News from New York
Don't think we're going to have an announcement on Tom Coughlin's Sunday plans until right before kickoff. The Daily News today - in typical Daily News fashion - has two opposing articles sitting side by side. Gary Myers implores Tom to rest his starters, though it should be noted that Myers has lost all credibility since maliciously calling for Coughlin's head throughout the 2006 season. Ralph Vacchiano lays out the reasons why Tom will play the game to win.
I would imagine the Giants will go without Brandon Jacobs and Aaron Ross (both nursing injuries) but this is a team that needs to use Sunday to continue developing a struggling, post-Plex passing game. The Giants are the top seed but this team has shown a particular fallibility of late and can not afford to rest on the laurels of last year's Super Bowl title.
Alex Brown
Quick: list the five biggest plays of the 2008 season. #2 Alex Brown's tackle on the goal line against the Eagles. #1 Alex Brown's block of Mason Crosby's fieldgoal. I ask again, Mr. Smith. Why was the best player on our defensive line benched throughout the 2007 season?
They Certainly Were 'Special'
Brilliant punting by Brad Maynard, including the six-iron shot to the nine yard-line. A game-winning FG by Robbie "Don't Call me Elliot" Gould. Tremendous punt coverage, including a recovered fumble by Jason Davis. Danieal Manning reminding a lot of us of Devin Hester, including a seventy-yard return that gave the team life. Alex Brown blocking a season-ending chip shot. Has any special teams unit ever done so much to win a single ballgame? I'm serious. Somebody find out. And don't give me the Music City Miracle or something like that. I mean a total effort.
What Matters
December 28th, the final week of the season, the Chicago Bears have a meaningful football game in Houston. If they win, they'll finish the season a more-than-respectable 10-6. If they win, there's a chance they'll be in the postseason for the third time in four years. If they win...
#2 Da Coach said . . .First!!!!
Everthing looks good for us and I think Giants will come out to play on Sunday.
Just one question...... If the Viqueens win and we win, both teams will have a virual tie all across the board except the PF and PA which is about 8 points difference on PF and 5 on PA.... Let's say bears shutout Texans 47-0 (it won't happen) and Viqueens have something like 20-21 win. Wouldn't this put the Bears over the top even with Viqueens win?
December 23, 2008
#3 AfroCelt said . . .I was listening to WFAN 660 mid morning and they had on an OLineman from the NYG (cant remember his name). Anyway he stated it would be business as usual this week, they have practice all week except for Thurs (xmas) and a game to win on Sun. He stated a few things along the line Jeff alludes to in that they have a few things to work on and they would like to be on a winning streak headed into the playoffs.
I am hopeful they come out to play on Sun and crush the vikings it would be icing on the cake. One thing the g-men can do is stop the run and if the other Williams sister loses his appeal the giants should be able to run all over the vikes.
December 23, 2008
#4 A very Tired Fan said . . .Thank you Bears. As I'm writing this I'm getting about 5 hateful stares due to my giant orange jersey at work. Whoo hoo!
Side note: I really hope the Lions come out to play this weekend...Id love to see this Packers team fold and prevent Detroit from having a totally lost season.
December 23, 2008
#5 DoucheBaggalo said . . .I have watched that blocked kick a hundred times on my tivo!!! It was a great night. Yes we did not play great and we have a mbelow average QB. But we won and that is all that matters on Tuesday morning and i am sick of these realist on this sight. There is another word for you it is called asshole. PArties atyour houses must be so much fun. How can you even complain a bit after an exciting game like last night. The team will not change by next week and the coaches will not change the way they do things eithier so SHUT UP and enjoy the win and get ready for next week.
V in GH:
I believe the Vikings have a better record against comment opponents so they win the tie braker (we sucked against NFC south teams) so we have to win and they have to lose to win the division
BEARD DOWN CHICAGO BEARS
December 23, 2008
#6 jeff said . . .Even if the Vikings win we can still make the playoffs if Philly beats the Cowgirls and the Raiders pull of a miracle against Tampa Gay. I don't like to rely on other teams losing but I feel like it is our destiny to make the playoffs this year. We have to go out and play our game and not worry about all of the other scenerios.
December 23, 2008
#7 Me TOO said . . .i just watched the fourth quarter and overtime again. and i dont think i'm done.
December 23, 2008
#8 RandomName said . . .I have transfered it to my computer from my tivo so i can watch it on the road!!
December 23, 2008
#9 Smitty said . . .Just thought I'd post some funny reading material.
http://www.dailynorseman.com/2008/12/22/700077/monday-night-football-open#comments
Vikings blog from monday night football.
enjoy
December 23, 2008
#10 mikebdot said . . .Alex Brown has always been play-maker.
