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DaBearsBlog Ticket Giveaway!

| November 17th, 2010

StubHub_Logo_RGB-1xxx.jpg
DaBearsBlog, courtesy of StubHub!, is pleased to announce that we have two (2) pairs of tickets for Sunday’s Bears v. Eagles game at Soldier Field – kicking off at 3:15 pm CST.  
We’re going to award the tickets to our loyal readers through a very simple contest.  

Write me (jeff@dabearsblog.com) explaining why you want these tickets.  Have you not been to a game in years?  Is there somebody special you want to take?  Do you love dogs and want to shout things at Michael Vick?  No reason is too absurd.  No reason is too sappy.  ALSO POST YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENTS IF YOU CHOOSE TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE.

Make sure you include your name and your site handle (Crown, GPLDAN…etc) in the email.

The cutoff for submissions is the end of the Giants/Eagles Sunday night game.  I’ll announce the winners of the tickets by Tuesday at 1:00 PM CST – giving you enough time to make appropriate plans.
I am also going to publish the winning and some non-winning responses.
These tickets were courtesy of StubHub! 
Where Fans Buy & Sell Tickets

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Bears at Dolphins Game Preview

| November 17th, 2010

The 6-3 Chicago Bears have had one of the strangest seasons in recent memory, losing when they should win and winning when they should lose.  Who are they?  Who knows.  But stringing together three straight wins heading into the Thanksgiving holiday would surely announce them as contenders not only for the NFC North but the entire conference.

YOUR STARTING TO GEL 2010 CHICAGO BEARS
over
Miami Dolphins

Why do I like the Chicago Bears this week?
  • I always like the Chicago Bears.
  • I detailed the mismatch this game presents for the Dolphins on special teams and it can’t be overstated.  In a game where I think both teams will play close to the vest, especially with the short week limiting preparation time, field position will be crucial.  The Bears have Devin Hester.  The Dolphins have some of the worst specials in the sport.
  • The Ravens were able to control the Dolphins defense and neutralize Cameron Wake on the outside by throwing to Ray Rice seven times for ninety-seven yards.  Jay Cutler has found a rhythm with his hot routes and it’s actually bought him more time in the pocket and enabled him to make big first downs with his legs.
  • I understand Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are tough, physical runners.  I understand Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are talented receivers.  But there are only two Dolphins that scare me this week as Tyle Thigpen assumes the starting quarterback job: Brandon Marshall and Anthony Fasano.  The Lovie Bears have a track record of identifying the opponent’s number one receiver and then letting him catch a dozen balls for over a hundred yards and a couple touchdowns.  And with the new QB, Fasano will be the safety blanket over the middle.  (He’s also coming off the best game of his career.)  Urlacher and the safeties have done a nice job on tight ends this year but Charles Tillman will need to keep Marshall from gaining massive yardage after the catch.
  • Jake Long is reportedly going to attempt to play this week.  If he does, I expect Julius Peppers to test him early.  If he doesn’t, I expect Julius Peppers to set up base camp over the left tackle and attack Thigpen from the blindside all evening long.
  • I can’t imagine the wildcat being effective against linebackers with our speed.
  • Miami is a significantly better team on the road than at home.
  • I think Jay Cutler knows he’s thrown 1.6 million interceptions in primetime over the past two seasons and I think he’ll be quite determined to protect the ball and let the defense/specials win this one.  (Cutler on his red zone interception: “I’m not that worried about it.”  Can’t lie.  I like the kid.)
  • Here’s what I’ve noticed from the Bears.  They are improving on the offensive line.  They are starting to get short bursts from the running backs.  They are committing to the run.  I think this is the night the Bears decide to put the game on the back of Forte/Taylor.  And I think Forte/Taylor have a big night.
  • I think the Bears have found their best four down linemen with Orange Julius, Izzy, Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina.
  • I think the Bears have their ballhawk back and it’s because of players like Tim Jennings and DJ Moore.  No one is more surprised by that sentence than I am.  
  • Basic reason why?  I think the Bears have found their rhythm and are coming into this game Thursday night as confident as they’ve been in a long time.  Watching the press conferences with Lovie, Jay and Brian made it apparent these guys were energized by that win Sunday and want back on the field ASAP.  They get their wish.  They get another win.
Chicago Bears 24, Miami Dolphins 18

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A Most Special Advantage

| November 16th, 2010

When analyzing the coming contest with the Miami Dolphins, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the Bears have their most lopsided special teams advantage of the 2010 season.

