The Bears got blown out today. There were many reasons. So don’t bore me with the excuses, I’m well aware of them. But at least there were two honest guys on the airwaves after the game tonight: O’Bradovich and Buffone.
Those two guys were hot. And justifibly so. Pros don’t mail in games. Pros don’t say after the game “we knew we were going to lose, that’s not the point”. Several players were quoted as saying that. And O’B and Buffone were right. It was a lame effort, regardless of who was on the field.
BTW, Rob, O’B and Buffone also reported that of the previous 39 Super Bowl winners, less than 5 have lost their last game of the regular season, That means whether they had clinched a playoff berth already or not, championship teams show up every week.
4 responses so far ↓
1
Rob
// Jan 2, 2006 at 6:04 am
Have to say I didn’t dig the effort, either.I don’t expect the linebackers to miss tackles regularly, whether they are starters or not. They are in the NFL, and should play as such.
Having said that, I didn’t expect to see a win today. Not only from the Bears, but from virtually every other team that had already clinched. I guess only time will tell if the coaches in question made the right decision. I can also see the value in getting everyone on the 53 man roster some PT heading in to the playoffs.
This debate was going on on the Score long before today, and it had mixed reviews. OB and Buffone both being old school, I wouldn’t expect them to embrace the “resting our starters” idea, but can see their other points.
Cinci and Seattle both lost to lesser opponents today, does that mean they are slated to lose now? Hardly. The Red Sox were supposed to lose, too, but believed they could win, despite being down 3-0.
BTW, sorry to have offended you, but you can’t very well talk smack about crazed fans while being biased against them in the same vein.
2
BJ Stone
// Jan 2, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Indy rested starters and still found a way to win. Jacksonville, the NY Giants, and Denver all rested starters…all won. I’d look for one of them to win the Super Bowl, if form holds. And I think it will.
3
Rob
// Jan 2, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Indy beats ARIZONA by 4. Nice job beating a bunch of second stringers that are starters. I think it’s a matter of perspective. The Giants played their starters, and Jax was missing Leftwich anyway, against a TN team already hurting.
You are generalizing, IMHO. When you take a look at each team and their opponent seperately, the resting guys and winning anyway theory doesn’t hold up.
We will see what happens in the playoffs. I happen to believe that the Bears defense is #1 for good reason, and, now that we are moving the ball, can compete with anyone.
4
BJ Stone
// Jan 2, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Quick update:
Chicago fans now can officially stop using the “#1 defense” thing. Tampa Bay finished first in overall defense this year, not the Bears.
Chicago finished 11th overall against the rush, 5th against the pass, and second in yards allowed overall.
Chicago did finish first overall in points allowed, but got to play the three worst scoring offenses in the league (N.O., S.F. and Cleveland) as well as Detroit (5th from the bottom) twice.
Leave a Comment