Some thoughts on last Sundays game, before I forget them all…

• The best the offense looked in years was on the first drive, when the Bears went with the no-huddle.  Why did we then not see this the rest of the game?
• Grossman said during an interview that he likes the no-huddle, that it’s a chance to just get out there and play.  Given that a lot of times, Grossman’s problems seems to be more mental (thinking too much) instead of just playing, why wouldn’t we just play with the no-huddle all game long?
• For a second, given that first drive, I thought Ron Turner had finally gotten a clue.  Then the rest of the game happened, and I realized that was just a mirage.  The day Ron Turner is no longer in charge of this offense is a day that can’t get here soon enough.  Not that the Bears have shown any aptitude for hiring a GOOD offensive coordinator.
• I don’t know if Adrian Peterson is better than Benson, but I do know I don’t worry quite as much with him in there.
• Hester - I love you and all, but you gotta catch that ball, dude.
• Berrian - nice long catch, but you alligator-armed two others.  Those three plays could have made this a completely different game.
• Grossman may have been the best player in the game on Sunday.
• The defense, while seemingly performing better, still stunk up the joint once they had to start making plays.
• The one person who did play well on defense, and really has had a good season all things considered, is Tillman.  Peanut had a great interception in the end-zone that looked like it would save the day.  Too bad the rest of the defense has been horrible this year.
• And yes, that include Briggs.   Not that he’s been awful, but he hasn’t played anywhere near his level last year.  A lot of that blame certainly can be spread on the rest of the defense not playning as well either, but he just hasn’t looked as good this year.  At least Urlacher has his arthritic back.
• Special teams - not a lot to mention about them.  Overall, they did their job fairly well.  However…
• I realize it was windy, but Maynard just didn’t seem to have a great day punting the ball.
• Finally, this loss will hopefully signal the end of any hopes the Bears will make the playoffs (not that they really should have had any before).  While I’ve seen enough of Grossman to be OK w/ a short term, incentive laden contract for next season, I’d also like to see Orton get in the mix w/ the starting unit to see how much he has improved since his last stint as starting QB.  And start boning up on this years draft class, because you guys need a LOT of help.

Go Bears!  Lose out!  Get a top-10 draft pick!!!

So here I am, in a suburb of Milwaukee, getting ready to go across the street to watch the game at a bar, since I don’t get to go in person.  Stupid business trips.  I’m missing out on car flag night.  At least the wife will get one for me (I hope).  Anyway, a few thoughts on the game less than an hour before kickoff

• While reading through some old papers I missed while I was on vacation, and busy catching up from being on vacation.  Rumor has it that our former defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, called Grossman a ‘mental midget.’  If this is true, I just lost a whole lot of respect for the man.  Regardless of if it’s true or not, that’s just not something you say about a former player.  It shows a strong lack of class.  If he’s upset w/ the Bears and the way things after last season, that’s one thing.  But take it out on ownership or even the coaching staff.  Saying that about a former teammate is just plan wrong.  Again, assuming he said it (and he denies it).
• I think I’ve finally figured out the problem with Rex.  He can’t shake off the bad plays like he should.   I think he has a lot of talent, and I think he played very well the first half of last week.  But it seems that, once that first little thing goes wrong, things really go downhill after that.  He doesn’t consistantly shake it off and play the way his talent allows.  When he’s on, he has all the confidence in the world and just pours it on.  When it’s off, he’s terrible.
• So what to expect this week?  Who knows.  I think it’ll depend on if Benson can run with some effectiveness again this week, and if the offensive line decides they want to start blocking people again.  You know the Bears will get blitzed.  A lot.  For the rest of the season.  If they can pick up a few blitzes, successfully run a few screens or draws, the offense might do OK.
• The defense will be fine.  So will special teams.
• However, I’m just not sold on this offensive line.  I don’t think - based on what I’ve seen so far - that they’ll be able to open the holes for Benson, and protect Grossman enough for him to get going.  The Bears defense will play better overall, but be put into too many bad situations, and I think that’ll mean a loss.
• Oh, and based on what I saw Green Bay do against the Chargers today - I think they’re the best team in the NFC Central, as much as it pains me to say so.  I don’t think their defense is anywhere near as good as the Bears, and and I don’t think the offense overall is that much better.  But their offensive line is giving Farve all day to throw the ball, and that’s the difference right now.
• Final score: Cowboys 24, Bears 10

It’s happening.  Finally.  The Bears are here. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for this since the end of January.  Welcome back, football season.

They’re playing the Houston Texans tonight in their first exhibition game. With all the drama these guys have witnessed in the offseason,  I know that the fans just want to see them get out on the field and DOMINATE.  And with all the changes made, there’s a lot to be proven.

First, Grossman has to prove that he an be a consistent starting quarterback in his second full season, and Devin Hester, once the best returner in the league (in my humble opinion) has to prove that he can be just as great as a receiver.  I’m excited to see how both of them have changed, and improved, for this new season.  Cedric Benson has to make sure that he can stay healthy enough to run that ball as well as we all know he can, and I’m sure that this season, he will be able to turn it on.

Tonight, we’re at the Texans, a team who’s coach has received a lot of praise for his team’s work throughout training camp, especially with his new quarterback, one-time backup Matt Schaub.  He and the new, tight offense is ready for the season (so they say) but they have to first be tested against the best defense in the NFL.  I believe this will be one knocked down in the win column for the Bears, and I am trusting that will set the stage for them this season.