I know someone asked about this is one of the topics, (and I have no idea which one), so I’ll just post this here:
Cornelison will be singing the National Anthem again at the championship game
This is tres awesome. He’ll get the crowd pumped up and if the Bears are worth anything, they’ll use that.
Now that you mention it, I think SB-XLV should be moved from Arlington, Texas to Minneapolis, just for sympathy’s sake. I think it would be cool to watch a Minnesota game with an open dome, despite Being Exposed to the elements – besides, it’s fun to watch the players (esp. the Losers–oops I mean Stealers) fumble around blindly in the snow.
Besides, all Aliens come from Texas. Everyone knows that. 
I’m surprised I forgot to come in and rub it in the faces of the Bears’ fans that Packers went into their house, in front of their fans, after they had a bye week, and beat them. For the NFC Championship.
How unlike me.
All told, the NFC North did OK this year, with the glaring exception of the Vikings.
The Lions improved greatly, even ending the season with a 4 game win streak, and have a much better chance of competing next year than they have in awhile. They actually seemed to be playing harder and not giving up the second things went wrong. On the upside, they have a fearful D Line and who could be a perennial all Pro in Suh. Megatron is a stud, Stafford is workable (when healthy), Pettigrew seems like the real deal, and Best, well, actually I don’t like him all that much, but at least he’s got a chance to be a playmaker. Their linebackers and secondary need a ton of work, as does their O Line. But they took some good strides this year and they may compete for the NFC North as early as 2 years.
The Bears surprised everyone this year by making it to the NFC Championship team. They had a very good defense, their special teams was just that, special, and their offense. Well, it was the Bears after all. They paid $2.5 million dollars for every sack that Julius Peppers got, had a great year out of their linebacking corp, and, once again, won the turnover battle. For all the success they had, I’m still not convinced they are a great team. But the combination of a very good front 7, a return game that was incredible (thanks Lovie for saving us from Devin Hester for a couple years there), and the luck got them a nice record and a first round bye. Their biggest issues were evident in the NFC Title Game, a questionable O Line, an average secondary, a weak WR group, and an inconsistent QB crew. It will be an interesting off season for the Bears.
The Vikings just tanked this year. Which was such a joy to behold. And with their age, and their ranks of free agents, they’re going to be rebuilding for a few years. While they still have some great talent in some spots, they’re old, slow, and they just quit at times this year. I think they have some glaring needs, and they were built to make a run at a Super Bowl last year and this year, which cost them some opportunities to develop talent and get depth. I think they’ll be out of the running for a few years. But with Adrian Peterson, a healthy Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, and Jared Allen, they have some tools to maybe stay competitive while they rebuild.
The Packers are not quite done with an outstanding season. Dom Capers’ defense was phenomenal, especially in light of their injury situation. Their offense was pretty darn good too, well, except their rushing offense. They played their best ball down the stretch and are going to be playing for the Lombardi trophey in a week. And, the most exciting thing of all, they’re still a really young, very deep team. While Charles Woodson, Chad Clifton, Ryan Pickett, and Donald Driver are all getting up there in age, the Packers have some young talent in Tramon Williams, Brian Bulaga, BJ Raji, and James Jones/Jordy Nelson that will pick up the slack. Add in the development of guys like James Starks, Sam Shields, and Desmond Bishop and the return of Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant and the future looks bright indeed. But this is the NFL, and anything can happen.
So, enjoy the Super Bowl! It’s the last NFC North game of the year. And with a possibility of a lockout, it may be all we have for quite awhile.
Go Pack Go.
This draft could be a do or die situation. The team is still very talented and the free agent situation is generally pretty secure this year, which is a credit to the system management has in place. I don’t recall the Bears ever really being killed by free agency since the late 80s. So, that’s a plus.
