Graham Welcomes Change to Corner

Corey Graham’s role with the Chicago Bears changed drastically when cornerback Charles Tillman had to be put on the PUP list because of back surgery. Other players may worry about the change from safety to cornerback, but Graham welcomes the challenge and even looks forward to playing in the position. The cornerback position, he says, is actually where he likes to be.

Graham said, “I am a cornerback. I’ve played a little bit of safety here and there. I played a little nickel back last year. But cornerback, that’s what I am. That’s where I’m comfortable… I wasn’t reluctant [to switch]. It was more of a big shock. Coming out of last season, I was expecting the opportunity to compete for a job at corner. But they were trying to get everybody on the field at the same time. Obviously they’re not going to move Peanut [Tillman]or Nate. So I was the guy who needed to move if I wanted to play.”

Graham may be moved back to safety once Tillman is back in action, which could happen as early as the start of the regular season. No matter who is at that position, this is going to be an exciting season. Fans can get Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on July 31, 2009 - Post a comment

Urlacher Denies Bad-Mouthing Cutler

Former Chicago Bear Bobby Wade caused quite a stir yesterday when he said that Brian Urlacher had talked to him and called new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler a name unmentionable on the radio (or in print). The report made many wonder if there was tension on the team, but Urlacher quickly denied the allegations and even suggested a possible motive for Wade’s comments.

Urlacher said, “Oh please. I don’t think I would ever say that about one of my teammates. Look, Bobby Wade’s a friend of mine. He’s trying to get things going before training camp. That’s just Bobby being Bobby. I’m pretty sure Jay knows I wouldn’t say that about him.”

Wade plays for the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, and any problems on the Bears team may mean a win for the Vikings. Wade may also have quarterback envy because the Vikings recently failed on a bid to recruit veteran Brett Favre to their team. Urlacher went on to say the opposite of mean things about Cutler with statements like, “I have no problem with Jay. I think we’re all excited about Jay. That’s why we made the trade. He’s obviously one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I think we have a better chance to win the Super Bowl with him at quarterback.”

The Bears won’t let any gossip throw them off their game, and you can see them this season with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Steltz Must Step Up on Defense

The news of Charles Tillman’s back surgery and announcement that he is out indefinitely is affecting more than just his position. One of the players who is sure to feel his absence is free safety Craig Steltz. Steltz is in his second hear in the league, and he is now shouldering double the pressure with Corey Graham moved to cornerback and Mike Brown’s departure this offseason.

Steltz has been working hard to step up to the plate, attending extra practices at LSU after the Bears OTAs were over. Steltz said, “You go back to LSU and get a chance to work out with guys like Corey Webster and Travis Daniels (Kansas City), guys who have played DB in this league for a while now. You talk to them and get pointers on how to be a student of the game. It only helps you improve your game.”

Training camp is set to kick off this Friday, and that will show a lot about the strength of Steltz at the free safety position. This year could be a growing one for the Bears’ defense, with Steltz helping to show how that transition will pan out. See him play live this season by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Back Takes Tillman Out Indefinitely

Uh Oh. The Chicago Bears’ season hasn’t even started yet-actually training camp hasn’t even started-and there is already an injury. Cornerback Charles Tillman is out indefinitely after having back surgery a couple of weeks ago. The surgery was on his lower back to remove a piece of a disc fragment. His return date may not be set, but there is a chance he could be back in time for the start of the regular season on September 13 when the Bears take on the Green Back Packers.

Tillman said, “I’ll be fine for the season. There’s no need to panic. When I panic, then you can panic. But I’m not panicking, so we’re good. [Things] happen. I’m just glad it happened now versus in the season. But I’m all right. I’m always optimistic.”

Because of the surgery, Tillman is on the physically unable to perform list. This is the second surgery for Tillman this offseason, as he also underwent shoulder surgery in January. His injury puts more pressure on other players, like Nate Vasher and Corey Graham. Depending on when he comes back, cornerbacks Zackary Bowman, Trumaine McBride and D.J. Moore could also be picking up the slack. See the Bears this season with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on July 28, 2009 - Post a comment

Miss America Comes to Halas Hall

Not all pageant queens are too focused on world peace to care about sports. Case in point: current Miss America Katie Stam. Stam hails from Indiana, but she has been a Chicago Bears fan for quite some time. With her newfound title, meeting some of her favorite Bears was now a possibility. She arrived at Halas Hall last week and was soon living the dream by rubbing elbows with the likes of Lovie Smith, Robbie Gould and Nick Roach.

She talked about meeting Smith and said, “He’s amazing. He’s incredible. He’s a wonderful coach. I truly admire him. I was sitting there staring at Brian Urlacher’s locker because he’s my favorite player-I’ve got my Urlacher jersey and a hat with a big ‘54′ on it that I wear for every single game. When I turned around and saw Lovie Smith, I kind of turned into a 12-year-old girl who just saw ‘N Sync.”

