Un-bear-able
by Rob Staton
3/3/2008
 
Legend says that the losing Super Bowl finalists have a bad year the following season. The Chicago Bears suffered the same curse that has hit so many teams before them, and the hangover looks likely to stretch into free agency.
 
Unable to sign up either wide receiver Bernard Berrian or linebacker Lance Briggs, the Bears will likely head into the 2008 season a completely different outfit to the one crowned NFC Champions just a year ago. Adding to the potential loss of both Berrian and Briggs, Chicago recently released Muhsin Muhammad and Fred Thomas, and traded Thomas Jones to the Jets last off season. Special teams prospect Brendon Ayanbadejo will also likely depart when free agency kicks into action.
 
Surprisingly amongst all the changes one figure remains. Much maligned quarterback Rex Grossman has been granted a one year contract for next season which will likely see him compete for a starting spot. With Brian Griese likely departing, Kyle Orton was also signed to a two year deal to compete with Grossman.
 
Less of a makeover and more of a complete overhaul, the Bears are in a transitional period. It could get worse too, star defensive tackle Tommie Harris will hit free agency in 2009.
 
So what exactly has gone wrong for the Bears, and what does the future hold for Lovie Smith and his team?
 
Chicago coasted to the NFC North title in 2006, and at one stage were even being touted as potential 'perfect season' candidates. Eventually ending an impressive 13-3 and taking the Number One seed into the playoffs, the Bears successfully manoeuvred past the Seahawks and Saints on home turf, before making the trip to the storms in Miami for the Super Bowl. Despite an impressive start, encapsulated by Devin Hester's breathtaking kick off return from the opening play, the Bears eventually lost to a faultless performance from Peyton Manning and the Colts by a score line of 29-17.
 
The dreaded Super Bowl runners up curse had previously taken its strangle hold on 5 of the last 6 championship losers, with only the Seattle Seahawks breaking the curse in 2006. The Giants, Rams, Raiders, Panthers and Eagles all posted seasons below .500 after losing the big one, and the Bears were to be the next victim. The season started in controversial circumstances with Lance Briggs threatening to hold out after being tendered the franchise tag. He eventually backed down, but the scene was set for a disappointing season ending with a 7-9 record and a 'first to worst' fall in the NFC North.
 
Rebuilding the team will be a forced act, rather than voluntary. Briggs will likely command attention from a number of teams, and a salary to match those given to backers Adalius Thomas and Joey Porter this time last year. Bernard Berrian will use the contract given to Seahawks receiver Deion Branch as a benchmark and will likely get a deal similar to the $39 million contract afforded to the former Patriot and Super Bowl MVP.
 
Losing two key players will hurt the Bears in the short term, especially with little in the way of quality replacements amongst the other free agents.
 
Chicago will also have other pressing needs in heading into a crucial off season for the organisation. The offensive line is in desperate need of some help, meanwhile General Manager Jerry Angelo has hinted at using the draft to bring in a new feature running back to replace the ever controversial Cedric Benson. The Bears could even use their 1st round pick (14th overall) on local boy Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois. Then again, using such a high pick on Benson (4th overall 2005) should act as a precursor for using a later selection on a deep draft for runners, and picking from one of a number of quality linemen available in the first round.
 
Wide receiver must also be a target area for improvement, as suddenly return specialist Devin Hester is the only likely playmaker on the offense, perhaps supported by second year Tight End and last seasons 1st round pick Greg Olsen.
 
It's the loss of Briggs that will sting the most however, and will hit a Bears defense that was amongst the best in the NFL during their Super Bowl season. Taking most of the work load due to Brian Urlacher's injury problems, Briggs recorded 102 total tackles and two sacks in just 14 starts. A three time pro-bowl attendee, he will leave a gaping hole in the Chicago defense that will lose his outspoken personality as much as his talent.
 
Berrian will also be missed, but more for his potential than production. He experienced his most successful season to date in 2007 as the main receiving threat on the Bears offense. However, the stats only show 71 catches for 951 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Such stats may not be easily frowned upon when the Bears receivers line up for the start of the 2008 season.
 
Brendon Ayanbadejo is a two time pro bowler on special teams perhaps best known for sacking Carson Palmer four times in his senior college season for UCLA. Formerly of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, Ayanbadejo recorded 21 tackles in 2007 and will be missed on special teams.
 
How the Bears respond to these losses could determine the short term success of the franchise. The Super Bowl seems like a distant memory for Lovie Smith, and the free agency and draft period will reveal just how 'unbearable' the 2008 season might be for Chicago fans.