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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Can anything be done about the Bears?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:49 pm

Comments

LA is looking for a team.

Comment by Dilemma Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:50 pm
No. They are playing for draft position now. Dumping Clausen is the first step. They need to find out if the guys on this roster can play. If they can, they’ll get a chance next year. If not, what are we waiting for?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:51 pm
No, the McCaskey’s own this. Owners always own. Management and the players have no responsibility in this mess what so ever. Until the McCaskey’s realize that owners always own the Bears will never be fixed.

h/t to OW…

Comment by Anon2U Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:54 pm
The Chicago Cardinals look good…

I’d start playing everyone like - 47th Ward - eluded to, and get a better draft position, abd see who can play.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:55 pm
Not unless they enact structural reforms, making bargaining with the National Football League Players Association over wages and working conditions optional. /s

Comment by AC Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Not unless you have a time machine and can redo the last handful of draft day decisions. Talent just isn’t there, and most of it that is there is injured

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Three good draft classes.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:00 pm
I may be in a minority here, but I think a lot has been done about them. Take out the 2 Jimmy Clausen starts, and while losing, they are playing hard. That’s something you didn’t see last year. Certainly there are issues, but unlike the past few years, the arrow is pointing up-ish.

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:01 pm
Also….they’re clearly much better than last year. Those that complain about the ownership must’ve missed the complete overhaul of coaching and GM this year. The foundation and game planning is there, now we just need to get the talent to execute it.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:01 pm
They’ll be fine.

Jeremy Langford will replace Matt Forte with ease. Matt Forte will leave, and that’s okay.

Kevin White will be healthy, and Alshon Jeffery will be franchised (and maybe sign a long-term deal).

The defense is playing well and would benefit from another offseason in the current system and from a couple of high-level draft picks and perhaps even a couple of key free agent signings.

John Fox is a darn good coach, and he seems to work well with Ryan Pace. The team’s in a good place.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:02 pm
The relevant question is whether the new GM and the new coach were good hires. It’s too early to say on the GM but I think the coach has done a very good job with the little talent he has to work with.

Comment by slow down Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:03 pm
Stuffed and mounted. Put on the shelf until next year.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:03 pm
one coaching decision and everyone is in meltdown!

it’s really doing just fine enough. forte’s injury is tough!

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Two more drafts like April 2015’s draft and this team will be in very good shape.

Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:05 pm
Why so glum? This has been a good season for the Bears: they’re showing signs of improvement but will still have a great draft pick (and effectively have 2 first rounders next year). A complete tank wouldn’t have been good - it’s hard to dig out of such holes - but they weren’t going anywhere this year in the playoffs even if by miracle they had snuck in.

And though I’m not sold on Cutler, I don’t think this is a great QB class coming out in the draft and with Cutler’s improved play they won’t have to eat his salary.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:09 pm
Have them go out and give away free turkeys.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:10 pm
“Done? What is there to be done?”

-George McCaskey swimming in a giant pool of gold coins a la Scrooge McDuck

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:10 pm
==No. They are playing for draft position now.==
Unfortunately they might be doing too well this year. I was actually hoping for a 2-14 season. Recognize the rebuild is here.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Hike their taxes up.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Yes and they are in a process. Outside of the second and third game they were competitive, in fact they were more than competitive because they should have beat the Lions, Vikings & Broncos. They are a team that hasn’t drafted well from top to bottom in more than a decade. They have good coaches and appear to have a good GM who hired a good coach and appears to making good draft decisions so far.

It’s going to be ok, they are rebuilding and learning how to win. They have also been without their three best receivers for most games.

I’m very optimistic about the future. It’s just going to take a little time to fix the Angelo/Emery mess.

Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Agree with 47 - let’s see what we’ve got. Not as sanguine as others about Langford replacing Forte. He’s wasn’t the best at any one thing but is really, really good at everything (running, receiving, blocking). Cutler is sticking around. And while I would have preferred a 2-14 season for draft pick purposes, these guys can be fun to watch at times.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:23 pm
I feel bad for Matt Forte. He’s in a contract year and he’s been a terrific player for the Bears his entire career. Unfortunately, he’s also turning 30 years old, the age at which running backs decline quite rapidly. I don’t think the Bears will re-sign him, unless it’s at a bargain price. Langford is no Forte, but running backs are more interchangeable than ever in the NFL.

