Happy New Year from Bear Down

On this the last day of 2011 I take time to reflect on the year that has passed.
We had a lot of ups and downs this year.  The Bears started out with the big win against the Falcons, only to lose three of their next four.

Then the five game winning streak that made us all run to book rooms in Indy for the Super Bowl.  A funny thing happened in that fifth win, Johnny Knox fell on his route and that was the season.  As Cutler went down so did our hopes.

The Bears will try to stop the current skid on Sunday in hopes of starting 2012 right.

So now lets reflect not on what could have been but, on what should be.  The Bears at worst will pick 17 in this years draft and at best 10 or 11.  There is a huge list of free agents that will be on the market this year, more so then I can ever remember.

This is all good news for a team that may be getting a little long in the tooth on the defensive side of the ball.  The 2012 season has the promise of being a big one for these Bears if the front office can make the right moves.  I will go further into that at seasons end when I will cover the draft and free agency as it arrives.

Unlike most at this time of the year I am not looking for what could be or what I may want the new year to bring.  No I would rather reflect on all that I have and hope that it continues into the new year and beyond.

I am so lucky in so many ways that worrying about the things I don't have would dishonor all that I do.

First and foremost I a have the love and respect of an amazing woman, that to this day do not know what I have done to deserve.  I don't know of anyone who deserves her.  No matter what is going on as long as she is by my side I am going to do just fine.

I have a family that always sticks together through more then most but not as much as some.  For that I could not ask for more.  Not to mention that in the coming year it is going to get a bit bigger as my brother and his wife will welcome a new baby before the Bears take their first snaps of next season.

So there will be no resolutions for me just hopes that my tremendous luck with family and good health to all I love continues.

2012 I do hope will be kinder to my beloved but outside of that I still thank them for all the hard work they put into each Sunday this season I enjoyed it all.

As sad as I may be the season is over I have high hopes for next year that will start on Monday and look forward to next season.

I also would like to thank those who read this rag of a blog and the comments you leave, I do this for the love of the Bears and for you.   So thanks again.

Let me know what you think and for the last time in 2011 BEAR DOWN!!!

Bears Vikings Keys to victory

This week is the last in a season that had a lot of ups and downs.  The Bears went from being serious Super Bowl contenders to a team picking in the top 15 of next years draft.

This game is a throw away game.  The Bears should, but won't use it as a "see what we got" game.  The needs on this team are great.  Leave it to the Bears to take a meaningless game and win, when a loss could put them in the top ten in the draft.

But enough of that.

The Bears will be playing a Vikings team that has packed it in and will be without Adrian Peterson.  Neither team has anything to play for other then pride. On to the keys.

Protect the ball

The Bears can not afford to turn the ball over if they hope to win this game.  Don't turn the ball over and it should be an easy win.

Pressure the quarterback

The pass rush the past few weeks has been non-existent.  They need to get pressure on the quarterback.  Christian Ponder is coming off a concussion and may have a quick trigger finger, this could lead to some bad throws that turn into interceptions.

Force some turnovers

This is another area that has been lacking in the current losing streak.  This is a big part of the Bears winning formula.  Get some takeaways win the game.

This is a bad Vikings team that just wants this season to be over.  While they have shown flashes of being a good team, they don't seem to be able to put it together for 4 quarters.  In a game that means nothing the Bears will pull out all the stops to win, a move I myself do not agree with.  If this year has shown us anything its that we need to know what we have behind the starters.  Had the Bears been better prepared we may have made the playoffs this year.

All that being said this should be an easy win for the Bears.  I am thinking 16-9 Bears.
Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears season done, but do get 5 Pro Bowlers

It has been a bit since my last post, this is do to a couple of things.  First I have not had the heart to do it in the face of one of the most disappointing seasons I can remember.  One that started to look special fell apart as fast as it looked good.  Secondly with the holidays I have been busy trying to hide what I spend from my wife so she could be surprised on Christmas for a change.

So sorry about that.  But in a season filled with hope and sorrow, it looks like we may end on a bright note with the announcement of 5 Bears being named to the Pro Bowl.  This is the most the Bears have sent since their Super Bowl season when they sent 8.

