I have to admit I'm having some trouble with the whole Packer Week thing this time around. In a season of such tremendous disappointment, can moral victories really be found and would beating the Packers twice provide such a moral victory? I'm not sure.
On one hand, the Chicago Bears have only swept the season series from the Pack once in the Brett Favre era (and only that one time since Mike Ditka stopped being da coach). That was in 2005 where Kyle Orton led the Bears to a 19-7 win. And when I say led, I mean he threw for a mind-boggling 49 yards. A Bears win Sunday might also go a long way to ensuring the Favre and company have to travel to Dallas should that be the matchup in the NFC Championship Game.
On the other hand, who gives a shit? Are any of us going to use the uber-lame "yeah but we beat you twice" defense when confronted by Packers fans about this miserable excuse for a season? I know I'm not. Yes it'd be fun but what would it ultimately mean? About as much as our Week 17 loss to the Pack meant last season. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.
Sure I'd like to win Sunday. I'd like to win every Sunday and especially every Sunday that involves the cheese. But this Sunday the Bears and Packers will be playing just another football game at Soldier Field. They're preparing to make their fun for another Super Bowl title. We're in last place.
#2 Chad said . . .Can you imagine if Kyle Orton "led" the Bears to ANOTHER 19-7 win?
All I can say is that a sweep Sunday would heal a lot of wounds from this painful year, especially when considering it's GB going to the playoffs and not the Bears.
Prediction:
Packers 7
Bears 19 (and 49 yds. from Orton)
December 19, 2007
#3 Tone Capone from Jersey said . . ." That was in 2004 where Kyle Orton led the Bears to a 19-7 win"
That would be 2005, my friend.
December 19, 2007
#4 Tone Capone from Jersey said . . .We all know what a crappy season it has been for us all across the board. So much was expected as a result of that outstanding run we had last season even though we lost the "BIG DANCE". My thing is..Whatcha gonna do?
It's done!
What is priceless to me right now is whopping GB's butt all over the field in a classic show down between old BLACK and BLUE foes.
Cheese anyone?
December 19, 2007
#5 Da Coach said . . .It's never "just another game" when we play the Pack and who cares what Pack fans think!!!
Don't get me wrong Jeff, you are an awesome writer but you sound bordeline pathetic in that last paragraph.
Jeff, of course we'd like to win every Sunday WHO WOULDN'T. I'm not going to sit here defeated and write Sunday's game off. It's about getting up for every game no matter what. Miami played like crap all season with the possibility of going winless, but they never gave up. Does that win correct the previous 13 weeks of horror and hell...... NO!
IT MEANT THE WORLD TO THOSE MEN!
AND IF YOUR A BEARS FAN IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO BEAT THE PACK!
December 19, 2007
#6 Pissed Off said . . .Pains me to say it but time to get ready for the offseason, free agency, draft etc. Enough trying to stomach this pathetic offense week in and week out. Its obvious the coaching staff has no clue how to make in game decisions & even properly prepare for the game. I just hope that changes are made all around on this team next year.
December 19, 2007
#7 Rancid said . . .I didnt mention it before but since others did I want to reiterate that I wanted Peanut in the Pro Bowl. He is our best CB and best guy in the secondary period. Unless of course Mike Brown is healthy EVER then its close. Vash is good but not as good as Peanut in coverage or open field tackling. I have been on Peanuts bandwagon for a long time. BTW did we ever sign him to a long term deal? Or was it just Vash?
Tone just chill out. This weeks games mean didley shit. Who care if we win or lose? Seriously. Everything Jeff said is the truth. Dont be delusional about this year. I will say that this year would be far easier to accept had we not been favored to go to the SB this year coming off an appearance last year. Hell we've had seasons like this aplenty for the past decade + its just that we were supposed to be good. I'm excited for the offseason.
December 19, 2007
#8 JB said . . .Pro Bowl - We have to view the Pro Bowl in light of the league. Yeah Tillman played great, but did he play better than the guys they picked? I don't know, but we can't say things like "Wale should have gotten in instead of Tommie" Wale has to outplay some really great DEs to make it whereas DT is a fairly weak spot in the NFC, so it's easy for Tommie to sneak in.
