Last night in Minnesota, with a division title waiting to be seized, all that we thought we understood about our 2008 Chicago Bears evaporated into the damp dome air. These are the Cinderella Bears. Not because they rise above their humble, peasant roots to achieve a regal nobility but because ultimately their true identity will be revealed. The clock will strike midnight. The horses turn back to mice. The pristine carriage is a blotchy, dirty, dented shit pumpkin.
And the pumpkin was on display last night.
Remember when Charles Tillman was on pace for a Pro Bowl season? Last night he looked like the worst player on the field. Tillman's meandering coverage on the 99-yard Berrian touchdown catch may be remembered as the play that ended this season. When did our strength and depth at cornerback become our primary liability?
Remember when Kyle Orton limited turnovers? His second-half performance may be the growing pains of a still-young quarterback but it could not have happened at a worse time for this team. He wasn't bad last night. He was Rex.
Remember when John St. Clair was good at blocking people? His performance against Jared Allen reminded me of that kid left tackle in Philly who allowed Osi to sack Donovan McNabb six times last year. If Chris Williams is the future at the position, the future should begin at Wednesday's practice.
Remember when our receivers over-achieved? Rash Davis, Devin Hester and AP2: Electric Bugaloo had major drops on key third down conversions that took our offense off the field. The Bears most pressing need this off-season should be acquiring a bona fide number one wideout to play with Hester - preferably someone who can catch.
Remember when Matt Forte was the future of the franchise? He still is.
Remember when Ron Turner showed flashes as an exciting caller of football plays? He stinks. And let me get this straight. Jason McKie is hurt and you STILL RUN THE JASON MCKIE PLAY AT THE GOAL LINE? Let me know when this works, Ron. I'll send you some candy.
Remember...oh, enough.
Ultimately last night was another game in a long season and a blown opportunity. But remember, the Bears trail a football team that closes it season against three current NFC playoff teams (at Arizona, Atlanta, Giants) so they're not out of the race for a division title (by any means). They don't - however - inspire confidence of any sort. They don't make you want to root for them. They don't walk down the long palace staircase and draw the attention of all in attendance. They're just dirty, dented shit pumpkins and unless they locate a fairy godmother with some kind of magic dust, they'll be sitting home in January.
I wouldn't bet on it.
#2 Ex-Bear fan said . . .Well this is the 6th Monday I have to wake up this season an ask....why?
6-6 that what we are,(Jim Mora)"Playoff! are you kinding Playoff!!"
3rd time this year the brass ring was there for the taking,an we brushed it aside.
We instead choose to try the tried an true method of backing into the playoffs.
So at Halas Hall today,we wait for the lastest spin on what Qrtr of the season we're in an we going to finish strong..blah,blah,Etc...
So for the fan this week we'll rage for Turner to be pushed off the Sear Tower,Peanut to be drawn an quartered,Matt Forte to have a Gold statue in Grant Park,Lovie to placed in a Iron Maiden,An place Bachich in there with Lovie,also.
But me I seen this dance with the Bears to many time,Up an down season with a sliver of hope for the playoff.So now with the final 4 games I'll watch rage a lil,pray alot,An wait for the final gun of the season an see where the Bears fall.
Knuckle up an Beardown
December 1, 2008
#3 johnnyelpaso said . . .It's over. Fire Babich, Fire Lovie, let's move on.
December 1, 2008
#4 Jokey said . . .we need to get rid of lovie, babich, turner, angelo and everyone else who doesnt give a shit about this team......this team is not giving out any effort what so ever.......this team is in a rebuilding stage now and we need someone who will not put up with any shit......i suggest as the new bears head coach to be bill cowher or mike singletary......these 2 coaches will not put up with the lack of leadership that this team is missing......
December 1, 2008
#5 Reality Check said . . .You highlighted all the shitty shit I wanted to grouse about - Tillman, the McKieless call: what's worse than a McKie center dive? A dive by his practice squad replacement - and against the Williams?! What? Is that supposed to be a trick play because it is the last thing the offense would expect? How moronic. And Orton - his problem was not his ankle, it was between his ears. Even when he had time he sucked.
Nothing is more maddening and disappointing to me than to see my Bears fail to reach their potential, and let's just say that I'm not disappointed in this team anymore - they are mediocre and play like it. I'd rather see them eliminated in the regular season than embarrassed in the Wildcard round. Embarrassed in the objective sense b/c I doubt the team, coaches included, would feel that emotion. So far I've seen angry, slighted, indignant, and stoic.
December 1, 2008
#6 Joseph said . . .I saw it last night. It again proves my point, we cannot beat any decent team. Lets be honest, despite the Vikings record, that team is WAY better than us. Better QB (can actually throw longer than 15 yards), and a much better defense. The bears need a serious reality check. Lets start off with just a couple of things they need to do and fast:
-New GM. Angelo has done nothing but be bull headed with every decision he has made. Did you know that he told Mike Singletary “Sorry, but you don’t have enough experience to be a coach for this team?” That was just for the linebackers coach position
-New Coach. Lovie’s time is up. He has no passion for being coach for this team. He thinks that his optimism is going to win games, but sorry Pal, you need to wake up and stop watching the big screen and start paying attention to what is happening in “real time”
-Need major help at WR. We have no true #1 receiver whatsoever. We need to focus in on a WR in the first round of the draft and go after a big name like Chad Johnson if we are to compete.
