Bears News

Cutler maturing in role with Bears
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 
"Depending on the populace of a particular region, feelings for Jay Cutler are as varied as water and mountains. Adored on the shores of Lake Michigan, vilified at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Cutler is expressionless as he walks right down the middle of the multitudes. Gathered here in this hybrid village of bean fields and restaurant chains, the flock was parted by barriers, ropes and walkie-talkie- equipped security guards. Appearing with his fellow quarterbacks Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez, Cutler walked with one foot in front of the other, presumably after putting on his pants one leg at a time, through a grassy carpet that led to the Chicago Bears' practice field. The people ..."
Hester expects to play; Boldin less certain
Comment
November 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears won't be without their top wide receiver, and the Arizona Cardinals just might have their No. 2 guy after all Sunday at Soldier Field. Devin Hester returned to practice for the first time this week on Friday with his sprained right ankle and participated in portions of practice. He looked fine running around, and although he's listed as questionable on the injury report, he's expected to start. The Cardinals also got wide receiver Anquan Boldin back on the field Friday in a limited capacity, and he also is questionable. Boldin suffered a high ankle sprain on Oct. 11 and was knocked out of last Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. He has vowed to play, and the Bears are ..."
Bears' Devin Hester says he's full-go for Sunday
Comment
November 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"When asked if he would have any limitations coming off a sprained right ankle, Bears receiver Devin Hester responded, "none whatsoever." So that means Hester should have little trouble zipping by the Cardinals' cornerbacks come Sunday, right? "They do bite on double moves," Hester said. "(But) they're really good at breaking on routes. "They play really, really flat-footed a lot. But other than that, there are some areas in there where they can be beat. They showed that on film. And we just have to learn from it and try to do the same thing." The health of Hester and Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin could make for an interesting subplot Sunday. Hester sat out the previous two days before ..."
Westbrook only "questionable"
Comment
November 7
Camden Courier-Post
 
"There's still an air of uncertainty about whether or not Brian Westbrook will play Sunday night against the Cowboys. The Eagles' running back was withheld from practice Friday after taking most of the first-team reps on Wednesday and Thursday and is listed on the team's official report as "questionable" - a 50 percent chance to play, in NFL jargon. But coach Andy Reid seemed to suggest that Westbrook would play and was only held out of practice because of the recent workload. "He's had two hard days of work and, really, the young kid [LeSean McCoy] hasn't gotten a ton of reps," Reid said. "Like I've done on some othe Fridays, I kept Brian out." The uncertainty lies in the injury report. ..."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
Comment
November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
Riddle me this: Who is Cutler?
Comment
November 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Telander
"Who is Jay Cutler? Do you know? Do you have any real sense of the most-spotlighted athlete in our city at this time? I don't. And if you're honest, I think you'll admit you don't, either. Derrick Rose, without question the other leading athlete celeb in town, is an open book, a veritable billboard of information and self-revelation compared to Cutler. Patrick Kane, who is moving up the chart with a bullet, is moderately chatty and lightly provocative, even when dealing with taxi-driver misfortunes. But Cutler, the long-term and very wealthy face of our franchise sports team -- the Bears rule and always will rule in a city of broad shoulders -- has been here more than a half-year, yet it's ..."
Forced to play solitaire
Comment
November 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When it comes to offensive football, the Bears have built a dynasty of fear and recrimination. Chicago isn't just the place where receivers go to die; the painful fact is that most anyone on that side of the ball is in danger of (poor) execution. Just ask Jay Cutler, whose lonely pursuit of excellence underscores the fact that he's a singular talent -- and by that we mean, sadly, that he's on his own. Cutler doesn't appear to be getting much protection these days, much less help from the running game or any inventive play-calling to help bail him out. He looked vulnerable against Cleveland. For the first time this season, including the helicopter act earlier in the year, Cutler seemed in ..."
