It was Sunday December 23rd 2000 and Dick Jauron's four win Bears were at Bobby Ross' eight win Lions to end the season. The Bears were heavy underdogs. Nobody gave them a shot. And yet a shot was what they had. All that separated the Chicago Bears from an emotional win that would catapult them into the 13-3 season that followed was a 54 yard field goal by the new kid in town, Paul Edinger.
Crazy as it may sound, its one of the four or five favorite Bears moments of my life and it came during a five win season. That's why the next three games matter, starting with Monday night's matchup at a Minnesota Vikings team that has destiny in its own hands. I want to take that destiny away. They call it "playing for pride" but that's one big pile of football cliche bullshit. You don't play football for pride. You play football to beat the hell out of the guys wearing different colors than you.
If the Bears aren't going to the playoffs, neither are the Vikings. That's how I feel. I just hope that Halas Hall is employing fifty-three men who agree with me.
Addendum: Kyle Orton has been announced as the starting quarterback for Monday night's game.
#2 said . . .First!!! The D should look at what San Fran did this week...Adrian Peterson - 14 carries for 3 yards. Bear Down.
December 10, 2007
#3 Willie from Chicago said . . .Yeah but Chester Taylor ran for 101 yds on 8 carries including 3 passes for 24 yds and an 84 yd TD run...
December 10, 2007
#4 Stuck in MN said . . .Hey dont forget, if we win this monday and the rest of the games then we will have the tie-braker over the vikings (Divisional records) and the Bears will be only 1 game back of minnisota and minnisota is playing Washington and @Denver. We will also have the tie-braker over the Cardinals if they loose to New Orleans (on the road) and Detroit is gonna finish 7-9 which pushes us past them (by winning out)
The only team im worried about is Washington, We are a game back but they have the tiebraker.
They play @New York, @ Minnisota, the Dallas at home. So for this to work Minnisota has to beat Washington and loose to the Bears and loose to the Broncos
Or Washington has to beat Minnisota and loose to the Giants and the Cowboys. The other teams that are in it (Philly, Carolina, New Orleans) arent gonna make it because the bears have will have the tie- brakers over Philly and the Aints, and Carolinas games are to tough.So if we beat the Vikings, with the packers with no starters playong 4 quarters and the Aints with no Reggie Bush, It is possible.
So my point is Hell ya were gonna beat the Vikings and make the playoffs while were at it. Keep your hopes up its posible.BEAR DOWN!
December 10, 2007
#5 Al in WI said . . .Touche #2...but I can handle 101 from Chester Taylor...I can't handle another 200 yard douching from AP.
December 10, 2007
#6 Stuck in MN said . . .Jeff, as someone who owns tickets to this Monday Night game, I desperately want to agree with you and even more desperately want the Bears to score the win.
But I have to be honest. To quote the great Mike Ditka from '89, "This team will be lucky to win another game." In fact, I don' think they will.
How can I have faith in this team at this point? At least four times this season the Bears have entered a game with a chance to put together a two game winning streak and save their season. And each time they lacked the passion and fire to even put up a fight in but one case. So needless to say, I can't expect them to put up much a fight now that they are out of it.December 10, 2007
#7 Willie from Chicago said . . .Touche #2...but I can handle 101 from Chester Taylor...I can't handle another 200 yard douching from AP.
December 10, 2007
#8 Phillip said . . .Hey as bad as we played the last two weeks, they have only last by 2, and 8 points.
WE WILL MAKE IT
December 10, 2007
#9 Brian in Sec 430 Row 30 said . . .WFC, if there happened to be a tiebreaker game (and I'm not expecting one at this point), when would it be? I'll be in Chicago for by birthday and need to figure out if I should save an extra $1500 for Bears tickets...
December 10, 2007
#10 Duff Diggler said . . .WFC, I really appreciate your positive outlook but in order for the Bears to make the playoffs we have to A) Win every game and B) get VERY lucky by having other teams win and lose when we need them too. Umm....The Bears need to WIN and get LUCKY...if there is one thing this miserable, rip my heart out season has taught me it is that the Bears will not WIN or get LUCKY...nevermind getting both. I am honestly hoping we lose out...i know, Green Bay always matters but lets be realistic..would you rather have a Win over Green Bay and the #11 pick in the draft or a loss to Green Bay and a Top 5 pick? This team has sooo many holes, the better draft position we have the more leverage we have to fill multiple holes at one time and prevent a rebuilding process in the twilight of Urlacher and Krutz' careers. I hate myself for writing this but it is what is best for the bears
December 10, 2007
#11 Duff Diggler said . . .being a Sergeant in the army, and as have seeing battle in Iraq, I for one have used optimism to survive...
