2011 Chicago Bears Season Review

The Chicago Bears 2011 campaign was marred by injury, with ten players finishing the season on injured reserve not including Brandon Iwuh who was released after injuring his hamstring.  The Bears won seven of their first ten games including wins over playoff teams to be Atlanta and Detroit before losing Jay Cutler for the season to a broken thumb.  Two weeks later Matt Forte was lost for the year.  The Bears won just one of their final six games, including crushing losses to Kansas City and Denver.  The failings of back up quarterback Caleb Hanie and a regression in the play of the offensive line cost Bears GM Jerry Angelo and offensive coordinator Mike Martz their jobs.  The new Bears GM will have his hands full as the Bears have holes at wide receiver, tight end, tackle, guard, defensive end, cornerback and safety.

Week One:  Bears 30, Falcons 12 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Midway through the third quarter Bears defensive end Julius Peppers's relentless pressure resulted in one of his two sacks and knocked the ball away from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.  Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher scooped it up and returned it twelve yards for a touchdown.

Player of the game:  Brian Urlacher

The star linebacker registered ten tackles, four assists, one interception and returned a recovered fumble for a touchdown.

Week Two:  Saints 30, Bears 13 @ New Orleans

Play of the game:  Early in the second quarter Drew Brees connected with Devery Henderson who had blown by both Bears safeties for a 79 yard touchdown on third and long.  At the time the Saints trailed 7-3 but never trailed again after the play.

Player of the game:  Drew Brees

The Saints quarterback completed 26 of 37 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

Week Three:  Packers 27, Bears 17 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Early in the fourth quarter Aaron Rodgers hit tight end Jermichael Finley for a ten yard score.  The catch was Finley's third touchdown of the game, each coming against a different Bears defender.

Player of the game:  Jermichael Finley

The big tight end caught seven passes for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

Week Four:  Bears 34, Panthers 29 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Early in the second quarter Devin Hester returned a Jason Baker punt 69 yards for a score, making him the all time leader for punt return touchdowns.

Player of the game:  Matt Forte

The Bears half back rushed for 205 yards and one score.  He also caught four passes for 23 yards. 

Week Five:  Lions 24, Bears 13 @ Detroit

Play of the game:  Late in the third quarter Lions half back Jahvid Best ran untouched through the heart of the Bears defense 88 yards for a touchdown that put Detroit up two scores.

Player of the game:  Jahvid Best

The Lions runner put up 163 yards and one score on just 12 carries.  He also caught four passes for nine yards.

Week Six:  Bears 39, Vikings 10 @ Chicago 

Play of the game:  After the Vikings scored their only touchdown of the game early in the third quarter Devin Hester took the ensuing kick off back for a score, reminding the Vikings how thoroughly they were being dominated.

Player of the game:  Devin Hester

The Bears special teams star returned three kicks for 125 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. 

Week Seven:  Bears 24, Buccaneers 18 @ Tampa Bay (in London)

Play of the game:  The Bucs had sliced an eighteen point deficit down to just six and held the ball in Bears territory inside the game's final minute.  Bears defensive end Julius Peppers got pressure in the face of Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman and forced a poor throw that was picked off by Bears cornerback D.J. Moore.

Player of the game:  Matt Forte

The Bears runner dazzled gaining 145 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.  He also gained 38 yards on two receptions.

Week Eight:  Bye   

Week Nine:  Bears 30, Eagles 24 @ Philadelphia 

Play of the game:  The Bears trailed by four early in the fourth quarter when Jay Cutler hit Earl Bennett for a five yard score that put the Bears ahead for the rest of the game.

Player of the game:  Earl Bennett 

The Bears receiver returned from a chest injury in grand fashion.  He caught five passes for 95 yards and the deciding touchdown.

Week Ten:  Bears 37, Lions 13 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On Detroit's first possession of the second half Major Wright returned a Matthew Stafford interception 24 yards for a touchdown, turning the game in to a rout.

Player of the game:  Charles "Peanut" Tillman

The Bears cornerback's physical play stifled the Lions big play receiver Charles Johnson.  Tillman also returned an interception for a touchdown and recorded five tackles.

Week Eleven:  Bears 31, Chargers 20 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Midway through the fourth quarter Bears receiver Johnny Knox slipped on his route and Jay Cutler's pass was intercepted Antoine Cason.  On the return Cutler held up the convoy long enough for Matt Forte to bump Cason out of bounds inside the Bears 20.  The Bears defense would eventually take the ball back, but on the play Cutler broke his thumb.

Player of the game:  Jay Cutler

The Bears quarterback completed 18 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns.  He also ran five times for 11 yards and a touchdown.

Week Twelve:  Raiders 25, Bears 20 @ Oakland 

Play of the game:  The Bears held the ball deep in Raiders territory in the first half's final minute when Caleb Hanie's ill fated throwback screen was deflected by Aaron Curry and intercepted by Kamerion Wimbley.  Lance Louis hustled to bring down Wimbley inside the Bears 10 and the defense forced a field goal, but the point and momentum swing was too much for the Bears and their backup quarterback.

Player of the game:  Sebastian Janikowski

The Raiders kicker banged home 19 of the Raiders 25 points, connecting on all six of his field goal tries.

Week Thirteen:  Chiefs 10, Bears 3 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On the final play of the first half Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko made a desperation heave from near midfield to the Bears end zone.  The pass appeared to be defended by Brian Urlacher, but in an effort to knock the ball to the ground safety Chris Conte swatted the ball out of Urlacher's hands and in to the hands of Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster resulting in the game's only touchdown and deciding points.  It was Palko's first career touchdown pass and one of many bizarre plays that lead to the Bears demise.

Player of the game:  Justin Houston

The Kansas City linebacker led a blitzing defense recording 7 tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a defensed pass. 

Week Fourteen:  Broncos 13, Bears 10 (OT) @ Denver

Play of the game:  With the Bears leading by three at the two minute warning Bears running back Marion Barber inexplicably ran out of bound on a second down run.  The play stopped the clock and gave the Broncos an extra forty seconds when they received the ball, leaving them just enough time to drive for a tying field goal.  Denver would capitalize on a Barber fumble in overtime to win the game.

Player of the game:  Matt Prater

The Denver kicker accounted for seven points including a 59 yard field goal to tie the game and a 53 yard field goal to win the game.   

Week Fifteen:  Seahawks 38, Bears 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  With the game tied at fourteen early in the third quarter Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright pressured Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie on a play action pass.  Hanie's course of action was to throw the ball to Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant who had nothing but twenty yards between himself and a go ahead touchdown.  It was the first of two Hanie interceptions returned for scores by the Seattle defense.

