Week 19: Recap .
Posted by seed @ 9:50 AM
For all the talk about Rex, he was a non-issue. Which is exactly where the Bears wanted him to be. True enough, he needs to look at more tape and work picking up the blitzers. The offensive line was sketchy in parts. That combined with Grossman’s pocket presence and you get a situation that ripe for turnovers. Rex had fumble on a play that he should have sensed the pressure. Fine. The INT was a tipped ball. All-in-all, not a bad performance. If you consider the big plays to Berrian and Davis, Rex had a pretty good day.
So with that, how many close games do the Bears have to win to silence the critics? Seriously, throughout the season every big game against a legitimate contender has resulted in a W, with the exception of the New England game. The Bears lost that game. Sure enough, they gave the Pats a run for their money.
With this divisional playoff win, the Bears have two wins against Seattle. Add to that the road victories in New York and the drubbing of the NFC North and you get a damn good season. But hey, you are only as good as the schedule that you are given. Have their been ups and down? Sure, but not any more than any other team in the league. The Pats were terrible in the middle of the season. Indy fell apart at the close of the season. The Chargers, who were crowned by every pundit in the game, got bounced early. Baltimore…ditto.
So now I am officially on the Bears bus. Chicago fans tend to share a tentative quality to their enthusiasm. As the playoffs roll around we clam-up a bit and sit on our hands during the games. As the game rolled around last week I was preparing myself for the worst.
Next Sunday, I am looking forward to seeing a dome team play at Soldier Field in January. The Bears are going to win…big.
Comments
I have to disagree on one point. Rex was not a non-issue, he was the reason they won the game. When the defense did their best Fighting Illini impression, and the run game bogged down in the second half (partly because the third quarter was Benson-less) Rex stepped up and made several key throws in the fourth and in OT. Without his performance, more than anything else, they lose the game.
Posted by: dutch | January 15, 2007 9:03 PM
This is a good discussion. My remarks regarding Grossman being a non-issue are reasoned from the following: for every positive that Rex had—the two passes to Davis, the beautiful completion to the striding Berrian, the sharp under-coverage passes that keep the ball moving, Rex had some negatives—the tipped INT wasn’t a great toss, he had a few other passes that were behind the receivers, and then there was the fumble on his own 25 yard-line which was a product of his in ability to pick up and avoid the pass rush. All-in-all, an even day. Granted, you can give added weight to the plays made at the end of the game due to the increased pressure.
It’s hard to put a great deal of blame on the defense either. They gave up some big plays on third and long situations. They also came away with a few stops to start the game that dictated the tempo and then there was the obvious snuff at the end of the game.
Clearly, it’s not the best football we've seen all year, on either side of the ball. But you know, that doesn’t necessarily matter.
BTW, did the Chargers have to forefit the pundit’s crown? Just ckecking.
Posted by: seed | January 15, 2007 11:22 PM
I still have to stick up for Rex. The INT... Mushin Muhammed is makeing a lot of money and he got BOTH hands on theat ball... same with the one slightly behind Bernard. That would have been a TD. Receivers get paid to adapt and catch passes. No QB put's every throw on the receiver, but if the ball hits you square in both your hands... you'd better catch that ball. The fumble... OK, he should've tucked, he was trying to make something happen, but one of the top defensive players in the league yanked the ball out of his hands... as much of a mistake was made by Rusty Gate John Tait... he did not have a good day and had a few jail break type plays, that being one. The first throw to Davis was questionable, but the other two or three were good enough. The run game bogged down and the D was Bad (In my opinion...). Shaun Alexander is injured and not the same guy he was last year and he was rattling off ten a run in the fourth quarter. I think it was the best game (not in a stats only fashion, but rather leadership, smart play, etc.. combined with stats) of his very young career.
I know you're not saying he stunk up the place, and I guess my comments are more of a reaction to all of the rediculous crap floating around the papers and radio after the win than a reaction to your comments... but I feel we have to give credit where it's due and I think he and Robbie get the credit.
Posted by: dutch | January 16, 2007 8:29 PM
Funny that you mention Gould. I was sitting with Bergeron early-mid season. Probably after the Cards game. I was lamenting on which jersey number I should pick up, if I were to ever purchase a piece of marketing. (I didn't, and have resisted to this day.) You could go the obvious route with Urlacher and look like every other nobody out there. You could put your money on Grossman, and risk the fate of McKnown, Miller, Harbough, Kramer, Flutie, Fuller, take a breath, Chandler, Ortin, Mirer (good gaaawd), Tomczak, Stewart…And, I cannot pull off wearing a Muhammed, Davis, Hester jersey any sooner than I can wear an NBA jersey. Period. So where does that leave me in my selection?
Robbie Gould. No shit. Bergeron said that he thought Robbie was little light in the loafers. I shrugged my shoulders and kept the cash in pocket.
Posted by: seed | January 16, 2007 9:03 PM
Great kicker... seemed to enjoy dancing with the Rockettes a bit too much.
Talking with Bergeron earlier, maybe I'll see you Sunday.
Posted by: dutch | January 16, 2007 9:24 PM
Oooh, my liver just kicked.
Posted by: seed | January 16, 2007 11:02 PM