....that being said....
I think that we can't have our cake and eat it too....
....if we want to see all of these backups play, and for Urch, TH, and Vash put on IR, then we can kiss the playoffs goodbye....
....now if things go our way and we do have a chance....then how can we go to those players (I.E. Orton, Wolfe, Hass, etc.), or expect those results from them?
December 10, 2007
#12 Bill said . . .and BTW.... i agree with Jeff in that 'Playing for Pride' is cliche football bullshit.... I have a novel one....
....How about they play for us?
....since we pay them and all....jes a thought....
December 10, 2007
#13 Bill said . . .Phillip - the NFL does not have tiebreaker games. They settle ties by things like head to head results and a whole series of things that theoretically (but never has in reality) get down to a coin flip.
PLEASE - don't tell Lovie we coudl still make the playoffs by beating winning out and the Vikings beat Washington etc etc. He'll waste another game with Griese at QB instead of seeing what Orton can do.
I really can't see the Bears winning another game with our normal cast of characters. We coudl win one more (GB hopefully) with some new life in the lineup playing for a roster spot.
December 10, 2007
#14 Al in WI said . . .On a much more important note -
Duff Diggler - God Bless You and thank you for your service ot our country.
December 10, 2007
#15 PolygonHell said . . .Duff, I second Bill's comment. Thank you for your service.
The news today is that Garay and Adams are on IR. Leaving us with 2 defensive tackles left on the roster, with a guy from the practice squad making 3.December 10, 2007
#16 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Honestly I could enjoy watching them win or lose if they start trying something new, personell and play calling, and just try and see waht they really have.
December 10, 2007
#17 Al in WI said . . .Lovie Smith at 3:04
"Garay is on IR"
"AA had surgery Fri on triceps... On IR"
"Vash is getting better, hopeful he'll play this coming week"
"Kyle Orton will start at QB"
THATS RIGHT, LOVIE IS EXCITED ABOUT WHAT ORTON CAN BRING THEM ON MONDAY NIGHT!
December 10, 2007
#18 Bill said . . .Breaking News: Grossman out with injury, Orton will start Monday.
December 10, 2007
#19 jeff said . . .OK - time to switch to a 3-4 defense.
December 10, 2007
#20 Shady said . . .al, you're right. i don't think the bears are going to win. doesn't mean i don't want them to win. and even if they lose, i'll be pumped for the packers next week.
December 10, 2007
#21 Duff Diggler said . . .While I have to give Lovie credit for not being dumb and starting Orton over Greasy, he still won't admit the reason is for evaluation purposes. Lovie is still trying to win games and won't "evaluate" until next pre-season. Who you crappin' Lovie?
The neck-beard has arrived! Coaches have been raving about the progress he's made since his rookie year, let's see if he can handle the reins of an awful, awful offense. Let's see if he can make the right decisions and if he can maintain some sort of presence in the worst pocket in the NFL.
December 10, 2007
#22 Duff Diggler said . . .NECKBEARD!!!!!
December 10, 2007
#23 Willie from Chicago said . . .Al, Bill... you're welcome....
we all do our part....even if you don't wear the same uni i do...so thank you as well....
-SGT Duffy
December 10, 2007
#24 Duff Diggler said . . .Phillip, im only 14 and probably the wrong person to ask, but i doubt that there will be a tie braker game. If all tie-brakers fall through which is pretty hard (because net touchdowns is one of the tiebrakers) then there will be a coin flip much like the draft to determin position like Bill said. If your going to buy tickets you should get the bears vs packers tickets on the 23rd or the Saints game on the 30th. If your not in town by then, your out of luck sorry.
Bye the way, happy birthday!December 10, 2007
#25 jeff said . . .Somebody call Chris Leak and tell him to put down the spachula!!!
