butkusrules

I would, we don't know what we have with Hanie. We know what Simms is, he is same level as Orton in my opinion. Why buy more of the same?

This is how its going to go down. We pick up Simms for some draft pick, then we put Hanie on our practice squad. Bucs pluck him from there and he goes onto be the next Marino. Thus keeping our crappy QB legacy alive.

Tank Disparaging Grossman-its one thing if fans do it , its another when that piece of garbage does it. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10925647 The former Chicago Bear, Tank "Gatling Gun" Johnson, was tossing the football recently with several other defensive linemen at Dallas' training camp. They were chatting and joking and Johnson's voice boomed loudly. When the topic suddenly turned to Johnson's old teammate, quarterback Rex Grossman, Tank was even less shy. Johnson didn't seem to care that a journalist and several fans were well within earshot. Johnson called Grossman brittle and, in so many words that can't be repeated, he also called him soft. Community Focus One man vs. One fan Joe Kuzma "We don't have a quarterback and we just need offense. We don't have offense." patg006: "The key thing about this year is pressure. There is none. And there is no reason why the Bears shouldn't win 8-10 games." Tell us how you really feel, Tankster? Fast forward to the Bears' preseason game Thursday night against Kansas City on a gorgeous night at Soldier Field. Grossman, Tank's favorite quarterback, was on the sideline as Kyle Orton started. Orton looked solid at one moment and discombobulated in others. Once while scrambling he fumbled the football. The game was a chance for Orton to develop a foothold in the starting lineup and finally force Grossman to take a foothold in oblivion. "I don't think you can hang your hat on one night to win any job," Orton said following Chicago's 24-20 loss to Kansas City. "I thought I played solid and made the right reads and ran the offense. That has been my goal. As long as I continue to do that, I'll be fine." As usual, however, due to the theory Grossman possesses a wicked voodoo doll or compromising photos of competing throwers in a mid-sex act with Yogi Bear in Jellystone Park, Rex is still alive in the quarterback race. He won't go away. Drop a nuke on Grossman and he arises from the radioactive rubble, ready to throw an interception. He laughs at the Andromeda Strain. He spits on your mocking of him. Cockroaches say the only thing that will outlive them is Grossman. No, he won't go away. He just won't freaking go away. It's one of the greater mysteries in football over the past few years. Why hasn't Grossman become an ex-Bear? For that matter, how is Sexy Rexy still in this league? The answer is that the coaching staff is doing everything in its power to help a player with limited ability succeed. The reason why the Bears are doing this is inexplicable. Out of Nowhere Man (Caleb Hanie) Quarterback Caleb Hanie is an undrafted rookie from Colorado State and under normal circustances would have little chance of making the team. But these are the quarterback-challenged Bears. There has been the predictable and silly clamor from some Bears fans that Hanie should start. Well, that's just dumb. But Hanie has a solid chance to earn a spot on the roster. Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? I was once suckered by Grossman's hypnotic appeal several years ago, just like the Bears' coaching staff is. I thought he would dramatically improve and lead Chicago to another Super Bowl appearance. Many fans have clearly tired of Grossman. During one of their recent training camp practices, Grossman was booed. Against the Chiefs he received a lukewarm greeting and was booed after he attempted an errant Brett Favre-like flip of the football while scrambling. Grossman was booed again when, after taking the snap from center, he tripped and fell. It's a scene all too familiar to Bears fans. The Bears have other problems, of course. Their offensive line remains horrid and just got worse with news that tackle Chris Williams, the team's first-round pick, is out for an extended period following surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. The Bears state privately there's a chance Williams could play this year, but if you believe that then you believe Grossman will one day enter the Hall of Fame. No, Grossman and Orton aren't the only problems, but they remain a symbol of a franchise that has stubbornly stuck to its Grossman guns. There's an arrogance about how the Bears have dealt with this situation. Even if Green Bay would've been willing to trade Favre to Chicago, it seems the Bears weren't all that interested. Fantasy Writer Devin Hester Positives: Speed, speed, speed. Those highlight plays Hester makes as a return specialist could happen on offense if he gets the ball in space. With Chicago lacking talent at receiver, Hester has the chance to play a lot. If Rex Grossman wins the job, look for at least 2-3 deep-ball chances in Hester's direction every game. Negatives: He looked lost on offense last year and could struggle with his routes. Grossman and Kyle Orton aren't exactly good quarterbacks, and either one could miss on getting Hester the ball. He might not beat out Earl Bennett, Rashied Davis or Mark Bradley for playing time. Outlook: Hester is a decent late-round flier in all Fantasy leagues. If he pans out, he's a steal because of his ability to catch the deep ball and score touchdowns. If not, release him the first time you need someone off the waiver wire. -- Jamey Eisenberg Bears draft averages RB: Matt Forte (67th overall) QB: None drafted WR: Devin Hester (147th overall) TE: Greg Olsen (141st overall) 2008 Fantasy Draft Prep While Lovie Smith is a smart coach and defensive heavyweight, both he and general manager Jerry Angelo have been woeful in nurturing the quarterback position. The New York Giants and Bears were once in very similar circumstances. The Giants struggled to find a franchise thrower post-Phil Simms the same way the Bears have post-Jim McMahon. The Giants had some interim success with players like Kerry Collins, but it took a huge gamble by Ernie Accorsi, the former general manager, to make a bold move to grab Eli Manning. Now they have a thrower for the next decade. The Bears have really taken no such gamble. They've done very little to improve their fortunes. Since the late 1990s the Bears have started Cade McNown, Jim Miller, Chris Chandler, Henry Burris, Kordell Stewart, Chad Hutchinson, Jonathan Quinn (yes the Jonathan Quinn), Craig Krenzel (no relation to Kris Kringle), Orton, Grossman and Brian Griese. That's not exactly a sparking quarterback roll call. The Bears, in all probability, will be forced to change their approach to the position after this year. Neither quarterback is lighting up camp and there's no reason to believe that will change once the season begins. Even the Grossman-tolerant Bears must reach their fill, right. Right? RIGHT? Just remember this Grossman statistic: 32 regular season games and 33 interceptions. Yuck.

