How Bout Dem Bears?

bobby wade · 23-12-2010 2:46am

December 22, 2010
Three Bears players finish first in fan Pro Bowl voting
By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 12/22/2010 3:05 PM LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Fans voting for the NFC Pro Bowl squad have chosen Bears defensive end Julius Peppers, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester as the top players at their positions.

Peppers has been a force against the run and pass on a revitalized defense. He is tied for the team lead with eight sacks and also has two interceptions, five tackles-for-loss and three forced fumbles.

Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher lead a Bears defense that has forced 31 turnovers in 14 games this year.
Since being selected by the Carolina Panthers with the second pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Peppers leads all defensive linemen with eight interceptions and ranks third among all players with 89 sacks.

Urlacher has reverted to his Pro Bowl form after missing virtually all of last season with a dislocated wrist. He leads the Bears with 126 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 11 pass breakups and three fumble recoveries. He also has recorded 3½ sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Hester was selected NFC special teams player of the week Wednesday for his performance in Monday night’s division-clinching win over the Vikings. He set an all-time NFL record with his 14th kick return touchdown when he brought back a punt 64 yards for a score. He also had a 79-yard kickoff return to the Minnesota 6 that set up a field goal.

Hester leads the NFL in punt returns with a career-high 16.4-yard average and three TDs. He also has the top kickoff return average in the league (35.2), but his 11 returns aren’t enough to qualify.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7413

davetherave · 28-12-2010 1:43pm

So New Orleans beat Atlanta last night meaning it is still possible for the bears to get number 1 seed
07e57ec7e

What I think would need to happen is that;
The Eagles lose against the Vikes tonight and the Cowboys next week. Meaning eagles go 10-6
New Orleans has to lose to Tampa Bay (11-4)
Then we beat Greenbay (12-4) and the Falcons lose to Carolina. (12-4)

Then for the tiebreaker against Atlanta

Head-to-head, if applicable. Both are 12-4
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Both would be 9-2
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
Common Opponents were Green Bay, Seattle, Carolina And Philly.
Presuming we beat GB and they lose to Carolina we would be 4-1(W=GB,GB,CAR,PHI. L=SEA) and they would be 3-2 (W=GB,CAR,SEA. L=CAR,PHI)

//Tiebreaker is complete, nothing further necessary.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in conference games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss.

So what it really comes down to is Carolina beating Atlanta. COME ON YOU LOUSY PANTHERS

bobby wade · 29-12-2010 2:18pm

And theres the 1st round bye

spillit67 · 08-01-2011 5:57pm

Nice enjoyable bye week for the team but next week will be a serious challenge obviously. Getting the Seahawks is unlikely so it's probably the Eagles or Saints. Both will be very tough match ups and our Offensive line is still terrible it has to be said.

That said if we get through the Divisional Round I would fancy us versus the Falcons. We lost in their Dome both of the last two years, however, that was largely down to brain farts. We've largely gone from making brain farts last year to forcing turnover and reducing our mistakes this year. That's down the line though...

spillit67 · 10-01-2011 1:52am

99% of Bears fans would have bitten your arm off for a go at the Hawks over the other two options. I'm actually shocked us two are in the divisional round versus one another. Who would have thought it during that regular season game? Great to hear the players wanted the Hawks for revenge over them being a perceived weak link.

davetherave · 10-01-2011 2:10am

Yeah, out the the Hawks/Saint/Eagles I'm happiest with Seattle. Just hope they don't prove me wrong.

mikemac · 10-01-2011 2:28am

Take the Seahawks out of Qwest and they are a different team

This is a great matchup for the Bears

Spongey1975 · 10-01-2011 4:02pm

Delighted with the result on the weekend and now we welcome the Seahawks to Soldier Field. As well as Hasselback and the Hawks played on Saturday i cant see them having the same effect against a much stronger defence as the Bears.

On the other side the way Green Bay are playing i can see them beating the Falcons which could set up a Championship match to beat them all at Soldier Field.

giddyup · 10-01-2011 10:41pm

Don't forget the regular season result. Just sayin'. Bears have improved since then but Hawks fans are also happy with this draw versus a Falcons game. I was happy to write us off against the Falcons but no so much v the Bears.

The only downside is going on the piss at 5 on a Saturday would have been infinitely preferable to beers at 10am on a Sunday morning but we can't have it all.

