Week 9: Bears vs Miami - Sunday, Nov. 5th, 12 pm CT

[Soul]

indy wins at new england. the rest of their games are pretty winnable with a last game matchup with . . . you know it . . .miami. wouldn't that be sweet?

 

I'm looking forward to Indy/Jacksonville Round 2...

 

As long as the media doesn't pull a "you know Jason, you have no chance to win this game, how does that feel?" I think Indy rolls Miami, even with their backups.

 

It's pretty clear this game was eminently winnable for the Bears----and winnable by a good margin. But nobody wins when they turn the ball over 6 times........and offenses that refuse to acknowledge they are being pressured, continuing to try 7-step drop after 7-step drop? Asking for death, that's what that is.

 

We lost because we deserved it. Plain and simple.

[goonys evil twin]

We lost because we deserved it. Plain and simple.

 

Exactly. This is an arrogant team that considers it an insult to do anything but chuck it deep and expect the opposition to hand them the game. I don't understand how a team that has relied so heavily on the run before, can be so willing to abandon it so quickly. They were getting decent chunks of yardage on the ground, especially with Benson getting 35 yards on his first 7 carries, but then they went right back to the drop back, wait, then toss it up in the air offense.

 

This is a team that refuses to play "take what they give you" football.

 

Arizona should have been a wake-up call, instead they refused to acknowledge they got lucky in that game, and paid for it against Miami. The Phins did nothing in that game until the Bears got themselves behind with stupidity, and then played dumb the rest of the way.

[Soul]

We lost because we deserved it. Plain and simple.

 

Exactly. This is an arrogant team that considers it an insult to do anything but chuck it deep and expect the opposition to hand them the game. I don't understand how a team that has relied so heavily on the run before, can be so willing to abandon it so quickly. They were getting decent chunks of yardage on the ground, especially with Benson getting 35 yards on his first 7 carries, but then they went right back to the drop back, wait, then toss it up in the air offense.

 

This is a team that refuses to play "take what they give you" football.

 

Arizona should have been a wake-up call, instead they refused to acknowledge they got lucky in that game, and paid for it against Miami. The Phins did nothing in that game until the Bears got themselves behind with stupidity, and then played dumb the rest of the way.

 

No question. 28/31 points coming directly off stupid turnovers. Basically the Dolphins did exactly nothing the whole game that wasn't attributed to our own bad plays.

 

Now we'll see just how far the Bears are willing to take their arrogance. Because 3 tough road games are on the docket, and they haven't worked on their short passing game, and they haven't developed Benson into a workhorse back even though they've had ample opportunity to do so and Benson's peers are already taking the load with their respective teams.

 

If we see the same gameplan and lax attitude against the Giants, it's going to get ugly. Because those boys can bring pressure. And to be honest, I'm not sure we have a CB who can cover Burress.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ugh, Urlacher better not be hurt too bad.

[Banedon]

''The disappointing thing is that we lost at home,'' said special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, a former Dolphin who badly wanted a win. ''We play the '85 Bears at home, we should win. The stadium was dead. We were dead. It was kind of surreal.''

 

What an irritating quote....STOP TALKING ABOUT 1985!!!

[UMFan83]

I don't know about you guys, but my optimism for the rest of the season rests solely on Brian Urlacher's foot. He was/is having an MVP caliber season...not defensive MVP, overall MVP.

[David]

''The disappointing thing is that we lost at home,'' said special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, a former Dolphin who badly wanted a win. ''We play the '85 Bears at home, we should win. The stadium was dead. We were dead. It was kind of surreal.''

 

What an irritating quote....STOP TALKING ABOUT 1985!!!

 

Doesn't bother me really. He's just using the 85 Bears to illustrate that they think they can beat anyone at home, even the best team ever (85 Bears). Would it bother you less if he had said they should beat the '72 Dolphins at home? :)

Edited November 6, 2006 by David

[goonys evil twin]

''The disappointing thing is that we lost at home,'' said special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, a former Dolphin who badly wanted a win. ''We play the '85 Bears at home, we should win. The stadium was dead. We were dead. It was kind of surreal.''

