Originally Posted by redietz View Post
Originally Posted by tableplay View Post
Originally Posted by kewlJ View Post

This doesn't sound right to me. I watched a documentary just after Buddy Ryan died about 5 years ago and Ryan and Ditka hated each other. Buddy Ryan was hired as defensive coordinator BEFORE Ditka was hired as coach. Ditka didn't want Ryan but was stuck with him and hated that Buddy Ryan got as much if not more credit for that team than he did. I have seen video of both men being carried off the field after the superbowl which has to piss Ditka off. So I can't see him doing that.

In addition, didn't the bears have a decent offense. They had Walter Payton as running back, McMahon at QB and a speedy fast receiver, I forget his name. So I don't see them punting on 3rd and long unless it was 3rd and 26 or something.
You're probably referring to their receiver Willie Gault. I think the Bears did have a decent offense too. One of the reasons Walter Payton rightfully receives so many accolades is because he didn't have the greatest offensive line, but got things done anyway. Maybe at some point, someone who was a Bears fan that followed them closely that season will read this thread and can clarify how often they did third down punts and out of a punting formation. Also, maybe trying to remember things from 37 years ago is a fool's errand.
When the Bears had a terrible offense, Payton was a warrior. Literally, he would bang for 3 1/2 yards no matter what, and those runs were herculean efforts. It was when the Bears were goddawful on offense that I really came to appreciate Payton. He was the whole friggin' offense. Anything anyone else did was because the defenses were geared to dealing with Payton.
Great points. He'll never be forgotten.