Winning is a Good Thing
by Mark Saade on Dec 7, 2009 1:00 PM CST
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PrintIs there cause for celebration in Chicago this Monday? Of course there is! The Bears defeated the St. Louis Rams on Sunday at Soldier Field 17-9 to bring their record to 5-7. After losing four games in a row, and six of their last seven, the Bears should be thrilled with a win; even if it did come against the weak 1-10 Rams.
Some cynics would like to say that the Bears should lose the rest of their games so that head coach Lovie Smith and General Manager Jerry Angelo get fired. The issue of firing Smith and Angelo has come up in numerous conversations, yet there is no truth to any of these rumors. So instead of hoping that losing brings change, let's hope that winning brings change. Change of mindset, change of attitude and change of faith.
If the Bears win out, they will finish with a 9-7 record, the same as last year. In today's NFC, a 9-7 record may get you into the playoffs. Granted, the Bears cursed themselves by losing to many potential NFC Wild Card teams, but with a quarter of the season left, strange things can happen. Every team currently battling for an NFC Wild Card berth is of the same caliber as the Bears. With a funny bounce of the pig skin this way or a missed tackle that way; the Bears could have beat the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles. Hey, at least they did beat the now 5-7 Seattle Seahawks.
Good teams do get the funny bounce or find a way to pull off the win in the last seconds, but the Bears are not what you would call a good team. No 5-7 team should be considered a good team, they are mediocre. And after a season as disappointing as this, I'll take mediocre. The NFL now days is about parity, ‘Any Given Sunday', as the saying goes. Last season the Bears needed improbable upsets by the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles to help their season extend into the playoffs. They got those upsets, but lost in an upset themselves to the Houston Texans. Maybe this year, with the humbling experience of last year, they do win out, get a little help from others and sneak into the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, ‘Any Giv ...... you know how the saying goes.
A close win over the lowly Rams should not have anyone in Chicago thinking we are on our way to a stunning turnaround. However, confidence is a very powerful thing and can help this team beat Green Bay next week. The confidence that grows from beating the Packers should help in beating the Baltimore Ravens the week after; and so on and so on.
With no first round draft choice due to the Jay Cutler trade, there is no point for our Bears to lose games in hopes of finding the next great rookie prospect. Rather than feeling even more dejected about the '09 season, let's hope that the Broncos get as low a first round pick as possible. With the holidays upon us, maybe we should stop praying for loses that might eventually lead to two men losing their jobs. Let's hope for winning that's breeds confidence and pride. Our Bears may be a mediocre team, but they are high character men. They will give all they have for their team, fans and city. Shouldn't we fans do the same? As Bears fans, we wait eight long months between NFL seasons, should we just let the last quarter of this season fade away without even a care?
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here is what I took from the Rams win
The Bears were lucky to have pulled out a win against arguably the worst team in the NFL
Steven Jackson is a really damn good back.
Go Bears!
"I am not an animal!" - Merrick
wouldnt
get your hopes up anytime soon….i doubt the bears will make it into the playoffs, i’m personally just hoping cutler finishes the year on a high note…maybe like 25 TD to his insanely high 20 INT…hopefully near 3500 yards would be nice as well….i think the rest of the season needs to be just improvement everywhere….
yep
With nothing to gain in the draft, might as well try different offensive plays and players (Aroushmadou, Bell, etc) and see what you have. I know some people argue that losing now is the best thing if you want drastic staff change, but find me a Bears fan who wants to see them lose next week (GREEN BAY!!!!!!!) and I’ll show you someone who isn’t such a good Bears fan anyway.
For 65 years my grandpa cursed the name of the Green Bay Packers. No way do I want the Bears to do anything but win next week.
Philly winning was an upset?
I thought they were favored since Matt Ryan was out of the game.
There is no way the Bears can make the playoffs right now, but hopefully Cutler can have a few good games to help get his confidence back after all of the bad games.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
To me it seemed like the Bears gave up...
