Slim Tim Speaks

Initial 53-man Positional breakdown.

2011-09-03T22:00:00.002-05:00

Quarterbacks (3): Jay Cutler, Nathan Enderle, Caleb Hanie
Running backs (3): Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell, Matt Forte
Fullbacks (1): Will Ta’ufo’ou
Wide receivers (6): Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Sam Hurd, Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, Roy Williams
Tight ends (3): Kyle Adams, Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth
Offensive linemen (8): Gabe Carimi, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis, Frank Omiyale, Chris Spencer, J’Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Edwin Williams
Defensive linemen (10): Anthony Adams, Mario Addison, Israel Idonije, Henry Melton, Amobi Okoye, Stephen Paea, Julius Peppers, Nick Reed, Matt Toeaina, Corey Wootton
Linebackers (5): Lance Briggs, Dom DeCicco, Brian Iwuh, Nick Roach, Brian Urlacher
Cornerbacks (6): Zackary Bowman, Corey Graham, Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Joshua Moore, Charles Tillman
Safeties (5): Chris Conte, Chris Harris, Craig Steltz, Winston Venable, Major Wright
Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Patrick Mannelly, Adam Podlesh

9 Points from Preseason week 3 vs. Tennessee

2011-08-28T17:29:00.000-05:00

1. Seems the game would have been different if CJ2K were in uniform.

2. D-Line is working well together, getting pressure on the QB. Izzy Idonije seems to be flying under the radar. Nice to see inside pressure.

3. Major Wright in another out of control move flying past a runner giving up another touchdown. Is that something that is fixable?

4. Wow, Matt Forte looks good running between the tackles, catching passes, running outside, etc. This is going to be his year.

5. O-Line. Lance Louis as a lead blocker is a lot of beef coming at you. Carimi holding his own. For what it is worth, they have kept resolute on maintaining the same consistent line and so far appears to be paying off, running game is clicking and Jay Cutler is alive and upright.

6. Lovie Smith with another lost challenge. Par for the course, but at least he has not had any egregious time management decisions - yet. We will see when the real games start.

7. Roy Williams just dropped another pass. Johnny Knox is not much better and Devin Hester shows what we always knew that he really can't catch under pressure. Earl Bennett is solid as ever, I think he will lead all Bears WR when the season is over. And Roy Williams just dropped another pass.

8. Special Teams. What the heck?!?!?!? Blocked punt, punter catches the ball and runs for a first down?!?!?! Coverage stinks, returns are nothing special and worst of all Robbie Gould is shaky and he needs to be solid.

9. But I still feel good about this season, don't know why I just do.

T.

Preseason week 2 vs. Giants

2011-08-22T21:26:00.000-05:00

What happened to the special teams? Kick coverage is horrible, Bears generally do not give up many blocked punts and Robbie Gould usually does not miss Field Goals. Dave Toub better pick up his side of the equation.

Jay Cutler looked like he was making quick confident decisions and given that he was given enough time the announcers picked up on it too. Now if only they could do something about the Left Tackle...

Roy Williams, hello?

Major Wright forced a fumble, had a solid couple of tackles, but completely left his jock on the field for one crucial play.

Gabe Carimi really looks like the first legitimate Tackle that the Bears have drafted in the last 10 years.

Matt Toeina commands a double team every play. It sure will be fun when Anthony Adams is healthy to play alongside of Matt Toeina.

Izzy Idonije has been fairly quiet so far this year.

Marian Barber and Jonnie Knox playing with the second team just looks funny.

This is two straight games that Lovie has not made an egregious Time Management mistake.

T.

Preseason Game 1 vs. Bills

2011-08-15T13:09:00.002-05:00

OK, one game under our belt. What did we learn? About as much as can be expected after one preseason game after a loooong layoff.

OLine – I saw Garza on his butt more than one time. I was hoping that we would come away with a decent number of sacks – didn’t happen. What I was glad to see was very few egregious mental mistakes (holding, false starts, snap infraction, etc). Some of the sacks could most definitely be attributed to Hanie’s slow decision making. We sure are going to miss Kreutz this year.

DLine – Toeina looked good picking up the “I’m going to command a double team every time the ball is snapped” usually reserved for Anthony Adams, freeing up Melton and others to make plays. Peppers should watch film of Alex Brown batting down passes, he just seems one half second short of knocking down 3-4 passes a game.

RBs – Barber is what we thought he was – a beast that will get those much needed 2.4 yards. Surprised to see Khalil Bell do as well as he did, he may make the team over Chester Taylor because Bell is a special teams ace.

Lovie didn’t do a horrific job of managing the clock. Count that as one game in a row that has happened, I am sure that streak will not last.

Let Melton Run It!

2010-09-18T08:40:00.000-05:00

So, everyone on the planet agrees that you should have kicked the field goal after your third unsuccessful attempt to run it in from the 1 foot line. But, supposing that you are just that hard-headed and determined to run it in for a fourth consecutive time. Why not let Henry Melton run it in? He spent time as a running back in college. Not just any college, he played at UT (University of Texas). And not just a couple games, he played 25 games at Running Back and started 1 game at Running Back. Played in all 13 games at running back as a freshman. In fact, he finished his freshman season fifth on the all-time UT freshman list with 10 rushing TDs.

Henry Melton Bio

I am saying that it was the wrong move to go for it. BUT, if you were going to give away the game, why not mix it up a little bit???

ST.

Lovie Smith "still feels good" about passing up field goal

2010-09-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

Here is the reason why I am off the Lovie will be out at the end of this season or before:

Lovie Smith "still feels good" about passing up field goal

Everyone knows that you kick the field goal - EVERY TIME. The fact that Lovie does not admit it is just plain wrong. Bad news for your head coach to not admit when he is wrong.

ST.

More Trouble with Bears drafts...

2010-09-06T22:17:00.000-05:00

Here is the cut list of some high draft picks - let's take a trip down memory lane. With the latest cuts this week, the 2009 Bears draft may go down in history as possibly the worst ever.

2010 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

6 181 Dan LeFevour QB Central Michigan

.

2009 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

3 68 Jarron Gilbert DE San Jose State

3 99 Juaquin Iglesias WR Oklahoma

5 154 Marcus Freeman LB Ohio State

6 190 Al Afalava FS Oregon State

.

2008 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

Pretty good draft, most players still on team.

.

2007 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

2 62 Dan Bazuin DE Central Michigan

3 94 Michael Okwo LB Stanford

.

2006 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

This was a pretty good draft for the Bear

.

2005 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 4 Cedric Benson RB Texas

2 39 Mark Bradley WR Oklahoma

5 140 Airese Currie WR Clemson

.

2004 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

2 47 Tank Johnson DT Washington

5 147 Claude Harriott DE Pittsburgh

5 148 Craig Krenzel QB Ohio State

.

2003 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 14 Michael Haynes DE Penn State

4 100 Todd Johnson DB Florida

.

2002 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 29 Marc Colombo T Boston College (never panned out for the Bears)

3 72 Roe Williams CB Tuskegee

.

2001 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 8 David Terrell WR Michigan

.

2000 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

3 69 Dez White WR Georgia Tech

3 87 Dustin Lyman TE Wake Forest

.

1999 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 12 Cade McNown QB UCLA

2 48 Russell Davis DE North Carolina

.

1998 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 5 Curtis Enis RB Penn State

4 94 Alonzo Mayes TE Oklahoma State

.

1997 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

2 38 John Allred TE USC

3 69 Bob Sapp G Washington

.

1996 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

This was actually a good draft

.

1995 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 21 Rashaan Salaam RB Colorado

.

1994 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 11 John Thierry LB Alcorn State

.

1993 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

2 35 Carl Simpson DT Florida State

3 61 Chris Gedney TE Syracuse

.

1992 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 22 Alonzo Spellman DE Ohio State

9 246 Mirko Jurkovic G Notre Dame (Related to Jurko???)

.

1991 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 22 Stan Thomas T Texas

.

1990 - Chicago Bears

Rd Sel # Player Position School

3 61 Tim Ryan DE USC (Does anybody like him as an announcer?)

Bears sign 3rd-round pick S Wright to 4-year deal

2010-05-28T18:43:00.000-05:00

Bears sign 3rd-round pick S Wright to 4-year deal

With the latest news about the Bears signing their remaining draft picks, I am reminded that this is a reason that I am glad to be a Bears fan. They make it a point in the last few years to sign their draft picks prior to training camp. Kudos Bears, Kudos...

Chris Harris a BEAR again!

2010-04-27T21:29:00.002-05:00

Color Slim Tim happy. This is better news than the if the Bears took the best safety in the draft. This is better news than C. Taylor. This is better news than B. Manumaleuna. (Not quite as good as the other Panther that the Bears obtained this offseason, though)

J. Williams (given to Carolina in the trade) was a fill-in player and he was a very good special teams player. Great trade, excellent news - GO BEARS!

(I am still mad at Bears for Alex Brown)

- Slim Tim

T.O. to the Bears?

2010-03-23T20:16:00.001-05:00

T.O. Left In Limbo: Likely Won't Sign Soon - NFL - Yahoo! Sports quote: "His best fit, just one opinion: The Bears. Jay Cutler(notes) can get Owens the ball there, and Mike Martz could use such a veteran dynamo. Lovie Smith would also be there to help T.O. stay grounded."

Scout.com: 2010 NFL Free Agency WR Rankings

2010-02-18T21:51:00.000-06:00

Scout.com: 2010 NFL Free Agency WR Rankings: "PosPos
RankRatingNameTypeYrHt/WtCollege2009 TeamSigned Team
WR1Vincent JacksonRFA56-5/238Northern ColoradoSan Diego
WR2Miles AustinRFA46-3/216Monmouth (NJ)Dallas
WR3Brandon MarshallRFA46-4/230UCFDenver
WR4Terrell OwensUFA146-3/218ChattanoogaBuffalo
WR5Braylon EdwardsRFA56-3/215MichiganNY Jets
WR6Malcom FloydRFA46-4.5/215WyomingSan Diego
WR7Antonio BryantUFA76-1/205PittsburghTampa Bay
WR8Kevin WalterUFA76-3/214Eastern MichiganHouston
WR9Derrick MasonUFA135-10/192Michigan StateBaltimore
WR10Steve BreastonRFA36-0/193MichiganArizona
WR11Nate BurlesonUFA76-0/192NevadaSeattle"

2010 WR Free Agents.

2010-01-19T21:06:00.002-06:00

Follow this link to see The Scout's list of Free Agent WR class of 2010.

