JEFF ALERT! Yours truly will be on WGN Radio tomorrow night at 7:40 pm ET (6:40 Chicago). Stream it or listen in live to my dumb ass.
I'm on record with the fact that I think Don Pierson is the best sports columnist in Chicago. Today he wrote the column I've been waiting for all week. The Bears are villains this week in the Grimmest of fairy tales. Good. I like it. I wouldn't have it any other way.
We don't have the quarterback in eleven national commercials. We don't have the cover boy who is apparently enrolled in the European Model of the Month Club. We weren't ravaged by a storm. The nation will sit in front of their television sets and root against the Big Bad Bears. In Sacramento. In Birmingham. In Gallup. In Wooster. Every Grossman completion will draw groans. Every Jones and Benson first down will be a blast of cold water on the face of a dreaming nation.
The Bears are going to win Sunday. Close the book. The End. And we'll all spend two weeks telling the world that Peyton Manning (or PeyRod as I call him) is not getting his first championship this year either. This is not the Season of the Storybook. This is ouuuuuuuur season. If the nation wants to smile, tell them to watch 30 Rock on Thursdays. Sundays belong to the Big Bad Bears. Hansel and Gretel stay in the oven. Little Red gets eaten. Jack sees a giant and the giants steps on his face.
Bear down, Chicago Bears. Nobody loves you but us. But we more than make up for the rest of them.
#2 Pat said . . .Great piece. They do have the advantage. Bear down.
January 19, 2007
#3 AfroCelt said . . .Down here, it's our time. It's our time down here.
January 19, 2007
#4 mikebdot said . . .I'm sick of watching ESPN and seeing everyone go with the Saints. I'm sick of seeing everyone fall all over themselves to hitch onto the Saints train. I'm sick of catching "The Colbert Report" and seeing the cast and audience cheer Saints.
We'll win. There is nothing but a great opportunity to teach the "experts" here. Bear Down.
January 19, 2007
#5 Phil from SATX said . . .Pat: Is that a Goonies quote?
January 19, 2007
#6 Pissed off said . . .AfroCelt, I'm with you, you know I'm with you, but you do realize that The Colbert Report is satire, right? And not having seen that episode, I'm still reasonably sure that it was a (satirical) reaction to Obama. But you're right anyway. And by the way, does anyone in the country remember how incredibly badly the Saints have sucked, for, oh, the last 3 decades or so? What a horrific excuse for a franchise? Does anyone remember last year when Tom Benson was trying like hell to yank the team out of there (and as a citizen of San Antonio, while our mayor and muckety-mucks were working hard to secure them, all many of us could think of was... it's the Saints! who wants them?)! They are a great story due to last year's disaster and the incredible resurgence of this team... but vs. DA BEARS? The creators of modern football who despite their proven blood line have not won but 1 Superbowl in the last 21 years? DA BEARS who spawned SNL skits, Ditka, Singletary, Butkus, SWEETNESS, the Superbowl Shuffle, the Fridge, Gale Freakin Sayers, and the creator of it all, Papa Bear? WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? Go away Saints, you're going down, and down hard.
January 19, 2007
#7 Somedevil said . . .I hope your right Phil, there are a few national people picking the Bears outright though and a lot picking them in their hearts. I think some are picking the Saints for fear of being blasted because their the feelgood story of the NFL, no one wants to pick against the hurricane ravaged team, except us.
January 19, 2007
#8 jonathan said . . .I'll huff, puff and blow your house down...
January 19, 2007
#9 george jeffery said . . .Pat -- Goonies!!!!
too silly man, too silly.
January 19, 2007
#10 louisianabrown said . . .Anyone notice that grossman's incompletions, dropped balls and interceptions(several close calls) were a result of him throwing the football behind the recievers. Only one long reception by berriman could be classified as a good toss. neverless the bears strategy should to grind the game out on the ground. substitute their fine runnings backs a lot and include the tight ends and running backs on short secure passes. on second and short go long down the field to the wide outs... defensive copy what you were doing in the first half of the season....simple eh
January 19, 2007
#11 Bear Down said . . .Okay, Okay, Chicago is the better city. Chicago has shopping, skiiing, great nightlife, Magnificient Miles and Miles, restaurants, etc. Y'all won in '85!!! Y'all want this. WE NEED THIS! Saints 31, Bears 16.
