With all the problems on ‘D’, Bears’ ‘O’ must rack up points

[KittiesKorner]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...bears-o-must-rack-up-points.html#.VDnnuCldWLM

BY ADAM L. JAHNS Staff Reporter October 10, 2014 10:16PM

Beating the Atlanta Falcons got a bit more complicated after linebacker Lance Briggs was ruled out with a rib injury.

“He’s one of the leaders,” rookie linebacker Christian Jones said.

But there are still reasons to believe the Bears can pull even at 3-3:

1. OK, what’s up with Briggs?

The Bears have been resolute in their say-nothing stance on injuries. Coach Marc Trestman was asked directly if Briggs had broken ribs; he said they were sore. Briggs watched every practice this week and even spoke to the media, sounding like an active player. Briggs missed only two snaps against the Carolina Panthers, but he was the last player to leave the locker room after meeting with trainers. He was in visible discomfort and had ice on his right shoulder and side.

2. So what happens at linebacker?

D.J. Williams will be in the middle and likely see more time in nickel situations. But Jon Bostic’s status is the top priority. The word is his back injury isn’t serious, but Bostic hasn’t done much this week, and he was starting to play well. If he’s out, Jones and Khaseem Greene are in, making for a precarious situation.

3. Can the Bears’ offense make up for all of the team’s defensive issues?

It hasn’t yet this season. But the Falcons are abysmal defensively. Repeat: abysmal. They rank 29th in points allowed and total defense.

4. Will that mean more of running back Matt Forte a la the Packers game?

It could, especially being at the hostile Georgia Dome. The Falcons’ run defense is just as bad as the Packers’, making Forte due for another big fantasy day. The key factor is turnovers. Jay Cutler can’t make them.

5. Will the real Brandon Marshall finally stand up?

Yes, and Cutler has promised more balls are coming his way. Marshall caused a stir, saying his twisted ankle should have required four weeks off. But, either way, he has practiced in full for two straight weeks. He has been a healthy decoy before, but the play-calling will expand now with No. 15 no longer hindered.

6. So you’re saying bet the over?

Yep, and it’s a very reachable 53.5. The Falcons are the third-highest-scoring team and should be able to thrive against the injury-riddled Bears at home. The Bears, meanwhile, have been very open and specific about their offensive problems. That angst seems destined to turn into big things.

7. Will Devin Hester burn the Bears’ special teams?

Here’s guessing that Hester, who’s itching to get back at the Bears, ends up burning himself. He will get fidgety, and that will lead to questionable decisions — similar to the ones that frustrated Bears fans toward the end of his run in Chicago.

8. But what about as a receiver?

Kyle Fuller and Tim Jennings might be able to hang with Julio Jones and Roddy White, but Hester in the slot and used in gimmick plays looks problematic, especially with safety Brock Vereen or a cornerback at nickel back. The Bears seemed to be banking on the return of veteran Sherrick McManis, but he now has a knee injury to go with his ailing quadriceps.

9. Is Gabe Carimi really becoming valuable for the Falcons?

The Bears’ first-round pick in 2011, Carimi is finally healthy after dislocating his right knee in 2011 and has been reunited with line coach Mike Tice. Carimi always had potential, and the Falcons have invested time in him. Still, his matchups against Lamarr Houston and Willie Young will say a lot.

10. Are there any reasons to believe in the Bears’ defense this week?

The D-line. Jeremiah Ratliff is back after his concussion. Jared Allen had another week to regain his strength after pneumonia. Houston has an added edge after his Twitter problems. A strength from the beginning on paper, the defensive line will start to prove it on the field.

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com

 

[BringBackDitka54]

I don't feel good about this game.

 

[KittiesKorner]

tbh I don't feel good about any of our games lately. this is as shaky as I've seen this team in 10 years

 

[KittiesKorner]

Bears paying dearly for loads of offensive penalties

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...oads-of-offensive-penalties.html#.VDno4CldWLM

BY PATRICK FINLEY Staff Reporter October 11, 2014 12:52AM

Marc Trestman gathered his team earlier this week and rattled off the figures.

Then he did the same through the first five weeks of last season.

The disparity is stunning — and proof that the Bears’ self-diagnosed implosion isn’t limited to Jay Cutler’s interceptions or Matt Forte’s fourth-quarter fumble last Sunday.

