I think we'll win 8 this year, even with the tough schedule

[staleystarch]

Does anyone remember that winning streak before most of the injuries set in? Me neither.

Didn't the injuries set in prior to the season starting?

Note the word 'most'. And no most did not.

[wab]

Isn't Fuller the only starter that was out before the season began?

[staleystarch]

Isn't Fuller the only starter that was out before the season began?

McPhee was the other

[southdakbearfan]

Isn't Fuller the only starter that was out before the season began?

McPhee was the other

11 players were on IR to start the season, some of less significance of course.

Fuller
McPhee - came off week 6
Grasu
Barrow
Becton
Boykin
Ferguson
Mason
Robertson-Harris
Shaw
Wilson - came off week 10

The following were listed on the injury report week 1


NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS
Bellamy, Josh WR Shoulder - - LP Questionable
Bush, Deon DB Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
Callahan, Bryce DB Groin LP LP LP Questionable
Lasike, Paul FB Wrist LP LP LP Questionable
Long, Kyle OL Shoulder LP LP LP Questionable
Thompson, Deonte WR Knee/Ankle LP LP LP Questionable
Washington, Cornelius DL Ankle/Knee LP LP LP Questionable
White, Kevin WR Hamstring - LP LP


So 3 starters on IR, Long with a bum wing and White with a Hamstring along with others to start the season. Somehow I have blacked it out of my mind as well.

[BR0D1E86]

5 wins if literally everything goes right.

If literally everything hadn't gone wrong we'd have won more than that last season. We've literally only lost Alshon, who had about 800 receiving yards.

[staleystarch]

Isn't Fuller the only starter that was out before the season began?

McPhee was the other

11 players were on IR to start the season, some of less significance of course.

Fuller
McPhee - came off week 6
Grasu
Barrow
Becton
Boykin
Ferguson
Mason
Robertson-Harris
Shaw
Wilson - came off week 10

The following were listed on the injury report week 1


NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS
Bellamy, Josh WR Shoulder - - LP Questionable
Bush, Deon DB Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
Callahan, Bryce DB Groin LP LP LP Questionable
Lasike, Paul FB Wrist LP LP LP Questionable
Long, Kyle OL Shoulder LP LP LP Questionable
Thompson, Deonte WR Knee/Ankle LP LP LP Questionable
Washington, Cornelius DL Ankle/Knee LP LP LP Questionable
White, Kevin WR Hamstring - LP LP


So 3 starters on IR, Long with a bum wing and White with a Hamstring along with others to start the season. Somehow I have blacked it out of my mind as well.

I would take any Fox injury report with a grain of salt. If they played I don't count them. Those other guys were very marginal players to begin and many would not have even made the team. I will give you grasu. I did forget about him, but his injury may have been a plus considering his replacement.

[wab]

5 wins if literally everything goes right.

If literally everything hadn't gone wrong we'd have won more than that last season. We've literally only lost Alshon, who had about 800 receiving yards.

"We" wouldn't have done anything. And last season isn't this season.

[Rusty Trombagent]

I would take any Fox injury report with a grain of salt. If they played I don't count them. Those other guys were very marginal players to begin and many would not have even made the team. I will give you grasu. I did forget about him, but his injury may have been a plus considering his replacement.

early on the offensive line was a mess. i think it only took a week before people were dreaming of replacing massie, and whitehair, despite growing into a total stud, switched to center less than a week before week 1. they all got better as the season went, even when plugging in backups at both guard spots.

[RING4CHI]

I just can't get over how John Fox managed the Bears out of wins. Like the Indianapolis and Jacksonville games last year. If the Bears are talented to win eight games in 2017, Fox coaches them down to five wins. If they're a four-win team, I see them going 2-14 with Fox at the helm.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

I believe the bears are better than last year. On defense we added 4 new starters who all project to be significantly better than what we had last year while only losing Trivathan to start the season. On offense we saw a big improvement in Massie, Whitehair, and Howard as the season went along, and of course there should be a jump in production just from being in the same offensive system for a second year in a row. Really it's Glennon's play that will determine how the offense performs. I'm thinking it will be at least as good as Cutler/Hoyer/Barkley.

That said, the schedule looks a lot tougher too. I think 8 wins is a stretch, but definitely a worthy goal.

[Atkins&Rebel]

I just can't get over how John Fox managed the Bears out of wins. Like the Indianapolis and Jacksonville games last year. If the Bears are talented to win eight games in 2017, Fox coaches them down to five wins. If they're a four-win team, I see them going 2-14 with Fox at the helm.

John fox isn't on the field dropping passes, missing blocks, and getting run over when trying to tackle.

Those 3 elements alone cost use 3 games at least.

[wab]

Bellamy and Wilson dropping game winners cost the Bears 2 games for sure.

