JeffHorneWeb Blog - Bears

It's Over

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:59:00 -0500

Today was a day of mixed feelings for Bear's fans. Mixed because deep in our hearts we want them to win but in our minds, the only way there will be any change is if they lose. The last two games would have to have been losses for real turnover in the coaching staff, the only way there would be true change with our beloved Monsters of the Midway.

There were high hopes for the team in the pre-season. They acquired a pro-bowl QB in the off-season and none other than Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC picked them to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Then they played the games.

It was all down hill, more or less, from the opening kickoff of opening weekend on the Regular season when they lost to the Packers in Lambeau. Cutler threw four interceptions and they lost Brian Urlacher for the season.

They won a few games and teased us that they could challenge the Vikings for the NFC North crown but by mid-season in San Francisco, they could fool us no longer. Several interceptions, including the final play of the game, showed us how the rest of the season would go. Receivers constantly ran the wrong routes, the offensive line could not open holes for the running game and the defense was as pouous as a glass of water.

There were multiple games where the winning team scored over 28 points. It was terrible. Then the Bears beat the Vikings last Monday night and the Lions today. Suddenly, there's talk of the coaching staff not losing their jobs. If they stay with the team will the results be any different next season? I seriously doubt it.

There were positives at various times this season. Johnny Knox might be a keeper in future season if he can stay healthy. He ended this season on the bench with an injury. Devin Aromashodu was a very bright spot when allowed to play. Kahlil Bell had some positive runs at the end of the season but that was about it. Cutler set team marks in TDs and yardage but lead the league in interceptions.

Lovie Smith will be holed up with GM Jerry Angelo tomorrow so he will not be available to the media. Hopefully the Bears will do the right thing and not put the fans through another season of mediocrity. If the current coaching staff is retained, that's what we'll get.

Mixed Feelings

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:52:00 -0500

I actually watched the Bears last night. I hadn't watched them in weeks because I had better things to do with my time. Last night I decided to give them another chance They were completely in command the first three quarters but reverted to the 2009 Bears in the 4th quarter and let the Vikings tie the game.

In overtime, They had a chance to win of the first drive but Robbie Gould's FG didn't hook like it normally does. Instead, they were bailed out by an Andrian Peterson fumble followed by a Cutler to Aromashadu TD on the next play for the win.

Charles Tilmon fractured several ribs on a hit by his own player on a tackle and a few other Bears suffered injuries. These are likely season ending with the last game of 2009 next week in Detroit.

The game creates mixed feelings in my mind. It was a very exciting game to watch. They have not been worthy of my time most of the season but there was a spark in the first three quarters that was definitely missing for the majority of their games. It will be a very different team next season and that is a good thing. Since they traded their first round pick to the Broncos for Jay Cutler, it really doesn't matter how they finish. But if there are to be changes, the more games they lose, the stronger the argument for those changes.

Why Do I Do It?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:45:00 -0500

This has been a great weekend. A major project I'd been working on went live Saturday morning. The weather Saturday was beautiful. My Purdue Boilermakers finished the Big Ten season at 4-4 for a .500 conference record. In doing so, they retained the Old Oaken Bucket, the moving trophy that goes to the winner of the annual Purdue vs. Indiana football game. Also, Notre Dame lost. That's a win in my book.

We checked out the local YMCA and hope to join in the coming weeks. It is a nice facility with nice equipment and programs.

Moving on to today, the weather held. It was a beautiful day in the 50's today. I cut the grass for the last time this year. I have never cut the grass this late in November. After cutting the grass, the Mrs and I went for a walk. It was great and the beautiful weather was only surpassed by the beautiful company I kept.

Earlier in the day, my Son and I went to the eye glass store to get him some new glasses. We had tried contacts a few weeks ago but he's just not ready, yet. He will be but not now. This is where the tide turned. We found out that the special two for $99 deal doesn't work when the person wearing them is a minor but needs adult size glasses. Apparently by law, a minor must wear shatter-proof, plastic lenses. These cost extra. Just another example of kids costing you more money as they get older.

That brings us to the Bears. They are the "Why Do I Do It?" in the subject line. They have been horrible the last several weeks. I told myself I was done with them. I would not spend any more time watching this trainwreck of a team. But come Sunday night at 7:15, what do I find myself? I'm watching the Bears. And what do they do? They let the Eagles march the ball right down the field and score 10 points.

