PSoTD

Vernon Davis, tight end, Maryland

Pacers reportedly trade Ron Artest to Kings for Peja Stojakovic.

Or not.

Or so.

It was a tough ending to a very surprising and enjoyable season. Less than 24 hours after the Bears' season ended, it is clear that the positives far outnumber the negatives for the team going forward. A few thumbnail assessments:

The Bears have a fine future ahead of them at quarterback as long as Rex Grossman can stay healthy most of the season. Kyle Orton is a quality backup who may evolve into a fabulous starter at some point, but he's not there yet. But Grossman played well yesterday under fire. I was impressed, even though his stats don't look that great.

Bernard Berrian is going to be a big star in this league if he can stay healthy.

Draft pick needs: Secondary. Can't have enough quality help back there, especially with Azumah being a question mark. Offensive line. Same holds true there. Fast tight end.

Coaching thought: This is the second time Jon Fox's Carolina Panthers have spanked a Lovie Smith defense in the playoffs. Note to Lovie: we need a "contain Steve Smith" defensive wrinkle. My suggestion - play a 3/3, and put the 4th linebacker on Smith to bump him once in a while.

Don't worry, it ain't that heavy.

When your team hits the NFL playoffs, and particularly when they've had a surprise breakout season, you tend to experience both the euphoria and sense of doom. At the same time. And so it goes for me as I await the Chicago Bears to play Carolina on Sunday afternoon.

I would have much preferred the Bucs or the Giants. There was no way the Bears were going to get the Redskins, so that wasn't an issue. Carolina has a score to settle with the Bears. Will they? I hope not.

Anyways, this is just a cheap way to introduce some other blog posts about the Bears playoff chances this week. We Bears' fans have to stick together. Well, we ought to, at least.

Fig Equals Good

Would I choose attending a Chicago Bears Super Bowl or a one night stand with Tiffany?

Wow. Talk about your brain busters!

Surprisingly, I went with the Bears. It’s been 20 years since we have been to a Super Bowl and to go back would be fantastic. While “making a baby” with Tiff would be fun, there would be no guarantees that her heart would be in it and I just love her too much to put her in an uncomfortable situation like that. But I still hope those damn Bears appreciate what I am giving up for them.

simplesinger

So I'm going to the Bears game on Sunday thanks to my benevolent cousin who works for the team, and was able to get us some tickets. I think it's going to be a good day, and if the defense shows up to play, I don't see how Carolina can win this game. But I have to say that I do agree with Flynn when he said:

I'm scared to death of Steve Smith...

Conceptual Continuity

My beloved Chicago Bears will be playing in a divisional home playoff game Sunday and I am Ernest scared stupid about it.

britintheus

This is my good friend Mike's haircut in honor of his beloved Chicago Bears who are playing in the playoffs this weekend. They are one of the favorites for the Super Bowl this year, so my wife shaved their logo into his head last night. I think she did an awesome job...you decide.

Okay, that's a bit extreme. I hope for Mike's sake he can wear the haircut proudly for a few more weeks.

Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, booted from the team last week for his behavior on and off the field, was charged Monday with pulling a gun on three teenagers during an altercation in a restaurant parking lot.

Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears was named The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday.

I'm a bit surprised he received it, since he's only in his second season, and there have been some great coaching jobs by Tony Dungy, Marvin Lewis, Bill Belichick, and the guy I kind of thought was going to get it, Mike Holmgren. But WELL deserved for Smith.

And JoePa. You still got game.

This ain't no way to go treating your fans. Stupid ass idea.

Northwest Indiana football fans might live and die for the Chicago Bears. But don't try telling that to the team's ticket office.

While Hoosiers have streamed across the border for generations, apparently the love goes only one way.

Single-ticket playoff seats are for Illinois residents only.

"Our goal is to get as many Bears fans as possible to the game," said Bears spokesman Scott Hagel. "It's a difficult decision to make." "We obviously know there are a lot of rabid Bears fans in Northwest Indiana, just as there are in eastern Iowa, southwest Michigan and southern Wisconsin. It's not an exact science. It's an exciting time, and we want everyone to feel a part of it, but you have to draw the border somewhere."

When a limited number of tickets - priced between $85 and $365 - go on sale Tuesday through Ticketmaster, only credit cards with an Illinois billing address will be accepted.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Do a lottery. First come, first serve. There are a lot of arbitrary ways to do this without pissing off part of your fan base.

If the Bears win their first game, I hope they figure that out. Just in case.