The talk at the start of the season from those who follow the NFL, especially the Bears, was that this was going to be a rough season for the Bears and head coach Lovie Smith. I'll admit, I thought they would do better than most had them for this year, but the way things have unfolded over the last month has been beyond my expectations.
Yes, the defense has been playing well, Jay Cutler has been reigned in and the offensive line has pieced it together enough to keep Jay upright and make lanes for Matt Forte to run through, but there is one person to give credit for this (what could be) great season. You guessed it, Lovie.
When teams around the NFL are broken and has guys stepping out and making it about themselves, no nonsense is coming out of Halas Hall in Lake Forest and the Bears are unified going forward each week. It's one of those things where it's known the defense is the mainstay of the team, and the offense has to do "just enough" to get the team over the top. Never, though, has there been any finger pointing, even last year, at Jay or the offensive line (including O-line coach Mike Tice) to get it together.
Who gets the credit for that? Yep, Lovie. He's done it every year he's been in Chicago and this might be the best he's done as a coach, and yes I'm talking even better than 2006. There were no expectations and many questions abound on this team on how things would go this season, after the disappointment of last year.
And all the questions about the Bears not beating anyone with a winning record before Sunday, who cares? Is it the Bears fault their schedule is the way it is? Hell no. Sunday, against the team EVERYONE said was the new front runner to win the NFC, the Bears were in control for most of the game. Yes, the Eagles rallied late, but they are a good team, heck, they're great, and the Bears weathered the storm. The offense played great behind both Jay and Forte (who had 100+ yards) and the defense kept Michael Vick in check for the most part in what was the highest rated NFL game of the season (per Jay Glazer).
There are five games left and one five teams of the last 59 have missed the playoffs with an 8-3 record. That means things are looking good for this team to make the playoffs.
Why is it, when there is talk about coach of the year, am I not hearing Lovie Smith's name mentioned? He should be. He HAS to be. He has brought this team together and is leading them to a possible NFC North title.
I guess the Bears, got a little respect for this win? If not, it doesn't really bother Brian Urlacher.
Keeping on my NFL tip, I'm sure you've seen the Derek Anderson flip out video by now. My take on it is this: He was a bit out of line for blowing up. I was unsure in reading some things on Twitter about it, but hearing what the reporter said to him was not out of line. He was essentially throwing him a rope to save him from the fan backlash and he completely lost it and handled it the wrong way.
This is a bit like a scene in "Fever Pitch" when the guys see Johnny Damon, Trot and some Red Sox players out after falling behind the Yanks 3-0 in the ALCS. I can support the guys having some sort of laugh on the sideline regarding the score. It has to upset you being down in a game, but you can't get too down or upset because it will effect your play on the field. In Anderson's case, he's so bad, he could be upset and it wouldn't help him. Just saying.
The other hot topic in the NFL this week was the Cortland Finnegan and Andre Johnson fight in the Texans and Titans game. This highlight is obviously taken from a show on Sunday and the two have both since gotten just a $25,000 fine and no suspension. Finnegan calls himself the "dirtiest player in the game." This isn't the WWE and unlike Ric Flair having that monicker, it is not a good one to have in the NFL. The guy is a scumbag. While I don't condone throwing punches, you have to defend yourself and Johnson did just that and teaching that punk a lesson. While I talked earlier about bringing a team together and being disciplined, is it time we question the job Steve Fischer is doing in Tennessee? He has the Vince Young problem. Randy Moss is in town now. Then there's this jerk. The NFL has no place for that.
Enough football, it's time for the ladies of the day to take over. Today's Nussie Hunter segment of the broadcast is the exotic Francia Raisa, who appeared in the movie For Colored Girls. I'm not too into the movie, but the fine folks at Guyism.com have more pics of her from the premiere.
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