Breaking News: Bears Had Bad 2014 Season

December 29, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Monday meanderings: Yes, the Chicago Bears concluded their 2014 season Sunday with a 13-9 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings. You were expecting something else? Oh, to be so delusional.

Video below of Vanessa Ceron, For those who care. Even for those who do not.

* Speaking of delusional, Bears coach Marc Trestman said in his postgame press conference he expected to be back next season after a 5-11 2014. Then again, did anyone really expect him to say he was going to clean out his office at Halas Hall and wait to be fired?

* On the bright (?) side for the Bears, they do have the No. 7 pick in the NFL draft. Well, unless they trade down or trade away the selection for a proven commodity or commodities.

* On the bright (?) side for Bears fans, Matt Forte set the NFL record for most receptions by a running back in a season. He finished with 102 to break Larry Centers’ mark of 101 set in 1995 with the Arizona Cardinals. Pretty sure that of Forte’s catches, at least 15 gained yards. OK, significantly more, but it sure didn’t seem that way.

* Speaking of Forte, quarterback Jay Cutler said in his postgame press conference he didn’t know Forte had broken the broken the record until he was asked about it. Blind-sided again? Or being oblivious? Or disingenuous? A lot of other people knew how many catches Forte needed, and the guy throwing to him didn’t? Seems difficult to believe. Then again, the Bears season provided an abundance of things that were difficult to believe.

* Still speaking of Forte, he had eight receptions for 23 yards. He rushed 17 times for 51 yards. Meaning he averaged 2.9 yards per catch and 3.0 per rush. He had a long reception of 10 yards and a long run of nine yards. His longest run this season was 32 yards — that was his only run of 20-plus yards in 2014. He entered the game with a 4.0 average per carry and 8.4 per catch. He’s 30. And for those who view him as an elite running back, take a step back and wonder whether you’d think all that would define another running back on another team as elite.

* Still speaking of Forte, he did enter Sunday’s game as the NFL leader in yards after catch with 771. Which probably tells you more about the Bears’ offense than it does about Forte. He also surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in seven seasons.

* Speaking of 1,000 yards, the statistical-department had the day off Sunday, so please bear with me regarding any subsequent calculations. To be impressive, a running back should have to rush for 100 yards a game. In a 16-game season, we have calculated that sum to be 1,600 yards. Forte finished with 1,038 yards. Meaning his average per game was 64.875 yards per game. Even when you round it up to 65 per game, this still is not going to get you to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Or to the postseason.

* If a lackluster offensive performance vs. the Vikings is an indication of the players’ commitment to Trestman and his coaching staff, isn’t that a rather poor reflection of the players themselves? And a good way to be looking for another team to play for in 2015?

* To those who proclaim Trestman has to go, Cutler has to go, general manager Phil Emery has to go, president Ted Phillips has to go, the McCaskey family has to go, a word of advice (actually three words): Save your breath. By the time you read this, some steps may have been taken to improve — or at the very least change — the dynamics of the organization. And if no change has come by the time you are reading this, rest assured that it will. In some form. To expect bold moves from the Bears is a little like to have expected them to be in the postseason. Chances are you’ll be disappointed — no matter how much the media may hype up the situation.

* Oh, and just in case ownership of the Bears is taking unsolicited suggestions: Bring back the Honey Bears!

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