At that point, the Bears knew they hired a good coach. Smith would be the first black coach, alongside with Tony Dungy, to be in the Super Bowl. It had been since the magical 1985 season that the Bears have been in the big game. However, the Bears lost with the sloppy performance of Grossman, and blowing their early first-half lead to Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts, 29-17.
The Bears would finish 7-9 the next year, but Smith would still keep his job secure. For almost the past decade, the Super Bowl losing-teams would fail the next year. I guess the Bears’ staff went with the stereotype. Chicago would improve the next year, finishing 9-7, but they fell short of the playoffs. The Bears made a quick move after a quarterback-troubles by searching around with Brian Griese, Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, etc.
Then they made a big move, to hopefully make sure they are lock for the playoffs the next season. They traded for disgruntled Denver Broncos’ quarterback, Jay Cutler. Cutler was acting like a crybaby, and the Broncos weren’t very successful the previous season as it was just Cutler and Brandon Marshall leading the offense, basically. However, Cutler got his wish and got traded. The Bears were happy with this move and expected success out of this. So did Lovie Smith. His job was depending on it.
But the Bears struggled, finishing third in the NFC North division behind the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. With a 7-9 record, it was rather disappointing. But when you really think about it, they were just weak. Cutler had no support whatsoever. Matt Forte, who had a fabulous rookie year, was a disappointment in his sophomore season; having what is known as the “sophomore slump.” The Bears also didn’t have any experienced receivers that could help. It was just Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Rashied Davis. Along with that, they didn’t have the heart of their defense in Brain Urlacher.
Now entering the 2010-11 season, Lovie Smith is really on the hot seat. He is right on the bubble. The Bears should have no excuses were for failing next year. The least the Bears can expect are making the playoffs, and that is final. In fact, the staff told ESPN.com Chicago that’s what they need in order for Smith to keep his job secure. But it still could be tough with the Vikings and Packers there, along with the Lions clinging behind.
However, things couldn’t go all that solid. Many though the same thing last season. But there are many improvements to also keep in mind. Matt Forte is going to expect a bigger and better season now, along with the help of Taylor signing, too. There is also Mike Martz who got signed with the coaching staff.
As it stands to many expert, Chicago is in the bottom of the NFL Power Rankings for Week One. ESPN.com and their experts put Chi-Town at 21, saying they aren’t buying into the Martz-Cutler marriage. The Bears could improve, but Smith is going to be the key and he has to lead Chicago to the playoffs.
“At the end of last year — it was a disappointing year — I think I made the comment that status quo is not acceptable,” President Ted Phillips said Tuesday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “Everyone believes in that. What does that mean? I can’t put a number of wins on it. Obviously, the goal every year is to get to the playoffs to give us a chance to get to the Super Bowl. That remains the goal. At the end of the year we’ll take a look at everything. What I want to see is that we’re headed in the right direction. There’s obviously a lot of factors that go into that.”
Cutler will also have to be strongly improved.
“He came in last season in a tough situation; expectations were through the roof,” Phillips said. “It was a tough year for Jay, but everything you hear now with Mike Martz and Jay Cutler, that’s real. They’re on the same page. I think Mike Martz’s system will only be a positive for Jay, and I look for him to come out of the gates strong and have a much better year than he had last year.”
The Bears did play pretty decent in the pre-season and it brings hope for the regular season, as it comes underway this week. Many fans are anticipated of what is to come. So is Phillips.
“From my standpoint you’d like to win a couple [preseason] games because it’s just the mindset of winning for the players I think is important,” Phillips said. “But overall I’m glad it’s over, and we’re 0-0. The offseason isn’t just the four preseason games, it’s the offseason workouts, it’s the minicamps, it’s the practices at training camp that were important. There were a lot of positives there. They tried some new things in new systems that we have and we’re going to all find out on Sunday whether they are on the right track or not.”
The Bears have to make the playoffs. It’s just that simple.
Lovie Smith’s job is determined on that.