The Bears are fourth in kickoff return average; the Dolphins twentieth.  Neither team has scored a touchdown but the Bears have a 4-1 advantage when it comes to returns over forty yards.  The combination of Devin Hester’s return to the goal line and the Dolphins sporting the third-worst kickoff coverage in the league leads me to believe Tony Sporano will have to either instruct Dan Carpenter to directionally kick the ball towards the sidelines or watch the Bears dominate the field position battle.  (I also hope the Dolphins aren’t kicking off all that often.)  I continue to contest that when teams try to kick off away from Hester, they end up getting themselves in an awful lot of trouble.
There have been only five punt return touchdowns this season.  Two by Devin Hester.  Two by Dez Bryant.  And one by the rest of the NFL.  (Hester and Bryant are also 1-2 in the league in return average.)  Brandon Fields has had a difficult time getting his punts off this season, never mind aiming them for the sidelines.  Brad Maynard’s kicks have been below mediocre this season but his lack of distance has been balanced by the almost total lack of return yardage.
And the Dolphins delivered one of the world’s worst special teams performances this season against the New England Patriots.  The performance was so disastrous that coach John Bonamego was fired the following morning.  Just watch the highlights of that performance (linked above) and you’ll be salivating at the thought of our specials facing these guys.
The Bears have a propensity for blocking kicks and live off the return yard.  Thursday night they should be able to compensate for the night-averse quarterback and short-week struggler head coach but controlling possession throughout.

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The Stakes of Thursday Night

| November 16th, 2010

The Philadelphia Eagles, and most specifically Michael Vick, put the NFC on notice last night in Washington.  Delivering the finest performance the conference has seen this season, Andy Reid’s team looked dominant on offense and advantageous on defense – doing to the Redskins what Jay Cutler and the Bears could not do three weeks ago.  They dominated an inferior opponent.  I’ve been as critical of Andy Reid as anybody but his teams continue to make the postseason by doing what they did last evening.  (Next Sunday – now in the prime 4 PM time slot, the Bears will get their crack at the Eagles).

Thursday night the Dolphins will most likely be without their starting quarterback.  Their backup quarterback suffered a career-ending type shoulder injury on the third play this Sunday.  That leaves them starting the able yet flaccid Tyler Thigpen.  And you know what they say about Tyler Thigpen?  If Tyler Thigpen beats you, you deserve to lose.  (The Dolphins are also supposed to be without Jake Long but I’ll believe that when I see it.  Jake Long is one of the toughest guys in the sport.)
We all know the Bears, during the Lovie Smith era, have not been great on short weeks.  We also know how bad Jay Cutler has been once the sun goes down – explanations ranging from color blindness to diabetic comas.  But this season has been a different kind of Bears season.  When they are expected to win, they lose.  When they are expected to lose, they dominate their opponent.  And now they have put themselves into position to make a run at the postseason.  The dreaming of August has become the reality of mid-November. 
The Bears also must win Thursday night to put pressure on the Green Bay Packers Sunday.  The Pack will be in Minneapolis to face Last Chance Brett and the cast of As the World Turns and if you don’t think the purple will reach into the barrel for this one, you’re crazy.  We’re at that part of the season where scoreboard watching becomes as much fun as game watching and nothing will make me happier than being able to sit in front of TV Sunday and know a Packers loss gives the Bears a one-game advantage.
So prepare them, Lovie.  And throw it to your team, Jay.  And leave Miami at 7-3.        

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The Bears Have Life

| November 15th, 2010

Quick turnaround for us and the site this week.  Here are my thoughts on yesterday’s ultra-fulfilling contest.

