Soon We Will Have Chicago Bears Football
From every indication, the NFL Lockout will be coming to a close very shortly. The players association has agreed to the new collective bargaining agreement. All’s well that ends well.
While many of us are not shocked that the work stoppage didn’t impact the regular season, it will impact the free-agency period. Players will have a shorter window to sign contracts and teams are going to have less time to negotiate with potential signees.
It is no secret that the Chicago Bears need to improve depth at wide receiver, offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary. A backup running back and quarterback would be nice too.
As of today, I think the Chicago Bears will struggle to win seven games. However, this can change quickly if the Chicago Bears make a splash in free agency. Will this happen? It is my belief that Jerry Angelo has some things up his sleeve. He is going to be aggressive in free agency and bring in some much-needed help. With players like Brian Urlacher getting older, the window is becoming smaller and smaller. With one or two solid moves, the struggle to seven wins can be a 10 or 11 win team. Remember, this team darn near beat the Packers in the championship game.
There will be much more to follow in the up-c0ming days. But folks, we’re going to have football. Thank goodness for that…
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Why We Should Be Optimistic about the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears won the 2010 NFC North Title and made it all the way to the NFC Championship game. If it wasn’t for Todd Collins, the Chicago Bears almost won the football game. There are a few Hall of Famers on this roster and some young players that developed last season.
Despite age creeping up on some of the older players, they still played at a high level last season. Brian Urlacher continues his Hall of Fame Career and Julius Peppers is a beast. Lance Briggs continues to be one of the the most underrated players in football. Devin Hester returned to his scary form as a returner. Matt Forte became one of the best running backs in football. While the offensive line wasn’t amazing, it got much better towards the end of the season. J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams developed into solid NFL linemen. Mike Tice is one of the top offensive line coaches in football, and he has a year under his belt to better understand his talent.
Jay Cutler will enjoy having the same offensive coordinator for two years. Instead of learning a new system the last three years, he has the same coach. Mike Martz does know offense, and I think this will benefit Cutler and company. Rod Marinelli is a great coordinator as well and had his unit playing strong.
While the Chicago Bears will not creep up on anyone this season, there is talent on this roster.
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The 2010 Chicago Bears…Looking from the Rear View Mirror
The 2010 Chicago Bears won the NFC North and lost by seven points in the NFC Championship game to the Green Bay Packers. Anytime a team makes it’s division’s title game, it’s a good season. But how good was this team in relation to its success?
Throughout the season, no matter how well the Chicago Bears played, there were many doubters and critics of the team’s success. Trent Dilfer and Bill Cowher regularly hated on this team. And yet, the Chicago Bears kept winning.
Of course, after beating heavy favorites Dallas in week two, the Cowboys weren’t any good despite being a Super Bowl contender. When the Chicago Bears defeated the Philadelphia Eagles and shut down Michael Vick, it was the turf at Soldier Field. A win over the New York Jets was a fluke as well. Might I also remind you that the Chicago Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers in week three and damn near knocked them out of the playoffs. The championship game helped prove how incompetent Lovie Smith can be at times.
Now, I take nothing away from the Green Bay Packers, but if the Chicago Bears actually would have had a respectable backup quarterback, perhaps the Super Bowl would have been a different game. In baseball, there’s always the belief that the baseball finds your worst defender when you’d least like it to…so the same thing happened during the championship game. How could Lovie Smith and company not recognize how horrible Todd Collins was? Why in the world wasn’t this addressed? The baseball found Collins, and the Chicago Bears were left holding their private areas.
Brian Urlacher is a beast. He had one of his best seasons and almost won the championship game for the Chicago Bears. Julius Peppers struck fear in offenses. These two really helped the Chicago Bears become a strong defensive unit. Devin Hester scares every opponent. He’s potentialy a big-play whenever the ball is in his hands.
Jay Cutler had his good and not-so-good moments. He’s a talented quarterback that does make mistakes. Matt Forte established himself as a legitimate NFL halfback. Devin Hester scares every opponent. He’s potentialy a big-play whenever the ball is in his hands.
So looking back on this team, what do I think? I believe that every NFL team that’s successful has a little bit of luck (see Detroit game and Calvin Johnson), some talent, catching opponents at the right time and intangibles. The Chicago Bears were guilty of all-of-the-above. And yet, a few bounces here and there may have been the difference of a trip to the championship game or a high draft pick. It’s always been my belief that good teams create their own breaks, and the Chicago Bears are just that…a good football team.
I enjoyed this season. The Chicago Bears made the final four. With a few tweaks here and there, I do not see any reason why this team couldn’t do it again. But this is the NFL, and things can change very quickly.
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Grading the Chicago Bears…Linebacker
The Chicago Bears have the best linebacking core in football. Anyone who doesn’t agree with me or thinks I’m bias needs to learn football.
Brian Urlacher is a freak of nature. There’s no weakness in his game. He’s an amazing cover linebacker and makes plays all over the field against the run. Sports Illustrated had the balls to call him the most overrated player in football, and they’re effing insane.
Lance Briggs would be the featured linebacker on most teams. He’s an excellent player in his own right. While he’s not Urlacher, he’s not too far behind.
Pisa Tinoisamoa is a good NFL linebacker. He’s fast and makes most tackles. The knock on Tinoisamoa is that he just can’t stay healthy. While the coaches seem to like Nick Roach, I’m not on his bandwagon as much.
Brian Iwuh and Rod Wilson are more special teams players, but Iwuh filled in well for Briggs when asked to do so.
This unit dominated in 2010. Urlacher was as good as he’s ever been. Briggs continues his amazing play. Tinoisamoa is underrated and the others fill in and contribute.
For the Packers fans out there, if Urlacher or Briggs were able to rush the passer like Clay Matthews III, you’d see what a real linebacker that actually supports the run can do. Additionally, the sack totals would be there too. Unfortunately, the Bears linebackers don’t get to “Madden” things up. If you want proof, watch the first week when Briggs shot the gap, sacked Shawn Hill while stripping the football. That’s proof kids…
I give this group an A+. As I said earlier, the best in football.
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Brian Urlacher is the Best
Brian Urlacher is a stud. He’s the best defensive player I’ve seen in a Chicago Bears uniform. I saw the 1985 Bears defense, and Urlacher’s better than anyone on that unit.
Despite his amazing abilities and play-making skills, there are still some that doubt his place in history. I’m floored when people talk about his weaknesses. Sure, he can get blocked by tight ends, but as of late in his career, he’s even learned to shed those blocks. Let me get a little more extreme. Is Urlacher the best defensive player of his era? I’m starting to think he very well may be.
Let’s start with his ability in coverage. Urlacher is a great cover linebacker. He has the speed to keep up with any tight end and can also stay in stride with many wide receivers. Imagine a linebacker that can run down most ends? It’s even more impressive when you see him do it.
How about against the run? Urlacher is like a panther hitting the hole looking for a running back. Not only does he make plays, he can lay the wood to players. He will pursuit guys to the outside and finish plays. I’m still in awe of this ability to catch even the nimblest of backs in the open field.
What about rushing the passer? He’s not asked to do so as often as other linebackers, but the man rarely misses a quarterback. Ask Michael Vick who has said that he’s never been hit as hard as by Brian Urlacher. We’re not talking about a statue in Vick. So quite a compliment.
Finally, let’s talk about a leader. His teammates, coaches and opponents show him the utmost respect.
I’ve presented my case and I’m sure others will or won’t agree. It’s your constitutional right.
In a sad note, I want to send my condolences to Lovie Smith for the passing of his Mother at age 77. People may have issues with him as a coach, but he’s a class act and I’m sure made her proud.
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