January 19, 2007
#12 Pissed off said . . .I'm trying to keep a low profile today and stay mellow but reading Jeff's post I want to run through a wall. Great Job Everyone. See you back here on Monday after we know our opponent in the Super Bowl. BEAR DOWN
January 19, 2007
#13 Pissed off said . . .Confidence all around, I sure hope its not a rainy day monday...."always gets me down" we need to win, and win big.
To george jeffrey, its Berrian, not Berriman and dont be a Rex hater, most of Rex's throws were perfect, including the overtime strike to Davis which set up the winning field goal. Dont come here and try to talk meaningless trash unless you got the facts jack.
January 19, 2007
#14 jeff said . . .Hey Jeff howcome your not listed as an upcoming guest on the wgnradio site?
January 19, 2007
#15 NOLA said . . .dunno. the dude just called me. alex goldfayrn was his name. probably hasnt updated the site yet.
January 19, 2007
#16 jdawg said . . .Down South, we people who are not poor and built out homes above sea level don't worry about the hurricane any longer. Its over, in the past, done with. I don't think the Saints will win or lose because of it!!! The Saints will win because the Bears are riding a cloud of good fortune and its time to pay up. All the errors of Rex Grossman, combined with Brees, Bush and McAllister running all over your D is going to let the nation see just how the Saints turned the Bears into 'Da Cubs.
January 19, 2007
#17 BRIANsong said . . .well, game time is approaching an my powers of reasoning are waning. To me this games is like the Friday NYT crossword puzzle -- all the answers make sense on Saturday. This could be a blowout on either side, for all the obvious reasons, or a nail-biter, ditto. Unless the Bear's D has been playing rope-a dope for the past 4 games and 3 quarters, I'm nervous.
But you know what, all I've been thinking about is the Bear's D against the Saint's O. Maybe that won't be the storyline at the end of the day.
January 19, 2007
#18 The Freak said . . .I think the factor that very few people have been discussing is that while the Bears have been allowing all these points, they've lost once. To Green Bay. And the Pack score 14 points on defense - which you can't blame Brian and the boys for. Any other team would be applauded for their offensive production picking up a struggling, injury-plagued defensive unit. We get hammered. And Rex answers the bell Sunday. Bears 30 - Saints 20
January 19, 2007
#19 Really Jay Mariotti said . . .I'm tired of all the hang-wringing among Chicago fans. The Experience of '85 distorted everyone's expectations. The truth is: you don't need to annihilate every team to win the Super Bowl. At this point, you just need to win two games. Two games!
I'd give us a 55% chance of beating the Saints at Soldier Field and probably a 45% of beating the Colts or Pats. So the odds aren't that different from flipping a quarter twice and getting heads two times.
So let's stop freaking out. Enjoy the ride. This Bears team is tough, cohesive, and talented. We've got as good a shot as anyone. And now I hear that Walter and Papa Bear have arranged to have it snow on Sunday. Time to be confident, Bears fans. It's been a long time since we had a chance to write football history like this.
January 19, 2007
#20 mikebdot said . . .You all heard me pick the Saints on Around the Horn and yes you did hear correctly!
I, really Jay Mariotti, will be live blogging the Bears-Saints game along with exclusive special announcements sprinkled into my award winning commentary.
Preview to be posted tomorrow.
January 19, 2007
#21 Phil from SATX said . . .I'm really damn sick of hearing that Grossman throws a bit behind receivers. When Peyton Manning does this Harrison and Wayne and Clark and Addai and Uetech (sp?) all catch the damn ball about 90% of the time...
Also, I just saw the pass to Moose again and there is indeed a man directly between where the ball "ought" to be thrown and where he threw the ball from. It was the correct read and the catch should have been made. In fact, he could have used where the ball was thrown to his advantage and stopped and turned toward the side of the endzone rather than towards the post. Number 1 receivers should make that play 9 out of 10 times. Assuming that Moose is as good as everyone claims that means he's due for another 9 (I know this has no statistical truth associated with it, but it just feels right, don't it? ) :)
But, thanks Jeff, the Bears WILL WIN. End of story. Period, exclamation point. .!
