I hate when a Sunday comes and goes without a change in the standings for the Chicago Bears but the way this season has gone, the bye comes at the perfect time. Here’s what a Bears fan will be watching with his Chris Zorich navy 97 neatly packed away in a drawer. We’ll start with the ESPN-proclaimed Super Bowl XLI ½.
THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAMS IN THE WORLD
I made a pact with myself on Monday morning not to watch ESPN this week and it’s kept this terrific game from the ramshackle Sean Salisbury / Mark Schlereth debates and Skip Bayless letting us know whether he’d like to start his franchise with Brady or Manning. Contrary to Steve Young’s idiotic pronouncement that this game doesn’t matter, it certainly does.
(1) How many times do the two absolutely, undisputed best teams in a sport play at the peak of their abilities? It’s happening Sunday at 4:15 ET and I’ve got a twelve pack of Schlitz in the cooler. (2) The winner of this game is going to coast to home field advantage throughout. The loser is going to have the unenviable task of beating the Chargers in the divisional round and then going on the road to get to the Super Bowl. (3) The trick to building a great NFL franchise in the free agency period is impossibly simple. Develop terrific offensive and defensive systems wherein the parts are interchangeable and put a great player under center. These two teams are the model.
IF YOU’RE SILLY LIKE ME AND STILL THINKING PLAYOFFS…
You want Denver to beat Detroit, San Diego to beat Minnesota and the Jets to beat Washington. You’ll also not mind Jacksonville over New Orleans, Kansas City over Green Bay and Tennessee over Carolina. You want to know how bad the NFC is? If Detroit loses, the Bears are only two games back of the wild card.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE GUY THROWING THE BALL
A couple of early candidates to be playing in Chicago next season are starting this weekend. J.P. Losman is a big arm guy with nice mobility and is clearly going to be looking for a job as the Bills forward with Trent Edwards. Derek Anderson looks like the real deal in Cleveland but organizational pressure may force Romeo to go with Brady Quinn next year. For the Bears sake, let’s hope so.
AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MAKING SOME MONEY...
Denver +3 over Detroit
New Orleans vs. Jacksonville under 40
Arizona + 3 ½ over Tampa Bay
#2 Midway Monster said . . .We lose the tiebreaker with Detroit, so we'd in effect be 3 games behind them in the wild card.
I hate what if's - but if we won, they'd be 4-3 and we'd be 4-4; THEN if they lost, we'd be tied with them.
How could they play so FLAT?? How is that not ultimately a huge negative for Lovie?
November 1, 2007
#3 Al in WI said . . .Not me... Since the Bears are not playing, I'll be spending more time than usual throwing darts at the marked-up-devil-inked-up picture of that "#4 bastard".
-- Midway --
(beat oakland)November 1, 2007
#4 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .I'm definetly doing some scouting this weekend, on Derek Anderson and Micheal Turner.
Given the discussions we've had the last two weeks over the qb position. I'm of the mind that it's near impossible to develope a qb in this town, and pointless to go with a washed up bum. So I really like what Anderson brings to the table.
Turner has real speed and would be an upgrade over both cb and tj.November 1, 2007
#5 Midway Monster said . . .Wow, Schlitz. That doesn't sound too bad right now. Hey Bill, how about we get a cornucopia of Jeff's Schlitz, Red, White and Blue, PBR, and top it off with some Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull? What a party!
I understand you guys are tired of hearing from me, but I would like to weigh in on the QB situation.
In order to develop solid play at the QB position, you need to have solid coaching on the top. Work with me here, I am just trying to prove a point. In 1992, the Pack brought in Holmgren, a QB guy. When he left, they hired Ray Rhodes (remember that one?), a defensive guy and had their first .500 season in 7 years. They followed with Mike Sherman, an offensive line guy. Now, with McCarthy a QB guy. Favre is having his best year in a long time, with a QB coach.
