This time of the year is deceased when it comes to football information. Here's a couple note-worthy things...
Forget About Tommie Harris
ESPN believes Tommie Harris is on the hot seat next season. I understand that ESPN makes its living by filling space (on the internet, on TV, in print) with mindless drivel but could there be a more meaningless opinion than Tommie Harris is on the hot seat? He's an oft-injured defensive tackle on a defense that rotates seven-plus players over a four-down period. He was also highly overrated during his "great" year of 2007 (only 8 sacks) and off the field for the 2006 playoff run. And for those who make the argument that his job is to take up blockers, I ask you to look at the great defensive tackles of the Cover 2's past. If Tommie has a terrific 2009, it will be a blessing. Nothing else.
The Intelligence of Signing Plaxico Burress
Dr. Drew is saying that two clubs are interested in Plax for the 2009 season and the Chicago Bears should be one. The downsides are clear. He might go to jail. He might be suspended for half the season by the league. He's a pain in the ass. All true. But he's also brilliant at playing wide receiver and should return to the league next November with a renewed passion for the game and the chip-of-all-chips on his shoulder. He could be the boost of adrenaline the team needs for a late-season push, starting in San Francisco. And based on the downsides, we'd be getting a top tier talent for bargain prices. (And if the Bears make the move, I'll have a Blog gun holster made for him.)
It's Not Their Game
Ross Tucker makes a point that I've been making for a long time in his Sports Illustrated mailbag this week. If the NFL is serious about playing the Super Bowl in a dopey city like London, then they might at least entertain playing the game in NFL strongholds like New York, Washington, Green Bay and - yes - even Chicago. Football is played in shit weather. In cold weather. In the muck. Rotating the game between Miami, Tampa and Arizona every couple of years not only bores fans to tears but it rewards teams built for the warm weather. And wouldn't it just be fun - real fun - to see the game played in the snow.
#2 BDG said . . .first
May 15, 2009
#3 Phantom One said . . .Jeff,
Agree with everything about Tommie but the only 8 sacks. That's alot of sacks for a DT. I'm all for bringing is Burress. He wouldn't cost us the picks Boldin would. He is a different kind of threat(HUGE), he's cheaper,and if he stop's shooting himself he is more durable. It all depends on the jail/suspension. I love Snow games love being at them and watching them. Would be something to remember to see it in a S.B.May 15, 2009
#4 Fourth McFourthster said . . .Point 1: I read the article concerning Tommie Harris, and truth be told, it was tripe.
Point 2: I think Plax could thrive here. I would much rather see the Bears make a play for him or Matt Jones then trade away a draft pick next year for Mr. Boldin.
Point 3: Nothing pisses me off more then to see the game that was founded on a frozen field being played in a fucking dome. It is a travesty the likes of which has cost us fans abroad. The pomp. The glitter. Janet fucking Jackson. If you want to impress hard core fans in Australia and Europe then the game should be played in inclement weather, where it was founded.
May 15, 2009
#5 mikebdot said . . .Fourth
May 15, 2009
#6 BDG said . . .Fifth McFifthster: Pretty soon we won't be able to do crap like this...*sigh*
May 15, 2009
#7 sixth mcsixster said . . .I think Harrison will help save us on the bad Harris deal. I expect big things from that kid. I just hope it's this year.
May 15, 2009
#8 Murph said . . .This was mikebdot's intention...big dummy.
May 15, 2009
#9 Devin Hester the Defense Molester said . . .I agree with the T Harris assesment. His play has been over rated and his salary raise undeserved. Steve McMichaels stats are far better with double digit sacks multiple years, 8 and over several more years and he was not considered the top tackle on the Bears. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiSt00.htm We are used to premier play from our defensive stars and even though Harris is paid as one he is far from star quality. I'd say average or slightly above. Lets hope Marinelli can draw some more out of this guy, because without pressure and a push from the middle we will be giving up big yardage again this year.
May 15, 2009
#10 Pankster in Da Carolina's said . . .The reason I like Plex is the same reason I like Olsen, they cheat and get away with it. Get him cheap and send him to gun safety classes for the first half of the season. Nip that problem in the ass. Bringing in that giant target half way through the season would really give the O more flexibility and would help out Forte in a major way.
May 15, 2009
#11 Smudgers said . . .Phantom classic/flawless analogy I fuckining Concur Like we used to say in the 82nd Airborne Divsion 5 things that I wanna ride bicycle,trycycle, automobile and janet fuckining jackson,on a ferris wheel!!! Plax take a fuckin chance and whether its soldier field or denver colorado at invesco who gives a fuck play the fuckin game in da elements BEAR THE FUCK DOWN PEOPLE!!!!
