Bears Fall Short of Super Bowl Championship
I am sure after the grieving and the tears and the hangover and the spree of beating up the surge of Colts fans that will all of a sudden show up where they never were before, I will sit back and say this was still a wonderful season. It was exciting, it was fun and it took us to the big game, but I'm not ready for that yet.
Right now I am fuming mad. How with 2 weeks to prepare can a Super Bowl offense play that way?
When Grossman was playing well, the line gave out, when the line played well Grossman just winged the ball out into the open, when Grossman, the receivers and the run game started to click the line started holding.
We took everything Manning had in the first half, we took all 200 yards that he had and stayed within two. Then we come out and just crap on the Super Bowl emblem.
I know our defense didn't always play well, but it is hard to blame them when they got all of a minutes worth of rest before they had to go back on to the field.
What is really bothering me is that with this team we can make it back to the Super Bowl next and the year after, but with the way Grossman played what do we do from here with that position. Do we just make it an open competition between Griese and him? Can Greise do any better for us? Do we go out and try to get one of the QBs that are sure to be available? Do we make a move and go get Quinn or Russell or stay where we are and go with Staunton?
I am really in a state of confusion on how things went and how they will go. We have 3 coaches that need to be resigned. We have 8-10 guys who either need to be resigned or want an extension. Do we go another year with Benson as backup, who knows where that goes?
I think you understand my mind set right now and I am sure I will have more later and I am sure I will send BBS a congrats email later, but for now my answer to everything is just go suck on it.
Before I go out let me say that giving Manning the MVP is a joke, it is just so everybody can live up their Disney story. If I were Manning I would hand that trophy right to my running backs.
Till then....
0 recs |
42 comments
Comments
You have a great team...
Grossman will be so much better with this year under his belt.
by Marked Hoosier on
Feb 4, 2007 9:33 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
losing is one thing
Spotted seven points on the first play of the game. Then play like shit.
No pressure from the defensive line at all.
Throwing on first down all the time.
Rex sucked.
Offensive line sucked.
We need pass rushers, offensive linemen, and a quarterback. This is all bad.
by draftday on
Feb 4, 2007 9:38 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Other than being on the field for about
That blown coverage by Chris Harris in the first quarter was the big mistake, f*** huge. It means we'd probably have been winning going into the half and winning going into the 4th, which means Grossman wouldn't have been throwing as much in the 4th.
Offense was pathetic other than Jones for the most part and he was just barely above average. One of Turner's worst playcalling games imo...
by thecubreporter on
Feb 4, 2007 9:49 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
yeah Turner = bad
The D however was far from OK, no pressure. None. The line could not stop the run or get to the QB.
by draftday on
Feb 4, 2007 10:07 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
It wasn't their greatest effort
The offense contributed more to the D's woes anyway, it was probably close to 2-1 in time possession.
by thecubreporter on
Feb 4, 2007 10:21 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Uh yeah...
by lopey986 on
Feb 4, 2007 11:45 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Really?
my apologies to Chris Harris if that was the case though
by thecubreporter on
Feb 5, 2007 1:27 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Not your
Harris, somewhat surprisingly, might have been our best player on defense. Never really saw him out of position, he was in on a lot of tackles, had a great INT and forced a fumble (though Addai recovered it).
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 9:22 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Uh
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 7:31 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
My condolences Bears fans.
by John Morgan on
Feb 4, 2007 9:57 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
I feel your pain
I still get in a sour mood when I think back to the Packers losing to the Donkey's in SB 32. And that's even after winning it the year before. You guys will probably be sore about this one for a long time as well. I guess the point I'm making here is that I'd rather lose one first and avenge that loss next year than the other way around. When the Packers got it handed to them in SB 32 it was evident that we were probably not going to recover anytime soon. You guys should be going in the positive direction. Take some solace in that.
(For the record, even as a die-hard Packer fan I was pulling for the Bears tonight. I had a hard time admitting it even to myself but the clubs share too much history and I respect that.)
by bierslayer on
Feb 4, 2007 10:04 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Well to get to the Superbowl next year
Home games against: The Broncos, Cowboys, Giants, Chiefs, NFC North.
Away games include: The Chargers, Raiders, Red Skins, Eagles, and the NFC North.
by beardown on
Feb 4, 2007 10:05 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
2 tough road games
Norris will still be a cakewalk...
by thecubreporter on
Feb 4, 2007 10:17 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Well...
by lopey986 on
Feb 4, 2007 10:05 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Just stopped by...
by Chad on
Feb 4, 2007 10:14 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
DA BEARS STILL SUCK
by Brett Favre on
Feb 4, 2007 10:17 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Congratulations.
by Shrug on
Feb 4, 2007 10:34 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Amazing...
by Marked Hoosier on
Feb 4, 2007 10:51 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
I hope we don't overreact
The interceptions didn't bother me all that much. I'd love to know what happened on the first one. It looked like Rex threw outside when his receiver had broken open to the inside; that could have been either guy's fault. The second pick was a play we've seen Rex make all year. I think the slick ball just got away from him on the throw.
