This is the hardest thing I've ever written.
I love you all. What a wonderful season.
I'll write tomorrow and we'll talk.
I feel terrible. This was ours.
Tomorrow...
#2 Geoff Walford said . . .I was rooting for the NFC since Seattle (Go Hawks! Arizona 07) got put out by the Bears in OT by 3 and the Bears beat the Saints (what a walloping that was) I was hoping the Bears could shut the critics up and stop them from calling the NFC the weakest conference.
This did not happen, the NFC representation fell apart, its defense worn down and picked apart by Payton Manning and the Colts, its offense losing yards and not regainig ground as a good team should. There were no bad calls a couple questionable but all in all a well played game. the Bears showed up and then hibernated, showed up and then lossed some yards and hibernated again. What the hell happened out there?
I do not see the Bears recovering from this next year, sorry but I just dont. You need a QB! Urlacher, Harris and Hester cannot carry this team, defenses do win games but not at the level anticipated, offense needs to show up and play the absolute best they can, even the Bears defense needs a break!
I can say that we over here in Seattle know what it means to lose a superbowl, IT STILL HURTS! but what the hell your team made it and did the best it could!
It was a good seaon for you guys and it sure is funny how similar your season was to ours last year right down to the wins and losses, the difference is definatley in offenses!
Good luck next year I hope you get a stronger QB and it may Rex but hopefully he gets better!
Good run Bears!February 5, 2007
#3 Da Colts said . . .Do the Bears actually have a backup QB? I have never seen a more pathetic performance. I couldn't sit down watching this game I was so pissed off. Grossman is going to used in the same context as Claven from now on. Maybe Urlacher should have thrown the ball too. It may have been the only chance the Bears had. FUCKEN PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 5, 2007
#4 trooper7 said . . .mwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!
February 5, 2007
#5 Badtwin said . . .Hmmm, thats a tough way to lose. During Da offseason the Bears must find a new QB. ENUFFF SAID......
February 5, 2007
#6 Megan said . . .I'm devastated. That damned Grossman has done it again! He sucks. Will the Bears EVER get a great quarterback? We had the game won. Run the ball! All he had to do was not fumble and not throw interceptions! The defense got tired during the third quarter. They have been bailing his ass out all year long!
February 5, 2007
#7 AfroCelt said . . .Wow, I was so upset last night. I had to walk away in the 3rd quarter, take a breather. I am not as upset this morning.
Well we lost that sucks. The Defense was on the field way too long and I thank goodness that no one else was hurt. I saw Briggs get up slowly once and it scared me a little.
We were out-played. Pure and simple. We couldn't come up with first downs. Vasher covered well most of the game. Hester, what a great start! I think it could've have been closer if Rex had calmed down little and held on to the ball. Hind sight is 20/20. I think I'll stop there.
The Bears are a good team. I hope we see more development/maturity out of them next year. If the stars align right, no one gets hurt or re-injured, we'll be back.
I still love my team. And thanks again to all of you for helping it be a great season. I have had a blast.
Congrats Colts. You played well.XXOO
February 5, 2007
#8 The Pack is Back said . . .We were definitly outplayed. Well, here's to next year, cheers.
Megan, You show what a bears fan should be: classy.
I hope it rubs off on the Colts fans to come onto the site.
February 5, 2007
#9 Bill Cummings said . . .I hope the bears keep rex for next year. He's what we thought he is. I know his rating was over 100 in the 1st half. What was his final rating?
Wasn't that the worst outing by a superbowl team ever? But we all know the bears didn't belong in the SB to begin with.
February 5, 2007
#10 Midway Monster said . . .At the beginning of the game, I was overwhelmed with excitement! The defense contiued to play their hearts out but were on the field too long, I knew the DA BEARS were in serious trouble.
The congratulations to team and a great season but we must look to the future now and not procrastinate. I recommend the front office aggressively find a quarterback (i.e. Jeff Garcia) to take the Bears to the next level; win the superbowl to next year!!!February 5, 2007
#11 Megan said . . .I feel as if I had one of those nights where I wake up in a strange bed, hungover, lost, and worse yet- i puked all over myself. WTF happened...