What have the Bears done? 3 and out. A punt on 4th and 14. They next got the ball back with Cutler overthrowing his wide open receivers on the final two plays. The boo-birds were out with that.

I've got to stop this. This season is over. I have to walk away and spend time doing something other than having my heart broken each Sunday. Fortunately, they will not be playing on Thanksgiving day. Only family on that day and only good times.

Jay-mazing

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:50:00 -0500

4, NO... make that 5 INTERCEPTIONS... Jay Cutler is the first Bears QB since 1962 to have two 4 interception games in the same season. This town is about to erupt.

A Tribute Above All Others

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:03:00 -0500

This weekend marks the 10 anniversary of one of the darkest days in Chicago Sports and one that rivals the death of John Lennon on my personal hero loss heart-break. Like so many kids who grew up in Chicago in the 1970s, Walter Payton was my hero. Not just on a football level but on an outlook on life level. Most kids who played running back in the early 1970s wanted number 32. I had to have number 34.

Walter Payton was not the biggest, most talented football player growing up. His determination and unending tuning of his body made him that way. Walter did not listen to dissenters. He used their dissent as inspiration to better himself and prove them wrong. Walter set the record for rushing in the NFL not behind championship teams like Emmett Smith, who later broke Walter's record. He ran for losing teams until the final years of his career.

His determination and resolve drove him to being the best running back in NFL history, period. He ran, caught passes, blocked and even passed the ball like no running back before or since. In an era when weightlifting and personal trainers were still in the future, Walter used to run the hill in Arlington Heights, IL. He ran the 92 foot hill up to 20 times a day. It hurts just thinking about it.

Sadly, Walter's body, which he kept in prime shape during his playing career, couldn't overcome the liver disease that took his life. In February 1999, Walter revealed that he had primary sclerosing cholangitis. Although he was on a liver transplant list, the mortality rate from the disease precluded a life-saving transplant.

Walter passed away on November 1st, 1999. I cried that day and will likely do the same this weekend. At halftime of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field, the Bears will pay tribute to Walter. His family is urging fans to wear their No. 34 Walter Payton clothing to Sunday's game. His teammates Matt Suhey and Dennis Gentry will escort the family, including his Mother, onto the field.

A family spokesperson says that an announcement is coming in the next few weeks regarding a Wlter Payton statue that the family commisioned and hoped would be placed at Soldier Field. The Chicago Park District, which owns teh stadium, nixed taht idea saying the building is a memorial to soldiers and the Walter statue would not be appropriate there. She added that the announcement will make everyone happy.

The Chicago Tribune has more information on the halftime tribute.

Get The Home Team Call

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:31:00 -0500

Like most sports fans, I usually end up becoming more frustrated with the network play by play than I do my team's play on the field. Dick Stockton is the prime offender to my ears and sports sensibility. A bit of quick thinking leads to the ultimate solution "I'll just turn on the radio and listen to it while I turn down the audio on the TV." Great idea but due to the speed sending the television signal to a satellite or through a cable vs receiving the radio signal at home, the two sources are generally out of sync with the radio revealing the play seconds before you see it on the television.

After a bit of research there are several methods to listen to the local radio play by play in sync. The methods range from a somewhat costly to free with a bit of effort.

The Delay Play Method - This is the costliest method but the easiest (possibly). Basically, you hook the Delay Play device to the radio and adjust the delay from 0 to 16 seconds. It has an output connection that can connect to a reciver or powered speakers. Available at ScannerMaster. Cost: $200.
The SportsSyncRadio Method - Similar to method one but at a lower cost. This solution is an actual radio with built in speaker that will allow you to set the delay between 0 and 8 seconds. Also available at Scannermaster (This link is from the Bear's Radio Network website so they are a sponsor of the Bears.) Cost: $40
The iTunes Method - Requires a PC and a TV with DVR. Radio Legend Steve Dahl unveiled this method on his daily podcast (dahlCast). This method requires that the radio station that broadcasts your team's games streams over iTunes. If they don't, try method 4 or 5. Cost: Patience

Steps -

1. Start up iTunes and bring up the play by play.

2. Pause the game on the DVR. The TV broadcast will be ahead of iTunes in this case.

3. As soon as the action on the iTunes hits where you paused it, unpause the DVR. If you did it right, you'll be in sync. If not, try pausing iTunes and then re-sync with the TV.

It's better to be close than frustrated because it's not perfect. Remember, close is better than Dick Stockton.

