Chicago Bears return all 22 starters - The Orange Mane

Atlas · 08-01-2006, 09:57 PM

This is why the NFC Championship game will be between Chicago and Dallas.

SoCals link: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/15175435.htm

Bears return all 22 starters in revolving-door era in NFL
By Don Pierson

Chicago Tribune

(MCT)

CHICAGO - The Bears are the only NFL team with all 22 starters back, making them the most unusual team since the advent of free agency in the early 1990s.

Whether this is by design or accident, coach Lovie Smith feels compelled to explain.

"I don't see us standing pat. I think we've improved our football team talent-wise and it can only help with those 22 guys coming back," Smith said.

It doesn't mean the 22 starters will start again, as Thomas Jones will attest. Receiver Justin Gage and right guard Terrence Metcalf also started the majority of games last season but aren't necessarily penciled in to keep their jobs ahead of Mark Bradley and Roberto Garza.

But just having every starter back in camp makes these Bears unique in comparison to the 1985 champions, who worried about playing without unsigned 1984 starters Todd Bell and Al Harris. And after they won, they came back in 1986 without injured cornerback Leslie Frazier. This was during a time when players didn't have much choice about coming back if a team wanted them.

Having every starter back isn't viewed as necessarily a good thing in any sport. Not only is it nearly impossible, it invites complacency. There's an adage about teams getting either better or worse but never staying the same.

The White Sox won the World Series and subtracted Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome. As good a deal as that appears, it has yet to assure the team is any better. This is why Cedric Benson will carry a burden considerably heavier than a football if he indeed does beat out Jones.

The only other NFL team close to returning all its starters is the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Odell Thurman will miss the first four games because of a league suspension. And the Bengals signed defensive tackle Sam Adams and safety Dexter Jackson to replace returning starters. Rehabilitating quarterback Carson Palmer also may not be ready to start the season.

All the other playoff teams made no pretense of trying to return all their starters.

The Carolina Panthers, who abruptly ended the Bears' short playoff life, let go of both outside linebackers, Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short, plus guard Tutan Reyes, defensive tackle Brentson Buckner and running back Stephen Davis.

They added veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson to complement Bears killer Steve Smith and acquired defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis to make them the consensus preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat out the Bears for No. 1 defense when the Bears were resting the final week, let safety Jackson go to Cincinnati and also lost two important defensive coaches: Rod Marinelli, now head coach at Detroit, and secondary coach Mike Tomlin, now defensive coordinator at Minnesota.

The Bucs also couldn't keep quarterback Brian Griese, who started the first six games for them before getting hurt. The Bears thank them very much.

The Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl runner-up and highest-scoring team in the league, couldn't keep All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson, reliable receiver Joe Jurevicius or safety Marquand Manuel. They added San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson and Minnesota receiver Nate Burleson.

The Washington Redskins, who handed the Bears one of their five defeats, came back without defensive starters Walt Harris, Ryan Clark and LaVar Arrington but outbid the Bears for Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle El and St. Louis safety Adam Archuleta. They also added receiver Brandon Lloyd and linebacker Andre Carter from San Francisco.

The New York Giants, who won the NFC East with the same 11-5 record as the Bears, had the league's No. 4 offense but returned without defensive starters Will Allen, Kendrick Clancy and Nick Greisen. They added Arrington and Miami cornerback Sam Madison.

In the AFC, the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers lost retired fullback Jerome Bettis as well as Randle El, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen and safety Chris Hope.

The New England Patriots lost kicker Adam Vinatieri, defensive end Willie McGinest and receiver David Givens.

The Indianapolis Colts lost superstar Edgerrin James, kicker Mike Vanderjagt and defensive starters Larry Tripplett and David Thornton, and are hoping the signing of Super Bowl star Vinatieri will help them the way he helped the Pats.

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost receiver Jimmy Smith and linebacker Akin Ayodele. The Denver Broncos lost running back Mike Anderson, tight end Jeb Putzier and defensive end Trevor Pryce.

There were five other NFL teams that had winning records but missed the playoffs. All made changes.

