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1986 Chicago Bears-Dynastic Disappointment
By Roy Taylor, www.BearsHistory.com
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1986 Bears team photo. Jim McMahon and Kevin
Butler are wearing black shoes, unlike most of the rest of their
teammates. McMahon would don them later in the season to honor his friend
Ken Margerum, who was unceremoneously cut by the team.
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Bears fans, and the nation, felt they were watching a
dynasty in progress in 1986. The Bears were world champions of NFL football,
and for much of the season, it looked like nothing would stand in their way of
repeating for the forseeable future. In retrospect, it is easy to see that the
egos that are built by championships certainly can do damage to an
organization.
All was well during training camp 1986, except possibly for
the fact that QB Jim McMahon reported at over 220 pounds, evidence of the
lifestyle he led in the offseason after the championship. The Bears had stolen
RB Neal Anderson with the final pick of the first round, as they were able to
draft for future need instead of the present. Anderson would use 1986 as a
warmup-he would have huge shoes to fill 2 years down the road.
In the 1986 opener on September 7, the Bears blew out
Cleveland 41-31, in a game that featured the first use of instant-replay ever
in an NFL game. This first use worked against Chicago, as a touchdown was
awarded to the Browns on the ruling. The following week, new Philadelphia coach
Buddy Ryan brought his Eagles to town for a grudgematch between the two bitter
enemies Ditka and Ryan. The Bears prevailed in overtime, 13-10 in an emotional
contest. Over the course of the next four weeks, Chicago dominated their
opponents, with their defense on the way to an NFL record for fewest points
allowed in a 16-game season. The Bears had won their first 12 games in 1985,
and after the loss to Miami, won another 12 in a row including the playoffs.
Fans began envisioning the possibility of another perfect season. But it was
not to be, as the team lost a shocker to Minnesota, 20-7. Jim McMahon was
injured again, and Steve Fuller just couldn't move the team.
After the Minnesota loss, McMahon was back, and wore black
high-top shoes as a tribute to WR Ken Margerum, a good friend of his who had
been released by the club earlier that week. Chicago beat Detroit 13-7 with
another impressive defensive effort. The following week, Chicago was shocked
again, as the Los Angeles Rams beat them on a late field goal, 20-17. The talk
of an undefeated season of just two weeks ago was gone, and many wondered how
long the losing streak would last.
More significantly in retrospect, WR Margerum's release two
weeks before made room for the addition of QB Doug Flutie, acquired in a trade
from the Rams. The trade for Flutie was highly controversial with Bears
players-especially the QB's-who took it as an affront to their talent.
Considering how much McMahon and Fuller were banged up, however, the move was
almost a requirement for Bears management.
After the two losses in three weeks, Chicago got back on track
by winning at Tampa and Atlanta. On November 23rd, Green Bay was in town, and
bad blood was still simmering from the '85 embarassments of the Packers. During
the game, Green Bay defensive lineman Charles Martin body-slammed Jim McMahon
in a clear cheap shot, and McMahon was lost for the year. With McMahon's loss
went the Bears' hopes for a super bowl repeat.
In the final four regular season games, all Chicago wins, Doug
Flutie's playing time increased. Flutie possessed a rocket arm-but only stood
5' 8" tall-a dwarf by NFL QB standards. In addition to his size limitations,
trying to teach a new QB Chicago's complicated offense in a few short weeks was
suicide for the team. After the final four wins, Chicago finished 14-2, adding
up to a remarkable two-year stretch record of 29-3. As a result, the
Bears would face the Washington Redskins on January 3rd at Soldier Field.
Washington was the NFC's wildcard team, but a tough one to beat given their
12-4 regular season record.
The Bears entered the game as heavy favorites. During the bye
week before the game, anxious fans wondered who Mike Ditka would
choose to start at QB. Would he go with the experienced but unimpressive Mike
Tomczak or Steve Fuller, or the newbie Flutie? In a move that divided the team,
Ditka chose Flutie.
Chicago began the game against the Redskins by scoring an
early Flutie to Gualt TD pass, tying the score at 7-7. It was all downhill
after that, however, and Chicago lost 27-13. The city was in depression, but
felt the dynasty would still be alive in '87.
