The next seven days will tell the story of the 2008 season and perhaps tell us everything we need to know about Lovie Smith and his coaching staff. Leaving aside the Missouri Mirage of two weeks ago, the Bears have lost their last two big time football games against division rivals by a total of fifty-four points. Fifty. Four. Points. They allowed 378 yards rushing in those two contests. Sunday night they blew a plush opportunity to seize control of the NFC North by allowing a terrible turn of events in the second quarter to lead to a dismal second half performance. (And subsequently became Lovie's reason for the failure.)
It's over. All of it. Not just these two bad performances but all of the calamitous moments of 2008 will become history. Failed conversion at midfield in Carolina. Done. Brian Griese's hours in the pocket. Who cares? Matt Ryan's late-game heroics. Forget it. Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears have an opportunity in the next seven days to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints at home and place their season on the line December 22nd against the Green Bay Packers.
I know there is a growing number of fans who don't want the Bears to waste their time with a playoff appearance. To them I say the following: shut up. "You play to win the game," the prophet said. I agree. We are only given sixteen games a year, that's all. Sixteen games. And to get that seventeenth game is a blessing and I'll take it. Ask fans in Detroit if they'd like a "meaningless" playoff appearance.
Win these two games over the next seven days. Get to 8-6. Give your fans eleven days to prepare for the franchise's most bitter rival on what is still the game's most preeminent stage. Give your fans a chance to believe you can turn the ship around even if you can't. Calm this Lake Michigan-size sea of criticism and give us a moment to remember 2008 by. Against the Packers. Monday night. December 22nd.
#2 Nick said . . .First for the first time!
December 3, 2008
#3 jonathan said . . .Jeff I loved your intro tonight. It is all true...every word.
December 3, 2008
#4 Willie from Chicago said . . .sorry, jeff, i love the bears with all my heart, but this year it just doesn't seem like they have any heart of their own left. i'm blaming lovie and babich, but there's probably a lot of blame to go all around.
some have said it here before, and i agree -- i'll keep watching and rooting for them to make something happen, to get into the playoffs, but i really do not expect them to. i expect them to play as shitty as they have for the past several games, for the rest of the season.
we need some big changes in the offseason. please.
December 3, 2008
#5 Joseph said . . .Guys, remember what happened to the Giants last year, they were dead up until about 5 games left in the season where they started to get hot, if the Bears can do that then who knows. And if the Bears make the playoffs they will get a HOME playoff game. Remember, playoff football is all about running the football, which the Bears are very good at doing. Dont give up, it can happen, and it all starts this weekend...
BEAR DOWN MOTHER FUCKER!
December 3, 2008
#6 shonbear said . . .If we do make the playoffs I don't think I can take another loss to an NFC South Team. Expecially the Panthers! I HATE the fucking Panthers. Revenge would be sweet.
December 4, 2008
#7 shonbear said . . .The Panthers would definitely be a lot more dangerous then the last game because they didn't have Steve Smith, revenge would be two fold, one is we should have won the last time we played and two is the way Steve Smith embarrased Peanut and the Bears in that playoff game.
Winning the next two games sets up a game that would do a lot towards washing away the painful memories of this season's shoulda coulda woulda mentality.
Follow that up with some swagger going into the Houston game for 4-0 going into the playoffs...
It could happen.
December 4, 2008
#8 shonbear said . . .Alright, it's no coincidence at all that it's a Minnesota Judge putting a restraint and going to allow the W's to play against Detroit. The fucking NFL should have handed this down before they played the Bears anyway.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3743006
This is such bullshit, the NFL needs to get their act together this is going to start a firestorm accross the league.
Bottom line is they had this in their bodies, the collective bargaining agreement is what it is. Their is no excuse for these highly paid players to not be held accountable for knowledge of what they put in their bodies, like they don't have experts on their teams to sign yea or nay before they take anything.
This is an absolute outrage and it's going to potentially result in guaranteeing the Bears sit out the post season barring the Bears don't do it to themselves anyways.
whatever! I'm angry!
Go Bears!
December 4, 2008
#9 Nick said . . .um... across.
December 4, 2008
#10 Shady said . . .That is an absolute outrage! Not holding players responsible for off-field actions breeds people like, T.O. and Chad Johnson. I feel confident the WIlliams and the Vikings will get what's coming to them. Even without the Williams, did we really think the Lions were going to win anyway?
December 4, 2008
#11 brian in Sec 430 Row 25 said . . .Alright fellas, I got TWO EXTRA TICKETS to Sunday's game against the Jags.
They're in Sec 430 Row 32, a great view of the field, just ask Brian in Sec 430 Row 25.
I have the tickets in hand and can overnight them to you at no charge so you get 'em ASAP.
Great deal on the tickets too, a Dabearsblog special.
E-mail hcbrandt2000@aol.com if you're interested!
