: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:21 pm  

Tom Brady wrote:

They had a shot at winning the North in the last week of the season, now they have a QB and the best special teams in the NFL.

That maybe so but they have no picks to improve a relatively average defence. They have no wide recievers so Cutler has not much to work with outside of what they get in the draft.

We have the ability to improve our defence, we played aweful and that is the only area we need to strengthen outside of depth at offensive tackle.

Best special team in the NFL...no

1 TD from a kick-off or punt return all year.
5th in kick return average (24.9 Yards)
28th in punt return average (6.7 Yards)
14th in total points (375)
0 onside kick offs recovered
9th in average kick yards (65.0 Yards)
90% field goal percentage (26 of 29 (7th overall))
28th in punt yards (41.2 Average)

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:25 pm  

ST_CONROY wrote:

That maybe so but they have no picks to improve a relatively average defence. They have no wide recievers so Cutler has not much to work with outside of what they get in the draft.

We have the ability to improve our defence, we played aweful and that is the only area we need to strengthen outside of depth at offensive tackle.

Best special team in the NFL...no

1 TD from a kick-off or punt return all year.
5th in kick return average (24.9 Yards)
28th in punt return average (6.7 Yards)
14th in total points (375)
0 onside kick offs recovered
9th in average kick yards (65.0 Yards)
90% field goal percentage (26 of 29 (7th overall))
28th in punt yards (41.2 Average)

Blocked kicks? kick off coverage? Also take into consideration the elements they play in for half the season.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:32 pm  

Tom Brady wrote:

Blocked kicks? kick off coverage? Also take into consideration the elements they play in for half the season.

Blocked kicks- 2 (the same as Green Bay) whether that means they blocked two or had two blocked i don't know.

Kick coverage- they allow an average of 24.4 yards per kick which is 6th.

The elements have no consideration at all. Ridiculous claim, if anything the weather plays into their advantage.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:42 pm  

ST_CONROY wrote:

Blocked kicks- 2 (the same as Green Bay) whether that means they blocked two or had two blocked i don't know.

Kick coverage- they allow an average of 24.4 yards per kick which is 6th.

The elements have no consideration at all. Ridiculous claim, if anything the weather plays into their advantage.

So kicking in gales and kicking in say a dome is the same? I'll leave it there if you honestly believe that the elements have no consideration in a kicking/special teams game there is no point in continuing the debate mate.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:56 pm  

Tom Brady wrote:

So kicking in gales and kicking in say a dome is the same? I'll leave it there if you honestly believe that the elements have no consideration in a kicking/special teams game there is no point in continuing the debate mate.

No of course not. You said they were the best special teams and i proved that isn't the case. You were effectively saying that the weather is distorting the stats.

Every team has to play in varying conditions. Chicago has bad weather for maybe two games a year.

Are our stats pointless because we play at Lambeau in the winter? Pittsburgh in the rain? New York in the winter?

Of course elements have an influence on stats but in a positive manner for special teams IMO.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:02 pm  

ST_CONROY wrote:

If they want Sanchez then they have to trade up. Stafford is going first and there are a number of teams before the Denver pick who could get Sanchez.

The Bears aren't head and shoulders above the rest of our division.

We have an equally good QB in Rodgers and a far better offence than Chicago, outside of RB. Our recievers are top notch and Chicago have none.

Chicago's defence was average last year and ours was poor. If we transition to the 3-4 (and get Raji for NT) solidly then i see no reason why we can't beat Chicago and win the division.

The Vikings are pretty good also.

How on earth do you come to that conclusion? I haven't checked the stats but Rodgers isn't up with Cutler? Is he?

Check this quote from NFL.com Senior Writer Vic Carrucci:-

Presuming that all works as planned, the Bears clearly can thrive this season when you consider their soft schedule and the fact they have, by far, the best quarterback in their division.

I'm interesting to hear why you place Rodgers on the same plane as Cutler.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:05 pm  

ST_CONROY wrote:

Blocked kicks- 2 (the same as Green Bay) whether that means they blocked two or had two blocked i don't know.

Kick coverage- they allow an average of 24.4 yards per kick which is 6th.

The elements have no consideration at all. Ridiculous claim, if anything the weather plays into their advantage.

Sorry Conners, but that's up there with your all time best pearlers:-

- 5 receiver sets in the snow
- Jim Sorgi is better than Dan Marino because SB rings are all that matter

Come on mate. Elements are a consideration in sport. You must agree with that, surely?

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:05 pm  

Cutler > Rodgers by a mile!

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:06 pm  

ST_CONROY wrote:

No of course not. You said they were the best special teams and i proved that isn't the case. You were effectively saying that the weather is distorting the stats.

Every team has to play in varying conditions. Chicago has bad weather for maybe two games a year.
Are our stats pointless because we play at Lambeau in the winter? Pittsburgh in the rain? New York in the winter?

Of course elements have an influence on stats but in a positive manner for special teams IMO.

Your wrong there.It's not called the windy city for nothing,if it isn't blowing a gale it's snowing during football season.

: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:16 pm  

I remember going to see the Dolphins in Chicago a few years ago, it was bloody freezing, and that was in September!