The Bears just dominated the Packers 35-7. Good game.
The running game was in effect (over 100 yards for Adrian Peterson), and the special teams were dominant. The defense played really well. Tillman excelled on special teams again. Alex Brown stood out on defense, and Urlacher had an 85 yard INT return for a touchdown.
Orton played well in bad conditions and didn't have any of the problems that his counterpart did with dropped snaps.
Where have these guys been all year?
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Email Exchange
Mike & I have both been busy lately, so the blog's been a bit 'under-maintained'... my apologies. Here's the text of an email exchange we've had over the past couple days, which nicely summarizes both of our thoughts on what needs to be done to fix the Bears.
Mike: Bears – what can you say that hasn’t already been said? Goats: Moose for missing that block on the Hester pass play, Fred Miller for being Fred Miller, whoever decided to get rid of Thomas Jones, McGowan for missing that tackle on A.P. Studs: Vasher, Urlacher, maybe Tillman too.
MN might make the playoffs, but the Bears just put on a clinic on how to stop that offense. Anybody who can run the ball and consistently hit the 7 yard slant (like Seattle) will rout that Vikes team. They’re not that good.
Pat: MN is mediocre. They have a winning record in a terrible NFC. In a way, it might be good for us to lose games like this. My hope is it plants the seeds in alot of these guys heads that they rested on their laurels coming off the super bowl. They just expected to go back to the super bowl by showing up, and everyone would be scared of the big bad Bears. Maybe now it will light a fire under some of these guys asses in the offseason, so they head into 2008 healthy and fully prepared to play. I can't help but think that alot of the vets had too much a sense of complacency this year. The truth is, we aren't that far from competing for a Super Bowl next year. Special teams are solid, we just need to re-sign Ayanbadejo. Defense, we need everyone back healthy, 1 new safety, and something at WLB (Briggs or at least a good replacement). Offense...I say bring back Rex & Cedric, blow up the o-line (Kreutz at C, Tait at RT, and 3 new guys) and perform some major surgery at WR. Bring back our tight ends. All that, stay relatively healthy, and there's no reason they cant be competitors in the NFC next year.
Mike: Yeah, easier schedule next year, better players and not so cocky. Why they ever benched Alex Brown is beyond me. Ever see him get out of position on the run? Good to see Vasher back – look at the difference it makes to have your guys healthy and playing. I’m with you on the offense – unless there’s a Michael Turner available, I’d stick with Ced.
Pat: That's what's driving me nuts...there are so many media meatheads complaining about the defense, but they're a few tweaks away from being a top 10 defense again. Think about it:
Resign Briggs
Draft a safety somewhere in rounds 2-4
Get Urlacher healthy
Get Vasher healthy
Get Mike Brown healthy
Get Tommie healthy
Get Dusty healthy
Get Garay healthy
Get Adams healthy
Do all that (which isn't much, really) and your D is in very good shape heading into next season. Special teams, just re-sign Ayanbadejo, and allow the returning starters to funnel your quality backups onto special teams, and you're all set there too. Offense, major surgery needed. We need to replace Fred Miller and probably both guards. We need either Rex Grossman or Donovan McNabb as starting QB...guys like Orton & Griese just can't WIN games for you. Grossman & McNabb can. We need to upgrade WRs, and maybe bring in 1 new RB. I still think Benson will be solid, but Peterson is a #3/special teams guy, and Wolfe is a niche player we never should have drafted.
Mike: Not brain surgery. Or rocket science. Or anything… um, difficult like that.
Just getting healthy will be a huge plus. Consider that the guys who are getting playing time on the DL now will make for excellent depth next year.
But the O needs an overhaul. I’d go after McNabb and offensive linemen. Make some free agents rich, big deal; it’ll seem well worth the cost if we’re back in the Super Bowl. When they won last year there wasn’t a single time where I thought: you know, they spent too much on this offensive line. If there’s money left over after those priorities, then I’d address RB and maybe WR. I think with the guys they’ve got, if we had a good line either Rex or McNabb could get the ball to those guys (minus one or two who haven’t earned the chance to come back). I’m more concerned about our lines – that’s the strength of winning football teams. If you can run the ball and control the clock and grind out long drives (which result in touchdowns), your defense can tee off on opponents.
