As we come to the end of a truly amazing Chicago Bears regular season, it is time for the readers of DaBearsBlog to help us select this season's MVP. Make the case for your choice in the comments. Choices include...
DEVIN HESTER, KICK RETURNER
He scored 38 touchdowns, which is some kind of record. He won a game (Arizona), iced two others (New York, Minnesota) and kick started the entire season in Lambeau. Not only has he been a brilliant return man but he's covered half the field at corner the last three weeks, enabling both Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman to get healthy for the playoffs. And he does fun kicks before he scores.
REX GROSSMAN, QUARTERBACK
I think you guys know I really like football. This fucker gets boo'd off the field in the preseason and wins player of the month for September. Gets boo'd off the field in November and hasn't thrown an interception since. Sometimes people forget the pure nausea that men like Jonathan Quinn evoked. He's had some terrible games but he's had many, many more terrific ones.
OLIN KREUTZ, CENTER
Is there anybody better in the game? The Bears haven't been brilliant on the offensive line this year, sometimes struggling on the perimeter. But the core of their offense has been the center and guards and Olin has not only come to be the heart and soul of the team - but of the city as well. Don't agree? Tell your jaw that when he's shattering it at a firing range.
BRIAN URLACHER, MIDDLE LINEBACKER
He is going to be the most overrated player in the Hall of Fame.
I've got about six other guys I'm considering so don't be afraid to go off. We'll give it a couple days...
#2 Still said . . .MVP? Joniak has it right. Its MVB. But in any case I am going with Olin Kruetz, not Rashied Davis or Adrian Peterson, who I was considering.
1) Our line has allowed 23 sacks this year.
2) Despite some struggles, Jones has 1183 yds 6 tds, Benson has 538 yds 6 tds and AP has 41 and 2. Comes out to almost 4 average. (with 1 game left)
2) If Cedric Benson played for another team, he would be causing an even bigger problem in the locker room about playing time. I think the team chemistry and the line chemistry, lead by Kruetz's overall presence has kept him more in check.
3) Every Bear knows that if someone takes a cheap shot at them during a game, Olin is going do it 10 times over in retaliation. And so does the other team.Rex has been to inconsistent, Hester is a beast but he has fumbled more times than i would like and he couldnt cover my grandma and Urlacher is Urlacher. If he gets it, I cant argue with it. Olin just gets my vote.
December 28, 2006
#3 Max said . . .I am a big fan of giving MNB for games to also rans...however, if we give this award to anyone but Urlacher, we are wrong. He is the stud on the team and should be awarded as such.
That being said, Olin, Rex, Dez, Robbie, Devin. Hell, if a whole bunch of guys hadn't contributed this year, we wouldn't be 12 and 2. Ooo, me likey. I'll say it again 12 and 2.
But Urlacher is THE man.
December 28, 2006
#4 Megan said . . .ya know whats even better? The fact that we are 13-2.
December 28, 2006
#5 Lester said . . .I agree with Urlacher as the choice for DBB MVP.
We could give it to him on talent alone. He is an animal, has the reflexes/speed of a cat (except when Tom Brady is batting his baby blues at him.. ) the squashing strength of Thor and the ability to read plays like a real psychic, if there is such a thing.
Talent aside, lets talk attitude. With all the crap that went on this year about Grossman's inability to perform in certain circumstances (Okay, okay... I was a naysayer), Urlacher stood up for him. That meant volumes. Think about this. What other team do you know that the offense and the defense SUPPORT EACH OTHER??? Benson complains about playing time, but honestly, both sides of the ball support each other. I think that has tons to do with the better and more established players, like Urlacher not talking trash about each other and supporting each other and keeping their opinions about who should be doing what to themselves, or at least out of the press. That is a team.
We could have the best players in the world but they have to be able to work together and work together well. Attitude is half the battle. Look at the NYG, Tiki/Plexico/Manning/Shockey (sp) and Strahan. They are all good players but the come out in the press and rip on one another! well maybe not Manning .. Pointing fingers changes attitudes and it becomes everyman for themselves. If they can't work together, they can't work.I also think that Lance Briggs should at least get a nod at the very least for his efforts. If it's not Urlacher, it's usually Briggs making big plays.
