have continued their trend of inconsistency by stumbling out of the NFL season gate with a 3-3 record. It wasn't but a season ago the second city's first team played for a trip to the Super Bowl. This hasn't been the first time the Bears have had good seasons followed by subpar ones. In 2001 and 2006 Da' Bears posted 13-3 seasons, only to finish the ensuing seasons with a 4-12 record in 2002 and a 7-9 record in 2007. Although the season is still young, riffs between the savior Jay Cutler(notes) and offensive coordinator Mike Martz have already begun.
Bears Helmet on a lion outside of the Chicago Art Institute
However, the storied franchise has seen some great moments in the team's history. Here are my top five moments in Bears history.
Walter Payton Breaks Record:
The greatest running back in NFL history is arguably Walter Payton, or Sweetness as he was called because of his light foot work that left defenders embarrassed on the field. A small time running back from Jackson State University, Payton proved he was the best rusher in the NFL when he passed Jim Brown (12,312 yards) as the all time rushing leader. Number 34 accomplished this feat during a victory over theNew Orleans Saintsin October 1984. Payton ended his career with 16,726 rushing yards. Although the record has been broken, Payton, in my eyes, is still the greatest running back ever.
Winning the Super Bowl in 1985:
Payton was one of the reasons why the Bears were able to win a Super Bowl. The 1985 team posted a 15-1 record that season and went on to be recognized as one of the greatest teams in NFL history by obliterating theNew England Patriots46-10. The Bears have since had moderate success, reaching a Super Bowl in 2006, but haven't really seen the same glory that the 1985 team saw. Every Bears fan still compares current teams with the 1985 edition of the Monsters of the Midway.
Signing Jay Cuter:
In April 2, 2009 Jay Cutler was traded from theDenver Broncosto the Bears. He has been a Pro-Bowl selection and has been named Offensive Player of the Week in both the AFC and NFC. Cutler's first two seasons with the Bears saw a progressive upswing, with the Bears losing to their longtime rival and eventual Super Bowl champion,Green Bay Packers, in the NFC Championship. This is the first time the Bears have had a legitimate QB at the helm. I'm still not sold on Cutler being an elite QB but signing him showed the team is serious about winning. To Bears fans, that is a huge deal.
Firing Ron Turner:
I don't think I was ever this happy when I heard the news that offensive coordinator Ron Turner was fired. This news made my Christmas in 2009. Along with Turner, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, tight ends coach Rob Boras, assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus and assistant wide receivers coach Charles London were also dismissed. Even though Turner helped the Bears get to the Super Bowl, his style of offense did not mesh with the Bears' personnel. Following the Super Bowl season, inconsistency reared its ugly head to the tune of 310.3 yards per game (23 rd in NFL), down from 324.9 yards (15 th in NFL).
Spirit of Payton Wins Game:
Walter Payton was diagnosed with liver disease in February 1999. Nine months later, in November, Sweetness passed away from the illness. Six days after his death, the Bears played their arch enemy Packers. As time expired, Bears DLBryan Robinsonblocked a Ryan Longwell(notes) field goal at Lambeau Field to win the game 14-13. After the game, Robinson said that Payton must have lifted him up because he couldn't jump that high. It's safe to say the Bears had help from Sweetness. See the unbelievable videohere.
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