Friday Sept 7 News & Tweets

Paea healthy, ready to rekindle Luck rivalry
September, 7, 2012
SEP 7
2:39
PM CT
By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com


Jamie Rhodes/US Presswire
Andrew Luck's strength and comfort in the pocket impressed Stephen Paea in college.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Stephen Paea had wondered if discomfort from a sprained left ankle would linger into the regular season. But after a full week of practice, the second-year defensive tackle expects to be at full strength in Sunday's opener.

"I feel like I'm 100 percent right now, and not only that, my teammates can count on me now," Paea said. "Right now I have the confidence that my teammates can trust me and I can go into a game and I can play my gap.

"Last year I remember hitting the rookie wall around mid-season, but this year I know how to approach everything and I will correct my mistakes from last year."

Whether Paea or Matt Toeaina opens the game at nose tackle remains to be seen, but count on both to see plenty of time as the Bears look for the defensive line to pressure Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.

Paea, an Oregon State star from 2008-10, said he went 1-1 against Luck's Stanford Cardinal and sacked Luck twice.

"He's a strong quarterback," Paea said. "He'll hold the ball and he's more comfortable in the pocket regardless of how good or bad his offensive line is. Not only that, he's strong, you got to bring him down right away. If you get one arm on him he's going to throw the ball. He's a strong kid. I look at him like Vince Young.

"He's not quick, but when he hits that striding forward speed, he's gone. You got to front him, make him go sideways and make him stand in the pocket. But he's very respectful. There is a reason he was the No. 1 overall pick."

Chicago Bears ‏@ChicagoBears
LM: Since Lovie Smith became head coach in 2004, #Bears lead NFL with 266 takeaways.

Gould, Vinatieri give Bears, Colts a leg up
September, 7, 2012
SEP 7
3:03
PM CT
By modrowskir | ESPNChicago.com

AP Photo/Matt Dunham
Robbie Gould hopes to have the type of career Adam Vinatieri has enjoyed.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- If Sunday's game between the Colts and Bears has to be decided by a field goal, then both teams are in good shape.

That's because the two men doing the kicking -- Adam Vinatieri and Robbie Gould -- have made a combined 574 regular-season field goals in 685 attempts (83.8%) and booted 31 game-winners (Vinatieri 23, Gould 9).

That doesn't even include the postseason, where Vinatieri has played in five Super Bowls, won four rings and connected on the game-winning kicks in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII. Gould went a perfect 6-for-6 in the Bears 2006 run to Super Bowl XLI that eventually ended at the hands of Vinatieri's Colts, but he didn't attempt a field goal in either the 2005 or 2010 postseason.

The pair of decorated specialists were teammates for a brief time in 2005 when Gould -- the most accurate kicker in Bears' history (187-of-218) and the fifth most accurate kicker in NFL history -- attended training camp with the New England Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Penn State.

"Adam was great," Gould said Friday. "I had a great relationship with those guys in New England. I learned a lot from them. It was kind of unique I got to play in the Super Bowl against him, which obviously we lost. But it was great to play against a guy I idolized growing up and learned a lot from and who helped me propel myself to the career that I've had."

Even at 39-years-old, Vinatieri is still considered the gold standard of NFL kickers, according to Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub.

"(Vinatieri is) one of the best, absolutely," Toub said. "To play that long ... he's unbelievable. He's just so consistent over the years ... he hasn't wavered at all."

Gould hopes to emulate Vinatieri's longevity, which has spanned 17 NFL seasons.

"I'm going to kick until they tell me I can't," Gould said. "It's great that he's had such an awesome career. He's got four rings, played for one of the best franchises in NFL history and was able to play with great players like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. He's scored a lot of points and had some fun along the way. I'm hoping I can model my career after his career ..."

Packers-Anthony Hargrove reunion unlikely
September, 7, 2012
SEP 7
4:14
PM ET
By Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com

Today's ruling in the New Orleans Saints' bounty case has generated one immediate question from an NFC North perspective. Many of you are asking if the Green Bay Packers can re-sign defensive end Anthony Hargrove, released exactly two weeks ago, and play him in Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.

This story remains fluid, but the NFL just announced that Hagrove -- along with three other once-suspended players -- has been reinstated and is eligible to play this weekend. So the Packers could bring him back if they chose to. He is officially a free agent. For what it's worth, however, I would be surprised if they choose that route.

Hargrove was released on the first of the NFL's two cutdown dates, a pretty significant sign that things weren't working out independent of Hargrove's looming suspension. The Packers had given him almost no work in team drills during training camp, and other players had stepped into the roles the Packers once eyed Hargrove for.

