Thread: SAT BEAR NEWS- omiyale,shaffer,forte,harris,izzy,olsen,briggs,bow man

Packers' Matthews fined $5,000 for Cutler hit

October 1, 2010 2:43 PM | 5 Comments

Staff report

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was fined $5,000 for roughing the passer during Monday's 20-17 Bears' victory over the Packers, the NFL confirmed Friday.

It was determined during a video review of the game that Matthews unnecessarily grabbed Bears quarterback Jay Cutler by the facemask.

Previously, it was reported that Packers linebacker Frank Zombo was fined $7,500 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cutler.

not good!.. guess he really screwed the charity


Chris Zorich resigns from position at Notre Dame

By Jared Hopkins

Former Chicago Bear and Notre Dame lineman Chris Zorich has resigned from his position in the university's athletic department.

Assistant athletic director Bernadette Cafarelli confirmed the resignation and the school declined further comment, including to inquiries about when and why he left.

Efforts to reach Zorich for comment were unsuccessful. He joined the athletic department in 2008 as its manager for student welfare and development. In June the university's Web site listed him as its manager of youth programming and community outreach.

The South Side native, who retired from the NFL in 1997, reentered the spotlight June 23 when the Tribune reported he didn't know the location of $864,645 in assets listed on his charitable foundation's 2002 federal tax return, apparently the last one filed. At an Aug. 27 event hosted by the Urban Prep Academies, Zorich told the Tribune he still was searching for bank statements. It's unclear whether his resignation is related to the charity's struggles.

Robyn Ziegler, spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan -- whose office sent letters to Zorich at his office at Notre Dame after the initial Tribune story said Friday there is an ongoing investigation.

"We have not talked to him," she said. "He has not responded to our attempts to talk to him."

Bears' Kreutz: QB Cutler 'as tough as they come'

video:

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...they-come.html

BEARS IN BRIEF: Unlike first three opponents, this one has a run-track mind

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions didn't try to run the ball much. The Cowboys tried to run against the Bears but abandoned the strategy after being stuffed repeatedly.

Expect the New York Giants to be more stubborn Sunday night at New Meadowlands Stadium, which means the Bears' top-ranked rush defense will meet its stiffest test yet.

''It's definitely different preparing for them than it would be for Green Bay,'' linebacker Lance Briggs said. ''This team is more balanced. They want to establish the run, which sits real well with us.''
Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and 264-pound Brandon Jacobs can punish a defense.

''We're getting key takeaways at good times, which is helping us, but we've got to play better,'' linebacker Brian Urlacher said. ''We missed a lot of tackles last week, me included. We've got to tackle better, get to the quarterback and get him on the ground. But we're playing fast. That makes up for a lot of mistakes when you play at a high level like that. We're definitely doing that at every position.''

With Ryan Grant out for the season, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers only handed the ball to running backs 13 times Monday night. The Giants are averaging 27 attempts in three games.
''They had two tough losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee,'' Urlacher said. ''They moved the ball in both of those games. Turnovers killed them. But there's no question they're a good team. They're a powerful team. They like to run the football. We've got to be ready to play.''

Zombo fined

Packers rookie linebacker Frank Zombo was fined $7,500 for roughing Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday night, using the crown of his helmet to hit Cutler underneath his facemask.

Hungry man

The Bears are ranked among the best teams in the NFL at forcing turnovers. The Giants, on the other hand, have 10 turnovers in three games, and Briggs can't wait to add to that total.

''Licking your chops,'' Briggs said when asked what the Giants' turnover total means to him. ''As a defense, if a team is turning the ball over, you want to get the ball out. We pride ourselves on stuff like that. When we get the opportunity, we have to do it.''

Injury report
Tackle Chris Williams (hamstring) and safety Major Wright (hamstring) have been ruled out for Sunday night. Guard Roberto Garza (knee), safety Chris Harris (neck) and defensive end Israel Idonije (foot) are probable.
For the Giants, defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka, tackle Will Beatty (foot) and center Shaun O'Hara (ankle/Achilles) are out, linebacker Keith Bulluck (toe) is doubtful, and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (back) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee) are questionable. Linebacker Chase Blackburn (knee), linebacker Phillip Dillard (hamstring), wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion) and returner Darius Reynaud (illness) are probable.