I am most unhappy with the play of the defensive line. Alfonso Boone, I mean you. While the entire defensive line was bad, Mr. Boone had me thinking about driving past Brimfield in the late summer. I mean, he was pig lagoon bad.
This game was lost primarily by the defensive line. When your safeties are making so many tackles on simple running plays, you know you have a problem.
One more thing. Why in the hell was the up-back on the KO return team trying to gain extra yards after he fielded those squib kicks? Even at the end of the game it didn't seem like he had learned his lesson.
Quarterback C-
Running backs C+
Offensive Line B-
Wide Receivers B-
Defensive Line F
Linebackers B
Defensive Backs B-
Special Teams B+
Coaching C
by Cooley on
Feb 4, 2007 10:58 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
very accurate
The Colts are putting 8-9 guys in the box, their best CB is gone very early in the game and we're playing on a wet field. ...why were we not in 3-4 WR sets for 75% of our plays? Clearly, the game was going to come down to whether or not our offense could move the ball. Clearly, the Colts have had success stopping teams intent on running the ball. Clearly, their secondary is the weakest part of their defense. Clearly, you can still run the ball even with 3-4 receivers (I'm talking to you Ron Turner).
Why let Rob Morris stay on the field? Why let them load the box? Why not dink and dunk just like the Colts were doing?
If Grossman showed anything last night, it was that he was feeling pretty accurate on the intermediate passes. Rashied Davies and Mark Bradley were both healthy and Jones is a great receiver out of the backfield. The Colts did to us exactly what we should have done to them. Little passes to the flats, run out of spread formations. Keep drives going.
Rex was like 11-13 in the first half with one bad pass that was more the result of bad design and Berrian not adjusting to it well.
As for the interceptions, I have my ideas on what happened. First, I was very curious that Rex didn't have a glove on his throwing hand. I've seen him play in adverse weather, and he has a glove on. I don't think that was a huge issue and he knows what works better than I (I would think). The first INT was bad play calling (putrid, as a matter of fact), Rex deciding way too early what he was going to do, and poor execution. Why on earth would the Colts bite on a double fake from Mushin with the lead late in the game. They're just going to play prevent-style defense and make sure the plays stay in front of them. I think that Rex thought Mushin's height advantage would allow him to win a jump ball. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
The second INT was simply a bad throw. The play call was great (Berrian positioned against a LB, no double moves just straight speed), great read by Grossman and a poor throw. Had the throw been 10 yards more to the right, it probably would have been a touchdown. I think Cooley's points on Rex losing concentration hit the nail on the head. He simply lost focus and didn't take care of a detail, twice. Doh.
As for defense, why in god's name were we not playing press coverage against Harrison and Wayne? Rule 1A vs. the Colts is to press and bump the shit out of the WR's. It's a sloppy field, their a precision offense and our safeties are 17 yards deep. Beat the shit out of the WR's. I didn't see press coverage till the fourth. I'm sure we did it a few more times earlier, but that should have been our primary coverage style.
What worries me most (even coming into the game) was that the coaches didn't seem to care about adjusting. It was power running or nothing. Even though we had distinct areas that we could have taken advantage of, we just kept doing the same thing. It was eerily reminiscent of last years Carolina Playoff game. You can't do that in the playoffs. You have to be able to tweak your game plan during the game. Hell, with two weeks to prepare, you ought to have adjustments practiced and the players well-versed in them.
THAT was the story of the game.
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 7:57 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Coaching Adjustments
by Cooley on
Feb 5, 2007 9:07 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Bears fans
Major props to you and your team.
by BigBlueShoe on
Feb 4, 2007 11:03 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
As mentioned earlier
by thecubreporter on
Feb 4, 2007 11:38 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
rex wasn't good, but what a horrible gameplan
by guy incognito on
Feb 4, 2007 11:31 PM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
can't knwo for sure without lookign at the tape
by mike b on
Feb 4, 2007 11:49 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
the game
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 7:58 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Beware, this wasn't Rex's fault
The blown coverage, poor tackling, the O-line couldn't open many holes -- bad play calling by Turner -- even still, Rex was able to move the ball in the first half.
What the hell happened to the run defense? And why was a back ALWAYS open on every play? To defend against the long one THAT NEVER CAME? (Again, the missed coverage -- perhaps Rivera pissed in his pants after that, and made sure it wouldn't happen again. However, that left those damn short seams open. A repeat of the Packers finale.)
Addai and his buddy were ALWAYS free. The LB's were down the field. Let Rivera take his Cover 2 to the Cowboys, please. It isn't effective -- especially against a veteran, future HOF QB.
It will beat the lesser lights, but it's very exploitable by a smart offense.
Outside of the opening return? Does anybody think the special teams lived up to their billing?
Turner started forcing Rex into crisis situations.
Did he expect Rex to become Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr or Dan Marino or Joe Montana immediately?? So, the picks came. Turner panicked. Rivera panicked.
