Divisional Round: Bears vs. Seahawks - Sun Jan 14, 12 pm CST

[goonys evil twin]

As I said, i'll be cheering for them the whole way this year, but I don't see them as dominating as their record indicates.

 

That's probably because you didn't see any of their dominating performances. I saw them dismantle the Seahawks, Bills, and Niners first hand so I know what their ceiling is. If they're on, no team in the NFC is within a touchdown of them.

 

They have not, however, been "dominant" in a good 2 months. We're clearly not seeing the same team we saw clearing teams aside in the first 5 weeks. I don't think it's hopeless, but I'm pretty sure any playoff wins are going to be some victories they need to fight REALLY hard for.

 

Well, they beat SF by 31 in week 7, they beat the Giants and Jets by 18 and 10 on the road, respectively. They beat Minnesota by 10 despite a horrific Rex game, then beat STL by 15 on the road. It's not the same as winning 26-0, but winning by double digits, on the road, is quite an accomplishment in the NFL, especially when a couple of the opponents are playoff teams, and the 3rd was playoff eligible going into the last week.

 

 

Generally speaking, there are more blowouts in the playoffs than people expect. I would not be the least bit surprised if they blew some team out, especially the first opponent. I wouldn't be shocked if they blew NO or PH out in the conference championship either. But they could also lose to any of these teams. That's the thing with the Bears, especially with Grossman. They have a wide range of possible outcomes. They could win in a blowout, win by a narrow margin in a shoot-out, win a boring 14-6 game, or lose big.*

 

This is opposed to recent Bears teams, that would have to win the close low scoring games, or stand no chance.

[UMFan83]

This made me LMAO...its probably a repost that I missed because its a couple weeks old, but oh well:

 

http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2006/11/f-k-it-im-throwing-it-downfield.html

 

(NSFW...bad language)

[BigSlick]

This made me LMAO...its probably a repost that I missed because its a couple weeks old, but oh well:

 

http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2006/11/f-k-it-im-throwing-it-downfield.html

 

(NSFW...bad language)

 

That is indeed a classic already.

 

I hope they do another version.

[David]

This made me LMAO...its probably a repost that I missed because its a couple weeks old, but oh well:

 

http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2006/11/f-k-it-im-throwing-it-downfield.html

 

(NSFW...bad language)

 

Seen it. Good stuff, cracks me up.

[CP_414]

Holy smokes!

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6299556

 

GURNEE, Ill. (AP) - Police seized about 550 rounds of ammunition from the home of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson during a raid last month, according to new court documents.

 

The ammunition was discovered in Johnson's kitchen, basement, garage and bedroom.

Police also found six guns, marijuana and unlabeled pills believed to be the prescription painkiller hydrocodone, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported, citing search warrant documents filed Friday in Lake County Circuit Court.

 

Johnson was charged with six counts of possession of a firearm without a gun-owner identification card. Authorities said they found a semiautomatic rifle with 19 live rounds in the master bedroom, four unloaded weapons - two rifles and two handguns - and a loaded .45-caliber handgun under a leather chair in the basement.

 

[soccer10k]

Wow. I'm guessing that's not good.

[Butterscup1679666578]

This made me LMAO...its probably a repost that I missed because its a couple weeks old, but oh well:

 

http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2006/11/f-k-it-im-throwing-it-downfield.html

 

(NSFW...bad language)

 

BRILLIANT.

[UMFan83]

Holy smokes!

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6299556

 

GURNEE, Ill. (AP) - Police seized about 550 rounds of ammunition from the home of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson during a raid last month, according to new court documents.

 

The ammunition was discovered in Johnson's kitchen, basement, garage and bedroom.

Police also found six guns, marijuana and unlabeled pills believed to be the prescription painkiller hydrocodone, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported, citing search warrant documents filed Friday in Lake County Circuit Court.

 

Johnson was charged with six counts of possession of a firearm without a gun-owner identification card. Authorities said they found a semiautomatic rifle with 19 live rounds in the master bedroom, four unloaded weapons - two rifles and two handguns - and a loaded .45-caliber handgun under a leather chair in the basement.

 

 

Geez, enjoy jail Tank

[Mark Priors Calves]

Holy smokes!

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6299556

 

GURNEE, Ill. (AP) - Police seized about 550 rounds of ammunition from the home of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson during a raid last month, according to new court documents.

 

The ammunition was discovered in Johnson's kitchen, basement, garage and bedroom.

Police also found six guns, marijuana and unlabeled pills believed to be the prescription painkiller hydrocodone, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported, citing search warrant documents filed Friday in Lake County Circuit Court.

 

Johnson was charged with six counts of possession of a firearm without a gun-owner identification card. Authorities said they found a semiautomatic rifle with 19 live rounds in the master bedroom, four unloaded weapons - two rifles and two handguns - and a loaded .45-caliber handgun under a leather chair in the basement.

 

 

Geez, enjoy jail Tank

 

Hopefully the sentence starts after Feb. 4th.

[TruffleShuffle]

Hopefully the sentence starts after Feb. 4th.

