2008 Regular Season Week 1 - Bears @ Colts

And I bet you thought that enough time had passed where maybe this e-mail would never come...but as Ms. Kulat (i dont think i have her name right) might have said, "by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes..." and this e-mail IS going to be wicked...wickedly long....so maybe try to take it all in during multiple sittings...

In case you havent heard...yes....the Bears beat the Colts....and, actually, pretty much had their way with them.

Now, I have heard all sorts of excuses - they came in unprepared because they underestimated us, Manning hadnt taken a snap prior to the game, blah blah blah.


The fact is that we beat them...and in such a fashion that it surprised even me...an avid BELIEVER in this team - whether it be logic behind the belief or not.

I respect Manning and all, but did anyone else find a strange pleasure in watching his competitive desperation flare up to more and more intense extremes? I thought it was hilarious. When I started feeling comfortably ahead on the scoreboard...is the exact moment that Peyton started unintelligibly mumbling to himself in despair...and to see him in that state....it was glorious.

So there are a couple of questions that were undoubtedly on the minds of Bears fans that can now be much more appropriately answered....it would seem. And I say "it would seem" because I feel that although we had a fantastic week 1, I think it would be an unfortunate misconception for one to believe that all subsequent weeks will have such favorable results.

The big question for most of the peasant, incredibly dumb and fickle bears fans, was the question at quarterback (and I HATE that this is considered the "main" question for the team...it has never been the biggest question, and most certainly is not one now).

The answer is clear. Orton is much better equipped to lead this team to successful results. I saw what I have always seen in Orton - confidence, leadership, defense comprehension, quick decision making, and incredible game management abilities.

But this is no longer simply a game manager for us...that is a terrible insult to Orton...one which he has had to innappropriately endure for far too long.

In case you are unaware, Orton has been consistent at quaterback for 3 years now when we allowed him to play. Seeing as consistency was always the goal for this team at that position (supposedly), it is completely unnacceptable that he was overlooked as the starter, and more importantly from my perspective, as even our number 2...and I am talking about last year with the Griese ridiculousness.

We cant do anything about decisions that were made in the past, but knowing what I know now about the terrible decision making that was taking place with regard to Orton's career with the Bears...you better believe that there will not be any discussion of any other QBs for the rest of this season...and at least from me...for any seasons in the near future.

Now, some of you are probably thinking back to last year and saying to yourself, "well Dan...werent you always a proponent of Grossman? You hypocrytical bastard? Speaking of fickle..."

and to that I would answer, fuck you. If that is your thought process, then you have misinterpreted my e-mails. Yes, I wanted Grossman in...OVER GRIESE....because GRIESE NEVER deserved to be number 2.

IF we were going to replace Grossman (and at the time I contended we shouldnt)...I was suggesting that GRIESE should not be the answer...and certainly that Orton needed to be playing.

So yes, I wanted Grossman in...because there was no chance of Orton coming in in his stead - being behind Griese on the depth chart.

Anyone who knows my Bears ideology can attest to the fact that I have never changed my viewpoint on the QB position. I have always stood firm that either Rex or Orton should start for this team, and the decision between those two should be made by the staff - people that see a lot more about them than stupid ass fans get to see for a couple of quarters on a sunday.

whomsoever was chosen between those two options would instantaneously enjoy my full support. So pretty much...unless you are Griese...you can play at QB for the Bears as far as Im concerned.

Grossman had the "good Rex" - exciting to watch, not very controlled, but high talent potential.

Orton had control, a calmness...he was always the safer bet. Who should be playing for us always depended (as far as I could tell) upon what the coaches were looking for...consistency and control, or inconsistency with potential for bigtime rewards.

From a coaching perspective, I think that there was an attraction to Rex's arm...and accuracy - his physical talent -- when compared to Orton's -- was considered to be more.

Orton was overwhelmingly better at control...making solid gametime decisions. As time went on, Orton progressed in physical talent and maintained his mental IQ for the game - if not progressing that as well.

Meanwhile, Rex's "good Rex" was seen less and less...and he was not progressing at all in the area of IQ and control. I think it became clear to the coaches that Rex would never bring the control that they needed to the game, and they were better off utilizing Orton's knack for control...and working on continuing his physical progression (which has seen incredible improvement).

I agree with this decision. As much as I have liked Rex, I have always liked Orton just as much for totally different reasons.

So that is that...if I hear anything about Hanie this year, or Rex again, I will seriously dismember my fanhood and no longer categorize myself with such unbelieveable idiots.

The biggest question for this team was, and has been for some time, the running game. That question was pretty clearly answered on Sunday.

Forte is our future...and we should be ecstatic to have him. If he can play half as well as he did in week 1 for the rest of the season, we will have been successful in our off season strategy.

That is all we need from him...just the tiniest bit of production. Give me production like this past Sundays?...I'll give you the keys to the city...

It was so great to watch...finally...real Bears football.

The team is designed to be successful when we can run...for me it was sweet deliciousness to see in action what I have believed all of this time. And that is "if only we would stop worrying about the QB and the pass game and start focusing on what this team SHOULD be all about...maybe we would start winning....or at least start winning because of something other than Hester and really great luck."

To me, we have started off the season right....perfectly really.

I have a renewed sense that coaching is, for now, on the right track (because they were not for a long time...I have had major issues with coaching decisions over the past couple of years).

As long as we can continue to run the ball, we will retain control over multiple facets of every game. And really, more than Forte, we have improvements in the O-line to thank for much of the change that was noticed during this game.

If the O-line can control the middle, and we DONT have a Benson running around like a fool with the ball, then everything else falls into place. Forte suddenly has holes.

The running success opens up the field vertically. the field can be stretched at will, and even better...only when necessary...perfect for a very controlled passing game with a smart QB like Orton at the helm.

If Orton gets comfortable, he is able to see the defense more clearly and remain calm, knowing that he can count on the running game not often putting him in difficult situations. Orton can start completing passes since the defense now has to consider the run. Orton gains confidence and his excitement flows through the team giving the offense an electricity that is rarely observed.

Meanwhile...the defense is resting...something that is key to THEIR success. With more energy for when they are finally needed...you get higher quality play...usually resulting in shortening their time on the field and getting the ball back for their offense.

With the offense most often on the field, Lovie primarily controls the game clock. With control of the game clock, underdog teams like the Bears have a chance at beating teams like the Colts....teams that count on a high powered offense to carry them, with the lead, to the end of the game.

By the way...these teams are many in the NFL and will most often be exactly the types of opponents faced in the playoffs...so we would do well to get there this year.

So does Forte solve all our problems? hardly...but he does not hurt this team...and his success or lack thereof in all future games will be the determining factor upon which we win or lose....make no mistake about it. It has almost nothing to do with Orton when comparing the value that any running back brings to THIS particular team...a team designed for the run...

This team can win with a run game and a decent defensive showing...the pass game is secondary and should only ever be icing.

What's really great about Forte is that he saved our ass in the fantasy league that I am in...I lost Brady and still somehow pulled out a win against McNabb and Westbrook on the opposing team...barely...but amazing all the same. Without a QB...ridiculous. honorable mentions to Willie Parker and Thomas jones...the other two reasons I stayed alive without Brady.

You want to hear a legendary fantasy week 1?...ask me about it sometime...for a fantasy virgin...it just got me addicted...

Back to reality though...what can we expect for week two...who do we play? Carolina? lets discuss...

DLP