Look at the background of the Bears coaches since Da Coach. Lovie, a defensive guy; Dick, another defensive guy; and Dave, you guessed it, defensive guy. Ditka was the last offensive background head coach. Lovie, Dick and Dave have not been able to bring in strong offensive coordinators/QB coaches to develop any of the QBs the Bears have had. My point being, don't expect a free agent QB to come in and light it up without a strong coach(es) behind him.
My further evidence for this thinking is this; take Favre away from the equation, since 1992, the Packers back ups have included, Ty Detmer, Mark Brunnell, Matt Hasselbeck, Kurt Warner, Aaron Brooks and Henry Burriss (hey, he started a game for you guys!) Coaching them has been, Marty Mornhingweg, Steve Mariucci and Andy Reid.
Introduce Lovie to a real offensive coordinator/QB guy; tell Angelo to draft a promising QB that is not full of himself (McNown) or just a few bricks shy (Rex), and take the time to develop the guy; you guys will be fine.
November 2, 2007
#6 jdawg said . . .Stick a fork in Daunte Culpepper (again). The former first-round pick looks to be done in Oakland according to Raiders beat writer Jerry McDonald. He says Josh McCown will start against the Texans. So I'll be sizing up this guy in light of playing them the week after.
Oh yeah and I'll be throwing darts at the #4 dude.
-- Midway --
(Raider Hater)November 2, 2007
#7 WCPF said . . .Hamms! Where's the fucking Hamms!
November 2, 2007
#8 WCPF said . . .Midway...feeling some hostility towards #4...
November 2, 2007
#9 Midway Monster said . . .jdawg...oh yeah....'from the land of sky blue waaahhters....'
Looking at my beer can collection; how about some Schmidt, Old Frothingslosh, Huber, Rhinelander, Our, and Billy Beer?
November 2, 2007
#10 WCPF said . . .WCPF (Post #7)
answer: always towards #4-- Midway --
November 2, 2007
#11 Midway Monster said . . .Midway, what is it about Brad Maynard that you don't like?
November 2, 2007
#12 tommy said . . .no dude. #4 = brett favre
-- Midway --
November 2, 2007
#13 Phillip said . . .Try some Spotted Cow. Yes, that's beer - it's good stuff.
November 2, 2007
#14 Bill said . . .I might tune in to the game later on to see if Manning got his ass handed to him, but otherwise I'll be taking this bye to give my liver a rest and visit the Bronx for a tasty dinner which I don't have to cook.
It -almost- makes you miss the off-season.
Eh, who am I kidding. It needs to be next week SOON.
November 2, 2007
#15 Pissed Off said . . .One time I bought a case of Hamm's as a sort of joke at a family reunion in the Dells. It was the fastest case to go.
I don't care for Spotted Cow - seems to be follwing in the "fruit flavored beer" trend like Blue Moon.
I had 12 Schlitz's in about 45 minutes in college once. Sick all night. Last time with Schlitz.
My dad used to drink a beer called Drewery's that had a Canadian Mountie on the lable. I tried it once when I was way too young to know good from bad beer.
November 2, 2007
#16 tommy said . . .Jeff you are silly still thinking about the playoffs, I guess I still have a glimmer but as soon as I find out Griese is starting in Oakland I'm off the playoff bandwagon. That guy isnt going to get it done for us down the stretch. I hope he will but I just cant stand the sight of his face under center anymore.
Good take on the NE, Colts game, I am assuming whomever loses this week will be handed their only loss of the season. The Dolphins record 14-0 season will be broken this year and it will be the PATS going 16-0. I could see the Colts mailing in a game in week 17 or something but not the Pats, they wont lose once this year.
Please GOD no J.P. Lohsman. He is not good. He essentially IS Rex Grossman without as much upside, potential and ability. Dont you get it. You all dump on and hate Rex, well, Lohsman IS Rex. You might as well put #8 back in and thats what I'd rather see happen. If we get Lohsman it will be like watching Rex with less ability. I can get on board with Anderson, he looks like the real deal but I gotta w0nder how he didnt beat out Charlie Frye in training camp for the #1 gig to start the year since there was an open competition. WTF?
