Obviously, this is the most meaningless game of the football season. But, it's also the first one, and damnit if that isn't special. Usually I forget this game exists, but with Chicago playing (and Urlacher being inducted and honored), it's worth noting. Here are some items worth speculating about prior to the game and things to look for - some of which likely spill over into the rest of the preseason. Add what you've got! Time for football, ladies and gentlemen. 1. Who plays QB? Typically, you'd speculate that the starters won't even see the field in this game. That's especially true for entrenched veterans at the QB position, who shouldn't even bother putting pads on. However, the Bears are in a position that is unfamiliar to them - they have a 2nd year starting QB, in his first year in the system. They also have two veteran, entrenched backups familiar with the system. So, the guy who needs the playing time is most definitely the young starting QB. Do we see him on the field for any substantial time? If so, does that mean we see the rest of the starting O as a supporting cast? 2. Who succeeds at ILB? Trevathan and Smith will presumably be out for this game (and indefinitely, going forward). That means we're not only looking at plenty of time for the rest of the guys on the roster, but potentially auditioning them for starting roles. Who steps up and makes plays here? If I'm on the roster as an ILB, I see two starting jobs on the table, given Trevathan's potential health problems and Smith's lack of signing... 3. What does Nagy put out there? No doubt Nagy wants to save the good stuff, as any coach does. But it's also an entirely new system, and he's going to be head coaching his first NFL game. How does he approach it? What do we see the team doing from beginning to end? Seeing Nagy in his first performance, even in such a meaningless game, will be interesting. 4. Offensive Line makeup? I think there's going to be a lot of intrigue, here - who plays where and when? Sure, this question won't be answered Thursday night, nor will it likely get any clearer, as the starters may very well not be playing at all. But, we could definitely see guys like rookie James Daniels and embattled Grasu get some time to prove their stuff. I'd love to see someone really excel and win their position with excellent play, backup unit or not - swing tackle would be a watch for an open job. 5. WR / CB's proving themselves This is a little bit of a general one, I know, but I'm interested in what the receiver and corner positions do when they have the chance. There are spots available on both sides. Guys like Kevin White have to prove they can play football, while rookies or tryout players are trying to get the spotlight by excelling. There are a couple young CB's that have flashed in camp, but there are a couple entrenched players above them. Could this be a spot that sees some upheaval with upstart corners making plays to get on the regular season roster? Let's hear what you're interested in! If you're like me, it'll just be nice to have a beer and the Bears, again. I'm hoping that eagerness lasts beyond the preseason, this time. Optimism and brighter days, ladies and gents. Let's hope this is the start of it. Cheers, all.
With five preseason games I can't see them playing anyone expected to make the roster and that includes backup QB. The Hall of Fame game is nothing more than trying to rub one out looking at an inflatable doll.
I watched part of it, at least until the Master of the House got home. I got a thrill just seeing the colours on the field to be honest.
Well at least we know Kevin White who has done nothing since getting drafted has made the team once again .. Balt plays their 2018 #1 almost the entire game while White is looking cool on the sidelines .
I don't know why we're waiting - he's gonna get hurt again in the regular season anyway. Let's get him in the preseason and get it out of the way now.
Yeah, last night was the girlfriend's tryout game. We went out to a bar with her friend, the game was on... and she wanted to talk to me all night. I didn't have a problem with it during the HOF game, but I told her that, come the regular season, I'll be watching games on my own. She understood. I also found it nice just to see the Bears on a football field, again. Good to see.
It's really good that she understood and accepted what you said about watching the games on your own. That's a good start right there. My husband always takes the opposing teams side and most of his friends do as well so ... due to the history of the Bears, I come in for a lot of smack when I watch them.
She tried to find a couple ways around it, and then realized, after a very cut-and-dry explanation by me, that she was not going to fit into how I wanted to watch a football game conveniently enough for both of us. One of us was likely to get our way, not both. As such, she said she was fine with me going off for a couple hours to do my own thing and watch the game. She said she'd support me (wearing a Bears shirt last night, for example), but that she understands me wanting to watch it on my own. She also hates when I get into any confrontations, and the odds of that happening while watching football in a public place are... not low.
It sounds like she's a pretty generous person. If she's willing to compromise? That's a really solid starting point. I can only imagine what it's like in sports bars during a Bears game or when you're at a Bears game. Wasn't it Bww's kid who broke some guy's jaw at a Bears/Packer game? That would be a lot to handle. I couldn't. Stuff like that scares the bejesus outta me.
Hahahaha, yeah, no, it's not usually a problem. But talking through the entire football game... not going to work. Commercials? Halftime? All applicable. I proposed a very simple solution to her: no conversation from break of the huddle to whistle at end of the play. Everything else is fair game, allowing for my outbursts / talking about the game. She said the terms weren't amenable, given that she'd have to stop for the play. As such, she appreciates the opportunity for compromise, but agrees that we're too far apart on the issue. We've parted the negotiation table for now. We may return after the season. For now... I'm fine with it.
Yeah, so was I, bud. All good. We did have an actual negotiation, and establishing of fact (though she was drunk). We went through options and scenarios, etc. Eventually it was decided - Matt gets a few hours to himself. Considering it means I don't have to pay for her food and drinks, I really feel like I came out the winner, here. But you're right, that someone would want to spend hours talking with me is something rare enough to hold on to. Not sure how she does it, sometimes. She told me, "You know, sometimes you come off kind of condescending". I said, "Oh, really? Do I?" as sarcastically as possible. Don't know how she puts up with me.
Step back from the table my man, and don't approach it again, as I only see surrendering of ground gained in the future if you do.
A wise move dline. That shit's like mission creep. First you let them talk if its during a commercial. Then "commercial time" spills into the start of the drive cos she wants to "communicate" some more. And before you know it your missing the SB cos you have to go to a bbq at some chick friends house who you can't stand. Mission creep. At least thats wot i hear. Ha, spoken like a true husband with more than 10years in. Or in bww's case 3.
Dude, I am the luckiest motherfucker on this planet and I know It. I blinked a couple of times and it’s already been 15 years. Dline’s got a good start, the keyword is compromise.
What the ... and I thought my husband was the luckiest man on the planet (and so I keep telling him) ... so there's 2 of you?
I don’t know babyfan, my wife and myself have a Jamaican Restaurant in Ocean Shores Wa. And many of my customers tell me I’m the luckiest man on earth. I think hundreds of people telling me trumps you guys’ proclaiming it for yourselves.