Stranger things have happened, but I don't see Friday's ruling changing that dynamic for the Packers, at least not right away.

peggy kusinski ‏@peggykusinski
#Bears opponents rushed for 540 yards, Bears themselves ran for only 392 yds this preseason. So why aren't they worried? @NBC5 news at 5p

ole69 said:

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl
Steelers G David DeCastro (knee) was placed on IR (designated to return).

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That sucks for him I really liked him coming out and he should be able to make a recovery...I always wondered if Knee Injuries were more common with OL than any other position

ole69 said:

peggy kusinski ‏@peggykusinski
#Bears opponents rushed for 540 yards, Bears themselves ran for only 392 yds this preseason. So why aren't they worried? @NBC5 news at 5p

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Does Peggy realize it was the pre-season and that the backups play more than the starters...That right there would lead me to believe why the Bears aren't worried

ole69 said:

Pro Football Weekly ‏@ProFootballWkly
#Saints RT @SportsLawGuy: Burbank appeals panel has VACATED suspensions of the Bounty 4.
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now I'm confused...So there was evidence that lead the NFL to suspend them..so they bitched, whined and couldnt take their puishment like men. And now someone else turned over the suspensions

ole69 said:

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lmao

NFC North Season Preview- Chicago Bears
Sep 7th, 2012 at 3:29 pm by Keith SchultzBears
Home » Bears » NFC North Season Preview- Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears
Record-8-8
Coach- Lovie Smith (9th season 71-57 regular season 3-3 playoffs 3 Division Titles)
All-Time Record- 712-520-42 (9 NFL Championships 1 Super Bowl)
Key Subtractions- Mike Martz, Marian Barber, Caleb Hanie, Anthony Adams, Frank Omiyale
Key Additions- Jason Campbell, Michael Bush, Brandon Marshall, Eric Weems, Lorenzo Booker
Strength of Schedule-20
Key Fantasy Players- Matt Forte-round 1 Brandon Marshall-round 2-4 Jay Cutler round 3-6
Offense

The 2011 offense was in full swing in Week #11 when the Bears were playing the San Diego Chargers. The offensive line had begun to protect Jay Cutler while making nice running lanes for Matt Forte to run through. Earl Bennett was becoming Cutler’s favorite target with super bright outlawed orange shoes, and Devin Hester was well Devin Hester. The Bears were on a big time roll and all cylinders seemed to be firing right on time, but a very unfunny thing happened on the Soldier Field turf that late afternoon. The hottest team, in the NFL, season ended when Johnny Knox cut off his route which led to an interception and Jay Cutlers thumb was broken making the TD saving tackle. The rest is history! The Caleb Hanie experience led to 0 wins until the last meaningless game in the Metrodome. Jerry Angelo became the fall guy (so did Marian Barber!) for the collapse and this brings us to Phil Emery.
The New GM pulled off one of the biggest trades since well the Cutler trade while securing a true #1 wide receiver that the Bears have been searching for about as long as Cubs fans have been searching for a championship. Brandon Marshall gets reunited with his BFF Jay Cutler. Emery didn’t stop there, he drafted talented but underachieving Alshon Jeffery. And just like that the Bears wide receiving core went from small quick guys to big quick guys overnight.
The 2nd big thing Emery did was to secure Matt Forte with a long term deal before training camp. Forte along with Michael Bush may be the best 1,2 combo in the league this season. Forte in only 4 seasons already is 5th all-time with total yards from scrimmage in Bears history. The late great Walter Payton still owns the record….. BY A LOT!!
The issue that has surrounded the Bears offense for seemingly ever but really its been a long time has been the offensive line. The unit the past two years has been suspect at best at the beginning of the year, and then after an embarrassing performance on national TV (Giants 2010, Lions 2011) the line solidified and played average the rest of the season. This is the one unit that most Bears fans wish Emery had addressed this offseason.
Defense

The defense can be frustrating to watch when they sit in the cover two with their bend don’t break approach. The defense was solid against the run giving up less than 100 yards per game, but they gave up over 250 yards a game through the air. Charles Tillman got his first pro bowl nod, but he struggled against big time receivers including getting beat routinely by Vincent Jackson. The safety position has been a revolving door during the Lovie regime and this unit really needs to step up for the Cover 2 to succeed.
Julius Peppers had another good year while getting double teamed routinely. Emery drafted Shea McClellin in hopes to put more speed opposite Peppers. Shea may be a very good third down option while Israel Idonje will more than likely anchor down the opposite end on early downs. Emery gambled with a 7th round draft choice in Brian Price but the tryout went bust. The Bears brought back Amobi Okoye to help in the middle of the line.
The giant question mark to begin the season will be the middle linebacker position. Brian Urlacher injured his knee in a meaningless game in Minnesota during the last game of the season. Urlacher is surrounded by very good players but the defense is considerably better with Urlacher on the field. The big mystery could be the secret of success or failure for the aging defense in 2012.
Outlook

