Photo Essay From Bears Win Over Lions

I had a blast just being a fan at the Bears opener against the Lions.  The game was an emotional roller coaster!  I'm so glad they picked up the win.  Former Heritage Hills star Jay Cutler accounted for 394 total yards in the 19-14 victory.

These pictures were taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR camera from Row 4 of Section 250.  If anyone wants a high res of any pic send me an email.  The pictures below are a sample from the entire set.  You can view the entire set by CLICKING HERE. 

Thanks for looking.  I start with video from the final defensive play.  BEAR DOWN!

What Are The Bears Doing?

Will someone that is a lot smarter than me explain what the Bears are doing?  There are many needs, but isn’t wide receiver and offensive line the most urgent?  The one position we are stacked is tight end, and pretty solid at tailback with Forte and Bell.

So the Bears are in the hunt for Chester Taylor, sign Brandon Manumaleuna, and are reported to sign Julius Peppers.

Don’t get me wrong, I will take all three, but I hope they are also in the mix for at least 2 receivers and some line help!  Last year’s offensive line handed out one way tickets to the quarterback.

Like I said, if you have a clue what the Bears are thinking, please let me know!

Cutler Finishes Season With 4 more Touchdowns

AP Photo/Carlos OsorioIt has certainly been a rough season for the Bears.  However, at least they ended the season strong and gave us a glimpse of what could happen in 2010.

For the second game in a row, Jay Cutler threw four touchdowns in the 37-23 win at Detroit.  Cutler finished 22-36 for 276 yards and the four scores with zero interceptions.  The Bears finish the campaign with a 7-9 record.

Matt Forte rushed for 101 yards.  However, most of that real estate came from a 53 yard burst that helped setup the victory.  I don’t know what it has been all season, but Forte has looked slow all year.  I think Kahlil Bell gave us more of a spark and hit the holes harder. 

For the season, Cutler threw for 3666 yards and 27 touchdowns.  None of his wide receiving corps stepped up as a true number one.  Devin Aromashodu emerged late.  He had a great pre-season too.  It’s too bad it took so long for him to get on the field.  Devin Hester had some nice games, and showed off his soft hands, but was hurt the last part of the season.  Johnny Knox started off very strong but fizzled, and Earl Bennett is a nice complimentary receiver, but not a true number one.

The Bears are certainly strong at the tight end slot.  Greg Olsen finished with 60 catches and eight touchdowns.  Kellen Davis also had some solid games. 

The defense was just obliterated by injury.  Brian Urlacher going down in week one was a sign of things to come.  Even the backups to the backups were getting hurt.  It’s easy to make excuses about the defense, but they are all valid. 

What happens now?  I think Lovie Smith’s job is safe.  As much as I was frustrated, I don’t think you fire him.  He has been a very solid head coach.  He took us to the Super Bowl, and I don’t want to start all over. 

However, please get rid of Ron Turner.  His archaic offense drives me nuts.  He never understood how to utilize Cutler’s mobility and arm strength.  His offense is so predictable.  Who would be a good replacement at OC?  Charlie Weis is intriguing with his resume at New England.  He was garbage at Notre Dame, but he could jumpstart the Bears offense.  A loyal reader mentioned to me about Mike Martz.  I had not thought of him, but that could be a great possibility as well.  I just want someone with a 21st century offensive scheme!  Is that too much to ask?

I hope all of the national media analysts enjoyed taking their shots at Cutler all year.  I hope they got it all in, because I promise when Jay gets the ride personnel around him and a better offensive line he will lead the Bears to the top!

Bears Survive the Lime Green Pacific Northwest

It is a win.  Every win in the NFL is tough, especially on the road at the loudest stadium in the league.  However, the 2-1 Bears have a lot to get done if they want to win the very competitive NFC North.

It all starts with the offensive line.  The big guys need to improve in a hurry.  It is amazing how difficult any type of rushing yard is to come by.  A four yard run now feels like 40.  I keep waiting for Matt Forte to bust a big one.  Against the Seahawks, Chicago rushed 28 times for 85 yards.  That is only 3.0 yards per carry.  That has to change soon.

Then there is the protection issue.  Jay Cutler has so little time before the pocket collapses.  As soon as Cutler gets the snap, here come several players in those insane neon green uniforms to swarm him.  Watching the Sunday Night game between the Colts and Cardinals, I wondered how nice it must be for Peyton Manning to have so much time to throw.  Peyton is pump faking, looking off the safeties…Cutler barely has time to set his feet and throw. 

I still have major issues with Ron Turner’s play calling.  There is just so little creativity.  There is no question that the Bears were trying to re-establish the running game against Seattle.  I totally agree with that gameplan, however, it became so predictable.  The stretch running play to the outside didn’t work one time.  I would have liked to see more play action on first down.  That would give Cutler more time to throw, and it would keep the playcalling less predictable. 

Credit the defense for keeping the Seahawks out of the endzone.  Besides the miserable attempt on the 3rd and 19 screen pass for a score, the defense kept Seattle to kicking field goals.  Seneca Wallace neutralized the Bears great pass rush by escaping out of the pocket and making plays.  Chicago might have been better with the much less mobile Matt Hasselbeck.   Bottom line:  when the banged up defense needed a stop to win the game, they came through. 

Cutler played great.  His accuracy and quick throws beat the Seahawks pass rush.  He finished 21-27 for 247 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.  The first touchdown was pretty amazing.  He had no time to throw the ball.  As soon as he turned to pass, Cutler got crushed, yet still got the ball up over the defense to a wide open Greg Olsen.  If that 4th down and goal pass is incomplete, it is hard to say if the Bears win the game.

I felt pretty confident on the game-winning drive.  I just wanted a touchdown and not a field goal, which would force Seattle to go the distance.  Devin Hester made a great catch in traffic and scored from 36 yards out.  Hester had a couple of really tough catches. 

Once again, the Bears score at the end of each half.  I wish Chicago would come out in that quick-paced offense throughout the game.  Cutler thrives in those situations.

I really thought this game was going to be an easy one for the Bears.  Nope, three straight weeks of yelling at the TV.  I was at my in-laws in Kansas City.  I tried so hard to just relax and enjoy the game.  No chance, I just cannot do it.  I will be at the Lions game.  Maybe it will be easier being at Soldier Field than in front of a TV! 

BEAR DOWN!

Photos Courtesy in Order:

AP/Elaine Thompson
AP Photo/John Froschauer
Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune