by Sam

The Bears season has been over for a while now. It ended back on December 28, with a loss to the Texans. A win would have paved their way for a playoff birth, not that many people had very high expectations for them in the playoffs, anyway. The 2008 Bears had to many issues to overcome to be real threat to Arizona.

And that's why I think it's time for the Bears to start building for the future and stop worrying quite so much about 'winning now.' I am not suggesting blowing the whole mess up and starting over. What I am suggesting is perhaps it's time to try and compete in the now but have our real focus on two or three seasons down the road.

I know, I know...'we've waited long enough.' And I agree. But having said that I don't think being upset about not winning a Super Bowl since 1986 is going to make it happen.

I realize the draft is still a couple of months away. I realize that the Bears have many holes to fill. And that's why I suggest that they focus on the future more than the right now....and draft a quarterback in the first or second round.

'But we have so many other problems that need addressed first. Plus Orton did ok' some will say. I would agree with both. The Bears do have many other issues and Orton was 'ok.' But is 'ok' what we really want from our quarterbacks? Don't we, as Bears fans, deserve to have 'that guy' that so many other teams have had over the seasons all the while we have not? I think so.

I understand that offensive and defensive line, wide receiver, a running back to back up Forte, safety and perhaps even linebacker and cornerback would rank higher on some peoples lists than quarterback would. And that's exactly my point when I say 'build for the future.'

The Bears went 9-7 last season. They could have just as easily have gone 6-10. or 11-5. What does it all mean? To me it means the Bears are an average team. Not great. Not horrible. Average. And while I don't think a major overhall is needed, I do think the Bears are probably five or six (maybe more) players away from winning another Super Bowl.

The Bears aren't going to get those players in one draft and offseason. As much as we would all like it to happen, it's most likely not going to happen.

Which is why, again, I will suggest to build with an eye to the future and draft a quarterback in the first or second round. Draft a quarterback who can sit on the bench and learn for a season or two. Continue to give Orton the snaps if you feel he's good enough. Let the youngster grow.

Then, in two or three seasons when many more of the holes have been filled you will have your quarterback ready for the Super Bowl run. Maybe Orton will take another couple of steps and be that guy. Or maybe it will be the guy the Bears drafted and groomed for this position.

Either way, I see it as a win-win situation. If Orton becomes 'that guy' then you haven't lost anything by drafting a quarterback. You would then have the possibility of having two good quarterbacks on the team. That opens the door for trading Orton (or the guy drafted) for even more 'pieces' to further help in the Super Bowl push.

And if by some chance the move doesn't work out...if the kid doesn't pan out...then you still have at least an average quarterback at the helm for the next couple of seasons.

If the Bears were only one or two players away from a Super Bowl caliber team again I would say go for broke and try to draft and/or trade for those players. But since they're not, I think it's time for the Bears to be a bit more forward thinking and focus on a few years down the road...while staying competitive at the same time.