 

What an irritating quote....STOP TALKING ABOUT 1985!!!

 

Doesn't bother me really. He's just using the 85 Bears to ilustrate that they think they can beat anyone at home, even the best team ever (85 Bears). Would it bother you less if he had said they should beat the '72 Dolphins at home? :)

 

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

[David]

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

 

I feel the same. Hopefully, it serves as a wakeup call. It comes at the perfect time, at the very least. You just hope they get away from that arrogance that seemed to cost them in the AZ and Miami games, as well as last year's playoff game.

 

Through the first 5 games, it seemed like they had gotten past that issue. They looked incredibly focused and seemed to be playing with a purpose. It really looked like they had learned from the playoff loss. Two out of the last three games, though, they've looked like they've regressed.

[Banedon]

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

 

I feel the same. Hopefully, it serves as a wakeup call. It comes at the perfect time, at the very least. You just hope they get away from that arrogance that seemed to cost them in the AZ and Miami games, as well as last year's playoff game.

 

Through the first 5 games, it seemed like they had gotten past that issue. They looked incredibly focused and seemed to be playing with a purpose. It really looked like they had learned from the playoff loss. Two out of the last three games, though, they've looked like they've regressed.

 

Goony clarified my point perfectly. I keep hearing how Lovie won't let them look ahead or get too involved in their own hype, but that's exactly what I'm seeing. I'm glad they don't really have a game to overlook the next five weeks...

[goonys evil twin]

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

 

I feel the same. Hopefully, it serves as a wakeup call. It comes at the perfect time, at the very least. You just hope they get away from that arrogance that seemed to cost them in the AZ and Miami games, as well as last year's playoff game.

 

Through the first 5 games, it seemed like they had gotten past that issue. They looked incredibly focused and seemed to be playing with a purpose. It really looked like they had learned from the playoff loss. Two out of the last three games, though, they've looked like they've regressed.

 

Goony clarified my point perfectly. I keep hearing how Lovie won't let them look ahead or get too involved in their own hype, but that's exactly what I'm seeing. I'm glad they don't really have a game to overlook the next five weeks...

 

I'm afraid I'm seeing a little bit of Dusty Baker in Lovie, with the whole, us against them mindset, and the lack of accountability. Jones gets to be the RB, apparantly, because his teammates want him to be. Lovie doesn't like to criticize his own players, which is fine, until those players keep making the same mistakes and you just keep enabling them by making excuses. I was disappointed with how Lovie handled the Arizona game. He didn't seem to say, "Look boys, that's what will happen if you don't focus 100% on today's game." The "we won didn't we?" reasoning was just too pervasive.

 

I generally like Lovie. But he needs to have one of those tongue lashing moments where he challenges the players to step up.

 

And it wouldn't hurt if he rested some of the key players once the outcome of the game is decided. Secondary things like trying for the shutout and minimizing the points allowed should not take precedence over the ultimate goal of winning the super bowl.

[ChiCubsFan]

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

 

I feel the same. Hopefully, it serves as a wakeup call. It comes at the perfect time, at the very least. You just hope they get away from that arrogance that seemed to cost them in the AZ and Miami games, as well as last year's playoff game.

 

Through the first 5 games, it seemed like they had gotten past that issue. They looked incredibly focused and seemed to be playing with a purpose. It really looked like they had learned from the playoff loss. Two out of the last three games, though, they've looked like they've regressed.

 

Goony clarified my point perfectly. I keep hearing how Lovie won't let them look ahead or get too involved in their own hype, but that's exactly what I'm seeing. I'm glad they don't really have a game to overlook the next five weeks...

 

I dont think he was saying they should necessarily win because they are so good, I think he was just saying they should win because theyre at home. Just hyping up the home field advantage factor, I guess....

[goonys evil twin]

I dont think he was saying they should necessarily win because they are so good, I think he was just saying they should win because theyre at home. Just hyping up the home field advantage factor, I guess....

 

I'd rather they stop talking about what they should be able to do, and just do it.

