Wow, that was just awful and uneasy for most of the second half - who would have thought I would experience fear when Caleb Hanie was involved?
Thanks to Raji and Shields (and Shields earlier) for the defensive bailout. I have to think Rodgers will be a whole lot better in two weeks. And Lombardi trophy number four will be in sight.
I don't gamble, but this game cost me at least a hundred bucks, because now I'm off to the NFL Shop for a new cap and Rodgers jersey. OH MAN WE DID IT (SOMEHOW)
As soon as Cutler left the game, it was a foregone conclusion. The only question was really how close the Bears would make it and, to their credit, they made it pretty close.
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
After the Rodgers INT in the 3rd, it seemed like the Packers goal was not to lose the game rather than putting their foot on the Bears throat. After seeing Rivers play in an AFC Title Game with a blown out knee, it is difficult to see how Cutler couldn't keep going, especially with Todd Collins in the back-up position.
(What's the difference between winning pretty and winning ugly? One is a win, and the other is a win.)
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. "Well. Shit." -hansen9j Go Pack Go! (10-6, NFC champions) Let's Go Riders! (getting pretty tired of being the bridesmaid)
Originally posted by Leroy Watching Raji carry that interception into the end zone, I felt like I was watching a scene from Necessary Roughness or Wildcats.
Typical McCarthy play-calling. "Well, we have a lead, so let's sit on the ball for....the second half!" I worry this idiot will cost Green Bay the championship since he allows opponents to stay close, and Pittsburgh is too good to be given that extra chance
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
Originally posted by It's FalseAs soon as Cutler left the game, it was a foregone conclusion.
If only I had known. Now I feel stupid for getting excited during that fourth quarter.
Troy and Buck set the stage at the beginning of the fourth quarter when they explained that neither Cutler nor Collins could return to the game. I was convinced that Caleb freakin' Hanie was going to lead the storybook comeback all the way to a victory.
Originally posted by Leroy Watching Raji carry that interception into the end zone, I felt like I was watching a scene from Necessary Roughness or Wildcats.
Originally posted by Sec19Row53Joy in Titletown. Won the Halas, now on to Dallas!
My condolences, spf.
Had you nervous there at the end didn't they?
Enjoy the Super Bowl. I'm going to go hibernate until...well really all my teams have "slightly above average" as a ceiling so I guess until 2016 or so when the Bears have their once every five years or so good team.
A short list of things that were bigger issues for the Chicago Bears than Jay Cutler playing/not playing in the second half
1) Tim Jennings. Or maybe the Bears inability to plug the hole that was Tim Jennings for the first few Packers drives.
2) Passing up two long field goals in the first half despite a reliable kicker. Everything changes and you can't be sure it'd be for the better, but six points would've been helpful and the Bears never kept any good field position out of the punts.
3) Todd Collins as #2 quarterback. Caleb Hanie played over his head, but Collins was awful during the regular season and only got the #2 spot back very quietly because management knew they'd be killed for playing favorites. Poor talent evaluation.
4) Bringing in Caleb Hanie with one minute in the third quarter, essentially offering forfeit of the game if Hanie gets injured. Bears proceed to call two runs to end quarter, rendering the change pointless. This was mind boggling poor game strategy.
5) A 3rd and 2 end around to Earl Bennett. Martz had kept it simple to get a 4th down the series before, but went with a risky gimmick play in a crucial situation. Also, a running play with the slowest active WR. Hester, Knox and Davis would've all been better options, if you had to run that play at all.
6) not calling a timeout on fourth down. If you're comfortable enough with the clock to be calling runs, you don't need to saving the last time out for some future occasion. It was a inexperienced QB to a mostly inexperienced WR crew, they probably could've used a non-hurried conversation.
I think Lovie Smith had a poor day, but Mike McCarthy might have been worse. They seemed to stop doing the things that worked (instead continually forcing it to marginal TEs) and let the Bears back into a game that should've been over early. Some bad game strategy late too.
Originally posted by thecubsfan3) Todd Collins as #2 quarterback. Caleb Hanie played over his head, but Collins was awful during the regular season and only got the #2 spot back very quietly because management knew they'd be killed for playing favorites. Poor talent evaluation.
Between yesterday's performance and helping combine for one of the single-worst regular season games of all-time (that ABYSMAL Bears/Panthers game), this has to be it for Todd Collins, right? No one would be insane enough to give him another shot in the NFL.
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
Originally posted by Mr ShhI was convinced that Caleb freakin' Hanie was going to lead the storybook comeback all the way to a victory.
*I* was convinced that Hanie was going to get injured and Martz would be fired for his stupidity. Though I'll grant that without Hanie, they wouldn't have had a chance even if Collins had been able to come back into the game.
Originally posted by redsoxnationAfter the Rodgers INT in the 3rd, it seemed like the Packers goal was not to lose the game rather than putting their foot on the Bears throat. After seeing Rivers play in an AFC Title Game with a blown out knee, it is difficult to see how Cutler couldn't keep going, especially with Todd Collins in the back-up position.
(edited by redsoxnation on 23.1.11 1854)
Rivers pretty much cost his team the game by playing hurt. He had a few good drives, but for the most part he was throwing balls all over the place. His back-up who helped finish of the Colts would have probably have faired the same if not better. LT not playing for "unknown" reasons was not helping either. Culter has a sprained MCL which is not something to laugh at. The real problem is Haine should have gone in for Cutler instead of Collins.
Originally posted by Mr ShhI was convinced that Caleb freakin' Hanie was going to lead the storybook comeback all the way to a victory.
*I* was convinced that Hanie was going to get injured and Martz would be fired for his stupidity. Though I'll grant that without Hanie, they wouldn't have had a chance even if Collins had been able to come back into the game.
I don't think Martz gets to make the decision to disqualify his 1 and 2 quarterbacks. If Lovie was the one to make the decision there (both to put in Hanie and put in Hanie when they did), then he has absurdly little amount of power for a head coach.
Martz was a strong proponent of signing Collins, and putting him at #2 (both before the season and after his bad start.) Martz probably would've have stuck with Collins if he did have the power to make that call.
2) Passing up two long field goals in the first half despite a reliable kicker. Everything changes and you can't be sure it'd be for the better, but six points would've been helpful and the Bears never kept any good field position out of the punts.
How can you defend this, Lovie - I totally do NOT understand the logic of getting points when you can - one of those was like 47 and Gould can hit that with his eyes closed.
Bad games by both coaches. Hope the Packers plan to play 60 against the Steelers. I hate them too.
But I hate the Packers more. Go Steelers!
(edited by AWArulz on 24.1.11 1712)
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I think they'll do better than that. Yeah, OSU trounced them, but I think they can beat Iowa and Michigan, the only two real tests left on the schedule. The defense holding OSU's offense to very little was a good sign.