Emissions from the Bear Nebula
Russell Wanek
Posted June 21, 2006

So, what is the Bears potential for 2006?

I'd have to say good, though I am still having my enthusiasm snubbed by the thoughts of how last season ended.

I think this Bears team is configured in a way that they can recover, and maintain a steady and productive level of play.

Do they have the potential for greatness? Not until their quarterback can complete an entire season. At least with Brian Griese, they have an experienced and viable "Plan B" if/when Glassman is again hurt and out.

Most all of their key players are signed for a while, which makes things somewhat comfy from the roster standpoint. I know Lance Briggs is having issues with not having a new contract or contract extension yet. He and Thomas Jones have both missed off season 'voluntary' sessions (the sessions are labelled 'voluntary', but are implied to be mandatory ... which is why Lance Briggs is now listed behind Leon Joe on the linebacker depth chart, which to me is an utter joke).

Not sure what is going to happen to Thomas Jones. The Bears seem determined to have Cedric Benson earning his paycheck this year, so Jones is potential trade material (I do not think the team is stupid enough to cut him outright ... at least I hope they aren't).

The entire defense needs to be slapped around. Hard. Their season ending abysmal performance against Carolina was utterly unacceptable. And if Chris "Toilet Brush" Thompson ever sees the field again as a member of the defense, Ron Rivera should be kicked in the nutsack by a sumo wrestler wearing steel toe boots.

The Bears should win their division again. The true test will come in the post season, when we learn if they are actually capable of stepping up to that next level or merely content to be first round fodder for others.

Random Rambles:

" Nathan Vasher and Lance Briggs are both under contract. They are both whining about getting a new contract. They should both shut their mouths, put on their big boy pants, and go to practice. I will support renegotiated contracts as soon as some of these multi-millionaire pusbags start giving their money BACK when they have bad seasons.

" Ricky Manning will most probably get a slap on the wrist for being an ignorant thug punk who likes to be a bully. If he can still play tough guy ON THE FIELD, I might be impressed. He seems to be just another in a long line of arrogant useless members of society who feel they are above everyone else simply because of their status as a professional athlete.

" The Chicago Park District has decided to quit pretending to be thieves and come right out front with their criminal intent. They are jacking up the tailgate parking spaces to $100 per game. Not only that, but requiring a $1,000 surcharge up front before one can even buy the overpriced parking tickets. This goes in line with their desire to eliminate tailgating altogether, which began with the removal of tailgating spaces during the stadium renovation. So who is the new Park District Director? Tony Soprano?

" The Bears signed two of the team's seven selections in the 2006 draft, defensive end Mark Anderson, their fifth-round pick in April's draft, and guard Tyler Reed, their sixth-round selection, to four-year contracts on Thursday June 8th.

" Safety Mike Brown is back, healthy and ready to knock heads. However, his recent spate of injuries may change the way the Bears use him this season. Brown himself said he is going to take better care of himself, and take time of from practices if he feels dings and twinges rather than practicing through them. It was a twinge in practice, which he ignored, that led to his calf injury.

" The Bears have many former players in the NFL Hall of Fame. However, only 1 of them is a quarterback (Sid Luckman). I don't expect Rex Grossman or Brian Griese or Kyle Orton to be Hall of Fame material. I do expect them to stay healthy and not suck.

" Linebacker Joe Odom is another returnee from the injury brigade. He was hurt last September against Detroit and missed the rest of the season. He has fully recovered from that ankle injury, and has been working at all 3 linebacker positions in the voluntary practice sessions.

" Wide Receiver Mark Bradley is trying to come back from a torn ACL in his right knee last October. His progress hasn't been as strong as he would like. If healthy, he could be a major contributor to the Bears offense. He showed flashes of big play potential, but nothing steady or confidence building just yet.

Coaching Staff

Lovie Smith, Head Coach
Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator
Ron Turner, Offensive Coordinator
Dave Toub, Special Teams Coordinator
Bob Babich. Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers
Rob Boras, Tight Ends
Darryl Drake, Wide Receivers
Harold Goodwin, Assistant Offensive Line
Harry Hiestand, Offensive Line
Don Johnson. Defensive Line
Lloyd Lee, Defensive Assistant
Kevin O'Dea, Assistant Special Teams Coach
Tim Spencer, Running Backs
Steven Wilks, Defensive Backs
Wade Wilson, Quarterbacks
Mike Bajakian, Offensive Quality Control
Gill Byrd, Defensive Quality Control
Rusty Jones, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
Jim Arthur, Strength & Conditioning Assistant

Contact Russell at RRWANEK@aol.com

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