-Need a True QB. Orton is not the answer no matter what the sports writers and bears management say. Just take a look at the teams that are in first place, they ALL have a real QB who can lead his team, not just hand the ball off and make 5 yard passes. Oooooh, Orton went 200 passes without an interception, well look what happened when he tried to throw a little further down the field.
-Get off the Hester bandwagon. The guy is good, not great. If they think this guy is the solution to their offense, they are mistaken. So he had one good play last night, well that’s the ONLY good play he had all year. He is not Reggie Bush. Keep him soley as a Kickoff return/Punt returner, at least this confuses the other team on how to kickoff.That’s pretty much it…..for now
December 1, 2008
#7 pankster in carolina's said . . .That was so fucking embarrasing I couldn't even watch!
National television people! We looked like minced dog shit on national t.v.
That was the begining of the end folks!
December 1, 2008
#8 Joseph said . . .Well its about time to pack up all my bears gear and start fake cheering for these fuckers here in carolina with the rest of my family at least carolina has heart and a coach with a reciever and corners to include a boy named harris at safety so Chicago no Im not a fair weather fan but I hate waking up on monday with a hangover and a fuckin loss and our fairy tale will be over if tilliman's ass is not benched!!!!Fire everyone's ass and regroup for 09!!!Bear down!!
December 1, 2008
#9 The Ghost of Halas said . . .I'm sorry but i'm not buying "We need this and we need that" bullshit!
WE WENT TO THE SUPERBOWL WITH LESS TALENT 2 YEARS AGO!
This team needs a fucking SCREAMER for a head coach! Everybody got their money(including Lovie) and nobody gives a shit anymore!
No fucking excuses people! This is a heartless shell of a football team still riding the '06 gravy train! This team is one big fucking excuse week after week!
Sorry for the foul language but i'm pissed and can't take it anymore!
December 1, 2008
#10 Polygonhell said . . .No, no, Joseph.
We went to the Super Bowl with Chris Harris, Thomas Jones, Tank Johnson, Bernard Berrian, and Muhsin Muhammad.
Kevin Payne is no Chris Harris.
Dusty Dvoracek is no Tank Johnson
Devin Hester and Rashied Davis aren't even close to Moose and Berrian.
The only MORE talent Chicago has now is the potential of Matt Forte...not Matt Forte, but his potential. He is not at all Thomas Jones right now, but he is well on his way to surpassing him.MOST IMPORTANTLY: Mr. Robert Babich in place of Ron Rivera.
That's the difference between 2008 and the glorious 2006 campaign.
December 1, 2008
#11 animal said . . .I'm not sure how much of last nights game you can blame on the coaches.
And as for effort, the defense was still flying around at the end of the game when there really was nothing to play for.
The thing that frustrated me was that unlike the Green Bay game there were signs of life on both sides of the ball at times, and then completly stupid errors.
Tillman thinks he's playing Zone when he's in man coverage on the 99 yard pass. Has Kyle Orton never seen cover 2 before......
There were certainly questionable calls from the coaching staff. Turners 4 1 yard inside runs, but the coaches don't get to play the downs.
The O line looked like the O line we expected at the start of the season....
December 1, 2008
#12 jeff said . . .With the division on the line we got our ass kicked by our division rivals twice in the last three weeks. GB and Minny are just better football teams, which isn't saying much because we can still back our sad asses into the playoffs. Good lord what would Minny do to us if they had a real QB? Cause the shitty one they had looked like Joe Montana last night.
Ugh. fuck this im done for a while. Call me when Singletary is the head coach and Rivera is his D-coordinator, please.December 1, 2008
#13 BearsTransplant said . . .i think we lost to two division opponents on the road. daunte is going to beat minnesota next week and all will be fine.
December 1, 2008
#14 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Is it April yet? I'm excited for the Sox this year. Mostly becuase they're not the Bears.
What did I tell you about St. Clair? I just can't believe it took 10 NFL games before someone figured out he can't handle a real outside rush.
Out O-line finally was exposed. Badly. We're going to need 3 new starters next year. Tait and Kreutz are waaaay past their prime. Beekman is our future center. Hopefully Williams isn't a bust. Garza is serviceable, but still not great.
This style of cover-2 works....when Tony Dungy, Monte Kiffin, or Ron Rivera is running it. We have the defensive talent (now rapidly aging), but we clearly don't have the coaches to make it work properly.
Lastly, Pep Hamilton? I'd rather have Sean Salisbury as a QB coach. At least he was a sucessful BACKUP in the NFL. Embarrassing. All across the board. Sigh.
December 1, 2008
#15 jeff said . . ."Fine" is a relative term, Jeff.
December 1, 2008
#16 said . . .pep hamilton? really? what do you know about a quarterback coach's job?
the truth is we're not that good. and we're a game back of the playoffs. i still wanna get in, even with a team that ain't that good.
December 1, 2008
#17 Joseph said . . .You didn't tell me anything about St. Clair. He has played brilliantly this season against some of the best defensive ends in the league. Last night he got worked for the first time by another one of the best ends in the league. Don't blame one of the few guys on this team that has actually played better than expectations.
December 1, 2008
#18 jdawg said . . .Umm let's see....
Tank Johnson is a bum I'll take Dusty D or Marcus Harrison over him any day!
Payne is a younger faster Harris and Babich is his D coordinator but Harris is smarter/more experience. Wash!
