Here's Something REALLY Controversial...

I haven't written about my Bears for a while.  But, the media was SO IDIOTIC this week that I had to get some things off my chest.  So here goes nothing...

One of the best things about NFL football is the anticipation that goes along with only having 1 game a week.  One of the worst things about NFL football is the ridiculous, reaching stories that pompous, smug NFL media members have to make up during the week to fill the dead space.  Here are some of the huge "controversies" of this week, and why they are a ridiculous waste of time:
1) Jay Cutler cussing out Mike Martz
Cutler was caught on camera last weekend saying "Tell him I said to go fuck himself", seemingly referring to Mike Martz.  The play came after a drop by Devin Hester and before a draw play on a third and 7 with the Bears up by 20 in the third quarter.  Does this make Cutler a bad leader?  No way, and here is why:
 -Cutler was FIRED UP.  Isn't that what Bears fans have been looking for from him?  What was all the talk of poor body language and being disengaged and how that made Cutler a poor leader?  Now that he is engaged and being actively involved with the offense and providing input he feels is needed in order for the offense to succeed, this is suddenly a bad thing because he used a naughty word?  Have any of these idiots ever watched Tom Brady's demeanor during a game?  The GOD himself is yelling and bitching at anyone who is within earshot. In the words of the awful ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown crew, "C'MON MAN!"
-Cutler is the first GOOD quarterback of my adult life to play for the Bears.  Why is the media picking away at him over STUPID SHIT?  What is their agenda here?  We as fans need to back our guy, Jay Cutler, and let him know it.  He is a building block for the next 5-8 years for the Bears, we need to support Cutler and let him know that the media does not define our opinion of him.  If we don't, he'll leave at the first opportunity and we'll have another 20 years of bad to mediocre QB play.
2) When the Bears leave for London
-Having traveled abroad a few times, I know how it feels to be jet lagged.  But these guys are world-class athletes, will have 60+ hours to get acclimated, and will be on a strict schedule designed to allow them to do so.  This is a complete non-story--if the Bears lose it will have nothing to do with flying out tonight instead of Monday or Tuesday.

SO, let's talk about what matters--the players on the field.  Here is why the Bears will win 27-20:
-No LaGarrette Blount.  Earnest Graham doesn't scare me.
-Bucs defense is average at best--only 10 sacks this year plays to the Bears weakness.
-Cutler is on a roll, and together with Martz they have found a way to maximize what they have on offense (and Roy Williams will continue to be involved as he was on Sunday).
-The defense has their swagger back--look for a 2-1 turnover ratio that will be enough.

2012 vs. 2011: Post Free Agency Edition--QB's and RB's

A lot has been written about the state of the Bears in 2011.  Most of it has been emotional and negative.  So I thought it would be valuable to take the opposite tack and give an objective viewpoint (spoiler: when you look at the Bears new additions and returning players for 2011, the roster is VASTLY improved when viewed objectively). Note: For some positions I've named the roster as currently constituted--at the end of the preseason many of the players I've listed for 2011 will be cut in order to get the roster down to 53 players.  The first look is at the Quarterbacks and Running Backs.
Quarterback:
2010--Cutler, Collins, Hanie

2011--Cutler, Hanie, Enderle

Winner: 2011

Comment: Any unit that no longer has Todd Collins on it is VASTLY improved.  Hanie received some invaluable experience in the NFC Championship game that will assist in his development, and it's good to see a third QB that the Bears can develop.  Plus, Cutler is in the second year of the Martz offense, and has reported "in the best shape of his career" according to Lovie Smith.

