Devin Hester, the next president of the United States of America

With a notable exception or two, the Bears looked like shit against the Broncos. Probably most alarming was the great gaps in the defense. Seven yard run here, 65 yard pass there, 432 yard run everywhere. The offense looked anemic as well- until the end. When Rex lost a fumble in the fourth with the Bears down 14, it surely looked over. Sometimes a team can hang around for an entire game even being outplayed, and deservedly win it in the end. I really can't say that in this game.

A clear chain of impossible events conspired to keep this season alive- for another week at least. Hall of Fames two kick returns for TD's were obvious points of divine intervention. The blocked punt. Adrian Peterson was stopped short of the goal line- but then the Bears' lines push wasn't whistled dead until the ball was in the end zone. And the final drive was kept alive with a ' very lucky to be called ' penalty on fourth down and one of the most spectacular and clutch touchdown catches in N.F.L. history by Bernard Berrian. And: nice pass, Rex- is this not a sign of God's help ??

And what are we to make of Hall of Fame? He had an NFL record six returns last year, plus another TD on the longest play in NFL history -the 108 yard missed field goal run back- and the KO return in the Super Bowl- the fastest points ever scored in the Super Bowl. That's eight last year - and four this year. He has more TD returns than Billie "White Shoes" Johnson and Gale Sayers. And his rate of TD/returns is the highest in NFL history. I believe that if he retired today, he should immediately be enshrined in Canton. What- there's ever been better??

More than anything, it was Hall of Fame that kept the patient alive. The Bears wanted to let it get away, but he brought them back. He didn't allow the Broncos get away. On the Tillman punt block, I thought right away that that ' fear of a Hester planet ' somehow made the block possible- later views on the Sunday nite recap shows shows that to be correct. It was way more than just him, but a supreme player elevates those around him. What time is Sunday's kickoff??

And the playoffs are still in reach. Waited forever for the Sox this past season, and am waiting still for the Bulls. But maybe just maybe they can stay alive this season and turn a corner. As it is, they are tied with six other teams at one game out of the wild card position. Many have said the Bears will have to win out, but It's possible nine wins will do.

The Giants are next. They are 7-4, but were just beaten by the Vikings. The Bears mite be able to do it next week. The Bears also have to play Green bay, who has only one loss (to the Bears) this year. The other games are winnable- but only if the Bears can start to win. They haven't won two games in a row this year, and nothing (other than miracles) suggests they can again. But there is still life.

McMahon to McNabb?

Understandably, much of the consternation around Chicago following the Super Bowl centers on the quarterback position. Greg Couch has a great article on why the Bears should dump Grossman in the Sun Times. Jackson has claimed that the Bears are 1-and-done as far as Super Bowls are concerned, whilst the black captain or Deux Visage has said we should stay the course. I believe that bold action is needed and staying the course won't do. What do you do if next year Rex is terrible again? Now you have wasted three years on the this quarterback fiasco. Stays at the top in todays's NFL don't last that long. The Bears might have a slightly longer window because they play in the worst division in the league. I also believe that with a very weak NFC and a strong young foundation the Bears can repeat. Here's how: Trade for Donovan McNabb!

Can you imagine the hometown hero coming back to Chicago to lead the beloved back to the Super Bowl. With Peyton finally winning one, McNabb now holds the dishonour of 'Best Quarterback Never to Win the Big One'. If Philly thinks they are better with Garcia, let them have him. I think Donovan is unhappy with how he has been treated in Philly and they are definitely on the downward slope of their run. The Bears might just be in the middle of theirs. We've had one Irish quarterback lead us to the promised land. Why not the descendant of slaves that were owned by Irish masters as well?

What would it take? I'm not sure, but I'd be willing to give quite a bit. How about Rex and Ogunleye? I'd even throw in Thomas Jones. The Eagles need a power running game to go with Westbrook. What it takes really doesn't matter. The NFL is definitely a quarterback league and shooting yourself in the foot, or waiting to watch Rex ruin another year is pure folly.

Be Bold Lovie, go get McNabb. Your fans will thank you!

Miami Meltdown!

The Bears allowed almost 200 yards rushing, could not stop short passes, and Bad Rex showed his ugly head in an embarrassing 29-17 loss. The score makes it appear much closer than it really was. Poor defensive game plan that reminded me of Dave Wanstedt, horrible play calling on offense, 5 turnovers and just a total meltdown.

Stay tuned for all the analysis here.

Goober Manning Loses Big!

