Latest News
Monday meanderings: Rather than a defense for the ages, the Chicago Bears 2012 version is looking more like one of the aged. An inability to keep the Seattle Seahawks from marching down the field resulted in a 23-17 Bears loss Sunday (Dec. 2) at Soldier Field.
It’s a Chicago Honey Bear dancer. Not to be confused with the Chicago Bears long-ago cheerleaders, the Honey Bears.
* Any time the Bears coaching staff wants to figure out how to stop a quarterback who can run would be much appreciated by Bears fans.
* How many people complaining that Bears coach Lovie Smith went for a first down deep in Seattle territory on fourth-and-inches early in the game are the same voices that would have been complaining if the Bears had kicked a field goal and ultimately lost?
* Among lost chances for the Bears was a ball that receiver Earl Bennett dropped on what looked like a sure touchdown. As if that’s the only time that’s ever happened to a player.
* For the second game in a row, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was penalized for a horse-collar tackle. Another one or two more such penalities against him and maybe the NFL will rename it the Urlacher penalty.
Nice pair of Chicago Honey Bear Dancers. Not football-related, in case you were wondering (even if you weren”t).
* Speaking of Urlacher, he exited the game in overtime because of a right hamstring injury. On the bright (?) side, he already has looked a little slower this season. Meaning any subsequent dropoff in quickness won’t be as great.
* The touchdown pass to end the Seattle Seahawks’ victory was quarterback Russell Wilson’s third game-winning TD toss in the final two minutes of regulation on in overtime. That’s the most by a rookie QB since at least 1970, the NFL department of information reports. Not that that news will provide much — if any — consolation to Bears fans.
* Speaking of Wilson, he and Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck became the first pair of NFL rookie quarterbacks to toss a game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of regulation or overtime on the same day. On the bright side, the Bears just might be fortunate they played the Colts in the season opener before Luck had to establish himself as a worthy successor to Peyton Manning.
* Speaking of Manning, Luck ranks right behind him on the list of rookie quarterbacks’ passing yards through his first 12 games. Luck has 3,596, Manning 3,739 and Cam Newton 4,051.
* Congratulations to Northern Illinois for its football team’s selection to play Florida State in the Orange Bowl. It makes one wonder what bowl game the Huskies (12-1) might have ended up in if they hadn’t lost their season opener to Iowa 18-17 at Soldier Field.
* Congratulations to Northwestern University for its football team’s selection to play Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. The game is Jan. 1 at noon Eastern time (11 a.m. Chicago time). Somethings says the players will be substantially more altert at kickoff than some of the Wildcats’ fans.
* Former Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto re-signed with the Texas Rangers after they opted not to tend a contract offer. Something says he just might be taking a pay cut from the $4.3 million he made in 2012 when he batted .196 for Texas.
* Chicago Bulls starting guard Richard “Rip” Hamilton lived up (down?) to his nickname when he ripped his plantar fascia in his left foot during the third quarter of Saturday’s game. Meaning the Bulls’ much-maligned bench is in line for more of the same with one of the previous reserves now going to start the game.
As promised, here are two videos from the Chicago Luvabulls at the Bulls-Sixers game Saturday:
When you think Victoria’s Secret, you no doubt envision Bruno Mars being interviewed by Miranda Kerr. Right? OK, maybe not. But we will provide that — as well as something that might be slightly more visually exciting.
And, yes, the video-research department at elliottharris.com stays busy on Sundays for footage — gratuitous and otherwise (even if those of us around here insist there is no such thing as anything gratuitous on this site):
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.