Let's Ride - Fred Faulkner's Blog About the Road Called Life

o unless you were hiding under a rock on Sunday and Monday, you already know that Chicago didn't win Super Bowl XLI. Yep, we had several issues in which we got beat by a good Indianapolis Colts team. I'll admit it, the Colts played well. They capitalized on our defense weaknesses which kept them on the field twice as long as our offense who couldn't seem to get in any rhythm to save our lives. The most exciting part of the game was definitely the first 30 seconds when Devin Hester ran the opening kick-off back 92 yards for a TD. Surprisingly we were really still in the game until the 4th quarter, which leads me to believe that while we played bad, we are still a great team. Thus the title of this post. Folks, we've tasted the Kool-Aid and I guarantee it won't be something that goes away for a while.

So what is it going to take to make sure we see Super Bowl XLII? Well I'm no expert, but at this stage in the game, who cares. I'm a fan and I'm entitled to an opinion just like everyone else. So here is my list of what the off-season must bring for the Bears to be right back in it next season.

1. Get Lovie that contract! Pay him what he is worth. He took us to back-to-back NFC North titles, an NFC championship, and to the Super Bowl. Let this man finish the job by winning the title.
2. Resign players like Lance Briggs and Thomas Jones (although that might not happen). Keep that defensive line in tact as much as possible and lets develop a back-field with Jones and Benson much like Indy has Rhoades and Aidai.
3. Rex, Rex, Rex. Ok, buddy, I'm going to chalk up this season as truly your rookie year. The fact that you won that many games only proves to me that you are as good as Kyle Orton (who went 10-2 when you were hurt). You got that far because you had a good team backing you up. That's not to say that you can't do better. And that's exactly how you should see it. How can I do better next year? So from the arm-chair quarterback to you, here is your homework assignment for the off-season:
• Practice that Center/QB hand-off. There is NO reason why you continue to have issues with that in key games.
• Learn how to use the Shotgun offense. Your consistent 3-5 step drop just keeps you way to one-dimensional.
• Learn to roll out of the pocket naturally, not like you are running for your life.
• DON'T READ YOUR RECEIVER THE ENTIRE WAY. Why don't we just put a big red bulls eye on the intended target here. Every good linebacker can read your eyes and pick up who you are going to throw to. You need to learn how to read your other options, even if it is to fake out the other team. That is a classic rookie/college QB mistake.
• Continue to learn from each play. What does Peyton do that not many other QBs do after they get off the field, they head straight for the bench, get a set of printouts from the last set possession and analyze the defense and the run breakdown. Why? Because he can make adjustments and expose the weaknesses of his opponent. Learn from that!
• Make confident decisions, even if they are wrong. But don't make stupid mistakes, like throwing into double coverage when if you looked right you had a receiver wide open. Or run for a few yards yourself instead of always wanting to pass the ball.
4. Ron Turner, you need to work with Rex all off-season. Half of the reason why Rex was having difficulty is because you lack confidence in what he can do. The more you work with him on your playbook, the better he will be. Period. You only get one more season in my book too. And please, for the love of Pete, take that stupid screen pass out of the playbook if you can't execute it right. When you are 3rd and 7, don't throw a screen pass!!
5. The Defense needs to learn how to adjust the Tampa 2. What Peyton exposed on Sunday was that we can't adjust for when there is an arsenal on the field. Peyton had people to throw to, but we constantly played 10-15 yards off each receiver. I could have drove a tank through some of the holes you left for receivers to get the pass.

Overall, I've been very happy watching the Bears this last season and I look forward to next season as well. I think we have a real shot at making a great run for the next few seasons. We are a young team and have a lot of potential. That being said, here are some marching orders for Lovie, Ron Turner and Ron Riveria. Boys, its all about the "W". Do what ever it takes to get it. And in this case, loyalty to certain players can only go so far. Sticking by Rex all season was admirable, but in all honesty, if bad Rex was showing up, Brian Griese should have been thrown in to get the win. Period. Work on the mistakes in practice and let Rex try again. I know the adage of "working through the problems" but your season is only 16 weeks long. It is tough to work through the problems if the problems are bigger than a single bad game. The city of Chicago will have little patience for loyalty when it is clear that by making a line-up adjustment we can get a "W". Remember that.

So Bear Down and look out for next season. Peyton Manning already said he'll be back in Indy in March starting to work on next season. Rex, where will you be in March?

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The stage is set: Bears vs. Colts. Should be a great game. Can't wait to see Urlacher sack Manning's ass during the Super Bowl. For all the naysayers about the Bears winning today....well, I guess we showed you. GO BEARS!

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By the end of today we will know who is going to the Super Bowl. So will it be a Super Bowl XX reunion? Bears vs. Patriots?

Many are rooting for the Saints and the Colts. Why? Well the Cinderella story of the Saints is not something to put aside. It would be historic. Then there is Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. Brady has won three Super Bowls. Manning....none.

