The Official 2006 Chicago Bears Thread [Archive] - NFL Picks | College Football Picks

Chisox73

08-22-2006, 09:24 PM

Teammates turn in Benson
August 22, 2006
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter Advertisement
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-bear22.html

Bears running back Cedric Benson was back on the practice field Monday wearing an orange quarterbacks jersey -- but no visible marks from the scolding he received from coach Lovie Smith for leaving the sideline Friday during a preseason game against San Diego and skipping the mandatory postgame meeting.

Teammates didn't approve of Benson's early exit and brought it to the attention of the Sun-Times, which confirmed through a team source that Smith disciplined the second-year running back.

''I didn't get fined,'' Benson said after practice at Halas Hall, where he participated in individual drills and non-contact 7-on-7. Benson is unable to play while recovering from a partial dislocation of his left shoulder.

Benson said he did not leave the stadium but watched the game from the office of equipment manager Tony Medlin. But team rules required Benson to be on the sideline during the game. He also was required to attend the postgame meeting in the locker room but did not.

''I didn't go anywhere,'' Benson said. ''I was in T-Med's office. I didn't leave.''

Two teammates confirmed Benson left the sideline during the first quarter and wasn't at the postgame meeting. The players said they believe he left Soldier Field during the game.

When told that other players had leaked the information about his early departure, Benson did not seem surprised.

''That's cool,'' he said. ''I don't care to know who. Probably ones who don't like me.''

During training camp, Benson said he believed some teammates and coaches did not like him, but if that was the case, he did not care.

The Bears have less than three weeks to pick a starting running back, and Thomas Jones was in full pads for the first time this summer during the team's first workout at Halas Hall. Smith said he hopes Jones can play Friday against Arizona at Soldier Field (7 p.m., Ch. 5, 780-AM).

''I'm excited about getting back out there,'' Jones said. ''I wanted to come out and do some things today in my pads. I'm sure [today] will be a better day, and it will get better as the week goes along. I'm definitely happy about being back.''

Benson has been out since suffering the dislocated shoulder Aug. 4. He had been running with the first team while Jones was sidelined with a strained right hamstring.

Now those roles are reversed, and Jones might have the upper hand considering Benson might not be ready to play in the preseason finale Aug. 31 at Cleveland.

''I'm just trying to get back on the field,'' Jones said. ''Reclaiming my job is something that a lot of people are talking about, and that's fine, but I'm just excited about playing football again. I've missed the whole training camp, and I'm ready to finally play football again and do what I get paid to do.''

Jones said he wasn't caught up in whether he had the support of his teammates. ''I don't even pay attention to that,'' he said. ''We're all on the same team, trying to accomplish the same goal, so I don't really pay attention to who's on what side and all that. I worry about what I can do.''

Benson, the fourth pick in the 2005 draft, was philosophical about the situation on the field. Asked if he expected to get a chance to start when he returns, he said: ''I don't know. You would imagine, but I hope so because I know Thomas had an article [in the Sun-Times last week] where he was saying a lot of things weren't fair.

''He kind of got pushed to the side because of whatever, but with things the way they are now, with him back in there, and then I come back and I get the starting job, then you can't say nothing was unfair. Then it's kind of all out there, competition. Can't say nothing was given or nothing was unfair.''

Asked if a level playing field with both players 100 percent was what he desired, Benson said: ''If it is a competition, yeah. But if it's not, they're trying to get us both on the field at the same time, then, yeah, I'm ready to get back so we can work together.''

Durango53

08-23-2006, 09:47 AM

Bears RB Cedric Benson's comment hints at an issue as big as his transgression, because the published report that brought the incident to light said two players volunteered information about his absence. "I just think it [stinks]," Benson said. "I was talking to [coach] Lovie [Smith] once, and he said, 'I know you don't trust people. But you should let your guard down a little because there are people you can trust.' "But damn. I'm afraid to let my guard down because the moment I do is the moment somebody will ... you know what I mean?"

skineg

08-23-2006, 11:35 AM

"But damn. I'm afraid to let my guard down because the moment I do is the moment somebody will ... you know what I mean?"

Try not braking the rules, you won't have to worry about "letting your guard down" if you stay within the rules. Not that this is a big deal, but damn.

rockin500

08-23-2006, 12:11 PM

skineg

08-24-2006, 12:54 AM

I agree. No one likes a taddle tail, but step one is not braking the rules that everyone has to follow.

PEACE
Brett

PS It doesn't help that Benson's isn't exactly making friends with his teammates. I would guess he rubbed someone the wrog way. Still, you should "tell" on your teammates, but this wouldn't have happened had he not left the sidelines and skipped the post game meeting, which pissed off his teammates.

Chisox73

08-25-2006, 11:06 PM

In tonight's game against Arizona,Bears DE Alex Brown injured his shoulder on the game's 2nd play from scrimmage.Brown was blocked to the ground by 2 Cardinal players as Brown was chasing Edgerrin James.

With over 2 minutes left to play,Arizona leads 23-13.

Chisox73

08-25-2006, 11:07 PM

Robbie Gould just kicked a 27-yard FG to make it 23-16 Cardianls with 2:09 left in regulation.

Chisox73

08-27-2006, 02:05 PM

Rex Grossman had another subpar game as the Bears fell to visiting Arizona 23-16 at Soldier Field Friday night.

Grossman was 13/21 for 117 yards and an INT,and he was treated to a chorus of boos as he gave way to Brian Griese.Griese was 10/14 for 131 yards and a TD.

Adrian Peterson was the Bears' leading rusher with 24 yards on the ground on 7 carries.Thomas Jones had 3 yards on 4 carries.

Muhsin Muhammed had 3 catches for 51 yards.

Chisox73

08-28-2006, 04:46 PM

Brown: I'll be ready for Pack
August 28, 2006
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-bear28.html

When Alex Brown learned Sunday that one published report speculated he might miss three regular-season games after dislocating his right shoulder in Friday's preseason game, he wanted to find the author.

Brown said after the game he would be back for the season opener Sept. 10 at Lambeau Field, and maintained that position as the Bears returned to work at Halas Hall. He is no longer wearing a sling on his arm like running back Cedric Benson did for more than a week after his left shoulder popped out of place Aug. 4.

''I believe I will,'' Brown said when asked if he would be ready to face the Green Bay Packers in the season opener. ''If the game was next week, I would say I would be ready to play. It's just a matter of what they think is best for me long-term. I don't want to come back for one game and then it's over. I've got a lot of treatment to do and I feel like I will be back.

''I take a lot of pride in [playing every week]. Everybody is injured. Everybody has nicks. Everybody has bruises. You play through it. There is nothing different with this situation. I'll play through it.''

The good news is he did not injure the shoulder that required offseason surgery. After receiving a second medical opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Brown had a procedure performed on his left shoulder in March. He was hurt on the second play of the game with Arizona when Cardinals lineman eligible Fred Wakefield, 6-7, 319 pounds, drove him to the ground over center Alex Stepanovich. Medical personnel had to pop the shoulder back in place.

''Things get displaced when a [319]-pound guy lands on you,'' Brown said.

Brown is critical for the success of the Bears, a team that has been beset by injuries in the last three weeks. The player that would replace him, Israel Idonije, missed practice with a sprained left ankle. Although none of them is serious at this point -- and coach Lovie Smith pointed out Sunday that strong safety Mike Brown is coming along well with his strained left Achilles tendon -- it has been an ongoing problem. The depth at defensive tackles has been challenged, and Smith's cover-2 scheme is predicated on pressure from the front four. Brown provides that and is also the team's best end when it comes to stopping the run. The defensive backs are only going to be as good as the pass rushers.

Tackles Tank Johnson and Ian Scott will get extended playing time Thursday in the exhibition finale at Cleveland (7 p.m., Ch. 5, 780-AM). Scott, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Aug. 7, needs to show enough to get his spot starting back from Alfonso Boone, and Johnson has yet to play.

''We are getting some players back,'' Smith said. ''And most of the guys we're talking about injury-wise should be ready for Green Bay.''

Smith didn't dispute Brown's notion he would be ready, too. Brown's streak of 48 consecutive starts is the longest on the defense, and the fifth-year pro has yet to miss a game because of injury.

''If Dr. Brown said [he will play at Green Bay], I'm going to have to go with what the doctor said,'' Smith said. ''Alex knows his body. I know he's motivated to get back out there as quickly as he possibly can. That sounds good to me. We're hoping he will be able to.''

It's no secret players look for any advantage they can get with an opponent. The injury report is well read, and when an injury is known, an opponent will try to exploit it. In Brown's case, it could mean a left tackle going at his right shoulder. But he's not concerned.

''I hope they worry about that and maybe not the play they are running or something like that,'' he said. ''If I miss a play, it's not because of the shoulder. I just missed a play. I'm not going to use it as a kick stand or an excuse or anything. If I am out there, I'm ready to go. I will be ready for Green Bay.''

Durango53

08-30-2006, 10:08 AM

Bears DT Tank Johnson's exhibition debut Thursday night comes with a warning label for Cleveland quarterbacks. "I just want to hit the quarterback," Johnson said. "I haven't hit a quarterback in a long time. I'm a specialist. I sack the quarterback. I want to make sure the coaches know that, my teammates know that as well as myself. I want to make sure I still got it. So I'm going to go put a big hit on somebody real early."

Chisox73

08-31-2006, 09:46 PM

Rex Grossman is 5/8 for 73 yards and a TD in the 1st half of play against the Cleveland Browns.Yes I said a TD pass.:eek: Grossman's TD pass was a 6-yards to Desmond Clark.

The Bears acored on thier 1st 2 possesions as they lead the Browns 10-7 at the start of the 2nd half.

Kyle Orton is seeing some action in the game as he went 4/7 for 38 yards and an INT.Brian Griese is 1/3 for 11 yards so far.

Chisox73

08-31-2006, 09:47 PM

Adrian Peterson has 37 yards rushing on 7 carries in the 1st half.Thomas Jones has 14 yards on 6 carries.

Chisox73

09-02-2006, 09:45 PM

Bears say goodbye to 2003 first-round pick
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2356

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Defensive lineman Michael Haynes, the 14th overall pick in the 2003 draft, was among the final cuts Saturday as the Bears reached the NFL’s mandatory 53-man roster limit.

The 6-4, 283-pounder from Penn State failed to perform up to expectations in three seasons with the Bears, registering 89 tackles and 5½ sacks while playing in 43 games with four starts.

A backup who didn’t contribute much on special teams, Haynes was placed on the inactive list for six games last season including the Bears’ playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Haynes’ most productive season came in 2004 when he registered a career-high 41 tackles and returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in an overtime win at Tennessee.

Haynes was moved from end to tackle during the offseason, but he lined up at end in Thursday night’s preseason finale in Cleveland because Alex Brown and Israel Idonije were out with injuries. Haynes had one tackle, one pass breakup and three hits on the quarterback in the game.

Other players the Bears released Saturday were fullback Keith Belton, defensive end Jamaal Green, offensive tackle Mark LeVoir, running back P.J. Pope, guard Tyler Reed, punter Joel Stelly, linebacker Rod Wilson and tight end Cooper Wallace.