Player of the game:  Marshawn Lynch

The Seattle running back rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns.  He also caught two passes for five yards.

Week Sixteen:  Packers 35, Bears 21 @ Green Bay

Play of the game:  After the Bears scored a touchdown on the first possession of the second half to pull within four points of the lead the Packers answered with a fifty five yard bomb from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson that beat both Bears safeties.  Green Bay would also score touchdowns on their next two possessions to put the game out of reach.

Player of the game:  Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay quarterback completed 21 of 29 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns.  He also rushed four times for 18 yards. 

Week Seventeen:  Bears 17, Vikings 13 @ Minnesota

Play of the game:  Less than a minute after a Bears offensive touchdown got the Bears within three points of the lead early in the second quarter Bears cornerback Charles Tillman picked off Christian Ponder and returned the interception for a touchdown.  The Bears would not trail again after this play.

Player of the game:  Charles Tillman

The Bears cornerback celebrated his first ever Pro Bowl selection in style recording six solo tackles, assisting four others and returning an interception for a touchdown.  The return makes him the Bears all time leader in interception return touchdowns with five.

The Top Three Bears Games Of 2011

3.  Week One:  Bears 30, Falcons 12 @ Chicago

The Bears validated the previous season's great run by throttling a team that had been the NFC's top playoff seed the previous season and would become a wild card participant in this season's playoffs.  Big games from Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers led the way to victory.

2.  Week Nine:  Bears 30, Eagles 24 @ Philadelphia     

For the second consecutive season the Bears out classed the Eagles in a key mid season show down.  Despite being the underdog the Bears ran over and around the Eagles, exposing the "Dream Team" and continuing their dominance over Michael Vick.  Only one of ESPN's Monday Night Countdown "experts" picked the Bears to win this game:  Mike Ditka.

1.  Week Ten:  Bears 37, Lions 13 @ Chicago

The Bears avenged an embarrassing week five loss to the Lions in dominant fashion.  Despite getting a sub par game from the offense the Bears defense and special teams took Detroit out of the game taking the ball away six times, returning two interceptions and a punt return for touchdowns.  The most prevalent victims were the Lion's two best players quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.  Stafford looked uncomfortable all game and was picked off four times.  Johnson was shut down Charles Tillman while the game was in the balance, lost a fumble and was rocked by Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs.

Bear Of The Year:  Jay Cutler

Despite having five players named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad (Matt Forte, Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman and Corey Graham), no one player's fortune's impacted the Bears than those of Jay Cutler.  In ten games with Cutler the Bears were 7-3 and rounding in to one of the NFC's best teams.  In the six games following losing Cutler to a broken thumb the Bears went 1-5 facing softer competition than what Cutler faced.  In ten games Cutler completed 182 of 314 passes for 2319 yards and 13 touchdowns.  He also ran 10 times for 18 yards and one touchdown.

 

When Life Imitates Snark

Pretty simple blog post today, just want to bring to light one of my favorite satirists of American sports, The Heckler.  If you are a sports fan and you are not paying attention to The Heckler you are an idiot.  They were Onion Sports before Onions Sports was anything.

While reading The Heckler the other day a couple articles caught my eye.  The one linked here about the prospect of the Wisconsin Badgers football program plucking yet another post grad quarterback, this time in the form of former Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist.  Also the one linked here about a tasty strategy for Cubs manager Dale Sveum to lure free agent first baseman Prince Fielder to the Chicago Cubs.

Both of these articles are satirical and speculative and written well before these entries from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  The first one linked here about Dayne Crist seriously considering spending his final year of eligibility as quarterback of the Wisconsin Badgers and the one linked here about Dale Sveum being used as a tool to help lure Prince Fielder to the north side of Chicago.

Stories so nice they made me laugh twice.

Rynos Don't Wear Shirts

New Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, has ruled out Chicago Cubs legend, Ryne Sandberg, or any other person without big league coaching experience for any consideration to be the Cubs next manager.  This decision has been met with mixed reviews as the rival St. Louis Cardinals thickened the plot by receiving permission from the Philadelphia Phillies to interview Sandberg, their Triple-A manager.

This isn't about people with or without major league experience (The fact that the Cubs are considering interviewing Dale Sveum proves that.).  This is about Ryne Sandberg.  Not Ryne Sandberg the person, but Ryne Sandberg the concept.  This is about dragging Cubs history and tradition out in front of women and children and putting a bullet through its conceptual head.  Done.  Enough.  No more celebrating 113 plus years of championship free baseball.

I understand that there are feel good stories in sports beyond championship glory, but even the Cubs feel good stories make you feel bad.  The '45 Cubs?  Got cursed by a goat.  The '69 Cubs?  Blew a nine and a half game lead in the final month and a half of the season.  The '84 Cubs?  Blew a 2 games to none lead in the best of five NLCS.  The '89 Cubs?  Lost the NLCS four games to one.  The '98 Cubs?  See Sammy Sosa's congressional testimony and Kerry Woods career arc.  The '03 Cubs?  Blew a three games to one lead in the NLCS vs Florida.  The 07-08 Cubs?  A combined 0-6 in the playoffs.

If I were Epstein I'd tear down the ivy and do away with the pinstripes too.  It's time to bury the past Cubs fans.  Sunshine and Old Style are your enemy.  For now and forever until the Cubs win the title.  Then you can go back and play with all your old toys. 

We're Not Going To Take It

Recently Chris Jones blasted sports fans for their common and frequent pronoun faux pas in this article on Grantland.  For starters Grantland is nothing more than a seething pool of self congratulatory ESPN runoff (which, not surprisingly, is more intelligent than the manure ESPN retains).  So it is not the least bit surprising that Jones is taking aim at the hapless meatballs that wish to enjoy the feeling that they are personally intertwined in their favorite team's fortunes.

I get it.  "We" are not a part of the team.  We are rarely welcome on the field.  We aren't in the union.  We aren't invited to board meetings.  We aren't the athletic trainer.  We aren't even the freaking beer vendor.  But we are a part of the equation.  We are the customers.  We pour in the money.  We are subjected to the sponsor's message.  We make noise when the opposing team is trying to hear.  We shout obscenities at LaRussa.  We are emotionally invested.  Technically still not part of the team, but intellectually pistol whipping folks over this technicality is as played out as "Bill from Waukegan" bitching about how "our" offensive line sucks.

It is the equivalent of keeping rabbits out of your garden with a fully automatic assault riffle.  You know what?  Put up a fence.  Put up a fence and keep you and all your precious little veggies in and let all the happy little dolts run around thinking turning their hats inside out makes a difference.