PO - we signed 'em both for a few years
Packer Week - I do care more than a normal game, but not like a playoff year. Mainly because one of my life dreams is for the career of Farve (if he won't spell it right I will) to end at Soldier field under a muddy pile of navy and burnt. I know, people are offended that I want someone to get hurt. I know, I should respect his talent and maturely appreciate his contribution to the game. Perhaps I should even sit with Packer fans and reminisce about his grandeur, and how lucky the Bears were just to share the same division with such hallowed greatness when he makes the Hall. Maybe I should get a #4 tattoo like Madden's.
I know, I know. But it's not gonna happen. I have spent the last 15+ years of my life despising him and his destruction is still one of my favorite dreams. No offense to guys like Windy City, I like them on here, but that's just not the way I follow football.December 19, 2007
#9 Pissed Off said . . .PO'd, we signed both CB's as Rancid said, and Peanuts deal was bigger if I remember correctly. To just complete my point, Peanut had 6 takeaways...2 picks and 4 forced fumbles...how many corners force 4 fumbles? Picks are great, but they're not always the absolute best indication of great secondary play. Look at the Vasher pick the other night...I know people say this all the time, but I think I could have picked that ball off...of course, I would have fumbled it away, but thats besides the point.
I honestly think Peanut was the only consistent bright spot this year. Tommie would disappear during games, Urlacher had some rough outings and honestly, I think briggs was good but not ProBowl level. I'm not sure Wale beat out the other NFC DE guys, but I know I'd rather have Peanut on my team than Terrance Newman.
I have just resolved to buying a #33 jersey for next season.
December 19, 2007
#10 mikebdot said . . .Awesome call JB, thats why I was asking if we locked up Peanut, Im going to buy his jersey as well. But I didnt want to buy a guys jersey if he's gone in a year. Now if we can just re-sign Rex so I didnt waste the money on that jersey last year.
December 19, 2007
#11 Pissed Off said . . .The Packers game is always a potentiality for a Theisman (pronounced "thea - sman" originally, but he changed it to sound more like Heisman, fuckin' tool) - like injury to Favre. It would be a fitting end to his career. He could take codeine to heal the pain for the rest of his life. Oh, he'll probably already do that.
Mmm, codeine.
I was high on Tillman late last year. But, I still wonder about our inability to defend short passes. It's more scheme than anything else. Regardless though, I think his play this year has been outstanding. He never gives up on plays. He doesn't blatantly miss tackels.
Still, I think Vasher and him are really close. Vasher had a few great open field tackles last week. Obviously, he can't go to the pro-bowl this year since he's been hurt. But, if we actually stay SOMEWHAT healthy next season, the league will be in for a surprise, with only a change to the O-line. Any change is necessarily good. Just like the Colts on defense. They lost a bunch of people from last year and everyone at the beginning of the year said "oh, no, they lost Jason fucking David and Cato fucking June". Dumb asses.
The more changes on offense the better. We literally can't get worse running the football.
This season's performance by Fred Miller is quite possibly the worst offensive tackle performance in the history of the NFL.
December 19, 2007
#12 mikebdot said . . .Maybe I'll have it custom made though and have "Peanut" put on the back instead of Tillman. Is that tacky?
December 19, 2007
#13 Rancid said . . .PO'd: All jerseys are "tacky". As in "gaudy, flashy, showy".
I have a Charleston Chiefs jersey with my name on the back, rather than "Hanson". The number is "26", my bday is 9/26. Is it tacky? Hell yeah. Do I care? Hell no!
December 19, 2007
#14 Rancid said . . .PO'd - That's not tacky. It's only tacky if you put your name or something lame on there. I saw a guy in Buffalo with one that said #1 fan on the back. THAT was tacky.
December 19, 2007
#15 jeff said . . .Uh oh - I accidentally called mikeb tacky. I hadn't seen your post when I wrote mine.
December 19, 2007
#16 Da Coach said . . .vasher signed through 2012. tillman signed through 2013.
December 19, 2007
#17 Heywood Jublomey said . . .I'd like to see Faneca locked up in FA through 2012 as well.
