Roger Clemens popped a country singer and Ronaldo solicited a couple Brazilian prostitutes who happened to have penises. Hugh Grant cheated on Elizabeth Hurley with Divine Brown - who looked like Joe Louis in a wig. Tom Brady impregnated one model and (since that adds pounds) found himself another model. Brian Urlacher had a wife and a couple kids but decided to jump on Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley's sloppy second and make him a third baby. I can just hear Pissed Off questioning his monitor, "What in God's name is he getting at?"
What did Cedric Benson do? He had beer on a boat. What did Brian Urlacher do? He had sex without a condom. Full disclosure, kids. If the Sun-Times and Tribune ran a column about me every time I filled one of those two columns, the paper would cost $5.25 a day and weigh eight pounds.
So no more - at least not here. I won't write about players' personal lives. I won't link to major articles about players' personal lives. I don't care anymore. If you guys want to discuss things in the comments section, go right ahead. But this site will not longer be party(boat) to the "conservative" mainstream media's desire to villainize rich athletes for enjoying themselves. After all, won't Brian Urlacher's out-of-wedlock child live a hundred times better life than a majority of other children.
Craig Steltz earning a starting job beside Mike Brown. Fair game. Craig Steltz getting a tug job from while Mike Brown films? Don't care. Okay, maybe I care. But I'm not writing about it.
More Breaking News: Adam Archuleta stinks. The Bears are preparing a fax to make the release official. A fax? Really? Who the hell still has a fax machine? Answer: we do.
#2 Shady said . . .Finally some great news!! Adam Archuleta has been cut. Now hopefully we can get some good play from our safeties. The cover two depends on these guys to stop the run and prevent the big play. Archuleta did neither.
May 6, 2008
#3 said . . .Jeff, man...
I didn't know you like to hit it raw dog...
May 6, 2008
#4 Max said . . ....
Bears bid Archuleta farewell
The reclamation plan with Adam Archuleta is over.
ESPN’s John Clayton reported that the Bears will release the veteran safety and the team is in the process of putting together a fax to announce the move.
Archuleta was acquired a year ago from the Washington Redskins for a sixth-round draft pick. He started 10 of the first 11 games last season, missing one with a broken hand, before losing his job. Archuleta was a star with the St. Louis Rams, flourishing in coach Lovie Smith’s cover two scheme. He earned the largest contract ever for a safety when he went to the Redskins in one of Daniel Snyder’s spending sprees. The Bears had been bidding for Archuleta’s services in the spring of 2006 also.
With the Redskins, Archuleta was almost an instant failure. He was going to start the 2006 season on the bench before Pierson Prioleau was injured on the opening kickoff of the season. He spent he second half of that year contributing on special teams, just how he ended up last year with the Bears. Achuleta had earned the big money in his contract and was on the books for the minimum with a cap figure of $2.55 million this season.
The Bears ran into trouble with depth at safety last season after trading Chris Harris in training camp. Veteran Mike Brown has returned from a torn ACL, although if the last four seasons are any indication, counting on him for all of 2008 could be a risky proposition. Brandon McGowan is tops on the depth chart right now at strong safety next to Brown. In reserve are Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne and rookie fourth-round pick Craig Steltz.
May 6, 2008
#5 Rancid said . . .Happy Days are here again!!!!!!!
May 6, 2008
#6 jdawg said . . .This is good news. We gladly bid farewell to one of my favorite Bears nicknames: Arch Deluxe. The sandwich that was supposed to be amazing, and instead it sucked. Perfect. Bye bye, our new fourth round pick and last years fifth round pick are better than you.
May 7, 2008
#7 shonbear said . . .You know, I've been so focused on the offense recently that I didn't recognize my growing sense that our D this year could be amazing. Not only should everybody be healthy but, except for 54 and T Harris, we have pretty good backups. I'm starting to really like how we're looking at safety and corner. We don't need to worry about the line and backers.
Now I sit back and wait for Ced to start breaking somebody else's bones again.
May 7, 2008
#8 Megan said . . .Give his money to #54 and close the door on that issue.
