Bears knocked out of playoff hunt at hands of Packers, lose 21-35

Thats what I really liked what I saw, a few INTs but could have been alot worse as Hanie has showed us. Also McCown’s desire to take off running really impressed me, very solid first game back for the guy.

This team needs a CB badly. It’s painfully obvious. Screw OL… this team has a dominant OL in the run game, a QB that knows how to make plays behind a bad pass blocking OL, plus the OL will be healthier next season, and a FA can be added somewhere.

A CB is necessary. Kirkpatrick should be available in the middle of the first round, and he’s probably the only potential top flight CB in this draft class. With him and Tillman on opposite sides and Moore on the slot, this team could be a lot better against the pass.

Also, I know Lovie isn’t going anywhere, so I’d at least hope he rethinks a lot of stuff this offseason. The LB showing blitz needs to be put to bed. That’s an old trick that only worked well for one season, and has only caused them to be a few steps behind TEs and slot receivers since. The way this team defends the pass needs to be changed. Lovie and Rod have a lot of work ahead of them this offseason.

Nice game out of McCown, Bell and Allen. Horrible game out of Bowman and the safeties. Unimpressive job by the entire defense today, except Peppers, who had his motor in high gear most of the game, but was stopped by the usual holding. Today there were even some hands to the face thrown in for good measure, just in case the jersey grabs and shoulder holds didn’t stop him.

Merry Christmas all.

And go Bulls.

Josh McCown just gave a pretty decent audition. Other than one or two stupid throws (especially the Clay Matthews INT) he played much better than I expected. He looked like he was having some fun and he gritted out a lot of plays. If I were Smith and Martz I’d start him against the Vikings and see if this was a anomaly or not. If McCown runs the Bears offense up and down the field against the Vikes like he did today, I say we found our guy to back Cutler up the next two years (which will basically be the final two years of opportunity the Bears have). McCown will be 31 next year so he won’t be Todd Collins-ancient.

Kahlil Bell played really well. He looked like Matt Forte Redux, though it helps that the Pack haven’t been able to stop the run all year long except Week 3 against the Bears. When a practice squad guy like Allen can make the Pack look stupid that says a lot. But I definitely think Bell and Allen deserve more looks against the Vikes and just sit Barber. We have riches at running back with Barber, Bell, Forte, and if Allen does good against the Vikings him too.

The defense really let us down. I agree with Collinsworth to a point about Bowman in which there wasn’t much else he could do on those pivotal throws. But the difference between a decent player and a good one is the ability to break up those pivotal throws on occasion and Bowman couldn’t do that. Bowman played decent but he was not good. And in general the Rodgers made the Bears look stupid in the 2nd half a lot. Granted Rodgers has done that to every non-Chiefs defense this season but still, we’re supposed to be the one defense that can give Rodgers headaches.

For receivers . . . Bennett made those beautiful cuts on that near-touchdown. Sanz did okay, I think he’s a keeper. Roy Williams finally showed up after being near-invisible all season but I think it’s too little too late. Kellen Davis did fine.

I think there’s some hope for 2012. But our window is closing pretty fast. Cutler’s going to be 29 next year, and Briggs, Tillman, Peppers, and Urlacher are over 30 already. We can make a run next year and maybe 2013 too but there’s pieces that need to be filled NOW. Looks like we need cornerbacks, another WR or two, and OL help, and the Bears will have the capability to run the table in 2012 and maybe 2013.

But let’s see what happens against the Vikings. If Jared Allen is kept out of the equation the Vikes should be beatable. McCown and Bell show up against the Vikes like they did today we win, and we will be able to look ahead to 2012 with optimism.

McCown Looked liked he could have at least split those four Hanie losses. I know he would not have started game one or two but after watching Hanie stinking it up what did they have to lose. While not perfect last night, McCown showed he has throws that Hanie simply does not. Also better pocket awareness and escapability which was supposed to be one of Hanie’s strong points. It is too bad to see a deep into the playoffs/super bowl possibilty season just tossed in the trash. I hope Smith And Martz Are both gone. I know it will not happen but a man can dream can,t he?