Full Court Press

"Maybe Rex Grossman will put together a consistently good season."

?!?!?!?!?!?!?

A good season for the Bears will mean that Grossman doesn't set foot on the field during the entire season. Even pre-season.

It's too early to tell how this team will perform. Urlacher is not helping any with his selfish requests. Perhaps his palimony payments are eating up too much of his base salary?

However, one thing is a given -- the less of Rex we see, the better the Bears will be!

Without a QB and a viable running attach, how can the beloved Bears win more than six games?
As a long time fan for more than 50 years, I am not looking forward to this season. Simply put we need an offense.

Oh boy, here comes the Rex-bashing again. I'm actually one of the few "Rex" fans still left in Chicago, but he should have signed elsewhere instead of back here just for this very reason alone. The more fans and media continue pile on the complaints and jokes about his play, the more this becomes a distraction to the team. That's the way I look at it. Until that offensive line is fixed, it doesn't matter who is at quarterback or at running back. If the NFL Draft is all that is left to fix our offensive line, then the Bears will be in deep trouble on offense again.

I agree, I don't know what the networks are thinking placing the Bears in 5 prime time games. I understand Hester and Urlacher make for great TV, but more distractions loom ahead than promise jsut from Rex's name alone, Urlacher's contract and neck/back injury, Hester's high expectations, Mike Brown, Tommie Harris' contract, the offensive line, Cedric Benson's mental state, the lack of wide receiver power, Ron Turner's play calling, etc. I could go on and on.... We better cross our fingers and hope Angelo really nails it with the draft picks...

In 2006 we saw plenty of Rex and ended up going to the SuperBowl. So ??????

As of this very moment, the Bears have the worst offense in NORTH America. They also have weak coaching and the worst game plans in the NFL. If they win 5 games next year, I'll be completely shocked.

An easy, winnable schedule after Indianapolis. Prime time games bring out the best in our players. Knock the first four teams out and the rest will fall. All you Rex haters will be eating crow. I hope Favre playes this season so we can wreck havoc in the Central. I wish it was September now.

Roman, you were scratching your head until you got to "Devin". That's the ONLY reason the networks want the Bears in prime time. Devin is w/out a doubt the most exciting player in the NFL.

Urlacher is not being selfish. He signed that contract when the salary cap was $76mil. It's now $116mil. The Bears sold more Urlacher stuff last yr than any team did for any other player. He is clearly under paid.

He is not asking for justice for the current contract. He is only asking for $5mil guaranteed on a 2 yr extension. That is more than reasonable.

2008 W-L record will hinge on the Bears lucking out at the draft & landing an instant play maker in the backfield. If they don't do it's a .500 season at best. If they do playoffs.

The Bears have the next pic, Welcome to the 09 draft !!

Let's see, If Mike Brown stays healthy, we get a solid free agent safety for the other spot, Alex Brown retains his original starting position, Devin runs AT LEAST one back every game, and Turner and Babich turn the game over to the players, I say, more power to us.

And then I wake up!

As usual negativity reigns supreme. I’ll be honest, I'm actually excited about next year after seeing the schedule in tact. We do start with a tough game against the Colts, but we were in a similar position last year and played well (remember the fluke LT passing TD and Barrien giving up on a ball in the endzone) and we should be fielding a healthy D at the start of the season. Regardless of what happens week one we should be competitive at Carolina (who I watch every week on TV and they look pitiful; plus they’re having the same QB/RB/o-line issues that we are), vs Tampa (Garcia and D a year older), and the boys should come to play on national TV when Philly (whom we beat last year) comes to town. I see no reason why we couldn’t go 2-2 or even 3-1 to begin the season. And if we can come out to a hot start than who knows? Our other non-division games are either winnable road games (at Atl, at Stl, At Hou) or are at home (vs Tenn, vs Jac, vs NO). And unlike the AFC South or NFC East, our division is full of question-marks: Is GB w/o Favre anywhere near as dangerous? Can Minn come over their QB struggles, or will we see Gus Frerotte? Does anyone trust that the Cowardly Lions after the choke-job last season? My point? Obviously we’re not going 16-0, but a quick look at the schedule says to throw this 5-6 win talk out the window.