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Type Yr Ht/Wt College 2009 Team Signed Team
WR 1 Vincent Jackson RFA 5 6-5/238 Northern Colorado San Diego
WR 2 Miles Austin RFA 4 6-3/216 Monmouth (NJ) Dallas
WR 3 Brandon Marshall RFA 4 6-4/230 UCF Denver
WR 4 Terrell Owens UFA 14 6-3/218 Chattanooga Buffalo
WR 5 Braylon Edwards RFA 5 6-3/215 Michigan NY Jets
WR 6 Malcom Floyd RFA 4 6-4.5/215 Wyoming San Diego
WR 7 Antonio Bryant UFA 7 6-1/205 Pittsburgh Tampa Bay
WR 8 Kevin Walter UFA 7 6-3/214 Eastern Michigan Houston
WR 9 Derrick Mason UFA 13 5-10/192 Michigan State Baltimore
WR 10 Steve Breaston RFA 3 6-0/193 Michigan Arizona
WR 11 Nate Burleson UFA 7 6-0/192 Nevada Seattle
WR 12 Lance Moore RFA 4 5-9/177 Toledo New Orleans
WR 13 Chris Chambers UFA 9 5-11/210 Wisconsin San Diego
WR 14 Jason Avant RFA 4 6-0/213 Michigan Philadelphia
WR 15 Mark Clayton RFA 5 5-10/195 Oklahoma Baltimore
WR 16 Muhsin Muhammad UFA 14 6-2/215 Michigan State Carolina
WR 17 Demetrius Williams RFA 4 6-2/197 Oregon Baltimore
WR 18 Jerheme Urban RFA 6 6-3/212 Trinity (TX) Arizona
WR 19 Brad Smith RFA 4 6-2/210 Missouri NY Jets
WR 20 Domenik Hixon RFA 4 6-2/190 Akron NY Giants
WR 21 Arnaz Battle UFA 7 6-1/213 Notre Dame San Francisco
WR 22 Kassim Osgood UFA 7 6-4/204 San Diego State San Diego
WR 23 Hank Baskett RFA 4 6-3/224 New Mexico Indianapolis
WR 24 Bobby Wade UFA 7 5-10/186 Arizona Minnesota
WR 25 Maurice Stovall RFA 4 6-4/218 Notre Dame Tampa Bay
WR 26 Ruvell Martin RFA 5 6-4/220 Saginaw Valley State St. Louis
WR 27 Troy Williamson RFA 5 6-1/203 South Carolina Jacksonville
WR 28 Sam Hurd RFA 4 6-2/205 Northern Illinois Dallas
WR 29 Mike Furrey UFA 7 6-0/195 Northern Iowa Cleveland
WR NR Josh Reed UFA 8 5-10/210 LSU Buffalo
WR NR Kelley Washington RFA 7 6-3/215 Tennessee Baltimore
WR NR Mark Bradley RFA 5 6-1/201 Oklahoma Kansas City
WR NR Sinorice Moss RFA 4 5-8/185 Miami (FL) NY Giants
WR NR Derek Hagan RFA 4 6-2/215 Arizona State NY Giants
WR NR Marty Booker UFA 11 6-0/205 ULM Atlanta
WR NR Brandon Lloyd UFA 9 6-0/194 Illinois Denver
WR NR Brian Finneran UFA 11 6-5/217 Villanova Atlanta
WR NR Terrance Copper UFA 6 6-0/207 East Carolina Kansas City
WR NR Greg Lewis RFA 7 6-0/180 Illinois Minnesota
WR NR Courtney Roby RFA 4 6-0/190 Indiana New Orleans

Let's sign Brandon Marshall & Kevin Walter, whaddya think?

Tim.

Tice ecstatic about joining Bears staff

2010-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Tice ecstatic about joining Bears staff: "Tice ecstatic to return to old division with storied team"

I don't really know why, but I am happy to hear of this news. Seems that he was very well respected when he was with the Vikings. I remember how the media reacted in a positive way when he was hired. One of their own - a player turned coach. Hopefully he will be good for the team.

- Tim.

Bears downed by Packers

2009-12-13T21:14:00.000-06:00

Bears thoughts for the week...

I found two bright spots watching the game. I am trying to stay positive. Everyone who watched the preseason knew that Aromashodu was the real deal, you know - not a converted DBack masquerading as a WR (see R. Davis and D. Hester). He got a real shot and he took advantage of it. With any "luck" D. Hester will miss another game because that is the only way that the current coaching staff will make it possible for the three true WR on the Bears to be on the field at the same time (D. Aroma, J. Knox, E. Bennett). Any chance that D. Aromashodu will stay with the Bear? Second bright spot is that the Bear are finding that running off tackle is where positive yardage can come from as opposed to running in the gap between the Center and Right or Left Guard. The Bears spent waaaaaaaaaaay to much time during the first 10 game running Matt Forte between the right cheek of F. Omiyale and the left cheek of R. Garza.

Poor spots now... The tempo of the Bears offense is way too predictable. Play is called in, huddle up, get set, snap the ball. I could time this offense. They really need to run a quick snap or no huddle or something... Here's another thought, how about the Wide Receivers fight for catching the ball instead of fighting for a penalty. Buck up, guys and quick wining. It is really tough to watch Olsen and Hester constantly looking at the refs instead of looking at the ball. And Cutler is the biggest winer of all. He's tougher than that, I just don't understand him constantly wanting flags called. If I was reffing the games, I would not call penalties just for spite.

Last point... Lovie Smith's time management "skills" were on display again on Sunday. Time out followed by a challenge, nice work Coach. Brian Billick was all over him on that one. Here is a question for everyone... Does ANYONE think that Lovie will be coaching the Bears next season?

-Slim Tim

Tommie Harris wants to be a Bengal

2009-11-09T19:27:00.001-06:00

Other subjects I was considering:

Wake up, Mr. Shanahan – Bob Virene might be onto something

Troy Aikman – One astute broadcaster

They’re called holes, linebackers – Fill them!

Olin, Olin, Olin – What The ____?

It’s still Bears season.

OK. Here we go. Tommie Harris wants to be a Bengal. He obviously has seen the success of Ced Benson, who did just enough to get kicked off the Bears, but not enough to land in jail. Also, look at Tank Johnson – again just enough to get kicked out of here, but not in jail. Tommie is doing just enough to get kicked off the Bears without winding up in jail… While on the subject, how is it that all of Urlacher’s indiscretions and that swept-under-the-rug Lance Briggs crashing his car while drunk incident has not gotten them kicked off?

Wake up, Mr. Shanahan – Bob Virene might be onto something. For the first time since Lovie has been head coach (and now subsequently taken over as defensive coordinator as well) do I start to see ever so slightly that Lovie might be starting to lose this team. But that’s as far as I am going for today. He still took most of these Bears to the Superbowl.

Troy Aikman – one astute broadcaster. If you haven’t already read about them or heard about them, look up the Aikman Efficiency Ratings. These look at offense statistics the correct way. They do not included points scored by the special teams or points scored on defense. If he was truly the architect of this system, then I’m all in. I was never a large fan of Aikman as a QB. I feel that he was a by-product of having worked behind one of the best offensive lines in recent history. You know them all, Larry Allen, Nate Newton, Mark Tuinei… But I digress. Aikman said it best and I am paraphrasing here, “Either you play with purpose and try to win the game or take Jay Cutler out of the game.” Hats off to Troy, those was a very poignant statement. The Bear were not playing to win the game, they were playing slow, even while still in the game… Nice work, Troy.

They’re called holes, linebackers – Fill them! Not much else to say there.

Olin, Olin, Olin – What The ____? Again, nothing much else to say there. You all know where I stand on Mr. Kreutz.

It’s still Bears season. I did not get one single response from last week’s Bears recap. Not one. I just want to remind everyone that it is still Bears season, even though the Hawks are playing well, Toewser and the new guy will be skating real soon for the Hawk. For those Bulls fans, bummer about Tyrus Thomas – he was starting to play well. Again, the Bears are still playing, right???

Next up - San Francisco coached by Mike Singletary.

No Love for Mark Bradley (former Bear)

2009-09-15T21:26:00.000-05:00

Chiefs to add veteran wide receiver - Kansas City Star

Follow this link for a story about former Bear Mark Bradley. For those who have been following my blog, you will know that I am not the biggest fan of Mark Bradley.

- Slim Tim

Bears breakdown - Week 1

2009-09-14T20:22:00.000-05:00

OK, here it is: from Flambeau Field.

Bears Pass Offense: Cutler did not make very good decisions throwing the ball. There were times that he threw on the run where he definitely should have stopped, set his feet and thrown. For those Cubs fans, he reminded me of Carlos Zambrano after giving up a home run. He looked like he lost his focus and could not concentrate on the current play, he was so lost in the fact that he threw the interceptions that he couldn’t move forward… Also, Ron Turner did not throw the ball to the tailback at all, those plays tend to be very low risk, high reward plays that were lacking in their gameplan. Devin Hester and Johnnie Knox caught two nice passes, Earl Bennett also caught the ball well. Green Bay made a point of taking Greg Olsen out of the Bears offense and it showed. It was like the Pack had the Bears playbook and knew where they were going with the ball most times.

Bears Run Offense: It looked to me like Matt Forte was handed the ball and was told to run in a certain hole in the offensive line and no matter what was happening around him, he ran through that hole without regard to people actually being in that hole waiting to tackle him or not. There were times were daylight was seen on the left or right of where the play was supposed to go and Matt Forte did not have the vision to look around and see what else was available. For what it is worth, the offensive line did not do him any favors either, it did not seem like there was very much room for Forte to run at all.

Bears Run Defense: Seemed that they were pretty solid, Tommie Harris played all game and was his usual disruptive self. Hopefully Urlacher does not miss much time after dislocating his wrist during the game.

Bears Pass Defense: The DLine actually got to the Quarterback. Adewale O played an excellent game and really had the number of the O Tackle that he was playing against. That being said… Their secondary did not look good at all. Nathan Vasher is a shell of his former self, Charles Tillman will get better. Daniel Manning looked lost out there, many of GB’s pass plays were definitely directly to take advantage of him while he was on the field.

Special Teams: There was an obvious gaffe on the fake punt and there will be much made out of that play in the media this week. Don’t get as good as solid Gould – he was very good including a special teams tackle. Their return game was good and Rashied Davis made some nice special teams plays.

All in all, some good but most bad. They sustained some injuries that are definitely going to hurt them and if they don’t get their running game going, this will be a very looooong season.

Go Bears.

Bears' Wildcat.

2009-08-04T18:43:00.001-05:00

Not only have there been reports of Devin Hester lining up in the QB spot, just saw on Comcast Television Matt Forte lining up in the QB spot. The play they ran had Kevin Jones linep up as HB and Cutler lined up as WR. The play had Forte fake a handoff to K. Jones, but it was a QB keeper run off tackle. - More to come.

Burress to the Bears?

2009-06-07T17:25:00.002-05:00

Figured I would just add to the growing list of sites on the internet proposing that Plaxico Burress's next stop is here in Chicago. Angelo = GM of the year before the season starts. Take a moment to reflect just how odd that sounds coming from Slim Tim. I was of course a big opponent to Mr. Angelo asking everyone to visit the Fire Jerry Angelo website. I can admit when I am wrong, one Superbowl appearance and more to come with O. Pace, J. Cutler, and now P. Burress!