It will be a difficult day for both teams. Chicago is at home and the weather is cold and snowy. The new turf is slick and has proven to be a threat to both teams. Manning has a home field advantage. Brady will have to be on his "A" game to win in Indy.

Regardless, today is going to be a great day for football.

Update: SUPER BOWL BABY!! Look out Miami, the Bears are coming to town! WOO HOO! And just to remind you (thanks Marc for the reminder). What was the talk in week 3?? Yeah, I thought so. The are who we thought they were.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Kyle, this post is for you. I've watched you do great things at Purdue, and I was extremely excited when you got drafted to the Bears. What was really exciting was to see you grow over the last 14 weeks as you were thrust into the starting QB position. I know it can't be easy. The play action must go by at 100mph when you are on the field. It certainly looks fast on television. I just want you to know, I got your back.

While Rex might have taken over the starting job now, this doesn't mean you should get down on yourself. You did your job--win games. Now let's prove to the world why you are good. Work with Turner and your QB coach to get used to the pocket. Ask for advice from Rex, who has three years experience--albeit only six "real" games though. He obviously is more comfortable there than you are. All I'm saying is take this opportunity to hone your skills and be ready to prove that if Rex goes down again (what are the chances...really...) that you can step in and hit Muhammed on your first pass. That you can find the lane and hit your receiver without flinching. That you can step into a tackle to make that spectacular pass to Berrian or Clark. You still have a lot of fans in Chicago. Don't let the Rex train bring you down.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So the Chicago Bears lost their way yesterday.  The Pittsburgh Steelers broke the Bear's eight game winning streak with a ego blowing 21 to 9 win.  They say the defense wins games, and our defense happened to not make the trip to the land of steel on Sunday.  The Bears couldn't throw a tackle to save their lives and that utlimately made the difference.  That and the fact that "the bus" was up and running full speed ahead.  Jerome Bettis was phenomenal yesterday plowing through the defensive line like he was a bowling ball hitting strikes all day long for a perfect 300 game.  In fact, Bettis did run for over 100 yards, his 61st in his career.

What was encouraging, if there is a silver lining on this game, was that Kyle Orton did improve.  He still has to control the height of his throws and lead his wide receivers better, but he did connect with Musin Muhammed eight times that showed signs of his days at Purdue.  Coming into the fourth quarter Orton launched a great pass to Desmond Clark that got every Bears fan up on their feet.  Then with no hesitation launched another bomb to Bernard Berrian who caught an amazing ball that was destined for an interception putting the Bears on the one yard line setting up Thomas Jones for a TD.  While that was by far the most exciting drive of the game, it made us all think that Orton can lead the this team to great things with the right arsenal of receivers and some more practice.

The Chicago Bears fall to 9 and 4, but we arn't out yet.  Next week we meet the Atlanta Falcons at home for an ESPN night game.  Hopefully our defense will feel more comfortable at home for our last home game of the regular season. Then we head up to Lambeau to meet the Packers on Christmas Day and then to Minnesota to take on the improved Vikings for our final game.  I see the post-season in our future.  The question will be how far can we go?

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So the Chicago Bears continue their winning streak with a defeat over their arch rival, the Green Bay Packers. I didn't get to watch the entire game, but from what I saw, the Bears defense shows up big one more time. Vasher and friends delivered another pain-staking blow to the Packers' already woeful season (one I'm sure Brett Farve wishes would end sooner than later). The Bears "D" created some spectacular turnovers in which the Bears capitalized on, though not in ways we all wish they could have. What does that mean? Well, while I will accept 3 points on a field goal instead of no points at all, the Bears should have converted what was two field goals into two touchdowns.

I like Kyle Orton. I like what he did with Purdue and I like what he has been able to do with the Bears. BUT, and this is a big but, he still has a long way to go. And until then, the Bears defense is their biggest asset. Kyle, I know you have been watching tape. I know you have been practicing a lot and I will say that you have made a lot of improvement from pre-season. What you still need to learn is not to watch your intended receiver from the get go! It is a typical rookie mistake. Carson Palmer had the same problem. You need to be able to scan the field, know where the defense is coming from, and deliver the ball on target to your receivers without giving your target away too early. You should be connecting with Musin Muhammed more. You should be connecting with Bobby Wade more. You have the right weapons with Thomas Jones and Adrien Peterson. You have to take command and deliver appropriately. You're on your way, you just need to keep at it and your team will come together.

So with a season that is wrapping up to be a winner, there is commentary at how good the Bears really are. IS their defensive line as good as the '85 Bears? Um...no. Statistically they are better, but I think they have had an easier schedule comparatively speaking. Don't get me wrong, I love our defense and it reminds me of the days when we used we called the Monsters of the Midway. I think we are monsters this year and we prove it each week. However, schedules do dictate how good or bad a team is. We still have to face the Packers again on Christmas day, the Minnesota Vickings, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons still. Anything can happen on any given Sunday. So keep up the good work Chicago Bears. Make our city proud and keep winning!

Oh, and Kyle, shave the scruff dude. You look like you don't have a home.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)