chitownman

This was in the Tribune today on their website: In case you were wondering, Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson won't have to worry about a judge slowing his rush to Miami. Johnson, who is required to stay in his home when he's not at work, will be allowed to travel out of state for the Super Bowl. Lake County Associate Circuit Judge Theodore Potkonjak ruled this month Johnson is cleared for takeoff. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16

One more victory to go and I believe it will come in 13 1/2 more days and then we all can tell the Colts, So Called NFL Experts to kiss our collective asses. Our defense and running game pulled this one out and defense always wins games. Indy's D will be exposed once again in Miami and we will hoist the Lombardi Trophy once again. It was great to see Viginia receive back the Halas trophy versus presenting it someone else. I just hope that Angelo does the right thing to keep this team together and winning for a long while. We need to keep Lance in house and work on some DBs that will help additionally with stopping the run.

I agree that Dennis Green should be front and center for when they "Crown Their Asses, Then Crown Them." We are who they thought we are and yet we keep winning inspite of the experts and their so called knowledge of the NFL. 13 1/2 days and counting until we are back were we belong, THE TOP OF THE NFL LOOKING DOWN.

When will the so called experts ever understand that it is defense that wins football games and not offenses. Even with the stumbling at the end of the regular season, Da' Bears still have one of the best defenses in the NFL. I am happy for Peyton Manning however, Indy's defense still is not that good and our running game is going to expose their defense. Remember the offense knows what they are going to do on every play and the defense has to anticipate what the offense may be thinking. I just do not understand why these so called experts still do not want to respect our team or defense. We had the second best record in the NFL for the season and are playing in Miami. Like I thought for the divisional and NFC Championship, Da' Bears win a close one unless Devin breaks one in his college town and Da' New Monsters of the Midway 2006 get a TD, then it will be more of a blow out. Remember speed kills and our defense definitely has speed.

I was at Midway Airport last night heading back to Omaha NE and there were a lot of Bears Fans gathered outside of Harry Caray's restaurant and when Thomas put the final nail in the Saints coffin, everyone went nuts. The airport staff even announced it on the overhead paging system. Wish I would have gone to the game and maybe I would still be in Chitown this morning after a night of celebration. On to Miami.

Carter may have been all right as a receiver in his day however, he is just like a lot of retired athletes who think that they are still experts. Our defense and running game won this game against the Saints and IMO the same will be done for the Super Bowl. It's time to start shuffling again. WE GOIN' TO MIAMI BABY!!!!!!!!!!

Hebert is just a tard as it is. What the hell did he ever really do in New Orleans that was meaningful. Not much IMO and just to spout off is no really a smart thing. The Saints should tell their former players to remember the old rule, "Do Not Say Anything That Is Bulletin Board Material" which is what Hebert just did.

I think it is going to be close and I am guessing Bears 33; Saints 30.

AMEN!!!!!!!!

How ever I am worried about how our defense is still playing. Had a couple of huge stops to help secure the victory and glad that the Saints have to travel to Chitown. We'll see what happens on Sunday. I am also a little bit disappointed that the NFL is forcing the remaining Top Playoff Seed to be the first game next week and not allowing them to be the second game. IMO I am tired of the Colts vs. Patriots match up and do not care who wins the AFC. If it is the Pats then we have a revenge factor and if it is the Colts, Peyton still has not learned how to win the big game in the NFL as of yet.

He is definitely the best kicker that we have had since Butt-Head. Glad to see Robbie succeeding here in Chicago and now for the week he is the talk of the town. One down and two to go until hopefully the end of the season. With Robbie being there for us, I am happy with our chances.

With some of the lack of calls or the non calls that were thrown and picked up makes me wonder additionally how tainted the refs are in the NFL. Joe Buck at times seems like a great annoucer and other times he is a total idiot. Glad to have the first one in the books in our favor and we'll see what happens next weekend against the Saints. The Saints are the sentimental favorites because of Hurricane Katrina. I just hope that our defense plays the entire game. I am tired of watching Peanut get beat time and time again. Our front seven still seem to pretty decent and the DBs need to play a little bit better.

It should wind up being a real good game next weekend as well. I just hope that the Team comes out and sets the tempo early and finish as Lovie keeps saying. Overall it is nice to get the playoff monkey off our backs and thank God that the Bears decided to bring in Robbie Gould last year. He has made a huge difference for us.

First and foremost is the play of our so called franchise QB. Then I am additionally concerned with how the defense has been playing lately. Missing Tommie Harris and Mike Brown hurts us a lot. We have been some what weak it seems against big pass plays as well as big runs. I hope for the best however, with the week off, I am also concerned about coming out flat at home and losing once again for the fourth time in last four playoff games. I am hoping for the best, time will tell and we'll know by about 3:30 pm on Sunday.

