Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher Is Willing to Risk His Kidney to Stay on the Football Field

by Josh Dhani on January 24, 2012

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Man, you gotta love Brian Urlacher’s love for the game. The Chicago Bears’ All-Star linebacker said that he took painkilling injections to stay on the football field and avoid injuries. He even had a concussion, and took this injection, to stay on the gridiron.

“It’s normal,” Urlacher told “Real Sports.” “You drop your pants, you get the alcohol, they give you a shot, put the Band-Aid on and you go out and play.”

As reported by the source, taking these injections can lead to kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding. Does Urlacher know? Yes. And he’s willing to risk himself.  

“First of all, we love football,” Urlacher said. “We want to be on the field as much as we can be. If we can be out there, it may be stupid, it may be dumb, call me dumb and stupid then, because I want to be on the football field.”

He even lies about concussions.

“If I have a concussion these days, I’m going to say something happened to my toe or knee just to get my bearings for a few plays,” he said. “I’m not going to sit in there and say I got a concussion. [Then] I can’t go in there the rest of the game.”

I wonder what Roger Goodell has to say about this.

As for me, I love it. But I do worry about the risks. But then again, you gotta admire this man’s passion for the game.
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Written by Josh Dhani, Founder (Archive/RSS)

Josh has been writing since 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also writes at Hardcourt Mayhem and contributes to TrueHoop’s Eight Points Nine Seconds. Check him out on JoshDhani.com and follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Chicago Bears Looking to Claim Kyle Orton Off Waivers

by Josh Dhani on November 23, 2011

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With Tim Tebow’s electrifying performances that continue to rack up wins for the Denver Broncos, the team recently released Kyle Orton. With Jay Cutler now out of the season, the Bears are looking to claim their old QB off of waivers to spark a re-union in the Windy City.

After Cutler’s season-ending thumb injury, Chicago is now looking at the 29-year-old Orton. Orton was benched in favor of Tebow after his poor 1-4 start. With Tebow in now, Denver has been 4-1. However, Orton has delivered some good stats on paper, surprassing 3,000 yards his past two years in Denver.

Chicago is 7-3 and are close to a playoff spot if they continue to pile up wins. With Cutler out now, it’s a huge blow. If Orton struggles, the team can also turn to Caleb Hanie, who almost helped the Bears go to the Super Bowl with a good performance versus Green Bay last year in the NFC Championship.

We’ll see how it goes, though.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Week 11 NFL Picks: Late-Game Contenders That Will Protect Their House

by Josh Dhani on November 20, 2011

NFL Week 11 offers up some solid matchups in the late-afternoon games, but nothing spectacular.

Unless you can get excited about the Rams and Seahawks renewing their NFC West rivalry in St. Louis, you would be wise to stick with Titans vs. Falcons and Chargers vs. Bears before flipping over to NBC tonight for Eagles vs. Giants.

But don’t wait until after the games are over to find out who wins. Check out these three contenders set to protect their home turf on Sunday:

Atlanta Falcons Over Tennessee Titans

The Falcons lost a heart-breaker last week against the Saints. Atlanta made an idiotic, indefensible decision in overtime and it very well could cost them a spot in the 2011 postseason.

In Week 11 they will bounce back with an easy win over the Titans, but their early-season shortcomings will come back to bite them later this year. Still, they are legitimate NFC contenders at 5-4.

Chicago Bears Over San Diego Chargers

The Bears have won four-straight while the Chargers have lost four-straight. Momentum is real and if it leads us to believe anything about Sunday’s outcome at Soldier Field, it’s that Chicago will win without a problem.

They destroyed the Lions one week ago and their defense is only improving, it’s scary. Philip Rivers and the Bolts’ offense has fallen off while the San Diego D has been hit or miss. Chicago will protect their home in Week 11 and win their fifth-straight.

New York Giants Over Philadelphia Eagles

Much like the Chargers vs. Bears game late this afternoon, the Eagles vs. Giants matchup features two teams trending in opposite directions. Although Big Blue had a slip up on the road last week in San Francisco, they were in position to tie with seconds remaining.

