01-17-2007, 09:15 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
FBF Coach
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,549
|
Bears take steps to a higher floor
Quote:
Finding ways to win all that matters now
By John Mullin
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 16, 2007, 9:11 PM CST
The Bears advanced to the NFC championship game with their victory over Seattle. Did they also move to the elite level of NFL teams?
Their triumph did not establish them as a truly dominant team; there are none of those right now in an NFL that has seen half of its Super Bowls in the last decade decided by one touchdown or less.
The Bears, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots all did just enough to advance, each winning by a field goal. The Indianapolis Colts won by nine.
"I think you learn how to win close games," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "You don't panic. It's tough to win in the NFL each week; it doesn't really matter who the opponent is. I think some teams find a way to win."
Did the Bears manage to become one of those teams—like the Patriots—that seemsto materialize in Super Bowls or title games even when they are not dominant?
The Bears were able to overcome any nervousness they might have experienced.
"I've never been that nervous about any game," receiver Rashied Davis said. "I played in a couple of Arena championships, won a couple, played in the playoffs every year. But I was never this nervous."
Davis' two 30-yard catches, one on third-and-10 in overtime, helped the Bears win.
Quarterback Rex Grossman spent two weeks being doubted at best and vilified at worst.
"[But] he was the same Rex," guard Ruben Brown said. "There was no up-and-down Rex in the huddle. We don't get one Rex and then another Rex. He calls the plays the same, acts the same. There's no difference."
In the aftermath of Sunday's victory, the Bears acknowledged the magnitude of reaching the NFC championship game. They recognized the significance of winning a playoff game.
And they were aware of exactly what kind of team they had beaten, regardless of records or statistics.
"It feels unbelievable to win the first playoff game for a lot of guys in this locker room," center Olin Kreutz said. "We went out there and fought guys who know how to win in the playoffs."
At least the Bears now can say they are one of those teams.
jmullin@tribune.com
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
|
One thing that has been more the norm than not is that the Bears have found ways to win games when one of thier units aren't playing thier best, that will pay dividends.
__________________
|
|
|
Bears take steps to a higher floor
Linear Mode