January 19, 2007
#22 jdawg said . . .I'm still on the concept of when will the Bears play to their potential. I think it's gonna be this Sunday. We saw how great this team was early in the season. Since then, we lost two players. On defense. And yes, they were Pro Bowlers. But still... we were beating teams senseless during that time-- it's the NFL, parity and all, and we were rolling over all comers, in a way the '85 Bears (yes I'll say it, I'll invoke the name, I own the season on DVD and have been watching it, best gift ever, thanks wife), the '85 Bears didn't roll over people the way this team did early on. And not just early - on earlier post I noted the blowouts, some came later, just none in the last quarter of the season. Guess what - as The Freak said, we don't have to blow anybody out. 1 point will do it. But I think this Bears team is ready to put together a more than 1 point victory. We've discussed the Berrian (or is it Berriman?) and Moose drops - they MUST, repeat MUST, catch those passes, they weren't that bad, it's not the QB's job to place every ball perfectly, but it is their job to catch anything that's remotely catchable - again, those dropped balls, if caught as they will be on Sunday, are the difference between cruising to victory and OT. The Bears will show on Sunday that They R Who We Thought They R, and they are going to fucking roll.
January 20, 2007
#23 Adam from Pittsburgh said . . .this calmed me down a little bit:
http://www.windycitygridiron.com/story/2007/1/19/141328/501
Listening to Buffone and OB right now. I hope they both took their nitroglycerin tablets.
January 20, 2007
#24 Midway Monster said . . .Finally, Jeff adopts my attitude. While everyone debates the logistics of this NFC Championship matchup, I simply sit back, confident that a Bears victory is approaching. I wont let anyone tell me any diferent. I find that this takes a lot of the stress out of the week proir to the game. Stay sharp, though Bears fans. There will be no shortage of people ready and willing to cut you down in the coming days. Embrace your role as the underdog. Dont back down. Dont waver in the shadow of "destiny's team." The Saints have the better story, but that doesn't count for much. As far as I'm concerned, this will be another great wn in front of the superfans at Soldier Field. Except this time, it's for a chance to earn a big fucking ring.
Bear down, Chicago Bears.
I know that you will.January 20, 2007
#25 Midway Monster said . . .Jeff- I am with ya. These here big bad bears will grab dem Saints by the nose and kick em in the a$$. F the media, this is football and it's really all about who wants it more.
--Midway--
January 20, 2007
#26 DudeVF1 said . . .hey louisianabrown; what is that stupid symbol on the Saints helment anyway? Boy scout symbol?
--Midway--
January 20, 2007
#27 craig said . . .Bears are going to lose, despite Da Coach coming to his senses. The defense is really struggling, about to be KO'd, and I think Bad Rex will show up Sunday. Sorry, but it's Saints 27 -- Bears 9
January 20, 2007
#28 Dave said . . .everyone and their mother is picking the Saints... even the two-bit local newscasters here in New York. whatever. I have faith. I was down in Little Italy today and saw some guy walking down the street in a Bears jacket. I almost ran up and chest-bumped him.
January 20, 2007
#29 RT said . . .Jeff, P.O.ed, jdawg, MidwayMonster, you all suck, You are so full of crap.
Not only will the "Big Bad Bears" lose, they're going to get killed.
Look at it from a pure football stand point. You have a inconsistent QB. Your defense is really looking weak up the middle, and Lovie will panic when they fall behind and put Rex in position where he needs to win the game, and that's were you will lose.
N.O. is going to have a big running day against your worn out defense. Turdwhacker was getting pushed all over the field in the Seattle game and believe that will carryover to this game making the middle the place to go.
Alexander ran pretty easy up the gut, and Seattle doesn't have as good a line as N.O..
Mark my words, Duece and Bush will have a big game.