December 19, 2007
#18 Rancid said . . .Dear Chicago Bears:
I am done with you. Call me when you're good again.
December 19, 2007
#19 jeff said . . .I was looking at O Line salaries on that USA Today sight and I think that Faneca is gonna be looking for a minimum of 5 million a year (probably closer to 6) with a bunch guaranteed. I wonder if our BT will go there. That's pretty darn steep. I think he's worth it after watching him a little (and us a lot) this year, but hey, that's me. Right now Flozell Adams (also a FA incidentally) makes the most annually at 5 million.
In a side note, I also noticed that Fred Miller makes an insane amount of money (close to 4 million this year) to suck hard, while Garza really doesn't take home that much (well under a million). I thought our whole O line was getting overpaid. Really it's just Miller. Kreutz is worth it as far as I'm concerned, I think Tait is ok as well as long we can get him back on the right side, and garza and brown aren't getting paid all that much. Interesting. It's been on here before but heres that link.
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=122
December 19, 2007
#20 Al in WI said . . .the o-line is interesting. i think the bears should slide tait back to the right side, keep garza and kreutz. bring in faneca and work on the left tackle. however, they have to make the decisions on briggs, grossman and berrian before making any moves...their cap space will change drastically
December 19, 2007
#21 mikebdot said . . .I would enjoy a victory over the packers that would make it a clean sweep. It would save me personally some bs from their fans, but so would have a victory over the queens Monday. (It sucks living on the border of our two biggest rivals)
Having said that, it won't save the season. And it won't make up for any of the garbage I've had to sit through since the first packer game.
But the bottom line is this; there is no chance we're going to beat the Packers this week. I'm sorry but with that quarterback we'll be lucky to score 13 points, and with the spread offense used by the Pack they will move the ball at will. It's going to be ugly, prepare thyself.December 19, 2007
#22 Pissed Off said . . .Rancid: In my defense, it was purchased as a gift for me. It's also my last name, not "mike". Still, I know it's tacky. People still give me props for having a Chiefs jersey though. I would also think your name on a fictional team's jersey is mildly LESS tacky. There's a continuation of tacky. My opinoin though, is that ALL jerseys are on it.
December 19, 2007
#23 Duff Diggler said . . .I might need more evidence. If some regular Joe passing me on the street saw I was wearing a jersey and it had the name "Peanut" on the back what would they think. Thats obviously not the last name of a player so would they think its my nickname? Normally I dont care what other people think but I'm not sold on this yet. Maybe I'll just go with Tillman. I think football people that know its his nickname will respect it but other might just be like "wow that guys got some issues, he put "peanut" on the back of his jersey WTF??"
Anyway aside from my wardrobe issue I agree with Jeff that we need to get other things straight so we can see what we have. I would like Rex to be re-signed ASAP as well as Briggs if he's not looking for insane money. Btwice too if he'll take reasonable money, not #1 money otherwise boot him. Then we can see what we have and work on O-line. In all these scenarios you guys bring up it appears we will not have a left tackle or that we can simply plug someone in. Thats like the most important line position of all and I dont know if some rookie can come in and do it. I am fine leaving Tait where he is and then lets just find a decent right guard and put Miller in at guard. Dont forget Ruben Brown, he wants to come back again and I'm fine with that.
December 19, 2007
#24 Pissed Off said . . .Please forgive my tardiness....I needed a day or so to get over the fact that i honestly thought we had the best team from top to bottom at the beginning of the year. My bias aside, i am now questioning my football knowledge alltogether.... Did we really get that lucky last year? Or did we really have that bad of a year with the talent we have? Could I have been so wrong? Is there something in the water in Chicago? I mean really!!!
Sox (whom of which I could care less due to my Cubs allegience, however I can respect for bringing the city a trophy): World Series Champs to worst record in the league....
Cubs: Spent $300M, make a strong run for the playoffs, then get swept in the first round by the D-Backs
Bulls: Sweep Miami first round of the playoffs, and now..........8-14...barely....
Bears: 2006 NFC Champs....to the cellar of the NFC North....