However the stars are aging and won’t be in tip top form for quite some time and the depth is perilous. We were extremely lucky with injury this year and if the stars fall off from decline or injury it could be a very quick drop. They mortgaged the future to some degree in the past 2 drafts and the monster contract given to Peppers and the prices some of the stars are commanding could mean there’s virtually no chance of another round of free agent signings in the coming years. That makes this draft critical. They need difference makers and they need to start finding replacements for some of the stars.
They need to fix the O line, and while I think Webb has real potential, I can’t say the same for anyone else in the group. None of them can really claim to have room to improve any more either. The WRs would make a pretty strong 2-4, but as a 1-3 they are sorely lacking. They are young and reasonably cheap, so that’s something they can address in the draft and perhaps turn a weakness into a strength. Perhaps dumping Tommie Harris would clear some cap space to even add a Vincent Jackson in free agency.
If the Bears whiff on this draft and don’t land 1 or 2 difference making OLs and a legit #1 WR along with some depth on the defense they’ll be in deep trouble. They’ve invested in Cutler and they need to at least give the guy a chance with a competent line and receivers. If this team doesn’t get better right away the needle could be pointing WAY WAY down in 3 years.
The Lions have been snakebit for a while now. Let’s go back to 2006. If you look at the scores for the games, there haven’t been all THAT many blowouts. Let’s look at games that were decided within 8 points.
2006 (3-13):
Game 1, against Seattle, a loss, 9 to 6.
Game 3, against the Packers, a loss, 31 to 24.
Game 4, against the Rams, a loss, 41-34.
Game 6, against the Bills, a win, 20-17.
Game 7, against the Jets, a loss, 31-24.
Game 10, against the 49ers, a loss, 19-13.
Game 11, against the Cardinals, a loss, 17-10.
Game 13, against the Patriots, a loss, 28-21.
Game 15, against the Packers, a loss, 17-9.
Game 16, against the Bears, a loss, 26-21.
Game 17, against the Cowboys, a win, 39-31.
In 2006, in close games, they were 2-9.
2007 (7-9):
Game 1, against the Raiders, a win, 36-21.
Game 2, against the Vikings, a win in overtime, 20-17.
Game 7, against the Buccaneers, a win, 23-16.
Game 11, against the Giants, a loss, 16-10.
Game 14, against the Cowboys, a loss, 28-27.
Game 16, against the Chiefs, a win, 25-20.
In 2007, in close games, they were 4-2.
2008 (0-16):
Game 1, against the Falcons, 34-21.
Game 6, against the Vikings, 12-10.
Game 7, against the Texans, 28-21.
Game 8, against the Redskins, 25-17.
Game 9, against the Bears, 27-23.
Game 14, against the Vikings, 20-16.
In 2008, in close games, they were 0-6.
2009 (2-14):
Game 3, against the Redskins, a win, 19-14.
Game 5, against the Steelers, a loss, 28-20.
Game 8, against the Rams, a loss, 17-10.
Game 11, against the Browns, a win, 38-37.
Game 15, against the Cardinals, a loss, 31-24.
In 2009, in close games, they were 2-3.
2010 (6-10):
Game 1, against the Bears, a loss, 19-14.
Game 2, against the Eagles, a loss, 35-32.
Game 4, against the Packers, a loss, 28-26.
Game 6, against the Giants, a loss, 28-20.
Game 9, against the Jets, a loss, in overtime, 23-20.
Game 10, against the Bills, a loss, 14-12.
Game 14, against the Packers, a loss, 7-3.
Game 15, against the Buccaneers, a win, in overtime, 23-20.
Game 17, against the Vikings, a win, 20-13.
In 2010, in close games, they were 2-7.
So, from 2006 to 2010, in close games, the Detroit Lions are 10-27. In that time span, their overall record is 18-52 (which also makes the games that aren’t close a sterling 8-25.)
I’m not sure if I’ve supported or torpedoed my thesis now, but what are your team’s records in games decided in 8 points or fewer? It appears that the Lions play the same quality of shitty football in close games or blowouts.