Another note:
Golic on ESPN said that the Bears offense will be the worst or one of the worst in the NFL, so getting rid of Ced is not a good idea.
Hey Mike you remind me of another pundit from the past, his name, Matt Millen. While Matt had a good career in the NFL with 4 superbowl rings, he's spent the last several years in helping out the Bears putting up lame Detroit teams.
Golic on the other hand did nothing useful in the NFL picked in the 10th round of the 1985 draft (255th overall) and playing for Houston, Philly and Miami.
Wikipedia says it best:
Career Highlights and Awards
No notable achievements
Shut the hell up Golic!May 7, 2008
#9 Megan said . . .You forgot to mention the cotten-candy vendor.
May 7, 2008
#10 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .cotton
May 7, 2008
#11 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Rancid, post #5's reference to the Golden Arch's former sandwich reminds me of one of my favorite Mickey D's commercials of all time....the one about the McDLT with the Fridge....classic (yeah, I did see it in Wisconsin in 85)
May 7, 2008
#12 Phil from SATX said . . .Gotta love youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS366QV0KTk
May 7, 2008
#13 Viva said . . .Rancid, thanks for clearing up about Arch Deluxe. I never knew the connection but still loved the sardonic nickname. The real reason for it makes it even more perfect - the single negative about him being cut (in not using it anymore). jdawg, you got that right. We're going into this year with fewer unknowns and deeper than last year. And there's no freaking way lightning strikes twice again with the injury decimation - at least not so early in the season.
2008's going to be like 2007 was supposed to be. We're just going to erase that horrible year and do it right out the box in 2008.
Miller gone, now Arch, two principal contributors of suckland from last year. Pass droppers gone, pass catchers here. Doghouse surgically removed from Bradley. Ced's hanging on by a thread. (rt's still here...)
Addition by addition, addition by subtraction.
Great D Great DH (let's just change the name of Special Teams to DH - I know there's two sides to it but too bad)
and the O will be Most Improved Unit in NFL in 2008.
Book it!
(a small bb aside - bulls fans beware, a bad coach is trying to take your team, don't let it happen! no d apostrophes need apply! happening at your peril, guard the gates!)
May 7, 2008
#14 Max said . . .Phil - My fingers are crossed that Da Bulls bring in the General (Avery Johnson).
Didn't Archuleta always seem to be outthinking himself?
Why are our draft picks still unsigned? Tick tock, Jerry, they need to be in camp on time.
May 7, 2008
#15 ESPNemy said . . .Bulls notes: I like Avery.
love Arch is gone
May 7, 2008
#16 shonbear said . . .I think NY'll get Avery and we'll get D'Antoni. Too late anyways, we should have gotten Kobe last summer and we'd have a title this summer. What a weak move firing Skiles because we stacked ourselves with role players and passed on every star that looked our way. There were like 6 straight years when getting Garnett was possible. God Damn. Wait what sport are we talking about?
Shonbear, I saw Golic say that shit about the offense. His first reason was weakness at tight end!?! I mean we don't have a team of Greg Olsens, but Greg Olsen is on our team, so we are stronger than a lot of teams at TE.
May 7, 2008
#17 Max said . . .ESPNmy,
Awesome, I cant find it, but didn't Larry Mayer put out some stat that Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen were the top tight end tandum in the NFL? Every team can't have a Tony Gonzales or Jason Witten. With opportunity in play calling Greg Olsen could be right in there.
May 7, 2008
#18 Phil from SATX said . . .A friend of Cedric Benson has come forward to confirm his side of the story claimed to have called 911 because she feared for his saftey.
Again, it doesnt prove anything, but it certainly helps his story. Beginning to sound more and more like a hose job by the river Police
May 7, 2008
#19 jdawg said . . .Trust me - you totally want Avery over D'Antoni - no contest. D' is NOT a good coach, doesn't preach defense, can't win with his style and he's no game day x's and o's coach either. Our team has whipped his team up and down the court ever since he's been there. Avery was in a bad situation in Dallas with an idiot and classless owner. He understands how to coach, spent years being coached by Pop, he just was hamstrung and badly influenced by Cuban. You need to go balls out to get Avery - you get D' and you'll just be firing him four lost years later. I knew as soon as Steve Kerr got to Arizona that D' would be gone - he doesn't coach D!