Seriously why dont we just put Hanie in now, if he has tools and shows promise in pre-season then what do we have to lose? Its not like we are a playoff team as it stands now. We are not going anywhere with "Too Short" Rex or "20yds too far" Orton. Id be willing to take that chance.

I agree with everything u said, and will add that PJ pope showed some heart. But if I can take anything away from tonight its Hanie's performance.

He looked great to me, anyone else agree/disagree? BTW, maybe he can teach rex and orton what stepping up in the pocket means.

Anyone else tired of tennesee picking up our draft choices and showing us how much better their coaching staff is. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/st...69?OpenDocument Gage is 'the guy' at receiver for Titans Dec. 2, 2007--Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Gage, top, has a pass intended for him broken up by Houston Texans safety C. C. Brown (24) and Von Hutchins (34). (John Russell/AP)By Bill Coats ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 08/07/2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nearly a decade has passed since Justin Gage threw his first touchdown pass for the University of Missouri. On the receiving end of the 1-yard toss was sophomore tight end Dwayne Blakley, whose locker is just three stalls from Gage's at the Tennessee Titans' practice facility. On Wednesday, as Gage recalled that hook-up with Blakley in 1999, he acknowledged that it all seems to have happened a long, long time ago. "It really does," Gage said. "Being a freshman at Mizzou and throwing a touchdown pass to Blakley, that was a milestone in my life. And now being in the NFL and having him as a teammate, it brings up those old memories and lets us know how far we've come." Gage, 27, traveled at warp speed over just one season — 2007, his first with the Titans after four less-than-satisfying years with the Chicago Bears after they'd drafted him in the fifth round in 2003. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Gage, a superb athlete who also played basketball at MU, totaled 64 catches and 908 yards with Chicago, mostly in a reserve role. Last season, Gage emerged as one of Tennessee quarterback Vince Young's favorite marks, hauling in 55 passes for a team-high 750 yards. "Justin ended up being the guy," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "When you're running routes for a young quarterback, sometimes the ball's going to be a little off-target. He can adjust and make the catch. He did that all year." COUP FOR MIZZOU When former coach Larry Smith landed Gage, it was considered a major coup for a sagging MU program. Gage was an all-state defensive back for Jefferson City High; he played just one season at quarterback, as a senior. He threw for 1,148 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 702 yards and 12 scores. Gage was to play safety at Missouri, but when one quarterback transferred, another chose baseball over football, and a third failed to qualify academically, suddenly Gage was a quarterback again. In late-season action, he completed 14 of 41 passes and two touchdowns as a rookie. The next year, Mizzou had replenished its stable of quarterbacks and Gage was moved again, this time to wide receiver. He blossomed quickly. During three seasons at wideout, Gage gobbled up all the major receiving records at Missouri. A three-time All-Big 12 Conference selection, he wound up with 200 receptions for 2,704 yards and 18 touchdowns. Still, with such limited time at the position, Gage was getting by largely on his athletic ability. The Bears knew it would take time for him to develop, and he had sporadic success. When the Bears beefed up their corps of receivers in 2006, en route to the Super Bowl, Gage was shunted aside. He caught just four passes, and when his original four-year contract expired at season's end, he became a free agent. The Bears "went in a different direction," Gage said. "Whether they gave up on me or not ... it didn't matter. It was a chance for me to go somewhere and have a new start, and that's just what I needed." STARTING OVER The Titans offered Gage a one-year deal, and he jumped at it. He totaled just three catches in his first three games, but then he and Young found a rhythm. "He just came out of nowhere," Young said. "I love his size, and how aggressive he is to the ball. He's just a playmaker." Gage's numbers climbed steadily, and in the season finale, Gage grabbed seven balls for a career-high 104 yards vs. Indianapolis. "Just getting the opportunity to go out there and make plays, that was all I was asking for," he said. "I figured when I got the chance, I could do something. ... I feel like I learned a lot in my four years in Chicago, and then I got to translate that here on the field for the Titans." Gage's specialty was securing first downs: 45 of his catches (81.8 percent) moved the chains, the third-highest mark in the league. In the offseason, Tennessee rewarded him with a new, multiyear contract. "Justin made the most of an opportunity, and we expect him to be a significant contributor to our offensive success," Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said at the time. "He should continue to grow as a receiver as he and Vince play together more." Said Blakley: "Just knowing the type of guy he is, I knew his true ability would show. And it has. ... It's always good to see somebody from Mizzou do his thing." Gage was an avid follower as Missouri did its thing last year, going 12-2. He never played on a winning team at MU, so he's reveling in its success. Especially in Nashville, deep in Southeastern Conference country. "The SEC always thinks they're better than any other conference, but the Big 12 took it to them last year," he said. "I'm looking forward to what Mizzou will do this year." Just as the Titans are anticipating what Gage's second season in Tennessee might bring. "I've proven that I can play at this level," he said. "Now, it's just about going out and ... building on that, using that season as a steppingstone and get better each year. That's my ultimate goal."

The newest Bear, running back Kevin Jones, showed up sporting arms bigger than former Bears backfield standout Thomas Jones. Kevin Jones said he is ready to play now coming off ACL surgery, but the Bears are likely to start him on the physically unable to perform list. … http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...,0,636028.story Thomas Jones had tree trunks for arms-

You have way more faith in our government then I do. http://www.star-telegram.com/808/story/700851.html As far as Arlington I haven't found final numbers yet but I did find this.. http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Arlington.Par...e.2.329867.html This was by July 4th, reporting 17 deaths halfway through racing season up here. I am 99% sure it well over twenty by the end of the second half of the season that year.