ST.

Bears signing draft picks...

2009-06-07T17:24:00.002-05:00

I just love the fact that the Bears are the quickest to sign their draft picks year in and year out. Small things like this make me even happier to be a Bears fan.

With the 49th-overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft...

2009-04-23T19:59:00.002-05:00

The Chicago Bears select Pat White - QB/WR West Virginia. (He's a special guy).

"White is a gifted athlete who can alter a game in many ways on the field. He lacks ideal size, but his vision and playmaking ability make him stand out. He has a strong arm and can read a defense, but he struggles with accuracy and touch. He’s better on the move than in the pocket. He’s a game breaker who’s dynamic in the open field. He’s a tremendous leader; a player others look up to. - Chris Steuber, Scout.com"

Bears waive Mark Bradley...

2008-09-23T20:06:00.002-05:00

So, a favorite person on SlimTim's list of persons who deserve to be waived, Mark Bradley, got the axe today - ending a very tumultuous career with the Chicago Bears. This also continues a string of very, very poor decisions in the draft recently.
.
Here is the cut list of some high draft picks - let's take a trip down memory lane:
.
2007 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
2 62 Dan Bazuin DE Central Michigan
3 94 Michael Okwo LB Stanford
.
2006 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
This was a pretty good draft for the Bear
.
2005 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 4 Cedric Benson RB Texas
2 39 Mark Bradley WR Oklahoma
5 140 Airese Currie WR Clemson
.
2004 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
2 47 Tank Johnson DT Washington
5 147 Claude Harriott DE Pittsburgh
5 148 Craig Krenzel QB Ohio State
.
2003 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 14 Michael Haynes DE Penn State
4 100 Todd Johnson DB Florida
.
2002 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 29 Marc Colombo T Boston College (never panned out for the Bears)
3 72 Roe Williams CB Tuskegee
.
2001 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 8 David Terrell WR Michigan
.
2000 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
3 69 Dez White WR Georgia Tech
3 87 Dustin Lyman TE Wake Forest
.
1999 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 12 Cade McNown QB UCLA
2 48 Russell Davis DE North Carolina
.
1998 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 5 Curtis Enis RB Penn State
4 94 Alonzo Mayes TE Oklahoma State
.
1997 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
2 38 John Allred TE USC
3 69 Bob Sapp G Washington
.
1996 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
This was actually a good draft
.
1995 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 21 Rashaan Salaam RB Colorado
.
1994 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 11 John Thierry LB Alcorn State
.
1993 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
2 35 Carl Simpson DT Florida State
3 61 Chris Gedney TE Syracuse
.
1992 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 22 Alonzo Spellman DE Ohio State
9 246 Mirko Jurkovic G Notre Dame (Related to Jurko???)
.
1991 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 22 Stan Thomas T Texas
.
1990 - Chicago Bears
Rd Sel # Player Position School
3 61 Tim Ryan DE USC (Does anybody like him as an announcer?)
.

Week 3 - Bears lose to TB

2008-09-22T19:15:00.002-05:00

What to say, the Bears lose. They had a good game plan, no receiver screens and no receiver end-arounds. Orton let loose on some passes to Brandon Lloyd their clear number one WR. They just didn't want it enough and ran out of gas. Really could have used more pressue on Griese.

Oh, I almost forgot to point out that Olin Kreutz had another typical day for himself, snap infraction at a very critical juncture. :(

T.

Week 2 - Bears should have beaten Panthers

2008-09-17T19:56:00.001-05:00

So the Bears lost. It just stings because they should have won this
game. They had this game and gave it away. Don't you just want to get
a hold of the entire Bears offensive playbook and burn all of the pages
that have Wide Receiver Screens on them? There is no reason for a
professional football team to ever run a Wide Receiver Screen play,
especially when the previous two times you ran them they were almost
picked off. An intelligent offensive coordinator would take advantage
of the advancing defensive back and call a "fake" wide receiver screen
play - knowing that the DB would be in the backfield by the time the
throw is off.

What is up with Olin Kreutz - not his best game by far - on the play
where McKie was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, Kreutz was on his
behind completely taken off balance by the DT.

Chris Harris played with a chip on his shoulder - I think that we may
need to have a Chris Harris award - given to the player that the Bears
cut who does well... Chris Harris, Marc Columbo, Bobby Engram, Tony
Parrish, Ted Washington, Walt Harris, etc...

My final point... and this is a big one... Why do you deactivate Adrian
Peterson and activate Mark Bradley??? Mark Bradley had one pass thrown
his way on a poorly ran route and almost had the pass intercepted. With
Adrian Peterson out, kick and punt coverage severely suffered...

Next up, Tampa Bay at home.

Week 1 - Bears upset Colts.

2008-09-07T22:38:00.002-05:00

So, football comes down to blocking and tackling - two things that the Bears have not done well in a couple of years. Today, they blocked for Kyle Orton and Matt Forte very well. Matt Forte gained yards where he was not touched until he was 4 yards past the line of scrimmage. Also the defense tackled very, very well. How about Lance Briggs with solid tackling today. The third thing to mention was limiting injuries - we came out of the game today without significant injury - especially no injuries to MIKE BROWN or Dusty Dvorcek.

Slim Tim's Preseason Bears predictions...

2008-09-02T22:35:00.005-05:00

BEST CASE: BIg plays on Defense and Special Teams vault the team into contention. The offensive line somehow gels together and forms into a cohesive unit. They still have calls out to a couple of free-agent Tackles in Fred Miller and Willie Anderson both of whom can assist this team. Matt Forte's blocking skills can help the passing game immensely. With this best case scenario coming to fruition, the Bears will easily make the playoffs.

WORST CASE: The Bears get no assistance in the offensive line, Mike Brown gets injured again, the Linebacker core continue to show their age and continue missing blocks. Matt Forte and Kevin Jones do not get it done as professional running backs. Neither M Booker, B Lloyd, D Hester, M Bradley or R Davis prove that they belong in the same uniform worn by T Waddle. In this worst case scenario, the Bears will have a tough time scratching out 4 wins.

LIKELY CASE: The Bears will win some games based solely on Defense and Special Teams. The Bears will likely lose some games on Offense. This team has so much money invested in their first string defense, that there will be hell to pay if they incur serious injuries… My prediction is 8 wins and 8 losses.

Slim Tim

Slim Tim'

2008-09-02T22:35:00.001-05:00

2008-2009 Draft Order Video

2008-08-26T10:52:00.001-05:00

2008 Preason Game 1 Breakdown...

2008-08-07T21:09:00.002-05:00

Did not get much pressure out of middle of DLine
Mike Brown took away his side of the field from the opposing QB
Starting D gave up a 9 minute scoring drive to start the game
Josh Beekam does not look very big at all
Kyle Orton looks like he has shortened his windup/delivery
Screw Mark Bradley
Kyle Orton made some very nice passes
OLine giving QBs lots of time to throw tonight
Erik Kramer hit it on the head - Rex looks very focused tonight
Orton was seen hanging out with the OLine on the sidelines when not throwing
The Bears actually scored in the 3rd quarter
Hester should have been in the game at WR throughout the second half.

Slim Tim.

2008 Training Camp Opens

2008-07-23T21:02:00.005-05:00

OK, I have to get these two things off of my chest...

Devin Hester is not a Number One Wide Receiver AND
Chris Williams signing and getting into camp ON TIME is the lead story of the opening day of camp in Bourbonnais.

Now for some more thoughts...

I heard from Hub Arkush that Devin Hester was offered a contract that would make him the highest paid Return Specialist ever. He went on to say that it also includes an escalator clause that would pay him more if he produces as a wide receiver. Given that information, I am 100% on the Bears side of this little disagreement. If that is the case, then every day that Devin Hester holds out, I would decrease the offer and not increase it. Because if Mr. Hester is ever going to be a true #1 WR, he needs to learn the position - he has not been anything close to being a WR, but just a gimmick on offense and the worst thing that the Bears ever did was to complete a long touchdown pass to him from Brian Griese because that is the only clip that I have heard on the radio today. I did not hear any talk about how many times he was out of position as a wide receiver and how many times he ran the incorrect route, or how many times he was caught for a loss behind the line of scrimmage on a reverse... Devin Hester should use his God-given speed and sprint to sign the deal that the Bears have offered him. The Bears are not using good judgement if they capitulate and pay him as a wide receiver because he has not proven in college or the NFL that he can be relied upon to be a real WR.

Back to the real story... Chris Williams signed on time! That is the best news so far out of camp... I knew that somehow he would be in on time. Very, very good news and congrats to Ted Phillips and Jerry Angelo for getting that accomplished. I now have some hope for the OLine this year...

The Marty Booker that I remember can catch the football. That is what I like in a wide receiver - good hands. Now this is a weapon on offense, he is not flashy, never has been and he is not on the time to light up the world. But if he can catch all of the routine passes that Moose Muhammad did not catch, than we are worlds better with him than with Moose.

Mike Brown healthy means that this defense will be good again. Mike Brown hurt again means a shaky defense.

Alex Brown is the starter on the Right Side of the defensive line and not Mark Anderson. I like Mark Anderson a lot, but Alex Brown makes the run defense much, much better.

That's all for now.

- Slim Tim.

Forte Signs...

2008-07-02T19:37:00.002-05:00

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8091e154&template=with-video&confirm=true

So, just one day after posting that the Bear had signed 10 out of their 12 draft picks, the Bears up the ante and sign Matt Forte, their 2nd round pick. Congrats, I have much higher hopes for this Bears running back now that he will be in camp when it opens. Nice work Teddy Phillips and Jerry Angelo!!!

- Slim Tim

Three more draft picks reach contract agreements - Chicago Bears

2008-07-01T21:39:00.000-05:00

Three more draft picks reach contract agreements - Chicago Bears

I have to share this news with y'all... best news from the draft thus far... The Bears have now signed or agreed to terms with 10 of their 12 players chosen in this year’s draft, the most in the NFL. To date, 67 picks from the 2008 NFL draft have signed or agreed to terms with their respective teams. Slim Tim is very happy. I like to see the guys in camp without holdout.

Matt Forte looks like a 1st rounder!

2008-04-26T21:42:00.001-05:00

For those of you wondering who this guy is...

NFL.com expert predicts Bears will draft Otah - Chicago Bears

2008-04-02T22:39:00.000-05:00

NFL.com expert predicts Bears will draft Otah - Chicago Bears

So, scout.com has Jeff Otah ranked as the third highest ranked OT in the draft... I of course would like the Bears to find a way to get Jake Long.

Free Agent OL...

2008-03-29T18:19:00.003-05:00

So, I am looking around at the free agent OL available...

46 Free Agent OL have already been signed in the offseason including Alan Faneca, Flozell Adams and Jordan Gross. The Bears have not made a single offseason OL signing. NOT EVEN ONE, They don't have a starting RT and they have not made a single offseason signing...

