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.
Showing posts with label Hester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hester. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Bears/Queens - Game 6
Trouble, baby.
I'm glad I waited a while before posting this, as I think I have some decent perspective now.
The Bears played like crap for nearly 4 quarters. They turned the ball over 4 times - unacceptable for a veteran team coached by a guy who preaches turnovers and ball control. They were utterly gashed by the Vikes on the ground - again, unacceptable for a team that played in the Super Bowl last year (guess who watched tape of the first Green Bay drive from the week before?). Dear Bears: Fix the turnover problem. Fix the run defense.
But, there was some good. Devin Hester, you are out of your mind. On the Fox postgame show Jimmy nailed it right, on, the, head. He said that the most valuable guy on a football team is the talent evaluator. Talent wins football games. There's no coaching that can turn Bobby Wade into Devin Hester. There's no coaching that can turn - sorry Bears fans - Cedric Benson into Adrian Peterson (the Vikes, not ours).
But he can be good, if not great. The problems can be fixed. Another free bit of advice for the Bears? Tell Benson that he's got two, maybe three games. He's going to get all the carries, every down, every series. He either stands up like a man and lives up to his "special" tag or he's gone. Enough of this third down BS and enough coddling what should be a professional doing his J-O-B.
P.S. Hey, Turner? Run that go route to Hester, like, five times a game.
I'm glad I waited a while before posting this, as I think I have some decent perspective now.
The Bears played like crap for nearly 4 quarters. They turned the ball over 4 times - unacceptable for a veteran team coached by a guy who preaches turnovers and ball control. They were utterly gashed by the Vikes on the ground - again, unacceptable for a team that played in the Super Bowl last year (guess who watched tape of the first Green Bay drive from the week before?). Dear Bears: Fix the turnover problem. Fix the run defense.
But, there was some good. Devin Hester, you are out of your mind. On the Fox postgame show Jimmy nailed it right, on, the, head. He said that the most valuable guy on a football team is the talent evaluator. Talent wins football games. There's no coaching that can turn Bobby Wade into Devin Hester. There's no coaching that can turn - sorry Bears fans - Cedric Benson into Adrian Peterson (the Vikes, not ours).
But he can be good, if not great. The problems can be fixed. Another free bit of advice for the Bears? Tell Benson that he's got two, maybe three games. He's going to get all the carries, every down, every series. He either stands up like a man and lives up to his "special" tag or he's gone. Enough of this third down BS and enough coddling what should be a professional doing his J-O-B.
P.S. Hey, Turner? Run that go route to Hester, like, five times a game.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Bears/Chiefs - Game 2
So KC rolled into town this past weekend, and the Bears sent them home still winless. Final: Bears 20-10.
Highs and Lows:
Highs: From the get-go, Lance Briggs was playing out of his head. He was in on seemingly every play. The defense as a whole played strong, with the exception of a Chiefs drive right before the half that resulted in points. There was a lot of crisp hitting; again, these guys already look like they're in mid-season form. Walker and Manning stepped up in starting roles, with no noticeable drop off from the injuries of Week 1. The offense started out OK. The first half wasn't spectacular, but it also wasn't plagued by poor quarterback play (more on that in a minute). Benson ran the ball with some authority and finished with a 100-yard game. And Devin Hester, let's not forget him. What can you say about this guy? He's probably the most electrifying player in the league. And lastly, we got in the "win" column.
Lows: Well, I mentioned that drive before the half. Not pretty. Turnovers continue to be a problem. The only offensive points scored so far this year are to a reserve offensive lineman. Not good. And Grossman? When he's bad, he's horrid. Those two picks were just beyond awful. And the timing of his implosion - hanging on to a lead late in a game, when you should be trying to grind out the clock as much as possible - couldn't have come at a worse time (well, unless you consider that pick against Indy when they were only down by 5 points in a game they should have been getting blown out of because of how crappy the offense was playing. Not that I'm bitter.). What else? Oh, yeah, hopefully we get Maynard back from injury this week - watching Gould punt made me a little nervous. That's our second most valuable offensive player.