As I recycled and drank the tears that were shed into my beer and delivered a monumental beating to my poor innocent couch, I gazed upon the shattered pieces of my team. I feel like a fat girl, eating bon-bons and triple fudge icecream after having the high school QB1 ask me to the prom, and later finding out it was only a cruel joke as he and the head (patriots) chearleader drive by my house together laughing, on what was supposed to be my big night. The Bears are certainly not who I thought they were. So I remain like a gaper of a horrific car accident as the adhesive optical qualities of Bears games linger. It seems as though the ever elusive and poorly named Lombardi Trophy remains as is.....
....and now we're talking about the probowl.....
....really?
Pathetic. Did someone wish a plague o this house? I will say this.... P-nut was more than just snubbed....he was slapped in the face with this! Wale as well....
.....Oh what? No probowl for Fred miller or John Tait? Awwww.....
I have an idea! How about we swap 2nd round picks this offseason and just give someone away? Maybe that will catalize the '08 season! Is the heiress Virginia McCaskey trying to move the team or something? Shades of the movie Major League appear similar when psychotic, overly passionate fanatics whom of which lack lives, such as myself, are making good, obvious calls as livingroom GMs....i thank God that i'm in the military because i have no hair to pull out....
is 20 yards too much to ask for?
...cuz last time i checked, we pretty much start at mid-field on every possesion....20 yards! Robbie can hit 'em all day! Just get me 20 yards! Someone page the San Fransisco offense....i think they can get 20 yards....
...but anyway, yeah lets beat the brown bay shit packers.... and the 'aints.... lets try and get some momentum for next year.... i say line up hester right behind kruetz! what have we got to lose? lets get creative! ....or we can have Tait/Miller get KO KOed when he doesn't have time to throw the check down (which seems to be his only option).... and that's only possible if they don't false start.... i think we've gotten to the point at OL in which a turnequet should be applied....
.....so I will pour the Guiness and toast to a season that of which only lessons probably unlearned shouldn't be forgotten..... and i shall continue to worship the false idol that is this team as my hopeless romanticism for the Bears had branded me once again.....
BEAR THE F%#* DOWN!
December 19, 2007
#25 JB said . . .I meant find a good right tackle for Miller and move him to guard, or cut him to save cap space, yeah do that instead since we'll have Brown, Garza, Metcalf etc.
December 19, 2007
#26 jeff said . . .We wont have Brown...100 to 1 he retires. Remember Beekman may be ready to be worked in at some point...he was rated fairly high.
Re: Tillman vs. Peanut...I think you go either way. The #1 fan thing is tacky. Wearing a completely outdated jersey for a bad player is tacky (see curtis enis or cade mcnown jerseys). As for jerseys themselves being tacky? I think its great to wear during a game or some sort of themed party where jerseys are the standard. Wearing a jersey out in public on a tuesday or randomly to work or something is ridiculous. I once saw a guy at a bar with a Kerry Collins, Carolina Panthers jersey...
December 19, 2007
#27 Rancid said . . .hey duff...the sad thing about this team is look how many double digit leads they have blown this season. detroit, giants, vikings...they just played poorly this season, there's no other way around it. when you have ten point leads and cant run the ball, you can't protect the leads which they did masterfully a year ago.
December 19, 2007
#28 Midway Monster said . . .PO - In your #22 you got me wondering if a rookie LT can be counted on. So I checked the last 2 drafts to see what has become of them.
In 06, only 1 first round OT.
Ferguson (Jets) - starts LT
In 06, there were 5 2nd round OT.
Mcneill (Chargers) - starts LT
Trueblood (Bucs) - starts RT
Whitworth (Bengals) - starts LG, #2 LT
Colledge (Pack) - #2 LT, #2 LG
Justice (Eagles) - #2 LT, #2 RTIn 07, there were 3 1st round OT.
Thomas (Browns) - starts LT
Brown (Cardinals) - starts RT
Staley (49ers) - starts RTIn 07, there was 1 2nd round OT
Sears - starts LGFrom all that it would appear that O line is actually one of the safer picks in the first 2 rounds will all tackles chosen at least #2 on the depth chart, with the majority of them starting, including 3 starting LT, 3 starting RT, 2 starting LG, and 2 backup LT. Not bad for odds.
