It's hard to reconcile the constant conflict between the brain and heart in life, in sports, in anything. What the brain sees as obvious, the heart never does. What the heart feels is right, the brain can't understand. Such is the case with the Chicago Bears and Mike Brown. The brain (we hope Jerry Angelo) must see Brown as a salary cap casualty, a player he himself described unreliable, a time gone bye-bye. The heart (we fans) still remember the overtime interceptions in 2001 against San Francisco and Cleveland. We know what this defense looks like with him and fear what it looks like without him. We know he's Bob Sanders.
I wouldn't cut him. Our of loyalty? Maybe. Because I believe in the redemptive power of sports? Probably. But more importantly because I can't bare to see him come back to an All-Pro level in someone else's laundry. This is a moment for Jerry Angelo to sit with Mike Brown and come to an agreement. Adjust the contract. Keep him here. Pile money into incentives. I mean it when I say the following: if Mike Brown reaches contract incentives, the Bears will be in the postseason.
So with cuts due sometime late today or tomorrow, I'll be hoping to not see Mike Brown's name on the list, even though I fully expect it to be there. Maybe a last minute plea from a fan means something. Probably it doesn't. But I'm not known for using my brain.
#2 serious said . . .i'm with you completely on this one. i have a spot reserved for him.
February 15, 2008
#3 Pissed Off said . . .Bring this guy back. The guy has heart, and thats what this defensive unit needs. I cant think of too many players who have come back time and time again from injuries like MB. All I can say is remember out D in the first half of week 1 against San Diego. They were scary, like when MB leveled someone (maybe Gates) forcing him to drop a pass.
If you need more reasons JA, see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4CpT92gIBQ
February 15, 2008
#4 Reverend Dave said . . .Bring him back only if he adjusts his contract. Sick of paying a guy big money to sit and cry on the sidelines. He can perform and he's worth every penny of his contract....when he plays. So yeah I keep him if he resturctures with incentives. I dont know what he'd think of that though. I dont think he's gonna get big bucks on the free agent market but he will be a steal for whatever team gets him if he stays on the field.
February 15, 2008
#5 @work said . . .Mike Brown is my favorite Bear.
February 15, 2008
#6 RandomName said . . .Amen.
February 15, 2008
#7 Z said . . .Now Mike Brown, that guy can play.
If he feels up for another go let him.
get the right trainers for him.February 15, 2008
#8 startolsen said . . .Jeff I agree with you 100% and I learned at a young age living in WI 4 awhile and being from Chicago that u can't bet with your heart or your pride. I lost of lot of $$ and did a lot of beer bongs believing that this would be the game because my heart would put the optimism visors on my head. (This latest redemption against #4 helps but I want more or just retire, whichever) No matter how good the spread looks I never bet on a team I am emotionally invested in (positively or negatively)
I think there is a mind/heart solution with Brown if he will restructure w/ incentives, which is fair for everyone. When he is on the field he is a leader, he is clutch and he is a game changer without question. U need every one of those that u can get in the NFL. Like I suggested in the last thread, woulda/coulda/shoulda stings a lot worse when they were wearing your uniform recently.
And Booker and Hackett sounds like a good start. We don't need a ton of gamebreakers (but wouldn't that be a nice change on O) just a few veterans with reliable hands to haul in the 3rd downs and come up with a big play sometimes. The O doesn't have to lead the league they just have to make sure the D doensn't lead it in time on the field.
Go Bears!!
February 15, 2008
#9 Bears99 said . . .Ill always have Mike Brown picking off that pass that bounced off of the "great" T.O's hands and returning for the TD vs. the 49ers.
I love Mike Brown.February 16, 2008
#10 tenacious said . . .Pissed off, I wouldnt say that mike brown sits on the sidelines and cries. He is the heart and soul of the team, and its not fair to say that after he has been hurt so much and keeps coming back.
Keep Mike Brown. Enough said
February 16, 2008
#11 cjazel said . . .Anybody know what the bear's record is with Mike and w/o Mike? I don't know but I'd guess 80% winners with him. Gotta keep him and hope for the best.
February 18, 2008
#12 Blog Down, Chicago Bears said . . .He got hurt last year on a play that should have been called a penalty, holding at the very least. He got horse collered on the play LT ran right threw the hole MB was standing in before he got ripped down from behind. We all know the Bears never get the breaks tho, not only did the play not get called back, but we lose our best player and most underrated player in the league on top of it. Nothing MB could do about that, he has a history of freak injuries, BUT atleast they all occur on the field and not doing something stupid off the field. When he starts flipping wheelies in parking lots like Winslow, then cut him, until then... LET HIM PLAY!
March 7, 2008
Let him play! God, Mike Brown is absolutely my favorite modern-era Bear.
March 20, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.