Golic was clearly talking out of his ass. And throughout our euphoria on sure-fire improvements to our O we haven't really focused on our most efficient and productive receiver last year, the Dez Despenser. No apologies to be made for our tandem, surely top 5 in the league.
May 7, 2008
#20 Pissed Off said . . .Yeah -- there are plenty of areas to criticize the offense in, but the tight ends? Come on.
May 7, 2008
#21 mikebdot said . . .I have a fax and I havent used a condom in years. In fact our method of contraceptive has been "pull and pray" for the past 7 years. And the one time I didnt (after we got married) look what happened....he's 13 months old.
I'm glad Arch was cut. The only thing he'd have been good for is depth if MB is hurt....again. But with MB, Manning, Steltz, McGowan, Payne...we're overloaded the way it is. What really happened to that guy anyway? He was a stud in St. Louis and then its like a switch flipped and he sucked...very depressing.
Phil, I agree D'antoni is not that great of a coach. I am so pissed that the suns have failed to make finals so many times now with star-laden teams. I partially blame D'antoni and am glad if he leaves cuz I think another coach will take my favorite NBA team to the finals with all that talent. That said, D'Antoni is miles better than any coach the bulls have had in nearly a decade. And c'mon, if you think Avery is a better coach....pahlease, what have the Mavs done besides get ousted in the 1st round two years in a row, before that they were a perennial playoff exit by the suns.
May 7, 2008
#22 Rancid said . . .PO'd: The Mavs get ousted because Dirk is a soft little bitch that can't play defense. They have never had a "center" worth a damn.
May 7, 2008
#23 jdawg said . . .Yuck. NBA basketball. Wake me up when this one's over.
May 7, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .man PO'd, how about a little less info. I just finished my breakfast and am only halfway through my first cup of coffee.
I think Arch suffered a back injury and was never the same.
We are in much better shape at safety than this time last year.
May 7, 2008
#25 JB said . . .And Phil I know your going to say the suns have been taken out in the 1st round the last two years as well but it was against the spurs, a championship team. Not the Warriors or Hornets. Although the Hornets are looking more and more like the real deal but I dont think they get past the Lakers if they beat the Spurs. Mikeb I tend to agree but championship teams in the past havent always had a center worth a damn, the spurs dont have a true center with the exception of the year they still had the Admiral when they won it and the teams that won with Shaq. Ben Wallace with the Pistons is debateable but my point is that it doesnt take a dominant center to win it. I hate Dirk.
May 7, 2008
#26 Tenacious D said . . ."If the Sun-Times and Tribune ran a column about me every time I filled one of those two columns, the paper would cost $5.25 a day and weigh eight pounds."
So, my thought is that you must be getting laid...a lot...and drinking a lot of beer...which does in fact go together...but 8 pounds and $5.25 a day...that must have some sort of pictoral for that kind of coin.
Okay, enough of that. I think we all saw this move coming and drafting Steltz confirmed it. I know at least a few of us said this was it for him. I'm wondering if Ricky Manning Jr. is still going to be on this roster.
Re: Golic. Obviously he doesn't know the bears like we do...but most of those guys don't. He's put in a tough situation when they call upon him. He is not an NFL expert when he runs a 4 hour all-sports radio program in the morning...how would that even be possible? I give him a break because he is at least tolerable at his real job. It's ESPN that should be blamed for asking people to talk outside their expertise.
May 7, 2008
#27 Rancid said . . .Rancid, I'm with you about NBA ball. I'd rather watch 2 flies $#@$.
Too bad about Arch. I have to admit that I thought it was a pretty good pickup when we got him. He was supposed to be a good tackler, but I never saw it, and he couldn't cover anybody. With all our young talent at safety, even if he made the team this year he wouldn't have seen the field except for special teams.
May 7, 2008
#28 mikebdot said . . .Nice quote from Steltz from Da Site yesterday:
"Fourth-round pick Craig Steltz, a safety from LSU, patterns his game after the Bears’ Mike Brown, the Broncos’ John Lynch and the Cowboys’ Roy Williams. Steltz calls the trio “three tremendous safeties that get to the ball and get to the ball in a bad mood."
