David Haugh: Out to Lunch
Mr. David Haugh, of the economically-drowning Chicago Tribune, once again reaches for a mid-week column in his own desperate attempt to fill newspaper space with "controversial" opinion. Today he places the blame for the Bears facing an uphill climb to the postseason on their loss of Bernard Berrian in February. Let's look at fact. The Bears have lost six games this season - five to teams with nine wins or more and one to the Packers. They didn't lack a star receiver against Tampa Bay or Atlanta or Carolina. They lacked stout defense late. They didn't lack a star receiver against Tennessee. They lacked not playing Rex Grossman. They didn't show up against Green Bay and I don't know what happened in the Metrodome. But there's something more important here...Bernard Berrian sucked. He was capable of making the great catch but he dropped everything else in sight. Six weeks ago, Minnesota writers were calling him a free agent bust. David, let's not pick and choose our information. If you want to remove the blame from the actual people on the field (which is just, well, dumb) then the Bears face an uphill climb to postseason because of money they spent incorrectly (on defense) not money they refused to spend (Berrian).
Monday Night
This from Brad Biggs today: "The Bears returned to work Monday with meetings at Halas Hall, and there was a sense in the locker room that they had lost the day before, even though they had not played." My biggest fear is that the Vikings win Sunday and the Bears provide a lifeless, nothing-at-stake effort Monday night. So...go Falcons.
Go Falcons
Seriously...go Falcons.
#2 zmac said . . .Jeff, couldnt agree more. I never liked losing Berrian in the first place, and its possible with him there could had been a few more wins, but our losses (with the exception of the Pack) could had all been wins with the men we had on the field.
December 16, 2008
#3 BearDown1982 said . . .BTW, I am happy I killed the STUPID "First!" routine.
December 16, 2008
#4 The Duke said . . .If a team like the Bears had thrown that kind of money at Berrian it would have been absolutely ridiculous.
Berrian is a deep ball threat. Nothing more. As great as he played in the Cardinals game...remember that his touchdown catch was the only one he had all game...and that was the first punt return for a touchdown he has had all season and maybe ever (not sure if he ever returned punts for the Bears, but I think he may have gotten some spot duty here and there).
And yes, this is a pretty dumb argument by Haugh.
December 16, 2008
#5 Oaktown34luv said . . .Third! Just kidding zmac.
Here's the deal, if this team came in Monday at Halas like they'd lost a game Sunday, that about sums up this year's desire to win amongst those millionaire underachievers. They're thinking about the off-season and what to do with their new contracts at this point, and as a result I'm having trouble cheering for these guys who I've cheered for my whole life. No desire, no passion, wasted talent. This was a good team this year. And I'm sick of always talking about "next year". My loyalty to this team has never been tested my entire life. But this year for some reason, I feel like their not giving anything back in return. Is it just me? I'll have to get extra saucy on Monday night to get up for that one. I love you Bears, but I'm not sure how many average season's I can take.December 16, 2008
#6 sean said . . .Berrian wouldn't have saved us. Orton doesn't throw the deep ball accurately enough to justify the one-dimensional Berrian's salary. Hopefully Orton will eventually learn to drop the ball in there just right with Hester. But paying Berrian $9 mill a year while Orton figures out deep ball accuracy didn't make much sense.
There are a number of reasons this season has come down to praying for the Vikes to fold. At the top of the list IMO is the lack of pass rush from the front four, followed closely by no pressure from our blitz packages. We just couldn't pressure QB's consistently all year. Too many journeyman QB's had 'career' days against us.
This is Lovie's fault. He is just too slow to adjust. During a game and during a season. He likes 'smaller' tackles that are good at the 3-technique (quick enough to slip past the guard/tackle and collapse the pocket), and bases his whole D scheme on that happening. The problem with this approach is when the 3 technique fails, you are left with a D tackle that is too small to bull rush the guard/center and gets stood up all the time, (ie Tommy H.). So the QB steps up in the pocket and completes the pass.
Lovie should have dumped the 3-technique Dusty/Harris and went with Harrison/Adams and their bull rushes to collapse the pocket as soon as it was obvious that Tommy was too hurt to be effective (week 3?). But it took Lovie until just recently to see the light. We have an effective pass rush now. But it's too late. And so we are stuck praying for the Vikes to fold.
Sorry to rant but I love this team!!
Lovie WAKE UP and BEAR DOWN!!