Plus the hater-contingent is forgetting about the potential improvements in the draft and/or late trades/cuts. Imagine one or two capable young o-linemen lining up in week one vs the Colts…imagine if most of your dreams came true and Mendenhall fell to 14 and JA picked him up. The more likely scenario is JA drafts both a capable o-lineman (don’t start w/ the ‘he’s never done it before’ talk…he’ll be devoting more picks than ever this year to the O in a draft that’s deep in linemen) AND a guy capable of elevating Benson or jumping him on the depth chart (just about anyone should do, let alone Felix Jones dropping or Ray Rice in round 2…or even a guy like WVU stud Steve Slaton in round 3-4). These moves along with the WR’s we’re renting for the next 24 months should put us near the level where we were at the end of last season…and you’ll recall we won our final two games. And if our D can avoid the rash of injuries and we get something near consistent play from Rex/Orton we should not have a problem duplicating the 7-9 we ‘achieved’ last year.

Now, I will concede to the haters that 7-9 is not where any of us want the Bears to be in 2008; and I’ll go one more and say there will be a lot of “if’s” in the equation for us to make the playoffs. But slow down on the Mariotti-inspired ‘the ship has already sunk’ thinking. As terrible as last season felt we were not truly out of it until the loss at Wash (and I believe we were in it mathematically until the loss at Minn). And while we did have three close wins at GB, at Philly and at Oak, we were either leading or within a score of the lead in the fourth quarter of every loss last season, including the Dallas game. It is a fact that although the team was far below our expectations, they were competitive last year. So after only losing two over-the-hill linemen, one aged and one overrated receiver and a guy on special teams I’d love to hear a legit argument outlining how we are any worse this year than last. Further, why can’t this team- IF they can find two or three pieces in the draft and/or late trade/signing- overcome the late mistakes and mental lapses that the ’07 team endured? Why can’t the coaches make better personnel decisions (starting Alex Brown, benching Archuleta) this year? Why can’t the defense lose, lets say, 2-3 starters rather than the 7-8 that missed time last year? And then there’s the most hopeful question of them all: why can’t some of the young guys already on our roster (Hester, Dvorack, Orton…Rex??!?!) mature and step their game up another level? We’ll only need a few of these things to happen to be competitive; lets not bury the team quite yet.

Thoughts? Am I blinded by faith (to be fair, I am a life-long Cubs fan)?

I really believe you all are jumping the gun on how bad this team is gonna be. Can't go off the year before. 7-9 to 11-5...super bowl to 7-9 there where games last year when the entie secondary was out name one team that wins like that even the players out there were hurt and we still stayed in those games, but when your 3rd and 4th string has to play that much you will not win. heck we were signing Guys off the street on a monday and they were starting Sunday. That was not the same team that went to the super bowl because off a aged line injuries and recievers that drop passes, ran the wrong routes and would not fight for the ball but you all complain when they get released. Now it's back to REX REX REX is the problem well Rex can't fight for the ball or run the correct route or block a DE fix what needs to be fix (THE LINE AND PLAY CALLING)AND LET A HEALTHY TEAM TAKE THE FIELD BEFORE YOU WRITE THEM OFF or better yet don't watch become Packer fans atleast they're more loyal than sum of you "TRUE BEAR FAN SINCE 82"

Two Words....DEVIN HESTER!

No Offense,no O-Line,have to see what they pick up in the draft. Im sure the #14 pick will not bring any changes this year.well maybe if its a running back .But i still think we need to get a really good O-Lineman with 14 and another O-Lineman with the 2nd pick.so no i dont see the bears winning more than 8,eight games!

This team will be much better than even our Super Bowl team from two years ago. Maybe not in the record, but as a solid unit.
Don't worry about Lach or any of the other media and sub-fan hype. Barring injuries our D will raise back to the top and I believe that the front office has an offensive game plan through the Draft, the current roster, and trades that will overcome all the whiney cr@p I see everywhere I read.
Do some of you negativity-buffoons really believe the Bears are going to show their hand in a pre-draft poker match? Get a clue.
We have some ace cards on our roster and a heck of a lot of draft picks. We may end up with even more if JA trades down.
The only worry is how, even with 16 million left on the cap, do we pay for all of those guys? Then there is Tommy and Devin to pay. Frick Gould, he is mediocre and replacable except to the Chicago media.
Mark my words and repost this in January 2009. Bears will win the Division for sure and make a push at a minimum for the Bowl once again.

Hey I am stoked. I will get to see at least five games out here in Cali this year woo hoo.

are the bears ready for prime time? answer: yes, prime time train wreck. This year will mark the beginning of the end of the lovie smugfest and the angelo bumblerama.

wrex lovers will continue to point fingers at all the usual suspects, o line, wide out, running back, etc etc etc. Forgetting that when the team was stronger in all those areas, their quarterbackette fell down, tripped over his own feet, dropped the ball, ran around like a chicken with his head cut off, in sum was lost in space.