December 10, 2007
#26 Duff Diggler said . . .hey duff, i think leak will be in uniform this week as the third guy. that's horrifying.
December 10, 2007
#27 Willie from Chicago said . . .yep! no burgers for him to flip next monday!!!
December 10, 2007
#28 jeff said . . .Brian in Sec 430 Row 30, I would honestly beat green bay. I doubt the bears will get a top 5 pick with teams like Miami, Jets, 49ers, Rams, Raiders, Chiefs, Ravens, and Bengals worse then them, I doubt we will even get a top-ten pick. But even if we do Do you think our GM is gonna draft anyone good, Its going to be Cedric Benson all over again. I say we give it a shot.
Like i said before, the packers might not start all of there players, and the saints are without reggie bush, WE CAN BEAT THE VIKINGS, especially with Vasher back at CB.
If we win this weekend then i think we can win out, so all we need is help:) Besides do you actualy want to loose to green bay? BEAR DOWN!
December 10, 2007
#29 mikebdot said . . .i'm betting the bears getting 8 1/2 this week.
December 10, 2007
#30 Bear Fan In Minnesota said . . .The tie-breaker list makes it virtually impossible for there to be an actual tie. I doubt they've ever gotten to the 3rd or 4th tiebreaker.
http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures
December 10, 2007
#31 Pissed Off said . . .Donavan McNabb is not the answer! Can we all agree? WE NEED A RUNNING BACK! Grossman took us to the SB with a dominate defense and a great running back to help him out! McNabb is washed up and would be a waste of time and money. In 2006 Rex Grossman threw for 3193 yards with 23 TD's and McNabb threw for 2,647 yards and 18 TD's. Not only that but Rex is 4 years younger than McNabb. WE NEED A RUNNING BACK AND A DOMINATE DEFENSE PEOPLE!
December 10, 2007
#32 jeff said . . .Willies done his math, keep the hope.......
Sorry for no or short posts lately, not that anyone cares or reads my stuff, I'm so busy at work and football bores me outside of the Bears when the Bears suck. My fantasy team sucks, the bears are down, I hate Sundays now.
December 10, 2007
#33 JB said . . .po'd, you're definitely missed. its tough for people to stay juiced when the team's struggling.
December 10, 2007
#34 Pissed Off said . . .Well, I'm just glad I never piled onto the Griese bandwagon and went straight to the Orton/FA/Trade/Rookie bandwagon, because my time starts this Monday. This was the obvious decision, and I'm excited to see what, if any, maturation the young Iowan has undergone the past two seasons.
December 10, 2007
#35 Willie from Chicago said . . .I just want everyone to know this Orton thing is just an experiment. All you idiots that have called for Orton over the past few years will now get your chance to say OK, Orton isnt the answer and will never be a good starter in this league, he should be a backup, I am stupid. Does that mean he cant win a game or two, or that he has no talent? No, it means he is not as good as Rex as a starter nor as BG which I almost cant stomach to say for how I feel about Griesehole.
Whatever though. I just dont want Orton to perform good enought that the brain trust or fans are brainwashed into thinking he's the answer and then have him back next year as the probable starter, while letting Rex go, and have him perform like 2005 all next year.
December 10, 2007
#36 Willie from Chicago said . . .Pissed Off, you right about the Orton thing, but the thing I like about Orton is that he manages the game. However this is only good when you have a great Defense and a good running game. Who knows, he may have changed those 3 years on the bench. But i honestly doubt that Lovie will choose Orton over Grossman.
Lets just hope that he gets us these three wins.
December 10, 2007
#37 Bill said . . .I forgot to mention that we have neither a running game or a good D.
Were fucked lol
December 10, 2007
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .I agree it would make a complicated situation worse if Orton does great. I'm just hoping he is serviceable enough to consider an option for a backup OR better yet a trade for a fourth round draft choice (if we mange to draft a QB with an upside in a relatveily early round).
December 10, 2007
#39 Midway Monster said . . .I don't think Orton will have the possibility of showing enough to change their decision about Rex. I think that what it will do is make their decision between Griese and Orton. I know Grease is under contract but if he's already sucked up any guaranteed money they should be able to cut him, no harm no foul.
