Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) in action against Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are next up in our Reader’s Mock Draft.  The Steelers uncharacteristically missed the postseason in 2012 and will look to bounce back in 2013.  It will be tough considering that top wide receiver Mike Wallace departed to Miami via Free Agency and the Steelers had to cut veteran linebacker James Harrison.  Emmanuel Sanders could be headed to New England if the Steelers don’t match the restricted free agent’s offer from the Patriots.

Big Ben got pounded last season, so the Steelers could look to improve their offensive line or get a running back to take over for the departed Rashard Mendenhall.  Safety Troy Polamalu is getting up there and seems to be hurt all the time, so could they look to improve their secondary? (more…)

Reunited: Alan Faneca and Russ Grimm together again like their days with the Steelers.

You probably won’t like the answer to The Alan Faneca Question.  The answer?  Not Chicago.  New York Jets’ castoff Faneca is reportedly re-uniting with former offensive line coach Russ Grimm in Arizona.  Faneca played under Grimm back in Pittsburgh at the height of his career.

I’ve already presented some numbers showing why he may or may not be a good fit.  In my unscientific poll, BGO readers overwhelmingly wanted to bring him to town, with nearly half of all readers suggesting that we get him only if he comes cheap.  The deal is said to be a 1-year pact worth about $2.5 million.  Is $2.5 mildo cheap enough?  That’s tip money for the McCaskey’s at the yacht club.  This deal should have been made.

Not sure why the Bears couldn’t pony up a 5th round pick to get such a talent.  Even if he is suspended a few games as the result of violating the league’s substance abuse policy, I think he’s worth the risk. Holmes is a former Super Bowl MVP and has legit #1 wide receiver talent.

The Bears will host the Jets this season, so they depending on if/when any suspension is enacted and how the schedule shakes out, expect  to see him  in 2010.  More details to come when the schedule is released (supposedly later this week).

If you get a warm tingly feeling thinking about a former Super Bowl Champion coach patrolling the sidelines along Chicago’s lakefront, take note:  the Chicago Bears coaching job would “excite” former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.  Sure, the source from the NFL Network lumped the Houston Texans in with the Bears, but who would choose the expansion Texans over the Beloved Bears?  Seriously?

You want fire?  You want passion?  You want “the jaw?”  You want the anti-Lovie?  Then you want Cowher.  Only one problem: Ralph Wilson and the Buffalo Bills are sniffing around Coach Cowher.  The former Steelers coach is basically throwing himself at the Bears, begging for them to come a-callin’.  There’s a problem though. (more…)

Bears' President Ted Phllips believes the Bears can "pull it out."

Bears President Ted Phillips believes that Lovie Smith can turn it around.  No really.  That’s what he said to Jeff Joniak, the voice of the Bears on flagship WBBM 780 AM during a Monday radio interview.  Here’s the quote if you don’t believe me:

“I know Lovie knows how to get things turned around, so does Jerry [Angelo]. From the top down, there’s disappointment but still believe we can pull it out.”

Not sure if he meant that he and Angelo believe in Lovie or that he believes in Lovie and Angelo from the context, but either way, there’s belief in the notion of a turnaround.  He might be the only one in Chicago that feels that way after another embarrassing loss by his Bears, this latest debacle a 20 point home loss to the Cardinals.

He’s talking about how the Bears can “pull it out.”  My, how our expectations have changed.  Just 4 short weeks ago, the Bears were 3-1 and riding a 3-game winning streak.  After a disappointing season opener in Green Bay, the Bears pulled out home wins against the world champion Steelers and Lions sandwiched around a road win at the always tough at home Seattle Seahawks.

Lovie Smith breaks the season up into quarters.  If the 3-1 record from the first quarter gave fans reason to hope, the recent 1-3 second quarter has given many fans, myself included, reason to pull the sheet over any playoff hopes.  The arrow is definitely pointing downward as the Bears wrap up the first half of the season, having lost 2 of 3 in stunning fashion and the lone win against the lowly Browns.  Teddy Bear Phillips called the first half “schizophrenic.”  More from sweaty Teddy:

“We’re 4-4 and are not happy about that,” he said. “I think everyone here believes we’re a better team than that, better talent than that, expected more than that. [But] our coaching staff has showed ability to overcome adversity in the past….When Lovie was hired we talked a lot about communication and when you win football games everybody is a genius and every decision you make is the right one. The key for an organization is to have people in place that help get you through the rough times.”

In my estimation, that’s being generous.  Let’s look at the four Bears wins this season: (more…)

Meanwhile, the Bengals come off a disappointing home loss to the Texans.  You would have to characterize the Bengals as a surprise team, as they sit atop the tough AFC North with a 4-2 record overall and a mind-numbing 3-0 record in the division with impressive wins against the Steelers and Ravens along with a road win in Green Bay.

Before the season started, I had this as a slam dunk win, but not so fast.  I hate to say it, but these Bengals are for real.  They have discovered a running game with Cedric Benson – yes, that Cedric Benson and Carson Palmer is regaining his old Pro Bowl form.  But fear not Bears fans, this is still a very winnable game.  Here are my Keys to the Game:  (more…)

I was out in Seattle with Boomer and it was quite the fun-filled weekend. My favorite quote, from an unfortunate homeless Seattle man, “Brett Favre, he’s a Viking now, he’s got the horns, HE’S THE DEVIL!” Well, onto Week 4.

When I looked at this week, I got another one of those queezy feelings in my stomach. If I were in Vegas, I’d probably drop my wagers a little this week. But for those compulsive types out there: (more…)

Cutler and the Bears beat the Steelers 17-14 on Sunday.  He who laughs last, laughs best.

BEAR DOWN!!!

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