--Midway (in Bear Rehab)--
February 5, 2007
#12 said . . .BTW I am going on record to say that I am not blaming Rex for the loss. The Bears Lost.
February 5, 2007
#13 COLTS, BABY!! said . . .What about Lovie's coaching? He never changed from 4 down linemen rushing Manning, even when they were behind. Only way to beat Manning is put pressure on him. Gamble and throw in corner and safety blitzes but just ATTEMPT to get to him.
February 5, 2007
#14 Pissed off said . . .GUESS THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE BEARS FANS SHOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN SO COCKY, HUH? GIGGLE, GIGGLE....REX IS AWESOME.
February 5, 2007
#15 Big Easy Benny said . . .We will be back next year flybait, I know it hurts, Im there, but the Bear will not choke with a 9-7 season next year like the Hawks did.
This sucks, I dont know what to say, Rex wasnt very good, a couple very bad throws. Instead of people celebrating and getting it on in the streets of Chicago now everyone is trying to get the taste out of their mouth.
All for nothing, What can I say, Im sure this will turn into Da Colts Blog here today but thats OK cuz I'm only going to read Bear fans comments, with the exception of flybait post #1.
We did it all for nothing, what do we come away with......more questions about Rex after we thought we had his good/bad problems taken care of........a broken heart. Fuck I dont know, I give up.
I have been Rex's biggest supporter all year and Megan I see you wont totally blame Rex and I wont either cuz whats to say whoever else we had in at QB wouldnt have thrown a pick or two. I will put more blame on him than you though.
I love this guy but after last night I honestly dont care if they draft a QB in the later rounds just to challenge him or even trade for someone. When he gets some real competition in there, (not Griese) maybe he'll step up. Like Brees did in San Diego when Rivers was drafted.
February 5, 2007
#16 Deez colts said . . .I loved seeing the Bears take it "UP DA GUT" on the goal line stands! They shoulda lost by 30... the Saints woulda given the Colts a much better game.
I was in Chicago for the NFC Championship and I must say that I've never seen such obnoxious fans in my life. Yes, all teams have bad fans, including N.O. but in Chicago it was probably a minimum 20-30 %. Not a fun bunch to be around... I hope we play you guys in the Dome next year - it'll be a whole different story. Before the NFC Championship I would have pulled for the Bears if the Saints had lost but after that crappy experience, I was Colts all da way!No wonder the Bears lost their cheerleaders - fans probably treated them like crap, too!
February 5, 2007
#17 Somedevil said . . .A few weeks ago when the colts won the AFC championship i came to this site looking for what bears fans where thinking of the colts. I was shocked to find that you feel are team is "Vanilla and is the same thing every snap" and "all we need is Hester to give us good field postion and wrecks grossmen will be MVP". I believe that all theAFC playoff teams could have beaten the bears last night after the way the bears played, thats how weak the NFC is. You had a quaterback that had a sub par year and still lead you to a superbowl. Maybe you should be thankful your team played longer than 30 other teams. It was your offense and defense that was vanilla and didn't have a shot in hell to win. You call peyton "Peyrod" i beat you would trade urlacker for manning any day. Eat my dust chicago. Remember aslong any peyrod, ray lewis, LT, and brady are in our conference you don't have a shot in hell. You'll never here from me again and thanks for the game ,but the real super bowl was two weeks ago with the pats.
February 5, 2007
#18 Big Easy Benny said . . .Jeff,
Thanks for everything you've done for us.
My emotions are all over the place and I just don't know what to say.
Remember that we are all here for you and we will get through this together.
February 5, 2007
#19 Wzup_Dawg said . . .PISSED OFF, you portray an accurate representation of da Bears fans.
Grow up... Gross Man sucks & your D took it up da gut & up da ass.
Bear down on this!
