The Chicago Bears signed cornerback Marcus Cooper because they felt he could deliver some big plays for them on defense. As irony would have it, his first big on came on special teams. Unfortunately as has become common place with this team, a moment of sheer stupidity found him a way to screw it up.
A blocked field goal by the Bears landed right in the hands of Cooper who seemed to have clear sailing to the end zone. Then, about 10 yards short, he started to slow down. No doubt wondering how he’d celebrate. Sure enough karma and Steelers tight end Vance McDonald caught up to him and he was stripped of the ball right before the end zone.
By the sheer grace of good fortune a penalty by the Steelers batting the ball out of the end zone gave Chicago a free play. After initially going for it, a penalty on Charles Leno Jr. forced them to settle for a field goal. It was a colossal string of mind-numbing mistakes that cost the Bears four crucial points. Against an offense like Pittsburgh, every point is precious.
This isn’t even counting a field goal missed by Connor Barth earlier in the game. It’s the latest sign of how undisciplined this team continues to play. That falls at the feet of head coach John Fox. Though they play hard for him, they also play sloppy and their schedule is set up with teams that afford few mistakes.
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