And regarding the beer conversation. My all time favorite is Woodpecker Cider. Cant get it around here so I always have my fill when I go to the twin cities.
November 2, 2007
#17 Jimbo said . . .Bill.....Drewery's was my dad's beer too. I remember it well. My first beer!!!!!
November 2, 2007
#18 RandomName said . . .Half full is 2 or 3 games back of the wildcard.
Half empty is there's 11 teams in the NFC with better records than the Bears, with the 49ers and Vikes right there in the mix... the mix being the sludge at the bottom of the barrel.
This is a "no spin zone" right?
November 2, 2007
#19 Rancid said . . ."IF YOU’RE SILLY LIKE ME AND STILL THINKING PLAYOFFS…"
Yep I am silly like you nuff said.
tough times calls for tough measures, whatever that means.
Go Bears!
November 2, 2007
#20 jeff said . . .I know its un-American and defenitely not normal for a football fan, but I have never been able to acquire a taste for beer. This is especially problematic during shitty games, because I have no taste issues at all with hard liquor. If the Bears play horrible, and I start drinking heavily, I am in serious danger of alchohol poisoning. If we ever have a really horrible game, and then I am never heard from again on here, you can pretty-much bet that's what happened.
November 2, 2007
#21 Pissed Off said . . .i had a dream last night that the bears traded for jeff garcia from the bucs and when i woke up and found out it wasn't true, i was seriously disappointed. this is how far the bears have fallen...i'm dreaming about jeff garcia.
November 2, 2007
#22 Bill said . . .Jeff Garcia is a winner. Funny you bring him up, I think I've had that dream before. Jeff (Garcia that is) wins most everywhere he goes when he's playing. I was on the bandwagon to get him when he was in his final year at San Fran. Since then he's been with 4 teams I think. Great minds think alike I guess. I'd still take him right now no question for the time being. The trade deadline is over not? Funny your subconscious mind didnt know that and allowed you to dream of a trade.
November 2, 2007
#23 mikebdot said . . .Speaking of Playoffs - I figure (without looking at schedules) that our most realistic chance is the wild card. Since we already lost twice to the Lions (WOW - that was tough to type. It looks wrong.) I think it means we become Lions fans and hope they win the division. In order to get the tiebreaker against the Pack, we have to beat them here. OK - if we're a playoff team we SHOULD be able to do that. That leaves the Giants as a potential WC problem - assuming Dallas wins their division - which we have to hope for.
So even if we lose to the Giants, we coudl squeeze in as the second WC provided we own the tiebreakers. We have ot beat NO also in case they keep winning and are in it.
It's tough, but it's more do-able if the Lions beat the Pack twice.
November 2, 2007
#24 Bill said . . .If the Lions lose the Packers twice and we beat the Packers and by some act of Halas there is a three way tie for the division lead with transitive property action going on for the head-to-head tie break, what happens? I guess the Vikings would have to beat them each once as well and we'd have to beat the Vikes too next time. Everyone would have to be 3-3 in the division for us to even have a shot. Then is it NFC conference record? Then point differential?
November 2, 2007
#25 mikebdot said . . .Yes MikeB - there is probably a mathematical chance of winning the division yet, but the WC seems to be the more likely way.
Of course, all the wishing in the world can't make anything happen (else the Bears woudl be 8-0).
By the way - cute T-shirts, Tommie H. I get the idea, but PLEASE. I wonder if he passed out keychains and pens too. I'm waiting for some fan to compose a lame song called Believe It!!! (Tommie better copyright the 3 exclamation points.)
I hate clever slogans and songs and stuff like that. They get paid millions, play the best sport in the world, and act like salesmen at motivational meeting.
I'd rather a T-shirt that says - make sure the other guys know they played THE BEARS!!!
The D came to Babich's defense - funny as I read their comments they are implying that the schemes are in fact different than last year. So maybe the scheme is bad? Ya think? Babich already has two negative Bear reconds; SOMETHING is wrong and I don't think it's just the players. Believe it!!!
