As the NFC prepares to send teams like the Giants and Redskins to the postseason, the Bears will clean out their lockers Monday morning. Somehow, some way Lovie and the boys couldn't win half their football games and so their season ends Sundays in the shadows of Soldier Field.
CHICAGO BEARS 23
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 6
#2 Al in WI said . . .Posted First! Sweeet.
I hope they kick butt and realize that they totally blew this season. I hope they have an off season that will piss them off for the lost opportunity as much as I do.
-- Midway --
Beat the Saints!
December 28, 2007
#3 Papa Bear said . . .I've noticed the ground swell of media support this week for Orton after his solid job of handling the weather last week.
While it was nice to see, I don't think it's really an endorsement of him unless you are counting on extreme weather like that 10-12 times next year.
I noticed the Redskin's Todd Colins later that night in the climate controlled metro dome shred the Viking's low rated pass d in a way Kyle Orton proved incapable of the week before.
So Sunday is another opportunity for Kyle to prove he call move the ball in the air against an awful pass defense in reasonable weather. The forcast calls for mild temps and a 10% chance of light snow. He should have no excuse not to attempt 30 or so passes Sunday.
It's time to find out if he can actually play quarterback, and win a game by doing more then just not screwing it up.
I don't think he can. But in this case, he probably won't have too.
16-10 Bears.
December 28, 2007
#4 Bill said . . .Al, I think we already know it doesn't matter who we have under center if the O-line plays like played all year. Looking at the Bears-Skins game for example, Rexy could barely get out from center before the Skins D were trying to break his legs (RT wouldn't adjust for the Skins consistent pressure and the O-line was overmatched).
Let's just say it took Kyle a game to loose (he was terribly inaccurate against the Vikes). Also, I think we can all agree the Skins O-line was better than ours against Minny. But last week when the O-line gave Kyle a chance, he was able to make a couple nice throws (lob to 82 and play action to 88).
Kyle may or may not impress you this week with how he slings the rock, but I think it'll be more a result of RT's play-calling and in-game adjustments and the O-line.
December 28, 2007
#5 Polygonhell said . . .I've said it way too many times - but I can't help myself. It's pathetic that we take Kyle Orton's OK performance in bad conditions and use that as hope he coudl be a number 1 QB.
The conditions were tailored made for a strong armed QB who can't throw accurately beyond 10-15 yards. Under the circumstances, I think Orton will have a great and long career as a backup here or somewhere - but will never be counted as even a second or even third tier starting QB.
I dread the offseason - because I sense there will be very few changes. That may be the right thing to do, but it won't be until September of 2008 that we can judge that.
I can't get hyped for the offseason or training camp anymore. I thought our offense was going somewhere with the additions of Hester and Olsen. Didn't happen. Lovie told us to trust him as head coach to do what's best for the team. Didn't work out - they took a HUGE step backward.
I don't care what Haugh in the Tribune thinks - RT is not a good offensive coordinator. Today he essentially says we shoudl keep Turner becasue we'd likely get someone worse than him if he's fired. This guy sucks as a writer. Sounds too much like Lovie saying we stopped running becuase the other team would stop us eventually anyway. If something is GOOD, you keep it. If something is BAD, you replace it. If you keep a broken down car because you're afraid the best one you can get will only be worse, you still end up with a broken down car.
If RT is really the best option, if there really is NO ONE better than him avaialbe anywhere, then the league is really in trouble.
December 28, 2007
#6 Smitty said . . .I tend to agree that the Weather helped Kyle (and the rest of the team) out against Green Bay.
I think where he was inaccurate against Minesota was on the touch passes, forced to rocket everything in there in the bad wheather he was a lot more accurate. I'm hoping for good weather so we can get a real look at what he can do Sunday.
Of course the Bears are going to hae to find a way not to be in continual 3rd and long situations to give him any sort of shot.
December 28, 2007
#7 Papa Bear said . . .Minnesota game was Orton's first start in almost 2 years. Give the guy a break for being off with his passes. I think Lovie now sees Orton as a capable back up and the Bears will cut Griese in the offseason given his salary. They will probably draft a project qb in the 3rd or 4th rounds and re sign Rex. What would you rather have...Rex's good downfield throws and turnovers or Orton's famous check down pass and fewer turnovers? I honestly do not know at this point.
