Some Points of View

[tshanno]

Its been a while since I posted here. I htought I'd throw up the latest blog entry for comment. I'm sorry to say that is looks like you'll have to go to the website for the links. If I get time I'll start posting them here on a more regular basis.

 

Tom S.

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http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=240

 

The Bears and the NFC North

 

* Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune points out that the Bears took DT Marcus Harrison one spot ahead of where the Packers were going to take him in the third round. Pompei goes on to say that with Harrison’s off field problems this could be a blessing or a curse. Here’s hoping Harrison doesn’t own a boat.

* Receiver Charles Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, is reportedly close to a deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. I say a prayer that Matt Millen will remain in charge of the Lions every day.

* People in the know figure another misstep by new Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen, who has had two drunken-driving convictions, could result in a suspension of up to eight games. As a Bear fan, I think Allen needs to start shopping with Lindsey Lohan. Presumably in another department…

* Brian Brohm was “fairly stunned” when he heard the announcement of Favre’s retirement and would have liked to have met his idol. “It would be cool, just growing up, huge fan, to be able to hang out with a Hall of Fame quarterback would have been pretty awesome,” Brohm said.Hate to burst your bubble, there, Brian, but you need to talk a bit to Aaron Rogers. I’m guessing that hanging out with his competition and eventual replacement wasn’t too high on Favre’s list of things to do.

* The Packers cut Koren Robinson yesterday. Some are speculating that the Bears might pick him up. His career has been spotted with alcohol-related problems so he’d fit right in.

 

Elsewhere

 

* Pompei also thinks the Boston Herald’s reporting on Feb 2 that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots had filmed the St. Louis Rams walk-through before the Super Bowl was irresponsible.

 

“The Herald meanwhile, bit on a story that more responsible media outlets did not. The Herald was not the only outlet that had the information it printed Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, but they were the only outlet that deemed the story solid enough to print.”

 

He’s got a point. Maybe I should have thought twice about putting up that post saying Dick Butkus tinkles in the shower. In retrospect, I should probably have known that Dick Butkus does not “tinkle”. We serious media members are constantly learning from each other, eh, Dan?

 

* Having said that, Mike Florio at profootballtalk.com is speculating (in an emphatic way) that either Matt Walsh or his attorney Michael Levy was the source of the Herald’s story. No one seems to know what the “rule” is for revealing the identity of a source who turns out to have purposely misled a journalist. If there’s a defamation lawsuit filed by the Patriots I guess we’ll find out. I find that to be interesting. But I honestly don’t know why.

 

* We should call this entry the “Pompei review”. I thought his comments about professional offenses borrowing from the college spread offense were interesting. It turns out that New England coach Bill Belichick makes regular visits to the University of Florida to talk to coach Urban Meyer about it. Unfortunately, it probably will never get to the point where college QBs who run the spread will ever be able to claim that they played in a legitimate pro offense.

 

* Mike Sando at ESPN’s Hashmarks blog highlights the fact that Rams OT Orlando Pace is standing on the sidelines and is not allowed to practice during Rams mini-camp. Pace has been hurt quite a bit the last couple years and, like all left offensive tackles on all teams, the Rams need him badly.

 

Sando says, “His NFC West contemporary, Walter Jones, was at his best physically during the three seasons when a contract dispute kept him from participating in minicamps and training camps. Rare athletes such as Pace don’t always need the extra work. They do need to be healthy.”

 

I’m torn on this issue. I ca see Sando’s point but I’ve been meaning to write a full entry on how the softness of the Bears training camp last year led to their poor start. I’ll probably get around to it closer to this years camp.

* Want to know why Kansas City is such a mess? This come to us from the Kansas City Star via Ben Maller at FOX Sports.

 

Their solution [to finding a kicker] was to sign the best available free-agent kicker, Seattle’s Josh Brown. They had no backup plan. So when Brown instead signed with the Rams in the opening days of free agency, the Chiefs were left at kicker with journeymen Nick Novak and Billy Cundiff, an undrafted rookie in North Carolina’s Connor Barth and plenty of continuing unease over the situation. “We’ll have to decide at the end of the day if one of these three guys is the guy or do we have to go out and get one of those old guys who doesn’t want to come to training camp?” coach Herm Edwards said.

