Roar on the Shore - The Chicago Bears (M18) -

[K0ZZ]

The Chicago Bears
Roar on the Shore

Madden 18 (PS4)
Default Rosters - No moves
All-Pro (Josh's sliders with XP slider edits)

[K0ZZ]

McCaskey's sell the Bears!

(Chicago, IL) - After several years of ravenous fans suggesting that the McCaskey's move on from the Chicago Bears, it seems that an offer was well enough for the McCaskey's to give up their ownership of the team. Though Chicagoans far and wide won't have to worry about their beloved Bears leaving Museum Campus Drive. The new owner of the Chicago Bears is none other than the owner of the newest World Champion's, Tom Ricketts. Ricketts had put in a bit with a few other Chicago area investors and businessmen.

Ownership will transfer immediately to Ricketts, whom has promised to revitalize the organization the same way he had with the Chicago Cubs in his short time as owner. Among his to do lists? Revitalize historic Soldier Field with up to the date amenities. Bring back the winning tradition of the Chicago Bears, and last but not least? Bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Halas Hall. A crowning accomplishment that had not been accomplished since the 1985 Bears which have become something of fantasy in Chicago Sports Lore.

His press conference was rather brief, and while he said most of his attention will remain on the Friendly Confines, he promises to the Chicago Bears faithful that times will get better, and for fans that have been dealing with heartbreak since the 2007 Super Bowl loss to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, after capping off what seemed like a fairy tale season spearheaded by a vicious defense and a stout running attack.

The years since haven't been kind to the Bears, whom have fell from grace. Their trade for Jay Cutler didn't pan out in most regards, while the Bears got a game away from the super bowl, a loss to their hated rivals to the north, Green Bay, and ultimately the team parted ways with beloved coach, Lovie Smith, which led to a major miscue in hiring Marc Trestman, the Bears hoped that he could be the quarterback whisperer to evolve Jay Cutlers game, but the Bears wouldn't return to promise.

Now under John Fox, with Jay Cutler now playing in Miami and their highest drafted quarterback since Rex Grossman, the Bears fans can only be hopeful. They've lingered towards the bottom for the past few years, and while many expect this season to be no better, there are young pieces in place, and the team has youth, an upside. Can Ricketts deliver as he did on Clark and Madison?

[K0ZZ]

Chicago Bears 2017-2018 Preview

The 2017 Chicago Bears season will likely see it's highest points in the offseason, when the Bears stunned everyone by trading up a single pick to land Mitchell Trubisky, shortly after signing Mike Glennon to be their starting quarterback. An immediate quarterback controversy brought along more of a media circus as Mark Sanchez was added to the mix, bringing about an entirely new unit of signal callers following the departures of all of the Bears quarterbacks.

Many expected the Bears to address their defensive holes this draft with several defensive players in the upper tier of the draft, but ultimately opted to fill the hole left my long time main stay Jay Cutler by adding Mitchell Trubisky in a pick that will ultimately determine Ryan Pace's tenure under the newly managed Ricketts regime. Though to be fair, John Fox and Ryan Pace have both stated the plan is that Glennon will be the starter through the season allowing Trubisky to learn from the sidelines in a more controlled environment.

The hope is a success story akin to an Aaron Rodgers whom sat behind Brett Favre for their northern foes before eclipsing into stardom in the NFL, though he was behind a future hall of famer, where as Trubisky finds himself behind a middling NFL quarterback and one whom will be renowned for fumbling the ball off his lineman's rear. It's far from an ideal situation, but for fans decrying the long stay of Cutler, it is a change with a succession plan, which causes some reason for optimism.

Trubisky has largely looked strong in training camp and with other rookies, but with preseason looming, it'll likely be Glennon and Trubisky getting virtually all of the snaps, with Glennon needing to familiarize himself with the orange and blue, while the Bears want to see how Trubisky holds up against some NFL competition and get a solid read for what to work on with him. John Fox and Ryan Pace's jobs are on the line.

