For a bit of background, Burlacher and I are a team. Burlacher is a bear (but don’t tell him that) with strong opinions. He chose his own name (idealizes Brian Urlacher), wears his Bears warm up suit in the offseason and changes to his uniform from preseason through playoffs and/or Super Bowl (depending on our record and his mood). Burlacher and I often agree when it comes to plays, strategy and changes that need to be made but when we disagree its contentious and fairly awkward for those around us. For instance, last season, during our first hope of decent offense in years, Burlacher believed he was Jay Cutler. When Jay went down with a broken thumb, Burlacher claimed he also had a broken thumb. I had to explain to him that, that was impossible because he doesn’t have thumbs (which is also why I type this blog for us) but his loyalty and competitive spirit are so endearing, often times its better just to let him believe.
Now, typically Burlacher and I will watch game film and discuss the strategy we feel should be used against our upcoming opponent but today’s season opener was tough – the Colts are new. New coach, new QB, new plays, new expectations. We’re not in Peyton’s house anymore, in fact, we’re at home and expected to win easily.
This is why our start today was so devastating for us. Jay, finally back from injury, fails miserably on our first offensive series landing us a few yards from our own end zone. Burlacher, a Cutler loyalist, immediately jumps from his seat screaming, “did we trade our offensive line in the off season?!! (Shaking his head in disgust… )This is embarrassing.” I agreed but kept my mouth shut, trying not to add fuel to the fire, praying for no safety and hoping for the best in “Bears Offense Take 2”. Alas, dreams were stifled as Culter threw an interception that lead to (what could be) the worst team in the NFL going ahead of us by 6, soon to be 7.
Ironically, this tragic intercepted pass that was intended for our star running back, Matt Forte, begs the question – when we’re backed up into our own end zone, why would we not run (don’t mind the pun) a play that involved keeping possession at all cost and RUN THE (f’ing) BALL? Nope. Immediately, Burlacher and I somberly commiserated as we flashed back to our lack of offense at the beginning of last season, oh and the season before that, oh and the season before that, oh and… you get it, we’ll stop the bleeding.
Ironically, this tragic intercepted pass that was intended for our star running back, Matt Forte, begs the question – when we’re backed up into our own end zone, why would we not run (don’t mind the pun) a play that involved keeping possession at all cost and RUN THE (f’ing) BALL? Nope. Immediately, Burlacher and I somberly commiserated as we flashed back to our lack of offense at the beginning of last season, oh and the season before that, oh and the season before that, oh and… you get it, we’ll stop the bleeding.
Step two, a miracle happens and Matt Forte, formerly a volunteer on the Bears offense, now gets paid to make 30 yard game changing runs that lead to Touchdowns. Burlacher screams, “Thadda boy Matthew!!!” (he calls everyone by their full name). Michael Bush was set up for an easy first touchdown of the season; wasting no time, Burlacher and I set out on our (already mapped out) victory lap, high fiving everyone on our route.
Moments Later… Dear Andrew Luck, welcome to the NFL, we’d like you to meet Henry Melton. He likes to sack people. Then, after a little help from Mr. Peppers the Bears return to offense. At which time we let Devin Hester loose, Forte makes a diving one handed catch made possible only due to his off season training with our United States Olympic Gold Medal Volleyball team, and Brandon Marshall brings it home - sending Burlacher and I on our second victory lap.
That friends, was the beginning of the end of the Chicago Bears winning our Season Opener at Solider Field… nearly all our key players got a piece of the action today, and the depth of our team was proven. On that note Burlacher sat back, calm, cool and collected sipping his baileys and coffee and said, “I don’t know that Alshon Jeffery, but he can stay."
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