No, he has never developed into the pass rusher that everyone expected, but he continually makes plays and is a very good football player.
I'm glad he is back to getting the credit he is due. He was inexcusably benched last year, but kept his head up and won his job back.
December 23, 2008
#11 Papa Bear said . . .Smitty: Alex Brown is one of the few Bears I actually like, I mean, his attitude. If Ricky Manning Jr. had half the character of Alex Brown, he would still be on the team instead of Marcus Hamilton. And perhaps we wouldn't have lost to Atlanta...
I've grown very very tired of allowing opposing teams to run a quick slant at will against us. The only times we have been beaten deep is when we have a safety in a one on one situation. Play some fucking press coverage on the outside already. "Bend but don't break" defense isn't what generates the turnovers, folks. Ballhawks generate turnovers. We have those.
Speaking of which, the Texans are at -10 for the season...this bodes well for us if we can get them to cough up the ball. Slaton needs to be murdered out there. Let's get em!
December 23, 2008
#12 Al In WI said . . .We need to stop playing conservative rush tactics when we know the opposing team is going to pass...the front four are NOT cutting it...Blitz the LBs or at the very least a CB from the outside...FORCE them to throw it away.
They did it vs. the Colts on opening day and it worked.
For the love of all that is holy, 3rd and 10 BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ!!!
December 23, 2008
#13 The Ghost of Halas said . . .If the bears find a way to beat Houston then the rest of it will somehow take care of itself.
The key drive was the 52 yard drive to tie the game at 17 that was all Forte. Matt Forte accounted for 48 yards on the drive. He is The Man. He is the offense. We have nothing else.December 23, 2008
#14 Hey Now said . . .Amazing game last night. Classic Lovie Smith Bears, leaving one on his or her seat until the very last snap.
Three horrible quarters all wiped out by a few good plays, an metaphoric coin-toss, and a couple plays to help from the Packers 28th ranked defense and Aaron Rodger's interesting inability to finish games. Sure, this Packers team is on the downward slide, but they were like a wounded beast, still dangerous with the ability to strike. In my humble view, the Bears changed last night. First of all, they got a monkey off their back by winning three games in a row for the first time since 2006. Second, they finished a game, something they have had difficulty doing all season.....though it is debatable, I suppose, whether they finished a game or whether they just started playing hard in the fourth quarter.
Last night was a display of a few things:
1) Bears special teams continue to be the absolute best in the league and they DECIDED that game.
2) The absolute value of Matt Forte. In the fourth, Forte basically said, "Okay guys. I got this one," as he put the Bears offense on his back and carried them into the endzone.
3) Bears defense is on the upswing and kept a pass-happy Packers at bay when it counted the most.I am never ceased to be amazed at the pessimism and assholitude (my own hand-crafted Bushism) of the Chicago sports media. Mulligan in the Sun Times has already declared Houston the winner of Sunday's game with a score of 27-21. Mulligan is the same idiot who opined that Forte is not all that we as fans have cracked him up to be.
My opinion is that the Texans are a team that wins at home, but also loses when faced with a sound gameplan. They copy off of the Shanahan Broncos and even have Mike Shanahan's son for an offensive coordinator. NFLN's Adam Shefter said that the Texans will bring their A-Game on Sunday, and I have no doubt they will. But if Chicago brings at least an B+ Game it should be close. It is most certainly a winable game and Houston is not a New Orleans...probably not even Green Bay.
December 23, 2008
#15 jdawg said . . .We have TEA time, don't forget about Olsen and Clark.
December 23, 2008
#16 animal said . . .the O is rather stinky. If my dog Bubbles came upon our O I think she would like to roll in it for a little bit. I think every cat in the Loop must be going crazy with the aroma. Let's hope our O turns into a Stilton -- a stinky cheese that can be quite enjoyable on a cracker.
Some times our O resembles a dog with worms. You know how they sit and then drag themselves by their front paws to scratch the butthole? It is quite funny, unless you're a fan. Then not so funny.
December 24, 2008
#17 animal said . . .Dear assholes ripping our offense,
In case you had your head in your ass all week (likely), I'll tell you that Matte Forte was hurt. In case you've had your head in your ass all YEAR, I'm glad to let you know that Matte IS our offense.
For the first three quarters, the Bears did not use the injured Forte. It showed. In the 4th Q and OT, they did use our boy Matte. It showed. We won.
Please suck a dick.
Thank you and sincerely,
Animal
December 24, 2008
#18 jeff said . . .Jeff,
I got up this morning, grabbed my coffee, and watched the 4th Q and OT again also. Cheers. Best game of the year.
