I'm in rehearsals all weekend on a new play but I'll be back on Monday morning with a look at our divisional round opponent. Some thoughts from around the Bears...
RONAWAY?
I don't see Ron Rivera as a contender for Miami (Ken Whisenhunt), Pittsburgh (Russ Grimm) or Oakland (Mike Martz, Jim Fassel). That would leave the major vacancies in Atlanta and Arizona. Atlanta is looking for a head coach to come in an manage Michael Vick which will probably be San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. That leaves Arizona. With the offensive talent firmly in place, Rivera might bring the physical toughness that will finally elevate a disaster of a franchise.
PROMOTE BOB BABICH
Lovie won't listen to me, I'm sure, but I hope he promotes Bob Babich to defensive coordinator should Rivera leave. Babich (currently listed as Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers) has been paying his coaching dues for over twenty years. Every time the television cameras cut to the Bears bench, there he is rallying the troops. I'd much rather see him move up than Lovie bring in some re-tread coordinator like Donnie Henderson.
SHOWING THE LOVIE
Apparently the extension of Lovie Smith's contract is all but done. I'm hearing they expect the announcement before the Bears take the field next weekend.
HE CEDRIC, SHE CEDRIC
I called for it a long time ago but I think the Bears are starting to see what a lot of us have seen this second half of the season: Cedric Benson is going to carry this franchise on his back for a whole bunch of years. Running backs coach Tim Spencer has apparently joined our side. I love Thomas Jones but Benson seems to have been created by Soldier Field scientists.
Enjoy the games this weekend. It has been a silly NFL season so I'm taking all four dogs this weekend: Kansas City +7, Dallas +3, New York Jets +9, New York Giants +6.5
#2 BRIANsong said . . .Gutsy move taking all dogs, I will only take one dog, that being Dallas. I think they will be coming to Soldier next week and what a battle it will be. Anyone who has read my posts knows I support Thomas Jones. Benson has looked better than Jones as of late. If Benson can learn to block he's gonna be a star in this league, starting with the playoffs and then to a 1400 yard season next year, that is if TJ is gone. I just wish there was something we could do for Thomas Jones to show our appreciation, I cheer for him to the point I get upset when Benson comes in and takes his carries. I have learned to deal with it but I used to hate Benson, mainly stemming from the holdout last year into the issues at training camp earlier in this year. I have come around to Benson as of late and if he needs to be in there for us to win then so be it. I sincerely want TJ to succeed in the playoffs and be so good that Benson cant get in the game. That wont happen.
January 5, 2007
#3 The Pack is Back said . . .Nice comments, PO. TJ has been a hell of a bear. It'd be great to see him be the star of the postseason.
January 5, 2007
#4 BRIANsong said . . .I'm waiting to collect on the big payout to the dog in the bears 1st game. Just like last year, my biggest win of the season.
January 5, 2007
#5 Phil from SATX said . . .If it is Seattle or Dallas, the payout won't be great. If it is the Giants, it might be.
January 5, 2007
#6 Pat said . . .Just wanted to give a Texas-based Bear fan's perspective on the Ced vs. TJ deal. As a former Longhorn grad student and someone who watched just about every game of Cedric's throughout his college career, I was over-the-top excited when the Bears selected him. He was a true warrior and workhorse for UT, and I thought he would be the perfect fit for the Bears - even reminded me a little bit of Walter in the way he runs. For Benson fans, it has been a tough season to see the somewhat odd and underused way he has been deployed this year. That said, I have nothing against TJ either, except for earlier in the season when I thought he was feeding the fire and trying to rally teammates against Ced. So play after play this year, I found myself rooting for Cedric to get playing time, but then cheering for TJ as he continued to use his "patient" style to find the cracks. What we have here is two excellent backs, and I'm not sure what I would do if in Turner's shoes. I just know Cedric is the future, and if he's given a chance, he will be the best back in Chicago since the Best Back Ever. Also, if Cedric seems a little odd to you, he had the same "truth serum" issues at UT - the dude just says what's on his mind without an outside filter of "how will this make me look?" He's a little like Grossman in this respect. But he really is a good guy and there will be many thousands of Bear fans rooting for him and loving him in the future. Also, some of you may not know that Benson was an outstanding member of Midland Lee, the famous West Texas high school which played a role in Friday Night Lights. His 8,423 yards there is the most in Texas 5A history (the big school segment) and he was the engine behind their 3 consecutive state championships, also unprecedented. The guy's a pure winner. Maybe more than you wanted to know, but let's just say there should be no need to pick between rooting between these two - they're both great, and both will be needed for the Bears to win the ultimate prize.
January 5, 2007
#7 Pissed off said . . .Nice comments Phil- news to me about Midland.
I love TJ, though I'm warming up to CB, only because his level of play is catching up to his mouth. Is there any way we can send Ced to live with Tomlinson for the off season, so maybe a little tact and humility will rub off on him? That said, he's the hot hand, and you play the hot hand. We've been gifted with 3 talented backs and it seems to me that if CB can keep his momentum, it might be better to start with him, then bring in TJ a little later in the game, when there is a little more daylight to run through and he can give Ced a little breather. On paper, these guys are a nightmare for a defense. You just have to use them correctly.