May 16, 2009
#12 Sdwat51 said . . .8 sacks for a DT is brilliant - that was second in the league for DT's and he went to the ProBowl - last year he had 5 (his down year) and still there were only 4 other DT's with more. Sacks are bonus - Tommie earns the dollars by getting the pressure up the middle to rush QB throws and make them roll out into DE's. Don't get me wrong... Sacks are great, but that wasn't his problem. His decline has come because of lack of consistent pressure.
Bring the Bowl to Chi-town and give the Bears a home game for the big game!!!
May 16, 2009
#13 Sdwat51 said . . .Ok, fine - I'LL do it......
I think overall, Kevin Siefert does a great job of cranking out daily news from the North, so I'll cut him some slack for the Tommie Harris post. for a guy that lives in MN., I think he's done pretty well at sweeping up the divisional news. There, I said it. I'll just move on now...
No, I don't want Plaxico Burress in a Bears uniform anymore than I wanted T.O. in one. It's not that it's a "risk", rather, I think we have bigger problems to address than the lack of a marquee receiver. All of them on defense.
Yep - be fantastic to see the SB played outdoors, in the north somewhere. Which is about as likely as having the Pro Bowl played in my lower meadow. Waaaaaaaaaaay too many fashion statements would go unnoticed, bundled up in all that designer blizzard-wear.
Namely,
May 16, 2009
#14 Spanish Bear said . . .........is that a dangling participle hanging over my head? Noooooo, can't be.....
WTH is a participle anyway?
May 16, 2009
#15 BearDown1982 said . . .I´m European but playing the SuperBowl in London would be a terrible mistake. First it has to be played in Chicago, Boston or NYC.
And let me see one thing: there are live outside London. Godell speaks about going international and he only dares to go to a place where there is already a strong base of fans and the language is the same. London is O.K. but it would be easier for some fans to go to Paris, Munich, Milano or Barcelona (and possibly it would be more profitable to the NFL).
Also, the MOST important thing to spread the fan base is to make sure at least a game a week goes in national TV in european countries (not in pay per view or cable channels).
May 16, 2009
#16 Albert in Tucson said . . .Totally agree on Harris. I think if he is healthy though, he still makes our defense better. I'm not gonna say he is an elite player by any means, but he is still very good when he can actually play at full capacity.
I don't understand why leagues like the NFL are always trying to expand. It just seems like bad business to me. I don't see anyway the NFL catches on in Europe...in the same way that soccer will never fully catch on in America. Instead, why not just continue to perfect your product where it matters; in the USA.
May 16, 2009
#17 jdawg said . . .I give you 2 out of 3 for the "Weekend Rodeo", Jeff.
DEAD ON... about Tommie Harris. Another shining example of why the term "Pro-Bowler" has such a hollow ring to it anymore.
DEAD WRONG...about Burress. After Tank and Ced, Plax has zero chance of the Bears showing interest and if he doesn't clear his court calender soon, nobody will.
RIGHT ON about London. Bloody hell, blokes! There just aren't enough riots in American Fooball to keep the Euros interested. How'd you like to be a fan of one of the teams that gets to flush a home date away in order to 'host' in London? Enough, already.
In other news...Boldin's agent, Drew Rosenmouth, was quoted in yesterday's Arizona Republic as saying he has made an offer to the Cardinals for Anquan's services that is for LESS than the previously rumored $10 million a year! Of course with Rosenhaus, that probably means he's only asking $9,999,999.99 a year.
May 16, 2009
#18 Phantom One said . . .the thing about Harris is, when he's healthy, he has the best combo of speed and strength in the league. Remember the play in Minny during the SB year when he blew by the guard and stripped the ball before it was handed off? How many other DTs in this league can even approach that. Unfortunately he is to DTs what Burt Jones was to QBs in the 70s. He heals, does some impressive shit, and then gets dinged up again.
May 16, 2009
#19 Max said . . .The best thing Tommie Harris ever did for us, was to force our opponent to drop $49 million dollars on a left guard (Minn - Steve Hutchinson). Not that Hutch isn't worth some big money, he is, but Minn overpaid for him because of Tommie Harris. In my humble opinion.
May 16, 2009
#20 Phil in NYC said . . .... whats a nubian?
May 16, 2009
#21 big rob said . . .Echoing the snow comment... If it's snowed during regular AND post-season games, why the special treatment for the Superbowl? You're going to sell out of those tickets no matter where the game is. Have it in Alaska... If the Bears are in it, you bet your ass I'll try to buy tickets.
May 16, 2009
#22 Who's Laughing Now? said . . .FYI....
Seven teams have more than $20 million in cap room — the Bucs, Chiefs, Packers, 49ers, Eagles, Falcons, and Bears.
May 16, 2009
#23 do said . . .What is this lack of love for Tommie? Blasphemy! If he doesn't get injured, we're talking about him as one of the great D-linemen in the league. And I think he still can be, espeically under Rod.