Bears sign Tommie Harris to four-year extension June 19, 2008 Recommend (3) BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter Tommie Harris‚ the Bears' three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, agreed to a four-year contract extension Thursday night, meaning he will remain in place through 2012. Agent Drew Rosenhaus hammered out the deal in person at Halas Hall, his fourth trip to town in two months to try to secure a long-term contract. Harris had been hoping for a four-year deal, but the extension means he will be 30 when he's ready to hit the free-agent market again. He faced the likelihood of being franchise tagged after this season if a contract was not worked out

I just find it a turn off for him to be saying that , especially in this town. What does he gain? Based on his recent comments I think he shouldnt be talking so much. Everytime he opens his mouth he is losing fans like me. He is on sports radio here alot and he comes off as really arrogant sometimes. Maybe I have that context with wi Side note: I think the argument best rb "if he stayed healthty" is crappy Alot of football players could have been hall of famers "if they stayed healthy"..mike brown comes to mind.

Sayers may be right but that guy needs to stop talking for a while. A little while ago he proclaimed himself the best back ever.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-08...,3247255.column He wasn't crying because he was overcome with joy or pride. He wasn't crying over the honor of running in the city where Walter Payton ran or playing for a proud franchise that reveres its football stars or any other reason he has offered the past three years. No, Cedric Benson cried on the day of the NFL draft in 2005 because he was upset the Bears took him with the fourth overall selection. Benson was bugged that Jerry Angelo decided to draft him despite Benson's representatives making clear in a last-minute phone call that they and the Bears weren't on the same page regarding fundamental contract demanded Benson was so filled with fury and frustration over the contentious contract battle he knew awaited him, one that eventually led to a 36-day holdout, that he couldn't fight back the tears rolling down his cheek. A source familiar with that story used it to demonstrate the unfailingly uneasy relationship between Benson and the Bears, one that ended Monday when the team placed the running back on waivers two days after an alcohol-related arrest in Austin, Texas. It's a telling account that reveals something about Benson that the Bears never had a chance of overcoming: From Day 1 as an NFL player, Cedric Benson was always about Cedric Benson. And always would be. From holding out to leaving the sidelines early during a game to pouting over playing behind Thomas Jones to partying at 2 a.m. in a city where his bull's-eye is even bigger than it is in Chicago, Benson put himself ahead of the team. That attitude might not make Benson unique in the NFL or even on the Bears. But it contributed as much as anything to Benson becoming an ex-Bear. "When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team," Angelo said in a statement. "Those who fail to understand the importance of 'team' will not play for the Chicago Bears." Criticize Angelo for whiffing on the 2005 draft class that featured Benson and second-round pick Mark Bradley, but not for the way he handled this. Angelo didn't do this to Benson. Benson did it to himself. He just never committed himself to being the type of player fourth overall draft picks are supposed to be. Commitment requires passion, and Benson never displayed enough as a pro after finally agreeing to a five-year, $35 million contract that included a $16 million signing bonus. He took the money but couldn't run. Forget any explanations offered by Benson's growing team of lawyers—if he piled up yards as he has billable hours this would be a different discussion—regarding his latest arrest. It doesn't matter if videotape shows Benson to be sober or if audiotape recorded Benson offering to take a blood test, as lawyer Sam Bassett suggested. The decision to waive Benson had more to do with how little judgment he showed rather than how much alcohol he consumed. He was out at 2 a.m. driving recklessly enough to nearly hit a pedestrian, according to police, when any conscientious pro athlete with one arrest already pending would be home or in the back of a cab. Benson apologized in a statement Monday that was too late and carried the feel of something written by a handler with experience in similar situations, probably because it was. Sunday night Benson renewed acquaintances with noted sports attorney David Cornwell—the two worked together when Benson was a minor-league baseball prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to a higher standard," part of Benson's statement read. Funny that he didn't come to that realization until hiring Cornwell, whose past client list includes Reggie Bush and Ricky Williams. Cornwell and Benson's agent, Eugene Parker, now have the task of finding employment for a running back coming off ankle surgery, two alcohol-related arrests and enough baggage to need a valet. Somebody will sign Benson, whether it's the familiar Houston Texans or the halfway home for troubled millionaires known as the Dallas Cowboys. First-round draft picks always get second, and sometimes third chances in the NFL. He simply ran out of chances in Chicago, and the Bears ran out of patience. They will miss him like a migraine headache. Even before the arrests, Benson was no lock to make the roster. His failure forced the team to draft another running back, Matt Forte, in the second round to replace him. Adrian Peterson can provide a serviceable effort as Forte's backup. Garrett Wolfe needs to progress. If the Bears find a suitable veteran off an NFL scrap heap and want to take a look, great. If not, it's not like a backup running back is going to make a difference between 7-9 and 5-11. In the end, that's all Benson was: a backup running back. He wasn't built like one or paid like one, but he ran like one. That makes him arguably the biggest draft bust in Bears history, a Texas-sized miscalculation bigger than any other the franchise has made. Cade McNown and Curtis Enis make that an interesting argument. Rashaan Salaam will get dishonorable mention in that discussion too. But none of them promised more and delivered less than Benson, the guy who as a rookie bragged he would be good enough to beat out Thomas Jones by Week 2. That was just big talk, like so much else about Benson since his first day as a Bear. Turns out the myths from Texas come bigger too. dhaugh@tribune.com more in /sports Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune Would you recommend this?