I still say 41-10 Saints
January 20, 2007
#30 jdawg said . . .We should consider ourselves lucky to be playing the Saints! Would we rather play the Eagles? No thank you. I'll take the dome team with a history of sucking versus the Eagles who seem to have the Bears number (see the last game at soldier field). I like our odds here: Bush/Colston are rookies, Brees is good but over his career isn't a big game winner (see Purdue’s Rose Bowl game vs. U-Dub), and The Saint's D is nothing compared to ours. And oh by the way, the forecast includes snow on Sunday.
And keep in mind, last week the Bears beat a very good Seattle team. I feel like people are forgetting that they went to the Super Bowl last year -- maybe they didn't win it, but they made it there. And we beat them! Twice in one season! It’s not the exact same team of course, but it’s many of the major players PLUS Deion Branch! This is a big deal, and is a testament of how good we are.
Have faith Bears fans, Bear Down.
January 20, 2007
#31 mike linden said . . .oh Dave, you're harshin' my mellow
I have just had a Delerium Tremens, the beer, not the physical state.
Anyway, Dave, f'shizzle my dizzle.
January 20, 2007
#32 jdawg said . . .the bears are going to beat the shit out of the saints on sunday i live in tampa and need tickets to the super bowl...help me out please
January 20, 2007
#33 District Selectman said . . .I just realized my f'shizzle statement could be misconstrued as a validation of Dave's sentiments.
nope
the game will play itself out.
January 20, 2007
#34 Mikey said . . .I want to hear the lamentation of the women. In two days, the plucky Saints get run over. Look at it this way, New Orleans: if the Saints win, you'll only be letting W off the hook. Not on my watch.
January 20, 2007
#35 Megan said . . .RT, are you smokin' wacky weed? The Bears beat a Seahawk QB with two broken fingers and a shoulder tear, PLUS a knee brace... along with a starting running back (Alexander) that still has a cracked bone in his foot and except for Ken Hamlin, a 3rd string secondary with one corner who didn't play all season until the Dallas game the week before. Marcus Tubbs (the Hawks big run stuff specialist) has been out for weeks, and the Hawks offensive line has been playing with a rookie etc. etc. due to injuries. Starting wide receivers Bobby Engram still at about 80% after missing at least 6 games with a thyroid condition and Darell Jackson at about 75% with bad turf toe. All teams have injuries during the season, but the Hawks were way beyond the norm in that department.
A win is a win... I'll give you that. But, get REALISTIC. You barely beat a torn up Seahawks team by 3 points.
I'm not a Chicago hater... but I'm a realist. So that's why I give the nod to the Saints by 10. And just so you know that I stand by what I say... if my Hawks would have found a way to win last week, I would have expected them to lose to the Saints, too.
Peyton Manning - enjoy that Super Bowl victory!
January 20, 2007
#36 Megan said . . .Midway,
It's a Fleur d'Lis (unsure of spelling..)
It's a French symbol for Royalty. And since the French heavily settled LA, there ya go...
Roughly translated it means flower of the lily..So, the Ain'ts are actually PANSIES!!! HA HA!
January 20, 2007
#37 Max said . . .DS, you have written so little in your statemtent, but you have said so much. I am in awe and bow to you, well, not too far.
I think Jdawg needs to be the official "da Bears Blog" Hep Cat? Or would that be Hep Dawg? Whadaya think?
January 20, 2007
#38 Megan said . . .Knock em dead Jeff
January 20, 2007
#39 Midway Monster said . . .DS,
just now saw the "funny commercial" (at work I can only read posts, not bring up any links/media player stuff)
Get some of that stuff, a little polka music and we would probably not hear from the Packer fans until next season at the very least. Sounds like a plan to me!
I don't think I heard the word "boner" enough in that..
Jeff, (not that ahem, I am trying to connect you with boners..)
I am glad that you got some sleep. All you needed to do was come here, get some advice and you're off to the races. Unless, you had a little too much of the firewater and things didn't really "perform", DS has just the product for you.
I will be home on Saturday (Is that the night you will be on WGN?) I will listen online, break a leg, dude!January 20, 2007
#40 Sayers said . . ....a French symbol for "Royalty". Arent the French the biggest non-violent nation. Yean now it all comes together... flower of the lily... I bet its really a sissy-boy scout symbol representing the teams need for their ma-ma's.