There are still 50 agents available including:
Chris Naeole OG, JAX
Larry Allen OG, SF
Wayne Gandy OT, ATL

So, the Bears need to sign some veteran OL players as well as address the position in the draft.

ST

Bears Draft Needs...

2008-03-29T17:43:00.002-05:00

Well, another year another plea from Slim Tim for the draft to encompass Offensive Line talent... So, let me just make sure I am clear again on this topic. THE BEARS NEED OFFENSIVE LINE TALENT, USE THE HIGH DRAFT PICK ON AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN!!! WE HAVE NO STARTING RIGHT TACKLE AND HAVE NOT MADE ANY OL MOVES IN THE OFFSEASON!!!

Here are previous posts on this topic.

Saturday, April 21, 2007
Slim Tim will be OK with any pick this year as long as said pick has "lineman" in the job description. Offensive lineman, defensive lineman... 300Lbs or more, Beef.

Sunday, February 06, 2005
Bears '05 offseason needs: OT, WR, TE, QB.

Friday, January 21, 2005
D�Brickashaw Ferguson - 2005 NFL Draft Prospects: "took the starting left tackle job in camp as a true freshman, and never let it go during his career at Virginia."
OOOOOOOh, I wish this guy would come out this year in the draft. He would be a very welcome first pick for the Bears. Exactly what we need, a slam dunk for Angelo, no questions asked, if this guy declares, he is our guy.... - Slim Tim.

ST.

Tuna is a whore...

2008-03-29T08:44:00.003-05:00

What is the deal with Bill Parcells? He couldn't wait to sign TANK JOHNSON after the Chicago Bears did not want anything to do with him. Now, the cowboys are close to signing Pacman Jones???. As the title points out, Tuna is a whore.

I will have more Bears thoughts soon. I have been gone for a while, but I am back...

Week 5 In-Game Blog

2007-10-07T19:30:00.001-05:00

1Q First Green Bay Drive. These are not the Bears that I remember, many missed tackles already on this first drive, and a hole open a mile wide for the running back to run through. Brian Urlacher missed big time on one tackle. Wow, this is gonna be a loooooong game.

1Q 11:01 Packer Touchdown. So, it looks like it will be a good day to be a Packer fan.

1Q 10:56 So far the Pack are doing the right things... opening large holes for the running backs and taking advantage of big cushions by the DBs. On the ensuing kickoff, they kicked to one of the upbacks. They are the first team to flat out refuse to kick to Devin Hester, Smart Move.

1Q 9:44 So, the Bears come off the bus runnning, huh...
First play - pass for 1yd.
Second play - C Benson run for 1 yard.
Third play batted down pass.
Fourth play - punt
Why don't they not park 12 miles away from the stadium so that the team can run when they are on the field instead of runnning to the ballpark. Off the bus running, what a crock. I just wish they would run the ball three straight times to start a game.

1Q 6:40 Packers ball... Where is Wale Oguleye? I have only seen Idonije on the left end so far. And... just following a sack... where would this Bears defense be without Tommie Harris, he seems to be the only one actually playing defense today...

1Q 3:16 Bears ball, second three and out. Offensive line is truly offensive, would be nice to see even the slightest hole for the runnning back to run through.

1Q 1:32 Pack ball - Archuleta another missed tackle - looks real bad. Good thing, though Nutty Tillman just forced his second fumble of the game. We may be seeing a turnaround here if Tillman can keep forcing fumbles! Eventually I think that Brett will stop throwing to Nutty's side of the field... we'll see.

1Q :32 Bears ball after fumble... O-line actually gave Griese room to breathe and Griese overthrows by a mile. After that pass, St. Clair just let KGB run right by him, I hope that does not continue tonight or Griese will be a pancake by end of game. And, their third straight three-and-out. Who is to blame for this, Ron Turner?

End of 1Q - Just saw Wale Ogunleye at Left End, did he not start the game?

2Q 13:00 Bears ball and more passing from the "Running off the bus" Bears... I don't get it.

2Q 11:45 I though that John Tait was playing poorly until I am seeing John St. Clair let KGB right by him yet again... do they have someone else they can bring up from AAA? Devin Hester with the end around- probably the best call all night. Can I just say... RUN THE BALL!!! All of these short passes are making me mad, they have a good drive going here, but I want to see all run all the time.

2Q 9:30 Bears ball still - in the middle of a nice long drive... nice to see, they brought in two blockers in the backfield and ran the ball, for only a couple of yards, and they followed it up with a run up the middle for only a couple of yards, but they committed to running the ball, we got a field goal, but this is a huge, huge drive for the Bears. Now, just run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. It seems that Ron T is listening to me because they have finally run the ball three or four times in a row and they are doing well with it. To finish, Benson run for a TD, very, very nice finish to the drive!!!

2Q 4:55 ensuing possession, Favre long TD pass, corner beat pretty bad and the safety missed the tackle. You've heard it here before, this defense is just not the same without Mike Brown. Ensuing kickoff, another kick to one of the up backs, the Packers are learning...

2Q 4:24 Benson is running very, very well today, running with his blockers today and punishing the first defender trying to tackle him. So, my question to you is... when will the first snap infraction occur called on Olin Kreutz? It's bound to happen soon... Draw play was pretty much given away by the cracking down Desmond Clark, bad blocking play on the TE... Another time that Griese is given time to throw and he poorly overthrew the receiver, Griese needs work on his long passes.

2Q 1:47 Pack ball, Idonije is still playing a lot in the defense, I wonder why, on the other side of the ball, can Mark Anderson play anywhere but 5 yards outside of the OT's shoulder? They need Alex Brown to play more on the Right DE spot, seems that they would be better suited to stop the run with A Brown in there.

3Q Another Pack kickoff to Isreal Idonije. And during the posession, is it just me, or does Brian Griese look pretty good under center. He has had two poorly overthrown deep balls, but other than that, he has had good protection and has made good quick decisions.

3Q 6:00 The Bear have committed to running the ball. There will be lots of "3 yards and a cloud of dust", but eventually when you commit to it, there will be an opening for Benson to run through. If they continue, I am encouraged by what I am seeing in the third quarter.

3Q 4:19 So, B Urlacher steps up and intercepts B Favre and Brian Griese throws a perfect pass to Greg Olsen, very nice.

3Q End of third Quarter. Bears punt to GB, Ayanbadejo forces another fumble, Maynard recovers and Griese throws pinpoint accurate pass after play-action. Ron Turner needs to keep running the ball in the fourth quarter, though.

4Q start of Q. Griese is so afraid of throwing an interception, that he is overthrowing his receivers by a mile. For what it is worth, they are protecting the ball well and they are benefitting because of it. TIE GAME!

4Q 12:29 Seems to me that the momentum has shifted in the Bears favor and for one reason, the defensive line is getting a push up the middle and they are tackling well... good for the defense actually producing in the fourth quarter for the first time this year. If they can keep this up, they will win this game.

End of game Brett almost gave it to the Bears again with the last play of the game. Give it to the makeshift Bears defense for holding strong to make the win. I love it when the Bears beat Green Bay at Lambeau.

- Slim Tim.

Week 4 In-Game Blog

2007-09-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

Cedric Benson and Devin Hester both fumbled again??? Lucky for us they went out of bounds.

Griese looks decisive in his progressions, but Bernard Berrian is not doing B Griese any favors with two major dropped passes, both would have been for first downs.

Defense defense defense... So far, B McGowan is stepping up and it's a real good thing that T Harris decided to play today because he real good.

Garret Wolfe just got in the game, I have to think it has to do with C Benson coughing up the ball again... We'll see how many more times we will see Benson after this...

2Q ~ 7:00Min - Berrian has just caught two big passes this drive and he needs to keep that up through the rest of the game.

2Q ~ 5:18min - Another thing... the Bears are running a lot of shotgun today and Kreutz seems to be firing the ball back to the QB with authority.

With Wolfe in and carrying for the third time this drive, it seems to me that C Benson might not see the field again this half.

2Q 4:16 - Muhammad just caught a beautiful TD pass from Griese. He was given a perfect pocket to throw from and Griese just made a perfect pass.

2Q 4:11 - B Ayanbadejo is real good on coverage teams, which reminds me... Isn't Obefemi Ayanbadejo set to come back next week? I wornder if they will activate both fullbacks against GB...

2Q 2:15 - It seems that the Bears' defense is playing well today despite having most of the side of the ball being inactive.

2Q 2:00 - So, the first half grade on Griese is better than what I would have given any half to Grossman during the first three games... and if you know me, you know how much it pains me to admit that...

3Q - Too many ticky-tack penalties today, what's with the two offsides penalties on Alex Brown? Awful calls, they never call that penalty. Griese seems to have a pretty good rythym going with the offense and the defense seems to be holding strong.

4Q - just gave up a TD to Detroit... I was thinking that the challenge flag happy Martz has continued his ways with Detroit today.

4Q 12:08 - No one ever calls a neutral zone infraction penalty - ever. The Bears have been flagged 3 frigging times for it today. Ticky-tack... Way too many penalties, Lovie will not be happy with them this week in practice regardless of the outcome.

4Q :58 - If you are going to send up a jump ball in teh endzone you throw it to Moose Muhammed, not Berrian, hence why they had to kick the FG.

Final - Well, in the end, it came down to blocking and tackling. Specifically the vauted Offensive line was not blocking and the injury-riddled defense did not tackle well. Hard to hold your head up going into Green Bay with a 1-3 record .

- ST

Bears Week 3 Postgame Thoughts...

2007-09-24T20:02:00.000-05:00

So, Slim Tim may have finally reached his limit with his support of Rex Grossman... But, I have to point out a couple of other things that I saw...

- The Bears really miss Mike Brown.
- John Tait is showing his age.
- Why don't the Bears run the ball. Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. The only pass plays should be play action passes. Run the ball.
- On the Rex topic, how is it that Cedric Benson turns the ball over and he gets benched in the last two games, but Rex turns the ball over three times and he still plays. Is there no problem with Cedric's psyche that he can handle sitting and not getting back into the game after screwing up?
- The Bears are really gonna miss Mike Brown now that N Vasher, T Harris and L Briggs got hurt.
- Oh yeah, I almost forgot... RUN THE BALL!!!

- Slim Tim

Bears Postgame.

2007-09-11T17:01:00.000-05:00

OK, my Bears thoughts...

This is probably their toughest game on the schedule, they aren't going to go 16-0 which means they have to lose a couple of games here or there, so just chalk this one up to their 15-1 season.