December 28, 2007
#8 Bill said . . .Take Bob Sanders off your off-season wish list. The Colts just inked him to the richest NFL contract for a safety.
I think we may end up seeing Mike Brown back on a 1 year, incentive laden deal. And a early pick for a possible fill-in when Brown goes down with an injury next year. Can we get Chris Harris back...
December 28, 2007
#9 Papa Bear said . . .Big numbers for a guy who also gets hurt a lot (Sanders.) With the cap going up again next year, we're going to see nutty contracts again. I expect Berrian will get paid money that some team will live to regret. I assume the Bears will say goodbye to him.
I hate to say it, but I think Briggs will leave as well. And it will not shock me to see Grossman decide to start over somewhere even as a number 2. After all, number 2 QBs are usually number 1 QBs sometime during the year for 31 of the 32 teams in the league.
(Isn't it ironic that Favre plays in all those games and yet Aaron Rogers seems to be done for the year whenever he gets into a game? They made fun of all the starting QBs the Bears had - rightfully so - but how about a list of all the backup QBs the Packers have had? My point is Favre's skills AND durability will never be seen again.)
December 28, 2007
#10 Rancid said . . .Bill, I agree with most of what you said except the last bit. I don't see Rexy leaving. The BT want him and he wants them back.
Plus, there's a guy (P. Manning) 3 hours down the road in Indy who's on pace to do the same as Fav-ruh. Amazing thing is that Fav-ruh has taken his share of beatings and still managed to suit up come Sunday, but I can't even remember hearing the last time Manning was even nicked up. And considering he's played in a superior conference for his career, that says a lot about his line and his ability to evade the big hit.
December 28, 2007
#11 Anytime said . . .We still know nothing about KO. If he gets a pass for bad play in his first game because he was rusty, then we can't count the success in the Green Bay game because it was all weather related. It will be interesting to see how he does this last game.
December 29, 2007
#12 Chad said . . .This talk I hear about trading the Skunk better stop soon.
December 29, 2007
#13 jeff said . . .Let's not give Orton too much credit. He played very well, but to say he outplayed Favre? My mother could have out-played Favre. And the old lady's got a wooden elbow.
And keep Hester on the bench. The last thing we need is for him to rip a tendon in a meaningless game and never be the same.
December 29, 2007
#14 Al in WI said . . .if the bears trade the skunk, i'm pretty certain that will be the angriest i've ever been as a human being. and i'll be picketing halas hall.
December 29, 2007
#15 Al in WI said . . .Back during the Jauron era every time they had a losing season some idiot would start the idea that we needed to trade Urlacher to stockpile talent at other positions. Just plain dumb then and it is now too with Hester.
I also have never bought the "rust" arguement with a player like Orton. It would have been one thing if he'd been on IR or on the street the past two years. In reality he's been on the team through two offseasons and training camps, and had 10 days to prepare for the Viking game. It also would be a different story if he struggled early and got better as the game went on. He didn't. And most troubleing to me he made the same types of poor throws during that game he did prior to his benching in 2005.
I'm hoping that the game Sunday will give him a final chance to show what he is, and if he can improve enough to become a capable NFL backup.December 29, 2007
#16 CAK said . . .Just some food for thought, the following candidates are available for the offensive coordinator job if the Bears can Turner:
Jim Fassel
Chan Gailey
Cam Cameron
Mike MartzDecember 29, 2007
#17 johnny el paso said . . .Yeah but Orton has looked like he has been living on the streets...
December 30, 2007
#18 Shy Town? said . . .rumor has it that detroit is firing offensive cordinator Mike Martz.......he would be a good fit at SHY TOWN......his offenses are always strong and at times unstopable. I would love to see him in CHICAGO...... rather than ron turner
December 30, 2007
#19 Rancid said . . .What are you, new?
It's CHI-Town.