While there are few things in this natural world as creepy as college sports fans (myself included), it is my pleasure to use America's minor leagues to turn the technicality table.  You see despite never paying a dime on tuition or spending a minute in class at the University of Wisconsin, because I pay state taxes, I am a Wisconsin Badger.  And a Fighting Illini.  And a Missouri Tiger.  My drop in bucket eventually helps finance Bret Bielema's bidet and unlike the disposable income I spend on professional teams, this money's going out whether I like it or not. 

This bleeds in to the realm or professional sports as well.  When the Milwaukee Brewers wanted a new stadium, they didn't set up a collection from the players, execs and support staff, they went to the taxpayers.  There are many five county residents that wish they weren't Milwaukee Brewers.

When Champagne Gets In Your Eyes

There weren't as many crazy finishes in the second half of the Brewers 2011 campaign, but there were plenty of great moments and a National League Central Division championship.  The following are my five favorite Brewers games post all star break.

5. August 3: Brewers 10, Cardinals 5 @ Miller Park
Brewers third baseman Casey McGehee certainly had a forgettable season, but this was his day.  His three home runs fueled a big win over the Cardinals and helped launch the Brewers historic August run.

4. August 13: Brewers 1, Pirates 0 @ Miller Park
Filling in for the injured Chris Narveson, Marco Estrada held the Pirates to one hit over five innings and John Axford pitched around a ninth inning lead off triple to further the Pirates Miller Park miseries.

3. August 9: Brewers 5, Cardinals 3 @ Busch Stadium
Once again Casey McGehee played hero against the runner up Cardinals, blasting a tenth inning go ahead RBI double.  Latroy Hawkins picked up the win as part of four scoreless innings from the Milwaukee bullpen.

2. September 11: Brewers 3, Phillies 2 @ Miller Park
Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Ryan Braun registered consecutive two out hits in the seventh inning to turn a 2-1 deficit in to a 3-2 lead.  Yovani Gallardo struck out twelve in picking up his sixteenth win of the season.

1. September 23: Brewers 4, Marlins 1 @ Miller Park
Ryan Braun's three run eighth inning home run snapped a one all tie and sliced the Brewers magic number to one.  A packed Miller Park stuck around to watch the Cubs finish knocking off the Cardinals, clinching the first ever National League Central championship for the Milwaukee Brewers

Road Guest Vol. VII (Tape Delay)

August has seen Abraham bounce from house of foolishness to house of foolishness with sporadic Internet access, but the home office is back up and running and I'm once again ready to show you my geniousness.

Score:  Milwaukee Brewers 10, St. Louis Cardinals 5

Venue:  Miller Park

Game Day:  August 3, 2011

Roadmates:  Mike, John, Murph

MVP:  Casey McGehee 3-4, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R

Recap:  Since July 25 the Brewers have posted a blisteringly good record of 25-5 and have gone from a half game out of first place to pacing the rest of the division by nine and one half games.  Early in this run I had the pleasure of attending the rubber game of a three game series between the Brewers and second place Cardinals at Miller Park.  At the time the Brewers led the Cardinals by four and one half games.  McGehee led an offensive barrage with his three home runs, all off Cardinals mid season acquisition Edwin Jackson, covering up a shaky start by Randy Wolf.  I was magically inebriated to the disappointment of the Cardinal fans in our section, but through my charm and guile I was able to avoid fights, ejections and vomiting.

A Post Card And A Can Of Worms

The "first half" of the Milwaukee Brewers season was chock full of exciting games.  The following are my five favorite in particular order.

5. June 8: Brewers 7, Mets 6 @ Miller Park
    After Kameron Loe turned a 2-1 eighth inning Brewers lead in to a 6-2 deficit the Brewers battled back in their half of the inning.  Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder each knocked in two runs to tie the game.  In the bottom of the ninth Nyjer Morgan doubled in Craig Counsell for the walk off win, spawning perhaps the greatest post game interview of all time.

4. May 20: Brewers 7, Rockies 6 (14) @ Miller Park
     A back and forth regulation nine innings left the Brewers and Rockies tied at four.  The Rockies drew first blood in extra frames plating a run in the thirteenth, but Yuniesky Betancourt answered with a solo home run.  The Rockies notched a single tally in the fourteenth as well, but this time Fielder put the Rockies down for good launching a walk off two run shot in the bottom of the frame.


3. July 10: Brewers 4, Reds 3 @ Miller Park
    In the final game before the All Star Game the Brewers entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 3-2, but the bottom of the Brewers roster refused to lose.  Mark Kotsay singled in Morgan to tie the game before Counsell's sacrifice fly drove in George Kottaras sealing the club's second walk off win vs. Reds closer and former Brewer Francisco Cordero in three days.

2. June 12: Brewers 4, Cardinals 3 @ Miller Park
    The Brewers trailed by three heading to the bottom of the sixth inning when the bats awoke.  Braun and Kotsay each knocked in a run to set up a two run, go head bomb from Fielder.  Shaun Marcum, Loe and John Axford took care of the rest and the Cardinals were swept out of Milwaukee.

1. May 28: Brewers 3, Giants 2 @ Miller Park
    No win displayed the change in leadership and philosophy Ron Roenicke has brought to the Brewers than this game.  Randy Wolf and Loe coughed up a two run lead in bottom of the eighth inning with help from a Casey McGehee error, setting the stage for a stunning Brewers victory.  In the bottom of the ninth Braun reached third with one out and the pinch hitting Jonathan Lucroy dropped down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt for the thrilling walk off victory.

Bonus Fun

One of my favorite parts of the baseball season is follow the current Brewers as they move up the club's all time statistical lists.  Here is a list of current Brewers in the top 50 of some of my favorite categories.  Current Brewers will be listed in bold behind the historical Brewer they trail.  All stat totals reflect action before tonight's game.

