I walked into a pub yesterday afternoon to watch the Dayton 500. That's right, I said it. I'm coming around to this whole automobile racing thing. As I sat down, I took the Bears cap off my head and placed it on the cold oak bar. An elderly black man to my left turned to me as if placed on the stool by Mickey Spillane and said, "Must be proud to still be wearing the cap."
"I am proud," I said.
"I don't know from nothing but that's a good ballclub, the Bears. A good ballclub. Just need a quarterback."
"Same old story for us..."
He laughed. "That's right, that's right. Well you don't need me telling me you since you're wearing the cap and the game's already been played but you oughta be proud of that team there. I think they're going to win it all next year." He took a sip of his Jim Beam on the rocks. "If they get themselves a quarterback."
I bought him a drink. After all, he just put they (the Bears) and win it all in the same sentence. And the two of us watched a whole lotta cars drive fast and in a circle. Maybe, just maybe, the 2007 Chicago Bears will be world champions.
#2 jdawg said . . .I think that's the consensus of most football fans...not just Bears fans....that the team is great aside from the QB. Sounds like it was a good time for ya Jeff.
February 19, 2007
#3 Midway Monster said . . .Then Grease is the answer.
And if he's not, who is?
February 19, 2007
#4 Phil from SATX said . . .Jeff: good deal. I am finding that a lot of folks are looking at 07 to be another big year for the orange and blue. They see the BEars as on the upswing for years to come.
As for NASCAR, seems to me the last 2 laps was a lot like a kick off return :)
--Midway--
February 19, 2007
#5 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .Did I just hear on the radio that the Bears are not re-signing Rivera?
I hope I misheard. I can't fathom the reason, unless they feel like Lovie's the defacto defensive coordinator anyway. I wish we could learn more about these coordinators, but the no-interview rule keeps us away from these people. Like, has Rivera ever been interviewed about his Super Bowl game plan, or has Ron Turner about the same? I'd love to know what they had to say for themselves.
February 19, 2007
#6 jdawg said . . .It will be interesting to see if the Bears can get back to the big dance. In 41 years of Super Bowls, only 5 losing teams have returned in the following season (Buffalo 3 of the 5). Only one has won (Dallas in 72).
One of the biggest questions to be answered this off season is Lovie Smith's contract, in this Packer fan's opinion. If the McCaskeys' were smart, they would extend and make him one of the highest paid coaches in the league. Players aside, he is the key to your success.
Beleive it or not, I think the manner in which they have run that team is a shame.
I hate to rub it in (sort of), but in the past 15 years the Pack has traded or released Mark Brunnell, Aaron Brooks, Matt Hasselbeck, Kurt Warner and Ty Detmer. Oh, I forgot, Henry Burriss too.
Payton was the best ever.
February 19, 2007
#7 Hester 4 President said . . .to hopefully sidetrack this thread from becoming another endless QB debate, Rivera's days as DC are indeed over and Babich is the new guy.
thoughts?
February 19, 2007
#8 Max said . . .Bears planning to let Rivera go:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2771399
February 19, 2007
#9 Megan said . . .I like Rivera, and I am unsure how i would feel if the Bears do not resign him, the only thing i can say I like if they don't, is that the new D-coordinator is being brought up from inside the organization.
NASCAR is only good if you are there cause its then your sitting in the sun, drinking for the whole race. . . which lasts all day, with a bunch of other drunken idiots
February 19, 2007
#10 Megan said . . .NASCAR!?!? Jeff... please, not you too... sigh.
Babich huh? hmm, I think that letting Rivera go is a good thing. We need some new perspective/spark for the defense.
I had a few Guinnei (pl. for Guinness) myself this weekend and had good chats with other patrons of the local watering hole re: da Bears. Thanks to you all, they were all impressed with my knowledge.. could have been all in my own drunken mind. But I feel pretty good about myself.
Glad to see you are back Jeff... and I see we already have high hopes for next season. All is good and right with the world.
February 19, 2007
#11 Bill said . . .Jeff,
I don't live far from Dayton.. didn't know they had a 500?? wow, that's kewl..Sorry, had to do it...
February 19, 2007
#12 Midway Monster said . . .D slipped ridiculously after Tommie and Mike Brown got hurt. Two years in a row the D fell down noticiably at the end of the season. I think Rivera failed to make adjustments. So I'm not sorry to see him go.
