Sometime in the second half of the Giants-Panthers game you began to wonder. It was one thing when Carolina came out and controlled the ball for the first half and turned a botched Giants punt return into a 10-0 lead with a field goal. But in the second half, with the Giants defense being ripped to shreds, you couldn’t help but be concerned.
Don’t be.
The Giants linebacking corps was so injury-riddled that they had a much better option standing on their sidelines. Honestly, you know Tom Coughlin seriously thought about suiting up former Giants linebackers Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Harry Carson. Who wouldn’t be, they were standing right behind him.
The absence of all three starting linebackers and their primary backup left the Giants unable to stop a turf-toed DeShaun Foster. Like the Bears, the Giants allow their defensive linemen to ignore the running game. Sure, if you see the running back try to go by you, you tackle him, but in both defenses the primary objective is for the defensive line to get pressure up front and let the linebackers clean up the running game. When the linebackers couldn’t stop Foster, the linemen had to slow their pass rush to play run first and the secondary had to creep up to try to keep him from getting 10 yards on every play.
On Sunday, when the Panthers are at Soldier Field, Foster will feel a slightly different sensation than the one he got from running free at Giants Stadium. The sensation will feel a lot like he’s having his head crammed into his pelvis. I hope he Tivo’d the game yesterday, because it’s as good as it’s going to get for DeShaun, and his Panther teammates.
Also troubling for Bears’ fans is the way the Panthers defense handled the fourth-rated Giants offense. The Giants simply couldn’t stay on the field, either because their punter was always out there or because Eli Manning was throwing the ball to Carolina.
How much of it was just how bad the Giants were? They were pretty bad.
In fact, Sunday’s matchup was one of the most schizophrenic teams in the NFC. When Carolina is good, they’re really good, when they’re bad they can’t get out of their own way. The same can be said for the Giants. Hey, these Giants are the same team that managed to lose at home to the Vikings on a day when Minnesota didn’t score an offensive touchdown, had a chance to end the Redskins’ run to the playoffs and gave up 35 points to an offense that even Kyle Orton can laugh at and a team that got a home game in the playoffs largely by virtue of being handed an extra home game in the season’s second week when they “traveled” to the Meadowlands to play the Saints.
The Bears and Panthers have already played once this year, in what was probably the Bears most impressive Orton-era win. Kyle was at his “don’t kill us” best that day, and actually looked like he was starting to become a good quarterback. Unfortunately for him, he regressed every week after that. But in that game, the Bears’ offense, even without much threat of a competent passing game handled the Panthers’ pass rush. The same couldn’t be said about how the Panthers handled the Bears, unless giving up eight sacks has suddenly become a good thing.
Even when Jake Delhomme wasn’t being sacked he was being pressured and that’s what led to both of the interceptions he threw right to Nate Vasher. The Bears did not contain Steve Smith, and he rolled up most of Carolina’s yardage, but he didn’t score, and he didn’t set up any touchdowns for anybody else.
This time around the Bears will have at least the threat of a passing game, and that should help Thomas Jones. Plus, Muhsin Muhammad can’t play worse than he did in the first meeting, right? He dropped four passes, one a sure touchdown and probably cost the Bears and Orton about 60 yards in offense.
Then again, the Moose did the same thing in the Christmas Day Packers game. So who knows?
What we do know is that the national media will spend the week talking about how impressive the Panthers win was on Sunday (and it was–to a point) and it’ll be exaggerated mainly because they did it against a team from New York.
Something tells me the Bears aren’t worried. It would have been nice to have played the Giants, because obviously, the Giants had some issues. But the Panthers will do. Foster’s playing on a turf toe so bad that the trainers weren’t sure how many carries he’d be able to get in the second half because they figured once the painkiller wore off he’d be too hurt to play. Funny how gashing a team for 160 yards will take the pain out of your toe.
He’ll be feeling it on Sunday. Early.
