Packers legend Jay Cutler has ‘a lot of guts’

Jay Cutler has received more than his share of abuse lately, especially from Chicago fans and players from opposing teams. But the Bears quarterback with the gimpy knee got an unlikely endorsement from a former Packers star Thursday. “He’s got a lot of guts, that kid,” said Paul Hornung from his home in Louisville, Ky. “He’s taking a lot of bull in Chicago. It’s a shame. They blame everything on him, no matter what happens. I just admire him. I think he’s done a hell of a job. And he’s going to improve. “I would tell (Cutler), ‘Don’t let it bother you. Your teammates know what you’re trying to do,’” said Hornung. “I wish the fans would get off his (butt). He did the best he could.” — Chicago Tribune

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January 28, 2011, 7:46 am

Bears QB Jay Cutler not known?

Veteran Bears tight end Desmond Clark spent 90 minutes in studio on WGN-AM 720′s Sports Night on Monday and had some pointed remarks regarding Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Of the beleaguered QB, he said: “Nobody else really knows who he is. … He could be the best friend to his best friends but he just doesn’t like dealing with everything else. If you don’t know a guy, you can’t pass judgment until you actually … get the chance to understand who he is.” — Chicago Tribune

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January 27, 2011, 5:33 am

Bears QB Jay Cutler to Redskins?

Assuming Jay Cutler has worn out his welcome in Chicago, I wonder if this would be a reasonable swap of quarterbacks: Cutler to the Washington Redskins for Chicago native Donovan McNabb. – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

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January 26, 2011, 9:04 am

Only NFL team with no player receiving Pro Bowl vote

A total of 133 players from 31 teams received votes for the Associated Press 2010 NFL All-Pro Team. Arizona was the only team with no player receiving a vote.

Get the full voting list by clicking here

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January 26, 2011, 5:21 am

Bears defensive star already over loss

While many Bears fans continue to lament the team’s loss to the Packers, veteran cornerback Charles Tillman told us Tuesday, “It’s fair to say that I am over it.” “My sorrows are all for the next day. It’s gone, it’s in the past and you’ve got to move on,” he said. — Chicago Tribune

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January 26, 2011, 4:32 am

Fattest man to score NFL playoff touchdown

B.J. Raji’s touchdown in Green Bay’s win on Sunday not only knocked Chicago out of the playoffs, it also knocked a beloved Bear out of the record books. According to Stats Inc., Mr. Raji is the heaviest player to ever score a postseason touchdown, based on his listed weight of 337 pounds. The previous record-holder? William “The Refrigerator” Perry, of course, who was listed at 335 when he rushed for a 1-yard score in Super Bowl XX. — Wall Street Journal

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January 25, 2011, 5:54 pm

Bears defensive star might not return?

Because of his erratic performances and his high salary, the future of Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris is uncertain. Asked Monday if he expects to be back with the Bears

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January 25, 2011, 4:48 pm

Bears ‘Injured’ star a stair master

Jay Cutler and girlfriend Kristin Cavallari dined at Mastro’s Steakhouse on Sunday after the Bears’ 21-14 loss to the Packers in the NFC championship game. Cutler, who left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, was not on crutches but “he limped a tiny bit,” according to a source. The couple was joined by 11 other people in Mastro’s private upstairs dining room, and our spies tell us that he took the stairs rather than the elevator. — Chicago Tribune

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January 25, 2011, 10:23 am

Charles Barkley supports losing NFL playoff team

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, wearing a Bears scarf, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before heading to his Soldier Field suite before Sunday’s game. Other celebrities at the Chicago Bears game were

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January 24, 2011, 4:41 am

Steelers vs. Packers is most likely Super Bowl matchup

Projected Super Bowl lines:
Packers -1.5 over Steelers (42% likely match-up)
Packers -2.5 over Jets (23% likely match-up)
Steelers -5.5 over Bears (23% likely match-up)
Jets -4.5 over Bears (12% likely match-up)

Source: Pregame.com (R.J. Bell)

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January 23, 2011, 3:46 am

Packers-Bears game headed to blowout?

Longtime division rivals—teams that have played continuously in the same division throughout the Super Bowl era—have met in the conference championship just 11 times and it hasn’t happened since 1993. However, most of these matchups have been BLOWOUTS, if you look at the average margin of victory in those games its

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January 22, 2011, 4:13 pm

NFL player can outrun a black bear

An ESPN Sport Science segment Sunday tries to answer whether Chicago Bears receiver/returner Devin Hester could outrun a black bear. Continue reading to find out how Hester did in the head to head matchup of man vs. beast

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January 21, 2011, 9:28 am

Vegas has won 65% of NFL conference championship games last decade

Steelers 65% chance to win game over Jets
Packers 65% chance to win game over Bears

Las Vegas point spread favorites have won 13 of the 20 Conference Championship games in the last decade.