PS the puke and piss was hella funny
December 16, 2008
#7 Willie from Chicago said . . .Good call Jeff. After reading the first few lines of that article, I put it down. Its obvious that the Bears need WR help, but not for that kind of money. If you want to cough up that kind of money, the wideout better be a top ten stud. Let's pay Boldin next year when he's a free agent. The Vikings overpaid big time. The Falcons will make adjustments to Jackson and there's no way he'll have that kind of game again. Not to mention they'll let Norwood and Turner run right at Williams' replacement
December 16, 2008
#8 Phil from SATX said . . .It's a shame we couldnt take care of business when we had to.
As far as the Bears players coming into Halas like they lost a game is kind of disheartening. Its not like they got eliminated last week, they are still in the playoff chase. AND THIS IS FUCKING PACKER WEEK, does that mean anything to these players anymore?
Right now I am not focused on making the playoffs, I'm focused on kicking the shit out of the piss and puke.
BEAR FUCKING DOWN!
December 16, 2008
#9 jdawg said . . .I had the exact same thought as you, Jeff, as I was reading that article. I don't think Bernard Berrian on our team would have changed our win/loss record at all. And did it really make sense to use the "man dying of thirst would pay $25 for a glass of water" to justify the Vikings ENORMOUS overpaying of Berrian. Because let's face it, that's what it was.
I would not respect this team if they clearly overpaid players even if that player benefitted us. I want them to be sensible, and to run this entertainment business for the long term, not the short term. That is one thing Jerry Angelo is good at - remember his "keep sobriety in the marketplace" comment. I agreed with it then and I agree with it now. Ridiculous commentary by Haugh, especially on the heels of Hester's breakout performance. One more comment about that - Haugh says that "the threat of a wide receiver coaxing a yellow flag doesn't scare defensive coordinators the way legitimate deep threats such as Berrian do" - what is that nonsense?
Hester drew interference calls because he had beaten receivers and was about to catch a home run ball. Someone who routinely beats your cornerbacks doesn't scare you? It's not like Orton has a Griese noodle arm and can't get it out there to him. And it's not like Hester has no hands. In fact I think he has better hands than Bernard Berrian. I think the biggest issue has been that we haven't been going deep to Hester routinely. I think we will see 3-4 plays like that per game from now on.
Oaktown, great post.
December 16, 2008
#10 Urlacher FTW said . . .Question: if the Vikes beat the Falcons do we root for the Falcons to lose their last game?
December 16, 2008
#11 jeff said . . .The only thing the Bears may have missed the boat with Berrian on was not extending him prior to his last year, they saw the talent, they developed it, they just never thought about locking him up until he was a UFA and it was too late. They could have signed him much cheaper before he found out how much he was worth. And the only merit at all to the article is that if Minn didn't have Berrian, we would most likely be in first place leading a suckfest division.
I really hope that doesn't happen with Orton. This kid is good, he makes some mistakes but .. who doesn't. I watched Peyton throw 5 interceptions in a half once, noone was asking for his job, you can say well Orton doesn't throw all those TDs; no shit Sherlock he also doesn't have Wayne, Harrison, and Clark to throw to or stand behind one of the best lines in football. A damn good example of the line effecting QB play is the Jags this year, last season, line was great Gerrard was great ; this season 2 lineman out Gerrard is awful. Orton has done pretty darn good for the line and receivers he has. As far as lack of accuracy down the field, I can only assume that's coming from someone who must not watch the football games. In the first half against the Jags, Orton hit Hester for a 30 yard pitch that even the announcers were amazed at, yes the always anti-Chicago media guys were like wow there are maybe 2 guys in the NFL that can make that pass, that accurate. Now I was a little disappointed Thursday when he missed Hester on the first attempt but the second was pretty tough to tell if it was good or not because of the interference and the third well I guess he thought I overthrew him twice not this time; everyone has bad days. Did you see the SuperBowl, Brady badly overthrew Moss 2 times that game, does he have accuracy problems too? It must also be hard to put up accurate numbers when Davis drops every single pass you throw at him. Here's the bottom line, Orton continues to improve, look at his season numbers; he is more accurate, has a much higher TD to INT ratio, and a higher pass rating in 07 than in 05 and again better this season than last in all those areas. I think if we get him a big threat, big bodied receiver, a possesion guy, and more consistent protection from the line, he can be the guy. Especially in Chicago, I mean Tom Brady just doesn't eminate blue-collar smashmouth football now does he, no you need a neckbeard for that. And Orton has the intangibles, he just needs some more work when getting further in his progression without getting into trouble. I don't want to see him get big numbers next season, the Bears not extend him and then he ends up killing us throwing to Calvin Johnson or Bernard Berrian cuz those teams wanted to pay him. Sorry I just hate hearing all over the talk radio about how Orton hasn't proved enough to be our QB, I guess putting up top 10 numbers prior to an injury and being able to mount 2 drives to tie and win a ball game you had to win while injured, the whole time throwing the ball to whoever gets out of the clown car healthy just isn't proving anything. Gimme a break.December 16, 2008
#12 jdawg said . . .no, on the falcons. they have a tiebreaker on on us so if they win sunday, we're not getting the wildcard. but they have the rams in 17. the vikes have the giants.