Regarding Burress, this is a chance the Bears must take. He makes two positions better - the 1 and 2 WR spots - and instantly gives the Bears a COMPLETE offense. I think the last time the Bears had a complete offense was in, uh, the mid-80s!!
May 17, 2009
#24 Fresno,Ca BEAR FAN said . . .Why don't we just offer Plax like a 4 year deal?
If he does not play this year, well oh well we will make due with the receivers we already have, which means we just pay him to be a cheerleader. BUT we have him for 3 years at a VERY discounted price.
If he does play well we have FOR SURE the best offense in the league.
Seems like a win win situation if we can get him to agree to signing a 3-5 year deal for cheap.
May 17, 2009
#25 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Burress- sorry people but come back to reality... Wait so you guys are saying that you want JA (the guy who released Tank and Benson) to sign Plax? ok, im back from laughing so dam hard!.... Lovie and JA have a no tolerance rule and sorry guys they wont take the chance on him. Considering his pass and his legal issues.... Da Bears stray away from controversy and will do this for a long time.... Teams that might get him are teams that dont care about media reflection! I would rather have Da Bears make the rest of their offseason moves on Defense!...... Dont Forget people! that we are starving for a Dbacks.......
May 17, 2009
#26 JERZY BEARS FAN said . . .Give Tommie a break! I'm not saying the Colts would have lost the Super Bowl if he was there, but Alfonso Boone was exceptionally unimpressive during the entire post season.
Please, PLEASE forget about Plaxico Burress. It is not going to happen. Our beloved General Manager has already declared that they are set at Wide Reciever. They're not...but what he's saying is that the recievers on the roster right now are the ones going to camp. No Plax. He's trash. He's got a certain Michael Vick quality about him. If you really want to get a former Giants Reciver go for Toomer.
May 17, 2009
#27 jeremy34 said . . .Tommie Harris I feel has been hurt for close to two years now. He came on late this year and that is great news. I feel he is healthy now. I feel that we have legitimate depth now on the d line and a legitimate coach for the d line. If Tommie stays healthy this year and still does not kick ass like we all love to watch him do so... then we can all say he is shit. We all know what he can do and how much attention he demands when he is going at 100%. When he is going, our ends get single teamed.... pass rush is at full force and DB's have to cover less. TOMMIE HARRIS IS THE NUCLEUS OF THIS DEFENSE fellaz!!!! Not Brian or Lance. They are the warriors.... Tommie is where it all starts... THE LINE!!!
Also..I live here in the tri state and im telling u right now. NO PLAX!. and agreed... JA and Lovie and even moreso.. the McCaskey's.. will not bring someone who carried a gun into one of the biggest clubs in nyc on their team. He is a classless, ignorant, uneducated piece of shit who disrespects fans and management who was very very very leniant with him! NO way.. i'd rather take Marvin Harrison.
May 17, 2009
#28 Spanish Bear said . . .Not so good economy and they want to put the super bowl in London?!!!
Doesn't that event create a lot of revenue for cities?
I follow soccer in England a lot, I mean a lot, and what I get is at least 90% of them f@#$ing hate our sports including our soccer.....lets not try to force feed our football to new audiences.
The NFL has sold out enough already, you can't watch an NFL game now in less than 3.5 hours without shit tons of commercials.
May 17, 2009
#29 bde83 said . . .Going abroad is very lucrative for every sport nowadays. I don´t see any harm to you guys if the NFL wants to earn (even) more money. I like soccer and I don´t get angry if my team - Real Madrid - goes to China to play a couples of friendly games. It´s the price you have to pay if you want a better team. But, one thing is clear, before they went to China, a chinese TV channel brought the broadcasting rights and people began watching Real Madrid´s games there. So a fan base started to grow there.
When the NFL goes to London, the stadium is filled with people who were fans of the game BEFORE that. In Spain, my country, we only know things about football if somebody is killed (Sean Taylor), if somebody who has worldwide recognition plays in the Superbowl Halftime Show (Bruce Springsteen yes, Tom Petty no), etc. So, before they start to do strange things they should make sure the game can be viewed by a large population, something that it´s not possible right now.
I don´t know how it is possible that the wrestling (RAW is the name, isn´t it?) has decent audiencies here in Spain (it is aired on TV on weekends at lunch time) and football doesn´t have that chance.
May 17, 2009
#30 do said . . .I have a feeling that Rod Marnelli is going to take Tommie to that Warren Sapp level. Which will take our linebackers and dbs to another level.
May 17, 2009
#31 Anonymous said . . .Play a couple of games in England, sure. Play the Super Bowl in England, HELL NO!!
It averages in the 30's during Jan and Feb in England so it would be a huge slap in the face to all of the fans of teams in cold weather cities to play a Super Bowl in cold weather, in a city that is not in the US.