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Quote of the Year: "I'd like to go get my magnum and blow
his ass away"-Otis "Junk Yard Dog" Wilson, reacting to Green Bay Packer Charles
Martin's dirty hit on Jim McMahon
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1986 Records:Preseason 4-1, Regular Season 14-2, Playoffs
0-1
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1986 NFL Rankings: Offense 7th Overall, 1st Rush, 20th
Pass; Defense 1st Overall, 2nd Rush, 2nd Pass
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1986 Coaches: Mike Ditka, Head Coach; Vince Tobin,
Defensive Coordinator; Ed Hughes, Offensive Coordinator
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DATE
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TEAM
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RESULT
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NOTES
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8/3
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Cowboys
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17-6
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Preseason in London
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8/9
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Steelers
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33-13
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Preseason
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8/16
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Colts
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38-21
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Preseason
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8/23
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Cardinals
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7-14
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Preseason
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8/30
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Bills
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31-17
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Preseason @ Ntre Dme
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9/7
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Browns
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41-31
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First instant replay.
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9/14
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Eagles
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13-10
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Bears beat Buddy
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9/22
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Packers
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25-12
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MNF win on road.
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9/28
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Bengals
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44-7
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Ditka yells DITKUS
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10/5
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Vikings
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23-0
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No sweat here.
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10/12
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Oilers
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20-7
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Anderson big run.
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10/19
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Vikings
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7-23
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First loss in 12 games.
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10/26
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Lions
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13-7
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Win thanks to D.
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11/3
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Rams
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17-20
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2 losses in 3 weeks??
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11/9
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Bucs
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23-3
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Bucs always beaten.
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11/16
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Falcons
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13-3
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Offensive offense.
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11/23
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Packers
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12-10
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Dirty Martin hit.
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11/30
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Steelers
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13-10
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No passing game.
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12/7
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Bucs
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48-14
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Flutie's debut.
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12/15
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Lions
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16-13
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Close...very close.
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12/21
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Cowboys
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24-10
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Flutie's first start.
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1/3
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Redskins
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13-27
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Sad end to repeat.
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Passing: Mike Tomczak- The second-year free
agent led a dismal field of backups that started most of the year. He
threw for 1,105 yards for two touchdowns and ten interceptions.
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Rushing: Walter Payton- Payton turned in the
final thousand yard season of his career with 1,333 yards on 321 carries, a 4.2
yard average. He also caught 37 passes for three scores. His
offensive line should get some credit, as they may have been the best in the
business at the time.
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Receiving: Willie Gault- Had 42 receptions for
818 yards and five touchdowns. If he had Jim McMahon throwing him the
ball all season, the numbers would undoubtledy have been better.
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Scoring: Kevin Butler- Second-year kicker scored
120 points on 28/41 field goals and 36/37 extra points.
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Sacks: Richard Dent- Dent led the team for the
third straight season with 11.5 sacks.
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Interceptions: Mike Richardson- Richardson's job
became more difficult as he defended the opposition's best receiver each
game. He grabbed seven interceptions on the year.
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Drag over the image for player's name
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18 QB
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34 RB
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26 RB
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83 WR
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89 WR
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74 LT
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62 LG
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63 C
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57 RG
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78 RT
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87 TE
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6 K
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95 DE
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76 DT
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72 DT
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99 DE
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58 LB
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50 MLB
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55 LB
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27 CB
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22 SS
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45 FS
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48 CB
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8 P
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Hard to list one starting quarterback, as the Bears opened
games with four different players in 1986. Jim McMahon, the unquestioned
#1, played in eight games. Steve Fuller five, Mike Tomczak, and newcomer
Doug Flutie started and finished the finale against Dallas. He was also
named the starter throughout the playoffs by Ditka, and lost the team's only
appearance. Aside from the quarterback position, all starters remained
the same from 1985 on both sides of the ball, with the exception of one wide
receiver and cornerback spot. Keith Ortego played receiver and Reggie
Phillips/Vestee Jackson split corner, due to season-ending injuries suffered by
Dennis McKinnon and Leslie Frazier.
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2
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QB
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Doug Flutie
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Boston College
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2
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4
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QB
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Steve Fuller
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Clemson
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8
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6
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K
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Kevin Butler
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Georgia
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2
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8
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P
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Maury Buford
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Texas Tech
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5
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9
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QB
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Jim McMahon
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BYU
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5
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18
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QB
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Mike Tomczak
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Ohio State
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2
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20
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RB
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Thomas Sanders
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Texas A&M
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2
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22
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S
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Dave Duerson
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Notre Dame
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4
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23
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DB
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Shaun Gayle
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Ohio State
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3
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24
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CB
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Vestee Jackson
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Washington
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R
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25
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S
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Todd Bell
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Ohio State
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5
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26
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RB
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Matt Suhey
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Penn State
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7
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27
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CB
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Mike Richardson
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Arizona St.
