STOP IT!!!

by PatrickBR on Jan 19, 2012 6:02 PM CST

Every time I read an article about the Chicago Bears, everyone throws in a line that reads something to the effect of, "well the defense isn't getting any younger" or "the Bears should be in win now mode because of that aging defense" or "the aging defense only has 2 or 3 good years left" and, of course, the famous line "Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman, and Peppers are on the wrong side of 30". If it's not the writer of the article, its the fans in the comments.

As Ditka would say, STOP IT! NOW. Stop criticizing the older players! Before you go write an article or a comment, ask yourself, "Hmmm, who made the pro bowl this year?" That's right! 3 OF THOSE 4 PLAYERS MADE THE PROBOWL! CLEARLY THEIR LEVEL OF PLAY HAS NOT GONE DOWN AT ALL, AND THEY ARE STILL IN THE TOP TIER OF DEFENSIVE PLAYERS IN THE NFL. And despite not making the pro bowl, Julius Peppers was probably the most dominating player on the Bear's defense.

For God's sake everyone, stop saying it. It bothers me to no end. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you're making the pro bowl, then obviously you are still playing at an elite level.

Just to throw some names out there, Charles Woodson, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Teddy Bruschi, Jason Taylor, Champ Bailey all play or played at a high level despite their age.

YOU CAN BE OLD AND GOOD! Just ask Favre.

Poll

Why do people keep talking about the age of the defense?

Because it's hard to admit that they are old and good

19 votes

Because they have nothing else to write about besides Matt Forte and his contract

10 votes

Because they are ignorant and don't actually watch Bears games

23 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

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Comments

It's because we all realize two things...

1. Decline can be slow, like in the Favre case. But it can also be rapid and sudden, especially (historically) after a player at a physical position reaches 30 or older. These players you’re talking about all play incredibly physical positions. We fear their decline coming sooner rather than later, and we’re bracing ourselves for the impact once that happens.

2. We realize that the window for this team, as it’s currently constructed, is small. I know it’s been said a lot, but nobody here is counting on these players being around more than 3 years from now. We also realize that these players are CURRENTLY at the top of their game, and are frustrated that they are getting approximately ZERO help from the points-scoring side of the football.

We also generally have difficulty expressing our ideas adequately. Where you see people complaining about age, I see the underlying frustration of an offense not designed to do much of anything with one of the best defenses currently playing in the NFL. Take those comments like that. We love our defense. We’re frustrated by our offense. We express it by complaining about age and title windows.

by Doshi on Jan 19, 2012 6:49 PM CST reply actions

Windows are a myth.....

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jan 23, 2012 1:33 AM CST up reply actions

You Stop It...

Age and decline are inevitable…that’s the way it is. Never ever going to change. Face it.

by The Kaiser on Jan 19, 2012 6:56 PM CST reply actions

Say it don't spray it

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Jan 19, 2012 7:35 PM CST reply actions

GRAWLLLWRRRL!!!

I does end rather eloquently :D

Just ask Favre.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

by GriggsBriggs on Jan 19, 2012 8:28 PM CST up reply actions

meatball alert

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Jan 19, 2012 7:35 PM CST reply actions

The Favre situation is what we're trying to avoid

Being held hostage by old declining players with no purposeful alternative. Despite my age, I know those guys cant play forever and fear that day.

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Jan 19, 2012 8:33 PM CST via Android app reply actions

Everyone knows the old guys were good this past year

But players start to decline around this time and most of the conversation here is about the strategy going forward. When people say “the Bears should be in win now mode”, they say “win now” because they know the old guys are still good enough to win a Super Bowl. That’s giving them a huge amount of respect for the quality of their play. I want the front office to try to capitalize on that before it’s too late.

by YaoPau on Jan 19, 2012 10:48 PM CST reply actions

Sorry man but there is truth to all the talk about age and football.

Not everyone can be a Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey type of player. It just so happens to be that the Bears have some really good players towards the ends of their careers. You Stop It!

Wouldnt it be funny if we had another DE with the last name Salters!

by fortefan09 on Jan 20, 2012 5:12 AM CST reply actions

But there's no evidence that Urlacher, Briggs, and Peppers aren't going to be those types of players.

