Lovie: 'We Will Finish The Job'
(WBBM) Less than 24 hours after the Bears defeated the Vikings to end their season on a one-game winnings streak, head coach Lovie Smith is already looking toward the 2012 season.
"I think you remember (the season) exactly like it played out," Smith told WBBM Newsradio's Josh Liss on Monday morning. "You remember the 7-3 record. You remember the five-game losing streak and then you remember how we finished. You think about the core we have in place that's solid, that should be ready to make a run in 2012. You think about the 1-0 record going into 2012. We eventually will finish the job."
LISTEN: Lovie Smith on with Josh Liss
Podcast
The Bears season could be characterized as two completely different entitites -- one with Jay Cutler, and one without. Cutler was lost for the season after the Bears defeated the Chargers in late November, extending their season-long winning streak to five games.
After Cutler's injury, Caleb Hanie took over and lost four-straight. Hanie was later pulled for mid-season acquisition Josh McCown, who finished with a 1-1 record, as he started his first NFL games since 2007.
More Coverage:
Photos: Bears 17, Vikings 13
Lovie: We Will Finish The Job
Biggs: Bears Need To Bolster The O Line
"Josh did a good job the two games he played for us," Smith said. "Not just the two games, really, but from the time he got here, I feel like he helped our football team. He did some good things. He'd like to have some plays back, like all players would, but again, I was impressed with what he was able to do. We'll see how it goes in the future."
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher went down with an apparently knee injury in Sunday's season finale, but Smith said the Pro Bowler will be OK.
"Last night, he was walking around OK," Smith said. "It's just an MCL sprain -- he should be all right."