..on trying to win, and focused on trying not to lose. They play calling seemed very conservative, likely to take a lot of pressure off of Jay, and to stay away from the turnovers that have cost the Bears so many games.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
a win is a win
if having Jay Cutler throw int after int has cost the Bears so many games, maybe a conservative approach on offense is what we need. I’m sure the lack of picks helps Cutler’s confidence. The Bears saw a team they could finally run against and did so. How is that trying not to lose?
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
that approach would work versus 2-3 teams in the league.
this season is over. i’d rather focus on player development.
I am firmly of the opinion
that in a situation like this, you step up and put your foot on their throat early and never let up. There is not much reason to have the Rams still be in the game on the final possession.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
I agree but...
The Bears tried to put the game away when they went for the fake field goal, obviously it didn’t work. The Rams were winning the field position game all day, you can’t just keep throwing the ball out of the shadow of your own end zone.
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
I didn't agree with that call.
For multiple reasons. For starters, it’s not a very well designed play.
Secondly, if you’re intending to go for the touchdown—-just go for it with a standard play. If you miss it the outcome is the same, and the chances are probably much greater for success.
Third—take the points. Putting even three more on the board right there is enough to change the Rams gameplan to need to move downfield more, thus putting it in the air more, hopefully allowing you to make some big defensive plays.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
I thought it was 4th and goal
But I didn’t get a good look at the play, as my view was sometimes blocked by a rather large pillar in the bar.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
I didn't agree with the call either but
their intent was to get a TD to make the score 17-0. Have to give them some credit for trying to close it out early.
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
This was very uninspiring
I think Cutler would be more confident if he had a capable OC and/or acceptable OLine and/or more polished receivers. The Rams secondary was absolutely atrocious.
And no, the Bears couldn’t run. Forte and Bell had 3.8 and 3.2 YPC respectively against a Rams team that was giving up 4.5. Ailing SJax put up 112 yards which is damn near what Forte and Bell put up together. Since the Rams were allowing 148 YPG and we ran 38 times we should have put up more yards.
A conservative approach was not needed, especially after the 3rd quarter TD. This could have been an opportunity to work in DA, GA and others, and evaluate Williams’ pass blocking more. This should have been a statement game, and the statement should have been “we are a cut above the 1 win QB-less dregs of the NFL.”
I think it ended up being...
“WAIT A SECOND! We have a lead! Sit on it! SIT ON IT! WE DON’T WANT TO LOSE IT!”
(Agreeing with TrialsBass)
by Steven Schweickert on Dec 8, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
Lazy
What about at the half, when they could have at least made an effort to score and they just let the 2nd quarter die out. It’s sad when the Browns and the Raiders make more of an effort than we do. This team looks lethargic at best, and inept at worst.
PS Am I missing something? Does G. Adams suck so bad that they’re not playing him so media and fans can only speculate instead of confirm?
a shit team
beat another shit team. not really much else to cover.
chris williams did not get cutler killed this week.
We won!
Yay! I’m happy. :)
Too bad hardly any other fans are, apparently. If we had lost, they’d be upset, and now that we won, they’re upset. Can’t anyone be happy for the team they ‘love’ when they do something right?
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Oh Brother
What in the hell did you smoke this morning to write this crap.
Dude..your living in a fairy-tale if you think our Bears are a mediocre team. They are HORRIBLE with a bad looking future. We BARELY beat the Rams.
AT least the Rams and Detroit have bottomed out and should start heading up. We are still scraping bottom with no draft picks and no direction. Believe me, I’m not happy about it and it hurts to even watch these games but come on. Let’s not fool ourselves with ridiculous false optimism. Thing are very grim for our team and it doesn’t look good for a long time to come.
I think his point was....
you should always root for your team even if they suck and hope for a win. I don’t think he has any false optomism out there just looking at Uncle Mo swining our way and maybe strining together some wins. With Green Bay next week it’s a big game, doesn’t matter if we’re 0-12, 5-7, or 12-0.
