CHICAGO -- Football is the ultimate team game. You win as an organization, you lose as an organization. Instead of simply blaming one person (Ron Turner) for the Bears being 20-22 since the Super Bowl, take a step back and look at the big picture: It's been a collective effort, from the front office down to the players. Nobody should be immune from criticism, because everybody played a part in this mess.
Here's a list of why the Bears have been a mediocre team going on three seasons:
After trading Thomas Jones to New York, the Bears handed the starting running back job to Cedric Benson (bust) in 2007.
Mark Anderson is promoted over Alex Brown in 2007 -- Anderson clearly couldn't handle the assignment.
Nathan Vasher got hurt versus Dallas in 2007 -- he never recovered.
Brian Urlacher dealt with major back issues in 2007, and missed almost all of 2009 with a dislocated wrist.
The Bears drafted Dan Bazuin (bust) in the second round in 2007.
The Bears drafted Michael Okwo (bust) in the third round in 2007.
The Bears drafted Garrett Wolfe (reach) in the third round in 2007.
The Bears have gotten NOTHING out of their top four selections in 2009: Jarron Gilbert, Juaquin Iglesias, Henry Melton and D.J. Moore.
2008 first round pick Chris Williams had a pre-existing back condition.
Tommie Harris stopped being Tommie Harris after receiving a contract extension following the 2007 season.
Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek could never stay healthy.
The Bears signed Adam Archuleta in the 2007 offseason.
The Bears signed Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd in the 2008 offseason.
The Bears signed Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale, Josh Bullocks and Pisa Tinoisamoa (talented, but injured) in the 2009 offseason.
Kevin Jones never made it out of the 2009 preseason.
The Bears traded for Darwin Walker in 2007.
The Bears dealt Chris Harris to Carolina before the 2007 season.
The Bears traded a second round pick for Gaines Adams in 2009.
Craig Steltz took all the first-team reps at free safety this past offseason.
Marcus Harrison showed up to training camp overweight in 2009 -- he's never recovered.
The following talented assistant coaches were inexplicably fired: Ron Rivera, Don Johnson, Wade Wilson and Lloyd Lee.
Devin Hester lost all of his special teams magic.
Devin Hester became a "No. 1" wide receiver.
The Bears failed to apply the franchise tag to Bernard Berrian.
Tight end Desmond Clark, (1) lost his starting job without a competition, and (2) is being totally misused in the offense.
Matt Forte went from averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, to 3.3 as a sophomore.
Opponents have converted on 42.8 percent of third down conversions in 2009.
Corey Graham wasn't in the mix until mid-way through the 2009 season -- why?
Oh yeah, Jay Cutler has thrown a mind-numbing 18 interceptions.
Yep, it's taken a lot of work for the Bears to go 20-22 since the Super Bowl.