Hi friends, Ricky here once again. Stu is out doing his thing, so I'll be in all week. Keep it clean, please.
For the record, I'd like to point out that I hated Brett Favre before it was cool to hate Brett Favre. Nowadays, Favre hate is all the rage: whether we're mocking his Wranglers or the sports media that adores him (I'm looking at you, Peter King and Jon Gruden), it seems like you can't read anything football related on the Internets without seeing some punk blogger (kids these days!) take a shot at the ol' gunslinger.
I don't know how I feel about this. I suppose it's comforting that America is starting to build up the type of disdain I've held for Favre for years, but it's also a bit confusing. It's like watching your favorite band become super popular, only the exact opposite. You're telling me that everyone hates Brett Favre now? But I hated him first!
I have loathed this man for my whole life, you see. It's because I have never known a sports world in which Favre wasn't a central figure. He started tormenting me when I was young - that 99-yard heave to Robert Brooks at Solider Field may be my earliest Bears memory - and he continues to do so to this day. His waffling ruins my offseasons, his touchdown celebrations put a tiny damper on my happiness. Favre is a true sports villain in every sense; one that must be stopped.
The question is this: are the 2009 Bears the team to do it?
There is no denying that these Vikings are very good. Hell, they won 10 games last year with freaking Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte at quarterback. No matter what you think of Favre, at least he's, you know, not Tarvaris Jackson or Gus Frerotte. It should be no surprise that Minnesota has been steamrolling the opposition thus far.
Favre may be the first name that pops up in every story, or the first image you see on television on Sundays, but the Vikings' brilliance runs deeper than their quarterback. They are phenomenal in the trenches. They have one of the best edge rushers in the league. Their receivers are really, really fast. In Adrian Peterson, they own football's most dynamic offensive weapon.
The Vikings are more than Brett Favre. They are a real football team. On defense, they stop the run and attempt to kill your quarterback. On offense, they are capable of a big play at any time, whether it's through the air or on the ground.
If the Bears are going to accomplish anything this year - whether it be division supremacy, or, more importantly, conference supremacy - they are going to have to go through the Vikings. It won't be fun, and it won't be easy. Such is life. But would you really want your sports without conflict?
The way the Vikings have played so far, and the way Favre has played, you'd be nuts to think Minnesota isn't the best team in the division.They could be the best team in the league. Luckily for the Bears, the NFL regular season is longer than four games.
Favre has been fantastic so far this year, no doubt. But, as some of you may remember, he was pretty good for the first four games of 2008, as well. Observe.
We all remember what happened to Favre at the end of 2008, right? A season's worth of injuries accumulated, the weather got colder, his teammates started to turn on him, and everything spiraled down hill. For as great as Favre was in the first four games of 2008, he was equally awful in the last five: in the Jets' 1-4 finish, Favre threw two touchdowns to nine interceptions, and saw his completion percentage drop dramatically. He was terrible. He was the reason the Jets didn't make the playoffs.
I'll concede that the 2009 Vikings are twice the team that the 2008 Jets were, but my point is this: most sports have a position where one human holds the ability to shoot his team squarely in the brain. In hockey, it's the goalie. In baseball, it's the starting pitcher. In football, it is - obviously - the quarterback. The Vikings may be great, but Favre can still sabotage them. It's happened before, and it could easily happen again.
Back to the Bears. Yesterday we took turns grading their 3-1 first quarter. Most of you gave them B's, despite that lovely overall record. Some may say that means this team could easily tumble at any moment. I think it means they're only going to get better.
The Bears likely won't finish every quarter of the season at 3-1, but that doesn't mean they won't improve. The Bears seem to be on the precipice of something. They aren't flat-lining, they're growing.
This is what happens when you have a new quarterback, a new middle linebacker, and three new starters on the offensive line. The 2009 Bears are completely different from the 2008 Bears. They are far from a finished product, but when they get there - and it could very well happen this year - we may be looking at a special team.
Right now, Minnesota is that special team, but the Bears aren't far behind by any metric. You can look at the talent, the stats, or the results. The Vikings are better, but they're not much better. The Bears can catch these Vikings, but in 2009, it might be more realistic to hope the Vikings come back to the Bears. If there is one quarterback fully capable of pulling an epic fail, it's Favre. He looks good now, but remember friends, championships aren't won and lost in four games. If the 2009 NFL season ends with a triumphant Brett Favre, color me shocked.