The Dallas Cowboys lost Keyshawn Johnson, guard Larry Allen and defensive tackle La'Roi Glover, and added Vanderjagt, Ayodele and the most famous off-season acquisition, Terrell Owens.

The Minnesota Vikings dumped virtually everything in their attempt to make up two games on the Bears, from coach Mike Tice to quarterback Daunte Culpepper to receiver Burleson to second-leading tackler Sam Cowart to leading sacker Lance Johnstone, adding as many as seven new starters plus Green Bay's reliable kicker Ryan Longwell.

The Miami Dolphins jettisoned quarterback Gus Frerotte and jumped on Culpepper and ex-Lion Joey Harrington.

The Kansas City Chiefs switched coaches, from Dick Vermeil to Herm Edwards, and lost three starters.

The San Diego Chargers let proven quarterback Drew Brees go and will try to improve with untested Philip Rivers.

Super Bowl winners almost always are teams that had winning records the previous season. The 2001 Patriots (5-11 in 2000), 2000 Baltimore Ravens (8-8 in 1999) and 1999 St. Louis Rams (4-12 in 1998) are the only exceptions in the last 23 years.

By returning all their starters, the Bears are planning to pursue the ultimate goal in a different manner from their peers.

bpc · 08-01-2006, 10:12 PM

Hmmm... they are counting on Grossman being a starter? Since when? He won't make it through the season and then you are counting on Griese to win clutch games?

I'll say this, they will probably win the North but Detroit will push them more than expected. They won't go far in the playoffs. The whole NFC East might be better than the Bears.

I feel pretty comfortable saying that Dallas will win the East, Chicago will win the North, Carolina will win the South, and Seattle will win the West. The wild card will be more challenging. Redskins, Giants, Bucs, and Falcons have a serious shot as of now... Cardinals, Eagles, Lions, and Saints on the outside looking in at making their own moves. I would have said Washington and Atlanta here about a week ago but the loss of Finneran concerns me for Atlanta along with the fact that Crumpler is still hurt. I think Vick and the Mora regime are going to have a melt-down this season with their west coast offense and what Vick can work with. He just isn't a fit for that offense.

As of now i'll take the safe choices of the Bucs and Redskins since both have the ability to run the football and play good defense.

Atlas · 08-01-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpc

Hmmm... they are counting on Grossman being a starter? Since when? He won't make it through the season and then you are counting on Griese to win clutch games?

As of now i'll take the safe choices of the Bucs and Redskins since both have the ability to run the football and play good defense.

The bears run the ball and play better defense. They will have the best DL in the NFC this year. I think Griese is going to play great this year and take this team to the NFC North title.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-01-2006, 10:30 PM

The Bears are one of the NFL's charter franchises, so the league lets them win 13 games and/or their division every few years. The rest of the time they suck.

ClevelandBronco · 08-01-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

I think Griese is going to play great this year and take this team to the...

If I had a dollar for every time I said that I'd have something like four dollars.

bpc · 08-01-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

The bears run the ball and play better defense. They will have the best DL in the NFC this year. I think Griese is going to play great this year and take this team to the NFC North title.

They could have the best DL in football. LB's are good... the DB's are not that great IMO and the Carolina game proved that. I have no doubt that they will win the North because there isn't much there. GB is still seasons away from having that defense ready to go, Minnesota's face on offense is Brad Johnson and Koren Robinson who went to the Pro Bowl for special teams, and Detroit is going to improve, but not drastically enough to take the division away from the Bears... yet! They almost win by default.

As for the playoffs, the Panthers improved while Chicago stayed the same and Carolina owned them in the playoffs last season. Dallas and Washington both got better, can both play defense equally well, but will score more points than the Bears. TB is basically the same team as Chicago, just 1000 miles south in hotter weather. Seattle would easily knock off Chicago because the Bears don't have the offensive firepower to go head to head with the NFC Champions... (still sounds weird to say that about the Seabags...)

