The Greatest Bears by Number (30-34)

by Sam Householder on Aug 12, 2011 3:02 PM CDT in Bears History

Well let's see here, numbers 30-34...I wonder who will be mentioned in this post...hmm....I feel like there is a number in this group that is going to be awfully important to the history of our team but I can't put my finger on it. It must be 33. Right? Nah, I'm just kidding, let's see who else makes the list aside from the greatest player ever to play the game.

30 - Mike Brown, S (2000-08): We all know what Brown did for us. He's the franchise leader in defensive TDs with seven; four INTs and three fumble recoveries. There might not have been as clutch a player as him, either. His back-to-back overtime pick sixes will forever live in Bears and football legend and he also returned a fumble for a TD during the "Miracle in the Desert" Monday night come back. If injuries hadn't slowed him down, who knows what could have been. Anyway here is compilation video of some of his TDs including the above mentioned.

31 - Joe Fortunato, LB (1955-66): The guy was a 5-time Pro-Bowler and a 3-time First Team All-Pro. His tackling stats weren't listed on PFR but he had 16 career picks and 22 fumble recoveries. He played beside both Bill George and Dick Butkus.

32 - Johnny Lujack, QB/DB (1949-52): Number 32 hasn't been kind to us, especially in recent history, as I'm sure I don't need to remind you. However, back in the late '40s and early '50s we had a very good 32. Lujack took over for the legendary Sid Luckman. In fact in his rookie year he didn't even play QB but had eight INTs as a DB! He was twice a Pro-Bowler and once a first team All-Pro. In fact, in 1950 (when he was a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro) he threw 21 INTS against only four TDs. However, he had 11 rushing TDs. In '49 he threw for a league-leading 2,658 yards and 23 TDs. Unfortunately for the Bears, his career was cut short by knee injuries. Futility at the QB position became an annual occurrence.

33 - Charles Tillman, CB (2003-Present): He is probably one of the few guys who will end up making this list and NOT have an All-Pro or Pro-Bowl appearance on his resume. That's not to say he isn't deserving though. For all the things we give crap for, mainly slipping, the man has been a consistent playmaker for us for the last eight seasons. He has 27 INTs, 23 FFs (A testament to his ability to poke the ball out) and four TDs. Who could forget when he robbed Randy Moss of a TD as a rookie?

34 - Walter Payton, RB (1975-87): Did this even need to be said? He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards. He had six straight 1,000 yard seasons, he broke the record for consecutive 100 yard games in '85 and he was the franchise leader in scoring until Kevin Butler broke it. Considered by many as the greatest football player ever, he was a nine time Pro-Bowler and a five time first team All-Pro. And in case you were wondering, he is still second all-time on the franchise's career scoring list. Wow!

The Rest of the Series:

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Tillman is so underrated

by Dominique Blanton on Aug 12, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

I was at that Bears-Vikings game in 03

that was awesome – Peanut just ripping the ball from Moss.

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Aug 13, 2011 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

#34

Greatest. Football. Player. Ever.

Bill Swerski: Alright, alright! Now, let me shift gears here for a moment. What is God's role in this? Obviously, he's rooting for Da Bears.

Pat Arnold: Otherwise, he wouldn't have put 'em in Chicago.

by Superfans on Aug 12, 2011 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs

Wrecked

by sabbath999 on Aug 12, 2011 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Sweetness

[green]

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Aug 12, 2011 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I wonder if Joe will ever get in the HOF like the other two LBs did?

Certainly has a rather good resumé

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Aug 12, 2011 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

Walter Payton...

IS the single greatest player in the NFL ever, bar none. He could have been a pro-bowl player at about 5 positions. Everyone else is second to Walter.

"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"

by LostInSTL on Aug 12, 2011 8:42 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

the greats know their own

by chiguy8506 on Aug 12, 2011 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

gotta love the fact that he tossed more TD passes than some of our starting QB's

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Aug 13, 2011 7:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually I find that fact somewhat disturbing

but I know what you meant.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Aug 13, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Payton - Ruth

As you said, Payton was the complete package football player. The reason I think Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player ever is that he was the best left-handed pitcher in the American League during an era of dominant pitching, and gave up that job to become the greatest slugger the game had ever seen. So that’s why I say Payton – Ruth!