from profootballtalk.BUH-BYE BENSON Posted by Mike Florio on June 9, 2008, 5:12 p.m. EDT The Chicago Bears have released running back Cedric Benson. Technically, he has been placed on waivers, since he has less than four years of NFL service. More to come. --------------------------------------------------------------------

Per ESPN radio1000. Benson released.

Feasibility is less of an issue here then is believability. Sure its possible that things happened like you prescribe but who is going to be more believable in court is what ultimately matters. Ask the cops who got off in New York. what irks me most is the version of the story where they put benson on the boat for the test then drive away out of sight

I think she was trying to convey quickly to her dad what she saw was going on. Otherwise it might have gone Dad these cops are picking on this kid cause we think because they are racist. The cops are white and the kid is black etc. etc Or maybe it was meant to answer his follow up question "why would they be beating up a kid?" Plus who knows how she and her dad spoke with one another. Sometimes the use of certain words or a certain order will mean more to her dad who knows her very well then to a stranger. Ultimately I don't think its very important in the grand scheme of things.

I know this ultimately a he said she said but I am starting to believe Benson's story more then LCRA Friend sought help for Benson Concerned for his safety with police, woman phones parents to call 911 By David Haugh | Tribune reporter 12:12 AM CDT, May 7, 2008 Article tools A female passenger on Cedric Benson's boat Saturday night in Austin, Texas, was concerned enough about his safety after police took him into custody to phone her parents and urge them to call 911, the Tribune has learned. "I called my dad and told him, 'Call 911, my black friend is getting beaten up by police on Lake Travis,' " said Elizabeth Cartwright, 22, a friend of Benson's from the University of Texas. "It's more what I heard than what I saw. I have never heard or seen Cedric that scared." Cartwright put in writing her version of the events on Lake Travis that resulted in Benson being charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. She says she is willing to submit her document as evidence supporting his account. She said her fiance also took dozens of photographs that help corroborate her claims. Related links * Bears release Adam Archuleta In a 45-minute phone interview, she explained that she chose to come forward because of concerns that Benson's reputation was being "tainted" by accounts of the incident. Benson faces a May 19 court date on the misdemeanor charges but was informed Tuesday that his lawyer can represent him. He was back Tuesday at Halas Hall for a two-hour visit and already has shared with friends, including Cartwright, his desire to file a lawsuit against Travis County authorities based on his treatment during the arrest. "We're not asking to be treated better, but we don't want to be treated worse, either, because of who Cedric is," Benson's lawyer, Brian Carney, said Tuesday night. Cartwright, an English major at the University of Texas who is to graduate later this month, estimated she and her fiance had been boating with Benson six times this spring and each time a Lower Colorado River Authority boat pulled them over for a safety check. There were about 15 people on the boat, including Benson's mother, Jackie, who had spent much of the evening swimming in a part of the lake known as Devil's Cove. Just when the group had decided to head back to shore around 9:30 p.m. and go out to dinner, a patrol boat stopped to conduct a random check. According to Cartwright, she had consumed one beer and Benson had two drinks. "I know Cedric and I don't think he was drunk," Cartwright said. The arrival of LCRA police perturbed Benson because of the frequency of the checks on his 30-foot boat, Cartwright said. When Benson's boat passed the safety inspection, Cartwright said she and her fiance were surprised the officer then required a sobriety test for Benson. "We were all like, 'Why?' " she said. After an officer led Benson to the LCRA boat for the test, the second officer left behind on Benson's boat assured a nervous Jackie Benson that her son would be fine, Cartwright recalled. A few minutes later, Cartwright said she heard Benson begin to scream after the officer pepper-sprayed him in the eye. By the time Benson was in handcuffs, he was screaming, "Please stop, Mom, make them please stop." Cartwright disputed that Benson was resisting arrest. Panicked, Cartwright called her father, Jeff, to give him a description of the physical way she saw her friend being treated and told him to call 911. Unaware the friend in question was Benson, Jeff Cartwright called 911 and told the dispatcher that police "were beating up a black kid on Lake Travis." A Travis County spokesman wouldn't confirm or deny Tuesday night that a 911 call had been placed regarding the incident. An affidavit the LCRA filed described Benson as cocky, smelling strongly of alcohol and needing to be removed forcibly from the boat and eventually falling to the ground. Benson claimed police kicked his feet out from under him, causing him to fall awkwardly. When Benson got up, Cartwright remembers him sitting in a squad car surrounded by six officers. "In the weakest voice, Cedric said to me and my fiance, 'Help me get out of here,' " Cartwright said. "He was so scared." dhaugh@tribune.com