Chicago will go to the playoffs barring a major meltdown however they won't go very far after they get their. I predict another 1 game post season run with them losing in the 1st or 2nd round.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-01-2006, 10:46 PM

I actually picked the Lions to win that division. I know some of you will call me stupid for it, but I don't care.

I think they have a solid defense and Jon Kitna/Mike Martz are going to make something out of all that offensive talent.

Plus, the rest of the division doesn't impress me that much.

Bronco Billy · 08-01-2006, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpc

They could have the best DL in football. LB's are good... the DB's are not that great IMO and the Carolina game proved that. I have no doubt that they will win the North because there isn't much there. GB is still seasons away from having that defense ready to go, Minnesota's face on offense is Brad Johnson and Koren Robinson who went to the Pro Bowl for special teams, and Detroit is going to improve, but not drastically enough to take the division away from the Bears... yet! They almost win by default.

As for the playoffs, the Panthers improved while Chicago stayed the same and Carolina owned them in the playoffs last season. Dallas and Washington both got better, can both play defense equally well, but will score more points than the Bears. TB is basically the same team as Chicago, just 1000 miles south in hotter weather. Seattle would easily knock off Chicago because the Bears don't have the offensive firepower to go head to head with the NFC Champions... (still sounds weird to say that about the Seabags...)

Chicago will go to the playoffs barring a major meltdown however they won't go very far after they get their. I predict another 1 game post season run with them losing in the 1st or 2nd round.

They need another receiver to spread the field - I dunno, say Ashlie Lelie - and take the pressure off the run game!

shakenbake · 08-01-2006, 10:52 PM

I think the Cowboys are very overrated. Living in Cowboy land I am constantly hearing how the "boys" are going to the super bowl. If you look at thier schedule and then look at there starting 0-line and d-line there is no way they make it very far. The O-line is terrible and thats being nice. Its will be worse than it was last year and last year it gave up 52 sacks. They also lack depth at many key positions. Personally, I think they go 9-7.

Atlas · 08-01-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco Billy

They need another receiver to spread the field - I dunno, say Ashlie Lelie - and take the pressure off the run game!

Good thought but Lelie only runs deep route and Griese can only throw the ball 25 yards.

bpc · 08-01-2006, 11:02 PM

I think the NFC East should be interesting to watch. The two front running favorites are the Cowboys and Redskins. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see either rag armed QB for their respective team sink their season. I still don't think the Eagles are fully dead yet even with their stank receiving core.

I'll stick with the two favorites because of the coaches. Should be an interesting race.

Rascal · 08-01-2006, 11:06 PM

Griese is better then Grossmen by a decent margin, so that alone should make them a better team.

Kaylore · 08-01-2006, 11:12 PM

The Bears are going to have a bad year.

Arkie · 08-01-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

If I had a dollar for every time I said that I'd have something like four dollars.

I would have a dollar.

ClevelandBronco · 08-01-2006, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkie

I would have a dollar.

Yeah. I was slow on the uptake.

illini2187 · 08-01-2006, 11:46 PM

Wow harsh on my Bears i see! I think they will definetly make the playoffs this year due to the defense and having the easiest schedule in the NFL. I also dont think Grossman is as bad as some of you say. Give him a healthy year and i think he will put up some good numbers. I havent been around lately so if this has been discussed im sorry, but for the guy who proposed Lelie to the Bears.....apparently they offered him for thomas jones and the Bears said no which kinda confused me. I also know how bad the secondary looked vs Carolina, but that is one game.

ClevelandBronco · 08-01-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini2187

Wow harsh on my Bears i see! I think they will definetly make the playoffs this year due to the defense and having the easiest schedule in the NFL. I also dont think Grossman is as bad as some of you say. Give him a healthy year and i think he will put up some good numbers. I havent been around lately so if this has been discussed im sorry, but for the guy who proposed Lelie to the Bears.....apparently they offered him for thomas jones and the Bears said no which kinda confused me. I also know how bad the secondary looked vs Carolina, but that is one game.

Love that George Halas thing you had going in the 1930s.

You guys still have a team, right?

ClevelandBronco · 08-01-2006, 11:55 PM

Maybe you guys should have kept the Cardinals and let the Bears go.