Current True Odds to Win Super Bowl:
Packers 34%
Steelers 33%
Jets 19%
Bears 14%

Source: Pregame.com

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January 21, 2011, 6:42 am

Chicago, Green Bay libraries make NFL bet

The most literary Bears-Packers bet on Sunday’s game is the one between Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary Demp sey and her counterpart at Green Bay’s Brown County Public Library. Our Town’s library has bet a basket of books, including Sara Paretsky’s Hardball, Aleksandar Hemon’s Nowhere Man, Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson and The Universe in Miniature in Miniature by ex-Green Bay guy Patrick Somerville (now in Chicago) — plus such popular kids’ books as The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka, Chicago History for Kids by Owen Hurd, Meet the Bears by Mike Kennedy and Blue Balliett’s The Wright 3. The booky cheeseheads’ assortment includes Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie and David Maraniss’ When Pride Still Mattered, which has been turned into a play — currently on Broadway. — Chicago Sun-Times

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January 21, 2011, 6:36 am

Bears star doesn’t have ANY endorsements?

The highest-profile Bears player with the lowest profile when it comes to endorsements is Jay Cutler, the franchise quarterback who isn’t out touting fast-food franchises or anything else. Since arriving in Chicago in 2009, Cutler has insisted repeatedly he wouldn’t take on any outside work until the job for which the Bears are said to pay him a base salary of $7.5 million for this season (not counting bonuses and incentives) is done. Presumably, that means that until and unless he gets to smudge his thumbprints on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a Super Bowl champ, you won’t see him cashing in by hawking hamburgers. And that’s probably the way the decidedly understated and even-keeled coach Lovie Smith and the rest of the Bears organization — more outwardly buttoned-down and businesslike than 25 years ago — like it. “They’ve taken on the demeanor of their coach, who’s a laconic wet blanket,” said Steffan Postaer, the former chairman and chief creative officer of EuroRSCG Chicago. “We hate that when they’re losing, but there’s some nobility in it when they’re winning.” – Chicago Tribune

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January 20, 2011, 9:10 am

Hollywood star plans to attend Bears game

Ashton Kutcher, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa native, said he plans on attending Sunday’s Bears-Green Bay Packers NFC Championship game at Soldier Field. “Wife is not so happy,” Kutcher said of Demi Moore. “She has a movie opening at Sundance and I had to tell her when the Bears started to win against Seattle (on Sunday), I was like ‘Honey, I have to. I really don’t have a choice. I have to go.’ She understood.” — Chicago Tribune

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January 20, 2011, 8:26 am

Re-designed NFC championship trophy in Chicago

The re-designed George S. Halas Trophy arrived at Halas Hall Thursday. The trophy will go to the winner of Sunday’s NFC championship game. The hardware, which has been handed out since 1984, was changed to a new, sterling silver design this year. — Chicago Tribune

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January 20, 2011, 5:11 am

NFL star sends flowers, romantic note to upset girlfriend

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler perked up girlfriend Kristin Cavallari with a special delivery Saturday night. Cutler sent a bouquet of pink flowers to her birthday party and a note that made…

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January 19, 2011, 9:05 am

NFL star dating actress doesn’t want “Jessica Simpson problem”

While Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is dating a beautiful blond star — as did his Dallas Cowboys counterpart Tony Romo — a close friend of Cutler’s said the Chicago QB and his girlfriend Kristin Cavallari “don’t want to have a Jessica Simpson problem.”

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January 19, 2011, 9:02 am

Cedric “The Entertainer” hosting NFL Super Bowl anniversary roast

The ’85 Bears will host a Super Silver Celebration 25th Anniversary weekend (Jan. 28-30), that includes a VIP dinner and Bears Roast hosted by comedians Cedric “The Entertainer” and Anthony Anderson at the Sheraton Chicago. — Chicago Tribune

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January 19, 2011, 8:21 am

Bears biggest loss to Packers in radio booth?

In 1998 Wayne Larrivee, whose lean and clean radio calls are part of the 1985 Bears’ Super Bowl season soundtrack, closed out a stellar 14-season run here to become the voice of the Packers. Larrivee says he left Chicago for Green Bay because he grew up on the east coast cheering for the team.

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January 19, 2011, 6:16 am

Bears vs. Packers: The hottest ticket in Chicago sports history

Several brokers said tickets for Sunday’s NFC championship game at Soldier Field are by far the most in demand in Chicago sports history

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January 18, 2011, 9:14 am

NFL QB accused of having sourpuss

Bears QB and accused sourpuss Jay Cutler at Tavern on Rush Sunday night after a playoff win “grinning from ear to ear” while hanging out with a large group of friends past the midnight hour .  — Chicago Sun-Times

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January 18, 2011, 6:02 am

Bears star enjoys steak after playoff win

The Bears’ Jay Cutler and girlfriend Kristin Cavallari dined at Mastro’s Steakhouse with a large group after Sunday’s playoff win against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. “Pardon the Interruption” host Michael Wilbon was also there dining at a nearby table. — Chicago Tribune

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January 17, 2011, 10:04 am

Bears could go cheap with Lovie Smith extension?

