Chicago Bears Go Into Hibernation Again, Another Year Of Waiting For The Draft.

For the last several seasons I, along with a legion of fellow fans, have been completely disinterested in the NFL by week 8 and this year seems to be more of the same.  Sure, we had a good time a couple years ago, but did we really think they would keep playing that well for that long?  A Super Bowl record kick return became a nightmare in short order.  Don't get me wrong, I am a Bears fan for life.  I started watching them when I was 6, and haven't given up on them since, even though they tried to beat me into submission with Curtis Enis, Cade McNown, Rashaan Salaam, and so on and so on.  I eagerly anticipate the beginning of the season every year, thinking it's going to be different.  This is the year that we will finally put it all together and return to glory for a long run, or, worst case scenario, this is the year that we will be absolutely dreadful and finally get that top-3 draft pick that can become a fixture for years to come.  Unfortunately, all I get is numerous seasons of 7-9, 8-8, or 9-7.  Basically, a record just good enough to miss out on all the big-time prospects, but just bad enough that we didn't make the playoffs.  After week 1 this year, I thought for sure it was going to be a positive year.  Sure, our quarterback was a guy who had earned the dreaded "game-manager" title, and I was pretty sure I could pick a better receiving corps from the parking lot before the game, but I was excited about a second-round pick for the first time since I don't know when.  Yeah, I know, he had one good year in college, but for a team that has been RB deficient for a long time (no disrespect, Thomas Jones) this was a definite bright spot and something to be excited about.  As it has turned out, that was the only thing to be excited about.  The last two weeks have been a nightmare of epic proportions.  Giving away the game after having a fairly comfortable lead, and getting away from the pounding ground game that is Bears football has been difficult to swallow.  I don't care how many carries the guy gets a game, give Forte the ball until they stop him.  Any time it is 3rd and less than 4, there should only be one number called.  And, while we're at it, throw Rex back out there.  Why not?  He throws INT's, for sure, but he also makes at least one throw a game that restores your faith in the guy.  I wanted so badly for him to be the quarterback we've been looking for, and I still think he can be if he had a supporting cast around him.  He's got a running back now, let him give it a shot.  The way things are looking right now, we won't be any worse off.  At least with #8 throwing the ball, you know you'll see some downfield passes.  The defense has been great, if you don't count the second half of games, and show signs of being able to hold their own.  Unfortunately, that isn't enough, but if we make the right moves with the depth chart at the right time, I think we can pull off the type of season that will deliver us Tim Tebow, by gving us one of those top draft picks.  After all, isn't that what it's all about?  Not signing any major free-agent additions, you must be looking to rebuild from the draft, and a franchise QB is the biggest hole in the plan.  I have already reached the point of rooting for a bad record and a high pick, and this year I'm 5 weeks early.