SB Nation User Blog: ChiFan13

I wanted to pen a quick thank-you for your effort, thought, and camaraderie over the past year and a half. This site has blossomed since I joined, and much of that is due to you.

Am I completely leaving WCG? No. I could never do that. I’ll be hanging around on the game threads, and I’ll continue at WCG as a contributing writer. Think of me as WCG’s version of Rick Morrissey :). For those of you who were around during the spring/early summer, I’ll be re-starting my weekly column. And, if y’all would rather talk off the blog, my email is on my profile.

Quick thank-you’s go out to:

- Adam: Thanks for letting me blog for the site – it’s been a great experience and I’ve loved my time on here. You’ve been fun as hell to work with….see ya on Gtalk.

- Wiltfongjr: Your knowledge of the game is superb, and I’m looking forward to following your columns to continue learning about the game.

- SackMan: Writer of the best damn game previews on SB Nation. Thanks for all of the intelligent conversations throughout.

- To the members: I know I was an insufferable SOB at times, but y’all really are great. Allie, chad, GallopingGhost, Ditka, smudgers, and propheteer are just a few off the top of my head, and I know I’m forgetting many, many more. Thanks for making this fun.

Thanks for everything, and Bear Down.

ChiFan13

Chicago MSM and Cutler

ChiFan13 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:34:00 -0000

This is something that's been on my mind for a while.

Usually, I collect Den articles throughout the day. This morning, I was checking my usual sources when I ran across this article from Rick Telander in the Chicago Sun-Times. The title? "Word of caution for Cutler: Don't make media your enemy." Essentially, Telander rips Cutler for him, Lovie, and Angelo not talking to NBC prior to their Sunday night game. Instead of finding out first-hand why they aren't talking to the media giant, Telander places all the blame on Cutler.

I don't blame Cutler for not talking to NBC. Not in the damn least. If you read Cutler's comments from yesterday, he innocuously said that he'd like to see more of Devin Aromashodu. There was nothing in his tone that made it sound like he was angry with anyone that DA hasn't been on the field. Then, the Chicago Tribune posted a story (it's in today's Den). The title? "Cutler makes a big pitch for Aromashodu." No, he didn't. He said he'd like to see more of him; he didn't make some big pitch.

I have no idea why, but the Chicago MSM and the meatball fans love to over-sensationalize everything Cutler says. I guarantee that some people will look at what Cutler said about the running game and believe that he's complaining about the running game. And that's just the Chicago media....NBC would find little quotes and snippets and proclaim him as a diva.

Cutler talks with the media, so why are we nitpicking here? Cutler doesn't talk with NBC and all of a sudden, Telander's giving him a "warning."

I'm starting to believe that Chicago has some of the most immature, moronic mainstream media members. First, Fred Mitchell goes and talks to Dan Grossman, which was 1) a sign of a slow football week, and 2) incredibly immature. Rick Telander blames Cutler (and not Lovie or Angelo) for not talking to NBC. Rick Morrissey is the Chicago MSM Official Nonverbal Communication Expert.

Bottom line: There is no need to over-sensationalize everything Cutler does, Chicago MSM.

Let me also make a few points about the Den, as long as I'm here:

- The last time I check for Den articles is around 9:30 PM CDT. The Sun-Times usually posts new stories right around midnight; thus why those articles don't make that day's Den.

- I reserve the right to screen articles for the Den. I'm not going to link to intellectually-challenged articles (like Gene Wojciechowski's article about benching Cutler). I'm a big believer in the 1st amendment, so outside of Rick Morrissey's articles and now screening Rick Telander's articles, all articles that I see in my sources will be posted.

The Bears Den - 11/19/09

ChiFan13 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:48:48 -0000

....where we damn near choked on our dinner when we heard Lovie say that the Bears are still a running team.

ChicagoBears.com

Jerry Angelo's weekly Q&A.

Cutler is working to reduce interceptions in the red zone.