Chicago also terminated the contract of wide receiver Alex Bannister and placed safety Brandon McGowan on the physically unable to perform list, making him ineligible to play the first six weeks of the season. McGowan tore his ACL in the 2005 season finale at Minnesota.

Of the players who were released, the only two who ever suited up in a regular season game for the Bears were Haynes and Belton, whose only appearance came in the 2004 season finale.

Aside from Haynes, the only other draft picks to be cut were Wilson, a 2005 seventh-round choice who missed his rookie season with a knee injury; and Reed, a 2006 sixth-round pick.

Five of the Bears’ seven draft picks made the final roster: Safety Danieal Manning, cornerback Devin Hester, linebacker Jamar Williams, defensive end Mark Anderson and fullback J.D. Runnels. Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was placed on injured reserve last week.

In addition to Anderson and Runnels, other players thought to be on the bubble who earned spots on the 53-man roster include wide receiver Airese Currie, offensive lineman Anthony Oakley and defensive tackle Antonio Garay.

The Bears, of course, will monitor the waiver wire and could make additional roster moves as early as Sunday. Last season, offensive lineman Steve Edwards and cornerback Jerrell Pippens both survived final cuts only to be released the next day when the Bears claimed cornerbacks Daven Holly and Chris Thompson off waivers from the 49ers and Jaguars, respectively.

Some of the players the Bears cut Saturday could be signed to the eight-man practice squad, which can be established beginning Sunday.

skineg

09-03-2006, 11:13 AM

Like a Jackass, everytime I hear about the Bears, and I love football so this is a lot, I can't help but yell DA BEARS. Wow I'm a schmuck sometimes.

PEACE
Brett

PS
Question: If Ditka and God were playing golf, who would win?

Answer: Trick question, Ditka is God!

Durango53

09-06-2006, 09:53 AM

WR's Rod Gardner and Darius Watts worked out at Halas Hall along with rookie Greg Lee as Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith got a look at what's out there that might help a roster that has not been able to achieve any consistency at wide receiver since training camp opened. With Charles Rogers not in the group, it's a sign the team does not have interest in the former No. 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions.

Durango53

09-06-2006, 09:54 AM

Brian Urlacher never has been about "I" and always has focused on the ultimate prize. And with the Bears beginning their NFC North title defense Sunday in Green Bay, he knows his window is closing. Still, playing at an extremely high level on the edge of his seventh NFL season, Urlacher has been one-and-done twice in his postseason experiences. He knows he can't play forever. He also knows all 22 starters return for the Bears, and off-season additions bolstered the league's stingiest scoring defense. "With free agency and injuries, it's hard to keep teams together forever and this is probably our best chance to win it all," Urlacher said. "Teams also get split up because of money reasons. This is definitely our best shot."

Chisox73

09-06-2006, 09:08 PM

Sept.10 @ Green Bay Packers W 26-0
Sept.17 vs. DETROIT LIONS W 34-7
Sept.24 @ Minnesota Vikings W 19-16
Oct.1 vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS W 37-6
Oct.8 vs. BUFFALO BILLS W 40-7
Oct.16 @ Arizona Cardinals W 24-23
Oct.22 Bye Week
Oct.29 vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS W 41-10
Nov.5 vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS L 31-13
Nov.12 @ New York Giants W 38-20
Nov.19 @ New York Jets W 10-0
Nov.26 @ New England Patriots L 17-13
Dec.3 vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS W 23-13(Bears clinch NFC North)
Dec.11 @ St.Louis Rams W 42-20
Dec.17 vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS W 34-31(OT)(Bears clinch home field)
Dec.24 @ Detroit Lions W 26-21
Dec.31 vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS L 26-7

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
Jan.14 vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS W 27-24(OT)

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Jan.21 vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS W 39-14

SUPER BOWL XLI @ MIAMI
Feb. 4 vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 5 pm CBS

All game times Central Time

Chisox73

09-06-2006, 09:10 PM

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2373

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - All eight Bears players on Wednesday’s injury report are listed as questionable, meaning that they have a 50 percent chance of playing in Sunday’s season opener in Green Bay.

The list consists of defensive ends Alex Brown (shoulder) and Israel Idonije (ankle), safety Mike Brown (Achilles), running back Cedric Benson (shoulder), receivers Mark Bradley (hip) and Justin Gage (rib), tight end Gabe Reid (back) and fullback J.D. Runnels (ankle). Of that group, only Gage, Idonije and Reid did not practice Wednesday.

rockin500

09-10-2006, 04:28 PM

whoa! was that a 49 bomb i saw? :eek: bears offense looked good on the first drive

Baseball Guru

09-10-2006, 04:35 PM

Grossman was real sharp:thumbsup:

rockin500

09-10-2006, 04:46 PM

Grossman was real sharp:thumbsup:
not on the INT. of course if thomas jones throws more than a token block, he probably doesnt make that throw into triple coverage (thereby avoiding a bonecrushing sack)

rockin500

09-10-2006, 10:48 PM

holy crap did the bears kick ass. 26-0 pasting of the packers. :)

Tigers#1

09-10-2006, 11:15 PM

Next week will be fun. Especially after the Lions shut down the Seahawks entire offence.

My prediction:
Lions 4
Bears 2

Chisox73

09-11-2006, 04:25 PM

This was the 1st time since 1991 that the Packers have been shut out,and the 1st time a Brett Favre-led offense has been shut out.

Chisox73

09-11-2006, 04:29 PM

Grossman was 18/26 for 262 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.His passing rating is 98.6 after Week 1.

Thomas Jones carried the ball 21 times for 63 yards.Cedric Benson had 11 carries for 34 yards.

Muhsin Muhammed had 6 catches for 102 yards.Desmond Clark had 5 for 77 yards.Bernard Berrian had a 49-yards TD catch.

Chisox73

09-12-2006, 09:46 PM

Bears' shutout wins customers $300,000 in free furniture
September 12, 2006
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bears-furniturepromotion&prov=ap&type=lgns

CHICAGO (AP) -- It all started with a little trash-talking.

Randy Gonigam, a Kendall County furniture store owner and "huge Bears fan," got tired of players bragging about their defense, so he decided to put his money on it.

Over Labor Day weekend, Gonigam's World Furniture Mall in Plano offered customers free furniture -- up to $10,000 -- if the Chicago Bears shut out the Green Bay Packers in their season opener.

Four quarters, 206 customers and about $300,000 later, Gonigam is still a little shell-shocked.

"This is beyond our wildest dreams," he said.

The Bears blanked the Packers 26-0 Sunday, ending Green Bay's 233-game scoring streak and giving Brett Favre the first shutout of his 16-year NFL career.

The idea that it was a long shot didn't keep him from insuring the store for up to $300,000 worth of furniture with a company that specializes in insuring prize reimbursements.

Gonigam got the idea to offer full refunds over Labor Day weekend after hearing Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher brag that the team would have the best defense in the NFL this year.

"As a Chicago sports fan, you get frustrated," he said. "I thought, 'Prove it."'

Customer and expectant mother Kathleen Spayer, 40, went back into the store Monday to make sure her $5,000 master bedroom suite was really free.

"It's the luckiest year of my life," she said.

Plano is about 45 miles southwest of Chicago.

Durango53

09-15-2006, 09:55 AM

The issue of Detroit receiver Roy Williams' "guarantee" will be settled on Sunday but "if I scored six points and lost, I don't know if I'd be guaranteeing victories," said linebacker Brian Urlacher, who heard Williams say the Lions left 40 points on the field. Never mind that the Lions have not scored 40 points since Week 1 in 2003. "There's a big difference between six and 40," Urlacher said, laughing. "Thirty-four."

Chisox73

09-15-2006, 09:58 PM

Hunter Hillenmeyer LB Head- Questionable
Israel Idonije DT Ankle-Questionable
Gabe Reid TE Back-Questionable
Chris Harris FS Ankle-Questionable
Justin Gage WR Rib-Questionable

Chisox73

09-15-2006, 10:13 PM

Who did the Bears defeat for thier only win of the 1969 season?

Chisox73

09-15-2006, 10:18 PM

Bears take Williams' guarantee in stride
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2409

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – If brash Lions receiver Roy Williams was hoping to get a rise out of the Bears after guaranteeing a Detroit victory Sunday at Soldier Field, he’s going to be disappointed.

Chicago players and coaches reacted with amusement and indifference but weren’t angry or insulted by the bold statements that Williams made to members of the media Monday in Detroit.

http://www.chicagobears.com/UserFiles/Image/story_photos/Vasher_inside091306.jpg
Roy Williams can only watch as Nathan Vasher intercepts a pass in the Bears' 38-6 win over the Lions last season in Chicago.

“He’s got to do what he’s got to do to motivate his team,” said defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. “I’m glad he has confidence in himself and his team. You want to play against guys who have confidence. We have confidence in ourselves too.

“I’m not mad and it’s not going to make me play any harder because our goal is to go to the Super Bowl and beat Detroit regardless of what he said, so it doesn’t bother me.”

When asked about facing the Bears one day after the Lions had failed to score a touchdown in a season-opening 9-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Williams said: “We will win this game. Y’all can take that as a guarantee or whatnot, but we will win this game.”

Cornerback Nathan Vasher, who lined up against Williams for four years at the University of Texas, admitted that he was surprised to hear what his friend and former teammate had said.

“I think that probably some words might have gotten mixed up—or I don’t know if he really meant it,” Vasher said. “But if it’s out there, it’s out there. I think we’re probably the wrong team to try to give any kind of fuel to the fire. (But) we’re going to go and try to win a ballgame like we always were (before the comments were made).

“Roy’s a real passionate guy. He’s real emotional about playing the game of football and he wants his team to perform well. If this is what it takes to get them going, then that’s just what it is.”

In three career games against the Bears, Williams has caught 12 passes for 198 yards and 1 touchdown. Last season he had five receptions for 96 yards including a 51-yard TD in a 38-6 loss Sept. 18 in Chicago and did not play in the rematch in Detroit due to a quadriceps injury.

In his comments Monday, Williams lamented how the Lions offense self-destructed against the defending NFC champions.

“When we play the way we’re supposed to play, like our defense played the way they played Sunday … I don’t think there’s any team in this league that can beat us,” he said. “We’re really close. We watched film. It was stupid how close we were to putting 40 points on the board. Offensively, we beat ourselves.

"No defense can stop us, in my opinion. That’s only in my opinion. We are our only defense.”

Maybe so, but Williams and the Lions will be facing a Bears defense that shut out the Packers last Sunday for the first time in quarterback Brett Favre’s 15 seasons in Green Bay. In 2005, the unit allowed the fewest points in the NFL—including a league-record 61 in eight home games—and ranked second in total yards.

“That’s a challenge and I wouldn’t be challenging our defense,” said Bears wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who tutored Williams while working in the same role at Texas. “Probably if I was in that (meeting) room with Roy I’d say now you better go out there and you better back it up.”

Coach Lovie Smith insisted Wednesday that he isn’t worried about his players becoming involved in a war of words with Williams during the days leading up to Sunday’s game.

