Bears Guard Trying to Raise Diabete Awareness

Bears guard/center Roberto Garza has been busy filming English and Spanish-speaking PSAs for the American Diabetes Association in an effort to raise diabetes awareness, according to a report on the Chicago Bears’ homepage.  Garza, whose grandfather had to have a toe amputated due to complications stemming from diabetes, did a nearly identical run of PSAs in 2001.

Garza is exactly the type of player the NFL should be promoting.  He was the Bears’ nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award last year, and he has been active within his community and charitable organizations throughout his career.  As one of the small but growing number of Latino-Americans in the NFL, Garza sets a very positive example.  If the NFL could find a way to market these types of players and get their troublemakers out of the spotlight, they’d be in good shape.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 31, 2007 - Post a comment

Bears sign more draft picks

The Chicago Bears do enjoy signing their draft picks.  They enjoy it so much that they’ve signed two more, third-round linebacker Michael Okwo and fourth-round guard-center Josh Beekman, both supposedly to four-year contracts.  Though there are no official details, the numbers that are floating around seem fair to all parties involved.  They Chicago Bears have now signed seven of their nine total draft picks.

The Bears have certainly been busy signing their draft picks quickly this off-season.  Why the Bears have worked so quickly to sign all their draft picks is unclear, but they are certainly moving much faster than the rest of the league.  As of this writing, the Bears’ contracted rookies comprised more than half of all draft picks to sign contracts so far.  The only picks the Bears have set to sign are their first and second rounders.  Better get on that, boys.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 30, 2007 - Post a comment

Grossman Showing Improvement

Take heart, Bears fans! According to report on the Chicago Bears’ website, Rex Grossman showed real improvement during the Bears mini-camp.  Of course, these are just drills, and there is absolutely no proof that Grossman’s work will transfer into success within games, but there is at least hope.  Grossman has been doubling and re-doubling his efforts in his work on his fundamentals and decision-making skills.

Oft-maligned in the league, especially after his horrible showing in last year’s Super Bowl, Grossman seems now to be even more committed to proving his naysayers wrong.  With an absolute cannon for an arm, Grossman has the physical tools to succeed at the NFL level, that’s for sure.  No one doubts this.  What people question is his ability to make the right play at the right time within the game.  Rex must shore up his mental game this year if he wants to become one of the NFL’s elite QB’s.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 29, 2007 - Post a comment

Former Bear Ready to Step up

Former Bears running back Cedric Benson will be wearing a Jets uniform this season, after being traded away by Chicago in the off-season.  Dailysouthtown.com is running a very interesting piece on Benson, in which he has a few choice quotes about his abilities, his past, and his future. It is certainly worth checking out.

The Bears seemed to have issues with Benson early, not willing to make him an every down back.  Benson was also the victim of criticism of his blocking skills.  He believes both of those accusations are patently false, and is apparently relishing the opportunity to convince the world that he is indeed an NFL every-down back that can handle every rigor that comes along with the job.  It seems as though Benson has quite a chip on his shoulder.  It will be interesting to see if that intensity translates to results on the field.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 25, 2007 - Post a comment

Mariotti Calls for Harsh Punishment for the Tank

Jay Marriotti has authored a column that ran in today’s Chicago Sun-Times, calling for Tank Johnson to get at least and eight game suspension for his off-the-field transgressions.  Mariotti cites the fact that Johnson didn’t seem particularly reticent for his crimes before spending a little time in the pokie. Mariotti also seems to be of the belief that Johnson’s newly adopted apologetic persona may simply be an act, though he does little more than imply this fact, rather cowardly.
Now maybe it’s just me, but that sounds like a load of crap.  As for whether or not Johnson felt truly sorry for his actions until after he did time - isn’t that the point?  The man put in some time, gave up his freedom.  I can only imagine that the time he did wasn’t particularly “hard” in relative prison terms.  And yet, he seems to have learned quite a bit.  He seems truly sorry and more importantly, rehabilitated.  And isn’t that the point of jail?  In theory, anyway, aren’t jails suppose to serve as rehabilitation centers for men and women pushed to crime by their circumstances, and not just holding cells for big bad black men who will never change?

