Congratulations are in order to the Cubs

Way to go Cubs. I thank you for making at least one of my predictions true. Of course now the damage of a collapse is just that much higher.

As for the other Chicago team...Uh...urp...I can't say my prediction was correct.

Bears Watch '07: Ugh...

Last night was the first chance this year for me to watch the Bears play. Opening weekend I was working while they played the Chargers, and the Chiefs game was up against a Ravens game, so it wasn't shown here in Virginia.

After watching them play last night, I wish I had found a reason not to watch the game. It was an all around failure, although I can't help but think that the defense might have been better if the offense had shown up.

Frankly, my faith in this team has been shaken. So far they have looked very ugly in the two losses against San Diego and Dallas. The one victory, against an abysmal Kansas City team, didn't look much better. Grossman has only rarely shown any signs of competence, and Benson is no Thomas Jones.

It pains me to say this, but I think it may be time for the Grossman era in Chicago to come to an end. As it stands, I don't think he'll ever overcome his weaknesses, and will never become a stable option for the team. Its time to put Brian Griese in, and see if the season can be saved.

The 2007 Bears Preview

It is a pretty good time to be a Bears fan. Maybe not as good as the mid 80s, but still much better than the Wannstedt years. The Bears have won two straight division titles, and made a trip to the Super Bowl. They have returned most of their roster from last year, and the NFC looks just as ripe for the taking in 2007 as it did in 2006. This most certainly could be a good year for the "Monsters of the Midway".

If the outlook is so bright, why are so many Bears fan nervous about this year? Some might argue a potentially improved NFC north, a tougher schedule, or the potential distraction of the Lance Briggs saga. However, those all pale in comparison to the uncertainty about Rex Grossman.

Grossman has shown signs that he could be the one to lead the Bears out of the quarterback wilderness. When he plays well, the Bears are a very dangerous and exciting team. His good days make you forget about Henry Burris, Cade McNown, and the other jokers who have occupied that position in recent years. When he is on fire, he makes those who argue for Kyle Orton and/or Brian Griese look foolish.

But those days don't happen every week. There seems to be little middle ground with Rex. Either he is very good, or he is very bad. One week he'll have a 250+yd/3 TD game, and the next will be a 3 INT/2 Fumbles game. You never know what to expect from him.

I can see why some people would want to replace him with Griese and/or Orton. Sure, you probably won't get some of the excitement Grossman brings, but the other two might not make quite so many stupid throws. In addition, they both seem much better at not fumbling the snap, a problem Grossman has that almost is worse than his poor throwing choices.

Hopefully Cedric Benson will have a breakout season and take some of the pressure off of Grossman. For better or worse, Benson is the featured back now. If teams have to plan on stopping Benson, it will open up more opportunities for the passing game. As long as the solid receiver corps stays healthy, the Bears offense could be a powerhouse. Or it could be the SOSB (same old sh***y Bears). Here's hoping it will be the former, rather than the latter.

Predictions

NFC East: Philadelphia (#4), Dallas (#5), Washington, New York
NFC North: Chicago (#1), Minnesota (#6), Green Bay, Detroit
NFC South: New Orleans (#2), Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay
NFC West: Seattle (#3), San Francisco, Arizona, St. Louis

AFC East: New England (#1), Buffalo (#6), New York Jets, Miami
AFC North: Baltimore (#3), Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland
AFC South: Indianapolis (#2), Tennessee, Jacksonville, Houston
AFC West: San Diego (#4), Denver (#5), Oakland, Kansas City

NFC Wildcard Round: Philadelphia over Dallas, Seattle over Minnesota
AFC Wildcard Round: San Diego over Denver, Baltimore over Buffalo

NFC Divisional Round: Chicago over Philadelphia, New Orleans over Seattle
AFC Divisional Round: New England over San Diego, Indianapolis over Baltimore

NFC Championship: New Orleans over Chicago
AFC Championship: New England over Indianapolis

The Game That Shall Not Be Named (Please don't hurt me NFL Lawyers): New Orleans over New England

Mea Culpa: Delay to Posts

I know I promised a summer movie review and a Bears preview by today, but a major project at work has forced me to delay those items. The Bears preview will be up before they play the Chargers. As for the movie review, I hope to get it done by Sunday night.

I apologize to all of my loyal readers who were eagerly anticipating these posts (Ha!)

The Week Ahead: September 3-9

I hope those of you who had a day off had a happy Labor Day, and my condolences to those who didn't.

Coming up this week will be a final Summer movie review. From Spider-Man 3 to Superbad, I'll share my thoughts on a very enjoyable season.

Also, we're less than a week from the start of the Bears season, which means it's time for my 2007 preview. Expect this on Friday (and be sure to let me know if I don't get it up by then).

Until then I bid you adieu.