Berrian is soft and and plays in a dome and over paid. Hester > Berrian
Forte has more Yards from Scrimmage than Jones. Plus Jones has a 100 million dollar O-line blocking for him. Forte, Kevin Jones, A. Peterson over Benson, T. Jones
Musin Muhammad had Grossman for a quarter back in '06. Now he has J. Delhomme. He would be leading this team in receptions if he was still here with Orton playing the way he is/was before the injury.
Rashied Davis bigger/stronger.
Both TE's are more invovled.
Orton over Grossman. Pretty simple one.
Mike Brown is healthy.
My point was that it is the money/coaching/no heart is the problem.
This team is better than the '06 team. We have an offense and was supposed to have a Defense this year!
December 1, 2008
#19 The Ghost of Halas said . . .random thoughts:
Payne sticking his head in the pile instead of actually tackling sprang AP for that 50-plus yard run. This guy needs to learn how to tackle, not just try and destroy a player.
We don't have a #1 or a #2 WR.
Don't compare this team to 2006. Its apples and oranges. 2006 had much better line play on both sides of the ball and a lot better ST play.
Lastly, there's enough blame to go around:
Angelo for wiffing on first day draft picks and not landing or drafting at least a #2 WR.
Lovie for the D (its his D, not Babbich's)
Turner for the goal line fuck up.
The players for not playing hard and smart every play.
December 1, 2008
#20 said . . .Well, Joe, I remain unconvinced. Tank Johnson's legal troubles aside, the run was stopped better when he was around and there was much more pressure on the opposing Quarterback.
Aside from some brilliant interceptions, Payne is NOT better than Chris Harris, who if I recall, forced two fumbles in Week 2 on the Bears...
Rashied Davis is the worst starting Wide Reciever in football and desperately needs to be cut.
I do agree that the Tight Ends are more involved and Greg Olsen is a godsend...most of the time.
There's more to it than we know. Of course, I thought it was odd that last year, with a NFC Championship team which was bringing back 90% of the people who took them to the Super Bowl could only muster a 7-9 season.
You know, we could debate this all day long. The fact of the matter is something clicked for Chicago in 2006 and very little is clicking right now. I think it was a series of wretched decisions rotating around the dismissal of Ron Rivera, the trading of Thomas Jones, and the release of Chris Harris due to the signing of the Great Adam Archuleta *sarcasm*. And I think we can all agree on that.
December 1, 2008
#21 Murph said . . .Bill Cowher!!
Somebody get the man on the horn already!!
December 1, 2008
#22 Murph said . . .Hmmm Kyle being Rex? Only diff is Rex won games, he was like the pitcher with a high era but wins 15 games, Orton is not a winner and never has been, Rex showed greatness at times, Kyle reeks mediocrity.
December 1, 2008
#23 BRIANsong said . . .Does anyone notice the high draft choices we give up on? Last years second and third never played a down. Would be nice to have Columbo back, hes a stud with Dallas.....why was he let go? Cedric Benson? What the hell happened there? How can you miss so bad? Wheres Lovies emotion? hes like a stepford wife, Lovie the stepford coach!
December 1, 2008
#24 Phil from SATX said . . .Murph, might want to take a look at Kyle's record. He wins quite a bit.
December 1, 2008
#25 Crown said . . .GREAT comments today, all around, all following a fantastic post by Jeff - I loved it!
I agree that we had some magic in 2006, and it partly revolved around different players, more importantly (I think) players that were two years YOUNGER than this year.
Here's the thing about the coaching - our coaches are very bad at fixing what ain't working. You can't just sit there and say, "our players have to make plays." Yet that's what our coaches seem to do. Example - John St. Clair finally met his match in Jared Allen - no real shame there, and I'm in agreement that it does little to diminish the great things he's done in pass blocking this year.
So he's met his match, right? So why doesn't RT adjust HIS scheme, adjust his play calling during that game, give St. John some help? HE DOESN'T. NOT AT ALL. So is that on St. John, or is that on RT?
I'll give you a hint - his initials are R T .
Same thing goes with calling run plays into the middle of this line. WE DON'T HAVE THE PERSONNEL. Do you get that Ron? Apparently not. Now I don't LIKE the fact we don't have the personnel, maybe that's on Jerry, but now you have to coach around your weaknesses. We're TERRIBLE at that. You know what - screw the WE. YOU'RE terrible at that, Ron and Bob and Lovie.
For a pretty good while there, the defense looked pretty great against a truly otherworldly running back - how can you not love Adrian Peterson? A man's man. A football fan's football player. But we were mostly bending not breaking, at least up to the Peanut screwup. And what can you say about that? He blew it, plain and simple - one play that cost us dearly. But age seems to have caught up with him this year.
I would like to be at a presser where I can ask Dave Toub some questions. Mostly one question -
What the fuck happened Dave? We've spent lots of loving words on you on this site. Do we need to take them back? This is not the Bears Special Teams that we've grown to know and love. These Special Teams kind of suck. What happened to lock down coverage? We see it about every other time - unfortunately the other other time we see a nice fat runback that swings momentum back the other team's way.
And your skill players - you're responsible for them too you know. Brad Maynard did a fantastic job nailing them down in this game when field position favored us - unfortunately he is now absolute crap at kicking out of our own end zone, a place we are unfortunately getting used to being because of the unfortunate combination of 1) poorer punt and kick coverage; 2) a defense that far more rarely achieves the ever-elusive "THREE AND OUT"; and the most inexplicable of inexplicable, a former GREATEST RETURNER EVER who seems to only guarantee bad field position, by his poor decisions, indecisiveness, and willingness to run backwards. (Wow - while writing that I am struck by the absolute insanity:
that Devin Hester has now turned into the Rex Grossman of punt returners
how else can you interpret that? But it's true.)
