The Chris Harris Effect

It's easy to put the blame on a lot of things or people for this disastrous Chicago Bears season. You can blame the coaching, the players, or even Jay Cutler. But what if a simple trade that Jerry Angelo made in the 2007 training camp was never made? What if they would have kept this particular player instead of letting him go because the position was "full"? Let's find out.

The Bears traded safety Chris Harris to the Carolina Panthers during training camp 2007. Angelo said the trade was made because we were too deep at safety. But are you ever really to deep at a position? Especially with a guy that started at safety since his rookie year.

In Harris rookie year of 2005, Harris recorded three interceptions along with 48 tackles and two fumble recovery's. Not bad for a rookie, huh?

In 2006 Harris was a key member of a defense that was one of the best in the NFL. A high flying defense that shut down opposing teams, and struck fear into opposing teams eyes. With Mike Brown going down after the historic Arizona game, Harris became the primary safety on the defense. He finished with two interceptions and 44 tackles in 11 games.

So what would happen if the Bears didn't trade Harris and kept him? Let's go to week 2 of the 2008 NFL season.

The Chicago Bears are playing the home team Carolina Panthers. Bears leading by 11 in the third quarter, Panthers safety Chris Harris strips tight end Greg Olsen leading to a Jonathon Stewart four yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Bears. A huge momentum swing back to the Panthers who eventually won the game.

See the thing is, Harris led the NFL with eight forced fumbles in 2007, and two in 2008. Pretty good numbers for a safety.

The Bears would eventually miss the playoffs by one game. So if they beat the Panthers instead of Chris Harris the former Bear beating them, they would have finished 10-6 and a wild card birth. Playing the Giants in the first round.

Who knows if the Bears would have beat the Giants? Nobody knows to be exact. But with the way the Bears were playing towards the end of the season last year, anything could happen.

That leads me to make next possible point.

Say the Bears do make the playoffs. It doesn't matter if the Bears win or lose in the playoffs, but does Jerry Angelo make the trade for Jay Cutler? Does he give up the draft picks for a stable quarterback? Or do they stick with Kyle Orton who leads them to the playoffs in 2008?

Maybe the Bears stick with Orton, and then have their first round pick in 2009. Needing an offensive threat, the Bears take... let's say Percy Harvin?

Harvin is having a pretty good rookie year for a solid Vikings team. He might be producing the same as a Bear with Kyle Orton. And the Bears did need a threat at the wide out spot. Only makes sense they draft him.

So maybe Urlacher is right. Maybe we have changed our identity because of our new quarterback. Are we a better team for the future with Cutler? Yes we are. But would our "identity" stay the same with Kyle Orton? Yes it would.

I'm not saying Cutler is the reason we suck, I cant blame everything on him. There is numerous reasons why we are doing bad. But could a trade that happened two years ago effect us this much?

That's for you to decide.


Just a little Chris Harris video.

Special Edition: Top 10 Bears Players From This Decade-- #10

I've started a new thing for my blog. On Thursdays I will be doing a countdown of the top 10 Bears players from this past decade. Seeing that the decade is about over, I decided it only be best to do it now and have it end right when the decade does.

I did #10 on a Wednesday, well because tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Instead of blogging, I'm going to be filling and stuffing my body with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and other assorted Thanksgiving foods.

This list was based on what the player accomplished in this decade for the Chicago Bears. A minimum of two years must have been played in this decade.

Enjoy!

#10 Jim Miller QB (2008-2002)


Jim Miller played with several NFL teams in his career, but the most noticeable was the Chicago Bears. He had only played two games with the Steelers, before earning the staring job with the Bears.

Miller ran the Bears offense through that magical 2001 season. Sure you can say the Defense was the highlight of that team, but Miller never made the mistakes at quarterback to hurt his team. Even the fans liked him. Crowning the nickname "It's Miller Time" during that season.

Of the 19 or so quarterbacks Chicago has had since McMahon, Miller is top five on that list, playing ability.

He posted his best season as a Bear in 2001, while playing a career high 14 games. Miller threw for 2,299 yards along with 13 touchdowns. He had 10 interceptions that season, but none of them really costing his team.