Just a thought.

loborugger · 08-02-2006, 06:06 AM

Nothing improves an O line like continuity. Having said that, I am still not impressed with their passing game.

Also, they need some coaching help if they plan on getting past some of the better teams in the NFL. They never once doubled Smith in their losing effort vs Carolina in the playoffs. Never mind that Smith gained over 200 yards and Delhomme seemed to be locked in on him at times...

bendog · 08-02-2006, 07:20 AM

I thought Faver said this was the most talented fudgepacker team he'd seen.

btw, the article said Andre Carter was a OLB, and I think he's a DE. Also, I still don't see why Den didn't get into the bidding for him or Lance Johnston.

jonny1 · 08-02-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini2187

Wow harsh on my Bears i see! I also dont think Grossman is as bad as some of you say. Give him a healthy year and i think he will put up some good numbers.

It's not that Grossman is bad, I think he is a good QB, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy.

As you say, "give him a healthy year . . . "

bendog · 08-02-2006, 09:45 AM

Odds are he'll slip in the shower before November 1.

illini2187 · 08-02-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Love that George Halas thing you had going in the 1930s.

You guys still have a team, right?

yeh we are still a team. Actually we made the playoffs last year and had one of the top defenses in the league. Dont watch much football, do ya?

Also, i just come here to talk football and was introduced to this board by a friend. I dont understand what you have against the Bears, it is not like we are bitter rivals or anything. I have never said anything bitter about Denver and have actually grown to liking them since visiting this board. I dont care if you dont think we will be any good, but comments like that are unnecessary. So please add to the discussion rather than putting down my team like that.

Atlas · 08-02-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendog

I thought Faver said this was the most talented fudgepacker team he'd seen.

btw, the article said Andre Carter was a OLB, and I think he's a DE. Also, I still don't see why Den didn't get into the bidding for him or Lance Johnston.

Where have you been? Denver was interested in Carter but couldn't get him. Why?? Probably because Carter got like $40 million or something stupid like that from the Redskins.

To answer your question Carter is a OLB in the 3-4 defense and a DE in the 4-3 defense. I believe the Redskins run a 3-4 thus he is listed as a OLB.

broncosteven · 08-02-2006, 10:51 AM

I heard on the Radio this AM Benson has a sore right Knee, They will need & probably end up starting Jones no matter what Angelo wants.