Of the five sent three are first timers.

Charles Tillman:

This is probably the most over-due of the Bears going.  The 8 year vet will be going to his first Pro Bowl after a season that included 11 pass breakups, 107 tackles (3rd on the team) 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

Matt Forte:

Forte becomes the first Bear running back in 20 years to be named to the Pro Bowl.  Forte who was put on the IR on Tuesday led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,487 and was third in rushing with 997 yards at the time of his injury.  Because the Bears put him on the IR he will not participate in the Pro Bowl but an honor non-the-less.  Neal Anderson was the last Bear running back to make a Pro Bowl back in 1991.

Brian Urlacher:

Urlacher has been solid all season for the Bears.  This marks his 8th selection.  Urlacher has 125 tackles good for second on the team.  He also is tied for the team lead in interceptions with 3, he has recovered two fumbles with one going for a score.  With this selection Urlacher ties Dick Butkis, Doug Atkins and Bill George for the third most in franchise history behind only Walter Payton (9) and Mike Singletary (10)

Lance Briggs:

Lance Briggs was selected to his seventh straight Pro Bowl.  Briggs leads the team in tackles with 140 and also has one interception to go along with eight tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.

Corey Graham:

The special teams ace was voted to his first Pro Bowl.  He leads the Bears with 20 special-teams tackles.

Two other Bears were named first alternates, Julius Peppers and Devin Hester.

The Bears will be well represented in Hawaii on January 29th.  I will post an out-look to the off-season later this week along with keys on Friday.

Let me know what you think and like always BEAR DOWN

Seahawks have their way with Bears

Caleb Hanie may have taken his last snap with the Bears, or for that matter any NFL team on Sunday.  Hanie was 10 for 23 for 111 yards with one TD to his team and 2 more to the Seahawks on Sunday.  Hanie finished with 3 INT's on the day and was replaced by Josh McCown.

After a promising first half the Bears came out flat to start the third quarter and the flood gates opened as Seattle scored 31 second half points.  Final 38-14.

Johnny Knox went down in the first quarter with a nasty injury that required the cart to take him off the field.  He was taken to the hospital where he was able to move all his extremities a good sign.  No further word on the extent of the injury.

With only two weeks left in the season the Bears have some choices to make.  One of which is not if Jay Cutler or Matt Forte should return, both should be done for the season.  What they do have to figure out his who will start at quarterback the next two weeks.  Josh McCown is who they most likely will go with, a move that I do not indorse.  The reason being is McCown is not going to be on this team next year, so the Bears need to know what they have in rookie Nathan Enderle.  My guess is he is not the answer.

There are 25+ free agent quarterbacks set to hit the market this off-season a route the Bears must go to prevent this from happing again.

The Bears look like a team that was beat Sunday.  With the season over even though 2 games remain this team has a lot of holes to fill for next season.  If the season ended today the Bears would have the #12 pick in the draft.  A far cry from a team just about a month ago where serious Super Bowl contenders.

Tough season for Bears fans, one I blame Jerry Angelo for.  A team thin at almost every position.  This team is not getting any younger and the window is closing fast.

They need to hit free agency hard and do a better job on draft day if we want a Super Bowl champion.  Let me know what you think and as always.

Bear Down....

Bears Seahawks keys to victory

This week is a must win for the Bears as they face off against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears have had their share of bad luck this year.  Topped off this week with the arrest of Sam Hurd for drug trafficking. He has since been cut and the Bears are looking like they have egg on their collective faces.

Lose this week and your season is over.  Now on to the keys:


Stop the run


The Bears have a similar situation to last week.  They are facing a less then stellar quarterback and need to make him beat them.  Seattle's running game is solid with Marshawn Lynch.  The Bears need to stop him in order to have a chance

Offense needs production


The Bears are averaging a little better then 10 points per game without Cutler.  This needs to improve.  If you give this defense 17 to 20 points we win the game.  It is that simple.

Protect the ball


Last week was better but still the one turnover was a killer.  Keep it tight, keep it clean. The margin for error for this team now is tiny.  If you want any chance to win do not turn the ball over.

