Preseason cranks up tomorrow and that means we're less than a month from games that count.
This is the best time of year.
This is the best time of year.
Close, but IIRC in 2002 the Miami Dolphins were the #1 seed in the AFC heading into Week 16, lost their final two games and missed the playoffs. It was a baaaaaaad year overall in the NFL.Has something like what happened with Texans ever happened before?
Like a team led their conference for the first 16 weeks and then lost it in the last week?
I could not think of a more perfect fit, to be honest. He definitely won't take just any NFL job, and the Bears definitely are not just any NFL job.My assessment of the Bears:
-GRUDEN.
I just read that bum might do you a favor and retire because he's "devastated" at the Smith firing. Dude was hardly a top 10 punt returner this year and his receiving stats are comparable to Pierre Thomas, the third guy in the Saints RB rotation.-Release Devin Hester. Due $10 million next year. Had 21 catches this year and no return TD's. Good riddance.
Agreed.-Let Urlacher walk, unless he's willing to take a dramatic pay cut. Pay him based on his fair market value, not his reputation. Briggs, Tillman, and Jennings can carry this defense for a bit longer.
The absolutely number one pressing issue. The OL was miserable, and needs a lot of new faces.Flex said:-Offensive line needs to be rebuilt. This entire year was patchwork to mask the problems. Draft a competent LT (draft is supposed to be rich in OL and DL), add one more starting piece via free agency and you're on your way to a nice start. Scott was serviceable at RT. Williams wasn't all that bad at G.
indeed.-Release Devin Hester. Due $10 million next year. Had 21 catches this year and no return TD's. Good riddance.
Agree with letting Urlacher walk.-Let Urlacher walk, unless he's willing to take a dramatic pay cut. Pay him based on his fair market value, not his reputation. Briggs, Tillman, and Jennings can carry this defense for a bit longer.
Peppers can stay. He's still a great DE, and keeps himself in great shape. 11.5 sacks this past season, without much help from the other side.-Don't pay Henry Melton. Very good when he plays hard, but he disappeared for a stretch of 4-5 games this season. He's going to get paid, but don't be the ones to do it. Perhaps consider turning Peppers loose as well. Wooton and Shea stepped up a bit. I don't think Shea is an every down DE yet, but he has some good rush moves.
Yep. But good luck. There just isn't much in the TE position nowadays. Such an underwhelming player pool after the top guys.-Address the TE position. Kellen Davis is horrible. Stumbles on grass, can't catch, can't block... yet still played on 88% of the offensive plays this year. Anybody would have been better than Hellen Keller. Kyle Adams, Matt Spaeth and Evan Rodriguez would have contributed more if Tice and Lovie didn't blindly support Davis, despite Davis continuously showcasing inept ability all year.
Eh. I wouldn't spend the money on Welker. Too much. Jeffery needs to hit the gym.-Get one more weapon at WR for Jay. Alshon Jefferey is too fat and overweight to separate from defenders without pushing off. People were making him out to be the clone of Brandon Marshall when we drafted him. Needless to say, he clearly is nowhere near that caliber of player. Chicago has something in a nucleus of Cutler, Marshall, Forte and a serviceable Bennett (if healthy). Emery should make one more splash. Go sign Wes Welker when Bellicheck doesn't resign him in New England. FUARK. Marshall, Welker, Bennett, Forte, and a halfway decent TE... awesome! Just need an offensive mind to come in and scheme something up.