Reasons why the Bears are mediocre

November, 24, 2009
Nov 24
11:59
AM CT
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By Jeff Dickerson
Devin Hester
Rob Grabowski/US PresswireDevin Hester's conversion to a "No. 1" receiver has contributed to the Bears' mediocriy.

CHICAGO -- Football is the ultimate team game. You win as an organization, you lose as an organization. Instead of simply blaming one person (Ron Turner) for the Bears being 20-22 since the Super Bowl, take a step back and look at the big picture: It's been a collective effort, from the front office down to the players. Nobody should be immune from criticism, because everybody played a part in this mess.

Here's a list of why the Bears have been a mediocre team going on three seasons:

  • After trading Thomas Jones to New York, the Bears handed the starting running back job to Cedric Benson (bust) in 2007.
  • Mark Anderson is promoted over Alex Brown in 2007 -- Anderson clearly couldn't handle the assignment.
  • Nathan Vasher got hurt versus Dallas in 2007 -- he never recovered.
  • Brian Urlacher dealt with major back issues in 2007, and missed almost all of 2009 with a dislocated wrist.
  • The Bears drafted Dan Bazuin (bust) in the second round in 2007.
  • The Bears drafted Michael Okwo (bust) in the third round in 2007.
  • The Bears drafted Garrett Wolfe (reach) in the third round in 2007.
  • The Bears have gotten NOTHING out of their top four selections in 2009: Jarron Gilbert, Juaquin Iglesias, Henry Melton and D.J. Moore.
  • 2008 first round pick Chris Williams had a pre-existing back condition.
  • Tommie Harris stopped being Tommie Harris after receiving a contract extension following the 2007 season.
  • Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek could never stay healthy.
  • The Bears signed Adam Archuleta in the 2007 offseason.
  • The Bears signed Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd in the 2008 offseason.
  • The Bears signed Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale, Josh Bullocks and Pisa Tinoisamoa (talented, but injured) in the 2009 offseason.
  • Kevin Jones never made it out of the 2009 preseason.
  • The Bears traded for Darwin Walker in 2007.
  • The Bears dealt Chris Harris to Carolina before the 2007 season.
  • The Bears traded a second round pick for Gaines Adams in 2009.
  • Craig Steltz took all the first-team reps at free safety this past offseason.
  • Marcus Harrison showed up to training camp overweight in 2009 -- he's never recovered.
  • The following talented assistant coaches were inexplicably fired: Ron Rivera, Don Johnson, Wade Wilson and Lloyd Lee.
  • Devin Hester lost all of his special teams magic.
  • Devin Hester became a "No. 1" wide receiver.
  • The Bears failed to apply the franchise tag to Bernard Berrian.
  • Tight end Desmond Clark, (1) lost his starting job without a competition, and (2) is being totally misused in the offense.
  • Matt Forte went from averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, to 3.3 as a sophomore.
  • Opponents have converted on 42.8 percent of third down conversions in 2009.
  • Corey Graham wasn't in the mix until mid-way through the 2009 season -- why?
  • Oh yeah, Jay Cutler has thrown a mind-numbing 18 interceptions.

    Yep, it's taken a lot of work for the Bears to go 20-22 since the Super Bowl.

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    2009-10 Regular Season, Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler

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    Jeff Dickerson
    Jeff Dickerson

    Dickerson is our Bears beat reporter and weeknight host on ESPN 1000. He also handles Bears coverage for ABC-7 and appears on "The Chicago Huddle."

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