Often Wrong, Never In Doubt.

by Gromowicz on Aug 14, 2011 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Sweeness THE GREATEST!!!> Jerry Rice

"I see PRIDE, I see POWER, I see a BADASS MOTHA WHO WON'T TAKE NO CRAP OFF NOBODY!"

by T.Moore on Aug 12, 2011 9:25 PM CDT reply actions

No Lemuel Stinson???

We are serving up Carimi Pancakes!!

by tfrabotta on Aug 12, 2011 9:55 PM CDT reply actions

Lookin ahead to the 50s

Briggs>Otis Wilson?

by Big Ike on Aug 12, 2011 10:00 PM CDT reply actions

...thats gonna be closer than...than...

thspace between ><

by BOBdaBEAR on Aug 12, 2011 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm already thinking about that

There’s going to be some tough ones once we get into the LBs, DL and OL.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Aug 12, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn’t blame you if you were to start using, for example, 55a and 55b. No Bears fan should ever have to vote against a member of da Beloved…

Just Dave (on possible new OL signings): JaMarcus Russell. He's been standing in front of better quarterbacks his entire career.

by Spongie on Aug 13, 2011 1:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Mike Brown + Walter Payton?

Best. Number set. Ever.

by RexysMidnightRider on Aug 13, 2011 2:39 AM CDT reply actions

= 64

Just Dave (on possible new OL signings): JaMarcus Russell. He's been standing in front of better quarterbacks his entire career.

by Spongie on Aug 13, 2011 3:49 AM CDT up reply actions

the number of squares on a chess board.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Aug 13, 2011 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions

There are 65 squares on Patrick Mannelly's chess board

I’m not sure how he does it either.

Is Jerry Angelo fired yet?

by ES46NE10 on Aug 13, 2011 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Mike Brown and Sweetness, nuff said...

I get really sad every time I think about both. Walter because he meant so much to so many people, and because there will NEVER be another like him…

Mike Brown was my favorite player of this past decade. When I watched him roaming in a Chiefs jersey, it was so painful to watch. Every time I read about the injuries he had, or someone mentions his name, the only thing that makes me happy is watching his highlights again. The man was the definition of clutch, the heart and soul of that defense. I hope he’s successful wherever else he lands, whether it’s a football team, or a career outside the sport.

Love both these guys.

by Midway Bully on Aug 13, 2011 5:29 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

You scared me with that Benson pic.

but then I read the caption…. lol

by sirus19x on Aug 13, 2011 7:44 AM CDT reply actions

Haha that was kind of the idea

Like when I put a Grossman pic on the #‘s 5-9, it makes people go "No way, that guy can’t be on the list!!"

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Aug 13, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

when healthy

Brian Urlacher/Mike Brown > Ray Lewis/Ed Reed

Guns dont kill people. Brian Urlacher kills people.

by Bear Lovin 21 on Aug 13, 2011 6:20 PM CDT reply actions

errr I don't think so

I give a slight edge to Ray Lewis over Urlacher, but a huge edge to Reed over Brown. If Reed stays healthy he will be in the hall of fame. The only way Brown is getting in is with a ticket..Love Mike Brown but that is not close.

We are serving up Carimi Pancakes!!

by tfrabotta on Aug 15, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I think you're undderrating Mike Brown a bit

by Midway Bully on Aug 15, 2011 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope, he was the heart and soul of our defense

and super smart back there. But he aint Ed Reed..

7× Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
5× First Team All-Pro selection (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010)
2× Second Team All-Pro selection (2003, 2009)
AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
AFC Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
2× NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year (2004, 2008)
AFC Interception Champion (2003)
Led the NFL in interceptions in 2004, 2008 and 2010
Led the NFL in interception yards in 2004 and 2010
NFL’s longest interception return (108 yards)
Sporting News’ Team of the Decade (2000s)
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

54 career int’s

No slight to Brown who was very good but Reed is all world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Reed

We are serving up Carimi Pancakes!!

by tfrabotta on Aug 15, 2011 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions