My good friend and rabid Green Bay Packers fan John Rehor (twitter jrehor) wrote this piece on the Chicago Bears (here). I’m concerned we’re not too far off-base on our feelings on the Bears.
The Bears have quietly moved their record to 5-3 going into this Sunday’s huge game against the Detroit Lions. As the nation witnessed last Monday night, Jay Cutler’s an amazing quarterback, the offensive line is playing like one of the best units in football and the defense will pursuit like tigers on the hunt. I’ll take the Bears special teams unit over any other group in football.
Let’s stick with the offense for a second. Cutler played like a surgeon just slicing and dicing the secondary of the Dream Team Eagles. Even with Forte fumbling twice and costing the Bears 14 points, the offense picked up Forte. That’s the sign of a team in control. Instead of letting the sky fall, stay in control and make your move. I cannot stress the work of offensive line coach Mike Tice with this offensive line. In the last four games, Cutler is getting time and holes are opening for the running game. Remember when the football world didn’t think Cutler would last the season? Considering that he’s not blessed with a great core of receivers (although Earl Bennett looked like a Pro Bowler on Monday), his throws are a thing of beauty. Screw the whole mechanics crap, Brett Favre wasn’t a mechanical marvel. Would you take some of his numbers? Cutler’s arm strength and mobility make him a real threat to hit home runs with the speedier guys and squeeze throws in to tight spaces. Those that doubt Cutler are football ignorant and should find another sport to follow.
Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs put on a linebacking clinic on Monday. Those that love the flashier guys with long blonde hair in Verizon commercials should watch Briggs run down Michael Vick. When Goldilocks can do that, please let me know. Urlacher continues to amaze. He’s older and yet shows little decline. I’ll argue he’s even better. I’ve been a critic of Julius Peppers and that has changed. This guys showed some real balls playing at a high level on an injured knee. Also under the radar are the Bears cornerbacks. Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings are great. How about calling these two the dream tandem? If there’s a group playing and better if you throw DJ Moore in the mix I’d like to know. It’s BS Tillman has never gotten the credit of other corners in the league. The safeties are still a concern, but they played below average last Monday night.
I’ll close with the Bears special teams. Devin Hester rightfully so steals all the headlines. But what about Corey Graham? He’s a beast in coverage. If there’s been a better Bear on special teams in my lifetime, I’d like to know. Robbie Gould is automatic and Adam Podlesh is steady like carrot cake. This unit is a game changer. Many teams seem to ignore how good this unit plays. That’s fine by me and every other Bears fan I’m sure.
So here’s the question? Are the 2011 Bears pulling a 2010 Packers? Can this team sneak into the playoffs and shock the world? There’s a lot going for the Bears right now and the Packers have holes on defense and special teams. Until the Packers are uncrowned, they’ll be the best team in football. But the Bears are on the prowl and cheese may be in the diet.
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