September — 2008 — Blog Down, Chicago Bears

The woefully dreadful Cincinnati Bengals sign the equally dreadful Cedric Benson Yay!

by Shea Johnson on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at 6:36 pm

What more could an 0-4 team want to jumpstart their season than an underachieving recluse with a penchant for alcohol and Sun Chips?

Today, the Cincinnati Bengals furthered the already laughable image of their organization by adding Cedric Benson to their payroll.

Benson was ostensibly cut by the Bears in June after his second alcohol-related arrest, but we all know the real reason was because he sucked. Hard. (more…)

Posted under Things Beyond Me,bad athletes,cedric benson,transaction

Introducing the Chicago Bears mobile Web site

by Shea Johnson on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at 5:17 pm

If you’re anything like me, you want to stay connected to Chicago Bears info from anywhere, and as much as possible. Apparently, some company called netomat, Inc. has teamed with Motorola to make it more likely you’ll never miss a thing.

With the launch of Bears mobile, “fans can stay in the game with access to a streamlined version of the team’s official web site on their mobile phone.”

Basically, in between texts to your baby’s mama, you can view up-to-date news feeds, photos, roster, player bios, fan polling, and more. (more…)

Posted under Things Beyond Me,technology

Blog Down Breakdown: PHI 20, CHI 24

by Shea Johnson on Monday 29 September 2008 at 6:51 pm

Finally, a game in which the Bears did something my sixteen-year old self never could — finish. Alas fellas, how does it feel to move past third base, and into the warm, juicy orephous known as victory?

On fourth-and-goal from the one with just under four minutes left in the game, the Bears defense took a stand and then made one. A handoff to Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter yielded no gain on the pivotal play as defensive end Alex Brown burst in from the side, reached his arm around Buckhalter and provided that extra resistance needed to keep the Eagles short. (more…)

Posted under alex brown,game results

Week 4 preview, Harris’ nagging injury, and where I’ll be during the game

by Shea Johnson on Saturday 27 September 2008 at 10:40 pm

If the Bears continue the trend of the last two weeks, they’ll absolutely stomp Donovan McNabb and his Eagles counterparts into submission and the score will show it. That is until the fourth quarter when the Bears defense implodes and the Eagles sneak away with a late-minute win.

In order for that not to happen, the Bears offense must convert on third down opportunities — something they have not done recently. Controlling the clock is always important for an offense that lacks big play ability, but it will be more important for the Bears in order to keep their defense fresh.

The Eagles will come out throwing, hoping to recreate the success Brian Griese had against the team last week. While I don’t see McNabb throwing 67 times, he will throw often and how well the defense contains him will be the biggest indicator of the team’s success. (more…)

Posted under game preview,tommie harris

Kyle Orton is surprisingly mobile…and unbreakable

by Shea Johnson on Saturday 27 September 2008 at 9:45 pm

Watch Kyle Orton take to the ground, conjuring up memories of John Elway circa Super Bowl XXXII. Except Elway is in the Hall-of-Fame. But at least Orton still has his brawny man beard.

Posted under highlight,kyle orton's beard

Free at last! Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!

by Shea Johnson on Saturday 27 September 2008 at 9:14 pm

Ok. So the news doesn’t quite deserve the poignancy of the Martin Luther King speech, but former Bears running back Cedric Benson will not be indicted for his two separate alcohol-related arrests earlier in the year.

In May, Benson was arrested for boating while intoxicated in Lake Travis, Texas; an incident made more famous for the alleged abuse by the cops and Benson’s cry-heard-’round-the-world for his mama.

A month later, Benson got pulled over while driving in Austin, Texas after he ran a red light. Police determined Benson to be drunk and two days later, the Bears determined him to be an ex-employee. (more…)

Posted under bad athletes,cedric benson,crime

Tommie Harris goes all “The Rock” on the media

by Shea Johnson on Friday 26 September 2008 at 8:15 pm

You have got to wonder if the pressure isn’t starting to get to defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Through three games this season — his first being the highest-paid DT in the NFL – Harris has produced only two tackles and one for loss.

Thus, it is completely understandable why he might employ sarcasm as a method of dealing with any potential ridicule. Or at least that’s what I might think if I were into that psychology bullshit. Which I’m totally not… I’m not. (more…)

Posted under Mouthing Off,i can has urlacher,tommie harris

Your Week 4 ESPN Power Ranking: #20

by Shea Johnson on Wednesday 24 September 2008 at 9:52 pm

Every week we’ll be posting the Bears’ ESPN Power Ranking, along with a picture of a crowd reaction (or would-be reaction) to said ranking:

The Bears are ranked 20 in this week’s ESPN Power Rankings. Last week: 15.

Posted under ESPN Power Ranking

Bears put wide receiver Mark Bradley on waivers

by Shea Johnson on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 6:02 pm

Wide receiver Mark Bradley is no longer a member of the Chicago Bears. Not by choice of course. The Bears waived him on Tuesday to make room for rookie cornerback Marcus Hamilton — a seventh-round pick by of all teams, the Tampa Bay Bucs. Alright.

What’s really messed up is Bradley’s not even Rashied Davis.

With the move, Kyle Orton remains the gem of the 2005 Bears draft class and the only member still with the team. Is the 2005 class going down in history as one of the worst ever or what?

Posted under Mark Bradley,bad athletes,transaction

Either Jeremy Trueblood’s a true jerk, or someone did really grab his package in which case, you know, I totally understand

by Shea Johnson on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 5:29 pm

Depending on whose version of events you believe, Bucs tackle Jeremy Trueblood either acted like a dick, or was grabbed near his during overtime of the Bears 27-24 loss on Sunday.

Trueblood was visibly atop Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, throwing elbows to his head, immediately after a third-down play turned up unsuccessful for the Bucs midway through OT.

The obvious infraction went uncalled, but led to a skirmish that resulted in a shoving match between Charles Tillman and Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton. Tillman was subsenquently, and unfairly, called for unecessary roughness, giving the Bucs new life and eventually the game. (more…)

Posted under Adewale Ogunleye,Naughty Bits,When Athletes Attack,bad athletes,charles tillman,feuds,tommie harris

Blog Down Breakdown: TB 27, CHI 24

by Shea Johnson on Monday 22 September 2008 at 9:18 pm

For the second straight week, the Bears lose a game in which they dominated for the vast majority of it. And while the Bears running attack lived up to it’s recent reputation, Tampa Bay defied the expectation and ran only 17 times. Instead, it was quarterback Brian Griese who ended up hurting the Bears, throwing an amazing 67 passes while keeping his arm and shoulder surprisingly connected.

You could say the Bears lost it in overtime when Charles Tillman was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a play that would have resulted in a Bucs fourth down. However, we’ll have more on that later.

The truth is, the Bears’ defense grew tired — once again — as the game transpired. The Beard and Co. weren’t able to convert on enough third downs and keep the offense on the field. (more…)

Posted under Sons of famous people,game results,kyle orton's beard

Brandon McGowan sucks at life

by Shea Johnson on Saturday 20 September 2008 at 7:53 pm

If being out for the entire season with ligament damage in his left ankle wasn’t bad enough, the league has fined safety Brandon McGowan $5,000 for a late hit which occured during last Sunday’s loss at Carolina.

McGowan had began the season as a starter before losing his job to the next big thing, Kevin Payne, after one game.

It’s McGowan’s last year under contract, but the Bears showed in the case of Mike Brown, they’ll stick behind their oft-injured safeties. If they’re good.

Now that’s what I call adding insult to injury [applause].

Posted under bad athletes,brandon mcgowan,injury
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