Philly has lost to subpar competition and lost most of their football games because of inexcusable turnovers and defensive mistakes. Missed tackles and inconsistency will do in Philly on the road tonight. The Giants keep their one-game lead on Dallas in the NFC East while protecting their house in Week 11.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Eagles’ Babin Accuses Bears of Playing Dirty

by FeedCrossing on November 18, 2011

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About a week ago we posted a piece which began by stating that there’s barely a week to go by in the NFL without a team or a player accusing the other (usually victorious) side of dirty play. Well, here we go again folks, on time and on target: the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Babin has come forth in the wake of his team’s defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears to point an accusing finger at Bears tight end Kellen Davis and Bears Coach Lovie Smith.

According to Babin’s account of the incident, he failed to notice on the spot but he watched replays afterwards and realized that he was nailed from the side at the snap. Babin said that several of the players who had watched the move on TV sent him text messages to let him know he had been unfairly hit. Babin also said that watching the play on TV afterwards, he became convinced that it had been an intentionally called play, something that he would never have expected from Coach Smith. The move wasn’t illegal from a technical perspective, but it was obvious it was directed at a defenseless player.

Babin didn’t miss the opportunity to take a stab at Smith either: he said he thought Smith was more professional than to resort to such dirty tricks. Babin was obviously singled out by the Bears, as the most disruptive player the Eagles can throw anyone’s way. While the extra attention he received could’ve been taken as a compliment, Babin said he wanted none of it. According to Babin, his team was indeed taking the incident seriously and the Eagles have already brought it into the attention of the league. With all that in mind, we think bookies should really introduce prop bets on who will be the first player to complain of dirty play next week, to go with their tournament strategy recommendations.

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NFL Week 11 Predictions

by Josh Reichman on November 17, 2011

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Can Jay Cutler and the red-hot Bears make it five straight losses
for the Chargers when the two teams face off on Sunday?

Last Week’s Record: 11-5
Overall Record: 99-47

Jets vs. Broncos: 24-10 Jets

The Broncos might have a winning record with Tim Tebow taking snaps, but the Jets are by far the better team in this matchup. The Jets defense will figure out a way to shut down Tebow, and therefore the Broncos offense. The Jets need a win to stay in playoff contention, and they can get an easy one when they travel to Denver on Thursday night.

Jaguars vs. Browns: 17-13 Jaguars

Two of the NFL’s most boring teams face off on Sunday as the Jaguars visit Cleveland to take on the Browns. Both teams are 3-6 and have weak offenses, but the Jagaurs’ defense is definitely an advantage. Plus, the Browns have only won one game since Peyton Hillis’ injury, a game in which they won by a score of 6-3.

Panthers vs. Lions: 30-24 Lions

Talks have died down between both teams, as they have had bad starts to the month. Cam Newton and the Panthers were shut down last week by the Titans, while Matt Stafford and the Lions were embarrassed by the Bears in a blowout. The Lions should be able to regain some confidence, and jump back into playoff talk with a win vs. Carolina.

Bucs vs. Packers: 35-6 Packers

Until the Packers either lose a game, or play in a game decided by one possession, thy will need no further discussion on why they will win. Packers by a lot.

Bills vs. Dolphins: 27-17 Dolphins

Both teams were the talk of town a month ago, all for the wrong reasons. The Bills started off the season red hot, and are now 1-3 in their last four games (win against Washington). The Dolphins on the other hand, didn’t get their first win until two weeks ago, and haven’t lost since. If Miami try (key word tries) to win this game, they will.

Raiders vs. Vikings: 28-21 Raiders

Carson Palmer has adjusted to the Raiders’ playbook, and has had back to back impressive games. Even without Darren McFadden, the Raiders should be able to beat the Vikings, who were crushed on Monday night by the Packers.

Cowboys vs. Redskins: 32-13 Cowboys

The Cowboys are back in the playoff hunt after winning three of their last four games. The Redskins on the other hand, haven’t won since Week Four. I like the Cowboys big.