He always asks his "NFC north scout that asked to be unidentified..."

He he looked fat, I think at one point early on they showed a shot of him from the back and swear he was as big as kreutz. The Bears have done this twice now. They told Enis to gain weight as well and his knee gave out. Then again if coach asks u to gain weight i doubt he wants fat.

http://www.downbound.co.uk/Horse_Racing_s/438.htm

I've had enough of this " sport". It's inhumane to run these horses to death for the benefit of gambling. These horses are all hopped up on drugs, horse owners are recklessly over-breeding these horses and thousands are slaughtered senseless as a byproduct of this industry. This coming from someone who used to love the track. I event spent two summers working at Arlington in high school. But even back then I saw signs that this wasn't something I wanted to be a part of. The stables are run by people who treat the immigrant workers like garbage and those people in turn take it out on the horses. On top of that they drug these horses on a regular basis-morphine, ecstasy, coke... anything you name , i bet has been injected into a racehorse at one point or another . The industry has the regulatory standards of professional wrestling and trainers are the epitome of evil. Has anyone ever met Bob Baffert? If you ever meet someone and immediately got that bad dude feeling. He makes even shady horse people cringe at his treatment of horses. Even common lasik use bugs me. They use it because a horse runs so hard it bleeds out of its nose. How is that good? Last year at Arlington I think more then 20 horses had to be put down. Barbaro dies then suffers through that failed rehab. Then today with the derby running a horse dies. All of this for what? "entertainment"? No thanks. I am officially anti-track.

Neevr imagnined I'd be typing this but I have really grown to respect Kiper of the years. McShay on the other hand is disrespectful blowhard. During their exchanges he literally laughs at Kiper all the time. I dont know how Kiper keeps his calm. McShay annoys me. More important then McShay's antics , is that he seems like he is just regurgitating everything I read in the mainstream. Kiper always has info on dudes I have never heard of, the players that JA drafts well.

Angelo in his draft wrap up was talking about choosing between a "QB" and Steltz. The only Qb that was off the board after Steltz and before the Bears picked again in the 5th was Booty. JA went on to say he wanted starters with this draft and he believed strongly of the two that Steltz was a starter.

That surprised me too, usually Angelo stays away from those guys like the plague. Maybe he just got frustrated with all this pristine guys he's drafted just getting injured anyway. Grossman never relally hurt until he comes here, Harris never really hurt, urlacher never hurt etc.