5 Things To Watch For: Bears-Giants

Harris redemption
A three-time Pro Bowl selection with 269 career tackles, Harris reacted diplomatically to his benching, which came as the result of low production through the first two games. But as Harris said on Thursday, "It's how you come back from it." Harris responded well to being sidelined in each of the past two years. Suspended a game in 2008 for conduct detrimental to the team, Harris returned to post five sacks in his next six outings. The defensive tackle came back from a benching last season to contribute a sack and nine tackles over the next three weeks. Against the Giants, there's a good chance Harris' snaps will be limited. So he needs to make the most of them to get back into the staff's good graces.

Resurgent rushing attack
The Bears are one of the league's top play-action passing teams, with Jay Cutler completing 9 of 11 for a 144.3 passer rating on those plays, according to ESPN Stats and Information. But you've got to wonder how long the Bears can maintain success off play action without the legitimate threat of a ground game. Lovie Smith pointed out the club's rushing woes earlier in the week, saying the unit needs to improve for the Bears to continue their winning ways. Running backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor each average 2.8 yards per carry so far this season, but encounter a Giants rush defense which is allowing 136.7 yards per game. So Sunday's game appears to be Chicago's best opportunity to date to get its rushing attack on track.

Martz vs. Fewell
They've coached together in St. Louis, and battled head to head during their subsequent stints at other teams. So it's safe to say Bears offensive coordinator and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell know one another pretty well. What should be interesting, though, is which coach does the best job of taking advantage of that familiarity. Fewell expects Martz to attack the Giants' technique through the offense, adding "it's not as much a coordinator's matchup with him." Martz, meanwhile, says, "[The Giants are] 11th in the league, but could very easily be top three or four on defense; they've gotten better every week. They're a physical group, they're disciplined. They cancel gaps in the run game." Fewell and Martz have met twice since 2006, with Martz's team winning both outings.

Cutler in the face of New York's rush
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler isn't rattled easily, based on his production through three games in the face of the pass rush. Against four or fewer rushers, Cutler ranks fifth in the league (behind Peyton Manning, Michael Vick, Phillip Rivers and Vince Young), having completed 68.9 percent for a 109.9 passer rating. Bringing five or more rushers doesn't affect Cutler's numbers much, either. In those situations, Cutler completes 60 percent of his attempts for a passer rating of 109.3 with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Interestingly, despite reputation, the Giants aren't the formidable pass-rushing squad they used to be. The club is currently tied for 13th in the league with six sacks. But it's important to note the Giants have picked off three passes this season, in addition to forcing and recovering three fumbles.

Numerous Bears threats on special teams
Devin Hester appears to have found his groove in the punt return game, which might come as a recipe for disaster to the Giants' reeling special teams. Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge has been told to kick the ball out of bounds away from Hester, but directional punting could be a challenge for the rookie, who doesn't qualify as experienced at such a technique. It's also worth mentioning that Hester returned a missed field goal 108 yards in 2006 for a TD against the Giants. Hester isn't the only threat on special teams. Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning average 29.7 and 26.2 yards on kickoff returns, respectively. Defensive end Julius Peppers has also been a weapon on special teams. If the club struggles offensively or defensively, the Bears know they can turn the entire game with just one play on special teams.

damm! wish coughlin had taken enis,,lol

damm you hatley! As fashionable as it has been to bash the Bears for the making Curtis Enis the fifth-overall pick of the 1998 draft, if Tom Coughlin had his way, Enis would’ve been a Jacksonville Jaguar."The conversation and negotiations grew heated as the minutes ticked closer to the 15 minutes the Bears were allowed. Hatley felt that Coughlin was trying to bully him and at minute 14 slammed the phone down and declared that the Bears would take Enis."


