Angelo Has Strong Opinions on Holdouts

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree was the last rookie holdout in the league, finally signing with the San Francisco 49ers. His signing may have little to do with the Chicago Bears, but that didn’t stop Bears general manager Jerry Angelo from commenting about the situation. Angelo has dealt a few times with holdouts and has a less-than-positive view on players who refuse to sign.

Angelo said, “When you look at holdouts, the byproduct of the holdout for the player is bad. Everybody says it’s bad for the game and it’s bad for the team. It’s first bad for the player, then it’s bad for the team, then it’s bad for the game. I feel so strongly about it because in every situation that I have been involved (in) with a holdout, we had a bad result… People will say, ‘Well maybe it was just poor evaluation.’ Maybe it was poor evaluation, but it got the whole thing started off on the wrong foot. Instead of the cart going down the hill in terms of getting to what the player can do and accentuating on the strengths, it went up a hill. That’s what it does. Instead of taking the path of least resistance, you’re a first-round pick, you’re now going uphill and you’re carrying a lot of excess baggage. Missing camp, the karma with the players, the coaches, the media, the fans, all of that now has become your baggage that only you can deal with it. I can’t deal with it.”

It’s a good thing none of this year’s rookies were holdouts. Get your Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 9, 2009 - Post a comment

Tinoisamoa Looking To Start Again

Like Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears strong-side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa hasn’t played since the first game of the season after suffering an injury. Unlike Urlacher, however, Tinoisamoa is ready to return. He had his first practice yesterday following his posterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered against the Green Bay Packers. Even though he has been out for three weeks, Tinoisamoa is ready to pick up his starting position, according to the Chicago Tribune.

He said, “I’m not going to lie and say I’m not going to expect to start because, first off, the job was awarded before. And, two, it wasn’t like I lost my job because I didn’t play well. They brought me here for a reason. So there are a couple of reasons why I expect (to start). … That doesn’t mean I’m going to take it for granted or ease back here, especially when I see the way the guys have been playing. The urgency is there for me.”

Nick Roach originally filled in for Tinoisamoa, but an injury to linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer moved Roach to the middle and Jamar Williams took over on strong-side. Williams doesn’t seem to be expecting to keep his starting role and said, “I’ll probably play special teams. I try not to worry about it. (Tinoisamoa) was the starter before, so it was assumed he would be the starter when he came back.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 8, 2009 - Post a comment

Knox Leads League in Kickoff Returns

Chicago Bears rookie Johnny Knox may be setting himself apart as a talented wide receiver, but that isn’t the only recognition he is getting this season. Last Sunday, he returned the second-half kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. That run put him on top of the average kickoff return rankings, with nine returns for a 35.8 yard average.  It was also the second longest kickoff return in Bears history.

Coach Lovie Smith recognizes his talent and said, “I’ve talked about him every time I’ve stood up here after a game. He’s making progress each week. He is becoming a threat whenever he touches the ball, whether it’s returning kickoffs or as a pass receiver.”

So far this season, Knox has tallied 14 receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns. His contributions this week have led him to be nominated for Pepsi NFL rookie of the week. During the game against the Lions on Sunday, Knox had to leave the game because of a shin injury. With the Bears’ bye week this week, Knox isn’t expected to miss any games because of the injury. Make sure you are there to see him play this season by reserving Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 7, 2009 - Post a comment

Idonije, Others Struggle With Injuries

The Chicago Bears’ bye week happens at a good time for the team, as a few of their star players are struggling through injuries. Probably the most serious is the left knee injury to defensive lineman Israel Idonije. He had arthroscopic surgery yesterday to check out the extent. Coach Lovie Smith explained, “Israel Idonije had a scope this morning, clean up a little bit in one of his knees. Should be good to go. Nothing major, minor procedure that we had scheduled. He should be all right… It’s unknown, but we feel pretty good about him coming back quickly, soon, all of those. Pretty tough guy, he’ll be back out there before long.”

Smith also commented on wide receiver Devin Hester’s shoulder injury and said, “Should be fine. Am I expecting Devin [to play in Atlanta]? Right now, two weeks away, am I expecting? Yeah, I’m expecting all of the guys to play right now. We’re not ruling anybody out. I’m pretty excited about having all our guys ready to go next time we play.”

The Bears have a much-needed bye week this week, giving them extra time to rest before having to take the field again. See them by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 6, 2009 - Post a comment

Bears Shine Late to Top Lions

The Detroit Lions came out strong against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but Chicago rallied in the second half to give the Bears a decisive 48-24 win. The win is the third straight for the Bears, a feat that coach Lovie Smith recognizes. He said, “To get to 3-1 takes a lot after starting out with a loss. The guys did a super job. We need to start stronger and faster and all of that. But I’m proud of how the guys finished the game.”