This guy is an instant fan favorite. I would be very happy if he can earn the starting spot next to MB.
The Steltz thing is at the end of the article:
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4671May 7, 2008
#29 Pissed Off said . . .PO'd: Yeah, but Tim Duncan is about as close to a Center as a Forward can be and he plays absolutely amazing defense.
In any event, I stopped watching pro basketball when Michael stopped playing. I know MJ took three steps on occasion, but switching one's pivot foot is commonplace these days and I can't fucking stand seeing it. Watching Reggie Miller was always just disgusting to me as he would catch the ball with both feet inside the three point line and somehow wind up shooting a three pointer without dribbling. I implore anyone to tell me how that is not traveling.
I understand the "two steps = 1 1/2" modification made during the ABA. I understand the "jump stop" (picking up the ball whilst in the air and then effectively either foot could be the pivot foot). But Butler going against Lebron the other day was just ridiculous. Shoot, there are times when people take 4 steps and they still don't call it.
It's funny, I love rules in sporting events. I like knowing them. I can tell you immediately upon seeing a ref throw the flag in football what the penalty will be. But I fucking hate cops and authority in general. Weird.
May 7, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .Holy Shit Mikeb, we agree on something. I hate all authority with a passion. I cant fucking stand that thought of someone, anyone telling me what I can and cant do. I dont remember the last time I was pulled over and didnt mouth off to the cop.
You sure know a lot about the NBA for not watching it. I agree about some of the rules, mainly traveling. I generally dont watch any regular season basketball unless Its my teams game but I do like playoff basketball....when I'm watching my team only, then I watch religiously. When my team is out I refuse to tune in or care at all. I'm funny that way. This year I still dont watch but I could settle in for a good 4th quarter or something should I stumble on it. Last year, however, I swore off the NBA completely after the bull shit calls in the suns/spurs series when Horry smashed Nash into the boards and somehow Amare was suspended. I realize he and Diaw got off the bench but the league needs to use some judgement, its a reaction, if my friend is getting his ass kicked I'm not goint to sit there ho-hum, I'll at least break it up. They didnt do anything but for standing up and moving basically away from the bench, they were suspended. Better judgement tells me otherwise but sometimes I think the NBA is rigged in favor of some teams.....oh wait it is....Donaghy got busted for that and as I recall he was a ref in some of those suns/spurs playoff games that year.
May 7, 2008
#31 Pissed Off said . . .PO'd: Well, I suppose I should say "I stopped caring about pro basketball". I'll turn it on occasionally during the playoffs. Mostly because I refuse to pay extra money to watch the NHL on bullshit channels I don't get with regular cable. Bunkum.
And to make this discussion somewhat related to football, I believe the NHL and NBA both currently have the worst commisioners they've ever had (Stern has become a joke). Shit, even MLB has a joke of a commisioner. I think Goodell is much better than Tagliabue. The NFL is a far superior product to any other sport at this point.
May 7, 2008
#32 mikebdot said . . .Agreed, and it not close. Football is the most exciting sport, most watched sport and the probably the best run sport. Though I do think that Goodell is a bit over the top with some of his suspensions, etc. I absolutely hate how the NBA is run. Did you see that last second shot deal with the Pistons. Apparently they screwed up on the time by quite a bit and the shot shouldn't have counted but after review by the leage they officials did the right thing in guessing? WTF? Just use replay already and get the call right. I'm gonna let you go on the NHL. I dont know barely anything about the NHL and cant even start to debate anything related to it. College Hockey I get into but no NHL. Though in the past year I have been turned on to NASCAR since I've been to a live race, still dont watch much of it but I keep up a bit. Phil "told me so" about that one.
May 7, 2008
#33 jeff said . . .PO'd: My buddy recently got me into IRL. Watching him get all excited last season when Scott Dixon ran out of fuel at the last race of the season to give Dario the championship was the funniest thing I've ever seen. By the way, Dario is now in Nascar (the "n-word" to the IRL folks) and still married to Ashley Judd.
