One and Done, again
The Bears ended their season today by losing to the Carolina Panthers by a score of 29-21. What an unsatisfying finish to a fun year. I had pretty good seats for the game, and thanks to some gracious hosts, the tailgating beforehand was top notch. Too bad the Bears defense decided to take a crap on my day. You go through a whole season, win 11 games, the division, a first round bye...and it's all over in a little over three chilly hours. It just feels so...empty. Let's take a look at how it all shook out.
The defense was terrible. Steve Smith shredded the Bears all friggin day. He's a great player, but come on. 12 catches for 218 yards? Mr. Tillman, I'd like to introduce you to number 89. You know, the guy who's heels you've been chasing all day? Why not try covering him. The Bears chances at victory would be much greater if you did. I gotta say, Peanut wasn't alone in sucking today. The defensive line hardly laid a finger on quarterback Jake Delhomme, save for one measly sack. Next time you shoot your mouth off, Adewale, please back up your words with a big game. Then maybe you'll get some of that respect that you covet so much.
Other than Brian Urlacher's sweet interception, the defense was atrocious. Mike Brown limped off the field at half time, and the frequency of his injuries is starting to concern me. And what was Chris Thompson doing in the game? Let me rephrase. What the hell was a rookie with about 25 NFL plays under his belt doing in a playoff game, providing single coverage on the best receiver in football? I don't think Tillman and Vasher were hurt. Did they pull a Thurman Thomas and misplace their helmets or something?
The one thing the defense did today was prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they are not an all-time elite defense. They are a very good defense, but they aren't in the same category as the '85 Bears or 2000 Ravens. They're just another good D that couldn't finish the job. I look forward to seeing some improvement next season.
Which brings me to the offense. If you had told me before the game that Rex Grossman would lead the Bears on three 80-yard touchdown drives, and that he'd only have one interception, I'd have thought that the Bears would win in a laugher. I can't find any fault in the offense, really. They started out pretty shaky, and the pass-first play-calling was certainly questionable. But the bottom line is they put 21 points on the board, and they shouldn't be held accountable for this loss.
There isn't much to talk about on special teams, other than a few really lousy Brad Maynard punts. What happened to that guy? Our 2004 MVP.
As for coaching, my biggest complaint is the seeming abandonment of their bread and butter, the running game. They were only down 7-0, and they came out slinging. Not smart. Luckily Grossman got hot in the second half, or this problem would be under the microscope right now. I would have liked to have seen a few more blitzes, too, but with the blitz success rate (a sterling zero percent), I can understand why they didn't do it more. (I guess Chico's not going to get that job in St. Louis after all.)
And so ends the 2005 season. If there is a bright side, at least they made a game of it. They had a chance to tie in the final minutes but came up just short. Urlacher was right when he said “We're not the Giants.” Nope. The Bears offense actually put some points on the board. Can't say much about the defense, though. They were worse than the Giants.
Wanna feel better? Think how Indianapolis fans feel right now. A 13-0 start, followed by all the undefeated talk, followed by a first-game exit like the Bears? Sucks to be them.
Now that the Bears are done, I don't know who to root for next week. Today's game left a sour taste in my mouth, and I'm just not in the mood for football. A Seattle-Carolina NFC Championship game? Pittsburgh-Denver? Bleh.
Pitchers and catchers report in three weeks. Can't wait.