The Bears’ Den - Chicago Bears Blog

This is a tough matchup for the Bears but it could be just what the doctor ordered. The offense started to show life last week hopefully that can carry over. We’ll definitely need Cedric Benson to run strong against an aggressive defense. Can the defense rebound from last weeks’ trampling and contain Westbrook while also getting pressure on McNabb. Can Brian Griese handle the pressure that the Eagles will bring almost constantly? Bears- 24 Eagles- 23

After watching Adrian Peterson run the Bears over to the tune of 224 yards on 20 carries and 3 touchdowns one thought stood out. Wow, this Bears team can’t tackle anybody that runs hard. We got a taste in the Cowboys game and today only cemented the fact the Bears can’t stop the run. The Chris Harris trade looks worse every passing week. Starting safety Brandon McGowan had 6 tackles and missed atleast the same amount. The commentators during the game talked about how Lovie wanted his best tacklers on the field thus the reason as to why Adam Archuleta was benched. We can’t expect Urlacher and Briggs to make every tackle or every big play.The front four got absolutely manhandled rarely even hearing one guys’ name called during the game. The secondary was average at best, wasn’t Archuleta brought in because he’s well versed in Lovies’ schemes. Couldn’t tell when he was burned on a long touchdown pass to Troy Williamson. Devin Hester was his usual spectacular self finally getting involved in the offense. Greg Olsen showed he needs more passes thrown his way. Cedric Benson showed some life against the number 1 rated run defense. I’ll save my analysis of Brian Griese for my next post. This was absolutely the worst loss of the last two seasons, makes you wonder where this team is headed. Bear fans have nothing to be happy about this week, just plain ugly.

This game should be pretty tight. The Vikings can run the ball with Adrian Peterson but have trouble throwing. I expect to see 8 men in the box. On offense the Bears need to continue to run the ball. Not an easy task because Minny is very strong up front. The passing game should take another step forward this week. Expect the tight ends to get a lot of work. Hopefully the wide outs can get on track this week. Bears- 24 Vikings- 17.

The biggest positive to come from the game last week was Greg Olsen making plays and being a part of the offense. Injury played a big part to him not getting reps in game situations. Now healthy it seems that he’s primed for a big rookie season. The Bears have never had a player at tight end with the skills he brings to the table and finally it seems they’re going to put these skills to good use. I love this kids’ attitude, he doesn’t semm to get rattled and coming from The U we know he is not lacking confidence.    http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/600057/,cst-spt-bear12.article . Now if the Bears can get the receivers to catch the ball and make plays that offense that was going to make big plays can truly get off the ground. Bear Down.

The Bears on Sunday night made a big step to righting the ship. With their victory over the hated Packers they avoided a 1-4 start and seem to have regained some of their swagger. They’ve won the last 4 at Lambeau and for the first time in a long time looked dominant in the second half. Lovie and the staff finally stayed with the run for the entire game. That commitment to the run is the key to making the playoffs. We are a running team and need to stay with it at least to slow the game down. Also playing Greg Olsen more because he’s an impact player and can really catch. This could be the start of something big or just smoke and mirrors.

This is not the situation the Bears or their fans expected when the season started.1-3 going into a primetime matchup with the 4-0 Packers. This game can get real ugly early, the Pack have no running game and they know it. Brett won’t take three quarters to pick on the Bears secondary, like the Lions last week. So expect the ball to be in the air and the db’s need to be ready for any kind of pass. Brett has owned the Bears over the years and only recently have the Bears enjoyed success. The Pack have an improving defense so it’s not going to be easy on offense either. Three more touchdown passes for Brett; Packers 27- Bears 17.