08-01-2006, 09:57 PM	#1
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Chicago Bears return all 22 starters This is why the NFC Championship game will be between Chicago and Dallas. SoCals link: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/15175435.htm Bears return all 22 starters in revolving-door era in NFL By Don Pierson Chicago Tribune (MCT) CHICAGO - The Bears are the only NFL team with all 22 starters back, making them the most unusual team since the advent of free agency in the early 1990s. Whether this is by design or accident, coach Lovie Smith feels compelled to explain. "I don't see us standing pat. I think we've improved our football team talent-wise and it can only help with those 22 guys coming back," Smith said. It doesn't mean the 22 starters will start again, as Thomas Jones will attest. Receiver Justin Gage and right guard Terrence Metcalf also started the majority of games last season but aren't necessarily penciled in to keep their jobs ahead of Mark Bradley and Roberto Garza. But just having every starter back in camp makes these Bears unique in comparison to the 1985 champions, who worried about playing without unsigned 1984 starters Todd Bell and Al Harris. And after they won, they came back in 1986 without injured cornerback Leslie Frazier. This was during a time when players didn't have much choice about coming back if a team wanted them. Having every starter back isn't viewed as necessarily a good thing in any sport. Not only is it nearly impossible, it invites complacency. There's an adage about teams getting either better or worse but never staying the same. The White Sox won the World Series and subtracted Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome. As good a deal as that appears, it has yet to assure the team is any better. This is why Cedric Benson will carry a burden considerably heavier than a football if he indeed does beat out Jones. The only other NFL team close to returning all its starters is the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Odell Thurman will miss the first four games because of a league suspension. And the Bengals signed defensive tackle Sam Adams and safety Dexter Jackson to replace returning starters. Rehabilitating quarterback Carson Palmer also may not be ready to start the season. All the other playoff teams made no pretense of trying to return all their starters. The Carolina Panthers, who abruptly ended the Bears' short playoff life, let go of both outside linebackers, Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short, plus guard Tutan Reyes, defensive tackle Brentson Buckner and running back Stephen Davis. They added veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson to complement Bears killer Steve Smith and acquired defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis to make them the consensus preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat out the Bears for No. 1 defense when the Bears were resting the final week, let safety Jackson go to Cincinnati and also lost two important defensive coaches: Rod Marinelli, now head coach at Detroit, and secondary coach Mike Tomlin, now defensive coordinator at Minnesota. The Bucs also couldn't keep quarterback Brian Griese, who started the first six games for them before getting hurt. The Bears thank them very much. The Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl runner-up and highest-scoring team in the league, couldn't keep All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson, reliable receiver Joe Jurevicius or safety Marquand Manuel. They added San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson and Minnesota receiver Nate Burleson. The Washington Redskins, who handed the Bears one of their five defeats, came back without defensive starters Walt Harris, Ryan Clark and LaVar Arrington but outbid the Bears for Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle El and St. Louis safety Adam Archuleta. They also added receiver Brandon Lloyd and linebacker Andre Carter from San Francisco. The New York Giants, who won the NFC East with the same 11-5 record as the Bears, had the league's No. 4 offense but returned without defensive starters Will Allen, Kendrick Clancy and Nick Greisen. They added Arrington and Miami cornerback Sam Madison. In the AFC, the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers lost retired fullback Jerome Bettis as well as Randle El, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen and safety Chris Hope. The New England Patriots lost kicker Adam Vinatieri, defensive end Willie McGinest and receiver David Givens. The Indianapolis Colts lost superstar Edgerrin James, kicker Mike Vanderjagt and defensive starters Larry Tripplett and David Thornton, and are hoping the signing of Super Bowl star Vinatieri will help them the way he helped the Pats. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost receiver Jimmy Smith and linebacker Akin Ayodele. The Denver Broncos lost running back Mike Anderson, tight end Jeb Putzier and defensive end Trevor Pryce. There were five other NFL teams that had winning records but missed the playoffs. All made changes. The Dallas Cowboys lost Keyshawn Johnson, guard Larry Allen and defensive tackle La'Roi Glover, and added Vanderjagt, Ayodele and the most famous off-season acquisition, Terrell Owens. The Minnesota Vikings dumped virtually everything in their attempt to make up two games on the Bears, from coach Mike Tice to quarterback Daunte Culpepper to receiver Burleson to second-leading tackler Sam Cowart to leading sacker Lance Johnstone, adding as many as seven new starters plus Green Bay's reliable kicker Ryan Longwell. The Miami Dolphins jettisoned quarterback Gus Frerotte and jumped on Culpepper and ex-Lion Joey Harrington. The Kansas City Chiefs switched coaches, from Dick Vermeil to Herm Edwards, and lost three starters. The San Diego Chargers let proven quarterback Drew Brees go and will try to improve with untested Philip Rivers. Super Bowl winners almost always are teams that had winning records the previous season. The 2001 Patriots (5-11 in 2000), 2000 Baltimore Ravens (8-8 in 1999) and 1999 St. Louis Rams (4-12 in 1998) are the only exceptions in the last 23 years. By returning all their starters, the Bears are planning to pursue the ultimate goal in a different manner from their peers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-01-2006, 10:12 PM	#2
bpc "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" 1 sword keeps another in the sheath Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 12,566 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Hmmm... they are counting on Grossman being a starter? Since when? He won't make it through the season and then you are counting on Griese to win clutch games? I'll say this, they will probably win the North but Detroit will push them more than expected. They won't go far in the playoffs. The whole NFC East might be better than the Bears. I feel pretty comfortable saying that Dallas will win the East, Chicago will win the North, Carolina will win the South, and Seattle will win the West. The wild card will be more challenging. Redskins, Giants, Bucs, and Falcons have a serious shot as of now... Cardinals, Eagles, Lions, and Saints on the outside looking in at making their own moves. I would have said Washington and Atlanta here about a week ago but the loss of Finneran concerns me for Atlanta along with the fact that Crumpler is still hurt. I think Vick and the Mora regime are going to have a melt-down this season with their west coast offense and what Vick can work with. He just isn't a fit for that offense. As of now i'll take the safe choices of the Bucs and Redskins since both have the ability to run the football and play good defense.

