The Chicago Bears coaching has been miserable this year.  A predictable offense, a new and interesting defense that gives up huge numbers to mediocre quarterbacks and a lack luster special teams. 

We could'a been 6-0, we should's been 6-0, we would'a been 6-0, if not for this coaching.

Really?  A squib kick with 11 seconds left and you’re up by 2 points?  That was the decision Sunday Lovie Smith and Dave Toub made, and it cost the Bears the game after the defense couldn’t stop rookie QB all day long.  I won’t go into a full recap, it was ugly for the Bears the whole game, and after a short burst of finesse from Orton and company late in the fourth quarter, the coaching staff gave the game away.  Not that the defense helped any, with Matt Ryan throwing for 301 yards after not throwing over 200 yards in any game in his short career.  The Atlanta Falcons often found themselves in third and long situations and a beat up Bears defense couldn’t stop them from converting all game. 

Now let’s look at some of the things the team said after the game to get some insight as to what exactly failed in this game:

“The kickoff before we had kicked it deep and they were able to get a long run,” Lovie Smith said. “Guys were a little bit tired. We felt a squib would be safe. We’d get them down and they’d have a chance for maybe one more play." 

The problem with this statement is, you couldn’t stop them going deep all game, what makes you think that you could stop them now?  The special teams unit had one breakdown during the game, while the defense had a game long breakdown.  Which way is the logical way to go?

Lovie also said, “Tough, tough. I wish I could give you more words to really show you how bad it is, but I can’t. But that’s life. You have setbacks like this, but this one hurts. We had victory right within our grasp, but we couldn’t pull it out.”

Who has setbacks like this?  With 11 seconds to go and terrible play calling?  It almost sounds like Lovie truly does believe in the football gods or something.  Like this game was taken away from them by some higher power.

Granted the secondary was really beat up with Vasher out and Tillman, McBride and Manning all leaving the game with injuries.  Regardless, the defensive scheme on that last play was ridiculous and I’m starting to think that confused look Lovie Smith always has on his face is a bit more revealing than I originally thought.  This coaching unit is bad.  You can only blame the players so long before you have to start questioning the leadership.

“These are the ones that really hurt,” defensive tackle Tommie Harris said in a quiet locker room, “the ones when you think you have it in the bag and then, ‘boom,’ it’s over with.”

Was Tommie Harris talking about the game or his career?   The once Pro-Bowl caliber tackle has looked less than average this year, and last year wasn’t exactly a barn storming year for the former stand out.  He got his money, now he gets suspended and stops playing; interesting.

“He played well against us,” said linebacker Lance Briggs. “He took exactly what we were giving. He knew exactly where to go. He threw the ball with authority. He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be, in the league leading a team.”

Was this Tom Brady he was talking about or maybe Peyton Manning?  No, it’s a rookie!  I can say Ryan had a great game, but the Bears defense also had a lousy one.  “He took exactly what we were giving.  He knew exactly where to go.”  I really hope defensive coordinator Bob Babich is listening.  Is it just me, or does our defense look a lot worse since Ron Rivera was forced out?

The Bears offense, for once, gave the team the game gift wrapped with a bow tied around.  Too bad the coaches and the defense let them down.  One day, maybe, this team will all show up on the same day.  Until then, you might want to ask your doctor on your next visit for some anxiety medication.

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