Bears Have Had Stunning Rise To Top
(WSCR) -Back in training camp, all of the talk was about how easy the Chicago Bears training camp was. There weren't any full contact scrimmages or drills, that are common in other NFL training camps.
Once the preseason games started, so did the criticism. Criticism of players, coaches and schemes dominated the headlines.
Because of that criticism, no team has risen toward the NFL's elite in more stunning fashion than the Bears. Chicago was considered a .500 or worse squad heading into 2010, a likely third-place finisher in the NFC North - if the Bears could hold off the Lions.
Then Lovie Smith turned his personal hot seat into a torrid team whose defense and special teams have been so formidable that mistakes by the offense generally have not been critical. Having a healthy Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs at linebacker has been critical, and the secondary has developed nicely.
Doubters will be vocal when the playoffs begin and the Bears could be an underdog at home even if they earn a bye, because the Eagles, Saints, Falcons and Giants seem to have more supporters. That shouldn't taint what has been a terrific turnaround season.
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