Bears game 1: Sunday, Sep 11 vs ATL, noon on Fox

[Banedon]

BEARS (+3) over Falcons

 

Every season from 2003 through 2010 had at least one no. 1 or no. 2 seed that missed the following season's playoffs (and dropped at least four wins). Last year, I dubbed this team "the grenade" because I had been watching too much Jersey Shore. This year? I'm still watching too much Jersey Shore. (And I'm not happy about it — I wish we could just fast-forward 15 years to the day when everyone's out of my life except for Sammi Sweetheart, who will be almost definitely be feuding with Brett Favre on Celebrity Rehab.) Anyway, we've had 13 NFL grenades in the past eight years (an astonishing 40.25 percent),6 not to mention the ones The Situation brings home every night and pretends to almost hook up with before concentrating on more important things, like assaulting a cement wall with his forehead. This year's grenade? Put it this way: So many Vegas sharps banged Chicago's initial over/under total (8½ wins) that it was downgraded to 8 (and yes, people are still banging it). It's the most obvious grenade pick in the history of grenade picks; I don't even need to list the reasons because you can rattle them off yourself. If the Bears win eight games or more, I'm giving you a full refund for this column.

 

So why am I picking them for Week 1? Because I don't love the Falcons, either — even if they fit the "continuity contender" parameters, they drew too much hype for a textbook schedule/luck/momentum overachiever. I see them struggling for a few weeks, then turning it on late and fighting Tampa for a wild-card spot. Relatively Bold Prediction No. 3: The Bears upset Atlanta in Week 1 and STILL realize full-fledged "grenade" status.

 

EDIT; Good lord...he has the NFC north as:

Green Bay 12-4

Minnesota 9-7

Chicago 7-9

Detroit 6-10

 

:stickman:

[UMFan83]

I cant wait to get my refund back on his column.

 

Isn't Bill Simmons the guy who always skeptically notices when everyone is predicting one thing? Seems weird that he would notice how so many people were taking the under on the Bears that the O/U line shifted and call it the most obvious "grenade" ever and not take a step back and consider going the other way.

 

Then again, he's the same guy that spent a chunk of his football podcasts talking about how the best teams this year are going to be the teams with coaching continuity from last year due to lack of offseason workouts, and in the same breath calls the Vikings, who have an entire new coaching staff and quarterback, a bounceback team with playoff potential.

[jersey cubs fan]

He gets himself in trouble with all of his rules for picking games and defining teams.

[bukie]

He gets himself in trouble with all of his rules for picking games and defining teams.

Fortunately, though, he has so many of them now that no matter what happens, there are 3 rules to support it.

[tfarks]

I haven't read a Simmons' column since his Macho Man Randy Savage one. I don't feel like calling him a doucher yet.

[sneakypower]

Three to Focus on – Falcons @ Bears

[Banedon]

Three to Focus on – Falcons @ Bears

 

Yeah yeah. They've hated the Bears offseason too. I love that they give that grade one Webb, without addressing improvement over the year. Think a few of those early games might skew the stats a bit?

[sneakypower]

i remember them contending the O-Line didn't really improve that much throughout the year, which had run contrary to popular belief

 

i thought the Earl Bennett writeup was the most interesting point, though

 

edit: this isn't the quote i to which i was referring, but it still reflects the sentiment similarly

 

J'Marcus Webb's run blocking saw a huge increase starting in week 10 against Minnesota, and Chris Williams' pass blocking improved once he was switched over to LG.

 

Other than those two things, nothing at all could be said about improvements or good grades.

Edited September 9, 2011 by sneakypower

[UMFan83]

Sorry, this isn't Bears related but since we were discussing Bill Simmons, and I am obsessed with picking him apart:

 

And isn't the state of Tennessee overdue for some good sports news?

 

You mean other than the Grizzlies winning their first ever playoff game and series and coming 1 win from the WCF. Also the Preds won their first ever playoff series and played Detroit tough in the 2nd round. Finally, Bruce Pearl got fired. So no Bill, Tennessee has had enough good sports news over the last 4 frickin months.

[SpongeWorthy]

Somehow I don't think Tennessee is basking in the aftermath of those epic triumphs.

[Banedon]

Bears might bring back Tinoisamoa if his knee gets better. Might be a couple weeks.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4671808/tinoisamoa-back-to-the-bears

[Banedon]

ZachZaidman Zach Zaidman

Packers scored 42 last night against the Saints. Packers managed just 48 total points in 3 games vs. Bears last year (including playoffs).

[JonJayCutler]

Bears might bring back Tinoisamoa if his knee gets better. Might be a couple weeks.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4671808/tinoisamoa-back-to-the-bears

 

Funny, this thought crossed my mind yesterday. It's not ideal, but it's better than standing pat at LB.