Kreutz's rallying cry vs. Cards still resonates three years later
Comment
November 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Dennis Green's postgame rant, memorialized in a beer commercial, is what everyone remembers from the Bears' 24-23 comeback victory at Arizona three seasons ago. But it was Olin Kreutz's chat at halftime, when the Bears trailed 20-0, that helped spur the team to victory and keep them undefeated at 6-0. ''I remember being in the locker room at halftime and Olin talking to the team, telling us, 'You guys play hard the rest of the game, we will win this game,''' linebacker Lance Briggs said. ''Those are the kind of moments that you never ever forget in your mind. When he said that, I know I believed him, and I'm pretty sure everybody believed him, too.'' Devin Hester provided the game-winning ..."
Devin Hester misses 2nd practice
Comment
November 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"Another practice passed with Devin Hester standing on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but no one seemed overly concerned about the possibility of the Bears' top receiver missing Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Hester said he is looking forward to practicing Friday. In Hester's absence the Bears coaches were able to give Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu more practice reps, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. No secrets: An interesting dynamic exists whenever Bears coach Lovie Smith faces Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner because Smith was the defensive coordinator on Rams teams Warner quarterbacked for three years. Smith said he considers Warner a friend for life -- but they ..."
Chicago Bear Nathan Vasher making progress at safety
Comment
November 6
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"It was a long way from Honolulu, site of the 2006 Pro Bowl Nathan Vasher played in, to the bench at Soldier Field Vasher sat on for an entire game in September. Vasher had traveled that distance in a very short time, and some believed there was nowhere else for him to go in his career. But the defensive back has been born again in the last few weeks, re-establishing his value to the Bears in different ways. Instead of playing cornerback, the position at which he earned a five-year, $28 million contract, Vasher now is playing free safety on the nickel unit and making solid contributions as a special teams player. Vasher has been a safety for all of nine practices, and he has yet to even ..."
Bum ankle slows Hester
Comment
November 5
Daily Southtown
 
"Devin Hester limped around the practice field Wednesday afternoon at Halas Hall but the wide receiver vowed to be on the field Sunday when the Bears host the Arizona Cardinals, a team that might be without a top receiver itself. Hester suffered a sprained ankle near the end of Sunday's victory over Cleveland, and could be back on the practice field today. "I'm all right,'' Hester said. "I'm going to play.'' Whether Anquan Boldin will be able to go for the Cardinals remains to be seen. He missed practice Wednesday because of a sprained right ankle that has been hobbling him for nearly a month, and was re-aggravated in Arizona's home loss to Carolina. Pocket play The Denver Broncos used ..."
Two former Bears to meet as coaches
Comment
November 5
Tennessean
 
"During a conference call with Nashville media on Wednesday, Singletary remembered Fisher as a player who was close to Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. "He got hurt a few times and he became the guy that Buddy really gravitated towards as a future coach," Singletary said. "Buddy couldn't get away from him." Fisher said he remembered the talk when Singletary was drafted in the second round out of Baylor in 1981, the year Fisher was selected in the seventh round out of Southern California."
An ugly victory and a homely future for Bears
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Lovie Smith defended the aesthetics of his team's win against the Browns the same way 31 other NFL coaches would have. Smith bristled when play-by-play man Jeff Joniak suggested people were terming the 30-6 victory ''ugly'' on WBBM-AM (780). From a coach's perspective, a win is the only objective. I'm still going with ugly. Sleepy also works. Uninspiring. Whatever adjective you slap in front of it, it wouldn't be complimentary. This season, however, is measured by something more meaningful than wins and losses. Whatever your expectations were, what's most important is the development of younger players. You want a reason to believe there will be bluer skies ahead. But the forecast is ..."