I'm going to the 500 this year. Went to a race last season in Sparta, KY (just on the other side of Louisville from me) and saw Dario's car flip over pretty much right in front of me as the race ended. It was fucking awesome.
Archuleta's back and broken hand surely caused him to suck last season. But he was hardly alone in the suckage department. We couldn't tackle at all. I don't like Manning or McGowan very much. I hope it's Payne and Brown starting. I really do. I'm still unsure why everyone is in love with Hillenmeyer. When he tackles someone they almost never go backwards. They nearly always get an extra 2 or 3 yards. I really hope one of the young kids can beat him out (mostly because that means they are actually pretty good). Hillenmeyer is a capable backup, but he really shouldn't be starting. He's basically the same value to me as Ricky Manning, Jr, who also played terribly last season.
May 7, 2008
#34 jdawg said . . .the sport rankings for me these days are:
1. pro football
2. college football
3. major golf
4. nascar
5. nba
6. billiards
7. pro lacrosse
8. cheerleading
9. sexual olympics
10. a shot at love with tila tequilaMay 7, 2008
#35 Pissed Off said . . .I'm still not going to dismiss D Manning. He is the fastest player on the team, a safety with conerback-like coverage skills. Now, if he "gets it" this year he should be a lot better. Remember, bouncing him between corner and safety last season didn't do him any favors. Also, if Brown is back there with him its like having a coach on the field. I don't want to bring up bad memories, but if Mike Brown were on the field during the SB there is no way Manning blows that coverage.
May 7, 2008
#36 animal said . . .I like Manning too, Daniel that is. I think he'll be starting but who knows what this Steltz kid can do. I also like Hillenmeyer, the guy is always on the field, he is an unsung hero. He's always playing and never mentioned, he's probably the most un-talked about player on the defense yet he suits up every game and never makes any major blunders. I think playing next to two of the best LBs in the NFL helps a lot but I think he'd start for most teams.
Had I had to pick sports I go
1) NFL
2)MLB
3)NBA
4)NASCARNFL is #1 with a bullet. I can sit and watch any nondescript NFL game wire to wire no problem. After that #s 2-4 are about the same in the 2nd tier for me. After that you can lump pretty much all other sports in that 3rd tier. I do get into the CBA a bit cuz we have a local team so that might actually be 2nd, but I'm talking more about major pro/collegiate sports.
May 7, 2008
#37 Phil from SATX said . . .Im disappointed. I had high hopes for AA and was delusional about his ability and potential. I tried defending him until it was too obvious, and Ive been depressed about his failure. I rooted for the guy. AP running through him killed it. So, Im not going to celebrate this and pretend I knew it would be this way. But it was obviously the right move at this point.
Start Steltz.May 7, 2008
#38 Rancid said . . .I like the fact that we are getting better and better at speedily acknowledging mistakes. That's a mark of good management to me. And for a while I thought we were going in a bad direction in that area. AA is a good guy who apparently had injuries steal his ability to play.
He'll get the last laugh - he's got millions and one of the hottest NFL wives.
Here's mine -
1) NFL Football, not a contest.
2) NBA - first Bulls, then Spurs - not a bad 18 year run for me - 10 titles - unfortunately looks like it's coming to an end
3) College Football - Hook 'Em Horns!
4) March Madness
5) Tiger Golf (but only Tiger)
6) Playoff MLB (but not much regular season)Everything else pales in comparison. Although I do like Tila.
May 7, 2008
#39 jeff said . . .1. NFL
2. March Madness
3. College Football
4. International Soccer (probably a sin, I know)
5. Women's beach volleyball !
6. I actually like watching Ironman Triathlon type shit.May 7, 2008
#40 Rancid said . . .ranci, my list was a joke. champions league final may 21....josie woods
May 7, 2008
#41 Phil from SATX said . . .jeff - Someday I'm going to make the trip to josie woods. It's about 4 hours to Manhatten from here. Maybe when I'm in the city during football season for some reason anyway.
May 7, 2008
#42 animal said . . .Did you guys read this?
Ced definitely got fucked. I hope those LCRA idiots go down. That shit's not right.
