SB Nation User Blog: Bear_Down

Ozzie Joining FOX For World Series

Bear_Down — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:59:45 -0000

Fox Sports adds Guillen to booth

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/21/guillen.fox/index.html

Baseball fans, get ready for a bleeping interesting analyst. SI.com has learned that Ozzie Guillen, the colorful and occasionally profanity-laden manager of the White Sox, has been hired by Fox Sports to serve as a pre- and postgame analyst for the network's World Series coverage. He will debut alongside Chris Rose, Eric Karros and Mark Grace on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Guillen will also file reports for Fox Sports Espanol.

A Look @ The Flex Scheduling & The Bears

Bear_Down — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:43:14 -0000

Peter King's predictions for this weekend included a look at the Flex Scheduling of one 4-1 Cincinnati Bengals. Here's the insert:

Relayed this on Sunday night on NBC: When I was finishing up on the phone with Marvin Lewis the other day, I congratulated him and he said, "We're just trying to get on one of your games.'' An NBC Sunday-nighter, he meant. OK. Weeks 11 through 17 are flex scheduling on NBC. Let's see when you might fit in, coach.

Week 11: at Oakland. No dice.
Week 12: Cleveland. Nope.
Week 13: Detroit. Geez! What is this, the Giants' schedule?
Week 14: at Minnesota. Bingo. Hold on. NBC has dibs on Eagles-Giants that week. Can't see them switching out of two top-10 TV markets for anything.
Week 15: at San Diego. Very interesting. NBC has Vikings-Panthers, which is compelling only because it's Favre.
Week 16: Kansas City. Nah.
Week 17: at the New York Football Jets. Another bingo.

So you see it here first: If the Bengals keep winning, they might invade your TV sets for a Sunday-nighter Dec. 20 in San Diego or Jan. 3 at the frosty Meadowlands. Maybe both.

Link here.

Now, this got me to thinking about the Bears' chances of getting a game or two (possibility of PHI@CHI being flexed OUT, but more than likely one game since the Max games for a team on NBC is 4) flexed for SNF on NBC. Also, only three teams may make as many as six prime-time appearances (Sunday night, Monday night, and Thursday night combined), which isn't a predetermined number & it goes by the first 3 teams who are scheduled for 6 primetime games, eliminating the possibility of it after the 3rd team:

2009 Primetime Games BEFORE Flex Scheduling

Indianapolis Colts 5
Chicago Bears 5: @ GB, @ ATL, @ SF, vs. PHI(more than likely), vs. MIN
Dallas Cowboys 5
New York Giants 5
Pittsburgh Steelers 5
New England Patriots 4
Philadelphia Eagles 4
San Diego Chargers 4
Tennessee Titans 4
Miami Dolphins 4
Arizona Cardinals 3
Baltimore Ravens 3
Minnesota Vikings 3
Carolina Panthers 3
Denver Broncos 3
Green Bay Packers 3
New Orleans Saints 3
Washington Redskins 3
New York Jets 2
Atlanta Falcons 2
Buffalo Bills 2
Cleveland Browns 2
San Francisco 49ers 2

Week 11: vs. Philadelphia (Already on NBC...Hard to see this game getting Flexed OUT...Possibilities: ATL@NYG, IND@BAL, SD@DEN, ~~NYJ@NE~~ Protected by CBS, ...I'm not sure what any of these teams' 4 SNF limits are at, but this being the 1st week of flex scheduling, ANY team can be flexed in with only 5 teams @ 5 primetime games, no one at 6)

~~Week 12~~: @ Minnesota (Hard to see back to back SNF games...although there is the Favre love factor...also hard to see PIT@BAL being Flexed out...Protected by FOX)

Week 13: vs. St. Louis (Not a chance)

~~Week 14~~: vs. Green Bay (Already had a SNF game vs. them in Week 1...highly unlikely...Protected by FOX)