Chicago Sun-Times

Neil Hayes: We deserve better than this.

Mike Mulligan: Hey Bears, running is passe.

Dan Cahill: Is there one positive thing to say about these Bears?

The Bears turned to Omiyale at a key point in the SF game.

Simms and Fencik weigh in on Cutler's struggles.

Andy Reid believes that Dave Toub is cut out to be a head coach.

Olin Kreutz has been sidelined again.

Bears - Eagles injury report for this weekend.

Donovan talks about Cutler's INT streak.

Chicago Tribune

Dan Pompei: The Bears' QB's more the problem than the organizational philosophy.

Q&A with McNabb on the Bears.

Cutler talks about reducing his red-zone picks.

Cutler makes a big pitch for Aromashodu. Really, Chicago MSM? Big pitch? Way to be overzealous, numbnuts.

Olin Kreutz missed practice but should face the Eagles.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago

Jay will be fine; he's just dealing with a rough stretch.

Cutler wants to see more DA.

Will the Bears see more of Michael Vick on Sunday?

ESPN Chicago

Donovan McNabb still hears the rumors that he'll end up as a Bear.

Will Dave Toub be a head coach soon?

Cutler wants DA to get some more playing time.

Kreutz should play on Sunday night. Huzzah!

Ron Turner: 3 of Cutler's picks against SF weren't his fault.

The Bears Den - 11/18/09

ChiFan13 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:48:07 -0000

....where we can't see at night and we move too much during press conferences.

ChicagoBears.com

The Bears Network won four Emmy Awards. Huzzah!

Tommie Harris wants to help the Bears win for Lovie Smith.

Chicago Sun-Times

Tommie Harris: The Bears have no room for error.

Ten thoughts on the Bears.

A Steelers fan claims a Bears fan drugged his drank and now he's blind because of it.

Chicago Tribune

Devin Hester is focusing on getting back in the groove.

Steve Rosenbloom: Grossman's dad was right.

David Haugh: Bears' handling of Grossman is more about bad judgment than bad intentions.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago

The coaches are practicing accountability by practicing it.

John Mullin's Week 11 NFC North Power Rankings.

John Mullin: Let's compare Jay Cutler and Donovan McNabb.

Daily Herald

Lovie and the Bears aren't about to give up. Thanks!

Josh Beekman is working to improve his game. I sure hope so....

Barry Rozner: The Bears' blame goes all the way to the top.

Bob LeGere: Cutler can and should control his picks.

ESPN Chicago

Jeff Dickerson discusses the 2009 and the 2007 Bears' squads.

NightLink: A Deviation from the Standard Norm

ChiFan13 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:10:15 -0000

Usually, the NightLink is a pretty serious topic among us writers; we want to make sure that we have good Bears information up here. Never fear, WCG'ers, I'm here to break up the monotony.

1st order of business: New changes to WCG

As of around 4 PM today, Dane nominated me as the Official WCG Body Language Coach. If anyone has any qualms with any Bears players, coaches, or front-office managers, please let me know and I'll give 'em a call and coach em up. With fire and passion.

2nd order of business: Jay Cutler and Diabetes

If you haven't checked this out yet, please do. Al from the North Side called Boers and Bernstein this afternoon and berated the two about Cutler's diabetes. They calmly (as much as they could) tried to talk to the man, but it was a struggle. Absolutely hilarious, and for the record, Gesiakob, I thought of you. Click this link, download the 2-3 PM hour of B&B, and start it at 13:47. It goes on for a good seven minutes, but it's totally worth it. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

3rd order of business: Pro Bowl Voters not showing up for the Bears

The Sun-Times brings us this piece. Apparently, us Bears fans aren't showing enough fire and passion in the Pro Bowl voting, so get on it. (For the record, I'm only voting for Lance Briggs).