Running Back/H-Back: 

2010--Forte, Taylor, Bell, Wolfe, Manumaleuna

2011--Forte, Barber, Taylor, Bell, Unga

Winner: 2011

Comment: Forte is now established as a legitimate upper tier running back, and has taken steps to be closer to the "Marshall Faulk" type that Martz wants at the running back spot through his receiving ability.  Barber and Taylor will push eachother in training camp, with the winner (hopefully Barber) serving as a compliment to Forte and a short yardage back.  Look for Bell to make the squad as the 3rd running back, as this position on the Bears requires Special Teams duties, which neither Taylor or Barber has done as an NFL player in the past.  Look for Unga to possibly replace the position Manumaleuna occupied last year, but as a more conventional fullback type.  Manumaleuna was out of shape and thus did not help in short yardage situations last year.  Hopefully Unga is hungry and ready to block when needed. Bottom line: I'll take Barber's skillset for what this team needs over Taylor's, and Forte has another year under his belt in the Martz system and is still well within his prime.

Hopeful? Starting to feel disconnected...

I just read a great piece by Chris Collinsworth on his Football Pros blog. The point of his post was that the players are playing with fire by making us (fans) transfer our "we" feelings associated with our favorite team into "they" feelings. In the short term, I agree.

I am currently a Manager of Human Resources employees, and in every strategic decision I make I am obligated to ask myself "how will this impact my customers?" In following many of the players on Twitter, I don't get the feeling that they feel this obligation as they are making their strategic decisions.  Also, I've noticed that they could use a few customer service classes, as if my employees employed the level of "empathy" that they use in their responses to upset customers I would have them placed under corrective action.

I mentioned that I agree with Collinsworth in the short-term. If the players/owners are able to come to an agreement so we can all have our football Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays in the fall, then NFL football is too big a part of all of us for us not to come back in droves, keeping that emotional "we" feeling intact. Long-term, fans will forget, but only if no games are missed and the quality of the product is at the level of which we are accustomed. However, if we are continually force-fed the business aspect, which continues to show no regard to the customer, we will become disenchanted and may find other things to do with our beautiful fall Sundays.  Get it done, guys, and make sure that the first words out of your mouths are "thank you" to your customers.

Decompression over, time to recap...

Well, when all is said and done, no one can argue that it was a season to remember.  Going in, only the most hopeful of us would have predicted an NFC Championship appearance, so it has to be said that this season was a resounding success.  What is disappointing, however, is that teams have trouble getting to Championship games on a yearly basis, so you have to wonder when the Bears will get back to these heights again.  This is also beginning to be an aging team (especially on defense) so the famous "window" of opportunity, while not completely shut, may be closing.  Here are some observations from, as I wrote previously, the biggest game of our lives.  And some thoughts for next year and beyond:

• Brian Urlacher should have scored on that interception return.  Ray Lewis doesn't get tackled there (maybe why Ray Lewis has a ring and Urlacher doesn't).
• If it saves the Bears some money that they can use elsewhere, I have no problem with the idea of cutting Chester Taylor.  Forte is a full-time guy, and the Bears can draft a complement in the middle rounds or bring in a second or third tier free agent.  Taylor seems to have lost a step, and he'll only get worse as he gets older.
• The Bears need a BIG wide receiver.  I'm not sure Canadian superstar Andy Fantuz is the answer, but I like the direction.  Cutler needs a guy he can trust to go up and get it.  Cutler loves taking chances and giving his wide receivers a chance to make a play, now he just needs a guy who can do it.
• I like Frank Omiyale more as a 3rd swing type tackle than as my starting left tackle.  If the Bears can bring in someone to compete at that position, along with another guard, they will be much improved next year.  Good move to keep Mike Tice where he is as there was noticeable improvement by the end of the year on the line.
• Caleb Hanie should be the 2nd stringer next year--he brings exactly what you want--knowledge of the offense and a little unpredictability in the role.
• So long Tommie Harris--I don't see him back next year.  I hope the Bears do bring back Pisa Tinoisamoa though.
• Bob Sanders was just released by the Colts--I wonder if he'd be a good fit in the cover-2?
• Finally, some thoughts on Jay Cutler.  When you're hurt, you're hurt, but Jay does not do himself any favors with his attitude towards the media and fans.  He leaves himself no margin for error, and as a result many fans/media/other players jump all over him at every opportunity.  The thing that made me the most upset about Jay was his poor performance in the championship game, as I thought that he was going to show up big time after his great performance in the Divisional round. My hope is that he uses this experience to motivate him to be the best he can be next year, as the Bears will always go as far as he takes them.  If the Bears can put a few more pieces around him, watch out.