  • Two mistakes cost this from being a masterpiece.  Chris Harris can’t blow deep coverage on the Percy Harvin touchdown grab.  He has only one assignment on the play and Harvin was the only viable receiver on the Vikings roster yesterday.  And Jay Cutler can’t throw the interception in the end zone.  When the Bears get down around the goalline, Martz needs to let Jay improvise less.
  • Lovie Smith and his entire coaching staff had a hell of a day, starting with the about-time decision to move Devin Hester to kickoff returns.  We shouldn’t give Lovie too much credit for admitting his two-year mistake but we should applaud him for abandoning the stubborness that has marred his tenure.
  • Olin Kreutz looks old whenever he is required to pull to the outside but he can’t commit two (two!) careless, nearly drive-killing penalties for no reason.
  • J’Marcus Webb is going to be very good.
  • I think Chris Williams is not.
  • If Johnny Knox were six inches taller, he could be the best receiver in the league.  But both he and Devin Hester need to learn how to come back for the football.
  • And I give Lovie Smith a lot of credit for the development of Israel Idonije, who has become a bonafide defensive end in this league.
  • Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina just make plays.
  • Tommie Harris is good at recovering fumbles.  That’s the best thing I can say about him.
  • 51 yards rushing for AP?  You’d need to make quite an argument for me to believe we don’t have the best linebackers around.
  • Something about wearing #30 for the Bears, perhaps, because DJ Moore is always around the ball.
  • It warmed my heart to see Rashied Davis and Corey Graham make big plays on special teams.  It dropped my jaw to see Rashied Davis make a catch in a big spot.
  • Don’t be fooled by his one terrific strike.  Brad Maynard is having a terrible season.
  • Robbie Gould being inconsistent is not something I like.
  • Outside of the end zone pick, Jay Cutler showed yesterday why he can be one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.  It’s always been said that he needs to be coached and the Bears seem to be coaching him these past couple weeks.

The Chicago Bears are in first place in the NFC North.  And the Vikings season is over.  Feels good, doesn’t it?

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DaBearsBlog Saturday Show!

| November 12th, 2010

The official spreads for the DaBlog Picks Contest.  
Home team in CAPS.  
Remember, you can not use the combinations used by either of my brothers or myself.
BEARS +1 Vikings
COLTS -7 Bengals
JAGS -1.5 Texans
Titans -1 DOLPHINS
BILLS -3 Lions
Jets -3 BROWNS
BUCS -6.5 Panthers
Chiefs -1 BRONCOS
49ERS -6 Rams
CARDS -3 Seahawks
GIANTS -14 Cowboys
STEELERS -5 Pats
Eagles -3 REDSKINS

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Vikings at Bears Game Preview

| November 10th, 2010

With the season at the crossroads, the division within their grasp and the worst football player/human being in American history entering their home, Sunday is a big football game for the Chicago Bears.

YOUR POSSIBLY RESURGENT 2010 CHICAGO BEARS
OVER
Brett Favre and some other guys
Why do I like the Chicago Bears this week?
  • I always like the Chicago Bears.
  • Jay Cutler looked poised in the pocket against the Buffalo Bills, who are nowhere near as good up front as the Minnesota Vikings.  I think Cutler is beginning to understand that he can move the chains consistently by dumping the ball to backs, hitting his hot routes and using his legs when the protection breaks down.  Frank Omiyale will not block Jared Allen and Cutler will know that coming in.  (Or at least he should)
  • Brett Favre throws 3-5 passes a game that not only could but should be returned to the house for six points.  The Bears – especially Jennings and Moore – have shown a knack for finding the football.  I think they’ll find it Sunday.
  • The last three games in this rivalry at Soldier Field:  34-31 Vikings, 48-41 Bears and 36-30 Bears.  Keep your opponent under 30 and you win.  I think the Bears do it.  
  • The way to beat the Bears defense consistently is the way Favre used to in Green Bay.  Quick slants force the corners up and then you take shots under the safeties and to tight ends in the seam.  The tight end scares the hell out of me but I don’t fear a hobbling Rice, achy-headed Harvin and Bernard “I stink” Berrian – especially Berrian.
  • Playoff atmosphere at Soldier Field.  Write it down.
  • Julius Peppers has been saving his finest performance for this one.
  • Robbie Gould won’t miss another big one this year under 50 yards.
  • The Bears re-realized how useful Greg Olsen and Chester Taylor are to this offense on Sunday and I think you’ll see increased impact for both of them this week.  Then again, the pattern has gone the opposite way.
  • This is the game Devin Hester wins late because Brad Childress is no good and he’ll kick to him.
Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 26