A team loss. Everybody shares the blame. However, all talk radio and most of the 'experts' will say Bad Rex, Bad Rex, Bad Rex.
However, extend Lovie this week. Get it done.
(Even though I think he was outcoached by his mentor.) And, of course check ALL options for QB. Even though I cannot blame Rex for this loss -- the window can close quickly in the NFL.
I still believe the best, most complete team in the NFL was the Chargers. And, just as the Bolts self-destructed against the Pats, last month I saw a little of same thing happening tonight.
Congrats America, you have your damn storybook ending.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on
Feb 5, 2007 12:54 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
more than a couple inaccuracies in this post
this game was close even with a poor defensive performance(brought on largely by the offense's inability to do anything, in turn brought on largely by our quarterback's inability to do anything) the d allowed 21 points in almost 40 minutes to a great offense. they were on the field too long. the offense lost this game.
by mike b on
Feb 5, 2007 1:13 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Answer
Hester kind of took himself out of the game after that return, but It actually helped the Bears. They were consistently getting to start on the 30-40 yard on...that means you only need to go 30-40 yards for a field goal. Yet they couldn't even move it that far.
by lopey986 on
Feb 5, 2007 12:06 PM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Well
by Depot Man on
Feb 5, 2007 1:18 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Pppissssssssed at Grossman & Coach
Grossman, what the WTF. Yes I blame our loss on him as well as the coaches for keeping him in the game. And whats this crap where Grossman won't run with the ball? Multiple times he had the opportunity to gain some critical yardage and he just ran a lil bit like a little girl then threw the ball like a little girl.
He certainly did not look like any player that should've made it to a Superbowl and he certainly was not a leader to the team.
And Coach - WTF, he saw that the QB was struggling throughout the ENTIRE game. If Lovie can't make a critical change then he certainly does NOT need to be head coach.
The entire performance was terrible; I hate to say it but my sons rocket football team probably could've beat the Chicago Bears!
With all the press for Lovie getting a big raise for getting the team to the Superbowl... they might want to reconsider that decision based on HIS performance!
RRrrrrr... my son said it best. "The game sucked big time."
by ray on
Feb 5, 2007 1:31 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
sorry Ray
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 9:24 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
have to say
by mike b on
Feb 5, 2007 1:53 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Lemme say it please???
How bout you "crown our asses!"? :)
by Marked Hoosier on
Feb 5, 2007 2:51 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
qb woes
No more. We saw it at least a few times during the season and now TWICE during the super bowl: not handling the damned snap from center is just inexcusable. This game is Rex's fault. Period.
(The O and D lines did not help ... )
by JMR on
Feb 5, 2007 6:44 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
Ron Turner sucks (rant)
And Rex, come on. You can run the ball once in a while too. There were a few 3rd and shorts where you got flushed from the pocket and had plenty of room to run for a first but decided to throw an incompletion. But I'm not going to lay too much of the blame on Rex for this loss. Sure he crapped the bed, but Turner force-fed him the Ex-Lax and prune juice equivalent of plays and gave up on the run far too early.
Which brings up another point: WHERE THE FOCK WAS ADRIAN PETERSON WHEN BENSON GOT HURT? Yeah, he's one of our best special teamers, but he's also the back-up running back, and has shown an uncanny ability to break a long run at critical moments.
Finally, what gives with the play calling at the end of the game? Why are you running/throwing to the middle of the field with no time outs and less than two minutes to go? They were down by less than two TDs, but decided to just curl up and die instead of running a two-minute fire drill.
Fire Turner, Fire Wilson. Chico, if you want to go, cool. I'd like to see what Babich can do at DC. Have an open competition for QB in training camp, since handing Rex the keys seems to make him play soft. And keep Briggs at all costs. This team ain't schmidt without him.
by jrm78 on
Feb 5, 2007 7:46 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
I wouldn't
Without a doubt, there has to be an open competition at QB with all three getting their shot. I don't think Griese's the guy will want behind center so maybe we'll have to look elsewhere.
Just as important, we need to tweak our offensive style. We need to take advantage of our 4-5 capable WR's on the same play. Still base our team around running, but have the threat of a spread so teams can't gear up to shut the run down.
This way, when we have our off-season competition, it can be based on more than play-action deep balls and 7 yard curls. We have to have an idea of what new elements we want to introduce into our passing attack (because we undoubtedly need some) and see what QB can handle them.
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 9:31 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Manning
As far as the Bear's D. They had no shot after being on the field that long. That's too much to ask of any defense. No defense is going to hold for that long, that many times, against that good of an offense. How demoralizing must it have been for them to get a turnover, only to have their offense give it back the next play?
by JasonB on
Feb 5, 2007 8:21 AM CST
reply
actions
0 recs
I thought there was
by WCG on
Feb 5, 2007 8:24 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Agreed
by JasonB on
Feb 5, 2007 9:33 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
The MVP
by cookding on
Feb 5, 2007 9:32 AM CST
up
reply
actions
0 recs