The Bears have been penalized 39 times for 322 yards this season.

Through five games last season, they had 21 fouls for 192 yards.

And before anyone goes blaming the NFL’s new emphasis on whistling illegal contact and defensive holding, take note: It’s the offense’s fault. Twenty-three offensive penalties for 188 yards are more than double last season’s 10 flags for 75 yards.

The Bears have seven false starts. Last year, they had one.

‘‘Those are things we have to control — the penalties that are not the subjective penalties by the officials,’’ Trestman said. ‘‘It’s the ones that they can see, and those are pre-snap penalties, unnecessary roughnesses. We’ve had a couple this year.’’

Five, to be exact. The Bears didn’t have any through five games last season.

‘‘That’s created a lot of hidden yardage that we’ve given away,’’ Trestman said.

Flags are flying around the league at a record pace. The NFL is averaging 17 penalties per game through five weeks, up from 14.7 at this point last season. There have been 38 illegal-contact fouls whistled this season, as many as were flagged all last year. The 70 defensive holding calls are on pace to be up by almost half.

The Bears, though, have three defensive holding flags and zero illegal-contact whistles.

Offensive poise, then, will be even more important Sunday at the Georgia Dome when the Bears play the Atlanta Falcons. The Bears’ seven false starts are their most of any penalty. The three last week at Carolina — against three different players — were uncharacteristic, offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer said.

‘‘Our penalties are up, and that’s one thing we can control,’’ he said. ‘‘The pre-snap penalties are key, that you don’t have those. We prepared for the noise. We’ve had success in the noise with getting off and not having those penalties.’’

Only three offenses — the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers — have more penalties than the Bears’ 23.

On average this season, 48.3 percent of teams’ penalty yards are on offense. For the Bears, it’s 58.4 percent, according to NFLPenalties.com.

Left guard Matt Slauson said the Bears haven’t focused well before snaps, and right tackle Jordan Mills agreed.

‘‘We have to be more in-tuned,’’ Mills said. ‘‘More concentration.’’

The Bears can argue some calls, such as a blindside-block personal foul on Brandon Marshall — which officials falsely attributed to Alshon Jeffery and which replays Sunday showed to be clean.

‘‘You block a guy face-up and you knock him down,’’ Kromer said. ‘‘I don’t know what else you want him to do.’’

The Bears’ goal is to not leave calls up to interpretation.

‘‘We’re going to continue to work at being more disciplined and being able to control the things that we can control,’’ Trestman said, ‘‘which is how we present ourselves to the other side, to the opponent, to make sure we don’t get those penalties, obviously. And then the pre-snap penalties that have hurt us.’’

If they don’t fix it — and fast — they might not stand a chance Sunday.

‘‘Obviously, penalties are a way to kill drives, and we can’t do that,’’ center Roberto Garza said. ‘‘We have to play better football, smarter football.’’

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com

 

[KittiesKorner]

Kyle Fuller: The Bears’ nice, quiet corner

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...the-bears-nice-quiet-corner.html#.VDnpGSldWLM

BY ADAM L. JAHNS Staff Reporter October 11, 2014 1:12AM

Today’s look is a typical one in the Bears’ locker room at Halas Hall. Players sit in their stalls, heads down, shoulders slumped, phones in hand. The scrolling is endless.

Rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller is included, though he’s more likely to be arduously trying to cut the tape off his hands and feet. If he’s on his phone, it’s not to Google his name, read his news clipping or check Twitter.

Did Fuller know he’s been ‘‘trending’’ this season on Twitter?

‘‘I didn’t,’’ he said. ‘‘I try to stay away from all that.’’

The only trend Fuller follows is trying to remain an impact playmaker for a defense that needs them. If the Bears win Sunday against the offensively gifted Atlanta Falcons, he likely will have a starring role.

But the limelight doesn’t suit him. Unlike other cornerbacks, Fuller doesn’t care for it. Even honors such as being named the NFC defensive rookie of the month for September are met with uneasiness.

‘‘That’s a good honor,’’ the first-round pick said, ‘‘but still, I’m just trying to get better every week.’’

It’s easy to view him as a football robot. Coming from a football family, he seems bred for this: success on the field and a simple, low-key approach off it. He rarely heads downtown or out at all.

‘‘I’m just being myself,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m just low key, doing what I’ve got to do and staying out of trouble.’’

