During their pre-season fantasy rankings of teams, Yahoo! picked the Chicago Bears as dead last for fantasy value. This should come as no surprise, as the Bears have clearly shown that they have no interest in winning games or even scoring points anywhere inside the next 4 years. The team is clearly trying to trim as much cap space as possible to go into another rebuilding next year and I’m guessing the only reason they gave Tommie Harris an extension was to keep fans coming in on Sundays. The team is completely inept in every department but kickoff returns and old lazy linemen.
And that was just last season, they made some drastic changes this year. Namely, losing a combined 110 catches, 1518 yards and 8 TDs between their two best receivers; Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad. Not only that, but they let Berrian go to a division rival! They also wisely cut Cedric Benson, their leading rusher. However, their new starting running back is a guy referred to as “the other Adrian Peterson.” Their three starting QBs last year put together a 71.8 QB rating, a meager 6.4 yards per attempt, 17 TDs, 21 INTs.
I’m not sure who their starting wide receivers are going to be this year, but it looks like some combination of Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis and Devin Hester. Not exactly confidence inspiring. As the article mentioned, Greg Olsen does show some promise at TE, but he’s definitely not going to be a full time player. He’ll also probably have a crowd of defenders around him at all times as no other offensive player is worth covering. Beyond that, it looks like the best hope for Bears fans is that Matt Forte is likely to get 5-10 carries a game. I’m sure as soon as he gets a 12 yard run (which will probably be the longest play from scrimmage for the first few weeks) his jersey will instantly become harder to find than thin crust pizza in Chicago. The Bears fans will immediately crown him the new “Sweetness.” Olin Kreutz will be on Chicago radio 10 years from now saying “Yeah, I remember I cut blocked the nose tackle and Matt got easily an extra 5 yards because of it.” The crowd will chant for him to be a starter with dreams of “the run” going through their minds; only to see him get the job and average 3.2 per carry the rest of the year.
I’m sure this can all somehow be blamed on Urlacher’s bad back though…
ESPN.com has an article talking about the increased emphasis on the blitz during mini-camps this summer. It’s obvious to anyone who has watched the Jim Bates/Bob Sanders era defense that the Packers rarely send anyone but the front four after the QB. Last season, the Packers blitzed on about 22% of passing plays. The NFL average was about 30% (both according to STATS LLC). Some of the more memorable lack of pass-rushing performances came against the Cowboys, where Romo stayed upright the entire game, and the NFC Championship where Eli was able to spend the majority of the game comfortably picking us apart. Coach McCarthy claims that the defense is more comfortable in the scheme this year and the blitz is a natural progression, but I just find it hard to believe. This is a defensive system that has never relied on the blitz, not when Bates was in Miami and not since he went to Denver. Why should we expect a change now? I guess we’ll have to see what the regular season brings…
What did I say at the ’07 draft?
Everyone on the planet said it, why did we pick Justin Harrell? The guy was always hurt, and no surprise, he’s hurt again. Can we cut this dude, eat his signing bonus and stop paying 1st round money to someone who will be on the PUP list the next 5 years anyway?
Other news, Jason Taylor doesn’t want to come to Green Bay. Well, no kidding! What did Deion Sanders call it many years ago when he was still playing? The coldest, smallest, borinest city in the NFL? The whole thing is, Green Bay is likely the only team in the NFL where Taylor could come in and A) Start, B) Be the hero of the defense (which he arguably had to split reps with Zach Thomas on) and C) Have a realistic chance at a Super Bowl in the next 2 years (assuming the Aaron Rodgers project doesn’t blow up from day 1). Most any other team is either going to A) Put him in a rotation, B) Have him play in the shadow of an established defensive star, C) Not win (or some combination of the 3). If you think about Green Bay last year, Favre really did nothing spectacular all year… and we came an interception away from the Super Bowl. If you look at the other playoff teams last year, Washington, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Seattle all had problems on offense that need to get solved before Jason Taylor would help them go further. New York could use a guy in the left end spot, but many would say they don’t have a chance at repeating, New England, San Diego and Indy already have pass rushers (and Indy can’t afford another contract). So that would put Taylor in the position of trying to find a large market team that is an old defensive end away from a Super Bowl. Fat chance.
It’s reported that Favre will be on the cover of Madden 09. Obviously the “curse” is a little different when it deals with a retired player. So what’s the worst thing that could happen as a result of this cover? Favre could keep playing. That would mean the Packers would have to keep his $12million salary on their payroll for this season.
