The Bears Growl

Hester - The Windy City Flyer

2011-11-14T19:42:00.001Z

The guy is just unbelievable and is surely destined to be in the Hall of Fame at some point. And as a Kick Returner.

Woodson and Sanders have return TD's but their totals include INT's. It wouldn't surprise me if he reached that total by the end of his career.

And you know I still don't know why people kick to him.

Bears At Wembley

2011-10-27T01:06:00.001+01:00

Absolutely gutted to have missed the Bears at Wembley, though I have spent a very pleasant couple of weeks in the US on business. I did manage to catch the game in a bar called Jocks and Jills in Charlotte, NC.

And very nice it was too. Couple of beers, chicken wings and nachos to help the day pass (and I captured City's victory over United over the PC)

The game against the Bucs was okay, though I must admit I did get distracted by what was happening on the 47 other screens they had there.

The one thing that stood out was how much better we look when we run the ball. They talk about the teams identity - well it simple. And to quote Lovie Smith - we get off the bus running. Now I almost think that we let the Bucs back into by throwing the ball too much in the second half.

And a message to Jerry - not that he'll read this blog - pay Matt Forte NOW! Imagine what the offence would be like without the guy? No I don't want to think about it either.

Bears Hester Feature

2011-10-18T06:37:00.000+01:00

Bears Hester Feature

2011-10-18T06:34:00.001+01:00

Devin Runs Back Another One

2011-10-18T06:26:00.000+01:00

What can I say.........

Devin Hester You Are Ridiculous

2011-10-04T20:09:00.000+01:00

At Last - Richard Dent in the Hall of Fame

2011-02-06T09:06:00.000Z

Seven is often seen as a lucky number and so it has proved for Richard Dent after he was elected to the Hall of Fame last night.
On the 6 previous occasions that he had been a finalist Dent had been stopped at the final hurdle.
An 8th round draft pick in 1983, Richard Dent spent 12 seasons with the Bears registering over 120 sacks and was the MVP of Super Bowl XX.
Dent is the 27th member of the Chicago Bears elected to Canton.

Let Us Play Day

2011-01-15T09:22:00.000Z

I wanted to make you are aware of a very important online movement happening this upcoming Tuesday, January 18th and want you to be a part of it all. NFL players across the league are participating in a #LETUSPLAY day, which will be an online blitz of the Block the Lockout message “LET US PLAY” from NFL Players across social media outlets (using the hashtag #LetUsPlay on Twitter). Avid football fans and readers will be able to join with the Players in a sign of solidarity to help prevent the Lockout. Here’s how you can help:

· Donate a Facebook status update with the following: Today is LET US PLAY Day. Help NFL Players Block the Lockout by clicking http://www.nfllockout.com & signing the Petition.

· Donate a Tweet with the following: RT @NFLLockout It's #LETUSPLAY day. Help #NFL Players #BlocktheLockout by clicking http://www.nfllockout.com & sign the Petition.

Be sure to keep tabs on all of the NFL Lockout happenings on NFLLockout.com, www.facebook.com/NFLLockout, and www.twitter.com/NFLLockout

Players Case For Football for 2011

2011-01-15T09:14:00.000Z

The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL players and owners that was signed in 2006 will expire on March 3. In May 2008, NFL owners opted out of the agreement early. The players want to play a full NFL season in 2011 and have offered to extend the current deal in an effort to work out a long-term deal without an interruption of league operations. The players haven't asked for anything more and literally don't want anything more. They have asked simply to play under the existing agreement.

The NFL is at the height of its popularity and success. According to reports Thursday, the NFL and ESPN are close to a nearly $2 billion renewal for the rights to "Monday Night Football." In 2010, 65 of the top 100 watched sporting events in the U.S. were NFL games. Eighteen of the top 20 viewed telecasts this television season were NFL games, and we haven't even seen the playoffs yet. Revenues are up. Sponsorships are up. Every television ad for this year's Super Bowl was sold months ago. All signs and indicators point to extraordinary success and rapid growth for the business of football.

According to the NFL and team owners, however, the "economic model in the NFL doesn't work." What's more, they have prepared for and are openly threatening a lockout if it's not "fixed." What is their proposal to fix it? They've asked the players for more than a $1 billion reduction in the players' portion of revenues in the first year alone of a future CBA. By the way, in a league with no guaranteed contracts, revealed dangers of the game and injury concerns at their peak, they want players to play two extra regular-season games.