The Bears offense will be headlined by rookie breakout sensation, Jordan Howard who quietly burned up the league in the hind lights of an incredible campaign from Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys, whom just barely managed to eclipse Howard. Many pegged Jeremy Langford to be Matt Forte's successor in Chicago, following a long line of successful Bears halfbacks, but when Howard broke onto the scene last year, he never relinquished and is already considered a premiere back in the league. Recent draft picks Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey remain on the roster, while the Bears also added Tarik Cohen in the draft, likened to Darren Sproles, if he can provide that electricity on third downs and in passing situations, the Bears could have a good complimentary piece on their hands.

The receiving corp has changed quite a bit in a single offseason, with the Bears allowing Alshon Jeffery to leave in the offseason to the Philadelphia Eagles. Elevating Cameron Meredith to the top receiver for the Bears. It's yet to be seen if Meredith is able to be a top wide out, but last season he fell just shy of 1000 yards, the ex-Redbird will hope to improve his production. The Bears went out into free agency picking up Victor Cruz, Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton, though this unit will be near the bottom in the NFC North. Victor Cruz's best days are behind him, and Kendall Wright hasn't lived up to the hype that surrounded the Baylor product. Markus Wheaton was buried in the Pittsburgh depth chart and will be used in four wide sets, he could be a decent piece for years to come. Ex-1st round draft pick, Kevin White has has been a bust thus far, failing to stay healthy and only managing 19 receptions for 187 yards in two seasons.

The Bears tight end corp is oddly strong, Zach Miller is a great talent, and the Bears went ahead and added Dion Sims in the offseason, Sims is more of a balanced option out at tight end while Zach Miller is a tremendous receiver. The Bears also added rookie Adam Shaheen out of Ashland in the NFL draft, some referring to him as "Mini Gronk", though that comparison may be quite out of hand.

The offensive line sees it's strength in the middle, with the tackles being the weakest part, Charles Leno Jr and Bobby Massie aren't anything above replacement level, and will need to improve this season, both are still somewhat early in their careers so it is possible. The interior is helmed by Kyle Long and Josh Sitton at the guards and Cody Whitehair at center, this interior is strong and expect a lot of Jordan Howard rushes to be focused to the inside where it's been proven they can hold their own against talented defensive lines.

On the Bears defensive line, Akiem Hicks hopes to build upon a season in which he registered 72 tackles and 7.5 sacks, Hicks is a stud at the strong end, and the Bears hope he can continue to grow into a premier pass rusher on the end. Opposite him is Jaye Howard, Howard is a solid option at the position, a big body that can use solid agility to get to the outside or plug up tackles to close out the ends. Eddie Goldman is a young talent at the center of the defensive line, Goldman has been a terrific piece to the Bears defense since being drafted out of Florida State and should continue to grow.

The Bears have a lot of ammunition in their linebacking corp, Pernell McPhee will return with Leonard Floyd trailing just behind him in the depth chart. Floyd was last years top draft pick for the Chicago Bears, he has tremendous speed with average strength, the Bears hope to build upon his frame and get him geared to start somewhere along the linebacking corp within a year. Opposite ends of the outside is Lamarr Houston and Willie Young, two mainstays from a defensive purchasing spree that brought the two to Chicago, the two offer similiar styles, with Houston being somewhat of a more strong defender while Young is a little more agile. Sam Acho is another talented option that will see playing time along the linebacking corp. Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan return to lock down the two inside linebacker positions in the Bears 3-4, last year Nick Kwiatkoski stepped up due to injuries and some are calling for him to have a breakout year, expect him to play when fatigue sets in, he's talented, raw but talented.

Many expected the Bears to make an early draft move for their secondary, when they didn't it shocked virtually every football pundit. The team did go out and sign Prince Amukamara, who is expected to lead the unit this season, but he comes with injury risks, while Kyle Fuller hasn't lived fully up to the potential that many hoped he had when drafted three seasons ago out of Virginia Tech. Adrian Amos has been a diamond in the rough for the Bears, selected early in the fifth round, Amos has blossomed into a quality starter at the free safety position, he can be a quality leader out back for years to come, one of the better free safeties to play for Chicago since Mike Brown! Across from him, new signing Quintin Demps joins the team as a veteran locking down the strong side. Demps is a good talent, slightly above replacement level and a capable defender, though his age is a concern. Bears draft pick Eddie Jackson hopes to develop into a quality starter, but he is still raw, and not very strong for the NFL game.

