You guys want to talk about the Bears?

lionking-

I did look it up....Lions do have four championships (amazing), and the Bears have 8 (including one SuperBowl).

Just thought I'd help you out with your history.

I don't want to hear about how the Lions are going to bebetter than this year because last year they beat the Bears twice.  Any educated NFL fan (non-Lion fan, even though the word "educated" kinds rules them out anyways) will tell you that the Lions are the worst or in the bottom 5 teams in 2 of the 3 facets of the game (defense and special teams).  And the one part of the game that the Lions are supposedly great at (offense), they were surprisingly average if you look at last years stats.  They lost their best running back and their best defensive lineman. 

So, you guys have a great season ahead!!!!!

Actually Bears Fan- I think if you gave people an option of Rex Grossman or Tavaris Jackson, Most people would pick Tjack because at least he has potential and the ability to use his feet to get him out of trouble.

I would rather have TJACK than Rex any day of the week, month, year!!!!!!!!!

REX IS THE WORST STARTER IN THE NFC NORTH.

Actually I think that most people would select Orton, Stanton,Booty, Brohm over Rex "eww" Grossman. I know I would. Rex is downright god-awful and if it wasn't for a spectacular defense, the Bears would never sniff the playoffs, much less the SB.

To the other guy BearsSuxBulls, The Lions are obviously on their way op with the success of recent drafts and character change of the team. The Lions losing is not Kitna's fault most of the time. When you have the Last ranked defense in most categories then obivously it's not the QB's fault. If the Lions could stop most teams from scoring 20 points they would win with that offense. The Lions defense has improved with addittion by subtraction and adding playmakers to the secondary.

The Bears are probably not on their way down but you have to admit that after a season like last season, you have to wonder where the offense is going to come from. Some huge question marks need to be answered. Has Urlacher reached his peak, is he on the way down? Who's going to run the offense? Do the Bears have a running game?  Can the Secondary stay healthy, specifically the safety position? How will the O-line preform? Can Hester keep up this ridiculous act of scoring special teams TD's to keep the Bears in the game? Who will be the starting RB? Is Cedric Benson a Bust??

Ahh, the whole addition by subtraction theory...that must be the new math or maybe its a cop out and really means "we've picked up nobody"!  You lost your best DL and picked up what is now your best DB...that's a wash.  Then you also lost your best running back.  There' sreally nothing to be excited about for Lions fans, but I give all of you credit for sticking with them.  I know, even when my Bears are in a down year, I'll always be a fan.

There are some serious questions that need to be answered on the Bears.  Urlacher has reached his peak and is probably on his way down.  The Bears need a running game to succeed and last year they had none.  Blame it on the o-line or the running back...both have been upgraded coming into the 2008 season.  Hester has proven by now that he is one of the few players in this league that can change a game by himself.  The guy is ridiculous....nothing except an injury will change that from year to year.  The biggest question mark for me is the quarterback play.  If Grossman can stop throwing the ball to the other team, I'd prefer him.  If not, I'll take my chances with Orton.  I'm not worried about the receivers  because the ones we picked up were a downgrade from the ones we had, but not as much of a down grade as people think.  Muhammed was brutal last year and Booker is a upgrade.  Berrian was our best receiver, but (as Vikings fans will eventually realize) he's not a #1 receiver and he didn't deserve to be paid like one.  The fact that we have the best group of tight ends in the division will make up for the lack of receivers.  The o-line will be better provided Williams is not a complete bust.  Tait moving over to RT will be much improved from what he was doing at LT and what we had at RT last year.

There you go...I can objectively analyze my team's issues...can Lions fans do the same?  Nope...everything is perfect in Detroit..according to Lions fans at least.  You'll see...with the more difficult schedule this year for the Lions, they'll take a step back and finish 6-10.

Simba-

We'll agree to disagree.  My position was based on past performance in pressure situations, i.e. playoff performance.  I will never call Grossman a world-beater, but there is worse (in my opinion) in out division.  Regardless, I think we'll all see Orton this year (he can actually see over the offensive line). 

I'll give an opinion to your questions, as best as I can:

Has Urlacher reached his peak, is he on the way down? At 30 years old, he is most likely on his way down.  But even reduced performance from Urlacher is better than 90% of the other MLB's in the league. I think the decline of his abilities is greatly overrated.

Who's going to run the offense? Grossman or Orton.  In my opinion, probably Orton.  I think that he has grown over three years of adversity.  He was 10-5 as a rookie starter, despite his performances.  Then he was automatically pushed to no. 3 to make way for Rex.  The last two years he has shown up in better shape , and has taken advantage of time in the quarterback room.  His first game action back after a season and a half layoff he looked bad.  But the next two games, the rust came off and he appeared to play as an NFL quarterback.  Not necessarily dynamic, but good.  I think he starts and keeps the QB job this year. 

