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Yeah, I would say Bulls/Blackhawks GM’s are doing a halfway decent job.

The Bears offense, with a high school teacher, a 3rd and 4th round RB and without two offensive linemen, actually played well above my expectation levels. Sure, in the end, they lost – but the big failures last night were on the defensive side of the ball.

Urlacher, Briggs and Tillman looks all of their 30+ years old.

The defensive line was playing against a patchwork offensive line, and didn’t register one sack (CB Tillman did).

The ‘coaching staff’ that is so great – benched Tim Jennings in favor of Zack Blowman….. and boy did he blow man.

The most interesting thing under Lovie Smith (and Jerry Angelo and Rod Marinelli) is the fact with all that ‘defensive geniusness’ – they have not drafted a defensive difference maker since Tommie Harris. Urlacher was a Mark Hatley pick. Briggs and Tillman were drafted under Dick Jauron and Angelo. And Izzy Idonije was an undrafted free agent under Jauron/Angelo. Where in the hell is the accountability?

Angelo also has a propensity to draft players that were injured their senior years, and if not for the injury – Jerry rolls out the: “They would have been first round picks or been drafted much higher.”

The time has come for Angelo AND Tim Ruskell to go. Lovie is beloved by Virginia McCaskey and won’t be going anywhere.

I’m sure Martz is history also – although it’s not his fault that Angelo didn’t bring in a veteran QB until it was too late. Then again, he’s the ass hat that demanded Todd Collins last year.

There damned well had best be changes at Halas Hall – and I don’t think filling in pieces around Urlacher (who’s contract is up after next season) and Briggs (who demanded a new contract prior to this season – is a very good idea.

Forte is in deep crap with his contract – the Bears have Bell and Barber either signed or ‘under their control’ for another season. They’ll franchise tag him, and maybe do it again. Then he’ll be too old to demand big money after the 2013 season.

Ah yes…. off season for Bears fans – always an interesting time.

…and all you chirpy Packer fans – your defense looked VERY pedestrian against a bunch of gym rats and practice squad guys last night.

(even more impressive)

mom must be so proud

Yes, the injuries have displayed a terrible lack of depth but take any great QB out late in the year after that QB had helped create and build momentum and that team goes nowhere.

If anything, what happened this year was good news for the Bears. Only through a couple lucky breaks were they going to beat the Packers or Saints with their young or inept safeties and Jennings/Bowman opposite Tillman.

Now the problems that have been evident since last season are completely exposed and will need to be fixed. Had the Bears made the playoffs, those issues might have been addressed in maybe a couple late round picks, but they wouldn’t have been fixed.

If the offense can get into a groove early next season, it’ll take pressure off the defense. They won’t need to be on the field all day and wear themselves out by the end of the season, as was evident last night.

Next season is THE season. The last great hurrah of Urlacher and Peppers to combine with the first great season for Cutler. Unless major money is spent to bring in some younger defensive studs – the window is getting ready to close.

(that’s impressive)

Please trade Devin Hester! Shocking?! No it makes sense. We’ve had Johnny Knox and Daniel Manning return kicks for touchdowns. I’m convinced we can find someone else. But, when we have to look to him for scoring opportunities in the return game, then we have a problem. He’s a great trade commodity, now. He’s listed as our number #1 receiver yet has only one touchdown catch and less than 400 yards receiving. Bad ankle or not. He doesn’t deserve to be on this football field if he’s not catching the football.

Then again this won’t happen. Why?! Jerry Angelo is in charge and it makes too much sense. Angelo never makes the move that makes sense. If he does he waits until we’re publicly embarrassed and it “makes him look bad” then he does it just to please the fans. But, by then we already have holes elsewhere.

(That’s impressive.)

“but Lovie still has a winning record vs them”

Lovie’s record against the Packers is 8-9
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He’s also 2-7 vs. the Pack since Aaron Rodgers took over. I think Lovie’s on the “other side” of his coaching career.

Lovie’s record against the Packers is 8-9

…And they need to give Forte a respectable contract…
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What is the deal with the Forte contract stuff?

Look, they offered him top 5 RB money, & he turned it down, which is his right. How is a top 5 offer not “respectable”?

He’s having his best year in a contract year. Before this year he was just a middle-of-the-pack RB.

I hate Angelo as much as anyone else, but the Bears have made good offers to their current players that are worth keeping (even Kreutz).

In spite of what some of you Bear fans think about the current management of your club Da Bears organization seems to alway get around to getting it right, most times sooner than later.

I love this rivalry and hate Da Bears with a passion but next to the Green & Gold there is only one other team in the league that deserves as much respect and that would be Da Bears.

Hope you all have a safe and prosperous New Year.

Cutler is on the other side of his career? See, this is the problem with free speech.

Just keep this is mind, injuries change everything. All it takes is one hit for a players career to be dust. Peppers is 31, Urlacher is 32, but missed a year.

As well, the Pack has had a good year vs the Bears, but Lovie still has a winning record vs them, and the most lopsided game came vs a team with their 3rd string rb, a free agent QB, and other castoffs starting. You can keep telling yourself that they’re done, but the Bears give the Pack fits when they’re best players are healthy.

The only reason they were able to acquire Palmer, is because he quit on his previous team, and the Raiders overpaid for him. Let’s not act like Palmer is a difference maker anymore.