Pat: All excellent points (refering to Mike's last email).
Mike: Bears – what can you say that hasn’t already been said? Goats: Moose for missing that block on the Hester pass play, Fred Miller for being Fred Miller, whoever decided to get rid of Thomas Jones, McGowan for missing that tackle on A.P. Studs: Vasher, Urlacher, maybe Tillman too.
MN might make the playoffs, but the Bears just put on a clinic on how to stop that offense. Anybody who can run the ball and consistently hit the 7 yard slant (like Seattle) will rout that Vikes team. They’re not that good.
Pat: MN is mediocre. They have a winning record in a terrible NFC. In a way, it might be good for us to lose games like this. My hope is it plants the seeds in alot of these guys heads that they rested on their laurels coming off the super bowl. They just expected to go back to the super bowl by showing up, and everyone would be scared of the big bad Bears. Maybe now it will light a fire under some of these guys asses in the offseason, so they head into 2008 healthy and fully prepared to play. I can't help but think that alot of the vets had too much a sense of complacency this year. The truth is, we aren't that far from competing for a Super Bowl next year. Special teams are solid, we just need to re-sign Ayanbadejo. Defense, we need everyone back healthy, 1 new safety, and something at WLB (Briggs or at least a good replacement). Offense...I say bring back Rex & Cedric, blow up the o-line (Kreutz at C, Tait at RT, and 3 new guys) and perform some major surgery at WR. Bring back our tight ends. All that, stay relatively healthy, and there's no reason they cant be competitors in the NFC next year.
Mike: Yeah, easier schedule next year, better players and not so cocky. Why they ever benched Alex Brown is beyond me. Ever see him get out of position on the run? Good to see Vasher back – look at the difference it makes to have your guys healthy and playing. I’m with you on the offense – unless there’s a Michael Turner available, I’d stick with Ced.
Pat: That's what's driving me nuts...there are so many media meatheads complaining about the defense, but they're a few tweaks away from being a top 10 defense again. Think about it:
Resign Briggs
Draft a safety somewhere in rounds 2-4
Get Urlacher healthy
Get Vasher healthy
Get Mike Brown healthy
Get Tommie healthy
Get Dusty healthy
Get Garay healthy
Get Adams healthy
Do all that (which isn't much, really) and your D is in very good shape heading into next season. Special teams, just re-sign Ayanbadejo, and allow the returning starters to funnel your quality backups onto special teams, and you're all set there too. Offense, major surgery needed. We need to replace Fred Miller and probably both guards. We need either Rex Grossman or Donovan McNabb as starting QB...guys like Orton & Griese just can't WIN games for you. Grossman & McNabb can. We need to upgrade WRs, and maybe bring in 1 new RB. I still think Benson will be solid, but Peterson is a #3/special teams guy, and Wolfe is a niche player we never should have drafted.
Mike: Not brain surgery. Or rocket science. Or anything… um, difficult like that.
Just getting healthy will be a huge plus. Consider that the guys who are getting playing time on the DL now will make for excellent depth next year.
But the O needs an overhaul. I’d go after McNabb and offensive linemen. Make some free agents rich, big deal; it’ll seem well worth the cost if we’re back in the Super Bowl. When they won last year there wasn’t a single time where I thought: you know, they spent too much on this offensive line. If there’s money left over after those priorities, then I’d address RB and maybe WR. I think with the guys they’ve got, if we had a good line either Rex or McNabb could get the ball to those guys (minus one or two who haven’t earned the chance to come back). I’m more concerned about our lines – that’s the strength of winning football teams. If you can run the ball and control the clock and grind out long drives (which result in touchdowns), your defense can tee off on opponents.
Pat: All excellent points (refering to Mike's last email).
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Open Query
Why does it seem like I'm covering all of the losses, at least as of late? Bummer!
Well, the Bears have the Redski... can we still say that? Have the thought police not taken that away?
(consults counsel)
As I was saying, the Bears have the Redskins tomorrow night, and if they win, I'm doing the recap!