Miller led the Bears to the playoffs in 2001, and a playoff match up with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The game was competitive for the first half, until Hugh Douglas lay ed out Miller and separating his shoulder. Ending Miller's game, and the Bears season. Watching that game as a 12 year old kid I was heartbroken. I remember losing our quarterback and just knowing that game was over.

Jim Miller is recognized as number 10 because of how well he played as a Bear. He was a serviceable quarterback that could lead a team. What if he doesnt get hurt in that game and stays as the Bears quarterback? Who know's? Maybe the Bears win the game.

Miller now serves as a analyst for Bears Post Game Live on Comcast Sports Network Chicago. Check him out after every Bears game this year.

The Wheels Have Officially Fallen Off

RIP to the 2009 season for the Chicago Bears. It's over folks. You can give thanks to the Eagles, and Jay Cutler's ability to miss three wide open wide receivers that would have been touchdowns.

The Bears were hanging in the game early after being down 10-0. Robbie Gould hit 4 field goals to give the Bears a 12-10 lead in the third quarter. The Bears held the lead on a Cutler to Kellen Davis touchdown that made it 20-17 in the third quarter.

Donovan McNabb hit Desean Jackson on a huge touchdown play to give the Eagles a 17-12 lead, but Cutler drove the Bears right down the field to take a 20-17 lead. The Eagles responded late in the fourth though, as McCoy went in on a 9 yard run to make it 24-20 Eagles.

On the Bears next drive Jay Cutler missed a wide open Johnny Knox for a easy touchdown, and the Bears ran out of time at the end.

I really dont know who to blame it all on right now. Cutler? The offensive line?

My best guess is Ron Turner. He HAS to go. I'm getting sick of this playcalling and offensive scheme we run. It's doing nothing. A screen on third and 11 on your opening drive? Like the ESPN Monday night crew say, C'monnnn Mannnnn!

As long as Ron Turner and this offensive scheme is here, Cutler wont be successful. Plain and simple. Cutler is great at throwing out of the pocket, and we have nothing designed for that.

Please Chicago, beat Minnesota and salvage something.

Week 11 Preview: Eagles @ Bears, SNF

Devin Hester and the Bears are ready for the High Flying Eagles

The Bears are playing in prime time once again this season, and so far it hasn't been good. They are 0-3 in Sunday Night Football Games this season, and Cutler has played horrible in all three games. Losing to the Packers in Green Bay week 1, then losing to the Falcons in Atlanta week 6, and finally losing to the 49ers in San Fransisco in week 10. This time the Bears are at home, maybe that why Cutler has played bad in prime time.

Both teams desperately need a win. The Eagles are coming off a tough stretch in which they lost to the Cowboys and Chargers. To keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East the Eagles know this is a must win. For the Bears who are 4-5, if they want any shot at the postseason, they need to turn it around now. A win over the Eagles would move them to 5-5, and the worst they could be is one game back of the wild card.

But the Bears have looked horrible the past five games.

It's really going to take a all-around team effort to win this game, and right the ship. I have some doubt though, as whether or not this team is motivated well enough to win.

The Eagles have a high flying offense. Good news for the Bears though, they are one dimensional. Their run game isn't the same without Brian Westbrook so hopefully the Bears can take advantage of it.

The outcome of the game is going to rely on two things.

Number one: The Bears secondary vs. the Eagles passing attack. The Eagles have play makers all over the field in the passing game. Desean Jackson isn't someone to let run free either. They can score from almost anywhere on the field. It doesn't matter. It's now up to Peanut Tillman and the gang to shut that down. If they do, I believe the Bears will have success.

Number two: Jay Cutler. Pretty obvious huh? Cutler HAS to rebound and have a almost perfect game to gain confidence in the Bears fans and this team. It's going to be all on him to get this offense going. Hopefully Matt Forte gets on track. That will allow Cutler to have other options, rather than passing 35+ times a game.

Bottom line is which team wants it more and limits their mistakes. I believe whoever win's the turnover battle, will win the game.

Bear Down!

Bears @ 49ers Recap

This was a horrible game to watch. I couldn't take it anymore, and by the time the fourth quarter started, I began questioning this team's motivation.