Oat23 · 11-01-2011 3:22am

If we lose to the Hawks at home again I'll be shocked and very very disappointed for a long time. I can't see us losing this game. We lost the first game but this Bears team is completely different to the team then. If the game was @ Quest then yes I'd understand if we lost but not @ Soldier Field.

Prefab Sprouter · 12-01-2011 11:06am

Oatesy23 wrote: »

I can't see us losing this game.

The words of many a disappointed fan in the playoffs every year. I'm not for a moment suggesting that Chicago cant or wont win this game but how many times have we seen favourites fall by the wayside each season because they felt that as they were the better team during the season? Dont underestimate the Seahawks is all I'm saying. That win against the Saints will have them believing anything is possible and confidence is key in the playoffs. It will take one hell of a performance to get out of Soldier Field with a victory but it is not beyond the realms of possibility!

Pyjamarama · 12-01-2011 6:17pm

Bears should win and should win easy. It's so hard for a weak team (and the Seahawks are a weak team, 7-9 doesn't tell a lie) to play so far above their level for two games in a row.

spillit67 · 15-01-2011 2:56am

Anyone read Rick Reilly's piece on Cutler. Oozes of being pissed off because someone wouldn't give you an interview. His questions to Olsen in the press conference were a joke.

It's apparently a negative that Cutler doesn't want endorsements and hates when his charity work leaks out. Cutler clearly doesn't like the media but I've heard him on the Chi bears radio podcast with Olsen and Forte and he comes across as a jovial enough character.

He isn't perfect by any means as a person but seems to constantly garner negative press, largely in my opinion because he doesn't want to be the redemptive/rags to riches/overcoming a stereotype/low draft status story that ESPN want.

Oat23 · 15-01-2011 9:32am

spillit67 wrote: »

Anyone read Rick Reilly's piece on Cutler. Oozes of being pissed off because someone wouldn't give you an interview. His questions to Olsen in the press conference were a joke.

It's apparently a negative that Cutler doesn't want endorsements and hates when his charity work leaks out. Cutler clearly doesn't like the media but I've heard him on the Chi bears radio podcast with Olsen and Forte and he comes across as a jovial enough character.

He isn't perfect by any means as a person but seems to constantly garner negative press, largely in my opinion because he doesn't want to be the redemptive/rags to riches/overcoming a stereotype/low draft status story that ESPN want.

I heard Rick Reilly on ESPN Chicago radio on Thursday talking about the questions he asked Cutler wednesday during his press conference and I could feel the bitterness through the soundwaves. He's just upset that the Bears wouldn't give him the same access to Cutler that the Bulls gave to him when he wanted to interview Derrick Rose. What do you expect in the week leading up to his first playoff game and biggest game of his career?

The article is a pile of s**t. As Mark Silverman pointed out yesterday on ESPN Radio, there's nothing new about the news article. Reilly just bashes him for stuff that happened in his 1st/2nd year in Denver and he has no facts about Cutler in Chicago.

We all know Cutler isn't a saint but he isn't what the media portray him to be either. He just wants to keep his private life private and I don't have a problem with that.

southsiderosie · 15-01-2011 10:00am

spillit67 wrote: »

Anyone read Rick Reilly's piece on Cutler. Oozes of being pissed off because someone wouldn't give you an interview. His questions to Olsen in the press conference were a joke.

It's apparently a negative that Cutler doesn't want endorsements and hates when his charity work leaks out. Cutler clearly doesn't like the media but I've heard him on the Chi bears radio podcast with Olsen and Forte and he comes across as a jovial enough character.

He isn't perfect by any means as a person but seems to constantly garner negative press, largely in my opinion because he doesn't want to be the redemptive/rags to riches/overcoming a stereotype/low draft status story that ESPN want.

Since ESPN decided they wanted to be TMZ (Jock edition), I haven't really cared what they had to say about athletes.

I grew up in Chicago, and my family are all die-hard Bears fans. The whole "Chicago wants to love Cutler" is bull. As long as he protects the ball and doesn't screw up too much, we don't care about the QB - we want to love our surly, smash-mouth linebackers. Chicago football has always been about defense, not offense, and Chicago sports fans are quite happy to love assholes as long as they as they leave it all on the field of play.