[BearDen]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

[Nanky]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

[BearDen]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

That actually helps my point, outside of a few big games he's about as average as it gets.

[Magnum_Ursus]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

That actually helps my point, outside of a few big games he's about as average as it gets.

2 Years ago, he was a QB
1 year ago, you dismiss him as average as it gets.

Give him another year, let's see how he develops.

[BearDen]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

That actually helps my point, outside of a few big games he's about as average as it gets.

2 Years ago, he was a QB
1 year ago, you dismiss him as average as it gets.

Give him another year, let's see how he develops.

I didn't say there was no hope for the guy, he's already exceeded expectations by a lot. You can't deny this group of WR is not as good as last year's. That's all I'm saying.

[RING4CHI]

I just can't get over how John Fox managed the Bears out of wins. Like the Indianapolis and Jacksonville games last year. If the Bears are talented to win eight games in 2017, Fox coaches them down to five wins. If they're a four-win team, I see them going 2-14 with Fox at the helm.

John fox isn't on the field dropping passes, missing blocks, and getting run over when trying to tackle.

Those 3 elements alone cost use 3 games at least.

True. That Tennessee game will probably haunt Bellamy for the rest of his career.

[BR0D1E86]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

That actually helps my point, outside of a few big games he's about as average as it gets.

2 Years ago, he was a QB
1 year ago, you dismiss him as average as it gets.

Give him another year, let's see how he develops.

I didn't say there was no hope for the guy, he's already exceeded expectations by a lot. You can't deny this group of WR is not as good as last year's. That's all I'm saying.

It's worse on paper, but in execution Alshon was pretty poor last season, by his standards anyway. What he gave us should be able to be replicated.

And, assuming Miller is still on the roster, our tight end group is vastly upgraded and more dangerous. We also have a potentially valuable mismatch out of the backfield if Baby Sproles pans out.

It's a group with potential, but it's going to need to be pretty well managed to get peak production.

[Nanky]

The Bears will go 6-10 at best if everything goes perfect. Better QB play but far worse at WR, gives more hope for the future but there will be a huge learning curve. People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field. Kevin White might make Meredith look better by comparison, but not by drawing any extra defenders. I think the defense will be improved with the added DBs, only reason I see a few more wins. Injuries will happen every year to every team, so let's not say "well if we didn't have the injuries!"

He didn't look much different honestly . . .

Here's his averages:

With AJ: 4.25 catches 56.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

W/out AJ: 3.75 catches 51.75 yards and 0.25 TDs

So not much drop off, considering he was the only receiving option at that point.

That actually helps my point, outside of a few big games he's about as average as it gets.

You must be changing your point now because "People need to remember how bad Meredith looked without Jeffery on the field". That stats I provided show that not much changed, so you're point doesn't have merit. If he can have that kind of production without any supporting cast, I believe it shows he has potential to be a solid #2 WR. He had 66 receptions for 888 yards and 4 TDs, those are solid numbers out of your #2 WR.

[wab]

I didn't see much dropoff with Meredith when AJ was out...since AJ was out most of the year for various reasons, and barely got a look when Hoyer played.

If Kevin White can at at least cause teams to respect whatever speed he has left, then I think Meredith will be fine. He's an excellent route runner, and has terrific hands. And has just enough sneaky speed.

[G08]

Meredith has some talent, I just hope he can get stronger and really work on his concentration. He had too many drops for my liking last season.

[wab]

Meredith has some talent, I just hope he can get stronger and really work on his concentration. He had too many drops for my liking last season.

Well, in fairness he'd only been playing WR for about 8 months. I'm partial to the kid because I watched him destroy opponents at ISU and he was a stand up kid in the community.

[G08]

Meredith has some talent, I just hope he can get stronger and really work on his concentration. He had too many drops for my liking last season.

Well, in fairness he'd only been playing WR for about 8 months. I'm partial to the kid because I watched him destroy opponents at ISU and he was a stand up kid in the community.

Hey that's fair... I recall him making some damned impressive receptions on Cutty's game winning drive against KC two years ago.

[staleystarch]

I didn't see much dropoff with Meredith when AJ was out...since AJ was out most of the year for various reasons, and barely got a look when Hoyer played.

AJ only missed 4 games do the PED suspension.

[southdakbearfan]

I didn't see much dropoff with Meredith when AJ was out...since AJ was out most of the year for various reasons, and barely got a look when Hoyer played.

AJ only missed 4 games do the PED suspension.

He was limited in numerous other games due to soft tissue injuries, as was normal for him.

[Atkins&Rebel]

The only way we win with this tough schedule, is if we make teams one dimensional by stopping the run and our pass rushers stay healthy and productive. I assume that our offense will put up 350 yards and 20+ points each week. But if Fangio's defense finally "gels" then this team can be successful.