Two of the Bears` toughest games last year were against Green Bay, where the Packers will host a Monday night encounter.
Six days later, the Bears travel to Cincinnati. Like the Browns, the high-scoring Bengals are unfamiliar to the Bears.
No one favors the Bears to win all their games. But it is entirely possible that each week the Bears will be favored to win their game. The gamblers play them one at a time, too.
COMPLACENCY
The Raiders, 49ers and Redskins have failed to repeat since the Steelers did it. But the Raiders and 49ers have been back twice each in the `80s, which proves at least the seeds of ”dynasties” exist.
The experts say it is hard to go back-to-back because the edge is lost. Former Raiders` coach John Madden suggests that teams should take sabbaticals ”to kiss babies” the year after they win.
The 49ers` Bill Walsh claims the sacrifices of the long season combined with the excitement of the short offseason drains the brain.
”Everyone seems to be determined to do it again, but it just isn`t quite there the way it once was,” Walsh said.
Again, the Bears have answers. Or think they do.
”We`re not the 49ers or Raiders living in California,” Moorehead said.
”We`re from Chicago, the blue-collar working place. Our work ethic is a little bit different here. We`ve seen more hard times than the people living the good life out in California.
”When you think of the Steelers, it`s the same way. They saw people losing jobs in the steel mills after working hard all their lives. They knew what they had was something special and they really worked hard to keep it.” Blue-collar teams don`t require as much luck as others.
”Shoot, we go out and stomp people,” McMichael said. ”We don`t stinkin` worry about whether the ball is going to fall right. We beat people down.”
MONEY
”The Fridge” Perry stuffed an estimated $3 million into his lettuce bin for endorsements and appearances, plenty to quit today and fish forever. The weight clause in his contract means nothing anymore. Indeed, his weight means less than it did since Ditka gave up on plans for 300.
But entering this training camp, Perry had yet to earn the total respect of opponents and teammates on the field, and he knew it.
Ditka presented players with a golf shirt embroidered ”Are You Satisfied?” Perry seemed to wear it on his sleeve. After not missing a workout in the summer heat, his teammates were impressed by his vast improvement. Now for the opponents. Perry is no longer playing for money. Neither is Payton, who nevertheless points out: ”How could you have too much money?”
”The more you keep winning, the more money you`re going to make,”
McMahon said.
”I still see guys going to the lunch room to eat a free meal,” Hampton said.
”You like to be compensated, but that`s not the main factor,” McMichael said. ”It`s how it makes you feel inside.”
JEALOUSY
If jealous opposing players and coaches don`t get you, sometimes your own can.
When players or coaches start counting magazine covers, Pro Bowl votes, TV shows or book sales, they usually can start counting losses.
The Bears haven`t done that yet because they have so many leaders and characters they manage to amuse more than offend each other.
Not even McMahon`s opinion that he didn`t need exhibition games and his soap opera relationship with Ditka seemed to rile anyone inside the organization.
”Heck, McMahon`s one of the lowest-paid guys on the team now,” kidded Hampton. ”We don`t have a Fran Tarkenton syndrome here, where he was the head munchkin and everybody else was light years away in talent and ego.”
The Eagles are one team admittedly hoping McMahon`s autobiography will cause distractions and animosity within the ranks. But any kind of controversy or adversity among the Bears seems to mysteriously create a bond rather than a rift.
”One kind of adversity is someone telling us, `Hey, you`re never going to repeat,` ” Covert said. ”That`s the worst thing they can tell this football team.”
The Bears seem to have an unusual sense of history and of the opportunity they have to create some.
The first day of training camp, they spent no time discussing pitfalls. They simply said they wanted to win the Super Bowl again.
”We`re very fortunate because we`re the only team with a chance to repeat,” Covert said.
”Anyone can win one,” Hampton said. ”This is where the great teams are decided.”
”Our first meeting was an atmosphere almost bordering on arrogance,”
Duerson said.
”We like to see our tickets say `World Champions` on them,” Hampton said. ”We like to go to Pittsburgh and see on the scoreboard: `Tonight`s game between the Steelers and World Champion Bears.` ”
But enough talk.
”I think we still have it,” Matt Suhey said. ”I can say that until I`m blue in the face, but we`ll just have to wait and see.”
”Everyone is always comparing us to other teams,” Payton said. ”Don`t try to measure us by other teams. We`re different. We try to set our own course. Enjoy what you see now. We`re ready to do more than win one.”