The bad taste in my mouth about the loss is all too familiar, though...
Defense works their collective tails off for 60 minutes and the offense just sputters. Benching the starting tailback for fumbling at a crucial time, and yes... Benson was benched. The Offensive Line seemed old and slow, huh, hard to believe because... they ARE old and slow. It all comes down to blocking and tackling. The defense did their part in tackling, but the blocking was just not there. No one would have been able to run through the non-existent holes in the offensive line.
And... Rex did alright considering, I mean the sacks that he had - no one would have been able to avoid - I am actually surpised that he did not fumble the ball... And, the turning point in the game was the fluke turnover on the punt return, your defense needs to rush back out onto the field right after stopping their offense...

Who would have thought that the Bears would be in sole possession of LAST place in the division (at any point in the season) - looking up and GB, DET and MIN.

The worst part of the weekend... the absolute worst part... and the one thing I feared most... was that Mike Brown is lost for the season - without much depth behind him.

So... next week we have KC in our home opener. KC is coming off a really bad loss to HOU and will be fighting mad. They do not want to start the season off at 0-2 just as much as the Bear do not want to start 0-2. The Bears will have their hands full again trying to stop Larry Johnson. So, looking forward... if the Bears Defense can match the performance turned in in week 1 against KC and the Bears offense can perform up to their level of talent, they have a real good chance of winning.

- Slim Tim

Hass and Ball fantastic catches.

2007-09-01T13:47:00.001-05:00

Ball and Hass fantastic back-to-back catches.

Bears in the rankings September 1st....

2007-09-01T13:30:00.000-05:00

So, here are the Bears preseason rankings..

Bears at Number 4 at ESPN's power rankings - In the past few years, Super Bowl losers generally haven't fared well the next season. But if Rex Grossman can find consistency in 2007, the Bears could have an easy time in the NFC.

Bears at Number 5 at CBS Sportsline - When you play the style of football they do, the margin for error is small. Everything will have to go right for the Bears to be back in the Super Bowl. That rarely happens.

Bears at Number 6 at FOX Sports - Not exactly the way you want to enter the playoffs. The Bears, going with their starters in the first half of Sunday night’s game with the Packers, lost 26-7 at home. Rex Grossman went 2-12 and threw three interceptions before being replaced by Brian Griese. His thoughts afterward? "I've been in this position before. I hate this. I hate it." Hmm ... so do the Bears fans, Rex.

- Slim Tim

2007 Fantasy Football Draft Order Video

2007-08-20T19:31:00.001-05:00

NFL Schedule (repost)

2007-08-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

Hello, I just thought I would post the NFL schedule.

Slim Tim.

Aug. 28 -- Roster cutdown to 75 players.

Sept. 1 -- Roster cutdown to 53 players.

Sept. 6 -- Regular season opener.

Oct. 16 -- Trading deadline.

Oct. 22-24 -- Fall meeting, Dallas.

Dec. 29-30 -- Regular season ends. ^2008=

Jan. 5-6 -- Wild-card playoffs.

Jan. 12-13 -- Divisional playoffs.

Jan. 20 -- Conference championships.

Feb. 3 -- Super Bowl at Glendale, Ariz.

Feb. 10 -- Pro Bowl at Honolulu.

Feb. 20-26 -- NFL scouting combine, Indianapolis.

March 30-April 3 -- NFL annual meeting, Palm Beach, Fla.

April 26-27 -- NFL draft, New York.

May 19-21 -- NFL spring meeting, Atlanta.

Slim Tim's Preseason Bears comments....

2007-08-05T21:08:00.000-05:00

So, as the Bears are commencing training camp, I have a few thoughts on the upcoming season...

In my mind, here are the keys to success in '07-'08 in order of importance.

1) It is imperative to keep the Offensive Line intact and healthy - Kreutz, Tait, Miller, Garza and Brown - all of them need to stay healthy.

2) Mike Brown needs to have a complete, healthy season. Without him on the field, they are a completely different defense.

3) It's obvious, I know, but after #1 and #2 above, it's all Rex after that. It's nice to talk about the dual-TE sets that Olsen will bring, the X-factor in Devin Hester, and Cedric Benson needs to stay healthy, yada yada yada - on offense, it's all about the Rex.

Slim Tim

Bears rated Number 6 in USATODAY preseason poll

2007-07-09T18:11:00.000-05:00

So, the Bears are the second rated NFC team behind the Saints (number 4) with the Bears at number 6. I remember the Saints game in the playoffs last year with just as many people picking the Saints as picked the Colts. Hopefully the Bear will be back in the SuperBowl this year as well.

Go Bears.

Slim Tim

2007 Draft...

2007-05-07T20:26:00.000-05:00

So my buddy Bob tells me that the DE was a reach in the 2nd round, but the TE that they took in the first looks to be the TE that I have been begging for for a while now. There has been some news that has come out that the Bears may be shopping Alex Brown, and if those rumors are true, it would make sense to get a young DE to groom into the system. Also, it would make sense to get rid of one of the three DEs on the roster who are impact players... Alex Brown, A. Oguleye and the phenom Mark Anderson. So, if Alex Brown is the odd man out and Ogunleye doesn't have much time left, why not take the best DE available in the 2nd round - even if he is a stretch... I also like that they picked up OL help late in the draft... So, put Slim Tim down for the 2007 draft as a solid B rating. Sorry it took so long Jim C...

- Slim Tim

Bears Draft...

2007-04-21T19:27:00.000-05:00

Slim Tim will be OK with any pick this year as long as said pick has "lineman" in the job description. Offensive lineman, defensive lineman... 300Lbs or more, Beef.

ST

Bears and Lovie Get-R-Done!!!

2007-02-28T20:57:00.000-06:00

Finally! The Bears and Lovie agree on a 4-year contract extension. In other news, Jerry Angelo signs a contract extension as well. But LOVIE WILL BE BACK!!! Woo Hoo!!! Chalk Slim Tim up as one happy camper with this news!!!

Slim Tim.

Superbowl Thoughts...

2007-02-06T18:43:00.000-06:00

So, it would have been great to have won the Superbowl. The Bears lost and got beat pretty bad. I pin the loss on coaching, they were just plain outcoached. And by outcoached, I mean Ron Turner got outcoached, just like last season in the playoff game against Carolina, the Bears went away from the run and got burned.

Just to overstate it... RUN THE BALL!!!

Some good notes:

Mark Anderson, Devin Hester and Daniel Manning were good.

Tommie Harris and Mike Brown are coming back next year.

GO BEARS, do it again next year!!!

Offseason Schedule

2007-02-06T18:42:00.001-06:00

JANUARY

January 27: Senior Bowl, Mobile, AL

February 8: First day clubs can designate Franchise or Transition players.

February 10: AFC-NFC Pro Bowl in Honolulu, HI

February 12: Waiver system begins for 2007. Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons whom clubs desire to terminate are not subject to the waiver system until after the trading deadline in October.

February 21: NFL Combine Timing and Testing Sessions at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN

February 22: Deadline for designation of Franchise/Transition players.
MARCH

March 1: Deadline for club to exercise options for 2007 on all players who have option clauses in their 2006 contracts. Expiration date of all player contracts due to expire after 2006 season. Deadline for clubs to submit Qualifying Offers to Restricted Free Agents whose contracts are expiring. Deadline for clubs to submit minimum salary offers to Exclusive Rights Free Agents (players with less than three years of free agency credit).

March 2: Free Agency period begins. Trading period begins for 2007

March 19: Clubs may begin voluntary off-season workout programs

March 25: NFL Owners Meeting at Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ

APRIL

April 20: Deadline for signing and submission of Offer Sheets by Restricted Free Agents

April 27: Deadline for Old Clubs to match Offer Sheets submitted by Restricted Free Agents

April 28-29: NFL Draft in New York City, NY

JUNE

June 1: Deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents or to extend Qualifying Offer, whichever is greater, in order to retain rights. Also, deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents to retain rights if player is not signed by another club by July 22 or beginning of veteran training camp, whichever is earlier.

June 15: Deadline for Restricted Free Agent to accept Qualifying Offer (if higher than 110% of previous year’s salary).

June 24: NFL/NFLPA Rookie Symposium – PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JULY

July 14: Any club designating a Franchise Player shall have until 4 pm EDT to sign the player to a multi-year contract or extension. After July 14 the player may sign only a one-year Player Contract with his Prior Club, and such Player Contract may not be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.

Mid-July: Training Camps open. Veteran players cannot be required to report earlier than 15 days prior to club’s first pre-season game or July 15, whichever is later. The July 15 date is not applicable to clubs playing five pre-season games.

July 22: Signing period ends at 4:00 pm EDT for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom June 1 tender was made by old club and for Transition Players and Franchise Players who

Superbowl Quote...

2007-01-28T09:08:00.000-06:00

I read this and I just loved it and had to share:

Let's face it, the Colts are pretty sterile. The quarterback is a finely-calibrated, laser-throwing robot, the coach is rarely emotional and they play in a dome. They seem like they were designed in a lab. The Bears, on the other hand, look like they were designed in Upton Sinclair's meatpacking district. The Bears are rough and ready. Black and blue. Smash-mouth. They play at Soldier Field. It's man vs. machine. The machine is a 7-point favorite. But so was the steam-powered drill against John Henry.

Found here: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6399350?MSNHPHCP>1=9012

- Slim Tim

Slim Tim's Super Thoughts...

2007-01-22T18:48:00.000-06:00

Bring on the Honey Bears for the Super Bowl!
Let the Bears wear their Orange jerseys for the Super Bowl! (if not orange, how about the Navy jersey with navy pants...)
Devin Hester is one fast exciting dude!
Anyone going to Miami?
Isn't Good Rex just fantastic?
Were you as surpised as I was that the Bears are underdogs for the Super Bowl?

Super Bears.

2007-01-22T18:47:00.001-06:00

So, I just opened up the blog to additional authors... It could get interesting.

Go Bears...

Slim Tim

Slim Tim Breaks down Film

2006-12-29T06:17:00.001-06:00

Slim Tim Breaks down Film on Mark Anderson against Detroit Lions on 12/24/3006. Acutally, it is just some highlight clips of his best plays...

Bears Stuff

2006-12-28T09:29:00.000-06:00

So, before the regular season comes to an end, I would like to offer some thoughts...

Mark Anderson has to find a way on the starting roster (update: I hear he might get some starting time)
John St. Clair might not be all that reliable of a backup
John Tait might be the most indispensable member of the playoff-bound Bears
Devin Hester is one fast exciting dude
Rex Grossman in the SuperBowl quarterback
Can the Bears choose to play in their Orange jerseys throughout the playoffs including the SuperBowl?
Is Philadelphia or New Orleans good enough to beat the Bears?
Isn't it great to not be talking about draft picks in December?
I would really like to see the Bears draft some offensive line talent (now that I have started thinking about the draft)
The best part about these Bears is that most of them have been drafted by the Bears and are "our own guys"
Lance Briggs and the two cornerbacks should be signed to long term deals.
I would like to see Cedric Benson get 30 carries in one game.
I was glad to hear that the Bears are giving Tank Johnson another chance, he appears to realize finally that he needs to change and only because of the "family" type of team that the Bears are do I feel like they are helping him out...