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Three Ways To Beat the Vikings

| November 10th, 2010

Prevent the Big AP Run
I never believe in the statistics when it comes to the Bears rush defense, especially against AP.  Peterson has had a knack for playing possum throughout a first half and then breaking an 85 yarder and breaking open the football game.  For me, this responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the linebacking corps – Briggs, Urlacher and Tinoisamoa.   If the Bears commit a safety into the box, they will watch Visanthe Shiancoe dominate them down the seam for double-digit catches.
Hit Brett Favre Early 
I know this sounds strange to say but early in the game the Bears attackers need to be willing to earn a mid-week letter from the NFL notifying them that they owe the league $25,000.  Brett Favre is a brittle man right now; more brittle than he’s been over the duration of his why-won’t-it-just-end career.  Julius Peppers and the resurgent Israel Idonije need to make Favre pay for standing in the pocket.  If he’s going to strike deep, they need to execute him for his execution.  And yes, they need to embrace the Butkusian concept of hitting a quarterback late to send a message.  15 yards is a slight price to pay for three and a half quarters of Tarvaris Jackson.
Dominate on Special Teams
I believe the Bears have the best special teams in the league but they’ve yet to dominate a game like they did during their heyday in 2006 and much of 2007.  Devin is Devin but he’s been the only superior performer.  The kick returners are a respectable 9th in the league but they haven’t scored.  Robbie Gould missed a huge field goal in Toronto and has been inconsistent on his kickoffs (though better with touchbacks).  Brad Maynard has been 85% terrible this season and will have whoever is coaching the team next year bringing competition to camp.  It is time for everyone’s A game.  It is time for Bears specials to control field position, momentum and the pace of the game.  If we’re meant to expect our best to play their best, it starts with our special teams.   

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My Kind of Game, This Sunday is…

| November 9th, 2010

I’ve been trying each week to give some kind of moniker to that Sunday’s game.  I believed then and still believe the Redskins game was a must-win if the Bears wanted to keep from chasing the standings the remainder of the 2010 season.  I believed the Bills game could have easily spelled the end of Lovie Smith’s tenure if the Bears had not escaped Canada with a win.  This Sunday.  At home.  Against the Minnesota Vikings.  This is the kind of game that makes me love being a Chicago Bears fan, a football fan in general.  It’s the kind of game that will keep me awake on Saturday night, nervous with anticipation.  Why?  

Because I believe, and most Bears fans believe, the Minnesota Vikings are a superior football team.  They’ve played terribly, especially the zipper-down quarterback.  They coached worse and the conflict between head coach and quarterback has played out in front of the media like the best of American political rivalries.  Doris Kearns Goodwin famously referred to Lincoln’s political confidantes as a “team of rivals” and that seems to be what the Vikings are.  The players dislike the coach.  The coach dislikes the players.  And until now, it’s worked just fine.
Until now.  The Bears don’t just have an opportunity to move into first place on Sunday with a much-needed home victory.  The Bears have an opportunity to end the season for the Vikings and most likely the coaching tenure of Brad Childress.  The Bears have an opportunity to end Brett Favre’s career on the down note it deserves.  The Bears have an opportunity to send an entire organization into turmoil.  All it might take is scoring one more point than the other guys.  One more point than the Vikings.  
At the tail end of the 2009 season, with a frozen Jeff Hughes in attendance, the Bears mustered their finest effort of the season and defeated a better version of this Vikings team in primetime.  That is the performance the Bears need Sunday.  They can not allow a miraculous fourteen-point comeback at home against the Cardinals regenerate the Vikings season.  They need Devin Hester to take the opening kickoff to the house.  (I know.)  They need Cutler/Martz to find the rhythm they had early in the season.  They need Julius Peppers to send Brett Favre to IR before he’s had an opportunity to mount a comeback.  
So what to call this game?  I don’t care.  But if the folks in that stadium don’t treat it like it’s the Super Bowl, I’ll be mighty disappointed in us.

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