Jan 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) carries the ball during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Guess who’s in Green Bay today?

Former Chicago Bears first round draft pick Cedric Benson is in Green Bay and is expected to sign a contract today with the Packers according to ESPN and Chris Mortensen.  Benson who spent the last 4 seasons with the Bengals including 3 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons was not offered a contract by Cincinnati and went unsigned throughout the summer.

Benson couldn’t understand why he wasn’t offered a contract but getting passed over could be a blessing in disguise.  The glaring weakness in the Packers offense has been the running game, and last night’s pre -season game showed no improvement with the Packers running backs, led by potential starter James Starks, averaging only 2.1 yards per carry on 22 attempts.

This could be a perfect fit for Benson where he won’t have to come in and be counted on to carry the offense, but just to compliment Aaron Rodgers and their potent offense.  As much as I dislike Benson from his Bears tenure this signing really isn’t a good thing for the Bears and their fans!

Do you think Benson will help the Packers running game?

Simpson played for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, and had the play of the year when he did a 360 in the air for a TD. Last season Simpson had 50 receptions for 725 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Dec 11, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson (89) lands in the end zone after completing a touchdown pass during the game against the Houston Texans in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

The Minnesota Vikings signed Simpson in the off season to play along side Percy Harvin, and help in the development of Christian Ponder.  Although he will be able to practice in training camp and in all the preseason games, Simpson will not be eligible to make his Vikings debut until week 4 when they play at the Detroit Lions (irony?) September 30.  Simpson should help improve the Vikings receiving ranks, and he  will be well integrated into their offense by the time the Chicago Bears get their first look at the Vikings in Chicago November 25.

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they are our rivals!

DA BEARS

Even though the Bears‘ season is over (sigh), it doesn’t mean football season is over.  Wild-Card Weekend featured plenty of teams the Bears faced this season (5), ex-Bears runners, a crumbling dynasty, an ex-Chicago team and a hated Bears rival in an instant classic.   Here’s my wrap-up:

Jets 24, Bengals 14

Ex-Bears ran wild in this game, especially Cedric Benson, who ripped off 169 yards and a long TD run in a losing effort.  Former teammate Thomas Jones added a TD of his own as the Jets cruised past the Bengals behind Rex Ryan (yes, Buddy’s son) who runs a lot of the old Bears 46 defense.

The loneliest guy in Cincinnati has to be Shayne Graham.  It seemed like every time the Bengals tried to close the gap, he was missing a short field goal.  It’s going to be a loooong offseason for that guy.

The Jets head to San Diego to take on Phillip Rivers and the red-hot Chargers.   (more…)

Speaking of the Bears, I was at the game last week and I was so highly disturbed by their offense. I wish I tallied how many times they ran their offense with the exact same formation (2 receivers on 1 side, 1 on the other with the TE in tight). It was seriously about 90% of the time. How about some trips? 5 Wide Receiver sets? Something, Turner, give the Offense a chance.  Pick routes, flood some zones…something?  Please?   Sorry about the Seattle pick last week, that was just a bad call.  2-2 on the week last week.  On to Week 12:

Bengals -13 vs Browns – Seems like Vegas was a little too excited about the Browns scoring explosion last week in Detroit and a little down on Cinci with their poor showing in Oakland.   It is weeks like those that help keep spreads nice like these.

Texans +3 vs Colts – You know, I always pick good upsets and never add them to Bart’s Best.  I think that this is the week that the Colts undefeated season goes down and I’m willing to make it a Bart’s Best pick.  (I think the Saints are going to lose too by the way).

Falcons -12 vs Tampa Bay – I don’t quite understand the 12 point spread and usually I’ll stay away from it (other spreads I don’t like such as-4.5 or -5).  However, Tampa is a bad team and the Falcons really need this one. The Falcons will have 17-21 points by the first half.

Vikings -10.5 vs Bears – until something changes, I don’t even believe they can cover 10.5.  Sad.  Very sad day.  Division rival game and I still don’t think it is going to be close.  Prove me wrong Bears! Prove me wrong!

He’s not the only one who’s been eating on the sidelines.  Thanks to some insiders that were at the Bears-Bengals debacle on Sunday, here is a report of what players were eating on the sidelines during the 45-10 ass-whoopin’:

Cedric Benson: Snickers, he was snickering at his old team all day long

Jay Cutler: Payday, he got his payday and didn’t seem to care about what was going on at the game

The offensive line: Sloppy Joe’s, just plain sloppy play

(more…)

[podcast]http://fansidedblogs.net/podcasts/bears/bliss.mp3[/podcast]

Next, Dougie goes off about the Bears’ purpose (or lack thereof): (more…)

These guys are firing, which is pretty uncharacteristic – these guys usually tow the company line.  (more…)

Benson is hailed as a hero, leading the Bengals to a lopsided win over the Bears.

I already did a full post-game post on my Bears Game Day blog and I’ve still got plenty of piss and vinegar left for the Bears.  My thesaurus is running out of synonyms for shit, because that was the Bears’ effort against the Bengals.  I try to curb my cursing on this site to keep it family friendly, but if you subjected your kids to that game, they can handle a couple of off-color descriptions.  If you find such language offensive, I wonder how you would characterize their performance?  For a closer look at the carnage, check out NFL.com’s highlight reel here.

The Bears were absolutely destroyed 45-10 at the hands of the Bengals.  Cedric Benson stuffed it up his old team’s giggy with a career high 189 rushing yards and a TD.  If living well is the best revenge, Benson was Big Pimpin’ all day on Sunday.  He showed the kind of grit and determination that we never witnessed in Chicago.   For that, I will forever hate #32.

He should have been wearing a ski mask during his time with the Bears as he made off with millions and never earned a penny of it.  His performance only demonstrated that Jerry Angelo and the Bears were right to draft him #4.

During my live game blog – and yes, I was there until the BITTER END – someone suggested that maybe the Bears gave up too soon on Benson.  I completely disagree.  Benson gave up on himself long before the Bears ever let him go.  Had Benson never been out of the game, he never would have rededicated himself and gotten himself to this level of performance.  Just like Rocky had to do in the third installment of the boxing series Benson got the Eye of the Tiger by having it all and losing it, only to get it back.

But enough about Benson.  Good for him.  Fuck ‘em.  Hope I never see him again.

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