I’ve been a Chicago Bears’ fan for over 55 years. I’ve been a Chicago Cubs’ fan for over 55 years. I’m one of the very few people who also cheer for the Chicago White Sox as well.

Ever since Chicago has had the Bulls I have been a supporter and every year I’ve come to love the Chicago Blackhawks more and more.

There are other Chicago teams I care about as well but my point is that coming from downstate Peoria, Illinois, I was raised to be for Chicago teams and as an adult have continued to wish them the best.

I tell you this to try and convince you that I have no reason at all to wish the Chicago Bears bad luck. I have no desire to try to be negative in my comments about the Bears or their future.

I am forced to say however that the Bears have no future for at least the next couple of years.

Matt Forte:

The Bears refused to lock Forte into a contract according to Melissa Isaacson of ESPN Chicago despite his prowess as a player. It appears from Isaacson’s comments that Forte felt the Bears didn’t feel loyal towards him. Then Forte was injured.

Now the Bears have an injured star whose future abilities are unknown. Further if you think Forte is “bearing” Chicago any love right now you may want to think again.

This is not a situation where the Bears are simply going to pick up next year where they left off physically or emotionally with their star running back.

Jay Cutler:

Jay Cutler was also injured and had to have thumb surgery. Is he going to be able to throw as well in the future?

Bears Receivers:

Johnny Knox was severely injured. Roy Williams was a huge disappointment. These are just a couple of issues.

Other Issues:

The Bears have ongoing problems with their offensive line and for the life of me I don’t know what has happened to the defense other than to say perhaps it’s time for a change, an “upgrade.” Man to man coverage is really better but you have to have a consistent pass rush and we don’t.

As far as the coaches go I respect Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli. However I think Mike Martz has lost his touch and indeed think the Bears need a coaching overhaul. It is simply time for a change. We have seen many instances over the years particularly with quarterbacks where the coaching decision to change came way to slow.

As I look at all these issues, physical, emotional and functional, I don’t see a team capable of returning to sound competition for at least two years, probably three.

Reference:

ESPNChicago.com, Melissa Isaacson, “Matt Forte doesn’t feel Bears’ loyalty”

NBCChicago.com, Maggie Hendricks, Bear Bites: What Forte’s Injury Means”

SportingNews.com, Gene Chamberlain, “Bears Johnny Knox injured back on hit, won’t return”

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By Travis Miller

– College Basketball Contributor

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Dec 25, 2011 – The Chicago Bears need a win to keep their faint postseason hopes alive, but they’ll have to shut down one of the league’s most prolific offenses and find a way to patch together enough offense of their own to pull out the win. The Bears offense has been ravaged by injuries to Johnny Knox, Matt Forte, Devin Hester, and Jay Cutler.

Josh McCown has replaced Caleb Hanie at quarterback for this Christmas night game, but has not exactly inspired confidence for Bears fans:

And now the Bears are starting Josh McCown. Joy to the world. Deck the halls with bad QB play, fa la la la la, la la la la. I’m really not sure what this does against the average scoring defense/bad pass-yardage defense of Green Bay. Might look okay on paper, “ease him in,” but he’s preparing for his first start in four years against a defense that loves turnovers. At least Nathan Enderle has started a game at some level in that time span, even if it was college.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 25; 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

TV Schedule
National: NBC

Read More: Josh McCown (QB – CHI), Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Devin Hester (WR – CHI), Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Caleb Hanie (QB – CHI), Johnny Knox (WR – CHI), Nathan Enderle (QB – CHI), Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers

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CHICAGO — Chicago Bears receiver Johnny Knox was taken from the field on a cart with a mid-back injury in the opening minutes against the Seattle Seahawks and left the game.

Knox had just caught a pass from Caleb Hanie about four minutes into Sunday’s game when Kam Chancellor poked the ball out of his hands. As Knox made a diving attempt to retrieve the ball, he was hit by Anthony Hargrove and stayed down for close to 10 minutes while being tended to by medical personnel.

He was eventually placed on a stretcher and taken from the field on a cart, putting his hands over his face and wiggling his fingers as he left the field.

The Seahawks’ Earl Thomas recovered the fumble at the Chicago 23.

Late in the half, Bears safety Chris Conte suffered a foot injury trying to tackle Seattle’s Justin Forsett and left the game.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Bradley Woodrum

– Newsdesk contributor

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Dec 2, 2011 – The Chicago Bears announced early Friday afternoon that they had come to terms with wide receiver Earl Bennett on a 4-year contract extension. A fellow graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jay Cutler has often displayed strong chemistry with Bennett, making him his favorite possession target when healthy.

Bennett currently has over 250 receiving yards a one touchdown reception in 2011, despite missing five games with an injury earlier this year. He has also been one of the Bears’ most consistent targets, averaging 15.3 yards per catch — good for second best on the Bears behind only Johnny Knox (22.2).

The Bears initially acquired Earl Bennett in the 2008 NFL Draft with the 7th pick of the 3rd round. Bennett has over 1,500 receiving yards and a total of 6 TDs in his 4-year NFL career. The extension should keep Bennett with the Bears through the 2015 NFL season.

For more on the Chicago Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron, an SB Nation blog dedicated to the Monster of the Midway. For more updates around the NFL, head to SB Nation Pro Football.

Read More: earl bennett extension, Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Earl Bennett (WR – CHI), Johnny Knox (WR – CHI), Chicago Bears

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Read More: Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Johnny Knox (WR – CHI), San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears continue to play excellent football on both sides of the all, as they hold a 31-20 lead over the San Diego Chargers early in the fourth quarter.

Chicago responded to a TD by the Chargers early in the third quarter with an excellent 83-yard TD drive. The drive was capped off by Jay Cutler, who scrambled into the end zone from a yard out. The Bears extended their lead later in the third quarter, when Jay Cutler hooked up with Johnny Knox for a 24-yard TD.

The Chicago defense delivered a key turnover in the third quarter, forcing San Diego RB Ryan Matthews to fumble on his own 34 yard line. The Bears took advantage of the fumble just a couple plays later on the Cutler TD pass to Knox.

For more on Sunday’s game, check out Windy City Gridiron, SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog, and Bolts From The Blue, SB Nation’s San Diego Chargers blog. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more updates.