December 19, 2007
#29 Papa Bear said . . .While it may not be thriling, it is important. Beating the Pack 2X is all we have left- don't let it go. Without that, we got nothin'.
-- Midway --
December 19, 2007
#30 Mike said . . .Typically, left tackle is the second highest paid position in football next to QB. Faneca or not, we need to get our money's worth. Tait's clearly not the answer at LT and the right side of the line is insufferable. If you all ever get the time, pick up "The Blindside" by Michael Lewis. Great read.
I'm still kind of new to this blog, I found it oddly comforting to surround myself with anonymous Joes who shared my love of Da Bears...now I'm not so sure. Of course a win would mean something! Anything to prevent the misery of another Monday bitching about how bad we are...Now grow a sac and support your f'ing team you pitiful losers. And NO, for the love of God, that doesn't mean buying an variety of Bears jerseys in different colors and numbers. That means actually cheering for your damn team. I'd love to see some improvement and some respectable play. Will we? Dunno, but I can guarantee you'll find me Sunday afternoon in my Bears hoodie on the couch cheering on my team. And you'll find me there next Sunday too.
ps- where the hell is Phil? Somebody should check on that SOB to make sure he's ok, normally he would have posted like 4 times by now.
December 19, 2007
#31 Pissed Off said . . .Green Bay has a playoff spot and first round bye already wrapped up. They will approach this game like a preseason game, where the objective is to get your work in and come out of the contest injury free. We may even see Aaron Rogers play the 2nd half regardless of the score.
December 19, 2007
#32 mikebdot said . . .I thought I heard that Brown wants to be back and isnt he still under contract? If he's healthy I dont care if he's old, he's good enough in this O-line I'll take him.
I like to wear my jersey on gameday or the saturday before gameday. I dont go out that much. We need a vote to start.....should I get the tillman jersey with "Tillman" on the back or "Peanut"? I will use this to ultimately determine which way I go.
Good research Rancid, I guess the fact that Robert Gallery was drafted so high and that he really hasnt panned out just sticks in my head from a few years back.
Papa Bear this season is over. It sucks. We will always cheer on our team no matter the situation but I'm not going to get excited again this year. This team sucks badly and gives us no reason as a whole to be overly excited about a losing season. Dont hate on me because I have Bears gear galore OK. Just cuz I can afford it doesnt mean I try to overdress in Bears gear to overcompensate for my lack of fanhood. I am as diehard and knowledgeable (as I can be) as they come and I get decked out in Bears gear because I can and I love it. Bottom line, all of us here always support the Bears, but we are not excited at this point.
December 19, 2007
#33 Jay said . . .Mike: The number 1 position is not locked up yet. Granted, they'd have to pick up a game on Dallas (since Dallas beat them), but I doubt they play Aaron Rogers, unless they're up big at the end of the third quarter or so.
December 19, 2007
#34 beardown1982 said . . .There is nobody on the planet who could have predicted this trainwreck of a season. Week 16 of the season and its the Packers, not the Bears, who would have been projected to have 5 wins. Packer week? Give me a break. I'm so embarassed at this stage. Favre will stick it up our ass for the millionith time. But I agree with Mike above. Green Bay's objective is to get ready for the playoffs moreso than beat the hapless Bears on Sunday. That's what I'd be doing if I were in their shoes.
December 19, 2007
#35 JT said . . .No way the Pack treats this as a preseason game...all they need to do is win twice and hope Dallas slips up once in the final two games (could happen given the way they are playing lately) and they get homefield.
Can we stop acting like there is a particular way you need to act if you are a Bears fan during Packer week? Just because it's Packer week doesn't mean you are a bad fan because you can't get as excited for this game as usual after such an incredibly disappointing season. If you get amped for it, good for you. I'm glad you are excited. I personally would like to beat the Pack, but it would be a small silver lining on a season with very high expectations. I'm much more concerened about being just another super bowl loser than I am with sweeping the Packers.
How can we improve this team so we aren't just a has been in 2008...that is what I'm most concerned about.
