Jeff Dickerson's Blog: Latest Stories

Costas addressed Cutler interview snub

16 hours ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

NBC's Bob Costas joined "The Waddle & Silvy Show" to discuss the controversy created by the Bears refusing to NBC interview Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo in advance of Sunday night's game. Here is the transcript of Costas' remarks: The way this...

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Bears face special talent in Jackson

21 hours ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

By JEFF DICKERSON LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears' coverage units will again be put to the test this weekend, as Dave Toub's unit must contain Philadelphia speedster DeSean Jackson, who has returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown earlier this season. "Any...

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Tillman: Keep it simple vs. McNabb

1 day ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Maybe the Bears have stumbled upon the key to playing sound defense on Sunday night. "Keep it simple," Charles Tillman said Thursday. "That's the new formula. Keep it simple, stupid. That's what someone told me, 'Keep it simple, stupid...

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Briggs: Blame falls on players

1 day ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Lance Briggs understands why coach Lovie Smith is on the hot seat. "This is what's going to happen," Briggs said. "In this game, everyone is trying to figure everything out. You're going to have to point fingers somewhere, and the fingers...

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Neck injury may sideline Clark

1 day ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- A swollen neck disc may prevent Chicago Bears veteran tight end Desmond Clark from suiting up Sunday night against the Eagles. Clark is a spectator once again at Thursday's practice, the third consecutive workout he has missed this week. Clark initially hurt...

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Turner: 3 Cutler picks not his fault

2 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

By JEFF DICKERSON LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Ron Turner spent a lot of time going over the San Francisco film, and what he found should come as no surprise to anybody who watched the game: Not all of Jay Cutler's five interceptions were a result of quarterback error. "...

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Bet on it: Kreutz should play

2 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

By Jeff Dickerson LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Although a bad back has forced Olin Kreutz to skip the past two days of practice, the veteran center does not appear in danger of missing the Philadelphia Eaglesgame Sunday night at Soldier Field. After all, Kreutz has started 111 consecutive...

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More time for Aromashodu?

2 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears receiver Devin Aromashodu has only one reception on the season. If it were up to Jay Cutler, that number would be much higher. "Yeah, I'd like to see him (play more)," Cutler said Wednesday at Halas Hall. "He's a different type of...

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Bears' Toub, head coach?

2 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid thinks he sees a future head coach in Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub. The two men worked together from 2001-03, when Toub served as the Eagles assistant special teams/assistant defensive line coach. "...

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No stopping rumors, Eagles' McNabb

2 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Jay Cutler's arrival in Chicago effectively ended any speculation about Donovan McNabb finishing his career with his hometown Bears.....or did it? "That will never stop," McNabb chuckled on Wednesday. There also seems to be no stopping McNabb, who...

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The 'P' word

3 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

CHICAGO -- Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Bears need to essentially "run the table" in the final seven games to make the playoffs. Isn't that exactly what Lovie Smith said at this juncture of the season in 2007 and 2008? Has time stood still here in...

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Playoffs? The Bears would have to run the table

3 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

CHICAGO -- Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Bears need to essentially "run the table" in the final seven games to make the playoffs. Isn't that exactly what Lovie Smith said at this juncture of the season in 2007 and 2008? Has time stood still here in...

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Health issues

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears were not required to release any injury information, but it appeared that Desmond Clark, Kevin Payne and Olin Kreutz all skipped practice on Monday. Clark had to leave Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after re-aggravating a...

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For starters

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears made two changes on the offensive line near the conclusion of Thursday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Kevin Shaffer replaced Orlando Pace at left tackle -- because Pace "had the wind knocked out of him" -- and Frank Omiyale took...

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Al Afalava, Zack Bowman practice for the Chicago Bears while Desmond Clark and Kevin Payne sit out

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears were not required to release any injury information, but it appeared that Desmond Clark, Kevin Payne and Olin Kreutz all skipped practice on Monday.Clark had to leave Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after re-aggravating a strained...

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Tough break

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears may catch a major break for the second consecutive season when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night at Soldier Field. Eagles star running back Brian Westbrook may be forced to miss the game after suffering another concussion Sunday...

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Josh Beekman is the Chicago Bears' starting left guard -- for now

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears made two changes on the offensive line near the conclusion of Thursday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Kevin Shaffer replaced Orlando Pace at left tackle -- because Pace "had the wind knocked out of him" -- and Frank Omiyale took...

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The Chicago Bears may not have to face Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook after his second concussion

4 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears may catch a major break for the second consecutive season when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night at Soldier Field. Eagles star running back Brian Westbrook may be forced to miss the game after suffering another concussion Sunday...

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Positive note

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- It's tough to find any silver linings in this latest crushing defeat for the Bears, but we should point out the defense did a decent job containing San Francisco's Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Of course, Gore did run for 104 yards and a touchdown, however,...

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Game-changers

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jay Cutler throwing a career-high five interceptions was bad, but tossing two of those picks in the red zone was downright awful. Let's say Cutler doesn't turn the ball over on those two drives; Robbie Gould kicks a pair of automatic field goals, and the Bears...

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Is it over?

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Most people are probably ready to put the nail in the Bears' 2009 coffin. Even the most optimistic observer will have a difficult time finding any positives in a 4-5 record -- especially since the Bears have lost four of their past five. Regardless of the facts...

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Jay Cutler's turnovers in the red zone doomed the Chicago Bears against the San Francisco 49ers

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jay Cutler throwing a career-high five interceptions was bad, but tossing two of those picks in the red zone was downright awful. Let's say Cutler doesn't turn the ball over on those two drives; Robbie Gould kicks a pair of automatic field goals, and the Bears...

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After another deflating Chicago Bears' loss, is it over?

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Most people are probably ready to put the nail in the Bears' 2009 coffin. Even the most optimistic observer will have a difficult time finding any positives in a 4-5 record -- especially since the Bears have lost four of their past five.[+] EnlargeKirby Lee/Image...

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Shake-up in secondary

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

Josh Bullocks will replace rookie Al Afalava at one of the Chicago Bears' safety spots for Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers.The Bears' inactives are: Afalava, Kevin Payne, Garrett Wolfe, Lance Louis, Jarron Gilbert, Juaquin Iglesias, Pisa Tinoisamoa...

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Afalava out versus 49ers

8 days ago by Jeff Dickerson's Blog | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Although the official inactive list isn't due until an hour before the game, Bears starting strong safety al Azalea appears to be out for Thursday night's matchup against the 49ers.Azalea missed practice all week after reinjuring a pre-existing shoulder condition...

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