Free Agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh appeared on ESPN 1000′s Waddle and Silvy show on Thursday morning and chatted up his upcoming free agency on the morning show.  So the question that all Bears fans want answered:  Is he coming to Chicago?  Great question.  The answer, however, is not so simple.  Here is the Tribune headline for Vaughn McClure’s article:

Houshmandzadeh appears open to playing for Bears

and this headline from Brad Biggs’ Inside the Bears blog post:

Houshmandzadeh sounds off and it sounds like Bears aren’t a match

So which is it?  Both articles have an excerpt of the transcript from the interview. (more…)

What else do the Cardinals and  Pittsburgh Steelers have in common?  Both have posted winless seasons, but for both of them, it was an 0-10 season 64 years ago when the teams were merged into one due to a manpower shortage during WWII.  When the teams lock horns a week from Sunday, it will be in stark contrast to the 1944 season.  Neil Milbert had this posted on Tribune’s website.

Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher made his biggest hit of the season in blasting his critics, as reported by Vaughn McClure in the Chicago Tribune on December 31st.

“I’m tired of criticism that is unwarranted,” he said. “People who say stuff about me, they don’t know our defense. They don’t know football.

“Yes, I wish I would have made a lot more big plays. Obviously, everyone could say that on our defense. I wish I was around the ball more, but I wasn’t. Just the way things worked out this season.”

OK Brian, I get it.  I understand your frustration.  If I worked for a guy like Bob Babich, who handed me the weekly game plan written in crayon, I would be ticked too.  But the scheme the Bears employ did not cause you to get blocked like this.

That’s not a 300 pound lineman blocking you; it’s Maurice Jones-Drew, the 5’7″ 208 lb running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars who appears to have you blocked.  Maybe that’s the scheme.  Maybe it’s the fact that you’ve never been able to shed blockers and enjoyed your greatest success when Mark Hatley dropped 700 pounds of ass into the middle of the Defensive Line with Ted Washington and Keith Traylor to keep blockers tied up.  Maybe it’s the fact that your skills have diminished and you’ve lost a step.

It’s tough to realize that you’ve lost a step.  I came to grips with that as I nursed a hangover yesterday after drinking an amount on New Years Eve that wouldn’t have phased me ten years ago.  I’ve lost a step.  There, I said it.  Brian, it’s time for you to say it too.

BEAR DOWN!!!

The Bears have no time to rest on their laurels, as the Saints come a callin’ for a Thursday night matchup.  By the way, for those of you that are in Chicago, the game will be available on local TV on UPN 50.  Out of towners either need the NFL Network or go out to a bar to watch the game.  Or for those locals that have a drinking problem, go out to a bar on Thursday anyway.  I’m not here to judge.

The Saints kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 29-25 win over the resurgent Falcons on Sunday.  Pierre Thomasled a Saints ground attack with 102 yards rushing and a couple of TDs.  The Falcons kept Drew Brees in check, limiting him to 230 yards and a couple of short TD passes. 

In his Chicago Tribune article on Monday, Dan Pompei wrote of the Saints’ offensive gameplan against the Falcons:

They started to play more like a cold-weather team Sunday, however. The Falcons had been expecting the pass-happy Saints, as any reasonable observer would have.

I’m not sure that I buy into the idea that the Saints were in some way preparing for their third straight late-season visit to a frigid Chicago, but rather think that they took what the Falcons were giving.  In an earlier meeting this season, Brees hung over 400 passing yards on the Falcons.  Ever think the Falcons D was conceding the run to stop the pass, Dan?  If you’d like to read the whole article, check it out here.

Some story lines that will be interesting to follow this week:

• Third time’s a charm?  Saints coming back to Chicago after consecutive seaosn-ending losses to the Bears. 
• Former Purdue QB’s Drew Brees and Kyle Orton set to do battle. 
• The continued proliferation of the “Bear weather” myth with another frigid game on deck
• Bear fans should also be keeping a close eye on the status of the players involved in the StarCaps scandal.  Besides the Williams boys and the impact it could have on the Vikings playoff chances, there are three Saints players that could be sitting if the suspensions are upheld. 

• It’s cold out there!  Do not give the Jags a warm welcome!
• Pressure David Garrard.  He needs to spend significant time on his backside today.
• Kevin Jones is inactive for the 4th straighT game.  The end is near, KJ. 
• Also noticed that Matt Toeaina is inactive.  With Dusty Dvorcek OUT and Anthony Adams dinged up, I hope there is no lack of depth at DT position today.
• I’m starting Maurice Jones-Drew today in Round 1 of my fantasy playoffs, so if the Bears let the Jags score at all, let it be Mo-Jo.  I know, Blasphemy!  I can take it if I win.
• David Haugh wrote a nice piece evaluating the Bears’ roster in the Chicago Tribune today.  Maybe David’s jumping the gun, since this is something you really start to think about when the season is over.  The Beloved are still solidly in the playoff picture, so let’s worry about next year after this year is over.  Nevertheless, it’s a good article and I suggest you check it out :http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-081206-chicago-bears-nfc-north-haugh,0,4370382.column
•  I can’t believe that a judge has issued a temporary injunction to allow the Williams boys (and the three Saints) play today.  I hope that judge gets a dose of common sense and the 4 game suspensions are upheld.
• As much as l like to see the Lions suffer and would love to see them go 0-16, I will be rooting for them to beat the Vikes today.  Maybe Ford can use some of that Federal bailout money to fix the Lions!

BEAR DOWN!!!

Accusations began to float around Chicago that Urlacher would consider retiring if the Bears did not restructure his contract.  Urlacher flat out denies the rumors and said the only way he would play for another team than the Bears would be if they traded him.  Since that’s not going to happen you can count on Urlacher retiring in a Bears jersey. 

Urlacher is in his 8th year in the league and stated he has a goal to play in the league 12 years and step out of the way before he can no longer keep up with younger players.