Well, the Bears have the Redski... can we still say that? Have the thought police not taken that away?
(consults counsel)
As I was saying, the Bears have the Redskins tomorrow night, and if they win, I'm doing the recap!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Game 12 - Bears/Giants
I'm still in shock - the Bears got beat after dominating much of the game. At 5-7, they're done. Last one out, please hit the lights. This loss hurt more than usual, just given how well they played in the beginning of the game.
The defense didn't play poorly. They didn't make a stop when they needed to, but, AGAIN, they spent way too much time on the field. The Bears had way too many 3-and-outs in the second half. Grossman's attempted heroics aside on that last drive, it should never have come down to the last drive.
While it has become fashionable in a sense, and I'm such a contrarian that I can't imagine doing something fashionable, I can't find blame with anyone other than Ron Turner and the coaching staff. Yes, it hurt that the Bears running game couldn't be counted on late in the game to eat up the clock and get 1 or 2 first downs. But at some point, the guy who's calling plays has to be held accountable for what's happened this season.
Breaks my heart to say it, but all would have been forgiven if Hester made that catch. Suddenly, it's a whole different ballgame. He can't be held responsible, though, since the Bears had outstanding field position because the Giants wouldn't kick to him.
Please tell me that no one is still talking playoffs. Yet, maybe a bad season only sets the table for the Bears to get back to the big game next year. It looks like we know where we're weak (offensive line, defensive depth, running back) and where we're strong (um, quarterback, special teams).
Rex Grossman's proving himself to be a better football player than anyone gave him credit for (me included) at the beginning of the season. Couldn't be happier for the guy or happier that I was wrong about him.
The defense didn't play poorly. They didn't make a stop when they needed to, but, AGAIN, they spent way too much time on the field. The Bears had way too many 3-and-outs in the second half. Grossman's attempted heroics aside on that last drive, it should never have come down to the last drive.
While it has become fashionable in a sense, and I'm such a contrarian that I can't imagine doing something fashionable, I can't find blame with anyone other than Ron Turner and the coaching staff. Yes, it hurt that the Bears running game couldn't be counted on late in the game to eat up the clock and get 1 or 2 first downs. But at some point, the guy who's calling plays has to be held accountable for what's happened this season.
Breaks my heart to say it, but all would have been forgiven if Hester made that catch. Suddenly, it's a whole different ballgame. He can't be held responsible, though, since the Bears had outstanding field position because the Giants wouldn't kick to him.
Please tell me that no one is still talking playoffs. Yet, maybe a bad season only sets the table for the Bears to get back to the big game next year. It looks like we know where we're weak (offensive line, defensive depth, running back) and where we're strong (um, quarterback, special teams).
Rex Grossman's proving himself to be a better football player than anyone gave him credit for (me included) at the beginning of the season. Couldn't be happier for the guy or happier that I was wrong about him.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Game 11 - Bears/Broncos
This was a crazy game in just about every way.
Special teams won the game for us. Dave Toub called a better game than Ron Turner has all year. His formation shfts led directly to Peanut Tillman's blocked field goal, and to Denver burning a 2nd half timeout on a punt play. Devin Hester continues to live up to Jeff Joniak's assessment of him ("Devin Hester, you are RIDICULOUS").
The offense did ok. I thought Benson was having his 2nd good game in a row, when his season was lost to injury. I don't care what Hub Arkush or any other mouth-breathing sports talk radio meathead thinks....Benson is BY FAR the best running back on this roster, and if they think Adrian Peterson taking over as the starter is going to help the running game, they've got another thing coming (cue Rob halford...)
The two bright spots for the offense were Rex Grossman (who played a solid game, held up well under pressure, and made some big passes with the game on the line) and John St. Clair. By entering the game in the 4th quarter and doing a very average job (no penalities, no sacks allowed, at least held his ground on run plays), St. Clair proved to be a huge upgrade over Fred Miller-thusela. Replacing Miller has got to be our top offensive priority this off-season, and replacing him in this game paid immediate dividends. While St. Clair is not the future of this position for the Bears, he is an average, journeyman/backup, and that's alot better than what Miller is right now.