The Bears see a rookie who knows his place but one who will emerge as a vocal leader one day. But Fuller always will be the anti-Richard Sherman. His play may warrant headlines and interviews with Hall of Fame players after prime-time games, but he’s as likely to draw attention to himself as he is to play offensive line.

Fuller, the first player in 20 years with three interceptions and two forced fumbles in his first three games, has earned the right to be mentioned with some of the best at his position. He has been thrown at 31 times, according to Pro Football Focus — double the amount for the Seattle Seahawks’ Sherman. And he hasn’t been beaten much, allowing 16 receptions for 202 yards, which would look better if he’d tackled New York Jets receiver Greg Salas on his 51-yard catch-and-run in Week 3.

‘‘You can have a great game,’’ Fuller said, ‘‘and there’s going to be something you can beat yourself up about.’’

Fuller has allowed just one touchdown, against Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, and opposing quarterbacks have a 43.4 passer rating against him according to Pro Football Focus.

Last week, he shut down the NFL offensive rookie of the month, Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who caught two passes on eight targets against Fuller.

‘‘He really just frustrated him,’’ cornerback Charles Tillman said on Comcast’s ‘‘Sports Talk Live.’’ ‘‘He was like that little gnat at a barbecue.’’

A similar showdown against Falcons stars Julio Jones might be coming.

‘‘[Fuller’s] got the type of size and length that you like to have to match up if you can,’’ defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said.

A shutdown cornerback opens up plenty for a defense, but don’t say Fuller has his own island like Darrelle Revis does. He’ll take any assignment, whether it’s shadowing Jones or Roddy White or playing more zone.

‘‘He’s off to a great start,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. ‘‘I’m sure there are some people who would say that he may be a candidate for rookie of the year.’’

But Fuller wouldn’t know.

COACH’S CORNER

Looking at Atlanta Falcons return man Devin Hester with special-teams coordinator:

‘‘Everybody knows how great a player he is. I don’t think there’s any question about that. The biggest thing is we just have to have a good plan going in for him. A lot of people say you can’t punt it to him. Well, it’s a lot easier [to say] to just hit the ball out of bounds than what people think. You have to protect for the rush. There’s a lot of things that go into that. Otherwise, everybody would do it. I’m sure at Soldier Field, you probably saw it a lot, where people hit 20-yard punts trying to do that. So a lot of things go
into it.

‘‘I have a world of respect for him. I think he’s obviously the best ever. I enjoyed my time with him. I wish it would have been longer.

‘‘People didn’t think that he studied and all that kind of stuff. Devin knew a lot more than people gave him credit for. So I’m sure he’s on the same path now. There’s nobody that’s going to know [kicker] Robbie [Gould] any better than him. I’m sure he’s got a good feel for [punter] Pat [O’Donnell], too. It’s going to be a challenge, no question.

‘‘When you play against the best, you measure up and see what you’ve got. I think our guys are going to go in there and play as hard and as physical as they can, and that’s what we’re looking for and that’s what we expect every week. Looking forward to going back to the Georgia Dome.’’

UNSUNG SPOTLIGHT

RYAN MUNDY, SAFETY, NO. 21

Injuries at every level of the Bears’ defense have made for a constant state of flux. But through it all, Mundy has proven to be a reliable veteran presence at strong safety.

His first five games have been marked by consistency. He’s the Bears’ third-leading tackler, which includes 21 solo tackles, and has their only pick-six this season.

‘‘We [do] a great job of adapting,’’ Mundy said of dealing with injuries on defense. ‘‘That’s a credit to our coaches, who have coached the starters, the backups, the rookies and practice squad players all the same.’’

But it’s also a credit to Mundy, a six-year veteran. His steadiness and demeanor have helped the defense find its footing.

‘‘There’s always a silver lining,’’ Mundy said. ‘‘Even when you win, it’s never perfect. Our job is just to stick together and to keep fighting because we know we’re one play, two plays away from having a really good game and being as consistent as we would like to be.’’

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com

 

[KittiesKorner]

Strength on Bears’ battered defense seems to be the line

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...efense-seems-to-be-the-line.html#.VDnpTSldWLM

BY MARK POTASH Staff Reporter October 11, 2014 1:16AM

It’s what’s up front that counts in the NFL. In theory, given the choice of having the best defensive line in the game or the best secondary, the football purist will take the better line every time.