Like two ships passing in the night the improving Bears offense may pass for one of the few times ever the aging Bears defense. The only way that the Bears offense doesn’t explode in 2012 will be the offensive line. Mike Martz never seemed willing to budge from his philosophies. It seems like new offensive coordinator Mike Tice will not put the Bears in positions to fail which should lead to big seasons by Cutler, Forte, and Marshall. Expectations may be higher than can be achieved but it will be a major disappointment if this offense doesn’t score routinely. The defense should have at least one more good season in the their aging careers. The turnover is always a major ingredient for the Bears defense which shouldn’t change this year.
The last team that most teams let get overlooked is a ”specially” strong suit. Devin Hester, Robbie Gould are two of the best of their trade. The special teams unit routinely puts points on the board or gets the field changed in the Bears favor.
Prediciton Sure to go Wrong (Hopefully not this one!)
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
The Bears will go 11-5 but will only enter the playoffs as a wild card. The Bears were rolling in Week #11 and there is no reason to believe when healthy this team cannot make another hot run and this time to a Super Bowl title. This has to be the most excited people have been about the Bears since the 80′s. Hopefully the hype and excitement becomes a winning reality!
What’s your final prediction for the Bears season?
DA BEARS

Edge protection crucial for Bears' offense

DE Dwight Freeney (Andy Lyons/Getty)
By Jeremy Stoltz
Bear Report Publisher
Posted Sep 7, 2012


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If Chicago’s offense is to have success against the Colts in the regular season opener Sunday afternoon, the front five must contain Indianapolis edge rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

During his press conference this week with the Chicago media, I asked Colts head coach Chuck Pagano how Dwight Freeney – a 4-3 defensive end throughout his 10-year career – is making the transition to outside linebacker in Indianapolis’ new 3-4 defense.

“He’s done an outstanding job,” said Pagano. “Especially for a guy that has had his hand in the dirt for so many years, and lined up basically in one spot and coming off the edge and being the player that he’s been for so long. He spent the whole offseason here learning the new system, terminology, calls, things like that. He’s done a little bit of this in his past, so it wasn’t totally foreign to him. He’s a really bright guy. He understands football; he gets football. So that transition has been smooth just because of the time that he’s put in.”

The Colts are transitioning both Freeney and Robert Mathis, who have 11 Pro Bowl appearances at defensive end between them, to new positions.

“I think ideally, if they had to pick, they would rather have their hand on the ground 90 percent of the snaps,” said Jay Cutler. “But going to a 3-4 it’s a little bit different for them. I think as defensive coordinators and their head coach being a defensive guy, they’re going to be smart. They’re going to put them in positions where they’re going to be blitzing off the edge. They’re going to limit the amount of times they put them in coverage. So I expect to see Sam and Will blitz a lot from those guys.”


DE Robert Mathis
Gregory Shamus/Getty
Yet even though they’ll be coming after the quarterback from different locations on the defense, they’ll both still demand attention on every play. Quality pass rushers are going to get after the quarterback no matter where they line up. These two have the skills necessary to be extremely disruptive.

“They are great at what they do,” said Roberto Garza. “They’re great pass rushers. They’re athletes that can move in space. We have to know where they are at all times and be aware of that. Our tackles have a tough duty. That’s the matchup to be watching this weekend. I’m excited about those guys going out there and doing what they do.”

J’Marcus Webb won the left tackle job this offseason, yet that was basically by default, as his competition, Chris Williams, was not impressive. Webb struggled against speed rushers like Mathis and Freeney last year, so this will be a great first test to see if Webb has improved. If he hasn’t, don’t be surprised if coordinator Mike Tice gives him the quick hook.

"Both of those guys can make plays, and both of those guys have to be accounted for,” said Tice. “The fortunate thing about playing against defensive linemen today is they (come in) waves. They rotate. They're not on the field every play. So you have to be intelligent with some of the things you do and aware of where they are. And they can still rush the passer, obviously."

While Mathis and Freeney provide a major challenge for Chicago’s offensive tackles, the position switch could compromise their ability in coverage. Neither player has had to cover a receiver or running back one-on-one during their careers, so the Bears will be looking to take advantage of their inexperience in space.

“I think it’s going to be a little bit harder for them to get used to that, first year into a totally new defense,” Kellen Davis said. “We’ll go out there and hopefully take advantage of that if it is hard for them, because obviously they are very good players when they’ve got their hand down.”

