This is probably the laziest national media formulation I've seen, and I've seen it just about everywhere. Let's go over just how awful the offseason has been:

The Bears have cut Tank Johnson
Lance Briggs is holding out
T. Jones was traded to NYJ
???
???
???

Am I missing something? You just resigned your coach to a long-term deal. They replaced Johnson with an above-average DT from the 49ers. They added a weapon on offense with Olson. The Jones trade was absolutely necessary, as your 1st rd, 4th pick franchise RB is waiting to be used. Meanwhile, the Bears made it through the playoffs without their best D-lineman and they added one of the better run-stopping safeties in the league in Archuletta. And Briggs still might just suit up for 2007.

But everywhere I look, Philadephia and NO are listed as the best two teams in the NFC. WTF? Philadelphia was 4-4 when they lost McNabb, and yes it was inspirational and heartfelt how they regrouped under Garcia, but a significant part of that regrouping was the inevitable result of the Tony Romo return to Earth. Meanwhile, NO went 5-5 in their final 10 games (including playoffs) while beating exactly two decent teams all season: the aforementioned Eagles and the Cowboys after the full-on nosedive had already begun. And I must have missed the part where the New Orleans defense got good.

And what is most aggravating is that NO ONE BRINGS ANY OF THIS UP. It's as though there is an annoying national commentator football template everyone has to use: Boy, the Eagles really came on strong at the end of the season, imagine how good they must be with McNabb (you mean the same Eagles team that lost 4 of their first 8- the one who lost to the Gradkowski-led Bucs and shat themselves in the 4th quarter of the Giants game with McNabb at the helm.) Or: look at all those weapons on offense! (Nevermind the lack of a secondary, or the fact that there are no proven receivers on offense, or that the Saints will catch no one by suprise this year.) Can't someone just say- "ya know what, the Seahawks are the best team in this conference" or "I know the Panthers disappointed last year, but they still have the makings of a great team", or "the smart money is on the Bears to repeat." No: that would break the Proven National Commentator Template.

And we all know that New England is going to win it all anyway.

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Fire Phil Emery

I seem to remember about 6 teams that the media said were going to unseat the Bears last year. Why would it be different now?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Is it too early to play the "no respect" card?

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Not in the NFC.