Not everyone can be them, but not everyone isn’t them. They may be the exception to the rule, but that doesn’t disclude those 3 from having long, successful careers. They’re physical players, yes, but they’re not absolutely reliant on their physical ability to play the game. They’re smart players who got the brains.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 21, 2012 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

YOU'RE A TOWEL!

by frenchbears113 on Jan 20, 2012 8:29 AM CST reply actions 5 recs

Just because some players are still at the top of the league

Doesn’t mean they’re still at the top of their own game. Take ‘Lach, for instance. He’s still easily one of the best MLBs in the league, but he lost he extra step in coverage no other LB had. Just because they’re still on the top of the league for their position regardless of age, doesn’t mean they’re not in slow decline.

by lmfsilva on Jan 20, 2012 8:32 AM CST reply actions

Should be a 4th choice

Even though the core of the defense is still productive, smart teams start acquiring eventual replacements before they have to

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jan 20, 2012 9:07 AM CST reply actions

URLACHER AND BRIGGS WILL PLAY FOREVER

shuts eyes and clamps hands over ears

lalallalalalalalala

by TR MacReady on Jan 20, 2012 9:10 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

That's basically how

this whole post reads.

by Virto on Jan 20, 2012 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

Okay...

First of all most players see a decline in play around the ages of Urlacher/Briggs/Peppers. Savvy teams and fans take that into account when looking over a roster.

Secondly the Pro Bowl is not even close to a good way to judge how well a player played. It’s a popularity contest like pretty much every All-Star game. Fans are generally idiots, and vote for big names/players they recognize… not on how well a player actually plays (see Tebow, Tim).

When most of your impact players on defense are on the wrong side of 30 through their mid-30’s, you have to take that into account, and it most certainly bears mentioning.

When looking to the draft that’s something that should be at the forefront of your throught process… how am I going to replace some of these guys in the next 1-3 years when they ALL inevitably decline?

by IOftenPanic on Jan 20, 2012 9:18 AM CST reply actions

Ray Lewis. Ed Reed

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Jan 20, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

Ok?

by IOftenPanic on Jan 21, 2012 2:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

The overrating of the Pro Bowl is overrated.

by Shuggs on Jan 21, 2012 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

The Media needs a crutch

Good Rex / Bad Rex is no longer an option…

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 20, 2012 9:39 AM CST reply actions

Post exactly a year from now

WHAT WHERE THE BEARS THIKNING NOT DRAFTING YOUNGER GUYS BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEW THE DEFFENSE WAS GETTIN OLDER GUYS LIKE Charles Woodson, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Teddy Bruschi, Jason Taylor, Champ Bailey are FEW AND FAR BETWEEN AND DEFINATLYE NOT THE NORM!!!

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 20, 2012 10:51 AM CST reply actions

ur mom

OOO BURN

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Jan 20, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

Your poll is missing an option.

You’ve stacked it…there’s no option for “Because it’s a legitimate topic worthy of discussion.”

As such, I can’t take the post seriously.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG

by Kev H on Jan 20, 2012 10:51 AM CST reply actions 6 recs

bam

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Jan 20, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

eggsactly

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jan 20, 2012 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

Hello young lady.

I missed you.

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

by Just Dave on Jan 20, 2012 11:58 PM CST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly

This image kept going through my mind reading it.

Help bring Boys of Spring The Movie to life!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1742828131/boys-of-spring-the-movie

by BeerCub on Jan 23, 2012 8:45 PM CST up reply actions

Tedy Bruschi was not good.

by Shuggs on Jan 21, 2012 7:46 PM CST reply actions

Don't tell that to Teddy Bruschi.

"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 21, 2012 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

I WILL tell it Tedy.

by Shuggs on Jan 23, 2012 2:03 AM CST up reply actions

troll post is troll

by TR MacReady on Jan 22, 2012 8:46 AM CST reply actions

it's tough

It’s tough to admit it, but people focus on our age because we don’t have many solid, young prospects aside from Forte and Melton. If we had a few of these younger studs, you wouldn’t hear about it very much. Here’s hoping the new GM is at least good at the draft OR FA, because Angelo stunk at both.

K. McAllister

by Aube2012 on Jan 28, 2012 6:38 AM CST reply actions