The Reverend checks in on his beloved Chicago Bears from abroad.
Around the start of voluntary workouts I quit my job to travel the world. I started driving the US just before minicamps and no matter where my travels took me i made sure to find a place to every sunday for the Bears. I was astounded by Rexs first deep ball to Berrian in an Eagles bar in San Fran, I watched the dismantling of the Lions in the sports book of the MGM Grand. I checked into a hotel in Bangor Maine just to watch the Seahawks game cause the bars were closed and though i denied it awas the reasonI kept putting off the date of my departure for Europe just in case the Bears made the Superbowl. As I watched them crush the Saints in the only bar in the county that hadnt lost power in a freak accident I decided to fly back to NYC to watch the most important game of the last 20 years at the place where I had sweated through the tough times, Josies.
When the game ended I was sick and I crawled on plane the very next day, hungover, miserable and gutted. But even in a place that couldnt give two shits about the NFL I couldnt escape. I found myself in internet cafes across the UK checking to see if how things were with Lovie and Jerry, and if we were gonna franchise Briggs.
I landed in Marrakech Morocco to the news that Lovie was locked in and thats when I let my guard down. We werent gonna be active in free agency, our big question mark on D was franchised and the big one on offense wont get heated till the summer. Tommie seemed on schedule and what I read gave me cautious optimism that we were gonna work so,ething out with TJ. So I ride off on a camel into the dunes for a few days.
I return from the Sahara qnd the longest period i have gone without internet in five years go without sleep, endure an 8 hour trip to Fes with sand in every part of my body and sitting 4 deep in the backseat of a cab with a broken odometer just to fight my way through the maze of alleys to a slow cyber cafe with a goddamn arabic keyboard all to learn all in one crushing moment that Briggs says he wont play, Todd Johnson and Worrell , two solid performers and great assets for depth are gone AND WE LET OUR CONSECUTIVE SEASON 1000 YARD RUSHER, TEAM LEADER AND BEST BACK OF THIS POSTSEASON GO WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A GODDAMN DRAFT PICK.
Are you fucking kidding me! Pasqurelli can talk all he wants about the devaluation of backs but for two years he was our one constant on offense and we let him go to move up a few spots in the second round. Whoever signed off on that deal is, to borrow a phrase from my muslim hosts, the son of a mother who copulated with a pig while bleeding. Toss in the loss of Ian Scott, the inevitable Mike Brown injury, though I will always back him, and Benson making up for his four injury free seasons at Texas and its like Angelo is taking lessons from the owner in Major League. I am shocked, I am disgusted, I am ashamed.
The Bears may someday return to the Super Bowl, Inshallah, but right now to this musulman it feels like Allah is shitting on our heads.
#2 jeff said . . .This is getting ridiculous. Some of these posts are sounding like something Owen Wilson's character in Wedding Crashers would write when he was walking around in his bath robe reading books on suicide.
Thomas Jones was a solid player for the Bears, not Walter Payton or even Neal Anderson. In fact he was only slightly better than Anthony Thomas. And he was never even close to being voted to the pro bowl. Running backs age in dog years, and he's going to be 29 this season so it's unlikely that he's going to get much better, and probably likely that he'd start to drop off real soon.
Benson was the better back the last half of the season, averaging almost 5 yards a cary. Jones was great in the playoffs but he also got more opportunities and was aided by Benson's softening up the D.
I agree that we should have gotten more for him, but this isn't the end of the world.
And the lamenting over a couple of special teamers is incredible. We're talking about the 4th and 5th string safety's for god's sake!! Boo-hoo. Are you actually saying that we should have spent $7 million bucks for a couple of backups to the backups? Guys who fill those roles will be available for less than a million via later round draft picks and free agents. Neither of those guys were answers to depth issue created by Mike Brown's injuries.
The negativity is just astounding. Let's recount the positives, the architect's of these back 2 back Division Champs are locked in through the next decade. Lance Briggs will be a Bear this season. Currently 20 of 22 starters will be coming back next year. The rest of the division sucks, and the rest of the divisions are more competative giving the Bears an advantage in the race for home field. Let's snap out of itMarch 12, 2007
#3 Megan said . . .i just thought this post was funny. i'm optimistic. but the reverend's in africa.
March 12, 2007
#4 jeff said . . .I thought it was funny... Al needs to lighten up, it's entertainment.
Although, Jeff, I could accuse you of PMS? You have had your highs and lows as of late. Not that I would know what that's like, nope not me...
Even still, I enjoyed the read and the ride.March 12, 2007
#5 craig said . . .i've been very up and down...but i'm in recovery finally...the draft will help
March 12, 2007
#6 Coxy said . . ."the draft will help"
unless we hate it.
