This week, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs acknowledged the Bears miss fired defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, running back Thomas Jones and other key players whose departures have contributed to an overall downgrade since the 2006 Super Bowl season. Jones, who rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in 2006, was traded to the New York Jets in 2007 for a draft pick to make Cedric Benson the featured running back.
[caption id="attachment_487" align="aligncenter" width="416" caption="Former Bear Thomas Jones"]
Brian Urlacher, who suffered a fractured wrist in the season opener at Green Bay and has been out for the season, recently said the Bears lost their identity.
Head coach Lovie Smith still proclaims the Bears are a running team even though they now rank 32nd in the league running the ball.
[caption id="attachment_488" align="aligncenter" width="416" caption="Brian Urlacher has been out for the season."]