Houston, we have a problem.  The Bears defense can't stop anything and the offense can't get untracked.  That's how it played out in the final week of the regular season for the Bears who can now take to the golf course this afternoon following the end of their regular season.

Even with Minnesota's win over the Giants yesterday, the Bears would have been in the playoffs with a win yesterday.  Tampa fell to Oakland and Philadelphia routed Dallas.  A Bears win would have won them a wild card birth, but, like so much of this season, the day ended in disappointment.

Now, the Bears are thinking about next year.  We're here to help:

Block this: The Bears need to upgrade an offensive line that wasn't very good to begin with.  Rookie Chris Williams being out the first 2/3 of the season didn't help and the rest of the line, try though they did, are either too old or too overwhelmed to handle the job.  Free agency is always a good way to go with offensive linemen because you get guys who know how to block.

Inside Issues: The Bears need upgrades on the d-line.  Tommie Harris was inconsistent and Dusty Dvoracek seems like he spends more time on the IR then he does the field.  Line push is a key to the cover 2 and if the Bears can't move the pile backward, they can't stop anyone. The Bears need to take a serious look here and perhaps blow the whole thing up, save for Alex Brown and rebuild it.

Secondarily: I love Mike Brown, but the Bears count on him way too much.  When he's on the IR (which he usually is) he's of no help to the team.  You like to see the Bears pick up a dominant safety who can either replace or spell Brown.  It's obvious that guy isn't Danielle Manning.  Some of the Bears younger players did well when they were in their natural positions.  This area needs more depth as opposed to more talent.

Linebacker Bingo: The Bears need to draft a middle line backer to replace Brian Urlacher.  Urlacher is the third greatest middle linebacker in Bears history (behind Butkus and Singletary) but age, injuries and custody battles have slowed him down.  He's now average. 

Throw and Catch: Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo need to understand that Devin Hester is not and will never be a number one receiver.  Maybe a two, maybe a three and maybe a third down threat, but never, ever a number one.  Hester is too small and too gun shy.  The Bears need big receivers who can make big plays.  You know you have receiver issues when your top receivers are your tight ends.  Guys like Brandon Lloyd and Rashied Davis are nice third down guys, but nobody is scared of them.  You can't establish the run without the threat of the pass.  How much better would Matt Forte be if the Bears lined up somebody on the outside that wasn't a refugee from a practice squad?

Quarterback Shuffle: Kyle Orton is an average quarterback, which, in the current Bears offense, probably works.  It would be nice to see the Bears go out and sign a veteran to back him up or perhaps compete with him in training camp.  You know, someone who is a Chicago native that has spent the last several years eating cheesesteak.  As for Rex Grossman, don't let it hit you where the good Lord split you.  Rex needs to convince Jerry Jones he could be Tony Romo's backup, because that is the perfect job for him. 

Turn a new page: The Bears should fire both coordinators.  Ron Turner is unimaginative.  Bob Babach is inept and in miles over his head.  New blood needs to flow here.  Hire some guys that might stand up to Lovie Smith once in awhile.  Yeah, like that's going to happen.