LT2_3

Quick question: What reason did the police have for entering your apartment? My point is that it all comes down to probable cause. In Benson's case, it's not illegal to have alcohol on the boat and the engine wasn't running. As far as I'm concerned, I can see no probable cause there. As you describe your situation, whoever let the cops in is a moron. They can't enter without an invitation or a warrant. It's a matter of understanding your rights and the law. Benson was within his rights and he shouldn't be held accountable for the actions of overagressive, jack-booted, facist, bullyboys.

Madlith - I get your point, but it's not something that you can really argue. Sure, you can say "it would be a good idea if", but it still remains that Benson really didn't do anything wrong short of not having a designated captain.

That is something that we didn't know. That being said, I would want to know if the River Authority (an obviously FOR profit entity) would have the same protection since they aren't paid for by public funds.

It's mindboggling if he's serious. If he was making a joke, he hasn't mastered the art of getting that across in print. I'm not publishing my thoughts on a blog and posting it on multiple websites. Holding me to the same standards is ridiculous. I wasn't saying that Thurman DID fall off the wagon, but that it was a possible situation based on his past history in trying to point out that there is possibly more to the story. Urlacher isn't missing OTAs, he's missing a manditory minicamp over a contract issue. I don't like it, but it's the business. There's no point in crying about it. As for the Thurman issue further, I was pointing out that some OTAs are more important than others depending on the situation. Either way it's irrelevant. I seriously doubt that Thurman was released for missing OTAs. If you would like a different possible explanation, perhaps he was released for not keeping his word to the coaches. So, while he only missed OTAs, he could be released for telling the coaches he was going to show up on a particular day and then didn't keep his word. From what I've read, Thurman's grandmother's funeral was over a week ago. It's not like the expected him to rush back. Yeah - Young said that. But he's part of the media puffing up the story. Also, the fact that other teams do the same thing without the use of videotape shows that the Patriots gained no advantage simply by using videotape. All they would have had to do is send Ernie Adams to each game with a set of binoculars and a notepad. They could have then matched up his notes with the coaches tape that the league gives to every team for scouting. So, while I believe Young when he says it would have been a huge advantage if he knew what defense was going to be run, the combination of teams changing signals and that the same information can be obtained without breaking the rules, makes it a completely moot point. How is that so hard to understand? As for the author of the article, I think he spews too much crap without checking facts or even knowing what he's talking about. I have the same contempt for alot of the media, but they don't have the audacity to post their articles directly on the boards that I frequent.

Wow. You should write for the National Enquirer. Boy you sure jump to conclusions don't you? Personally I'll wait to see if the team has a problem with his absence before jumping to conclusions. This one is mind boggling. Are you implying that his fiance is the impetus for his absence - which is during voluntary activities? Geez it would be nice if you had your facts straight. Odell's agent hasn't ruled out a grievence. Since the Bengals haven't commented on the situation, there could be another explanation - like he fell off the wagon when his grandmother died. If he did and the league found out, he would be in line for another long suspension. A few points here. First, it hasn't been established that the Bengals released Thurman for missing OTAs. Second, even if that IS the case, the Bengals are implementing a new defense so attendance is a bit more important than a defense that has stayed the same for 5 seasons. It's amazing how wrong you can be on so many different levels. Your facts are right but your conclusion is dead wrong. Are you forgetting that the NFLPA required that the NFL include ALL revenues as opposed to just the DGR from the previous CBA agreement? Or did you not know that? It was the requirement of the NFLPA that forced the owners into creating the revenue sharing plan in the first place. Had they been willing to merely accept a larger portion of the DGR, then we wouldn't be in this mess. It's their fault too. Anyone who still cares about this issue doesn't understand how teams scout each other legally in the first place. The use of tape of coaching signals only improves a team's ability to predict a defense by a negligible percentage if at all. The Patriots could have achieved the same thing legally by simply sending their analyst that breaks down the tape to each game with a notebook and a set of binoculars. Wow. Another media member puffing up the subject because there's nothing else to write about right now.