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
Well I think a lot of fans who aren't particularly thrilled about how they won this game
are still glad they won they game. I’m definitely of the opinion that you don’t hope to lose just to get the draft pick or get someone fired. The person who hopes that is definitely a poor fan.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
LOL
Truth, Justice and Ditka!
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
horrible?
I think you need to smoke or drink something to get your spirits up. Just as fast as we hit hard times we can build the team back up. With a franchise qb there is always hope. I don’t think we will make the playoffs but I’m not gonna stop rooting for my team. All I’m saying is we won a game, stop being so damn grumpy!
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
Okay
I’ll pull an Urlacher and retract a bit. I really didn’t mean to offend you with the smoking comment. But you have to admit: When you watch a quality NFL team and compare them to our Bears, it looks drastically different. There has been so many bad decision made with which players to keep and cut loose that it is very frustrating. It seems so clear yet the Bears continue to make drastic errors with personnel.I think the quickest way to fix something is to admit it’s broken. I am sick of Lovie and other players saying: “we are better than our record.” They really are not. They need to admit things are broken and start taking steps to fix it. Even if it means taking a few steps back.
Aw boo. They don't like hotlinking.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
maybe both parties have a valid argument
one group of fans aren’t happy and the other is. Yes all us Bear fans should be happy with a win but given that so much was given up to get the current team we know have, a 17-9 win against one of the worst teams in football kinda dampens the happiness. The Bears beat a team that they should’ve but they scraped by to get that win and that is what upsets me. For all Bear “purists” out there who say that was a trademark Bear win, keep in mind that the team we have now is not the Bears team of old. The Urlacher-variety say that we should have a great running game and a defense to handle the rest are living in the past or at least not thinking clearly. This D of ours can’t stop anyone, they barely stopped the Rams and our running game, despite a decent outing, is poor. Forte should’ve broken 100 yards rushing and the oline should’ve done their jobs so that he could have. Now that the Bears have won and will probably get another victory will only loosen up the nooses around JA and Lovie’s necks and keep them around until the end of their contracts. As a proud Bear fan who has kept up with the team, even when I was growing up overseas, I want the Bears to win all their games, but not at the expense of its future. It’s simple, win out and Lovie and Angelo stay to further ruin the team. Or lose the remaining games and hopefully see a change. Even if Lovie or JA aren’t fired, the least I can hope for is that Lovie’s power is reduced and better coaching personnel are brought in. The sad part is that even if they lose their remaining games Halas Hall will not act drastically. I read an article with Angelo saying that he understands that fans are upset but that he believes that the right tools are in place for the team to succeed. If he really, truly believes that then Bear fans prepare to watch our beloved team waste away and hit rock-bottom. And as long as Angelo and Lovie are around, it will be an excruciating death to watch.
Exactly...
I totally agree…That is what I was trying to say, you just verbalized it much better. Thanks!
I just want them to stop fooling themselves and us that everything is in place.
I think a few people are making the point
That it is not guranteed that losing out will get Lovie or JA or heck even Ron Turner canned. So unless we know that for sure..which none of us do, we should just root for our team. There is nothing wrong with that because none of us know for sure what losing will cause the Bears to do.
Also, i just can’t stomach losing to the pack…especially in Soldier Field.
by Chitownproduct on Dec 8, 2009 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
Sexy Rexy
It’s nice to see Grossman have a solid game. 3-9 for 33 yds, 1 INT, 1 fumble, 5.6% rating.
by boondock_saint812 on Dec 7, 2009 4:24 PM CST reply actions
It’s better than his 1.3 and 0 QB rating games! They were stellar.
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy
And Favre got picked off twice!
Time for his annual December meltdown.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
And Orton had an Int and 2 lost fumbles
And his team bailed him out. Sound like his rookie year to anyone else?
What bothers me about this win
is now if they get another win, and somehow another and another, this season will transform from ’damn, we need to improve in alot of areas" to “we ended the season ok, maybe we dont need any other players”. I dont think we should lose sight that even if we win the next four, and finish 9-7, the bears team we have right now is in dire need of a tune-up in all 3 phases of the game.
