Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian was in Chicago during the glory days of Lovie Smith’s defense, so he’s well suited to comment about the declining reputation of the Bears.
“I think it is gone. People being intimidated about who they got around there, that isn’t working for them anymore,” Berrian said Wednesday. “But, they still got some exceptional players over there.”
Berrian was on the Bears when their defense was last above average in 2006. And he’s not impressed with the group now, as mentioned in Josh Alper’s always excellent one liners.
So while Jay Cutler gets a fair share of blame for this season’s collapse, Berrian’s comments are a good reminder that Chicago’s defense is suffering through a third straight season of mediocrity. They have poured a lot of resources into the defense, and don’t have a lot to show for it.
Smith has spoken this week about the goal of finishing 10-6 this season. Just getting to 5-6 will require the Bears defense proving Berrian wrong in Minnesota this Sunday.