Dave, at the very least, you need to grab Devin Hester by the nuts, squeeze hard so you have his attention, and tell him "try running FORWARD, Devin, FORWARD."
The bad news is that I agree with Reality Check - we have six wins and three are from the Lions and the Rams. There are so many teams that are better than us right now it's not funny. We're probably back to being in the bottom 5. That ain't good folks.
Jeff's right - we're a rotting, ugly pumpkin. It's not going to get fixed overnight but by God we need new coaching. Did you like how Madden said "Lovie looks like he doesn't understand what just happened." Two things, John - first, he DOESN'T understand, and second, HE LOOKS LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME. I know everyone here says we need a screamer. I kind of agree, but it's not all about the screaming - how about we need a good head coach period? One who can identify other good position coaches to surround himself with? One who can devise schemes that work, even in the absence of perfect personnel? One who can motivate his players to play their best, for 60 minutes every game? One who does not tolerate bone-headed mistakes, or anything short of 100% passionate balls-out play?
Is that too much to ask?
Paging Mr. Cowher, Mr. Cowher you have a phone call from the ENTIRE CITY OF CHICAGO AND ALL BEAR FANS ACROSS THE GLOBE!
Come save us Bill! PLEEEEEEEASE!
December 1, 2008
#26 The team has not been the same... said . . .How much Rex do you need to see to realize that his brief stints of greatness will not materialize in the future? If Orton had some decent receivers with size and speed that actually gave good effort in trying to catch balls and make plays, then it would be another story. Rashied Davis could have made a better effort on that INT and I think there was another one that was catchable. When you are working with Rashied "I am not even a reputable #2 receiver" Davis, Devin "Where do I line up?" Hester, and Brandon "I hurt my finger and won't be active for 6 weeks" Lloyd, then it is hard to look good as a passing QB. I'm glad they didn't rush and put the franchise tag on Orton yet, but he is definitely the best we got at this point. I am still hoping McNabb will come home for the end of his career. I still think he has some good football left in em.
December 1, 2008
#27 jdawg said . . .This team has not been the same since the 2006 Super Bowl loss....
This team has not been the same since they decided they could do without Ron Rivera....
This team has not been the same since they decided to go with Cedric Benson rather than Thomas Jones...
This team has not been the same since they decided they could do without Tank Johnson....
This team has not been the same since they decided they could do without Bernard Berrian...(Good for him for humiliating the Chicago Bears on National TV)
This team has not been the same since they decided to make no effort to secure a future QB in the offseason...
This team has not been the same since the coaches decided there only strategy to fix things was to play better...
This team sucks!
December 1, 2008
#28 Phil from SATX said . . .man -- we need to package something to get Bouldin from AZ. It would be great if the toughest player on the team was an All Pro WR. I think you'd see an incredible trickle-down affect.
Also, it was pointed out that the Bears' offensive possesions in the 2nd half after the TD were something like punt, int, int, punt, int, punt, punt.
December 1, 2008
#29 said . . .A word in support of Kyle - in that first half, I felt like Kyle was actually playing a great game, but receivers were dropping dropping dropping. I knew his stats were going to look ugly but I completely blamed the receivers because he was throwing good balls. And he threw lots of different kinds of balls during this part of the game - the perfect floater to AP that he DROPPED and then a laser beam to Rashied that was like the only one Rash caught all day.
The wheels did come off for him, and for the first time he looked like he didn't know how to put them back on - a la Bad Rex. Remember that he was getting shellacked by Jared Allen during this time too - no protection schemes to help him. I do think it's very tough on a QB when you're doing your j0b, putting the ball where it's supposed to be, and your receivers are failing at their job, catching the ball. It's got to be demoralizing, and it looked to me like that was happening to Kyle in that game - he became demoralized.
But that was one game, and I'm still behind the guy. Think what he could do with good play calling and some reasonably good receivers, an offensive line that could actually run block thereby making play action really work - I truly think Kyle could carve them up.
But it's hopeless for all these guys until we get new coaching.
Positive shout outs for Matt Forte (obviously), Greg Olsen with the manly strip, St. John for trying to save the ball, Garrett Wolfe for his outstanding special teams play, Payne for overall pretty good play, Marcus Harrison for the future, Devin Hester for accomplishing the one offensive play we've been waiting for. Doesn't it seem like that play, the simplest of plays, a quick slant, could be done over and over again with similar results? If you don't grab me good enough, I'm gone. Don't know why that's the first time I saw it. And why it was the last time in that game, when we sorely needed another.
One last slam - it's hard to watch national guys, even ones I like, when they know nothing about the current team. Did you catch Al's comment after we tipped it, about "this is something the Bears are very good at" - uh, no Al, we absolutely suck this year at tipping the ball, half the time they don't even put up their arms even though they're not close to the QB and that's all they could do positive to help the play. We USED to be good at this, but our great group of Coach Em Down coaches have apparently forgotten to emphasize this this year. Yet other teams consistently seem to tip about 5 balls of ours per game. Just another gripe of mine this year, I guess. Sigh.
December 1, 2008
#30 c_f said . . .Boldin is gonna get real paid and the Bears won't have the cap space after what looks like bad contract extension decisions on Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacer, and Nathan Vasher. Boldin is amazing though and I would love to have em.
December 1, 2008
#31 Al In WI said . . .Calm down, everyone.
Vikes are on top but are about to lose the "Williams Wall" to suspensions for several games. Bears still lead the Pack.
