Dec 9, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; An NFL logo is seen on the field after a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The much anticipated 2013 NFL schedule, which was originally supposed to be released on Tuesday April 16th, has apparently been delayed.  No word has been given yet on a new release date.

There were rumors swirling around to this effect last week, but according to Pro Football Talk, it’s now officially delayed:

Last week, we caught wind of the possibility that the 2013 regular-season schedule won’t be released on Tuesday, April 16.

The possibility has now become a certainty.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells PFT that the schedule won’t be released on April 16.  He added the date for the release has not been determined.

“It will not be tomorrow but could be in the next week or two,” Aiello said via email. “We’re working to finalize it.”

(more…)

New Era has offered us a sneak peek at their 2013 NFL Draft hats via their Facebook page.   The hats won’t be available until April, but what better way to build a little pre-draft buzz than to release these images via social media?

For me, I ‘m not a flat brim sort, so I’m glad they offer a couple of varieties.  I personally would prefer to see the classic Chicago Bears “C” on at least one of the designs.  I’m not a fan of the two tone “Bears” in orange and blue, but what the heck do I know?  I’m more concerned about which young collegian is donning one of these caps come April 25th.

For more commentary from someone more insightful on hat fashion than yours truly, head over to read Josh’s post on the caps.   He turned me on to the Facebook page, so it’s only right to give him a shoutout.

Keep up with all the latest NFL draft buzz here at Bear Goggles with our Reader’s Mock draft and with our pals over at NFL  Mocks and With the First Pick.  You can’t beat the NFL coverage at NFL Spin Zone and of course the FanSided mother ship has you covered for all your sports needs.

A safety and subperb athlete in college, it was unknown at the time where the Bears would put Urlacher on a team known for its defense.  Linebacker was the obvious choice considering his measureables, but was he going to be the next Mike Mamula…a combine freak whose draft stock soared as the draft approached.  Little did I know at the time, I was enjoying cold beers on a Saturday afternoon watching Bears history be written as the next great MLB of the Bears was just drafted.  Thankfully, the Bears knew what they were doing and, now, 13 years later, we are saying farewell to a legend.

To say I am a Bears fan is like saying the earth is round.  To say I guzzle the blue and orange Kool Aid no matter the temperature is like saying water is wet.  These things just are.  As a die hard Chicago fan, I have seen some of the greats play in their prime…Jordan, Payton and Urlacher.  Urlacher is different to me since I have been able to enjoy and really appreciate his entire career in a Bears uniform during my most “educated” and passionate fandom years.  To describe his impact on my fandom is like me explaining the most complicated physics formula.  Urlacher simply embodied Chicago.  Tough, blue collar, honest and about team above self…things I hope to teach my kids in their lives.

While his mark on Bears football will be difficult, if not impossible, to measure, it was time…time to turn the page.  The Bears have hired its first offensive minded coach since it hired a certain Mike Ditka many moons ago.  The league has changed and while defense still wins championships, the Bears needed to change its collective mindset.  Scoring points is just as important, if not moreso than having a 6’4, 260lbs linebacker that could run like the wind and hit like a Mack truck.

When I got a text from Boomer this morning with the news of Urlacher’s departure, my immediate reaction was, “way to rip the bandaid off all at once, Mr. Emery.”  After some reflection, I realize, that the NFL is a tough business and in the words of Coach Ditka, “this too, shall pass.”  Gone, but not forgotten; the end of an era; however you sum it up, the Bears will look different next year for sure.  I am trusting the process and the powers that be, that the Bears, in the long run, will be better off.  This is because I wear my colors proudly; I live and breathe for the blue and orange and I believe the Bears are sincerely on the right track as it relates to getting back to the seat of supremacy on which they deserve to sit.

Once the season kicks off in September, I know I will, again, be a little drunk, a little mad and a LOT sad to not see #54 line up for the Beloved.  After that, I will be a fan and looking for the Bears to be successful and know that the best years are ahead and I can’t wait to watch it happen!!!

CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?!?!?!

The DeCon has spoken, so let it be written, so let it be done…

November 4, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency is about to begin as legal tampering (if that makes any sense) starts at midnight at Friday night.  As we’re getting ready to roll, we should look at which teams will be players in Free Agency.

NFL.com listed the salary cap situations for all 32 NFL teams.  The Chicago Bears were near the middle of the pack, ranking 15th among NFL teams with an expected $10.1 million of cap space before they tagged Henry Melton.  Look on the bright side, they could be one of the ten teams OVER the cap.  At least the Beloved have a little wiggle room.  But there are going to be some serious players out there, with boatloads of money to throw around at Free Agents.  Here’s a breakdown of the Top 10 teams with money to burn.  (more…)

Well, my friends, it has come to the final weekend. Two weeks ago I totally missed posting about the championship weekend because our pool team was in a championship weekend.  It didn’t finish well there and I missed picking the games.  Regardless, I am happy with the way the season ended from a pick standpoint.  (more…)

Jan 21, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view as a street car passing the Hyatt hotel on the new Loyola Avenue street car line in downtown New Orleans in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII to be played between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens on February 3, 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Being the most watched football game around the world, it’s always the most gambled game.  From office pools to hardcore wagers, there isn’t an aspect of the game that doesn’t draw interest from gamblers.  Here’s a list of Super Bowl XLVII wagers from Bovada.lv via CBS Philadelphia:  (more…)

I regretfully do not have a lot of time while doing this post, but I want to make sure I get picks in before the start of the games.  I went 3-5 last weekend, so I need to do a little better this time around.  I’ll do a summary of all of my playoff picks before the conference games next week.  Let’s just get to it:

Denver – 9 vs Baltimore, Over 44.5 - the lines have moved by a 1/2 point on both.  It started at 9.5 and 44.  Denver has been on a roll and are playing at home.  I think that both teams are going to score on one another, even though Denver’s Defense has been playing very well.  However, Denver will outscore Baltimore by double digits, so I like them at home.  Final score prediction: Denver 30- Baltimore 17.

SanFran -3 vs Green Bay, Over 45 - similarly, I also believe that both of these teams are going to score on one another.  You know Green Bay will score with Aaron at the helm, and this is the game that Green Bay’s weaker defense lets them down on the road.  Packers – this is what you get for losing that last game of the season!  Final Score prediction: San Fran 30-Green Bay 24

Atlanta -2 vs Seattle, Over 46.5 – I’m finding that I’m liking all of the home teams and overs, which makes me a little nervous.  However, this is the year that Atlanta breaks through.  I wasn’t a fan of them all year because all of their wins were close, but it was those wins which will pay dividends in this high scoring, close game.  Final Score prediction: Atlanta 34- Seattle 24

New England -9.5 vs Houston, Under 48.5 - Did Houston learn anything in their throttling vs New England during the season?  Not enough.  I may feel differently if this was in Houston, but it’s not.  New England’s Defense steps up to slow down the Texans keeping this game under.   Final Score prediction:  New England 27 – Houston 13

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; NFC Divisional Playoff logo on the field prior to the game between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Divisional round of the playoffs are widely viewed as the best weekend of the NFL.   You get two games on Saturday and two more on Sunday.  Theoretically the weakest have been weeded out in last weekend’s Wild Card matchups and the big dogs are rested up and ready to roll.  It should be a great weekend of football, featuring three re-matches from earlier this season.  (more…)