- Not so Slim Tim (Ate too much during the holidays)

Change of Schedule

2006-12-28T09:18:00.000-06:00

So, the Bears are the "victim" of the NFL flexible schedule. I just wonder if it is because this may be Brett Favre's last game, or if it is because the Bears are America's team again?

Devin Hester - Rookie of the Year!!!

2006-12-17T23:13:00.000-06:00

I just needed to share with you the coolest FAN SIGN that I have seen all year...

Devin Hester's record-breaking return for touchdown.

2006-12-12T06:25:00.001-06:00

Bob Nelson's Football College Allstars

2006-12-07T20:05:00.001-06:00

This is for my bro. I am just seeing if he is following the 'blog... For those of you familiar with this, this is the clip with Billy Bob Rubrick, Peppe Loueppe ("I kick the ball"), Appie Appiman (Cleveland University)...

Follow the Bears through the rankings...

2006-12-07T17:31:00.000-06:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 4: The bad news is Rex Grossman's QB rating against the Vikings was 1.3. The good news is that was up from his 0.0 rating at the end of the third quarter

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 1: The quarterback play is awful, which has to be a concern heading to the playoffs. At some point, Rex Grossman has to make plays.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 6: Chicago -- Sunday's 23-13 victory over Minnesota wasn't pretty--but a win is a win, and Lovie Smith will take them any way they come. Rex Grossman had a passer rating of 1.3--0.0 after the first quarter--in the win, going a putrid 6-19 for 34 yards. The former Heisman Trophy candidate struggled again, tossing 3 interceptions. FOXSports.com's homepage headline on Monday afternoon said it all: "Just Gross, Man". Luckily for the Bears, there's no such thing as "style points" in the NFL. That said, the Bears defensive unit played a beautiful game. Despite giving up 307 yards of offense on Sunday, Chicago forced five turnovers, including four Brad Johnson interceptions. Coach Smith responded sternly to questions over a potential quarterback controversy, telling reporters after the game: "There's a difference between perception and reality. The reality is we're 10-2 right now. We just won the division with Rex at quarterback, so that's what I go on."

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are at number 4More dysfunction. With boos still ringing through Soldier Field after their QB stunk it up against the Vikings, Lovie Smith faced a hostile press and gave his "perception vs. reality" speech ... you know how it goes, "the reality is that we're 10-2," and the rest of the accompanying nonsense. But in another area, offensive coordinator Ron Turner was calmly and professionally addressing the major problem on this team, Rex Grossman. "He's thinking too much," Turner said. "but seeing things that aren't there. You just have to react, and that's what I talked to him about. React. Go back to what you were doing early in the year; you were just playing football." What worries me about this scenario is an upcoming announcement from the head coach that from now on all assistants will be off limits to the press.

- Slim Tim

Stick with Rex.

2006-12-07T16:33:00.000-06:00

As having previously written, I am firmly on the Rex side of the fence. I wanted Rex back last year because of what he can do and not what Kyle could not do. Rex is the better quarterback as he has shown the first few games this year. He has had a few bad games and in those games, he has looked bad. I like Rex's upside, I think he can work out his problems on the field and the special teams and defense can hold him up while he does just that. What other teams in the league can afford to let their quarterbacks struggle while learning and still win games? The Bears will be better in the long run for letting him work out his problems on the field, and he gives them the best chance to win in the playoffs and beyond this year.

- Slim Tim

Rex is the Superbowl Quarterback.

2006-12-05T10:34:00.000-06:00

Rex is our superbowl quarterback. Rex is the best quarterback that the Bears have had on their team for quite some time. Not since Erik Kramer has a quarterback shown the skills that Rex has this year. As he is still growing as a QB, he needs to get better at making decisions. In my mind the way that he gets better is by playing through adversity. He is still the same QB that was lights out the first half of this season and he will get back to form. We now have four remaining games for him to work out the kinks to get ready for the playoffs.

I invite all comments.

Go Bears and Go REX!! - Slim Tim

Walter Payton - World's Greatest Video.

2006-11-19T19:47:00.000-06:00

I especially love the run against Dallas where he start left, cuts around left, is almost tackled and then turns and continues all the way around to the left again.

- Slim Tim

(Non-Bears) Speaking of awesome returns...

2006-11-17T19:38:00.000-06:00

This video was from the West Virginia vs. Pitt game 11/16/06. Pittsburgh Panthers PR Darrelle Revis returns a punt in spectacular fashion against West Virginia during the 2006 Backyard Brawl.

Watch for the following:

The fake throw across the field
The absolute de-cleating of two guys by one guy
The 360 degree move at the end of the run

Follow the Bears through the rankings...

2006-11-15T19:22:00.000-06:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 10 beating of the Gints:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears strengthen hold at Number 2: Weird, didn't hear Plaxico Burress talking too much after the game. Now it seems pretty safe to say that the NFC's road to Super Bowl XLI will end up going through Chicago.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 2: They answered some of their critics from the Miami loss by beating the Giants in impressive fashion. Be careful with the Jets this week.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 4?: The Bears beat up the Giants in the rain Sunday night, knocking around New York in typical Chicago fashion. Defense and special teams led the way, as the offense did just enough to ensure a Bears win. The 2006 Bears are beginning to look more and more like the 2000 Ravens as the weeks go by — Brian Urlacher playing the Ray Lewis role; Rex Grossman as Trent Dilfer; Robbie Gould as Matt Stover; and "run-back guy" (Al Michaels' term, not mine) Devin Hester wearing the Jermaine Lewis hat. Can Desmond Clark play the Shannon Sharpe role? Well, I haven't seen Desmond Clark's work as a studio show analyst yet. If he can laugh uncontrollably at things that aren't that funny, well, then yes, yes he can.

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are still listed at number 2 No, I wasn't all fluttery in my praise, mouthing such phrases as, "The road to the Super Bowl runs through Chicago," etc., after the crippled Giants stuck it to 'em in the early going Sunday night. They had the Bears on the run in every phase, but the lack of manpower killed 'em. It's like saying the Texans had the better of the early going at the Alamo. (They did, didn't they?)

- Slim Tim

Hester 108 yard return video

2006-11-14T19:11:00.000-06:00

Vasher 108 yard return video

2006-11-14T18:48:00.000-06:00

2006 First Half Season Highlight Video...

2006-11-14T16:56:00.001-06:00

Searching for...2005 Chicago Bears Tribute Video...

2006-11-14T16:51:00.001-06:00

I was asked to re-post this...but it is no longer available on video.google.com. If you or anyone you know has access to this, let me know and I will repost. For those who did not see this... it was an awesome compilation set to the song "Fix You" by Coldplay.

Here was my original post.

Awesome Video combination of song/picture collage. The lyrics to this song as set to Chicago Bears pictures is incredible. Go BEARS!

[From video.google.com]
2005 Chicago Bears Tribute Slideshow/Vid
JW
4 min 53 sec - Dec 23, 2005
www.villesports.com

Follow the Bears through the rankings

2006-11-10T21:51:00.000-06:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 9 loss to the lowly Dolphins:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 3:
No doubt it's painful, but come on, it's a sprained big toe. Who knew you could even sprain your big toe? No way that keeps Brian Urlacher from playing this week.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 2: We'll call what happened a mulligan. The word is they got a little too full of themselves. That's how you lose games in this league.

Fox Sports NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 4: Did you hear that massive clunk shake the world at roughly 4 p.m. on Sunday? Yeah, that was the entire country -- including me -- jumping off the Bears bandwagon. The Dolphins ruined yet another flawless Bears season Sunday afternoon, winning at Soldier Field in convincing fashion. Suddenly, the Bears' accomplishments thus far look a bit less glamorous than they did a week ago. Their opponents this year? Green Bay, Detroit, Minnesota, Seattle, Buffalo, Arizona, and Miami. There may not be a playoff squad amongst that seven. Aside from Seattle, none of those teams are even above .500. Things don't get any easier for Chicago, either. The Giants, Jets and Patriots are up ahead.

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are still listed at number 3!!! Damn double-crossers. I was going to call up Gary Fencik, the all-pro safetyman on the '85 Bears and do a player by player comparison, those against these. Then I was going to back it up even farther and compare the current team to the 1940 Monsters of the Midway. Still back ... the Sneakers Game, Nagurski and Grange and Beattie Feathers ... way, way back, the Decatur Staleys and Halas and the great battles with the Nesser Brothers. It was going to be an all-time orgy of comparing, one of the great memory lane pieces this Web site has ever seen. The Dolphins ruined all that.

- Slim Tim

Random Thoughts....

2006-11-10T21:25:00.000-06:00

Rex Grossman is the unquestioned starter - regardless of what my brother says - Devin Hester is the one who should have been benched. I like the Bears who don't get any respect, the ones who play hungry, the Bears who play with a chip on their shoulder, the way the Bears are going to play this week as an underdog against the Gints. I feel that there will probably be more walking wounded on the Gints side of the field after this game. One last thought..... don't you wish the Bears could wear their Orange home jerseys for every darn game?

Speaking of jerseys, Slim Tim has some jersey number trivia for you from wikipedia:

NFL
A system of assignment of jersey numbers was initiated in American football's NFL in 1952[2]; it was updated and made more rigid in 1973[3]. Numbers are always worn on the front and back of a player's jersey, and so-called "TV numbers" are worn on the sleeve or shoulder. Many uniforms also feature numbers either on the front, back, or sides of the helmet (in pro football, these were most famously worn on the San Diego Chargers "powder-blue" uniforms). Players have often asked the NFL for an exception to the rule. In 2006, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush who wanted to keep the number 5 he wore in college. His request was declined, and he was assigned number 25 by the team. [4]

Below is the numbering system established by the NFL, and in place since 1973[5]:

Numbers 1 to 19 are worn by quarterbacks, kickers, and punters.
Since 2004[6], Wide receivers are also allowed to wear numbers between 10 and 19 if they so choose, even if there's an 80-89 number available.
Numbers 20 to 49 are worn by running backs, tight ends (when an 80-89 number is unavailable), cornerbacks and safeties.
Numbers 50 to 59 are worn by linebackers and offensive linemen.
Numbers 60 to 79 are worn by members of both the offensive line (the tackles, guards and centers) and defensive line (the defensive ends, defensive tackles and nose guard).
Numbers 80 to 89 are worn by wide receivers and tight ends.
Numbers 90 to 99 are worn by linebackers and defensive linemen.
Numbers 0 and 00 are no longer used, though they were issued in the NFL before the number standardization in 1973. George Plimpton famously wore 0 during a brief stint at quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Jim Otto wore number "00" ("aught-oh") during most of his career with the Oakland Raiders.
It should be noted that this NFL numbering system is based on a player's primary position. Any player wearing any number may play at any position on the field at any time (though players wearing numbers 50-79 must let the referee know that they are playing out of position by reporting as an "ineligible number in an eligible position"). It is not uncommon for running backs to line up at wide receiver on certain plays, or to have a large lineman play at fullback or tight end in short yardage situations. Also, in preseason games, when teams have expanded rosters, players may wear numbers that are outside of the above rules. When the final 53-player roster is established, they are reissued numbers within the above guidelines.