In other news, the Packers are looking at washed up QB Daunte Culpepper to serve as a backup to the surely to be on IR Aaron Rodgers. Let me help you out, he’s no good! The only time his career was ever worth anything was when he could blindly hurl the ball downfield to Moss. Look at his last years as a Viking. Granted he got hurt, but even when healthy he was horrid without Moss around. He’s still probably not 100% recovered from his knee injury either.
I understand that you sign a guy like Culpepper because he’s a veteren and not a terrible backup option. I know that you go into a situation like this hoping that Rodgers will do fine and stay healthy. I just can’t think of what will happen if Rodgers isn’t fine. Are we really going to potentially enter the Daunte Culpepper era in Green Bay?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3358557
According to reports, the Washington Redskins offered Cincinnati a 1st round pick this year and a conditional 3rd round pick next year (which could potentially be a 1st rounder) for angry receiver Chad Johnson. What did the Bengals say about this generous offer? NO!
Quoted in the above-linked ESPN.com story, Bengals coach Marv Lewis said the following about the situation:
“I’ve stated our case with Chad,” Lewis said. “He has a contract through 2011. He’s stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn’t going to play. I think he’s a man of his word and says he’s not going to play, so don’t play.”
It’s also reported that Philly and Dallas have had trade offers rejected by the Bengals.
So it seems one of two things are at play here. A) Cincinnati really doesn’t want to trade Johnson and would rather have him sit out the season and collect fines from the receiver. or B) They really don’t care for the NFC East and a team from a different division needs to make an offer.
Very interesting stuff. I honestly think the Bengals are stupid for not taking an offer. I understand the problems involved with giving in to player demands, but you are risking the future of your team in order to prove a point. Two extra first round picks could be the difference in turning the franchise around. A grumpy receiver, playing or not, isn’t going to do it. Cincinnati could easily get a top defensive tackle with their current top pick and use the additional pick from Washington to grab a corner or linebacker. That’s two potential impact players that could start or at least contribute from day one. Instead, they are going to throw that out the window so they can let Johnson sit and pout all year.
If I were a Bengals fan, I’d be mad no matter what happens here. Same thing went down with the Packers when Javon Walker decided he was done with the team. If you’re a fan, you hate that the star receiver isn’t playing. At the same time, the Packers were able to turn a player who wasn’t going to play, into a bunch of draft picks. Granted, the Packers weren’t able to get a ton of value out of Walker as he was coming off injury and really only had one good year anyway. Johnson, on the other hand, is at a premium value right now. It’s not likely that he’ll be worth any more after sitting at home for a year.
The line has been drawn in the sad. Chad Johnson says he will not be a Bengal anymore. Cinci says they are keeping Chad. So now what? I don’t see Johnson retiring anytime soon. He probably won’t risk the humiliation of backing down now. After trying to present a tougher image recently, it seems the Bengals don’t wat the bad PR associated with caving to a player demand. So does that mean Chad sits out? It has happened plenty of times, usually with favorable results for the player. In fact, the Briggs holdout in Chicago is one of the only recent high profile moves I remember where the player didn’t get their trade.
Johnson would certainly be in big demand on the trading block, as long as teams are willing to deal with the attitude (which they all are). Cincinnati will say they aren’t listening to offers, but in the next 10 days, they will. The Bengals need more help than a star receiver can provide and if teams throw them a 2nd round pick and another pick for Chad, they’ll no doubt rethink their stance.
I can’t wait to see who comes calling. San Fran has shown they have no fear about selling out for big names, and they need offensive firepower. I am sure Dallas will get thrown out there, although I can’t see that being possible. There has to be more options than that for a pro bowl receiver, right?
So there were briefly some rumors about a Brett Favre comeback. Believe it or not, old Bus Cook was thrown out there as part of the story. The claim is that Cook has been trying to work out a trade for the retired QB.
If this is true, it seems to be poorly thought out. If Favre were to play again, I think anyone could agree that he would wantto play for a Super Bowl contender. The problem is, what team out there would be a QB away from potentially making a deep run into the playoffs, aside from Green Bay? The teams that will contend already have that position filled. The teams that don’t, need a lot more help than what Favre could offer. The only fit I could imagine would be Baltimore. If the press runs with this story, I could see the press pushing the Ravens too. The problem is, there isn’t enough talent around the QB and the defense is getting old and worn out. There’s no way a 38 year old guy can fix that.