[Soul]

It boths me only to the extent that they are talking about what they should be able to do, as opposed to just doing what they are supposed to do. I don't care about how this team compares against teams of years past. I care about seeing them win games now, and win the SB this year. I feel like this team's focus has been too far away from the task at hand. The AZ game should have been a wake up call, instead, it seemed to show the Bears they were doing just fine. Hopefully this loss actually is the wakeup call they needed.

 

I feel the same. Hopefully, it serves as a wakeup call. It comes at the perfect time, at the very least. You just hope they get away from that arrogance that seemed to cost them in the AZ and Miami games, as well as last year's playoff game.

 

Through the first 5 games, it seemed like they had gotten past that issue. They looked incredibly focused and seemed to be playing with a purpose. It really looked like they had learned from the playoff loss. Two out of the last three games, though, they've looked like they've regressed.

 

Goony clarified my point perfectly. I keep hearing how Lovie won't let them look ahead or get too involved in their own hype, but that's exactly what I'm seeing. I'm glad they don't really have a game to overlook the next five weeks...

 

I don't know guys. What *IS* it with these Chicago teams of ours? You don't see the NY Giants saying "what would Parcells and Phil Simms have done?" every time they lose a game.

 

LOL, I don't understand why it seems every one of my favorite teams can't escape the spectre of their own pasts. Well.....maybe the Bulls. Ironically, it seems they at least have refused to continually fuel the apparation of Michael Jordan every time they approach the playoffs.

 

'85 is ancient, ancient history. Why would a player who was in diapers during that time even mention them?

[USSoccer]

 

I don't know guys. What *IS* it with these Chicago teams of ours? You don't see the NY Giants saying "what would Parcells and Phil Simms have done?" every time they lose a game.

 

LOL, I don't understand why it seems every one of my favorite teams can't escape the spectre of their own pasts. Well.....maybe the Bulls. Ironically, it seems they at least have refused to continually fuel the apparation of Michael Jordan every time they approach the playoffs.

 

'85 is ancient, ancient history. Why would a player who was in diapers during that time even mention them?

 

Because in Chicago, most of the media and about half the fanbase can't let go of the past. They treat every mistake, every loss like it's the end of the world. They compare every single player to the 85 counterpart. It's idiotic, but it's something that the team has done nothing to dissuade, and the media has largely been accomplice to this.

 

Look at the level of criticism that Grossman is getting. People were calling for Griese and even Orton after the AZ game. I know that the dopes on CSN were calling for Griese. Why? If Rex were a 29 year old veteran, i could see it, but he's like a 24 year old guy who's still basically in his first season of game play. He's going to make mistakes, but that's the price you have to be willing to pay when you are trying to develop a franchise QB. It was one loss, but the level of shock in this city right now is ridiculous. Problem is, every fan thinks they know what they are talking about, and for some stupid reason people can't grasp that Rex isn't as good or bad as his best and worst games.

 

Players have been run out of this town by the idiotic portion of the fanbase for years, and until the media or the team put the fanbase in their place, it will never stop in Chicago.

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't know about you guys, but my optimism for the rest of the season rests solely on Brian Urlacher's foot. He was/is having an MVP caliber season...not defensive MVP, overall MVP.

That's crazy talk IMO. Although Urlacher has been good I don't think he was THAT good where you can honestly say he was having a MVP season over some of these offensive players. If Urlacher is gone for an extended period of time we are done for. We don't have much depth at LB and our Safeties have been terrible ever since Brown got hurt. You can clearly tell not having Berrian in the lineup hurt Rex as well. There's a lot to be worried about now, especially considering what is at stake next week.

[Banedon]

 

I don't know guys. What *IS* it with these Chicago teams of ours? You don't see the NY Giants saying "what would Parcells and Phil Simms have done?" every time they lose a game.

 

LOL, I don't understand why it seems every one of my favorite teams can't escape the spectre of their own pasts. Well.....maybe the Bulls. Ironically, it seems they at least have refused to continually fuel the apparation of Michael Jordan every time they approach the playoffs.

 

'85 is ancient, ancient history. Why would a player who was in diapers during that time even mention them?

