ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

It took until the final week of the season for the Bears to win 2 games in a row. That's the type of season it has been. It was an exciting victory over the Saints, who happen to be another NFC team that underachieved in 2007. We got a chance to see what it would be like if Ron Turner was smart. His play calling was daring if not awe inspiring at moments. If I knew it would take a 3rd string quarterback and a journeyman running back to bring out the offensive creativity I would have been calling for Orton and Peterson months ago. As it stands, the Bears follow up the fluke that was the 2006 SuperBowl season with an pathetic effort in 08. They finished tied for LAST PLACE with the Lions in the division with a 7 and 9 record. But let us not dwell on the bad things. Let's point out some of the great things the Bears did today:

• We sent Hester on a fly pattern, FINALLY. Orton threw a great ball and hit Hester in stride for a touchdown. He is clearly special.
• Alex Brown was all over the place. Let's hope we eat some humble pie and give this guy his job back next year. He is simply GREAT.
• Orton showed some spark and life today. He threw a bullet to Mark Bradley early in the game that took me by surprise. I stand by my earlier assessment, Orton should start next year.
• We actually played spoiler, keeping the Saints out of the playoffs. That's always a good thing. Might as well ruin it for everyone else.
• Hester returned another kick for a TD. What are teams going to do next year? You have to think they stop kicking to him for real. Sean Payton, take notes.
• Robbie Gould is butter! This kid can kick indoors, outdoors, wet or dry, it doesn't matter. If you keep it under 50 yards, he's money.
• Urlacher, Peanut, and Tommie Harris are great players. They each played a decent game today with either getting a sack, or a pick. Overall, the defense was crap again (some no name running back got over 200 all purpose yards on them)

There are a ton of bad things that I'd like to see changed about this team, but I'll leave that for another post. I should have nothing but time on my hands now that the Chicago football season is officially over. Its hard to believe that we weren't good enough to make the playoffs this year. Lovie and Jerry Angelo have a lot to discuss this off season. I hope to get the conversation started this week. Stay tuned.