One of the most decisive plays of the game came on the opening kickoff of the second half. With the Lions and Bears tied at 21, rookie Johnny Knox ran back the kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. After that, the Bears showed their dominant side. Quarterback Jay Cutler pointed out the efforts on the other side of the ball and said, “When it was 21-21 at halftime we knew the defense was going to step up and they were going to get some stops and they played lights out. The third quarter they were unbelievable. They did a great job of getting the ball back to us. We didn’t really capitalize, but we got some field goals out of it, which helped.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 5, 2009 - Post a comment

Marinelli Talks About Facing Lions

This week, the Chicago Bears go up against their division foe the Detroit Lions. Since the Lions went 0-16 last season, it may seem like an easier game than some of their previous matchups, but the Lions just won their first game of the season and are looking to continue their winning ways.

One person that the spotlight will be focused on during the contest is defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who was the Lions coach last season. Even with the pressure Marinelli says it will be just another game for him. He said, “For me? No way. I’m not built that way.  I’ll be looking at us and seeing how we play and worrying about our pad level and all the things that we have to do to execute well. All week we’ve just worked very hard on us, and that’s the truth. I get wired in for our guys. Any thoughts that go any other place other than this team, that’s wrong on my part.”

He also talked about what he learned from the Lions’ dismal season and said, “Being persistent, having a strong belief in what you’re doing. You keep pushing forward one day at a time. You keep working very hard in terms of your belief system, how you practice and how you do things, and staying focused all the way through.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 2, 2009 - Post a comment

Briggs Honored, McClover Signed

Linebacker Lance Briggs has been a top contributor for the Chicago Bears over the years, but there is one honor that has escaped him until now. This week, Briggs was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, Briggs tallied eight tackles, one sack and one interception, helping the Bears to a 25-19 win. Briggs has been with the Bears since he entered the league in 2003 and has been invited to four Pro Bowls since then. The last Bear to win this award was Adewale Ogunleye, who won the award during Week One of last season.

Briggs isn’t the only linebacker news from the Chicago Bears. To add depth to that position after suffering through injuries, the Bears have signed linebacker Darrell McClover to a one-year deal. To make room for him, they released cornerback DeAngelo Smith. McClover is not new to the Bears, as he had played on special teams for the Bears from 2006 to 2008. Last season, he played in 10 games and tallied six tackles. Prior to his time with the Bears, he played with the New York Jets. See the Bears live by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 1, 2009 - Post a comment

Roach Fills in Nicely

Over the last several years, the Chicago Bears have been known for their top linebackers, but this year is turning out to be a little different. Star linebacker Brian Urlacher is out for the season because of a wrist injury. That same game, linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa was hurt and hasn’t returned since. Longtime Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer filled in for Urlacher, but now he is also down with a rib injury. All of the injuries have brought a new opportunity for linebacker Nick Roach, and he has shown that he is ready to carry on the Bears legacy in his position.

Coach Lovie Smith said, “Nick Roach going in for Hunter Hillenmeyer did a great job. We’ve had to shuffle our linebacker corps around a little bit, but the guys are making the plays.”

The opportunity seems to be right on time for Roach, who said, “I feel good about it. It’s definitely fun, kind of [being] in the middle of everything. It’s kind of like watching a big TV screen; you get to see all the action and be around it… Hunter is obviously a good player. He’s been doing a great job in the middle since Brian’s been out for a short while. But we’re definitely prepared if we have to be to go forward [without him].”

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

Forte Fought Through Knee Injury

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte had his best game so far this season against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing with 66 yards on 21 attempts. That feat is even more impressive considering the Forte revealed that he played through a knee injury he suffered during the fourth quarter.

Forte said, “I went inside and got taped, so I was straight. That’s part of football: You have to play hurt. You’ve got to be smart about it. But if you can play, you play. (The knee) doesn’t feel natural, but you still have to go out there and make the most of it… We were getting close to popping one here and there today. Part of that is on me. I’ve got to break a few tackles. I’ve got to make something happen. Once I make a little move, I have to gain 20, 30 yards. I have to pop the big one.”

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner revealed he flexed the Bears’ depth at wide receiver to give Forte a break during the game. He said, “We’re going to use all of our backs. We have a lot of confidence in  [Adrian Peterson]. We’ve got a lot of confidence in Garrett [Wolfe]. So we’re going to put those guys in to spell Matt and give them opportunities to make some plays.”

Forte isn’t satisfied with the stats, and wants the 100-plus yards a game he was used to last season. See him live by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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

Hester and Cutler Connect for Win

The Chicago Bears topped the Seattle Seahawks yesterday because of a final touchdown drive that put them on top 25-19. One of the big stories from that game was the apparent chemistry between quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Devin Hester-a chemistry that had been absent until this game. The culmination of this chemistry came at the final touchdown of the game when Cutler hit Hester for a 36-yard touchdown pass with less than two minutes remaining. The reason Cutler looked for Hester, according to news reports, was because Hester asked Cutler directly for the ball.

Their choice to throw instead of run showed a new mentality for the Bears in pressure situations. Cutler said, “I want the ball in those situations, and I think this offense is starting to get a feel for it. Any time you can get Devin Hester one-on-one, it works.”

When the dust settled, Hester finished the game with five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Earl Bennett was another favorite target for Cutler, finishing with four receptions for 80 yards. After a slow start, Cutler came back to finish 21 of 27 for 247 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 126.4, his best rating so far this season. See him live by getting Chicago Bears tickets from StubHub.

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


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