[Guest]

Bears might bring back Tinoisamoa if his knee gets better. Might be a couple weeks.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4671808/tinoisamoa-back-to-the-bears

 

That would be awesome. Someone mentioned in the comments section in that article that Jamar Williams was cut by Carolina. Getting Tinoisamoa back would certainly be a viable option if he's healthy, though.

[NonProfitCow]

Briggs, and a bunch of other NFL players are going to get fined for this...

 

 

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-shoes.jpg

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-gloves.jpg

 

 

5K for the gloves and 10K for the shoes.

[mul21]

I hope the NFL has the sense to donate the money to some worthy cause that benefits the people/families that were victims of 9/11. Or just not be stupid enough to actually fine anybody who wears them.

[CubmanPi]

Briggs, and a bunch of other NFL players are going to get fined for this...

 

 

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-shoes.jpg

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-gloves.jpg

 

 

5K for the gloves and 10K for the shoes.

Not worth it. At all.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

But the NFL told team equipment managers on Friday morning that players may wear special shoes and gloves made by NFL licensees -- including Reebok -- for Week 1 games.

[NonProfitCow]

But the NFL told team equipment managers on Friday morning that players may wear special shoes and gloves made by NFL licensees -- including Reebok -- for Week 1 games.

The finally made a smart move. Amazing.

[NonProfitCow]

I hope the NFL has the sense to donate the money to some worthy cause that benefits the people/families that were victims of 9/11. Or just not be stupid enough to actually fine anybody who wears them.

The NFL and NFLPA is going all out and donating a million dollars. The average NFL franchise is worth a billion and they just signed a MNF contract worth like 2 billion a year. Nice of them to dig so deep.

[jersey cubs fan]

I hope the NFL has the sense to donate the money to some worthy cause that benefits the people/families that were victims of 9/11. Or just not be stupid enough to actually fine anybody who wears them.

The NFL and NFLPA is going all out and donating a million dollars. The average NFL franchise is worth a billion and they just signed a MNF contract worth like 2 billion a year. Nice of them to dig so deep.

 

I think that's not a very justifiable complaint. It's not like this is the only thing they donate to. It's not like individual players and owners don't donate on their own, to this and other causes.

[Tracer Bullet]

Sorry, this isn't Bears related but since we were discussing Bill Simmons, and I am obsessed with picking him apart:

 

And isn't the state of Tennessee overdue for some good sports news?

 

You mean other than the Grizzlies winning their first ever playoff game and series and coming 1 win from the WCF. Also the Preds won their first ever playoff series and played Detroit tough in the 2nd round. Finally, Bruce Pearl got fired. So no Bill, Tennessee has had enough good sports news over the last 4 frickin months.

 

By pick apart, do you mean, support his argument?

[rawaction]

Briggs, and a bunch of other NFL players are going to get fined for this...

 

 

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-shoes.jpg

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/never-forget-gloves.jpg

 

 

5K for the gloves and 10K for the shoes.

 

NFL lets players wear pink for breast cancer for a month, but can't do anything for 9/11 victims? They should have the players that wear this stuff, donate it and give money to families of 9/11 victims.

[NonProfitCow]

I hope the NFL has the sense to donate the money to some worthy cause that benefits the people/families that were victims of 9/11. Or just not be stupid enough to actually fine anybody who wears them.

The NFL and NFLPA is going all out and donating a million dollars. The average NFL franchise is worth a billion and they just signed a MNF contract worth like 2 billion a year. Nice of them to dig so deep.

 

I think that's not a very justifiable complaint. It's not like this is the only thing they donate to. It's not like individual players and owners don't donate on their own, to this and other causes.

I get it. Just pisses me off that stuff like this even has to "OK'd." Urlacher can't wear gloves in a nod to little Johnny from down the street who has cancer without being fined 5K.

[UMFan83]

Sorry, this isn't Bears related but since we were discussing Bill Simmons, and I am obsessed with picking him apart:

 

And isn't the state of Tennessee overdue for some good sports news?

 

You mean other than the Grizzlies winning their first ever playoff game and series and coming 1 win from the WCF. Also the Preds won their first ever playoff series and played Detroit tough in the 2nd round. Finally, Bruce Pearl got fired. So no Bill, Tennessee has had enough good sports news over the last 4 frickin months.

 

By pick apart, do you mean, support his argument?

 

No. OK the Bruce Pearl thing was a joke. I'm guessing the people of Tennessee probably wanted him to stay there. Then you can add in Memphis going to the National title game 3-4 years ago instead of the Bruce Pearl thing. Plenty of good news already flowin through Tennessee. Certainly not overdue for some.