Runs
7.    Ben Oglivie 567
8.    Prince Fielder 529
10.  Gorman Thomas 524
11.  Rickie Weeks 513
14.  Jeromy Burnitz 467
15.  Ryan Braun 454
17.  George Scott 402
18.  Corey Hart 389
43.  Marquis Grissom 216
44.  Craig Counsell 210

Hits
10.  Jeff Cirillo 1000
11.  Prince Fielder 921
13.  Gorman Thomas 815
14.  Ryan Braun  809
18.  Sixto Lezcano 749
19.  Corey Hart 719
20.  Jeromy Burnitz 714
21.  Rickie Weeks 713
41.  Pat Listach 420
42.  Craig Counsell 415
48.  Ernest Riles 364
49.  Casey McGehee 354

Doubles
9.    B.J Surhoff 194
10.  Prince Fielder 185
13.  Gorman Thomas 172
14.  Ryan Braun 168
15.  Cory Hart 163
22.  Jose Valentin 132
23.  Rickie Weeks 131
37.  Dale Sveum 80
38.  Craig Counsell 77
40.  Johnny Briggs 76
41.  Casey McGehee 73

Triples
5.    Cecil Cooper 33
6.    Corey Hart 26
6.    Rickie Weeks 26
9.    B.J. Surhoff 23
10.  Ryan Braun 22
17.  Jose Valentin 18
18.  Craig Counsell 17
48.  Dale Sveum 10
49.  Prince Fielder 9

Home Runs
1.    Robin Yount 251
2.    Prince Fielder 214
9.    Paul Molitor 160
10.  Ryan Braun 144
14.  George Scott 115
15.  Corey Hart 108
16.  Rickie Weeks 106
38.  Glenn Braggs 45
39.  Casey McGehee 44

Runs Batted In
5.    Ben Oglivie 685
6.    Prince Fielder 608
12.  B.J. Surhoff 524
13.  Ryan Braun 482
19.  Ted Simmons 394
20.  Corey Hart 388
25.  Jose Valentin 343
26.  Rickie Weeks 304
38.  Jose Hernandez 210
39.  Casey McGehee 206

Stolen Bases
9.    B.J. Surhoff 102
10.  Rickie Weeks 98
11.  Ryan Braun 82
13.  Cecil Cooper 77
14.  Corey Hart 74
39.  Geoff Jenkins 31
40.  Craig Counsell 30

Wins
15.  Ricky Bones 47
16.  Yovani Gallardo 46
34.  Steve Woodard 25
35.  Manny Parra 24
40.  Bob Wickman 21
41.  Chris Narveson 20
45.  Randy Wolf 19

Strike Outs
7.    Cal Eldred 686
8.    Yovani Gallardo 629
19.  Dan Plesac 448
20.  Manny Parra 418
32.  Bill Parsons 280
33.  Chris Narveson 272
41.  Glendon Rusch 233
42.  Randy Wolf 224

Saves
10.  Doug Jones 49
11.  John Axford 48

Road Guest Vol. IV, V, VI

Just a couple short weeks ago I embarked on an exploratory tour of the east coast that included visiting three different MLB stadiums.  Here are the accounts:

Score:  Chicago Cubs 12, Milwaukee Brewers 7

Venue:  Wrigley Field

Game Day:  June 16, 2011

Roadmates:  Ben (friend)

MVP:  Kosuke Fukudome 3-5, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R

Recap:  I hate when the wind blows out of Wrigley.  It takes a perfectly good baseball game and makes it in to a circus.  I had attended eight games at Wrigley prior to this game and never once was the wind blowing out.  It was every bit as awful as expected.  Everything was a home run.  The Brewers took advantage early hitting homers in the first and second innings, the Cubs followed suit hitting home runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings.  Brewers pitchers Zach Greinke, Daniel Ray Herrera and Sergio combined to suck.  Beautiful day, Ben's first game at Wrigley.....ruined by wind.

Score:  Milwaukee Brewers 4, Boston Red Sox 2

Venue:  Fenway Park

Game Day:  June 18, 2011

Roadmates:  Flying solo

MVP:  Randy Wolf 1-0, 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 K

Recap:  First things first, Fenway is baseball heaven.  Sorry St. Louis, sorry Chicago, but Fenway was like no other.  It has the historic charm of Wrigley, with out being an out dated pile of crap.  Due to the game time change to accommodate the Bruins Stanley Cup parade I had to leave after the third inning to catch my train to Providence, RI.  The three innings were highly entertaining as all six runs were scored in those frames.  I was seated next to a couple incredibly knowledgeable fans.....Brewers fans!  Boston was awesome, Fenway was awesome, Randy Wolf was awesome, I'll definitely come back, maybe for a whole game next time.

Score:  Washington Nationals 1, Seattle Mariners 0

Venue:  Nationals Park

Game Day:  June 23, 2011

Roadmates:  Katie (friend)

MVP:  Jason Marquis  8 IP, 0 ER, 4 K

Recap:  It had been quite a while since I had attended a baseball game in which I did not have a rooting interest and I was treated to a stress free experience of my favorite baseball score, one to nothing.  Both teams pitched very well led by starters Michael Pineda and Marquis.  I was more well wishing for Seattle, as the Brewers originally were a Seattle franchise.  A late pinch runner for Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak forced Adam Kennedy to play first in the ninth.  Kennedy's inexperience cost Seattle as he was unable to catch a playable foul ball and made a poor throwing decision resulting in a fielder's choice, no out that set up a bases loaded, one out situation for former Brewer Laynce Nix.  Nix delivered a sac fly and the Nats walked off winners.  Bizarrely Nats manager Jim Riggleman also walked off...off the job, following the game.  It was a well played game in the Nats generically new stadium.  I'll probably go back to see the Brewers play there, but other than that the Nats are not much of a draw.

Stars And Abrahams Forever

I forced myself to wait until June to fill out my first MLB All Star ballot.  The first list is my deserved All Star team.....hey, sometimes the Brewers are deserving, OK?  The second list is the All Abraham team, which is more a collection of guys I want to see play wiffle ball in the back yard.  Brewers and former Brewers very desrving here.  Since MLB sucks and doesn't let the fans vote pitchers, I picked a starter and closer for each team.  I'll probably fill out another serious ballot in July as some players had similar statistics.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STARS

1B Adrian Gonzalez, Boston
2B Robinson Cano, New York
SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland
3B Adrain Beltre, Texas
C   Alex Avila, Detroit
OF Jose Bautista, Toronto
OF Curtis Granderson, New York
OF Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay
SP Josh Beckett, Boston
CP Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STARS

1B Prince Fielder, Milwaukee
2B Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati
SS Jose Reyes, New York
3B Chipper Jones, Atlanta
C   Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee
OF Lance Berkman, St. Louis
OF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
OF Matt Kemp, Los Angeles
SP Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta
CP J.J. Putz, Arizona

AMERICAN LEAGUE ABRAHAMS

1B Matt LaPorta, Cleveland
2B Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay
SS Alexei Ramirez, Chicago
3B Kevin Youkillis, Boston
C   Jason Kendall, Kansas City
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston
OF Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle
SP CC Sabathia, New York
CP Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay

NATIONAL LEAGUE ABRAHAMS

1B Lyle Overbay, Pittsburgh
2B Bill Hall, Houston
SS Craig Counsell, Milwaukee
3B Casey McGehee, Milwaukee
C   Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee
OF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
OF Carlos Lee, Houston
OF Andrew, McCutchen, Pittsburgh
SP Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee
CP John Axford, Milwaukee

Road Guest Vol. III (The Revenge Of Steve Sparks)

Score:  Milwaukee Brewers 3, Colorado Rockies 1

Venue:  Miller Park

Roadmates:  Gary (dad), Carol (mom), Lauren (wife), Mia (daughter), Isabella (daughter), Solomon (son)

MVP:  Ryan Braun 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI, 1 R

Recap:  When I was fifteen years old I attended Brewers game on April 13th, 1996.  Brewers starting pitcher and knuckleballer Steve Sparks held the Kansas City Royals to just one hit over eight masterful innings of the greatest pitching performance I've seen live to this day.  One small problem.  The one hit was a home run to Michael Tucker following two walks.  The Brewers were only able to muster two runs of offense thanks in part to John Jaha's fat ass not being able to score from second on a ninth inning single, making Sparks a tough luck loser.  Coincidentally I attended a Brewers game in 2004 where Sparks ended up winning a 15 inning affair as a reliever for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Thanks Steve.

I suppose that is either here nor there as May 22, 2011 was Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez's turn to suffer a Sparksesque indignation.  Jimenez coerced the Brewers offense into a series of weak ground balls, strike outs and feeble pop ups allowing just two hits through eight masterful innings.  But the first Brewers hit was a Braun two out, two strike, two RBI triple following Carlos Gomez and Rickie Weeks reaching base on a walk and hit by pitch respectively.  Braun also scored on a throwing error, providing the Brewers with all the runs they would need in sending Jimenez to the knuckleball circle of baseball hell.

It was beautiful day in Milwaukee, the Brewers stayed hot winning for the eleventh time in fifteen games, the Rockies were swept out of Milwaukee and we had a birthday celebration for grandpa Puder we will never forget.

The Infinite Sadness

The state of Wisconsin's embroiled political turmoil has taken another bizarre turn as Waukesha County clerk Kathy Nickolaus found over 14,000 eleventh hour unrecorded votes turning the state's Supreme Court election from the favor of challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg to incumbent David Prosser.  The official count is currently subject to canvassing and more than likely will be subject recounts.  To me the concern is not so much the election results (be they fraudulent or be they legit), it is once again with the douche bag voters.

Let's start with those who did not vote.  Of the voting age public of Wisconsin, 66% did not register a vote.  66%!  Two thirds of the states voters do not care about the tumultuous direction their government is headed.  Only 28% of the city of Milwaukee eligible voters voted.  Granted the norm for an April election in Wisconsin is a pathetic 20%, but the state teeters on a historically significant ledge.  To a certain extent I understand voter apathy, but now is not the time for sitting on one's hands.

Now on to those who did vote.  No matter which candidate emerges from the political muck, the voting results are a figurative 50/50.  I stop short of referring to this election as a referendum on Governor Scott Walker's neo-con thinking and policy, but it was a litmus test of how the state's voters feel about where Wisconsin is heading.  While 19 counties that voted for Walker were won by Kloppenburg, no sleeping giant arose.  At best a slacker on a couch got up and microwaved a burrito.

Road Guest Vol. II

Score:  White 2, Blue 0

Venue:  Miller Park

Game Day:  April 2, 2011

Roadmates:  Mike (friend)

MVP:  Taylor Green 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R  Also he signed autographs well past his time slot up until player introductions.  The guy was awesome.

Announced Attendance:  11,312

Recap:  The Brewers Rising Stars Game was an excellent opportunity to get out to Miller Park even before the opening day crowd.  Seats were just ten dollars and with an announced crowd of just over 11,000 great seats were there for the taking (we sat first row behind first base).  The new scoreboard was on display, but more importantly so was the Milwaukee Brewers top minor league talent, as both teams were made up of Brewers prospects.

Pitching prospects dominated the game with the eight pitchers giving up just two runs on five hits.  I'd love to say this is a great development for the Brewers, but really none of the hitters looked Major League caliber and while the pitchers looked much better none looked like more than fringe players, save for maybe Kyle Heckathorn.

The game experience was a blast.  You could tell the guys were excited to get a chance to play in Milwaukee and the fans were just thrilled to be there.  I won a Lee Haydel jersey in the jersey raffle which was pretty cool, but more importantly I tried a Four Loko for the first time.  My feelings on said semi-legal product are best described here.

Go Brewers!  Get it done now because the future looks, uh, bleak.

Road Guest Vol. I

Well here we go friends, our first live sporting event round up.

Score:  Milwaukee Bucks 110, Cleveland Cavaliers 90

Venue:  Bradley Center

Roadmates:  Gary (Dad) and Mia (daughter)

MVP:  Earl Boykins  18 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

Recap:  After grabbing a bite to eat in Bayview it was off to the Bradley Center for some top flight NBA entertainment.  Who would have thought a guy like me could get 65 dollar tickets on the street for only 10 dollars.  Was it my good looks and Midwest charm?  Probably, but it also could have been the fact that there was probably fewer than 5,000 "Bucks fans" in attendance.

The Cavaliers boasted a veritable who's who? of NBA "talent".  This point was driven home when the fans chanted "Who are you?" while Cavs forward Alonzo Gee shot free throws.  Despite their lack of name players, the Cavs actually took a six point lead in the first quarter prompting Bucks coach Scott Skiles to pull all his starters and go to the bench.  The move worked swimmingly as Boykins lead the charge.  Boykins got the game back under control, but it was starting point guard Brandon Jennings hot start to the second half that put the Cavs in the rear view mirror and the Bucks bench finished the job with four bench players posting double digit point totals.

The game lacked drama, excitement (I go to the Badger games to see lay ups, I go to NBA games to see face shredding dunks....Keyon Dooling) and crowd enthusiasm.   It lacked a crowd for that matter, but all in all it was fun and the Bucks won, which is a good thing...I think.

 

Road Guest

For those of you that are sick of my socialistic rants and ramblings, good news this post is about sports (kind of) and for those of you enjoying my political posts don't worry there will be more. 

Those of you who know me know I love attending live sporting events.  Anytime I attend an event I intend to follow it up with a blog post and hopefully some pictures.  There are two avenues these posts can follow.  If I take my family the posts will be well thought out, measured accounts and assessments of the contests and its key players.  If I take any of my usual hooligan friends I probably won't remember much of the games and will regale you with torrid stories of tom foolery, near arrests and making out with your girlfriend.  Either way, should be a good time.

