Still slow, so enjoy some HOFer Devin Hester.
I always liked Kam Chancellor. He’s one of those safeties MB loved. Yuge, athletic, and mean. I’m surprised he didn’t suffer as many severe concussions as Brisker.
Speaking of which…
Author: ButchDeadLift
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Barroom talks Bears’ D and misc
Greg Gabriel examines the Bears’ D while Aldo updates us on basically everything.
NFL may have blocked them from embedding, so click here if can’t click below.
Few points stood out:
#1. Gabriel states he’d cut anyone who reports out of shape [who is healthy].
I tend to agree. You got ONE job. Well, maybe more, but staying in shape is #1.
#2. OK [for now] about the 2nd rounders not signing. Pick #33 and #34 have signed getting four years guaranteed. Gabriel thinks Luther Burden MIGHT get a fully guaranteed contract, but doubts that the later 2nd rounders Ozzy Trapilo and Shemar Turner get same deal. It could be a tiered result. “I’m not worried about it until they don’t show up when the vets must report.”
#3. Tremaine Edmunds might play some WLB which Gabriel contends might suit him better. Only thing I can think is that Flus wanted his Lach gobbling up passing lanes in the middle while Dennis Allen might prefer a more attacking MLB.
#4. Za’Darious Smith and Matthew Judon are essentially the same DEs. Would be solid depth, but shouldn’t get more than a 1-yr deal.
#5. Xavier Carlton doesn’t impress Gabriel. He likes fast players. Carlton runs a 5.05 forty which doesn’t bode well for specials
#6. Doesn’t seem too concerned about the safeties. Doesn’t believe the Bears are as shallow as some fans may feel. Basically mirrors Poles’ nonchalant attitude on the position. Guess both assume safety is relatively easy to replace in this system.
#7. Doesn’t know if Gervon Dexter will take the next step, but Gabriel knows he’s a legit football player who takes his body and career seriously [Can’t say the same about Zacch Pickens]. Not sold Dexter could play DE. Supposedly Allen shut the door on that option, paraphrasing, ‘Dexter needs to first learn how to play inside before even thinking about moving outside.’ Aldo was surprised as am I since I figured Allen would have no issue moving em around, but perhaps he’ll be more strategic about it.
#8. Shemar Turner reminds Gabriel of…wait for it…Tommie Harris. Wow. I didn’t see that first step explosion, but I guess he does. Let’s hope Turner is another [healthy] T-Harris.
#9. Bears’ CB should play more press. We all know this already, but I for one am thrilled I am no longer going to see our CBs give 5 yard cushions for WRs to do whatever the fuck they want. Hit em in the mouth like Peanut did. Make those speedy little suckers earn it.#10. Acknowledges many fans want to give Das Boot to Tyrique Stevenson, but he’s still better than Terrell Smith behind him. Wonders if Terrell Smith can play man-press. Hope so because I’m one of those fans who wants that knuckle-head gone; though if he turns it around, good on him.
Still, Chicago has a VERY long memory.
Just ask Cody Parkey, Conte or Steve Bartman… -
Mike Alstott
Still quiet on the Northern front. I think I read that once the Bears lost Khari Blasingame, their season went down hill, so that just gives me an excuse to post Mike “Juggernaut” Alstott highlights. I do wonder if Ben Johnson will utilize a full-back, or if he’s trying out linemen to do spot FB duties like Doug Kramer last season.
Random other sport’s thoughts.
The other football – U.S. vs Mexico was entertaining. I never played much soccer growing up, so like many Americans, didn’t give it much thought ’til the World Cup hit Pasadena in 1994; then I experienced first hand the electric atmosphere it could generate. I saw a bunch of Germans, Brazilians, etc getting on top of lampposts waving their flags, just jubilant having a good ole time. Of course if they do that now they’d likely get deported, but I digress…
Something about soccer lends itself to international pageantry. The low scores might turn-off a lot Americans, but I think they build up tension. I mean, imagine shouting “Gooooooooaaaaallll” 15 times a game…just not the same.
Besides, hockey and some baseball games can be just as low-scoring, yet equally entertaining as long as the teams are good. Just takes a bit more nuanced appreciation like a stout beer.