As far as the defense goes, ugh. Wale is finally playing like he deserves that fat contract the Bears gave him. The rest of their D-line needs to get their act together, cause we're going to need more of a push up the middle, and some pressure from the other side, if we're really going to get in the head of an opposing quarterback. A home game this week against the Giants, with a young & fairly easily rattled Eli 'Muppet' Manning at the helm, would be the ideal opponent against whom we should bring pressure.
The LBs looked average. Urlacher played better than he has, so hopefully his back is improving incrementally.
As far as the secondary goes....man do I miss Mike Brown and Nate Vasher. Peanut is great, and D. Manning is playing solid ball, but Archuleta is absolutely terrible (replacing him also a top off-season priority) and there's a reason Ricky Manning plays the nickel, and not outside (doesn't have the pure speed to cover guys 50 yards downfield).
So here we are again, just 1 game out of a wild-card spot, 1 game below 500, with a big game looming. Last time we were in this spot we lost a tough road game against a well prepared, efficient Seattle team who showed up & played well. This time we're at home, against a Giants team who is wildly inconsistent, especially at the QB position. Our only chance is if the o-line plays their best game of the year (their pass rush is fierce and we have no running back) and if the d-line creates havoc (as Eli can be rattled, and our secondary is not playing very well).
Special teams won the game for us. Dave Toub called a better game than Ron Turner has all year. His formation shfts led directly to Peanut Tillman's blocked field goal, and to Denver burning a 2nd half timeout on a punt play. Devin Hester continues to live up to Jeff Joniak's assessment of him ("Devin Hester, you are RIDICULOUS").
The offense did ok. I thought Benson was having his 2nd good game in a row, when his season was lost to injury. I don't care what Hub Arkush or any other mouth-breathing sports talk radio meathead thinks....Benson is BY FAR the best running back on this roster, and if they think Adrian Peterson taking over as the starter is going to help the running game, they've got another thing coming (cue Rob halford...)
The two bright spots for the offense were Rex Grossman (who played a solid game, held up well under pressure, and made some big passes with the game on the line) and John St. Clair. By entering the game in the 4th quarter and doing a very average job (no penalities, no sacks allowed, at least held his ground on run plays), St. Clair proved to be a huge upgrade over Fred Miller-thusela. Replacing Miller has got to be our top offensive priority this off-season, and replacing him in this game paid immediate dividends. While St. Clair is not the future of this position for the Bears, he is an average, journeyman/backup, and that's alot better than what Miller is right now.
As far as the defense goes, ugh. Wale is finally playing like he deserves that fat contract the Bears gave him. The rest of their D-line needs to get their act together, cause we're going to need more of a push up the middle, and some pressure from the other side, if we're really going to get in the head of an opposing quarterback. A home game this week against the Giants, with a young & fairly easily rattled Eli 'Muppet' Manning at the helm, would be the ideal opponent against whom we should bring pressure.
The LBs looked average. Urlacher played better than he has, so hopefully his back is improving incrementally.
As far as the secondary goes....man do I miss Mike Brown and Nate Vasher. Peanut is great, and D. Manning is playing solid ball, but Archuleta is absolutely terrible (replacing him also a top off-season priority) and there's a reason Ricky Manning plays the nickel, and not outside (doesn't have the pure speed to cover guys 50 yards downfield).
So here we are again, just 1 game out of a wild-card spot, 1 game below 500, with a big game looming. Last time we were in this spot we lost a tough road game against a well prepared, efficient Seattle team who showed up & played well. This time we're at home, against a Giants team who is wildly inconsistent, especially at the QB position. Our only chance is if the o-line plays their best game of the year (their pass rush is fierce and we have no running back) and if the d-line creates havoc (as Eli can be rattled, and our secondary is not playing very well).
Monday, November 19, 2007
Game 10 - Bears vs. Seahawks
I am Mr. Mixed Emotions. The Bears lost a tough game in Seattle 30-23.
The hard part about this one is that they never really seemed out of it. They were close, even until the end.
