Comments on: Preseason power rankings: No. 14

By: purpleguy

purpleguy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:21:12 +0000

I’d actually rate the Bears a couple spots higher, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I agree with Dewey — the Bears’ season depends on the performance of it’s defense. I’d be worried about Harris, as no amount of Marinelli coaching is going to heal ruined knees (or Tillman’s back for that matter).
However, it is pretty rich that the same guy who posts more on Viking articles than any other is the one saying the season isn’t won on message boards.

By: OrtonsNeckBeard

OrtonsNeckBeard — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:47:16 +0000

Best LB corps in the league? Look I love the Bears but Theres no way that’s true. Briggs is still awesome but 54 is past his prime, thou he won’t be awful this year if he stats healthy. As for Henderson and co… I think good but not great either. Hate to admit it but the best LB combo still resides in Pittsburgh.

By: ChicagojoeD

ChicagojoeD — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:35:49 +0000

ChiBears5 I totally agree with Adewale Ogunleye , they should start Brown/Anderson in my opinion. But Urlacher/Briggs/ and now Piso Tino(cant spell rest) Sure up the Defense LB corp.
If tillman stays healthy, the secondary will be elite once again. But it all comes down to the pass rush. Harris is an elite DT in the NFL. but he’s always hurt. On the offense , the additions to the Offensive Line and the addition of Cutler will Take Defenses out of doing (8 in the box). and Hopefully will open up Forte more. So the Offense is Much improved, the Defense Looks a little better with Marinelli coaching the D-Line. So im gonna say 10-6 or 11-5 win NFC north Yet fall short of a Superbowl this year.

By: ChiBears5

ChiBears5 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:25:49 +0000

As a huge Bears fan, this is hard to say but it is time we moved on from Brian Urlacher. He is in decline and his contract does not reflect that. Time to move on from guys like Adewale Ogunleye (last year of contract) and anyone who cannot stay healthy. We have been paying for potential instead of results and paying so much that we have not been able to afford depth.

By: DocBG

DocBG — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:58:56 +0000

the Bears aren’t going to win anything this year, the defense is well past its prime, and for the same people that complain about favre being over the hill to state that urlacher will roll back the clock is insane. LB’s that do their job are getting hit on EVERY play, hopefully at full speed. QB’s are getting hit, maybe twice a drive. You do the math.
Dewey the dbag does have a point in that defensive football thats played tough is much more enjoyable to watch than glorified basketball, but without the scoring, and in pads…..
as far as the LB combo, they’ve got nothing. Take a look at Henderson, Greenway, and Leber vs. those washed-up has been’s in chicago. I’ll concede that at this moment Olsen is a better TE than Shiancoe, but certainly not the best in the league, and the special teams that carried the bears in 07 are nothing without the fulltime service of hester, which will not be happening.
but its nice to know that you’ve picked up the head coach of the only team to go 0-16, I’m sure that will be a nice addition and probably better your team.

By: Dewey Axewound

Dewey Axewound — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:09:20 +0000

You’re right in that the Bears’ capacity for success this year rests mostly on their defense.
I’m banking on a renewed ability to rush the passer–thanks in large part to Marinelli. He’s been the talk of the team all off-season, and may prove to be as significant of an off-season signing as you-know-who.
Speaking of Cutler and his “taking too many chances”–yes, but (unlike Bratt and other notable “gunslinger” types) how many times was he compelled to play from behind?
I believe, once that d-line gets some pressure, the secondary should be able to perform at a much higher level (assuming they stay healthy).
Making that same assumption, I expect Kevin Payne and/or Zack Bowman to become HUGE playmaker(s) in the secondary.
Just have to chime in, also…consider:
what might be the best LB corps in the league. And perhaps the top TE tandem.
And one of the league’s BEST overall special teams units.
I don’t see the key game being the home opener against Pitt, either—-clearly it’s week 1, on the road, against a prolific passer/passing attack AND a divison rival.
THAT’S when we’ll know a whole helluva lot more about the Bears’ d-line/secondary.
Finally, all that “boring” talk in regard to the Bears and the North is pretty insulting to the entire division…unless the Lions are getting blown out, I don’t find a damn thing about the division to be boring.
Are you one of those people who wants his football to look like a video game?
Call me crazy or old-fashioned, and it might require a bit more appreciation of the nuance, but some of us actually enjoy stout defensive football and the game-within-the-game aspect of field position battles.
When all is said and done, people (Queens fans especially) will remember that games aren’t won in the media or on message boards or in power rankings or with hype, but on the field.
And to date, in my humble opinion, the Bears have done the most in the division to upgrade this off-season–now we just need to see it translate into wins.