The 2007 and 2008 Chicago Bears: What Went Wrong?

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

For Bears fans, 2006 was an unexpectedly awesome season which far surpassed even the most ambitious fan's expectations.

Following the Bear's loss in the Superbowl, we were given the message from coaches and players to keep the faith and expect the Bears to be one of very few teams to avoid a 2007 "Superbowl hangover" (the Superbowl's losing team almost always misses the playoffs the following season).

Of course, due to a variety of factors, the Bears had forgettable seasons in 2007 and 2008, missing the playoffs both seasons.

Perhaps more frustrating than the losses is the reason for the losses: blind post- Superbowl arrogance on the parts of coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo. In the two seasons following the Superbowl, the following erroneous moves were made (in order of lack of foresight/stupidity):

Workhorse, team-leader, and 1,000 yard rusher Thomas Jones was traded for, get ready for it, A SWAP OF SECOND ROUND PICKS! Yes, Jones is having more attitude problems with the Jets now, but that's no excuse for getting almost nothing for one of the better RBs in the NFL. We drafted Dan Bazuin with the pick. He was cut last off-season.

Cedric Benson was given the starting job.

Rex Grossman was given the starting job in 2007, and was re-signed in 2008 despite clearly playing scared and continuing to regress in 2007.

DC Ron Rivera took the fall for the Superbowl loss and was fired (we were told the defensive success was a product of the system, not the coach. Fail). The Bears continue to struggle on defense; Meanwhile, Rivera is thriving as San Diego's DC.

Chris Harris, now the best young SS in the game, was traded for A FIFTH ROUND DRAFT PICK! The mistake was driven home when he put on a clinic against the Bears last year. Lovie's answer? Adam Archuleta.

I could go on and on, but lets look to the future. Read my next article to find out what's right with the Bears this season.

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