Ricky O'Donnell is the designated pinch-hitter at Full Court Press. Reach him at richardpodonnell@gmail.com.
Ricky first of all I was at several games that Favre sliced up the Bears defense including that 99 yard heave so my disdain for Favre is nothing new. Now if you're counting on accumulation of injuries to slow him down as the season progresses something is going to have to happen to his offensive line because to this point they are protecting him like he's Fort Knox.
I feel the same way that you do about Favre Ricky.
I never could stand this guy and I see no reason to start now.
The Bears can beat the Vikings as long as they can control Peterson.
Let Favre have to throw the ball because everyone knows that he is still the turnover king and the Bears are still a turnover-geared defense. Play to your strength.
Last season was not the only one where Favre faded down the stretch and not playing the Vikings until the last week of November and the last game of the season is better for the Bears. Catch Favre with the tank running empty.
He also seems to hate playing in the cold now which is weird after he played so many games in Green Bay and Chicago during his career.
Jarred Allen is on a rampage so you had better keep him from killing Cutler.
If the Bears special teams can play like they did against the Lions and keep winning the field position battle then that keeps the Vikings D on their heels instead of blitzing the whole game.
the flip-side to this argument is that the bears are 1 hit to cutler away from winning 1 game the rest of the year.
Favre can go out and they still have AP and Jared Allen...we have caleb hanie. (wonder if Philly will dump Garcia...???)
Fortunately we don't play Minn till end of Nov...Jared Allen + Orlando Pace = NOT GOOD
...he was pretty good for the first four games of '08, as well.
Nail on the head, Ricky. That old man's body is on a collision course with father time; in a 16 game season, that is.
I say he isn't around for our Nov. 29th date.
Once Ray Lewis, James Harrison and their respective company gets ahold of those joints, it could be lights out. The heart will only take you so Favre.
Oh boy, they actually play on my Sons bday..and we are having a huge party and all the grandparents are flying out for it.
I guess its gonna be a beat the snot out of Minnesota themed party!
I AM - to answer your question Ricky! For all the reasons you stated. I will make this confession, I wanted the Bears to pick up Farve and now we all see why. But I am happy with the younger, and in his prime, Cutler who can match Farve pass for pass.
But that my friend is where all the comparissons end. The Bears have better special teams and coaching, but the Vikings have it over us in every other category. And that is reason to be very concerned. If you don't respect that, something is wrong with you.
But here is the hook LOL! I liken the Vikes and Bears to the Perfect Patriots and Giants killers two years ago. Vikings have stars everywhere but the Bears have a TEAM anchored by one very good star and some crafty coaches. I think the Bears can beat them.
As good as Peterson is a lot of that is from him busting off a long run or two every game.
The rest of the time he looks rather ordinary and he fumbles a lot.
Instead of putting everyone in the box to stop him keep the LBs back and moving sideline to sideline. You can live with him having a 10-yard run here and there. Just avoid those 65 yard ones.
That is how he has killed the Bears in the past. Over pursuit by the front 7 and then he is gone.
When you string it out and push him to the sidelines he is not the same runner.
go ahead and hate one of the toughest football players of all time...the respect should override the hate, Rickey...
you can compare Favre and Cutler's abilities..I'll give ya that.....but stop right there....intestinal fortitude will never be at Favre's level...or leadership for that matter...
I think everyone that follows the Bears has Brett burned into their brain....I prefer to remember when Kyle outclassed him in -17 degree temps....but
I threw up my food on a certain night game in Champagne I got so mad...all thanks to Brett...I think that was the "oops I didn't check which boxes?" year...(your days are #'ed Angelo)
and what's this accumulation of injuries statement you made?...I believe Favre was playing with a detached bicep or something gnarly like that...he's a tough guy
The Vikings are going to destroy the bears both times this year...The Vikings are going to the Superbowl, Rickey...Afraid of Favre?...maybe the younger generation...but that's the woosification of the American male that's gone on for the last 15 or so years.....BOO!!