May 7, 2008
#43 Pissed Off said . . .The List
1. NFL
2. UFC
3. College football
4. College basketball
5. MLB (Cubbies only)
6. NBA
7. Deadliest Catch (not a sport? I fish in AK. Let's see you on deck)
May 7, 2008
#44 Pissed Off said . . .Great story Phil, thanks for the link. I hope this all works out in Bensons favor. This sounds like another issue of racial profiling. I wonder if any of the LCRA were black that were conducting the test on Benson? That will have a lot to do with this I bet. Now we wait.
Animal, UFC....really, Im sorry man.
May 7, 2008
#45 jeff said . . .Maybe those LCRA were Bears fans. Cant blame them I guess for beating the shit out of him over frustration for his lackluster effort on the football field.
May 7, 2008
#46 animal said . . .rancid, i await the day one of you guys walks in on a sunday and finds me in the corner...it shall be booze filled
May 7, 2008
#47 animal said . . .What's wrong with the UFC? The beat the holy hell out of each other. Almost every fight has someone losing a lot of blood. I love that shit man.
May 7, 2008
#48 Oaktown34luv said . . .and, dont we have any black dudes in here? I want to hear the black man's take on this Cedric shit. you can call me out on that all you want, but the fact remains to me that a black dude should have an interesting take on this shit.
May 7, 2008
#49 Al in WI said . . .A black dude's view on the Benson situation.
1. Duh?
2. Disclaimer...the generalizations below do not apply to everybody
3. young black dudes make authority figures nervous
4. rich young black dudes make authority figures envious AND nervous
5. authority figures sometimes use their power to make black dudes bow down so they can feel better
6. "Mob mentality" in all groups including authority figures can cause events to get out of hand.
7. in rural America #3, #4, #5and #6 are magnified
8. black dudes have to be extra composed not to lose cool when #5 happens.
9. Benson probably did not do #8 so he got an extra helping of #5 and then #6 probably kicked in.May 7, 2008
#50 animal said . . .I'm glad to see Arch get torched one last time as a bear. Now I'm hoping for Metcalf to follow the same route. He blows, has lost his job three or four times and yet they keep him. I can't for the life of me see why. I just hope he's the next to go down.
May 7, 2008
#51 said . . .Thanks Oaktown. We can speculate about these things all we want, but it helps to have some insight like this. I hate playing the race card, but Im beginning to strongly suspect it applies in this case.
May 7, 2008
#52 shonbear said . . .BREAKING NEWS
Bears waived DT Babatunde Oshinowo and OG Mike Jones.
Who?
May 7, 2008
#53 animal said . . .All this stuff said, what does it look like for Ced to be crying for his mommy and then be described as looking very scared and asking this young woman for help. It may help him in a court case, but doesn't it describe our Bears running back who follows in a long line of incredible running backs the likes of Sayers and Payton.
Again, I hope things work out in his favor and more importantly in the Bears favor, whether we keep him or not. Can you imagine everytime an opposing linebacker crushes him on the field what trash they might be talking. "He Benson, why don't you dial 911", or "Hey Benson better call your momma after that blow", how about "Hey momma's boy, go cry home now".
I'm not trying to sound too hard here, I'm just thinking the way the story is described makes him seem less manly. Or is it being described this way to make a case against the out of control authority figures.
Thoughts anybody?
May 7, 2008
#54 shonbear said . . .good points shon. Ced sounds like a big puss. He also sounds like a guy who got jacked up by redneck Texans for being black, rich and muscled.
May 8, 2008
#55 jdawg said . . .I agree
May 8, 2008
#56 mikebdot said . . .You know, I'm not going to question the "manli-ness" of anybody that suits up on Sundays and run towards a bunch of 300 lb. gorillas.
If you don't like him, fine, but I don't consider him a pussy.
May 8, 2008
#57 Blog Down, Chicago Bears said . . ."crying for his mom" might equate to him saying "mom, tell these cracka ass rent-a-cops they don't want to make me angry..."
I just wish there was video of it.
May 8, 2008
#58 Max said . . .Ced's just an emotional guy. Remember he cried when he was drafted. Also, I think he's adamantly against animal cruelty. Oh, that explains why he won't carry the pigskin more than one yard at a time.