It's Turner's job on line if offense stagnates while Bears disappoint
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The offensive line isn't blocking. When the prized second-year running back has a hole he often misses it. Not only has the new franchise quarterback thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns, but he is buying smelling salts by the case while waiting to hear the most dreaded three questions of all. How many fingers? What day is it? Can you wiggle your toes? If Lovie Smith is feeling the heat, imagine what Ron Turner must feel. The Bears' offense hasn't looked coordinated, which doesn't bode well for the offensive coordinator, who made no attempt to hide his frustration after his offense sputtered against the league's 32nd-ranked defense Sunday. That leaves Smith as the only person who ..."
Gimpy Hester still expects to play Sunday vs. Cardinals
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Wide receiver Devin Hester limped around the practice field Wednesday at Halas Hall, but he vowed to be on the field Sunday, when the Bears host the Arizona Cardinals. Hester suffered a sprained ankle near the end of the victory over the Cleveland Browns, and he could be back on the field today. ''I'm all right,'' Hester said. ''I'm going to play.''"
Pare down isn't fight song
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With some distance from the victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns, offensive coordinator Ron Turner finally was able to specify his frustration. The Bears squandered opportunities for at least 17 more points and ''another couple hundred yards'' with mental mistakes that led to his fit of pique after a 30-6 victory that left so many questions despite the convincing score. On Wednesday, Turner vowed he wasn't going to scale back an offensive attack that has struggled in the last two weeks, particularly in the red zone. He had suggested Sunday that paring down the playbook could be one of the fallouts from a sloppy effort. ''You say some things sometimes when you're mad,'' said Turner, who ..."
Chicago Bears won't scale back offense
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner was extremely upset after Sunday's 30-6 victory over Browns as his offense went 2-for-7 in the red zone. Turner was asked Wednesday what his feelings were after watching the film. "Same," he said. "Not better." "Any time we get back on the practice field, then I feel better. Until then, it's tough. But I felt about the same after watching it." Turner had an extended talk Monday with quarterback Jay Cutler, and there was some thought Turner would scale back the playbook to help compensate for the problems. But Turner emphasized that better execution would be the best remedy."
For a running team, Chicago Bears sure are passing a lot
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Jamie Dukes has yet to break down film from last Sunday's Bears-Browns game, but the former center and current NFL Network analyst dissected enough of the Bears' first six games to offer an honest assessment of the Bears' offensive line, specifically Orlando Pace. "Yes, Orlando has struggled at times," Dukes said. "He has the same problem Flozell (Adams) has: As a big tall guy, as you get older, it's hard for you to bend your knees, so those little short guys give you trouble. "But I'm not worried nearly as much about Orlando as I am some of the other guys. ... What I look at is they're a passing team now. They're built to pass block. Orlando's built to pass block. So don't beat your head ..."
Jay Cutler discusses his diabetes in webisodes
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Every night before Jay Cutler goes to bed, he puts a can of Coke on his nightstand. It usually sits next to a Reese's peanut-butter cup. Cutler keeps the junk food close in case he feels woozy in the middle of the night and needs a sugar fix due to his glucose level dropping suddenly. Like many afflicted with Type 1 diabetes, Cutler injects himself five times a day with insulin to prevent anything like that from happening. Still, Cutler knows it could. It might be in his bedroom on a weeknight or on the field on a Sunday afternoon. But Cutler lives every day knowing it could. That is among the messages Cutler delivers in a webisode to be released later this month -- National Diabetes Month ..."
Devin Hester out of practice with ankle injury
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears receiver Devin Hester sat out Wednesday but said he expects to return to practice this week after suffering an ankle injury Sunday. Hester said a Browns defender fell on his ankle on a screen pass in the 30-6 victory over the Browns. "Just a little swollen," Hester said. "I'll be ready." Coincidentally, Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, a player the Bears considered trading for, is sidelined by a right ankle sprain but expects to play against the Bears. Scaling back? After the Bears scored just two touchdowns on seven trips to the red zone against the Browns, an upset Ron Turner said the lack of execution could lead to simplifying the offense."
