When the ball is kicked off Sunday afternoon in Chicago, I don’t think Xs and Os will determine the outcome. The Bears are better on offense and defense. They’re healthier. They have something to play for. They’re at home. If this game were played on December 7th 2008 without the benefit of my having seen November 2008, I’d pick the Bears to win by a couple touchdowns.
But the Bears went an ugly 2-3 in the month of November. They squeaked passed a winless Lions club and destroyed the non-existent Rams. They lost the other three contests by a combined score of 92-31. The only win of circumstance for Chicago in November was against John McCain. At the point in the season where the good teams have begun finding answers, the Bears are suddenly rife with questions.
Does Charles Tillman have the resolve to play aggressively against the poorest group of receivers we’ll face all season? Does John St. Clair have the confidence to overcome the certain-hangover of his career-low performance? Does Kyle Orton have guts, the actual guts, to play his game knowing that he’s probably one interception away from hearing his first resounding home chorus of boos? Will the team as a whole – all 53 on the active roster – play with the kind of passion that seemed so easily drained from them by an inexplicable full-field touchdown pass from Big Gus to Bernie B?
Lovie Smith doesn’t strike me as the kind of coach who is a master of motivation. He strikes me as the kind of coach who blows on his soup before he puts it in his mouth. His Chicago Bears will tell you all you need to know before the end of the first quarter. If they’re sluggish, lifeless, uninspired…forget 2008. It’s over. If they’re flying all over the field with a seemingly reckless abandon and knocking Jaguars to the turf like their season depends on it…then there just might be some hunt left in these dogs.
Some other notes...
David Haugh is right on the money (for a change). To expect this Bears group to win four straight games with no track-record of doing so is a bit of a reach. But it doesn't change the fact that it might be the only way to make the postseason in 2008. His best line: "As easy as it is to believe how the Bears could get on a roll with their defense and finish 4-0, it would not take much persuasion to see how they also could go 0-4."
Brad Biggs rightfully kills the receivers, who have masterfully blended their inability to catch the football with their endless desire to run a route other than the one called in the huddle. When Dr. Hester is your most consistent option on the outside, you're in trouble at the position.
#2 stuck in mn said . . .If the Bears are to end the season on a high note, they need to watch the last game of the season last year against the Saints. They didnt have much to play for then as their playoff hopes were shattered and many said they should just lose to get a higher pick, but the Bears played some of their best qualities that game. Forget Lovie, they need to band together, hold a players only meeting, and make every who holds then down look again. We finally have a solid running game, we just need to get our heads out of our asses on defense. Hopefully Warren Sapp will continue to put down Tommie Harris, as whenever he does that, Harries comes out fierceful. F the Vikes, Pack, and whoever. We are the Chicago Fucking Bears and we win when we want to. Bear Down!!!
December 4, 2008
#3 jeremy34 said . . .JUST WIN THIS WEEK
December 4, 2008
#4 MickeyBundles said . . .I still miss having a stellar D that could get to the qb every time. I want that back.
Maybe we should try throwing the ball to G Olsen ten times a game. Why not?
By the way, how is our number one pick Chris Williams coming along?
December 4, 2008
#5 Z said . . .Anyone know what happened to StoogeTV.com? It looks like it's been shut down. That was my lifeline for Bears football...
December 4, 2008
#6 Nick said . . .I would trade half the D for Boldin right now. To expect average players to be great is unrealistic (WR's and O-Line on run blocking), for great players to not even play decent/average is unacceptable. If we lose any of these 4 games (3 and 1 and we win the division could maybe slide as acceptable), I want heads to roll. To allow this type of performance throughout the season and not send a message that it will not be tolerated is begging for repeated, consistent failure. That can't be why any of the players, coaches or front office people are in the line of work that they are so they should respect that. $$ aside. They are already rich. Do they have any pride or respect for the tradition that they are a part of here?
December 5, 2008
#7 big rob said . . .I agree with Reality Check we need to play the game with intensity. Jeff stated above that we will know everything about the Bears this week by the end of the first quarter. To this I have to disagree. The Bears usually put up a great first quarter, half even. It's in the third and fourth quarters we tend to struggle.
I also happen the believe Kyle Orton is a decent QB. He's no Manning, Brees, or Brady, but in his first few games he never threw a pick. Sure his last three games haven't as good as games preceding, keep in mind his passes were tipped during the Viking game. It is safe to say he is better than Rex and miles ahead of Rex's decision making abilities. So to question him now is unfair. Plus, his leadership abilities. He seems boring during interviews and has somewhat of a cold body language, but I have watched him in several games and noticed his teammates listen to him and trust in him. It is too bad this is a "what have you done for me lately," view we are putting on Orton. He is developing nicely. He needs and has earned a shot. He at least deserves the fans respect.
Our defense needs to step up a bit and suck it up a lot. Last week's game when a turnover was committed the defense played as if they were mad at the offense. We need to get back to our roots and play lights out like everyone knows we can. We need to gain our swagger back. Right now our swagger looks weaker than the teenaged Brian Urlacher in those Old Spice commercials.
December 5, 2008
#8 NittyGritty34 said . . .something to lighten the mood!!! GO BEARS!!
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/rookie_running_back_cant
December 5, 2008
Gotta love the Onion!!!
Time to Nut up Bears!
Bear Down!!
December 5, 2008
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.