December 4, 2008
#12 Phil from SATX said . . .Shady is right, the view is great.....city to the left, lake to the right, drunk guy 8 rows ahead....bearing down at it's finest.
December 4, 2008
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .I would suggest as self-respecting Bear fans we can the outrage over timing of suspensions of the Williams brothers. I too would have been happy to get the win that MIGHT have ensued if they had been suspended for our game, but to be outraged that we didn't get that huge but artificial help to get a win, that just seems totally bush to me.
Our own players, those who have had their heart and desire and passion questioned as of late, have said that they don't want those guys suspended, that they want to face the teams full strength and see who wins, and I completely agree.
Now maybe RT didn't get the memo that they were out and has incredibly bad eyesight, which can be the only reason he doomed us by continuing to run in the middle of that line, but let's have a little self-respect here and not cry in our beer because we didn't get the benefit of having their line suspended.
Especially for their specific offense - Starcaps are a WEIGHT LOSS supplement, and did it actually look like those fatties were benefitting from it?
December 4, 2008
#14 Willie from Chicago said . . .Check out this Dan McNeil commentary. I loved it.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mcneil/1313381,CST-SPT-mac04.article
December 4, 2008
#15 Shady said . . .Shady, how much are the tickets?
December 4, 2008
#16 JWilson said . . .The judges in Minnesota are a complete joke:
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/11150240
December 4, 2008
#17 shonbear said . . .About the Williams boys. I believe that both of them are using the supplements exactly for the reason the NFL has banned it. Will Smith of the Saints too! I bet it sure wasn't to lose weight. Let them play this weekend. Suspend the the last 3 games of the season and then 4th during the play offs, if they make it. FUCK THAT! They're not making the play offs, WE ARE! Suspend those guys, and test them before they come back!
December 4, 2008
#18 Rancid said . . .Phil,
My outrage is with the judge making the call on a standard NFL policy that is clearly in favor of a team in their own state and that all these guys know about the policy and have no real excuses. This stuff has happened before, it's not new.
The complaint about them not being suspended prior to our game was just a vent out of frustration for our loss. I would have taken the win any way possible, I could care less about their full strength I just want the win. For that matter weve had plenty of breaks in that regard this season starting with the first two games of the season, I'd take any break we could get for our team to win, such as the no call on Briggs, injuries to the opposing team whatever.
On the coaches, really RT has had these players, his system for a long time, though I detest him and Babitch, getting new coaches would mean our players having to learn new languages and signs and a playbook, those things take too much time, I don't think we would see the good results of those changes soon enough to make a difference. So for now, I'd be ok (semi) with waiting out the season and if bitch fails in the next four games, replacing him, but Turner might need to stay until Lovie is let go.
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...
Go
Bears!December 4, 2008
#19 JP said . . ."Turner might need to stay" - words I will never type as my own. I'm not even all that comfortable with "Turner might need to live".
In all seriousness, there still hope here to be had, it's just a bit tempered by the severe backstabbing we've been given as fans, but still we return with hope. Really what's the other option? Root for your team to lose? we've already ruled that out. Switch teams? Blasphemy. Have a "second favorite" team? Blasphemy again, this time hidden in a lump of bullshit. Stop caring about sports? Not an option. Pick a different sport? Like what? The only other sport that even approaches my level of fanaticism for the Bears is March Madness, that doesn't help now. In short, the true fans just keep coming back. Look at Detroit's stadium. It's not empty yet. Well it's not all the way empty yet. How many years have they sucked? That's because the die-hards have no options. To predict a loss or worse hope for one is in very contradiction to our makeup, our BNA (bless you Phil). So we come back week after week, spread our legs voluntarily and get kicked in the balls. And you know what? I like it. I'll always come back. Why? Because one day, I'll come in, spread my legs and much more pleasant experience will occur. Now isn't that what we really all hope for? When you consider how many die hard fans of teams that have ZERO chance at the playoffs right now and are still willingly going through the weekly ball kicking ritual (as I would), our current predicament as Bears fans isn't as bad as it could be. We have the talent in place on the field to be better, and we have a solid, possible (as opposed to a technically mathematically possible but not really possible) road to the playoffs. I'll take it. I choose hope. Athletic cups are for sissies.
December 4, 2008
#20 jeff said . . .This story of this season has already been written...
The Bears would be smart to lose every game left this year. I know this will tick some people off, but I think it's just what this organization needs. It seems as long as there is mediocrity on this team, it keeps the front office from making the big changes that need to come...starting at the top and working it's way down. There are some bright spots for this team to build on next year but I just can't endure backing in to the playoffs and then getting blown out on National TV.
Here's to Bill Cowher & Mike Singletary being available in 2009.
December 4, 2008
#21 McCaskey's Balls said . . .then don't watch the playoff game. i'd rather go into the playoffs as a first-round underdog than not go in at all.