On another note: I still BADLY want playoff football. However, all I ask is that we beat Houston. If the Bears do their job, go 10-6, and still don't make it, so be it.
December 24, 2008
#19 Rob C said . . .more motivation for the giants.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80d96b6c&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
December 24, 2008
#20 Oaktown34 said . . .For anybody interested in watching the blocked field goal again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaGorrsjnI
December 24, 2008
#21 The Ghost of Halas said . . .I think we will beat Houston. I LOVED YESTERDAY'S GAME!! Most thilling game since 2006!!
But we have a problems on D. All of which I attribute to the weak pass rush. True we can't score as well as we want, but that has ALWAYS been a problem. And with our D and SP, we would overcome it. We've been to the playoffs plenty of times with this level of O.
Nope IMO the lack of pass rush by the front 4 is killing us and Tommie Harris is the #1 reason. Why don't they sit his ass down! He is hurt! That left leg (knee/hammie, whatever) is not ready.
He is only effective if he times the snap perfectly and slips into the gap and backfield. He can't fight his way anywhere, (no push off with that leg). Once he is stood up, it's over. He has no further impact on the play. Oh he got a 2nd half sack yesterday but it was because the confused Rogers ran right to the spot where Harris was being stood up(again) and Harris just reached out his arm and grabbed him.
Plus I think Harris' neutral-zone infraction in the 1st qtr after Maynard had coffin-cornered GB on their 4, was the turning point to a miserable first half.
We stuffed the first run play and GB was staring at a 2nd and long from their 6 and then suddenly had a 2nd and short from the 11 and ended up getting the 1st down. And why?! Because Tommie didn't line up on-side!!
I say Marcus Harrison is a much stronger and more effective player at this point. Tommie needs to grab some pine!
December 24, 2008
#22 BeardownInMoco said . . .You know, I got to thinking this evening and I wanted to see what you folks think.
I know Tom Coughlin. He's a methodical football coach who has plans and variables worked out in his head. If I were the Giants, I would ask myself, "Who would I rather face in the post-season; the Minnesota Vikings or the Chicago Bears? Jarred Allen and the Williams Wall or the Chicago Bears spotty defensive line? Adrian Peterson and the Tavaris Jackson/Gus Ferrotte led offense or Kyle Orton and his post-injury 60.whatever QB rating?"
If I were the Giants, I would want to defeat the Vikings because I would view the Bears as easier to beat in the playoffs. Not only that, but I would realize that I just lost two in a row to division rivals and nearly dropped a third. I would treat this as a Preseason Week 3 game and use my starters for at least three quarters...develope a firm lead...and then yank them after the first offensive series of the fourth quarter.
Am I out of my gord?
December 24, 2008
#23 BeardownInMoco said . . .Now, I understand why people are a little down on Harris this year. He's made some plays, but his production at tackle has been nowhere near what it was in 06. Somehow he's a pro bowl alternate but thats probably more a reflection of his reputation than a reflection of the year he's having. What I don't understand however is why the hell people think we should
be playing Marcus Harrison over him. This kid
has never even played before. Give me a break!December 24, 2008
#24 Oaktown34 said . . .By the way, something interesting to note for he Harris haters: His best year statistically was 2007 not 2006. And he is having, statistically, just as good a year this year as he has ever had in his career.
December 24, 2008
#25 Jokey said . . .I only prefer Harrison over Harris because Harris is injured. Harris is still a good player but his current lack of mobilty and strength prevent him from intimadating anyone. We are the Monsters Of The Midway. Intimadation is key. Harrison can bull rush an O-lineman and collapse the pocket and scare a QB, where as Tommie is not effective when his quick first step fails to get him in the backfield.
December 24, 2008
#26 GiantsChris said . . .If you tivo'd the game (I didn't mine is broken) and watch Tommie in the open field pursuing the QB or running back, you can see him clearly favoring one leg; there is a pronounced asymmetry in his strides. So something definitely is bothering him.
I can't remember what part of the game I noticed it, but on TV the offense was going from left to right on the screen and Tommie was running towards the top of the picture in pursuit. I was yelling, "Get him! Get him!" then was like, "91 has a limp - that's Tommie."
December 24, 2008
This entry was pretty spot on with what the Giants may do on Sunday. If Jacobs plays, I see him getting maybe 10 touches. I'd be surprised to see Ross in. Also, remember the football karma they got last year after taking the Pats to the limit in a meaningless game for them....and I hate the Vikings after that awful playoff loss to them in 1997. Good luck Bears.
December 24, 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.