NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - Off Season

[-Jrabbit]

Alby, it may interest you to learn that they don't base the Pro Bowl on statistics. However, a lot of guys do get in on reputation (see Lance Briggs this year, Olin Kreutz for the past 3-4 years). Tony Gonzalez got in, but statistically, Vernon Davis had the better year.

FWIW, Peppers has been a serious force of nature all year; I've watched every down. Those 8 sacks come with being double-teamed virtually every play, and opened up the previously invisible Israel Idonije to get 8 of his own. He's been great against the run, doesn't take plays off, and changes opponents' game planning. He keys the entire Bears D.

Ahmad Bradshaw is in time-share and lost his starting gig due to his fumbling issues (7!). SJax and APete are every-down backs. The RB who really got screwed is LeSean McCoy -- over 1K yds @ 5.2ypc, plus 78 receptions for another 590 yds.

I agree you can make a case for Hakeem Nicks, but I wouldn't call it a total screwjob.

[duke o' york]

I told you so.

[Donegeal]

Should the Bears rest their starters against GB this Sunday?

Assuming Atlanta beats the worst team in the NFL, the Bears will be the #2 seed regardless of the outcome of their game. Not only do I say rest the starters, but I also say they should play a preseason type of game plan on offense. And since the result of the game doesn't matter, I say on Defense, they should blitz 3 or 4 players every down.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well there is the whole, do you want the Packers in the playoffs thing. If Chicago wins and the Giants beat Washington, the Giants make the playoffs and the Pack stays home.

[Donegeal]

I don't care if the Packers make the playoffs. What I care about right now is that the St.Louis or Seatle wins their first round game. A Packer team lead by a beat up Rodgers is worse than a Packer Team lead by a healthy Rodgers.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I thought all Bears fans hated the Pack.

[-Jrabbit]

The Bears are not the kind of team that can afford to shut it down for a week. Plus, Lovie places a huge premium on "getting better every week." It's clear the players have bought in. I expect them to go after the Pack full-bore until the outcome is clear.

When Lovie was hired, and every season since, he announced the same three season goals:
1. Beat the Packers,
2. win our division,
3. win the Super Bowl.

Lovie is not the most flexible guy. He will regard Week 17 as the first playoff game and try to win it. If they fall behind, he may dial it back (esp if weather is bad), but Lovie believes beating the Packers is his top priority every year.

Most Bears fans agree.

[Al B. Sure!]

Should the Bears rest their starters against GB this Sunday?.

NOOOOOO!!!!!!

[SlowwHand]

[Al B. Sure!]

Let's go, Bears!

[Al B. Sure!]

Wow. Who needs Hakeem Nicks or Steve Smith when you have Mario Manningham? 92 yard TD catch after an 80+ yarder last week. The Giants receiver corps is probably the best in the NFL or Eli Manning is just that good

It's a shame that two of these three really good teams (Giants, Packers, and Bucs) won't be making the playoffs.

Hopefully St. Louis wins tonight (4th rookie playoff QB in 3 years) just so the NFC West will at least produce an alright team, even if it's nowhere near the Pack, Giants, or Bucs. Seattle being a playoff team would be a tragedy cause they're really bad, and much worse with Whitehurst.

[Al B. Sure!]

Oh and this just in... Brett Favre announces his retirement.

I know a guy like Favre would never want to humble himself like that but he looked happy and motivating to his team-mates on the sidelines of that Vikings-Eagles game (most sideline shots of a backup QB ever! ). Why not stay in the league and be a backup QB/mentor for a few more years? The middling guys like Testaverde did it but the superstars never do for some reason.

It would be cool and make some sense to see him re-uniting with Mike Holmgren on the Browns and being a mentor to Colt McCoy.

[Al B. Sure!]

Chicago

[Al B. Sure!]

Here's a weird fact... the 8-8 Oakland Raiders were undefeated in their division. I believe that's the first team to ever go undefeated in their division and not make the playoffs.

[OzzyKP]

Oh and this just in... Brett Favre announces his retirement.

I know a guy like Favre would never want to humble himself like that but he looked happy and motivating to his team-mates on the sidelines of that Vikings-Eagles game (most sideline shots of a backup QB ever! ). Why not stay in the league and be a backup QB/mentor for a few more years? The middling guys like Testaverde did it but the superstars never do for some reason.

It would be cool and make some sense to see him re-uniting with Mike Holmgren on the Browns and being a mentor to Colt McCoy.

I'm sure he'll land on his feet.