On Wednesday (3/9) I will be attending the NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks (you know you are jealous) at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee and will have a full report for my legions.

Torn Like An Old Sweater

The almost two week long protest at Wisconsin's state capitol certainly has gotten the old gears grinding.  Both on a literal level as the majority Republicans and "spectacling" Senate Democrats and their throngs of supporting protesters are firmly entrenched in halting government movement and figuratively as the little engine that could between my ears continues to break down viscosity.  While the protests have been a beautiful, awe inspiring exhibit of public force, I get tired of the notion that the people have drawn a line in the sand.  No they haven't, they've drawn a circle around an issue.  Albeit an important issue, but what happens next?

Governor Scott Walker and his ilk seem to believe that while a majority of eligible voters don't actually show up to the polls, that the citizens of his state have voiced a mandate to disparage the better interests of the poor, the state workers and more importantly further strike down the diminishing voice of workers unions, perhaps the only big political sway left to counterbalance corporate interest, not to mention a champion of his political rivals.  While this may just be political kamikaze, I'm sure if and when the public removes him there will be plenty of corporate board positions available.  So let's say one of the Democrats comes back and the bill passes.  Then the real political fight begins.  General strike?  Recalls?  New voter sentiment in 2012?  Believe it or not this may be better than the alternative.

It is hard to look a grass roots political movement with, for the most part, the betterment of community in mind and say that's great, but......  You can't tell these people to give up, nor should you, so let's say the Democrats histrionics works and the protesters spirit overcomes, and the bill is rebuilt with the removal of collective bargaining restrictions.  Yay, victory, right?  Um, more like pacification.  Unnecessary union concessions to support corporate tax breaks? Retardation and constraint of Badger Care, a program that should be expanded?  State property sold off to no bid contracts?

Much has been made of the impressive number of protesters, reaching upwards of 100,000, but in reality there should be a minimum 300,000 protesters at every state capital every day saying, "Stop, take care of our communities!".  It's impressive the tools the conservative right (mostly religion and Ronald Reagan) has used to scare a large number of otherwise common folk from voting in their communities best interests.  They love to throw the term "wealth redistribution" around to scare folks off from wanting a fair tax system and good social programs, but damn it if they don't love to take from our teachers, nurses, snow plow drivers and prison guards to help bank roll billionaires.  I'm also perversely amused by the division tactic of telling people in the private sector they are unfairly paying for public pensions and health insurance benefits they themselves don't receive.  First pensions are delayed payment of income earned and secondly the United States government tried to provide everybody with health insurance benefits and the conservative right acted as if the feds were taking their precious guns away and now we are left with a cumbersome, bastardized, amateur attempt at socialized medicine.

Maybe someday the masses will see through rhetoric, realize their best efforts are achieved as a community and not as wealth rivals.  Hopefully the labor stand in Wisconsin is the spark that starts the fire.

I Am What Democracy Looks Like

Usually my posts are light hearted, jovial and about sports, but not today my guests.  Not today because my state, my city, where I vote is the back drop for a huge political showdown.  Maybe you've heard.  For the past week tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents and supporters from surrounding states have flocked to their capitol, with Saturday's protests estimated at almost 70,000 people, to voice their disapproval of Governor Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill that would among other things significantly hamper the strength of several public workers unions (including teachers) by taking away their ability to collectively bargain on everything except salary (which also would be limited), not allow unions to automatically deduct union wages from members pay and force union members to vote on union certification every year.  The bill would also have a large impact on Medicaid, the state's health plan for the poor, elderly and disabled by kicking almost 50,000 residents off the plan and granting unprecedented authority of the program to the Department of Health Services, and to the Joint Finance Committee to make "emergency rules.".  All 14 Democratic senators have left the state to prevent the quarom needed to pass a financial bill.

Wisconsinites shouldn't feel special.  Big corporate interest from both in and out of state are just trying to put us in our place, just like they did with our elected governor.  Only instead of granting us power and wealth they are foolishly trying to beat us down in to shanty towns.

The state of Wisconsin is facing a 137 million dollar short budget shortfall.  Before coming after the poor and working classes of Wisconsin for this money, Walker signed off on 117 million dollars in tax breaks for businesses and health care savings accounts.  Walker claims the moves are to promote job growth in Wisconsin.  Fine, now do mind tell us why you want all the jobs to suck?  I'm not over the top pro union, but I'm also not anti and I believe unions are important in setting a standard of working conditions and wages that pressures non union competition to follow suit or at least stay with in the ballpark.  Walker says he needs to take away the unions collective bargaining rights to allow local municipalities, that are about to experience funding cuts, the flexibility to manage their workforce.  If Walker really is the golden boy with the vision and plan to get Wisconsin back on track, then in budget years going forward conditions should improve, right?  Then guess who no longer has the flexibility to renegotiate their benefits and working conditions?

Politicians and their corporate masters have long been dipping their hands where they don't belong and it's relatively alarming that it has taking so long for the public to voice their rage with such force.  There was no huge public outcry when in 2009 Mercury Marine leveraged the threat of moving jobs from Fon Du Lac to Stillwater, Oklahoma to get deep concessions from their workers union.  The real mistake the Republicans made was firing a shot that hit our kids in the head.  Pick on people's kids' education and they get pissed.  Plus the Governor doesn't have the leverage to move these jobs to Oklahoma (he'll just drive quality teachers to states that will respect them) and the teachers union has the muscle to put serious pressure on citizens by making them take care of their own damn kids.

I'm not afraid of taxes.  I like quality public services.  I happen to like it when my income, sales and capital gains tax dollars go to education, health care, health care workers, fire departments, road maintenance and my less fortunate neighbors.  I get real sick of being asked to pull my weight and seeing Walker's Kochsucking cronies reap the benefits.

I hate to be a kill joy, but it seems that this bill will pass.  The Republicans have the votes they need, they don't give a crap about the mass protests and the Democratic senators can't stay in Illinois forever.  The heartening part is corporate interests can't really stand up to the people, the people just need to be doing this at the right time.

I was at the protests on Saturday and much to my surprise my favorite sign was held by a Tea Party supporter that read "Elections are what democracy looks like".  This budget bill attack on the working class is a well organized and prepared effort by the conservatives looking to broaden their power and make the protests (while awe inspiring and an important arm of the democratic process) look like a pathetic flailing by contrast.  Don't forget what is happening.  Seize this energy and passion and sign the recall petitions and support public worker strikes.  When the 2012 elections come around take time to learn about the candidates.  Don't like the candidates?  Understandable.  Get involved in your community and find people who think like you think and share your beliefs  Identify leaders in your community you would want in public office and most importantly vote!  If you don't your corporate overlords will be happy to do it for you.