March 12, 2007
#7 thegreenmenace said . . .Yea sorry Pissed Off, I am trying to make up for my usefulness at work during the Bears season with less time on DaBearsBlog in the offseason. I am also less prone to weigh in about management decisions because after all, as a fan, you never know the whole story. I would have franchised Briggs as a GM and he would be pissed at me. I would not have given alot of money to TJ and Worrell because lets face it, if they were not good enough to win starting spots, then they don't deserve the money. I would have traded TJ bc the Bensen and TJ relations would not have been as insincerely amicable in 2007 . My only problem is that the Bears threw in their draft pick along with Jones. Otherwise the trade would have been fine with me. They were not going to get much bc everyone knew Bears were dealing him, 29 yr old non flashy runner, etc.
I am interested to see what happens with Briggs. Do you think he would pull a TO and sit out next year if not traded?
March 12, 2007
#8 thegreenmenace said . . .I have never been prouder of being a Muslim. Funny post. Salaam!
March 12, 2007
#9 Starbuck said . . .I think people are upset simply because we got almost nothing for Jones. If these 2nd round picks are going to be bundled up with some sort of Briggs trade for a 1st Rd pick or a bluechip athlete then its all worth it (maybe), if not it was just stupid.
March 12, 2007
#10 jeff said . . .I agree with Al in WI. The loss of Jones is not that big of a deal. The Bears have more pressing issues than who will be their starting running back, e.g. Will their offensive line hold up next season? Without an O Line, no one is going to be doing any serious running whether it is Benson or TJ(if he was going to be here).
Also, the Bears have issues on the D Line, as well, e.g. Can Tommie Harris return to 2005/early 2006 season form and will Tank Johnson even play?
The signing of other key defensive personnel needs to occur, as well - Tillman, Vasher, T. Harris for example.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the issues that surround the one guy who ends up in every discussion regardless of whether he is the topic of the initial thread - Rex. Will the Bears extend his contract in the off season or wait till mid season to verify that he is not running the offense like a chicken with its head cut off(reference 2006 Miami Dolphins game).
March 12, 2007
#11 Midway Monster said . . .the loss of jones is not that big a deal? my god! i'd much rather the argument be "we'll be okay without him" than diminish the athletic memory of a player that performed so brilliantly for this team and was the best running back in the postseason this year. thomas jones may not have been walter payton but i won't listen to fans who try to downplay his on the field performance.
March 12, 2007
#12 PANK said . . .Jeff/Megan, we got pleanty of meds in here for those "i've been very up and down"/PMS feelings.
--Midway--
(rehab)March 12, 2007
#13 PANK said . . .dA BEARS NEED TO DO SOMETHING DRAFT TIME SOME WHEELING AND DEALING OR ELSE COME REGULAR SEASON (NO PLAYOFFS) HAS ANY ONE SEEN OUR OPPONENTS?
March 12, 2007
#14 Da Coach said . . .dA BEARS NEED TO DO SOMETHING DRAFT TIME SOME WHEELING AND DEALING OR ELSE COME REGULAR SEASON (NO PLAYOFFS) HAS ANY ONE SEEN OUR OPPONENTS?
March 12, 2007
#15 Da Coach said . . .You also cannot downplay the signifigance of TJ's locker room status. Chemistry is a vastly underrated in sports but when you have a team full of players who would run into a wall for one another that is a wonderful thing and I am willing to bet that anyone player on the Bears 2006 squad would have run through a wall for TJ who was a true leader.
March 12, 2007
#16 mikebdot said . . .Pank no need to get caught up in the schedule we should win our division rather easily again, the viking ship, fudge packers and lionless hearts will still stink and anything less then 5-1 in the division would be a surprise. You also do not know how well some teams will be, look at the saints and eagles of this past season no one thought either would have a shot at winning their division let alone the playing for a chance in the NFC championship. Your right though the drafting braintrust hopefully will be working their magic come drafttime.
March 12, 2007
#17 Da Coach said . . .Jeff, you keep saying unequivocally that TJ was the best post season back. You do realize Addai and Rhodes rushed for almost the same number of yards right? I would say that the Colts RB position was the best post season back. Also, like I've said before, two big plays does not a "best post season back" make. My god.
Like someone else said, he is not even close to a Pro-Bowler. Let it go man.
March 12, 2007
#18 Al in WI said . . .Mikebot....Rhodes and Addai both had an extra game in the playoffs hence why they ran for as many yards as TJ did who played in only 3 games.
March 12, 2007
#19 Ted in IA said . . .I'm sorry if I misunderstood the joke I was basing my comments on the fact that the previous post was entitled "Hole in the Heart, " and another recent one was "welcome to 5-11." I thought this another in that vain. The sentiment out there, here and other sites seems to be really negative lately, and I think we all should be positive because the Bears have a lot of things going for them.
A lot of fans and journalists seem to think that the window will only be the last two years or mabey this year and then we have to rebuild. In reality several teams out there have shown that with stability at the top, a team can remain in contention for 5 years or more. Some recent examples; Tampa 97-05, Pack 94-98, 01-04, Eagles 00-??, Seatle 03-??, Colts 01-??, Pats 01-??, Denver 96-??. And there are more, I realize that these teams may have had a down year somewhere along the way but for the most part have been in contention for the Bowl every year during these stretches. And I believe we are in the middle of our run.March 12, 2007
#20 mikebdot said . . .Let me say if I can make this plainer:
TJ did not want to be a Bear - ANY MORE.
