It’s going to be popular among Bears’ fans and media types to drift down Melancholy Boulevard since it is the default road-of-choice during times of any turmoil. What happens after mistake-laden losses is myths begin to develop about a team while fans (because most lack emotional distance) and writers (because there’s a necessity to fill daily space) harp on those myths until they become the accepted opinion. I’m seeing some in the comments and reading some in the papers. And some of them simply are not true.
Myth #1 The Bears are out of the NFC North
Please just think about things logically for one second. The Vikings now travel to Pittsburgh and Green Bay for what is arguably the most difficult two-game stretch of their season. Meanwhile the Bears will play angry and beat both Cincinnati and Cleveland. Say they make up one game in the standings, just one, they’ll be a game back in the division with two-to-play against Minnesota. I’m not predicting they’ll win the NFC North. But to believe that Minnesota will run and hide is just foolish at this point.
Myth #2 Nick Roach can’t play middle linebacker
All I read, in the aftermath of Brian Urlacher’s season-ending injury, was that the Bears were going to be gashed by opponents’ run games. It simply hasn’t happened. Yes he misread the Ryan-to-Gonzo touchdown pass in the back of the end zone last night but one bad play in coverage doesn’t end a career. And I’ve got news for those Urlacher worshipers: tight ends have been owning 54’s middle turf consistently for the last three years.
Myth #3 The Bears need to focus on fixing the run game
This is a football myth that is perpetuated everywhere. You need to run the ball successfully to win games! Except for the fact, of course, that two of the worst running teams in the league last season played in the last game of the year. The Bears didn’t need a better run game to win last night or in Green Bay. They needed to understand the run game is ineffective and put the offense in the hands of the unit’s best player: Jay Cutler. Once Forte fumbled on second-and-goal, the team should have dropped Jay into shotgun and let him throw on third. They didn’t because this coaching staff stubbornly refuses to realize that sometimes it’s more important for a team to acknowledge/avoid what they stink at instead of beating it into the ground. The Bears are a pass-first team with a great pass-catching running back. Once teams come to fear the pass game, the Bears will be able to use the run in the right situations.
Myth #4 DaBearsBlog will not have t-shirts available for sale this week
A very close friend of the site has produced the shirt and I’m in love with them. Official announcement, pictures and purchase information will be coming on Wednesday.
