It should come as no surprise that I am one happy camper today after the Bears tore apart the Lions in Chicago yesterday. Watching the Bears explode on offense, with a passing game, just makes me giddy. The Bears haven’t beaten the best teams in the league, but they are putting up some impressive offensive numbers, which is what they have to do if they want to compete with the other contenders. Chicago has had a 40+ yard touchdown pass in each of the first two games this season. These aren’t just ten yard slants that the receiver breaks into a huge gain either. These are full-fledged bombs that require some accuracy, touch, and skill that has been sorely missed in recent seasons. To me, this is the biggest thing to be excited about. The Bears have taken some shots downfield in past seasons, but most of the time, the ball was overthrown, under-thrown, thrown to the wrong spot, or thrown into massive coverage. The biggest change I’m seeing this year is that the receivers are beating their coverage, and the ball is getting thrown where it needs to be. It doesn’t matter how bad your competition is; if you aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities you have, you’re not going to win many games. It looks like opponents will need to worry about more than just the run when the play the Bears now.
Here are some quick thoughts about the Bears:
- After two games, the Bears have scored 60 points, and given up only 7.
- Rex Grossman’s stat line from yesterday: 20/27 for 289 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. That equates to a QB rating of 148.
- This is almost too good to be true. I hope the Bears have vaccinated themselves against the injury bug this season.
- I saw a stat that Cade McNown threw four touchdown passes against the Lions in 1999. That took me by surprise, as I don’t have any positive memories from the McNown days.
- I’ll be at the Metrodome this Sunday for the Bears/Vikings game. It’s looking like it’s going to be a great game.
- No shutout…no bear claws, but the offer stands for all games this season.
5 comments:
Bears route Lions? Shouldn't their bus driver know the way?
Highlights from Cade McNown's time in Chicago include the aforementioned Detroit game, and a good game in a loss at Minnesota, and a 2-0 record VS the Pack (although he got injured in the first one, the "Walter Payton" game, and it was mostly played by Jim Miller.) He wasn't completely without potential, until attitude problems led to conflicts with the team, which led to him packing it in totally.
Have fun at the game. I'm not too worried about this one, which worries me.
*Thanks for keeping me on my toes Dan.
I know you were one of the few McNown supporters Dan, so I was hoping you would jog my memory with a few other positives of the era. Thank you.
I just think Cade's problems included some he brought on himself, and some that he didn't. Jauron was obviously giving him favorable treatment, but refused to say it was favorable treatment. I'm pretty sure, though, that Cade never went into the coach's office and demanded favorable treatment. But, it really seemed to build up resentment against him from the team, and from the fans. Some successes weren't recognized, some failures occurred, it snowballed and he packed it in. Sure, maybe some guys would rise above, or something, but I really don't know what it's like to have an entire city hate me, so I don't feel fit to judge. He got a lot of money and dated multiple playmates, and the Bears aren't suffering any lasting effects, so comme ci comme ca, I guess.
Chicago sports fans can be really harsh, there's no denying that. Just look at a few weeks ago when they were booing Grossman during the preseason. I definitely don't want Grossman to go the way of McNown, but I also wouldn't be surprised if things go south at some point for Grossman, that the fans turn on him. It takes thick skin to play in Chicago. (And even thicker in NY from what I read.)
Didn't you essentially say "so so so, I guess" at the end of your last post?
It's "so so-so, I guess," but not literally.
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