February 5, 2007
#20 camacho said . . .Up here in the Great White North, (Toronto,Canada), My friends and I waited 21 years to see Da Bears back in action. I pray that we don't have to wait another 21 years to see them in the Super Bowl again. I have to go now, I have to call my relatives in Chicago and send them my condolences.
Alas, the NBA season is still young...GO RAPTORS!!!
February 5, 2007
#21 Big Easy Benny said . . .get the fuck off my website u punk ass hoes
February 5, 2007
#22 AfroCelt said . . .Who be u camacho? By the way, what's an ass hoe?
February 5, 2007
#23 Tiger M said . . .We still have almost all our talent returning...hibernation time and back next year.
How many of these hecklers would be here if the Bears had won?
"Bad fans" what?
February 5, 2007
#24 Big Easy Benny said . . .Well I guess this Karmic payback for the Katrina sign.
Enjoy.
February 5, 2007
#25 BIG EASY BENNY BLOWS said . . .Yeah, the Katrina sign was pretty classless. Hey we had a blast at the game, though (asshole fans notwithstanding). Alot of good, rowdy fans, too - they are the ones that make the away games fun to go to. The assholes ruin it for everybody...
February 5, 2007
#26 did we watch the same game? said . . .Great to see that people from NO are still more worrried about a football team then they are about rebuilding a city. Shitty comment sure, I was there for the LSU - Illini game, you wanna talk about asshole fans. Stay down in the bayou from now on.
February 5, 2007
#27 Sayers said . . ."this was ours"? i'm assuming you're referring to the ass beating. listen, even with that twelve year old girl throwing softballs for inteceptions, your defense still couldn't stop anything. the colts took it at you and you folded. the bears just got beat by a better team last night.
February 5, 2007
#28 Bill said . . .Attention my fellow Bear fans. Hopefully you all see how not to act after winning by looking at the commentary on this site coming from the not so humble in victory Colt "fans" (yeah sure) who are hear to talk trash. Please remember this. Next year, when we win it all and beat some team other than the Colts in the Super Bowl, hopefully none of us will go and kick the other guys when they are down.
We had a great year and this was a great team that just came up short. Don't forget that. Yesterday, the Colts were better but I have no congratulations for the trash talking pieces of shit coming to this board. So instead I'll say this:
Way to Go Bears! You had a great season and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Let's get back next year and this team let's win this thing. Don't let the bastards get you down!
February 5, 2007
#29 ED said . . .Deez Colts -
As a long time Bear fan I will admit I knew absolutely nothing about the Colts team. Of course, I blame the media for that - to hear them talk, they had Manning and a bunch of other guys. Obviously not - they had a very well balanced team that was coached well and focused despite a rough start.There were several scenarios where the Bears could have won. Obviously, 5 turnovers and 20 minutes of possesion time and only 19 runs wasn't one of them (though they were still in it until Rex's Pick 6.)
By the way, I would not trade Urlacher for Peyton Manning.
February 5, 2007
#30 Still said . . .Jeff - Yours to lose? What game were you watching. Other than the (2) plays...it was all colts. Face the fact Chicago and all Bears' fans. THE (not da) STILL SUCK!
February 5, 2007
#31 Bill said . . .Jeff, guys and gals, it has been a pleasure.
I expect to see us all here next year talking about how we remained faithful and were rewarded.
As for this season, I think we already were rewarded. How many of us really thought we would end up in the Superbowl back in August? We hoped, but we did not expect.
Did we really expect huge contribution by the rookie class? Did we really expect Grossman to give us many quality starts? Did we really expect to leave the Meadowlands undefeated? Did we really expect that Peanut would develop into a stud after last years playoff game? Etc...
I'm proud of these guys. I think they will back.
2006 NFC Conference Champs. Can't take that away from us. Even if we blew in the final game.
What Lovie won't say:
"Yeah, we were doing ok, until Jesus made Rex fumble. He HATES our team"
February 5, 2007
#32 HewieCanDoie said . . ."Sayers" -
I agree with your take on the Colts fan - but forgive them - they are Hoosiers after all. (Any state that picks what is essentially menat to be an insult as their nicknmae is confused at best.)I especially liked "did we watch the same game" calling Rex a 12 year old girl - which is essentially acting like a 12 year old girl himself or herself! That was entertaining!