4th order of business: Brett's Groin

And, just to add a nice cherry on this post, here's Brad Childress talking about Brett Favre's groin. Happy Tuesday!

The Bears Den - 11/17/09

ChiFan13 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:47:27 -0000

....where the Chicago MSM are really starting to make my ass weary.

ChicagoBears.com

The Bears are still confident despite their recent losses. They shouldn't be, Larry.

ChicagoNow

Adewale Ogunleye blogeth! He breaks down the loss last Thursday.

Chicago Sun-Times

Offensive penalties are killing the Bears.

Cutler's nightmarish game isn't as bad as it looked - take a look at this article.

Mark Potash: The Bears' problems are bigger than Cutler.

Brian Westbrook's status for Sunday's game is uncertain.

Apparently, the Sun-Times staff believes that because Jon Gruden signed a broadcasting contract, he won't be a coach soon.

Did Pace suffer a concussion? He suited up yesterday.

At least Lovie didn't say that the Bears get off the bus running.....

Chicago Tribune

Rex Grossman's dad rips the Bears' handling of Jay Cutler. Hey, Dan, here's my response to you: ,,I,,

Dan Pompei's mailbag.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago

John Mullin: Momentum is an elusive intangible for the Bears. C- effort, John.

Daily Herald

Bob LeGere: NFC parity means that the Bears are still in it.

Barry Rozner: Cutler's struggles aren't as scary as Forte's.

Pace, Afalava, and Bowman all practiced on Monday.

ESPN Chicago

Westbrook's status for Sunday is uncertain.

Josh Beekman is the starting LG, kids.

Kevin Payne sat out of yesterday's practice.

The Bears Den - 11/16/09

ChiFan13 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:22:27 -0000

....where we're still laughing about the Broncos losing to the Redskins.

ChicagoBears.com

The offense is focused on eliminating errors. Thanks, Larry.

The Bears are beginning to prepare for the Eagles. Thanks, Larry.

Chicago Sun-Times

The Vikings can clinch the North in two weeks.

Brad Biggs: Lovie needs to lose patience with the offense.

Chicago Tribune

David Haugh: Jay Cutler needs to show restraint and be less cocky. Meatball Fever is running rampant.

Dan Pompei: Cutler is jittery, and it's easy to see why.

The Bears are facing a difficult home stretch.

The play of the 49ers game in slow-mo.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago

John Mullin: Does Cutler compare with Grossman? And to think, I was hoping to interview him at some point.

Daily Herald

How are Cutler's woes Turner's fault? So many answers.....

The Weekend Bears Den - 11/14/09

ChiFan13 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:23:14 -0000

....where our cleverness, like the Bears playoffs hopes, have gone far, far away

670 The Score

Jay Cutler was reckless in an ugly defeat.

ChicagoBears.com

Interceptions mount for Cutler.

Cutler's five picks doomed the Bears.

Chicago Sun Times

Bears can't figure out what's wrong.

Penalties starting to haunt Bears.

Mike Mulligan: The Bears need a pyschiatrist.

Jerry Angelo on the blowout losses: Everything is an issue.

The Bears' season is setting in the West. Hey, hey!

Neil Hayes: Jay it ain't so. Hey, hey!

Brad Biggs wants us to apologize to KC Joyner. I'd like to give him something else.

Vernon Davis misjudged our defense. Huzzah!

Chicago Tribune

Tale of three Bears: Forte, Cutler, Harris

Steve Rosenbloom: I gave up Project Runway for this?

The Bears' D thinks Cutler's apology unnecessary.

Cutler threw away the Bears' chances of victory.

Tommie Harris doesn't worry Jerry Angelo.

The Bears' beat-up secondary is starting to worry Lovie Smith.

ChicagoBreakingSports

National media will have field day on Cutler. Read what the bozo from Atlanta said.

Comcast Sports Net Chicago

John Mullin grades the Bears' performance.

Post-game writeup from CSN-Chicago.