I have little faith in this team after what we have seen the past few weeks.  While I would love to tell you they are going to win, I just don't see it.  Without Jay Cutler this is a bad offensive football team.  This week I am thinking 17-6 Seahawks.  Let me know what your score is and BEAR DOWN

Jay Cutler Bears MVP

If these past few weeks have shown us anything, it is just how important Jay Cutler means to this team.

In that time the Bears went from being serious Super Bowl contenders to early to mid-round draftees.

Before the injury the Bears were riding a five game winning streak.  During that streak they where averaging 32.2 points per game.  Since Cutler went down the Bears are 0-3 and averaging just a hair above 10 points per game.

Now to be fair during the five game winning streak the defense did provide 16 points and Devin Hester another 14 to account for 30 of the 161 points scored.  Even removing those points the offense still was averaging 26.2 per contest.

All lot has been made all year of Matt Forte and his importance to this offense.  And while I agree that he his important, I also feel the Bears could win without him.  The same can not be said about Cutler.

The game against Denver proves that point.  Now I know what everyone is thinking A) the Bears lost the game B) Marion Barber was a big reason for the loss.  Both points are very true, but hear me out.  The only touchdown of the game for the Bears came from Barber.  In the game Barber accounted for 57% of the Bears total offense.  Barber rushed for 108 yards and the aforementioned score, as well as 32 yards receiving.  So if not for a couple of bone head moves on his part he would have been the hero as opposed to the goat.

Now don't get me wrong I am not a Matt Forte hater; But Cutler's role on this team just holds a lot more weight in my eyes.

The definition of MVP is the player who is of most value to the team.  I know that may sound obvious or maybe even a bit condescending.  But I find that the MVP for the league or even any given team is more a popularity contest then what it actually intends to be.

A perfect example of that is Michael Jordan, different sport I understand, but every year Jordan played for the Bulls he was the one player that hurt his team most if he went down.

We have that very thing with the Cutler injury.  How much did it hurt the Bears?  It cost them their season.  Are we having this same discussion had Forte been the Bear that went down when Cutler did?  Would the Bears be 0-3 without Forte?  Would the season be lost?  My answer to all of the above is a very simple no.

The only other Bear to have this type of impact on the team after going down is Brian Urlacher.  So I guess we can call them co-MVP's.

Who is your MVP for the Bears?  Let me know...  And as always BEAR DOWN

Bears need to shut it down, and look towards next year.

I have had some time to cool off after what is one of the worst losses I have ever seen the Bears have.  With that comes a certain clarity, the Bears have three games left this year and need to treat them like pre-season.

Now hear me out before you get too crazy on me.  First, they would most likely need to win out in order to make the playoffs, a prospect that does not look very promising at this point.

Even if miracles happen and they make the playoffs, what are their chances?  Even if Cutler and Forte return what are the Bears chances?  Not too good.  Cutler will need to time to find his form and there is just not enough time for that.

What they need to do is shut down and see what they have.

If nothing else is certain, Caleb Hanie is not the answer.  The Bears should sit him and put it Nathan Enderle in and see what they have.  They need to find a back up to Cutler.

Don't risk any further injury's to Cutler, Forte or any other key pieces and look towards next year.  Let Kahli Bell and Enderle run it from here on out, and look to the draft and free agency and hope for a better 2012

Bears give away game, season

What can I say about the Bears loss to the Denver Broncos?  The Bears gave away their season to a team that they should have beat by 20.

Say what you want about Tim Tebow.  I am not a believer.  He brought his team back to tie then win the game yes.  But there is no way anyone can tell me this guy will be starting in December next year.

The only way the Bears could have gift wrapped this game any better was if they just handed the Broncos the ball and let them run in for a score.

Normally it is my rule not to write this blog angry, but I do not foresee a time that this loss will not make me angry.

Marion Barber needs to be cut and have to find his own way home.  STAY IN BOUNDS AND 2 HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL!  We all learn this in pee-wee.