“We’re not into that,” Smith said. “We have a game to play this week. I don’t know exactly what Roy Williams said … I just know the Lions are coming. I know Roy’s a good football player and the game will be decided on the field. It’s as simple as that. I think our players know that.”

Williams might not have said anything had he first spoken with Lance Briggs. The Bears linebacker guaranteed a win over Indianapolis in 2004, then watched Peyton Manning throw four touchdown passes and Edgerrin James rush for 204 yards in a 41-10 rout at Soldier Field.

“It was so long ago I don’t really remember (the details), but I do remember we got spanked,” Briggs said. “I didn’t mean to guarantee the game. I didn’t mean to do it. But I got backed into a corner and I couldn’t say no. I just did it. I went through with it. I said, ‘Fine, I’ll do it.’ It was my own fault. I put my own foot in my mouth. I won’t do that again.”

Briggs believes that Williams was simply trying to motivate his teammates heading into an important division game against the defending NFC North champions.

“I think sometimes guys are put in a position where—and I’m not trying to speak for him—sometimes your team needs something,” Briggs said. “By saying the things that he said, it gets a fire started. Fortunately, right here in Chicago we don’t feel a need to do that.”

rockin500

09-17-2006, 01:03 PM

is there a worse analyst than tim ryan?

rockin500

09-17-2006, 02:00 PM

beautiful catch by berrian!

Tigers#1

09-17-2006, 04:31 PM

HAHAHAHA!!! I love the Lions. HAHAHAHA!!! :clap:

rockin500

09-17-2006, 08:01 PM

roy williams must feel good right about now.

Durango53

09-17-2006, 09:31 PM

roy williams must feel good right about now.

I wonder now how many points they could have put up this week.
What was it last week he said they could have put up 40 and got 3?
So this week could they have threw up 60?
:D

Oh well WHO IS NEXT!!!!!! ;)

Going to be a fun week huh Bears fans!!! :doublefin :doublefin :doublefin

:D

Chisox73

09-20-2006, 09:17 PM

Red-hot Grossman passes Bears to 2-0 start
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2429

CHICAGO – One of quarterback Rex Grossman’s primary goals this season was to lift the passing game onto equal footing with the Bears’ top-10 defense and running game.

The 2003 first-round draft pick more than accomplished that objective in Sunday’s home opener, completing 20 of 27 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns to propel the Bears to a 34-7 victory over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

“We went after them a little bit and it felt really good to put up some points,” Grossman said. “Thirty-four points is a pretty good performance. Anytime we do that we’re going to win, but anytime our defense keeps any team to seven points we think we’re going to win as well."

One week after crushing the Packers 26-0 in Green Bay, the Bears took a commanding 24-0 halftime lead and cruised to their second straight lopsided victory.

“Everything seemed to work today," Grossman said. "Our offensive line did a great job giving me time. (Coordinator) Ron Turner put me in a lot of good situations and then we were able to capitalize once we were in those situations. So it was a total team effort and that’s always the most fun to see.”

The Bears defense did its part, registering six sacks and three turnovers while limiting the Lions running game to just 46 yards on 14 attempts, an average of 3.3 yards per carry.

Grossman set career highs in passing yards and quarterback rating (148.0) for the second straight week. He also became the first Bears quarterback to throw four TD passes in a game since Cade McNown accomplished the feat in a 28-10 win over the Lions Dec. 19, 1999 at Soldier Field.

“He was super hot,” said safety Mike Brown. “He was putting the ball where he was supposed to, the receivers were making great catches and we were running the ball pretty well. It’s easy to play football when our offense is doing that. They played great today. Hopefully we get that the rest of the year.”

Grossman, who was replaced by backup quarterback Brian Griese with 7:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, had thrown a total of five touchdown passes in nine career regular-season games prior to Sunday.

The former Florida star tossed scoring passes of 5 and 3 yards to John Gilmore, 41 yards to Bernard Berrian and 31 yards to Desmond Clark. Grossman was not sacked by a Lions defense that had registered five sacks in a 9-6 season-opening loss to Seattle a week earlier.

“Our offensive line did a (heck) of a job,” Grossman said. “They are the best in the league in my opinion. (Pro Bowl center) Olin (Kreutz) is up front directing people and going up against (Pro Bowl defensive tackle) Shaun Rogers, and those guys were unbelievable. Anytime you get time to throw, you’re going to put defenses at a disadvantage.”

Tight ends Clark (5 catches for 85 yards and 1 TD) and Gilmore (2-8-2) combined for seven catches for 93 yards and 3 TDs.

Sunday’s victory boosted the Bears’ record to 2-0 for the first time since 2002 and just the second time in 15 seasons. In its first two games this year, Chicago has outscored NFC North rivals Green Bay and Detroit by a combined total of 60-7.

The Bears defense set the tone early by generating two takeaways on the Lions’ first four plays from scrimmage. The offense converted the turnovers into a touchdown and field goal as Chicago jumped to a quick 10-0 lead for the second straight week.

Tank Johnson sacked quarterback Jon Kitna on Detroit’s opening possession of the game, forcing a fumble that Brian Urlacher recovered at the Lions’ 3-yard line.

It wasn’t the type of start that Lions receiver Roy Williams envisioned earlier in the week when he guaranteed a Detroit win.

“It was huge for momentum,” Johnson said. “They came in here talking all their noise and I think that quieted them down pretty early. It was just one of those plays that when you run the defense like it’s supposed to be run, you run into good situations and it worked out for us.”

Two plays after the turnover, Grossman faked a handoff to Thomas Jones (21 carries for 64 yards) and tossed a 3-yard TD pass to a wide open Gilmore, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead with 10:11 left in the first quarter.

The Bears defense then generated its second takeaway in as many possessions as Alex Brown stripped the ball from running back Kevin Jones and recovered the fumble at the Chicago 40.

“Most times when you have a game like that, takeaways determine the winner,” said coach Lovie Smith. “We put a big emphasis on it. But you have to be able to do it and our guys know the importance of those.”

The Bears advanced to the Detroit 14 as Grossman completed a 19-yard pass to Clark, Thomas Jones ran for 10 yards and Lions cornerback Dre’ Bly was penalized 16 yards for pass interference. But the Bears settled for Robbie Gould’s 32-yard field goal, extending their lead to 10-0 with 6:19 remaining in the opening period.

After a Detroit punt, Berrian’s diving 41-yard TD reception off another play-action fake in the right corner of the end zone widened the margin to 17-0 early in the second quarter. Berrian celebrated by jumping into the stands, a move that he later dubbed “The Bear Bounce.”

“I was tired of the ‘Lambeau Leap’ and everybody else doing it,” said Berrian, who caught five passes for 89 yards. “I hadn’t seen somebody doing it in Chicago for a while.”

Charles Tillman’s 42-yard pass interference penalty gave the Lions a first down at the Chicago 12. But the Bears defense held and Jason Hanson missed a 40-yard field goal attempt wide right.

The Bears struck again moments later as Grossman tossed a 31-yard TD pass to Clark. The veteran tight end outleaped cornerback Fernando Bryant at the 4 before whirling around and dashing into the end zone to make it 24-0 with 3:36 left in the first half.

The Lions opened the second half by marching 86 yards on 10 plays capped by Kitna’s 1-yard TD plunge, cutting the deficit to 24-7 with 10:20 remaining in the third quarter.

It appeared that Detroit had scored again later in the period when linebacker Boss Bailey intercepted a Grossman pass intended for Clark and returned it 28 yards for an apparent TD. But the play was nullified by a hands-to-the-face penalty on cornerback Jamar Fletcher.

Grossman then tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 5-yarder to Gilmore, to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive and extend the Bears’ lead to 31-7.

Gould provided the final points early in the fourth quarter with a 45-yard field goal, his sixth of the season without a miss.

Chisox73

09-20-2006, 09:18 PM

Potent passing game exceeding expectations
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2440

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With a healthy Rex Grossman back under center, the Bears expected their offense to take flight this season. But virtually no one anticipated just how prolific the passing attack would be in back-to-back blowout wins over the Packers and Lions.

After two games, Grossman ranks first in the NFL with a 128.7 quarterback rating and an average of 10.4 yards per attempt and is tied with the Giants’ Eli Manning and the Eagles’ Donovan McNabb for the league lead with five TD passes.

“We’ve always known that we had a good offense,” Grossman said. “It was just a matter of executing the plays that were there to be made. The first couple games, we definitely have. I’m really excited about how the season has gone so far.”

After passing for 262 yards and 1 touchdown in a 26-0 rout of the Packers in the opener, Grossman delivered an even more impressive performance in Sunday’s 34-7 win over the Lions. He became the first Bears quarterback to throw 4 TD passes in a game since Cade McNown in 1999 and set career highs in yards (289) and passer rating (148.0) for the second straight week.

“We knew we had the potential to do these things,” tight end Desmond Clark said Sunday. “To say we were going to come out and throw four touchdowns and almost 300 yards, I don’t think we were really expecting that. But we weren’t expecting to come out here and be lousy either.

“When you execute, that’s what happens. We went up and made some plays with people hanging on us. Rex put the ball in spots where he gave us a chance to go up and make a play and guys went up and made plays.”

Grossman has operated the offense with maximum efficiency so far in 2006 after missing significant portions of his first three NFL seasons with well-documented injuries.

“It’s not surprising, not to anybody in this locker room,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “Everybody knows him and knows nothing’s going to keep him down.

“He’s gone through some tough things in the last couple years that mentally a lot of guys would have been shaken by and had a hard time coming back from. But not Rex. He’s tough and he’s resilient and he’s going to keep fighting. He is a fighter, there’s no question about that.”

With Grossman directing a suddenly explosive offense, the Bears have scored on four of their first five possessions in each of their first two games. The quarterback has utilized all of his weapons this season, completing 18 passes to wide receivers, 12 to tight ends and 8 to backs.

A Bears offense that ranked 29th overall and 31st passing last year has rocketed up to 7th overall and 5th passing after two games this season. Grossman has completed six passes of at least 27 yards in two games, just four short of the total the Bears produced all of last year.

“It’s a whole lot more fun,” said receiver Bernard Berrian, who has caught TD passes of 49 and 41 yards in the first two games. “We’re spreading the ball around on offense. The running backs are doing their job, the tight ends are doing their job and the receivers are doing their job.

“It’s kind of nice not to hear about the defense all the time and (have people wonder) ‘what’s the offense going to do?’”

While averaging only 2.8 yards per carry against defenses geared to stop the run, the Bears have still been able to control the ball and the clock. They were successful on 6 of 12 third-down chances against the Lions, sustaining drives and keeping the Chicago defense off the field.

“It seemed like they were converting every third down and that’s crucial,” said safety Mike Brown. “We get crucial rest. It gets their defense tired and we were able to put points on the board, and that’s what it’s all about, so it was a pretty impressive day.”

Chisox73

09-20-2006, 09:20 PM

The Bears signed WR Dan Sheldon to their practice squad.They also waived WR Harry Williams,Jr.

