Why the Chicago Bears Successful 2010 Season Was a Fluke
The Chicago Bears have weapons. Weapons on both sides of the ball.
As we saw last year, the Bears have a good defense. They didn't allow more than twenty points until Week 12; and they won that game.
Julius Peppers' great pressure definitely helped the Bears, and while he isn't what he used to be, Brian Urlacher can still deliver hard hits. Charles Tillman is a solid cornerback.
On the offensive side of the ball, you have Jay Cutler, a guy who is mobile and can make just about any throw. You have two new additions in Marion Barber (running back) and Roy Williams (wide receiver).
But can the Bears really put that together, plus a terrible offensive line, a mediocre receiving core (Roy Williams doesn't help much), and a running back core without explosiveness (the offensive line)?
Last year, they pieced it together. Cutler had some good options in Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, and Greg Olsen, and they got open for him.
But can this offensive line give Cutler enough time to make a throw? It only happened once Monday night, as the Bears lost to the Giants 41-13. The defense was nothing like they expected.
Last year, in the NFC Championship game, the Bears cornerbacks and safeties held Aaron Rodgers. He threw zero touchdowns and two interceptions, but the Packers prevailed.
They still have Daniel Manning, Major Wright, Charles Tillman, and all the corners and safeties, but is it enough. The Bears looked completely tired on defense, letting Eli Manning drop 13 points on them and David Carr throw two touchdowns.
David Carr. Seriously.
Caleb Hanie only got the Bears seven points, but he drove them to the red zone twice, and his only interception was on a red zone pass, a great catch.
In the NFC Championship, Cutler left with a 14-0 Packer lead. Caleb Hanie came in, led the Bears to two touchdowns, and almost led them to another one. The Packers defense stood, however, and the game was won by Green Bay.
So far, Hanie has looked better than Cutler. Hanie led the Bears to their only touchdown in Chicago's 10-3 win over Buffalo. And he led them to the red zone twice and one point more than Cutler on Monday.
Sure, Hanie would have to get used to a lot. He'd have to deal with three running backs who can find holes (if they ever get them) but aren't fast, a receiving core that can't get open super-easily, and, most importantly, the offensive line.
The Bears pieced it together well in 2010, but it didn't end well. The defense looks sloppy. The offensive line is plain bad. Jay Cutler isn't performing.
For Week 15, 16, or 17, don't be surprised if the ball goes to the hands of Caleb Hanie; and he takes the job from Cutler.
As we saw last year, the Bears have a good defense. They didn't allow more than twenty points until Week 12; and they won that game.
Julius Peppers' great pressure definitely helped the Bears, and while he isn't what he used to be, Brian Urlacher can still deliver hard hits. Charles Tillman is a solid cornerback.
On the offensive side of the ball, you have Jay Cutler, a guy who is mobile and can make just about any throw. You have two new additions in Marion Barber (running back) and Roy Williams (wide receiver).
But can the Bears really put that together, plus a terrible offensive line, a mediocre receiving core (Roy Williams doesn't help much), and a running back core without explosiveness (the offensive line)?
Last year, they pieced it together. Cutler had some good options in Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, and Greg Olsen, and they got open for him.
But can this offensive line give Cutler enough time to make a throw? It only happened once Monday night, as the Bears lost to the Giants 41-13. The defense was nothing like they expected.
Last year, in the NFC Championship game, the Bears cornerbacks and safeties held Aaron Rodgers. He threw zero touchdowns and two interceptions, but the Packers prevailed.
They still have Daniel Manning, Major Wright, Charles Tillman, and all the corners and safeties, but is it enough. The Bears looked completely tired on defense, letting Eli Manning drop 13 points on them and David Carr throw two touchdowns.
David Carr. Seriously.
Caleb Hanie only got the Bears seven points, but he drove them to the red zone twice, and his only interception was on a red zone pass, a great catch.
In the NFC Championship, Cutler left with a 14-0 Packer lead. Caleb Hanie came in, led the Bears to two touchdowns, and almost led them to another one. The Packers defense stood, however, and the game was won by Green Bay.
So far, Hanie has looked better than Cutler. Hanie led the Bears to their only touchdown in Chicago's 10-3 win over Buffalo. And he led them to the red zone twice and one point more than Cutler on Monday.
Sure, Hanie would have to get used to a lot. He'd have to deal with three running backs who can find holes (if they ever get them) but aren't fast, a receiving core that can't get open super-easily, and, most importantly, the offensive line.
The Bears pieced it together well in 2010, but it didn't end well. The defense looks sloppy. The offensive line is plain bad. Jay Cutler isn't performing.
For Week 15, 16, or 17, don't be surprised if the ball goes to the hands of Caleb Hanie; and he takes the job from Cutler.
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