I wouldn't cry if Turner left either, but I assume his contract is not up. Lovie and Angelo probalby had an agreement that Rivera would not be offered a contract - they probably hoped he;d get one of the 47 coaching jobs he interviewed for, just to save face. But notice that his lack of being able to handle adversity (injuroes) was noticed by all those employers too.
February 20, 2007
#13 The Duke said . . .Am I breaking this: Bears hired Luke Butkus as assistant offensive line coach.
--Midway--
February 20, 2007
#14 Pissed off said . . .If this Butkus hire is a favour to his legendary uncle, I'm pissed.
And are the Bears the cheapest team in sports not resigning anyone of significance yet!?!
Jesus!!! Get it done!!! Now!!!February 20, 2007
#15 mikebdot said . . .We let Rivera go and keep Turner.....hmmm.
By the way Rivera must be the worst interviewer in the history of sports.February 20, 2007
#16 Coxy said . . .PO'd: The worst interview I've ever seen is pretty much any interview of Scottie Pippen...he's worse than the president.
February 20, 2007
#17 Pissed off said . . .From what Jeff has noticed about Babich on the sideline, it seems like hes a fiery guy and the players like him. I didn't think Rivera was that great. Not too sad to see him go. You put me at Defensive coordinator of that team, (I would have the d line counting to five and then rushing, or using their one blitz per series - as we did in touch football growing up) and I think I could have won 10 games maybe.
February 20, 2007
#18 Bill said . . .I guess Rivera did get a job in SD as a linebackers coach to assist DC Ted Cottrell. Wonder how it feels to go from a DC of a SB team to only a linebackers coach. I think Babich will be fine, he's Lovie's guy so there should be no tension. I guess the team is going to go Lovie's way and that also looks like that plan includes distanceing themselves from 85 as much as possible.
February 20, 2007
#19 WindyCityPackerFan said . . ."distance himself from the '85 team" seems to be a theme in the papers this morning. I don't like that - it strikes me as insecurity. But it's also likely that Rivera was just not Lovie's preference, so you have to give him credit for taking whatever heat he may get in essentially firing a popular coach.
Lovie is going to get his money - but he still has a lot to prove. Can he solve the Rex dilemma? Can the defense stay consistent through the whole year?
February 20, 2007
#20 Bill said . . .Wow, Luke Butkus. Let's take a look at his extensive resume. Two years as a graduate assistant (copy maker, coffee getter) at Oregon. Then, right up to the NFL. Are you kidding me? Anybody that has any knowledge of the roads that most NFL coaches take (or any coaches for that matter) to coach full time should be upset. So how do you think that LB is going to be able to coach the Bears' o-line? Can you see him going toe to toe with Kruetz? Tait? Are they going to respond to a 27 year old with less coaching experience than the majority of the coaches in the IHSA?
Hey, good for us Packer fans.
Again, the only thing holding the Bears back from winning is management.
February 20, 2007
#21 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .Packer Fan: don't get too excited yet. Butkus was hired as an ASSISTANT o-line coach. It's still puzzling, I will grant you - but it's a far cry from being in position to tell Kruetz, Tait etc how to play their position.
February 20, 2007
#22 Bill said . . .Bill,
Yes, you are correct. Butkus will be the assistant O-line coach. But....let me ask this (to fuel conspiracy theories), the Rivera 'letting go' was Lovie Smith's decision to go with a guy he is familiar with. Then, they turn around and hire a guy with two years experience as a graduate assistant (if you are familiar with the position, he was no more than a gopher for the rest of the staff) and he happens to be Dick Butkus' nephew. Where is his other connection? Ron Turner was the head coach at Illinois, and Harry Hiestand (current O-line coach) was coaching him at Illinois. Are you sure it is Lovie with the hire here? Coaches hire who they know, and as far as I can tell, Lovie doesn't know Luke from Dick (one of the two greatest linebackers of all time; come on give me the fact that Nitschke is from Chicago).
Hey, my 'rant' comes more from being a guy who at one time tried to find his way to being a full time coach; worked many long years and made a ton of contacts; here's a guy with no experience (basically) going to the big league. Good for him, but I know that there are a bunch of coaches looking at this and wondering what?!?!?!?
February 21, 2007
#23 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .I almost hate to say it, but I agree with you, Packer Fan. No matter what the position, Luke doesn't seem to have the proper experience to land a pro level job except for his lasst name.
And while I'm on a role, I will agree also on Nitschke. I'm old enough to have seen him play - and he set the mold for how MLB shoudl be played. Bill George may have so-called "invented" the position, but Nitschke did it right first. Several great ones followed (Butkus, Nobis, Lambert, Singletary) but he was the first real defensive difference maker. Nothing but respect for him.
