Comparisons to the 1985 Bears made no sense in 2001, when good fortune and fluky plays had as much to do with a 13-3 season as X’s and O’s.
Drawing parallels between the ’85 Bears and last year’s 11-5 NFC North champs always seemed like a reach, too, because of an offense that couldn’t have stretched the field if it were made of taffy.
We know it’s only four games and there already are fresh potholes in Chicago older than the Bears’ season, but the 2006 Bears represent the closest thing to the 1985 edition since the “Super Bowl Shuffle.” In terms of personality off the field and productivity on it, no Bears team since the end of that championship era combines it all into one irresistibly compelling package.
It’s inevitable too. The more the Bears win, the more people across America will watch. The more people watch, the more 1985 will be invoked, like it or not.
So get used to it, Bears fans. Just for fun, embrace the uncanny likenesses between this team and that one.
Consider it a remake of one of the best NFL dramas ever.
`1985 Redux’
A proposed script by David Haugh
THE PLOT
More than 20 years since a football-starved city last enjoyed a Super Bowl title, the Bears’ collection of characters band together to legitimately chase another one with a similarly dominating defense and surprisingly potent offense.
Thanks to a soft schedule, the 2006 Bears take on the look of a contender even earlier than the ’85 team did. The ’85 Bears defense, considered by some as the toughest ever in the NFL, gave up 69 points through its first four games. The ’06 Bears have surrendered one measly touchdown and 29 points overall at the same point this year.
The ’85 team averaged 34 points on offense through its first four games thanks in large part to a surprising passing game. This Bears team has averaged 29 for the same reasons. But beyond the numbers, the biggest parallels between the two teams might be seen in their personalities.
OPENING ACT
In the visiting Lambeau Field locker room after shutting out the Packers 26-0 in the season opener, Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris stares into a TV camera and says the team bus simply got one step closer to Miami–already talking Super Bowl. “If you want to jump on, there’s plenty of room,” Harris said.
A season theme emerges.
FINAL SCENE
Scheduled to be shot Feb. 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Work continues on the script Sunday at Soldier Field with the Buffalo Bills in town.
THE CAST
ALEX BROWN AS RICHARD DENT
The incomparable Dent rhymed in the “Super Bowl Shuffle,” that “if the quarterback’s slow, he’s going to get bent.” The same is true with Brown at right defensive end as it was when Dent dominated the position in ’85. Both were NFL draft oversights from the South who blossomed into fun-loving but feared pass-rushers across the league.
REX GROSSMAN AS JIM MCMAHON
Playing the part of “Spunky QB,” more than “Punky QB,” Grossman already is more than halfway to McMahon’s ’85 TD pass total of 15 after just four games. The nation should get to know Grossman better after an upcoming Sports Illustrated splash, but nobody should expect the mild-mannered quarterback to moon a photographer or send messages to the NFL commissioner on a headband anytime soon.
DESMOND CLARK AS EMERY MOOREHEAD
At this rate, Clark will become the Bears’ first tight end since Moorehead in 1983 to surpass 500 receiving yards in a season (he’s on pace for a Pro Bowl-worthy 928-yard season).
ADEWALE OGUNLEYE AS DAN HAMPTON
Nobody’s crafting Ogunleye’s speech for Canton just yet, but he gives the ’06 squad the same imposing figure at left end that Hampton did for the ’85 team and commands the same respectful presence in the locker room. Ogunleye probably gets along with Grossman better than Hampton got along with McMahon though.
LANCE BRIGGS AS “MAMA’S BOY” OTIS WILSON
Linked by jersey No. 55, both exude enough cool in front of the TV cameras to host their own talk shows, and both make at least one athletic play per game that makes fans say, “Did you see that?”
BRIAN URLACHER AS MIKE SINGLETARY
Every record-setting defense full of guys comfortable mugging for the cameras needs a steadying influence in the middle, and Urlacher does for this group what Singletary did for the ’85 group. Urlacher’s eyes aren’t the draw for TV cameras that Singletary’s were, but he remains the focus of offensive coordinators.
