A fun thread: "Predict Our 2013 Season Record"

[JustAnotherBearsFan99]

I really don't get the people that are saying in the poll losing season or 8-8 and 9-7. What the hell do you think we are rebuilding here, we have 3 top WRs, 2 real good RBs and a top QB. I know some will say oh but our Defense is old we have 4 players with over 10 years of playing time 2 or them made the Pro Bowl and one of the other should have. No I am not saying these guys can play 10 more years but 3 out of the 4 should be good for the next year or two while we draft their replacements. Yes we need some new guys on the line and a good TE all can be done in FA, heck we might even add a WR. My point is we are not a rebuilding team we are team that needs to add some key players to put us over the top.

That's how I see it too. Especially after Emery mapped out his plan today.

[GermansbombedPH]

with a coach like Chip Kelly and a complicated system to learn
8-8

with a guy like Haley or Cowher 8+

[Jimmors]

Playoff appearance. We were close this year and with another offseason for Emery, we will only get better in '13

[bearsinhouston]

with a coach like Chip Kelly and a complicated system to learn
8-8

with a guy like Haley or Cowher 8+

German - you make a good point about the complexity of the system. Even so, I would be willing to take a temporary step back for the right person and system.

[The Benjamin]

Of course, it all depends on if we switch to a 3-4. That is a complicated switch. Could take its toll. Big time.

[MPBears68]

I really don't get the people that are saying in the poll losing season or 8-8 and 9-7. What the hell do you think we are rebuilding here, we have 3 top WRs, 2 real good RBs and a top QB. I know some will say oh but our Defense is old we have 4 players with over 10 years of playing time 2 or them made the Pro Bowl and one of the other should have. No I am not saying these guys can play 10 more years but 3 out of the 4 should be good for the next year or two while we draft their replacements. Yes we need some new guys on the line and a good TE all can be done in FA, heck we might even add a WR. My point is we are not a rebuilding team we are team that needs to add some key players to put us over the top.

I agree, JJ, and have been surprised by the glum negativity around here. Changing HCs does not necessarily mean a "long rebuild" at all. Unless maybe you're talking about a new HC who wants to blow up the defensive scheme and gut the roster I guess, and I am sure Emery is cognizant of getting a guy who can/wants to preserve "what works" as much as possible. I really don't see that becoming a major problem at all.

The D was and remains solid. There's only one player (Urlacher) who had a bad year (for him) and he may rebound a bit for all we know after a full offseason of rehab and healing time. Most of the secondary and DL is young. Of those others over 30, Izzy, Pep, Briggs, and Tillman, are all playing at a high level and should have a 2-3 years worth of gas left in the tank. Bottom line is: the D can be maintained at a top-10 level with minor help for 2013 and then be targeted in the 2014-15 drafts for replacement of key, aging players.

The O needs better coaching (now apparently forthcoming), an upgraded OL (must be the key focus of this offseason player-wise), and another receiving weapon (probably a FA TE). All very doable. Just converting this offense from bottom-of-the-barrel to middle-of-the-pack would make a world of difference in the bottom line. Yes, it's doable with the above and losing Lovie was the correct first step. Emery is on it like flies on s**t.

I refuse to be a naysayer. All 6 losses this year were to playoff teams. Only the SF game was a "burn the tape" poor-performance type of blowout. The other 5 were all close and each was easily winnable with a modicum of decent offense. Forget for a moment even about Hester & Davis sucking and all the injuries--even with all that--if we had a half-decent OL and a coaching staff that knew anything about running an offense, we would have won 12 games and the division easily this year.

This team is close. And it has a dynamic, determined, skilled GM at the helm finally. It's has a few key holes to fill (on and off the field), but it is pretty damn close. You can bet that those prime HC candidates being wooed out there see that in Chicago and don't see it in Kansas City or Philadelphia.

[XaosGorilla]

If there were a "too early to tell" option, I'd pick that one. I would describe myself as guardedly optimistic. If there is not a major rebuilding of the parts of the team that are working well (defense, special teams), then wildcard or better is realistic. With a total defensive rebuild, not so much. I have, at the time of this post, not yet voted at all.

[4th and 26]

If we can find an OL we will be a playoff team but if we keep the same crap we are doomed.

[MPBears68]

If there were a "too early to tell" option, I'd pick that one. I would describe myself as guardedly optimistic. If there is not a major rebuilding of the parts of the team that are working well (defense, special teams), then wildcard or better is realistic. With a total defensive rebuild, not so much. I have, at the time of this post, not yet voted at all.

Did you see Emery's presser today? He discussed this in detail. He made it very clear that our personnel are suited for the 4-3, that we don't have the players for a true 3-4, and that the bar would be very high as far as bringing it a new HC who wanted to change it ("he'd have to do a very good job convincing me in the interview").

The clear impression, from this exchange and others, is that a major defensive overhaul or philosophy change is unlikely.

[XaosGorilla]

MPB: No I have not yet. I have heard snippets here and there, but I am currently trying to find it in its' entirety. The Bits and pieces i have heard are encouraging, but too many "would think so" vs. "what actually happens" instances causes me to be wary until the ink hits the paper... guess I'm just a little more paranoid than most...