January 5, 2007
#8 Megan said . . .I think if the roles were reversed (ced starting and TJ coming in later) the outcome would be the same in that when TJ finally got in the game he would look like the best back. Maybe teams scheme for TJ and then when a change of pace/style back like Ced comes in he runs for big yards and looks great. We all know they each have their strong suits, for TJ its blocking, catching, and patience. For Ced its explosive hard nose running. We need both backs to produce in the playoffs. If TJ indeed is gone (which I think he will be cuz he will have no interest in being a #2) after the season I hope Ced learns to block and catch, and if not I guess AP is good at that and he could be the third down back.
January 5, 2007
#9 Phil from SATX said . . .What a delimma we have. Two excellent players and for all we know (because this is after all a professional Chicago team) which ever one we send, that one will do well elsewhere and the one we keep will get hurt or just do crappy.. okay I said it. I know, don't kill me!
Both TJ and CB have blocking issues. Every game that I have been able to watch from start to finish, I have seem both of them miss easy tackles and I have seen both of them come up with outstanding moves. We have to let one of them go I suppose because, for one, this competitive commoroderie (sp) will eventually become a distraction or even worse darn unfriendly. Also, each one of these guys deserves a chance to shine and grow and become record breakers. If they are both here, that won't happen. But they won't both be here, we know that.
I think Kansas City and Dallas have a definate chance of winning. I think both of the NY teams are too self destructive right now, esp the G-Men.
I had no idea that CB was from that school in Midland. That's cool to know.
January 5, 2007
#10 BRIANsong said . . .Megan, don't want to mislead you, the star of Friday Night Lights is Midland's cross town rivals, Odessa Permian. However, in the twin cities of Midland/Odessa, the Midland Lee/Odessa Permian rivalry is the stuff of ages, and Midland Lee figures prominently in the movie (great movie btw wasn't it). Also, I think Ced's actually got very good hands, averaged 2 catches per game with the Longhorns or so. I sure liked the one catch I saw for 22 yards in the Packer game - it looks to me like he could do that all the time. As far as blocking, I think that's a matter of will and coaching - he's certainly strong enough to do it. I've been watching his blocks as much as possible this year, not that much available to see, but it seems like he missed some but made more than he missed.
January 5, 2007
#11 Megan said . . .I think Cedric is actually a better pass catcher and blocker than we've been meant to believe. I also watched him at Texas and he was terrific in both of those situations and those were the types of things cited by Jerry and Lovie when they drafted him. I don't think Cedric's lack of development can be attributed to anything other than his holdout and subsequent attitude - with began on draft day. Ultimately I think these two years of little work are going to elongate (sp?) his career.
January 5, 2007
#12 jeff said . . .Thanks for the clarification Phil. Texans are very passionate about their HS football, for good reason. It's like HS Wrestling in Ohio and HS Basketball in Indiana, stuff of legends.
Glad to see that I am not the only blogger with spelling issues.
I think the Bears have been lucky with having both TJ and CB. Contract hold-out stuff aside, we are lucky.
I do like the way CB weaves and bobs.
I have a family member that is a Bengals fan, I wish that Rudy Johnson would run a little more like that. He reminds me of Ron Dane --run like a train.. or at least try to.
There are two things I really like in a football team: An awsome defense (which is why I can't shut-up about it) and an awsome running back. That's probably a carry over from growing up with the Bears.I had no idea that Jeff was an actor? Hmm I'm learning all sorts of new stuff today!
What can we learn about Pat, BRIANsong, or PO'd today?
January 5, 2007
#13 jeff said . . .jeff is a playwright and lyricist. love you all. i peal away the layers at my own pace.
January 5, 2007
#14 jdawg said . . .and spell "peel" wrong
January 5, 2007
#15 Lacy Underall said . . .I like the way Ced punishes tacklers. He brings the ring-a-ding-ding I mentioned earlier in regards to Todd Johnson.
Ced is eccentric, and its interesting to see the media go nuts when they get from him what they're always bitching about not getting from other players/coaches -- Honesty. They bitch and moan about Lovie's "we’ll go from there" statements, but jump down the throat of an honest, yet somewhat odd player who shoots pretty straight. When Ced says he and TJ aren’t friends that is immediately translated into enemies with whispered hints of locker room divisiveness.
When Grossman admits he wasn’t up for the Packers game its time to get the tar and feathers out. The asshole morning guy on the Score called him a pariah today. Sure I’m disappointed but do you really think he’s the only player in the history of this team, or the league for that matter, to not be up for a game? Unfortunately he’s the only one who would admit it, say it was his fault and that he’ll do better.
Anyway, off the soap box. Ced in Soldier Field in January could be our secret weapon. Let’s hope bells will be ringing.
