Postgame: Bears v Bills

[Chewie]

Listen, of course it's the first preseason game so I'm not going back to review the DVR and do a full write up like I usually do but here's what I gleaned :

Pros:
- Afalava looked pretty darn solid back there starting at safety and on special teams. Didn't like that he was getting his knee checked out - what Kramer stupidly referred to as "working on cramps".
- Knox on his kick off return. Fast/shifty - everything you want in a kick returner.
- Kellen Davis. But that's what he does in the preseason.
- O-line. Can't pick out anyone individually here without looking back at the tape but they were solid in their anonymity. When you DON'T notice the offensive line, it's a good thing. If you DO, someone missed a block.
- Aside from an illegal contact penalty, I was pleased with #47 Woodny Turenne. Who? Yeah, I had no idea who he was before this game either. Good end-zone bat down. Our corners don't usually turn their heads around on those plays.
- Corey Graham. Meet your successor, Nathan Vasher.

Cons :
- Cutler looked like he was just improvising back there. Should've had 2 INTs.
- Hanie. I don't want him as the primary backup. I don't care what his stats were - he holds onto the ball way too long. Rarely makes a pass as it's drawn up - he's always out there trying to keep a play alive after it breaks down. The only problem is the play has broken down because he's held onto the ball for 10 seconds. GET ON THE PHONE ANGELO.
- Vasher. Doing his Vestee "Toast" Jackson impersonation. Looked like an easy target.
- Kramer. You really really suck at this color commentary gig. Seriously.
- Jarron Gilbert. Thought he looked slow and gave up on plays. Hardly played but still looked winded.
- Dvoracek. Invisible aside from a real stupid roughing play.
- Trumaine McBride. Wow - you can't tackle for shiz.
- Our DBs are still playing 10 yards off the line, making the inside slant a slam-dunk again. Learn from last year, Lovie. LEARN.

Your typical 1st preseason game but I came away with bad feelings about it. Sucked not having Forte, Olsen, and Tillman in there.

Looking for more out of game #2.

[SportsWorld]

Cutler quotes:
"As soon as we start getting into the game-plan, really nailing stuff down, that’s when it’s really going to count"
"We’re just calling base-stuff and seeing what happens out there right now."
"We tried to get some good momentum going. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll really start picking it up."

[chitownsports4ever]

LOL Chewie you made spill my drink ... Vestee jackson lol thats should just be Vashers nickname from now on .

all I wanted was no injuries and some form of a pass rush so 1 out of 2 aint bad

[SportsWorld]

Bills QB's:
23/26, 222 passing yards

Pretty pathetic.

[NoSkyy]

The only thing I really want to take away from this is:

Brett B. = Kyle O.
(both with three INT games)

Other than that, eh. I'll make some observations later when I'm not so angry.

[WEFFPIM]

Will probably wind up watching at least the first half of the game sometime tomorrow or Monday, but I heard Afalava was the standout for the Bears. Cutler apparently made some comments in the postgame that 670 thought was Cutler telling the front office that Devin Hester is not ready to be a #1 receiver, saying he's more of a "go-and-get-it" receiver than one who can catch off the back shoulder.

[SportsWorld]

DavidHaugh: Cutler on his interception: Devin is not a go-up-and-get it guy....hmmm. Who mentioned Hester?

[SportsWorld]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog ... OHeadlines

Why does the Led Zeppelin song "Communication Breakdown" keep playing over and over in my head?

Oh yeah, because Jay Cutler and Devin Hester certainly didn't seem to be on the page Saturday night regarding Cutler's first-quarter interception on a pass down the sideline intended for Hester.
"You know, Devin is more of a go-get-it guy, he's not really a back shoulder, or jump up and get it," said Cutler. "You learn from it. We made some mistakes. It's the first preseason game, luckily enough we have some time to correct them and keep going."

Hester offered a somewhat different take.

"Just from watching the tape on it, [Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin] kind of got out of there, he didn't really bite on the sell," said Hester. "The pump that we gave him, he kind of got out of there. It was pretty tough. I tried to catch up with him, but by the time I looked up, the ball was in the air. I probably could've tried to make a play on the ball as far as trying to knock it out of his hands when he was intercepting it. That's all I could've done."

[Chewie]

Will probably wind up watching at least the first half of the game sometime tomorrow or Monday, but I heard Afalava was the standout for the Bears. Cutler apparently made some comments in the postgame that 670 thought was Cutler telling the front office that Devin Hester is not ready to be a #1 receiver, saying he's more of a "go-and-get-it" receiver than one who can catch off the back shoulder.

I must say Hester didn't exactly go up and fight for that ball.

Angelo - Matt Jones is on line 1.

[Chewie]

LOL Chewie you made spill my drink ... Vestee jackson lol thats should just be Vashers nickname from now on .

all I wanted was no injuries and some form of a pass rush so 1 out of 2 aint bad

You talked me off the ledge. I'll be happy with the lack of injuries and look to the next game for more positives. I honestly wasn't worried about the lack of experience at the WR position until I saw this game, though.

[WEFFPIM]

It's the first preseason game, the fact you're concerned about anything yet needs to end. Now after Game 3 you can have concerns, not Game 1.

[Chewie]

It's the first preseason game, the fact you're concerned about anything yet needs to end. Now after Game 3 you can have concerns, not Game 1.

Frankly, your tone continually bugs the crap out of me - that's what needs to end.

I'll be concerned when I feel like it, but thanks.

[WEFFPIM]

It's the first preseason game, the fact you're concerned about anything yet needs to end. Now after Game 3 you can have concerns, not Game 1.