Chisox73

09-20-2006, 09:31 PM

The Chicago Bears have had 13 numbers reitred,the most in the NFL,and the 2nd most in all of professional sports.Only baseball's NY Yankees have retired more numbers(15).

Here are the Bears retired jersey numbers;

3 Bronko Nagurski, RB-T (1930-37; 43)
5 George McAfee, RB-DB (1940-41; 45-50)
7 George Halas, E (1920-29)
28 Willie Galimore, RB (1957-63)
34 Walter Payton, RB (1975-87)
40 Gale Sayers, RB (1965-71)
41 Brian Piccolo, RB (1966-69)
42 Sid Luckman, QB (1939-50)
51 Dick Butkus, LB (1965-73)
56 Bill Hewitt, E (1932-36)
61 Bill George, LB (1952-65)
66 Clyde "Bulldog" Turner, C-LB (1940-52)
77 Harold "Red" Grange, RB-DB (1925;29-34)

Chisox73

09-21-2006, 04:56 PM

This year's 1st round draft pick,FS Danieal Manning has replaced 2nd-year player Chris Harris as the starting free safety.

Read more here. (http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2446)

Durango53

09-22-2006, 09:55 AM

While I dont bet anything mostly on Vikings games how I am willing to bet an Avatar?

Any Bears fans want to give it a go??? :D

Durango53

09-22-2006, 09:56 AM

Spitball67

09-22-2006, 11:32 AM

I have seen some discussions about having Devin Hester do a few plays on offense. Any plans by the Bears coaching staff to do this? It's been discussed internally and Hester would welcome any chance to get his hands on the football. Any plan would not have to be elaborate -- maybe a handful of plays per game that include a reverse or side-screen similar to what Carolina does with Steve Smith or simply a go route to let Hester take advantage of his 4.27 speed. The Bears haven't had to rely on gimmicks or trickery yet in two games but the Hester-to-offense option is not something that has been entirely ruled out at Halas Hall.

I seem to recall one of the local sports talk stations asking Hester about this and he said that the coaches did discuss the possibility of using him on offense. But that's about it, just discussion. Of course putting him on offense as a WR and telling him to run as fast as he can down the field isn't exactly something they need to spend much practice time on.

Chisox73

09-23-2006, 09:35 PM

Bears free safety Charlie Harris vows to work even harder after he was demoted in favor of rookie Danieal Manning this week.

Read more here. (http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2453)

Chisox73

09-23-2006, 09:37 PM

Rex Grossman's ex-Florida teammates Alex Brown,Ian Scott,and Todd Johnson are not surprised by the red-hot start of QB Rex Grossman.

Read more here. (http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2448)

Chisox73

09-23-2006, 09:38 PM

Who did the Bears defeat for thier only win of the 1969 season?
There's still the 1st trivia question waiting to be answered.:cool:

Chisox73

09-23-2006, 09:43 PM

FS Chris Harris; questionable(ankle)
WR Airese Curry; questionable(shoulder)
LS Patrick Mannelly; questionable(illness)
DT Isreal Idonije; questionable(ankle)

Durango53

09-23-2006, 11:05 PM

There's still the 1st trivia question waiting to be answered.:cool:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Chisox73

09-23-2006, 11:19 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers

Correct!:thumbsup:

It was a 38-7 trouncing of the Steelers at Wrigley Field.Both the Steelers and the Bears,finished with identical 1-13 records in 1969.

The Steelers won a coin flip that off season to decide who gets the 1st pick in the 1970 NFL Draft.The Steelers picked some guy named Terry Bradshaw.

Meanwhile,the Bears traded thier pick to Green Bay.:no:

Chisox73

09-30-2006, 08:17 PM

Rex Grossman's 24-yard TD pass to Rashied Davis with under 2 minutes remaining lifted the Bears to thier 1st 3-0 start since 1991 witha 19-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome.

The late score came after Vikings QB Brad Johnson fumbled the handoff to Chester Taylor with 3:25 remaining in regulation.

Grossman was 23/41 for 278 yards witha TD and 2 INTs.Muhsin Muhammed had 9 catches for 118 yards.Bernard Berrian had 6 catches for 70 yards,and Rashied Davis had 3 catches for 48 yards and the game winning TD in the 4th.

Robbie Gould had 4 FGs in the game.

Chisox73

09-30-2006, 08:20 PM

Bears CB Ricky Manning,Jr. pleaded no contest to an assault charge stemming from an incident at a restaurant near the UCLA campus.

Read more here. (http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2473)

Chisox73

09-30-2006, 08:22 PM

Bears put Williams on IR, sign Wilson
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2472

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Tuesday placed rookie linebacker Jamar Williams on injured reserve and moved first-year linebacker Rod Wilson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The team also made a practice squad move involving two wide receivers, signing Brandon Rideau and waiving Dan Sheldon.

Williams injured his chest while covering a kickoff late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 19-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings. In three games this season, the fourth-round draft pick from Arizona State registered three special teams tackles and broke up one pass on defense.

Williams is the Bears’ second 2006 draft pick to land on injured reserve, following third-round defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who is out for the season with a foot injury.

Wilson, a 2005 seventh-round pick from South Carolina, spent his entire rookie year on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury in a preseason win over the Buffalo Bills. Wilson was waived during final cuts Sept. 2 before being signed to the practice squad the next day.

Rideau joined the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2005 out of Kansas. He split his rookie year between Cleveland’s practice squad and active roster, but did not appear in a regular-season game. Rideau was waived by the Browns Aug. 28.

Chisox73

09-30-2006, 08:24 PM

Grossman named NFC Offensive Player of Month
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2480
http://www.chicagobears.com/UserFiles/Image/story_photos/Grossman_inside092006.jpg

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Having revived the passing game while leading the Bears to a 3-0 start, quarterback Rex Grossman on Thursday was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.

The former Florida star has operated the offense with maximum efficiency so far in 2006 after missing significant portions of his first three NFL seasons with well-documented injuries.

While improving his regular-season record as a starter to 7-3, Grossman leads the NFL with an average of 8.8 yards per attempt, is tied for third with a career-high six TD passes and ranks fifth with 829 passing yards and a 100.9 passer rating.

“It just shows that we’re off to a good start as an offense,” Grossman said. “I think that’s pretty much a team award when your quarterback wins something like that. A lot of guys have been playing well and have stepped it up, (offensive coordinator) Ron Turner included. I’m happy about it, but I think our offense should be just as happy.”

Grossman is the first Bears player to win the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award since September 1989 when running back Neal Anderson was honored after rushing for 359 yards and 3 TDs in the first three games of the season.

“I’m happy for Rex,” said wide receiver Bernard Berrian. “I’m glad someone on the offensive side of the ball is starting to get some recognition. I think he’s played extremely well.”

“He’s been working hard,” added fellow receiver Muhsin Muhammad. “I’m happy to see that his hard work has paid off and I just hope that he continues his success.”

After passing for 262 yards and 1 touchdown in a 26-0 rout of the Packers in the season opener, Grossman delivered an even more impressive performance in a 34-7 win over the Lions. He became the first Bears quarterback to throw 4 TD passes in a game since Cade McNown in 1999 and set career highs in yards (289) and passer rating (148.0) for the second straight week.

In last Sunday's thrilling 19-16 comeback victory at Minnesota, Grossman rebounded from a disastrous turnover to throw the first game-winning touchdown pass of his four-year career.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, his errant pass in the right flat was intercepted by cornerback Antoine Winfield and returned 7 yards for a TD, giving the Vikings a 13-9 lead. After the teams traded field goals, Grossman rifled a 24-yard scoring strike to receiver Rashied Davis with 1:53 remaining, enabling the Bears to open 3-0 for the first time since 1991.

“We’ve executed well, especially on third downs,” said Grossman, the 22nd overall pick in the 2003 draft. “We’ve come up with some big catches, which have allowed us to continue our drives. And the offensive line is always the No. 1 thing because they have to protect me in order for anything to work, and they’ve done a great job.”

Grossman’s emergence has helped an offense that ranked 29th overall and 31st passing last year rocket up to 6th overall and 5th passing. He has spread the ball around, completing 36 passes to wide receivers, 14 to tight ends and 11 to backs.

“It’s a great start, especially with people having doubt in me,” Grossman said. “It’s nice to get off to a good start like this, but it’s not going to mean anything unless I’m NFC Player of the Month next month too.”

Grossman is the first Bears quarterback to be named NFC Player of the Month since the inception of the award in 1986. Other Bears who have been selected as players of the month are linebacker Wilber Marshall (Dec. 1986) and defensive end Trace Armstrong (Sept. 1990) on defense; and kickers Kevin Butler (Nov. 1994 and Oct. 1995) and Paul Edinger (Nov. 2002) and punter Brad Maynard (Nov. 2001) on special teams.

“It gives you even more confidence to be acknowledged by others,” said coach Lovie Smith. “It’s saying an awful lot about what our receivers were able to get accomplished and it says an awful lot about our offensive line and the type of protection they’ve given. I think Rex is looking at all that, but he has to feel good about where he is at this stage.”

Smith also praised defensive tackle Tommie Harris and kicker Robbie Gould, saying that they deserved to be considered for player of the month awards as well. Harris has a team-high two sacks in three games and forced a key fumble against the Vikings, while Gould has made all 10 of his field goal attempts and leads the NFL in scoring with 37 points.

Chisox73

09-30-2006, 08:27 PM

WR Airese Currie(foot); out
TE Desmond Clark(foot); questionable
FS Chris Harris(ankle); questionable
WR Mark Bradley(ankle); doubtful

rockin500

10-01-2006, 10:46 PM

who are these bears and what have they done with the offensively challenged group that used to be around here.

34-6 late in the 3rd quarter and grossman is chucking it all over and the defense is dominant as usual tonight. and benson even has contributed some. not much running overall, but both benson and jones have runs of 20+ yards.

Im lovin it. :cool:

PissedPrincess

10-02-2006, 09:54 AM

So happy for Rex.:thumbsup:

Durango53

10-02-2006, 10:17 AM

WOW great game for the Bears!!!!!!!!!

To look at the offense of the Bears and what they have been doing makes the Vikings defense look very strong to hold the Bears to what they did last week. Now the Vikings look like they are where the Bears was last few years. :D

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 02:31 PM

In Chicago,the Bears are to,say the least,having thier way with the Buffalo Bills. The Bears go into the locker room clinging to a 27-0 lead.:banana:

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 02:41 PM

At the half,Rex Grossman is 11/17 for 137 yards and 2 TDs.

Thomas Jones has 10 carries for 53 yards,and Cedric Benson scored his 1st NFL TD in the 2nd quarter.

Bernard Berrian has a TD catch,and has caught 3 passes for 78 yards,including a 62 yard catch.

Defensively,Ricky Manning and Lance Briggs each have a pick.

rockin500

10-08-2006, 03:05 PM

alex brown has a pick now too.

bears lead 30-0 after just missing a long TD pass when berrian had his 2nd foot outta bounds.

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 03:07 PM

Bears have scored more points in the 1st 2 1/2 quarters today than they have given up all season.:eek:

That's what I like to call domination.:thumbsup:

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 03:24 PM

Rex Grossman fininshed for the day.He was 15/27 for 182 yards and 2 TDs.

