Monday, February 5, 2007, 12:21 PM
Oh, how they stunk.
Thank God the rain kept falling, it helped to keep the smell down. Give the Colts their due, ladies and gentlemen, they did what they had to do to win. They did it with precision, attitude and confidence.
The Bears, on the other hand, did all the things you do to lose. Where does it all start? Try beginning with the coaching staff. They had two weeks to prepare for this one game, this one team, this one moment in history. And how did they perform? Lets just say, the first quarter notwithstanding, it was purely brutal.
Coach Lovie Smith has a penchant for having his team play one way during the season and another way during the playoffs. After being out coached against Carolina in last seasons playoff (remember Steve Smith running around like he was the Roadrunner and the Bears were Wile E. Coyote?) He again gave Chicago fans reason to wonder if he is the next great coach or just another version of Marty Schottenheimer. The offense never hit a rhythm, while the defense played tentatively and seemed more intent on having bodies flying around then with actually grabbing onto someone and tackling them.
But as is almost always the way, this game was won in the trenches. The Bears offensive line, although blocking well for Thomas Jones, was manhandled in every other way. The Colts defense, which has been much maligned all year, played as though they were on a mission. For the duration of the playoffs, this defense got the job done.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears front four were pushed and shoved and moved seemingly at will by the Colts O-line. Ogunleye was a non-entity while the rotating tackles were OWNED. The Colts play calling took advantage of the quick rush of the Chicago ends by running quick dives just inside the tackles, many times the Bears Mark Anderson was past the running back before he had even taken the hand-off, leaving the Colts running backs with wide open spaces on the flanks. To further frustrate Chicago fans, the Bears coaching staff never seemed to make an adjustment of any kind.
The cover-two defense the Bears play is predicated on getting pressure on the quarterback, but this was never a consideration as Manning had plenty of time in the pocket, picking apart the Bears line backing crew and secondary. To put it bluntly, if you are going to lose to the Colts, you might as well try blitzing. Now there's a concept!
Rex Grossman? As much as people will lay this loss at his feet (three turnovers on two interceptions and a fumble) its kind of hard not to spread the blame around. Grossman was 20-28 with a TD to go along with those turnovers. Those aren't bad stats, and all of the interceptions thrown in the game by both Manning and Grossman were into the wind, floaters in the rain.
Note to Ron Turner, Offensive co-ordinator for the Bears - Are you aware of a pass play that includes a play-action fake? Offensive, hmmm...that fits you just about right.
The Bears offense could have helped the defense by staying on the field longer, keeping the ball out of Manning's hands. But of course the Bears defense could have helped the offense and themselves by forcing even the occasional three and out. The Colts were a very good 8 for 18 on third down efficiency. Add in two more fumbles by Bears players and its the rare team that can dig itself out of that hole when a terrific team like the Colts is throwing in more dirt than you can throw out.
And yet, as the Bears have done all season, somehow, someway, they were still in it at that start of the fourth quarter. But this time, finally, the magic hat was empty. No interception returned for a touchdown. No bomb to a flying Berrian. No, the Colts took the game away from the Bears. They imposed their will on this Chicago team, and they played like Champions.
Congratulations to the Indianpolis Colts. World Champions!
As for the Bears.... like the Cubs...wait till next year.
Thank God the rain kept falling, it helped to keep the smell down. Give the Colts their due, ladies and gentlemen, they did what they had to do to win. They did it with precision, attitude and confidence.
The Bears, on the other hand, did all the things you do to lose. Where does it all start? Try beginning with the coaching staff. They had two weeks to prepare for this one game, this one team, this one moment in history. And how did they perform? Lets just say, the first quarter notwithstanding, it was purely brutal.
Coach Lovie Smith has a penchant for having his team play one way during the season and another way during the playoffs. After being out coached against Carolina in last seasons playoff (remember Steve Smith running around like he was the Roadrunner and the Bears were Wile E. Coyote?) He again gave Chicago fans reason to wonder if he is the next great coach or just another version of Marty Schottenheimer. The offense never hit a rhythm, while the defense played tentatively and seemed more intent on having bodies flying around then with actually grabbing onto someone and tackling them.
But as is almost always the way, this game was won in the trenches. The Bears offensive line, although blocking well for Thomas Jones, was manhandled in every other way. The Colts defense, which has been much maligned all year, played as though they were on a mission. For the duration of the playoffs, this defense got the job done.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears front four were pushed and shoved and moved seemingly at will by the Colts O-line. Ogunleye was a non-entity while the rotating tackles were OWNED. The Colts play calling took advantage of the quick rush of the Chicago ends by running quick dives just inside the tackles, many times the Bears Mark Anderson was past the running back before he had even taken the hand-off, leaving the Colts running backs with wide open spaces on the flanks. To further frustrate Chicago fans, the Bears coaching staff never seemed to make an adjustment of any kind.
The cover-two defense the Bears play is predicated on getting pressure on the quarterback, but this was never a consideration as Manning had plenty of time in the pocket, picking apart the Bears line backing crew and secondary. To put it bluntly, if you are going to lose to the Colts, you might as well try blitzing. Now there's a concept!
Rex Grossman? As much as people will lay this loss at his feet (three turnovers on two interceptions and a fumble) its kind of hard not to spread the blame around. Grossman was 20-28 with a TD to go along with those turnovers. Those aren't bad stats, and all of the interceptions thrown in the game by both Manning and Grossman were into the wind, floaters in the rain.
Note to Ron Turner, Offensive co-ordinator for the Bears - Are you aware of a pass play that includes a play-action fake? Offensive, hmmm...that fits you just about right.
The Bears offense could have helped the defense by staying on the field longer, keeping the ball out of Manning's hands. But of course the Bears defense could have helped the offense and themselves by forcing even the occasional three and out. The Colts were a very good 8 for 18 on third down efficiency. Add in two more fumbles by Bears players and its the rare team that can dig itself out of that hole when a terrific team like the Colts is throwing in more dirt than you can throw out.
And yet, as the Bears have done all season, somehow, someway, they were still in it at that start of the fourth quarter. But this time, finally, the magic hat was empty. No interception returned for a touchdown. No bomb to a flying Berrian. No, the Colts took the game away from the Bears. They imposed their will on this Chicago team, and they played like Champions.
Congratulations to the Indianpolis Colts. World Champions!
As for the Bears.... like the Cubs...wait till next year.
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