Bears are in a Cover-3 look on the 99yd TD pass. Vikes send two guys into Tillman's zone: Berrian and Shiancoe. For some reason, the safety responsible for the middle fails to help Tillman out by picking up Shiancoe, instead doubling the other guy way on the other side of the field. Had the S made the right read, Tillman wouldn't have been put in that position.
That said, it was still a bad decision: Berrian > Shiancoe.Dvoracek's playing pretty well; he's helped the run defense perform so well (this game aside).
Davis doesn't deserve to start, but he's so good on ST he should be kept on the bench. Booker is washed up; I do not understand why we don't cut him and give Rideau or Bennett a chance.
St. Clair was turning in a career year prior to this game, but maybe it's over. Is Chris Williams ready yet?
December 2, 2008
#32 Megan said . . .Phil, the problem is that is just wasn't this game for Kyle. He hasn't played well at all now for several weeks. The only real difference between the Rams game and last night was that the Vikings actually caught the passes he threw right to them. Or at least caught 3 of the 4 or 5.
Since the bye week Orton has complete 49 out of 97 passes for a percentage of 50.5. He also has 526 yards 3 tds and 3 ints. Averaging a paltry 131 yards passing a game. This is officially a trend now looking at it that way.
Kyle started out the season average and then got hot over a 3 or 4 game stretch. Since then he's reverted to Kyle of old. Just an average player. In other words he is who we thought he was. Or to continue with the theme of this thread; the clock has struck midnight on Orton.
December 2, 2008
#33 Decatur Staleys # 7 said . . .Not to feel less then relevant here but I am having a hard time believing that we suck so bad?
We do have tons of talent, what the hell is going on? Everybody looked like they were beat puppy-dogs last night, I dont get it?
I'm sorry, but how can we really suck this bad-we have good decent players, it seems we have lost something. I think spirit drive enthusiasm and magic are all freaking gone?! Where do all those attributes come from? Answer: Leadership and coaching.
Sorry boys, we have the freaking talent, we don't have enough leadership to carry even the appearance of respectabilty.
What a load of crap this season has been. The only consistant bright spot is Forte. We've had moments of brightness but NOTHING consistantly like Forte.December 2, 2008
#34 Oaktown34luv said . . .Bears nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek is out for the season with a ruptured right biceps, coach Lovie Smith announced Monday afternoon
December 2, 2008
#35 Rancid said . . .Everyday for the past 2 years this is the first site I check on the Web. That is because I am a BEARS FAN and I love all things Chicago except the 'The Hawk' in winter and the White Sox (Go Cubs!). I love reading the insightful posts Jeff takes the time to provide and the reactions to his posts from all the other bloggers. Phil from SATX has a calm soothing style. Animal is harsh but accurate. Shady is down with the research. Big Rob knows X's & O's. AI in WI speaks for the everyman fan. Da Coach, Willie, Decatur, Mikebdot, Shonbear provide thoughtful analysis , PO'd, Midway I miss your 'unique' input. even Windy-city Pack-fan who provides much needed prospective is worth a read. To you guys and all the others that contribute to this site, THANK YOU ALL for your comments that give a broken down Bears Fan some enjoyment everyday. You guys eloquently and sometimes not so eloquently express the feelings that we all share for this team! I can't add anything that hasn't already been said, I have no magic words that will bring closure to the festering wound of disgrace that we all feel. But I will say the one thing that I think summarizes and explains the current dismal state of our team. The following statement encapsulates in a few words why in all my 30+ years of watching this team I have never been so angry, so frustrated, so dis-heartened, so totally embarrassed to be so firmly and hopelessly attached to the Chicago Bears.
LOVIE FREAKIN SUCKS!!!
Keep your chin up and Bear Down everyone. For this too shall pass.
December 2, 2008
#36 DTB said . . .In the past these Bears have always garnered strong emotion, either in the form of praise or criticism. But I don't even have the energy or interest to criticize them. Screw 'em. I'll keep watching though, and when they start showing emotion, so will I.
December 2, 2008
#37 Nick said . . .You take points when you can get them on the road. Period.
December 2, 2008
#38 Rancid said . . .I hope everyone above comments on my post. I find it unfair to accuse Lovie, Turner, and Babich of everything. Sure Turner has made some bad calls and needs to open up the play book a little bit more but at what point do you turn to the players and say, "Execute!" I was at the game last night and I was sitting in the end zone where the Bears could not punch it it. It was there. Looking at the team, in my eyes, they felt as though they had already scored. In defense to our other coaches, Lovie isn't out there missing tackles. Babich is blowing coverages allowing the fucking Benidct Arnold Berrian to catch a 99 yard pass for a score.
When the Bears went to the Superbowl on '06 everyone of you guys were hoping to extend Lovie's contract for a million years. Now that the team is making mistakes you call for his head. Take a look. Not much has changed. Mistakes have been made, and our outlooks are different from a Superbowl bound team to a .500 team. All I have to ask is, are you Bears fans or not? If you are you will cheer for them at high times and support them in the low times. But to ridicule them doesn't put us in the play-offs. It's like booing Rex. That only makes him feel shitty. That helps nobody. If we want the Bears to be successful we, the fans, needs to ban together and support them, players and coaches. We don't have the right or power to change any of what is going on in that lockeroom. We just don't have enough information.