BEARS 174
'Aints -36
December 30, 2007
#20 Shady McBears Fan said . . .I think it's funny that a few weeks ago some here were worrying about the possibility of Rex going to Detroit and thriving in a Mike Martz offense. Now Martz gets fired and then brought up as possibility here. I think he would be good for Rex, but unsure if he would be good for the offense overall. I fear that all this talk about having a better year than the record shows, and only being a few moves away from dominance again is for real and that we may see no changes to the coaching staff. I truly despise the fact that RT is still converting oxygen into CO2.
December 30, 2007
#21 Beardown1982 said . . .Time to win 2 in a row already...
It's called a WINNING STREAK.
Just ask the New England Patriots.
LET'S GO BEARS!
LET'S GO BEARS!
LET'S GO BEARS!
December 30, 2007
#22 Beardown1982 said . . .Great pick by Urlacher...great to see him playing like his old self again.
Nice try by Olsen in the endzone...he has to come down with that one though. He should have been able to get that second foot down in my opinion....Orton missing on his passes early though.
Any one else gonna blog during the game???
December 30, 2007
#23 johnny el paso said . . .Great pick by Urlacher...great to see him playing like his old self again.
Nice try by Olsen in the endzone...he has to come down with that one though. He should have been able to get that second foot down in my opinion....Orton missing on his passes early though.
Any one else gonna blog during the game???
December 30, 2007
#24 johnny el paso said . . .now thats the bears defense all of us have been waiting for all season...WHOOOOOOA the defense is playing with intensity. They are laying the wood on the saints recievers...
December 30, 2007
#25 T said . . .Finally a td in the red zone....WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
December 30, 2007
#26 nutjob said . . .This is the kind of play we expected at the beginning of the year. Nice TD pass AND catch
December 30, 2007
#27 Beardown1982 said . . .Orton to bradley TD!!!!?
Never thought I would utter those words. A spirited performance so far.
AP looking really good and so is orton at times and it lookd like briggs was a little insulted by the thought that JW wil take over next year!!!
Can't wait till next year
December 30, 2007
#28 johnny el paso said . . .that hit by Briggs was awesome!!! Nice TD pass from Orton...O-Line opening up some holes early
December 30, 2007
#29 T said . . .THATS THE D I LOVE TO SEE....WHOOOOO
December 30, 2007
#30 T said . . .Don't like two pass plays called on 2nd and 5
December 30, 2007
#31 Beardown1982 said . . .Several Orton passes are high. Too pumped or just inaccurate. Doesn't matter he has to get on target. Keep poise and confidence
December 30, 2007
#32 T said . . .Excellent pass by Brees for the TD...not much Peanut could have done on that one.
Horse shit call on the pass interference play...right in front of the ref too.
Defense looks frisky...need to keep coming at them and force some turnovers.
December 30, 2007
#33 Megan said . . .Yes, complete HORSHIT call
December 30, 2007
#34 T said . . .WeeeeHOOOOOO AP!!
December 30, 2007
#35 johnny el paso said . . .Again, they run the ball really well and then pass on 2nd and 6. At least they rescue it with a good pass to Moose.....WOW what a play for the TD. Cedric who? Dump the asshole
December 30, 2007
#36 Beardown1982 said . . .GREAT PLAY BY PETERSON TO BERRIAN.........
December 30, 2007
#37 johnny el paso said . . .AP Baby!! That was the weirdest half back pass I've ever seen...but we'll take it!
Orton needs to be more accurate...he is very lucky that quick out to BTwice didn't get picked 6.
Alright D....strap 'em up.
December 30, 2007
#38 Beardown1982 said . . .this thomas from the saints is a really good running back....
December 30, 2007
#39 T said . . .let's not forget that the Bears D has made many a mediocore players look good this year.
Defense started well...but the saints are killing us on the ground??? And receivers are starting to find separation. C'mon fellas.
December 30, 2007
#40 Beardown1982 said . . .Bears have changed their defensive scheme. When you see them in that 3 LB 7 yds deep set expect bad things.
December 30, 2007
#41 T said . . .SKUNKED!!!!!!!!!
Someone please tell me why we haven't had Devin run WAY more fly patterns this year? No one can keep up with this guy.
Not a bad throw by Orton.