The coaching staff needs to be fired.  Having the defense in a prevent when you are up 3 with a big leg kicker is dumb football.  They gave Tebow the short passes when all he had to do was get into field goal range.

Tim Tebow is not an NFL quarterback nor will he ever be one.  I do not care how many comebacks he leads his team to.  Once the league catches up to him like it always does.  I.E. the wild cat, run and shoot and too many others to mention, he will be an answer to a trivia question.

I am absolutely sick about this loss as well as the previous two.  This game put the game of football back 70 years.

I don't know about you but I am sick of hearing about Tebow and how he continues to win.  This team wins in spite of him not because of.

Sad, sad day in Chicago.

I don't know if I have much left in the tank after this loss.  Let me know what you think

This week we have a bear down.

Bears-Broncos keys to victory

This week the Bears invade Denver and Tebow land.  Tim Tebow is the much talked of non-quartback quarterback.  There has been great debate over Tebow and whether or not he is a quarterback who will be able to be successful over the long haul.

That debate is not relevant for the Bears this week, what is relevant is if the Bears can stop the Tebow train from continuing on its current path.

Since taking over as the starting quarterback the Broncos have lost just one time.  The way they are winning is what has everyone talking.  The Broncos are using a college offense.

The option offense is a high school and college offense.  Pro teams do not employ this because of the beating it puts on quarterbacks.  Tebow is a big guy at 6-3 and 234 pounds.  He rarely takes big hits and has rushed for 468 yards on 82 carries a 5.7 YPC average with three TD's.

Throwing the ball he is not as proficient.  Only completing 47.5% of his passes.  However he has 10 TD's to only one INT.

The real reason this team has been winning is the defense.   Also Tebow has done a nice job of not giving the ball away.  Now on to the keys:

Turnovers


Caleb Hanie needs to protect the ball.  The Bears can not afford to give the ball away as they have the past two games.  Both losses.  Win the turnover battle and you are well on your way to victory

STAY HOME


The way the option works is the quarterback reads the defense and decides to either take it himself or give to the running back.   The Bears need to be disciplined and keep on their assignments this week.  Much the same way on special teams when you stay in your lane.  The Bears need to do this to keep the Bronco offense off the field.

Run the ball, control the clock


I know that Matt Forte is out, but the Bears still need to run the ball 20 to 25 times in this game.  Marion Barber and Kahli Bell need to run angry and keep the chains moving.  Barber and Bell did a decent job filling in for Forte last week, this needs to continue.  This will be a low scoring game, don't abandon the run keep giving it to them and wear down the defense.

When Cutler went down and I blogged about what the Bears may/should do with him out, I said they would win this game.  Well after last week I am not so sure.  The defense will do its job and give the rest of the league a blue print on how to stop this offense.  But unless Hanie can improve this week it is going to be tough.  I may be looking at this game through Blue and Orange glasses, but I am taking the Bears in a low scoring close game.

BEARS 13, Broncos 6

Let me know your scores and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears give one away

                                   Photo courteous Chicago Sun-Times
Sunday the Bears were a team without an offense.  Matt Forte went down early and the game was down hill from there.

The numbers were horrendous as the Bears did the unthinkable and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.  Caleb Hanie looked like a guy the Bears plucked out of the stands to start todays game.  Hanie was 11 for 24 for a 133 yards and three more picks.  Granted two of them are not on him with a Roy Williams drop, and the last ditch hail mary.

More about the Williams drop; the Bears were driving looking to tie the game when a ball that should have been caught was bobbled by Williams leading to the pick, hence sealing the victory for the Chiefs.  Who would have thought a hail mary at the half would be the game?

None of that would have mattered had the Bears not left so many points on the board.  14 by my count.  First came the Marion Barber miscue not covering the tackle costing the Bears a touchdown, they did move in for a field goal so there are 4 points.

A few positions later Hanie missed a wide open Earl Bennett for an easy TD when he over-threw him, the Bears would punt after a sack and a penalty.  7 more points

The Bears had a nice drive going on the strength of Kahli Bell's running getting down to the Chiefs 7 yard line only to get stuffed and sacked twice on consecutive plays leading to a Robbie Gould missed 41 yard field goal. 3 more points

This Defense deserves much better then this period.