Archuleta will be easily replaceable: Kevin Payne, Craig Steltz, blade of grass...
the list goes on.
May 8, 2008
#59 Shady said . . .Good line Blog Down, "a blade of grass"
May 8, 2008
#60 shonbear said . . .The scene of the crime:
First thing that comes to mind when I see that picture... Look at all the white girls! ahahaMay 8, 2008
#61 Taylor said . . .I don't question his manliness as it comes to the average person vs a professional athlete, I question that the perception of the story doesn't bode well for him when faced weekly with other professional athletes that are prone to talk trash on the field to do whatever they can to get into your head in the spirit of competition. At this point I'm guessing (maybe I'm off base, I'm open to that) he doesn't have their respect without this incident. Add this situation and it's even worse than it was before. How many teams we face each week say "we need to account for Benson" in their game plan.
I guarantee when facing guys like Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Barber, Jackson, Tomlinson, Gore, Parker, Westbrook or Lewis that teams are having to make a specific game plan around ensuring they stop those guys. When facing the Bears this past season, I'm thinking Benson was probably an afterthought after five games, 303 yds and 2 TD's.
Obviously it';s highly possible Ron Turner's play calling priorities of "Let's get the lead first on big plays in the passing game and our depend on our special teams, then run the ball to wear down their defense mentality" I'm sure contributed to these stats, but regardless NFL defenses don't respect the Bears running game, and due to our offensive line woes and lack of proper execution last year they didn't respect our passing game either, so this year we need to come out guns roaring with or without Benson. I guess my real hope is kind of always with the underdog.
The best story in the world is that the Bears are getting no respect in all phases except for Devin Hester on special teams and he goes out and blows it up as a receiver and all these other guys do even better than Berrian and make some plays and finally Benson (and Rex) gets the starting job over the rook and proves the whole wide world wrong.
I really want the Bears to show everybody that the Superbowl wasn't a fluke. Problem is if they do good, Ron turner will look like a genious (give me a break). Only hope then is that he will get offered a head coaching job somewhere else.
what was I talking about? sorry for the rant fellow readers. The season just needs to get here to get rid of all this speculation, this is killing me. The only thing the other sports are good for is a slight distraction to get you past the long wait for what really matters.
May 8, 2008
#62 turtle Guy said . . .At least he looks like he's in decent shape. ;)
May 8, 2008
#63 Max said . . .I've been reading about our rookie Harrison and this guy could be a sleeper impact player for us next year. Any thoughts?
May 8, 2008
#64 Phil from SATX said . . .I just finished readin Mariotti's latest insight into the Benson ordeal and i gotta say that I am impressed. He made me actually take Bensons side. . . jesus.
I mean I think Ced is a bad running back and an overall stand offish guy, but Mariotti is just so god damn stupid. (Which is why the man still has a job. I find his opinions so idiotic sometimes, but I always read his articles, if only so I can reassure myself that he is, in fact, a jackass. Whatever sells newspapers i guess.)
But to say the man shouldnt be out there on his own boat enjoying himself? He shouldnt be having a good time with his family and friends (assuming he wasnt drunk)? That because he is a pro football player and was a star for UT that he should expect to get unfair treatment from River Rat cops to the point of pepper spraying him? Come on Jay, get a grip.
I am not sayin Benson is innocent, I am just saying Mariotti is a useless douche`.
May 8, 2008
#65 Pissed Off said . . .Shonbear, excellent take. In fact I had to look twice to see if that wasn't Rancid writing. And while I understand your premise (and I also opined about him potentially being a wimp) the thing I differ on is whether it has an impact on the field. On the field it's scoreboard - Benson's either going to get yards or he isn't. They'll respect him after he runs them over and makes them look bad. If it's one yard and a cloud of dust like last year, you can bet he's going to get trash talked every single play. So it's up to him.
I agree with your point about the underdog too - we all root for them. Maybe Ced's just turned himself into the underdog, maybe he's going to be running mad and with something to prove this year, maybe he's going to run over people again. I'm ready to see that.