This numbering system originated in football's past; under the original somewhat informal system, the backs were numbered 1-4, and the line 5-8. Quarterbacks (1-back) was given 10's, halfbacks (2-backs or 3-backs) in the 20's & 30's, fullbacks (4-backs) in the 40's, centers in the 50's, guards in the 60's, tackles in the 70's, and ends in the 80's.

Required reading:
NFL retired numbers
NFL Rules
Chicago Bears Team History

- Slim Tim - OUT!

Post - Miami Dolphins Loss...

2006-11-06T15:40:00.000-06:00

Anyone who has said that they should have taken Rex out the game is crazy. You keep the best players out on the field. The ones that give you the best chance to win. That player is Rex Grossman. Ron Turner should have been pulled at halftime, he did not have the correct protections called to keep the defenders off of Rex. There should have been help over on the left side of the line because Jason Taylor was in the backfield with his hand on Rex way too many times. More rollouts, get him out of the pocket, more two back sets just for pass protection, sheesh - this game as much as the Carolina playoff game, has to go on Ron Turner's head and no one else. Except for Devin Hester and the moron who did not sit him after he muffed a punt return inside the 5 yard line.

And... the defense sure does not play the same without Mike Brown. The Dolphins knew this and they had an extra week with their bye week to plan for it.

- Slim Tim

Bears sign Kreutz to extension...

2006-11-02T21:53:00.000-06:00

Nice going, Bears... signing Olin Kreutz to an extension. It shows commitment to the men who deserve it. I have been critical of Mr. Kreutz in the past, but he is a great player to have on our team!

- Slim Tim

Follow the Bears through the rankings (after beating 49ers)

2006-11-02T07:27:00.000-06:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 8 drubbing of the SF 49ers:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears strengthen hold at Number 1!: Trick: Illusion that they were what the Cardinals thought they were.

Treat: That they're 7-0 and the rest of their opponents have a combined record of 30-34.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 1: The schedule is soft, but they don't leave any doubts. They crush their soft opposition. They don't get a real test until two weeks from now against the Giants.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 1: If you were out for the first half of the 1 o'clock games on Sunday and just got to a TV in time for the halftime highlight shows on CBS and FOX — you saw some pretty standard stuff on the tickers scrolling below: New York beating Tampa Bay, the Bengals neck and neck with the Falcons, and the Ravens up on the Saints. And then you saw this: Chicago : 41, San Francisco : 0. Yes, 41-0. At the half. Chicago ’s officially ROLLING. Their quarterback situation is settled, their defense is looking like the Bears squad of ’85, and their special teams are arguably the best in the league. The only question lingering is over which current Bear will play the Richard Dent role in the “Super Bowl Shuffle” remix…which absolutely MUST be made.

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are still listed at number 1!!!: Here's an interesting phenomenon. The keynote games played by the Colts and the Patriots have turned a spotlight on Chicago and its powder-puff schedule (they've faced no team that has fewer than three losses). But having watched the other good teams take their turn in the arena, the Bears' turn is coming. They're at the Giants on Nov. 12 and New England two weeks after that. Then we'll see, boy, we'll see. We'll see what? We'll see, just wait, we'll see. See what? WHAT! (Geez, talk about idiots.)

- Slim Tim

Is Slim Tim Wrong?

2006-11-02T07:15:00.000-06:00

So, with the emergence of TE Desmond Clark for the second year in a row... Slim Tim is rethinking his demand for a drafted TE. Yes, Des Clark is having a fantastic year and Rex Grossman is finding him weekly. Sooooo, 8 weeks into the season, Slim Tim is wrong.

So, with the emergence of WR Bernard Berrien and Rashied Davis (and even Moose Muhammad), Slim Tim is also rethinking his demand to pick up a legitimate second WR off of the waiver wire. Yes, I claimed here that we should have picked up Charles Rogers - Detroit, Peter Warrick - Seattle, Jabar Gaffney - Houston, Rod Gardner - Green Bay, Tyrone Calico - Tennessee.

It's just so difficult to think that management finally got it right by saying that they like the guys that they have... because we have been told that in the past about offensive players and those players have not come through.

So, after 8 weeks of undefeated ball, Slim Tim will admit being wrong. There you have it... happy?

- Slim Tim

Follow the Bears through the rankings (after week 7 bye)

2006-10-27T10:32:00.000-05:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 7 bye:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears strengthen hold at Number 1!: Think the Bears will miss S Mike Brown? Last time he was out -- the four games before their playoff loss last year -- the Bears' defense allowed 50 more yards rushing per game.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 1: Maybe the week off got them back refocused after that horrible showing in Arizona. The schedule is still favorable for a few weeks.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 1: America’s still talking about the Bears' 20-point fourth quarter comeback win two weeks ago in Arizona. Some stats that are still lingering in football circles: Brian Urlacher — 19 tackles. Edgerrin James — 36 carries, 54 yards. The Bears — six turnovers in a win. Unbelievable stuff. How good is Chicago this year? The Bears are favored by more than 15 points against the 49ers this weekend. And no one’s blinking an eye. Now it's time for the real question — when are we getting a Super Bowl Shuffle remix? Will Rex Grossman don some shades and a headband? Does Lance Briggs play the Refrigerator Perry role? The nation needs this.

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are still listed at number 1!!! "Nickelback Ricky Manning Jr. pleaded no contest to charges stemming from an altercation last spring, and I'm not really sure what that word means -- punching? yelling? spitting? cursing? And the Bears are hoping the league won't add a suspension to the court's earlier sentence of three years' probation and anger management classes. The Redhead says she has a perfect candidate for anger management, an overweight individual she happens to be staring at right now. "On second thought," she says, "it wouldn't work. You'd be bored, disruptive, disrespectful, disdainful."
- Slim Tim

Follow the Bears through rankings

2006-10-10T19:39:00.000-05:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 5:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears strengthen hold at Number 1!: Think Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins are getting a little nervous? The Bears have yet to show any real flaws so far this season.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 1: The Bears are the best team in the NFL right now. They have to move into the top spot. So even though the Colts are 5-0, it's the 5-0 Bears who ascend to No. 1 this week. How can they not be there? The Bears have outscored their opponents 156-36. They have four victories of more than 25 points.
That's domination.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 1: The No. 3 rated defense in the league, the No. 4 rated offense in the league, and a kicker who's currently 17 for 17 on field goals. Is it too early for Rex Grossman to break out a headband and sunglasses for a Super Bowl Shuffle re-mix?

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are listed at number 1!!! The 36 points allowed in the first five games is the lowest team mark since the 1937 club's 31 points. Ah, how well I remember that team. I was just launching my career as a sportswriter at that time, and the names of those defensive stars of the Monsters of the Midway were on everyone's tongue -- Danny Fortmann and Jumbo Joe Stydahar and 270-pound George Musso, and the Bronk ... yes, Nagurski played a lot of defense in those days. Do you think that 69 years from now people will be saying, "Remember that great '06 team, with Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Alex Brown and Tommie Harris?"

- Slim Tim

Follow the Bears - after week 4.

2006-10-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

After Week 4:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 1!: Only the most cynical of fans would complain about Chicago's pantsing of Seattle in front of the nation. There's no denying that the Bears are the best team in the NFC right now and probably in the NFL.

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 2: They are the only unbeaten team in the NFC. With a soft schedule the rest of the way, they look like the team to beat for the No. 1 seed. Is that offense for real? It looks like it.

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 2: Rex Grossman-to-Bernard Berrian may be the most electrifying QB-WR combo in the league. All those two do is convert 60-yard touchdowns. Watching Grossman and Berrian connect is reminiscent of those old Jeff Blake-Darnay Scott bomb plays in the early '90s. Yes, that was just a Darnay Scott reference in 2006. Chicago’s D is unbreakable, and four weeks into the season, the Bears are far and away the class of the NFC.

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are listed at number 1!!! Shocking as Dr. Z does not drink Blue and Orange Kool-Aid: Is there anything about this team that I don't like, after watching the way they took the Seahawks apart? Not sure about their offensive line, but there are very few of them in the NFL that I do like. Can Rex Grossman bring his team back on the road with a minute and a half and no timeouts left? Not really sure. He came back OK against the Vikings. I'll say one thing for him: He can throw the deep ball with touch and accuracy, and not many other guys can do this. No, actually there are not many things I don't like.

- Slim Tim

Follow the Bears in the Rankings - Week 3...

2006-09-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

To follow the Bears as they ascend the rankings:

Week 3:

ESPN's NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 6

CBS Sportsline NFL Power Ranking: Bears at Number 8

Fox Sports NFL Power Bears at Number 5

Dr. Z's Power Ranking: Bears are listed at number 6

- Slim Tim

Week 2 - Post Game thoughts...

2006-09-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

Devin Hester is one fast exciting dude.... But sometime as a punt returner, you need to catch the ball and run forward to gain 10 yards. Teams will start noticing that you want to take it to the house everytime and will shut you down. As a Bears punt returner, field the ball cleanly and gain positive yardage. So far, Devin Hester has fielded every single ball that has come his way. And that is quite a few punts so far!!!

Rex Grossman is the man.

The Bears skill position players have topped the most added fantasy football players on Yahoo! Fantasy Football. Topping the list of most added fantasy players is Desmond Clark followed closely by Rex Grossman and John Gilmore.

Is Bernard Berrian finally the #2 Wide Receiver we have been hoping for? I don't see any reason to believe otherwise.

Can this offense continue to do the things we have been doing in December and January? I say yes... as in, Run the ball, throw a few deep balls, and let Rex utilize the newfound vertical passing game to the tight ends and wide receivers.

I hear that Daniel Manning will be starting alongside Mike Brown against the Vikings. Good for him and good for the powers that be who drafted him, I hope he continues doing well.

Kudos to the Offensive Line for keeping all defenders away from Rex Grossman. It seems as if they gave him all the time in the world to throw the ball. NICE WORK!

- Slim Tim

Thoughts after week 1.

2006-09-10T20:09:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Moose M. he finally showed his stuff. Nice routes, nice catches, NICE GAME!

Ron Turner found out that he has a good pass catching TE in D. Clark and Rex got the ball to him.

Rex Grossman is 3-0 vs. Pack... He just has their number.

Speaking of Rex, what an excellent game! He just looked very confident out there.

Devin Hester is one fast, exciting dude.

It was nice to see two healthy starting RBs out there. T.J. looked very strong, no signs of injury.

Shutting out the Packers has a very nice feel to it, doesn't it? 233 games without getting shut out until today.