Lirange · 15-01-2011 11:49am

Cutler's an introvert. Big Deal.

Keep in mind Reilly is a Colorado sports fan.

spillit67 · 17-01-2011 1:59am

Papa Bear GSH is watching.

Can't wait for next week.

bobby wade · 17-01-2011 10:50am

Big week coming

davetherave · 17-01-2011 1:36pm

Of all the games to lose, please don't let it be this one.
I'd happily go 2-14 next season*, if we can beat the cheeseheads on Sunday. You would never hear the end of it. Beaten by them, in Soldier Field, for the Halas trophy, after we let them in to the playoffs in week 17.

Rodgers looked mightily impressive against the falcons but we should be able to keep him in check. I don't have any statistics or explanation why, I'm just working on the theory that if I say it will happen, it will happen

*Not really

Rented Mule · 17-01-2011 3:47pm

spillit67 wrote: »

Anyone read Rick Reilly's piece on Cutler. Oozes of being pissed off......

If he's not The Most Hated Man in the NFL, he's in the running. His expression is usually that of a man wearing sandpaper underwear. He looks everywhere but into your eyes. It's a tie as to which he enjoys more -- smirking or shrugging.

Really ?

I would say that Cutler isn't in the Top 20 in the NFL. He may be/have been the most disliked player in Denver, but they are only one of thirty-two NFL teams.

Local Chicago sports radio absolutely destroyed this article when it came out. It was the work of an angry, bitter fan who needs to let go and enjoy his time with Tim Tebow.

spillit67 · 17-01-2011 4:38pm

Rented Mule wrote: »

If he's not The Most Hated Man in the NFL, he's in the running. His expression is usually that of a man wearing sandpaper underwear. He looks everywhere but into your eyes. It's a tie as to which he enjoys more -- smirking or shrugging.

Really ?

I would say that Cutler isn't in the Top 20 in the NFL. He may be/have been the most disliked player in Denver, but they are only one of thirty-two NFL teams.

Local Chicago sports radio absolutely destroyed this article when it came out. It was the work of an angry, bitter fan who needs to let go and enjoy his time with Tim Tebow.

Agree. It was pathetic stuff from a so called 'Great' writer.

So delighted we have Cutler.:)

Rented Mule · 18-01-2011 8:27pm

spillit67 wrote: »

Agree. It was pathetic stuff from a so called 'Great' writer.

So delighted we have Cutler.:)

You think of all of the players who have gone to prison for murder, rape, dog fighting, drugs, shootings etc. and he comes up with Cutler.

Truly pathetic stuff.

spillit67 · 24-01-2011 12:28am

Disappointing lads but there is always next year!

On a bright note it was great to see Urlacher play with such ferocity after that the disaster of a 1st quarter. Hall of Famer in my eyes and doing at playoff level never hurts your chances!

AwesomusMaximus · 24-01-2011 10:59am

Caleb Hanie is a legend. Cutler was ridiculous. Lovie made the change too little too late

bruschi · 24-01-2011 11:05am

why is Cutler so hated? I read the predictions on here about player to underperform, and the majority had picked Cutler, and even having a good season and getting to the championship game, a lot of those who picked him (ahead of the likes of Favre, Moss, Young etc) felt vindicated. Others in the game who hate him too, and Broncos fans also seem divided.

Now, I know it looked bad last night, and I was thinking to myself how can he not be in there, but maybe something will come out of it. to say 'the coach kinda pulled me out' too sounds bad. He has been hated before last nights game, and I dont know why? He seems a genuine sort, who doesnt moan and doesnt get up to bad stuff like a lot of players do. He doesnt engage in trash talk and doesnt appear to be an arrogant sort.

So I dont get it? Is it maybe a waste of talent? that he has the ability but doesnt seem to get the best out of himself? Or am I missing something obvious?

spillit67 · 24-01-2011 4:13pm

Bruschi here is a pretty good post from nfluk on it which I agree with 100% and have made basically the same points here;

It makes me laugh listening to everyone talking with such a wealth of knowledge and medical expertise, people do love a bit of controversy.

What exactly are people saying? That Cutler didn't want to play? That he was scared? I mean really... It is a laughable suggestion, not really even worth considering. Having watched all of our games I can quite categorically state that there have been worse days for Cutler this season in terms of taking a pounding and having a tough day. The guy has been hit more than any QB around the NFL this season and people question his toughness, it is completely ridiculous.

