Whenever I get a little bit behind on posts, I try to sum up the news of the day on Bear Dawn.  Here we go:

Gabe Carimi is Betting Big on Himself

We’ve all been ragging on Carimi for staying away from Halas Hall but someone out there thinks he’s doing the right thing and betting big on himself.

“Now, where it gets a little sketchy, you can’t go back and be OK. You can’t go back and be good. You’ve got to go back and be damn good. That’s where the pressure falls back onto the player and, to be quite frank, that is where it belongs. Let these guys stand up and man up for themselves. These are their careers. If Gabe Carimi is going to be labeled as a bust, let this man do it on his own terms.”

Preach on!  If he’s going to be a bust, better he stay away from Halas Hall so as to not spread around whatever he’s got in case it’s contagious.

 Robbie Expects to Return as Good as Gould

Robbie Gould expects to be cleared to return by the Dallas surgeon who worked on his injured calf on Tuesday and the Bears to clear him by Wednesday so he can re-join his teammates in workouts by Thursday.

“I’ll be just as good. I have busted my butt to get healthy and I can’t wait to get out there and show everyone.”

Can’t wait to see Robbie back in action.

Draft Move

The NFL draft could be on the move in 2014. Thanks to a Rockettes show scheduled for Radio City Music Hall, the draft is getting pushed back, likely to May 15th on a 1-year trial basis.   No other changes are confirmed at this time, but there’s been some talk about moving free agency and the start of the league year up to the end of February and the scouting combine to mid-March.

And all the NFL bloggers out there let out a big cheer!

Bears Player Tweet of the Day

Yesterday’s tweet of the day, from Kyle Long:

It’s amazing what we are able to do thanks to technology

— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) May 21, 2013

So long…

Defensive tackle Andre Fluellen.  We hardly knew ye.

Hello…

Undrafted rookie cornerback Maurice Jones out of Temple.

And Finally…

If you’d like to help the folks in Oklahoma, donate to the Red Cross or other reputable charities, watch out for scams and for God’s sake, go hug your kids and loved ones.

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recognizes West, Texas and Boston Marathon victims and first responders during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The draft is over rookie mini-camps are beginning so what is there really left to think about until training camps begin.  If your really into fantasy football sign up for mock draft today.  There are plenty sites out there that run mock drafts the one I use is Antsports.com  Here are some reasons to jump into a mock draft if you are serious about winning your league come December.  (more…)

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

We’re in the dog days of the offseason and that means lots of filler content not just here but with the mainstream media as well.  Filler content means a lot of meaningless lists and rankings just to try to spur some debate and discussion.  The latest list of quarterback rankings  that I saw from Will Brinson at CBS Sports really kicked up a burr under my saddle.

Brinson ranks NFL quarterbacks and puts Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler 19th on his list, meaning he thinks there are 18 quarterbacks better than Cutler.  I think that ranking is absolutely ridiculous.  Let’s look at the list and see where he went astray.  (more…)

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers fans during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

They’ll put anything on TV these days.  As proof of that, TBS is getting ready to launch a new reality show called Cheeseheads, which will follow a group of Green Bay Packers fans.

TBS is also developing Cheeseheads (working title), which looks at the fans of Wisconsin’s Green Bay Packers. Billing promises that the show “will take viewers into the hilarious subculture through the eyes of a group of proud Wisconsinites as they navigate life in the only way they know how – loud, proud and with lots of beer.”

I’ve happened across a number of Bears fans who roll their eyes at this news.  I say they’re sorely mistaken.  I can’t wait for Cheeseheads! (more…)

April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; General manager Phil Emery (left) and head coach Marc Trestman (right) stand with first-round selection of guard Kyle Long (center) from Oregon University during a Chicago Bears press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have their entire 2013 draft class under contract, as they’ve reached agreement to a contract with first round selection Kyle Long.  Long was the last of the class to agree to terms as rest of the rookie class had new paper before rookie minicamp last week.

Terms of the four year deal, with a team option have not been disclosed, but with the new slotting you can bet that it’s somewhere in the ballpark of the 4 year $8 million that Shea McClellin got last season as the 19th pick.    (more…)

Sep 09, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) intercepts a pass for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donnie Avery (11) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

You know Briggs and Peppers and Tillman.   Those players are considered the core of the Chicago Bears defense.  Sure, you might still remember Urlacher, but the sooner you start forgetting the better.  Anyway, they have been around for a few years and have performed at a Pro Bowl level consistently.  They’re guys that are well known outside of the Bears and have a reputation around the leauge.  But a player that you may not have expected to give you a monster season and move into the spotlight would be Tim Jennings, who was ranked #69 in NFL.com’s Top 100 of 2013.

Here’s NFL.com’s clip describing Jennings’ terrific 2012 season which earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl and his first nod to the Top 100 while leading the NFL with nine interceptions.

(more…)

John W. Siegal (6)stands over a scramble for the ball in a game against a team that appears to be the Packers. Hopefully, the Bears won. No photo credit available.

Yesterday marked the 95th birthday of the oldest former Chicago Bear alive today, John W. Siegal. He was born on May 15, 1918, and spent his entire five year career with the Bears. He caught passes from Sid Luckman, and he was a member of the team in the legendary 73-0 drubbing of the Redskins in the 1940 championship. He also wore Jay Cutler’s jersey number and was a dentist.

I am sharing this story for two reasons. One is because it’s interesting. Two is because despite being 95 years old, this man never got the chance to see the Cubs win the world series. Hopefully he will in his lifetime. But besides that, happy belated birthday to the oldest living member of the Monsters of the Midway!

April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; General manager Phil Emery during a Chicago Bears press conference announcing their first-round selection of guard Kyle Long from Oregon University at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery appeared on Sirius XM radio and talked about a number of Chicago Bears issues now that the draft is in the rear view mirror and the offseason program is well underway.  Have a listen and let’s dissect Phil’s words after the jump:

(Refresh your browser if you don’t see the Sirius XM SoundCloud below)

(more…)