I just read an article from the WindyCity Gridiron about whether Bears fans are being too impulsive and trusting as we approach the new season. A few examples that are listed in the article are: So I'm wondering if all of you are feeling like you should hold back and not get too confident about this new team and Coach. What do you think? Article below. Are expectations for the 2018 Bears too high? There’s plenty to be excited about, but are fans setting themselves up for more disappointment? By Sam Householder@SamHouseholder Jul 13, 2018, 5:00pm CDT Share Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports It feels like we, as fans, have been here before. New coaches, new quarterback, new offense. It all seems so familiar. But will 2018 yield different results than 2013, 2015 or any of the other years that it seemed so sure that the Bears were turning a corner for the better. It’s been seven seasons since the Bears last made the playoffs and it’s been five seasons since they were even in the playoff race late in the season. Sure, plenty has changed this time: The Bears have a young, exciting quarterback, they have some bona fide playmakers on offense at wide receiver and running back. They seem to have an offensive staff that understands how to adapt and has a history in a system that has strong NFL pedigree. So why should fans temper their expectations? The quarterback is both young and inexperienced and while he’s paired with an exciting coach, the coach himself is inexperienced, as both a playcaller and a head coach. Elsewhere, the team’s No. 1 wide receiver is coming off a serious knee injury and will still be recovering when the Bears report to camp next week, there’s no guarantee he will be full go during the first practices. And on the other side of the ball, there’s still some major concerns regarding the pass rush, in terms of both health and depth. The secondary has a No. 1 corner that has had one great season and lacks clear-cut ballhawks. There is potential there, as well, but Kyle Fuller could be a one-year wonder. We, as Bears fans, are excited about the potential, but it is all just that, potential. We’ve also seen it all go bad before. How many times were we excited for Cutler, for Martz, for Trestman or (ok, I’m not sure anyone was that excited about Loggains). I am not saying that it will go bad, but slowly this offseason has seen the anticipation build and the Bears go from a bad to team to being better than expected and having a chance at catching some teams by surprise. But with the growing pains that will inevitably happen, is there a chance that fans are setting themselves up to be disappointed? How will progress will be measured? How are you tempering expectations? The team could win six games and have some people very excited, but they could will eight games and leave people feeling like they could’ve been better. What should true expectations be for this team? I am excited about this team, there’s a lot to love. I think that the offense will truly be innovative, I think that Mitchell Trubisky will grow as a QB and I am excited to see where all the pieces fit. However, I also think there will be some bumps in the road along the way and growing pains and mistakes with the new system. I think seven or eight wins in the realm, but I also realize that there could be some crushing losses as the growing pains of a young offense and first time coach find their way.
I no longer get out over my skis with this team. Every year now I just cross my fingers, drink my beer, and hope for the best. Juicebox and then Fox set the bar pretty damn low, and it will take a few years of consistency to raise it.
If you're active on football message boards what is your general take from Bears' fans this season? Do you see a lot of excitement and do you think that excitement is warranted @tunafat ?
I have never been less active so I couldn't honestly tell you, Sure I hear from some people that are out over their ski's with the team and I'll just say "we'll see" and walk away. I've tempered my expectations, and now demand to see it to believe it. I've seen teams that look good on paper fail miserably, and I don't think we are actually that far, sure it appears that the Bears have assembled a solid coaching staff but even that for the most part is unproven, the biggest free agency signing a WR has only one proven healthy leg, draft selections always come with question, and the QB looks like he regressed over the course of the season, so once again we'll see.
I'm cautiously optimistic. The Rams turned it around in one season with a new coach and a young quarterback. I don't see why these Bears can't do the same.
No seriously.... I would be happy with all 16 games ending with close scores and an 8-8 finish. IOW, not expecting them to be great and not expecting them to suck either.....i'm with tuna, tempered expectations. Things I hope to see: Trubisky mature in his 2nd year. Both OL and DL improve. An improved WR corp. with gradual improvement as the season progresses. I am most ANXIOUS to see an offensive scheme to get excited about. Pretty basic things at this point i guess.