 

They have TVs in jail... does it really matter whether he watches the Super Bowl from home or from jail? :wink:

[BigbadB]

Hopefully the sentence starts after Feb. 4th.

 

They have TVs in jail... does it really matter whether he watches the Super Bowl from home or from jail? :wink:

 

Hey now.

[DivineBovine]

Okay, I'll stop ranting about how the Bears should use the shotgun and say something about Rex's talent.

 

I honestly feel he's underrated at this point. Rex is everyone's favorite QB to bash in the media. I was watching an NFL show on ESPN and all analysts said he's the worst of all playoff QB's.

 

He has had games that not many NFL QB's could have had, making some ridiculous throws. When he's in a rhythm, making good decisions, he's damn good. He is a bit of a headcase. He feels pressure really easily and gets rattled. A lot of it has to do with his height and his immobility, and perhaps his history of injuries. Consequently, every team in the NFL has realized that the way to beat the Bears is to bring pressure. If Rex can get his head screwed on straight, I'll take him as our QB in the playoffs.

 

Everyone took it for granted. People seem to have a short memory of all the years we went through where a QB could barely hit a guy open for a 30 yard pass. When Rex is in a rhythm and has time, he can make some great plays.

[gflore34]

I don't know why I continue to listen to 670' Morning Show, Mike North is far and away Chicago' #1 sports moron. He's still calling for Brian Griese, citing his "spectacular" pre-season, he doesn't get it. Griese is incapable of doing what Rex can do, with Rex the Bears offense is actually a threat, like it or not, the only way the Bears are going to make to the Super Bowl is with Rex as the QB.

[USSoccer]

I'm getting really aggravated with the enviroment surrounding the Bears and Grossman. Check this out:

 

But this is the kind of admission that can follow a player throughout his career, and it's not what anyone wanted to hear from Grossman, whose first full season was defined as much by his wild inconsistency as it was the team's 13-3 record.

 

 

''In this league, especially at this position, you have to bring it every single week, no matter what,'' Grossman said Wednesday. ''And the situation was I felt like I was going to play about a half, and it was the last game, it was New Year's Eve -- there were so many other factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important, and that's something that I am never going to do again.

 

''There is too much I am responsible for to not give it 100 percent during the week and just the full attention. It's another lesson.''

 

It was a disarmingly honest admission from Grossman but frightening at the same time. Lack of preparation was one of the failures that led the Bears to run off the last quarterback they drafted in the first round, Cade McNown. And while the game had as much meaning as an exhibition to both teams -- the Bears' top goal was to come out of it healthy -- it's tough to get past an athlete saying he wasn't ready.

 

and this:

 

"In this league at this position, you have to bring it every single week no matter what (and) in the situation (against the Packers) it felt like I was going to play about a half, it's the last game, New Year's Eve, and there were so many factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important," Grossman said.

 

Translation: He didn't commit the way starting quarterbacks need to commit. He believed everyone who told him and his teammates that the Packers game didn't matter.

 

It was a stunning admission for any NFL quarterback to make and one that indicted the Bears' coaching staff for allowing his mind to wander as much as it did Grossman for wandering. Grossman's honest self-assessment also will renew questions by his critics about his mental preparation, an issue about him that hadn't been broached since before the 2003 NFL draft.

 

 

So we have Cade McNown references and crticisisms of a guy who was being honest. Seriously? Would the press have felt better if Rex gave non answers at the podium? Isn't it better that he was honest about where his head was?

[UMFan83]

He's too honest. There is a script that players are supposed to follow for all situations, and he veered away from that.

[Banedon]

This is a really interesting article.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-070103haugh,1,7684027.column?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

"In this league at this position, you have to bring it every single week no matter what (and) in the situation (against the Packers) it felt like I was going to play about a half, it's the last game, New Year's Eve, and there were so many factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important," Grossman said.

 

"That is something I'm never going to do again," Grossman said of losing concentration. "There is too much I'm responsible for to not give it 100 percent and full attention the whole week."

 

So I went back and looked at Rex's bad games, which I'm being very generous in putting his "bad games" at anything with a 60 passer rating or lower. That eliminates the first Minnesota game, as he had moments in that game where he performed well.

 

Arizona - 10.2

Miami - 36.8

New England - 23.6

Minnesota - 1.3

Green Bay - 0.0

 

With the exception of New England, is it possible that Rex just wasn't "up" for those games? He took them too softly? While I hesitate to call that a good thing, it might be as far as going into the playoffs. He won't be looking over anyone in the playoffs I would hope.

 

EDIT: Sorry for re-quoting that article. I should read before posting.

[Banedon]

Oh and for the record, one of the things I really like about Rex is his honesty about his performances.

[Mark Priors Calves]

While I appreciate Rex's honesty with answering those questions, its disappointing to hear him say that he wasn't as prepared as he sounds have been.

[USSoccer]

He's too honest. There is a script that players are supposed to follow for all situations, and he veered away from that.

 

That's ridiculous, then. It puts atheletes in a no win situation. If he goes up there and gives vanilla answers, he gets ripped. He goes up there and gives honest answers, and they're comparing him to McNown.