Brian Griese now in at QB.

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 03:40 PM

Benson with a 1-yard TD run.Gould's PAt now makes it 40-0 Bears! with 5 minutes remaining in the game.

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 03:59 PM

Lee Evans breaks up the shutout wit a TD catch from JP Losman with under 1:06 remaining to make it 40-7.:(

This was the 1st time since Cincinnati's Carson Palmer hooked up with Chad Johnson in September,2005 than an opponent has scored a Td via the pass at Soldier Field.This was 352 pass plays ago.

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 04:00 PM

Soldier Field sounds like a morgue now. :laff:

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 04:01 PM

Bears win 40-7.:banana:

They are 5-0 for the 1st time since 1986.:thumbsup:

Chisox73

10-08-2006, 04:19 PM

1 2 3 4 T
Buffalo 0 0 0 7- 7
BEARS 6 21 3 10- 40

Rex Grossman 15/27 for 182 yards and 2 TDs.Brian Griese 4/4 for 29 yards.

Thomas Jones 22 carries for 109 yards.Cedric Benson 14 carries,48 yards and his 1st 2 NFL TDs.

Bernard Berrian,4 catches for 97 yards and a TD.Rashied Davis,3 catches,41 yards and a TD.

Robbie Gould with 4 FGs.

Mark Anderson had 2 sacks,Alex Brown had 1 sack and 1 INT.Ricky Manning had an INT.

Next up: At Arizona next Monday night.7:30pm ESPN

rockin500

10-16-2006, 09:39 PM

hey defense! start tackling!

hey offense, start moving the freakin ball!

rockin500

10-16-2006, 09:42 PM

nice stop there on defense. now its time to kick some ass. :2guns:

rockin500

10-16-2006, 10:21 PM

this team is lucky they are only down 20-0 right now. should be 35-0 right now, but dennis green went schottenheimer there in the 2nd quarter.

rockin500

10-16-2006, 11:05 PM

eh, 23-10 after anderson crushes leinart and mike brown recovers the fumble for a TD.

LesPaul

10-16-2006, 11:37 PM

i was smelling a comeback after that fumble for a TD

rockin500

10-16-2006, 11:53 PM

another fumble recovery for a TD. 23-17 now.

rockin500

10-16-2006, 11:54 PM

TD BEARS!!!!

wow crazy

Tigers#1

10-17-2006, 12:01 AM

It was 23-3 and i told my buddies to watch out for one of the greatest comebacks in history by the Bears.

rockin500

10-17-2006, 12:07 AM

holy shit. thats about all i can say.

rockin500

10-17-2006, 12:09 AM

bears had no business winning that game. 6 turnovers. no offensive touchdowns. and they still win? crazy.

Vince10984

10-17-2006, 12:59 AM

What did I just see?

redsfan

10-17-2006, 07:38 AM

Did I see that right? They held James to 55 yards with 36 carries. Why would they even continue to try and run the ball??? This may be the greatest defense ever.

Durango53

10-17-2006, 09:14 AM

bears had no business winning that game. 6 turnovers. no offensive touchdowns. and they still win? crazy.

Man I heard the score after I was done with my football games around the 3rd quarter. Thought it was done and didnt think to much of it. Turned it on for a second right before I went to bed to see Urlacker strip the ball and the Bears pull it out of there ass.

No touchdowns by the offense is that right! :eek:
Sometimes just have the golden touch...

Chisox73

10-17-2006, 04:33 PM

Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2548

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Maybe the Bears are a team of destiny.

Trailing the Cardinals 23-3 late in the third quarter Monday night in Arizona, Chicago staged a miraculous comeback, scoring two touchdowns on defense and one on special teams to escape with a stunning 24-23 victory.

“It’s meant to be,” guard Ruben Brown shouted as he left the field. “It’s meant to be.”

“That’s a good team,” linebacker Lance Briggs said of the Cardinals. “But the bottom line is that it’s a 60-minute game. You don’t ever give up.”

With the improbable win, the Bears improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1986 and increased their lead atop the NFC North to two and a half games over the Minnesota Vikings (3-2).

The Bears overcame six turnovers by quarterback Rex Grossman, who threw a career-high four interceptions and lost two fumbles while registering a hideous 10.7 passer rating. In the first half, the Cardinals converted four Grossman turnovers into 13 points in building a 20-0 halftime lead.

“I’ve never played so bad and won a game like that,” Grossman said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. That was unbelievable. I don’t know how to put it into words, how good our defense is and how big of plays they made. They could have done it by themselves tonight. It was just meant to be. We were supposed to win that game. For some reason, everything went our way when it needed to.”

Rookie defensive end Mark Anderson ignited the comeback, forcing rookie quarterback Matt Leinart to fumble on a blindside sack. Mike Brown scooped up the loose ball and returned it 3 yards for a TD, drawing the Bears to within 23-10 with :02 remaining in the third quarter.

Brown later left the game with a sprained foot and did not return.

The defense delivered again as Brian Urlacher ripped the ball away from running back Edgerrin James and Charles Tillman returned the fumble 40 yards for a TD, closing the gap to 23-17 with 5:00 left in the final period.

Rookie Devin Hester then produced the play of the game and perhaps the season, returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown to put the Bears ahead 24-23 with 2:58 to play.

Leinart responded by driving the Cardinals to the Bears’ 22, but Neil Rackers missed a 40-yard field goal attempt that may have deflected off Hunter Hillenmeyer’s fingertips and sailed wide left with :47 left.

“They moved it down there, but you still have to kick it,” said coach Lovie Smith. “Sometimes when you’re a team of destiny, things like that happen.”

The jubilant Bears streamed into their locker room after Monday night’s remarkable win, hooting and hollering so loud that Grossman had to raise his voice to be heard during his post-game press conference in an adjacent room.

It was a vast departure from the scene inside the locker room at halftime, where Brown and center Olin Kreutz were among a handful of veteran players who joined coaches in addressing the team.

“I’m still a little lightheaded from all of the excitement inside,” Smith said. “When you’re a good football team you have to go through some games like that. Down the way we were on the road, normally you don’t come out with those types of results. But we have a lot of character in that locker room. We got together at halftime and just said, ‘We’re not going to go out like that. We’re a lot better football team.’”

Urlacher played like a man possessed, refusing to let the Bears lose. In addition to forcing the key turnover, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year registered a game-high 19 tackles, two pass breakups and three hits on the quarterback.

“He’s a special football player,” Smith said. “In times like that, you need your best players to step up, and Brian did that.”

“He showed why he’s a superstar,” Grossman said. “He’s an unbelievable player and really that defense just picked it up and won the game for us.”

Monday night marked the first time the Bears have rallied from a 20-point deficit to win since Oct. 25, 1987 when they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-26.

The Bears entered Monday night’s contest having committed just five turnovers all season and averaging an NFL-best 31.2 points per game. Chicago won despite the six giveaways and an offense that produced just 168 total yards and nine first downs and possessed the ball for only 20:17.

“We know we made a lot of mistakes,” Smith said. “We’ll correct those. But we’re going to enjoy this one because they don’t come around very often like that.”

The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game as Leinart capped a 12-play, 77-yard drive with an 11-yard TD pass to receiver Bryant Johnson.

The Bears defense played on a short field the rest of the half as Arizona took over at the Chicago 25, 29, 33 and 32 following Grossman’s turnovers. Safety Aaron Francisco’s 44-yard interception return set up Leinart’s 26-yard TD pass to Anquan Boldin as the Cardinals increased their lead to 14-0 with :54 remaining in the first quarter.

“I tried to force a couple balls in there,” Grossman said. “They just did a great job of game-planning us and forcing me into things that I didn’t want to do.”

Leinart completed 24 of 42 passes for 232 yards in the game. The 10th overall pick in the draft from USC threw 2 touchdown passes in the opening period against a Bears defense that had allowed a total of just two TDs in its first five games of the season.

Rackers booted field goals of 41 and 28 yards as Arizona increased its lead to 20-0. After Robbie Gould’s 23-yarder on the Bears’ opening drive of the third quarter, Rackers answered with a 29-yarder that gave the Cardinals a seemingly safe 23-3 lead with 1:47 left in the third quarter.

Anderson then forced Leinart to fumble by beating veteran right tackle Oliver Ross with a speed rush around the edge, increasing his team-leading sack total to 6½. The fifth-round pick from Alabama made his first NFL start in place of Adewale Ogunleye, who missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

“Every game he’s played he’s come up with a big play for us,” Smith said of Anderson.

Brown extended his team record for defensive TDs to seven and became the Bears’ first defensive player to get into the end zone this season. After Tillman scored his second career TD, Hester zigzagged up the middle to give the Bears their first lead of the game.

“Before we went out on the field, all my teammates were saying, ‘We need a big play now,’” Hester said. “I give all the credit to my teammates. They set up the blocks for me and allowed me to get in the end zone.”

Chisox73

10-18-2006, 09:32 PM

BEARS 0 0 10 14- 24
Cardinals 14 6 3 0- 23

This was the 1st time in NFL history that a team came from 20 points down and win a game wiothout scoring an offensive touchdown.

PASSING;
Rex Grossman 14/37 for 148 yards,0 TDs and 4 INTs

RUSHING;
Thomas Jones; 11 rushes for 39 yards
Cedric Benson; 1 carry for 4 yards

RECEIVING;
Desmond Clark; 4 catches for 61 yards
Thomas Jones; 3 for 14 yards
Bernard Berrian; 2 for 31
Rashied Davis; 2 for 31

Chisox73

10-18-2006, 09:34 PM

Safety Mike Brown undergoes foot surgery
By ANDREW SELIGMAN, AP Sports Writer
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AgxSyVsfBvJOz87zrDZh8utDubYF?slug=ap-bears-browninjured&prov=ap&type=lgns

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears strong safety Mike Brown is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his right foot Wednesday, a major hit for the NFL's second-ranked defense.

Brown limped off the field and was taken from the sideline on a cart during the fourth quarter of Monday's 24-23 comeback victory at Arizona after his foot got twisted on a running play.

"Severe blow," coach Lovie Smith said. "I think we all know what Mike means to our football team. He's a special player. He was having an outstanding game. ... That's a big blow, but injuries do happen. Mike has been in this situation before."

Smith wasn't sure if Brown, a Pro Bowl pick last season, would be placed on injured reserve.

Brown played a key role as the Bears rallied from a 20-point deficit against the Cardinals.

The comeback began when he scooped up a loose ball after Mark Anderson sacked Matt Leinart at the end of the third quarter. Brown returned it 3 yards for a touchdown that made it 23-10. Charles Tillman returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown after Brian Urlacher ripped the ball from Edgerrin James in the fourth quarter, and Devin Hester put Chicago ahead when he ran a punt back 83 yards.

Finally, Arizona's Neil Rackers missed a 41-yard field goal with 53 seconds left, and the Bears celebrated, jumping around and pointing toward the sky. They were relieved and overjoyed. They improved to 6-0 with a bye this week, but the good vibe was tempered by Wednesday's news.

