OPENING DAY - COLTS @ BEARS!

[emperorjones]

Sunday, Sep 9, 2012 | Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Chicago

Stat Preview




Colts 2011 leaders:
Passing: Painter - 132-243, 1541 yds, 6 tds
Rushing: Brown - 134 car, 645 yds, 5 tds
Receiving: Garcon - 70 rec, 947 yds, 6 tds

Bears 2011 leaders:
Passing: Cutler - 182-314, 2319 yds, 13 tds
Rushing: Forte - 203 car, 997 yds, 3 tds
Receiving: Knox - 37 rec, 727 yds, 2 tds


PREVIEWS:
ESPN Expert Picks; http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
ESPN game preview: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:8340246

Don Best Preview:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr2LIB1liQ4[/youtube]

[patryk7754]

Any word on Urlacher and Conte

[DJhitek]

I'm semi-conflicted(not really tho), this should be a Bears win but Andrew Luck is my starting QB in a my long time keeper league.

Needless to say, I'm sure after the recent trade for some DB depth that Conte is probably out. I'd bet that Urlacher goes out there but the Bears better not overlook this Colt team, Luck can definetely take advantage of a hobbled secondary.

[JDRochholz]

I hope Urlacher sits this one out. We are going to need his on-field leadership more than anything this season. We shouldn't have problems against the team.

[patryk7754]

I hope Urlacher sits this one out. We are going to need his on-field leadership more than anything this season. We shouldn't have problems against the team.

I don't think we need him for this game either but he needs a warm-up game. I'd only play him if he was at least 80%

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

I hope Urlacher sits this one out. We are going to need his on-field leadership more than anything this season. We shouldn't have problems against the team.

I don't think we need him for this game either but he needs a warm-up game. I'd only play him if he was at least 80%

The more that this becomes a lingering issue, the more pissed that I get at Lovie Smith.

There was ABSOLUTELY NO reason for Urlacher to be in that meaningless game versus the Vikings.

[heir_jordan22]

I hope Urlacher sits this one out. We are going to need his on-field leadership more than anything this season. We shouldn't have problems against the team.

I don't think we need him for this game either but he needs a warm-up game. I'd only play him if he was at least 80%

The more that this becomes a lingering issue, the more pissed that I get at Lovie Smith.

There was ABSOLUTELY NO reason for Urlacher to be in that meaningless game versus the Vikings.

Except to keep us from dropping below .500, which would've given us the 13th pick or something. He also might not have a job with the Bears right now if we lost that game.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

^^^^^^I think he would still have had a job, Heir.

You just made me remember the other reason why it was a stupid decision by Lovie to go all in for a meaningless victory........We could have had a better draft pick .

[heir_jordan22]

HAHAHAHA yea the pick. But if we got a higher pick it would have probably been Bruce Irvin. And I definitely wouldn't like that.

[Chewie]

Considering how bad Roach looked vs the Giants and David Wilson, I'd say we're not adequately covered to miss Urlacher for any length of time so I'm glad to see he supposed to be practicing today.

Also interested to see if Tillman has actually fallen off a cliff or not. The likes of Ramses Barden should not have been making him look like a rookie in preseason game #3.

[patryk7754]

Was watching sportscenter and it looks like theres no chance of Urlacher missing the game. He says the no pain in his knee so thats great to hear.

[NZB2323]

Didn't Urlacher also say that he wouldn't miss any preseason games? Color me skeptical.

[patryk7754]

Didn't Urlacher also say that he wouldn't miss any preseason games? Color me skeptical.

Unless he plans on having more surgery, I don't see him missing this game

[fleet]

Rodriguez is starting

JOHN "MOON" MULLIN
Evan Rodriguez was drafted out of Temple for his receiving prowess and potential. He caught 13 passes in 2009; then 21 in 2010, an increase of 62 percent; and finally 35 last season, a jump of 67 percent.

But given the choice between catching a pass and delivering a “de-cleater” – a block that takes an opponent completely off his feet/cleats and flattens him – the choice was easy.

“I would have to say a de-cleater. That’s more emotional,” Rodriguez said, then laughed. “But if it’s a touchdown catch, hey, no comparison there.”

Good answer, kid, especially for a starting tight end in the Chicago Bears offense of former NFL tight end Mike Tice.

The top end of the Bears’ 2012 draft class – defensive end Shea McClellin, receiver Alshon Jeffery – have moved into impact positions with chances to start sooner rather than later this season. McClellin is in on the No. 1 nickel unit with Israel Idonije bumping inside to tackle. Jeffery also is in the nickel unit, a third receiver who is on track to be starting by mid-season.

But the first 2012 rookie to break into the starting lineup was neither of those two, but fourth-round pick Rodriguez.

“I think [starting] would’ve eventually happened somewhere down the road,” Rodriguez said. “But the fact that it happened pretty much early, I’m excited about that. I’ve still got to prove myself, though.”

The tight end from Temple, the 111th overall pick last April, is the starting fullback/H back in an offense that uses two tight ends as its base package.

“He’s going to get a lot of playing time,” said Tice. “We’re going to play four tight ends. We don’t have a FB on the roster. We anointed him that guy.”

Rodriguez is quick to remind that he was a very accomplished blocker at Temple, where he had a hand in Bernard Pierce leading the Mid-American Conference in rushing for 2009 and 2011 and finishing eighth in 2010.

Rodriguez did his job so well that Pierce was picked 84th overall and is now with the Baltimore Ravens.

Rodriguez wouldn’t mind a chance to show what he can do with the ball in his hands, although a handoff a’la William Perry is a serious longshot.

“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Rodriguez said. “If there’s the opportunity down the road, that’d be fun. Not counting on it, though.”

getting 3 potential starters (Shea-Mac, Alshon, Rodriguez) in one draft is fabulous success. If Hardin ever comes back and starts, Emery is on the fast track to be a hero. I initially panned the Rodriguez pick. Mostly because I didn't grasp the specific plans the Bears had for him as an H-back/fullback. But the Bears finally have a GM who is playing offense that dictates the action, and it feels great.

[heir_jordan22]

The fact that Rodriguez is starting is really exciting. 4th round pick and he will be our #1FB/#2TE. I like it mostly because that means I don't have to watch Spaeth lol. Let's see how he plays against a fairly week Colts front 7.

[patryk7754]

How big of an accomplishment is it to take Matt Spaeth's and Kellen Davis' spots?

[patryk7754]

Will Conte be starting

[bearadonisdna]

Wonder if the Colts will try to run some option plays with Luck?

Hopefully we will be ready if they do.

[JDRochholz]

Let's get this! I hope Brian and Lance introduce Luck to the NFL

[NoahISmyNinja]

The fact that Rodriguez is starting is really exciting. 4th round pick and he will be our #1FB/#2TE. I like it mostly because that means I don't have to watch Spaeth lol. Let's see how he plays against a fairly week Colts front 7.

Rodriguez is a playmaker... I hope Tice has some plays designed for him this week. I could see him and Bush in a great goaline package. Jeffery, Marshall, Davis, Rodriguez, Bush (or Forte) on the goal line and we could run a play for any one of them to get the ball. That is a beautiful thing.