John Tait says give Chicago Bears offensive line some more time
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Fred Mitchell
"The Bears' running game ranks 26th in the NFL. And quarterback Jay Cutler has been sacked, hurried and knocked down an inordinate number of times. Yet John Tait, a starting tackle for the Bears last season, preaches patience for the offensive line. Tait, who retired unexpectedly during the offseason, sees the current unit of Orlando Pace, Josh Beekman, Roberto Garza, Chris Williams and Olin Kreutz as a work in progress. "The time it takes to gel together and to have that unit playing together ... you know, they have some new guys in there and a new quarterback," Tait said. "That's a big deal. It just takes time. I think they are doing fine and everything is going to be good." Tait ..."
Chicago Bears receivers coming into their own
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Terrell Owens. T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Laveranues Coles. Marvin Harrison. Plaxico Burress. Matt Jones. Brandon Marshall. Torry Holt. Amani Toomer. Bobby Wade. Braylon Edwards. Chris Chambers. At one point or another between the end of last season and now, each of those wide receivers was available, or rumored to be available. And fans wondered why the Bears were not interested. The Bears were interested seriously in only one veteran wide receiver than we know of -- Anquan Boldin, who will be playing Sunday in Soldier Field with the Cardinals. But they weren't interested enough to give the Cardinals more than they thought Boldin was worth in a trade. The Bears were content going to battle with ..."
Fedor finds Bears game better on TV
Comment
November 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears fans weren't the only ones disappointed with Sunday's game. Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers were at Soldier Field to promote Saturday's fight on CBS. The Russian was less than impressed with a game that began with five straight three-and-outs. ''I found the game interesting,'' Emelianenko said. ''But what I think, the games I watch on TV seem to be more interesting, more exciting.'' Would the world's top MMA heavyweight have been a good football player? ''I don't know. When you watch from the side, it usually seems to be easy. Maybe to fight during the game, I could do that. But I don't think I would have the enough energy to play -- maybe with my friends ... but strictly ..."
Will the real 'D' stand up?
Comment
November 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The progress of the Bears' defense has been treacherously betrayed by the man running it. The supposed improvement in the NFL rankings this year -- they jumped from 16th to 11th after beating woeful Cleveland on Sunday -- is nothing but a mirage. Sure, you take progress where you find it, even in a hollow run up the table to the defense's highest ranking since the Super Bowl year. Problem is, the league's defensive rankings are based on yards allowed. Bears coach Lovie Smith much prefers the Aikman efficiency ratings devised by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who teamed with statisticians Rick Odioso and Jim Henzler to develop a formula for rating NFL teams based on multiple ..."
Lovie Smith inanities deserve to be reported
Comment
November 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"I woke up Tuesday morning contemplating a boycott of Lovie Smith. This concerned me because it seemed to suggest I had just dreamed of the dull Bears coach, which would mean that even my dreams put me to sleep. And I'm confused enough as it is. Anyway, the boycott: My thought was that until Smith said something both interesting and truthful (early bet: 2018), no utterances of his would show up in this column space. How much better the world would be! How much more peaceful! That vein on your neck would stop pulsating! No longer would we have to stand by as Smith blinked impassively at a scattering of bird droppings and then proclaimed it impressionistic art. On Monday, having analyzed the ..."
When they're in close, Bears are still far away
Comment
November 3
Daily Southtown
 
"When Bob Babich was the Bears defensive coordinator, it always was difficult to figure out where he started and Lovie Smith ended. The two were in lockstep. The perception is that since Smith replaced Babich as the play-caller, Ron Turner's role as co-head coach/offense has been reinforced. But Smith insists he is involved with the offense and solving its problems. In a city where everyone wants to blame Turner, Smith said the offensive coordinator is not the only one running the unit. That's the front the team put up Monday, a day after the Bears trampled the hapless Cleveland Browns 30-6 at Soldier Field in a game that gave more momentum to questions about the offense than anything ..."
