Since Jim McMahon, men who have played quarterback while simultaneously donning a Chicago Bears uniform have (mostly) sucked. You can outright fault the organization or pacifyingly fault the organization, but no matter what, nothing can save these 27 poor souls from an unenvious shared history; having been through, what many believe to be, “quarterback hell”. (more…)
Since Jim McMahon, men who have played quarterback while simultaneously donning a Chicago Bears uniform have (mostly) sucked. You can outright fault the organization or pacifyingly fault the organization, but no matter what, nothing can save these 27 poor souls from an unenvious shared history; having been through, what many believe to be, “quarterback hell”. (more…)
Since Jim McMahon, men who have played quarterback while simultaneously donning a Chicago Bears uniform have (mostly) sucked. You can outright fault the organization or pacifyingly fault the organization, but no matter what, nothing can save these 27 poor souls from an unenvious shared history; having been through, what many believe to be, “quarterback hell”. (more…)
When does beating Green Bay and an appearance in the Super Bowl lose its charm? Is it after back-to-back frustratingly mediocre seasons or will it take an epic letdown in the debut season with your new franchise quarterback to do the trick? (more…)
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute; Hold the phone. Brian Urlacher, who has often unwarrantably been linked with the term “overrated” while in his prime, is now being called the best inside linebacker in pro football. It’s important to note that his prime was two years ago.
The Sporting News has Urlacher ranked numero uno in their list of the top 20 NFL inside linebackers, citing the lackluster play of the defensive line last season as to why he made fewer impact plays than usual. True, but I also don’t recall him being engulfed by the opponent’s O-line as much as I do his inability to run sideline to sideline with his previous effectiveness. (more…)
First off, I wish I could give proper credit for the logo design. So if you’re the genius behind it, get in touch and we’ll be sure to give due credit.
Rex Grossman’s six-year career in Chicago is over almost as soon as it began. In only 31 career starts, Sexy Rexy threw a very average 33 TD’s and 35 INT’s for just over 6,000 yards with a 70.2 QB rating.
As the clock strikes midnight ET on Thursday, Grossman will officially become a free agent and end the love-hate (mostly hate) relationship between himself and the Bears faithful.
It made me wonder, as ridiculously detested as he was, what might Bears fans hate less? I present “Ten Things Hated Less Than Rex Grossman.” (more…)
Continuing our list of…well… read the title, buddy.
# 1. Mike Brown
What happens when you start a list of ten and after the third post, realize not only is your list screwed by preseason developments, but you don’t want to do the damned thing anymore? Meet our list.
What started on June 26 as a shameful ploy to guarantee quality content for ten different posts has now transpired into BDCB naming — and rightfully so — safety Mike Brown as the player most vital to the Chicago Bears’ success in 2008!
In the last 21 games Brown has participated in (spans the last four seasons), the Bears have won 16 and kept their opponent under 20 points an incredible 19 times. Now, in that same stretch, Brown has missed 37 games, only 17 of which the Bears were victorious in. During that time period, the Bears have held opponents under 20 points on only 19 different occasions. Not nearly as impressive. Props to Love Without Nagel for the stats. (more…)
Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.
# 2. Matt Forte
For a team that insists it gets “off the bus running,” the Bears could potentially find themselves this year struggling to get off the bus without tripping over their $1,800 Berluti’s.
To start, the team removes itself from the Sun Chips-lovin’ cancer himself, Cedric Benson. Then, they draft Chris Williams, a pass-blocking specialist, to start at left tackle when there are serious concerns over his toughness and run-blocking prowess. Lastly, the offensive line, while not entirely in shambles, remains a shadow of the one that paved the way to Super Bowl XLI.
If the running game is the key to the Bears’ success in ‘08, consider rookie Matt Forte the keymaster. The Tulane product is touted as having the speed of Thomas Jones and the power of Cedric Benson. (Yes, believe it or not, Ced did have some power. How do you think he withstood all that cop’s pepper spray?)