Bengals vs. Ravens: 27-20 Ravens

The Ravens have played inconsistent football this season, losing to some very bad teams, but beating some very good teams. The Ravens also haven’t lost back to back games all season long. Following that trend, the Ravens should be able to pull off a victory at home against the Bengals.

Seahawks vs. Rams: 20-10 Rams

Don’t be fooled people, the Seahawks are not a good football team, at all, despite beating Baltimore last week. The Seahawks have one of the most unproductive offenses in the entire league. The Rams haven’t been much better this year, but have also had many players get hurt this season. With that being said, the Rams should be able to beat the Seahawks.

Cardinals vs. Niners: 27-10 Niners

The 49′ers have proved to the NFL that they aren’t just leading the NFC West, but they are actually one of the best teams in the entire league. The Niners have an intimidating defense, and an offense that has been unexpectedly productive this season.

Titans vs. Falcons: 30-20 Falcons

The Titans are coming off of a big win against the Panthers, while the Falcons are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Saints in overtime. If the Falcons can make the right play calls, they should win this game because they are clearly the more talented team.

Chargers vs. Bears: 24-14 Bears

The Bears have snuck up on everyone, and are suddenly one of the best teams in the NFL. The Bears have protected Jake Cutler well this season, and have also had a great year defensively. The Chargers on the other hand are coming off of their fourth straight loss. The Bears will make it five straight losses for the Chargers, with a big win on Sunday.

Eagles vs. Giants: 28-24 Giants

Last season when the Eagles traveled to New Jersey to take on the Giants, they ended the Giants playoffs hopes with a famous comeback win. Hopefully for the Giants, there will be a different result this time, as the Giants are looking for a win with a challenging schedule up ahead. Michael Vick has a few broken ribs, so the Giants defense should be able to contain him this year.

Chiefs vs. Patriots: 35-13 Patriots

The Patriots are coming off of a big win on the road vs. the Jets. Riding on some first place momentum, the Patriots should be able to crush the Cassel-less Chiefs on Monday night. Tom Brady was perfect on Sunday night against the Jets, but even a sub-par Brady will deliver a win on Monday night.

Josh Reichman covers various sports topics for FootBasket and is also a great young writer. Follow more of Josh at his blog, Hall of Fame Sports.

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Bears Will Franchise Matt Forte If No Deal Gets Done

by Josh Dhani on October 30, 2011

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Chicago Bears’ running back, Matt Forte, has been thrilling this season. The 25-year-old has been playing awesome so far, having 672 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Right now, Forte is scheduled to make $7 million next year and the Bears are looking to get him a new contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the maximum Bears can offer right now is between $13-14 million.

They may also franchise-tag Forte if a deal doesn’t get done. However, that will be the least thing Forte will be looking forward to.

“That’s not something I’m looking forward to,” Forte said. “I don’t want a one-year deal. I want a long-term extension. I think if they use the franchise tag that’s kind of a cheap way to go out. That’s not what I’m looking forward to. I want a long-term extension. I’ve been drafted by Chicago. I want to stay there so it’s not something I’m looking forward to.”

Forte has been playing great and currently leads the NFL with yards from scrimmage with 1,091 yards. He is the fastest player to reach to 1,000 with yards from scrimmage, having fewer games than Tiki Barber and Priest Holmes, who both did it in 2004.

“Everybody who is doing anything no matter what you’re doing if you’re working and doing an exceptional job you want your boss to kind of notice that and not a pat on the back but compensate you for what you’re doing,” Forte said. “That’s in anything you’re doing. It kind of makes you feel undervalued.”

Bears will need to get Forte to a contract, or things aren’t going to look pretty. 

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Bears Cut Ties Tith Chris Harris

by FeedCrossing on October 27, 2011

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Following an unsuccessful attempt at forcing his way out of town, Chris Harris has finally received his wish — walking papers from the Bears.

Per ESPNChicago.com, the Bears released Harris, one week after the veteran strong safety asked to be traded.

Upon learning of the news, Harris tweeted that he appreciated his time in the Windy City, but is excited for what the future holds with another organization.