The question now needs to be asked are the Bears a playoff team? Are the Bears contenders? The answer going into week 4 is a resounding no. What if they don’t, the bigger question becomes how do we get better as a team? Rex likely will be gone barring a miracle. The offensive line will be a year older and definitely needs retooling. How will Lovie and management address these roster issues? Lance Briggs most likely will be gone, are we going to sign a qb or draft one? Can we rebuild those areas and continue to be competitive or are we going to flounder around for 2 or 3 years before we turn the corner. Also can someone please explain why Olsen and Wolfe aren’t playing more and getting some plays their way. Only 3 teams have made it back to the big game the year after losing ( Buffalo, Denver and Minnesota) so the odds of making it back are slim. This team can probably rebuild on the fly because they have young players to build around. Do we as fans have the patience it will take to draft and develop a Super Bowl winning squad?

After watching the Bears get totally embarrassed on Sunday in a very forgettable fourth quarter. One question that kept coming up in my mind was this. Has another Steve Spurrier coached quarterback doomed another NFL franchise to 5-7 years of futility? From Danny Wuerffel to Jesse Palmer and now Rex, Spurriers’ proteges’ have had a way of either contributing to downright mediocrity or giving a team false security about its’ future. Now we all know after Sunday the Bears problems extend further than the qb position. The offensive line is horrible at best. This was a problem last year that went unresolved in the offseason. While major media outlets were saying bench Rex and you can win, the main albatross around the Bears neck was the fact that they don’t have lineman for today’s NFL. Whether it’s free blitzers or just straight up collapsing the pocket, no qb Lovie Smith puts under center will be safe and that includes Mr. 39-34 as a starter Brian Griese. The bottom line is this if the Bears don’t resolve the line issues then we can expect even horrible years to follow. Rex’s bad play can be attributed to the main problem of line play. Now he’ll get an offer somewhere else next year and backup some veteran. Then he’ll get an opportunity to play and shine and we’ll all be saying why couldn’t he do that hear? And the answer will be the line he played behind was straight garbage and it wasn’t recognized until it was too late. Once again for Chicago sports fans too late looks like once again the only option to reality.

Divisional games start this week and now it’s the season within a season.  The Lions are much improved from last year. The Bears as you all know are in the midst of a Quarterback change and they’re not playing good offensive football. The Lions like to talk and the Bears like to respond. This game will be a slug-fest with one or two plays turning the tide. The secondary will be tested early and often and will give up some plays. The Bears should be plenty mad after last week. Bears-23 , Lions-21.

Yes that was the Cowboys kicking the Bears around on Sunday night in a supposedly primetime matchup. And, yes small Rex showed up once again and put up a dazzling display of how not to play the quarterback position. Cedric Benson once again not a factor in the second half of games. The offensive line outplayed for the third week in a row. Receivers who can’t get into a groove because they are doubling as cornerbacks. A special teams that got handed its’ chunky soup. And to add injury to insult a defense already worn and hurt and we’re not at the bye! Where does coach Smith turn to stop the bleeding.

First Rex needs to be benched for, if nothing else the good of the team and it’s fans. Brian Griese is not a longterm answer either but atleast he’ll give the Bears a chance to win this year. Rex is so bad right know that at this point you can’t justify having him in the lineup. I respect the fact that he’s honest and can take criticism but at the same time he’s had enough time to show what type of player he is or isn’t going to be. His inability to take care of the ball or even make you feel comfortable when he’s under center is now truly at team killer level. He needs to sit and watch and if later on in the year or injury forces him in the lineup then you’d have no choice. The Bears have choices, Kyle Orton had an 11-5 record he didn’t lose his job due to inability but to enchantment with the supposed man. He was just a rookie in that campaign didn’t he deserve to atleast truly compete for the job. Since it’s obvious Orton won’t get a shot then we’ll have to draft a qb in the next draft for sure.

The offensive line needs to be revamped in the off season. The age and ineffectiveness is a contributing factor toRex’s poor play. They also don’t get consistent push for the ground game to flourish. The defense has been exposed from being on the field for long stretches. Now injuries are really catching on and the ship seems to be sinking. The one positive is the season is still young and it’s not like the Bears don’t have playmakers. The problems are clear now a solution must be found.