Ok... shifting expectations time

[mac bear]

... can we stop?

I saw a friend of mine, solid Bears fan, wearing what, from a distance, appeared to be a Detroit Lions baseball cap. I got closer and saw it was a Puma cap, similar blue.

I said, "Man, given the season, I thought you'd switched over". And we laughed about how no matter how much we'd like to sometimes, to find another team to root for, that is, we can't. We've been Bears fans for life and there is no other way. It's as simple as that.

This year, I have never been so down on our losses as I have. Never... well, maybe in the late eighties and early nineties, when we really should have, and Washington did shit to us that freaked me out. But, in recent memory, this is the most down I've been. I know I'm not alone, coming on here daily reading about all the doom and gloom prognostications and rebooting remedies.

Whatever the reason for the almost irrational irritations that have built in us all, probably all built upon the suspect foundation of highest expectations, it's time we shift our expectations.

And honestly, this new shift, has slid me back into being a staunch and more or less, happier fan again.

It's the second half of the season. One game at a time. New expectation number one, see the locker room come together. I will be watching only for the stories on how the Bears locker room went from what it was, to what it will be.

Storyline two, semi-related, how the team reconnects and buys in to the offence, in particular. Cutler specifically, by sticking with the game plan, and 'managing' the game a little better, actually takes down Green Bay, in Green Bay and we begin. He begins to gain leadership through his actions, not his facial expression and fan nominations.

Forte continues to be Forte, but gets the National recognition, that will put him in the top 40 players in the NFL...

Marshall regains 'acceptable' form with the return of Wilson, and the three of them start to light it up.

Our D and special teams start to make special plays. It'll start out slow, but I hope to watch it grow. I'm going to be paying attention specifically to Fuller, post injury, Conte, can he stay and Allan; seeing if he arrives. I'm hoping that Tucker isn't as crap, and that the players don't despise him.

Specifically, I'm going to try to refocus on the positive energy stories as opposed to the shit I've been allowing to weigh me down. Fuck those media types who only want to see 'stories' bloom as they fuel fire to our frustrations and doubts. Fuck those stories. I'm going to ease up on reading them.

Lamar Houston, for example. That sucked and was embarrassing when he injured himself. But he fucking knows it. It was a wicked sack at a time when we really needed it, whether it would have helped us on the scoreboard or not. Had he not injured himself, we would have enjoyed it. Maybe it would have fuelled more fire. Instead, the reverse, and people, probably people who have never made a mistake before in their life (dominating these message boards apparently), fucking railed against him.

The celebrations PERIOD, the fucking 'dancing with the stars' bullshit, all of THAT is the problem, NOT Houston's mistake.

So, I'm going to pay attention and hope for his fast recovery as HE was a bright spot on our D, if not the brightest. His fucking celebration was warranted; it was his first sack, I think, and he was STOKED as we were getting hammered. I love Brady and Manning, but fuck, I'd sure love to sack them, regardless of the score...

That's it for now, but I hope some people can discuss their shifting expectations now, and maybe this thread can... help?

Cheers...

 

[JDB_219]

I said, "Man, given the season, I thought you'd switched over". And we laughed about how no matter how much we'd like to sometimes, to find another team to root for, that is, we can't. We've been Bears fans for life and there is no other way. It's as simple as that.

Cheers...

My wife is a Bears fan by marriage only and she asks me why we can't have a good QB like Rodgers or Brady and why I root for the team that doesn't win. It is just the way it is for now. Even though the Sox are my team I think of that Eddie Vedder song. One day the Bears will go all the way, we'll have the QB and the coach and get to see them take the confetti shower, it just doesn't look like it will be this year or this QB.

I was expecting a 10-6 type team and it doesn't look too good for that happening so I too am adjusting my expectations for the second half of the season.

 

[HeHateMe]

... can we stop?

I saw a friend of mine, solid Bears fan, wearing what, from a distance, appeared to be a Detroit Lions baseball cap. I got closer and saw it was a Puma cap, similar blue.

I said, "Man, given the season, I thought you'd switched over". And we laughed about how no matter how much we'd like to sometimes, to find another team to root for, that is, we can't. We've been Bears fans for life and there is no other way. It's as simple as that.

This year, I have never been so down on our losses as I have. Never... well, maybe in the late eighties and early nineties, when we really should have, and Washington did shit to us that freaked me out. But, in recent memory, this is the most down I've been. I know I'm not alone, coming on here daily reading about all the doom and gloom prognostications and rebooting remedies.

Whatever the reason for the almost irrational irritations that have built in us all, probably all built upon the suspect foundation of highest expectations, it's time we shift our expectations.

And honestly, this new shift, has slid me back into being a staunch and more or less, happier fan again.