Urlacher's contract is a bit backloaded. Urlacher is scheduled to earn the following (approx) over the next 4 seasons: 2008 $4 million 2009 $5 million 2010 $7.5 million 2011 $9 million Basically, Urlacher wants to tear up his current contract and get more guaranteed upfront.

I'd read in a Texas article that someone call a local TV station claiming they had video of part of the incident and the girl that came forward claims to have pictures too. Here's what I think happened: The drunk tests are designed for the subject to fail. I had a buddy that worked as a bartender and got pulled over on his way home from work at 3:00am. He hadn't had a drink all night, but reeked of booze because it was spilled on his clothes. He told the cops that he hadn't been drinking and even breathed in their face to prove it. They gave him the standard sobriety test and said he failed. They took him down to the police station where he blew .000 on the breathlyzer. Because of this, I know that the sobreity test is ridiculously subjective. So everything is a grey and subjective issue. So, in this case, perhaps Benson hesitated at some point during the test. That's automatic failure. The rent-a-cop went by the book and wanted to take him to shore for further testing. Benson was feeling harassed and complained. I believe in Benson's statement, he said he was asking why more tests were needed. Because he complained, and the fact that he was probably much bigger than the officer, the officer felt that pepper spray was the appropriate course of action to maintain control of the situation. Again, that's a subjective judgement. The thing that I think the cops have to be aware of is that if they claim he resisted arrest but it's proven that they were wrong to do so (like by a sub legal limt BAC test), there is no valid arrest for him to have resisted and it all gets thrown out. It'll be interesting to see what more information becomes available in the future.

One thing that I've heard floated out there is that she isn't from that area and her dialing 911 from her cell phone would've called another city altogether. That kinda makes sense. Her Dad lives in the area and she and her fiance are visiting from out of town. Even if her phone and cell carrier are fully E911 compatible, SHE might not have known that.

Jason - I'm not sure this will get past a preliminary trial. I think the key thing will be whether the boat was anchored or not. If the boat was anchored, nobody was driving the boat and therefore nobody can be charged with BWI. I don't think they will be able to sustain a charge. If the witness is correct in that he'd only had 2 drinks. It sounds like he had at least one of them while the boat was anchored. Drinking in and of itself isn't illegal. Getting lippy with a rent-a-cop isn't illegal either. It sounds to me like Benson might have had a bit of an attitude, but that's irrelevant because they had no underlying cause to arrest him. It sounds to me like they are simply trying to justify what they did to him and are calling it "resisting arrest". If the underlying charge doesn't exist, they had no cause to arrest him in the first place. If that's the case, this all goes away and the rent-a-cops are going to look silly.

You're right. You didn't move the thread. However, bringing it up as a possibility is like poking a scab. It goes back to the previous thing of an admin making a determination on the appropriate location for a thread. That's why we voted on it in a poll. I really don't get how police corruption/abuse of power isn't precisely on topic when put in the context of the arrest by a rent-a-cop of a Chicago Bear. Just for the record, why would you think that it belongs anywhere else?

You guys are "move the thread" happy around here. It's on topic completely. As far as I'm concerned, there are no other forums. If it's remotely football related, freakin leave it here already.

Because, from what I can tell, the reports are coming from the Lower Colorado River Authority http://www.lcra.org/about/overview/index.html that arrested him and not the Police. I'm not certain about this, but I'm not sure they have that equipment. It would have to be the police that conduct that test. I'm not even sure he was administered one. If he was, it hasn't been reported anywhere.

Excellent point Nfo. I would also add that the potential of corrupt cops in this scenario make it completely on topic. Now, not to offend actual cops anywhere, we are discussing the behavior of the Lower Colorado River Authority officers and not actual cops. If anyone is interested in more about them, here's a link to their site............... http://www.lcra.org/about/overview/index.html

LMAO - How often do you think a "river police" risk their lives? I don't know about other places, but here in Illinois, I'd put them on a par with the forest preserve police. I'm not even sure they are allowed to carry guns.

Hub not liking our draft is par for the course. He's sounded exactly like what he is since he got let go by the Bears: A disgruntled ex-employee. Is this in print somewhere? Nothing appears in the post for me.