December 2, 2008
#39 DTB said . . .Nick - Can it. We're fans. I challenge you to find better ones than the guys who hit this blog daily, 12 months a year. I've established that I always have and always will watch, follow, and spend too much money on this team. That's why, at this hour, on a Monday, I'm on a Bears blog. However, this doesn't require that I blindly support every member of the team and organization. It also doesn't mean that I will put up a false pretense of eternal optimism where I pretend that all is roses when it ain't. I haven't personally placed more blame on the coaches with the exception of RT who I have always hated with all my soul, even when we were in the big one. However, I see the point of the fans calling for lovies head and I give them the right to do that. You can't compare it to booing Rex. Rex is booed before he steps on the field. That's unfair. The criticism here now is being earned. You're saying that we as fans need to continue to show emotion when the team hasn't. I want to cheer this team until I pop a blood vessel in my eye (again). I want to get out the leather helmet and the Singletary throwback jersey for games again. I want to believe in them. I want to kiss their ass. But I've got a rule about that. It's pretty simple. If I'm gonna kiss your pumpkin ass, do your job and wipe first. Right now this TEAM isn't doing its job. Respect is earned. Bear Down and earn it.
December 2, 2008
#40 The Knight of Ownage said . . .Can we sue for the 4 shots from the one?
December 2, 2008
#41 Shady said . . .DTB- Love the Williams Wall article.
But if we took the points, we would have lost 34-17.The Vikes will go 1-3 in December. Without the "Williams Wall," they must play the run-heavy teams of Atlanta and the New York Giants. Kurt Warner will burn the Vikes D with The Quan and Blitzing Fitzy. Besides, nobody wins in the desert except the Giants & Cards. (Honestly, two pro teams have won in that stadium this calendar year, NYG, twice, and ARI the rest of the time.) The Falcons will be too desperate to keep up with Tampa and Carolina to drop to Minnesota. If the Boys and the Skins and the Birds keep doin well, the G-Men might need that Wk. 17 game to clinch 1st round bye.
Therefore if the Vikes finish 8-8, the only other team is the Pack. They just might go 4-0 this month. Houston, J-Ville, Da Team, and Detroit Central High. Talk about easy. The only way this team can make the postseason is to win out. We can't lose to J-Ville. The Saints self-destruct when they go outside (look at the Tampa game, 3 Brees picks in the 2nd half sounds familiar....). The Packers really aren't that good, with a patchwork defense, and no punter. The Texans suck (I wonder what the Texans' All-Time Pro Roster would look like). We cannot lose this month. We must not lose this month. But we will for we are the Chicago Bears.
December 2, 2008
#42 Decatur Staleys # 7 said . . .The coaches deserve their fair share of criticism, but I agree with Nick that it's gotten out of control. What can you do as a coach when your "starting" LT can't block his Pro Bowl assignment? No matter what call you draw up, if the QB doesn't have more than 2 seconds to throw (or if your WRs can catch) it doesn't really fucking matter.
But Rancid is right too, you can't let yourself become delusional about what's been happening up in Halas Hall.
Both posts are very insightful and agree with both of you guys.
December 2, 2008
#43 Nick said . . .I always wonder what the NFL fascination with the the Turner coachs(Norv/Ron)
"Under Turner, the Chargers’ offense became more dependent on formation shifts and calls designed to out-scheme opposing defenses, rather than lining up and overpowering them"
this might be a clue why we hate RT so much,An why Lovie mantra"We get off the bus,running"sounds so hollow.
December 2, 2008
#44 Murph said . . .Rancid-
I agree with all your statements. Especially the one about the Bears having a dedicated fan base. I never challenged that. My point was we need to be proactive. Booing, pointing fingers, criticizing, and calling for coaches heads isn't the answer. Whom ever you chose to like and dislike within the organization is your choice. But ask yourself if "airing dirty laundry" publicly helps our team. I know we (bloggers) are not the main stream media, however there is a ripple effect.December 2, 2008
#45 Rancid said . . .Crown
If you remeber there was a QB in tampa that barely showed signs of greatness but went on to the 49ers and the hall of fame. Jim Plunkett ring a bell? Not so good in NE but pretty awesome in Oakland. All agree here a lack of class receivers, no running game before Forte, and no one is a fan of Turner. Look at brother Norv? Bet SanDiego wishes they had Marty S back. I'd take Schottenheimer to coach a team of mine any day....hear that Ted Phillips? I still contend Rex can play well in this league, he has the arm and can make throws Orton can only dream of. A QB is only as good as the system he plays in and it must fit his skills. Every system has to be tailored to the QB not the other way around.December 2, 2008
#46 Phil from SATX said . . .Nick-good response. Stick around on here. I was probably a bit strong in my response but it was still a little too recent to watching the game for me. In the spirit of finding out if coaches are to blame or not I'm gonna look at the big 4 and see what I come up with.
1. Ronny - of course I'm doing RT first. I could go off cussing and such but the foundation of my disgust with this man's coaching ability is simple. He cannot adjust. I think 90% of the time he has a great plan. I think he has the ability to look at an opponent and come up with a game plan to exploit their weakness. This is why he looked so good in the Indy and really numerous games over the course of his time here. The problem comes when the other teams defense adjusts. He can't handle that. We just keep doing the same things and the production grinds to a halt. It happened again Sunday night. This is RT's problem. The stupid FB thing is a great example. He just can't get away from what he was planning even if it's obvious it won't work. I really think the guy should be a TV analyst or something, I think he has amazing football knowledge, but he's shit on his feet in the thick of it. He's the guy who makes a 100 straight free throws in practice but always bricks 'em when the game is on the line. I can't stand him and in my opinion he is holding this offense back.