And now the entire nation will get to witness this once more in prime time. Praise Brett and pass the chips. Lovie will turn churlish, angelo will turn cranky and the bears will be a monumental mess. Anyone thinking that the bears can realistically address all their needs in this years draft deserves this team. Even if they do find players with a chance of being good, they won't be ready to contribute for 2 maybe 3 years. That means that two years ago when Jerry was telling us that the bears don't have any needs, and they like their players, he was sinking the franchise for the future. And that future is now. The headless chickens have come home to roost. The next few years, until the bears clean out the angelo cast of characters, is going to make dusty's last years in town look like a lovie fest, no fun intended.

WHYYYYYY? 10 prime time games in the past 2 years???? 5 last year and after a disappointing year they are given the same amount? !@#$%^&&....yeah devin hester is an exciting player...but the bears only finished 7-9 and are only getting worse...even the detroit lions finished with the same record and detroit hasnt had a prime time game in forever...in the past 9 seasons the lions have appeared in 2 prime time games...thats outrageous and if you say it's because they suck well then i say to you the bears suck just as much...and the even when the lions had barry sanders..one of they greatest players of all-time...better than hester thats for sure...they didnt get 5 prime time games in a year neverrr...but the bears are getting pampered because of hester who can't control his team when the ball isn't in his hands which is most of the time...and detroit's calvin johnson is going to be amazing... just watch...so whyyyyyy???make it fair NFL...this is rediculous

The Bandwagon will be leaving the Station in a few Months, space will be limited, be sure to book your tickets now.

1 Word...

HESTERIZER!

Maybe the NFL hierarchy is figuring alot of people will be on vacation or at Christmas parties and won't be watching anyway, so why bother showing a competitive matchup.

It's too early to talk about football. I'm trying to figure out what impact Soriano's injury will have on the Cubs. I presently think Fontano at second and bringing Merton back should work out great. Soriano was mostly a bust so far this season.
Prime time Bears? I'm all for it if I get to watch more games because of it, but I don't get the NFL channel, so the Thursday night game means nothing to me. I do think the Bears are going to be much better this season. That somewhat depends on the draft, but if they address the offensive line issues, they should be contenders.

I agree with you on this one Roman. This team's offense could be one of the worst offenses in franchise history, and that's saying something. Combine that with a breathtakingly overrated defense(ranked 28th last year, lower than the offense), inexperienced and inept coaching, and you could be looking at 3-13 or 4-12. The only things that might be able to get them to 6 or 7 wins is their division might be bad and their schedule could be easy(the sole reason why they won the NFC two years ago), and with Hester being such a good returner, he might give them some huge field position advantages and they could scrap out a win or two that way.

All aboard!

Bears offensive weaknesses dont seem killer to me.
Rex takes too many sacks and decides to throw long into coverage too often. he also throws tds. how many teams are truly set at qb? 5? bears have never had a manning/brady type and never will.
They need a back to go with cedric '1-yard and a cloud of dust' benson. they can get one in the draft and may already have the guy in wolfe.
wr- booker is a modest upgrade at possession receiver, devin will still stretch the field and drop too many balls at slot, and one of bradley/lloyd need to step up. not intimidating but not terrible.
o-line is the most pressing need; the bears draft early in a good line year. get a tackle in the first and a guard in the second.
overall, the worst case scenario is pretty bad but the likely scenario is just average. and a lot of these guys are young, so a best case scenario isnt out of the question.

i think the bears need to shore up their strength instead of putting band aids on their weakness. who are the second and third d-tackles? are we really thinking mike brown will last out the year? they need a second safety badly. with a little attention to the defense, they should regain form.

what does that leave us with? what we always have in good years: a mediocre offense and a great defense. with favre gone, the division is there for the taking. this is a playoff year. to go further, they need what every SB contender has- a little luck with young players developing and injuries. but they should at least be in the playoff mix and eligible for some luck or a hot streak. what more can you really ask for?

This really is amazing. This is an offense that could be historically bad, even in Bear terms.

A QB, running game, and O line that all rank in the lower third in the NFL. Receivers have to be the worst. Couple that with the Bears suggesting that they will be cutting back Hester's returns, and you have a recipe for some REAL ugliness...

I believe Keith is correct. Hestere is the reason the Bears are playing 5 prime time games. Well thought out analysis steve in NC, also glad to see another Chicago fan in NC.