Kudos to the O-Line...this has probably been their best half of the season...can they play a full game of good football though? We shall see...
December 30, 2007
#42 Beardown1982 said . . .3 TD's by air!!!!!!!!!!! KO didn't throw that too high - he could have thrown it farther. It has to be tough to gage Hesters speed
December 30, 2007
#43 T said . . .That's true...Hester is so damn fast
December 30, 2007
#44 T said . . .Not now AP
December 30, 2007
#45 T said . . .If you see 3 LB 7 yds back kiss it off
December 30, 2007
#46 Beardown1982 said . . .Kick to him again...Hee Hee Hee Hee
Skunk cityDecember 30, 2007
#47 johnny el paso said . . .SKUNKED, AGAIN!!! Great vision and patience by Hester, and great blocking. This guy is incredible.
Alex Brown has the best Bear Claw in football...everytime he gets the outside rush I expect him to knock the ball out of the QB's hand...he better be starting in week one next season.
December 30, 2007
#48 nutjob said . . .DEVEN IS UNBELIEVABLE.......NO ONE WILL EVER TOP THIS GUY.......BEARS BETTER SECURE THIS GUY AND NOT LET HIM WALK AWAY FROM THIS TEAM....HE IS THE BEST.....
December 30, 2007
#49 Beardown1982 said . . .I think I just saw the bears sign Devin on the sideline for the rest of his life.
This guy is unreal!!!
December 30, 2007
#50 T said . . .Wow....Bradley HAS to make that catch...perfect ball by Orton.
December 30, 2007
#51 johnny el paso said . . .AP gets 8 on first down so Turner calls 2 passes with a 2 TD lead. Bradley should have caught that but ..........
December 30, 2007
#52 T said . . .RON TURNER NEEDS TO GET OUT OF CHICAGO. I DONT KNOW IF I CAN TAKE THIS KIND OF PLAY CALLING FROM THIS GUY NEXT SEASON....
December 30, 2007
#53 johnny el paso said . . .Orton's size does hep on the pass to Wolfe. Very good run after the catch
December 30, 2007
#54 Beardown1982 said . . .2ND and 25 and turner calls a draw play, what kind of play calling is that... leave hester in the game as a decoy...
December 30, 2007
#55 johnny el paso said . . .I love Olsen...but I wish he wasn't so easy to take down when he is running with the ball. Haven't seen him break too many tackles this season...granted though, we don't get him the ball nearly enough to do so.
December 30, 2007
#56 Beardown1982 said . . .my bears are making me proud the them 2day. they are playing with lots of intesity 2day. ill be looking forward for next season with hopefully a new offensive coordinator
December 30, 2007
#57 johnny el paso said . . .This is the most disruptive Tommie has been in weeks...I hope he gets healthy this offseason...along with Dusty...they would make for a good tandem.
I wish our D would stop missing so many tackles...all season.
December 30, 2007
#58 Beardown1982 said . . .1st major mistake orton makes....
December 30, 2007
#59 johnny el paso said . . .Pretty shitty pass by Orton..however, at this point in the game, would have felt better about short passes to AP or Wolfe and or safe passes to our tight ends. All we really needed was a field goal on that possesion...no need to force anything down field.
December 30, 2007
#60 T said . . .WAY TO GO DEFENSE......PLAYING HARD NOSE DEFENSE......
December 30, 2007
#61 T said . . .Beardown....EXACTLY what I was thinking. Those passes have been very effective
December 30, 2007
#62 johnny el paso said . . .Go AP. How in the hell could we have been playing Cedric the busted pick all year
December 30, 2007
#63 Beardown1982 said . . .WHEN HESTER IS IN THE GAME EVERYTHING OPENS UP ON THE OFFENSE...... WHY CANT TURNER SEE THAT.......HES A THREAT TO THE DEFENSE..
December 30, 2007
#64 T said . . .whoa...did ayenbadejo just jump over that guy or am I seeing things??
I'm gonna miss him...I doubt we give him the money he wants.
December 30, 2007
#65 Beardown1982 said . . .Kick to the Skunk.....please
December 30, 2007
#66 T said . . .Dejavu with the safety...i think last year it was intentional grounding from the end zone...this year a holding call. Weird.