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4
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29
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RB
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Dennis Gentry
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Baylor
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5
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33
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RB
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Calvin Thomas
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Illinois
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5
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34
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RB
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Walter Payton
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Jackson St.
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12
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35
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RB
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Neal Anderson
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Florida
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R
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36
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DB
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Maurice Douglass
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Kentucky
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R
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45
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S
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Gary Fencik
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Yale
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11
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48
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CB
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Reggie Phillips
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SMU
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2
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50
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LB
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Mike Singletary
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Baylor
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7
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51
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LB
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Jim Morrissey
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Michigan St.
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2
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52
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C
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Larry Rubens
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Montana St.
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3
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55
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LB
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Otis Wilson
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Louisville
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7
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57
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G
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Tom Thayer
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Notre Dame
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2
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58
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LB
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Wilber Marshall
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Florida
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3
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59
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LB
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Ron Rivera
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Cal
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3
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62
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G
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Mark Bortz
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Iowa
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4
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63
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C
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Jay Hilgenberg
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Iowa
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7
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68
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T
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Paul Blair
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Oklahoma St.
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R
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70
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DL
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Henry Waechter
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Nebraska
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5
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72
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DT
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William Perry
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Clemson
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2
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73
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DL
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Mike Hartenstine
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Penn State
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12
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74
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T
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Jim Covert
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Pitt
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4
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75
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G
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Stephan Humphries
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Michigan
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3
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76
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DT
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Steve McMichael
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Texas
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7
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78
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T
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Keith Van Horne
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USC
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6
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79
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G
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Kurt Becker
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Michigan
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5
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80
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TE
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Tim Wrightman
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UCLA
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2
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81
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WR
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Lew Barnes
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Oregon
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R
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82
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WR
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Ken Margerum
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Stanford
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6
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83
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WR
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Willie Gault
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Tennessee
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4
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87
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TE
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Emery Moorehead
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Colorado
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9
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89
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WR
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Keith Ortego
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McNeese St
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2
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90
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LB
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Al Harris
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Arizona St.
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8
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95
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DE
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Richard Dent
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Tenn St.
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4
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99
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DT
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Dan Hampton
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Arkansas
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8
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Dynasty Over Before it Began
It would be hard for anyone to argue that with a healthy team, the Chicago
Bears would not have won another world championship in 1986. But they
didn't, so the argument is really useless.
Certainly the recurring injuries to Jim McMahon's knee and
shoulder played a huge role in the team's inability to return to the Super Bowl
(and made McMahon a quarterback that would never again play as he did prior to
the '86 season). However, several other issues played as large a role as
the sputtering offense behind revolving quarterbacks did.
First of all were the distractions. Virtually every
Chicago Bear could find side work in the hospitality business, commercials,
radio shows and speaking engagements. Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, Walter
Payton, Mike Tomczak, Tom Thayer and others owned their own restaurants.
Ditka pitched everything from cold medicine to car dealerships to hot
dogs. McMahon, William Perry and others were the focus of national ad
campaigns for fast food establishments.
It has been well documented in several books on the
subject that the off-field distractions played a part in the demise of a
potential dynasty. Players envied others that received more attention
(and money); even player's wives became competitive with each other. In a
2004 documentary, then General Manager Jerry Vainisi said he was very concerned
about the team focusing too much on off-the-field issues, but with the Head
Coach doing more endorsements than anyone, there wasn't much that could be
done. In the same documentary, Ditka said "if you think I wasn't going to
enjoy the fruits of my labor, you're crazy."
Then there was the trade for quarterback Doug Flutie, the
mother of all distractions. Ditka and Vanisi engineered the trade for the
diminutive signal-caller, reportedly against the advice of President Michael
McCaskey and personnel boss Bill Tobin. Ditka and Vainisi felt they had
to shore up the quarterback situation with McMahon's recurring injuries, so
they traded '87 draft picks for the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner from Boston
College.
The trade for Flutie did nothing but inflame the team, which
felt to a man that Tomczak and Steve Fuller were capable of carrying the Bears
to another Super Bowl.