John Mullin: How fragile have these Bears become?

Daily Herald

The Bears have no idea how to fix things with seven games remaining.

Barry Rozner: Time to give Briggs a shot inside. ChiFan13: Shaddup, Barry.

Barry Rozner: Credit Singletary for trying it his way.

Barry Rozner: The Bears just can't seem to get the last laugh.

Mike Imrem: Why can't Lovie Smith get more from his players?

ESPN Chicago

The D was the only positive from Thursday.

Cutler's INT's were game-changing.

Are the playoffs hopes over?

Sporting News

Our very own wiltfongjr muses as to why our Bears aren't good.

The Quotable Bears - Week Ten

ChiFan13 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:02 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

Browse more photos »

Here are my quick thoughts on the game:

1) I know Cutler threw five picks and I'm not making excuses for him. Realistically, a few of them aren't his fault.

2) The University of Northern Iowa (where I currently go) has a better OL than the Chicago Bears. Good God, I'm sick of them.

3) Tommie, kudos for showing up yesterday. Keep that effort up.

4) Our defense also showed up. Against a crappy QB. So congrats, D.

5) Only positive thing about this game: We had five turnovers and still held them to 10 points. Again, see point #4.

6) I'm really glad that I'm going to be out and about in Chicago and not on WCG today listening to everyone call for someone's head.

7) I'm also going to the Bulls game tomorrow. I'm hoping I'll be lucky enough to watch one Chicago team have a good game.

Anyways, let's go.

Lovie on the game:

"It's hard to win a football game when you have five turnovers. We've turned the ball over some games. But the penalties, that hasn't been something that we've done a lot. But they hurt you in the end. They can beat you at the end, and that's what happened. It's disappointing to be sitting here at 4-5 right now. I think we're a better football team than that. But normally whatever your record says is what you are. We have a lot of football left to go. We have another big game coming up. This one is disappointing, this one hurts. But we'll bounce back from it."

Lovie on Cutler:

"An interception is an interception to me. Jay is trying to make a play on every one, but you just have to use a little better judgment on some of them, especially the ones in the end zone. We just can't have it."

Cutler on the game:

"I've got to apologize to the defense. The offense as a whole has to apologize. They played a great game. They kept us in there, even through all the turnovers."

Olsen on the game:

"We had a shot. Our defense played exceptional. Hats off to our defense holding us in the game. They did a great job keeping it close while we were trying to get things rolling."

Ron Turner on Cutler's INT's on the goal line:

"I can help him there and give him a better call. They had it well covered. It was third-and-goal on the 1 1/2-yard line, and I called a play-action pass they had well covered. In that situation, you'd like to throw it away, but I got to give him a better call. We were putting four verticals, getting four guys in the end zone. We were trying to get Greg [Olsen] and Earl [Bennett] in the end zone, get some separation and read the safety. Greg came in, slid back out, and he [Cutler] stepped up in the pocket and tried to go to Greg."

Ron Turner on inserting Omiyale at the end:

"We knew we were going to throw on every down, so that's why we made a switch."

Adewale Ogunleye on the playoffs:

"Is it over? Nope. Arizona last year went to the Super Bowl at 9-7, so you got to find bits and pieces of things to draw on. Right now, it's not good, but you got to stay positive. We got to get ready for a serious, serious offense coming in with Philadelphia next Sunday."

Tommie Harris on the playoffs:

"It's not over yet. The NFL is so funny, with different teams losing that put you back in position (for a playoff berth). I think we'll get another opportunity, and I think we'll seize it. Right now, it's a tough pill to swallow, but we all have to stick together and keep on believing."

Lance Briggs on the D's performance:

"We have to build on this [defensive effort]. Five losses doesn't put you out. We have to build on this and get ready to face the Eagles next Sunday night."

Danieal Manning on the D's performance:

"We got to get those turnovers. For all the good we did tonight, not taking the ball away was the missing piece."