I know the Packers are a real bad team, but nontheless, we whooped them good!

- Slim Tim

The Bears should sign a veteran WR.

2006-09-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Now that the 53 man rosters have been established, here is the list of WR currently on the Bears roster:

Berrian, Bernard
Bradley, Mark
Currie, Airese
Davis, Rashied
Gage, Justin
Muhammad, Muhsin

Of the casualties due to the roster cuts, here is a short list of available receivers that I would give a chance to:

Charles Rogers - Detroit
Peter Warrick - Seattle
Jabar Gaffney - Houston
Rod Gardner - Green Bay
Tyrone Calico - Tennessee

And some others that might "bear" considering:

Quincy Morgan - Pittsburgh
Darious Watts - Denver
Kelly Campbell - Miami

- Slim Tim.

More random preseason thoughts...

2006-08-31T20:34:00.000-05:00

This is Rex Grossman's team period.

Mark Anderson (75) should be retained. He looks to have real good instincts.

Ron Turner knows how to call the game properly, i.e. run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, run the ball and then throw to the TE. But when he elects to throw to the WR, they had better catch it.... he just needs to stick to his plan.

The defense is not as bad as they looked at Arizona.

Devin Hester is proving why he was picked and when he was picked.

The Bears still do not have a #2 Wide Receiver.

Sure is good to get Ian Scott back... #95 is very underapreciated.

- Slim Tim

Random thoughts after the first two preseason games

2006-08-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

Howdy y'all...

* In the first game, of the first 16 plays, 12 were Rex Grossman pass attempts (is this supposed to be a running team?) and doesn't it seem like Ron Turner likes to pass, pass, pass to start every single darn game???

* Patrick Mannelly is one of the Bears 4 team captains that appear on the field during the coin toss. I am a person very divided on the use of Patrick Mannelly. On one hand, I don't remember a time when there was a bad snap... I mean the guy is a true master of his craft. On the other hand, the problem I have is the use of a roster position for a specialist that other teams do not slot a position for. That position could be used on the 53 person roster for an extra offensive lineman that doubles as a long snapper, or a kicker that just booms kickoffs through the uprights, or just use that roster slot for Devin Hester. In summation - Slim Tim is torn on this one...

* Devin Hester is one fast, exciting dude.

* The camera loves Dusty Dvoracek.

* We need to get healthy. Specifically we need Ian Scott, Tank Johnson and Mike Brown back to full health on defense.

* C. Benson is a little immature and he shows it on occasion. The story of him leaving early bores me. Ho-friggin-hum. The offensive line will block just as well for him as they block for T. Jones. I am glad that B. Urlacher and M. Brown did not take it easy on him in practice, Lord knows other defenses will not take it easy on him. Get healthy, practice hard, win games...

* The SD Chargers 11 penalties made the Bears game fairly easy to win.

* Olin Kreutz has not been called for one single snap infraction yet this preseason, but there are still two games...

* Rashied Davis wants the WR job.

* Devin Hester can hit opposing running backs pretty well.

* The Bears should sign Lance Briggs to a long term contract.

More to come, Go Bears!!! - Slim Tim

One team, believed to be the Chicago Bears, has offered a fourth- round draft pick in exchange for Lelie

2006-08-07T18:59:00.000-05:00

Rocky Mountain News: Broncos & NFL: "One team, believed to be the Chicago Bears, has offered a fourth- round draft pick in exchange for Lelie. " Wow, exciting news... This would be an immediate upgrade at WR. Go Jerry, trade away your First round pick!!! YOU CAN'T PICK IN THE FIRST ROUND ANYWAY!!!!

- Slim Tim

All Time Least Favorite/Worst Chicago Bears.

2006-07-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

Here's my list, where do these fit in your top ten least favorite/worst Chicago Bears?

Qasim Mitchell

Rashan Salaam

Curtis Enis

David Terrell

Michael Timpson

Cade McNown

Rick Mirer

Stan Thomas

Alonzo Spellman

Alonzo Mayes

Kaseem Sinceno

- Slim Tim.

Bears release OT Mitchell - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

2006-07-19T19:52:00.000-05:00

Bears release OT Mitchell - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

I think this could be the best move the Bears have made in four years.

I quote from this very blog from 9/08/2005 "I feel that Qasim Mitchell is not good enough to wear an NFL uniform..."

- Slim Tim

Interesting Signings by the Bears.

2006-06-29T20:25:00.000-05:00

So, what message are the Bears sending to Thomas Jones and Lance Briggs (or their collective agent Drew Rosenhaus) by signing their backups to long term contract extensions??? The Bears signed Adrian Peterson to a 3 year deal and Hunter Hillenmeyer to a 5 year deal.

I'm just saying...

- Slim Tim

Rashied Davis - WR?

2006-06-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

In an interview, Rex Grossman is quoted as saying that Rashied Davis is the most improved of all players. Improved as Wide Receiver, though... Yes, he was drafted as a CB. So, now you are asking yourself why Jerry Azumah was never given the opportunity on offense. I know I asked the same question....

- Slim Tim

Pete Prisco, you are a moron.

2006-05-18T06:26:00.000-05:00

The Bears are better than 20th in the league:

I have to say I was surprised when I was looking down the list of teams to not see the Bears in the top 10. But when I did not see the Bears until 20th, I could not believe it. The Bears are better than last year in two areas: QB and RB. The QB position improvement will take the Bears farther than they went last year. There is a healthy Rex Grossman, a very viable backup in Brian Griese and best of all their third string QB is Kyle Orton who won quite a few games for the Bear last year. Their RB position will be improved with a healthy Cedric Benson as well. When you factor in the Bears defense, and the fact that you just cannot score against them, you would have to conclude that they are a much better team than would be rated in the bottom half of the NFL. All that being said, I will say the same thing I told Dr. Z when he came out with his infamous preseason prediction (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/
nfl/specials/preview/2005/scout.report/) of the Bears at number 32 in the league last year. You are a moron. Go Bears.

Monday's Transactions (Day after Draft)

2006-05-01T19:11:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO BEARS-- Agreed to terms with TE Tim Day, TE Cooper Wallace, G Nate Bunce, CB Dion Byrum, K Josh Huston, G Travis Leffew, OT Mark LeVoir, S Donnie McCleskey, G Tyler McMeans, WR Mark Philmore, RB P.J. Pope, S Dwayne Slay and P Joel Stelly.

WOO HOO!!! We finally got our Tight End!!!! Just like Jerry said we would!!!!

- Slim Tim

Bears Draft - Phoooey...

2006-04-30T14:08:00.000-05:00

As the Draft is coming to a close... I am wondering if the bears had such a good offense (ranking in the top 5 in most offensive categories), then why did they decide to draft exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. They have a pro bowl Tight end in Desmond Clark, so why did they pick up Marcedes Lewis in the first round? It seems that with the wealth of talent in the Wide Receiver position, that they did not need to draft Derek Hagan with their second round pick.... I thought for sure that with their defense being as horrendous as it was last year, they should have concentrated exclusively on defensive draft picks... And then I woke up.

It seems to me that the draft should have played out something like this:

Round 1: Offense
Round 2: Offense
Round 4: Offense
Round 5: Offense
Round 6: Offense
Round 7: Offense

But that is not what we got, now is it... Man what a frustrating weekend. Every single pick was on defense. EVERY STINKING ONE SO FAR. And with only two remaining picks in rounds 6 and 7, I have no reason to think otherwise. Share your thoughts if you care...

- Slim Tim

Where are the Honey Bears?

2006-01-31T18:24:00.000-06:00

This is just soooo wrong...

Where are the Honey Bears? The Bears are not the only team w/o cheerleaders...

NFL teams and cheerleaders

January 31, 2006

NFL teams that have cheerleaders or dance teams:

Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins.

NFL teams that don't have cheerleaders or dance teams:

Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers.

'If the Bears win the NFC North, I'll eat my laptop...

2006-01-29T08:43:00.000-06:00

Charles Robinson vows to eat his laptop if the Bears win the NFC North, watch as he makes good (?) on his promise.

Doesn't seem right, seems he should have had his laptop ground up and mixed in a latte or something...

- Slim Tim

Chicago Bears Draft Needs.

2006-01-23T21:14:00.000-06:00

We love our own guys. Guys that we draft, who sign before camp opens and who work hard once they get here. Let that be a lesson to new draftees: that is the formula for success. If you do those 3 basic things, you will always be beloved by Chicago Bears fans forever. I mean it, forever. Lately these type of guys have only been defensive players (save for O. Kreutz and R. Grossman). I would like that to change in this draft.

Examples of current Bears:
B. Urlacher
L. Briggs
M. Brown
P. Tillman (he's not as bad as he looked)
N. Vasher
T. Johnson
T. Harris
A. Brown
Basically the whole defense. Yes, Angelo knows how to draft defensive talent, we get it already. Now if he could only assess offensive talent just as well, let's put together our wish list...

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select:
1. Leonard Pope, TE out of Georgia (Or any other big pass catching TE)
2. True Wide Receiver - Small, speedy with good hands (A. Randle El, S. Smith, E. Kennison type)
3. Big Run-Stuffing Safety (backup to M. Brown)
4. HammerHead of a fullback (L. Neal clone from San Diego)
5. Backup Offensive Guard. (No more Terrance Metcalf)

- Slim Tim

Miami shaping up coaching staff nicely...

2006-01-23T21:13:00.000-06:00

Report: Dolphins to name Capers defensive coordinator - NFL - Yahoo! Sports: "Report: Dolphins to name Capers defensive coordinator"

So, I don't normally care about other coaching staffs but... With the signing of Dom Capers as Miami's defensive coordinator and Mike Mularkey as offensive coordinator, they are building one heck of a coaching staff. I'm just saying with the season that they had under new coach Nick Saban, look out for Miami next year. Not to mention that Terrell Owens was reported as heading to Miami's offense next year... I'm just saying... Look out.

- Slim Tim

Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton Part IV (Postseason Edition)

2006-01-16T21:06:00.000-06:00

If Kyle Orton would have started the playoff game against Carolina, the Bears would have won.

Here is my support, it is very simple, if Kyle Orton would have started, then the Bears would have actually ran the ball, like they are set up to do. When the Bears run the ball, they control the clock, have a better offense, and would have kept the defense off of the field. Instead, they started Rex Grossman and passed the ball much more than they should have. That of course got them involved in a shootout, which the Bears are not setup to win - clearly. So, if Kyle would have started, they would have won.

There will be more postseason thoughts coming soon...

- Slim Tim

2005 Chicago Bears Tribute Slideshow/Vid

2006-01-13T19:24:00.000-06:00

Awesome Video combination of song/picture collage. The lyrics to this song as set to Chicago Bears pictures is incredible. Go BEARS!

[From video.google.com]
2005 Chicago Bears Tribute Slideshow/Vid
JW
4 min 53 sec - Dec 23, 2005
www.villesports.com