February 5, 2007
#33 Bill said . . .I'm not a Bears fan. I'm not a Colts fan. I'm not a football fan. But when Lleyton Hewitt lost is one shot at winning his home slam in Australia in 2005, he held his head high and put a fist in the air.
He's one man who may never get that shot again.
Unlike the Bears.
Vicht!
February 5, 2007
#34 Big Easy Benny said . . .Still -
I agree; this year was a pleasant surprise. I knew they had the talent to win the NFC, but I was afraid the pressure to win that first playoff game would be too much for Rex. Happily, I was wrong and happily they managed to roll over the Saints like we all knoew they could.But honestly I figured the AFC was much tougher and that several teams were probably better than the best the NFC had. Still, they had a chance just by being there - but they were outplayed overall.
I've seen 20 Super Bowl-less years and I like this one better.
February 5, 2007
#35 BRIANsong said . . .BLOWS, yes we are worried about rebuilding our city and have been bustin our ass doing so for the last 16 months. Sorry to hear about your experience at the LSU game, there's no excuse for crappy fan behavior.
Maybe if you would have experienced the Great Chicago Fire that burned 4 square miles of your city, you'd sing a different song... put a little compassion in your heart, man, you'll live happier & longer.
I'm a huge NFL fan but keep the personal attacks to yourself and let's enjoy the game together! That's what it's all about.
February 5, 2007
#36 Lyndsay said . . .It was a five point game in the fourth quarter. And we had the ball. Not much of an asskicking.
February 5, 2007
#37 Big Easy Benny said . . .Give the kid a break! I am just as disappointed as all other Bears fans, but Rex Grossman brought his team to a Super Bowl in his first full year in the NFL (compared to Peyton Manning's ninth season). Most rookies get celebrated in the Super Bowl and he has been crucified! Sure, he made some mistakes...does anyone else remember Peyton's pick in the first quarter? It just wasn't their year.
Grossman has the potential to be a great quarterback and I hope that he learns from this experience and brings the team back to win it all next year! Go Bears!
February 5, 2007
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .Grossman does NOT have the potential to be a great quarterback - he lacks arm strength and the ability to make the right reads and makes some really bad choices at critical times. Seems like a nice enough guy though.
He's an average QB - Bears might have gone undefeated, including winning the Super Bowl w/ a really good qb.
February 5, 2007
#39 Bill said . . .Overrun by the Colts, overrun by Colts fans. I guess it's our just due. To all of you Bear fans, thank you for your companionship over the last few months - I have had a great time, and feel close to the people behind the nicknames on this site. This was such a tremendous year, I feel very grateful to the Bears, and grateful toe the regular contributors on this site.
I am also grateful to Rex Grossman. Why? Because his performance last night caused the scales to fall off my eyes. I now realize that the rest of the country has been correct, and I have been the one in denial. This team is Super Bowl ready in all ways but one (actually two but that's an aside for later). Quarterback. Rex Grossman is not the answer, unless the question is "What is the only thing holding back the Bears?" Let me count the ways:
1. He cannot perform his job well under pressure. Yet that is a primary function and requirement of his job. Think about it, do good things ever happen when Rex is scrambling? Rarely. In fact, as Bear fans you know you're just praying that he doesn't turn the ball over, and many times he does. He cannot perform well under defensive pressure - hence he's not a good quarterback. Think about other good quarterbacks - they expect pressure and regard it as their job to move around and hit people on the run, under duress. With Rex it is a frantic fire drill where everyone understands nothing good will happen, just get that ball out of bounds.
2. He makes bad decisions under pressure. (see #1). We have seen him make many bad decisions, that usually lead to game changing moments.