January 5, 2007
#16 District Selectman said . . ."I like skinny-skiing and bullfights on acid..."
January 5, 2007
#17 Pat said . . .Pat, I'm shocked. You want Cedric to be less colorful? Once again, the mental image I built around someone I know only through the Internet has been shattered.
Lacy Underall, I was born to rub you, but you were born to rub me first: lyrics, which, no doubt, have been surpassed only by our resident lyricist. Incidentally, I'm going to start telling all the hipster girls that I'm a lyricist, 'cause that's just fucking awesome.
January 5, 2007
#18 Megan said . . .Not less colorful, just less of a pain in the ass. He can beat up nerds at Denny's, drink Jack Daniels from the bottle, knock up Michael Flatley's ex, or dress up as Southeast Jerome, and I'd be fine with it. Hell, if Ced was playing nude bongo drums with Matt McConnaughey I wouldn't care. I'd be a little weirded out, but I wouldn't mind, as long as he wasn't bitching to the media or leaving games early.
January 6, 2007
#19 District Selectman said . . .uhhhhhhhhhhhhh ( Homer Simpson-esque) Matt McConnaughey... nude....bongos....
January 6, 2007
#20 Phil from SATX said . . .I know what you're thinking, Megan...lather.
January 6, 2007
#21 I like to watch... said . . .JDawg, you are spot on about Ced - said it better than I did. This guy started by digging a hole for himself in his first year preseason lockout. Then his penchant for self-immolating truth-telling just started getting him in trouble. When he was at UT, there was a huge brouhaha over someone asking him which was more important to him, winning the Heisman or beating OU, and he said the Heisman. Yet despite those truthful words, there was no better team player than him. When people ask him questions, they will get the unvarnished truth, not scrubbed cliches and false self-deprecation. And people who are begging for honesty take him to task for this. For my money the most interesting people in sports are those who tell the truth, even uncomfortable truths. Cliches are a dime a dozen... wait, that was a cliche wasn't it. He may be a little odd, but he's not Ricky Williams odd, he is just very sure of himself and wants nothing more to succeed and to help the Bears succeed. Maybe his voiced frustration over not being played earlier in the season will make sense to us as we watch him blossom in the playoffs.
January 6, 2007
#22 mikebdot said . . .I don't say much, but I really enjoy the banter between actual true Bears fans. There is a growing population of people like me who just like to sit back and figure out what pissed off is Pissed about this week, what a district selectman actually does, and what a lyricist eats for breakfast. Thank you all for giving me something to do at work, generally about 4 times a week for about an hour at a time. BEAR DOWN!
January 6, 2007
#23 jdawg said . . .I second "I like to watch" sentiments...
As for the line of reasoning that defenses gear up for TJ running the ball and then CB can come in and change it up there's another side to the coin. When CB comes into the game you KNOW he is going to run the ball because of his supposed pass blocking weakness. I don't agree with that assessment either. It's not as though TJ is much better from what I can tell. Nor are TJ's hands any better catching the ball.
Also, another quick point, McKie is an excellent fullback. He's a kick ass blocker and has decent hands roaming the flats/underneath. He is a key to both of their successes. I remember a few years ago when they ran a multitude of single-back plays that just made me want to vomit (with TJ). A good fullback has been a staple for nearly every big yard gainer in the league with the noteworthy exception of Barry Sanders, which makes perfect sense. But TJ while good is no Barry Sanders...
Jason McKie gets my props this year. He is superb and we need his ankle to heal in time for next week's game. If only I were the praying type...as if God would give a crap about the Bears...I'd have to worship the false idol of Halas and Payton...I'm going to hell anyway I guess so maybe I'll catch the 5:30 mass this evening...
January 6, 2007
#24 Pat said . . .Well, it certainly sounds like the beloved have their respective heads screwed on better this time around. If Rex had only one game left in him that involved dropping his drawers and squatting on Soldier Field I'm glad it was last week.
Personally, every time I seem him throw a sideline out on a shallow route I'm going to stick a lump of coal between my butt cheeks -- for I will pull out a diamond.
Let's hope the Bears can do the same.
January 6, 2007
#25 Megan said . . .Cameron Frye would be proud, my friend.
January 7, 2007
#26 Green Lantern said . . .I know that diamonds are a girls best friend, but in that case, you can keep it jdawg.
January 7, 2007
#27 Green Lantern said . . .btw, you all probably saw it but they announced at halftime that the bears will play at NOON central on SUNDAY. the winner of this game tonight is certainly beatable. if it's the giants they're even more beatable.
ravens-colts sat 3:30 PM
saints-whoever sat nightBEARS-whoever sun noon
chargers-pats/jets sun 3:30
looking forward to it already....January 7, 2007
#28 Megan said . . .um....wow.
wow.
go giants?
January 7, 2007
Interesting turn of events Saturday. We have beaten both the Giants and Seattle before with Good Rex, right?
c'mon Good Rex.
Be the ball....nananananananananananananaJanuary 7, 2007
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