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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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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Chicago Bears Veteran Leadership
There have been many things written about tomorrow’s game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. One angle that hasn’t been discussed is leadership. I think the Chicago Bears have an edge in this category.
Let’s start of offense. While Jay Cutler and Matt Forte are two newer guys, Olin Kruetz has been the leader of the offensive line for a long time. While Mike Tice has done a wonderful job molding this unit, teammates will tell you that Kruetz is the one who gets in your face if he feels you’re not giving a full effort. He’s an effort guy and demands the same from his teammates.
I’ll never forget in his rookie season the Bears were playing against Washington. One of the Redskins taunted a Bear and Kruetz took a shot at the guy and was penalized. It was right then his reputation was beginning to be established. He’s a tough SOB and demands respect. We even saw that against Seattle last week. Toward the end of the game, he defended a teammate that was on the ground.
On special teams, Patrick Mannelly has been the long-snapper for a long time. He’s one of the best in football. He also covers kicks and sets the tone for this group. While he’s not as well known outside of Chicago, he’s one of the most respected Bears.
I’ve met Mannelly and seen the type of work he puts in off the field. I actually was rehabbing a broken ankle at the same gym where Mannelly trains. Holy crap! According to others in the facilities, he is always an extremely intense worker. If you don’t think that a guy who’s asked to do something maybe five times a game working his tail off doesn’t earn him respect, then you’ve got another thing coming. He wears a “C” for that reason.
On the defensive side of the ball, the list includes Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Julius Peppers. These guys play at a high level and can all make game-changing plays. There’s a reason why this unit is strong and it is large part to talent and leadership.
In the defensive huddle, there are seven guys that played in the 2006 Super Bowl for the Chicago Bears and one that got there with the Carolina Panthers (Peppers). In other words, eight of the 11 starters won an NFC title. Think that doesn’t motivate you a little more to get back?
I haven’t even mentioned guys like Israel Idonije, Roberto Garza, Brad Maynard and Rasheed Davis. These are veteran role players that certainly make an impact as well. All of these guys have made a huge impact at a point of the season.
While I’m not discounting the leadership on the Packers, I feel its an edge for the Chicago Bears.
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A Seahawks Blogger’s Q and A with Bears Headquarters
Its my turn to be on the hotseat with 12th Man Rising blogger Riley Moore. Fire away my man…
Riley: How much does it really matter that the Seahawks beat Chicago? Does it have any impact or influence on the upcoming matchup?
Jonathan: Hell yes. The game against the Seahawks was the beginning of Mike Martz changing. He kept wanting this team to be “The Greatest Show on Turf” but instead the only thing on turf was Jay Cutler. The line was playing for crap and the Chicago Bears stopped running the damn ball.
Now, the Chicago Bears are a running team that sprinkles in passes when the situation calls for it. The offensive line is playing better. Plus, the defense is going to better than what you saw. Lance Briggs is healthy and the defensive line has gone through some personnel changes. Trust me, the Chicago Bears considered the Seattle loss as unforgivable. The opportunity to feel better about it comes possibly comes Sunday.
Riley: Being a 12th Man, I have to ask: How much of an impact does the crowd at Soldier Field have on the outcome of the game?
Jonathan: They do this BS in Chicago called “The 4th Phase”. We’re supposed to be wild and crazy. Honestly, and I know you’re not going to like what I’m going to say, I don’t buy into this crowd business. Look, great teams win because their great. The Seahawks beat the Saints because the Saints became one dimensional and forgot how to tackle (I picked you guys by the way…I thought the Saints were way to caught up in how bad Seattle was, and they weren’t prepared for that game at all). The way you get the crowd out of any game is running the damn football. I’m expecting the Seahawks to do that Sunday.
Riley: The Bears finished the season winning 7 of their last 9 games. They seemed to really gain momentum towards the end of the season. How much does the loss in week 17 and a bye in the first round take away from that momentum? Or does it only rest them up and make them better?
Jonathan: I have to give Lovie Smith a lot of praise for going with his starters against the Packers. Instead of being stubborn, he learned from his past mistakes that resting players doesn’t work. Look at what happened last week in your game. The Saints came in and looked sloppy because the previous week was used as a resting period. The Bears are healthy. They just got healthier and the coaches got were able to change some things.
The Green Bay loss was used as a testing ground. I went up to that game and I’ll tell you that in the first half, the Bears were the better team. The second half the Bears changed some things around and they really got away from what worked. Had the game mattered, I think they would have continued doing the things that were working.
