Welcome to the board. Now that I've been on here for a few, I can give you some helpful pointers/unwritten rules to make your transition easier so you fit in.
1) You must immediately pick a side. Either you're pro-cutler or anti-cutler. You are not allowed to toe the line or sit on the fence. Please respond in this thread with your position. (You might as well get it out there)
2) Regardless of whether you like him or not, anything you say about Cutler (for or against) will get you labeled as a meathead.
3) You cannot say ANYTHING even remotely realistic about anyone on the current roster. Doing so will get you labeled as a team "hater". Even if you've never missed going to a game in 20 years, and shell out 15k per year in seats, go to multiple away games per year, and have a man-cave built out around the team, you are a hater.
4) If a player sucks or makes a mistake during the game, either don't point it out... or... blame it on something else (the field is a popular scape goat). Even if they suck (Ie Cutler). The exception is Forte. For some reason, even though he is easily the 3rd best RB this historic franchise has ever seen suit up, you have to piss all over him. Even Shea gets a pass.. Use the "he's being played out of position" card if needed.
5) You MUST hate and admonish any player no longer on the roster (ie Urlacher, Orton, Olsen, Peppers, Briggs). The exception's are Payton, Brian Piccolo and Mike Brown. Even Ditka must feel your wrath.
6) You must be especially critical of Lance Briggs. It doesn't matter if you felt he had a great career and played his ass off for 10 years. All that matters is he put on a few pounds his last year and opened a restaurant. The fact that he was leading the team in tackles when he went out is irrelevant.
7) If you decide to take the "pro-Cutler" stance, know that every discussion will lead you to: "well, golly, he is the best QB we've had on the Bears". And also know that has been repeatedly and soundly debunked.
8) If you in any way at all think defense is important, you are a meat head.
9) brandon Marshall not being with the team was why Cutler sucked in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
10) Brandon Marshall being with the team is why Cutler sucked in 2012, 2013, and 2014
11) Lovie Smith is the devil
12) Virginia McCaskey is the root reason as to why we can't win.
13) Pete Micheals is one of the smartest posters to ever show up on these boards. Sometimes when he gets going, it's better to just pull up a seat, understand school is in session, and keep quiet.
14) When HHM makes a thread that makes you think twice and really evaluate a response about the team - post in it quick because the mods almost immediately blow it up.
15) NEVER EVER use PFF to back an argument. "Brits are dumb and know nothing about American football"
Enjoy your time here. I sure have.