December 30, 2007
#67 Divine Hester said . . .Read Jeff's byline at the top. He was 5 for 5.
December 30, 2007
#68 johnny el paso said . . .Great performance and a night to remember for U. of. Illinois product Pierre Thomas...too bad they lost...Hope da Bears can carry some momentum into next season. Have a nice offseason everyone!
December 30, 2007
#69 Beardown1982 said . . .IT WAS GREAT POSTING IN THIS BLOG, SEE YOU GUYS NEXT SEASON, THAXXXXX FOR ALL THE FUN.... AND GO BEARS......
December 30, 2007
#70 Al in WI said . . .Took us all season...but we finally win back to back games.
Final Thoughts after a day of blogging...I finally got a lap top! Orton looked okay. Threw some nice deep balls, but had some iffy shorter throws all day. Stood tall in the pocket as usual though, which I like...and he has a much easier time throwing screens than short QBs like Grossman. AP and Wolfe ran hard...O-line played well in first half, only okay in the 2nd half. Not too many penalties on them.
Defense played hard, but missed too many tackles. Still, they caused turnovers and pressured Brees. Kudos to Alex Brown for having a great day...he batted down passes all day long (which is what you should do against short QBs who through a lot of underneath passes) I hope this wasn't the last time we see Briggs in a Bears uniform...Urlacher played well again and made plays.
Devin Hester...simply amazing. We need to give this guy some money in the offseason first and foremost. Look at the stats from the game...Saints won almost every category, but Devin was clearly the difference.
December 30, 2007
#71 Al in WI said . . .Breaking News: Lovie said in his postgame news conference that the Bears are close and he is not planing to change coordinators. It looks like Turner stays. He was pretty emphatic about it.......
December 30, 2007
#72 Duff Diggler said . . .The key to this game as the same as the key to last weeks game. The offensive line finally played well, and the defense played closer to what we expect with pressure and big plays by the stars.
December 30, 2007
#73 T said . . .I recant! Show Briggs the money!!!
December 30, 2007
#74 Willie from Chicago said . . .Sgt Duffy......Not a bad New Year eve's eve Happy New Year for us. Please be safe this next year Sgt Duffy and all the other Sgt Duffys and Comrades in service of our Country. We are fortunate you are out there. A million thank you's.
December 30, 2007
#75 Willie from Chicago said . . .What a game! we ran the ball pretty good, we threw the ball with ease and Devin Hester was rediculous! We also showed some balls by finally running some trick plays. Today our offense played nearly perfect and KO played like a solid backup but not a starter.
This is what we should do for the offseason:
1. re-sign Rex to a cheap deal with oncentives based on preformance
2. Replace at least 3 O-linemen from FA.
3. Get a new O Coordinater
4. Re-sign Briggs, Berrian, and Brandin I. (cant spell his last name).
5. Trade away Benson for picks or a decent running back.
6. Sign a good HB maybe Micael Turner.
7. Get rid of RT (Has not done anything good for this offense).
Well 2007 is over and we are back to zero and zero going into the offseason. Watching this team these past few games tells me that we are not that far away from contending next year. We can do it.
Its been a fun year at DABEARSBLOG and I thank you for letting me a part of it.
BEAR DOWN
2008December 31, 2007
#76 Midway Monster said . . .By the way, thanx for everything you have done for this country Duff, Happy New Year. I wish you the best of luck and return safely.
December 31, 2007
#77 Mike said . . .****************************
Not that it matters, but I was unable to log in to post my article.
What the hell - we won.
-- Midway --
****************************
December 31, 2007
#78 Duff Diggler said . . .Finishing the season on a "high note" does little to change things. Bottom line, Jerry Angelo has serious work ahead this offseason. It doesn't appear that Ron Turner will be axed. But it does seem inevitable that Lance Briggs is gone.
Rex Grossman? Well, I'm going to make a wild ass prediction and say he is playing for somebody else next season. Perhaps Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins make a modest investment in his services.
Kyle Orton? He's not the long-term answer. I'm not going to fall sucker to Bears' fan syndrome and get all giddy about this guy after two games. He is who we thought he was....a third string QB.