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In the '86 draft, the Bears made a steal of a pick when
halfback Neal Anderson from Florida was still available at the
end of the first round. Obviously the heir apparent to Walter Payton, he
would sit for the most of the '86 season but did score several touchdowns on
long runs and receptions, proving his speed and skill. Other running
backs selected before Anderson, who failed to accomplish what the Bears great
did included Keith Byars, John L. Williams, Reggie Dupard and Ronnie
Harmon. Following Buddy Ryan's departure to become
Philadelphia's Head Coach, Vince Tobin, brother of
personnel boss Bill Tobin, was hired as new defensive coordinator. Tobin
brought in a mostly new staff, and former quarterback Greg Landry
joined the offensive staff as quarterbacks coach. To the dismay of fans,
Tobin favored a reading, finesse defense over Ryan's attacking "46". But
the team still blitzed relentlessly and set an NFL record for the fewest points
allowed in a 16-game season. 1985 holdouts Al Harris and
Todd Bell returned to the team during training camp in '86. According to
General Manager Jerry Vainisi, Bell signed for very little more than was being
offered throughout his holdout in '85, making it fruitless for the
player. Quarterback Jim McMahon showed the effects of
partying during the offseason, entering training camp overweight, to the dismay
of the coaching staff. McMahon said in a 1996 article that he "didn't
think they made a calipers big enough to measure my body fat that year."
The Bears and Dallas Cowboys traveled to London's Wimbley Stadium for the first
American Bowl preseason game in 1986. Chicago won 17-6, and
many British Bears fans were born as they gawked at players like Walter Payton
and William "Refridgerator" Perry. McMahon started opening day versus
Cleveland, and Chicago won 41-31 in a high-scoring affair. That game will
be remembered for the first instant replay call in NFL
History. The Bears began the season 6-0 before losing to Minnesota at the
Metrodome, ending the team's winning streak at 12 games.
Ironically they had also won 12 straight games in 1985 before losing to
Miami. Following the trade for QB Doug Flutie, the Bears released popular
six year veteran wide receiver Ken Margerum. He was a
close friend of McMahon, leading to speculation that Michael McCaskey
orchestrated the move to exact revenge for McMahon's criticism of McCaskey in
his autobiography, published the previous offseason. The addition of
Flutie polarized the locker room, with the vast majority of
players upset at the coaching staff readying Flutie to play that season.
Players felt he was ill-prepared to lead the veteran team, and coaches agreed
that he was not equipped to win the playoff game against Washington.
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Tampa Bay pulls one
of the, if not the, biggest draft day blunder in history. They select running
back Bo Jackson with the first overall pick, and Jackson opts to play baseball
instead of for the woeful Bucs. Tampa loses Jackson and never gets anything in
return. The Bears are expected to dominate the NFL for years to come, and don't
disappoint with a 14-2 record, still best in history for a championship team.
Buddy Ryan takes over as head coach in Philadelphia but can only muster a
5-10-1 record in his rookie campaign. Chicago trades draft picks to the Los
Angeles Rams for quarterback Doug Flutie, hero of the 1984 Boston College team.
But Flutie can't learn the Bears' offense in time, and Chicago is shocked by
Washington in the divisional playoff round. The New York Giants win the NFC
crown, while Denver beats Cleveland on the road with "The Drive". The Giants
win Super Bowl 21 39-20.
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1986 Bears Draft
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Rd
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Pos
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Name
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School
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1
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RB
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Neal Anderson
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Florida
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2
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CB
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Vestee Jackson
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Washington
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3
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WR
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David Williams
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Illinois
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4
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T
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Paul Blair
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Ok. State
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5
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WR
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Lew Barnes
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Oregon
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6
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RB
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Jeff Powell
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Tennessee
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7
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DB
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Bruce Jones
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N Alabama
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8
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DB
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Maurice Douglass
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Kentucky
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9
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P
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John Teltschik
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Texas
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10
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DB
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Barton Hundley
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Kansas St.
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11
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WR
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Glen Kozlowski
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BYU
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12-To SD for P Maury Buford ('85)
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1986 Bears Trades
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1987 third and sixth-round picks to LA Rams for Doug Flutie
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1987 fourth round pick from LA Rams in Flutie Trade
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1986 Bears Free Agent Signings
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None of note
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1986 Bears Retirements
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None
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1986 Chicago Bears Awards
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NFC Central Champions
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NFL Record, Least Points Allowed
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Jim Covert, T, Pro Bowl (2)
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Wilber Marshall, LB, Pro Bowl (1)
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Dave Duerson, S, Pro Bowl (2)
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Steve McMichael, DT, Pro Bowl (1)
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Jay Hilgenberg, C, Pro Bowl (2)
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Walter Payton, RB, Pro Bowl (9)
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Mike Singletary, LB, Pro Bowl (4)
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