The Chicago Bears were in the Super Bowl just two seasons ago. Their defense was on top of the world, and they had one of the best 1-2 rushing attacks in football.
That very next season, with many of the same players (minus Thomas Jones), the Bears fell to 30th in rushing, 27th in yards per game, and 18th in points per game.
The biggest fall from grace, however, was the defense. Riddled with injuries and contract disputes, the Bears fell to 24th against the rush, 27th against the pass, and 28th in total defense.
The saying defense wins championships rings painfully true in Chicago, a city in which defense reigns supreme cannot have a team that finishes 28th in defense.
Somewhere the '85 Bears are crying.
The days in which Jim McMahon (who my teacher called "hot" in his prime) and Walter Payton led the offense and men like Mike Singletery, Richard Dent, and Gary Fencick patrolled the defense and are long gone.
We now sit pretty with Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton and Cedric Benson running the offense. I know, eat your heart out Indy.
The Bears went hard for Adam Archuleta before the 2006 offseason only to lose the battle to Washington. They then got stuck with Archuleta when the Redskins no longer wanted him.
What they received was something that the Bears shouldn't have been paid to take. Archuleta repeatedly missed tackles and was burned by multiple receivers, leading to his recent release.
Cedric Benson, the No. 4 pick in the 2005 Draft, has fallen completely from grace with the Chicago Bears’ fans.
His fumbles and lack of drive have led fans to look at him in a completed different way than the Bears did back in '05 when they drafted the running back who was going to be one of the best in the '05 class.
He has now been arrested for driving a boat while drunk and even had to be pepper sprayed and was rowdy towards the police.
Needless to say the Bears drafted hopeful replacement Matt Forte in the second round of this year's draft.
Then there is Sexy Rexy Grossman. Grossman started out the 2006 season making everybody love him. He was the "NFC Offensive Player of the Month" in September and was an early MVP candidate.
He ended the season with five games below a 50 QB Rating and even had a 0.0 rating in the final game against the Packers before being pulled at halftime.
In 2007, he was benched part of the season before the Bears realized that Griese was no better. This season he battles with Kyle Orton in a fierce battle that will make most Bears’ fans cry.
In 2008, they don't have a No. 1 season. After going full circle with Marty Booker returning to the Bears, he looks like he could go into the season as the No. 1 receiver and that just isn't a great look either.
More of the same is what I expect for the Bears, hopefully at least the defense can come back to normal, and the Bears can win the horrible NFC North.
I'm Joe W.
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5 months ago
I think the Bears will play it safe this season and try starting an offense featuring Orton and Matt Forte. This way, they can manage the game better and let their defense control the game. What do you think of Matt Forte and Orton leading the charge next season?
from 5 months ago
I figured that Forte would be starting from the second that the Bears drafted him. You don't take a RB in the 2nd round and expect him to sit on the bench behind an underachieving player. The arrest of Benson really solidified Forte and got rid of any controversy. The Orton/Grossman battle will be interesting because neither player really showed brilliance besides Grossman's early 2006 season. I think that Orton will take the spot just because he has played slightly better recently and Grossman is basically hated in Chicago. All in all, I'm a little scarred for the 2008 season.
5 months ago
Excellent article. Bears stink and are not getting better. Last year Minnesota drafted Adrian Peterson to turn their franchise around. This year the Bears listened to all the pundits and played it safe by drafting a tackle. A tackle is nice, but this team has no outstanding offensive weapon. Forte may be OK, but again, not enough to fix the problem.
The problem is that no one respects our QB's, RB's or WR's.... no amount of OL help will fix that.
Funny thing. Last year the Bears gave up a 6th for Archuleta. They gave up Chris Harris for a 5th round pick. Now Harris is starting, Archuleta is gone, and we just drafted a new safety with a 4TH ROUND PICK. Way to run a personnel department, Bears!
No, we won't be better this year, or next year.
5 months ago
orton will start..... wtf??? are you serious??? he is not better than grossman, and he played better in the games where most of the starters were out for the other teams. If the oline can hold up and the recievers can catch and not drop the ball, the offense will play completly differnt than last year. And just think if we can actually run the ball decent??? That play action from 06 will be back to form with hester burning coverage. If the D stays healthy we will def be playoff contenders. We have the talent, we just need to be working on all cylinders. So for everyone who thinks the bears will suck this year, lets put some money on the line......
from 5 months ago
The problem is that the receivers can't catch and Forte is still unproven in the NFL. I think they will be decent, maybe playoffs, but not great.
5 months ago
I just think Orton can manage a game better than Rex. Trust me, I am a Rex fan, I might be the only one too! I just think Orton is the perfect Chicago QB who won't lose you a game and will do just enough to compliment whatever the team can do to win
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