Week 15: @ Baltimore (The MOST likely of the 7 games...currently, SNF game is MIN@CAR...other possibilities: ATL@NYJ, ~~GB@PIT~~ Protected by FOX, ~~CIN@SD~~ Protected by CBS...I think Week 15 is the MOST LIKELY, but I don't know if by this week there will be 3 teams at the 6 primetime appearances limit AND I don't know if Baltimore has 4 other SNF games...let me know on that one)

Week 16: vs. Minnesota (MNF...Can't happen)

Week 17: @ Detroit (Not a chance)

There you have it. Week 15 seems the most logical, and even MORE logical if the Week 11 matchup at home against Philadelphia gets flexed out. With CIN@SD and GB@PIT getting protected by CBS & FOX respectively, this increases the chances of the Bears' Week 15 game getting flexed. Again, let me know which 3 teams are allowed the 6 primetime appearances.

This is just SICK

Bear_Down — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:41:43 -0000

This is just SICK

A Reunion...For Orton

Bear_Down — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:03:11 -0000

With all of the Brandon Marshall talk, the Denver Broncos signed Brandon Lloyd, rejoining with Neckbeard in Denver:

Another Brandon catches on

Coincidence or not, the Broncos signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, formerly of the Chicago Bears today to a free agent contract.

Lloyd made some big plays for the Bears in 2008, catching 26 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/199890-denver-broncos-wr-brandon-marshall-requests-trade-sign-wr-brandon-lloyd

Sun., October 18th @ Atlanta Just Got Tougher

Bear_Down — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:20:01 -0000

Falcons acquire TE Gonzalez from Chiefs

ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Falcons have obtained tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a draft pick next year.

The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls, the Chiefs announced Thursday.

Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.

Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt called Gonzalez “one of the finest players in Chiefs history.”

NFL Schedule Release Tuesday, April 14th @ 6 p.m. CT

Bear_Down — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:44:44 -0000

Exclusive announcement of 2009 schedule on NFL.com, NFL Network

NFL.com unveils team-by-team and week-by-week schedules and live chats
NFL Network features analysis, interviews with coaches, fan reactions and more

Which team will be the Cowboys' first regular-season opponent in their new stadium? Who will Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Donovan McNabb and Kurt Warner take on in their season openers with the Colts, Vikings, Eagles and Cardinals, respectively? How does the road look for the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers as they try to return to the Super Bowl?

These questions and many more will be answered when the 2009 NFL schedule is released in prime time for the first time, exclusively on NFL.com and NFL Network, on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET. The entire 2009 schedule will be announced and analyzed on NFL.com and NFL Network during a two-hour primetime NFL Total Access: 2009 Schedule Release Presented by GMC Sierra.

Just as the NFL Draft and NFL Scouting Combine have grown into highly popular off-season events, the NFL Total Access: 2009 Schedule Release Presented by GMC Sierra is another opportunity for fans to connect with the NFL and to see for the first time where, when, and what time their favorite teams will play next season, as well as to analyze and debate the schedule.

For fans who want to see their team's entire schedule right away to plan their football season, NFL.com is the place to visit on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. NFL.com will be the first site to have the complete team-by-team and weekly schedules of all 256 regular-season games, listing opponents, sites and times. NFL.com will feature interactive components by giving fans a voice through chats, fan forums and poll questions.

Other features on the website will include analysis by NFL.com reporters and breakdowns of the division schedules. NFL.com will include which games will be on CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC and NFL Network. There will also be printer-friendly versions of the team-by-team and week-by-week schedules.

NFL Network's NFL Total Access: 2009 Schedule Release will feature host Rich Eisen and in-studio analysts, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Brian Billick, Jamie Dukes, Solomon Wilcots, and former Bucs general manager Bruce Allen, plus other special guests including former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson.

Reporters will be spread across the country to get reaction. NFL Network reporters will be in Boston to get fan reaction on the Patriots' schedule as Tom Brady returns from his injury, in Philadelphia for the announcement of the first regular season opponent McNabb will face without defensive leader Brian Dawkins, in Chicago for comments on Jay Cutler's debut as he changes conferences, and in Denver to talk about the new season under Josh McDaniels.