The Bears are gonna win. The Saints are weak deep. Yeah they can "swarm" in their pass D at times but they are very beatable. The Bears will run on them all day. Its not a cake walk but it's winnnable folks.
--Midway--
January 20, 2007
#41 Midway Monster said . . .The Seahawks played way, way over their heads last Sunday and the Bears blew a couple of major plays that, if executed, would have given them at least 17 point win in regulation. The defense looked wonderful in the 4th quarter and will step up against the Saints. It's time for a win. I'll take one point but I predict 27-10, Bears with Benson running for two TD's. If it does snow than I see almost no way the Saints win this.
In fact, I'm not sure why a bigger deal isn't made of this. A southern, dome team that hasn't played in the snow all season and who rely almost solely on their offense are not going to know what to do in the snow and cold of Chicago. We're going to win. bank on it!
January 20, 2007
#42 Pat said . . .The Top 10 Reasons The Bears Will Win
1 - It'll be f%$king cold and the Bears like the frozen rock hard tundra.
2 - The Saints are weak in their deep secondary. Rex with throw 2 long TDs and short passes all day.
3 - The Saints suck at defending the run. We'll be running it pal.
4 - Rex will not throw in the middle, only long and very short, he'll avoid interceptions.
When Rex doesn't throw INTs, we win.
5 - The Bears can run.
6 - One word: Urlacher
7 - Bears Special Team are great. Good as Gold on FGs. Oh yeah, we have
a guy who can return punts, you may have heard of him. I hear rumors
that he ran one back on the Gothams 108 yards.
9 - Yeah the Bears D is missing some key players, but there's still a lot of
good players who hit.
8 - The Saints are a dome lovin fag team with a boy scout logo.
10 - God is on our side. Its got to be God.
I mean a 108 return, a playoff OT win, its like the last sports miricle He did, the 69 Mets.
You can't beat God so you might as well get on the bandwagon.--Midway--
January 20, 2007
#43 Midway Monster said . . .Jeff is becoming the new King of All Media. Plays, blogs, and airwaves (so far). Well deserved, and good luck tonight.
January 20, 2007
#44 jeff said . . .Yeah Jeff, whats your resume like?
--Midway--
January 20, 2007
#45 Jillian38EEE said . . .i'd give it all up for 24-20 tomorrow.
January 20, 2007
#46 Phil from SATX said . . .Jeff-
I heard you on WGN Rado and you were GREAT!!! I'm a BIG BEARS fan in the Western Suburbs. Looks like here will be snow for the game and probably 2-3 inches total. Bear weather!
My game scenario is that someone lays an early major hit on Bush and the D-Line puts pressure on Brees all game. I look for Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson to be strong and Devin Hester to take one back.
I talked with a guy at Sports Authority today and they already have the Super Bowl shirts and hats in, they just can't sell them until the Bears win. So I'm thinking about 5:20PM tomorrow, the stuff will be out of the boxes.
GO BEARS!!!
January 21, 2007
#47 Jillian38EEE said . . .Someone needs to tell me about the WGN broadcast, had every intention to listen to streaming, family intervened. What was said, etc. Was it even a Bears show? That dude Jeff mentioned is a computer guy. Jillian send a hat to Texas! We're winning big tomorrow, totally agree with your assessment J, boys r runnin tomorrow, DH going long, big time win a-coming, Midway's top 10 all correct, Go BEARS!! Lovie is the Zen master (where ya been Still? we need a koan) and he's ready! Been watching him on 212 repeatedly. Let's go - is it snowing yet?
January 21, 2007
#48 RT said . . .Jeff-
WAY TO GO BEARS!!!! Sports radio in Chicago is going NUTS!!! Thought I would just tell you one thing. Perhaps you saw Mike Brown on the sidelines lean over the bench in the 4th quarter and say something to a Fox producer. Turns out he said "Can Dennis Green finallycrown our ass now." LOL
With all the national media who picked the Saints and even some local Chicago media people-I'll personally crown their ass too.
Gotta run as I told my boyfriend he'd get a bj if the Bears won by 20.
January 22, 2007
BEARS!!! GAME ON, PEYTON!!
January 22, 2007
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