On Friday, Brian Urlacher was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, and really, who else could it have been? The Bears have the best defense in the game and he’s the best player on that defense. He joins a guy you might have heard of–Mike Singletary–as the only Bears to win the award. Like Singletary, the argument can be made that Brian only won because he’s surrounded by great players. Like Singletary, it’s more likely that his greatness allows the others to be asked to do only what they do best, thereby making them great, too. Whatever the reason, you’d be hard pressed to make a defensible argument that Brian didn’t deserve it, and it has to be special, coming a year after the once-relevant Sporting News declared him the most overrated player in football. Oops.
On Saturday, Lovie Smith was named the AP Coach of the Year. He joins Dick Jauron as the only non-Hall of Famers to win the award as a Bears head coach. George Halas won it twice and so did Mike Ditka. The six awards are more than any other team has ever had. Even more than the Landry-Johnson-Switzer-Campo Cowboys. Who knew?
In all fairness…she was hot for a 14 year old. And Timothy Hutton has an Oscar. But then again…so does Marisa Tomei. Nevermind.
Great movie by the way. One of TW’s favorites (so I hear).
DirecTV is still handing out TiVo’s? I thought they moved on to just plain-jane knock-off DVRs. Are you calling your off-brand DVR a TiVo®, Andy? That’s sad…
We are the reason why the Bears offense will be more effective then the Giants on Sunday. The defense will set it up and we will win 15-7 on 5 Gould FGs
“Carver Hawkeye Screwjob Arena”. Yeah, the refs caused Dee Brown to blow two layups and shoot three airballs. And I’m sure the Illini NEVER get any calls at home. That’s what happens when you actually play a road game.
Any dingleberry knows that the U of Iowa basketball stadium is known as Carver Hawkeye Retread Arena as the Carver family owns the Bandag Corporation.
Shut up, Steve. Perhaps if you could actually coach without felons on your team some people might actually feel good about your win iover Sillinoise. Instead there is the feeling that wins like this will save your job for another year and make us long for the Lute Olsen-George Raveling-Tom Davis days.
Yeah, Luther Head wasn’t a felon or anything, was he? Or did he need the help of some local Champaign legal beagles to get him out of some burglary charges?
I think Rex Grossman (ouch!) will be the (Owwwww!!!) difference in the (Gahhh!) Bears game Sunday. Fuck me that hurt.
I admit that I suck, but we did embarrass undefeated Illinois. That has to count for something.
Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh! Heeeere’s Carson!
I just had to say that one last time for this year because I know you never get tired of my tired ass schtick.
I’m the over/under on the number of bones/ligaments Rex is going to have snapped on Sunday as well as the number of quarters of action Kyle Orton will see afterward.
I’m roughly the number of points the Bears will need in order to defeat Carolina.
Remember when I chip-blocked the ball out of Orton’s hand in Cleveland? Yeah, thanks to a stupid Bengals lineman, that block is no longer the worst block of the season.
#11, I’ll take the over – on both.
You’ve vastly misoverestimated the percentage of Bears fans who are so filled with doubt that they spent Sunday watching Giants/Panthers and soiling themselves. It’s fine that you did, but the first several paragraphs make no sense if you didn’t.
Fear me, bitches.
Fear me, Rickey
soriano for k patt and jerome NO
soriano for jerome NO
soriano for k patt YES
You are correct, I got saddled with the DirecTV Plus DVR, which is vastly inferior to the real TiVo. I had an older TiVo, though I’m pretty sure even I could have configured it to work with the second dish, so at the very least I get 65 more hours of hard drive space. Though I already miss the TiVo suggestions, the power you felt from giving things thumbs up and thumbs down and the lovely noises it made when you did anything. The f’in’ DirecTV DVR also is a pain in the ass to fast forward with. With Tivo it adjusted back a few seconds when you hit play since it’s going so fast you don’t know when to stop until you’re already there. This one? Not so much.
As for Carver Hawkeye Screwjob Arena, nothing on Saturday gave it that name as far as I know, but it’s that way since Lute was prowling the sidelines dreaming of ditching the pastures for the bordertown catbox that is Tucson.
I’m gone, bi-atches. Hello, Baltimore.
Andy,
Here’s a candidate for Dumbass Du Jour: Marcus Vick.