One thing that caught me off guard. [spoiler alert]. Mexico scored a goal, but was flagged “offsides,” so goal didn’t count. In the past, this would’ve been an international incident and in some countries motivated rioting and conspiracy theories.However, soccer now implements replay. It’s a rather fast process too. I wish the NFL would streamline its replay system like soccer instead of showing us every angle in slow-mo like it was the Zapruder film.
Still, it’s hard for me to get TOO invested in soccer because of one MAJOR flaw.
FLOPPING
I mean, sometimes it’s like a whole team of Vlade Divacs out there, and it just kills it for me. Hard to respect “world class athletes” who go down faster than Mia Khalifa.
But when there’s not too much flopping, international soccer games can be a lot of fun, though I’m not waking up at 6AM to watch matches – that’s for damn sure!
I was also surprised that Alexi Lalas looks like this now.
Giddy up.
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![Rock, Flag and Eagle! [2025]](https://dabearsblogdos.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1DBBsunny4rth32.jpg)
Rock, Flag and Eagle! [2025]
Right about now most are experiencing an onslaught of emotions, but I surmise the main one is American angst
It doesn’t even matter where you align. If you’re a fiscal conservative you might be stressing about the trillion dollar deficits we keep increasing. If you’re pro-2nd amendment you’re worried about dem taking away your guns. If you lean the other way, you’re dreading the next cuck blasting away kids with an AR. You’re brooding about the borders, wars in the middle east, neo- robber barons suckering the poor, work, values…
Even if you’re totally a-political, I bet you’re on some level dealing with shit costing too much, the education of your children or medical care of yourself or a loved one.
Then throw all that into a 24-hr news cycle blender of CNN, FOX, Youtube, Twitter, and voila:
American Angst
It’s no wonder we come across stories of seemingly random violence. It’s a minor miracle it actually doesn’t occur more often TBH
Then every 4rth of July we sorta agree on collective amnesia for a day, bbq, and blow shit up.
With that in mind, I’d like to share some “4rth of July” movies, music and quotes.“Dazed and Confused” often gets discarded as merely a “stoner movie.” However, it’s much more. It’s not a “4rth of July” movie per se, but it covers a lot – from absurd HS rituals, politics, coming of age, small town football culture, and yes, sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. It’s also car-porn!
To boot, it has one of my favorite lines from any movie:“Well, all I’m saying is that I want to look back and say that I did I the best I could while I was stuck in this place. Had as much fun as I could while I was stuck in this place. Played as hard as I could while I was stuck in this place… Dogged as many girls as I could while I was stuck in this place.”
If you want a fun, semi-deep, 4rth of July flick with cool soundtrack, throw on some “Dazed and Confused.”
It’s hard to imagine the liberal teacher in Dazed sharing anything with Jackie Cogan [played by Brad Pitt], an ‘entrepreneurial ‘ contract killer in “Killing Them Softly,” but both actually express similar cynicism on the “American Dream.” The difference is that Jackie Cogan doesn’t try to change the system – he embraces it.“Jackie Cogan: My friend, Jefferson’s an American saint because he wrote the words, “All men are created equal.” Words he clearly didn’t believe, since he allowed his own children to live in slavery. He was a rich wine snob who was sick of paying taxes to the Brits. So yeah, he wrote some lovely words and aroused the rabble, and they went out and died for those words, while he sat back and drank his wine and fucked his slave girl. This guy wants to tell me we’re living in a community. Don’t make me laugh. I’m living in America, and in America, you’re on your own. America’s not a country. It’s just a business. Now fucking pay me.”
“Killing Them Softly” is a bit more grim, a slow-paced vignette of post-recession U.S. , but an interesting watch nonetheless.
On that note, here are three 4rth of July protest jams.Butch, you’re killing my buzz, scro!
Alright alright.
On a more positive vibe, here’s two great quotes from the immortal Thomas Paine:“Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself in all cases as the age and generations which preceded it.”
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.”
Some other non-sensical 4rth of July clips for shits and giggles.In the end, “South Park” sums it up best:
So get in your shorts, sandals, wife-beater, fire up the grill, knock back some beers while the neighbors try to blow up the block with highly illegal fireworks.
Enjoy.
‘Merica! -
Bears sign UDFA DE Xavier Carlton
Signing a UDFA this late into camp likely isn’t going to turn many heads, but hey, it’s a Bear move and piques my interest. He’s not a RAS champ, that’s for sure, but at 6’5, 273 with 34″ arms, gives something Dennis Allen can mold.
