Bears didn't panic in come-from-behind win
The Chicago Bears got it done on Sunday and they can and will play better.
Head coach Marc Trestman won his first game and the home opener. Jay Cutler handled the offense with cool and calm while the Bears defense got multiple turnovers with sensational cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman leading the way.
Tillman always defends against the best receivers every week, and the Bengalis A.J. Green caught nine passes for 162 yards. Green is one of a long list of top flight wideouts that Tillman frequently will single cover. Green won, but so did Tillman with two picks and just his presence.
It looks like defensive coordinator Mel Tucker played it smart, and according to reports he left most of former head coach Lovie Smith's defensive scheme in place.
Sometimes a good coach doesn't mess with what's working or has worked.
The offensive line with the two rookies, Kyle Long and Jordan Mills, didn't give up a sack. The sideline of the Bears stayed calm and never panicked even when they were down 21-10.
A job well done by one and all.
Super Bowl disaster?The National Football League has an impending disaster coming. Yeah, I'm taking a chance by saying the Super Bowl in New York City will be an uncomfortable experience for the ticket buyers and advertisers. If not for holding the game in the dead of winter, it might not be a bad idea. I was also surprised to hear Bruno Mars will be entertaining at halftime. Now Mars has a couple of hits, but on my Saturday night Fox Sports radio show, most of our listeners (from a 24-year-old kid to a 62-year-old man who didn't have a clue who Mars was) panned the choice. But really, isn't it time to try something else? We've had the top acts from Paul McCartney to the Rolling Stones to Michael Jackson, and legendary performers in between such as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. Mars likely will heighten his status and be discovered for the first time by a huge segment of society when he performs. But how many legendary acts are left? Aerosmith and The Who have all taken the Super Bowl stage. Let's give the kid a shot. Maybe for change we will be talking about a terrific performance instead of saying the aging performer does or doesn't have it. Will Bruno's leopard skin jacket mesh with the snow? I think we will be fine as long as Janet Jackson doesn't step on stage.Program notes: I will be filling in on Fox Sports radio from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Check me out on XM 247, iHeart radio or Fox Sports radio. And listen to The Mike North Pregame Show from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday on WIND 560-AM The Answer.#376; Mike North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.