UMFan83

No she's a red head.

Seriously, what a splurge. Basically all we did was sign Julius Peppers at the expense of Alex Brown. Obviously a huge win for us, but not nearly the spending spree that was reported in the papers.

I feel like a creepy stalker, but this is from an article in her hometown Quad Cities newspaper. I'll omit her name even though it would take 0.5 seconds to figure it out. It'll hopefully prevent her from googling her name and seeing her neighbor blabbing about her on a message board.

The new GM doesn't get to hire his own assistant? What kind of nonsense is that? I dunno, thats what she told me. She worked her way up from an intern at the company serveral years ago so I don't think they'd just let her go because Hendry was canned. Her offical title (on the website) is Executive Assistant to Vice President/General Manager. I have no idea what the role of Executive Assisant is, but I assume their job isn't baseball related. Its all about being organized and being able to effectively communicate and such. So I don't think its absurd to say the GM wouldn't get to choose, at least to the extent that they would retain the previous person at first. Regardless, my point was that she's not going to be let go because Jim Henrdy was let go. She'll still be with the Cubs in some capacity. I don't know what she does on a daily basis, but from looking at the Cubs website, she is one of 17 people listed under the "Baseball Operations" heading. I honestly think she has a bigger role than answering the phone for the GM, but I could be mistaken. She started as an intern with the Cubs in the marketing department 6-7 years ago and worked her way up to the role.

Quite a bit, but I doubt they make a move like that at this point.

Yep, it makes sense for Briggs to try to pick this fight now though. He's not gonna get primo money if he waits till the deal is done. Then maybe he shouldn't have signed it in the first place. Hey Lance, have fun sitting out the next 3 years if you don't get a new contract. I'm pretty sure that Soldier Field will still be full whether or not you and your over-inflated tackle numbers are there or not. Stuff like this is what sucks about the NFL. I know the players take the risk with no guaranteed contracts and it sucks for them, but complaining and trying to negotiate with 3 years left on a market value contract when only like 2 teams had any interest when you were an unrestricted free agent 3 years ago? [expletive] off. The guy made it clear he's not sitting out this year and that his hope is to have an extension before next season. The NFL does not suck so your commentary really doesn't make any sense. Unless your owner is Mike Brown, there's no way that Briggs sits until the end of his deal. The thing about the NFL is that their average career is much shorter than the other 3 sports, even for good players. And unlike a sport like baseball where you can sign an 8 year deal at age 30 and suck the entire last half, the first year you suck in football, you suddenly become too expensive to keep and are cut. So you have a player like Shaun Alexander who wins the MVP and has one of the better all time seasons at RB getting cut just 2 seasons later, and out of football 3 seasons later. Making $10 million in a career might sound awesome right now but you are talking about only $100,000 a year for the rest of your life post taxes. I understand 100k is a lot of money, but compared to the average NBA or MLB player of similar skill level, it doesn't compare. So in that respect, I definitely understand why NFL players do everything in their power to maximize their earnings while they are playing their best.

The new GM doesn't get to hire his own assistant? What kind of nonsense is that? I dunno, thats what she told me. She worked her way up from an intern at the company serveral years ago so I don't think they'd just let her go because Hendry was canned. Her offical title (on the website) is Executive Assistant to Vice President/General Manager.

Yeah but he's got the Madden curse going against him.

Wow you ended up with Vick, Mendenhall AND Steven Jackson? Nice

I don't like Sydney Rice even though he's my 4th WR, but if the Seahawks ever give up on the Tavaris Jackson experiment and go back to someone like Whitehurst, he might have some value. He's still a very talented WR.

So I talked to my neighbor today who was the assistant to the GM under Hendry and will have that role under the new GM. Take everything as a grain of salt because she wouldnt tell me anything too juicy either because she simply doesn't know (shes not involved in the discussions) or knows and won't tell me (and I don't blame her. Im sure all her friends ask her) but she did mention that names that she knows have been brought up and discussed so far are Rick Hahn, Andrew Friedman, Billy Beane, and Ned Colletti. She kind of hinted that Rick Hahn may or may not have already interviewed with the Cubs for the job and than the Cubs really like him. She said Friedman they really like too. Beane has been mentioned but they're not sure he'll leave Oakland. As for Colletti, I made sure to pass along the message that Cubs fans don't want Colletti. Nevertheless, its likely he is being discussed as a possibility. If I hear anything else in the future, I'll share.

Not that winning or losing matters but damn. -Robbie Gould misses a chip shot FG from 29 yards out -Bears driving for an easy FG when Hanie throws a pick 6. -Bears block a punt and the punter recovers and runs for a first down How close we were to winning.... Anyways, I was impressed by the offense today. The defense was mediocre but got better at the end. Special teams was a virtual non-factor.

Apparently you can. Never seen that happen before.

LOL a blocked punt by the Bears might cost them a chance to win the game.

Come on go for the 57 yard FG and the lead. No balls

Yeah it looks like the Bears have already made their decision. Which is weird because Barber left the game hurt tonight.

And the refs screw the Bears out of a FG try. WTH

Can't say I am impressed with the pass rushing. We have barely touched Hasselback Actually, I am not impressed with the defense in general. They have been running it down our throats, the exact same issue we had in the Giants game, and were assured would be fixed.

Major Wright hurt as well.

Marion Barber hurt and out for the game. Hmmm

Come on Robbie...thats a gimme kick.

Has Roy Williams been pulled from the game or is he just not getting open? Hasn't been thrown to since the INT

Man the offense looks really nice.

3 third down conversions on the drive. Very nice. I like what I'm seeing. Cutler looks very comfortable out there.

Jay Cutler and the pass blocking look very very sharp so far.