Thread: This morning on the way to work...

Close to a Championship.

We were NFCN champs and made it to the NFCC game last year.
We were well on our way to a playoff run this year before Cutler and Forte got injured.

We have talent on this team...as evident by our 5 Probowl selections this year (7 if you count Hester and Peppers as first alts). No, the problem with this team has been the leadership, particularly in the Front Office.

Or to put it another way...we are closer to a Championship then we are Rebuilding. You know who is in Rebuild mode? Teams like the Rams and Buccs.

Originally Posted by 3nagurski

I guess. But, when I hear someone say that they are "close" in any environment, it makes me feel as if they are "settling". I am just looking forward and seeing the Bears trying to sell to us how GREAT our WR's and O-line are going to be next season. Even though little may be done to improve the units.

3nagurski

If JA or Lovie says it, then rage away.

But, if a guy like Urlacher says it...feel free to believe it.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

Close to a Championship.

We were NFCN champs and made it to the NFCC game last year.
We were well on our way to a playoff run this year before Cutler and Forte got injured.

We have talent on this team...as evident by our 5 Probowl selections this year (7 if you count Hester and Peppers as first alts). No, the problem with this team has been the leadership, particularly in the Front Office.

Or to put it another way...we are closer to a Championship then we are Rebuilding. You know who is in Rebuild mode? Teams like the Rams and Buccs.

I agree with Urlacher...and I also disagree.

With competent and aggressive personnel moves at key positions of need (in the draft and FA respectively), the Bears are indeed "CLOSE". We do have lots of cap space and 4 picks coming in the first 2 1/2 rounds.

Problem is...I have little confidence that the right moves will be made in either case.

Originally Posted by BearStuff

I do think that is why people get uptight about such a comment.......the last time it was said was 2007.

Well that was coming off our SB year, so we all thought we were "close" (or more specifically..."unfinished").

But then we took a slide in 2008 and 09, while we dumped some players, picked up worse players, and had to rebuild behind Cutler and Forte. Picked up Peppers, that helped alot...trimmed some dead weight like Tommie Harris, and 2010 we played much better, and were looking to make back to back playoffs this year before injuries hit us. I dont think we had what it took to beat Green bay and advance to another SB this year, but we definitely were Playoff-caliber team, and better then we were in 2007-09, maybe even better in most regards then we were in 2006 as well.