The Home Team's Website Method. - Some teams stream their game day play by play on the internet. If so, you might be able to use the iTunnes method substituting the iTunes feed with the local teams feed. Steps and Cost: See Number 3.
The Radio Station Website Method - Similar to numbers 3 and 4 but using the stream from the radio station that carries the home teams games. Steps and Cost: See Number 3.

If all of these methods fail, you can just buck up and get to love Dick Stockton. Hey, if Leslie Visser can, so can you.

The Bear Facts

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:05:00 -0500

The Bears game last night ended with complete heartbreak for the faithfull. The score read 21-14 Falcons but with two fumbles and one interception inside the 20 yard line, it should have easily been a Bear's victory. The Falcons scored their third touchdown after a Bears 12 men on the field penalty on a punt on 4th and three.

They were in it right up until the end. Four and one with under a minute to play. Would they streak in for the touchdown or at least a first down? Nope, future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace jumped offsides and made it 4th and 6. One errant pass attempt later the game was over.

The game can be looked at as a moral victory. The Bears know they were the better team except for stupid penalties and mishandling of the football inside the 20. They still need to get the run game going. Matt Forte has his worst rushing performance as a pro. That has been a problem all season.

So do the Bears get a day to reflect on the game? No. Chad Ochocinco is busy tweeting about how he's going to shame the Bear's secondary. I'm sure the press will run with it. As long as it doesn't cause too much of a distraction, I'm okay with it.

The Vikings are 6-0 with the Packers and Bears in second at 3-2. Is it just me or have they played all their games at home and inside? They will be playing the Bears twice in a four week period in November/December, capped off with a game at Soldier Field on Sunday night game 12/28. It could be real cold. Hopefully the Bear Weather myth will come true.

Now, to add insult to injury, the early word on Pisa Tinoisamoa is that he has cartilidge damage in his knee and may be out for the rest of the season. Now the line backing corp is even thinner.

It just gets worse and worse.

Are You Ready For Some Football

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:32:00 -0500

It is really a mixed bag when your team is on Sunday Night or Monday Night Football. You are able to get a lot done during the day on Suday but you've got that long, excruciating wait while the only thing on is some game with teams you really don't care about.

We spent the day helping out family and had a great time with everyone. While at my brother's, we did catch the end of the Ravens at ViQueens. More surprising than the Raven's kicker missing the sure thing field goal at the end of regulation was the fact that they were even in it. The last time we checked they were down 30-17.

And those poor, poor Titans. Spanked 59-0 in the snow up in New England. Miserable. I just hope Jeff Fisher can hold on to his job. What has gotten into that team?

Then the unthinkable happened between the Eagles and Raiders. That's right the Raiders actually won. Now they have something to talk about other than if their head coach will have assault charges filed against him for beating up an assistant coach.

I completely blew it with my Fantasy Football teams. If I'd paid attention and actually set up my starters, I would have had a successful weekend. Instead, I lost across the board. Argh...

So that brings us to the Bears at Falcons. All week, the talk has been about the 11 second comeback by the Falcons in Atlanta last season. I hope the Bears defense plays a bit better this time. We'll see. The other topic is that Cutler was able to beat the Falcons in Atlanta with the Broncos last season. What that means about playing them with the Bears, I have no idea. I guess the struggle to come up with something to talk about after a bye week.

And we have to listen to Chris Collinsworth. I need a delay unit for the local radio broadcast.

GO BEARS!!!

A Win Is A Win, But

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:58:00 -0500

The Bears beat the Detroit Lions today but there are still things to be unhappy about.

Matt Forte had 121 yards but with two of his runs being for 61 and 37 yards, he didn't gain much on his other runs

Jay Cutler only threw for 141 yards.

The Lions passing game took it to the Bears the entrie first half. Zach Bowman could not stop Calvin Johnson.

Then there are the injuries. Johnny Knox (shin) and Devin Hester (shoulder) were injured.

On the positive side...

The Bears made a very important adjustment at the half and put Charles Tillman on him.

The D Line played well. Tommy Harris had an interception. Adewale Ogunleye had a fumble recovery. Lance4 Briggs sacked Matt Stafford and knocked him out of the game in the 4th with a knee.

Alex Brown had a very poorly called facemask penalty in the first quarter that led to a Lion TD.

Robbie Gould had a personal best 52 yard field goal.