Yet DaBearSox you point out that Lovie has a lot to do with the defense, so that would mean from what you are saying that Lovie is not able to lead a team. Ron is doing the best that he is able to do with Lovie having the final say. We do not know the specifics of what has happened in practice at the end of the season however, coaching mistakes or not the entire staff deserves blame. What is to say that Ron gets a head coaching job somewhere and winds up having the best defense in the league year in and year out. How would you answer that one. I think Ron definitely deserves an opportunity and only wish that it might be able to be in Chicago however, I expect Ron to wind up somewhere as a head coach.

Now Oakland has forced Art Shell out again and it appears that Cowher is stepping down in Pittsburgh. How many more openings are to come? I agree that Ron Turner needs to go, just wish we would be able to keep Ron Rivera. We'll see how it plays out. Hell convince Da' Coach to come back as OC, that would make for some very interesting fire works on the coaching staff.

How many years did Tony Dungy have in Tampa before they brought in Gruden? How long will Indianapolis let Tony survive there without winning it all. Just one successful coach who has been fired. Not saying that I want Lovie gone however, we need to see what may happen and whether or not Lovie can get us to the next level.

Someone had mentioned it previously that if the Bears are again one and done, do they let Lovie leave and turn the reigns of this team over to Ron Rivera instead? Taking into consideration that Ron is again one of the hot topics of coordinators to become a head coach somewhere. I am not sure that will happen however, it may be a possibilty. I am not sure who really would be the better coach for this team. Imagine if Lovie was to leave and Ron did take over. Do you think that he would be able to convience Samuari to leave San Fran and be his assistant head coach/def coor here instead of there. It would be pretty sweet to have two former Bears running this team. I just do not expect this to happen. What are your thoughts everyone?

Very valid points Kyyle23, it is nice that you and I agree on something. Orton was not as great of a pick up as Jerry Angelo had everyone believe and to have him manage the game and hope the defense will win is not an option at this point. I am not sure what Griese would be able to do and considering his lack of play and how poorly he played in the second half makes me wonder what we should do now. I also agree with innersanctum in regards to the Bears stubbornness in annointing Sexy Rexy as a top caliber NFL QB. IMO there is no way that we should make the Super Bowl and not sure we will win on January 13th. This falls on Jerry Angelo for his poor talent evaluation and selection. It also falls on Lovie Smith and his staff for the poor game plans and lack of execution. I just hope that we do not get embarassed in the divisional game.

It would be Seattle, Dallas or NY depending on the results of the games. We have beaten Seattle and NY and still have not faced Dallas. I would like to see how we would match up against The Tuna and his expertice.

I understand what you are saying Drunk Bomber however, the team seems to start out so well and falters. I understand we lost Mike Brown again, then we lost Tommie Harris and it just appears that no one on defense stepped up to stop the run. Not to mention the long pass plays that Farve was able to complete for over 20 yards. I understand Peanut was out again however, the coaches have to properly prepare the team for the game and it appeared that they did not. Offensively there really is not much that you are able to say except that Cedric had a helluva night where he actually averaged 8.8 yards per carry which is phenominal. Beyond that I am not sure what was positive about this game. Even Fred Mitchell in grading the Team gave the offense an average grade of "C", the defense an average grade of "C" as well. Special Teams earned a "B" and the coaching got a "D" for not having this team prepared properly. We'll see what happens on January 13th and have to evaluate it further after that game. I just hope we some how get a victory that day and right now I have serious doubts that we will win.

I really enjoyed Devin Hester's record tying return of a missed field goal. It was another one of those special moments in the season that just was a lot of fun to watch.

I think about tonights debacle and wonder what is going to happen next. The offense gives up 14 points to the Pack and the defense gives up 12. Problem is that on both sides of the ball IMO we looked out of synch and struggling to get anything going. Grossman has another miserable game and committs another four turnovers. Griese comes in get a TD somehow and still committs two additional turnovers. What is going to happen on January 13th? From my point of view we are going to be one and done once again. I am not sure what is going to turn this around for the post season however things are miserable the way they are and I blame Ted Philips, Jerry Angelo and the entire coaching staff for the great fall that we are going to wind up with. Season started out so promising and now is going to wind up being a miserable failure. Don't let our 13-3 record fool you, we got lucky to win the 13. Green Bay out played us tonight as well as some other teams that we have beaten this season. I am not looking forward to the playoffs and I am expecting even less once they start for us. From the looks of it, wait till next year will be the cry once again.

I agree with you on the so called experts in evaluating the teams. That is why the old saying goes that on "Any Given Sunday Any One Can Win." We have proven for thirteen of the fifteen weeks so far that we are better than our opponents and we could have just as well beaten New England. We'll get through today and start to prepare for the divisional match up.

Since we already embarassed Seattle this season, I would like to see what happens against either Philadelphia or Dallas. We already handled the Giants as well and that only leaves the other two. I think that Dallas would wind up being an interesting choice to see how much T.O. implodes and becomes the cancer in the locker room we all know that he is. Philadelphia is playing some good ball with Garcia as QB in place of native son McNabb. Either match up might be challenging for us.