3. He does not know or respect his personal limitations. When his deep ball is off, he doesn't change his game plan (nor do you, Ron Turner, shame on you, your play calling sucked yesterday, you may be part of the problem). When it's wet and windy, he still throws deep. This is a very dangerous characteristic for a quarterback, and it doomed us yesterday. They try to paint it as a positive - "Rex always believes he can make the play!" it's not a positive, it's a negative.
4. He has physical limitations that cannot change and cannot be overcome. He's too short, and his hands are too small. We saw the effects of the latter in spades last night. He couldn't handle the wet ball, and how many fumbles on the exchange did we witness this year? To quote John Madden, "That is something you simply cannot have in professional football." It happens because his hands are too small. And they're never going to grow.
Those are the reasons. If the Bears sucked, we could spend more time with Rex, to see if experience changes him. The problem is, the Bears don't suck - in fact they are great nearly everywhere, and they have a very narrow window to capitalize on that greatness. They need a good quarterback NOW, and with one, they win the Super Bowl.
I said there were 2 pieces - the other one is at safety. Must be a big priority - Chris Harris is not the guy. Mike Brown may not be back at all (isn't he a free agent?) and Chris Harris is not an answer. But that said, I don't blame the defense for last night (aside from the bone-headed play that cost them 7). They chose a game plan that didn't work - it did limit points but didn't get them off the field. But these guys played nearly 40 minutes and only gave up 22 points, 7 on one boneheaded play. They clearly ran out of gas in the second half, as well they should. Because the offense did NOTHING.
I just hope that the loyalty shown this year to Grossman was only because there were no better choices on the bench. Now, in the off season, there are more choices. They must be open to the evaluation.
I've got more to say, but this is long enough for now. Thanks Jeff, you are a great writer and obviously a great guy. Let's keep the dialogue going. Super Bowl's over but the Bears live on, and there are no fair weather fans here - just diehard Bears fans.
February 5, 2007
#40 Sayers said . . .Phil - great analysis.
Jeff - I've neglected to thank you for this forum. I came to it late in the playoffs but I've enjoyed and intend to stick with it.
Big Easy Benny said "...he lacks arm strength and the ability to make the right reads and makes some really bad choices at critical times. "
Well, two out of three I agree with. But when people criticize him, why do they throw the blanket on him? His arm is VERY strong. All the analysts will say that. He throws a good deep ball most of the time - but he's too in love with it.
My brother in law - a Packer fan - said in criticizing Grossman that all he does in dinks and dunks. It's obvious he doesn't watch the Bears.
But the overall theme that has come forth here is that Grossman responds very poorly to on-field pressure. He may be tough and have confidence and all that - but his decision making falls down under pressure on the field. Not jsut the pass rush either - he folded by being behind by 5 points and not moving the offense. All we needed was a TD DRIVE - not a quick strike TD.
I blame Turner a lot though. When it was clear Rex couldn't be trusted - he needed to dial back IMMEDIATELY in order to win the game. It seemed like they wanted REX to try and win it rather than the TEAM to try and win it.
February 5, 2007
#41 jeff said . . .Attention my fellow Bear fans. Hopefully you all see how not to act after winning by looking at the commentary on this site coming from the not so humble in victory Colt "fans" (yeah sure) who are hear to talk trash. Please remember this. Next year, when we win it all and beat some team other than the Colts in the Super Bowl, hopefully none of us will go and kick the other guys when they are down.
We had a great year and this was a great team that just came up short. Don't forget that. Yesterday, the Colts were better but I have no congratulations for the trash talking pieces of shit coming to this board. So instead I'll say this:
Way to Go Bears! You had a great season and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Let's get back next year and this team let's win this thing. Don't let the bastards get you down!
February 5, 2007
#42 Sayers said . . .some fans get off on trashing other fans. never been my thing.
February 5, 2007
#43 Big Mike said . . .A point about Grossman. People seem to forget that this was essentially his rookie year. I realize that it was a long, long season but everyone saw him at his best and it is clear he has the talent to succeed. Even though we know he was just a cog in the machine, the guy led us to the freakin' superbowl and, unlike Kyle Orton, he won several games by himself.