December 19, 2007
#36 jeff said . . .I guess that's where Papa Bear has it wrong; it doesn't matter if we win or if we lose, we'll still bitch about it on Monday.
December 19, 2007
#37 DTB said . . .i like the in-fighting in the comments. makes sense. but i'll tell you its re-affirmed the merit of the initial column i think. there is a growing generation of bears fans who probably think the bears/packers rivalry is bullshit because...WHAT RIVALRY? as for papa bear, i think if you've been reading this site you know that i advocate for the cheering on and winning every damn football game. but the question i raised is what would beating the packers twice really mean? i argue nothing but a good time.
December 19, 2007
#38 Pissed Off said . . .Speaking of Tillman jersey's. You all are late to the party. My father bought me a road #33 for Christmas '03. Great gift! We both (as well countless others) loathed Randy Moss. And when I saw Peanut outplay Moss in the corner of the endzone on a patented fade route, I knew then that I'd be rockin' out a #33. Great memory!
December 19, 2007
#39 Shady said . . .Great job DTB. I loved that play, it solidified the win for us. That when Tillman became the best Bears CB and ever since he's been rock solid. He misses a game here and there with injury every couple of years but who doesnt. He's certainly more reliabe than Vasher.
Makes me wonder about these guys with roids and HGH and such. If you use this stuff a lot it makes you more injury prone becuase your body isnt prepared to handle the mass you've put on as well as other side effects but it makes you wonder how many of these injures are actually in part because of that. Yeah some dude tore a muscle but why did he tear it? Was it easily torn becuase of the roids you were takin'? Maybe under normal circumstances (no juice) it wouldn't have torn in that situation.
December 19, 2007
#40 23=rsandberg=mjordan=dhester said . . .Duff (#23)
Helluva post, man.
December 19, 2007
#41 Al in WI said . . .Go for the 'Peanut" on the back of the jersey....hey its different,unique & if sum1 doesnt know who wears #33 & his nickname,U shouldnt be concern what they think,cause more than likely are not football or more importantly chicago bear fans...........I got #23 w/ANYTIME on back
December 19, 2007
#42 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Some random thoughts for the day:
1. The Bears need to decide between Wolfe and Peterson this offseason. Starting Benson was one thing, not having an alternative to him that could be an every down back was the real problem. Both Wolfe and AP are 3rd down backs and role players. You can't keep both if you are going to have 3 rbs on the roster.
2. The Bears front office should make plays for Berrian and Grossman now. This team has too many holes this offseason, and shouldn't risk letting these guys test the market.
3. The short list to replace Ron Turner should include Jim Fassel, Chan Gailey, and experienced OC's from coaching staffs that get fired in two weeks. (Think Cinci) They should not hire someone who doesn't have experience as a play caller.
December 19, 2007
#43 Phillip said . . .Rancid, I'm feelin' (no wait, not literally) you with your Favre comments. I can understand where it's coming from, and I appreciate your acknowledgement in post #7 (which happens to be Don Majkowski's number, the last QB to start before Favre).
Did anybody else hear on ESPN 1000 (or was it the score) this AM around 11:00. They were talking about the fact that Lovie, Turner and Babich all share the same agent, and that RT and Babich are signed through 2009. I think that the likelihood of RT getting the axe is slim, considering some of those factors.
I'm telling you guys, there are enough Bear fans to start a grass roots effort, raise money, buy the damn team from the McCaskeys. Make Ditka the lead figure. Generate the cash. Take back your team. Don't let these people put you through this agony year in and year out. Hell, I saw a guy dressed in his full Bear regalia at the 2004 Packer shareholder meeting. I got to give it to him for not only attending, but wearing his Bear stuff in a sea of green and gold.
Yes, I'm drinking early. If you down a few, then read this post, maybe you'll agree.
December 20, 2007
Tone Capone, are you Anthony? Jets fan @ the Gael? If so, make sure you get your ass out there Saturday night, it's Christa's going-away party.
This applies to everyone, actually - you'll never meet a more die-hard Bears fan that hasn't been to Chicago in her life. 83rd and 3rd, ~9:00 Saturday.
December 20, 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.