Chicago’s Monsters of the Midway Transitioning Into Air Bears
Published by Halas Observer on September 22, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
In truth, Sunday’s game against the Steelers wasn’t so much the start of a transition, of a movement, of a philosophical shift in the makeup of these Chicago Bears as it was a confirmation of it, and finally taking the wrapping off of what is going to likely be the new core for years to come.
No, the signal to the start of the movement was back in April, when the Bears traded for franchise Quarterback Jay Cutler.
However, via the misfortune of veterans, and to the good fortune of young players, the Bears now are in a transition mode where the youth of the team is going to carry them, and the Bears will become more than they have ever been—a damn good passing team.
Up until Sunday, you had a vague sense of direction of where the Bears wanted to go, what they wanted to do, but you didn’t know if the Bears could get there, or if they even had the people to take them. There the Bears were, facing the defending Super Bowl champions who looked every bit the part, without Brian Urlacher, without Desmond Clark.
And they won.
Not just won, but aside from the opening quarter, the defense looked good as well; it seems the Bears can survive in a post-Urlacher world. While not as athletic as Urlacher, Hillenmeyer was smart enough to know where to be on the field, and it makes an aging Urlacher look very expendable, although not likely until after next year if at all.
But even with that, and young players like Al Afalava and Zach Bowman to look to on defense, the real transition here is that the “Name” players, the guys you get excited to go see, the guys you mention by name to go see, are migrating to the offensive side of the ball.
Cutler for sure, but Johnny Knox is making a name for himself already, and while not a true No. 1 wide receiver, everyone know’s Devin Hester’s name, plus you have Matt Forte. These Monsters are a whole different beast altogether than what Chicago has ever seen before donning the navy and orange.
No, these Air Bears are going to take it to you via the passing game with a precision that is downright shocking. And the most exciting part? We haven’t even just scratched the surface of what this offense can do, and the core is already there for the future. And some well known veterans can start counting the days before being led to retirement from the team, voluntary or otherwise, because time waits for no man.
Olin Kreutz, Brian Urlacher, Desmond Clark: here’s your bill, thanks for dining with us.
Jay Cutler, Johnny Knox, Matt Forte, Kellen Davis: your table is waiting.
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