Brown is one of their emotional leaders, and they have not played well when he has been sidelined in recent seasons.

Brown missed 14 games with a torn right Achilles' tendon in 2004, and the injury-ravaged Bears went 5-11. With Brown nursing a strained calf late last year, the league's stingiest defense looked rather average. The Bears split the final four regular-season games, and with Brown seeing limited time in the playoff loss to Carolina, the Panthers' Steve Smith caught 12 passes for 218 yards and two long touchdowns.

"There's only one Mike Brown that has those qualities as a leader," Smith said. "What we need is to have a good football player step up and fill the role. Brian Urlacher, Adewale (Ogunleye), Alex Brown -- they'll take more of a leadership role."

Can the defense withstand this loss?

"It has to," Smith said. "We have to pick it up."

Brown's injury leaves the Bears thin at safety. Backup Chris Harris has missed three of the past four games with a pulled quadriceps and a sprained ankle. Brandon McGowan was suspended by the team for a week for violating a team rule, but is expected to be back Monday.

Brown's injury could mean more playing time for Todd Johnson, who replaced him on Monday, and Cameron Worrell.

"The encouraging thing is we have guys who can step in and make plays for us," cornerback Nathan Vasher said.

Dward00

10-19-2006, 12:05 AM

bears :wave1:

rockin500

10-19-2006, 07:04 AM

bears :wave1:
do you enjoy being an ass?

Dward00

10-19-2006, 08:05 AM

do you enjoy being an ass?

hm? Someone plz tell me why this is necessary?

rockin500

10-19-2006, 08:07 AM

hm? Someone plz tell me why this is necessary?
if you dont have anything to contribute, go away. now.

Dward00

10-19-2006, 08:11 AM

Well aren't you just a pleasant person. cya later. :confused:

Chisox73

10-24-2006, 04:28 PM

The NFL and NBC announced today that the 1st game of the new Sunday Night flex scheduling will involve the Bears and NY Giants.

The game at the Meadowlands on november 12th originally scheduled to air at noon Chicago time on FOX will now be seen at 7:15pm on NBC.

Dward00

10-25-2006, 12:49 AM

should be a good game

Chisox73

10-28-2006, 08:38 PM

Just a heads up here,the Bears will be wearing their jack-o-lantern orange jerseys when they square off against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field tomorrow afternoon.

You've been officially warned.;)

Chisox73

10-29-2006, 04:11 PM

San Francisco 0 0 0 10- 10
BEARS 24 17 0 0- 41
Records; Chicago 7-0, San Francisco 2-5

The Chicago Bears scored a franchise record tying 41 points in the 1st half en route to a 41-10 pasting of the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field.

Rex Grossman silenced his critics coming off his Monday Night debacle in Arizona by going 23/29 passing for 252 yards and 3 TDs while Brian Griese came in to mop up and going 2/3 for 1 yards.

Thomas Jones had 23 carries for 111 yards and a TD.Cedric Benson had 8 carries for 26 yards and a TD.

Desmond Clark had 6 catches for 86 yards and 2 TDs. Muhsin Muhammad had 5 catches for 65 yards and a TD.

The Bears had the ball for over 37 minutes in the game,racking up 402 yards in total offense.

Chicago is now 7-0 for the first time since thier Super Bowl season of 1985,and they host Miami at home next week.

Chisox73

10-29-2006, 07:36 PM

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER
CHI- FG Robbie Gould 43 Yd, 12:05. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards in 2:55.
CHI- TD Thomas Jones, 7 Yd run (Robbie Gould kick is good), 10:39. Drive: 3 plays, 15 yards in 1:18.
CHI-TD Muhsin Muhammad, 5 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 1:55. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards in 2:50.
CHI- TD Cedric Benson, 1 Yd run (Robbie Gould kick is good), 1:02. Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards in 0:40.

2ND QUARTER
CHI-TD Desmond Clark, 1 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 10:33. Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards in 3:54.
CHI-FG Robbie Gould 36 Yd, 3:15. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards in 5:16.
CHI- TD Desmond Clark, 27 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 0:10. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards in 1:02.

3RD QUARTER
None

4TH QUARTER
SF- FG Joe Nedney 23 Yd, 11:35. Drive: 9 plays, 94 yards in 4:53.
SF-TD Antonio Bryant, 16 Yd pass from Alex Smith (Joe Nedney kick is good), 6:49. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards in 3:08.

Dward00

10-30-2006, 01:42 AM

It's funny that most ppl didn't know who Rex Grossman was before last season. I know who he was because I play Madden, and he's always a young qb rated at about 80. Sometimes I use him if I'm starting a new dynasty league, but it seems like he always fails in about 4-5 seasons. :(

Madden will probably rate him at 98 if he continues this play and the bears win the superbowl............lol.

Chisox73

10-30-2006, 09:09 PM

In Grossmans first couple fo seasons,he's been injured. I think we're getting better than expected results from Rexy. All we asked from Rex this season was to stay injury free.

Chisox73

11-02-2006, 04:18 PM

Kreutz signs three-year contract extension
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2616

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears locked up the anchor of their veteran offensive line Thursday, signing center Olin Kreutz to a three-year contract extension through the 2010 season. Terms were not disclosed.

Having inked a six-year deal in March 2002, the five-time Pro Bowler wasn’t slated to become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2007 season. But in keeping with their philosophy to reward their own players, the Bears initiated contract talks with Kreutz’s agent, Mark Bartelstein.

“The Bears didn’t have to re-sign me right now and they did, and I’m thankful for that,” Kreutz said. “I can retire a Bear now and it means a lot to me.”

A 1998 third-round pick from Washington, Kreutz has started 61 straight and 86 of 87 games since 2001, missing only a Monday night contest in St. Louis in 2002 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Kreutz’s five Pro Bowl selections rank third in franchise history among offensive players, trailing only Walter Payton (10) and Jay Hilgenberg (7).

“I’m happy they did it. It was a smart move,” said left guard Ruben Brown, an eight-time Pro Bowler who is one of Kreutz’s closest friends on the team. “A guy of his caliber only comes along once in a while. He’s like a Larry Allen or a Jonathan Ogden or someone like that who you have to keep on your team because he makes everybody better.

“I know that for a fact because he’s made my game better. I wouldn’t be playing today if it wasn’t for him. He deserves every dime that he gets, but more than money he deserves the team to give him a commitment like they did. He’s shown everything that you would want from a leader. The financial part is one thing, but the main thing is that they’re saying Olin’s going to be here for a long time, and that’s great.”

With Kreutz starting all seven games this season, Rex Grossman has resuscitated the passing game while quarterbacking an offense that is averaging a NFL-high 31.6 points per game.

“He’s definitely proven that he is one of the best centers in the league, if not the best,” Grossman said. “Anytime you’re the best at your position, teams are going to keep you and keep paying you. From a quarterback’s standpoint, I’m extremely happy that he’s going to be here for a long time.

“He’s extremely smart and helps me out as far as protections and understanding what the defensive front is doing—not only me but the rest of the offensive linemen. That’s the mental part, which is invaluable. Then his physical part is one of the best in the league. He’s explosive, fast and quick and you can pull him around the ends and do things that not too many centers in the league can do.”

An emotional locker room leader, Kreutz is unquestionably the heart and soul of the offense. After addressing his teammates at halftime of the Arizona game Oct. 16, the Bears erased a 20-point deficit to stun the Cardinals 24-23.

“He’s an individual, but he’s very team-oriented,” said middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. “I’ve never met anyone else like him, I’ll tell you that much. He’s a great guy, and everyone on this team will tell you he’s a great guy. We like being around him. I’m just glad he’s on my team because I wouldn’t want to play against him.”

General manager Jerry Angelo was motivated to re-sign Kreutz due to both the center’s extraordinary ability and leadership qualities.

“Naturally it starts with the talent and he’s a very talented player,” Angelo said. “I said this to Olin: ‘Assuming that his play stays at this level and he continues to stay healthy, he should be out in that lobby on that Hall of Fame wall. There’s no reason that shouldn’t be a goal of his.

“As importantly—not next but as importantly—are the intangibles that he brings to our football team. That speaks volumes too. That’s what we see each and every day. That is as critical an area as anything and we’re sensitive to that, and when we see it, we’re going to reward it. If we’re going to embellish a time or two on a contract, it’ll probably be because of that.”

As an unrestricted free agent in 2002, Kreutz opted to re-sign a lucrative contract with the Bears after declining an even richer offer from the Miami Dolphins.

“He’s been very loyal to us,” Angelo said. “Not only has he been a good football player, he’s been a very loyal player, and I also told Olin this, that loyalty’s a two-way street. I wanted to make sure that he saw that firsthand from our perspective.”

“At that time I knew I wanted to be here,” Kreutz said Thursday. “Everybody talks about (turning down a better offer from Miami), but the Bears gave me a lot of money to come back. I wanted to stay here. I wanted to stay with my teammates and I wanted to stay a Bear.”

Now signed through 2010, Kreutz likely will spend his entire career with the Bears, a rarity in the NFL’s free agent era.

“It’s a big deal nowadays,” Kreutz said. “Not too many guys get to do it. I wasn’t thinking much about it, but when the Bears came to me, I thought about it a lot and it means a lot to stay with one team for a long time. It means a lot to me and obviously it meant a lot to them, so I’m happy about it.”

Chisox73

11-05-2006, 07:41 PM

Miami 0 14 7 10- 31
BEARS 3 7 3 0- 13

Records;BEARS 7-1, Dolphins 2-6

The Bears turned the ball over a season high 6 time as they were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 31-13 loss to the visiting Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field this afternoon.

The Fish scored 28 of thier 31 pioints off of Bear turnovers.

QB Rex Grossman was picked off 3 times in the game.He was 18/42 for 210 yards with a 30-yard Td pass to Muhsin Muhammed in the 2nd quarter.

The Bears lost 2 key players to injury in the game.WR Bernard Berrian sustained a rib injury in the 1st quarter,and LB Brian Urlacher injured his foot late in the game.

Justin Gage led Bear recievers with 2 catches for 52 yards.Muhsin Muhammed had 2 catches for 42 yards.

Thomas Jones had 20 carries for 69 yards,while Cedric Benson had 8 carriews for 34 yards.

SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER
CHI-FG Robbie Gould 38 Yd, 0:04. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards in 6:41.

2ND QUARTER
MIA- TD Marty Booker, 5 Yd pass from Joey Harrington (Olindo Mare kick is good), 10:47. Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards in 1:25.
MIA- TD Jason Taylor, 20 Yd interception return (Olindo Mare kick is good), 10:32.
CHI- TD Muhsin Muhammad, 30 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 1:57. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards in 3:01.

3RD QUARTER
MIA-TD Wes Welker, 6 Yd pass from Joey Harrington (Olindo Mare kick is good), 13:13. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards in 1:27.
CHI- FG Robbie Gould 38 Yd, 1:02. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards in 0:54.