December 16, 2008
#13 big rob said . . .I meant do we need the Falcons to lose their last game if the Vikes beat them this Sunday.
And yes, I think Orton's doing fine considering he has no WRs, an OK line and a gimpy ankle. Man, if only he had Hillary's cankles he'd be All Pro!
December 16, 2008
#14 Nick said . . .FUCK THE PACKERS!!
December 16, 2008
#15 jdawg said . . .Berrian is getting paid more than Randy Moss. To me, paying more for a mediocre receiver than a potential future hall of famer is ridiculous. In Berrian's short time with the Bears I thought he made some great plays. I have totally turned against him for the fact that during a post game interview on comcast he stated he wanted to stay in Chicago as long as him contract was fair. The Bears offered him fairness. That son of a bitch took the highest offer, due to lack of loyalty. His big game threat was great for a QB that completes 35% of "the long ball." Orton is not that guy. Orton is a patient QB that takes check down well, he fucking should. We have great tight ends and a running back that that catches balls as good as anyone in the league.
In response to Oaktown:
I enjoyed reading your post but don't feel as you do. The 3 technique has changed because of guys like Albert Haynesworth, and the Williams twins. Teams are forced to bring their bigger guys to the interior of the line. If we were to put big guys on big guys that would be great in the running game but some would say big guys are slower creating a slower pass rush. Football is a game of leverage, guys like Tommie and Dusty needed to get lower on their blockers and get off their blocks quicker, most of the time they were double teamed. I think Dusty needs to be put on the trading block. Adams, Idonije, and Harrison will provide a great rotation up front with Tommie Harris. Harris miss way too many practices this year, resulting in an "off year" for our Tommie Harris standards. He is a great talent, we would be nuts to get rid of him.December 16, 2008
#16 mikebdot said . . .I fear Harris' best days are behind him. If he goes under the knife again this off-season (unless its a routine scope) he may not even start. If he's the same Harris next year as he was during game 4 of 2006 we will have a special D once again.
December 16, 2008
#17 who's laughing now said . . .I never trust reporters to read body language to paint a picture. It's BS. They have nothing better to write about. Seriously, don't make rash judgments about players based on the "feeling in the locker room". Make it based off crap they say or their performance on the football field.
December 16, 2008
#18 Max said . . .To all the Lovie bashers out ... What does it say that we have ONE pro bowler on this team but we're 8-6. Defeated Indy and Philly, SHOULD have beat Atlanta, Tampa and Carolina. With ONE pro bowler. I think a different fan base might appreciate Lovie more. We're two years away from the super bowl. We're three games better than last year. What is the coach supposed to do???
December 17, 2008
#19 Max said . . .Pro Bowl selections are out . . . We didnt succeed animal. . . . No Orton. No Forte
December 17, 2008
#20 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Only Briggs is on the team.
Tommie Harris didnt make it but is a first alternate.
December 17, 2008
#21 Post #17 Misses The Point said . . .20th! YES!
Here is something we can all agree on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27cffrhiqg4&feature=related
December 17, 2008
#22 JP said . . .#17
All of the Lovie bashers (like myself) could care less about players and the pro-bowl. The bottom line is there is a very good chance the Bears are not going to the playoffs.
That's all that matters.
Lovie needs to go!
December 17, 2008
#23 jdawg said . . .I thought the article was pretty good. One thing no one is talking about is the "threat" of Bernard Berrian and how it changes the opposing defense. For instance I would much rather have Hester and Berrian and put a defense in a tough spot then have one go to guy anybody can double team.
Those of you who are still committed to kissing Devin Hester's butt...here are some side by side comparisons:
Total Receptions
Devin Hester: 43
Bernard Berrian: 42Receiving Yards
Bernard Berrian: 865
Devin Hester: 568Receiving Average
Bernard Berrian: 20.6
Devin Hester: 13.2Receptions #20 Yards
Bernard Berrian:13
Devin Hester: 8Total Touchdowns:
Bernard Berrian: 7
Devin Hester: 3
December 17, 2008
#24 jeff said . . .I think James Wolcott had some pithy phrase about airing the old tonsils out.
anyway, this season, in my opinion, is a lost season. We could easily be 2 games better than we are, but a really good team would not have lost those two games, so it is what it is.