Bears aware where Vikings are
Comment
November 3
Daily Southtown
 
"The Bears still are a month away from playing the Minnesota Vikings for the first time this season, but they've got a sense of what the leader of the NFC North is all about. They saw Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field go off without a hitch Sunday in a 38-26 victory that propelled the Vikings to 7-1 and a 2---game lead on the Bears and Packers. The Bears have given their full attention to the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals, who Sunday come to Soldier Field, where the Bears have won six straight dating to last season. At the end of a November schedule, the Bears acknowledge the key to their season is a visit Nov. 29 to the Metrodome. ''When you've got all the weapons (Favre) ..."
Arrival of Cutler gave us false hope that Bears were better than they are
Comment
November 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Carol Slezak
"The Bears beat the Browns by 24 points, and everyone is complaining. Go figure. At this point in the season, don't we have a pretty good inkling of what the Bears are all about? I guess we should blame Jay Cutler for this, too. When the Bears traded for him this offseason, expectations soared. Many in the media got carried away, predicting that the Bears would compete for the division title. Ten or even 11 wins became a possibility. One national writer, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, predicted the Bears would not only win the NFC North, but represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Now that the Bears finally had acquired that elusive franchise quarterback, it seemed like everything else ..."
Bears great at getting inside 20, but that's when things get tough
Comment
November 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When Bob Babich was the Bears' defensive coordinator, it was always difficult to figure out where he started and Lovie Smith ended. The two were in lockstep. The perception is that since Smith replaced Babich as the play-caller, Ron Turner's role as co-head coach/offense has been reinforced. But Smith insists he is involved with the offense and solving its problems. In a city where everyone wants to blame Turner, Smith said the offensive coordinator is not the only one running the unit. That's the front the team put up Monday, a day after the Bears trampled the hapless Cleveland Browns 30-6 at Soldier Field in a game that gave more momentum to questions about the offense than anything ..."
Film shows Chicago Bears have success running left
Comment
November 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Interesting game for the offensive line. With Josh Beekman replacing Frank Omiyale at left guard, the line showed some progress in run blocking but had quite a few lapses in pass blocking. What really stood out in viewing the game a second time? The Bears were much better running left -- to Beekman's side -- than they were running right. On running back carries, the Bears went left 18 times for 107 yards, an average of 5.9 per run. Take away Garrett Wolfe's 36-yard run to the left at the end of the game if you wish, and they still averaged 4.2. On 13 running back carries to the right, the Bears had 36 yards, an average of 2.8. The success to the left isn't all because of Beekman. One of ..."
Top 10 ways for Chicago Bears' offense to improve
Comment
November 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Rob Ryan called. The Browns defensive coordinator revealed that his sideline exchange Sunday with Jay Cutler consisted of: "You were $#$#%$# better in Denver. ... And your offensive line is $#$%$## too!" Just kidding. But when offering 10 suggestions for a Ron Turner offense that has stalled the last three games, as special as Cutler can be, it seriously starts with the quarterback. 1 Get even more out of Cutler. He has been good. Unfortunately, this Bears team needs Cutler to be great. Admittedly it sounds unfair. Without Cutler, the Bears are battling the Lions for the NFC North basement. Some of Cutler's worst errors in judgment have come from him trying to make too much happen. But ..."
Cutler takes hits - on field and verbally; Payton honored
Comment
November 2
Daily Southtown
 
"Bears coach Lovie Smith likes to talk about how losses don't leave a good taste in his mouth, but Sunday's 30-6 win over the Cleveland Browns probably didn't taste too good to Jay Cutler, who was swallowing blood after a blow to the chin from the helmet of Cleveland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in the second quarter. That drew a 15-yard penalty that kept alive the Bears' first touchdown drive, but the only thing the Bears will have to show for the rest of the hits on Cutler will be some bruises. Cutler bit his tongue on the big hit and didn't stop swallowing blood until the fourth quarter. He was sacked a season-high four times and hit seven times by the worst-ranked defense in the league. ..."