December 31, 2007
#79 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .I'm not sure how much blogging i'm going to be doing until the draft, but anyone here is most welcome to contact me via myspace or email!
brian.e.duffy@us.army.mil
www.myspace.com/duff_daddy3
...love to hear from ya! Thank you to everyone here that has thought of me... like I said, we all do our part... so thank you as well....BEAR DOWN!!!
December 31, 2007
#80 Chad said . . .Duff: From one displaced region rat to another, (I grew up in Valpo) BEAR DOWN! Be safe.
Hi everyone else- been a crazy few weeks and I'm ready for a new year. Many blessings to you all in '08.
GO BEARS!!!
December 31, 2007
#81 Midway Monster said . . .Sorry Willie but you are straight up dreaming. I like everything you said but here is what is wrong with it:
1. re-sign Rex to a cheap deal with oncentives based on preformance - WITH THE FREE AGENT CROP OUT THERE, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GIVE REX A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY. I MEAN LOOK AT ATLANTA, THE JETS, DETROIT, KC, TAMPA, BALTIMORE,
2. Replace at least 3 O-linemen from FA. MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
3. Get a new O Coordinater WELL, THIS HAS TO BE DONE.
4. Re-sign Briggs, Berrian, and Brandin I. (cant spell his last name). NOT ENOUGH MONEY AVAILABLE
5. Trade away Benson for picks or a decent running back. NOT GIVING UP ON A #4 PICK YET. NOT HAPPENING. THEY MIGHT BRING IN ANOTHER GUY TO COMPLIMENT HIM, BUT BENSON IS GOING TO BE A BEAR NEXT YEAR. AND NO ONE IS GOING TO TRADE THE BEARS A RUNNING BACK FOR BENSON. OR ANY GOOD PICKS AS BENSON'S VALUE IS REAL LOW RIGHT NOW.
6. Sign a good HB maybe Micael Turner. THIS COULD HAPPEN.
7. Get rid of RT (Has not done anything good for this offense). YOU ALREADY STATED THIS.
December 31, 2007
#82 Megan said . . .Did Brian Urlacher have a great game or what? I can only assume that his back is okay and he'll be around next year- else, they would have given him this game off. The man had a great december - 2 sacks, 3 INTS.
The man dominated the Saints in the second half & was hitting folks just like the good ole days.
I hope he returns in this form next season.
-- Midway --
December 31, 2007
#83 Megan said . . .Midway,
I brought tears to my eyes listening to Jeff J and Tom T describe Urlacher's sacks and overall all-over-the-feildness. I hope it is a view of things to come for next season.
He is so dreamy....as he crushes other teams.December 31, 2007
#84 Pissed Off said . . .oops, my spelling leaves much to be desired..
Duff, come back any time and no getting hurt allowed here, unless you wanna bash a Packer fan or something, we allow that.
Nicole, Happy Happy to you as well!
I hope the New Year finds all of daBearsers healthy and happy.XXOO
MeganDecember 31, 2007
#85 Phil from SATX said . . .Jeff we need our first offseason speculation thread to start today.
December 31, 2007
#86 Pissed Off said . . .This may be a long one, fair warning.
First I've got to say, THANK YOU BEARS! Thank you for giving the effort that I've been waiting for in the last two games. I had an absolutely fantastic time watching that game yesterday, and that followed an equally great experience the week before. You allowed my to end the season with a big smile on my face, excited for the offseason, excited for 2008. That means a lot to me.
Now we have to figure out - what changed? And do the last 2 games change anything about our previously-held opinions of what to do now, now that we're in the off-season?
First off, Devin Hester, Devin Hester... My biggest offseason hope is that you become a rich man and the words "Chicago Bear For Life" will be part of your ultimate Wikipedia entty - because surely this becomes as important to this organization as, say, Brian Urlacher - Bear for Life - or even Walter Payton - Bear for Life. This is a guy who must never be allowed to wear another team's uniform, and the time to begin that process is this offseason.