I'll be back with some Draft thoughts in the coming weeks.  Thanks to everyone for reading this year, I hope you got as much out of reading this as I did writing it.  Go Bears!

Why the Bears will win the biggest game of our lives.

• The Bears' veterans.  Guys like Urlacher, Briggs, Kreutz, Harris (squared), Tillman, Hester and Peppers have all been here before (and beyond).  This game will not be too big for them.  Further, I get the sense that these veterans know this is their time, and they will be giving this game every inch of their football souls.
• Jay Cutler.  Cutler's personality lends itself to big games, as his assuredness and "short memory" allows him to forget the agressive mistakes that he makes and perform at a high level.  He exhibited this in the Jets game late in the year, when he threw a bad pick six and came back to throw three touchdown passes and lead the Bears to victory over one of the other conference semifinalists.  Cutler has exorcised a lot of his "blow up game" demons and has taken big steps to learning how to be a winning NFL quarterback this year.  Watch him take big steps to becoming an NFL star today.
• The Packers running game is OVERRATED.  I don't understand how James Starks can have 1 good game (Eagles) and suddenly the Packers have a balanced offense and a running game.  Sorry, not gonna happen against the Bears.  The Packers will be 1-dimensional.  Even though that 1 dimension is a great asset, it is tough to win in the playoffs that way.
• Past "doppelgangers" to quote ESPN's Bill Simmons.  Going into this game reminds me of the 2006 Title Game against the Saints at Soldier, where the team with the better Defense, Special Teams and homefield made it so key plays went their way.
• The Packers will kick to Devin Hester.  No further explanation required.
• Aaron Rodgers has won 2 playoff games, I don't understand the Joe Montana comparisons quite yet.  The Bears have done as good a job as any team at keeping him out of the endzone.  That will continue.
• The Packers reliance on younger players.  Matthews, Rodgers, Starks, Jones, Hawk, Shields, Williams have all NOT been here before.  And this is not their time.  It is the Bears time.

Bears 27 Packers 21

What we live for as Bears fans...

The Green Bay Packers took care of business, and I give them credit for it.  The Chicago Bears took care of business, and it was a sight to see.  Period.  Before any of the trash talk starts, and it will, I want all Bears and Packers fans to acknowledge how amazing this week, ending with Sunday, will be.  This is what sitting through all of the 4-12, 6-10, and 9-7 seasons have led to.  All the years where we had to watch SportsCenter and all the other national shows and listen to how great the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Vikings, Saints, or Falcons were.  This week, this game, this moment is the time when the Bears and Packers fans can both say that we are the best in the conference and that we are going to battle it out on the football field for the right to say that one team is better than the other.  


This will be decided completely, and in a refreshingly objective manner, on the field.  No opinions matter.  Whoever wins this game will be the better team, all that will matter is the scoreboard.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I get the feeling from the Bears veterans that they are ready to be that team.  This is their moment, and the most important thing is they know it.  If they lose, it will be because of a lack of talent, not mental mistakes or not taking this moment seriously enough.  That desperation, knowing that this is their last and best opportunity for a Ring, can be seen in the eyes of every one of them.  


What makes me feel good going into this game is that the Bears have more of a veteran team, whereas the Packers are relying on a lot of young guys (Williams, Starks, Jones, Shields to name the guys with the biggest roles) who may feel that they have more chances down the road and as such may not have the same level of desperation.  I also like the way the Packers and Bears won their respective divisional round games, in how they set up for next week.  The Packers won with their passing game (in spite of their subpar running game) and turnovers.  While the Packers dominated, their domination was aided in large part by a lack of talent on Atlanta's defense and big mistakes by their offense.  


