I was prepared to apologize to Noah for stepping on his column here but this will sort of work as a response to his question.
Here are the things happening in Bearsland that warrant concern, consideration, contempt or just a passing glance.
WHO WILL THE BEARS PLAY AT HOME IN TWO WEEKS?
This is the biggest question that will emerge over the next six days. With the Bears having fully-prepared for and beaten both Carolina and the Bucs and with there being no chance of the Redskins coming to town, that leaves only the Giants for the team to blindly scout.
ROBERTO GARZA, SIX-YEAR DEAL
As it becomes more clear that Terry Metcalf has seriously fucked up his knee, signing Garza may be another stroke of brilliance from Jerry Angelo. They need this guy playing his best and nothing helps a player play better than a little money in his pocket. With news also circulating that Angelo is ready to wrap-up John St. Clair to a multi-year - it seems the Bears have made o-line depth a primary concern.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, 2006
It seems that with Gregg Williams' contract in Washington means he's no longer in consideration around the league. News is that the Rams are targeting Ron Rivera and that would leave the 2006 Bears without their defensive coordinator. There are some good choices out there but I'll give you three quick ones: Rod Marinelli in Tampa, Dave McGinnist...and...wait for it...Assistant Head Coach of the San Francico 49ers...wait for it...
Mike. Singletary.
LOVIE SMITH, DEAN OF THE NORTH DIVISION
We have now have the longest tenured coach in the NFC North. On that note, there's a serious chance that Rex Grossman will be the longest tenured starting quarterback in the division at the start of next season.
HEALTH, HEALTH, HEALTH
If Mike Brown comes back, this defense becomes infinitely better.
THE NUMBER TWO DEFENSE IN FOOTBALL?
If the Bucs win Sunday and come to Chicago next week, the story of the week becomes: who has the best defense in the NFL? You know what, that's sorta fun.
THE NUMBER ONE OFFENSE IN THE PLAYOFFS?
Just kidding...
and now the picks for the Wild-Card round of the playoffs...having finished above every analyst on CBSSportsline, USA Today and the beloved Sports Guy against the spread this season...
NEW ENGLAND -8 OVER JACKSONVILLE
I make this pick because it's the only game I think will be easily won. I would be flat-out shocked if Jacksonville won this game with a gimpy quarterback and they don't exactly have the receivers to exploit the depleted Pats secondary. I think the key for Jacksonville is getting Fred Taylor going early and using the play-action with limited mobility. That being said, this is the playoffs. And Bill Bellichick will stop whatever Jax needs to do and Tom Brady will be terrific.
WASHINGTON +2.5 OVER TAMPA BAY
I have no idea who is going to win this game. Not a clue. I pick the the Redskins for no reason.
CAROLINA +2.5 OVER NEW YORK GIANTS
I'm not sold on either of these teams and I think you have to run the ball on the road in the playoffs. Oh, the Panthers can't do that. FORGET IT!
NEW YORK GIANTS -2.5 OVER CAROLINA
F the panthers. Bring on the Giants!!!
CINCINNATI +3 OVER PITTBSURGH
I'll always take home underdogs in the playoffs.
Stay tuned for Monday, when I'll be writing an obnoxiously long column preparing Bears fans for the Divisonal Round opponent.
#2 Reverend Dave said . . .Just gotta say the Bears screwed the fans on the playoff tickets. I really wanted to go and had 3 phones and 3 IP addresses trying to get into ticketmaster, only to find that immediatley at 10 AM central everything was sold out. I guess the common fan can't get a ticket anymore......scalpers are selling tickets for as much as 12 times face value. Looks like I'll be at Duffy's on Sheridan and Diversey which isn't so bad. Represent at Josie's!! GO BEARS!!!
January 4, 2006
#3 jeff said . . .Yeah according to the Sun-Times. Bears tix sold out in 2 minutes.
January 4, 2006
I didn't try to get tickets. Best seat in the world for me is third bar stool from the left at JWs...
January 6, 2006
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.