Bears' rout looks good - on paper ...
Comment
November 2
Daily Southtown
 
"There will come a point in this season when Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner no longer will be able to preach patience and say the offense needs to execute better. At some point - and it's coming soon - the Bears will be what they are. Right now, they strongly resemble a stumbling bunch, confused and lacking an identity. Don't mistake a 30-6 victory over the down-and-out Cleveland Browns (1-7) on Sunday at Soldier Field for progress, because, if anything, it was a step backward offensively a week after the Bears (4-3) were beaten into humiliation in Cincinnati. With a new quarterback, a rebuilt line and young receivers, the expectation was for some growing pains. But in November? A ..."
Humility is in the blood for Byrd
Comment
November 2
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Gill Byrd played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the San Diego Chargers. He was a cornerback, a two-time Pro Bowler. He holds the Chargers' career record with 42 interceptions. Byrd knows a thing or two about playing defensive back. The first requirement is an ability to put the bad plays behind you. You need to have a short memory to survive as long as Byrd did as a cornerback. But he doesn't remember ever having to tell his son, Jairus. "But I know he got it," Byrd said from Chicago, where he is a secondary coach for the Bears. "A lot of the things you convey to your kids aren't taught. They're caught. It's not what you say directly, but how you live your life, the way you treat other ..."
MORE LIKE A BROWNOUT
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There will come a point in this season when offensive coordinator Ron Turner no longer will be able to preach patience and say the offense needs to execute better. At some point -- and it's coming soon -- the Bears will be what they are. Right now, they strongly resemble a stumbling bunch, confused and lacking an identity. Don't mistake a 30-6 victory over the down-and-out Cleveland Browns (1-7) on Sunday at Soldier Field for progress because, if anything, it was a step backward offensively a week after the Bears (4-3) were beaten into humiliation in Cincinnati. With a new quarterback, a rebuilt line and young receivers, the expectation was for some growing pains. But in November? A testy ..."
Roughing a quarterback
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Mike Mulligan
"The Bears beat up a feeble Cleveland Browns team almost as much as the Browns beat up Jay Cutler on Sunday at Soldier Field. A 24-point victory didn't tell the whole story as Cutler looked more like a mugging victim than a guy who directed a winning effort. ''We have work to do,'' Cutler said. ''It's good to get a win at home, but offensively, we've got to get to work.'' Cutler was sacked four times and took countless other hits, including one that was called roughing the quarterback and kept the Bears' first touchdown drive alive. They had to settle for field goals on their first three forays into Browns territory. Cutler bit his tongue on that play and said he was swallowing blood until ..."
O-line protection not much to savor
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Lovie Smith likes to talk about how losses don't leave a good taste in his mouth, but this win probably didn't taste too good to Jay Cutler, who was swallowing blood after a blow to the chin from the helmet of Cleveland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in the second quarter. That drew a 15-yard penalty that kept alive the Bears' first touchdown drive, but the only thing the Bears will have to show for the rest of the hits on Cutler will be some bruises. Cutler bit his tongue on the big hit and didn't stop swallowing blood until the fourth quarter. He was sacked a season-high four times and hit seven times by the worst-ranked defense in the league. ''Shaun Rogers is a big guy,'' Cutler said. ..."
This blowout none too pretty
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Telander
"Here's what the Browns must do. Go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, find a section that suits their individual tastes -- rap, gospel, death metal, whatever -- and quit playing football for a while. Meditate. Reflect. Like the rest of the season. Quarterback Derek Anderson and his alleged ''receivers'' should lock themselves in the prison music area and ponder career changes. I don't know what the 1-7 Browns are doing, but it's not pro football. ''I don't want to say he was bad,'' said Bears free safety Danieal Manning of Anderson, who on a day of perfect weather had an astounding 0.0 quarterback rating at the half before surging to a ludicrous 10.5 for the game. ..."