I share in applauding him for his contributions, but now we have to look at some realities. It does not matter what kind of season, postseason or other performances he had LAST SEASON, or what kind of locker room leadership he evinced. He wanted to be gone, and he is. Get over it. He wanted to be the featured back, and get a bigger contract. We all hope that he got what he was wishing for.Jerry got what he could for him, and we all need to hope that he can use the draft choices as well as he has been doing.
We can't keep every players - it is as simple as that. The coaching staff has to make choices, and the financial bosses have a big say in that. They are NEVER going to be the highest paying team, and in this era of free agency, the contract escalation causes every team to lose players that they would prefer to have kept.
End of sermon.
March 12, 2007
#21 Max said . . .They each had his yard total. The two of them combined for 600 yards in 4 games, which is 150 yards a game.
Also, you fail to address the two carries for 80 yards issue. The two carries that any back should have made. The holes were freakin' ginormous. The holes a pro-bowl back would have scored with...(and no, Benson would not have scored either, but he's a comparable back, and AP is a very capable backup).
He was not all that. He would have rushed for 600 yards by himself if he were.
My main point is the stats for the games don't tell the story of who is the "best" back. Usually that story is told by whose team wins. The Colts team was much better and it had little to do with their running backs and much to do with their offense in total. The total package. We're taking our eyes off the ball. "The ball" is the total package, not Thomas fucking Jones. He's not on our team anymore. He means nothing to me. I don't wish him well. He's not a Bear.
March 12, 2007
#22 Hester 4 President said . . .Ok, I've said it before, I will miss TJ and i hate to see him go. And Addai and Rhodes gained the same yards as TJ with one more game and TJ sharing the load with Benson.
TJ was the best back in the playoffs. I think he would have been good with Benson THIS YEAR. Everyone keeps talking about how he is getting old and blah blah blah, but seriously, he was only on contract for one more year. It wasn't like its a long term investment so that whole "he is on the down side of his career" is pointless because he is going to be a good back this next year and thats all we needed him to be cause he would be gone after this season.
That being said its a deal that had to be done it just sucks that we got hosed so badly in the trade.
Trust in Benson, (AND A.P. more baby)
Draft O-line, Cornerback, D-line and playmakers. (not necessarily in that order)
RASHIED
March 12, 2007
#23 craig said . . .Do you think the Bears are going to lose Ian Scott?
I see other teams are talking to him, why aren't the Bears?
March 12, 2007
#24 jdawg said . . .Latest on Briggs, FYI: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6562918
Basically, he says he's willing to sit out the whole year, regardless of the financial implications, because he's so angry at the Bears organization.
He also mentions that he doesn't want to play in Urlacher's shadow forever, that he wants to go and be "the man" somewhere too.
March 13, 2007
#25 Da Coach said . . .If Briggs sits out next year then we don't need anyone that retarded playing for us. Maybe if he had 7.2 million fingers and toes he'd understand.
Anyway, talks cheap. When he starts seeing $500,000 flying out his window weekly he may see the light.
March 13, 2007
#26 Coxy said . . .I have about had it with Briggs and his stupid antics. If he has such a strong hatred for the organization then fine sit your ass down shut your mouth and wait until the following year to play you classless punk! As a fan sure you want guys with his ability on your team but he has taken it to another level now. Lets see how well he does not lingering in Urlachers shadow. F U BRIGGS!
March 13, 2007
#27 Pissed off said . . .Yea I would not be mad at all if the Bears did not trade him and let that 7 million go to the wayside. Screw him.
Good luck if you get shipped. You're going to see quite a few more blocks once you dont have a freak of nature next to you drawing all the attention.
March 13, 2007
If Briggs gets traded, which I assume he will so we can at least get something for a player who wont be on the field for us this year anyway, I am exited to see who we get. We should get something of value for a player like that and if the market isnt good for him then he sits.
It's pretty negative in here......I'll add to it by saying we only need to get a safety, a corner, a linebacker, a defensive tackle, some o-line help, a tight end and a third running back. THATS ALL!
Ok but seriously now, we just went to the Super Bowl, Jones wanted to go, and Jeff, I love ya man but he wasnt God, he was a good back, not Pro-Bowl caliber, who was part of a tandem of which we still have the second piece. We got what we could, I too would have loved for him to stay, he was great for us for a few years, I get it, but he WANTED to go. This Briggs thing stinks, what a bitch he is. He must not have too many friends in the locker room, and he sounds like a fairy. I'm not too concerned about special teams, Cam is gone, so what, Todd was nice but he couldnt get back on the field so he musnt be that good, Ian was a starter for at least the last 2 years on opening day but he was the worst of the 4 starting linemen. Boone....who cares. It's going to be an interesting year, thats for sure. I'm exited for it!
Lets remember too that Brown and Harris will be on the field opening day, (okay well hopefully Brown will be) and that Pro-Bowl talent will help ease the loss of Briggs.
March 13, 2007
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