And The Bears Fans Say "How Ya Like Me Now?"

[ProfessorGAC]

So much for the Panthers going to the Superbowl. It would be a surprise if Jake can get out of bed this morning. Not just the 8 sacks. He was hit (count 'em) 19 times in that game. That's a beating for any quarterback, no matter how big and strong.

That defense is pretty stout, huh?
The Professor

[nickinSTL]

1. heh...should I try to feel bad for Jake?

:evilgrin:

I'm a LONG time Bears fan, and I have to say that the team's success this year has been a pleasant surprise.

When Grossman went down, I expected another bad year. Very happy to be proven wrong! :D

[ProfessorGAC]

2. You And I Were Rowing The Same Boat

I figured that would be it. But, one thing i'm REALLY happily surprised about is how well the O-Line is playing. Geez, Orton didn't even get his uniform dirty yesterday! And, i'm starting to think i could gain 4 yards behind those guys! And i'm 49 and have MS!

Pleasant surprise? You are a master of understatement nick!
The Professor

[nickinSTL]

3. "You are a master of understatement nick!"

I've been accused of that before. :evilgrin:

[kick-ass-bob]

4. Talk to me later when we actually have our running back in the game.

He rushed 4 times because he was hurting. If you have Stephen Davis in the game, the Bears don't run willy nilly around a QB who had to drop back 50 times.

If/when we meet again, don't expect the same outcome.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. OK

I guess that's why the play the games.
The Professor

[kick-ass-bob]

6. ???

You discount a team from going to the Super Bowl because of a performace without half of their offensive attack.

:thumbsdown:

If say, New England gets their RB back - would you not say they have to be at least a threat to get there? even with Indy in their Conference?

[ProfessorGAC]

7. That's Not What You Said

You said the next time the two teams meet. That's all i was replying to. We will see, if they meet again in the playoffs, whether you're right, or if yesterday is a harbinger.

That's all i meant. When i said "People were talking about the Panthers. . ." it was twofold though.

First, the Bears were underdogs on their own field. People kept saying "they haven't played anybody yet". Well, now they have. The Panthers are a good team and they got stuffed yesterday. As to discounting them from the Superbowl, absolutely. If they play like that against a good defense, they've got no chance. Nobody would have a chance if they let themselves get that fully dominated.

And while we're at it, no. New England is no longer a threat to win the Superbowl this year. They already have no hope for home field advantage, and that's a big plus for them. And, the defense is too thin at key positions. So, Corey Dillon returning to health won't be enough for them.

The point of my original post was that folks can no longer use the "they haven't played anybody" excuse anymore. If they do, they must not think much of the Panthers.
The Professor

[dad]

8. ...

First of all, to the guy talking about Stephen Davis, I don't think so. Dude has averaged 3.0 YPC this season. He doesn't have it any moer. He scores the 1 yard TDs, then gets 1 yd on most of his other carries as well.

What happened here is that, every 4-5 games, Jake DelHomme has a game where he just completely shits the bed. Such was the case this weekend. That's just the way he is. Hopefully he won't have one of those games in the playoffs, and we'll be all right.

The Bears have a Super Bowl quality defense, but in case you have not noticed, Kyle Orton pretty well sucks. Sometimes their defense and a self-destructing DelHomme can cover up that fact, but there will be games when they need a QB.

[chknltl]

9. Da Bears did it again this week too...

Impresive team ya got there Professor... I wonder how they will do against the Seahawks, up here in Seattle in the play-offs?
This is one game I look forward to.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Well, It's Fun For Now

The defense is great and the offense is designed to not screw up. But, i don't think that's a good formula for the playoffs. Since nearly every team in the playoffs has at least a good defense, the teams with offenses that can score against just about any "D" will win. I'm quite sure the Bears don't have that offense.

Seattle's defense is good enough that unless the Bears take it up a notch offensively, i would expect my boys to lose a low scoring game.
The Professor

[nickinSTL]

11. 8-3!

:woohoo:

I don't expect we'll last long in the playoffs, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts! :party:

(of course, they keep surprising me, so...who knows? :shrug:)

[ProfessorGAC]

12. What's A Bear Fan Doing In StL?

The Professor

[nickinSTL]

13. I grew up in northern Illinois, but got a job in St. Louis

So, I moved where there was pay. :shrug:

Which leaves me stuck amongst Rams fans...

[ProfessorGAC]

14. Bummer!

Me, i'm in southern Will County. The southern fringes of Chicagoland.
The Professor

[nickinSTL]

15. 9-3!

Bears over the Pack!

:party:

[bearfan454]

16. Oh HELL YES ! nt

[kick-ass-bob]

17. Does this Bears team remind you of the one they had a couple

years back? Note, I haven't watched them, but from all the stories that I see, they seem to be scoring quite a few defensive TD's, just like that team.

Yes? No?

How did they fare in the playoffs then? Disclaimer: I really don't remember -- in case they lost in the 1st round or something, I'm not trying to draw conclusions from that year.

[trotsky]

18. They got a first-round bye that year,

then Donovan McNabb and the Eagles came to the Windy City and kicked 'em around. Like that year's team, the 2005 Bears have no discernible offense either. They are tough, and (as much as I hate to admit it, being a Vikings fan) will probably win the NFC North, but I really don't see them getting out of the first round of the playoffs.

[bearfan454]

19. You could be correct on the first round

but I hope not.

[trotsky]

20. It comes down to Orton.

In the playoffs, he might have to win a game for you. Can he do it?

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Dunno!

It seems to me he's regressed a bit. He looked sharper and more composed 6 weeks ago than now. I wonder if the magnitude of what's happening is sinking in. Or, are the coaches just over-tightening the reins. He's missing some easy throws that he made with ease earlier. So, i really don't know.

If he can get his composure back, i think he can do it. And to be honest, he's faced some tough defenses in 4 of the last 5 weeks. So, maybe the speed of the game with really good defenses has him out of synch. I hope he gets it back.
The Professor

[Baclava]

22. New Bears Wallpaper

[gpandas]

23. how i like ya...

after the bus put tread marks on your defense, 85 bears my ass. go steelers.

[nickinSTL]

24. 10-4...

Beat the Falcons with Vick playing...

:woohoo:

Do they maybe have a passing game, with Grossman back in?

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Glad You Brought That Up

Since i live only 16 miles from where the Bears have their summer camp, i went down there 3 times this summer. (Take vacation day. Go play golf! Go to Bears camp. Go back play more golf. Go home to my wife and beasties. It's a good day!)

What i saw all three times was: 1) Grossman has more zip on the outs and slants. 2) Grossman has better touch on the fade. 3) Grossman throws to spots not to receivers. 4) Grossman has a far quicker release.

When i left after the third time, i had a really good feeling about the Bears' offense. That was, of course, until Rex broke his ankle. The receivers trust him more. He sees the field better, and he's more accurate, with more pop.

If he had been playing the whole time, i think the Bears would have been better, although i still didn't predict 10 wins, or more. Of course, i didn't know exactly how fast the defense would be. That's a lot harder to see in three practices.
The Professor