As for Alshon Jeffrey, I don’t think the Bears should franchise tag him or pay him big bucks. He’s talented by breakable. Let him test the market and see if any other team wants to overpay him.

The draft needs to start at the lines, both sides. Other than Kyle Long, all of the positions on the offensive line are up for grabs. Same on defense. Fangio wants to play a 3-4 but the roster is loaded with leftovers from a Cover 2 defense. The Bears have been searching for a strong safety since Mike Brown retired, and need a lot more speed on defense than they have at the moment.

I’d add that they might as well keep Cutler too, since they aren’t likely to find anyone better, either in the draft or on the market. They might consider drafting a QB, but nobody should expect to see the new guy play for a couple of years at the earliest.

I agree that Fox has them playing hard, and that’s a big improvement. It’s possible to turn things around quickly in the NFL, so never say never, but I think the overhaul continues well into next year too. Hard to see the Bears catching Green Bay or even Minnesota next year.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:25 pm
taken a look at the NFC standing today? The Bears are on the edge of the playoffs. There are only five teams over .500! Do we want them to finish that high, or go for top draft choices?
I agree that their head coach and assistant coaches are much better than usual.
But Jay stays — too expensive for a family owned team to dump.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Change the channel.

Comment by A guy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:34 pm
I’ve actually been really upset with them this year for even trying to win. Seven wins and the 14th draft pick isn’t going to do us any favors, and that winning four out of six thing has to end. Let’s be realists, they aren’t going to playoffs and we don’t need moral victories - we need players, and a 4, 5 or 6 pick would’ve looks really good. Now we’ll pick in the middle of the pack like big ol’ j’mokes. That’s not how you get better.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:38 pm
Move them back to Decatur,Il.

Comment by time for a change Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:40 pm
And…I fully agree with those who’ve said they’ve played better and that Fox, Fangio and Gase have gotten the most out of what they have. That actually may be a problem too. Fangio and Gase have both interviewed for HC jobs, and sharp improvement by either unit is likely to end up with one or both of them headed out of town to captain their own ship. I really hope Gase has some sort of “next head coach” clause in his contract with the Bears.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Blame Madigan and his crappy playbook he controls!

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:51 pm
==I’d add that they might as well keep Cutler too, since they aren’t likely to find anyone better, either in the draft or on the market==

Adding… Cutler’s cap hit will be the 15th highest of all QBs next year. Still a lot of money, but a relative bargain comparatively in a QB starved league

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:52 pm
===Hike their taxes up.===

Since folks may not be aware of this, the typical professional athlete pays their income tax based off of their duty days. As a result, every NFL, NHL, NBA player that plays in a stadium based in Illinois is an Illinois taxpayer.

So, any positive effect that raising taxes would have on the Bears athletic performance would have the same impact on all of the other teams playing in Chicago.

Professional athletes pay taxes in every state they play in. Same goes for most musicians on tour and their roadies.

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Hire a real QB?

Comment by sal-says Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:55 pm
Pitchers & Catchers report in about 70 days and then there is the Blackhawks

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:02 pm
Oh, and teach the GM who spewed ‘character’ on arrival AND humiliated ownership about character of their hires?

Comment by sal-says Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:03 pm
How about a new coach?

Comment by Mama Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:07 pm
Can we move them somewhere?

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:10 pm
Forte is on the way to the Hall of Fame. Too early to call Langford the next guy.

There are no quick fixes. You build through successful drafts. Bears have whiffed more than hit for many years, especially with top picks.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:42 pm
was Elway right ? great coach Mon.-Sat come Sunday “choke”

Comment by railrat Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:44 pm
Matt Forte will wind up signing with the Cowboys.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:20 pm
Bears games are sold out. Revenues are good.
What’s the problem?

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 7:05 pm
Thanksgiving night game vs Packers may change a lot of the commenter’s thoughts. It may also exacerbate their heartburn.

Comment by justacitizen Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 7:14 pm
in a word…. NO!
They are just a filler.

Comment by Not A Gambler Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 5:54 am
Shouldn’t the governor’s right-to-work proposals make this currently unionized roster more competitive?

Comment by The End Is Near Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 6:45 am
They only lost by two points the last game.

Ditka needs to put on a Packers Jersey, that seems to bring good luck.

Games were sold out almost as soon as they went on sale. They don’t seem to be suffering attendance despite the cold, the rain, whatever the weather.
The Sox need help getting people to the cold games (April & May)

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 9:01 am