At Least We Don't Live In Minnesota

We didn't learn much about Da Bears collectively on Sunday Night Football.

They are a mediocre team near the top of the NFL blob, but well below the cream of the class (thank you, Dan Hampton). Da Bears beat a bad Vikings team 39-10, at home, against a QB who seemed to have a birthday with every Minnesota possession. But they did what they had to do, they beat a bad team convincingly.

QB Jay Cutler has been very critical of the offensive game plan in recent weeks and took a handful of shots, subtle as they were, but shots nonetheless, at Mike Martz' game planning. He was even caught with an in-game play calling disagreement with his now infamous "Tell Martz [BLEEP] him," as he broke from the huddle on a 3rd and 7. However, after the game Sunday night, he was praising the game plan which involved getting the ball out of his hands quicker, max protections, and chip-blocks from running-backs and tight-ends.

When he's upright and not busy making Cutler-shaped indents in the turf, Jay is an outstanding quarterback. He started picking apart the Minnesota Cover 3 early with the Hi-Lo crossing routes because he had time. The 48 yard touchdown pass to Hester on their third play from scrimmage was more like an afterthought. The deep post route was just supposed to draw the cornerback and safety up-field to clear a space for a shorter route, but since Cutler had time he was able to connect with Hester, even with the safety playing deep! Field position between the forties is a place to take a shot down-field and I'm sure that was in the back of Cutler's mind as he walked to the line. Good time = good Cutler.

Da Bears got a lot of help early from the Vikings with dropped passes, a failed run game with a premier running back, shanked punts, a fair catch at thier own five and pooched kickoffs. All in the first quarter. All bad. It makes you wish they could play the Vikings at Soldier Field every week.

The O-line took care of business all game though. It was the fifth lineup in six games. Frank "Revolving Door" Omiyale got the hook and Lance Louis slid in at right tackle next to Chris Spencer and his broken hand. They got the job done. I hope Forte bought them lunch this week because whether he was running up the gut or off the edge, he had a hole to hit.

Jared Allen hit the trifecta on his sack, strip and recovery, but that one was on Cutler as he held on to the ball too long and it was just a hustle play by Allen. Otherwise, you didn't hear his name much during the broadcast. We did see his frustration building early in the game though, as he was talking with a lot of animation on the sideline. There's not many hogs to be tied when you're being slowed down by a sophomore left tackle with the help from chipping backs and tight ends.

Devin Hester was being Devin Hester in the return game. I said "Ut oh" as soon as I saw the crease. Hester hit it and he was gone. We're watching a Hall of Famer, folks. Enjoy it as much as possible because he'll be one of the few bright spots at the end of this season.

On defense, Stephen Paea had himself a nice game recording his first sack that turned out to be a safety (do the safety dance, you can dance if you want to...I'll stop). It was the charter franchise's 52nd safety to take the all-time NFL lead. Julius Peppers notched two sacks of his own -- on a bum knee, no less! Peanut Tillman led all Bears with 11 tackles and the newest safety tandem didn't give up the big play. Sure, Chris Conte was 22 yards deep and back-peddling as the ball was being snapped, but he did what was asked of him.

Some fans were up in arms about the benching of both Merriweather and Harris. They may be a little more talented and defintely more experienced, but if you don't play the Lovie-2 the way he installed this defense and play the positions the way he wants it played, you'll find yourself spectating from between the thirties. Or in Chris Harris' experience, sulking in street clothes and requesting a trade the next day like an immature clown.

Da Bears are still a low-talent team. They're flawed and they'll be exposed in weeks to come. We've seen them get destroyed and we'll see it again.

But at least we don't live in Minnesota.


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