JEFF'S CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - THE BEARS SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE IN TWO WEEKS
TIME FOR THE BEARS TO RE-BUILD
Yes, this dismal Bears season comes to a close in just two short weeks but they could wind up being two very important weeks for a few reasons.
Number One: We're playing the Green Bay Packers tomorrow and it would be very nice to sweep the Pack for the year and make it difficult for them to gain home field advantage in the Playoffs. Right now, the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay are tied for the best record in the NFC but Dallas has the tiebreaker over the Pack since they defeated the Pack a few weeks ago.
Number Two: The Bears need to see if Kyle Orton can be a franchise quarterback who could come in next year and seriously compete for the starting QB job with both Rex Grossman and Brian Griese. The Bears have yet to be successful with a starting QB since the days of Jim McMahon in the 80s.
Number Three: There are several holes in both the Defense and the Offense. These two weeks could help determine what the priorities will be in the off-season. The Bears will likely need help on the Offensive Line and at Running Back. This will be key for the Bears to emerge as contenders next year and possibly make a run at another Super Bowl.
Number Four: Speculation has been rampant that Lovie Smith could make another change with one or both of his coordinators. This is a real catch 22 since both coordinators could certainly be at blame for this dismal season but how much of a role do they really play since the team has been decimated by key injuries and lack of execution?
Number Five: Lovie Smith needs to immediately address a multitude of questions about the short term for this team, which has basically self-destructed in just one short year. Bears fans are now asking: Is Lovie a good head coach or was last year just a fluke in arguably a very weak NFC? Lovie has a long-term deal which has him in charge through 2011 - was this a good decision on the part of GM, Jerry Angelo?
So, despite elimination from the playoffs, the next two weeks are very important for the future of the Bears and I certainly hope we'll see an organization beginning to take steps that will improve the team for next year in a very significant way.
DO YOU THINK THE BEARS CAN REGROUP IN 2008? Let me know your thoughts.
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO SPORTS EDITOR,
JEFF ARDITO