Frankly, your tone continually bugs the crap out of me - that's what needs to end.

I'll be concerned when I feel like it, but thanks.

You mean the "sits back and doesn't make snap judgements" tone? Or the "sarcastic, cynical, don't take everything at face value" tone? Or somewhere in the middle?

[emperorjones]

Didn´t catch the games as I am out of the country until week 4 and it was quite difficult to convince the Ecuadorian bartender to stop streaming the soccer league championship in favor of the Bears preseason opener - but heck it was worth a good try. His good natured response -

No injuries is all I was looking for. Glad to hear Afalava looks solid.
My guess is that Vasher & R. Davis don´t make the team and I´m fine if either are cut.
Tillman Bowman Graham McBride & Moore can be our 5 CBs. I´d rather keep the extra spot for an LB or safety on defense.

[Chewie]

It's the first preseason game, the fact you're concerned about anything yet needs to end. Now after Game 3 you can have concerns, not Game 1.

Frankly, your tone continually bugs the crap out of me - that's what needs to end.

I'll be concerned when I feel like it, but thanks.

You mean the "sits back and doesn't make snap judgements" tone? Or the "sarcastic, cynical, don't take everything at face value" tone? Or somewhere in the middle?

c) "Watch me be a prick" tone and make it about the poster and not the post. You've called me classless over my reaction to the T Jackson injury and now I apparently need to hold off on critiquing a preseason game. Back off, money.

[ChronicKerr]

Will this game be replayed anywhere this week? Entirely forgot to DVR the game while at a wedding this weekend.

[WEFFPIM]

c) "Watch me be a prick" tone and make it about the poster and not the post. You've called me classless over my reaction to the T Jackson injury and now I apparently need to hold off on critiquing a preseason game. Back off, money.

Of course I called you classless, you were all but overjoyed that someone suffered and injury. That's Philly fan territory. Sorry if my opinion on injuries is different than yours, but I'm not gonna sit back and be happy when someone gets injured no matter who it may be.

And yes, I think you're overanalyzing the first preseason game of the year. By no means should this game have left you shaking with anger or on the ledge. That's what this game is for, getting some solid footing. Now, if a showing like this happens in the third preseason game of the year, the most important of the four, then you can be concerned. I certainly will. But after the first one? It's just not necessary.

One thing you did mention in this thread that I may tend to agree with, though not specifically, is the name Matt Jones. Now, not sure I want that guy, but I'd be fine with Angelo bringing someone in. The receiving core is lacking, and while Cutler should be able to make them better in some regard, Angelo should at least consider bringing someone else in.

Sorry if the way I post pisses you off, but I'm not gonna change it. I've been around this forum for awhile posting just like this. It's who I am as a person. So either you'll have to realize that a good deal of what I say is tongue-in-cheek, or we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Chewie]

Of course I called you classless, you were all but overjoyed that someone suffered and injury. That's Philly fan territory. Sorry if my opinion on injuries is different than yours, but I'm not gonna sit back and be happy when someone gets injured no matter who it may be.

This is revisionist history. Someone posted Jackson sprained his MCL and said "that sucks". My post was "wait - why?". That's "all but overjoyed" ?? I later clarified that I certainly care if an injury is career or life threatening but day to day football injuries I really don't give a crud.

And yes, I think you're overanalyzing the first preseason game of the year. By no means should this game have left you shaking with anger or on the ledge. That's what this game is for, getting some solid footing. Now, if a showing like this happens in the third preseason game of the year, the most important of the four, then you can be concerned. I certainly will. But after the first one? It's just not necessary.

Look - I've been jonesing for some football for some time now. Of course the 3rd preseason game is the one that really matters giving the starters PT. But I can still be discouraged over that game - just as much as I can draw positives from it (and did). If you don't like the critique - don't read it - but don't tell me to stop. That's what the board is for.

One thing you did mention in this thread that I may tend to agree with, though not specifically, is the name Matt Jones. Now, not sure I want that guy, but I'd be fine with Angelo bringing someone in. The receiving core is lacking, and while Cutler should be able to make them better in some regard, Angelo should at least consider bringing someone else in.

Sorry if the way I post pisses you off, but I'm not gonna change it. I've been around this forum for awhile posting just like this. It's who I am as a person. So either you'll have to realize that a good deal of what I say is tongue-in-cheek, or we'll have to agree to disagree.

Sarcasm is fine - encouraged even - I didn't get that from either of the posts I pointed out. You'll forgive me if I analyze Game 2 of the preseason. I'll try not to shake in anger too much.

[NoahISmyNinja]

I've maintained this all along and I think its painfully obvious. They are making WAY too much hullabaloo about makeing Hester a "No.1" receiver. It's ridiculous. Hester needs to be the Slot guy and STILL be returning Punts and Kickoffs.

In the slot he doesn't have to deal with press coverage and would more than likely be lined up against a Saftey or a Nickel CB.

I'd go ahead and start Bennett and Rideau at WR.


I like just as soon see Tillman FS Afalava SS with Graham and Bowman starting corners. Let Manning play Nickel CB and share return duties with Hester.

Let Stelz who seems to have decent ball skills and Payne (can hit, but has NO ball skills) back up those positions.

[Cliff Levingston]

I like just as soon see Tillman FS Afalava SS with Graham and Bowman starting corners. Let Manning play Nickel CB and share return duties with Hester.

Not, we're not going to move our best corner to safety. If anyone should move to safety, it's Bowman. Graham needs to be the starting LCB instead of Vasher as well. Might as well give Manning a shot at FS before replacing him as well.