Urlacher, Hester Also Make All-Decade Team

Center Olin Kreutz may have been the only Chicago Bear to make the offensive All-Decade list put together by ESPN, but he wasn’t the only Bear to make the overall list. Brian Urlacher easily made the cut at linebacker for the All-Decade defensive lineup, and Devin Hester made the Special Teams list for returner.

The list compiler for the defensive list, Mike Sando said of Urlacher, “At his best, the 260-pound Urlacher was athletic enough to play the deep middle in coverage, yet strong enough to punish receivers and running backs on underneath plays.”

Hester got his own praise from special teams compiler Kevin Seifert, who wrote, “Hester’s impact has been relatively brief but nonetheless historic. He set an NFL record for touchdown returns during a season in both 2006 and 2007, and his total of 11 over that span ranks him fourth all-time in the NFL.”

Last season, Urlacher started every game and finished with 93 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. Hester’s role has changed a lot in the last couple seasons as he has been moved to wide receiver following a hefty pay increase. If the Bears don’t add another receiver, Hester is set to be the team’s number one target. See them play with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 30, 2009 - Post a comment

Tillman Excited About Possible Favre Return

Brett Favre may have been a thorn in the Bears’ side during his earlier years with the Green Bay Packers, but for the last several seasons since Lovie Smith has joined the team, the Bears have gotten the best of him. He spent last season with the New York Jets, but now there is a chance he will be returning to the NFC North. This time, however, he would be with the Minnesota Vikings instead of the Green Bay Packers.

One Bear, cornerback Charles Tillman, is hoping that Favre comes back this season. Tillman said, “I hope he does go to Minnesota. I would like to compete against him once again. You play to go against the best. If he’s the best quarterback (on the Vikings), I want to play against him. I like him. He’s a good competitor. He’s a hell of a quarterback, a future-Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Whether he comes back, that’s a big thing in Minnesota, not really Chicago. If he comes back, I think it will be a thrill. If not, then I think their other three quarterbacks will be happy.”

If news reports are correct, Tillman may get what he wants. See the Bears play this season with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Cutler Talks More About Leaving Denver

Recently, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler showed up at Jimmye Laycock’s football camp at William and Mary, and the quarterback was also trailed by reporters who wanted to know more about his breakup with Denver and new relationship with Chicago.

Cutler indulged them and said, “When Mike Shanahan got fired, it kind of started tumbling from there. They brought Josh McDaniels in there, and we had a good relationship starting off, and then it all kind of fell apart. I went to the Pro Bowl last year, and you’d think that’s probably gonna be the place where you’re gonna stay the rest of your career. So it’s funny how things work out… Looking back, I’m sure there are things (Denver) would do differently, and there’s some things I would do differently. It worked out for both of us in the long run. I think they’re happy with the situation. And I couldn’t be happier in Chicago.”

Cutler is in good company visiting the camp, as last year’s camp guest quarterback was Brett Favre. Cutler has a lot to prove this season as the Bears gave up a lot to bring him to Chicago. If he does succeed, he will have the entire Windy City on his side. Be there to see him play with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 26, 2009 - Post a comment

Graham Switching Positions

There have been many changes this offseason for the Chicago Bears, and Corey Graham is one player who is experiencing the changes personally. Graham was well on his way to being a top cornerback for the Bears, but he is switching to free safety this season. This offseason, the Bears coaches asked Graham to switch because of a need on the roster.

Graham said, “The coaches said they want to get the best players on the field and this might be the best move for me as far as playing this year. It’s a little bit of an adjustment because the techniques are totally different than cornerback, but the more I work at it, the easier it will get.”

The Bears picked Graham in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. After playing backup for a season, he was moved to starter last year when Nathan Vasher was out because of an injury. Last season, he played in every game and started nine, finishing with 91 tackles, eight passes defended and one interception. Vasher is healthy again, creating more of a need at free safety than at cornerback. See all of the Bears take the field this season with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 25, 2009 - Post a comment

Kreutz Makes All-Decade List

ESPN recently put together an All-Decade offense from the best offensive players in the league from the last 10 years. The Chicago Bears may be known for their defense, but one of their players has been recognized as one of the top offensive players out there. Center Olin Kreutz made the list, beating out Kevin Mawae and Matt Birk. Kreutz has appeared in six Pro Bowls and been the anchor of the Bears offense since he first entered the league in 1998. San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said of Kreutz, “You look at a guy like Kreutz and you really appreciate his consistency. He is an all-decade-type player.”

Olin Kreutz was picked up by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. That first year, he played in nine games and started only one. By the next season, he started every single game. Since then, he has started every game except in two seasons. He was even key in helping the Bears make it to the Super Bowl following the 2006 season. He will be even more needed this season as the Bears are relying on the offense more since the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler. See them live with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 24, 2009 - Post a comment

Cutler Talks About Marshall

Rumors have been flying about where Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall will land, and one guess was with the Chicago Bears. With his former teammate Jay Cutler at Chicago, many expected Cutler to push for Marshall, but he didn’t comment on Marshall until just recently. Even with his comments, Cutler seems like he is more concerned with supporting Marshall rather than bringing him to the Windy City, although he is definitely not opposed to the idea.