The players maintain that one fundamental question needs to be answered in earnest if there is to be an agreement before a lockout: Why is the current deal so bad? If owners had decided to make this a direct business transaction between partners, the players are confident a deal would've been struck a long time ago. Business partners get together, sign confidentiality agreements, exchange financials and negotiate. Our repeated requests for detailed financial information that would help us answer the quintessential question have been denied.

As a result, players and fans have to go by what we do know. I recently sent a letter to all sports editors to set the record straight on the economics and revenue breakdown between players and owners because the phrase most frequently seen is that "players get 60 percent of revenues." This is not an accurate depiction. Players receive approximately 50 percent of all revenues in the NFL. Or, players receive approximately 60 percent of total revenue in the NFL after the owners take a number of expense credits that add up to more than $1 billion a year.

This is significant because the past 10 years of financial data at the highest levels show that the players' portion of revenues has decreased slightly. Simply put, the available data directly contradict the rationale and explanation of the NFL's justification for a rollback or, worse, a lockout. An unjustified lockout not only would prevent players from playing and fans from watching but also would have real negative economic consequences on NFL team cities.

The players have asked repeatedly for financial transparency and economic information. We have been told publicly and privately that detailed financials are "none of your business." In an era of greater financial transparency, this is confusing. Frankly, it signals that this negotiation is about something much different from figuring out how to work together to secure the future of the game.

For example, the owners have been clamoring for a rookie wage scale. They cited "exploding" rookie contracts as a reason for opting out early in 2008. The players offered a proposal to address owners' concerns called the proven performance plan. The NFL said no based on unwillingness to guarantee that the saved rookie money would go toward proven veteran players.

It's a shame that, nearly 1,000 days after the NFL owners opted out of the CBA, they can't guarantee NFL games next year. It's a shame heading into exciting playoffs with great games ahead that this unresolved issue continues to steal headlines. It's a shame that the owners are threatening to prevent players from playing football. It's a shame that the unanswered question remains: Why is this deal so bad?

The NFL players have asked me to share a simple request on their behalf: Open the books and let us play.

By George Atallah
George Atallah is the assistant executive director for external affairs at the NFLPA. You can follow him on Twitter at @georgeatallah.

This article was originally published on ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5995362

Hester

2010-12-22T13:37:00.002Z

Nothing needs to be said, just watch and enjoy:

Chicago Fan Misery

2010-11-20T15:24:00.001Z

Was recently sent an email about this app for Iphone - here's what the email said:

"it has the latest on all the local Chicago teams. Real-time news, stats, scores & more for the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls.

 Fan Misery stands apart from other sport apps because of its "Fan Misery Index" (FMI). What is the Fan Misery Index? Well, the FMI is a method created based on the relative strengths of a unique set of statistics (performance on the field) and opinions (effect of the performance on the field & factors outside the game). It's a value of 0 and 10, where 0 indicates extreme fan bliss (sunny) and 10 is utter misery (getting stormy for the Cowboys). The FMI is calculated daily throughout the season & off-season.

We all know what it means to be a fan. It's an obsession and Fan Misery helps feed that obsession"

iTunes Link: http://bit.ly/FMiAppCHI

Now I'm not sure what the app is like - I have been offered a promo code so I can test it out. Full purchase price would be $3.99

Block the Lockout

2010-11-20T15:17:00.000Z

What would your 2011 be like without the NFL? Here’s your chance to help Block the Lockout!

With the NFL planning a lockout in 2011 that will deprive players and most importantly you the fans from enjoying NFL games next season, please help us “Block the Lockout” at www.NFLLockout.com and let your voice be heard by signing a Petition. Why? Because the players want to play football and fans want to see America’s most popular sport.

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is due to expire in March and NFL owners have made a series of moves designed to lock out the players and fans. If you want to see NFL games next season, do your part as a fan and help us “Block the Lockout” by signing the Petition.

You can also interact online with other fans from around the league at the social media profiles www.facebook.com/NFLLockout and www.twitter.com/NFLLockout.

Defence Wins Championships

2010-11-20T15:14:00.000Z

Yeah I know a cliche when I see one but the Bears defence is playing lights out football at the moment.