The Bears have a bye week next week. That will give the injuries time to heal before their next game at Atlanta, October 18th.

As we all know, the most important stat is Win/Loss. The Bears are now 3-1.

Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

Bear Down

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:00:00 -0500

The Bears are now 2-1 to start the 2009 campaign. The wins have not dominating but they are wins. Cutler is spreading the ball around. The run game still has yet to get going. The O-line is not doing a great job at all.

The Defense is doing well enough to win the game but are not stopping these yeams. With Seattle being down their Pro-Bowl QB, they should have done better but the Seahawks were able to move the ball. The D bent but did not break.

The last 10 minutes saw three lead changes with a 30+ yard TD pass to Devin Hester at the two minute mark sealing the win.

Next up Detroit, who do their first win in 19 games today. They can't be taken lightly.

Bears Looked Better

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:18:00 -0500

Yes, it was the Bears second pre-season game and good play should not be overrated, just as bad play shouldn't, but the difference in the offense compared to last week was night and day. Cutler threw the ball much better, scrambled for a first down and looked like no Bears quarterback I'd seen in my 45 years of fandom. Likely, this was due not just his talent but the return of Matt Forte, who had a 35 yard TD run, and Greg Olsen, who had a long catch for a first down.

In the three drives that the first string offense was on the field, they scored all 17 of the Bears points. On the defense side of the ball, they played much better with Eli Manning under pressure the whole time he was in.

Next week takes the Bears to Denver where I'm sure they will great Jay Culter with warm, outstreached arms.

Camping Trip

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:44:00 -0500

The White Sox traded for Cy Young Award winning pitcher, Jake Peavy today. That overshadowed the biggest sporting news day in Chicago every year, the start of Bears Training Camp.

Update: I had the video embedded but took it out because I hate autostart videos.

Videolink here

One Man's Garbage

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:41:00 -0500

Sexy Rexy was signed by the Houston Texans today. One year contract. Best of luck to all involved.

Weather Or Not

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:43:00 -0500

We are in the midst of the weather system that dropped as much as 52 inches of snow on areas near Denver on Friday. It is thankfully in the form of rain here. I spent yesterday pounding out the damage from my run in with the John Deere tractor on Christmas Eve. I still wish nothing but the very worst on the owners of the company behind the equipment that damaged my sweet little Corolla. I was able to pound a great deal of the damage out but it is still pretty messed up.

The sports teams around Chicago are doing quite well. The White Sox took three of four from the defending AL Champion Tampa (Don't Call Us Devil) Rays. The Cubs were rained out tonight but took two of three from the hated Cardinals. And the most exciting is the playoff performance of the Bulls and the Blackhawks. The Bulls took the first game on the road from the Boston Celtics and the Blackhawks head to Calgary for tomorrows game up two games to none.

To top it off, Jay Cutler of the Bears has been all over town dancing, throwing out first pitches and dropping first pucks.

These are exciting times in Chicago.

What A Day In Chicago

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:53:00 -0500

You would think on a day where the ex-Governor, his brother and several Aides are indicted of 19 felony counts by the US Attorney's office, that story would have to be the biggest story in the local news.

You would think...

But even bigger than poltics and their corruption in the city of Chicago is THE CHICAGO BEARS. On a normal day, the Bears rule this town. It could be the middle of the baseball season and fans still call the local sports stations to voice their feelings, most often negative as is a fan's way, about the Monsters of the Midway.

But today may be the biggest off the field news day of this storied franchise. What did they do? They traded their starting quarterback, two first round draft picks (2009 and 2010) and a 3rd round draft pick this year to the Denver Broncos for their starting quarterback and a 5th round 2009 draft pick. Not only do the Bears end up with a new starting quarterback but he is a Pro Bowl Quarterback.

Some people might say that trading your first round draft picks the next two years is a bad idea. Given the Bears' recent history with their first round draft picks, I would say a Pro Bowl Quarterback is a winning trade off.

So landing Jay Cutler would be big enough for most teams but what do the Bears do? The also sign a seven time Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle in Orlando Pace. Now admittedly he is in the twilight of his career but if the guy has juice left in his tank, they are better off than they were a day ago.

Also, the Bears are now faced with the Cutler Effect. What is Cutler Effect? It is the stream of Free Agent Offensive players who will be calling Halas Hall to see if the Bears are interested in their services.

Great Job Jerry Angelo and Great Job Bears.