Comparing DaBears and the Packers

[4and12to12and4]

I went to Soldier Field last night with a couple of buddies (Bears fans obviously), the ticket was free and I'm 45 minutes away, so I figured, what the heck, I'll throw on my Packers cap, and #4 jersey and proudly represent!! I got a few hecklers, and got my share of witty comebacks regarding the game at the end of last season, and then watched a Bears team beat a much slower 49ers team. However, one thing very noticeable in the game was that Cedric Benson did NOTHING. He had no holes and didn't do much with the ones he got. The game was actually tight until a muffed punt caused their punter to run for a first down, and they eventually scored on that drive.

But as I watched their defense, and as I've watched our defense this preseason, I can honestly say that we have REALLY closed the gap with them, and we DEFINITELY stop the run more effectively. The only position on defense that I think they have the edge is their safeties. Our corners, defensive line, and backers are very comparable.

As far as offense goes, Hester better produce as a wideout, because other than Berrian, they have almost nobody out there that scares me. My buddies are high on Greg Olson. He did look fast, but is not a good blocker at all from what I saw.

All in all, if our offensive line can give Brett time and open up holes, I think we are really starting to take shape as a GOOD team, especially because of our defense. We look every bit as fast as the Bears. I hope I'm right

[Him8123]

I think our D can be better than the bears this year. The last game vs. Jags stuffing them a few times on 3-1 and 4-1 with Taylor and Jones Drew running it was freakin impressive. But like everyone says "it`s only preseason" so we`ll see

[Scott Campbell]

Re: Comparing DaBears and the Packers

...........with a couple of buddies (Bears fans obviously).........

They said it to Pacman. They said it to Vick. Now I'll say it to you.

Choose your friends wisely.

[4and12to12and4]

Re: Comparing DaBears and the Packers

...........with a couple of buddies (Bears fans obviously).........

They said it to Pacman. They said it to Vick. Now I'll say it to you.

Choose your friends wisely.

I sat at that game in disgust thinking of so many other ways I could be spending my evening, but as far as choosing my friends, I think it is more the issue of choosing my wife, we moved to the Chicagoland area because her family is here. I actually live in NW Indiana, but it's very much Bear's country here.

By the way, one thing I noticed, there were THOUSANDS of empty seats, very unlike Lambeau field. My buddies were gazing and gasping at the stadium, and I just kept thinking "God, I wish I were at Lambeau.

Another interesting tidbit. As you walk the halls of Soldier Field they have huge posters of the 60's and 70's and 80's and 90's and present, and of course they have pics of the best players in their specific timeframe. You know, Butkiss, Payton, etc.. I thought it was funny, we got to the 90's and it was funny. They had so little talent in that era that Curtis Conway made the poster. I had a nice chuckle, for which I caused myself some more heckling. It was worth it.

[MJZiggy]

Re: Comparing DaBears and the Packers

By the way, one thing I noticed, there were THOUSANDS of empty seats, very unlike Lambeau field. My buddies were gazing and gasping at the stadium, and I just kept thinking "God, I wish I were at Lambeau.

I noticed the very same thing last night watching the Lions/Colts game. By the 3rd Quarter, the stadium of the SB Champ team was nearly empty. I understand that it was a blowout, but come ON...

[Packnut]

D

If Bigby comes through and if the light bulb finally comes on for Collins, our D can be every bit as good as Chicago's. Our line is better at this point in time with Harris coming back slowly.

[4and12to12and4]

Re: D

If Bigby comes through and if the light bulb finally comes on for Collins, our D can be every bit as good as Chicago's. Our line is better at this point in time with Harris coming back slowly.

IMO, they lost Harris for good. Many a defender never returns to full form after such a terrible injury. He will definitely lose that quickness and burst and probably come back just better than average. Remember Jurkovic? His career ended on the exact same injury. Though he was older and much more out of shape. It's not an easy injury to fully come back from. And the rest of their four down lineman are average. Our d-line is easily better and MUCH deeper. Our backers are equal, with Urlacher giving them a slight edge, unless Hawk becomes a monster this year. And our corners are better at bump and run and shutdown. If our safeties can improve this year, we will be getting a lot of sacks and 3 and outs. We definitely look like a top five defense, and we know what Brett can do. The safeties and o-line are the key to the season. Go Pack.