FYI - releasing Benson would cost us more cap space than keeping him.

I think the key issue that King and anyone else that brings this up forgets (or didn't know in the first place), is that ANYONE drafted this year will get zero reps with the 1st unit in TC due to the upcooming QB competition. From a national level, everyone still sees our starting QB as Grossman and haven't even heard (or forgot) about the upcoming QB competition. The teams mentioned that have taken QBs relatively high are teams with an established starter in an established system. They can give those starters probably as little as 60% of the snaps in TC and as much as 40% to their new draftees. With a QB competition, our top 2 QBs will bogart every meaningful snap. That means that a drafted guy wouldn't be prepared to do ANYTHING during the season. On the positive side, we can probably put both of our UDFA QBs on the practice squad for the whole year (unless there is a serious injury) and free up an extra spot for 4 RBs, 5 DTs, 5 Ss, or whatever we need.

Guy's you're totally over-reacting to this. Read the breakdown of the contract in the SunTimes. The first thing to remember is that he had signed his tender for $927k that was guaranteed. His cap hit after this deal is a whole whopping 10k more than it would have been otherwise. The second thing to remember is, after reading the details, that it's a 3 year 3.87 million dollar base deal. His first escalator is at 45 receptions which he's unlikely to reach. We can release him before next season and still save cap space over keeping him. That's called a minimal price for carrying the option to keep him. Literally, it's no big deal.

Well Good luck Pix! I'll check back in case Saturday is too soon for further testing and you want to hang out with fellow Bear fans for at least the first pick. My general location is on State street across from Swedish American Hospital. There'll be a couple of us here at least and I can guarantee you your own personal laptop for surfing and posting thoughts LIVE. If you're interested I'll send more detailed directions.

So, is anyone interested in getting together or not??????? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

I'm happy to host it guys. I doubt we'll get more than 7-8 guys and my place is plenty big for that. I have 3 computers and if anyone has a laptop they can bring it as well. I've got a wireless router and can handle all the traffic easily on my Cable modem. I'd just say to bring your beverage of choice. I'll make some snacks (Mmmmm excuse to use the deep fryer!!) and then we can order something to be delivered for dinner.

Where depends on how many people. If it's only a few, I could host it at my apartment. If it's a bunch, we could probably pick a place like LT's and reserve some space just for us. If it's at my place, I have a fridge, a bathroom, we could order some pizza, and I have a wireless network so everyone could bring their laptops so we could partake in live chat at Monsters of the Webway and/or surf for clips and draft info on the different picks. If anyone's interested, email me at lloydt56@yahoo.com for directions and whatnot. LOL I don't have a pink one.

Yeah! And wear "a yellow rose of Texas" on your shirts so you can recognize each other.

I think Pix and Connerbear are from the Rockford area. I've recently moved back to Rockford after a 15 year hiatus in the NW 'burbs of the Windy City. I was wondering if anyone might be interested in getting together to watch the first and maybe second rounds of the draft. It starts at 2:00pm CST on Saturday the 26th. With a 10 minute limit and picks starting probably at about 2:20pm, that puts the Bears picking at 4:40pm in the first round. The second round should start before or about 6:35pm with 7 minutes per pick and the Bears 12 picks in, it should be about an hour and 25 minutes at the latest before the Bears pick which makes it about 9:00pm for their current 2nd round pick at the latest. Anyone up for hanging out for the Bears first two rounds, done before 9:00pm at the latest on a Saturday? We can re-evaluate how long to hang if there are trade downs or whatnot. If interested, email me at lloydt56@yahoo.com Title it: Draft in Rockford -- or anything else that would get the gist across ...... We'll set something up.

Thankfully, neither of us carry enough noteriety for that to be taken out of context. My offer from WAY before (Ummm probably several years in fact) is still good in case you want to come to Illinois and split a ridiculously expensive bottle of scotch over salary cap discussions. (Or we could get whacked and watch porn or play on my PS2) My fav is Sheep Dip when it comes to scotch. I'll pick up your fav though since you'd be handling the whole travel thing.