Speaking of old Packers, I recall my uncle saying (when I was little) that the best receiver and all around player he ever saw was Don Hutson. (I don't think he remembered Red Grange enough - or Jim Thorpe for that matter, and this was before Walter Payton. The Packers have a very proud history - and since it's the offseason I don't mind expressing my respect. This is the best rivalry in sports history in my opinion. The Bears didn't hold up their end of the deal for too many years - but that's changed finally. If the Packers didn't exist, the Bears would have to invent them - and vice-versa. It's no wonder Halas fought for revenue sharing - specifically so Green Bay woudl be able to compete equally with big market teams. Green Bay's small town / big league feel is unique in sports and I hope it never ends.
(And don't expect words like that from me come next September!)
February 21, 2007
#24 Bill said . . .Bill,
Well said.
I enjoy the respectful exchange between a rival with a respect for the game.
I would invite any and all to see a game in Lambeau, and wear your Bears gear with pride. Yes, you will be razzed, but you will also be sharing beers and friendly banter with Packer fans. You will NOT, however, feel in danger of your life (as in the black hole of Oakland).
I would however, be less than as enthusiastic to wear my green and gold at Soldier field, for fear of the 'radical' Bears fans.
I did attend a preseason game in 2000 at Soldier Field (Old one) vs. the Browns. I have a great appreciation for old school stadiums, environments, etc. I was a little sad to see the renovations; I haven't been there for a game since then, but I think they have taken away from the type of environment that Bears fans would appreciate on gameday.
See you in some tavern for a couple of Old Styles someday Bill!
February 21, 2007
#25 said . . .Old Styles? When I'm in Wisconsin, I'm a PBR man! (Though from your name I assume you live in Chicago). By the way- I LOVE Wisconsin. We're planning a long weekend in Milwaukee this summer.
Old Soldier Field needed to go. It was a sewer - litterally. The rows of portable toilets, sometime overflowing, was disgusting. The new one looks bizzare from the outside, but it is first rate inside. The seats are much more comfortable and closer to the field. My only gripe is the advertising ribbons removed any space for a ring of honor that can be seen at the field level. (There are several trubutes in the concourse area.)
For being close to the field, nothing beat seeing games at Wrigley Field. My dad and uncle had 50 yard line seats there; but they gave them up in the early 70s after the move to Soldier Field and the years and years of poor teams. (He couldn't wait until I got out of college and was making money so I could take them over - but that's OK, I got my own tickets soon after.)
I would love to see a game at Lambeaue someday. I know many people eho have and they come away in a sense fulfilled from the experience.
Sadly, I hear you regarding more radical Chicago fans. I always make it a point to strike up a friendly conversation with out of town fans around our seats; it does two things - let's them know that there are civil people around them, and maybe lets people around me who may get caught up in emotion later know that we're all simply football fans.
My son went to see the Bears play the Jets in NY/NJ; he was harassed miserably when he went to the washroom - but it wasn't threatenting. He met Jet fans in his seats and they had a great time together - and he has pictures with them.
February 21, 2007
#26 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .Banners fly after every point
Cheering on our Aussie Champion
“Hewitt, you can do it�
One reads for our own Lleyton Hewitt.A rise from no where he emerges
Where no-one knew his name
He claimed his first title at home
Eliminating the greats of the game.It’s been an action packed – short career
For this feisty twenty year old
He is a first class fighter
He’s determined and he is bold.“C’mon� he cries – it urges him on
He pumps his fist in the air
Point by point closer to another win
He does it with such flair.With his trademark cap on backwards
The next target is to be the number one
If he wants it bad enough he’ll go and get it
And not stop until it is all said and done.He plays with his heart for his country
As part of the Davis Cup team
He’s won the cup once before
But to win at home, that would be a dream.He is a Grand Slam Champion
By winning the U.S. Open crown
He beat ‘Pistol Pete’ 7 – 6, 6 – 1, 6 – 1.
Lleyton was the toast of New York town.February 21, 2007
Bill,
I am a transplanted Wisconsinite living in Chicago. I have found some taverns in the western suburbs that have PBR on tap.
Must have been something else to see the games at Wrigley. Went to my first Cubs game last summer there, great experience.
When in Milwaukee, check out a place called 'The Safe House' just off of Water street. You will not find a more unique place anywhere.
See you at Summerfest.
February 21, 2007
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