When Jason Campbell left the game, the Bears chances at leaving the capitol with a W skyrocketed, or so i thought. Tod Collins, without the aid of a running game, put on his Tom Brady mask and had what was said to be his his best game of the century. Has it gotten to this point for the Bears? The list of the players that have taken the Bear defense out to the woodshed is chuck full of no names, has-beens and never will-be's. Andre Hall, Derrick Ward, Eli Manning, Justin Fargas, Maurice Morris, the list goes on... and on... and on. There are so many holes on this team and i have no faith in Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo and their talent evaluation methods. This past offseason, Lovie was given a type of freedom that no Bears coach in recent memory has ever had. Angelo brought in Adam Archuletta based solely on Lovie's word, disregarding the fact that the same Redskins that whooped the Bears tonight benched him despite his fat contract. Lovie is a good coach as far as gameplanning goes, but his talent evaluation and in-game coaching is just horrendous. Some may blame him for the offensive line's discipline issues and all the false starts, but i think that notion is downright laughable. The entire offensive line has extensive experience in the league and should never string together six penalties in one drive. Griese was also guilty for a delay of game or two. On the other side of the ball there are also a number of issues that must be addressed in the offseason. They have a solid defensive line, but if Tommie Harris isn't resigned, the Bears would be down their best defensive player. Brian Urlacher is hurt and getting old and Hunter Hillenmeyer is simply decent. I would suggest moving Lance Briggs to the middle, but odds are Lovie doesn't have the stones to do it. The Bears are strong at the CB position, but i would suggest cutting Ricky Manning lose and moving Trumane McBride into the nickle package. Manning was solid D-back in Carolina but at this point is mediocre at best. The real problem is the safeties. Archuletta wont be back next year, so there reallly is no reason to talk about him. Mike Brown will probably be back, but hopefully the Bears keep him on as a back up. He can't be trusted to stay healthy, and hopefully Angelo will go out and get somebody. Danieal Manning improved throughout last season, but he has regressed quite a bit this year. I cant remember the last time he has made a play and he takes way to many bad angles to ballcarriers. One player that wont be catching flack is Robbie Gould, but i say good riddance. The guy is accurate from 49 yards in, but he has no power and Lovie is adamnant about not using him past 50 yards. But his field goals are not the problem, rather the problem is his kickoffs. He has had a number of kickoffs go out of bounds this year and may not have had a kickoff go for a touchback all season long.
While i have no faith in the management to put together a strong draft class, i hope they address their offensive line woes in the first round. There are a number of really good lineman coming out next year and i would love to see the Bears cash in. I have my fingers crossed, but hopefully Angelo trades up for Jake Long, who is said to be just as good or better than Joe Thomas. If the Bears pick up two O-lineman, a safety and a decent QB, they should be fine, but I, and most Bears fans for that matter, know that that is wishful thinking.
PS: TD's scored aginst the Bears were by Todd Collins, Mike Sellers, Ladell Betts and ___ Yodler????
isn't todd collins the name of a drink? i think this is a pretty good year for backup QBs to have a great debut. It's happened to the Jets, Washington, and Philadelphia. Chicago is such a strange team to watch. Sometimes they look great, and then at other times they really find wasy to #### defeat from the jaws of victory. Maybe William "Refrigerator" Perry needs to dust off the old cleats.
the management team might have their heads too far up their #### to admit to their faults, or even consider it. Ron Turner's play calling is way too predictable that it hurts watching, especially when the O-line isn't doing much to create any room for whatever running game the bears "have".
Regarding Lance Briggs and resigning him, depending how they end the season, I'm not really sure if he, or any other player will really want to stay with the Bears until management can really pick up. And with the upcoming games against the Vikings, Packers and Saints, and the way those teams are playing, it won't be a surprise to me if the Bears finish 5-11. =\
I don't really follow college football, so I can't put any other input on that.
That is a TOM COLLINS and TODD COLLINS IS A MAN that went out and beat the BEARS. THAT is the story...SORRY but no fireworks will come out of his ears for you BORED SPROTS SPECULATORS...HMMM...BUT THERE WAS A GOOD OLD FASHION 30 degree butt woopin...I KNOW I WAS THERE....even saw that #### get thrown on his face for runnin on field...MAYBE that was one of you guys that know so much
Justice- You are right on about the frustration that is the Bears. I believe they lead the league in forcing three and outs yet also are among the worst in points and yardage allowed. On offense, they look really good sometimes and Ron Turner actually strings together some nice calls, but then the offense goes back to being bland.
Elidj- You're right on about Bears' management. They are way too arrogant to realize their mistakes, one of which was getting rid of RIvera despite his success. If it aint broke why fix, or in the case of the Bears D, break it. Lovie needs to really put the fear of G-od into his players and let them know that penalties will not be tolerated. The linemen have lacked proper discipline all year long yet Lovie has done nothing. Josh Beekman is clerly not ready, but use him just to make an example.
I woudl understand completely if Briggs wants out. The Bears have mistreated him and their arrogance has lots to do with that mistreatment.
I dont know the names off hand, but Hub Arkush broke down the linemen in the draft this past week on 670thescore and the group seemed really strong.
Todd Collins was an outstanding QB at Walpole(MA) High School, went on to have an terrific career at Michigan, then drafted by Buffalo. Was a starter for 1 year up there but has mainly been a career back-up QB for Chiefs and now Washington. Nice to see him get a shot and play so well.
ren, the question was not really a question. They gave a bit of background on him during the game. My problem with it was that he is a journeyman and should not have come in and beat the Bears, regardless of his terrific high school career, which by the way everyone in the league has had.
I am college kid out of chicago and love Chicago sports aka a huge homer. My writing may contradict this, but i do care and know about sports outside of Chicago, although I may never blog about it.