December 4, 2008
#22 jeff said . . .Hello everyone, just wanted to let you know that I really dont exist, I am an imagine of your imagination. I will not allow Angelo to go after a different coach, because I dont like coaches that stand up to Senior Management, that is why we decided to remove Lovie's personality and keep him comatosed on the sidelines. Also, we will continue to draft back injuried-proned individuals in the first round and roll the dice in the 2nd. I believe that a team to be successful doesnt not need a strong quarterback either. I think you all as fans are asking for too much. Why do we need to pay top dollar for talent when we still fill seats? Listen, this is a business and its all about how much revenue WE as a business can make. Thanks for all the support and hopefully WE the Bears will get a low draft pick so we can save money on a contract. Keep buying season tickets! God Bless
December 4, 2008
#23 McCaskey's Balls said . . .god, owners are so inconsequential in pro football. it's ridiculous that this shit keeps coming up. it mattered in the era before the salary cap but the pats and colts and giants don't win because of ownership. they win because of good players and great coaching. the people who blame the mccaskeys do so because they don't want to place the blame where it belongs: on the field.
December 4, 2008
#24 Willie from Chicago said . . .But we sign the checks and extend the contracts for GM's, and if we dont want good players because they are too expensive, then you dont get them, and then you dont win.
December 4, 2008
#25 jeff said . . .Remember how our first round picks have gone? Now why would you want another bust for a first round pick? I would always take a playoff game over a first round pick, always.
BEAR DOWN!!
December 4, 2008
#26 shonbear said . . .name one good player we didn't sign because he was too expensive?
now, look at the contract extensions for tommie, urlacher, devin...even lance.
again, it's not true and i'm tired of it.
jerry angelo assembled this defense. which is loaded with talent. and they suck. i don't know who's fault that is.
December 4, 2008
#27 McCaskey's Balls said . . .rancid,
priceless, I will continue to receive that kick until something more pleasant happens. A kick to the balls only sidelines you for about a week except during the bye week. Then it's back to the field for another opportunity at pleasantness.outstanding.
GB!
December 4, 2008
#28 jeff said . . .Like I said, I dont exist (balls) because I was so smart to hand over full player control to a dipshit. In regards to what players I didnt want because they were too expensive, its more like I dont go after Big Names because they want big Money. We didnt pursue (Or attempt) the following whatsover: Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, (too cheap to re-sing Berrian), Alan Faneca, Jared Allen. Listen the list can go on. I think are team is fine as it is under the wonderful control of Angelo.
December 4, 2008
#29 McCaskey's Balls said . . .amazing how everybody wants players after they find success somewhere else. randy moss? really? you think he'd be happy in chicago? last season? chad johnson too? where do you people come from?
everyone liked faneca but the jets paid an obscene amount for him and - as for jared allen - the minnesota papers have been killing him all season. sunday night was his first solid game of the year.
you know what mistake the bears made that you don't mention? drew brees. that was the big one. the whole league could have had him.
December 4, 2008
#30 jeff said . . .Cant argue Drew Brees, we dropped the ball there. However, Jared Allen has more sacks than Brown and Og combined. Now we are considered drafting a DE from FSU in the first round since that lack of production and Anderson sleeping all season. We could have had that issued already covered by going after him and using that pick for a OT or WR. I'm sure he would have loved playing with Briggs and Urlacher.
December 4, 2008
#31 Phil from SATX said . . .my opinion is weird on this matter but i believe in it. i think we have the most talented team in the division and they just don't get it done on the field. i have no reasons for it.
December 4, 2008
#32 Rancid said . . .I've got to throw my 2 cents here as well.
You can't fault them for not signing Jared Allen - as of last off-season we looked pretty darn strong in the line.
We all knew Berrian wasn't worth $24MM, or at least most of us did. At least what he had shown with us wasn't worth anything close to that.
Maybe not Faneca, but my fault with Jerry in the offseason was twofold - no offensive line FA signing and no good FA WR signing. As a result of the former, we got a great running back paired with a line that is absolute shit at run blocking. As a result of the latter, we have the lowest WR catches of any team in the league. I don't know that for a fact, but it has to be true.
But hindsight is 20-20, and I think that most of us were very happy with the big spending on Tommie, Devin, Briggs. Maybe not Urlacher because he was already being paid a lot and had an off year last year. So maybe that was a mistake even at the time, but on the other hand he's basically been the heart and soul of the D, and keeping him happy is like a lifetime legacy for the Bears.
It's the high profile free agents that we don't appear to fit the profile of going after. So Faneca was probably a non-starter, and Chad Johnson (who's a complete pill), and Anquan Boldin probably too. So you can slam "The Cheap McCaskeys" for that, but I'm not sure there's much to go on there. Michael Turner was one big time free agent who is prospering and was likely very worth the money. But if we got him, we wouldn't have Matt Forte. And if we got him, we'd still have this same non-run-blocking line and Turner wouldn't be having the same season.