It also shocks me to hear to hear a guy like MJD commenting, he is a guy whom I respect. It does not shock me to hear people like Dockett and Mark Schlerath who don't have two brain cells to rub together but really none of them have any more information than the rest of us and therefore their opinion means nothing.

What this does highlight though is the fact that people do not like Cutler. That is fair enough. Personally, I think he is fine, and not because he plays for Chicago because I have disliked many Bears players as individuals in the past. However, I feel that people in the media do not like him because he gives them nothing. People in general don't like him because general sentiment tends to follow media agenda. One example is how everyone loved Marvin Harrison and thought of him as an angel simply because the media loved to tell everyone he was a quiet guy who always gave the ball back to the refs after scoring. Cutler's body language doesn't inspire people but to be honest all of that stuff means very little in real terms, provided he can play then I am happy with that.

At the end of the day if he cannot throw effectively off his front foot then the coaches had to make a decision as to whether a injured Cutler is better than 100% backup and they made the call. All of this "you'd have to drag me off the field" stuff is fine but have these players ever considered that they might not be so much better than their backups that they are actually hindering their team by staying on the field? The difference between players at the highest level is not so great as evidenced by how players perform when carrying injuries. Just look at the difference in Forte from 09 to 10 or Merriman on drugs vs off the drugs.

Another thing that amazes me is how people knock Cutler for his body language on the bench. He is always that way, why expect any different? Are people really incapable of grasping that people are different and one persons reaction might not be the same as another's? He will also have been disappointed at being taken out of the game I am sure, and if he had a sulk then that is life I am sure he is not perfect. He was helping Hanie though so I don't really see al the hype surrounding this. It was the same with Tomlinson a few years ago and we all know LT came to play week in and week out his entire career in San Diego.

All of this crap about being "clutch" or having "heart" and all of that is drivel. Where was "Matty Ice" vs the Packers? Brady wasn't exactly "clutch" vs the Jets... it's all media hyperbole. Both of those are good players who had poor games against great opposition. Cutler is good QB but frankly the Packers defence is very good and in honest opinion they are a better team than Chicago. Cutler should have made some throws he missed on, no question about it but it was nothing to do with him not having heart he simply did not play as well as we wanted him to, its really not a shock when facing a good team like Green Bay.

Interesting Matt Ryan is now 0-2 in the playoffs, both times coming off division wins but where is the media derision of his performance?

Cutler is a tough bastard who scrambles, puts his shoulder in and doesn't go down easy. The only other QB who I see who scrambles and puts his should in is Big Ben and he has far better size for it. Vick scrambles and does go into guys but not as much as Cutler imo. We got this far because of Cutler. In the last few weeks we relied on Cutler to put points up and he did, against some great defenses. In the early part of the year and the latter half his scrambling saved us from the many personnel flaws of out offense.

Also Manning and Brady, by general acclamation the best 2 of the last 10 years always look pissed/sulky when they are losing. During the Jets games both looked incredibly dejected watching the Jets moving and controlling the ball for so long. It's alright for those guys though apparently.

My real worry after all this ****e of him being a 'quitter' and 'wuss' dies down is how this will disrupt next year. If he needs surgery then we could be in trouble. We have seen what happens to some QBs after knee injuries.

spillit67 · 24-01-2011 4:21pm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jim_trotter/01/23/packers.bears/index.html?eref=sihp

Another good piece on it. Cutler has already been labeled though by the Herd so it will take a long time to get over it.

spiralism · 24-01-2011 4:30pm

This is cutler in a nutshell though, his actions divide people. This debate about "was he hurt or did he quit?" will go on forever, just like the debate on his acrimonious departure from Denver two years back

bruschi · 24-01-2011 5:12pm

yeah, itrs a strange one. like I said, I actually like the guy. I think he is a good QB who goes about his job efficiently and doesnt whine or moan, and maybe thats the media part, he doesnt do anything out of the ordinary and is 'boring' maybe. I just dont get why he would be disliked so much for it.

eagle eye · 24-01-2011 6:42pm

I have to say I was really annoyed by the suggestions that Cutler was faking it. No basis for it whatsoever.

Really felt for the Bears D last night, them guys deserve a championship.

How Bout Dem Bears?

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