Game 15: Green Bay @ Chicago; 12-22-08; 7:35 CT ESPN/ABC7

WEFFPIM · Post #1 » by **WEFFPIM** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:38 pm

By the time this game rolls around it could very well mean absolutely nothing. Huzzah for choking away 3 games against the NFC South and almost doing the same against the 4th.

Oh, it's on ESPN, so grab your earplugs everyone, Tony Kornheiser will be within shouting distance.

How would one classify this season? We all thought they would be bad, they haven't been terrible. Yet, they haven't been that great of a success and will miss the playoffs. Will any of us look back on this season and say "That was fun"? It's better than being terrible, but this season will go down as a really bland, forgettable one in my mind.

It's still the Packers, so the game should be fun/agonizing. GoBrs.

Post #2 » by **emperorjones** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:19 pm

Funny thing is, I look at this season as a real positive. It's been really good. I thought the Bears were good enough to win 10. They have been and have had a few screw ups (but if you're not 12-4, you have screw up games)

We found a long term solution at RB (FINALLY!)

KO has shown to be serviceable at QB.

CG at cornerback and Payne at safety will be parts of this defense for a long time to come - both great picks

The offensive line played well and will be much younger and improved for next season

Despite everyone dogging Tommie Harris, he's had a very good year on a bad knee. An offseason without surgery & rest and he'll be back.

The team is close to being dominant again and should compete for the division next year with the Packers (no not the Vikings)

That said - Hope they go out & kill the Pack on Monday. The BiQueens are facing the top 2 running teams and are missing their big run stopper - there's still hope!

SportsWorld · Post #3 » by **SportsWorld** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:50 pm

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.

The Explorer · Post #4 » by **The Explorer** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:05 am

emperorjones wrote:We found a long term solution at RB (FINALLY!)

Dude, I hate when people say this. Remember Rashaan Salaam? He had a 1,000 yd rookie season, and people were saying the same thing back then. Running backs are known for having a short shelf life. What is the average, around 5 years?? Forte has been very good, I've been very happy with him, but let's see just wait and see if he really is the long term solution.

Post #5 » by **emperorjones** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:43 pm

Rashaan Salaam was a pot head. He had a lot of yards but never averaged more than 3.6 yards a carry (in his rookie year) and he had a total of 7 (SEVEN) receptions his rookie year (and 16 TOTAL for his career!). Please don't use that slug as your comparison.

I ask you this. would you be happy if JA drafted or signed a running back to compete for the starting RB job next year? If not, then I'd say you agree with me but just don't want to jinx the situation by stating the obvious.

SportsWorld · Post #6 » by **SportsWorld** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:22 pm

SportsWorld wrote:
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.

Latest forecast:

Monday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 9.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Can't wait to hear TK bicker about the cold.

The Explorer · Post #7 » by **The Explorer** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:29 am

emperorjones wrote:Rashaan Salaam was a pot head. He had a lot of yards but never averaged more than 3.6 yards a carry (in his rookie year) and he had a total of 7 (SEVEN) receptions his rookie year (and 16 TOTAL for his career!). Please don't use that slug as your comparison.

I ask you this. would you be happy if JA drafted or signed a running back to compete for the starting RB job next year? If not, then I'd say you agree with me but just don't want to jinx the situation by stating the obvious.

Ok, bad comparison, but my point remains the same. I think JA should get a 2nd RB not to compete, but just to take the load off Forte so he doesn't have too much of a workload. Being 40% of the offense is just too much, imo. How long can he last like that?

Cliff Levingston · Post #8 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:24 pm

zomig wrote:Ok, bad comparison, but my point remains the same. I think JA should get a 2nd RB not to compete, but just to take the load off Forte so he doesn't have too much of a workload. Being 40% of the offense is just too much, imo. How long can he last like that?

A better example would've been Anthony Thomas; he had a great rookie season and looked pretty legit. He was never even close to being the receiver Forte is and ran behind a good offensive line, but still. Nonetheless, Forte is the real deal. He's not great in any one aspect, but he's very good in all aspects and he has the ability to make guys miss in the open field.

But yea, we need a good complement to Forte to take the load off. A smaller, faster, quicker guy who's good in the passing game would be a nice addition for 3rd and longs, but otherwise Cliff Levingston would still give Forte 20-25 carries a game and have in in there on every 1st and 2nd down.

As for the game tonight, Cliff Levingston feels sorry for anyone who's going to the game. With the advent of HDTV, Cliff Levingston can't find a single reason to go out to a game and freeze his ass off, let alone the cost of the ticket, parking, beer, food and driving time.

Cliff Levingston has a 16 point lead in his championship fantasy game with only Grant left against him. Let's go Bears D and hold Grant down en route to a win.

Post #9 » by **emperorjones** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:37 pm

zomig wrote:Ok, bad comparison, but my point remains the same. I think JA should get a 2nd RB not to compete, but just to take the load off Forte so he doesn't have too much of a workload. Being 40% of the offense is just too much, imo. How long can he last like that?

Completely agree with this - just to mix it up and keep Forte healthy.

Hey - anyone hear about this Benson guy in Cincinnati? Is he available? I hear he's been playing well :lol:

PDXKnight · Post #10 » by **PDXKnight** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:40 pm

What are the chances of Matt Forte playing today? I NEED him for my fantasy team today!

SportsWorld · Post #11 » by **SportsWorld** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:43 pm

Oden2 wrote:What are the chances of Matt Forte playing today? I NEED him for my fantasy team today!

He's going to play. Haven't heard anything suggesting he won't play.

PDXKnight · Post #12 » by **PDXKnight** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:47 pm

SportsWorld wrote:
Oden2 wrote:What are the chances of Matt Forte playing today? I NEED him for my fantasy team today!

He's going to play. Haven't heard anything suggesting he won't play.

Thanks! I heard that he had a toe injury recently, but I wasn't sure how serious it was. All I need now is respectable games from Forte and Jennings and I should be playing for a championship in my league next week!

Susan · Post #13 » by **Susan** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:19 pm

BEAR DOWN.

NLK · Post #14 » by **NLK** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:52 am

BEARS WIN! Thats all I got for tonight.

Posey H8er · Post #15 » by **Posey H8er** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:13 am

Oden2 wrote:
SportsWorld wrote:
Oden2 wrote:What are the chances of Matt Forte playing today? I NEED him for my fantasy team today!

He's going to play. Haven't heard anything suggesting he won't play.

Thanks! I heard that he had a toe injury recently, but I wasn't sure how serious it was. All I need now is respectable games from Forte and Jennings and I should be playing for a championship in my league next week!

I need Jennings and Rodgers to do well to advance in one of my leagues, but I actually wish they get shut down for a Bears win.

SportsWorld · Post #16 » by **SportsWorld** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:20 am

Bears are going to win this one.

Bears 28
Packers 17

Hester with a punt return TD.
Orton is due for a big game.

SportsWorld · Post #17 » by **SportsWorld** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:44 am

3rd down conversions!

Post #18 » by **chitownsports4ever** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:55 am

If you are gonna go 3 and out on your first series why not try and come out and go for a deep strike first . One short pass and 2 runs is just a wasted series to me.

SportsWorld · Post #19 » by **SportsWorld** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:58 am

Alright let's go offense.

Post #20 » by **chitownsports4ever** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:02 am

What are we doing offensively ?