Bottom line, I totally agree with Jeff on this one. It's not about the McCaskeys and I too get really tired of that outlook - it's so old and untrue right now. They spend money. I'll comment to WCPF, who is obviously more than welcome here, that his deal about convincing the McCaskeys to sell is wasted words too - this is not Green Bay, and for that matter, would we really want the franchise not to be owned by the heirs of the Halases? Would you want the great Chicago Bears to be owned by, say, the free-spending but idiotic and classless Mark Cuban?
No freaking way.
December 4, 2008
#33 jdawg said . . .Jeff-I agree that we aren't disproportionately worse at drafting than other teams. Actually I think we do pretty damn good. We do seem to to suck at utilizing and or improving upon the talent level of our draftees though. But that's a different issue. The McCaskey's have the rep of being cheap, I just don't think it matters much any more, pretty much for the reasons you already mentioned.
December 4, 2008
#34 Al In WI said . . .I sort of agree with you Jeff, maybe on the D side. But our WRs are just too crappy and our O-line is so-so.
I believe the problem is coaching. Not necessarily Lovie, RT and BB, but I think we've got a lot of green asst. coaches who aren't getting the job done. Now, I think RT is not so hot at making counter-adjustments and picking on the weaknesses of opposing Ds. The goal line stand sticks out.
In my opinion, landing a top WR in the off-season is a priority, and that player should be Bouldin. You sign him and Orton gains 10pts. on his QB rating and everyone else gets single coverage. Forte sees one less man in the box (queue Timberlake) and even the O-line looks better. If our ToP goes up then the D looks better.
December 4, 2008
#35 Phil from SATX said . . .For the record the Vikings traded for Jared Allen, they didn't sign him. And they gave up 2 first round picks to get him.
Personally I will never forgive Micheal for the dismantling of the great team of the 1980's; that was all about money. But I do agree with Jeff about them or him, not being the reason for the current issues. The Bears have spent enough money overall, they just haven't spent it well.
I will also say that I'm annoyed they never are players for any bigtime moves. I think that comes from caution and a lack of imagination rather then cheapness.
Phil, I love that article you posted. I agree with all of it.
The biggest, most troubling aspect of the Bears personel and coaching department for me is the wide reciever position. Why is it that they have given up on so many young recievers that have gone on to produce at a much higher level on other teams? I mean look at the list; Gage, Berrian, Wade, and Bradley. All these guys except Berrian are doing far better then they did here. And yet we don't have one reciever who is even a # 3 on a good passing game. Yes QB plays a roll but come on Frerotte, and Thigpen are really better then Kyle or Rex? I don't think so.December 4, 2008
#36 jdawg said . . .Al, agreed with almost all of that. However, that list has to be shortened a lot in my opinion - I'd only include Mark Bradley on that list. You know Bernard Berrian wasn't worth the money the Vikes spent. And Gage and Wade, we knew they were crap back then.
Let's see how everyone is doing now, shall we?
Bernard Berrian 62nd in league - last year he was 24th with us and that's why we were sure he was worth about half the $8MM per year. Now he's 62nd! Go Vikings!
Bobby Wade : 55th
Justin Gage: 123rd
Mark Bradley: 123rdConversely, the Bears crappy receivers are
Matt Forte - 34th (he no crappy)
Devin Hester - 75th
Greg Olsen - 75th
Rashied Davis - 85th
Des Clark - 85thThis is using the default NFL.com method of determining leaders, which is # of catches.
Total yards can be argued to be a good measure as well. Berrian does much better here:
Bernard Berrian: 17th
Justin Gage: 55th
Bobby Wade: 66th
Mark Bradley: 101Compared with:
Devin Hester 61st
Greg Olsen 71st
Rashied 73rd
Matt Forte 86th
Des Clark 100thBefore you think maybe Berrian isn't that bad, consider that his 795 yards which make him 17th in the league include 99 yards in one play against DA BEARS in the last game. I know he gets to keep all his yards, even against us, but stop that one play and he would be down at between 32 and 33 in total yards. Even at 17th, not very good payoff for top 4 money.
The one ex-Bear that is doing pretty well this year considering is one you didn't mention: Moose. He's 34th in total yards and 38th in receptions. I guess we screwed that one up too, since his replacement, Marty Booker, is 162nd in yards and 206th in catches.
Bottom line - we don't have any impact receivers, now or before. Have we ever had one? Old Marty maybe? Curtis Conway? Have we ever had a Pro Bowl receiver?
December 4, 2008
That's why I'm saying -- sign Boldin.
How about this as a package: Wale, Vasher and a 2nd round pick? Plus get the Card's front office really stoned.
December 4, 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.