Credit for that goes to Rod Marinelli who as Defensive Coordinator has reshaped that Bears defence and has it playing at the same level it did back in 2005 and 2006.

I'd go as far as saying that hiring Marinelli has been more important than the recruiting of mad Mike Martz.

The reason the Bears are 7 - 3 isn't because of the offence - its because the D is in the top 5 in the NFL and the credit has to go to Marinelli.

Bittersweet Irony

2010-11-20T15:08:00.001Z

With the victory over the Dolphins the Bears have moved to 7 - 3 and whilst it's always nice to savour a victory it goes along with the bittersweet irony that Lovie Smith will more than likely keep his job.

Before the season started and throughout the off season many Bears fans wanted to see Lovie Smith replaced as the Head Coach. The expectation was another poor season and he would be gone. Despite adding Martz as Offensive coordinator most people expected the Bears to struggle.

With each passing victory Smith looks to be more and more secure. Sure there are 6 games left and things could look at lot different at the end of the season, however I expect the Bears to win at least 3 of them and make the play-offs at 10-6.

How far they'll progress I'm not sure but one thing I do know it would mean Lovie Smith will be Head Coach next year and I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears hierarchy give him a contract extension before the season's out.

I'm A Believer

2010-09-30T16:18:00.000+01:00

Okay, who saw that one coming. Not me for sure but hell I'll always take a win over the Packers.

The Bears are 3 - 0 and I may have to eat my words. Before the season started I thought the Bears would be lucky to go 6 - 10 especially with a brutal end to the schedule plus the Cowboys and Packers in the first 3 weeks.

Well we half the number of wins and we've only played 3 games! We have shown that we can compete in the division, and whilst I don't think we'll win it I'm sure we can make the play offs.

The trick is to continue the good work against the Giants next week. It would be an extremely huge anti-climax if we were to lose that game.

Return of Devin Hester

2010-09-29T19:51:00.005+01:00

Well it was about time. He'd spent the last 3 years dancing around. I guess it was only a matter of time before he did it again, and whats more? He'll do it again before the season's out......oh return a punt for a TD that is.

Welcome back Windy City Flyer.

Payton Highlights

2010-09-22T13:37:00.002+01:00

THE GREATEST

Payton's Legacy

2010-09-22T13:35:00.002+01:00

Payton Tribute Revisited

2010-09-22T13:34:00.002+01:00

Sounds of the Game

2010-09-22T13:14:00.000+01:00

Bears Savage Cowboys

2010-09-18T16:13:00.000+01:00

Going into the game I thought the Bears would struggle. Especially as last week we had problems against the Lions, the Lions of all people.

After the first quarter I feared the worst as Cutler was getting battered. I was impressed, however by the way Martz responded by having Cutler make quick throws.

Still there is plenty of work to do in the weeks ahead as the Packers and Giants are next up.

Bears O-line

2010-08-27T15:14:00.001+01:00

I've been musing on the Bears defeat by the Raiders on Saturday (32- 17). I'm not troubled by the result as when the first teams were in the Bears were ahead and it was when the second stringers came in when the game was lost.

Of more concern was the Oline which gave up 6 sacks, 5 of which were on Cutler. I know Mike Tice is the new line coach and it's a new offensive system but the little kinks need to be ironed out before the season starts.

Smash Mouth Football

2010-08-21T19:20:00.002+01:00

Interesting vide from a year or so ago

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80854ee1&template=with-video&confirm=true

Since this though I think teams like the Saints have had success throwing the ball around, got that a bit wring huh?

Cutler - The Second Bad/Good Rex?

2010-08-21T19:13:00.001+01:00

This time last year I nearly wrote an article about whether Cutler was the second coming of Rex, unfortunately it remained in my drafts and I never got round to finishing it.

Cutler has all the physical abilities to be a very good quarterback, though there's a long list of players who have had the physical talents but never made the grade because they lack something mentally.

I'm not saying thats the case with Cutler but last season there were a number of times when you questioned his decision making ability. If that doesn't improve in the coming season then it's quite possible the Rex Grossman comparison will be appropriate.

The Bears Growl on Twitter

2010-08-21T19:07:00.001+01:00

Ok, finally gave in

http://twitter.com/thebearsgrowl

mind you its been up awhile since I set up....maybe need to enable the mobile so i can send tweets.