May 8, 2008
#66 JB said . . .Damn Phil, your #64 basically explains my sentiments as well. I was going to say regarding the respect thing and how guys might trash talk him for calling for his mama....just go out and run over some guys and you'll get respect. Run with some heart and play good. This sucks, I am actually rooting now for Benson to be a stud this year and let this be the first year of many in a great career. Geez, I'm in his corner. Quick, Ced do something stupid so I can hate you again. I guess when the season starts and he jogs to the line after taking the handoff I'll be pissed at him again.
May 8, 2008
#67 jdawg said . . .Girl in the white swim suit looks like a hottie. I'm sure the rest are pretty good looking too. One note from that picture, I see bottle of beer, two cans of bud light (boo), and a half bottle of Level Vodka (excellent choice). From this small snapshot, it doesn't appear to be a ton of booze. I'm happy to see this isn't a Larry Eustachy situation where Benson is providing Natty Light for his friends...Level is very respectable.
Seriously though, this situation makes me feel bad for Ced as a person, but it doesn't change my opinion of him as a running back. I can't buy into the thoughts that this will pump him up...but whatever.
Re: Harrison. He was graded as having first round talent but dropped due to off the field concerns...so yeah, it's possible he comes in with his head on straight, gets taken under TH's wing and contributes right away. Why not, he's on the soon to be best defense in the NFL.
May 8, 2008
#68 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .A few thoughts:
I just watched the 2nd half of the NCF Championship win over the Saints. News flash: Benson could run the ball then.
This incident may actually gain some sympathy from his teammates. I'm sure he's not the only brother on the team that's been harrassed by the police.
Harrison looks like the real deal. Did anybody else hear the interview with the old Arkansas coach? He convinced me that this kid is OK.
May 8, 2008
#69 animal said . . .About that Saints game..Ced could run that year.
The O-Line was bad last year, but that doesn't explain CB turning into RON DAYNE.
My guess is CB put on too much muscle, and got slower. He looked even more hesitant last year because he was so damn slow to hit the hole.
May 8, 2008
#70 Pissed Off said . . .On Harrison, I am psyched. The guy fucked up one time, and probably learned his lesson. He sounds like a good guy otherwise. And the "experts" all say first round talent... gotta love that.
Think of him, a healthy Dusty D and maybe the big Toe rotating next to Tommie. Niiiiice. We missed Tank more than anyone cares to admit last year. If Harrison and Dusty can be the Tank/Ian Scott/Boone combo for us, we will be set. We already have the best all-around DEs and two of the best LBs in the league, fucking awesome corners, and things are looking up at safety.On the Ced topic, Im just done. You guys covered all aspects pretty well, and I have little to add. I like the reminder (I bring this up myself fairly often) that Ced could run in 2006. We need that guy back- that's why we were excited to see him start last year.
Speaking of just watching Bears games, NFL netwrk has been replaying the Bears-Cardinals 06 game. Jeff seriously can we do a whole thread on that game? I LOVED watching it with my kids, them not knowing what was going to happen, thinking it was over and watching their excitement as Mark Anderson fucking flattens Leinart leading to Mike Brown TD, then more excitement when Urlacher rips the ball out of Edge's hands and Tillman runs it in, culminating in my son sitting forward on the couch saying "I bet Hester does something here!" then watching him run the punt back to drive the nail in the hearts of the worst franchise ever.
Funniest line of the evening: my 8 year old daughter looks over at me after Rex's 6th turnover and says, "Daddy, did the Bears get a new quarterback yet?"
If you haven't watched that game recently, do yourself a big favor. Like going on an exciting date with your wife, you'll fall in love all over again with Urlacher, Brown, Tillman and our D.
May 8, 2008
#71 Max said . . .The reason they are drinking bud light is because its the #1 selling beer in america. Its also the best tasting, least filling and a great beer to get drunk on (minus the morning headache). If your just sipping on somethink and not going all out to get hammered, then I suggest some specialtly beers like Blue Moon, Guiness, Leinenkugles, etc.
May 8, 2008
Natty Lite. . . Natty Lite. . . Natty Lite.
May 8, 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.