I'd love to line up all the young guys along a backstop and drive golf balls at 'em from the pitchers mound
Look at the bright side, Culzie...your boy is probably too young to remember this game...and what if he ends up liking someone else?
my family crapped when I started asking for Raiders stuff in the 70's...
.......true story Culzie...
my daughter saw a pair of GB Packer panties when she was 3 or 4....became a fan...and then.. asked for a Favre Jersey for Christmas....I lived in Scottsdale... and drove to Anthem to buy it so nobody I knew would see me do it....
Anyway...Favre is on a mission this year...I doubt he'll be denied
Ricky you hit it squarely down the middle. Same reasons I hate the guy plus more. Here, here. Tommy, Philly already dropped Garcia. Taking a hit at 40 doesn't compare to a hit at 27 or whatever Cutty6 is. Favre and his team used up their Mojo and motivation for that game. They are spent. Favre really got up for the revenge bowl and he had everyone on his team working for the same thing. You can't do that 16 games a year. You will have down games. They aren't motivated for another game but the one in Green Bay. We may come out flat after that. Favre usually sit during the game knitting or updating his tackle box but he was really up. Too Up. Maybe it's wishful thinking that he will burn out before the season is over but it is very likely. He probably is power napping for 8 hours every hour after all that energy he expended.
Jared Allen against Moses (errr, Orlando Pace)?
The Williams against our Guard-Center-Guard combo?
Vikes Adrian Peterson against the Bears? 3 wins, 1 loss. 8 TDs. Top rushing game: 224 yds. Low rushing game: 78 yds
Brett Favre against the Bears? Yikes.
Yep, there are a few things that concern me about playing the Vikings.
Plus, I still have my doubts about our O-line. Sure, they might have looked good running the ball against the Lions, but everyone looks good doing that (e.g., Lions allow 5.2 yds per carry/120yds per game).
Plus, plus the Bears come into their first game against the Vikings after playing the 49ers in San Fran and then the Eagles -- two punishing defenses. The Bears could be nursing some significant bumps and bruises as they travel to that Freaking Dome to play the Vikes.
"who's afraid of Favre's Vikings"? That is the title, but it really is all about brett, and very little about the Vikings. You are doing it too Ricky. You're no better than King or Gruden. You turned the blogs focus on Favre instead of the vikings.
The Vikings are not as good as advertised, or they were playing 'down' in the fourth quarter. Did the Packers really stop Peterson? Or, was there no need to go to him. The Bears are playing just like the Packer's played the Vikes. They let you pass, and stop the run, because no one can beat you on the passing game alone....(Steelers Lions). Will we get beat like the pack? Or will we execute better?
We have never really been able to stop Adrian Peterson. Instead of taking all the sacks will Jay throw interceptions? Or throw it away?
We have a better running game,unlike the one dimensional slice of cheese. We should do better.
Now, on to something relevant. Why are we talking about the Vikings, when the falcons are up next? Will the bears be hungry with
revenge? Are the bears overlooking them,because they lost alot of steam? I think Ryan needs a Grossman/Sanchez type of day....we should give it to him.
I don't hate Brett Favre. I actually admire the enthusiasm that he brings to the game in an age when many players are overly scrutinized for showing any emotion. It's the media hiney-licking that I hate. No wonder his ego can't go a full year without some attention stroking.
Favre always starts the season strong, but the fact that he would rather make Sears HDTV or Wrangler commercials then actually commit to a full offseason of practice tells me that he won't stay healthy for when the playoffs start. Let the Vikings get a huge bulls eye on their chest while the Bears quietly keep on winning. We'll see when those frozen ropes start to become lolly pops around mid December. His career stats dictates that he will throw touchdowns, but he will also throw lots and lots of interceptions. That should cone around the time the Bears peak. It's going to be a fun season.
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF?
BECAUSE THE BEARS AREN'T AFRAID OF THE VIKES, THE PACK SHUTDOWN THE VIKES RUNNING GAME, THEY JUST COULDN'T CONTROL OLD MAN RIVER!
I've had an ardent hate for the Vikings (and the Twins for that matter--although I've admired that they rarely beat themselves) ever since they went sissy by moving into that ridiculous dome. Then, they started procuring guys that had questionable character year in and year out like perhaps no other team besides the Raiders (Hello Randy Moss, et al.) Moreover, they helped the early 90's Cowboys win those titles with one of the most ridiculous trades in history (gave up half the team) for Hershel Walker. That did it.