[USSoccer]

While I appreciate Rex's honesty with answering those questions, its disappointing to hear him say that he wasn't as prepared as he sounds have been.

 

The entire team sans Benson sucked. At least Rex had the guts to stand up to the podium at a time when there is incredible pressure on him and admit the truth about his performance. The rest of the offense should stand up and admit the same thing, especially the O-line.

 

He's saying out loud what everyone knew. It's unfair to rip him for that.

[Chocolate Milk]

I don't know whether to be upset that he slacked off, or relieved that maybe the reason he sucked was because he didn't try and not because he's a terrible quarterback.

 

Really, the whole team mailed this one in.

 

I can't help but think that the way Lovie used Rex in the Lions game may have contributed to this.

[Flames24Rulz]

"In this league at this position, you have to bring it every single week no matter what (and) in the situation (against the Packers) it felt like I was going to play about a half, it's the last game, New Year's Eve, and there were so many factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important," Grossman said.

 

I'm sorry, but you're an NFL QB. Don't blame New Year's Eve for a reason why you sucked. Some of these excuses are pretty funny. He should've just said he sucked and moved on. Now everyone is going to say how he shouldn't start because, mentally, he might not be "prepared" for the playoff game.

[UMFan83]

I have no idea what to think of Grossman now. I remember hearing earlier in the year how Rex was a game tape maniac, and he spend thousands of dollars on video editing equipment so he could watch game tape in his house and how he moved like right next to Halas Hall so he could be as close as possible. Then I hear this.

 

To be honest, the entire team has motivation problems, and that reflects on the coach. They admitted that they were too cocky after almost losing in Arizona, and that shock only lasted 3 weeks as just a short time later, they got blown away by the Dolphins and I believe had the same excuse. Now all the sudden they don't have the motivation to beat the Packers, a team Lovie said was his #1 goal to beat when he was hired?

 

Lovie has definitely soured a bit on me as a coach. He's a likable guy, and he has a great system that he definitely helped set up and get the right players for. But there are other things, like his ability to adjust on the fly and his ability to motivate his players that certainly bother me. I am wondering if this has also been seen by the front office, as they have yet to bump Lovie's salary up after bringing the franchise back from the dead. I know they said that a deal was imminent, regardless of how the team plays in the playoffs, but their delay in this issue sure is interesting.

[goonys evil twin]

With the exception of New England, is it possible that Rex just wasn't "up" for those games? He took them too softly? While I hesitate to call that a good thing, it might be as far as going into the playoffs. He won't be looking over anyone in the playoffs I would hope.

.

 

I don't know if that's the case or not. But I'd like to address the criticism of Rex for being unprepared. There's a reason vegas has a mantra about betting on the team that's more desperate. It plays a role in the outcome of games. Talent is spread pretty thin across the league, meaning there isn't much difference between the good and the bad teams. There's a big difference between San Diego and Oakland, but the rest of the teams are relatively close. In this sport, when guys can be cut at any moment, people often fight for their jobs, while comfortable teams "take days off". It happens all the time. And it happens at every position.

 

There's something to be said about Rex "relaxing" for some of his bad games, as he was on a roll and the team was more or less coasting in all of those. We all remember the mood following the two NY wins, everything was great, and a loss against NE would be no big deal. We wanted 2 of 3, and got the 2 early. Likewise, people penciled in wins against Arizona and Miami on the road to 8-0. The games that people focused on were GB opening day, Minnesota in week 3, Seattle, NYG, NYJ, NE, and STL on the road. People also focused heavily on the games following setbacks. There were 4 of those (SF - blowout against a team that ended up better than most expected, NYG - started slow then blew them out on the road, MIN and STL). The home game against MIN was the only time when Rex and the team had back to back bad games. They followed that with a 15 point road victory on MNF.

 

I think immaturity and inexperience clearly plays a part with this inconsistency. You'd prefer no down games, but that's not realistic. What is realistic is expecting the down games to not be so awful.

 

Meaningless games are not good for teams. There's little they can do about it. You can't manufacture desire or urgency. Now, the desire and urgency should come natural. And this year, the Bears, and Rex, have shown they are more than capable of stepping up in games when it was urgent they play well.

[goonys evil twin]

"In this league at this position, you have to bring it every single week no matter what (and) in the situation (against the Packers) it felt like I was going to play about a half, it's the last game, New Year's Eve, and there were so many factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important," Grossman said.

 

I'm sorry, but you're an NFL QB. Don't blame New Year's Eve for a reason why you sucked. Some of these excuses are pretty funny. He should've just said he sucked and moved on. Now everyone is going to say how he shouldn't start because, mentally, he might not be "prepared" for the playoff game.

 

Well then everyone is stupid.

 

I heard him say these things. It was much more of a comment in passing than these writers are giving credit for. I knew they'd pounce on that as soon as he said it. But he was really just describing how you move on from a meaningless game. It's pretty easy to say "you're an NFL QB", but the fact is teams have letdown games, especially in meaningless games, and I can only assume the likelihood goes up further when those meaningless games are met with distractions.