Results tagged “probowl”

Last night's NFL Pro Bowl was an experiment of sorts, being the first time in 30 years the game had been held outside of Hawaii and the first time it was held the weekend before the Super Bowl. The game also boasted its highest attendance in 50 years - over 70,000 - even though rain and cool temps chased away many fans by the second half of the AFC's 41-34 win. It also marked the Pro Bowl debut for the Bears' rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox. Knox was officially listed on the roster as a kick returner, filling in for one of the many originally slated starters (almost 40 percent) who bowed out of the league's all-star game. While he didn't have any catches despite being thrown to twice, Knox had a solid appearance as a kick returner, returning four kicks for 103 yards, including a 30 yard return. Not a bad debut at all. more ›

The Bulls seem to have turned around their road misfortunes of the season as they won their third straight game last night, topping the sputtering Spurs 98-93. While the team was led by Derrick Rose's 27 points - and helped by Kirk Hinrich's 18 - it was Joakim Noah who played the hero for the Bulls. Though he didn't expect to start thanks to a foot injury, Noah still played tough, breaking a 93-93 tie, scoring the games final five points, and providing some key defensive plays down the stretch. Is there finally reason for optimism? While they're a very distant second place in the division (12.5 games behind Cleveland), the Bulls are now just one game under .500 at 21-22 and seventh overall in the Eastern Conference. Besides the current winning streak, the Bulls have also won 7 of their last 10. The rest of the road trip won't be easy, though, as they next head to Oklahoma City tomorrow night to face Kevin Durant and the Thunder, a team that's 24-20 but outside the playoff picture of a strong Western Conference (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

In spite of their being right in the thick of the playoff picture in the waning weeks of the regular season, the Bears are not considered a star studded team according to the fans. The NFL announced the Pro Bowl selections today, and only linebacker Lance Briggs was chosen to represent the Bears. more ›

There are few words we come across - at least within the local sports pages - that concern us more than "Brian Urlacher" and "neck surgery" in the same sentence. Yet that's what greeted us in bold print in Friday's papers. Following a routine post-season physical, a problem in Urlacher's lower neck that affected the curve of his cervical spine required "minor" surgery to correct. Tribune columnist Rick Morrissey wondered, "[I]s there such a thing as a routine surgery for someone whose job revolves around catapulting himself head first into running backs and quarterbacks?" more ›

Too bad Brian Urlacher's monster game on Monday night came too late in the season for it to impact Pro Bowl voting by coaches and players. While he won the fans' vote, the Bears' middle linebacker was not selected to February's Pro Bowl for only the second time in his career — and the first in which he played the whole year. more ›

Bears fans finally got to witness Sunday night what a young QB taking it to the next level looks like. Unfortunately, it wasn't our QB. While at this time last year, Romo had yet to complete an NFL pass, last night he looked to be on his way to the Pro Bowl as he led the Cowboys to a 34-10 romp over the Bears. Grossman looked like he's on his way to the bench. At... more ›

Did you know that the hat Brian Urlacher wore to the Super Bowl media day cost him $100,000? No, it wasn't some bling-encrusted, endangered-species-skin fashion statement. In fact, the hat itself was most likely given to him for free by VitaminWater. But his wearing of the hat cost him $100,000 because it violated the league's sponsorship rules. That's the largest non-suspension fine in league history! See, the NFL has a little deal with Gatorade that... more ›

Having plead guilty to probation violations last month stemming from his December arrest on guns charges, Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson faced sentencing on Thursday. In a Skokie courtroom, Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Moran sentenced Johnson to 120 days in jail and fined him $2,500. Bears head coach Lovie Smith and Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher spoke on Johnson's behalf prior to sentencing. Imagine how long he'd be incarcerated if they hadn't! Speaking... more ›

When we were unhappy with a previous job, our dad gave us a bit of advice about not burning bridges. Even if the situation at the time wasn't ideal, at least it came with a paycheck. And one never knew how actions could impact things — either within that organization, or with others who might move on and could be of help down the road. Unfortunately, Bears linebacker Lance Briggs didn't seem to get the... more ›

Just days after Bears management redeemed themselves by locking up Lovie Smith for the next five years, they once again have us scratching our heads. They traded Thomas Jones, the team's starting running back, to the New York Jets along with their late second-round pick for an early second-round draft pick. Are we missing something? Jones ran for over 1,200 yards in 2006, carrying the ball 296 times and averaging 4.1 yards a carry. He... more ›

Most bears have to hibernate in order to ride out the cold winters. Chicago Bears, however, have better options available to them. A trip to the Super Bowl would mean time basking in the Miami sun. Those invited to the Pro Bowl get to enjoy the warm, tropical Hawaiian climate. And certain Bears will host fans at a Bears getaway vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Apple Vacations is offering a four-night Bears-fan vacation with... more ›

Although it's not as if anyone actually watches the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced the Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday. Seven Bears have been invited to Hawaii for the postseason all-star game. As expected, the bulk of the slections are on defense and special teams. Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, as well as defensive tackle Tommie Harris (on IR, won't play) will represent the defense, while rookie Devin Hester was voted in as the... more ›

All eyes were upon Rex Grossman as Monday night's game began, wondering which Rex would show up in St. Louis. Would we get the budding star we saw in September, or the QB who alone had more turnovers than 12 teams? And how long would he last before Lovie Smith switched to Brian Griese? As it turned out, we never did see Griese on the field. Rex actually played pretty well for the first... more ›

The Bears magical season came to an end Sunday evening as the Carolina Panthers beat the Bears 29-21 in front of a packed Soldier Field. There will be no trip to Seattle for the Bears next weekend and no trip to Detroit. Steve Smith gave the Bears a preview of what to expect the rest of the game when he scored on a 58-yard touchdown reception within the first minute of the game. He ended... more ›

While they still don't know whether they'll be visiting Detroit later this winter, six Bears will be going to Honolulu. The Pro Bowl Teams were announced on Wednesday with six Bears mading the NFC squad. Not really a surprise, five of the six are on defense. Brian Urlacher makes his 5th trip to the Pro Bowl and will be joined by safety Mike Brown, cornerback Nathan Vasher, linebacker Lance Briggs and defensive tackle Tommie Harris.... more ›

We don't like to focus on the negative. So, instead of focusing on the Bears' ineptitude on offense, the Cubs' inability to trade Sammy Sosa, the White Sox losing Magglio Ordonez, the Blackhawks' lost season due to strike ... we're going to focus on the positive. What are we thankful for this Christmas season?We're thankful for the Bulls recent surge. The Bulls have won five straight games! That's right, the Bulls are 2 1/2 games... more ›