Let's be honest. The media is in love with Peyton Manning winning his first Super Bowl. So in love with this idea that some are saying that he deserves to win. This is utter rubbish. John Elway got to three Super Bowls with not one, yes, not one Pro Bowl player on offense. That is leadership. Peyton has so much talent on offense that the fact that he hasn't one a championship already speaks volumes of his failings. Both him and Dungy are losers. Peyton has not removed the monkey off his back by beating the Patriots. He needs to win the Super Bowl to remove the monkey.

The media's memory lapses go beyond Peyton to somehow believing that the Colts have a strong defense. This is based on playing tough against KC and Baltimore. I'm sorry, but they were ranked 32 in the league this year and no team with a defense ranked lower than 10th has ever won a Super Bowl. The Colts lost 4 out of their last 7 games to teams including the Texans and the Titans. This is not some juggernaut rolling through to an inevitable win.

As is often the case, the media and the talking heads are more interested in the story than the facts. That somehow his Sprint, Gatorade, MasterCard and whatever else Peyton prostitutes himself for justify him being a champion. Exposure does not equal champion, just ask LeBron.

I'm always a little wary when things seem too well scripted. Look at the Cardinals this year. They had no chance to even win a game against the Tigers. What about the Heat? Down 2-0 to the genius of Avery Johnson? How did that turn out? How about the Buckeyes and all their inevitability against the supposedly lucky to be there Gators?

What I believe we have in this Super Bowl is not an air of inevitability, but the drowning weight of expectations. No one has had higher expectations than Peyton. The Scion of that ultimate loser Archie and older brother of overrated loser Eli. Some people are losers and some are winners. Peyton is a loser, like his father before him and his brother after him.

This weight will weigh down the Colts, Freeney, Manning and Dungy. So much so that they will play tight and the Bears will be loose. So loose that they are going to run away with this game. Final Score: 34 - 16

Perfect Storm

Forget all of the technical ananlysis. There are several facts in this game and a few intangibles. The facts are obvious and will play to the stregnths of both teams. It is the uncontrollable intangibles that will decide the game. So here we go.

The facts for the Colts. Their offense is clearly better and they will be able to score.

The facts for the Bears. Their running game is unstoppable. Their defense is much better. Their special teams are the best in the league. Outdoors, Robbie Gould is as good as Adam Vinitari.

It will come down to the intangibles. For the Colts; can their defense continue to out perform as it has lately. Can their offensive line contain the pass rush.

For the Bears the only intangible that matters is Rex. At worst Rex should be a non-issue. At best the MVP of the game.

It is meaningless that the line is 7 and that almost everyone is picking the Colts. This game is smelling more and more like Superbowl III. A young gun quarterback whose games were up and down vs. the wiley vet with all of the experience and poise. No one expected the underdog to win in Superbowl III. The Colts had better be students of history. Da Bears 31-22. MVP-Rex!

Bears Wrap

Finally, the Grossman wait is over. He played conservatively and within the system. He must have had an ass-chewing because he seems to have gotten the message. Well the Bears won big, but a closer analysis reveals that their weak schedule has been very deceptive. They played a hapless Rams team that was beaten by the Bears MVP Devin Hester. Here's a quick recap by positions and a 1-10 rating.

Quarterback(7) Grossman avoided the mistakes that have made him the lead story in the sportsworld. Though he had several bad passes which were tipped or dropped, he played solidly within the system. This is the way he should play!

Running backs(8) Jones and Benson are a great 1-2 punch and Peterson was resurrected for several great runs. The competition between Jones and Benson appears to be helping both. Bensen still seemed to be sulking following Hesterts 2nd td-what a team player.

Receivers(8) Muhammad played great possesion receiver and the Barrien run was great for Rex. Several dropped balls by the tight ends.

o-line(8) great pass protection and run blocking. Only drawback was several unusual penalties.

Defense(4) The myth of the invincible Defense has been put in the grave and fully buried. They allowed 27pts by a has been Rams offense. They were burned on the ground continuously and Bulger was able to pass all day even though his receivers did their best to drop balls. If they can't stop the Rams imagine a playoff game against the Saints. How much do they miss Harris ? More likely they just aren't that great, they simply dominate weak teams.

Special Teams(10) Devin Hester won the game! This guy is incredible! He made up for an exposed defense. Why in the world did the Rams keep kicking to him, i don't get it. Any future opponent should avoid kicking to Hester at all cost. This is the only way to nuetralize him.

The Bears should win the remaining 3 games and will get a pass in the first round, but they are clearly not as good as their record indicates. Though Rex played well, when will he try to be Namath again. Someone seems to always bail Rex out, whether it be the D or Hester. This won't do in the playoffs, everyone has to bring it. One and done will wipe out the entire season like a dream.