Forte will need to step up his game quicker than most rookies are asked to, simply because the Bears will rely on him to move the chains. If he turns out to be a total bust, the Bears offense will sputter, along with any hopes of making the playoffs.* (more…)
Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.
# 3. Tommie Harris
When Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris is healthy, he’s on. And when he’s on, he is on. And at no time has this been more evident then in the first month of the 2006 season. Harris led the NFL with 5 sacks through the first four games, and received the “NFC’s Player of the Week” award twice in three weeks.
Unfortunately for Harris and the Bears, a hamstring injury would keep him from participating in the final four games of the season, but nonetheless, he still garnered Pro Bowl honors.
Fast forward to 2007. Harris achieved a career-high eight sacks despite playing through — for most of the season — nagging injuries related to his left knee. And while nobody’s questioning his heart or toughness, because it’s been tested and is obviously there, you could only imagine what Harris is capable of when completely healthy. (more…)
Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.
# 4. Brian Urlacher
Carrying on the tradition of the great Bears middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher has, unquestionably, been the most recent in a long line of franchise faces for the organization.
Urlacher’s abilities to run sideline to sideline, make jaw-jarring hits, and drop back in coverage have made him the ideal weapon in Chicago’s Cover 2 defense.
A contract dispute earlier this month thought to create a rift between Urlacher and the Bears organization, but general manager Jerry Angelo stepped up and made a deal. And now that the six-time Pro Bowler is happy and seemingly, feeling no ill effects from offseason neck surgery, he can get back to business.
Urlacher or Yerlicker – regardless of how you want to pronounce his name — is the big name, at the glamorous position, in the best football city in the world. Before Devin Hester, you couldn’t find a Bears jersey in the West Coast aside from Urlacher’s and Walter Payton’s.
Urlacher is a symbol of the Bears brand of tough defense, and even if he’s fallen off a little bit, just his presence alone should be enough to carry the team and turn fans into believers.
Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.
# 5. Devin Hester
There is really no need for me, or anyone else, to mention how valuable Devin Hester is to the Chicago Bears. But, for the sake of the list, I will do it anyway.
In two short years, Hester has managed to seize the role of top Bears superstar from linebacker Brian Urlacher. His style of play is exciting; his moves Jordanesque, and he wears number 23 to boot. Hester’s return ability is like none other before him and has changed the way in which the game is played.
This year, teams that thought they could simply kick away from Hester to avoid getting burned might have to think twice. With Hester expected to see a huge bump in his touches at wide receiver, opposing defensive coordinators will need to gameplan for two Hesters.
One Hester will ensure the Bears always have excellent field position — whether he returns a punt 60 yards or scares the punter into kicking the ball out of bounds at his own 40. The other — after an offseason of polishing his route running and learning the playbook — will get his hands on the ball anyway he can. It could be a quick slant over the middle that allows him to zip by linebackers and safeties alike, or it might be a deep bomb that he — five yards ahead of his closest combatant — catches in stride and takes to the house. (more…)
Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.
# 6. Chris Williams
Part of the Bears’ success on offense this year will rest on Chris Williams’ ability to digest the blocking scheme and improve his run-blocking skills. If he does, Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton will have the much-needed time to throw and fellow rookie Matt Forte will have lanes to run through. If he fails, opposing defenses will be in the Bears backfield — as another famous Commodore put it — all night long.
Williams, the Bears’ first-round pick, finds himself in the unenviable position of being thrust into the left tackle spot as a rookie. This year alone, he’ll have to face the likes of the Dwight Freeney, Trent Cole, Jared Allen, KGB and Rams rookie Chris Long. It would be a harrowing task for anyone, and if he struggles early, his confidence could be shaken.
With last year’s left tackle, John Tait, moving to the right side, and Ruben Brown gone, the left side of the offensive line will be inexperienced at best. This means Williams might need to develop a mean streak to get him through some games. If he looks lost out there, the Bears will be forced to turn to journeyman John St. Clair — a prospect I don’t St. Care for… duh dum ksh.