The Bears defense played their hearts out. Props to them, they held the 49ers offense to just 10 points. In my opinion, good enough to win the game. They played "angry" and with something to prove. Too bad the offense couldn't.

As much as I want to put ALL the blame on Jay Cutler, I cant. Hear me out on this. The kid is a good player, he's tough, and got a good arm. He just forces the ball way too much. With no run game, he tries to do everything himself. Your going to through a lot of interceptions, when you throw the ball 35+ times a game.

He will be fine people. I'm sick of hearing people bash Cutler. I'm sick of people saying they would rather have Orton. You know what? Go be a Bronco's fan. Jay is our quarterback, now TRUST him.

We really need to establish a run game, and get a whole new offensive line.

Even with Cutler's bad game, we still had a chance to win it at the end, and couldn't. The mistakes killed this team. Something that has to change now, for a better future.

Not a lot to talk about on this game, because I want to move forward and forget about it. But the discipline on this team seems to be lacking. Tommie Harris, Mark Anderson and Chris Williams have all done things to hurt this team in the past weeks. It's up too you Lovie to put some discipline in this team.

Overall this was a bad game, for a team who seems to get bad as weeks go by. Corrections need to be made, and it starts with you Lovie Smith.

Until next time,

Bear Down.

Bears-Vikings game on November 19 moved to 4:15 EST

The November 19th game in Minnesota between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings has been moved to 4:15 EST.

The NFL announced the change today. Their thought was this could be a huge game for the NFC North division. If the Bears beat the 49ers and Eagles, it could be.

I like having national televised primetime games. Not if we get killed though.

The full changes for Week 12 will be done by this Tuesday.

Week 10: Bears @ 49ers Preview

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Thursday Night Football makes its debut for the 2009 season, and for the third straight year the Bears play on TNF.

The good news for the Bears this week is that they get to play another game right away. After that horrendous loss at home against Arizona, that might be a bad thing actually.

The Bears are not in good shape for the division, let alone the playoffs. But there is always a chance. If they were going to make a serious run at the playoffs, it would have to be a wild card berth. So far the Bears are 0-2 against teams they trail in the wild card, Green Bay and Atlanta.

The Bears would need to win this game for a tie-breaker in case they have a shot at the wild card.

The Bears began a tough four game stretch last Sunday against the Cardinals with a loss. Not the way you want to start those out. They now have to play at San Fransisco, home against Philadelphia, then a crucial game at Minnesota. It's looking like the Bears will have to win all three of those games to stay alive.

The 49ers started off strong, before losing their last four games to give them a 3-5 record.

Mike Singletary has his team well prepared every week, something Lovie Smith should start doing.

The Bears are going to have to keep an eye out on Frank Gore. The 49ers running back has already posted a 200 yard game this season, and the way the Bears defense is playing, I could run for 100 yards on them. The matchup to watch is going to be linebacker Lance Briggs going against Gore both in the run and passing game. If Briggs gets blocked off and the Bears defense cant contain, Gore will make them pay.

The Bears need to control and fill their gaps properly in order to shut down a somewhat threat offense from the 49ers.

A concern I see for the Bears is matching up with tight end Vernon Davis. The Bears really dont have a good enough covering linebacker or safety to matchup with Davis, so the defensive line will need to get pressure and force Alex Smith to get the ball out and make bad decisions.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Bears once again it will depend on the run game. Last week we seen the Bears throw the ball on their first eight plays. They gave the Ball to Forte early, who had a couple nice runs, but after falling behined 21-7 the Bears abanded the run game. Something they cant do on Thursday.

It's going to be interesting to see how Cutler fares against a 49ers defense who has struggled, yet played well at times this season. Patrick Willis is going to cause problems for the Bears all game, it's going to be how the Bears handle him. If they can block him and take him out of plays, they will be successful in the air and on the ground.

This is a must win for Chicago. Get this win, and then take the next 10 days to prepare for a tough Philadelphia team followed by the Vikings.

If Chicago can get this win they will move to 5-4 and right in the middle of the wild card race. More importantly though, give this team and city some hope.