The multitudes who predicted Rex would lose his mechanics, miss his targets, and turn the ball over were maddeningly right. I was going to explore the different possibilities and counterarguments for why this happens, but I lost steam. I mean, does it really matter why? This season tells us that if Rex turns it over twice, it's going to be difficult to win. If it's more than that, it's going to take a rare miracle. Plain and simple.
I've made my peace with that. If that's the variable, then fine. He's hit the three turnover mark only three times this season, and the defense managed to bail him out on one of those. So at 9-2, I'm not calling for anyone's head. I'm just saying don't turn the ball over three times. I don't think that's too much to ask.
Rex still has more than a quarter of the season to ride this roller coaster. In another situation that could be good or bad, but with that defense playing for him against that schedule, I'm inclined toward optimism. The "fourth quarter" appears to be the result of some beyond-the-grave machinations by Halas himself. With that outlook, it's tough for me to get too pissed off by tonight's loss. (Besides, just a few weeks ago, who would have thought Peanut would be getting back-to-back game balls?)
No, I think it's much more important for us to gather together and remember that this is a special time of year. It's the time when we put aside our differences and focus on beating the absolute shit out of Minnesota. Get in touch with your inner sadist. So often during the year we tend to just rush through our lives, going through the motions, without really, truly sowing hate where it is so desperately needed. Well, during Vikings week, I make a little extra effort. I put down the newspaper and pick up The 120 Days of Sodom. I stop swerving to avoid animals in the road. I kick children when their parents aren't looking. I send tourists to the rough part of town. I hiss at old ladies and punch the Salvation Army bell ringer harder than usual. You probably have your own traditions. In any event, let's put the Pats behind us. The Week of Hate is here, and I'm in the festive spirit of the season.
#2 Noah said . . .The first stage of recognizing you have a problem is always denial.
November 27, 2006
#3 Midway Monster said . . .How can you be a sports fan without denial?
November 27, 2006
#4 jeff said . . .Yes, let's focus on the Vikes. It was a good road trip with 2 out of 3. Now its back home!
(one thing, if Urlacher has a shot at a QB like he did against Brady; he will no longer expect the QB slide and level him. lesson learned)
November 27, 2006
#5 Feegs said . . .listen, i am aggravated by yesterday more than a lot of things....but unfortunately i've gotten to a point with 8 now that i expect interceptions with every throw...let's beat the vikes up and win our second straight division title
November 27, 2006
#6 Adam said . . .2 out of 3 on the east coast is a good trip. Neither team showed anything surprising (waiting for the playoffs to show that stuff). Sloppy game by both teams. TOs were the story. I don't think Rex throws 3 INTs in a game during the playoffs. Much more conservative game plan then. He let it fly becuase he could w/o too much damage inflicted. Bears will clinch on Sunday vs. the Vikes then take care of home field advantage in the next few weeks. That's the plan. Once playoffs start, the playbook will get smaller and tighter. Until then. let 'em have some fun.
November 27, 2006
#7 jeff said . . .Where's Erik Kramer when you need him?
November 27, 2006
#8 Pissed off said . . .amen on some of these other comments. rex isn't very good but how is the only option for this offense a running play or a 50 yard bomb...? 9-2...nice...
November 27, 2006
#9 Jerry said . . .I have calmed down a bit since yesterday but still no one has answered why we didnt go for it on 4th down. It was fourth and short, maybe 3. And as I said if we wouldnt have got the 1st down or the touchdown we would have given them worse field position than we did after kicking the ball off. Please oh please tell me why?
November 27, 2006
#10 Berry Happy said . . .Well, I'll say it. Lovie needs to show he has at least one walnut and sit #8 on the bench in the middle of the game. Rex uses his time to do commercials and explain how needs to be an all-star. Rex needs to contemplate his future maybe in a broadcast booth for a junior varsity team. Admit it; he stinks, stop the denial. We are winning in spite of him; he is bringing us down. Teach him a lesson ala Parcells and maybe Greise will see that he has to step up like Romo did. Romo does not want to get embarrassed so he does the job. #8 has to go. And to finish, Brian will forever be remembered by me as 'Brady's Bitch".
November 27, 2006
#11 Megan said . . .The week of hate...truly a festivus for the rest of us.
I hate to see people get so down on Rex and predict that Griese would feel some compulsion to bring his game up a level or two by stepping on the field. Yeah, sure, just like Kurt Warner has in his frequent field trips to save franchises around the leauge. Let's ask him how NY went. And Arizona.
Let's face it; Lovie knows something about Griese that we don't, otherwise he'd be in there already. I suspect Griese is just kept around to make the uppity Chitown fans settle a bit.
As for Urlacher, I agree he learned his lesson. Until I make an open field tackle, I will refrain from lambasting him.
November 27, 2006
#12 Mike said . . .Ugh, that hurt
November 27, 2006
About the "missed tackle" by Urlacher:
Tom Brady was on the radio last night, and they asked him about Juking out Urlacher sunday night. His response was something along the lines that he was the only player on the team who would have got the first down there: He said that any other player Urlacher would have leveled, but Urlacher couldnt level him because he had to respect the possibility of a last minute slide.
November 28, 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.