The Bears schedule lies on the easier half of the schedule spectrum, thanks to playing the Browns and 49ers, but there is a certain possibility that the Bears start out on a major skid, facing Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay in the first four weeks, the Bears schedule is very top heavy and if they can somehow finish .500, that would be considered a win for this team. Though expect a 6-10 season, a slim improvement over last year.

[RoundingThird]

Don't know if it's okay to post, but I'll definitely be following this. I like Ricketts buying the Bears. When I read that, I started singing: "Go Bears Go, Go Bears Go. Hey Chicago, whaddaya say? The Bears are gonna win today!"

Good luck, K0ZZ!

[K0ZZ]

Jamaal Charles sporting his new Denver Broncos uniform pounds past second team Bears defense

10 38

Turnovers and sacks doom Bears in 38-10 rout against Denver

(Chicago, IL) - The Tom Ricketts era got off to a poor start in exhibition season. The Chicago Bears looked out of sorts from the get go as three different quarterbacks threw interceptions, with Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky combining to be sacked 7 times. Those were the key difference makers in a game where the stats otherwise weren't vastly different in any particular facet. Denver despite a littany of young quarterbacks didn't turn the ball over once to the Chicago Bears who were only able to sack the Broncos quarterbacks just once, a sack on Paxton Lynch that would knock him out for two drives allowing rookie Chad Kelly to get some game experience (2-3 7 PaYds).

Mitchell Trubisky at times looked great and other times showed signs of his rookie status. He made a few impressive scrambles along with key throws through the game, in passing for 288 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His numbers were quite good for only playing most of three quarters (he'd be pulled late for Connor Shaw with the game out of reach). While Mike Glennon struggled in completing just two passes for 37 yards while also tossing an interception. Glennon only played a quarter and the hope is that with more time with the first squad leading up to Week 3, the team should expect Glennon to improve. If he doesn't, the Bears whom have remained adamant that this team would be helmed by Glennon may suddenly have a major quarterback controversy on their hands, especially given how highly drafted Trubisky was.

The Preseason isn't about the result, but the individuals performing and the Bears did have some bright spots, some quite surprisingly. Offensively Tarik Cohen performed fairly well given split reps with Jeremy Langford while Ka'Deem Carey was essentially phased out. Cohen outshined Langford whom barely surpassed ten rushing yards, but he absolutely showed prowess in the passing game, proving to be an effective checkdown option in the passing game for Trubisky, expect the Bears to give him more playing time.

Kevin White looked pretty solid in this debut, catching six passes for 67 yards, not showing many signs of lingering injury. Though he did also drop three other targets in the open field. Somewhat troubling but given that he had fallen off the top five depth chart, it was a chance for the former first round pick to make up some ground on the rest of his teammates before he risked becoming irrelevant.

Defensively, Kyle Fuller looked quite good in his limited action, playing only about two quarters worth of football he logged 5 tackles, with 2 pass deflections, doing an excellent job of keeping the ball out of his wide outs hands. The Bears defense didn't have very many bright spots but Fuller was one of them.

The other was Leonard Floyd, Floyd had six tackles, two in the backfield and the lone Bears sack on the afternoon. Floyd received rave reviews over the training camp with his performance and his improved physical stature and it's paying dividends. The trouble is he is he's in one of the few spots on the Bears defensive roster that has a lot of talent. He may not get to see the football field as much as he should, but the second year talent has shown he can be a force.