It's the second half of the season. One game at a time. New expectation number one, see the locker room come together. I will be watching only for the stories on how the Bears locker room went from what it was, to what it will be.

Storyline two, semi-related, how the team reconnects and buys in to the offence, in particular. Cutler specifically, by sticking with the game plan, and 'managing' the game a little better, actually takes down Green Bay, in Green Bay and we begin. He begins to gain leadership through his actions, not his facial expression and fan nominations.

Forte continues to be Forte, but gets the National recognition, that will put him in the top 40 players in the NFL...

Marshall regains 'acceptable' form with the return of Wilson, and the three of them start to light it up.

Our D and special teams start to make special plays. It'll start out slow, but I hope to watch it grow. I'm going to be paying attention specifically to Fuller, post injury, Conte, can he stay and Allan; seeing if he arrives. I'm hoping that Tucker isn't as crap, and that the players don't despise him.

Specifically, I'm going to try to refocus on the positive energy stories as opposed to the shit I've been allowing to weigh me down. Fuck those media types who only want to see 'stories' bloom as they fuel fire to our frustrations and doubts. Fuck those stories. I'm going to ease up on reading them.

Lamar Houston, for example. That sucked and was embarrassing when he injured himself. But he fucking knows it. It was a wicked sack at a time when we really needed it, whether it would have helped us on the scoreboard or not. Had he not injured himself, we would have enjoyed it. Maybe it would have fuelled more fire. Instead, the reverse, and people, probably people who have never made a mistake before in their life (dominating these message boards apparently), fucking railed against him.

The celebrations PERIOD, the fucking 'dancing with the stars' bullshit, all of THAT is the problem, NOT Houston's mistake.

So, I'm going to pay attention and hope for his fast recovery as HE was a bright spot on our D, if not the brightest. His fucking celebration was warranted; it was his first sack, I think, and he was STOKED as we were getting hammered. I love Brady and Manning, but fuck, I'd sure love to sack them, regardless of the score...

That's it for now, but I hope some people can discuss their shifting expectations now, and maybe this thread can... help?

Cheers...

you guys get some pretty good weed in canada.

 

[da_bears6]

This team is just so inconsistent. I wouldn't honestly be that surprised if we somehow beat Green Bay with a couple turnovers and then lose another one at home to Minnesota.

 

[WindyCity]

The life of a Bears fan...

Constantly lowering expectations.

That is embarrassing for a charter franchise in the 2nd largets market in the country.

 

[Sunbiz1]

I hope some people can discuss their shifting expectations now>>>

>>>I expect the Bears to do what any smart business owner does when their company has been mismanaged. Start from scratch, blow up the team and find a competent drafting type GM who can build a winner that will last a decade or so...like the Patriots and Packers have done.

 

[Scoot26]

The life of a Bears fan...

Constantly lowering expectations.

That is embarrassing for a charter franchise in the 2nd largets market in the country.

Thats what happens when you have ownership that really hasn't known what the hell its been doing for over 50 years. The smartest thing Halas did was bring in Jim Finks..the dumbest thing he did towards the end of his life was let him go. His son dying was some bad luck as it allowed the McCaskey family to take over and completely ruin the franchise.

 

[Sunbiz1]

Thats what happens when you have ownership that really hasn't known what the hell its been doing for over 50 years. The smartest thing Halas did was bring in Jim Finks..the dumbest thing he did towards the end of his life was let him go. His son dying was some bad luck as it allowed the McCaskey family to take over and completely ruin the franchise.

They want to win, but just don't know how.

 

[Mongo_76]

It was a wicked sack at a time when we really needed it, whether it would have helped us on the scoreboard or not.

???


We needed to sack a back-up QB on a busted play in garbage time?

Por que?

 

[Mongo_76]

Our D and special teams start to make special plays. It'll start out slow, but I hope to watch it grow. I'm going to be paying attention specifically to Fuller, post injury, Conte, can he stay and Allan; seeing if he arrives. I'm hoping that Tucker isn't as crap, and that the players don't despise him

It still amazes me that there are people out there who will give Tucker the benefit of doubt....

Like I said before the season started when everyone was still on the "we had no talent last year" kick. You could give Tucker talent consisting of Butkis, Hampton, Joe Green, John Randall, LT, Ronny Lott, Jack Tatum, Dieone Sanders and Charles Woodson - all in their prime, and he'd still fuck it up.

 

[JDB_219]

It still amazes me that there are people out there who will give Tucker the benefit of doubt....

Like I said before the season started when everyone was still on the "we had no talent last year" kick. You could give Tucker talent consisting of Butkis, Hampton, Joe Green, John Randall, LT, Ronny Lott, Jack Tatum, Dieone Sanders and Charles Woodson - all in their prime, and he'd still fuck it up.