Here are links to a couple really cool videos documenting the protests in Madison.  In state guests already know, but for my out of state guests can see first hand the passion and spirit of Wisconsinites that make the state the standard bearer in the fight to save America.

Numer One. In Your Face.

I'm a relatively busy man and can't devote much time to the massive college basketball world outside of the sphere of the Big 10....11....12 conference, but I'm going to go on record and say the most noteworthy game of the season took place in Madison, WI this past Saturday (2/12/11).  For those of you that don't know what I'm referencing, the University of Wisconsin's mens basketball team knocked off the previously undefeated (24-0) and number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, rallying from fifteen points down in th second half.

Also for those of you that don't know, the Buckeyes have a better basketball team than the Badgers.  Probably a fifteen point better team than the Badgers.  When they put William Buford, Aaron Craft, Jon Diebler, David Lighty and Jared Sullinger on the floor they can score from all five positions.  Four of the five can create their own shots and the other (Diebler) is about to become the Big Ten's most prolific three point shooter.  But in Madison you can spot the number one team in the country fifteen points and they will be lucky to lose by only four.  Under coach Bo Ryan, at the Kohl Center, the Badgers have a staggering record of 149-11, including 75-6 in conference, 75-6 in conference play and 24-7 vs top 25 ranked teams.  Thad Matta and Tom Izzo are 0 for the Kohl Center against Ryan.

Here's a look at the Badgers starting five (from the season opener) in each of Ryan's seasons and the top 25 (ESPN poll) that were felled on Dayton St.

2001-02 (19-13, 11-5)

Starters:  Charlie Wills, Dave Mader, Travon Davis, Kirk Penney, Devin Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #15 Marquette 86-73, #7 Illinois 72-66, #22 Ohio State 94-92 (OT)

2002-03 (24-8, 12-4)

Starters:  Penney, Mike Wilkinson, Mader, Freddie Owens, Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #14 Illinois 60-59

2003-04 (25-7, 12-4)

Starters:  Wilkinson, Mader, Boo Wade, Owens, Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #23 Marquette 63-59

2004-05 (25-9, 11-5)

Starters:  Alando Tucker, Wilkinson, Andreas Helmigk, Clayton Hanson, Kammron Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  #12 Maryland 69-64, # 18 Alabama 76-62, #15 Michigan State 62-59

2005-06 (19-12, 9-7)

Starters:  Jason Chappel, Tucker, Brian Butch, Ray Nixon, Taylor

Top 25 home victims: # 7 Michigan State 82-63, # 24 Indiana 72-54, # 12 Ohio State 78-73

2006-07 (30-6, 13-3)

Starters:  Butch, Tucker, Chappel, Michael Flowers, Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  # 2 Pittsburgh 89-75, # 5 Ohio State 72-69

2007-08  (31-5, 16-2)

Starters:  Marcus Landry, Butch, Greg Stiemsma, Trevon Hughes, Joe Krabbenhoft

Top 25 home victims:  # 11 Indiana 62-49, # 19 Michigan State 57-42

2008-09 (20-13, 10-8)

Starters:  Landry, Keaton Knankivil, Hughes, Jason Bohannon, Krabbenhoft

Top 25 home victims:  # 23 Illinois 63-50, # 24 Ohio State 55-50

2009-10 (24-9, 13-5)

Starters:  Jon Luer, Knankivil, Hughes, Bohannon, Tim Jarmusz

Top 25 home victims:  # 6 Duke 73-69, # 15 Ohio State 65-43, # 4 Purdue 73-66, # 5 Michigan State 67-49

2010-11 (to date 19-5, 9-3)

Starters:  Jarmusz, Josh Gasser, Knankivil, Luer, Jordan Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  # 14 Minnesota 68-60, # 16 Illinois 76-66, # 11 Purdue 66-59, # 1 Ohio State 71-67


So take heart Buckeyes, it happens to the best of them and suffice to say, I'm not looking forward to the rematch in Columbus.  One last word of caution though, Sullinger seems to be a lot more Terence Dials that Greg Oden.

Brett Favre Is A Pimp

Well folks, the Green Bay Packers went ahead and ruined a perfectly good NFL season.  Ok, I take that back.  If anything I'm just pissed at the Bears.  They had two shots to put a bullet in that iconic "G" and both times the gun jammed.  But I'm not really here to reflect on Super Bowl XLV, if like it you already know and if you don't there is no reason to go back down that road.  There will be some reflection, however, hearkening back to a time when Brett Favre and the Dallas Cowboys ruled the NFL.

In the post Super Bowl afterglow much has been made of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers moving out from under the shadow of Favre.  While the two will forever be liked through Favre's seeming endless and overwhelmingly uncomfortable "retirement", it's just as unfair to compare Favre to Rogders as it is to compare Rodgers to Favre.  They are both spectacular quarterbacks that happen to have played for the same franchise in succession, but each is his own entity.  If any one has been validated in relation to Favre it's Packers General Manager Ted Thompson.  In bringing joy to the hearts of Packers fans Rodgers has taken a huge leap towards Favre, but in relation to the impact and legacy Favre has left behind, Rodgers has taken but a baby step.  It is also in the best interest of the Packer fan to let Rodgers be Rodgers and not Favre, because Brett was once a young, brash extrovert, not unlike Rodgers, but when it was all said and done Favre was just a good old fashioned 'vert.

Secondly, as punishment for losing Super Bowl XLV we will reminisce about the Steelers previous Super Bowl failure, Super Bowl XXX.  In a time when the wild and crazy Dallas Cowboys were easily NFL public enemy number one, the nation welcome the thought of the return to glory of the famed "Steel Curtain".  Dallas had destroyed the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII by a combined score of 82-30, but the juggernaut was ripe for the picking in Super Bowl XXX.  Twice in the second half the Steelers were with in six points or fewer of the Cowboys, but Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell couldn't help throwing the ball to Cowboy's cornerback Larry Brown who snared two passes, setting up 14 Cowboys second half points en route to a 27-17 victory.  Maybe if somebody had told then Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene "It's time!" everything would have been different.

Well that's it folks, Abraham's House Of Foolishness has thrown yet another football season in to the trash and not a moment too soon.  Now time to focus on basketball, beer and movies before the boys of summer start rustling around in earnest.

