RUSS LOEDE AND ERIC COOK RECAP THE FINAL GAME OF ‘08 AND THE SEASON

Russ Loede:

Bears drop ball and 10-0 1st quarter lead while golden opportunity slips away as defense sputters

The 2008 version of the Chicago Bears could be summed up in just three words: “Oh So Close”

Or as many as four: “Just A Play Away:

Top 10 Reasons Bears Missed Playoffs

Close But No Cigar: You couldn’t say they didn’t have enough chances or the opportunity.  The stage was set and the imaginary red carpet was laid out perfectly for the Bears on Sunday.  You could say the Bears were one of the best 45-minute teams in the NFL.  But where does that get you?  A trip home, not to Minnesota. The 4th Quarter was their enemy, not the Packers or Vikings, their arch-rival was the final 15 minutes.

The Bears had to win Sunday if they wanted to prolong their worthwhile never-ending journey (seemed like), thus an opportunity to earn a postseason berth.  A Vikings loss with a Bears win meant a division crown, Bears and Vikings victories meant the Buccaneers and Cowboys had to lose for the Bears to advance to January.  Yet, with much at steak, the unpredictable squad couldn’t hold up their end of the deal, which could’ve been considered a bargain and a late gift-wrapped Christmas present, as not only did Tampa fall to Oakland, but Dallas also lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Bears defense once again was their “Achilles Heel” (especially the pass defense), as they gave up 455 total yards to the Houston Texans en route to its 31-24 defeat.  While expectations were perceived as little to none coming into 2008, the Bears not only surprised more than they were supposed to as a team picked by plenty of so-called experts to finish dead last in the NFC North, but they finished out the year providing mass excitment to the fans during a wild and wacky Playoff ride which was well-worth the entertainment,warranting and deserving applause or better yet, a round of applause or an “Encore”?

Season Review, Thoughts, Outlook: Despite it’s fair share of heartbreaking finishes resulting in crushing losses, the team surprised more than I expected, as they were in prime position within a win of participating in the early stages of 2009 with a shooter’s chance to play for Vince Lombardi’s Trophy.  It all started back in the hot, humid summer days of Training Camp, during which we experienced much to many chagrin selfish, disgruntled player holdouts, then out came a rallying cry of “Tampa”, and while the mission to Super Bowl XLIII fell short, Bears fans can still be proud of it’s team’s future and hopes for 2009.

Whether you call this season a disappointment because the team did not make the Playoffs, or like me, call it an accomplishment being over .500, I believe 2008 was a year where the Bears overachieved, made strides, and made football fun with it’s ”Never Die” attitude and down-to-the-wire play!  I don’t know if the measurement of success of 2008 can be attributed,properly associated, or compared to/with 2007’s major letdown culminating from 2006’s Super Bowl meltdown or just its low, pre-season expecations.  It was a year of up and downs and many things all-around.  The offense came alive and then back down to earth in the 2nd half in many alike contests, while the defense at times looked its part and seemed to do its job, only to crumble during the final stages of the same game in which the offense helped set them up.

From Week 2’s heartbreaker at Carolina where the lead was 17-3 midway into the 3rd Quarter, to Week 3’s disgusting OT loss where the lead was 24-14 midway in the 4th quarter.  Or whether it was Greg Olsen’s fault with two lost fumbles, Rashied Davis’ dropped pass, Charles Tillman’s costly and disputed late-flagged penalty, or just the defense wearing down and its pass rush non-existence – the blame could be directed in a variety of different places, depending on your perspective.  Another NFC South loss against Atlanta proved to be the most difficult to deal with, as the Bears looked flat, then came back to take a lead 20-19 on a clutch TD pass from Orton to former goat Davis, yet with with limited time the team did the unthinkable outdoing the two other collapses, giving up a last-second to Jason Elam FG to lose 22-20.

Why did the Bears fall short of the Playoffs?  Was it the momentum-shifting, game-altering, season-halting goal-line stand in Minnesota Week 13?  The Bernard Berrian 99-yard hook-up with Gus Frerotte the ensuing play?  Maybe go back to Lambeau where the team got slaughtered 37-3.  Or Kyle Orton’s absence, where Rex Grossman had to start in place against Tennessee.  How about the Detroit win – a near-collapse?  Or just this Sunday?  Maybe it was not meant to be:  Think about the OL and it’s struggles without 1st round pick Chris Williams, who did not see his live NFL action until November.  How about the WR’s – dropping passes galore?  Or the aging core leaders and the of course everyone’s favorite - the Coaching Staff.  Or let’s just place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the defense andit’s rise and mighty fall.  How about just a lack of talent or depth?