Anywhoot, the Lions need some big time secondary help. The linebackers are decent enough, I suppose, but we need cornerbacks very very badly. We could also use a safety, but the conversion of Amari Spivey to safety went better than expected. We could use some love on the offensive line as well. Jeff Backus isn’t really a franchise left tackle, but that’s what he’s playing on the Lions.
I hate football.
In more NFC North news, Clay Matthews won the AP defensive player of the year. Two years in a row the Packers have won that award, with Charles Woodson winning it last year.
GO PACK GO.
Well deserved by Matthews.
Which is more than I can say for Woodson, when it so clearly should have gone to Revis.
I wish I didn’t have to correct you on this, but…
The AP Defensive Player of the Year award went to the Steelers’ Troy Polamalu, who edged out Matthews, 17 votes to 15.
I blame the Green Bay Press Gazette, they reported Clay Matthews won it. Apparently, they were wrong.
Congrats to Troy. Hopefully the award will ease his pain of a Super Bowl loss this year.
Some Bears offseason news.
The Chicago Bears signed the top CFL Wide Receiver Andy Fantuz to a reserve/futures contract yesterday.
I don’t know much about the guy. He played college ball in Canada at the University of Western Ontario and was a standout there. He’s played 5 seasons in Saskatchewan and is coming off a monster year. I’ve spent a chunk of the afternoon watching Youtube videos of him and he looks promising. He’s got elite size at 6’4" 225 lbs, something the Bears desperately lack, and he seems tough and fearless over the middle. He moves the chains and doesn’t shy away from contact, fighting for extra yards. He looks like he runs very good routes as well. It’s difficult to tell what his speed is but I’m guessing that he’s too slow to be a game breaker or else he’d have caught on in the NFL before.
All in all, he fills a clear need for the Bears and if he can survive the big step up in competition to the NFL he could be a meaningful addition on 3rd downs and around the goal line.
I wouldn’t count Fantuz out. Cameron Wake has proven to be an elite pass rusher for the Dolphins and the CFL caught him where the NFL didn’t.
Not a very good comparison in my opinion. Wake is an American who played big time high school and college football. He matched up against NFL caliber competition but was a bit undersized. He then made a position change which suited him exceptionally well and responded immediately. The position change more than anything appears to have ignited him, it’s not like he was a late bloomer.
Fantuz is the opposite example. He’s got prototypical size and fits the mold of the NFL caliber player in appearances. However, he’s never played against NFL caliber players and lacks the speed for the position. He’s a late bloomer in the CFL having gotten off to a slow start and not much has changed since he was scouted originally. Granted, WR is a position that traditionally develops slower than a LB/DE and savvy can be as valuable as speed, but Fantuz is past the point where he can change what he is the way Wake did.
I really hope the guy pans out and that his size, hands, toughness and route running compensates for his lack of speed but I think it’s crazy to think he can ever be a star like Wake. If the Bears can use him as a big body that does the things that Aromashodu failed at he’ll have a shot, but the Bears still badly need to find a guy in the draft at the position that can be a All-Pro.
I figure this move means one of two things. 1) The Bears finally decided that WR is a position of dire need and did their best to court Fantuz as a result. That they understand that they have maxed out at the position and need to address it this offseason, especially in adding size and smarts. 2) The Bears are really confident in Fantuz and adding him will allow them to look elsewhere in the draft in the early rounds.
I’m hoping for door #1. But if past history is any guide they probably think #2 is the way to go. And if Fantuz shows he’s just too slow for the gig we’ll be screwed for another season.
You’re crazy if you think success in the CFL isn’t better preparation for the NFL than playing big time college football. There are no walk-ons in the CFL.
The very short list of CFL to NFL success stories pretty clearly illustrates that fact. Plus at WR the situation is exacerbated by the CFLs motion rules.
Anyways, that wasn’t really my point. My point is that Wake isn’t exactly a “CFL” success story because he only played there for 2 seasons while he learned a new position. Fantuz has been there 5 years and really doesn’t have any excuse for why he failed in his first attempts to make it in the NFL.
