My good friend Gene Wojciechowski writes for Page 3 at ESPN which is like one step up from being the head writer of DaBearsBlog. Gene doesn't like the Bears...at all. Some quotes:
"If you have to struggle to beat the Cardinals and the Bucs on opposite ends of your regular season, you've got a major problem"
"Too much Bears' indifference, arrogance and self-importance"
"There is a lot to like about these Bears, but more to dislike"
He's right. There is a ton to dislike about the Bears. Let me list a bunch of those things now:
1. Their quarterback makes mistakes and then has the shocking, dribble-down-your-leg audacity to take responsibility for them. Not only that, but he'll then go out despite a chorus of boo's and play well. Prick.
2. Gene says they're not the '85 Bears. He's right. They should stop playing now. Because, you know, if you're not the greatest single season team in the Super Bowl era, you can't beat Tony Romo.
3. Tank Johnson is a bad guy. And he's not playing, right? Why does Gene or Jay Mariotti or anyone else care how the Bears treat Tank Johnson off the field? That's not your job. That's their job. You don't have to see Tank make tackles anymore so don't worry about it. Call me crazy but I'm not one to throw people out in the trash.
4. Gene calls them uncharismatic which is code for "they don't give me a lot to write about." They don't spit on people. They don't date Jessica Simpson. They just win a lot of football games and lately they've played with a lot less urgency - which they can do because they won a lot of football games.
5. Lovie Smith is boring. Hey Gene...who is the most boring coach in the NFL? Yeah. Him. Three Super Bowls in five years. I'll take that.
The truth of the matter is there isn't much to write about on Page 3. Every time ESPN tries to canonize a team in the NFC, it blows up right in their face. The Giants were demolished at home by the Bears. The Cowboys tanked to New Orleans. New Orleans tanked to Washington. The truth of the matter is that from the first snap of the first game of 2006, the Bears have been the best team in the conference. But they don't have the celebrity owner and coach. They didn't get hit with a hurricane. They're not perfect but neither are the beloved San Diego Chargers - who looked alarmingly beatable Sunday night.
I'll take my chances with these Bears and this coach. I like em a whole lot. Even if Page 3 doesn't.
#2 Adam from Pittsburgh said . . .That's actually several steps down from being a writer on Da Bears Blog, which you've very ably demonstrated.
December 19, 2006
#3 Phil from SATX said . . .If Gene Wogciechowski didn't have cute, tounge-in-cheek similies, he'd just write "Bears suck" 400 times and call it a day.
Learn how to use litarary functions that have not yet been acquired for proficient use by seven year olds.
December 19, 2006
#4 paytonrules said . . .I'm beginning to think that every writer and sports analyst is a moron. Exactly 100% contrary to what that a-hole says, the Bears are by far the most interesting team in the league. We have 1) the best returner by far this year (and perhaps of any year - he has the record to prove it); 2) the best defensive player in the league and one who typically provides ample highlight footage in every single game to prove it; 3) a defense that is doing an absolutely incredible job of taking the ball by force (might this be the best ball-stripping team ever?) - and what's more interesting than turnovers?; 4) we have not only a great two-back running attack but one that moronic writers should deem interesting because of the animus reported between the two backs; 5) we have Rex - with his transformation from pre-season bust to September hall-of-famer to October/November record-setter for QB futility to a quarterback who comes back strong after just about no one in the world believed him capable of doing so - isn't he by far the most interesting quarterback in the league? There is simply no NFL story in 2006 to compare with the Chicago Bears, not sure why others don't see it, and I don't really care. The wheels on the bandwagon will collapse from all the additional weight after the first playoff win in Chicago-- but it's kind of a pity to think that they're missing the story right now. I for one am starting to recognize my growing anxiety about the fact that this incredible season is almost over - whatever happens, and I truly believe much good will happen, I haven't had this much fun for, oh, about 21 years. From the bottom of my heart, I say Thank you, Chicago Bears.
December 19, 2006
#5 joe mama said . . .They also don't have
SEVENPro-Bowlers
Congrats to Gould, Hester, Urlacher, Briggs, Kruetz, Tommie, and Ayanbadejo. That's right - 3 special teamers!
December 19, 2006
#6 Still said . . .i think this article is great. the nation's sports writers are just putting a bigger chip on the bears' collective shoulders. they did this to rex and look how he responded. i love it! it used to make me mad when they picked a different team everyweek that was the best in the nfc, now i just laugh. they can bitch all they want, we'll be in miami, while romo and brees and the rest are at home.
December 19, 2006
#7 Hester 4 President said . . .This is a lot of mean spirited crap, ain't it? Who in Chicago pissed in this guys deep dish? I don't get the parts leveled at Lovie at all. It is like Lovie is to blame for Rex's mid-season brain cramp, the injuries to pro-bowlers, and Tank lousy choice of friends.
What's the back story, I wonder? Did he get fired from the Tribune for his crappy ass writing back in the day, only to end up writing on the internet for espn and this made him bitter toward Chicago? Did Lovie tell him to piss off when he asked for an exclusive interview?
Sure Ditka made for easy copy and those 85 boys were entertaining with all their Fridgeness, but at this point Lovie is looking like a way better football coach, so I don't get the shot at Lovie at all.
Lovie has never sounded like the "glass is completely full." That's nonsense. He is just sick of hearing the negative crap from the guys asking questions with the microphones every day and wants some credit for time served. Can you blame him? I bet Wojo didn't like his editor at the Trib calling his pieces "pointless, boring drivel", so he got a job on the internet where there are no editors.
P.S. I know I bash Ditka a lot, but I do it in love.
December 19, 2006
#8 jeff said . . .Who's missing from the Pro Bowl list that you thought would make it?
For me I have to say Peanut
December 19, 2006
#9 Still said . . .you know i wanted peanut to get in but i'm not surprised he didn't. i think roberto garza and des clark are probably two guys who needed consideration.
December 19, 2006
#10 jonathan said . . .Unfortunately, the Beloved do not play enough man to get Peanut in. He would have had to made double digit picks like Vash last year.
I agree with you, Peanut is a pro bowler this year in my book.
Tony Romo? Ugh. I think if our quarterback was judged on the same number of games as Romo played (and I got to pick the ones left out) he would have made it instead.
Rexy, you get the last laugh by bringing that big trophy home...
December 19, 2006
#11 Onside Kicks said . . .fuck the haters.
but yea, the Bears do seem to play well when disrespected, so keep spewing the bullshit, sportswriters of the world...
December 19, 2006
#12 Hester 4 President said . . .Nobody is perfect...bottom line. I wrote a blog on other teams "flaws" throughout the league, so check it out and share your thoughts and comments.
http://theonsidekick.blogspot.com/
December 19, 2006
#13 Midway Monster said . . .Jeff I agree 100% Des and Garza are two guys who often get overlooked.
December 20, 2006
#14 jeff said . . .So Tank has to sit out the next game. Awh schucks, but no matter. He just needs to get his $hit together for Green Bay & the playoffs (we'll trade em offseason anyway).
--Midway--
December 20, 2006
#15 Megan said . . .i'm secretly smiling an awful lot that he may play in the postseason. fuck the law. i want to win.
December 20, 2006
#16 mzkqoevfsj said . . .Jeff,
I love you, what a great rebuttle to that piece of (insert result of defication here).
How can he say that the Bears are uncharasmatic?? Holy crap, does he even watch the game?
Anywho, in case I can't get back on here for a few days, have a very Merry Holiday all!
....and GO BEARS!!
December 21, 2006
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June 21, 2007
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