The future of the offense gives me hope, if JA is smart enough to grab Boldin or TJH because we won't get immediate help from the draft.
Weirdly enough my biggest concern is the D, where our one and only pro-bowler resides.
The Bulls lost to Charlotte tonight. At least the Bears didn't do anything that lousy.
December 17, 2008
#25 shonbear said . . .jdawg, if this team wins out and finishes 10-6 you simply can't call it a lost season. aside from, well, me...nobody had this team at 10-6.
(by the way, before the season, i predicted that minnesota and chicago would both go 10-6. can i go back and make minnesota 9-7?)
December 17, 2008
#26 Phil from SATX said . . .JP,
Nice stat comparison on DH and BB.
Take away that 99 yarder against us and it looks even better. Actually, his receptions for a touch down would only be 5.
This is compared to our guy that didn't come here as a receiver vs a guy that was paid more than Randy Moss, who's numbers look like this:
66 receptions for 908 yds and 10 TD's with a 13.8 yd average.
Had Hester, or Orton gotten him the ball when he was open. It seems to me that you could easily double the TD's he's gotten and add maybe 100 to 200 yards.
We definitely got the better deal to the "often drop the ball" Berrian.
I afraid that if we did have Berrian on the team that Ron Turner would have relied less on Forte and we would have had a lot of three and outs based on Ron's attempt to always get the big play. With this development he is forced to rely more on the good foundation of THE FORTE.
We could really use a good receiver, but the funny thing is we would have to probably end up paying more than Minnesota paid for Berrian to do it. If they go that route (pun).
On another note:
(Not giving up on the season, still hoping for the Min two losses and Chicago two wins)
Just wanted to say that I think we should draft USC's Rey Maualuga so Brian can start the turn over process.
See attached:
http://wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=1667
Go Bears!!
December 17, 2008
#27 jdawg said . . .My first reaction is solidly in the jdawg camp. While the team ends up the season with a flourish, and ALMOST makes it to the playoffs, on closer analysis it is more pyrite than gold. Better than last year, but in some ways much the same - the late season surge was really window dressing because the team didn't win the divisional games it had to win to get to the playoffs. I don't blame the coaches for those losses, but I do blame the coaches for the earlier losses, several of which were CLEARLY the result of being outcoached.
My second reaction is different. We thought that our offense was going to suck this year, and that our wins would be due to the D and ST. Given that assumption, coaching the team to a 10-6 record would be a good achievement, with the standard Bears recipe of offense futility and the D and ST hauling the O's offense out of the fire. After the season we would be calling for RT's head (again) and probably JA for not giving us the pieces to succeed on offense.
It unfolded differently this year though. The O turned out to be much better than expected, and those same would-be villains have to be lauded instead - RT for personnel decisions like getting Kyle on the field and the way he rejiggered the Oline with existing parts, for coaching up Hester (which HAS happened), and for generally calling better game plans than he did previously. JA has to be lauded for picking The One, and for what looks to be a solid 4th round pick last year in Beekman, of course Olsen two years ago.
It is the D which inexplicably failed us this year, and I think that's why this team was so hard to like - we are used to taking our losses the other way, which included kicking the other teams' asses on the way to the loss.
But this is ultimately the good news - I believe that this organization can fix D much more easily and readily than they can O - they've had decades of practice at it. The fact that we have such promising signs on O is a great and uplifting fact which should carry us into next year on a high.
To make all this ring true, we need to have two strong wins to close the season. 8-8, for example, would clearly NOT be a good season. And of these last two games, it's as obvious as the Blue sky and the Orange sun which is more important -
DOWN WITH THE PISS AND PUKE!!!
THE PACK IS BACK - TO THE CELLAR!!!
LOVIE REMEMBER YOUR PLEDGE!!!!!
BEAR DOWN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 17, 2008
#28 Anonymous said . . .I mean lost in terms of those two games -- TB and Atl. I almost wish those had been blowouts -- almost.
Anyway, the needle is pointing up. Let's hope we get a new DL coach in the off-season.
December 17, 2008
#29 vania said . . .Haugh is an idiot, but Berrian never sucked. He was still developing when we let him go and it was just another sign that Angelo, Phillips, and the McCaskey's will never commit to having a good passing game. It had nothing to do with him sucking, it was clear he'd turn into a solid player, they just didn't want to pay him. They knowingly took a downgrade in Rasheed Davis.
December 18, 2008
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December 29, 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.