Vick got arrested AGAIN earlier today…
http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=4338756&nav=23ii
Fuck you, bitch! I was just tryin’ to celebrate goin’ pro with my favorite food and these two lil’ bitch-ass n***az came up on me, talkin’ bout, “Yo, Marcus, way to go! After you fuck up your life, tell Maurice Clarrett we said, whud’up!” and a bunch a other bullshit. So I pulled out the gat and told them two lil’ n***az to bail before I pistol-whipped they ass. Youknowmsayin? Shit. Fuck that shit. Let a brotha eat his happy meal and shit and leave me the fuck alone.
Yo, if you see my bro, man, tell him I need like 10 G’s with the quickness. Aight?
Um, we’re the number one defense in the NFC.
Not anymore.
We having “growing” concerns, so we don’t need the boner pill anymore.
You’re right 23, we were only first in useless categories like scoring and yards per play, and red zone efficiency. We gave up a few more yards on average a game because our offense wasn’t as good, and we played our reserves in our final game against the vike’s starters. Yeah, we suck.
Oh, we also had more sacks, takeaways, a better 3rd and 4th down %, better passing defense. Man, we suck, see you on sunday Tampa…oh, wait…
Get ready for us in the NFC Championship game.
Corey,
So long man, I love you and good luck in Baltimore. I wish some of the “fans” here could have given you a fair shake. Thank you for all you have done for us, I hope you tear it up in Baltimore. I know you will, it’s like Brock for Broglio all over again. They should have gotten so much more for you, oh well, good luck and God speed. You deserved better.
Love, NSBB Fan
“Cubs in 06, yeah!!! Get Wrigley Rockin'”
Adam Dunn is GOD and Wilkerson is Jesus.
If I happen, the Panthers are going to the super bowl.
Yeah, I am gonna run all over the Bears, they are so easy to score on at home. I’m healthy too, just like the Giants LB corps was…
Panthers 43-Bears 0
Panthers 38-Skins 3
Panthers 49-Patriots 6
Apparently, Charlotte has gotten some of our blue cool aid
Thanks for the shout-out, Andy.
Thanks for the shout-out, Andy.
We KNOW who the number one defense is.
Why no Laura Quinn picture. Laura Quinn is so sexy. Could you imagine what she looks like in a bikini, or something that covers less than a bikini, or nothing on. She is sexy even with things on. She is sexy. Laura Quinn needs more attention. There needs to be more Laura Quinn news and pictures. She is sexy. Laura Quinn looks amazing. Did you see those pictures. Her body is so sexy.
What about some Anna Kournikova pictures. She is also sexy. You could have a picture of her and Laura Quinn. That would looks awesome. Kournikova doesn’t need to be skilled at tennis, she is so sexy. Who needs tennis when you can just take you tennis top off and get big money.
Am I that retarded, foreign sounding guy that spammed all the old dose comment sections with my love for this site?
Peter King’s boss should really question the expense report. Other than the gripes about the 5-star hotels he stays at, it’s rare that there’s any indication of King doing more than laying on his couch at home and watching a couple highlights on Sunday night. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he’s lazy, not dishonest:
“14. San Diego (9-7). Drew Brees is going to be just fine. Phil Simms had the same labrum surgery and was back throwing the ball within three months.”
I’m sure Phil felt the passes he was throwing to little Chris in the back yard were coming out like frozen ropes, but technically speaking, Phil never threw another pass accredited by the NFL after his surgery. Mundane detail, Pete.
Whoops. Lest I be lumped in with the Anonymous guy who thinks everything’s sexy, I did #42 and was victimized by my fat fingers submitting it too quick when I wasn’t looking.
The rest of the Big Ten can thank Illinois for doing me and keeping Steve Alford around. Looks like the days of thousands of (put opposing color of choice here)-clad fans in C-HA are gonna keep on keepin’ on.
I’ve been a bust everywhere but Canton.
Uh, if Tucson is a “bordertown catbox”, then what the hell is Champaign? (Or most of the towns in the Big Ten, for that matter.)
Also, as for Marcus Vick, you think maybe he and Maurice Clarett can wind up in the same prison cell?
all of a sudden Reggie Bush is Sam Bowie?!?! What?!!? Vince is a great college QB but if he’s an NFL QB then i’m Miles Davis.
Anyone going to me, better boo Baker every chance you get.
