Thank you

I’ve been searching for a way to encapsulate everything that’s been going on the past few days since the game, and there really isn’t an adequate way to do that. Everyone seems to be dealing with things differently. The people that I’ve been running into have fallen into one of three groups,

• the dazed and confused that wander the city mumbling something about Grossman and Miami
• the haters that said the Bears never had a chance
• and those that have moved on.

I’m not quite ready to move on to that third group, mostly because there are too many in the second group that require a beating.

What can you say to a team that brought you to the brink of sport’s highest peak, but in the end failed to deliver? After much consternation (read: heavy drinking, swearing, and throwing of objects that I now have to replace) only one sentiment remains, thanks.

Thank you to the team that exceeded expectations during the first quarter of the year.

Thank you for defining “roller coaster of emotion” in Arizona.

Thank you to the team that showed the Second City could come first in the Big Apple.

Most importantly though, thank you to a team that gave a city something to rally behind…even if that something was making fun of New Orleans Saints fans.

So to the 2006 Bears, the remains of my liver and the few brain cells that I haven’t killed through the season thank you for everything you have given us. What’s left of me will be back to cheer you on next year. With any luck, you’ll be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this time in '08 in Arizona and we’ll be there cheering you on.