If not for a fluke play at the end of the half, they only give up the one field goal.

This is normally were I would give out my game balls but truth be told, no one deserves any.  Yes the defense did there job in holding the Chiefs to 10 points.  But they were unable to force any turnovers in the loss.

The offensive line gave up 7 sacks to a team that came in with only 13 total on the year.

The offense was 0-11 on third downs.

In spite of the loss the Bears are still a top the wild card in the NFC with Atlanta losing to Houston.  I suspect that the Lions will also lose tonight to the Saints.  Keeping the Bears in the #1 wild card spot.

None of which will mean anything if Caleb Hanie can not improve quick.  Hanie is not only playing for the playoffs but for his career as well.  Hanie is a free agent at seasons end and if he does not get better he will be working at the Gap this time next year.

Early reports are that Forte suffered a knee sprain, there is no word on how long he may be out as of yet.

This is a game the Bears should of won going away but missed chances and bad play equals a loss.

This week we should find out a little more about Jay Cutler's progress and if there is any chance he will be back before season end.  If not, the Bears season may be done...

Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN

Bears Chiefs keys to victory

Finally a noon game!  It has been a while.  Not since the Tampa game in London have we had one.  I do not know about you but I much prefer the noon games.  This week Kansas City comes to town, and it could not have come at a better time for the Bears.  The Bears need a game like this.  The Chiefs are just bad right now.

The Chiefs are going to once again start Tyler Palko this week.  Palko has not been up to the task throwing 6 INT's and no TD's in his two starts.  While averaging 104.5 passing yards a game.  Do not expect to see three picks from him on Sunday, he will be pulled in favor of ex-Bear Kyle Orton long before that.

Lets get to the keys!


Protect the ball


We all know what Caleb Hanie did last week.  He needs to tighten things up against the Chiefs.  The Chiefs have been unable to score much as of late, do not give them a short field or any momentum in this game.  The Bears can run away with this one if they protect the ball.

Pressure the QB


Whoever that is.  Last week the Defensive line came up big with a four sack effort.  Lets get a trend started and get after the quarterback this week.  Pressure leads to rushed throws.  Rushed throws lead to turnovers.  Turnovers lead to wins.

Stop the Run


Take away the run, make them beat you in the air.  The Chiefs have done nothing good as of the last few weeks.  But if they do anything well its running the ball.  Now the last two games do not show that, because it was taken away from them.  Hence loses.  Take away the run win the game.


This week should be an easy win for the Bears.  Not a lot of keys really if they do not turn over the ball they should win comfortably.  I think Caleb Hanie has a bounce back and the Bears win big.  Bears 34 Chiefs 6.  Give me your scores and as Always BEAR DOWN!

On a side note: Donvon McNabb cleared wavier's and is a free agent, where do you think he ends up?  I am thinking that the Texans is the most logical.  Let us hope that it is not with the Bears!

One (or three) teams trash is another teams Donovan McNabb?

Donovan McNabb was placed on waivers by the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, begging the question by Bears fans do we put a claim in?

The answer to this question is simple....  NO!

If this was McNabb five years ago it is a no brainer.  But alas it is not.  McNabb has been a shell of him former self and is not a good fit for the Bears.  A lot was made of him going to the Vikings with a fresh start and all that.

The reality is that McNabb was 1-5 as a starter with only five passes of 25-plus yards on the year.

Yes McNabb has been to a Super Bowl and was an 11 year starter, but those days are behind him.  There is too little time for him to get up to speed on the complex offense the Bears run. So for now the Bears need to stand pat and look for Caleb Hanie to improve.

I know that McNabb wants to play for his home team and a lot of fans will say that he is better then Josh McCown and they may be correct but I am not so sure.  McCown knows the offense now.  And lets face it if Hanie goes down it doesn't matter who is the back up the Bears are sunk.

So keep nostalgia at bay, stand pat and focus on K.C.  That's just how I see it, leave me a comment and let me know what you think..  And as always BEAR Down!!