Who hasn’t skipped an entire season on Madden just to work the free agent market, sign the big time coach, and try dutifully to attain the ever elusive A draft class?

I found it much more entertaining to speculate about who the Bears would draft in Round 2 of the ‘08 draft — I called Forte, by the way — then I did to pick apart the Bears defensive mishaps in quarter 2 of a given game.

Not that I don’t love to watch Bears games. I mean, of course I do. But rather, I’d prefer not to write about them. I’m not a journalist – ”no shit,” you say – so from here on, I’ll elect to leave the season to them.

Until I inevitably change my mind, Blog Down Chicago Bears will not hit full stride until the NFL season stops its…er, stride. February to August, my friends. ‘Tis blogging season.

“‘I’ve played with the guys here for a long time, and there’s no way you can convince me that these guys are playing satisfied,” Briggs said. “Poor execution, poor play, yes. But satisfied? Not this group.”

That makes two of us.

Between Briggs, Peanut Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, and Brian Urlacher, the organization spent hundreds of millions of dollars in new money this offseason. Now, somebody else has to pay.  But who?

Nathan Vasher could lose playing time in favor of Corey Graham. (Yahoo!)

I guess there is a place for philosophical talk in football. (Green Bay Gazette)

Is this the game where the Bears D-line realizes a sack is desirable? (NBC Chicago)

I like Forte as much as the next, but who is Jyle Orton? (Canadian Press)

Probable. Could play

The speculatory words used to describe Orton’s playing status tomorrow versus Green Bay shouldn’t inspire much confidence that the scruffy signal caller will actually take the field.

Orton is recovering from an ankle injury suffered two weeks ago, originally believed to be a high-ankle sprain. When it looked as if he’d be sidelined for at least a month, Orton didn’t think he’d miss one game. Well, he did, and such is the conflict between optimism and reality. Here’s to his return tomorrow belonging to the latter.

The article dictates *chuckle* that the Iz has been a worthy add-on at the tackle position thus far. Which is fine. I like Idonije. He has two sacks and five batted passes through nine games.

But, in general, the Bears pass rush has been horrific. The D-line has registered only 11.5 sacks total all year. Last week, Titans QB Kerry Collins had more time in the pocket than Jerry Angelo’s wallet. Get it? He’s cheap.

The point is, and trust me, this is going somewhere, is that it’s not the right time to highlight Idonije or any other member of the Bears’ sub-par front four. Call it the equivalent of praising Gov. Sarah Palin for her choice of eyewear while the McCain campaign crumbles.

You think I’m putting to much into this? Try telling that this Sunday to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. I bet he’ll have all day to listen.

Depending on how much stock you put into the word on the street, Lloyd was ready to play last Sunday versus Tennessee, but instead, was sat by the team as punishment for possessing the pain tolerance of a Laguna Beach actor cast member.

But let us not harp on the dude, for he had the team in mind the entire time.

Of not playing versus Tennessee: ”It was better not to go out there and have a setback and not be ready for an important divisional game.”

Oh, because you’re Terrell Owens now.

The Bears are ranked 14 in this week’s ESPN Power Rankings. Last week: 9. As the Sex Cannon descends from the rafters, women everywhere collectively wet their panties…if they’re wearing any.

Never did I ever think I’d write the following sentence:

Certainly, there are more pressing needs facing the Bears right now than the play of wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd can’t play cornerback, rush the passer, or return a kick for six for Devin Hester.

Nonetheless, through four games he looked as close to a true number one receiver as the Bears have had this year. So getting him back on the field wouldn’t hurt.

The only problem is, Lloyd wants to wait it out until he’s 100 percent. Since when did any professional footballer play at 100 percent?

Lloyd sprained his left PCL versus Philadelphia in week four. The injury was supposed to keep him out 2-4 weeks, but he’s already missed five games plus a bye week. Even Lloyd himself has said, “I feel really good. I [am] ready to play,” when talking before Sunday’s 21-14 defeat to Tennessee.

To pen the Boost Mobile commercials I loathe so much, “Where you at?”

As soon as Rex Grossman’s fourth down pass to Devin Hester fell incomplete, putting an end to any hope of a Bears comeback versus Tennessee, you had to know this would be coming.  

I mean, it’s no secret that when the starting quarterback is struggling, the back-up QB is the most popular man in town. Nobody knows this better than Bears fans. And when the starting QB is hurt and it’s the back-up that is struggling, well then, all of a sudden Caleb Hanie looks quite studly.

The only thing here is, the last I checked, the Bears were in a division title hunt and looking to stay competitive until their so finely ’stached quarterback returns from his ankle injury. And with Green Bay on the radar next week, do you want an undrafted rookie leading your team into Lambeau?

Again, on the other hand, Grossman is more of a liability at QB then that one friend we all have is as a wingman. You know, the one who thinks it’s cool to point his finger gun at girls, make a clicking sound, and shoot them with equal amounts of desperation and douchebag?

 So what do we do here? I say either Kyle Orton throws some duct tape and dirt on his ankle, returns by next week and saves our season, or Ron Turner introduces the Wildcat formation featuring Hester. All of the time.

Regardless, the story this week will be how well Orton is progressing. As of now, he’s optimistic he’ll be ready for the Packers. If it rings untrue, God help us.

Despite holding key offensive weapons, Chris Johnson and LenDale White, to just 22 combined rushing yards, the Titans found ways to beat the Bears defense through the air. Often, it was Kerry Collins finding TE Bo Scaife in critical situations, including the 10-yard gain that put the game away.

Grossman’s numbers — 20 of 37, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT – will show he played decently, but his errant throws and awful mechanics were a far cry from the nestled comfort of Kyle Orton’s neck fuzz.