Anyone going to me should go only to boo. Boy, I’m a waste of money. Keep feeding the cash cow Cubs fans, I’m sure they’ll take everything the fans say into account.
“The Bears allowed single digits in points in all 6 of their home games, mostly because of the weather” I am an idiot.
No one is picking us to win this game.
If you’re going to call Suzy an idiot, at least get the fucking quote right. It’s not worth commenting on when some moran posts an obvious misquote.
What was my exact quote? Anyone?
The first half is exact, I said “all 6 home games” and then I said either with great help from the weather, or mostly due to the weather. I’m sure you were watching Joe, maybe you could clean up what I said you dirty old bastard.
I either work for espn, or I have a thing for Kolber, because she said all of those things. I am also probably a faggot, but whatever…
Wheeee!!! Screw the Bears game, lets all go to the convention and act like our organization actually cares about us. Everyone, hurry, go spend money and hang out with Ronnie Woo Woo. Awesome!!!
Suzy Kolber is so sexy. Can you imagine what she looks like with a bikini on? Or without a bikini on? It would be so sexy to see her like that. She has a cute face, great breasts, and is so sexy. We need more Suzy Kolber pictures. Her pictures are so sexy.
Hey gang, the bar is now about as low as it will ever be to get in the hall. Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith, Billy Wagner, John Wettland, Troy Percival…come on in. No, not you Jack Morris or Bert Blyleven, you’re not good enough. I had 8 good seasons, what a fuckin joke. Oh yeah, I’m going in as a Cardinal. Ha.
My toe is fine, bitches. I will run all over soldier field, but Del homie will be piledriven into the ground which will leave me & Steve for an offensive threat. Which means that we will pile up a bunch of yardage but not score because the Bears defense is like trying to bang your wife in the ass. No matter how much meds you give her you are not going to penatrate the endzone.
Dejon Out!
On PTI, I said the Bears play “almost nearly perfect defense”. Is anybody else scared that we are being so damn nice, and complimentary of our opponent? Check out what Brentson has been saying.
I know interest peaked like a week ago , but I wanted to let you guys know that I’m still tappin Brady Quinn’s sister.
AJ Hawk is also trailer trash
Don’t let the memories die!!!
Bring me back!!!!!
DON’T bring back the Moranboard. Please.
Sorry to see you go, Jack Snow. Your 1971 card has made me laugh many many many times.
I know why AJ Hawk is tapping Brady Quinn’s nightmare….I mean sister. He is drinking me……CONSTANTLY.
VIVA LE MORANBOARD!
Who is Dejon Foster? Is that some kind of sandwich condiment?
Do you even watch baseball? Bruce Sutter should have been in the Hall long agao, along with Gossage.
The fact the Eckersley is in the Hall is the real joke. But I guess the HOF needed a Gallagher look-a-like.
I am an assface. Eck had both 150 saves and career wins, and dominated as both a starter and reliever. Sutter had 8 good seasons, now that his sorry ass is in, everyone from Troy Percival to Billy Wagner has a case. Percival has 3 world series saves, I wonder how his kids will want him to go in? His numbers are better in some areas than Sutters, WHIP, k/9, era…you know unimportant things like that. 10 years from now there’s gonna be more closers than 2nd and 3rd baseman in the hall if Sutter is the measuring stick.
I like to hit de homruins for the Nachinals!
At least we are in agreement that you are an assface………
If Eckersley was so dominating as a starter, why did he become a closer? He throws 50 innings, gets 40 saves and is dominate? Sutter and Gossage throw 120 or mor innings a year, are called on in the 7th and 8th innings with runners on base to actually “save” a game and they suck?
How many times did Eckersley come into a game when there were runners on base as compared to how many times he started the 9th inning with no one on and a lead?
Sutter and Gossage, along with Fingers, changed the game. They were true closers . Guys today wouldn’t put up the same numbers if they threw 120 innings a year like those three did.
Blah blah blah blah… Sutter was “dominate” for a few seasons, big deal, so was Albert Belle. Putting Sutter in, especially before Goose, has lowered the standards for induction into the hall.
Just re reading this article after the Bears lost to the Panthers, betcha you’d pay a lot to retract it.