[4and12to12and4]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together, they have so much confidence in him, he will be their SS, and they are moving Mike Brown over to free safety. So, that's where I think they are better than us. Mike Brown is a monster. But, so far, Bigby looks like a real hard hitting DB with excellent blitzing skills. So, we shall see. And, Rouse may end up being a very good player also. We shall see.

[BallHawk]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together, they have so much confidence in him, he will be their SS, and they are moving Mike Brown over to free safety. So, that's where I think they are better than us. Mike Brown is a monster. But, so far, Bigby looks like a real hard hitting DB with excellent blitzing skills. So, we shall see. And, Rouse may end up being a very good player also. We shall see.

Every knows Bigby can blitz. The big question is will he be a big liability in coverage?

It's great if we can put pressure on the QB and get sacks, but if our safeties are routinely going to get beat deep we're not going to win football games.

[4and12to12and4]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together, they have so much confidence in him, he will be their SS, and they are moving Mike Brown over to free safety. So, that's where I think they are better than us. Mike Brown is a monster. But, so far, Bigby looks like a real hard hitting DB with excellent blitzing skills. So, we shall see. And, Rouse may end up being a very good player also. We shall see.

Every knows Bigby can blitz. The big question is will he be a big liability in coverage?

It's great if we can put pressure on the QB and get sacks, but if our safeties are routinely going to get beat deep we're not going to win football games.

I agree 100%. This position scares me the most. More questions than answers. Does anyone know if Bigby is considered fast, his 40 numbers or something?

BTW, does anyone know if the NFL Network is gonna air the Packers game on the 30th?

[Bossman641]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together, they have so much confidence in him, he will be their SS, and they are moving Mike Brown over to free safety. So, that's where I think they are better than us. Mike Brown is a monster. But, so far, Bigby looks like a real hard hitting DB with excellent blitzing skills. So, we shall see. And, Rouse may end up being a very good player also. We shall see.

Adam Archuleta

He's been around for a few years, first with the Rams. He signed a big contract with the Skins last offseason but was a huge bust. The Bears' hope is that since he played so well with the Rams in the cover 2 he'll do the same with the Bears. I actually don't think he's that great. He's pretty good in the box and at blitzing, but is nothing special in coverage IMO.

[Patler]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together,

I assume you are being facetious.

Adam Archuleta, 29 years old, 7 years in the league with a $35 million contract signed with Washington last year, lost his job as a starter and was traded to Chicago for a 6th round pick.

He is now reunited with Lovie Smith and the defense that made him a hot FA commodity in St Louis. We'll see how it goes. Great blitzer, weak in coverage.

[4and12to12and4]

Yeah, i heard the same, Lovey had him with the Rams in cover 2 there, and liked him, and they think this system will work well for him. Why do you think they switched Mike Brown to FS? Isn't his skills more suited to SS? Or is it really not a big deal?

[falco]

By the way, in case you don't know, the Bears acquired a safety from the Redskins, can't spell his name (Archicrombie or something), anyways, a high potential player that has all the tools, just needs to get it all together,

I assume you are being facetious.

Adam Archuleta, 29 years old, 7 years in the league with a $35 million contract signed with Washington last year, lost his job as a starter and was traded to Chicago for a 6th round pick.

He is now reunited with Lovie Smith and the defense that made him a hot FA commodity in St Louis. We'll see how it goes. Great blitzer, weak in coverage.

Perhaps best known for his creative training style and heavily marketed DVDs.

http://www.protectmanagement.com/video/freak.htm

[pack4to84]

Yeah, i heard the same, Lovey had him with the Rams in cover 2 there, and liked him, and they think this system will work well for him. Why do you think they switched Mike Brown to FS? Isn't his skills more suited to SS? Or is it really not a big deal?

Because like the guy posted earlier Archuleta can't cover. The FS has to play deep center field on man 2man cover plays. SS plays the 8th man in the box. Which is Archuleta strength. They are hoping since Brown will be last line of defense he would be less likely to get hurt.