The offense played pretty well on the road in front of a noisy crowd. Well, let's make an exception: Fred Miller. Other than him, they seemed to play well. I still can't understand why Benson went missing in this game. Keep giving him the ball when he's running like he did early on.
The defense didn't get the job done, but I didn't think they played terribly. Hasselbeck is a great quarterback and Seattle has excellent receivers. Holmgren, well, what can you say? This one hurts, because it showed that the Bears are close to being able to play good teams on the road - but the weak spot was the defense.
The hard part about this one is that they never really seemed out of it. They were close, even until the end.
The offense played pretty well on the road in front of a noisy crowd. Well, let's make an exception: Fred Miller. Other than him, they seemed to play well. I still can't understand why Benson went missing in this game. Keep giving him the ball when he's running like he did early on.
The defense didn't get the job done, but I didn't think they played terribly. Hasselbeck is a great quarterback and Seattle has excellent receivers. Holmgren, well, what can you say? This one hurts, because it showed that the Bears are close to being able to play good teams on the road - but the weak spot was the defense.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Winning Ugly
The most important thing for the Bears to do in Oakland was to win, and they accomplished that. I was disappointed in the offense and the special teams, but at the end of the day the only thing that mattered was a W to keep the playoff hope alive.
Oakland played a hell of a game on special teams...one of the few times in the past 3 years that we've truly been outplayed on special teams. My first reaction was to be surprised, since it rarely happens. That said, it's actually not a bad thing. Maybe some future opponents will look at the film & think "If a crappy team like Oakland can kick to Hester & contain him, why can't we?" That would be a great thing for the Bears. Hopefully, it will also serve as a wake up call to our speical teams that they aren't invincible, and they need to bring it every week to help win games.
The D played like it was 2006. They contained the run, conceded nothing through the air, harassed the quarterback, and caused 3 turnovers. We need them to play consistently at this level in order to win enough games to make the playoffs.
The offense still needs some work, but also showed some flashes. I think they gotta go back to Rex for the Seattle game. Griese is not gonna be 100%, and as it is he is making just as many mistakes as Rex. Rex can throw the deep ball, and we need that threat. At this point, we need to win the next 2 games at any cost, and I think the time for a conservative game manager at QB has passed...we need a guy who can WIN the game for us. While Grossman also has a better chance of losing the game than Griese does, he also has a better chance to win the game,a nd we nee that now. If he fails, slide him to #3, make Orton #1 the rest of the season, and keep Griese at #2 where he's best suited.
Somehow, someway, they gotta get the running game on track. Roberto Garza is a terrible guard, and Turner's run play calling is still terrible, and Benson is not creating anything on his own. Something has to give so this team can string together some wins.
Oakland played a hell of a game on special teams...one of the few times in the past 3 years that we've truly been outplayed on special teams. My first reaction was to be surprised, since it rarely happens. That said, it's actually not a bad thing. Maybe some future opponents will look at the film & think "If a crappy team like Oakland can kick to Hester & contain him, why can't we?" That would be a great thing for the Bears. Hopefully, it will also serve as a wake up call to our speical teams that they aren't invincible, and they need to bring it every week to help win games.
The D played like it was 2006. They contained the run, conceded nothing through the air, harassed the quarterback, and caused 3 turnovers. We need them to play consistently at this level in order to win enough games to make the playoffs.
The offense still needs some work, but also showed some flashes. I think they gotta go back to Rex for the Seattle game. Griese is not gonna be 100%, and as it is he is making just as many mistakes as Rex. Rex can throw the deep ball, and we need that threat. At this point, we need to win the next 2 games at any cost, and I think the time for a conservative game manager at QB has passed...we need a guy who can WIN the game for us. While Grossman also has a better chance of losing the game than Griese does, he also has a better chance to win the game,a nd we nee that now. If he fails, slide him to #3, make Orton #1 the rest of the season, and keep Griese at #2 where he's best suited.
Somehow, someway, they gotta get the running game on track. Roberto Garza is a terrible guard, and Turner's run play calling is still terrible, and Benson is not creating anything on his own. Something has to give so this team can string together some wins.
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