The problem about our way(s) of means in going about to fix the offense was to address our needs via the Draft offensively because we are trying to win games now, yet at the same time prepare for the future and re-build with good, wise investments/choices which could be a sticky situation and a “risky” move. Planning for both the present & future is smart but will it take away from the present and the upcoming ‘08 season to an extent? Can you win now with these young rookie players, who may be relied on to contribute when the pressure moments call? Are they going to be able to produce and come through in the clutch and help us win games on the offensive end or is this offense going to back to its old way/form of ‘05 as “caretakers” of the football? Is this the right formula to success? Are the Bears taking the right plan of action towards getting back atop the NFC as one of the elite teams? Is the Defense going to leaned upon too heavily like it was in ‘05 and times in ‘06? Is it still “great” enough and level of “greatness” left in ‘em to get the Bears back to the PostseasoN? Are the moves made by GM Jerry Angelo going to result in disaster and is this too “safe” of a plan for ‘08? Anyhow, the method of madness is going to be questioned and who knows if it will work out because it has more flaws and chances to fail than to succeed, yet still a chance to succeed, and frankly that’s all that matters…

Need less to say, tell me all the good FA’s out there this off-season that we could’ve gotten to improve our pathetic offense…? I couldn’t find any and counted maybe two… or so? Other than the highly overpaid back-up Michael Turner (not a sure thing, even though I would’ve loved to acquire him) and the aging, yet talented Offensive Guard Alan Faneca, who has been/still is/one of the best interior OL in the NFL (for the last 5-7 years) - but for how long will he continue to be - would that have been a good investment for the future? How could we’ve bolstered the QB situation in FA or via Trade…? By getting an eventual replacement for Rex/Orton? There were no viable, legitimate options out there unless you think Donovan McNabb was surely reachable/tradeable/available for the Bears to go wheel ‘n deal…

Other than McNabb, no was out there for the taking to beat out Rex/Orton for the starting role this year. RB - Only Turner was there - maybe D.Rhodes, but he wanted to go back w/ the Colts. WR - Berrian wanted too much and is a 1-trick pony. OL - I would’ve liked to ink J.Scott, S.Olivea, who by the way is still avalb., or J.Bell at OG… because that’s our weakest link on the OL and the entire offense. We need a left guard and maybe two moblie-enough “pulling” guards to orchrestrate a consistent, power rushing style that will lead to a productive ground attack that is able to move the chains in short-yardage situations when the game is on-the-line because our interior OL/Run game was awful in ‘07. Hopefully Beekman (’07 4th round), Metcalf (underachieving, injury-prone bust 3rd rounder back in ‘02), Garza, St. Clair, Adams, or Barton steps to fill the two guard spots if we don’t act in FA to pick up Olivea, Gandy, or someone else.

The real point I’m trying to get across is that the FA class was “Slim Pickings” for us in an attempt to revive our Offense as we still look to find new life/answers from old faces in old places (or the other way around - in old faces from old places…) for this unit that needs to STEP Up if we want to have any chance in ‘08 to get back to the Postseason. If we so desire to play late in January many things have to work out on offense (almost too much realistically) or our DEFENSE, which isn’t out of the possibilitiy, has to SHOW up like it has before in the past - like we Witnessed it in ‘05 and ‘06! Our D still has the capability to DOMINATE and it very well may have to! We can still win the NFC North, and not so fast… Speaking of “FAST”… Don’t forget for one second that we still possess the most electrifying and explosive playmaker in all the NFL in #23 - “Windy City Flyer”!

Devin Hester on ST/Offense + HEALTHY DEFENSE + Offense that has a good Red Zone Efficiency + Winning the Turnover Battle = 10-12 Wins.

More Injuries + Bad DL play + Banged up Secondary + Same Old QB Play + OL Play of ‘07 + Turnover-Happy Offense = 5-7 Wins

Good Post Waddle and Thanks for your Feedback/Comments (I was getting a little sick of reading all the “unrealistic” high hope talk for an anemic offense which is still in disarray). You are unbiased and we need some more of your posts here at Bears Gab! Thanks for putting some of these posters back into their right place and unleashing the proper perspective. Your “outlook” of the Bears is not the most encouraging, though is has to be the most correct and precise. You really hit the nail on the head and brought the responders who comment back to reality! It was well worth it and much-needed, yet let’s hope this offense works out in ‘08 - like you, and all of us here at Bears Gab want it to! Keep writing back and giving us your input…

Thanks

Bears Gab Site Editor
Russ

Consider the awful, yet improving O-Line…

Well, let’s just say Forte doesn’t adjust to the game speed of the NFL and doesn’t do much. Good chance that scenario might occur instead.

OL will determine the play of Rex/Forte period.

If the OL is #1 in terms of the most key, important position that will either make/break the Bears season - then who’s more vital to the offense after the OL - QB or RB?

Thanks

Russ

Is he capable of leading the team back to the Playoffs?

I’d easily take #8 or Daunte because he knows the offense and has more to lose/and more to prove - so he’s Hungry, more so than Culpepper.

Also add the fact this QB Competition/Battle with Orton will bring the best out of him - though mainly I don’t see Cul coming in and taking the starting role just because he’d need to have so much going for him in order to do so and I know Angelo (GM) will not settle for Culpepper because of his past/recent injury history - also he did not perform so well in Oakland.

With Rex/Orton, I believe Grossman will come out and prove doubters wrong and put together a good season - not the Franchise QB he once was slated to be but he’s gone through it all (Media, Pressure, ect) and will overcome the adversity this season and do well because he has everything to lose yet all to prove!

Thanks

Russ

http://www.nflontap.com

What has Mr. Benson done to deserve another go-around with us?

He has done more harm than good.

Ever since his super-long training camp holdout he has been a mess.

I know AP is just a 3rd down back and better on the ST unit than he is at the RB role but he’s more reliable, durable, and versatile than Ced. Ced was supposed to be a great goal line/short yardage powerhouse/workhorse - so far he’s just an underachiever who can only do wrong and only hold up a spot on the IR. Only reason to keep him is because of money reason and the cap hit factor that’ll come into play.

What makes you think Benson will change his attitude and/or performance on the field? Nothing as of yet…

Forte is our best option now. Good balanced, healthy back.

Benson is never in shape - that’s a big “IF” to say if he’s in shape…

Talk is “cheap” and him being in shape is just all “HYPE” and “rumor” until he actually shows it and proves it during the regular season.

His has been coming off some major/serious every year since he came into the league.

He just Can’t seem to stay Healthy!

The OL will determine our offensive effectiveness this season in ‘08!

Thanks

Russ