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Monday, May 16, 2011
The oldest franchise in NFL history, the Chicago Bears, is up. Its not just that the Bears are old, they have had so many great players and coaches its hard to choose which ones are the best. I try my best in my latest edition of History of the Franchise.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Bears have had so many great coaches its hard to choose just one. Only Mike Ditka led the Bears to a Super Bowl victory. Not only did he win the Super Bowl with the 1985 Bears, he coached one of the greatest teams in NFL history. It wasn't a suprise Ditka won a Super Bowl with the Bears just three years in because he was sought out by the great George Halas himself. In Ditka's ten years in Chicago, the Bears won six NFC Central Titles and had three trips to the NFC Championship Game. Ditka's toughness and attitude proved why he is the greatest Bears coach of all time. During the 1988 season, Ditka suffered a heart attack and was expected to be out for most of the season. Instead he was back on the sidelines the next week as an advisor and then returned as head coach the week after. That year, Ditka was arwarded the Coach of the Year award, his first since 1985. Ditka coached probably the second best team in NFL history. The Bears went 15-1 in 1985 and if it weren't for Dan Marino, could of been the first ever 19-0 team ever. Its not just the 1985 season that made Ditka a great head coach, it was his capability to keep great players like "The Fridge" in line. With or without the yelling.
Best Player: Walter Payton (1975-1987) The best player in Bears history was the sweetest guy ever. Walter Payton did more as a running back then anyone has in NFL history. The Bears drafted Payton three years after Gale Sayers retired. If you were one of those guys who liked jumping to a bold conclusion to soon, then you would of thought Payton was a bust. In his first game, he was held to zero rushing yards. Payton was able to finish his rookie season with 679 yards and seven touchdowns. In 1976 Payton was voted to his first Pro Bowl after having 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. It got even better for Payton the next year when he won the MVP award after gaining 1,852 yards and getting in the endzone 16 times. One of the most memorable events of Payton's career happend in 1977. Payton was suffering from a 101 degree fever, but was able to overcome his sickness to rush for 275 yards on 40 attempts with one touchdown. It was a NFL record that stood for 23 years. Of course Payton's greatest accomplishment was probably in 1984. He broke Jim Brown's career rushing record. The following season, the 15-1 Bears won the Super Bowl. Unfortanetly, Payton did not score a touchdown which was one of Mike Ditka's regrets. Of course being the unsefish player he was, Payton never complained. Thats what made "sweetness" such a great player. That is why he is the greatest player in Chicago Bears history. Click here to look at Payton's stats.
The Bears drafted this future hall of famer in the eight round of the 1983 draft. Richard Dent was a big part of the feared Bears defense in the 1985 season. Dent led the NFL with 17 sacks and also had two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. During the 1985 playoffs, Dent had most arguably the greatest playoff game for any defensive player in NFL history. He recorded seven tackles, had 3.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles against the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoff game. Dent and fellow defensive linemen Wilber Marshall provided a perfect end to a near perfect season at home. Dent knocked the ball loose from QB Dieter Brock and Marshall picked the ball up and scored the touchdown to give the Bears the victory. Dent went on to win Super Bowl XX. He also was elected to four pro bowls and was elected to first team all pro twice. Most importantly, Dent will be elected into the hall of fame in 2011. Pretty good for a eight rounder from Tennessee State University. Click here to look at Dent's stats.
Curtis Enis was drafted fifth overall in the 1998 draft out of Penn State. Enis only lasted three seasons in the NFL. He only played in 36 games, gained 1,497 yards, and got in the endzone four times. It made sense why the Bears drafted Enis so high, his college career was pretty impressive. In his freshmen year, Enis gained 683 yards and scored four touchdowns. Over the next two years his numbers improved. Enis gained 2573 and 32 touchdowns in his final two years of college at Penn State. The 1998 Draft wasn't that filled with great players anyways, but the Bears could of gotten Fred Taylor who was a solid running through his career. If the Bears would of looked in a different direction, they could of drafted Randy Moss. The Bears did not draft Moss due to his character issues, even though it was against Walter Payton's wishes. Other then Taylor, there was not that much depth at the running back. Enis' bust status isn't really his fault. His pro football career was ended prematurely due to a condition with his knee. Still Enis is still a bust and the biggest one in Chicago Bears history. Click here to look at Enis' stats.
Defining Moment: Buddy Ryan devises the 46 Defense
Displayed to your left is the "Madden" video game playbook for the Baltimore Ravens' 46 Defense. None of it would of been possible if Buddy Ryan hadn't devised it in 1978. The defense wasn't fully perfected until 1982. It helped the Bears win Super Bowl XX, which is why it is their defining moment. If it weren't for this defense who knows if the Bears defense or any other defense would be as dominant as it was if not for Ryan. The "46" came from the jersey number of Doug Plank, who played safety for the Bears at the time. Since I am not a defensive coordinator, try to follow the illustration as best as possible. I can say it has worked for many teams, inluding the Bears and not is only a defining moment for Chicago but for the NFL as well.
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