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2nd annual readers' poll on back page Three Bears earn trip to Pro Bowl A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE CHICAGO BEARS AND THE NFL. VOL. 14 NO. 26 JANUARY 1, 1990 »1.95 Dismal season ends with 26-0 loss .4 fSi-1- jg ».'i>*v i- ■*■-". GOq© Bears can season behiTi^^PPPiTh , _ - -i' X < < 5-. .» ♦ i .« Chicago Boar Report January 1, 1990 Defense shows improvement with hitting against 49ers A newspaper devoted exclusively to the Chicago Bears and the NFL Not too many people expected the Bears wentf orthe fake to the tight end that left Rice stand what happened and what has to be to win Sunday, but I did see some good open to beat one-on-one coverage, some done. Vol. 14, No. 26 January 1,1990 things from them, especially on the defen thing he'll do just about everytime. Let me just say this. This type of season sive side of the ball. Namely, the hitting was When you're out there, you have to t)e happens to a lot of football clubs. The Bears a lot better againstt he 49ers.T hat shows the thinking of the little things like that all the aren't all alone in this. Remember,t he Giants Cover photo by Bear defense didn't give up before the game tiftie. The Bears have a young secondary, failed to make the playoffs just a couple of Steve Woltmann ended. And there were times that the pass and it'll learn from this. But it hurts the team seasons after winning the Super Bowl, but rush was really coming on. now. they're back in the playoffs this year and are The five turnovers by the Bears obviously strong. DOUG BUFFONE HBHHM were the difference in the game. Most of the And in my mind, injuries have played a big other statistics in the game were fairly even. part in the Bears' downfall this year. You On the inside... There's no way you can win with that many don't win your first four games against three turnovers, especially against a team like San excellent teams, plus one on the rise, by just Q-A with Mike Ditka 3 Francisco. You might get away with it against luck. There was something there. Now is the Bears-49ers game wrapup... some of the poorer teams, but even then time to rediscover what it was and put it back by Michael Poizin 4 you'd have to fight to win. in working order. Three Bears in Pro Bowl 7 Between Jim Harbaugh and Mike Tomczak, Whatever they had at the beg inning of the Central Issues...b y John Delcos .....8 The Official Call...b y Jeffrey Leaf ....9 the Bears had three interceptions and could year was there, but injuries were a big factor Bears' 1989 team poster .... 10-11 have had more. They were throwing right to in losing it. Plus, I think the quarterbacks lost Hampton hurt Bears most... San Francisco. I don't know if their timing is a lot of confidence as the season went on. by Terry B.annon n 12 off or if someone ran the wrong pattern or Bears' season statistics :f<l4 In the past few weeks I just didn't see the vi/hat happened. But the protection they got Bear Notebook ,.15 Bears hitting that hard on defense. But this was good most of the game. NFL Notebook...b y Don Pierson ....1 7 time they made up their mind to go after And at times the offense looked like it was Next issue Letters to the editor 18 people. And that's the key to the Bears a world beater. Tomczak and Hartjaugh looked on Jan. 22 NFL Schedule 19 playing well on defense. They have to go like the knew what they were doing and 2nd Annual Readers' Poll 20 back to being atough, physicalf ootball team. moved the team well. But then they go into The next issue of the Bear Report, with a Everything else stems from that. these lapses and made some critical mis cover date of Jan. 29, will be printed and Once you have the hitting, everything else takes. They've been doing that all year, and mailed on Jan. 22. The issue will Include a comes on pretty smoothly. But even when San Francisco Is ateamyou just can't do f/rat recap of the Bears'1 989s eason,a n analysis you have solid hitting, you have to play smart against. of each member of the team, results of the to put it all together. The touchdown pass to Losing 10 of your last 12 games wont readers'poll,s tories on what the Bears need Jerry Rice in the first half is a perfect ex make for a happy off-season. But hopefully to do to return to the top of the NFL, a ample. The Bears' secondary didn't figure the Bears at least will be able to learn a few complete preview of the Super Bowl and that Rice should be the No. 1 concern. So it things'from'the seasbn.' Jt's time to under more. DRAW PLAY By Dick Kulpa • G ENERAL MANAGER John Weishar MANAGING EDITOR Michael Poizin Him IT ADVERTISING SALES Ronald Royle Cathy Hanson 3i>T COE$NT 112 Market St., Sun Prairie, Wl 53590 608/837-5161 MEMBER Professional Football Publications Assoc. National Advertising Randy McMillen OFBEP/ P.O. Box 97 Berea, OH 44107-25C6 216/234-4285 National Marketing Rep. Parkin Promotions John Parkin President ' 5 165 Thornbark Dr. Hoffman Estates, IL 60194 ROYLE PUBLISHING CO., INC. Richard L. Royle, President John Weishar, Publications Manager Bear Report( USPS 3228-5000) is published 26 times a year including weekly August through December, monthly In January, February, April, May and July, by 55 Enterprises, 112 Market St., Sun Prairie, Wl 53590. Bear Report Is a wholly owned subsidiary of 55 Enterprises and not an official publication of the Chicago Bears. All rights reserved, no portion of this publication m^ be reproduced without permission. SUBSCRIPTIONS — $24.95 per year (26 Is sues). Second class postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wl 53590 and additional offices. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO — Bear Report, 112 Market Street, Sun Prairie, Wl 53590. GENERAL OFFICES — 112 Market Street, Sun Prairie, Wl 53590,( 608) 837-5161. PLEASE SEND SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS TO — 112 Market Street, Sun Prairie, Wl 53590, (608) 837-2200. EDITORIAL OFFICES — 755 Dover Place, Wheeling, IL 60090,( 708) 520-7131. Dn iT--'nL Next year? fr-'-X « <iaowrmf«3Wri n - -- - — jItoR ifSjvert ^4J!S Cey« JMifi(tfta^^[W. ¥«r