2. Babich Patch - I love that nickname. I'm gonna differ with a few of you and refuse to put blame on him on this one. There were only 3 long drives in the game. 60 for a FG (acceptable), 99 for a TD (That's on Peanut, not Babs), and 86 for a TD (not great) There was a Peanut horse collar there but Babs can take some blame for that one. The rest of the scoring drives were of 35, 22, and 11 yards, that's too hard to blame a DC for. I'm not saying that overall he's good or anything, I'm just saying this one didn't have a ton to do with him in my opinion.
3. Lovie - You know what, I have no idea what this guy does. Do I wish he was more visually passionate, yes. Do I wish he would step up, take some responsibility and then demonstrate change, yes. Am I ready to blame him entirely, no. I just have no idea what the guy does.
4. Toub - the former focus of our hero worship. I think Dave has been has been exposed. Not as a bad coach, but as an average coach who had phenomenal players. Now they're gone, and so he's back to average. Maybe he can grow this group and they'll be great next year or something but when the personnel left, so did the level of performance.
December 2, 2008
#47 Willie from Chicago said . . .Nick, I'm COUNTING on the fact that this blog, and all blogs for that matter, DO count, and that "airing dirty laundry" DOES help - because the reality is that blogs have now become a true force - they are how the teams know what's in the zeitgeist - they now can't just ignore the few columnists in their local market - and they don't ignore words the way they ignore talk radio. Blogs count.
So, Virginia, Ted, ARE YOU HEARING ME???
Good!WE NEED A NEW COACHING REGIME, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS SEASON.
Everyone will cheer - Lovie has NO measurable level of fan support now, even the ones who want to blame the players (which is surely reasonable) don't say they think Lovie is a good head coach - they just say it can't be ALL his fault because players aren't making plays. Maybe they point to the Bears being in the Superbowl just two years ago. But I haven't seen any evidence that anyone thinks he has done a good job with this team over the last two years.
RT has shown flashes of being good this year, but honestly, what good are flashes when a successful football program requires consistency? They just serve to point out that we COULD be doing better, our players CAN make the plays, but we have to be at least as smart as the other team, if not smarter.
These coaches have, unfortunately, consistently shown that they are NOT smarter than the coaches they oppose.
Shady, I'll say it again, John St. Clair was COMPLETELY owned by Jared Allen in that game, it was obvious to anyone, but given that, you HAVE to adjust your game plan to that fact. RT didn't. St. Clair has played so well this year, so much above expectations, that getting killed in one game should not dent how we think of him this year. Yes, we need our #1 draft choice in there, but I definitely don't want to see St. Clair sit down - I believe he may be our best lineman right now (not saying much, I know, but I still believe it).
I believe our weakest link right now on the line is Olin Kreutz, and actually the combination of Olin and whatever Jason is pretending at playing fullback for us these days. Beekman needs to be worked in at this spot, and we need to keep drafting linemen. For next year, I would start with the assumption that St. Clair, Beekman and Williams are our best linemen and fill in from there. Is it time for Tait to sit down? He's getting pretty long in the fang. Maybe keep Garza and draft a left guard (hello Jerry, something that should have been done this year).
December 2, 2008
#48 Rancid said . . .Guys, should I keep any hope at all of the Bears making the playoffs? I mean we have a winnable schedule and the Vikings play the cardinals, giants, and the falcons.
If the vikings loose next week, and we win out we make the playoffs.
December 2, 2008
#49 mikebdot said . . .Willie-We definitely have hope for the playoffs. Some would even say we are the likely team to advance, even though we're down a game. However, our enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that we've watched this team. There are bigger issues than making the playoffs right now.
December 2, 2008
#50 CaBearFan said . . .I shit pumpkin...s last week...pumpkin pies.
Maybe the Bears were being what they ate...
I didn't watch the game as I just got my HDTV and rented some video games. I knew I was in for disappointment. In any event, on Monday when I read the play by play (which is far less frustrating) I thought "J Davis - no gain" was a typo. I thought for sure it was Jason McKie and they got confused by Rashied. In any event, now that I know the situation, I'm even more pissed off at Ron Turner. Run a fucking toss play. 4 times in a row. Make those Williams boy run you stupid twit. You could literally toss to each side and not block them. Every single play.
Oh, wait, our linemen are slow pieces of shit, too. Never mind.
December 2, 2008
#51 shonbear said . . .Lovie smith needs to go...he has failed as a head coach.. his inability to better the players and his stupid draft picks are killing this team....IF LOVIE GOES THEN BABICH GOES! and people i want BABICH TO GET THE FUCK OUT OF CHICAGO AND NEVER RETURN>>>> RON TURNER IS A FUCKEN MORON>>> ITS LIKE WE GOT THE THREE STOOGES AS OUR HEAD COACHES
December 2, 2008
#52 Albert In Tucson said . . .Here's something nobody has touched on. Not that it would have mattered, but I think it's possible that Forte broke the plane on that left side run during the goal line stand.
We haven't won more than two games in a row since before the Super Bowl.
kevin payne has sole responsibility for AP's 59 yard run.
please tell me why and when did devin decide to start running right and left to out run coverage vs straight with a few cuts, I mean doesn't he watch his own film from the previous two years, or even watch D manning and see the difference in their production, it's not hard to identify. will he ever be even half of that spectacular on runbacks again???
Bernard Berrian COME ON!!!
