CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Report: Former Chicago Blackhawks star has no interest in joining Connor Bedard led team
  • For Chicago’s NFL Enthusiasts: A Seven-Point Guide for a Richer Football Viewing Experience
  • Former Chicago Bears legend responds to criticisms he hunted and killed a bear
  • Report: Chicago Bears star explains why they’re missing practice; contract hopes
  • Chicago Bears fans buzzing after Matt Eberflus’ free agency announcement
  • Breaking: Injury knocks second Chicago Bears starting wide receiver out of OTA practice
  • Justin Fields finished the 2022 NFL season with the worst 4th quarter passer rating in the NFL
  • Is Chicago Bears defensive end primed from a huge bounce back season?
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS

    Former Chicago Bears legend responds to criticisms he hunted and killed a bear

    June 1, 2023

    Report: Chicago Bears star explains why they’re missing practice; contract hopes

    June 1, 2023

    Chicago Bears fans buzzing after Matt Eberflus’ free agency announcement

    May 31, 2023

    Breaking: Injury knocks second Chicago Bears starting wide receiver out of OTA practice

    May 31, 2023

    Justin Fields finished the 2022 NFL season with the worst 4th quarter passer rating in the NFL

    May 31, 2023
  • BULLS

    Chicago Bulls fans in uproar after major report on contract talks for star player

    May 30, 2023

    Report: Chicago Bulls Brass Losing Faith In Star Player This Offseason

    May 28, 2023

    Horrible player: Chicago Bulls fans react to Scottie Pippen dissing Michael Jordan

    May 26, 2023

    Chicago Bulls named In trade proposal that swaps Zach LaVine for former No. 1 pick

    May 25, 2023

    Chicago Bulls widely rumored to land 12x All-Star (Trade Report)

    May 22, 2023
  • BLACKHAWKS

    Report: Former Chicago Blackhawks star has no interest in joining Connor Bedard led team

    June 1, 2023

    The Importance of Connor Bedard for the Chicago Blackhawks

    May 30, 2023

    The Connor Bedard Effect in Chicago

    May 9, 2023

    Chicago Blackhawks 2022/23 Season Recap

    April 17, 2023

    WATCH: Jonathan Toews scores goal in final game with Blackhawks

    April 13, 2023
  • CUBS

    Kyle Hendricks nearing return to Cubs

    May 24, 2023

    Justin Steele named early Cy Young candidate

    May 17, 2023

    FOCO releases new Snoopy bobbleheads as part of Peanuts Collection

    May 17, 2023

    Cubs calling up Christopher Morel

    May 8, 2023

    Former Chicago Cubs pitcher hints at possible return

    May 8, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    FOCO releases new Snoopy bobbleheads as part of Peanuts Collection

    May 17, 2023

    WATCH: The Chicago White Sox have completely given up at this point in pathetic video

    April 29, 2023

    Luis Robert a major positive in an otherwise bad start for the Chicago White Sox

    April 19, 2023

    Chicago White Sox Players Frustrated With Early Injuries

    April 12, 2023

    White Sox place SS Tim Anderson on IL

    April 11, 2023
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Home»Bears»The Power and the Problem of Positivity
Bears

The Power and the Problem of Positivity

Z PBy Z PApril 23, 20134 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
original.0
original.0
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Positivity is a wonderful thing.  In fact, the ability to simply believe that something can be done is the first step in accomplishing anything in life.  But what happens when one closes one’s eyes to reality all together, that is a bit of a different issue.

Unfortunately this is something we encounter all to often amongst NFL fans this time of  year.  New coach, new schedule, new draft, new season.  Everything thing is new.  Everything is rosy.  Few people want to face the colder realities of the NFL before the season even starts.  They’d rather ride on hope.  Hope that so and so blossoms or another guy from the draft is going to solve some of, or even all of, the team’s issues.

The tragedy for me, personally, is that I can’t do that.  I don’t mean I won’t do it.  I mean I’m totally incapable of losing myself in the kind of thinking that only sees the Bears in a positive light.  Oh, I see the positives.  I love them.  I just can’t make them so dominant over other factors that aren’t so sunny and nice.

The reason is actually very simple.  As much as I enjoy the highs of being an NFL fan I also dread the lows.  I prefer to prepare myself mentally, not for the worst, but for both the bad and the good.  This flattens the emotional road ahead.  That preparation, for me, starts in January and usually kicks into top gear right about now just before and after the draft.

It was with these thoughts in mind that I read the latest State of the Team article on the Bears by Andy Benoit at Football Outsiders.  Benoit is one of the most astute NFL observers out there, writing for, amongst many other publications, The New York Times.

If I didn’t agree with everything in this article, I would at least call his evaluation extremely fair and balanced.  But some of you are going to absolutely hate it.  In fact, I would dare say a lot of you aren’t going to finish reading it.  The following excerpt addressing the offensive line will be sufficient to demonstrate:

“[New offensive tackle Jermon] Bushrod is the latest major investment the Bears have wishfully made in an effort to turn around their awful offensive line. The ex-Saint showed admirable improvement last season but, overall, he still must be described as an above-average athlete with below-average pass-blocking acumen. He’s very good when moving forward and very iffy when moving backwards. Which means, in all likelihood, the Bears will have to give him help in a lot of third-and-long situations. Is Bushrod really worth $22.4 million guaranteed?

Inside, [center Roberto] Garza can suffice, but there are concerns about the guys flanking him. Outside, [tackle J’Marcus] Webb should be better on the right than he was on the left, but a change in position does not denote a change in talent. With slow, heavy feet, he will still need help in pass protection. There’s not much depth here either; [Ebon] Britton brings position versatility, but he was bad wherever he lined up in Jacksonville last year. That was likely the function of injuries, but those injuries have been the defining mark of his career.

The sad conclusion: despite continued changes, the Bears are liable to still have a lot of the same blocking issues and play-calling restrictions that have hindered them in recent years.

Anyone who manages to continue on to the defense is going to read a lot more positive comments.  He also says some nice things about Matt Forte that I whole heartedly agree with.

But that isn’t what I’ll hear about.  What I’ll hear is that the Bears haven’t even drafted yet and Benoit is (and by proxy I am) already trashing them.  I’ve heard it all before.  I’ll hear it years from now again during another shiny new offseason.

So those of you who don’t want to hear it in April, go ahead and get your hopes up.  But be warned.  Come September, these future issues are going to be present reality and no amount of positivity will hide them then.  And its going to make your disappointment all the greater.

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

FEATURED
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

Bears June 1, 2023

Former Chicago Bears legend responds to criticisms he hunted and killed a bear

Bears June 1, 2023

Report: Chicago Bears star explains why they’re missing practice; contract hopes

Bears May 31, 2023

Chicago Bears fans buzzing after Matt Eberflus’ free agency announcement

Bears May 31, 2023

Breaking: Injury knocks second Chicago Bears starting wide receiver out of OTA practice

Bears May 31, 2023

Justin Fields finished the 2022 NFL season with the worst 4th quarter passer rating in the NFL

Bears May 30, 2023

Is Chicago Bears defensive end primed from a huge bounce back season?

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

x
x