Stick a Fork In It

This season is a good as done. Forget the playoff talk and the chances to still get in a wild card birth with a weak NFC. The Bears season is down to 3 games and it will be done.

I would write something to review the last game but that would presuppose the Bears actually played a game. The performance on Thursday night was far from a game. It was an embarrasment for a storied franchise that will quickly be forgotten.

So what is left for the Bears in their final 3 games? I’ll come out right now and say if they manage to run the table and win their final 3 games it will be a waste and a shame. So what you will about pride but I saw a team with no self-respect on Thursday night. They had no desire to play or will to win. The last 3 games should be a test of talent and obtaining a good draft pick. Falling behind the pack of NFC contenders will help solidy a higher draft pick for next year. I’ll say more about possible picks another time.

I’ve heard suggestions of starting young talent on the roster to test hopefuls for next year. I laugh at the thought when I consider this team is significantly void of an undiscovered young talent. Anyone not named Kyle Orton has been given an opportunity to contribute on the field. This season was a total breakdown at every position and there will be no moral victories to distribute.

The only high points I have found this season is the consistent play of Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown’s commitment to get his starting job back. It took all season but the Bears also seem to finally appreciate the ability of Adrian Peterson to make plays on the field. Garrett Wolfe appears ready to make contributions but will still require a few years of work. Outside of that handful of warriors, this team looked like they were going through the motions.

The biggest decision for the Bears is whether to commit to this team that let us all down and give them another opportunity at a Super Bowl run or if our window really was that short. Does the ailing back of Brian Urlacher signify the end of the Bears after only one year of dominance? I can only hope this team still has the resiliance to pick itself up and return to form next year.