He will go into the 2007 season as the starting QB and let's hope we see different results. I hope he spends the offseason trying to get his mind straight. There have been other QB's who started out with talent but weak decision making abilities. Take, for instance, guys like Terry Bradshaw and Joe Nameth. If he ends up being 1/2 as good as either of those guys, I think everyone here will take it.
February 5, 2007
#44 Sayers said . . .Poor bears fans...go cry in your cheap beer. I guess beating your wives and spitting on Indy fans wasn't enough to inspire your blue collar team to victory. GO SAINTS. See you next year. Don't forget to bring your white bread and bologna sandwiches for half time snacks SUCKAS!!!
February 5, 2007
#45 Big Mike said . . .Hold on here, the guy trash talking is a Saints' fan? Well I only have five characters on my keyboard for him:
39-14
Have a nice day.
February 5, 2007
#46 Big Mike said . . .Yeah you're right the Bears beat the Saints. So what. You're still a bunch of white trash factory workers. So maybe some people are living in trailors in New Orleans while they wait to get their lives in order but at least they weren't born and raised in them like Bears fans.
February 5, 2007
#47 Big Mike said . . .Its only fitting that a New Orleanian like Payton Manning showed you what your team is really made of...CRAP!!!
February 5, 2007
#48 Big Easy Benny said . . ."I feel as if I had one of those nights where I wake up in a strange bed, hungover, lost, and worse yet- i puked all over myself. WTF happened..."
YOU'RE IN CHICAGO MORON!!!
February 5, 2007
#49 said . . .Jeff, thanks for the blog! Just found it today.... Wish it were a better day for you guys but the 2007 season is just a few months away for all of us!
February 5, 2007
#50 Wally said . . .The Bears blow cock. I hope they choke on Peyton's dick in hell.
February 5, 2007
#51 Big Mike said . . .Hey Big Mike, even us dumb blue collar Canadians know how to spell trailer you goddam hillbilly. Usually when someone has to put ' Big ' before their name it is the first sign of small man syndrome. GO BEARS.
February 5, 2007
#52 Wally said . . .Thats the bet you have?....first, Yeah I'm 4'5" but I don't push women around and spit on children and second, there are no "Hillbillies" as you put it in New Orleans dumbass. Now go back and beat your wife, I think shes in your crack.
February 5, 2007
#53 Mikey said . . .4'5"? I've had shits bigger than that. GO BEARS>
February 5, 2007
#54 Big Mike said . . .I can't tell you how excited I was to learn the Bears are coming to Seattle to play in Qwest field next season. Come and take your punishment.
It sucks to lose doesn't it?
You know who I give an A+ to? The referees... no ticky tack calls... they just let both teams play. If we had that officiating crew when we played the Steelers we'd have a Super Bowl trophy in the case.
No doubt, the NFL commissioner told them we don't want a replay of last years crap.
Somehow Rex has to figure out a way to get it done. There's absolutely nobody out there in free agency and Griese has already been on three teams, so he's still your backup.
February 5, 2007
#55 Big Mike said . . .Thats not a shit Wally, thats your kid moron
February 5, 2007
#56 Mike Coy said . . .You know there no harm in some good natured sports trash talkin' but spitting on visiting fans and pushing women and children around looking to get into a fight, thats uncalled for needless to say shameful. But I'll be goin to Seattle to get in on the brutality that will be put on bears fans when they visit play the seahawks. Paybacks a bitch. Oh yeah...bring your women and children punks.
February 5, 2007
#57 Wally said . . .I have recently found this great blog site - thanks for the laughs and tears.
I look forward to reading this site every day.
Go Bears!!
February 6, 2007
I agree with you Big Mike, there is nothing wrong with a little trash talking, it's all done in fun. But then you go on to say you're going to Seattle to be in on the brutality that will be put on the Bears fans. Whattup??
February 6, 2007
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.