Two Weeks Until Bears Season Opener, Where's The Excitement?

I was in Chicago Saturday afternoon, and on my way back to the train station I ran into the crowd arriving for the Bears preseason game against the Cardinals. Amongst the dark blues, oranges, whites, and ghastly pink uniforms, I noticed a change. A shift in jersey-wearing if you will.
The typical 54s, 23s, and 6s were replaced by 34s, 51s, and 89s (Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, and Mike Ditka for the youngsters and uneducated).
I began to wonder about the possible causes for the throwback uniforms and came up with a few different explanations.
1) The typical best-sellers (Urlacher, Hester, and Cutler) have been disappointing. Already on the decline, Urlacher suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 last season and has been banged up through out the preseason as well. Memories from his Defensive MVP days of the early 2000s have long since faded away. In fact, Urlacher has been reduced to making cameos on Entourage to stay relevant.
Hester is currently a slot receiver masquerading as a number 1. No longer a threat on punt and kick returns, his value has diminished tremendously.
Despite throwing for over 3600 yards and 27 TDs, Cutler's first year in a Bears uniform was defined by his 26 INTs, many of them in the red zone. While many astute observers have noted his lack of competent receivers and offensive lineman, it doesn't diminish the fact that his decision making is questionable at best and leadership qualities are non existent.
You can't really blame fans for being ashamed of wearing any of these three players jerseys.

2) Julius Peppers is experiencing the "Jay Cutler Hangover." I'll use the "Jay Cutler Hangover" in reference to a big name offseason addition that doesn't live up to the preseason hype. Peppers was the best free agent available this offseason and he joins a talented but underachieving defensive line. By all means, some excitement (and jersey sales) should have been generated from this acquisition.
But the fans know better. They don't want to go ape-shit supporting Peppers only to find out he has a bad season next year. Cutler ruined it for him. Bears fans won't be as quick to embrace a big name who hasn't played a down for them yet.
Of course, if Peppers records four sacks in his first two games, things will change.
3) After 2004, that Jerry Azumah jersey didn't get much wear. Remember Jerry Azumah? He had one great year, made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist and quietly retired two years later. I'm not suggesting Johnny Knox will be out of the league in two years, but there are some questions about how he'll fit into the offense. While he also made the Pro Bowl last year, it's unclear what kind of role he will play in the offense this year.
With the possibility of Knox being a one year wonder, not too many people will be rocking number 13 this year. But look on the bright side, Hall of Fame center George Trafton (of the Decatur Staleys) wore number 13. So if you can get a jersey without the name on the back you'll be fine.
By my calculations, the only jerseys left are Lance Briggs, Matt Forte, and Robbie Gould (I'm filing Chester Taylor under category 2). Forte had a terrible year last year, which is attributed more to the offensive line than anything he did. This year he'll be splitting time with Taylor, so who knows how good he'll be.
Robbie Gould is a kicker. If you're wearing the jersey of a kicker that reflects poorly on yourself and your team. Under no circumstances should you be wearing a kicker's jersey. One exception: Adam Vinatieri in his New England days, and that's only because his leg clinched two Super Bowls.
That leaves Briggs. As a Bears fan, that's the only current player's jersey I would recommend. He's been the best player on defense for at least the last four years and has remained healthy. He's a lock for the Pro Bowl every year. He's been so good that most of us fans have forgotten that just three years ago he demanded a trade and said he's never play another down for the Bears again.
Combine an atrocious preseason, a division with two legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and a brutal schedule, and you have the 2010-11 Bears season that no one has high hopes for. This is the first season in the last decade I can remember where no one thinks the Bears have a chance at making the playoffs, not even their own fans.    
So where do you turn when things look hopeless? To the good ol' days. That's the attraction of wearing a Payton, Butkus, or Ditka jersey. They're Hall of Famers. They aren't going to fumble the ball, miss a tackle, or drop a pass. They aren't going to be traded or have a poor season.
They can do no wrong, a strong contrast from what is expected of the Bears this year.