08-01-2006, 10:30 PM	#4
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,915 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	The Bears are one of the NFL's charter franchises, so the league lets them win 13 games and/or their division every few years. The rest of the time they suck.

08-01-2006, 10:46 PM	#7
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,915 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	I actually picked the Lions to win that division. I know some of you will call me stupid for it, but I don't care. I think they have a solid defense and Jon Kitna/Mike Martz are going to make something out of all that offensive talent. Plus, the rest of the division doesn't impress me that much.

08-01-2006, 10:52 PM	#9
shakenbake Texas Homer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 3,136	I think the Cowboys are very overrated. Living in Cowboy land I am constantly hearing how the "boys" are going to the super bowl. If you look at thier schedule and then look at there starting 0-line and d-line there is no way they make it very far. The O-line is terrible and thats being nice. Its will be worse than it was last year and last year it gave up 52 sacks. They also lack depth at many key positions. Personally, I think they go 9-7.

08-01-2006, 11:02 PM	#11
bpc "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" 1 sword keeps another in the sheath Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 12,566 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	I think the NFC East should be interesting to watch. The two front running favorites are the Cowboys and Redskins. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see either rag armed QB for their respective team sink their season. I still don't think the Eagles are fully dead yet even with their stank receiving core. I'll stick with the two favorites because of the coaches. Should be an interesting race.

08-01-2006, 11:06 PM	#12
Rascal RIP Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 16,581 Adopt-a-Bronco: Turf	Griese is better then Grossmen by a decent margin, so that alone should make them a better team.

08-01-2006, 11:12 PM	#13
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,009 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	The Bears are going to have a bad year.

08-01-2006, 11:46 PM	#16
illini2187 Rookie Join Date: May 2006 Location: champaign, Il Posts: 71	Wow harsh on my Bears i see! I think they will definetly make the playoffs this year due to the defense and having the easiest schedule in the NFL. I also dont think Grossman is as bad as some of you say. Give him a healthy year and i think he will put up some good numbers. I havent been around lately so if this has been discussed im sorry, but for the guy who proposed Lelie to the Bears.....apparently they offered him for thomas jones and the Bears said no which kinda confused me. I also know how bad the secondary looked vs Carolina, but that is one game.

08-01-2006, 11:55 PM	#18
ClevelandBronco Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Freedonia Posts: 1,643	Maybe you guys should have kept the Cardinals and let the Bears go. Just a thought.

08-02-2006, 06:06 AM	#19
loborugger lost in the ether Did we finally get a FB??? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The 'cuse Posts: 5,783 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Hillis	Nothing improves an O line like continuity. Having said that, I am still not impressed with their passing game. Also, they need some coaching help if they plan on getting past some of the better teams in the NFL. They never once doubled Smith in their losing effort vs Carolina in the playoffs. Never mind that Smith gained over 200 yards and Delhomme seemed to be locked in on him at times...

08-02-2006, 07:20 AM	#20
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	I thought Faver said this was the most talented fudgepacker team he'd seen. btw, the article said Andre Carter was a OLB, and I think he's a DE. Also, I still don't see why Den didn't get into the bidding for him or Lance Johnston.

08-02-2006, 09:45 AM	#22
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	Odds are he'll slip in the shower before November 1.

08-02-2006, 10:51 AM	#25
broncosteven The Kranz Dictum MWA: Flight Director Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tranquility Base Posts: 29,008 Adopt-a-Bronco: MONEYBALL #38	I heard on the Radio this AM Benson has a sore right Knee, They will need & probably end up starting Jones no matter what Angelo wants.