Roach Ready to Start

More than likely, Chicago Bears’ strong side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer will not be playing this weekend against the Lions because of thumb surgery, which means that Nick Roach and Jamar Williams will be getting to step up.  Most of the playing time is likely to go to Roach, who is a second year player out of Northwestern. Weak side linebacker Lance Briggs commented on Roach’s talent, saying, “He’s a smart guy, comes from Northwestern. He moves well, he’s really fast, he’s a guy who you can put out against most guys in the league, and he’ll be able to cover them. He picks everything up pretty fast. He’s a guy that if he makes a mistake, he’ll tell the coach what his mistake is before the coach can get it out of his mouth. “

This will be a good game for Roach to get a feel for the game as the Bears are up against the Detroit Lions, who they beat 34-7 earlier in the season. The Lions will not roll over as easy this time, but the Bears will be playing tough against the fellow NFC North team. See them in action by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 31, 2008 - Post a comment

Passing Game Brings New Versatility

Why has the Chicago Bears’ offense been so effective as of late? Unlike other seasons, the offense can both run AND pass the ball.  That gives the Bears the extra momentum they need.  Offensive coordinator Ron turner explained, saying, “You’ve got to be able to do both. If you can only do one thing, they can take it away. If they want to take something away, they can take it away in this league, and if they do, you’ve got to be able to adjust and make plays. If they’re determined to stop the run, you’ve got to be able to protect and make plays in the passing game, and once you do that, hopefully it will open up some stuff in the run game.”

This year, the previously strictly-running offense has been relying heavily on the passing game, led by quarterback Kyle Orton.  Orton was called more of a manager than a quarterback by critics before the season started, but his stats so far this season have quieted any naysayers. As Orton takes on the Detroit Lions this week, he is hoping for similar results to the last time he faced Detroit, where he had a passer rating of 121.4. Get your Chicago Bears tickets at StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 30, 2008 - Post a comment

Bears Focused for Lions Despite Record

After beating the winless Detroit Lions 34-7 during week five, the Chicago Bears may be tempted to write of the NFC North rivals when they face them this Sunday, but the Bears know better than to do that.  The Lions are desperately looking for the win, and the Bears must be on top of their game to make sure they don’t get it this Sunday. Mike Brown said, “They’ve been in pretty much every game. There’s been a couple of them where they weren’t in them, but everyone understands that this is a professional football league and honestly any team can beat any team on any given day. That’s just part of how the league is set up, so we’re going to be prepared to play them and we want to come out with a victory.”

Brown should know a thing or two about underestimating the Lions. In 2001, the 8-2 Bears took on the 0-10 Lions at home.  While they won, they had to come back in the fourth quarter to grab a narrow 13-10 victory. With the Lions losing by small margins to good teams this season, the Bears are on the right track not to write them off just yet. Get your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 29, 2008 - Post a comment

Bears Take Stock of Injuries

The bye week meant that the Bears got to take a good look at their injured players and make assessments on who would be ready to play soon. This year’s first round draft pick, Chris Williams, is reportedly not restricted in practice anymore after recovering from back surgery, but the Bears are staying mum on when the rookie tackle will actually make his debut.  More good news on the injury front is the progress of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.  Lloyd has been out since he sprained his knee against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28. He is now back practicing but is not yet 100 percent.

Lloyd said, “It’s never fun being out. I’m not benefiting at all. It’s kind of [about] getting better so I can get back on the field and be as effective as I was.”

As of now, the Bears receivers filling in for Lloyd are doing well, but adding Lloyd back in will increase the depth of the position even more.  The Bears are also working through injuries to cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher, wide receiver Marty Booker, linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and free safety Danieal Manning. Make sure and reserve your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 28, 2008 - Post a comment

Babich Best Choice?

Shockingly, it is the Chicago Bears’ offense rather than the defense who is leading the team this season. While fans are quick to praise the work of the offense, the amount of points the defense is allowing has many wondering about defensive coordinator Bob Babich’s scheme. The cover two defense that he is running has allowed fourth quarter upsets in more than one close match this season. Even with the criticism coming his way, coach Lovie Smith is remaining loyal to Babich, his replacement for Ron Rivera.  Smith isn’t the only one who thinks highly of Babich, either.

Babich’s former boss and coach at Wisconsin, Don Morton, said, “There are a lot of people Lovie went to school with and coached or played with who aren’t coaching for the Chicago Bears the way Bob is. It’s because he’s smart, he has a passion for coaching and he’s wired for success.”