Nah, you can play those guys in base defenses and the plays would be made.

 

[Scoot26]

They want to win, but just don't know how.

Now they do. I can't say for much during the Michael McCaskey area. He graduated directly for 1980's business management and was destined to run the team that way. That meant not paying for quality scouts either.

McCaskey's system can work, in which you trade away good aging players for draft picks (like what the Patriots do now). But you need a front office that is amazing.

I think George McCaskey may have a better idea of what he's doing, but again, its looking like some colossal mistakes are being made still. There still a lot of business politics within the team that simply should not be there.

 

[Desperado34]

The life of a Bears fan...

Constantly lowering expectations.

That is embarrassing for a charter franchise in the 2nd largets market in the country.

They suck.

They've been to the playoffs.. What? 5 times since 1993 or some shit. Unreal

 

[mac bear]

I think it's more than 'they just suck'. I think the level of suck is directly correlated to our raised expectations. Now that we've all crashed landed, back to earth, and our sad realistic situation... let's see what they can do.

In an interesting parallel that draws attention to comments above, about what weed we get in Canada, Trestman, a losing record and overcoming a lot of shit: the Montreal Allouettes, that Trestman coached prior to bombing with the 'compliant' Bears, are in interesting story developing in CFL. They started 1-7 pathetic, and have since gone on an serious run winning 8 or their last 9 contests and now being first in their division (I know...) with a 9-8 record.

If they can do it... maybe?

 

[Jester]

I cannot see why people are not enjoying this season. Can't you see the eruption that is about to take place? A storm is brewing for sure !!!! When the Packers KICK OUR ASS this weekend it's going to be fun to listen/watch the Chicago Sports media. Some of are players are going to lose their minds, lol.

Some crazy entertainment coming up this weekend !!!!!

 

[Sunbiz1]

Now they do. I can't say for much during the Michael McCaskey area. He graduated directly for 1980's business management and was destined to run the team that way. That meant not paying for quality scouts either.

McCaskey's system can work, in which you trade away good aging players for draft picks (like what the Patriots do now). But you need a front office that is amazing.

I think George McCaskey may have a better idea of what he's doing, but again, its looking like some colossal mistakes are being made still. There still a lot of business politics within the team that simply should not be there.

Hiring mid-grade(at best)GM's has kept the franchise locked in mediocrity, as demonstrated by Jerry Angelo's continued unemployment.

There have always been a strange set of politics that permeate Halas Hall. Bruce Arians commented they made him do a mock press conference, when he had just spent an entire season doing them. The insinuation was that perceptions weigh more heavily than resumes when it comes to hiring decisions.

If this is the case, then maybe it is time for fans to call out ownership.

Problem is they won't sell for twice what the team is valued at, as was just stated by George I believe recently.

That comment in itself should be alarming for fans, b/c it indicates he may have some control issues causing these bad decisions.

 

[ClydeLee]

I cannot see why people are not enjoying this season. Can't you see the eruption that is about to take place? A storm is brewing for sure !!!! When the Packers KICK OUR ASS this weekend it's going to be fun to listen/watch the Chicago Sports media. Some of are players are going to lose their minds, lol.

Some crazy entertainment coming up this weekend !!!!!

Now that is something I can agree with.

I don't get the idea of even having expectations outside of yourself.. especially for sports teams, it doesn't really make sense to me. it's seriously simply a system that leads to upset emotions and minimal payoff. It's not like I would have any stake in it so expecting or demanding a successful sports team has always been a goofy concept to me.

 

[WindyCity]

I cannot see why people are not enjoying this season. Can't you see the eruption that is about to take place? A storm is brewing for sure !!!! When the Packers KICK OUR ASS this weekend it's going to be fun to listen/watch the Chicago Sports media. Some of are players are going to lose their minds, lol.

Some crazy entertainment coming up this weekend !!!!!

I actually agree.

If you are going to be bad, be bad.

-Better draft pick.

-Entertainment value goes way up.

-Change is cleansing.

 

[WindyCity]

Now that is something I can agree with.

I don't get the idea of even having expectations outside of yourself.. especially for sports teams, it doesn't really make sense to me. it's seriously simply a system that leads to upset emotions and minimal payoff. It's not like I would have any stake in it so expecting or demanding a successful sports team has always been a goofy concept to me.

You should have expectations in anything that you invest emotionally.

The Bears are a big part of a fans life so they can expect them to be better, especially if you invest your money in tickets and merchandise.

 

[Frigidus]

At this point football comes around once a week, and while I might think about it every now and again I don't dwell on it once the game ends. I'm going to bite the pillow and truck through the rest of this season, hope that as much of the coaching staff as possible gets shown the door when the offseason hits, then think about the draft.