December 28, 2006
#6 Pissed off said . . .Don't laugh -- Thomas Jones is the man. While everyone was distracted by a nonexistent QB controversy, Jones manned up and kept Benson on the bench. He's got guts and staying power. His numbers say he's the most productive offensive player on the best team in football. He's turned the ball over one time. Hester's TDs aside, he had the play of the year against the Giants: a first down run on 3rd and 22. Let's give the man his due: Most Valuable Bear.
December 28, 2006
#7 Ron said . . .I'd like to agree with Lester on Thomas Jones, no one respects this guy, he gets no credit, if had the work load of other number one backs, he could be the leader in rushing and maybe TDs in the NFL, with the exception of LaDanian Tomlinson. But no.....Benson takes away his carries and Jones only gets about half the workload of a number one back.
The rightful MVB shoul be Urlacher but that could be the case every year, hes the best defensive player in the NFL. This year I'm going with Rex, this guy has single handedly given us a glimmer or hope that we can pass, pass and pass, even down the field for more than 100 yards per game. How long have we been waiting for a guy like this, Since Erik Kramer and he's nothing compared to what Rex CAN be, and he has a ton of good years left, he's just getting his feet wet. With his ability and staying power over the years, this season has been magical seeing that we can put up big numbers on offense instead of squeaking out games thanks to the defense.
December 28, 2006
#8 Midway Monster said . . .While everyone on the list is deserving, I'm going with Grossman.
1) He has kept a positive attitude and acknowledged his mistakes throughout the season.
2) He appears to have made great adjustments after playing like an MVP for the 1st half of the season, then digressing to one of the leagues worst.
3) Although he contributed heavily to our only losses this year, he has meant more in many of the wins.
4) His teammates believe in him. I don't know if this has to do with what Rex brings to practice, huddle, and lockerroom or if it is what Lovie has instilled in the team. Nonetheless, all of his teammates stood by him in the midst of a rain of boo's and demands for his head. They all see something that many don't.
5) He is our future and I think our future looks bright.December 28, 2006
#9 jeff said . . .As much as I **love** Urlacher and the explosive Bear defense...and as much as I agree the D won many games for us... Devin Hester had such a damn beautiful return verses the Giants (as well as many other occasions) that I gotta vote him as the MVP. In fact, I still send still shots of his return (with Gman #60 falling on his royal ass) to harass my NY Giant Fan friends.
Cost of a MNF game at the Meadowlands: $120.00
Cots of transportation to/fro the game: $200.00
Cost of a 108 runback with Giant players falling on their a$$es... priceless--Midway--
December 28, 2006
#10 Brad said . . .so it's hester, urlacher, grossman, kreutz and thomas jones down the stretch. let's see how people weigh in going forward.
December 28, 2006
#11 Still said . . .There are a lot of Bears to admire this year. From Robbie G, to the best two rookies this side of Vince Young (Hester n Anderson), to Olin, Rex, Muhammed... But let's be honest, it's still the D that makes the Bears the Monsters of the Midway. And while it's not fair to give Urlacher all the credit, it's clear he's the heart and soul (and does a good job of keeping the team working like a team, no matter how much individual praise is sent his way). For me, the most important play of the season was Urlacher ripping the ball loose to cause the second fumble-returned-for-TD in that 4th quarter vs. Arizona. It defined the attitude of this team -- they can win even when the offense is going in reverse. I know we'll need more than that to make it through the playoffs, but lets raise a glass to big Brian and the defense he leads.
December 28, 2006
#12 nick said . . .Doh!! Good fact check for me, Max. 13-2 is even better.
I guess I should lay off the sauce before posting...
December 28, 2006
#13 Midway Monster said . . .I have to vote MVB to Hester. Sets a NFL record and is the one guy who every single person on the other team say "AHHHHHHHHHHH *fudge*!! we gotta kick to him!!" He has the potential to change any game when he gets his hands on the ball. No disrespect to any other Bear, but this year its gotta be Hester. Our own bench clears when the other team punts just watch the magic this guy makes. Special is an understatement.