We’ll see about that. The Bears are facing an Atlanta Falcons offense ranked third in the NFL in total yards and points per game with a defense that is losing players at a familiar rate. Lance Briggs, the Bears’ seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, will not play because of really sore ribs. Charles Tillman, the Bears’ two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has been out for the season since Week 3.

Starting strong-side linebacker Shea McClellin will miss his fourth consecutive game with a broken hand. Linebacker Jon Bostic did not practice this week because of a back injury. Defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff has missed the last three games with a concussion. Safety Chris Conte is expected to start after suffering a concussion last week against the Carolina Panthers but has not finished three of the Bears’ five games this season because of concussion and shoulder issues.

It’s not a pretty picture. And Bears fans who witnessed last year’s collapse might be getting a little nervous. Now we’ll see if the Bears are any better equipped to handle the adversity than they were a year ago.

‘‘[Defensive coordinator] Mel [Tucker] and the [coaches] have done a great job of training these guys,’’ coach Marc Trestman said. ‘‘They start early in the morning. They work all day. We made a priority this year to constantly work at the development of our players. I think we’ve done a very good job. We’re confident in those guys that they can do the job.’’

It would be a boon for Trestman — and Tucker — if Bostic, Jones and/or Khaseem Greene step up to the impact level of rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller. As it is, the Bears’ best hope to avoid an onslaught against Matt Ryan and the Falcons is that they are strongest where they need to be — up front.

Ratliff is expected to start for the first time since Week 2. Jared Allen, who had seven tackles and a batted pass against the Panthers, figures to be even more effective in his second game back from pneumonia. Rookie defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton are three games better than they were before Ratliff suffered the concussion. There’s your player development.

Even with Lamarr Houston struggling to make an impact, it’s a far cry from the Bears’ plight last season, when the line was as much of the problem as any other level of the defense. By the time Briggs and Tillman were injured last season, the Bears’ defensive line was in no shape to carry the load with an intermittently effective Julius Peppers supported by Corey Wootton, Landon Cohen, Stephen Paea, David Bass and Cheta Ozougwu.

Now the onus is on the defensive line to carry more than its share of the load. Right?

‘‘In reality, yes,’’ end Willie Young said. ‘‘But regardless of who’s up and who’s down, we can’t just do it with the four guys up front.’’

No, they can’t. But it’s a pretty good place to start.

Email: mpotash@suntimes.com

 

[botfly10]

NFL is volatile these days. Seems like almost every game is a toss up. Wonder how much that is due to the officials.

 

[KittiesKorner]

How the Bears and Falcons match up

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...-bears-and-falcons-match-up.html#.VDnplildWLM

BY MARK POTASH Staff Reporter October 11, 2014 1:26AM

BEARS AT FALCONS Time:

3:25 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome

Line: Falcons by 3 • Total: 54

TV: Fox-32 (Justin Kutcher, David Diehl)

Radio: 780-AM, 105.9-FM

WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL

KEY PLAYERS

Brandon Marshall, slowed by an ankle injury he suffered in the opener, has 6 receptions for 69 yards and a TD in his last three games. This is a pretty good spot for Marshall to break out of it. Falcons CBs Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are good athletes, but they will be at the mercy of the Falcons’ pass rush in defending Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

ON THE GROUND

After a big game vs. the Packers (23-122), Matt Forte had a tough day against the Panthers last week (17-61), including a rare fumble in the fourth quarter. He figures to respond with a big effort and will have the chance against a Falcons defense that ranks 28th in rushing (148 ypg). C Roberto Garz is expected to start for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in the opener, but LT Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle) is still out. Jay Cutler has seven of the Bears’ 16 rushes of 10 or more yards. His two 25-yard scrambles are the Bears’ only rushes of more than 19 yards. That could be a factor in this game.

IN THE AIR

The Bears are 2-0 when Cutler doesn’t throw an interception and 0-3 when he does — and that figures to make the difference against a porous Falcons pass defense that ranks 24th in yards per game and last in yards per pass attempt and has just two INTs. ‘‘It’s hard to look past the turnovers,’’ Cutler said. ‘‘We have to concentrate on that. If we clean that up, we think that’s going to solve a majority of our problems.’’ Opposing QBs have a 95.5 passer rating against the Falcons (5 TDs, 2 INTs). The Falcons have just four sacks and have allowed a pass play of 36 or more yards in every game.

WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL

KEY PLAYERS

Moreso than most weeks, the Bears aren’t going to win this game without a pass rush, which puts the onus on Jared Allen to win his battle with Falcons rookie LT Jake Matthews or create enough havoc to allow Willie Young, Lamarr Houston and others to put pressure on Matt Ryan. Allen has no sacks in four games with the Bears. He’ll get his best chance yet in this one.

ON THE GROUND

Steven Jackson was once one of the most durable and prolific RBs in the NFL, but not anymore. In his 11th season, Jackson has slowed considerably — 63 carries for 238 yards (3.8 ypc) and 2 TDs with a long gain of 17 yards. The Falcons’ most dangerous big-play threat is Antone Smith (11-121, 11.0, 2 TDs), who has four TD runs of 38 or more yards in his last 15 carries, including two this season. The Bears have allowed just five RB rushes of 10 or more yards since the opener and rank 16th against the run this season. With Lance Briggs (ribs) out, rookie Christian Jones likely will be on the spot.

IN THE AIR

This is where it gets a little dicey. Ryan is 2-0 with a 142.2 passer rating at home this season, with 6 TDs and 0 INTs (vs. 72.8 on the road). ‘‘He can make all the throws with accuracy,’’ Bears DC Mel Tucker said. ‘‘He can win outside the numbers, and that separates him from a lot of quarterbacks.’’ WR Julio Jones (40-552, 13.8, 3 TDs) leads the NFL in receptions, yards and first downs. Bears rookie CB Kyle Fuller did a bang-up job on the Panthers’ Kyle Benjamin last week; this would be an even bigger challenge. The Bears’ D-line vs. a shorthanded Falcons O-line could be a major equalizer.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The challenge for the Bears’ struggling ST units will be a little greater against former teammate Devin Hester, who will be stoked to stick it to the team that let him go in free agency. ‘‘He should be stoked. He should be pumped,’’ kicker Robbie Gould said. ‘‘So should [Eric] Weems. All those guys should be pumped up.’’ Hester is averaging 14.4 yards on punt returns, including a 62-yard TD. He’s averaging 24.2 yards on KO returns. The Bears are 29th in the NFL in average start off a KO (19.3 yard line). Santonio Holmes has had punt returns of 27 and 28 yards nullified by penalty, so the potential for a breakthrough is there.

X-FACTOR

The Bears have gotten off to fast starts, but can they finish? That’s an issue after back-to-back second-half meltdowns in losses to the Packers and Panthers; they were outscored 17-0 against the Packers and 17-3 against the Panthers. The Bears have a minus-5 TO differential in the second half in those two games. ‘‘That’s everybody’s challenge each week, and we do it here,’’ coach Marc Trestman said. ‘‘We’ve got to take the lessons of the week before, get rest, then re-lock.’’ It’s time for the Bears to show they can respond. Until then, they look like a team that finds more ways to lose games than to win them.

 

[KittiesKorner]

Marshall tries to "shed light on some dark topics" with fundraiser

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...alth-awareness-fundraiser-20141010-story.html

By Fred Mitchell,
Tribune reporter

While erious social issues, including domestic and child abuse, dominate recent headlines involving the National Football League, Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall continues to promote mental health awareness.
“We have an amazing platform, and when we use it for good to really shed light on some dark topics and issues, a lot of good can come out of it,” Marshall said Friday night at his inaugural mental health awareness fundraiser (www.limelightchicago.org.) at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago.
“Some of the things that are going on now…we really believe that what we are doing with our foundation can really help out,” Marshall said.
Guests attending Friday night’s event had an opportunity to win prizes, including the chance to travel via private jet to New York City for a taping of "Inside the NFL," an HBO show on which Marshall is a panelist.
Accompanied by his pregnant wife, Michi, Marshall said Sunday’s Bears game in Atlanta is very important, then added with a smile: “We got to take care of these (twin) babies we have on the way." All proceeds from Friday night's event went to Thresholds, a non-profit mental health organization, and the Brandon Marshall Foundation.

