No points equal low point; Tampa Bay hands Bears 1st shutout since `89.(Chicago Tribune)

TAMPA _ The 0-2 start is not the shocking part. An 0-2 start was considered, discussed, even justified in advance. Two road games against tough division opponents. Tampa in high humidity. Yep, an 0-2 start, under certain circumstances, was understandable, maybe even OK.

This, however, was most certainly not.

This was embarrassing, potentially demoralizing and, worse than that, possibly defining. If losing a winnable game against an above-average team in Minnesota last week did anything positive for the Bears, then getting blown out 41-0 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday only showed them once again just how far they have to go to be among even the division's elite.

"This is certainly the most disappointing day since I've been here," said second-year coach Dick Jauron, whose high-octane offense hit its lowest point in his tenure and whose defense couldn't hope to save it.

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