December 29, 2006
#14 Fred said . . .I bet I can sure up the Devin Hester vote by having you all visit: http://youtube.com/watch?v=l-CvigCTQSQ
December 29, 2006
#15 Max said . . .MVB.....
Who on that list would it hurt the most to lose? Brian Urlacher.
Who on that list can be replaced by another player and it not affect wins and loses? Everybody but Urlacher.
No contest, Brian Urlacher is the MVP this year.December 29, 2006
#16 Midway Monster said . . .Ok Fred, I will give ya the first one. Of every player on the Bears, losing Urlacher would hurt the most.
(like losing Tommie x Ten)But to say that losing Kruetz would not affect the wins and losses is not 100% accurate. I mean the man is the leader of the offensive line. If he goes down, we have to move Garza over from guard. Garza is good, but we would be losing a perenial pro bowler and arguably the best center in the league.
December 29, 2006
#17 bearsfan3450 said . . .Fred- that's not how you pick a MVP. It's not the "most accomplished", "most steady", its not "most wanted"- its the "most valuable based on performance this year. Who stood out based on what they did. I still say Hester!
--Midway--
December 29, 2006
#18 District Selectman said . . .Hard to recognize just one MVB. So here are a few honorable mentions that deserve a mention.
1. Brad Maynard. What a stud! How many times has he pinned the opponent deep inside the 20 and keep great field position. We take for granted a solid punting game that helps when the defense and/or offense is struggling.
2. Devin Hester. He changes games. He has single handedly turned around games. He makes the other team re-think how they punt and kickoff.
3. Olin Kruetz. He runs the offensive line, is a leader in the locker room and has keep our running game solid and protecgted the QB.
But the MVB to me is the player you can't lose, and that is Brian Urlacher. He is better with every game. What I love about him, is that he takes it personally. He wants to the best LB to ever strap on a helmet. He plays with passion and he makes our defense dominate.
December 30, 2006
#19 nick said . . .I can't choose between Urlacher and Hester. Minus those two, we're 9-6 right now. Both have had some critical mistakes, which is why I don't think either one runs away with it, but I don't see how you can go with anyone else.
December 30, 2006
#20 Ted said . . .Fred, Im not gonna disagree with you on Urlacher, but come on man, name 1 person in the LEAGUE that can replace Hester and what he has done for Chicagos' team this year. SERINDIPITY BABY!!!!
December 30, 2006
#21 jeff hubbard said . . .This is an embarrassment of riches, voting for the MVB. We have maybe the best young QB in the league in Rex, the most exciting Bear player I have seen since Gale Sayers in Hester, and a locker room full of studs like Olin... but the one guy who can always be relied on to stuff the other team (except for that little Brady scamper) is Urlacher. I came to Chicago the same year that Butkus and Sayers arrived, and Butkus was thrilling on defense, the way Sayers was thrilling in every other way. Then after some years of waiting, we got Mike Singletary, and everything was golden again. After Mike retired, we felt his absence like a missing tooth.. and then.. mirabile dictu... Brian Urlacher, a safety (!) from NM arrived. I never thought I would say this, but he almost makes me forget Butkus and Singletary. Brian, you are Da Man... my MVB.
December 30, 2006
#22 jeff said . . .Brian Urlacher would be my choice. There is no doubt he will make a statement come playoff time.
December 30, 2006
#23 Max said . . .though good arguments were made for rex and thomas jones and olin kreutz, i've narrowed the choice to hester and urlacher. keep it going.
December 30, 2006
#24 The Pack is Back said . . .I have casted my vote already
December 30, 2006
#25 xgohtzdsgl said . . .Grossman is the MVP. I'm sure all the Packer fans would agree and I'm sure the team that he gives the ball to in the divisional playoff loss for the Bears will also agree.
January 2, 2007
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June 21, 2007
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