“I was just released this morning by the Bears. Thank u for the opp to play football n do what I luv. I’m looking toward my next venture,” Harris tweeted.

Although he was a second-team All-Pro in 2010, Harris’ play took a turn for the worst this season as he was constantly beaten badly in coverage; the low point coming in Week 5 against the Lions and receiver Calvin Johnson, who burned him deep for a 73-yard score.

The Bears then chose to bench Harris, who subsequently requested to be dealt but found no interested takers and was forced to remain in Chicago for the time being.

Now officially on the open market, the 29-year-old Harris should receive a few looks as he is still a solid player in run support and a playmaker on the ball, having recorded 15 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles in 88 career games.

He would be a valuable asset to another club down the stretch — just don’t expect good results if he’s left alone with an elite wideout.

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Brandon Meriweather Trying To Reinvent Himself

by Josh Dhani on October 22, 2011

After two more fines from the NFL and a benching, Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather is trying to reinvent himself. Instead of the big hittting, head leading tackles he’s used to making, he might be willing to change to keep a job.

Meriweather told the Chicago Tribune that he vows to reform the way he plays. That remains to be seen, but after being nailed for fines and being benched, the message might be actually sinking in.

“Apparently I need to fix something if (the NFL) is concerned about my hits,” Meriweather told the Tribune. “I have to change it, or else I’m going to keep getting fined. Eventually if you get enough fines, you’re going to end up getting kicked out the league. For me to continue to do something I love, I just have to change the way I play.”

If the Bears’ coaches have been telling you that, a buzzer should’ve went off in your head. I’m sure the Patriots coaches told you the same thing.

“Everybody told me that,” he said. “It’s not necessarily what they said, but how they said it. People have told me before that I had to change my ways. I’ve been trying. It’s just something you can’t do overnight.”

No it won’t happen overnight, but you’ve had plenty of time to change. Maybe you should’ve seen what Pittsburgh’s James Harrison has been going through and taken a cue.

Meriweather, in his fifth season, was fined $20,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Panthers receiver Steve Smith in Week 4. He appealed the fine because he thought it was a legal hit. Then Meriweather was fined $25,000 last week for a late hit on Lions receiver Nate Burleson.

On the Burleson hit he said “he didn’t hear the whistle”.

Last year while a starter for the Patriots, Meriweather was fined $50,000 for a pair of hits on Ravens tight end Todd Heap in the same game. The fine later was reduced to $40,000.

Meriweather’s career is in jeopardy but not because of the way he hits. His bigger problem is that he can’t cover very well and in the new rules NFL all defensive backs have to be able to stay with receivers, even the safeties. Meriweather’s problem is that he’s a man who was born too late. He’s an old-time, big-hitting safety in a new world where safeties have to be as nimble as corners. And that he won’t be able to change. The Patriots finally realized that and the Bears are in the process of learning that as well. If Meriweather could cover, he wouldn’t have been benched, penalties be damned. Meriweather’s being benched because receivers are blowing by him way too often.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Chris Harris Looking To Be Traded

by FeedCrossing on October 17, 2011

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Rumors are starting to surface that Chris Harris plans to formally request permission to seek a trade Monday with hopes the club can move him by the Tuesday trade deadline. The Bears Safety was Benched, then later placed on the inactive list missing the club’s win Sunday over the Minnesota Vikings.

A seven-year veteran, Harris was a second-team All-Pro in 2010. He started in the season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons but sustained a pulled hamstring toward the end of the game.

Harris missed the next three weeks recovering before returning to the starting lineup for an Oct. 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. In that game, a missed assignment by Harris resulted in a 73-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson. Afterwords the team sat down with Harris to inform him of plans to go with second-year man Major Wright in the starting lineup.

Harris expected to play a backup role in Sunday’s victory over the Vikings, but just hours before the game was told he’d be placed on the inactive list. Bears coach Lovie Smith said the team made Harris inactive because the safety didn’t play a role on special teams.