November 2, 2007
#26 beardown1982 said . . .Yeah, the scheme is making them miss the most tackles in the league. I blame Anderson, a different secondary lineup every week, and banged up Briggs, Urlacher, and Harris. The acquisitions over the off-season haven't panned out. Hopefully they start picking up the slack, and after Vasher comes back I will have hope...there's always SOME reason to hope...
November 2, 2007
#27 JL said . . .Didn't Garcia say in the offseason that the Bears were a team he really had interest in playing for? Oops, we did it again apparently....
Good take on the Indy-NE game...I may be in the minority, but I see the Colts beating the Pats this week, and then losing in San Diego the following week.No undefeated teams this year.
Although, has anyone noticed how watered down the league is right now? Seems like there are maybe 5 great teams, 5 terrible teams, and a lot of very average teams in the middle. To me, the AFC is only better than the NFC because they have the 3 best teams in the league...i don't see much of a difference in the rest of the teams in both conferences. Look at the Pats division for god's sake....disgusting.
November 2, 2007
#28 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Incredible that Jeff Garcia was so blatantly available this off season. After Rex's up and down last season, the team at least deserved a QB tryout, and not inviting Garcia to that was just plain stupid on the part of our management.
Interesting article on Babich and the D sticking behind him. Can't believe we're ranked 26th overall in defense:
http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2007/11/circling-wagons-around-babich-3
November 2, 2007
#29 Phil from SATX said . . .Quick chime in about the foamy beverage of choice.
Brewery in my hometown since closed down made fresh brewed Raswheat Beer, probably too fruity of a brew for most of you gents- but all in all a very rich taste.
Served ultra cold and very dark in color, incase you boys wanted to try a few, you wouldn't have to give up your man card. Sooo good once it hits your lips :)
November 2, 2007
#30 Pissed Off at Phil said . . .PO'd, I hate to do this to you, but after reading your post #21, something was tickling my brain about a previous post of yours:
From February 5, 2007:
PO'd, Post #54
beginning of post
Ok WOW......I went back and read a couple posts, what idiot would petition for Garcia, he's older than the hills and had a mediocre run with Philly. He's washed up. Shit, you guys what the fuck is going on here. I dont care if you dont like Rex but Garcia is not the answer. Lucky for us we wont even get a chance to sign him anyway. WHEW.
I just cant believe some of you are petitioning for Garcia! Seriously, Garcia?!?
end of post
Archives cannot tell a lie. But it's okay, I change my mind too. If you ever want to have some fun, go read the archives just after the Super Bowl. Some very dedicated but angry fans arguing with each other ferociously.
We're all Super fans here, regardless of how we argue sometimes.
I'm glad the D is sticking up for Babich. I think it means they buy in to his system (maybe not Urlacher but he just hates Cover 2). Let's see what happens when we get Vash back.
November 2, 2007
#31 Phil from SATX said . . .Thats not fair of you to bring it up especially since you didnt read my post obviously or you just dont process the print in your head. I wanted Garcia about 4 YEARS AGO when he was in his final year at San Fran. This was before we knew anything about Rex. When I posted that I didnt want Garcia becuase we have Rex, and you know my stance with Rex. I am saying I would take him now, as an alternative to BG if thats who Lovie is going to keep playing, cuz I pretty much cant stand him. I would still rather put Rex in now but b/w BG and Garcia, its Garcia 10 out of 10 times. Get it.
JL my response: 1st we just went to the Super Bowl. The team had every reason to think Rex was the future if you look at his numbers for the entire year and besides a sub par performance in the Super Bowl he played really well against NO and Sea, so its not like he ended the season sucking it up bad. Plus we already had Griese who was supposed to be the answer at backup and starter if neccessary signed to a big deal. So when your mindset is that we have a young franchise QB and a stable so called "reliable" backup already what would have been the point in bringing him in?