Most Valuable Bears? I'd say Hester, Briggs, and Benson. Most Likely To Get Run Out Of Town If He Keeps Turning The Ball Over? Tough call.
Highs and Lows:
Highs: From the get-go, Lance Briggs was playing out of his head. He was in on seemingly every play. The defense as a whole played strong, with the exception of a Chiefs drive right before the half that resulted in points. There was a lot of crisp hitting; again, these guys already look like they're in mid-season form. Walker and Manning stepped up in starting roles, with no noticeable drop off from the injuries of Week 1. The offense started out OK. The first half wasn't spectacular, but it also wasn't plagued by poor quarterback play (more on that in a minute). Benson ran the ball with some authority and finished with a 100-yard game. And Devin Hester, let's not forget him. What can you say about this guy? He's probably the most electrifying player in the league. And lastly, we got in the "win" column.
Lows: Well, I mentioned that drive before the half. Not pretty. Turnovers continue to be a problem. The only offensive points scored so far this year are to a reserve offensive lineman. Not good. And Grossman? When he's bad, he's horrid. Those two picks were just beyond awful. And the timing of his implosion - hanging on to a lead late in a game, when you should be trying to grind out the clock as much as possible - couldn't have come at a worse time (well, unless you consider that pick against Indy when they were only down by 5 points in a game they should have been getting blown out of because of how crappy the offense was playing. Not that I'm bitter.). What else? Oh, yeah, hopefully we get Maynard back from injury this week - watching Gould punt made me a little nervous. That's our second most valuable offensive player.
Most Valuable Bears? I'd say Hester, Briggs, and Benson. Most Likely To Get Run Out Of Town If He Keeps Turning The Ball Over? Tough call.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Some Assorted Bears News
I know this off season hasn't been as dismal as others in the past, but forgive me if I'm not doing cartwheels about Chicago baseball. Hockey season is still on (if you're a Wolves fan) and the Bulls are playing some surprising basketball, but this is a Bears town, son, so yeah, I was glad Tank got out in 60 days. Yes, I'm nervous about how long he'll get suspended. There's other sports and then there's the Bears.
So there's this news that the Bears have already signed a draft pick, and the recent headline that the Bears are moving Hester to offense that need to be explored. So let's make like Christopher Walken and explore the space.
Give the Bears a lot of credit. They're focused on getting guys in and signed, and this is evidence of a disciplined front office. They're all focused and pulling in the same direction, which is getting back to that big game again. It's little things that win championships, and when an organization has this kind of focus from the top down, it carries through to the players.
On the Hester move… I don't know. I think you let the guy play defense if he wants to. Will he take less of a beating as a receiver? Maybe, but then again maybe not. I don't know that there's a long, rich history of successful moves from one side of the ball to the other. Nothing jumps out at me as being a shining example of how these moves pay off. But I'm going to trust the pros on this one and sit back and enjoy it (or criticize it, if my misgivings are validated).
So there's this news that the Bears have already signed a draft pick, and the recent headline that the Bears are moving Hester to offense that need to be explored. So let's make like Christopher Walken and explore the space.
Give the Bears a lot of credit. They're focused on getting guys in and signed, and this is evidence of a disciplined front office. They're all focused and pulling in the same direction, which is getting back to that big game again. It's little things that win championships, and when an organization has this kind of focus from the top down, it carries through to the players.
On the Hester move… I don't know. I think you let the guy play defense if he wants to. Will he take less of a beating as a receiver? Maybe, but then again maybe not. I don't know that there's a long, rich history of successful moves from one side of the ball to the other. Nothing jumps out at me as being a shining example of how these moves pay off. But I'm going to trust the pros on this one and sit back and enjoy it (or criticize it, if my misgivings are validated).
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