Speaking of contracts, the Bears may wait to see how their team responds in the playoffs before extending a long-term contract to Lovie Smith. Chicago ownership could start pinching pennies.

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January 16, 2011, 11:38 am

Two former Bears head coaches could land in Cleveland?

There is a good chance two former Bears head coaches will running the defense in Cleveland. Dick Jauron is the favorite to be named…

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January 16, 2011, 11:33 am

President Obama’s speechwriter is Chicago Bears fan

President Obama’s speech at the Tucson memorial service — hailed for striking large themes while keeping focus on the individual victims — was written in collaboration with staffer Cody Keenan. At 30, Keenan is a little older than most of our nation’s Codys. (The name came out of nowhere to rank among the top 30 of boys’ names of the ’90s). A Chicago native and Bears fan, he graduated from Northwestern in 2002, then worked in the Senate for Sen. Ted Kennedy for 3 1/2 years.  — Washington Post

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January 14, 2011, 8:14 am

Super Bowl winner quarterback slams Bears Jay Cutler

Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer continued his highly critical assessment of the Bears’ Jay Cutler on Thursday.

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January 14, 2011, 7:59 am

Bears star won’t be able to watch LeBron, because of playoffs

Devin Hester’s focus will be exclusively on the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, even though his beloved Miami Heat will be in town to face the Bulls. “I won’t be able to see (the Heat) because we will be in our hotel Saturday night,” Hester told us Monday at Halas Hall. Hester, who grew up in Miami and starred at the University of Miami, is a big NBA fan who was ecstatic when LeBron James joined the Heat. — Chicago Tribune

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January 11, 2011, 6:06 am

Steelers offense better than ’08 Super Bowl winners

  • When it was all said and done, the Steelers’ defense led the league in yards per play allowed at 4.5. They also led in 2008, when they won the Super Bowl, and this year’s team is significantly better on offense (5.6 YPP and 23.6 PPG this year vs. 4.9 and 21.7 in 2008).
  • Roddy White’s 115 catches ties him for 10th all-time. There’s been at least one 100-catch receiver every year since Jerry Rice started the trend in 1990; the only time it didn’t happen was when Miami’s O.J. McDuffie led the league with 90 in 1998.
  • The Ravens played in 13 games decided by 10 points or fewer, the most of any team.
  • Green Bay scored 22 more touchdowns than their opponents did in 2010; they outgained their opponent in seven of the last eight weeks (vs. a strong schedule); Brandon Jackson had more than 20 touches in a game only once, but managed to go over 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,045).
  • New Orleans finished the season 11th in scoring at 24.0 PPG – way off the 31.9 PPG of 2009. In fact, they topped 31.9 points in a game only three times this season.

    • Continue reading →

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January 7, 2011, 10:44 pm

Bears practice squad player turns down more money from another team

The Miami Dolphins tried to sign Levin Horn off the Bears’ practice squad and to their 53-man roster before Week 16, meaning he would have received two game checks had he gone, according to multiple NFL sources. Iglesias chose to sign with the Vikings, turning down an offer from the Bears to stay. Horn declined the Dolphins’ offer, however, and the Bears in turn gave him a substantial raise over the minimum for practice squad players of $88,400. In staying, Horn left money on the table. “Levi could have made more money going to the Dolphins,” said his agent Cameron Foster. “But he sees a future for himself with the Bears and that’s where he wanted to stay.” — Chicago Tribune

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January 6, 2011, 10:07 am

Bears QB Cutler says he’s ready to lead

Jay Cutler will be making his first postseason appearance on Jan. 16, and the Bears quarterback says he is comfortable taking charge in the huddle when the stakes mount. Continue reading →

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January 6, 2011, 2:46 am

NFL rookie hazing with Christmas gifts

The Bears’ new offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb has been going through the rookie hazing process with the starting lineup. Continue reading →

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January 4, 2011, 8:40 am

Bears undecided on Lovie Smith extension?

There has been talk within the Bears organization about giving Lovie Smith, who has one year remaining on his contract, an extension. Continue reading →

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January 2, 2011, 11:05 am

Falcons getting lots of help from refs

  • The Falcons have picked up 39 first downs thanks to penalty, an extraordinarily high number, and allowed just 13 on penalty. This is one of the reasons they’re winning while getting outgained easily on an average down (5.0 yards per play for vs. 5.6 yards per play against).

    • Continue reading →

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December 30, 2010, 9:24 pm

Bears star wants to keep Packers out of postseason

Bears star Devin Hester would like to dispatch the Packers once and for all with a victory Sunday at Lambeau Field.  <!–more–> “The Packers are a great team. I don’t want to continue to keep facing the Packers,” Hester said Wednesday. “I have to give them credit, they are a good team. I’d hate to see them three times in one year.” — Chicago Tribune

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December 30, 2010, 7:52 am