Walter's rookie year was 1975, the first year I started really watching the Bears. I remember the 70's teams very well. And Walter was obviously a beast.
But it wasn't until the 80's that Finks built up the lines. Covert, Thayer, Hilgerburg, Bortz, Van Horn, that line was DEATH. That extended Walter's career, cuz he was a marked man. McMahon brought the threat of a real passing game..but he couldn't stay heathy. That was the single reason the Bears weren't a dynasty. BUT at least they won a freaking super bowl.
Since those days the team has barely bothered to commit to rebuilding that line. What did we do instead? We drafted guys like Salaam, Enis, Conway, trade our pick for Rick Mirer, McNoun, David Terrell, Cedric Benson. Grossman etc. Only three first round Olineman (this year included) drafted since Jimbo Covert in 1983! That's 25 years.
All these guys bust. All of 'em. Why? Didn't other teams have them reasonably high on their draft boards. We draft guys like Grossman and McNown who everyone loved coming out of college. We get all excited about them, then after 4-5 shaky games the media, the fans all immediately want them out. Get that flashy passer out and give me that scappy dink and dunk artist.
Everyone wanted Jim Miller because he was "steady". The fans here simply can't sit through bad rookie QB seasons. Never have, never will. They'll throw their hands up immediately and want the next guy....then the next guy...then the next guy...and it never ends...ever. No QB will ever get developed here. First we bitch that he's on the bench and he should get in their and take his lumps. . . then when he does we'll bitch the he should be pulled for (insert dink and dunk QB here).
Last year the Bears gave up over 40 sacks. Was it all 3 QB's faults? Cuz they all played. The running game averaged a whopping 3.1 yards per carry. Dead LAST in the NFL. C'mon now Thomas Jones was soild, but he aint LT. 3.1 per carry? These guys were getting killed every snap.
I just wonder which 'journalist' will have the nut to call out Olin Kreutz who's play has been down the toilet for the last 3 years but nobody calls im out on it. He fumbles exchanges with every QB, yet it was only an issue with Rex. And he gets pushed around way too much now.
If they could I'd trade some defensive studs and retool a little bit while also improving from the draft. But this team is at best 3 years away from having an NFL offense. And on top of it all, there's still Ron Turner.


It's Parka time...as in Preston
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