Mullin: Bears' 2010 3-0 start vs. 2009 3-1 start

Friday, Oct. 1, 2010
9:22 AM

By John Mullin
CSNChicago.com

What to truly make out of the Bears’ 3-0 start...

The offense is better, the defense is better, special teams are better. Yet the Bears have been outgained by 100 yards in each of their last two wins, but those were wins, which really is all that matters. The Bears are 3-0; no argument.

The fact that the Bears started 2009 at 3-1 is certainly a reasonable cause for emotional moderation; losing eight of the next 10 exposed that start as a lie.

But the three wins after that opening loss to Green Bay were over Pittsburgh (with help from two missed field goals), Seattle and Detroit. Those teams, respectively finished 9-7, 4-12 and 2-14, and they all outgained the Bears.

The three teams the Bears have defeated so far include Detroit, but also the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay, which went 9-7 and 11-5 in 2009. The combined records of the three losers last year was 15-33. This year the three defeateds were a combined 22-26 in 2009.

One reader expressed exasperation at references to the Bears’ past, and as Da Coach in fact said, the past is for cowards and losers. It is, however, also very useful for comparison, a sort of fixed point from which to assess progress, lack of it or simply the degree of change.

The point is, while I’m seeing problems for the Bears Sunday in New Jersey, there is clear and conclusive reason to see this year’s 3-0 start as materially more impressive than last year’s with its three straight wins. I’m not sure I see the Bears winning road games in consecutive weeks, something they haven’t done since their playoff seasons of 2005 and 2006.

Enis error

As fashionable as it has been to bash the Bears for the making Curtis Enis the fifth-overall pick of the 1998 draft, if Tom Coughlin had his way, Enis would’ve been a Jacksonville Jaguar.

Couglin at that time was the coach and personnel driver for the Jags, who owned picks at No. 9 and No. 25 of the first round. When the Bears’ turn came at No. 5, the phone rang in the Bears draft room and Coughlin wanted to talk with personnel chief Mark Hatley, then handling his first draft after years as a supporting actor with Kansas City personnel. Coughlin wanted to trade up.

The conversation and negotiations grew heated as the minutes ticked closer to the 15 minutes the Bears were allowed. Hatley felt that Coughlin was trying to bully him and at minute 14 slammed the phone down and declared that the Bears would take Enis.

Coughlin and the Jaguars were stuck at No. 9. They settled for Florida running back Fred Taylor, who played 11 years for Jacksonville, signed with New England in 2009 and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry this season for the Patriots. He is the NFL’s 15th leading rusher all-time.

Enis played three erratic years for the Bears. He is coaching high school football in Ohio.

What matters?

The Bears’ offensive mantra for three weeks now has been that the need to run the ball more effectively is critical. Maybe not.

Of the eight worst rushing offenses based on average per carry, six have winning records. Only Denver and Detroit do not.

More significantly, of the eight top passers in this week’s rankings, only Denver’s Kyle Orton is playing for a team that is not tied atop or outright leading its division with a winning record. Realizing that passer rating is hugely affected by interceptions, none of those top eight has thrown more than 2 interceptions. Cutler is one of those with two through three games.

My, what would 2009 have been like for the Bears had Cutler not thrown at least two interceptions in seven – remember those? – different games?

Deafening silence

I’m sure the latent anger is still out there, but wasn’t it somehow a restful month without "Fire-Lovie!" hysteria?

even scarier they allow Enis to coach kids football lmfao

Originally Posted by motownbear

even scarier they allow Enis to coach kids football lmfao

Does he tell the kid's each day they all need to repent and Confess all their sins... like he did to everyone at his wedding and then called out each person that at first stayed to what their sins were, as they all started to get up and leave? : 0

EXTRA POINTS
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw was fined $2,500 for a chop block that cost the Giants a safety in their 29-10 loss to Tennessee. Offensive tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie were each fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness, and center Adam Koets was fined $5,000 for a face-mask penalty. ... Center Shaun O’Hara will miss his second straight game with ankle and Achilles’ tendon injuries