Corn Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV, Steelers and Packers?  Seriously?  Could you pick two cornier franchises?  Heck, one team actually plays in a cornfield.  The Packers and Steelers are the go to choices for football fans who don't like the local team or don't have a local team, making them more annoying than previously stated.  A couple things to remember while ESPN washes you with the glory of these two franchises.  Despite being in a professional football organization for seventeen more seasons than the Cleveland Browns the Steelers have won two fewer championships and despite being the NFL's leader with twelve championships the Packers have won just one since 1967.  Since then ten franchises have won at least two championships.  The Packers and Steelers certainly have earned their respective glories, but in typical ESPN/NFL wonk fashion, it's over played.

Well, now that my bitter feelings are out of the way we can take a look at the game which is a very interesting match up with much more pleasant prospects than listening to Steelers fans or looking at Packers fans.  The game is both an endorsement of the 3-4 defense and a barometer of how important running the football is to the modern NFL.

The Steelers and Packers were the league's top two regular season defenses concerning points allowed respectively and feature aggressive line backers and game changing secondaries.  Both teams are stout against the pass, but as the league's best run defense Pittsburgh holds a significant advantage against the rush.  Both teams have overwhelmed opponents this season with blitzing linebackers, so it will be interesting to see how both teams like a taste of their own medicine.

Green Bay caught a huge break when the Steelers pro bowl center Maurkice Pouncy was injured in the AFC championship game.  It's unclear whether or not Pouncy will be able to play in the Super Bowl, but it is clear that either a banged up Pouncy or his back up will be lined up against the Packers DT B.J. Raji, who may be playing the best football of anybody in league over the last six weeks.  If Pittsburgh is to win the game they will have to pound the Packers on the ground with their bulldozing back Rashard Mendenhall, get into the end zone and not give the Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to survey the field and find his various explosive receivers.

Green Bay has never trailed a game by more than seven points during this entire season and playoffs, which I find utterly amazing.  They are on a run reminiscent of the 2007 New York Giant that won ten consecutive road games, including three in the playoffs, before knocking off the Super Bowl success laden Patriots.

Official prediction:  Packers 28, Steelers 27

Jay Cutler Is The Best Quarterback In Bears History

That's right.  You heard me.  Jay Cutler is the best quarterback in Bears history.  This really more on an indictment on Bears quarterbacks than an unworldly achievement by Cutler, but the point is, for reactionary Bears fans, Cutler is the best thing to happen to the Bears passing game since the 1940s.  After just two seasons he is already eighth on the franchise's passing yards list and seventh in passing touchdowns.  He has thrown as many touchdowns in two season as Jim Harbaugh threw in seven seasons.  Sid Luckman is the Bears most legendary quarterback, holding the franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns.  In Luckman's first season, 1939, there were ten teams in the NFL, in his last, 1950, there were thirteen.  In Luckman's best season, 1943, there were zero black players in the NFL and in 1947 he threw 31 interceptions in 12 games.  Cutler is 26 years old and has four years of NFL experience, but because he was knocked out of the NFC championship with an MCL sprain game people conveniently forget the abuse he took playing behind one of the NFL's worst offensive lines.  Not to mention quarterbacking the Bears to the NFC championship game despite said line.  People forgot him running over Seattle defenders just one week earlier.  Quit, yeah right.

I'm not going to spend much more time sticking up for Jay, I believe Steve Rosenbloom said it best, Cutler doesn’t care about his image, so why should you?  I also think Lovie Smith hit the nail on the head by telling the media they don't put players on the field that can't defend themselves.  I'd like to see some of these dopes blasting Cutler try to fend off Clay Matthews with out being able to firmly plant one of their legs.  Then we'll see who's tough.

There was plenty of legitimate disappointment regarding the Bears performance against Green Bay, much of it stemming from Cutler's pre-injury performance.  It was pretty disheartening to see third string quarterback Caleb Hanie put together more touchdown drives against Green Bay in about a one and a half quarters than Cutler did in two and a half games.  Here's a quick recap of the Bears post season exploits.

NFC Divisional Round:  Bears 35, Seahawks 24 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On the Bears first offensive drive of the game they used play action on third and short, fooling Seattle safety Lawyer Milloy.  Tight end Greg Olsen went streaking by, Cutler hit him for a 58 yard touchdown and the rout was on.

Player of the game:  Cutler
The Bears quarterback completed 15 of 28 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.  He also rushed eight times for 43 yards and two scores, becoming the only player other than Otto Graham two throw and run for two scores in a playoff game.

NFC Championship Round:  Packers 21, Bears 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  After finally getting on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and pulling to within 14-7 the Bears faced third and four from deep inside their own territory.  Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers brilliantly dialed up a zone blitz and when the inexperienced Hanie tried to get the ball to Matt Forte short over the middle he never saw B.J. Raji.  The Packers defensive tackle snared the pass and rumbled in to the end zone for an 18 yard score.  The Bears would get in to the end zone less than two minutes later and had the ball in Packers territory inside of the game's final two minutes with a chance to tie, but they would turn the ball over and Raji's score turned out to be the deciding points.

Player of the game:  Greg Jennings
The Packers wide out caught eight passes for 130 yards, including several key grabs that helped the Packers build their early lead.

Going forward it will be hard for the Bears to repeat their 2010-11 success.  The Bears were a very good, well rounded football team and at times very explosive, but they suffered few key injuries and caught their share of breaks along the way.  A bizarre rule saved their bacon in week one, in week eleven they faced Miami's third string quarterback, Detroit's in week thirteen and when they clinched the division in Minneapolis in week thirteen not only did they not face Adrian Peterson, but due to the Metrodome's collapsed roof they didn't have to play in the Vikings true home stadium.

With a possible owner lock out on the horizon, free agency is a relative unknown.  The Bears have 14 unrestricted free agents heading into the 2011 off season, most notably starters C Olin Kruetz, DT Anthony Adams, S Danieal Manning, LB Pisa Tinoisomoa, P Brad Maynard and special teams ace Corey Graham.  I'd like to see Kruetz, Adams and Manning return, but I could take or leave the rest.  I'd also like to see the Bears strengthen the guard position in free agency.  As far a the draft is concerned I'd like for the Bears to look for future starters at wide receiver, cornerback and offensive tackle in the early rounds and reserve linebackers and offensive and defensive tackles in the later rounds.

If you asked me at the beginning of season how I would feel if the Bears won the division and advanced to the NFC title game, I would say I would love it.  Safe to say, despite the disappointing ending, the Chicago Bears 2010-11 season was a great one.