Here’s some pertinent twits on him:
Here’s Slim Sports interviewing Xavier Carlton
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Movie Monday: The Penguin
Nothing is really moving and shaking in the Bears’ world besides some Caleb speculation and forever ‘Will Bears sign another DE/HB/LB…’ banter
That’s ok. A quiet camp is typically a good camp. Just ask the Bengals.
On that note, “The Penguin” isn’t technically a movie, but it’s one helluva show!
I’m somewhat picky when it comes to shows. I guess I get easily bored, so only the really interesting ones [Deep Space Nine, GOT, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Always Sunny…]make me want to binge, and “The Penguin” was definitely binge-worthy.
It’s technically in the “super-hero/villain” genre, but not really. I mean, if you ask me, it’s more realistic than all the John Wick flicks I watched last week.
It’s gritty, superbly acted, action-packed, and psychologically captivating. In other words – it’s fun!
It’s on HBO Go or Max, or whatever the hell they’re branding it now, though I’m sure you can find plenty of outlets to watch it unless you wanna kill time reading depth chart reports in July…
Strongly recommend it. -
Relentless
Johnny Manziel interviews Brian Urlacher.
You may not like either of these guys on a personal level, but at least they squeeze out some interesting sport’s talk.
Some Spark-Notes from Lach
‘I loved playing against Michael Vick, Culpepper, or any QB who can move really, to show off my stuff’
I still recall Lach chasing down a prime-Vick. It was a sight to behold. Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 was almost custom made to stop running QBs. Everyone attacked their gaps. ‘DE just had to get a hand to slow down QB’. All 11 eyes were in the backfield, so the second a QB split, all 11 rallied to the ball, and under Lovie, they closed with good angles and tackle discipline. On top of that, any runner had to worry about getting Peanut-punched by every defender amped to create a turnover.
This might be why the Cover-2 is back in fashion with so many running QBs though they’re a bit more exotic than the Lovie-2
‘Favre would give us 2-3 chances [for INTs], but he threw it so damn hard, hard to pick-off sometimes’
‘Rodgers knew our checks. You play any team enough, they’re gonna know. So we had to change our pirate checks [that started with “P”]…so one play Lance [Briggs] starts yelling, “Big Pussy! Big Pussy!” and Aaron just started laughing before the snap.”
‘2006 was unbelievable…but I think we had a better team in 2010’ [the year Jay Cutler messed up his MCL vs GB in the NFC Championship and Caleb Hanie came off the bench]
Who did the media get wrong? Jay, Bmarsh?
‘Julius Peppers. The media [in 2010] put out a narrative that he didn’t practice hard or took plays off. That dude showed up to work every day and busted his ass off in practice’
‘Bmarsh said some crazy things, but a lot of people do. He was out there on the jugs machine 45 minutes before the game. Jay simply didn’t care, so it doesn’t matter if the media got him wrong’
Dooooon’t Caaarrrrrre…
Lach talks about hating players kneeling during national anthem, and how he tuned out of the NFL during that time.
‘2005 we had four players who got Defensive Player of Year votes. Me [Lach], Briggs, Alex Brown and Nathan Vasher”
“There’s pre-season, regular season, and post-season speed”
‘SB, opening kickoff, Devin Hester takes it to the house. Then, Chris Harris picks off Peyton Manning on their opening drive. Then, we just shit the bed’
‘Some fans accuse Rex Grossman of playing badly, but he didn’t play that bad. We gave up 250 yds passing, and 190 yds rushing. That’s not good, not when all season long we were giving up like 300 total.”
I’m a little surprised by this, but perhaps I shouldn’t be. For starters, Lach is a leader, and not about to throw anyone under the bus. But, c’mon, Lach, there’s a reason Sex Cannon washed out of the league.
Too bad Manziel didn’t mention Lovie’s baffling decision to stop running Thomas Jones and instead insert Cedric Benson who proceeded almost immediately to fumble it away…“I had 21 different QBs in my 13 seasons”
‘Lovie was like your dad, a guy you wouldn’t want to disappoint. In one game when we were down to the Lions with a backup QB, at halftime, Lovie said ‘crap, darn and dang’ in the same sentence, and we knew it was go-time. We beat the crap out of them in the 2nd half.’