Stam potentially has another experience coming up with the Bears: singing the National Anthem at Soldier Field. Stam and other Bears fans are gearing up for the excitement of this season, which is sure to be a fun one. Fans can be there by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on July 27, 2009 - Post a comment

Smith, Cutler Meet Obama

When you are a NFL player or a NFL coach, it isn’t everyday you meet someone more famous than you, especially when you are Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler. At an event yesterday, though, no one was focused on Smith or Cutler’s fame. The event was a private fundraising dinner, and it was held in honor of President Barack Obama, who is a confirmed Bears fan.

Smith had a double honor as he was also the one picked to introduce the President at the event. Smith said, “I’m very excited that my wife, MaryAnne, and I get a chance to meet the President of the United States. We’ve been big supporters of his for a while.”

Lovie also said that he has plans to meet the President again, but this time under much different circumstances. He said, “I’m going to say that I hope we’ll be visiting the White House as Super Bowl champs and I can give the president a Chicago Bears ball to toss around the South Lawn.”

Smith and Cutler weren’t the only two sports stars at the event. Former Bulls star B.J. Armstrong was also in attendance. See the Bears this season by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Bears Players as Billboards?

This season, the National Football League has approved a new form of revenue building for the league: putting sponsorship patches on players’ practice jerseys. The Chicago Bears are getting in on the action by striking a deal with NorthShore University HealthSystem to put a patch of the left side of the chest of all of the practice jerseys. These patches will be 3.5 inches by 4.5 inches, and the details of the deal haven’t been revealed.

Although they did make this deal, the Bears declined to work with other sponsors, like the state lottery. The New York Giants, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins have gone that route. Bears spokesperson Scott Hagel said, “From an organizational standpoint, that is not the kind of partnership we are going to pursue… We’ve had a very successful offseason business-wise. We’ve been working very hard in a difficult economic climate, and our ticket renewals are as strong as ever, as is our sign-up for the season-ticket waiting list. We’re ramping up customer service and trying to provide value for what people are paying.”

More sponsors are expected to follow for the Bears this offseason. Catch the Bears live this season by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Toub Sees Hester as Special Teams Contributor

Much has been said about where Devin Hester should be used this season, as the special teams standout was moved to wide receiver last season. He is already being touted as the Chicago Bears’ number one wide receiver this season, but special teams coordinator Dave Toub still has high hopes for what Hester can do on special teams.

Toub also addressed what contributed to Hester’s lack of special teams star moments last season. Toub said, “I think it was a combination of a couple of things. We had a lot of young players blocking for him, so he had a different picture of what was in front of him. And then taking a lot of reps at wide receiver was a factor too. But he’s still the same guy. He still makes people miss. He’s got great vision. He’s still a threat back there. He still has a lot of respect from other teams. Teams aren’t going to just want to punt him the ball, I guarantee that.”

If nothing else, Hester makes teams think twice before they punt or kick to the Bears. This season is sure to be an interesting one for all sides of the ball, and you can be there with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Driver Expands Comments

Instead of backing down on his comments about the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver has expanded upon his comments when talking to a Chicago radio station. He specifically addressed the fact that the Bears are saying that Devin Hester is set to be the number one wide receiver this season. Driver said, “They don’t have any true receivers that step up and play and take their team to where they want to go. I love Devin, and Devin knows that, but Devin plays, I don’t think he’s just a solid receiver right now. He may become one as years go on, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Driver has a long history of playing against the Bears as he has been with the Green Bay Packers since he entered the league in 1999. The wide receiver had the luxury of being Brett Favre’s target, which obviously didn’t hurt his stats. The Packers now have quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm, with Driver as one of his top targets last season. In 2008, Driver had 74 receptions, 1,012 yards and five touchdowns. He will likely be looking to pad his stats more against the Bears this season, and you can be there by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on July 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Hoke Has High Hopes for DBs

The Chicago Bears are preparing for quite the season this year, and each position coach is taking a hard look at his players to see what the Bears are working with this season. Defensive backs coach Jon Hoke is already gearing his players up for what the Bears are hoping is a comeback year defensively. About his strategy for the season, Hoke said, “It’s always going to be about the details, especially in this defense. You’ve got to be exact in what you do. It’s very technique-oriented from the standpoint that you’ve got to be technique-sound. Those are the things that are going to make the difference in this scheme.”

He also talked about many of the different players individually. He seemed very impressed with Zackary Bowman, Nate Vasher, rookie D.J. Moore, Kevin Payne and Craig Steltz. This marks Hoke’s first year as the defensive backs coach, meaning that he hasn’t gotten to know some of the veteran players that well yet. Charles Tillman is one player he hasn’t gotten to see much but still has high hopes for this season. The defensive back corps is shaping up to be impressive this season, and fans can see them live with Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on July 20, 2009 - Post a comment


 Page 1 of 3  1  2  3 »