Pictures from the Game

Tarik Cohen sheds a tackler early on in the preseason contest against the Denver Broncos

The Draft Class
A look at how both teams draft classes performed in this preseason contest

Chicago Bears
Mitchell Trubisky (QB) 17-37 288 PaYds 1 TD 1 INT
Tarik Cohen (HB) 12 Car 27 RuYds 4 Rec 57 ReYds
Adam Shaheen (TE) 1 Rec 7 ReYds
Jordan Morgan (RT) 1 Sack allowed

Denver Broncos
Chad Kelly (QB) 2-3 7 PaYds 1 TD
Carlos Henderson (WR) 2 Rec 53 ReYds
Jake Butt (TE) 2 Rec 13 ReYds 1 TD
Garrett Bolles (LT) 0 Sacks allowed
DeMarcus Walker (DE) 4 Tackles 1 For Loss 1 Sack
Orion Stewart (SS) 3 Tackles 1 For Loss
Brendan Langley (CB) 3 Tackles

Top Performers

Chicago Bears
Mitchell Trubisky (QB) 70.5 QBR (17-37) 288 PaYds 1 TD 1 INT

Denver Broncos
Jamaal Charles (HB) 20 Car 82 RuYds 1 TD 1 Rec 4 ReYds

[K0ZZ]

Bears make a pair of stunning swaps

The Chicago Bears have made a pair of trades including to a division rival in hopes of bolstering their roster over the long haul. Dealing two veterans and wideout Kevin White in two separate deals to land draft picks and one rookie they thought highly of going into draft day but was picked just a few picks before they had hoped to bring him on.

Chicago Bears Receive: P.J. Williams (CB)
2018 4th Round Pick - New Orleans
New Orleans Receives: Willie Young (ROLB)

This deal may prove to be the steal between these two. Dealing veteran outside linebacker Willie Young to the New Orleans Saints, the Bears maximized their value on an aging veteran whose best years would likely be behind him by the time the Bears were ready to compete, in return they received P.J. Williams, Ryan Pace stated he loved his coverage ability, though the young corner is still raw on the mental aspect, but with John Fox helming the team, the hope is that he can develop into a solid nickel or second cornerback. He provides depth this season and youth for seasons to come. In exchange the Saints receive an immediate upgrade to their outside linebacking corp. Young will likely start for the Saints this season and is expected to start in their next preseason matchup.

Chicago Bears Receive: Kenny Golladay (WR)
Detroit Lions Receive: Lamarr Houston (ROLB), Kevin White (WR), 2018 5th Round Pick

Many experts called the Lions clear winners in this draft pick, while the Bears looked to sell as high as possible on what has been a bust of a draft pick in Kevin White. The Bears were rumored to be interested in Golladay leading up to the draft, but weren't able to land them in the fourth round when the Lions snatched him in the tail of the third. The Lions also picked up Lamarr Houston, whom the Bears let go for one main reason, to get Leonard Floyd into the starting line up, as he slides over to the right side. "Golladay is a guy with incredible skills, he just needs to hit the film room and work on the mental aspect of the game, but with where he is coming in, he is looking real good. We wanted him on draft night, but weren't able to get him. Now we have him and we expect great things from him" Spoke Ryan Pace. Golladay will barely see game action this season unless he breaks out for the Bears through the rest of the preseason, looking to be fifth or sixth on the Bears receiving corp.

[thesportsguru11]

Ayyy another K0ZZ production! Looking forward to seeing what you do with Da Bears. I like that Golladay swap.. you might have given up a lot but you can never have too many playmakers.

[K0ZZ]

Quote: Originally Posted by RoundingThird

Don't know if it's okay to post, but I'll definitely be following this. I like Ricketts buying the Bears. When I read that, I started singing: "Go Bears Go, Go Bears Go. Hey Chicago, whaddaya say? The Bears are gonna win today!" Good luck, K0ZZ!

Thanks!

I thought it'd be an interesting change of pace! Would also give me an excuse to make a new owner!

Quote: Originally Posted by thesportsguru11

Ayyy another K0ZZ production! Looking forward to seeing what you do with Da Bears. I like that Golladay swap.. you might have given up a lot but you can never have too many playmakers.

Hopefully I can get them built back up! Golladay can be a stud, and I try to bring in a NIU player to play for the Bears, thankfully Golladay is a solid talent in Madden and he can definitely be a playmaker for years to come!