‘Peanut’ cracked
If Charles “Peanut” Tillman were a young player on a young defense, his 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty in overtime might have been easier to understand. But Tillman is one of eight Pro Bowl-caliber veterans on an experienced defense, so getting caught taking a swing at Tampa Bay’s Michael Clayton was worse than getting beaten deep. If the NFL can fine players for penalties, maybe the Bears should consider doing so after this one. Instead of facing fourth-and-7, Tampa Bay got a new set of downs thanks to Tillman’s outburst and took advantage to stage a game-winning drive.
Griese’s the word
Brian Griese threw a Bears’ opponent record 67 times and completed 38 for 407 yards and two TDs. His ability to read the defense and release the ball quickly prevented the Bears from sacking him. The way Griese made clutch throws in the fourth quarter and overtime was enough to offset any damage done by his three interceptions. It left Bears fans to wonder whether their team had made the right decision over the winter in trading him and keeping Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman.
D-isappointing effort
The defense couldn’t protect a 17-3 second-half lead in a loss to Carolina last week. Sunday, the Buccaneers scored 13 points in the final 13 minutes 52 seconds of action over the fourth quarter and overtime. Key mistakes were made by cornerbacks Tillman and Nate Vasher. None of the high-priced defensive linemen had a sack. Yes, the Bears did have four takeaways, but great defenses don’t blow late leads. The Bears have too much money invested in playmakers on defense to accept losing two straight games in which they led. Is it coaching or talent? How about both?
Now what?
The Bears are 1-2 staring at 1-3 with a dangerous Philadelphia team arriving Sunday night, so comparisons to the Turnaround of 2005 (from 1-3 to 11-5) might be made this week. But for the Bears to similarly save their season, they have to learn how not to self-destruct the way they have in two straight losses. Physically, Lovie Smith’s team might be better than many expected. But it won’t matter unless the Bears eliminate the mental errors exposed against the Bucs that are the hallmarks of NFL mediocrity.