So if this is just a rumor, Favre needs to prove it and turn in his retirement paperwork. He can’t let this drag out. Bare minimum, his retirement will add a ton of cash to the Packers’ cap that can dramatically effect their draft day plans. Brett says he is done with football, so he needs to do the right thing and make it official.
So now the Raiders are going to have Asomugha, Hall, Routt, Washington in the corner spot. That’s like $35 million a year in defensive backs! Are they going to make a trade or start playing a Dime base defense?
The Patriots are being sued for winning the 2001 Super Bowl.
Insane.
Alright, let’s run with this very briefly. First, you need to prove that the Patriots actually videotaped the walkthrough. Reports are that there is no evidence. Next, you have to prove that this altered the outcome of the game (if the walkthrough revealed some unstoppable play to block a game-winning field goal, I might believe it). I just don’t see that happening.
Seriously, let’s just throw Belichick in jail, take the Patriots away from the Krafts and move them to L.A. Impose a 30 year ban on pro football in Boston. Re-write Manny’s contract so he can only play every other home game and give him a co-GM role. Force the Celtics to Trade KG/Allen/Pierce for sub-six foot white guys who are US born. Sell the Bruins to NY and force every local 6PM news broadcast in the Boston area to replay the game-winning catch by Plax for the next year. Oh yeah, while we’re at it, re-release Bird jerseys in Laker purple. I mean, we’re already throwing the Patriots under the bus, let’s just make it a little more obvious and destroy the entire city at the same time.
Run-down feeling
McCarthy wants to beef up Packers’ ground game
So McCarthy thinks the Packers need to improve their ground game. I’d agree. If you want to look at just one big reason the rushing attack didn’t really get going in 2007, look at the performances in 2007:
- Week 1 vs Philly: 17 carries - 46 yards
- Week 3 vs San Diego: 13 carries – 42 yards
- Week 4 at Minny: 20 carries – 46 yards
- Week 5 vs Chicago: 21 carries – 77 yards (if you subtract a 44 yarder by Wynn)
- Week 6 vs Washington: 20 carries – 56 yards
- Week 12 at Detroit: 16 carries – 69 yards (if you subtract a 31 yarder by Grant)
- Week 13 at Dallas: 18 carries – 62 yards (if you subtract a 62 yarder by Grant)
- Week 15 at St Louis: 22 carries – 31 yards (if you subtract a 24 yarder by Grant)
- Week 16 at Chicago: 20 carries – 59 yards (if you subtract a 66 yarder by Grant)
- NFC Championship vs NY Giants: 14 carries – 28 yards (13 yards of that came on 1 run by Grant)
During those 10 games, if you subtract the biggest runs (some games have multiple big runs, but I only counted the longest for simplicity) the Packers averaged 18.1 carries for 51.6 yards. That’s a terrible performance. Their rushing success wasn’t much better in other games, but I’m simply pointing out the ones where they gave up on the running game (with less than 25 carries per game). It’s obvious that their rather pathetic numbers are heavily inflated by a few long rushes in each game. I don’t count big runs as carries because it’s more a result of that particular play going great for the offense and terrible for the defense, it’s not a good judge of offensive line performance overall.
If this hopes to improve, it might not be easy – check out a few of the Packers ’08 opponents:
- Chicago Bears – played the Packers tough against the run in both games
- Minnesota Vikings – #1 run defense in NFL
- Dallas Cowboys – #6 run defense in NFL
- Indianapolis Colts – #3 total defense in NFL
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – #2 total defense in NFL
- Seattle Seahawks – #12 run defense in NFL
- Jacksonville Jaguars – #11 run defense in NFL
- Tennessee Titans – #5 run defense in NFL
Really, the only “bad” defensive units they play all season are in 5 games: Detroit (twice), New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston. Chicago would be in there, but they always take it to the Packers.
Aside from a major offseason move to improve the o-line, and a change in philosophy by McCarthy; there’s no way the running game is improving. In fact, I think it’s highly likely the Packers will drop off next year.
During the regular season, the Packers were 28th in the league with a pathetic 24.2 rushing attempts per game. Even so, this stat is somewhat inflated by 3 “big” games against New York, Minnesota and Oakland where they had 29, 29 and 36 attempts respectively. Take these games out of the mix and the average drops down to 22.6 attempts/game. With such a half-hearted dedication to the run, how can the team ever expect to improve?