Still much to prove
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Neil Hayes
"Tommie Harris made a play, which is newsworthy in itself. Well, he didn't really. He did but he didn't. It's hard to explain. The Bears' $40 million defensive tackle, the one who claims he doesn't have anything to prove to anybody, burst through the line to find only a red carpet between himself and Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. Harris making impact plays like the one he was on the brink of has been rare indeed. Too often the past couple of seasons, games come and go without anybody noticing a player who once stood out like a blinking neon sign in the middle of Bears' defensive the line. On this play, Harris hit Anderson a glancing blow and the ball squirted into the air only to have ..."
Walter's family feels the love
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Walter Payton was honored by the Bears in a halftime ceremony Sunday, with his wife Connie joining son Jarrett and daughter Brittney on the field for a tribute to the Hall of Fame running back who died 10 years ago to the day. The Soldier Field crowd gave a long and loud salute during a video tribute that featured highlights of Payton's career and included comments from former Bears coach Mike Ditka, owner Virginia McCaskey and teammates Otis Wilson and Richard Dent. ''Wasn't that awesome?'' Connie Payton asked the crowd that stood and roared. ''Thank you for a special day.'' She ended her brief speech with her two children by saying, ''We love you. And one more thing: Go Bears.'' The ..."
Cutler-Ryan tiff just part of competitive rivalry
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Jay Cutler and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had an up-close discussion along the Browns' sideline when the Bears failed to score after first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, the most egregious of the many red-zone failures. They nearly had to be separated from jawing at one another, but Cutler called it all part of a rivalry he had with Ryan dating back to his days in Denver when the son of Buddy Ryan was running the Oakland Raiders' defense. ''I love Rob Ryan. I think he's always liked and respected me,'' Cutler said. ''He's a great coach. You can just see the energy he brings on the sidelines to those guys. I've always enjoyed competing against him. I think he's one of the ..."
Fired-up Manning does it all
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Being considered the best athlete on any team -- even teams as lackluster as the Cleveland Browns -- can increase expectations for any player. But that's the pressure-filled world Bears safety Danieal Manning finds himself in. Coach Lovie Smith has called Manning the Bears' best athlete. On Sunday, Manning met those expectations and then some, turning in one of the best defensive performances of his four-year career in the Bears' 30-6 win against the Browns. ''It was very, very rewarding,'' said Manning, who made an interception, forced a fumble and recovered it. ''Everybody wants to win and contribute, and I felt like I contributed in this win.'' The best thing about Manning's takeaways ..."
Turnovers kill Browns' hopes
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Eric Steinbach quite possibly was the only Cleveland Brown who took something positive from a 30-6 drubbing Sunday at the hands of the Bears. Steinbach, a starting guard who starred at Providence Catholic and Iowa, is fulfilling a lifelong NFL dream and called the opportunity to play again at Soldier Field ''special.'' ''I was a big Bears fan as a kid,'' said Steinbach, who had plenty of friends and family in attendance. ''In college it started to fall off. You think about the draft and anyone can draft you. You just don't know. But it's always great to come here.'' Steinbach, a former Sun-Times All-Area and All-State selection, was drafted in the second round with the 33rd pick by ..."
Danieal Manning, Chicago Bears defense get their takeaways
Comment
November 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Danieal Manning felt a little green before kickoff Sunday, and it had nothing to do with envy. The Bears defensive back got a pleasant surprise in the locker room when teammate Tommie Harris approached and offered a present: an Incredible Hulk action figure. "That was my thing back in college," Manning explained. "I felt like when I got on the field, I just became this Incredible Hulk. I had the green gloves. I had the green mouthpiece. I had all the toys in the locker room. "Tommie was like, 'I've got a present for you.' I thought it was a music CD. But the Incredible Hulk is his favorite too. The whole concept is to have a metamorphosis: When you're on the field, you have to become this ..."