Bob sez: "but they should at least be in the playoff mix and eligible for some luck or a hot streak. what more can you really ask for?"

What more could I ask for?

How about a little bit of whatever it is that you're smoking?

Bears Fan Steve sez: "We have some ace cards on our roster and a heck of a lot of draft picks. We may end up with even more if JA trades down."

Which is about the only thing he's good at.

First round picks just confuse him.

MV your last two posts were classics...whatever you were drinking last night...keep it up!

Bears Mgmt: CHEAP
Bears Front Office: BLIND
Bears Coaching Staff: CLUELESS/IN DENIAL
Bears Offense: PATHETIC

Bears Fans: PAYING MORE FOR LESS

BEARPRIDE STARTS AT THE TOP.
WE DESERVE MORE .

****BEARS HAVE THE BEST KICK RETURNER IN THE GAME,
*******BEAR MANAGEMENT TO USE HIM LESS AS KICK RETURNER.

*****ANOTHER BRILLIANT DECISION BY ARCHULETA'S #1 FAN, COACH LOVIE SMITH*******************

"WE GET OFF THE BUS RUNNING"
"REX IS OUR QUARTERBACK"

What will happen first:
Cubs win World Series or Bears display an electrifying offense?
City of Chicago, we deserve better!

move back to Chicago so I can buy the Sunday ticket to watch DaRaidahs?... conversely, tho... I don't have to go shopping in the Crest to watch the gayness...just look for 8 & 32

How does a person fail upwards?....two words.....Halas Hall

Now it's on Prime time...and in HD....enjoy that

Anyone see Top Chef last night?

What are wrong with you guys? 80% of the posts on here are negative. Are there any real supporters of Chicago sports? We should be happy that teams get national television recognition. What ever happened to optimism, and a fresh start? It's a new season and no one knows what will happen. You can never judge a season based on last year's record. I.E. Bulls, Whitesox, Blackhawks. The Bulls were in playoff contention last year and look where they are this year. The Sox won a championship in 2005, had an ok 2006 and a bad 2007 and now they are off to a great start. The Hawks have sucked since I can remember and they were in playoff talk this year and have a bright future. Our Bears themselves were in the Superbowl two years ago (how fast we forget) and we got there with Rex Grossman. Sure Rex Grossman has had some awful games and made some dumb mistakes but he has only 32 games in 5 seasons due to injury. If Grossman can cut out the stupid mistakes and play like he did in the beginning of the Superbowl season and end of last year, he could be very good. He has a great arm and needs to work on accuracy and decision making. We should be more supportive of our teams. Don't judge a book by it's cover. It may not be an overwhelming great season but they have a chance to make the playoffs and they have a chance to be good. Don't sink the ship before it gets moving. I don't see how anyone not looking forward to a new season and fresh start can call themselves a fan.

"What are wrong....."

This makes me dizzy.

Bino...you can call me Mr.Positive!

I don't know why...but yes, I watched Top Chef...that's weird...were you eating, JulieB?

Nah, it just made me nostalgic for football season. Then I remembered that game and AP running all over us for 211 yards or so. Then I got hungry for ribs - of course that chef was a shoe-in.

I BINO'd..ER UH..I MEAN I TIVO'd it.

'Culz sez: "MV your last two posts were classics...whatever you were drinking last night...keep it up!"

Unfortunately, I was sober at the time. I hope this doesn't indicate that I should quit drinking.

I knew I shouldnt have said anything!

bculz sez: "I knew I shouldnt have said anything!"

So did I.

ARE YOU KIDDING?? This is awesome, I can put the dish off for another year....I will fo sho...see at least 5 games this year....7 if the Pack's games are not on prime time........Shucks.......I just remembered....Joe Buck is still living. Can you believe that I cant get a darn A.M. station anywhere in my house? That, my friends is 'ridiculous'.

Cut Urlacher. I am a fan of his, on the football field, but this situation about his contract is a distraction to everything else. He is a MULTIMILLIONAIRE, for Gods sake. He is demanding more money? The 1st day of training camp, if choses to miss it, he should be cut. No poliitical spin shopuld be put on it. Angelo, and Lovie Howell/Smith should call it as it is. Extorsion...

Oh again, Julie B I still wanna marry you in lifetime x5!!!!!!!!
And to hiresingletary, terrific job!!!!! Or we should get Ron Rivera back the hell in here....

Rex Grossman is a good qb when given proper amounts of time to throw the ball he disects defenses