 1,000,000 to 1

Odds that Vick buys a large amount of soap on a rope after his conviction: 2 to 1

Odds that Michael becomes the "best friend" of a 6'2 200 pound man while in jail : 2 to 1

Odds that Vick's lawyers play the race card : 10 to 1

Odds that Michael never plays another down in the NFL : 1 to 1

I honestly say he's banned from the NFL forever...so I got 1 to 1 odds

irregardless of the plea he signs (and he will)...operating an illegal business/illegal gambling....last I checked, is racketeering..

McMichaels lost me when he kept dragging that chiquaqua around. What happened:did he like eating Taco Bell that much? Big ole former football player constantly being photographed with a dog similar to the one Paris Hilton keeps in her purse. Was she the same woman who left him for Stone Cold Steve Austin? The former Mrs. Illinois? I'm sorry but that has a twinge of newsworthiness to it. If it was Michael Jordan's ex-wife,Jaunita, would it be newsworthy. Don't answer we already know it would. If Connie Payton or Nancy McMahon got arrested no one would even know who Nancy was. (Jim's wife by the way). If Brian Urlacher's ex-wife got arrested we still couldn't pick her out of a line-up. Who remembers her? Some guys have wives who never got any pub and some who did. We could pick Diana Ditka , Jaunita Jordan and Connie Payton out of a line-up. And if they did what SHE did it would be ALL over the news. But what she did is still newsworthy. Just like Gretzsky's wife. We live in that kind of society.

Today was the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. Did anyone play a few tunes to remember him by? Since this blog is now a trickle and Mike isn't starting a new one let's talk about the King.

I didnt know they offered a class in Pro's ex-wives, but I feel much more informed now. Thanks!

Here are my bets.

Odds that Vick is convicted of the crime : 2 to 1
ILL BET 1 WEEK - NO BLOGGING - ON VICK GETS CONVICTED OF SOME SORT OF A CRIME.

Odds that Michael becomes the "best friend" of a 6'2 200 pound man while in jail : 2 to 1 (THAT DOESNT SEEM TO IMPOSING TO ME ACTUALLY, NO BET)

Odds that Vick's lawyers play the race card : 10 to 1
ILL BET IT DOESNT GO TO TRIAL 1 WEEK NO BLOGGING

Odds that Michael never plays another down in the NFL : 1 to 1
NO BET. ITS TOO HARD TO CASH IN ON A BET THAT EXPIRES IN NEVER

Odds that Vick buys a large amount of soap on a rope after his conviction: 2 to 1 (WHATS A LARGE AMOUNT?)

Odds that Vick's lawyers play the race card : 10 to 1 (ONLY 10 TO 1?)

I honestly say he's banned from the NFL forever...so I got 1 to 1 odds (SO I BET 1 DOLLAR AND I WILLL WIN 1 DOLLAR BACK? OR JUST THAT SAME DOLLAR BACK? IM CONFUSED)

irregardless of the plea he signs (and he will)...operating an illegal business/illegal gambling....last I checked, is racketeering..
(WHERE DID YOU LAST CHECK HITMAN???IM CURIOUS???)

RICO act rings a bell with me...here's your definition...It's a federal case, it's interstate, transportation of the dogs...interstate...used for illegal fighting....betting on illegal dogfights, operating a business, Operating a business as a front for the illegal activity of dogfighting....and he's betting on it, hiding the illegal profits behind his legitimate income as a football player and using it to fund the illegal activity....I could go on....but that's why, in a nutshell....it's a federal crime....interstate is the keyword, btw

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeering

Odds that Vick is convicted of the crime : 2 to 1
ILL BET 1 WEEK - NO BLOGGING - ON VICK GETS CONVICTED OF SOME SORT OF A CRIME.

What does the government get from him taking a plea deal? Does it cost them less money to prosecute?

Also, if commissioner suspends, the Falcons can go after his signing bonus money.

Bad News Indeed!

I think Blank is also at fault for not checking out his investment more. I mean, don't they do backround checks on these people before they sign them to $130M dollar contracts.

I also hear that Vick was a real loner and he rarely socialized with other teamates outside of football" they said that this was a red flag in some Falcon coaching and managemtn cirlces.

Also, Godell is really looking into what else he may have bet on!

Hitman...what are the odds Vick Bet on Football? What are the odds that another NFL player gets sucked into this dog fighting ring?

I cant believe how many Bears fans dont recognize Benson is a bonified Bears Smash Mouth Running Game Back.

As long as he stays healthy he will be great.

I cant wait to laugh my a** off!