So, Aaron Rodgers: best performance by a quarterback in the Super Bowl? Yes or no? Practically all the incompletes were dropped passes, the dude got hit 16 times and his crappy offensive line was under duress the entire damned time.
Nah. It was good but still not as good as the Phil Simms game or the Doug Williams game.
With the best team in the NFC North being well and truly determined (I’ll accept the trophy for the Packers), I thought it would be interesting to build the All NFC North team. I’m not sure on a few of them, so I’d be interested in hearing others’ imput.
OFFENSE
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Adrian Peterson
FB: John Kuhn
WR: Calvin Johnson
WR: Greg Jennings
TE: Brandon Pettigrew
LT: Chad Clifton
LG: Josh Sitton
C: Olin Kreutz?
RG: Steve Hutchinson?
RT: J’Marcus Webb
DEFENSE (We’ll use a 4-3)
DE: Julius Peppers
DT: Ndamukong Suh
DT: BJ Raji
DE: Jared Allen
LB: Clay Matthews
LB: Brian Urlacher
LB: Lance Briggs?
CB: Tramon Williams
CB: Charles Woodson?
SS: ?
FS: Nick Collins
P: Nick Harris/Tim Masthay
K: Ryan Longwell
KR/PR: Devin Hester
Coach: Mike McCarthy
The question marks were the hardest to figure out. Hutchinson/Kreutz got the nods just because of their history, not their performance this year (Hey! just like the Pro Bowl), which I wasn’t sure on. Guys like Greenway, Levy, Winfield, Logan could all make claims, but I don’t know them well enough. And I couldn’t find a worthy SS anywhere.
What say you?
Strong safety = Louis Delmas.
I agree with your offensive skill positions, though I think I’d have left FB off and gone with 2 RBs or 3 WRs. I’m not sure enough teams use FB to consider it anything but a specialist position. The Bears didn’t even keep one on their roster and I can’t name the Vikings FB at the moment. I’d nominate Forte as the RB2 candidate and Harvin as the WR3 candidate.
Kreutz wasn’t very good this year on the field but as a coach on the field he was invaluable. Still, I’m not sure he deserves credit as the best Center. That said, I don’t really know who I’d nominate ahead of him. Webb made great strides and looks like a kid who could potentially grow into something special, but he still made too many rookie mistakes to imagine him being the class of the division. But, I don’t have anyone else that I like better. Bulaga and Loadholt were pretty shaky and I couldn’t pick the Lions guy out of a police lineup. I’d give Sitton the nod over Hutchinson at RG, he had a heck of a year.
On defense I also mostly agree, but I’m struggling a little with Jared Allen. He stats ended up looking pretty good but I feel like there had to be a better guy this year, Allen just sorta disappeared whenever I watched games. Briggs is a no brainer at WLB. One idea is to go with a 3-4 scheme and dump Allen for Greenway, but since 3 of the 4 teams in the division play a 4-3 that’s just gerrymandering. I agree with both Williams and Woodson at the corners even though Tillman had an excellent season. Free Safety was a bit of a low impact position through out the division but I think I’d lean towards Dellmas over Collins. At SS I think Danieal Manning probably deserves the vote, he was really solid there and never missed a start.
As far as the Special Teams guys. I agree with Masthay for Punter, he killed the Bears in Week 17 and the NFC Title game. Harris has a nice year but the kicking outdoors thing plus playoff performance breaks the tie. The Kicker is Robbie Gould all day long. Longwell had a better percentage, but his long was 48 yards and he had almost half as many attempts as Gould and they were in a dome. There should be a separate category for KR and PR. Hester is obviously the PR and the KR is probably a toss up between Danieal Manning and Percy Harvin. Harvin had injury issues and was replaced to save him for the offense so I’d lean towards Manning, but he shared some of the load there with Hester. Also, I think we can mirror the Pro Bowl and create a Specialist category and include Corey Graham as the coverage guy of the year. He was just a beast for the Bears all season long and lead the league in special teams tackles, plus he blocked the gunners for those Hester punt returns.