I am interested in how they use Howard and Cohen. Two fine assets. I am also interested in how Roquan can shed blockers and make tackles. Baby(fan) steps.
I'm a little confused at the premise. As I think has been echoed here, the most optimistic expectations for this team still fall outside of the playoffs, and often by more than a game or two. Realistically, I think the excitement comes from the fact that we've got a fresh young coach, a fresh young QB (a highly drafted one, for the first time in a long time), there's continuity on defense, and there are a bunch of new weapons on offense, which this team has been sorely lacking. Some fanbases might be over the moon about all this, and I'm sure there are individuals that are. But for most Bears fans, we've seen similar stories before in recent memory go wrong, so there's a cautious optimism about everyone. We want to be excited for football, but I don't think anyone is quite putting any money down yet. This is a team that we expect to be better, but most will probably wait 'til next season before buying some new merchandise. My girlfriend got me a Bears shirt for $7. It technically doesn't break the rule I made for myself of waiting to spend money on this team until they prove worthy. Plus, it was only $7.
My girlfriend got me a Bears shirt for $7. It technically doesn't break the rule I made for myself of waiting to spend money on this team until they prove worthy. Plus, it was only $7. Anyway you look at it this is a good deal. One of these days I'm going to have a Bears shirt too. Damnit. I will!!!
Finding quality sports merchandise at ridiculously cheap prices is one of her best qualities. I'm amazed by it, and will learn her secrets. Got herself a gorgeous Florida Panthers sweater for $10. Unreal. And it's not knock-off stuff - all officially licensed, quality, everything. She's pretty great. Gonna make sure she sticks around, so I can stock up my wardrobe.
Hmmm ... she sounds like a catch D-line. Hold on to that, smart, clever and beautiful women are not that easy to find.
I will tell you, from an unbiased semi knowledgeable football opinion. The Bears have had a very solid offseason.. Should be an interesting take between Nagy and Patricia. Personally not sold on Nagy, however it's hard to tell at this point. After watching Patricia's defense in the SB, I'd take Nagy. If it weren't for Brady that' game be a 20 plus point blow out. Even Malcom Butler can't change that. Daniels was a real good pick at #49 if his knees are good. Future ProBowler, and possibly a future All Pro interior lineman. He's that good if healthy. Trey Burton pick up was good, but just that. He isnt' the second coming of Tony G and can he block consistently vs 260plus edge rushers. Robinson was a great pick up. That comes to the, well, why most of you don't like me, Trubs.. I felt he looked better than his stats last year. 7 and 7 really isn't that good. However, the kid showed some poise and the jury is still out if I was wrong on that. Defense- This is where I think they made the greatest stride. Ocha, Prince( I always felt Fuller was overrated). Smith is the next Monster of the Midway. Trust me this kid is going to be great. I may be off on some of these things. Hopefully it is appropriate enough for the respective board.
IMO she paid too much LOL. I've done the same with bears gear. Not spending a dime on this bum-ass team. But I found reason to not throw out my Jay Cutler jersey. His weird wife's new reality TV show Jay is the star of. Great. Boy wonder is back to dazzle us with his fresh takes. Pontificated in 5 sentences of verbal/textual diarrhea. Patricia has nothing to do with the bears. But conveniently he has to do with your team, the Pats. Great to know when talking about the bears (or anybody else), Pats fans gotta make it about their team. The bears drafted just one guy? Dallas Goedert from South Dakota State was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at #49. Truly your dizzying football intellect is unmatched. We are clearly not worthy. Not one person here has said or had the expectation that Trey Burton is the second coming of the best tight end of all time. Another gem, straight from the horse's ass! Nah, we don't like you because you fail at being a competent troll. Why would bears fans dislike you for complimenting their quarterback? You really think that much of yourself? You went from "an unbiased, semi-knowledgeable football opinion" to backpedaling your entire post. Guys, great news! We don't even need to watch the bears this season! Nostradumbass has spoken!