This team was better after the regular season bye, so I’m thinking that they should adjust accordingly this time around.
Riley: Which player will have the biggest impact on the outcome of the upcoming game?
Jonathan: The obvious answer is Devin Hester. The right answer is Matt Forte. Lofa Tatupu’s status is still unknown. If he’s out, Forte may have an even bigger game. I’ll also throw Earl Bennett in there as well.
Riley: Which Chicago television icon is Chicago most proud of: Oprah or Bozo?
Jonathan: Bozo. I’m 36. My mother had to write in for tickets before I was born so I could go to a show when I was like 6. It was a thrill meeting him.
Oprah annoys the shit out of me. And you can print that…
Riley: Prediction…
Jonathan: Well, now the big question…all this other stuff was talk. I’m liking but not loving the Chicago Bears. I’ll say
Bears 17 Seahawks 10
Good stuff as always…a warm thank you to Riley again. Follow his crew on Twitter at 12thmanrising.
Follow me on Twitter at BearsHq and BlueDemonsLair. For the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and more, check outwww.bluedemonslair.com. Please show me the love for the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.
Bears Headquarters Q & A With A Seahawks Blogger
I want to thank Riley Moore of 12th Man Rising for doing this question and answer session. And away we go…
Jonathan: The Seattle Seahawks came to Solider Field in early October and defeated the Chicago Bears. Is this the same team that beat the Bears at Solider Field or can we as Bears fans expect something else?
Riley: It depends on which Seahawks team shows up. If it’s the one that got crushed 41-7 by the Giants, then they’re worse. If it’s the team that just beat the New Orleans Saints, then they’re better. I guess my answer would have to be, YES, and I hope it’s the team that played last week.
Jonathan: Sometimes the luck of the draw has a team making the playoffs and a team with a better record staying home. Does it get old to hear teams like the Giants and Buccaneers complain about the Seahawks making it to the playoffs with a sub-500 record? Did the win over the Saints help establish the Seahawks belong or did the Saints look past this game (for the record, I picked you guys to win)?
Riley: It does get old. And it’s not just the teams complaining, it’s everyone. Especially in the National Media. I understand that it is frustrating for teams with a better record, but what I don’t get is why they take it out on the
Seahawks. They didn’t make the rules. It’s not their fault those other teams didn’t get in. If fans want to be frustrated, I understand. Just take it out on the people who made the rules not the team that is following them.
Jonathan: The Chicago Bears are a different football team than the Seahawks saw in October. This is not meant to be an excuse, but Lance Briggs and Roberto Garza, two key Bears, missed that game and the Chicago Bears didn’t commit to running the football. Now the Bears are healthy. What have you seen from the Bears that’s different from the first time these two teams met?
Riley: Jay Cutler is playing better, and it seems as though Mike Martz and his offense are starting to get on the same page. Hawks fans are quite familiar with Mike Martz and his aggressive style. To be a quarterback in his system is a daunting task that takes more than an off-season to comprehend, and every game Cutler plays under this system, he will improve provided that he remains coachable. Lance Briggs is a very good football player. He will absolutely force the Hawks to adjust their offense in order to keep track of him at all times.
Jonathan: Who are some players we should be afraid of as Bears fans? What about you? Who scares you on the Chicago Bears?
Riley: Matt Hasselbeck is coming off the game of his life last week. If he picks up where he left off, this could turn into another explosive game. Rahim Brock has really come out of nowhere to collect 9 sacks for Seattle this season and had a great game against the Saints. Martz has a tendency to leave his qb in the pocket for a little to long. If that is the case this weekend, The Hawks’ pass rush could be the difference.
Fro the Chicago Bears…The Entire Defense. This run defense will truly test Lynch. He ran as hard as I have ever seen him run last week, so I hope he left a little in the tank for Chicago.
Jonathan: Is there any reason why Grey’s Anatomy is still on the air? Doesn’t it make your city look bad?
Riley: Wow! That was a real low blow. Not every city gets the Blues Brothers.
Jonathan: Prediction…
Riley: Gotta go with the Seahawks: 24-17
Good stuff as always…a warm thank you to Riley again. Follow his crew on Twitter at 12thmanrising.
Follow me on Twitter at BearsHq and BlueDemonsLair. For the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and more, check outwww.bluedemonslair.com. Please show me the love for the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.