Moose
Griese
Wade
Harris
Too bad were not playing KC so we could watch Bradley kill us too, but maybe we can by some miracle meet the Cowboys in the playoffs and watch Tank Johnson get six sacks on our QB. Hope we don't play cincinatti next season...How many Bears alumni need to have a career day vs us???
Ok Lovie's "season by quarters:
1st:
2-2
2nd:
3-1
3rd:
1-3
4th:
???
Likely, win vs Jax, they didn't stop the Texans run game very well and if it's cold enough we should win vs Saints, must win vs GB and if we win those three, seems like they would lose against the Texans just to let us down emotionally because we all got up due to the three game win streak. Don't really care as long as we make it in the playoffs.
Rancid, right on! Think you might be giving Ronnie a little too much on that successful game plan percentage, I think that sometimes the players are successful despite him and of course he would get the credit for that hard work Forte is doing.
Consider this, if we think our line is out performing how we thought they were going to do, yet they are still below average, imagine if we invested in our line like the Jets did for TJ, how much better would Forte be then and how much less punishment would his body take? Just thoughts.
Alright, let's bearclaw some pussy next week and hope the Lions break their streak too in taming the queens, maybe all six of their fans will give them the needed push for that elusive win they need so badly.
They will feel like they won the Super Bowl!
I'd say Bear Down because it's what we always say, but this time I'll go with Bear Up because I've felt down since the early part of this season keeps coming back so...
BEAR UP!
December 2, 2008
#53 Albert In Tucson said . . .Yeah, on the face of things, the Bears still have the inside track to the division crown. So much depends upon what the league does with the Vikes "Mount Williams" (Decision today?) although they have attorneys who say they will get a court ordered stay if the league tries to suspend them. And wht if the Bears win the divison (and I am NOT predicting they will)? What other potential NFC playoff foe could they defeat? I don't see one. It would be one and done. Just one more painful game to suffer through.
December 2, 2008
#54 shonbear said . . .From the "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" file:
Of the tweleve 99 yard plays from scrimmage in the entire history of the NFL, the Chicago Bears have been involved in 3 of them. A full 25% of them! And, in those 3 plays they are batting a thousand as they were eating somebody's dust (Gerry Allen, Robert Brooks, Bernard Nerrian) on all 3 ocassions! For the record its was: Sonny Jurgenson to Gerry Allen in 1968, Brett Favre to Robert Brooks in 1995 and Gus Frerotte to Bernard Berrian last Sunday. The Bears JUST MISSED a fouth one on a Monday night in 1989 when Bernie Kosar & Webster Slaughter smoked Vestee Jackson for 97 yards.
December 2, 2008
#55 Tony said . . .The Bears are steeped in history.
Correction, just watched the goal line stand again on my NFL Game Pass (as we can do that overseas), just for my personal satisfaction and Forte was close, but didnt get in on the left side, he was close and seems like he had a brief pause to wait for blocking to develop which then closed the slight hole and decreased any power he might have had when he made the dive. Bummer, so close still not sure it would have mattered, but it sure would have kept the crowd out of it and continued the momentum on our side, decreasing the need to pass as much because we were in a constant state of catch up and thus that would have decreased our chances for giving away those three interceptions.
There are like anywhere from 1-5 plays in a game that can make the major difference in the Win or Loss column and we have had major missed opportunities all season whether it's drops not getting first downs, missed int chances or fumble recoveries, missed tackles or crucial drive or game killing penalties.
Almost every game is marked by several of these key types of things. At least 3-4 games.
Still most of the season, we've had problems with that pesky 3rd down (both sides of the ball) and especially getting to the QB, but right now I'm just thinking about those "way the ball bounces" type things. Guess were just as lucky that there havent been a lot more interceptions against us too, cause there sure have been enough opportunities.
Nuff said Bear Up!
December 2, 2008
#56 animal said . . .I really don't think Orton had anything to do with his poor play. Receiver that don't catch is moronic. These guys get paid to run routes correctly and pull the ball in when it hits their fucking fingertips. I think he was forcing the ball into situations where only good receivers, and Devin is still not a receiver in my eyes, can catch the ball. He needs help. Maybe line Olsen and Lloyd out there wide and let Devin be a flanker back with Forte. GET CREATIVE RON! And yes, I've said this before, throw that quick hand-off to the fullback OUT OF YOUR PLAYBOOK. Or, you won't be in the damn play-OFFs. Ridiculous. And actually, minus a few plays where the Wimpkings took it to the house for 50+ yards, the D didn't play that bad. But, when you leave this D, or any, on the field for basically an entire quarter, they suck dicks. Big ones. Not just those tiny baby penii. Large black ones that get burned up. Wow. That is all.
December 2, 2008
#57 Nick said . . .shon nice optimism but we are going 2-2 at best in the "4th quarter" of the season and finishing at 8-8 as I have predicted all along.
December 2, 2008
I still think we can win the division. Our schedule is favorable, that includes 3 straight home games. If we can show some confidence in our play we can be a tough team. Look at the game Sunday night. We owned the first quarter. Once we were stopped on the goaline, then the 99 yard score we were done. Lack of confidence is what we have right now. Well let it start here, I have confidence in this team to make it to the play-offs. I have confidence this team will get it done. Many of you may disagree with me and that is fine, but I refuse to throw in the towel when there is a good chance for our success.
Phil for SATX said- "I'm COUNTING on the fact that this blog, and all blogs for that matter, DO count," well as fans lets make it count and do some good for our Bears!
December 2, 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.