4TH QUARTER
MIA- TD Chris Chambers, 24 Yd pass from Joey Harrington (Olindo Mare kick is good), 10:00. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards in 0:08.
MIA- FG Olindo Mare 20 Yd, 1:09. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards in 4:44.

rockin500

11-05-2006, 08:43 PM

that was bad, no bones about it.

Durango53

11-06-2006, 10:37 AM

Bears LB Brian Urlacher is scheduled to have an MRI Monday morning. He had been told that nothing appeared to be broken, but one concern was over a possible ligament injury, which sent safety Mike Brown to injured reserve. The last time Urlacher missed a game because of injury was 2004, when The Bears went 0-7 without him. Coach Lovie Smith added nothing at his postgame press conference to remove any lingering doubt. "We'll see exactly what it is," Smith said. Is it serious? "I hope not," Smith said.

rockin500

11-06-2006, 04:02 PM

WGN reports that he can play on sunday if he can man up and take the pain. he said he plans to play.

Spitball67

11-07-2006, 01:08 AM

I have also heard that Bernard Berrian will be out 2-4 weeks with a ribcage injury. Sucks because he was our best deep threat.

Durango53

11-07-2006, 12:48 PM

The Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher got some good news Monday when the foot injury he suffered in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins was diagnosed as a sprained left big toe, not a more serious ligament injury as feared. The news beyond that—whether the All-Pro middle linebacker will be able to face the New York Giants on Sunday night—will not be determined until later this week. But non-medical indicators Monday were encouraging. "I'm good, but my pride's a little busted up," Urlacher told the Tribune, laughing as much as he could after a bad home loss that ended an undefeated season. "In my mind it's a pain thing now, and I'm pretty good with pain. But we'll have to see." ... Insiders said Urlacher declared his intention to practice this week, though coaches and the team's medical staff were expected to be wary of that.

Durango53

11-07-2006, 12:56 PM

The Bears are 0-9, including the seven games LB Brian Urlacher missed with hamstring problems in 2004 and the first two games of his career, when he was backup to Rosevelt Colvin at strong-side linebacker.

Durango53

11-07-2006, 12:57 PM

Tony Dungy said that Bears Coach Lovie Smith "let me down. . . . I was hoping they would continue to win so they would get all that focus."

Chisox73

11-07-2006, 04:03 PM

On the cover of the Chicago Sun-Times,the palm tree that sits on the top of the front page next to the Bears helmet has been knocked over.:(

rockin500

11-12-2006, 10:00 PM

grossman started bad (interception and a fumble, though recovered) but threw a nice pass to make it 13-10. The line hasnt played well at all. no rushin (until a 25 yard draw play on) and not much pass blocking either.

13-10 going into the half.

rockin500

11-12-2006, 10:19 PM

hey moose, hold on to the ball next time. :Puter:

rockin500

11-12-2006, 11:14 PM

holy shit!!!! 108 yard touchdown return on a field goal miss.

GREAT deke by hester in the end zone to set it up

Dward00

11-13-2006, 12:23 AM

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Just call the Chicago Bears the best team in the NFC - and the New York Giants red-faced for falling asleep on a record-tying 108-yard missed field goal return by Devin Hester .

Hester fooled the Giants by standing in the back of the end zone for several seconds, then ran down the right sideline on his knockout-blow return as the Bears rallied for a 38-20 victory over the injury-ravaged Giants in their NFC showdown Sunday night.

On Nov. 13, 2005 - almost exactly a year ago - the Bears' Nathan Vasher caught Joe Nedney 's missed 52-yard field-goal attempt in the back of the end zone on the final play of the first half and ran it back for a 108-yard TD return. The play helped Chicago beat San Francisco 17-9, and now Hester shares the record for longest NFL play with his teammate.

Rex Grossman threw for three touchdowns and Thomas Jones scored on a short run as the Bears (8-1) rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit with 28 second-half points in ending a five-game winning streak by the Giants (6-3).

Not only did the Bears win, they answered the critics who surfaced last week after Miami knocked Chicago from the unbeaten ranks in a turnover-marred game.

Grossman had touchdown passes of 29 yards to Mark Bradley , 10 to Muhsin Muhammad and 2 to Desmond Clark in leading the Bears to a 24-13 lead in the third quarter.

The Giants cut the gap on Brandon Jacobs ' second touchdown run of the game late in the third quarter.

The game turned on Hester's third return for a touchdown this season - a most unexpected one.

Jay Feely , who had kicked two field goals, attempted a 52-yarder with 11:20 to play. The kick was short and Hester caught the ball 8 yards deep in the end zone. The rookie stood there for several seconds and then came out, circling the right side and speeding down the sideline almost untouched for a clinching score.

The teams brought two of the top defenses into the nationally television matchup that was moved to prime time by the NFL.

New York's 13-10 halftime lead was courtesy of its defense and special teams, with three scoring drives covering a total of 13 yards in winds gusting to 25 mph and intermittent showers.

Mathias Kiwanuka set up the Giants' touchdown with an interception on Chicago's first possession, returning it 32 yards to the Bears 1. Jacobs scored almost untouched.

The Bears' defense answered the next time New York had the ball. Charles Tillman , one of the cornerbacks called ''average'' by Giants receiver Plaxico Burress earlier in the week, intercepted a pass intended for Burress and returned it 11 yards to New York's 45.

A questionable roughing-the-passer penalty against Fred Robbins moved the ball to the 30 and Robbie Gould kicked a 49-yard field goal.

Giants safety Gibril Wilson forced a fumble by Jones at the Bears 31 on the penultimate play of the hour-long first quarter. Feely extended New York's lead to 10-3 with a 46-yard field goal.

The margin grew to 13-3 late in the second quarter. Chad Morton 's 36-yard punt return set up a 40-yard field goal by Feely.

At that point, the Giants seemed ready to stake their claim to not only being the NFC's best defense, but also the best team in the conference.

The Bears changed the momentum with one drive - and really one play.

Faced with a third-and-22 at their 28 with 1:30 left in the half, Jones got the ball on a draw. He went 26 yards for a first down and woke up the offense. After a 22-yard pass to Muhammad, Grossman capped the drive by finding Bradley on a touchdown pass when cornerback Sam Madison aggravated a hamstring injury on a stop-and-go pattern.

The score got the Bears within 13-10 at the half, and they played like a different team offensively the rest of the way.

Jones closed the scoring with a 2-yard run with almost half of the 78,000 fans at Giants Stadium already heading for the exits.

Grossman, who struggled for almost the entire first half, finished 18-of-30 for 246 yards. Muhammad had seven catches for 123.

Eli Manning struggled against Brian Urlacher and the Bears' vaunted defense. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. He finished 14-of-32 for 121 yards. Tiki Barber , who sprained a thumb, led New York with 141 yards on 19 carries.

The Giants came into the game missing five starters and they lost two more: Madison and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout , who broke his left leg.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Rex Grossman continues to impress.

Chisox73

11-13-2006, 05:15 PM

BEARS 3 7 14 14- 38
NY Giants 7 6 7 0- 20
Records; Chicago 8-1,NY Giants 6-3

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER
NYG- TD Brandon Jacobs, 1 Yd run (Jay Feely kick is good), 9:55. Drive: 1 play, 1 yards in 0:04.
CHI- FG Robbie Gould 49 Yd, 5:59. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards in 1:00.

2ND QUARTER
NYG-FG Jay Feely 46 Yd, 13:25. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards in 1:59.
NYG-FG Jay Feely 40 Yd, 2:21. Drive: 6 plays, 9 yards in 3:56.
CHI- TD Mark Bradley, 29 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 0:35. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards in 1:46.

3RD QUARTER
CHI- TD Muhsin Muhammad, 10 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 8:20. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards in 2:28.
CHI- TD Desmond Clark, 2 Yd pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick is good), 5:35. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards in 1:48.
NYG-TD Brandon Jacobs, 8 Yd run (Jay Feely kick is good), 3:26. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards in 2:09.

4TH QUARTER
CHI- TD Devin Hester, 108 Yd blocked FG return (Robbie Gould kick is good), 11:20.
CHI-TD Thomas Jones, 2 Yd run (Robbie Gould kick is good), 8:20. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards in 2:33.

Durango53

11-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Appropriately, Bears President Ted Phillips told WBBM-AM's Jeff Joniak during Sunday's pregame show that extending GM Jerry Angelo's contract would be the first order of business before addressing coach Lovie Smith's contract. Angelo's deal expires in 2008, and it makes sense to stabilize his terms before locking up the guy who's working for him. Both deals will take care of themselves

Durango53

11-14-2006, 12:34 PM

Bears fans seem to get a charge out of seeing Muhsin Muhammad catch a touchdown pass, followed by his between-the-legs crossover maneuver with the football as an end-zone celebration. "Moooose!" the fans yell. But NFL officials may be inclined to penalize the veteran receiver in the future, according to one member of the officiating crew who worked Sunday night's game against the Giants.

Chisox73

11-19-2006, 04:07 PM

BEARS 0 0 3 7- 10
NY Jets 0 0 0 0- 0
Records; Bears 9-1, NY Jets 5-5

The Chicago Bears pitched thier 2nd shutout of the season with a 10-0 blanking of the NY Jets at the Meadowlands.

After a scoreless 1st half,Robbie Gould put the Bears up with a 20-yard chip shot.Then early in the 4th quarter,Rex Grossman hooked up with Mark Bradley for a 57-yard TD strike.

Grossman was 11/22 passing for 119 yards and a TD.Thomas Jones had 121 yards on the ground on 23 carries.

Defensively,Brian Urlacher had 10 tackles and picked off a Chad Pennington pass in the end zone in the 1st quarter.

rockin500

11-19-2006, 07:13 PM

kind of ugly, but the defense was beautiful. :D

Chisox73

11-22-2006, 10:09 PM

The NFL suspended Bears CB Ricky Manning,Jr. for Sunday's game at New England for his role in a Los Angeles restaurant altercation back in April.The incident occued 2 days after Manning inked a 5-year,$21 million offer sheet in which Carolina did not match.

Manning plead no contest to a felony assault charge after getting into a fight at a Denny's in LA on April 23.He was lookimg at 4 years if convicted.With his no contest plea,he recieved 3 years probation,will attend 1 year of anger management classes,and perform 100 hours of community service.

Durango53

11-27-2006, 10:51 AM

Reporter Pam Oliver of Fox NFL Sunday, doing a piece on minority hirings, put Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo on the hot seat about the contract of African-American head coach Lovie Smith, who's relatively underpaid vs. coaching peers. "If (Smith) is so great, why don't you pay him better?" she asked. "That will get addressed in due time," Angelo replied.
:thumbdown What a classless move.
I dont think the Bears will be dumb enough to let him go but my gosh why not let the contract just carry itself out.

rockin500

11-27-2006, 11:17 AM

:thumbdown What a classless move.
I dont think the Bears will be dumb enough to let him go but my gosh why not let the contract just carry itself out.
classless by pam oliver?

i dont think there is any rush on either side to get a deal done. If Lovie can get himself deep into the playoffs as banking on, he will get a hefty raise, no doubt about it. let it wait til the offseason as there is no need to do it now.