Do the Bears have a running game?  Remains to be seen.  We have RB and an OL, but how it performs remains to be seen.  Tait going to RT is a good move.  Williams at LT is an upgrade on paper, but lets see how he plays against the big boys.  Who knows who is playing LG yet.  Benson sucks, Forte looks good in shorts, Wolfe is fast and productive outside the tackles, and the other Adrian Peterson is steady.  How will it all come together?  Hopefully well.

Can the Secondary stay healthy, specifically the safety position? I hope so.  I think playing 19 games (plus preseason) in 2006 before took its toll on the entire team. We don't have that problem this year.  Everyone got a full offseason to rest and recover.  I would hazard a guess that injuries aren't as big an issue this year.

How will the O-line preform? Can't be any worse than last year. Fred Miller was jettisoned, thank god.  Ruben Brown had reached the end of his productiveness.  Moving Tait to RT plays to his strengths.  Williams appears to be what we need at LT, but he hasn't had pads on yet.  Garza and Kruetz are fixtures at RG and C.  No starting LG determined yet.  At a minimum, we'll be able to run to the right.

Can Hester keep up this ridiculous act of scoring special teams TD's to keep the Bears in the game? People didn't think he could duplicate his rookie season, and he came back and bested it.  I wouldn't count against him, but I don't think he'll get many oppurtunities at returns.

Who will be the starting RB? Forte.  Even a rookie can pick up Ron Turner's system.

Is Cedric Benson a Bust? This is the easiest - yes.  But let's see if some personal embarrasment and training camp competition can light a fire under him.  Hopefully, he can at least be a servicable #2.

Lions questions: Who starts at RB? How long will it take to get the third offensive system in four years going? Is Stanton a better option for Colletto's system than Kitna? Is a more athletic TE on the squad for the zone blocking scheme? Ernie Sims is good, but were there any real upgrades on D? Can they stop anyone? Does Foster move to LT? Will CJ emerge this year? Is Marinelli really the guy for the job? Can someone hit Matt Millen with a Ford F-250?

Bearsfan- To answer your questions about the Lions...

Who starts at RB? Kevin Smith and we're running the same zone system that he ran in college. I'm guessing that, carries will be split 50/50 until one of the backs can prove they should be the starter.  I think by midseason Kevin will be the starter.

How long will it take to get the third offensive system in four years going?? This is a common misconception. The Lions actually are not changing systems and that's why they hired their Offensive Line coach as OC. What the Lions are doing is keeping the same system but planning on injecting more running plays to offset the pass rush. They won't be learning a new offense, just running the ball more out of the zone system which they also used at times last year.

Is Stanton a better QB for Colletto's system than Kitna's? WELL if Stanton is somehow better at handing off the ball than Kitna then YES...LOL. Once again, it's the same system it's just that Martz isn't running it.

Is a more athletic TE on the squad for the zone blocking scheme? Yep Dan Campbell is coming back from injury and he's perfect for the system. It's not like they are running some impossible new system like everyone tries to make out. Also they signed Micheal Gaines a 4 year vet from Buffalo. Great blocker and athletic enough to haul in 20+ passes last year.

Were there any real upgrades on Defense? OH YEAH! Leigh Bodden is a near probowl preformer and should keep on improving, he's joining a defense that was taylor made for his skill-set. Dwight Smith, Kelvin Pearson and Brian Kelly all have experience in the Tampa2 and should be an immediate upgrade. If Kelly stays healthy, he's better than Fernando Bryant. Smith is better than Kenoy Kennedy. Pearson adds immediate skill to the special teams and is a very good backup safety who is starting to enter his prime.
Chuck Darby is a 4 steps down from Shaun "BIG BABY" Rogers but we can at least expect Darby to play all 16 games like he's still trying to make the team and that in itself will improve our defensive efforts.

Can the Lions stop anybody? Can the Bears score on anybody...NOPE! Until they prove otherwise that's as honest as I can be!!!!! The Lions did lead the NFL in picks for the first half of the season so hopefully they can do it for a whole season with the improved secondary.

Does Foster move to LT? HELL NO!

Will CJ emerge this year? If CJ has double the production he did last year, the league better look out!!!! I think that he will have a 200yd 3td game against the Bears this year. LOL!!!

Is Marinelli the guy for the job? I believe so. I love what he's doing with the character of this football team by adding players who are willing to work hard and fit the system.

Can someone hit Matt Millen with a Fod F-250? I will be the driver as long as I get to keep the truck!

First of all its spelled GENIUS numbnuts.

If you are going to insult someone you should be able to spell first.

Second, the Bears have 8 Championships and 1 Super Bowl.  Two perfect regular seasons and one of the most dominate teams in history.  Not to mention the most Hall of Famers in all of pro sports.

First (I spelled first correct, now I can insult you)

I dont think its your foot in his ass, I think its your head!  Please remove your head and realize its not about last season or the last 50! Its all about this season.  Period!

Second

Your team is in big trouble. Your two best players are asking for more money and don't even want to show up... Urlacher is thinking about retirement! Thats bad!  Atleast our player want to stay here until the end of their careers!