Babich’s move into the NFL from the college ranks in the early 2000s was hardly a logical move as Babich seemed to flounder as offensive coordinator at North Dakota State. From there, he moved to being the linebackers coach with the St. Louis Rams, where Smith was. See him in action by getting Chicago Bears tickets at StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 27, 2008 - Post a comment

Vasher May Be Back

Although the backup cornerbacks have been more than pulling their weight, good news may be in store for the Chicago Bears after this week’s bye week.  Cornerback Nathan Vasher may be ready to play after having the pins taken out of his wrist. He has been out for the past three games with his injury and is itching to be back on the field. With fill in Zach Bowman being placed on injured reserve, the Bears need Vasher back.  Safety Mike Brown said, “Starters are starters for a reason. , they earned those positions, but at the same time, our two corners (Graham and Kevin Payne) played very well. Then, when you start going down to your last corner and then you’re asking Rashied Davis to get ready, that’s when you start worrying a little bit.”

The secondary needs the time off as cornerback Charles Tillman is also out with a shoulder and nickel back Daniel Manning has a pulled hamstring. The Bears do not want to reach into their receiving corps to pull out players like Davis to fill the secondary. Hopefully, week nine will see more of the starters back on the field.  Reserve your Chicago Bears tickets at StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 24, 2008 - Post a comment

Williams Healthy, but May Not Play

This year’s first round pick Chris Williams has been out the entire season so far after having back surgery, but he could be making his debut soon. Williams started training camp but had to be taken out because of a sore back, which eventually led to surgery on a herniated disk.  Offensive coordinator Ron Turner is saying he is healthy and not restricted in practice anymore.  Williams himself said, “I could play. I’ve been practicing, so I’m sure I could play. I’ve been doing full practices, so I’m not really worried about that part of it. I’m just trying to get my reps. “

Deciding to play Williams may be more complicated than if he is healthy or not, however, as the offensive line has been holding their own as of late. Williams is set to probably play left tackle, but John St. Clair is doing well in that position.  The Bears have an extra week to make the decision who plays against Detroit during week nine as they have a bye week this week. For now, Williams is spending his time learning the offense and getting himself acquainted with how the Bears O-line works. Get your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 23, 2008 - Post a comment

Bears Lose Bowman, Add Holt

Although rookie cornerback Zack Bowman barely got to play in the NFL before being put on injured reserve, his brief time on the field was more than most rookies can ask for.  During last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, Bowman grabbed a botched punt for a touchdown and also intercepted quarterback Gus Frerotte with less than a minute left in the game.  He had a biceps injury during the game, which led to him being put on injured reserve. His performance on special teams got him named the NFC Special Team Player of the Week. He is the first Bear to have such stats in his NFL debut since 1950.

To make up for losing Bowman, the Bears signed safety Terrence Holt.  Hold entered the NFL in 2003 when he was selected in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He tallied eight interceptions during the four seasons he was with the Lions. From there, he went to the Arizona Cardinals in 2007. Last season, he started every game and had 75 tackles but was released in February. See all of the lineup changes by getting your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 22, 2008 - Post a comment

Orton Getting Job Done at QB

During the preseason, it seemed like the Bears had a normal but grueling season ahead of them.  The defense would hold their opponents to low scores, and if the offense could put any decent points on the board, it would equal a win. Now seven games into the season, the opposite seems to be true. Counting two touchdowns by special teams, the Bears scored 48 points against the Minnesota Vikings last week while the defense allowed 41 points.  Even the injuries on the defense’s secondary were negligible as the fill-ins managed to get four interceptions. What changed from the preseason until now?  Kyle Orton.

Orton spent most of his career as either the Bears’ third string quarterback or as the backup to the “star” Rex Grossman.  This season, however, the Bears decided to see what Orton could do not just as the offense’s manager but as an actual quarterback.  Turns out, he is pretty darn good.  He has managed to spread the ball around and made the Bears a passing threat for the first time in years. While the coaching staff seemed hesitant to start bragging about his skill, teammates did not show similar restraint.  Guard Roberto Garza said, “He was an instant leader, and he’s giving us our direction.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 21, 2008 - Post a comment

Bears Down Vikings

Checking out the Minnesota Vikings offense, it would seem as if 439 offensive yards, two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and two field goals against the Chicago Bears’ defense would equal a victory. Not this time as the Bears topped the Vikings 48-41. Although the Bears had only 327 yard of offense, quarterback Kyle Orton was 21 of 32 for 283 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions with a passer rating of 114.5. Vikings’ quarterback Gus Frerotte threw four interceptions. The most miraculous part about the Bears’ defense nabbing four interceptions is the fact that both star cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman were out as well as nickel back Danieal Manning.

No one player on the defense had more than one interception as well. Corey Graham, Kevin Payne, Trumaine McBride and Zack Bowman each tallied an interception while Graham and Payne also led the defense with eight tackles apiece. The Bears’ special teams contributed two touchdowns to the win as well. Running back Matt Forte had one rushing touchdown while Marty Booker and Greg Olsen each caught a touchdown. Despite the loss, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had a surprisingly good game with 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Reserve your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 20, 2008 - Post a comment


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