At the end of the day, Roger Goodell will make the call.  He’ll make it based on a lot of factors, none of which involve the words “Well, Mariotti said…”

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 24, 2007 - Post a comment

Possible Bears Trade for Pro-Bowl QB

The Philadelphia Inquirer has run an article that has set off a firestorm in the sports blogosphere. In it, they mull the possibility of a Bears/Eagles trade that would send Donovan McNabb to Chicago in exchange for disgruntled Bears linebacker, Lance Briggs.  Briggs wants out of Chicago.  The Eagles just drafted a new quarterback in Kevin Kolb.  And the Bears need a marquee quarterback to put them over the hump and into serious consideration for a title before their window closes (and it’s closing fast).

Whether or not this trade would actually work - or has even been discussed in reality by either team - seems irrelevant to everyone discussing what would amount to the most blockbuster move of the offseason.  It is widely accepted among those in the know that McNabb is on his way out with the Eagles.  This is how the Eagles work.  Anyone expecting the Eagles to “honor McNabb” in the waning years of his career is obviously on Valium.

Whether this happens or not, there are a few facts that must be noted. Lance Briggs wants out of Chicago.  The Bears want a Super Bowl.  McNabb wants a Superbowl.  The Bears needs a better QB to win the Super Bowl.  The Bears can offer the best weakside linebacker in the NFL to get their QB, if they so choose, because he’s going to walk after this season anyway.  This is an interesting theory, but for now that’s all it is.  Here’s hoping it develops into a truly captivating story.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 23, 2007 - Post a comment

Tank Johnson Practicing with Bears

Finally making headlines for something football-related, much maligned Bears starting nose tackle, Tank Johnson, has returned to practice and conditioning work at the Bears facilities, according to espn.com.  Johnson has also released his first public statements since leaving jail, where he served half of his 120 day sentence before being released on good behavior.

In his statements, Johnson seems geniuinely reticient and ready to accept whatever ruling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hands down. The way Johnson has conducted himself since his altercations may bode extremely well for his future in the NFL, as it has seemed that the players who have been suspended or come under the microscope have only offered half-hearted apologies for their actions at best.

Here’s hoping Tank Johnson has turned a corner in his life, as he is an extremely talented football player, and he has the absolute coolest name for a nose tackle ever.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 21, 2007 - Post a comment

Bears Sign Fifth Round Pick

Chicago Bears fifth round draft pick, Kevin Payne, has signed with the team, according to the Bears’ website. This marks the second Bears pick to sign with the team, with third round pick Garrett Wolfe being the first rookie to sign on the dotted line. The Bears and Payne agreed to undisclosed terms on a four year deal.

Payne, a multi-talented player who had playing time in college as a running back, safety, and punter will be a strong defensive back for the Bears. He offers an explosiveness and ability to play the run that appeals to coach Lovie Smith. The Bears are smart to have drafted him and signed him so quickly. By all accounts Kevin Payne is a good kid who plays hard. He should have a very productive NFL career.
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Permalink - Posted in General on May 18, 2007 - Post a comment

Bears Defensive End Seeking Trade

In a somewhat odd story, Bears Defensive End Alex Brown is reportedly seeking a trade, according to espn.com.  Brown apparently has instigated all trade talk, and the Bears seem reluctant to get rid of him.  Brown is apparently just checking out his options and wants to “see what is out there.”

No offense to Mr. Brown, who could admittedly rip my body limb from limb, but are you freaking retarded?

You play on a rotating offensive line for a Super Bowl caliber team with an amazing head coach and a staff and management team who love having you as a blocker.  You want to know what’s out there?  I’ll tell you what’s out there - Headcase management, idiotic GM’s who couldn’t put together a Super Bowl team if you gave them the New England Patriots as is, right now!  You’ve got selfish teammates, a revolving door of coaches, and a plethora of other problems.  That’s what’s out there.

That, and the possibility of a bigger paycheck, which is really what you’re looking for, isn’t it?

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 17, 2007 - Post a comment

Bears to integerate Hester into offense

In a move that will have every football fan in America smiling from ear to ear on gameday, The Bears have announced that that will be moving Devin Hester (the kick returner who just happens to be the first and only guy to get a 100 speed rating in John Madden Football) to the offensive side of the ball as well.  The only thing that would be cooler is if Hester has somehow grown wings and learned to fly in the offseason.

Hester will be seen playing Wide Receiver, a position he hasn’t ever played at a high level of competition in his career.  In a move that smacks more of an innate need to give the Bears’ offense a big time jolt than anything else, Coach Lovie Smith has made the move.  Now he’s just go to hope and pray that his oft-maligned QB can get him the ball.

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Permalink - Posted in General on May 15, 2007 - Post a comment


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