"All they do is mock me, just like they did the fat fellow. All the time mocking, mocking, mocking, mocking all the time! Now, it is Babu's turn to mock "---Babu Bhatt in the Seinfeld Finale Part 2
P.S.
"The fact of the matter is the chicago bulls have never been a contender since I left..."----Johnny Kilroy
by chi_till_eye_die on Dec 7, 2009 5:17 PM CST reply actions
Huh?
"…we ended the season ok, maybe we dont need any other players"
Who would possibly think that?
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
lovie? Angelo? someone will
"All they do is mock me, just like they did the fat fellow. All the time mocking, mocking, mocking, mocking all the time! Now, it is Babu's turn to mock "---Babu Bhatt in the Seinfeld Finale Part 2
P.S.
"The fact of the matter is the chicago bulls have never been a contender since I left..."----Johnny Kilroy
by chi_till_eye_die on Dec 7, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions
Winning by one score
is obviously nothing to write home about. The Rams are beyond awful, and Kyle Boller is their QB. A normal, average defense would’ve had at least three INTs against him yesterday; I was up-close and personal having been at Soldiers. A normal, average offense should’ve scored a minimum of 30 points. Turner called the most predictable, conservative game-plan I’ve ever seen him call.
Don’t worry naysayers and fans that want the Bears to lose out, cause they’ll be thrashed 112-3 against the Packers next week. Charles Woodson will have 3 return TDs, Rodgers will have 9 TD passes, Grant with 4 running TDs, and Gould will slip in a FG when no one is looking to notch the Bears only points. #1 defense against arguably the worst offensive line will have grave consequences.
We're not scaremongering (nightmare of a season continues), this is really happening (Bears are more than done) - Radiohead
Wow!
Some cynics would like to say that the Bears should lose the rest of their games so that head coach Lovie Smith and General Manager Jerry Angelo get fired. The issue of firing Smith and Angelo has come up in numerous conversations, yet there is no truth to any of these rumors. So instead of hoping that losing brings change, let’s hope that winning brings change. Change of mindset, change of attitude and change of faith.
You couldn’t be more wrong about how the average fan feels. We are hoping for change to the mindset of ownership and an admission that the franchise is in dire need of a major overhaul from top to bottom of the organization. Also, you have no idea, just like everyone else, as to whether the rumors are correct.
Agree with you rock
Even if the Bears keep Lovie…they need to hire a DC…and though I have had my reservations regarding Weiss; I am more and more intrigued about the guy becoming OC for the Bears. It’s crazy to think about the Pats winning rings with workman WRs under Weiss versus coming up empty with the weapons they have now (no rings for the Pats with Moss and Welker…craziness).
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Dec 7, 2009 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
wow
you cut out a piece of my article that has the wording; ‘The issue of firing Smith and Angelo has come up in numerous conversations, yet there is no truth to any of these rumors.’ Then you finish your comment with; ‘Also, you have no idea, just like everyone else, as to whether the rumors are correct.’ Please read my writing before criticizing it.
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
You stated
that the rumors were not true. The point I could have expressed better was… that you have no way of knowing that.
Actually, from what I've heard
and read from most fans, he is actually really accurate as to how they feel… That’s all most people have been talking about – “I’m hoping we lose so that management will wake up,” etc. It’s sad.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
A very sad state
of affairs at every level. Fans, personnel, coaching, management, and ownership. I know many long time season ticket holders(they are diehards) that are completely fed up. They go back to the tough times of the late 60s and 70s. It is unbelievable how fans have reached their “I can’t take any more of this crap!” tolerance level. The McCaskeys need to fix it long term or sell it, imo.
It's not a matter of wanting the Bears to lose for the sake of losing
It’s wanting them to lose for the sake of winning in the future. We can either leave the bullet in to fester or poke around with a pair of pliers and dig it out, painful but necessary.
I do want them to win enough to keep the pick we’re giving up as low as possible. I think 7-9 is possible. Should be pathetic enough to plant the seeds for Lovie’s release after next season and Angelo’s ASAP. And at least a consultant to help the blind man draft.
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