While the Bears definitely played a lesser opponent in the Seahawks, the Bears did not rely on that inferiority, and simply dominated this game by marching up and down the field on offense in a methodical fashion, while playing excellent defense and special teams.  I love the way Julius Peppers, Tommie Harris, and the rest of the defensive line created pressure, and put hits on the Quarterback.  One thing I noticed was that the Falcons often got to Rodgers but could not bring him down--I don't see that being the case as often against the Bears.  I loved the hard hits by the linebackers.  I loved the aggressiveness of the corners, in fact they looked almost Packers-like at the corner spots.  And I loved the play-calling on offense--the Bears had balance but were unpredictable, not the least of which was the strike thrown to Greg Olsen on a 3rd and 1 play for the first touchdown.  Greg Olsen and Matt Forte (to name a few) made the Bears offense seem VERY dangerous.


More to come this week Bears fans, if nothing else make sure you soak this in and enjoy it.  It has never happened before, and may never again.  What a week...

Why the Bears will win, straight from the heart of the Hopeful Bears Fan...

It seems like YEARS since the Bears have played a meaningful game (in fact, I was there when the Bears took out the Jets at Soldier Field the day after Christmas.  So, there's been enough talk, it's time to play the game.  As such, I'll keep this brief--Bears 31 Seahawks 13.  Here's why (forgive me, my reasons below are my own and aren't really based in any "fact"--straight from heart (which is what the playoffs are all about) here it is:

• I get this feeling from the Bears, and more specifically their veterans, that this is their time.  And they seem to know it.  Guys like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, Chris Harris, Olin Kreutz, Chester Taylor, Anthony Adams, Charles Tillman, and yes, Jay Cutler are primed to take advantage of this opportunity.  For some, it may be their last.
• The running game is clicking right now, and it seems like the Bears almost wanted to hide the success that their having in this area in their last game against the Packers. Matt Forte was running wild but they didn't seem to want to put it on film.  They've saved him for this game and he is ready to go into "beast mode".
• Home field advantage.  I like that this game will be at 10:00 am for the Seahawks, and that they will be in weather they aren't used to in a hostile environment.  The playoffs make the environment that much more hostile, as the Seahawks showed the Saints last week.  Get up Bears fans!
• Jay Cutler (aka the Wild Card).  I think he has the personality to excel in his first playoff game.  If he plays above average the Bears can't lose, and he has that in him, if not more.
• Julius Peppers was shut out last game by Russell Okung, the rookie.  Expect the vet to show the rookie a thing or two in the rematch.

Only 108 hours to go... let's make some history.

Bears vs. Seahawks, January 16th. High Noon...

It's official, Bears vs. Seahawks a week from right now.  You have to believe that the Bears will not take this game lightly, as they lost to the Seahawks about 3 months ago (I was there--it wasn't pretty).  You've gotta like the Bears chances, for the following reasons:
-The Bears offense is completely different now then it was back in October (running the ball the best they have all year, Offensive line playing better (Roberto Garza was not in the lineup).  They have been one of the most balanced teams in the league since their two brutal losses to Seattle and Washington.
-The Seahawks will be on the road.  There might not be a team in the league that needs to be at home to be successful more than the 'Hawks, and why not with their crazy home crowd noise.
-The Seahawks won't be the "worst playoff team ever" next week after their win.  The Bears will not sleep on them as the Saints appeared to.
-Special Teams--for some reason the Saints insisted on giving the Seahawks amazing field position in the first half in order to avoid kicking to Leon Washington.  The Bears, led by Corey Graham, will not fear this man and will kick deep.
-Most importantly, defense.  The Saints have none, the Bears have one of the best in the league.  Look for an angry Bears squad and a rowdy home crowd to lead the Bears to victory.  More to come later in the week, but here are my projected stars for the Bears:
-Matt Forte
-Jay Cutler
-Chris Harris
-Devin Hester
-Brian Urlacher
-Lance Briggs (look--I realize I'm not going out on any limbs by picking these guys--but I really have a feeling that the Bears veterans are in prime position to play well and make a Super Bowl run).

I also have a feeling we'll be seeing the Pack at Soldier in two weeks.  Crazy crazy.

Can't WAIT!!!