November 2, 2007
#32 Bill said . . .Regarding Colts vs. Pats, Brandon Lang the handicapper was making an interesting argument in favor of the Colts. He says the reason everyone is on the Pats side is because of the big score differentials - but that the Pats have played mostly really bad QBs, with the exception of Romo, who stayed with the Pats through much of the game.
On the Colts side, he says they've played generally tougher teams and still beaten most of them relatively handily. He points out further at least 3 games where the Colts laid down at the end, could have easily thrown a few more touchdowns on there - but because Dungy has class, he doesn't do that. If they coached similarly, the Colts would have nearly identical looking scores and no one would know who to pick - but the Colts as a home dog is unheard of in recent times.
He was picking the Colts to cover the 5, with the distinct chance of winning outright.
Of course anyone who thinks they have a better than 50-50 chance of picking the right side in this game is nothing but a typical delusional gambler. (I'll take Pats minus for a nickel - Harrison may not play).
Next question is who do you root for, and why? I pretty much hate any team that's more successful than the Bears - that doesn't rule either team out. Colts beat us last year, but we were close to them. Patriots have had too much success. Sorry Nicole, I guess I'm rooting for the Colts.
Or how about rooting for both D's to take out both QBs?
November 2, 2007
#33 jeff said . . .I'm rooting for the Patriots to go 16-0 and the Dolphins to go 0-16. After that, it depends on whether we make the playoffs or not. If we do, I'd love to see us have the chance to be the only team to beat them. If not, then I want them to go 19-0, beat their opponents by 30 points in the playoffs (as long as their are no shutouts) and have some one end Brady's career in the SB while he's still in their trying to provide Billi-cheat with the record of largest SB victory margin. And have the fans cheer when it happens.
(Yes - I have kind of a dark side.)
November 2, 2007
#34 Pissed Off said . . .just to make it clear, i want nothing to do with jeff garcia. i just was depressed that i dreamt of him. and when i woke up, i realized he's better than what we have.
November 2, 2007
#35 Nicole is CELEBRATING in this blue city said . . .So let me get this straight....you acknowledge that he is better than what we have but you wouldn't want him starting under center?
November 2, 2007
#36 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .I'm officially SHUNNING Phil.
AGGHHHH Always root against Indy! ALWAYS!
November 2, 2007
#37 WCPF said . . .Bill....your dark side makes Darth Vader look like a candidate as a guest host for the Bozo Show!
Oh, how about a Blatz this weekend?
November 2, 2007
#38 Jimbo said . . .No wait Bill, upon further review, I do not want to see any team win the title 3x in a row. When the Cowgirls had a chance in the early 90's, I sent every negative vibe I had towards the city of the grassy knoll; couldn't stand those Cowb*tches. I still have a difficult time circling them in the weekly pool. Believe me, I smiled during their downtrodden years in recent history.
So...make room for me in the dark side...maybe put some Point Beer on ice for that meeting.
Have a great weekend everybody
November 2, 2007
#39 Midway Monster said . . .Is Angelo slipping???
Here's every player we've drafted over the last three years.
Greg Olsen TE
Dan Bazuin DE
Garrett Wolfe RB
Michael Okwo LB
Josh Beekman G
Kevin Payne DB
Corey Graham DB
Trumaine McBride DB
Aaron Brant T
Danieal Manning DB
Devin Hester WR
Dusty Dvoracek DT
Jamar Williams LB
Mark Anderson DE
J.D. Runnels RB
Tyler Reed G
Cedric Benson RB
Mark Bradley WR
Kyle Orton QB
Airese Currie WR
Chris Harris DB
Rodriques Wilson DBI'm still an Angelo fan, but he needs to bowl more strikes in '08.
November 3, 2007
#40 Midway Monster said . . .Service Announcement
Set your clocks back 1 hour tonight but of course only do it at 2 am.