THOMAS JONES AS WALTER PAYTON
Jones probably won’t gain 1,551 yards as Payton did in ’85 and nobody can match “Sweetness” in the charisma department, but Jones’ work ethic is patterned after Payton’s. It’s that kind of dependability the Bears have come to count on from Jones.
BERNARD BERRIAN AS WILLIE GAULT
In a comparison of both finesse receivers, Berrian already has two more TD catches (3) than Gault did the entire ’85 season. Berrian may not be a “world-class” runner but has sprinter’s speed and has emerged as a deep threat for the same reason “Speedy Willie,” did: Defenses can’t stop what they can’t catch.
NATHAN VASHER AS “L.A.” MIKE RICHARDSON
Vasher has led Bears defensive backs in cool as well as interceptions since coming into the league and, like Richardson in ’85, is enjoying life in his third NFL season as quarterbacks look away from him more and more out of respect.
MIKE BROWN AS GARY FENCIK
If there were a graduate school of NFL pass defense, Brown and Fencik would have their Master’s degrees after graduating magna cum laude. It helps every Super Bowl contender to have an articulate free safety who makes even better–and louder–points on Sundays.
TOMMIE HARRIS AS REFRIGERATOR PERRY
In terms of a rising national phenomenon, Harris comes the closest to matching Perry’s magnetic personality and sudden impact. Of course, Harris already is a much more disruptive and complete defensive tackle than Perry was. Can he play fullback on short-yardage downs?
ALSO STARRING
MUHSIN MUHAMMAD AS DENNIS MCKINNON
In terms of quotability, Muhammad is just as smooth as the receiver known as “Silky D.” In terms of productivity, “Moose,” is likely to double McKinnon’s ’85 output of 31 catches for 555 yards.
ROBBIE GOULD AS KEVIN BUTLER
Butler was the same age in ’85 (23) that Gould is now. But both kickers have shown experience is not necessarily a prerequisite for accuracy. Butler made 31 of 38 field goals in ’85 and Gould already has hit all 13 of his attempts.
DESMOND CLARK AS EMERY MOOREHEAD
At this rate, Clark will become the Bears’ first tight end since Moorehead in 1983 to surpass 500 receiving yards in a season (he’s on pace for a Pro Bowl-worthy 928-yard season).
ADEWALE OGUNLEYE AS DAN HAMPTON
Nobody’s crafting Ogunleye’s speech for Canton just yet, but he gives the ’06 squad the same imposing figure at left end that Hampton did for the ’85 team and commands the same respectful presence in the locker room. Ogunleye probably gets along with Grossman better than Hampton got along with McMahon though.
OLIN KREUTZ AS JAY HILGENBERG
The emotional and technical epicenters of their respective Bears offensive lines. “Hilgy” commanded the same respect across the line and the league as team leader Kreutz–but you probably don’t want to call him “Kreutzy.”
TANK JOHNSON AS STEVE MCMICHAEL
Less capable than McMichael of turning the locker room into an episode of the “Jerry Springer Show,” Johnson is still one of the livest wires on the Bears. And like “Mongo,” Tank can be even more disruptive rushing the passer up the middle.
CREDITS
JERRY ANGELO
The way Angelo has mixed expensive free agents with shrewd draft picks since hiring Smith has given him a shot at a Chicago legacy, a la Jerry Vainisi.
TED PHILLIPS
How freely Phillips has opened the checkbook dispels the Bears’ cheapskate reputation and makes clear Phillips wants to be known as more than just the team president who paved the way for a new Soldier Field.
LOVIE SMITH
Fitting Smith into the role of Mike Ditka would miscast him as badly as Jim Carrey playing Henry Kissinger. Smith is the anti-Ditka, content to let the characters he coaches march to their own beat as long as they follow his tempo during work hours. But without him, it’s not the same show.
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dhaugh@tribune.com