However, I for one, look at the Bears season at take more of a glance at its highlights not its lowlights, blemishes, and blunders – though it’s hard not to look solely upon them.  How about Week 1’s impressive, out-of-nowhere triumph over Indy 29-13.  Matt Forte’s coming out party was a thing to watch.  Week 4’s goal-line stand in preserving a win over Philly was another moment to look back on and smile.  Or the following week where the team annihilated Detroit 34-7, a game in which I attended.  The shootout 48-41 over Minnesota was a Classic, an all-out high-scoring affair.  The two consecutive overtime wins with the sseason on-the-line over New Orleans and Green Bay in come-from-behind fashion, capping off victories with the “Drama Ender” or the NFL’s highest paid kicker A.K.A. Robbie Gould.  Ice water must’ve been in his veins to kick both of those pressure-packed kicks through the uprights.

I don’t know how you will remember this season – but I do hope you intake and revisit 2008 with a balanced mix with both the good and bad – and well, the good outweighed the bad as they finished with 9 wins opposed to 7 losses.   The goal is always the to win the Super Bowl, or at least win the division, or get in the Playoffs – but this year might be the exception, as I was thoroughly pleased with how the season turned out.  Despite not making it to the Big Dance – I will remember the ‘08 Bears by 3 words:  “More With Less”

Eric Cook:

Week 17 Recap: The Chicago Bears started hot scoring on their first possession with a 10-play 80-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard Kyle Orton touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd.  The following possession a Steve Slaton fumble gave the Bears the ball on the Houston 38-yard line, and the Bears cashed in on a 38- yard Robbie Gould field goal to go up 10-0.

The Texans begin to heat up in the second quarter as a blown coverage leaves Andre Johnson wide open for a 43-yard touchdown pass from Matt Shaub.  The Texans score on the next possession with an 8-play 38- yard drive ending in another Andre Johnson touchdown reception.   The Bears went into halftime down 14-10.  The Bears offense opened the second half with a three and out, and the defense opened up by giving up a 9-play 72-yard touchdown drive.  I wonder what the coaches said to the team in the locker room to produce those kind of results.  The Bears managed another touchdown to draw within 4 points (21-17) in the third quarter, but that was short lived as the Texans added a 22-yard Kris Brown field goal to end the third quarter.

The Bears opened up the fourth quarter with a Brad Maynard punt and the defense gave up an 11-play 89-yard touchdown drive which put the Texans up 31-17, and took 6:11 seconds off the clock.  The Bears got the Ball back with 3:24 and drove 72 yards for a touchdown, but then a onside kick try by Robbie Gould looked as if he was ready for the showers and a vacation, it never had a chance, and with 3 timeouts left the Bears defense could not stop the Texans from gaining a first down, unable to stop the clock, the Bears season ran out along with the game clock.

The Texans finished the Game with 455 total yards Matt Schaub went 27-36 for 328 yards and two touchdowns, Andre Johnson led all receivers with 10 Receptions for 148 yards.  Steve Slaton had 20 carries for 92 yards and the Texans rushed for 127 total yards.

The Bears finished with 294 total yards, Kyle Orton was 22-37 for 244 yards and two touchdowns.  Matt Forte had 13 carries for 50 yards as the Bears rushed for 69 total yards.  Devin Hester had 6 Receptions for 85 yards to lead all Bears receivers.

In the end it was a fitting finish for a Bears team that was really unable to put a consistent product on the field all year, the biggest disappointment was the Bears defense, with all of the salary cap money and draft picks wrapped up on that side of the ball to have them fall to 21st overall is unthinkable.  I lay this squarely on the shoulders of Bob Babich and Lovie Smith.  I once heard that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  The Coaching staff did this all year with their defensive scheme and were burnt time and time again in the passing game, the Bears defense ranked 30th overall against the pass in 2008.  Somehow they ranked 5th against the run, but that is probably because teams would rather pass than run against them.

Admittedly, any Bears fan wanted to see their team win on Sunday, but most of us probably were afraid to see this team face ANY team in the play-offs.  The defense has underperformed all year, the Offense has disappeared for games at a time.  I truly believe the defensive scheme the Bears are running is to blame for the demise of this defense.  I also believe that Urlacher’s back stiffness doesn’t allow him to perform in pass coverage the way this scheme needs him to (like superman), which he was able to do in the past but not anymore.

The Bears finish the season 9-7 and the Texans rise to 8-8.  The Bears have a lot of question marks going into next season, with needs on offense and not the least of which is how to and who should return this once proud defense back to glory.

Hopefully we won’t be hearing in the off-season “BOB BABICH IS OUR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR”.