Well, the Chicago Bears 2009 season has finally come to an end. A 7-9 record has the Bears once again watching the playoffs rather than playing in them. A once promising 2009 season went downhill fast after the first quarter of the season. This season flew by as we now wait to see what changes are in store for 2010.
I thought time was only supposed to fly when you were having fun?
The season started with a game in Green Bay and ended that same night. The season ending wrist injury to Brian Urlacher in game one set the tone for a very disheartening year.
Urlacher would not be the only member of a Bears defense to miss significant playing time this year due to injury. Fellow linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, cornerback Charles Tillman, safeties Al Afalava & Kevin Payne, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, return man/secondary specialist Danieal Manning and defensive lineman Israel Idonije all would go down at some point this year.
Adding insult to defensive injury, the team would lose four games this season by 20 points of more. The first time this has ever happened under head coach Lovie Smith.
The offense would also struggle at times this year. New quarterback Jay Cutler finished the season with a league high 26 interceptions as he and a young group of receivers still learned to play with each other. Despite leading the league in interceptions, Cutler finished the season with 27 touchdown passes, 3,666 yards passing and a QB rating of 76.8.
The offensive line may have been the Bears weakest link this season. Free agent pick up left tackle Orlando Pace played like a shell of his old self and would end the season from the injury list. The lines woeful play along with a nagging season long knee injury would keep running back Matt Forte from reaching lofty expectations set by many this offseason.
The Bears seemed ready to pack it in after an embarrassing Week 15 loss in Baltimore. However, they showed some heart and finished strong by defeating two division rivals.
The season started with Jay Cutler throwing four picks in a lose to a division foe; it ended with Cutler tossing four touchdown passes in a win against a division foe. The future looks bright with young offensive talent coming together and veteran defensive talent ready to prove they still got it.
Like the 2009 offseason, the 2010 Bears offseason should be exciting with changes coming to player and coaching personnel. Let’s just hope the 2010 season is worth all of the hype.
Needless to say, the Bears had their struggles this season, but they finished strong and vow to improve. I have trust in this franchise and think 2010 will bring change for the better.
Happy New Year and Season to all of Bears nation.