PissedPrincess

11-27-2006, 02:17 PM

Yeah, classless by Pam Oliver. Don't even get me started on that crap.:gripe:

Durango53

12-01-2006, 10:06 AM

There goes Cedric Benson again. If only for the Bears it were in the open field rather than into an open microphone. Appearing Thursday afternoon on WMVP-AM 1000's "Mac, Jurko and Harry" show, the running back dodged a question about whether he trusted the Bears' coaching staff. But some of Benson's other comments may bring him the same kind of flak he received for statements earlier this season. Asked about the perception that blocking problems keep him off the field in favor of Thomas Jones, for example, Benson said that was a label unfairly tagged on him. "It's a lot easier than they make it sound," Benson said, not making clear whether "they" referred to the Bears or the media. "I think they just needed something to 'down-talk' me on so they used that. … Hey, man, I'm watching the game just like you are." Benson implied locker-room politics had something to do with the popular veteran playing ahead of him all season. "I think there are things going on," Benson said. "I really learned that when you get to the NFL, it's not like high school or college, but the best players don't always get on the field."

redsfan

12-01-2006, 10:32 AM

For some reason, I get that radio station here in Canton. I caught part of that interview. They were also talking about how the Bears asked Benson if he would play special teams, and he refused. He said he didn't do it in high school or college, and he wouldn't do it now. It seems to me that if he thinks he deserves to be on the field he would play anywhere they needed him to prove it.

Chisox73

12-03-2006, 04:28 PM

BEARS 0 3 0 10- 13
New England 0 10 0 7- 17
Records; Chicago 9-2, New England 8-3

Patriots edge Bears in turnover fest
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2724

FOXBORO, Mass. – In a game that at times looked more like hot potato than football, the Bears won the turnover battle but lost the war Sunday in New England.

Chicago generated five takeaways on defense but couldn’t overcome three Rex Grossman interceptions and a lost fumble on a center-quarterback exchange in a 17-13 loss to the Patriots.

“Any time you go on the road, you know you have your work cut out for you, especially going on the road against a good football team like the Patriots,” said coach Lovie Smith. “It’s a tough chore, but we had our opportunities.

“Offensively, it’s tough to win when you have four turnovers. It’s kind of as simple as that. I thought we did some good things—got our running game going with both running backs (Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson)—but you can’t turn the football over.”

Despite the setback, the Bears (9-2) still maintain a four-game lead atop the NFC North over the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) and a two-game cushion over the rest of the NFC field.

Charles Tillman had two interceptions and Lance Briggs and Danieal Manning each forced two fumbles and recovered one. But Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel picked off three passes, the last of which thwarted the Bears’ final chance to rally with 1:46 left in the game.

Trailing 17-13, Manning stripped the ball from running back Corey Dillon and Alex Brown recovered at the Chicago 22 with 1:52 remaining. But on the next play Samuel intercepted Grossman’s pass intended for Rashied Davis down the middle at the New England 37.

Samuel was in single coverage on the play with no safety help over the top.

“We had a good look for it,” Grossman said. “The guy made a great play. He jumped the route. They do a great job of pattern-reading and understand where the play is going to go.”

Trailing most of the game, the Bears rallied to tie 10-10 on Benson’s 1-yard TD run on the second play of the fourth quarter. The score was set by a 45-yard pass interference penalty that Bernard Berrian drew on safety Artrell Hawkins, resulting in a first down at the New England 3.

The TD came after Tillman intercepted his second Tom Brady pass of the game, hauling in the ball at the Chicago 44 after it deflected first off receiver Troy Brown and then off Manning.

The Patriots (8-3) responded with an 11-play, 73-yard drive capped by Brady’s 2-yard TD pass to tight end Benjamin Watson, giving New England a 17-10 lead with 8:22 remaining.

After Watson beat Manning for a 40-yard reception on third-and-three, Brady faked out Brian Urlacher in the open field on an 11-yard scramble on third-and-nine, giving the Patriots a first down at the Chicago 14.

“I thought he was going to slide,” Urlacher said. “It was a good play by him. He juked me and they ended up scoring on the drive. It was a big play. If I get him down, it’s probably fourth-and-three or fourth-and-four.”

Berrian drew another pass interference penalty, this time a 30-yarder on cornerback Ellis Hobbs that resulted in a first down at the New England 18. But on fourth-and-six from the 14, Smith sent Robbie Gould on the field to kick a 32-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 17-13 with 3:31 to play.

“I thought that was the right thing to do at the time,” Smith said. “I felt like we would get the ball back, which we did, and have an opportunity there. To win the football game, we were going to need two scores.”

Jones (23 carries for 99 yards) and Benson (10-46) combined to rush for 145 yards on 33 attempts against a Patriots defense that entered Week 12 ranked fourth overall in the NFL and second against the run, yielding an average of just 76.1 yards per game on the ground. But the Bears failed to capitalize on golden opportunities to score.

“They were a great defense, but we ran the ball and we moved the ball pretty well on them the whole game,” Grossman said. “We just didn’t finish our drives or take care of the football. That’s a bad combination.”

With the game scoreless late in the first quarter, Berrian wrestled the ball away from Samuel for a 47-yard reception to the New England 7. But on third-and-goal from the 5, Grossman fumbled the exchange from center Olin Kreutz, and defensive end Richard Seymour recovered at the 8.

“I fumbled it,” Kreutz said. “I shorted the snap and Grossman didn’t get it. I’ve got to get the ball to Grossman. Grossman’s going to take the blame, but I know what happened. I didn’t get the ball to him. That’s my job. In a situation like that I’ve got to get the ball in his hands.”

The ball seemed to be in everybody’s hands on one third-quarter play. Watson hauled in a 23-yard pass, but Briggs punched it loose at the Chicago 22. Receiver Reche Caldwell caught the ball in the air and advanced it eight yards before Manning stripped it and recovered it at the 13.

Charles Tillman's second interception of Sunday's game set up the Bears' only touchdown in a 17-13 loss to the Patriots.
The Bears advanced to the New England 29, but Grossman’s underthrown pass intended for Desmond Clark down the middle was intercepted by Samuel at the 7.

Under consistent pressure, Grossman completed 15 of 34 passes for 176 yards and a 23.7 passer rating. His favorite target was Berrian, who caught five passes for 104 yards, all in the first half.

The Bears pass rush was virtually non-existent. Chicago did not record a sack and mustered only three hits on Brady, who completed 22 of 33 passes for 269 yards and a 76.5 passer rating.

“We didn’t get good pressure,” Smith said. “They max-protected a few of the times, but we need to get more pressure on the quarterback also and make him get the ball out of his hands.”

The Patriots took a 7-0 lead with 9:07 left in the first half on Maroney’s 1-yard TD run, which capped an 11-play, 92-yard drive. Brady completed 5 of 5 passes for 68 yards on the drive.

Gould’s franchise-record streak of 26 straight field goals ended in the first quarter when his 45-yard attempt was deflected by Seymour. But the second-year pro bounced back to hit a 46-yarder, drawing the Bears to within 7-3 with 4:04 remaining in the second quarter.

Moments later, Smith called timeout an instant before rookie Stephen Gostowski’s 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. The Patriots kicker made the most of his second chance, widening the margin to 10-3 with :01 left in the first half.

Devin Hester had retreated into the end zone on the play, hoping to replicate his record return of a missed field goal two weeks ago against the Giants. But the dynamic rookie could only watch in vain as the kick sailed over his head and through the uprights.

It was that kind of day for the Bears, who lost for the first time in six road games this season.

Chisox73

12-03-2006, 04:30 PM

1ST QUARTER
None

2ND QUARTER
NE-TD Laurence Maroney, 1 Yd run (Stephen Gostkowski kick is good), 9:07. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards in 5:05.
CHI- FG Robbie Gould 46 Yd, 4:04. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards in 5:03.
NE- FG Stephen Gostkowski 52 Yd, 0:01. Drive: 9 plays, 27 yards in 1:43.

3RD QUARTER
None

4TH QUARTER
CHI-TD Cedric Benson, 2 Yd run (Robbie Gould kick is good), 14:53. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards in 1:14.
NE- TD Benjamin Watson, 2 Yd pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick is good), 8:22. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards in 6:31.
CHI-FG Robbie Gould 32 Yd, 3:31. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards in 4:51.

Dward00

12-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Your title 'crown thier ass!' is misspelled. It's their. Not thier. :nono1:

Chisox73

12-03-2006, 04:36 PM

Minnesota 0 3 3 7- 13
BEARS 0 7 14 2- 23
Records;Chicago 10-2,Minnesota 5-7
Bears win NFC North

Bears capture NFC North division crown
By Larry Mayer
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2753

CHICAGO – Rex Grossman continued to struggle, but Devin Hester and an opportunistic Chicago defense picked up the slack as the Bears clinched their second straight NFC North title Sunday with a 23-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at frigid Soldier Field.

Hester returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown and the Bears defense registered four interceptions and scored a touchdown and a safety as Chicago won back-to-back division championships for the first time since capturing five straight from 1984-88.

Leading only 7-3 at halftime, the Bears picked off three Brad Johnson passes in a seven-play span in the third quarter. Ricky Manning Jr. returned an interception 54 yards for a TD and Brian Urlacher’s pick then set up Cedric Benson’s 24-yard TD run, making it 21-6.

The defense and special teams overcame another poor performance by Grossman, who completed 6 of 19 passes for 34 yards with no TDs, and three interceptions.

Rashied Davis fumbled the game’s opening kickoff when he was drilled by Cedric Griffin. Minnesota’s Rod Davis recovered at the Chicago 31. But the Vikings went in reverse and were forced to punt, gaining two yards on three plays but committing two five-yard penalties.

The Bears forced a turnover on Minnesota’s second possession as Tank Johnson pressured Brad Johnson into an ill-advised pass intended for tight end Jim Kleinsasser that safety Danieal Manning intercepted and returned 11 yards to the Vikings’ 22.

But Grossman didn’t see a wide open Muhsin Muhammad in the left corner of the end zone, choosing instead to throw over the middle to a well-covered Desmond Clark, who prevented an interception by knocking the ball away from a defender.

But on the next play, Grossman’s pass over the middle intended for Davis was picked off by linebacker Napoleon Harris, who returned it 11 yards to the Minnesota 22.

The Vikings advanced to the Chicago 40 before punting. But not before they sustained the drive when tight end Jermaine Wiggins recovered a Marcus Robinson fumble that was forced by Charles Tillman on third-and-three, and Tillman’s holding penalty nullified a Lance Briggs sack on third-and-six that would have forced a punt.

Hester then delivered another spectacular individual effort, breaking three tackles while returning a punt 45 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears a 7-0 lead with 12:20 left in the second quarter. In the process, the dynamic rookie set a team record with three punt return TDs and tied a league mark shared by nine other players with four combined return touchdowns.

Chester Taylor’s 42-yard run to the Chicago 20 and a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty on Urlacher set up Ryan Longwell’s 23-yard field goal, which drew the Vikings to within 7-3 with 8:54 remaining in the first half.

Urlacher hit Johnson an instant after he released a pass, but referee To