As we near a full day since the Chicago Bears' season came to end, it's becoming easier to think rationally about the season as a whole instead of wanting to -- as Limp Bizkit once sang -- break stuff. Really, yesterday was a microcosm for the entire Bears' 2008 season.
The early 10-0 lead was the unexpected win in Indianapolis. Giving the lead away was the Bears' three blown games early in the season. The late surge was the three-game winning streak, where us fans were given hope, and the awful onside kick by Robbie Gould teamed with Tommie Harris' offsides penalty and the allowed first down were losing a game when a win would have placed the Bears in the playoffs. Yep, the Cowboys and Bucs lost, so a Bears victory would have placed them in the playoffs.
Alas, it was not to be. If we can take a few steps back and be honest fans, we need to realize that this team didn't deserve to make the playoffs. There are too many weaknesses to justify a 10-6 record and playoff appearance.
It doesn't make things any less painful, but if we can take ourselves back to the start of the season and remember expectations, we have to be happy with 9-7. Pretty much everyone thought the team would be among the worst in football, as one anonymous tough guy stated in in July.
We now know how good Matt Forte is, how easily Devin Hester can shake through a secondary, that there is hope with the offensive line moving forward, and that Kyle Orton is a serviceable quarterback. He's already been named the starter the for next year by offensive coordinator Ron Turner. I guess we'll have to live with his inability to find Hester in stride on deep passes.
Let's hope that the 9-7 record doesn't cloud management into believing there aren't many tweaks needed to the roster and/or coaching staff. Lovie Smith will obviously be retained, but how can he justify keeping Bob Babich as the defensive coordinator? There is too much of the Bears' payroll on the defensive side of the football to be losing pivotal games 31-24.
All in all, there are holes on this team, but 2008 was a step in the right direction when compared to preseason expectations. The problem is that they made us fans believe a division championship was in the cards, and now they've torn our collective hearts from our chests.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-29-2008 @ 11:29AM
Bruce Neumann said...
Seeing that you're wearing a Cubs' hat in your picture, this loss and the Bears' tumble to mediocrity shouldn't be that difficult to stomach.
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12-29-2008 @ 11:37AM
Dan said...
Strongly agree with replacing the defensive coordinator. Do you have any suggestions? That guy who replaced Cotrell in San Diego looks pretty good.
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12-29-2008 @ 11:40AM
Matt Snyder said...
Touche .... good thing Professor Lovie got rid of him.
12-29-2008 @ 12:36PM
Jan said...
I'll attest to not being a huge football fan, but in the Bears games I watched this season, were it not for the defense, they'd have been blown out frequently. Is changing the DC really the best option? How about a quarterback?
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12-30-2008 @ 10:10AM
Johnny-O said...
I have to think the Bears need to draft a top tier Q-back.The defensive end of Florida State,#99ooks real quick and fast.He'd look good in a bears uniform.
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12-29-2008 @ 7:14PM
Will I Am said...
The Bears are heading back to their Caves! This is good enough for them, they should have replaced Ron Turner last year, his play calling is on the level of a High School coach. They keep blaming the QB's. I do agree that a new QB with a better arm is needed. The defense is not the problem with the Bears, it's their offense. When they go shopping for a new Offense Play Caller, look for some new Wide Receivers to catch the ball.
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12-30-2008 @ 12:12PM
Dan said...
Blah blah blah quarterback blah blah Kyle Orton. Now that we have a RB, give him an offensive line and at least one more receiver and then decide if the Bears need a fresh QB.
I want a 1st round tackle, 3rd round guard, a surprise receiver (see Saints/Packers later draft picks) and then use the rest to fill out the defense and add some development and competition on the offense. The Bears had a pretty good defense this year with the same framework that gave them a GREAT one a couple years ago. Bring that back.
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12-30-2008 @ 8:06PM
Tony Muth said...
This Bears team is LUCKY to be better than 8-8! The offense is the joke of the NFC north(including Detroit). The defense is at best MEDIOCRE! As for the coaches, Lovie Smith cost this team 3 wins in 08,Tampa, Carolina, Atlanta. Win those 3 games and the Bears are the NFC north champs, get rid of Lovie and his co-ordinators,then GET RID of JERRY ANGELO! The Bears need a FIRE AND BRIMSTONE,IN YOUR FACE,IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIWAY kind of coach.MIKE DITKA and Jim McMahon weren't pals but together they won. Chicago has always loved CRUSHING DEFENSE and a POWER RUNNING game, sprinkle in a few passes to keep the other guys guessing and you have a happy fan base and a winning team. This is football we're talkin about not BRAIN SURGERY, although the front office and coaches could use some!
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