Imagine if it was Bears vs Jets in the Super Bowl and they travel to England to play it. That would be AWFUL.
Oh and I really don't get why all of you hate Plax? He has a gun for his protection, whats the big deal? You can get a conceal carry permit for NY but he didn't. As for his other legal issues it seems like people are just trying to sue him to get money from him.
So, the guy is a team player, it seemed like most of his team mates liked him, his legal issues are a non issue, why dont you want him?
May 17, 2009
#32 Anonymous said . . .#29 bde83 - Boy I hope your right. I just have a feeling these leg injury's (knee & hammy)are worse than we have thought and Tommie kinda played the Bears for the big contract while he could. He has the potential to be Sapp like no doubt but I'm not counting on it. If he doesn't get back to form they better not over use him just because of his contract and name like last year. If he is that banged up they should just use him for pass rush and short yardage/goalline situations where they can take advantage of his freakish first step. Take him out of all 1st and 2nd downs.
May 17, 2009
#33 jeremy said . . .I agree Do, you can't put Plax in the same category as Benson and Tank. They had multiple legal f-ups while employed by the Bears. Plaxico is no saint and he seems like the classic prima donna wr, but this was a case where he took his pistol for personal protection 1 week after his team mate Steve Smith was robbed. Burress did have a permit to carry the pistol in FL so yeah he made a very stupid mistake and probably did it knowingly, but I think the Bears would actually consider bringing him in still because this is a little different situation.
May 17, 2009
#34 Fresno,Ca BEAR FAN said . . .i'm a huge follower of the premier as well and i'll tell you this...i don't think they hate our sports at all. i think they just don't care. they follow english football. and then they follow italian, german and spanish football. and then they follow champions league football and international football. they don't have time for us.
and i think most of us are "okay" with regular season ballgames being held in england until we lose a late-season home game and subsequent home-field advantage.
May 17, 2009
#35 Fresno,Ca BEAR FAN said . . .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPDmKmPcdzM
does anyone remember this? I hope our defense returns to play like that..
May 17, 2009
#36 Ditka Forever said . . .or watch this tape..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZldbITuRfD4
this video is baddass!
May 17, 2009
#37 Prefontaine said . . .How many elite players sustain hammy and knee injuries and return to elite status? Almost none. It is nice to hope he'll be back to previous form; it's foolish to count on it. Kudos to JA et al for keeping us deep at that position. Why do you think teams like TEN and NYG have had so much success? Don't forget Haynesworth was oft injured; It's not just about having all-pro's, so much as having qualified people deep on the bench.
May 17, 2009
#38 animal said . . .Fresno, thanks for the links. I hadn't seen those in a while. It almost hurts to watch how many plays #80 and #20 made that year. Here is a question: Would #80 have stayed for less if he knew Jay M.F. Cutler was coming to town?? Would he be considered by media "meatheads" as a #1 receiver? Jerry didnt think he was a #1 a few years back when he wanted a trunkload of money.
Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but something to think about.
May 18, 2009
#39 animal said . . .TH IS on the hot seat, but only because the young DTs we have- Harrison, Gilbert, Dusty, Izzy, etc- will be pushing for PT in a big way. I would be totally ok with Harrison unseating Mr. Weak-knee.
May 18, 2009
#40 big rob said . . .I gotta say, I never bought into the idea the Boldin was coming- we already made one HUGE splash and this IS the Bears, people.
However, I think Plax is possible and it would be absolutely, mind-blowingly awesome. A premier QB and WR with our great TE and RB??? Suddenly a dangerous, explosive offense in CHICAGO? Wow. Wet dream-type shit. Imagine a sequence like this- Cutler handoff to Forte, Cutler thow to Olsen, Cutler throw to Forte, handoff to Forte, Throw to Burris.... Wow. Man I hope they do this.May 18, 2009
#41 CAK said . . .No Burress says Angelo
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/18/angelo-bears-not-going-after-burress/
May 18, 2009
#42 The Ghost of Halas said . . .May 18, 2009
#43 BDG said . . .Anyone but Kornheiser.
May 18, 2009
#44 Inquiring minds want to know said . . .I'm good with JA's response to Burress. I would love to get him if the price and contract length (short) was right, but I think it would be foolish to give him any kind of deal before finding out if he is going to jail and how long his suspension would be. If some team wants to take that gamble which I can't see happening then they can have him. I wouldn't completely call his chances of coming here dead yet though.
I do have the feeling we might start hearing "Devin Hester, Rashied Davis, and Earl Bennett are our starting wide receiver's" over and over from Lovie soon though. If that is the case we still will get better production from last year just because of what Cutler will be able to do IMO. Davis shouldn't be on the team let alone the field but if he somehow does he couldn't possibly drop as many as last year could he?May 18, 2009
Sooo... How about the new site? Any updates?
May 19, 2009
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