 

Because in Chicago, most of the media and about half the fanbase can't let go of the past. They treat every mistake, every loss like it's the end of the world. They compare every single player to the 85 counterpart. It's idiotic, but it's something that the team has done nothing to dissuade, and the media has largely been accomplice to this.

 

Look at the level of criticism that Grossman is getting. People were calling for Griese and even Orton after the AZ game. I know that the dopes on CSN were calling for Griese. Why? If Rex were a 29 year old veteran, i could see it, but he's like a 24 year old guy who's still basically in his first season of game play. He's going to make mistakes, but that's the price you have to be willing to pay when you are trying to develop a franchise QB. It was one loss, but the level of shock in this city right now is ridiculous. Problem is, every fan thinks they know what they are talking about, and for some stupid reason people can't grasp that Rex isn't as good or bad as his best and worst games.

 

Players have been run out of this town by the idiotic portion of the fanbase for years, and until the media or the team put the fanbase in their place, it will never stop in Chicago.

 

QFT. I'm sick of it...forget the freaking past.

[USSoccer]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

[Chocolate Milk]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

[goonys evil twin]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Calling for Griese to take over for Rex mid game is one thing. Calling for him to take over the team full time is another. I wouldn't see the point of either though. The Bears were giving that game away as a team, it wasn't just the QB position. If Turner would call more running plays with Griese in there, then that's a Turner problem, not Rex. It's not like Griese has a history of pristine decision making. He had a maginificant year 2000, and a nice 2004, but he's thrown his fair share of INTs. You have to give Rex the chance to lose the job. 1 loss does not come close to that. If the Bears started Griese for 8 games, there's no guarantee they'd be 8-0, let alone 7-1. If Rex keeps screwing up and the team keeps losing games, then I say go for Griese to salvage the season. But we aren't in salvage mode, we're in go for broke mode.

 

Grossman just played his 16th regular season game. The occasional hiccup is to be expected. But if the team stays on track with him at the helm, and he keeps showing what he's capable of doing, then you are much better served playing him. Aside from trying to win a SB this season, there's the added need to determine if he's your longterm guy. You can't decide that with him on the bench.

[USSoccer]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

 

Football is one sport that really brings the stupidity out of people. Even people with no clue about sports have strong opinions on the Bears.

[Banedon]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

 

Football is one sport that really brings the stupidity out of people. Even people with no clue about sports have strong opinions on the Bears.

 

Mike North this morning was talking about how last year Orton only "lost" us a couple of games, while Rex so far has "lost" one and should have lost 2 more.

[USSoccer]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

 

Football is one sport that really brings the stupidity out of people. Even people with no clue about sports have strong opinions on the Bears.

 

Mike North this morning was talking about how last year Orton only "lost" us a couple of games, while Rex so far has "lost" one and should have lost 2 more.

 

Mike North is the king of specious reasoning. How many games did Orton "win" us last year?

[goonys evil twin]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

 

Football is one sport that really brings the stupidity out of people. Even people with no clue about sports have strong opinions on the Bears.

 

Mike North this morning was talking about how last year Orton only "lost" us a couple of games, while Rex so far has "lost" one and should have lost 2 more.

 

That sounds like pretty obvious, "say something to rile people up" kind of stuff.

[USSoccer]

The other thing is that for years people have been harping on the instability of the QB position in Chicago. Now, after a 7-1 start people are clamoring for Griese over Grossman.

 

Unreal levels of stupidity.

 

Someone told me today that they should go to Greise if the Bears are losing at halftime to the Giants. Are these people high? I can't beleive that rational people could come to this conclusion.

 

Football is one sport that really brings the stupidity out of people. Even people with no clue about sports have strong opinions on the Bears.

 

Mike North this morning was talking about how last year Orton only "lost" us a couple of games, while Rex so far has "lost" one and should have lost 2 more.

 

That sounds like pretty obvious, "say something to rile people up" kind of stuff.

 

If only other people in the city didn't think the same way. A lot of people seem to think the Bears would be more successful with a "game manager" type QB.