I guess the Bears shouldn't pick offensive players in the first round anymore. Their track record on those since 1991: Chris Williams, Greg Olsen, Cedric Benson, Rex Grossman, Marc Colombo, David Terrell, Cade McNown, Curtis Enis, Rashaan Salaam, Curtis Conway, and Stan Thomas. Before those, you had Brad Muster, Wendell Davis, and Jim Harbaugh, and you could argue that those weren't even successful 1st round picks. You'd have to go back to 1986 to find a legitimately well-spent 1st round offensive draft pick for the Bears: Neal Anderson, RB.

Plus the 1997 #1 they traded for Rick Mirer.

/cries

fans booed Rex Grossman after he fell on his backside during an unsuccessful backpedal

Odd, you'd think Rexy would excel at going backwards...

Olsen and Columbo have become starters, so it's hard to say those weren't successful picks. Still, that's a motley crew. I'd also like to thank the Bears for drafting Williams because the Eagles were a good bet to take him at #19. So, thanks.

I predict the 08 Bears will contend with the 05 49ers for worst offense of the DVOA era.

The latest Onion has a more optimistic take on the Bears Offense. See link in my name.

Wow, #1, that is . . . actively depressing. And I'm not even a Bears fan.

I am starting to think that people are really sleeping on the Bears.

#4:

Whether or not Olsen turns out to be a solid player in the NFL is TBD. Colombo was awful with the Bears, before turning into a solid starter for the Cowboys.

rex was/is a starter.

What the hell goes on in the mind of Jerry Angelo? I know the Bears are claiming that this surgery is unrelated to any pre-existing problem, but given how many other teams were concerned about the guy's back, I'm doubtful. Planning on a rookie to play left tackle is enough of a reach without adding the back issues. It doesn't really matter now whether Orton or Grossman play competently, because they are gonna get killed. Also, I doubt Pennington's agent will be taking a call from the Bears, if the Bears were inclined to make one.

Oh, and if they don't bring back Turnstile Miller, they may go with St. Clair at tackle, who will deifinitely get somebody mutilated. I wonder if it would be legal for a Bears qb to dress up in one of those padded suits they use to train attack dogs?

#12 St. Clair was much better down the stretch than Miller. Not even close. He was solid at both RT and LG. Miller singlehandly destroyed any positive DVOA that the Bears managed to produce from time to time.

The bigger question is how Williams' managed to clear the Bears' medical review. How is that even possible? A back condition so bad that he signs his contract, puts his pads on for the first time for live contact and then "tweeks" his back. WTF?

Hopefully Will Carroll chimes in on this one.

Grossman looked like shit, but the backpedal wasn't his fault, the LG stepped on his foot.

Orton also had a completely unforced fumble while flushed to his left, just fell out of his hand without a defender near enough to touch him.

I'd love to see the film of St. Clair being "solid" at tackle. Bulger gets a concussion at mention of his name.

#15:

Which is why St. Clair would go to RT, and Tait would go back to LT, where he has played for the Bears since he signed with them.

Not an optimal solution, but somewhat workable. Much better than bringing back The Human False Start.

"I am starting to think that people are really sleeping on the Bears."

That would be a switch, since the Bears offense has been in hibernation for seemingly forever.

On a positive note, Matt Forte looked smooth and Garrett Wolfe played very well. Third string QB Caleb Hanie also was impressive. (Yes, I know it was against scrubs on defense.) Since the Bears always seem to have the third string QB play at some point during the season, it would be nice to have someone in that role who shows some potential.

Looks like a good first game for Dwight Freeney's recovery from lisfranc surgery. Actually, a rookie might have boon good news for him too.

Obviously, kenneth, the Bears will do what they need to do with what they have. I just don't understand Angelo's thinking in regards to what they have. I know they had to spend a lot of money to keep their defensive personnel intact, but good gravy, how do you end up with such unproven, or proven the wrong way, personnel at quarterback, running back, receiver, AND offensive line, to the point that an injury to a rookie is cause for grave concern?

#15 You should take another gander. His play has improved markedly over the last two years. The primary reason the Bears saw a slight uptick in offensive performance down the stretch (from #32 to #25 weighted) is because the offensive line stablized when St. Clair replaced Miller (who sucks) and Metcalf (who sucks more if that's possible).

Re 15:

Ron Turner places more importance on protecting the quarterback than Mike Martz. Yes, St Claire is not Orlando Pace, and yes, I'm worried about him starting a left tackle. However, he is not the worst tackle I have ever seen. He is probably about average. At least on the right side, we'll see on the left.

#9

I wouldn't have said Columbo was awful for the Bears, or even neccessarily a bad draft pick. Yes he got hurt, but it was a freak injury on a terrible surface. He was starting to play pretty well for a rookie, and looked like he was going to be a good player. It really isn't fair to pin that pick on the front office and say they blew it, it was just very bad luck for all concerned.

I didn't want the Bears to let him go in the end, but I guess they thought everybody needed to move on. Columbo would always have had a lot of baggage if he had remained in Chicago which would have made it tricky for him.