The special includes a look at the making of the schedule, plus interviews with head coaches and GMs on how it affects their planning and preparation. Players also will also be interviewed and the top games will be debated.

Additional topics covered during the primetime special will include a look at the Steelers' road back to the Super Bowl, which team will take on the Cowboys in their new stadium for the first time, who is playing in primetime and why, plus the most intriguing matchups of 2009.

History Of The #49 & #99 Picks

Bear_Down — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:18:25 -0000

3 Pro Bowlers - Robbins, ZORICH, and ~~butler~~.

I like the fact that someone of Desean Jackson's caliber dropped to #49 last year. Let's hope something similar occurs in the 2009 draft.

Even a Johnnie Lee Higgins type receiver would work. I just hope they don't settle for the best WR available, and make sure they get someone that can actually possibly make an impact in their Rookie season, even someone who can pick up the offense quickly unlike Bennett last season.

Why Not Scrap The Draft Entirely And Go After

Bear_Down — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:15:36 -0000

Braylon Edwards?

This is from Nfldraftcountdown.com's chat on 3/25:

7:47 [Comment From Vin in NJ]
Do you see the G-Men pulling a trade for Braylon Edwards or another veteran WR, or will they end up drafting one?

7:48 Scott Wright: My old buddy Vin!

If the Giants can get Braylon Edwards for a 2nd, 5th and Steve Smith they should make the deal and run. He is exactly what they need.

Why don't the Bears trade their 2nd round pick (49th overall) and our 4th round pick (119th overall) and someone for Braylon? If a 2nd (45th overall) and a 5th (151st overall) and Steve Smith will get him (I know, only speculatively), why not up our 5th to our 4th and throw in someone else to get Braylon?

Maclin Browns #1 Choice?

Bear_Down — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:03:14 -0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-Browns-are-awfully-anxious-to-get-a-Jeremy-M?urn=nfl,146398

Aptly-named Cleveland sports blog "Waiting for Next Year" stumbled upon something interesting at the Cleveland Browns official website. Someone there posted a player profile of Jeremy Maclin, which wouldn't be out of the ordinary, if, you know, Jeremy Maclin played for the Browns. Or anyone, really.

Maclin's a soon-to-be-rookie wide receiver that's projected by most to be one of the top three wide receivers taken in the draft.

Now, most likely, the Browns web team is just practicing their skills, making sure they're ready to post profiles of new players and draft picks as they join the Browns roster. And someone there just happens to be a fan of Jeremy Maclin, and they chose him for their little project.

But it's March, and nothing else is happening, so what the heck, let's read into it. Maybe the Browns are jonesing for Jeremy Maclin.

Not Sure If It's Been Looked At, But Next Year's Schedule

Bear_Down — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:57:09 -0000

The Bears, finishing 2nd in the NFC North, face the 2nd place teams from the NFC East and NFC South (1 home/1 away) since they already play all 4 teams from the NFC West.

So, here is the Bears 2009 Schedule (Dates & Times are set in April):

http://www.chicagobears.com/gameday/futureopponents.asp

(Hopefully our return to Atlanta won't be as dreadful)


HOME	AWAY
Cardinals	49ers
Rams	Seahawks
Browns	Ravens
Steelers	Bengals
Packers	Packers
Vikings	Vikings
Lions	Lions
Eagles	Falcons

SB Nation User Blog: Bear_Down

Ozzie Joining FOX For World Series

A Look @ The Flex Scheduling & The Bears

This is just SICK

A Reunion...For Orton

Sun., October 18th @ Atlanta Just Got Tougher

NFL Schedule Release Tuesday, April 14th @ 6 p.m. CT

NFL.com unveils team-by-team and week-by-week schedules and live chats NFL Network features analysis, interviews with coaches, fan reactions and more

History Of The #49 & #99 Picks

Why Not Scrap The Draft Entirely And Go After

Maclin Browns #1 Choice?

Not Sure If It's Been Looked At, But Next Year's Schedule

NFL.com unveils team-by-team and week-by-week schedules and live chats
NFL Network features analysis, interviews with coaches, fan reactions and more