“It’s pretty simple for us,” Smith explained. “We have a starting crew. If you’re not in the starting lineup, you have to be able to play special teams. We base the rest of those positions on special teams. It’s how we’ve always done it. We’ll continue to do it that way. When you say special teams are important, you have to have some guys that you feel like can do the job there. That was the main reason Chris [Harris] didn’t dress.”

Harris is in the final year of his contract, Harris hasn’t received any overtures from the club about signing a new deal, leading the veteran to believe he’s not a part of Chicago’s future plans.

Harris has played in 87 career contests, making 82 starts in seven seasons. Harris has posted 467 career tackles, broken up 25 passes and posted 15 interceptions, in addition to forcing 12 fumbles.

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Ex- Bear Waddle Lashes Out At Meriweather For Dirty Play

by Josh Dhani on October 12, 2011

I remember when Tom Waddle played in the NFL. He was like the annoying kid you couldn’t catch in a game of tag, only because it seems like he caught everything thrown his way and took some big hits for it. Yet he still held on to the ball. The guy was like a human pinata.

During an interview on ESPN 1000 on the Waddle & Silvy show which he co-hosts, Waddle took the time to lash out at Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather for being a dirty player.

“I don’t approve of the way he plays the game,” Waddle said. “And you can call me a sissy all you want. OK? I was on the receiving end of a lot of head-to-head hits. And maybe it’s the reason I act the way I do. But in football there are going to be moments when a guy is trying to make a tackle and his helmet hits yours. It’s going to happen, and in today’s game you’re going to get flagged for it. And that’s the way it is.

“Intent, to me, means a lot. If you make helmet-to-helmet contact and you’re just trying to play good, solid NFL football and you get flagged I’ll give you a pass. You have to be aware of it, maybe you need to work on your tackling technique, get the head to the side and wrap your arms, but I can give you a pass. When I interpret the way you go about your job that you have the intent to hurt somebody, I’ve got no time for you. I’ve got no place for you. The game’s got no place for you.”

“He’s going to hurt himself, and he’s going to hurt someone else because of the intent,” said Waddle, who played for the Bears from 1989-94. “And maybe that intent is not in his heart. I don’t know Brandon. I haven’t had a discussion with him. But it sure looks by the way he plays the game that the intent isn’t to put a big hit on someone and legally knock them out, it’s to hurt someone.”

“I didn’t watch Brandon Meriweather on a week-to-week basis in New England,” said Waddle, who also is an analyst for the NFL Network. “I thought the signing of Brandon Meriweather was a good idea. You were weak at safety, had some issues, you had some injuries. [Bears general manager Jerry Angelo] gave him over $3 million to come in.



“I did not realize how undisciplined a player Brandon Meriweather was. He comes with two Pro Bowls. And he came with a lot of interceptions. But … red flag goes up when a guy like Bill Belichick decides to let you go.”

“I’m giving [Meriweather] a shorter leash because I don’t approve of the way he plays the game,” Waddle said. “The game is vicious enough. If you’re a player whose intent is to hurt another member of your football fraternity … the Brian Urlacher hit on Tony Scheffler yesterday was clean. It was a clean hit, he led with his shoulder. I’ve got no problem with Brian Urlacher. I thought that hit was legit. Brian Urlacher — if his intent was to hurt or maim — he would have dropped his head and led with his head.



“What Brandon does is he leads with his helmet all the time. There’s no place in the game, brother, at this particular time for that. It’s vicious enough. And when your intent, in my humble opinion, is to hurt or maim, I’ve got no time for you, and I don’t think the game’s got any place for you.”

I guess Meriweather gives him flashbacks of Andre Waters trying to take out someone’s knees.

Seriously, Waddle took his share of hits so I would think he’d be somewhat of an authority on what is a clean shot and a dirty play. He definitely said a mouthful and shouldn’t have flamed Meriweather this bad, but if the shoe fits, you know the rest. Maybe that was something Bill Belichick knew already and quickly jettisoned Meriweather much to everyone’s surprise.

If you ask Patriots fans they would tell you that they’re glad he’s gone and would agree with Waddle’s assessment of Meriweather. They would also say that he’s a detriment to his own teammates when going for the big hit.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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