Cutler said, “I talked to ‘B’ a few days ago. Just checking in on him and seeing how he’s doing, because I went through a similar thing that he’s going through. I played with Brandon for three years and I think he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL. I think he can be one of the greatest ever to play. He’s big and fast, and can do everything you want him to do, on the field and in the meeting room. I don’t know what we’re going to do. That’s up to the guys upstairs. If we make a run at him, we make a run at him.”

Last season, Marshall tallied 104 receptions, 1,265 yards and six touchdowns. Even without Marshall, this season is shaping up to be an exciting one for the Bears, and you can be there with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 23, 2009 - Post a comment

Cutler and Team Disregard Pressure

Being labeled as a “franchise quarterback” from his first day on the job was bound to bring some added scrutiny for quarterback Jay Cutler. Analysts from Tony Dungy to Chicago great Mike Ditka have made comments about Cutler needing to prove himself this season.  The Pro Bowl quarterback hasn’t let those comments deter him, and he has already made statements about working hard to show his teammates, coaches and fans that he is here to say.

Coach Lovie Smith has noticed the talk about Cutler and also how the quarterback is reacting. Smith said, “Jay realizes that he’s going to get criticized. That’s a part of it. It’s no big deal whether Tony does it or anybody else. That’s just a part of it until we play and we’ll go from there. But I would just go on what Jay has done here, and I don’t see anything negative that he’s done.  He’s showed up every day, done everything we’ve asked him to do. Talk to his teammates; see what they say about him. It’s all positive. We’re excited about him being our quarterback this year.”

The Bears just missed the playoffs last season, and one way Cutler can prove his worth is to get the Bears into the postseason. See him try with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Bears Leaving Bourbonnais?

For the last several years, the Chicago Bears have held their training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Their contract with Olivet Nazarene, however, is about to be up, meaning that the Bears could be looking at a new place to hold their training camp. One place that is interested is in Lewis University in Romeoville. Lewis University is set to build a new sports complex, which could hold all of the training exercises. The mayor of the town, John Noak, has confirmed that he has met with the Bears, but nothing has been decided yet.

Noak said, “We are just honored to be a part of the conversation for a potential site for the Bears. This opportunity may not ever happen again.”

The talk of Romeoville may be just that: talk. Since the Bears are accustomed to holding training camp in Bourbonnais, they are inclined to keep training camp there. Fans are also already used to going to Bourbonnais every summer to watch the Chicago Bears. This year’s training camp is sure to be even more popular since the Bears have added new talent like quarterback Jay Cutler. See everyone in action with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 19, 2009 - Post a comment

Smith and Cutler Like Current WRs

Many NFL analysts have been speculating which wide receiver the Bears will be going after before the start of the season, but the answer may be no one. While a veteran would add some top talent, the Bears have been working with their current wide receivers, and everyone from coach Lovie Smith to new quarterback Jay Cutler are singing the praises of the wide receivers.

Even before training camp starts, Cutler said, “I’m really comfortable. We’re really getting a feel for each other, with me and the receivers and the offensive linemen and the tight ends. We still have to touch up a few things, but we got a lot accomplished this camp.”

The man who is being heralded as the number one wide receiver this season is Devin Hester, who first rose to fame because of his unmatched kick return ability. Last season, he played in 15 games and started eight, finishing with 51 receptions, 665 yards and three touchdowns. Hester’s development as a receiver has grown immensely so far this season and having a quarterback like Cutler surely won’t hurt anything.  This season is predicted to be very exciting for the Bears, and you can be there by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 18, 2009 - Post a comment

Lloyd Joins Broncos

The switch up between players from the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos isn’t quite over yet. The Bears and Broncos made headlines earlier this year when the Bears traded high draft picks and quarterback Kyle Orton for quarterback Jay Cutler. Now, former Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has become the newest Bronco. Lloyd is used to working with Orton, who has been named the starting quarterback for Denver.

The Bears may have their chance at a Denver wide receiver as well. Word has surfaced that wide receiver Brandon Marshall has requested a trade. Marshall has been with the Broncos since he entered the league in 2006. Last season, he started all but one game and tallied 104 receptions, 1,265 yards and six touchdowns. The Bears may have a hard time landing Marshall because of how much they gave up to get Cutler.

Lloyd was with Chicago last season, but he had spent seasons with the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers before that. In his career, he has tallied 156 receptions, 2,253 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Bears have said they are confident in their receiver corps, but many expect them to add another proven wide receiver. See the team this season with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 17, 2009 - Post a comment


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