Just when things are looking up, everything comes crashing back to Earth.

Such is the story of the 2004 Chicago Bears.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, “We’re only going into Week Four.”

While that is true, a hex seems to be on.

It’s fitting the Bears played their opening pre-season game the night before Friday the 13th, because whenever the Monsters of the Midway seem to turn it around on the playing field and exhibit a style of play previously absent, a needle is stuck in the voodoo doll that is their season.

No one could have expected that the rash of pulled hamstrings during training camp would be a sign of things to come for the Bears.

First, it was Pro Bowl kick returner and cornerback Jerry Azumah out three to four months with neck problems.

Then, two more members of the once-stout defensive backfield: safety Mike Brown and cornerback Charles Tillman.

Needing a great season to make up for a pair of mediocre years, it would only make sense that Brian Urlacher would be the next affected, although he should return soon.

And the worst thing that could happen to the continuing development of Terry Shea’s revamped Chicago offense – Rex Grossman is out the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

I understand injuries are a big part of the game in the National Football League, but I have never seen so many key players for one team creating a MASH unit so quickly.

That’s the bad news.

But if Bears fans can maintain focus on the big picture and ignore the hobbled masses, they will see their team is firmly pointed in the right direction.

As much as I want to say that Dick Jauron should have been maintained as the head coach and John Shoop should have been shipped off to the Land of Crappy Offensive Schemes, I can’t argue with anything Lovie Smith and his contingent are doing.

Shea’s offense is working wonders for the formerly conservative Bears offense.

Thomas Jones looks like the stud he was supposed to be coming out of Virginia.

The much maligned offensive line has been upgraded.

Young playmakers have been found in the receiving corps with David Terrell, Bobby Wade, Justin Gage and Bernard Berrian.

Most importantly, Grossman was finding his groove.

He may make some stupid decisions, but he comes back and makes up for them with a dart to one of his teammates much like a young Brett Favre.

Smith’s defense, while it is giving up close to 370 yards per game so far, has played an attacking style Bears fans have come to know and love.

The Bears offense may have put the points on the board to defeat the Green Bay Packers, but it was the defense that made the cheeseheads look like swiss.

The only thing is that any winning the Bears did this year would have been an added bonus.

No one expected anything out of the Bears in 2004.

Maybe a few surprising wins or individual performances by some of the young players, but most expected the Bears to be vying for a spot in the cold basement of the NFC North.

It was clear from the outset of training camp that the eyes of GM Jerry Angelo and the coaching staff were squarely focused on the 2005 season.

This season was necessary for the development of young players like Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson; this season was when they were supposed to become integral parts of the team.

Now they have no choice.

Since the majority of top prospects in the 2005 Draft are seniors, the Bears won’t have to make 2005 another development year for their high draft pick.

That’s good for the future, not for the time being.

Things are currently grounded as once aspiring baseball player Chad Hutchinson, aspiring med student Craig Krenzel and aspiring quarterback Jonathan Quinn look to replace the cornerstone of the Bears offense.

Maybe some more injuries will force the coaching staff into action.

But don’t worry.

Now all Bears’ fans need is patience.

The Bears are set for takeoff in 2005.

Jeff Feyerer is a senior in applied life studies. He can be reached at [email protected]