Anger boiling over as Cleveland Browns take another pounding, 30-6, from Chicago Bears
Comment
November 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The scent of change hung in the air as the Browns slinked into their bye week with a 1-7 record after a 30-6 loss to the Chicago Bears. Outside the locker room, owner Randy Lerner talked of his despair and the need to add somebody to fix his organization. In the post-game interview room, coach Eric Mangini vowed to "look at everything across the board ... coaches, players, personnel." Asked if he were angry or frustrated, the coach barked, "You can choose any of those emotions and they fit." In a doorway leading to the trainer's room, Mangini had an animated lecture with beleaguered offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Then Mangini prowled the locker room with a pronounced scowl so long ..."
At nickel, can Bears get their two cents' worth?
Comment
November 1
Daily Southtown
 
"One of the problems the Bears have had on defense the past few seasons is they haven't gotten production from some of the players they have paid. Not commensurate to the checks that were written by the club, anyway. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris received a four-year, $40 million extension in summer 2008 and has yet to play to that level, something that no doubt played into his benching last week. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was given a one-year, $18 million extension before training camp in 2008 with the idea of getting him the going rate for marquee defenders. Then there is the case of cornerback Nathan Vasher, who scored a five-year, $28 million extension in 2007. Vasher had ..."
mom, sister proud of man 'bubba' was
Comment
November 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Alyne ''Momma'' Payton trekked all the way from Jackson, Miss., to Chicago to celebrate her famous son's glorious career with Bears fans on ''Walter Payton Day'' today at Soldier Field. ''When he first went up there, Walter said he was going to make Chicago love him,'' Momma Payton said. ''So he just did what he was supposed to do, and I guess everybody did love him. Football took him away from me. But he called me every night on his way home. We talked about anything and everything.'' The man Chicago knew as ''Sweetness'' was better known as ''Bubba'' around the Payton house back in Mississippi, where a teenage Walter once ate 5½ cakes in single sitting, sister Pam Payton-Curry ..."
'Sweetness' & Sorrow
Comment
November 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Ten years after the 1985 Bears had won the Super Bowl, the team held a reunion at Navy Pier. Just about every player from the championship team attended the event. At one point during the evening, former defensive lineman Dan Hampton looked across the room and saw Walter Payton, who by then had been retired from the NFL for eight years. Hampton remembers thinking to himself that Payton was in such great shape, it looked as though he still could play. Improbably, just four years later, Payton was gone, a victim of liver cancer that claimed his life on Nov. 1, 1999. ''Of all the players at that reunion, he was the last one I would have thought wouldn't make it to the 20-year reunion,'' ..."
League breaking down into haves, have-nots
Comment
November 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Mike Mulligan
"Nobody likes a bully. There can be little appreciation for those who use strength or power to harm and intimidate the weak. Unless, of course, you're talking about the NFL. Morality goes out the window in pro football, where the preferred tactic is to rub snow in the face of an opponent, kick 'em when they're down and offer a smelly armpit of solace. A week after helping Cedric Benson up and returning the shoe he left lodged in their collective facemasks, the Bears welcome the woeful Cleveland Browns to Soldier Field today. The formula for victory is simple: Jump on them early, keep a foot on their throats, win at all costs. ''It humbles you a little bit, brings you back down, and you ..."
Finding safety in numbe
Comment
November 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"One of the problems the Bears have had on defense the past few seasons is that they haven't gotten production from some of the players they have paid. Not commensurate to the checks that were written by the club, anyway. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris picked up a four-year, $40 million extension in the summer of 2008 and has yet to play to that level, something that no doubt played into his benching last week. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was given a one-year, $18 million extension before training camp in 2008 with the idea of getting him the going rate for marquee defenders. Then there is the case of cornerback Nathan Vasher, who scored a five-year, $28 million extension the summer ..."