Then, Brett Favre comes along. Now, they have set a new standard of personal hatred. I was actually rooting for the Pack to beat them like 92-0.
However, my hatred can't get rid of the fact that they can throw the ball well, run the ball well, stop the run well, and pass rush well. Last I checked, that's about all you need to win the Super Bowl. Our only hope is if Brett Favre has his traditional November fall.
Go Bears!
What's the matter Ricky ... can't afford pictures for your topics?
Talk about squeezing the budget!
Hitman sez: "my daughter saw a pair of GB Packer panties when she was 3 or 4....became a fan...and then ..."
... and then you bought them, and kept them for yourself?
Historically, Adrian Peterson does not do well against the Packers. He has had big rushing games (192 yds is tops), but only scored 3 TDs and had 2 fumbles. The Vikes were 1-3 in those games.
It was more of the same for AP this past Monday against the Pack -- 1 TD, 1 fumble and 55 yds rushing.
Maybe the Pack didn't really "shut down" AP anymore than usual.
The Bears have not done a good job shutting down AP in any of the four games they've played. The Bears have not done a good job of stopping Favre in the 17 seasons he's played.
Lucky for the Bears that they don't play the Vikes until the second half of the season, Minnesota's historically weaker half.
I could not agree more with you on this one, Ricky. I call him "the dork." He did look good Monday, but if he had been forced to deal with the rush Rogers faced, I'm sure you and I would have enjoyed the game much more. Rogers was great in spite of playing all too often while lying flat on his back. I just wish he could have pulled out a win after that last on-side kick. The Bears should have a better time of it. Green Bay's O-line has been bad on protection all season, and their defense, except for one early hit, did not even come close to the dork the whole game. The Bears' defense should make the dork consider re-re-re-retirement if he lasts long enough for them to play him. I do not think he will. I give him two or three more games before he is on the disabled list.
That was hilarous mark. I shoulda made that the bet, if Cutler has a better year than Orton...HaterNation needs to wear those Packer Panties on his head!
Culzie and Villano are sword fighting!!...
The Rainbro Warriors
and I'd look awesome in panties...you?
Favre hates the cold now because the 'Ol Joints just aint the same, and it's much tougher to grip the ball. He'll bomb in the cold!
Yep, Peterson can be had if you can just lasso those long runs. That's how he beats most teams. One thing you gotta like about the guy though is he does most of the long damage in the second half; a testimony to his conditioning.
Culzie, if you're referring to the 29th of Nov., that's my Dad and Daughters B-day. I use the #29 in ALL my lotteries!!!
If we can protect Cutler better than Green Bay shielded Rodgers, we should play them solid, even in that damn bubble.
Panties??? You guys are way off the pink road now!
Good observations by Seedy B.this blog. I do think the Bears will have a better pass rush by far than the pitiful Packers did, but the Viking pass rush with Jared A.could make life tough for Cutler. I would think Forte, Olsen, and Clark could have big games on short passes and screens, especially over the middle. Let's hope everyone is healthy because Seedy is also correct about the toughness of the games preceding the one against the dork and the Vikings.
Am I nuts to be cheering on the Vikings today?
My twisted logic wants the Vikings to continue winning in order to put pressure on the Bears, which should only make them better.
I don't want the Bears to walk away with the division because everybody else sucked. (see: Detroit) I want them to have to fight for it, and beat the snot out of Farve and the Vikings in games that really matter.
Fine steel is tempered in the fire. Withstanding the heat of a hard fought division race will temper the Bears for the playoffs.
Go Bears!!!
*and vikings*
I can not ever root for Favre. No matter what. I don't even like to see him complete two yard passes. They are already one game better and I don't want them to do well. I'm just not going to wish that their plane crash and all of them die like someone on Brad's blog did. I was actually rooting for Detroit a little because I like to see vets keep jobs over rookies. And I'm somewhat a Culpepper fan. It didn't bother me how it all turned out. A liitle of me didn't want the Steelers to win or lose but if they did someone would've said that our win against them was tainted since they lost to Detroit. See how torn I am when I really have no allegiance to any team but my Bears?