Bears' President Ted Phllips believes the Bears can "pull it out."

Bears President Ted Phillips believes that Lovie Smith can turn it around.  No really.  That’s what he said to Jeff Joniak, the voice of the Bears on flagship WBBM 780 AM during a Monday radio interview.  Here’s the quote if you don’t believe me:

“I know Lovie knows how to get things turned around, so does Jerry [Angelo]. From the top down, there’s disappointment but still believe we can pull it out.”

Not sure if he meant that he and Angelo believe in Lovie or that he believes in Lovie and Angelo from the context, but either way, there’s belief in the notion of a turnaround.  He might be the only one in Chicago that feels that way after another embarrassing loss by his Bears, this latest debacle a 20 point home loss to the Cardinals.

He’s talking about how the Bears can “pull it out.”  My, how our expectations have changed.  Just 4 short weeks ago, the Bears were 3-1 and riding a 3-game winning streak.  After a disappointing season opener in Green Bay, the Bears pulled out home wins against the world champion Steelers and Lions sandwiched around a road win at the always tough at home Seattle Seahawks.

Lovie Smith breaks the season up into quarters.  If the 3-1 record from the first quarter gave fans reason to hope, the recent 1-3 second quarter has given many fans, myself included, reason to pull the sheet over any playoff hopes.  The arrow is definitely pointing downward as the Bears wrap up the first half of the season, having lost 2 of 3 in stunning fashion and the lone win against the lowly Browns.  Teddy Bear Phillips called the first half “schizophrenic.”  More from sweaty Teddy:

“We’re 4-4 and are not happy about that,” he said. “I think everyone here believes we’re a better team than that, better talent than that, expected more than that. [But] our coaching staff has showed ability to overcome adversity in the past….When Lovie was hired we talked a lot about communication and when you win football games everybody is a genius and every decision you make is the right one. The key for an organization is to have people in place that help get you through the rough times.”

In my estimation, that’s being generous.  Let’s look at the four Bears wins this season: (more…)

Sept. 13 at Green Bay, 7:20 p.m., NBC

The start of a new era in Chicago Bears football will be on display for a national audience. I think this one will be a shootout thanks to Cutler for the Bears and the banged up secondary.  Matt Forte will find some running lanes and gives the Bears a slight edge.  Bears 27-24.  W

Sept. 20 PITTSBURGH, 3:15 p.m., CBS

The defending champs boast a killer defense and an offense that just gets it done.Cutler will be under tons of pressure and the home fans go home disappointed.  Steelers 16-14.  L

Sept. 27 at Seattle, 3:05 p.m., FOX

The Seahawks expect to bounce  back after a disappointing 2008, but Cutler and Forte prove too much for the Seattle defense.  Bears 31-23.  W

Oct. 4 DETROIT, noon, FOX

The Lions were historically bad in 2oo8; like 0-16 bad.   If they can win a couple of games, the season will be a success.  Don’t count on it this week.  Bears 37-17.  Big W

So I project the Bears to wind up the first quarter 3-1.  It’s a nice start and a softer portion of the schedule ahead.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BearGogglesOn.

Get Bears updates sent straight to your Inbox for free by subscribing to Bear Goggles On.

It’s not too late to start up a Fantasy Football League.  Get the exclusive Fansided 45% discount on CBSSports.com’s Fantasy Football Commisioner league here.  Sign up today!