This is the Bears’ last chance to win two games in a row, a modest goal for a season that began with slightly more promise. To think they haven’t won as many as the San Francisco 49ers is shocking.
Question–Why shocking? Aren’t the 49ers good?
Answer–They were the last time the Bears played them, way back in 1994, the last time the Bears made the playoffs.
Q–What happened?
A–The Bears were edged 44-15.
Q–Weren’t the 49ers cheating on the salary cap?
A–Not back then, as far as anyone can tell. The cap had just come into existence. That was back in the days when former owner Eddie DeBartolo could leave a Mercedes in his quarterback’s driveway and nobody thought twice about it.
Q–Why aren’t the 49ers any good now?
A–Having won five games, they’re already better than anybody thought they would be. They practically had to start over on defense and currently rank 30th. But their offense has been startlingly good, ranking fourth.
Q–But didn’t they lose quarterback Steve Young?
A–Sure did, and they plugged in a refugee from the Canadian league, Jeff Garcia, and hardly skipped a beat. General Manager Bill Walsh promised Garcia would finish among the top 10 passers this year and he was wrong again. Garcia currently ranks fourth.
Q–How did he do that?
A–It’s a tribute to coach Steve Mariucci and the system the 49ers have used since the days of Walsh. Properly coached, it works. Lose Young, plug in Garcia. Lose running back Garrison Hearst, plug in Charlie Garner. Lose receiver Jerry Rice, plug in Terrell Owens.
Q–Did they lose Rice?
A–The former Jerry Rice, yes. The current one is a shadow of his former self. He’s an old warrior, hanging on. Makes you realize Michael Jordan was right to retire on top.
Q–Doesn’t Rick Mirer play for the 49ers?
A–He’s still on the roster, but he doesn’t play. He got into the second game of the season and none since.
Q–Where did this Garcia guy come from again?
A–California by way of Canada. He wasn’t drafted in 1994. He played at San Jose State at the same time Trent Dilfer was playing at Fresno State. Dilfer was the third pick in the draft. Garcia went to Calgary.
Q–You mean the Bears could have had this guy?
A–The Bears and everybody else. That was the year the Bears started by drafting John Thierry and Marcus Spears and finished with Lloyd Hill and Dennis Collier.
Q–Who was playing quarterback?
A–Erik Kramer.
Q–Where is he?
A–Same place as Thierry, Spears, Hill, Collier, the guy who drafted them and the guy who coached them. Gone.
Q–But if the 49ers are rebuilding and are way over their salary cap and are still favored to beat the Bears, what has changed over the years?
A–Not much.