Next, Kyle Orton - boy you present an interesting dilemma. The interesting thing is, in these last two games, you look more like an NFL quarterback than Rex Grossman does - and remember I've morphed back into a Rex supporter. The way you handle yourself in the pocket, the height that allows you to see a lot more than Rex can - and an overall coolness under pressure, this is ALL GOOD.
BUT - you still have major accuracy issues that we all remember from 2005. Two years on the bench hasn't seemed to change that much. Can you improve on accuracy? I don't know. And that question is the one on which the issue of you as a starter for the Bears hinges. But you showed enough to not be an offseason cut, since you are still under contract. Great job overall bringing us two wins at the end of the season.
The biggest single difference in these last two games, and especially in this game, I believe, has been the play of the offensive line. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a conspicuous absence of Fred Miller and Ruben Brown in this game? So yes, as we've been saying all season, our backups have to be better than what we saw with the starters - and they were. And it becomes so obvious how much better as a team we can be with even slight improvement in the line play - resulting in a hard working but ultimately skill-limited running back like the beloved AP being effective. So this gives us all major hope for next year, because we know that the line has management's attention, and it WILL become better next year. Without Fred Miller and the once-great but now injured and old Ruben Brown.
So now that brings me to the RT situation. What in tarnation has happened to RT in the last two games? He shed his dread pirate gear and now looks like - dare we say it? - a competent offensive coordinator. What changed? I don't know, but I have some ideas... First, see the previous paragraph - with better Oline play, the whole offense looks better, and so do his play calls. Second, for whatever reason, with nothing to play for, he starts playing Hester and Garrett Wolfe and even Mark Freaking Bradley, and using them in smart ways that they can succeed in - and it's all been working. We'll never know who's to blame for not using these weapons earlier in the season - was it bad evaluation by RT, was it Lovie forcing the decisions on RT, what? Bottom line, I still haven't changed my mind about RT needing to go, but maybe his performance in the last two games has saved me from a suicide attempt when I learn that he's staying - I may be able to live after all.
I feel even more optimism about the state of Babich and the D. Here too, either he or Lovie erred terribly during this season in their personnel decisions, and none worse than his Alex Brown/Mark Anderson decision. I thought that the biggest difference was going to be the return of Vasher, but he only played in one game, and the D was still resurgent. Babich seemed to be setting up the D differently, and we are seeing more batdowns at the line of scrimmage that looked like last year than in all of our previous games combined. I'm looking for someone more skilled than I to explain what the difference is in the defensive setup. But it has worked, and also we are seeing the emergence of Brandan McGowan as a bonafide safety, and Tru McBride as a competent corner. Does McGowan's play change the need at safety? Probably not, but he makes us feel a lot better about our depth at the position.
So, in a nutshell, here's the new task list for the offseason:
1) Re-sign Devin Hester - Bear for Life
2) OL OL OL - most important offsesason change.
3) Re-sign Lance. Love you Jamar, but we still need Lance.
4) Safety - but play of McGowan could allow for it not to be the first pick.
5) Fire RT - congratulations RT, you dropped to 5th on the list because of your play calls and personnnel deployment in the last two games, and maybe you saved a life (or two, including Rancid).
6) Re-sign Rex, keep Orton, dump Grease Spot, pick a QB in the draft (but not with the first pick please).
7) Re-sign Berrian but not if you have to break the bank (which means likely lose him), cut Moose
8) Free agent WR if Berrian leaves
9) Free agent RBThat's a long list, and a long post. Sorry.
Thanks Bears, and thanks da Bears Blog, for a very interesting season, and one filled with way more great memories than a 7-9 team should have. Paraphrasing the late non-great Dave Wannstedt, "This may be the best (and certainly most interesting) 7-9 team ever!"
December 31, 2007
Orton, for some reason, had lots of time in the pocket the last two weeks unlike Rex and BG have had all year. I dont know what gives there but it sure would've been nice to have that kind of protection all year. Hell Rex wouldnt have gotten hurt in D.C. if thats the case. Your right Phil, that is the biggest difference, o-line. Therefore Rex should be back, he's far more talented then Orton and with that protection like Orton has had...look out. I hope the brain trust wasnt fooled by his performace(s).
December 31, 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.