One thing is for sure, if the Bears can contain Mathis and Freeney, it’ll be a long day for the Colts defense Sunday afternoon.

I don't know what concerns me more with the OL..The protection off the edge or the inside push from the opposing DL that seemed to be so constant in the Pre-Season

J'Marcus Webb ‏@jmarcuswebb
Can't wait to draw a lucky winner! CG is going to help me! Lol! She's crazy!
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1m J'Marcus Webb ‏@jmarcuswebb
Less than 24 hours before I begin to draw for the tickets! Gotta pick up the winning tickets at the Hilton hotel... http://fb.me/I4Pot3XU
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1m Pro Football Weekly ‏@ProFootballWkly
RT @DeSmithNFLPA: Regardless of outcomes, we fight for our players' rights everyday.
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Chicago Bears ‏@ChicagoBears
LM: Robbie Gould enters 2012 season as fifth most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history.

Hoke confident Tillman will rebound from rough game
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By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter
4:01 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2012

The final starter to leave the practice fields Friday afternoon at Halas Hall was cornerback Charles Tillman, who is preparing for his 10th season opener as a Chicago Bear.

Tillman was on the field late with defensive backs coach Jon Hoke, getting extra work covering wide receiver Joe Anderson, a practice squad player who was working with quarterback Matt Blanchard.

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They were getting some last-minute tune-ups for Tillman, who struggled mightily the last time he was on the field in the third preseason game at the Giants. New York quarterback Eli Manning picked on Tillman, who was beaten multiple times by wide receiver Ramses Barden in a forgettable effort that included two penalties for pass interference.

“Just one of those nights,” Hoke said. “It kind of goes that way. But he’s Charles and Charles has had bad games before. He has always bounced back. He has always responded. It’s never just one game. It is a body work. Knowing Charles Tillman and the competitor he is, he will bounce back. No doubt.”

Tillman, with the rest of the starters, sat out the final preseason game at Cleveland last week. It will be interesting to see how he plays against rookie quarterback Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, who still have veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne. One of Luck’s top targets, Austin Collie, is questionable for the game after being limited in practice Friday. Collie is making his way back from a concussion.

NFC North Friday injury report
September, 7, 2012
SEP 7
5:22
PM ET
By Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
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Getting inside the NFC North's Friday injury report:

Chicago Bears: The big news is that punter Adam Podlesh (hip flexor) was listed as probable, meaning he'll likely be available to punt Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Ryan Quigley remains on the roster at this point as a backup. Tailback Lorenzo Booker (head) is questionable, but all other players should be available Sunday.

Detroit Lions: Safety Louis Delmas (knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (ankle) are listed as doubtful and aren't expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. The real question is whether either player will play in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers. Often players will participate in the usually-light Friday practice if they are targeting the following week for a return to the field. Neither Delmas nor Houston practiced at all Friday.

Green Bay Packers: To no surprise, the Packers ruled out running back James Starks (toe), cornerback Davon House (shoulder) and linebacker Jamari Lattimore (ankle) from Sunday's game against the 49ers. All other players should be available.

Minnesota Vikings: We noted earlier that tailback Adrian Peterson (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings ruled out three players: Receiver Jarius Wright, linebacker Marvin Mitchell and safety Andrew Sendejo, all of whom have sprained ankles. All other players, including tight end John Carlson (knee) and guard Geoff Schwartz (abdomen) should be available. The Jaguars will be without starting outside linebacker Daryl Smith, who suffered a groin injury in practice this week.

Injury report: Urlacher back at practice
September, 7, 2012
SEP 7
3:16
PM CT
By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice on Friday after he sat out the previous day to rest his left knee.

Urlacher has said repeatedly he plans to start Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts despite being sidelined for almost the entire preseason because of cartilage damage in his left knee that required a scope on Aug. 14.

Urlacher, punter Adam Podlesh, free safety Chris Conte and wide receiver Earl Bennett were all officially listed as probable.

Bennett was added to the injury report on Friday with a hand injury.

Podlesh also practiced on Friday and appears to be recovered enough from a left hip flexor injury to handle punting duties in the regular season opener. Rookie Ryan Quigley is currently on the roster as an insurance policy in the event Podlesh suffers an unexpected setback before Sunday.

Conte practiced all week after he was forced to miss the final two weeks of the preseason after his right shoulder popped out of place in the Bears' second preseason game on Aug. 18

The only player to sit out was running back Lorenzo Booker, who's been sidelined since he sustained a head injury in the club's preseason finale last week at Cleveland. Booker is officially listed as questionable.

Giant Panda said:

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Is that supposed to be a mustache? Because it sure as hell looks like a dirty sanchez.