 

[KittiesKorner]

Lance Briggs out with rib injury; Christian Jones figures to fill in


http://www.suntimes.com/sports/foot...an-jones-figures-to-fill-in.html#.VDnqQCldWLM

BY PATRICK FINLEY Staff Reporter October 10, 2014 10:16PM

The Bears’ challenge against the league’s third-highest scoring offense grew even more daunting Friday, when linebacker Lance Briggs was ruled out for the game Sunday against the Falcons with a rib injury.

Briggs didn’t practice all week. Coach Marc Trestman said he didn’t know how Briggs suffered the injury last Sunday against the Panthers or whether his ribs were broken.

Rookie free agent Christian Jones said he has been playing more of Briggs’ weak-side position this week. Trestman indicated Jones was ahead of second-year player Khaseem Greene.

“I’m pretty familiar with [the position],” Jones said. “It’s nothing major. Right now, they just put [me] into it because of the situation with Lance. But I’m pretty comfortable with it.”

Strong-side linebacker Jon Bostic, who injured his back against the Panthers and is listed as questionable, also could play on the weak side. Jones took his spot on the strong side when he left against the Panthers.

“The main thing is, I’m getting better,” Bostic said. “I’m just going day by day, getting all the treatment I can.”

Conte good

Chris Conte isn’t sure if he suffered a concussion against the Panthers. All the safety knows is that he has been cleared to play against the Falcons. He said he has felt good most of the week.

“I don’t know what exactly they’re gonna rule it as,” said Conte, who was injured after hitting receiver Kelvin Benjamin and was ruled probable for Sunday. “I met with the doctors and didn’t have any symptoms or anything. Everyone that’s been a part of this has done their jobs and made sure I’m healthy.”

Hester questionable

Devin Hester told reporters in Atlanta that he will play Sunday despite being limited in practice Friday because of a hamstring injury.

The former Bears star missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was deemed questionable Friday.

He figures to see more offensive snaps against the Bears. Receiver Harry Douglas was ruled out with a foot injury.

This and that

Center Roberto Garza (high ankle sprain) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) are probable for Sunday. Garza will play for the first time since Week 1 and Ratliff for the first time since Week 2.

◆ With Sherrick McManis questionable because of a quadriceps injury and a new knee ailment, Trestman said the Bears figure to use either safety Brock Vereen or cornerback Demontre Hurst in nickel packages.

◆ As expected, the Bears ruled out tackle Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle), linebacker Shea McClellin (hand) and safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring). The Bears promoted linebacker DeDe Lattimore from the practice squad and waived center Taylor Boggs with an injury settlement.

◆ Three Falcons starters who had battled ankle injuries — receiver Julio Jones, tackle Jake Matthews (ankle) and safety Kemal Ishmael — practiced in full and are probable. So is former Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo, who had suffered a knee injury.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com

 

[BringBackDitka54]

Lance Briggs out with rib injury

 

[Toast88]

This O has some issues. At some point, though, surely they'll luck into 30 points. Hope it's Sunday.

I mean, if the Buccaneers can do it...

 

[Darkman]

Same

 

[mecha]

the Falcons have 2 interceptions on the season.

that means they'll get 5 tomorrow. that's just the way it is.

 

[Larsonite]

I know this isn't a popular opinion, but having conte back is huge. With all the injuries to our lbers, conte will play a huge role in decreasing the open middle zone. I think the falcons will pass on nearly every down. I think they want a shoot out as matt ryan is very safe with the ball and they will gamble that cutler won't be. With marshal healthy,i think we have a chance as it opens the run game by clearing the box. But hester could be the difference if he gets them good field position. Imo, it comes down to special teams and turnovers. which makes me nervous. I hate this season. Mel fuckner will find a way to lose this game and he won't get any help from decuntilis.

The only hope I have is in kyle fuller. That's how crazy pathetic this season is.

 

[KittiesKorner]

It will be huge until his first tackle which knocks him out of the game

 

[Larsonite]

It will be huge until his first tackle which knocks him out of the game

I know that's the running joke but I have respect for how hard he plays. He's the tom waddle of free safeties. On a different team the guy could easily go to the pro bowl.

 

[KittiesKorner]

I don't disrespect him but I don't feel we can rely on him and that isn't a joke

 

[Novak]

I know that's the running joke but I have respect for how hard he plays. He's the tom waddle of free safeties. On a different team the guy could easily go to the pro bowl.

How would being on a different team help him finish a quarter of football?

 

[gwharris2254]

but thats after a forced fumble or INT