-- Midway --
(if your a Packer fan, leave em as is)
November 3, 2007
#41 Midway Monster said . . .So looks like The NFL fined Mark Snderson $5K for the face mask sack of Kitna last Sunday (even tho the refs didn't call it in the game). Andersons base is $275K (ignore any signing bonus). So, bottom line, ripping a QB's head off is worth about 2% of your salary. Nice to know.
-- Midway --
(raider hater)November 3, 2007
#42 Justin said . . .So looks like The NFL fined Mark Anderson $5K for the face mask sack of Kitna last Sunday (even tho the refs didn't call it in the game). Andersons base is $275K (ignore any signing bonus). So, bottom line, ripping a QB's head off is worth about 2% of your salary. Nice to know.
-- Midway --
(raider hater)November 3, 2007
#43 Z said . . .Fuck this team...it's over, it's been over since last February...let's move on the next sport...
GO BULLS!!
November 3, 2007
#44 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Babich should pay the fine as a thank you for the D actually getting to the QB. Face mask or not. We have to start winning the turnover battle or at least breaking even to be in these games.
"In Smith’s four seasons as coach, the Bears are 19-3 when winning the turnover battle, 5-15 when losing it and 8-6 when it’s even. In capturing the NFC championship in 2006, Chicago went 9-1 when winning the turnover battle, 1-2 when losing it and 3-0 when it was even."
Seems pretty basic. We have to score earlier and protect the ball so all these desparations drives stop ending in INT's. We seem to be fumbling less than a few games ago, but we seem to trade one problem for another on O or D. We start getting healthy, start giving up big plays, can't tackle anybody.
Lot of big games where we need teams to lose this weekend. The fat lady ain't singing yet.
November 3, 2007
#45 Chi-Town Joe said . . .What do you guys think about Angelo's comments on Cedric Benson's 1st half performance?
"Cedric is performing to the best of his abilities," Angelo said in a raised tone. "He's giving us top effort. That's all I could ask of any player." Despite Benson's 3.1 yards-per-carry average.
Does that mean Angelo thinks the blame lies elsewhere, perhaps the NO- Line?
OR
Is that just a bit of passive-aggressive critiquing of Cedric Benson?Put yourself in the shoes of Bears GM. Are you going to come out and say one of YOUR GUYS isn't giving his 100% , much less the reason why the Bears are 3-5?
No, that would be a bad idea. You have to choose your words very carefully when you're a GM and I think there may be a bit of hidden meaning here.
"That's good stuff," Benson said. "He's right on. He's good."
I think Cedric picked up on it right away...
November 4, 2007
#46 Nicole is CELEBRATING in this blue city said . . .Yes, we're all glad we don't have to watch crappy football this week. But, nonetheless, I still like suspenseful football. I prefer defense to offense to the , so it's off to Ravens and Jaguars football for me. heheheheh......... no OFFENSE meant....
November 4, 2007
#47 RandomName said . . .Just celebrated daylight saving time at the official time. WHOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO only 7 more days till the bears play :)
November 4, 2007
#48 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Ok our bears will be back next week. lets get some colts patriots talk going on.
I'm rooting for the colts, just because they're being disrespected for being the superbowl champs and all. God knows it is true.
just thank goodness we have a head to head face off to boot
November 4, 2007
#49 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Random, you do realize you are posting on a Bears blog, right?
November 4, 2007
#50 Divine Hester said . . .Whatever happened to Olympia beer?
November 4, 2007
#51 Nicole is CELEBRATING in this blue city said . . .What a horrible day for the NFC North (seen through the eyes of a Bears fan)... at least da Bears are no longer the worst team against that insane Vikings #28-fella... the scary thing is that it is just a matter of time until the Chargers will lose that "honour"...Bears need a ressurection ala Saints pretty quickly...
November 4, 2007
Five reasons I'm happy today:
1. COLTS LOST!
2. Extra hour of sleep
3. Someone in my fantasy league was foolish enough to DROP Hester because he was on a buy week. (Of course I picked him up. )
4. I kicked butt in my fantasy league this week and forsee doing well in upcoming weeks, too.
5. Only 6 days until the Bears win.
November 5, 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.