I'd like to see a re-sign of Rex, and if Orton's not a complete boob, keeping Orton and signing our draft pick. I still think a lower pick is better - whether it's Joe Flacco or some other small school pass-over - lower expectations on him, less money, and less pressure to play right away. Let's say it together, shall we? NO QB CAN SUCCEED WITH THIS LINE OR THIS PLAY CALLING.
Oline, oline, safety, RB, WR
We don't need Dline! We don't need LB's! (sign Briggs) We don't need CBs! (Thanks McBride for looking like a cheap alternative to Ricky Manning) We don't need tight ends! We don't need a center!
Derek Anderson could turn into the latest one hit wonder, he would look like crap on the 2007 version of the Chicago Bears, and would cost too much, not allowing us to address MORE PRESSING NEEDS!
oline oline safety RB WR
I'm not going to spend a millisecond hoping for losses. I am a Chicago Bear fan. HOWEVER, that's the silver lining on any loss which happens in the next 3 weeks, so gentlemen, we are officially in the WIN-WIN zone! Enjoy it!
December 10, 2007
#40 PolygonHell said . . .From previous posts by me- I eat at a diner where the owner is a Vike-nut. Monday in important to me because I cannot live thru an off season and have to listen to his BS. Bears need to win.
-- Midway --
PS - after the Vikes, we get to play guess who? MUUUuuuhahahahahah!
December 10, 2007
#41 Shady said . . .I'm glad to see Orton getting the start and I hope for the best but ...
The coaches see Orton in practice on a regular basis, he's #3 for a reason.
Coaches aren't playing favorites, the reason Griese didn't get the start sooner was simply because in practice Grossman looked better.
Now practice and preseason aren't the same as a regualr season game, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.
It will be nice to get to see how Orton has progressed over the last couple of years.
December 10, 2007
#42 johnny said . . .Happy 65th Birthday Dick Butkus!
Happy Anniversary to Rashaan Salaam! 13 years ago you won the Hesiman Trophy and now you're promoting fights in China. How far you've come.
December 10, 2007
#43 McBears Fan said . . .i cant believe some of posts on this blog, theres idiots hoping for loses so we can get a better draft pick. how stupid can someone be. I will take a win any time of the season than to lose and wait for the draft. I cant believe these guys call themselves bear fans. other fans hoping that orton does not do so well, how stupid can that be. I wish orton the best and hope he proves everyone wrong and wins games for us..BEAR DOWN TO THE BEARS....
December 10, 2007
#44 jeff said . . .Kyle Orton goes 99-yards against Detroit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RrAJNQ_e8Jk
My favorite play?
Orton looking down the barrel or the gun and hitting Bradley for about 50 yds.My favorite comment?
(With the Bears backed up on their own 1) "What a play call for Turner!"
Haha, classic.December 10, 2007
#45 johnny said . . .i say it all the time johnny. you're only given 16 of these things a year and i wanna win every one of them. don't give a damn what the record is.
December 11, 2007
#46 jeff said . . .thanks for the support jeff. all these other so called bear are seeing the game as a fantasy football league. I see as a win as many games and lose as little as possible. Fuck this lets lose to get better draft picks bullshit. theres no better feeling than seeing the bears winning games. OUT......
December 11, 2007
#47 Shady McBears Fan said . . .well you're in the right place. i'd rather look at 2007 as an 8-8 year than a 5-11. i'm sure lovie smith agrees.
December 11, 2007
#48 Tone Capone from Jersey said . . .I'll preface this by saying I ALWAYS root for the Bears to win. However there IS an argument to be made for losses meaning more than wins at this point in the season.
Regardless if the team goes 5-11 or 8-8, this season will be looked back upon as a BAD year for the Bears. Instead of living in the past, which is for losers by the way (according to Ditka), you have to always be thinking about the future. You know Jerry Angelo is, because that's his job.
As hard as it would be to watch the Bears lose the rest of the way out, maybe going 5-11 in 2007 would make the difference between an 8-8 2008 season and one that is 11-5. No pain no gain right?
I'm just playing some devil's advocate here, I would love to see the Bears win out.
Hope we see Hass and Beekman in there by the end of the season. Let the kids play.
December 11, 2007
LOL SHADY.....REGARDING RASHAAN SALAAM.........LOL
December 11, 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.