 

Say what you want about Jerry Angelo, and I usually do, but the Bears will never be even close to the worst run organization in the league as long as he’s at the helm At least the guy has a workable plan that gets beyond step #1. It too often involves sticking with his first round draft picks for far too long but, good grief, at least he’s got one.

* Tony Romo was trying to qualify for the US Open at the Golf Club of Dallas Tuesday. He didn’t make it. The guy who bounced the Cowboys out of the playoffs by mishandling the snap on a 19 yard field goal missed a one foot putt. Just sayin’…

* Cedric Benson could learn a thing or two from Vince Young. When basically asked to criticize the Titans for not adding enough talent at wide receiver Young said, “If I don’t pay attention, that’s my fault. If I do, with the talent that I have and the chemistry I have and all the guys and the weapons I have around me, all I have to do is stay focused and work hard and I feel I’ll be all right.” Contrast with Benson’s attitude toward himself and the other members of the Bears offense and discuss…

 

One Final Thought

 

* Think you’ve got it rough? The older brother of New York Jets safety Abram Elam was fatally shot Friday. He was the third sibling in the family to die by gunfire since 1987.

[Connorbear]

* Want to know why Kansas City is such a mess? This come to us from the Kansas City Star via Ben Maller at FOX Sports.

 

Their solution [to finding a kicker] was to sign the best available free-agent kicker, Seattle’s Josh Brown. They had no backup plan. So when Brown instead signed with the Rams in the opening days of free agency, the Chiefs were left at kicker with journeymen Nick Novak and Billy Cundiff, an undrafted rookie in North Carolina’s Connor Barth and plenty of continuing unease over the situation. “We’ll have to decide at the end of the day if one of these three guys is the guy or do we have to go out and get one of those old guys who doesn’t want to come to training camp?” coach Herm Edwards said.

Nice to hear from you. The blurb on the KC kicking situation is the reason I believe we will extend Gould. Having consistency at that position is extremely important.

 

Peace

[tshanno]

Nice to hear from you. The blurb on the KC kicking situation is the reason I believe we will extend Gould. Having consistency at that position is extremely important.

 

Nice to be back.

 

Yeah, I'm surprised Gould has taken so long to sign. Harris, I understand. I don't know what they're offering but I'm wouldn't be surprised if the Bears are underestimating looking for a hometown discount to offset the early signing. Its not going to work. IMO unless they give him what he's worth, Harris will call their bluff and risk injury. I hope he'll sign before training camp rather than do that. Mike Mulligan certainly seems to think so. I have my doubts. He could really break the bank if he makes it.

 

But I really think they should get Gould done. I think a lot of these GMs think you can just sign any kicker off the street. But guys who show they can do it with accuracy and distance in the clutch? I'm not so sure those guys are as easy to find. Unless Gould is asking for the world, I think that should get done now that the draft is over and before the picks start negotiating.

 

Cheers,

Tom S.

[Connorbear]

Nice to be back.

 

Yeah, I'm surprised Gould has taken so long to sign. Harris, I understand. I don't know what they're offering but I'm wouldn't be surprised if the Bears are underestimating looking for a hometown discount to offset the early signing. Its not going to work. IMO unless they give him what he's worth, Harris will call their bluff and risk injury. I hope he'll sign before training camp rather than do that. Mike Mulligan certainly seems to think so. I have my doubts. He could really break the bank if he makes it.

 

But I really think they should get Gould done. I think a lot of these GMs think you can just sign any kicker off the street. But guys who show they can do it with accuracy and distance in the clutch? I'm not so sure those guys are as easy to find. Unless Gould is asking for the world, I think that should get done now that the draft is over and before the picks start negotiating.

 

Cheers,

Tom S.

Now that he has joined the voluntary workout program they probably will work out a deal.

 

Peace

[HoofHearted]

* People in the know figure another misstep by new Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen, who has had two drunken-driving convictions, could result in a suspension of up to eight games.

 

If he gets another DUI, or in any big trouble for that matter, eight games will be the low-side of his suspension.