“They should’ve never fired Lovie”
‘I didn’t like the way they [Halas] handled the offer they made me though I’m glad I didn’t return [to endure the Marc Trestman era].’
“I had TOO much fun spending $ in college” – Johnny Manziel
“I was happy when my mom gave me quarters for laundry. Now kids are getting $100K a month”Same here, Lach. I always hoped an extra quarter or two slipped in so I can play Shinobi or Double Dragon! 100K? I could buy the whole damn laundromat with that.
“What are dos and don’t of training camp?” Manziel
Lach, ‘You learn what to take up there, what to do in your off-time, what you shouldn’t be doing. We first went to Platteville about 4 hours away. Then Bourbonnais. I liked going away.’‘I knew I wasn’t going to be a 6’4, 250 lb safety. They first tried me at SAM, but I was terrible. Rosi [Roosevelt Colvin I’m guessing] beat me out in 2 weeks. They had me line up directly over the TE and jam, but I didn’t know how to use my hands. I’m now a draft bust. Barry Minter gets hurt in week 2. Greg Blache [Then current Bears’ DC] says, ‘Go in and play MIKE’, I told him, “I never played MIKE’
Blache, ‘just run to the ball and we’ll figure it out’
Lach, “and I started every game after that at MIKE’Reminds me of the saying, “don’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree”. To the outside world, SAM and MIKE seem nearly identical, but those few yards were the difference between a draft bust and a HOFer. In college, Lach’s coach played him at Rover, which allowed Lach to show off his athleticism and versatility.
Something to think about with Bears’ new coaching staff and life in general‘I wasn’t even going to run the 40, but Greg Blache challenged me, and I ran a 4.56 at 258 which opened a lot of NFL eyes at the combine.’
‘I love Caleb. If you put him in a different situation like Jayden with Klingsbury or Bo with Sean Payton, I think Caleb could’ve been ROY’
‘Ben Johnson’s the man’
‘Before Lovie got there, we played fast, but once he was HC, we played hard and fast. He kept track of loafs. You know how embarrassing it is to get in front of the whole team and be called out for loafing?’
Manziel, “One word to sum up your prime”
Lach, “Relentless.”
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PFT: NFL Collusion
Still slow. Nothing really to report . Only real “news” is that Colston Loveland is expected back sometime during training camp. What that means – who knows? Doubt Loveland is full-go from the start.
However, a big story dropped that no one really seems to care about [no, the OTHER story].
The NFL has essentially been found to be colluding, though no ‘smoking gun’ was definitely discovered , so they keep on trucking.—–
“In a decision dated Jan. 14, 2025, Judge Christopher F. Droney, head of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, concluded NFL teams did not collude with one another to ensure other veteran players did not get similar fully guaranteed deals in the aftermath of Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.However, he did clarify: “There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans’ contracts at the March 2022 annual owners’ meeting.”
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I mean, is anyone shocked? What’s more telling is that the NFLPA hasn’t aggressively used this for some sort of leverage, even if it’s just PR ammo for down the line when they have to renegotiate.
I imagine NFL owners meeting like the NY Five Families, speaking in code to avoid prosecution. Maybe they should hold their future meetings at their lawyer or doctor’s office like the “Sopranos”Mike Florio, a former actual lawyer, over at PFT has been on it like white on rice.
If you want a layman’s [and sometimes not so lay] explanation of it, here’s his take:In some sense it DOES pertain to the Bears because ole Butcho strongly suspects ‘passive collusion’ in the owners trying not to pay guarantees to 2nd rounders, three of which are unsigned by the Bears as of today.
I’m curious how this issue will get resolved. It only takes one owner to cave – could it be George McCaskey with the most to lose? -
Bill Burr on LT
I love Bill Burr. He’s a funny fuck. I could link a thousand clips of him, and not just his stand-up but even his interviews.
And as it so happens, Burr is an avid football fan. Not like the ‘only watches the SB’ or ‘casually for FF’ type of celebrity fan, but an actual hardcore NFL fan with tons of opinions, knowledge, and history of the sport.
However, Burr is not some Rainman pod like Warner or Brady, so he’s a great listen.
Anyways, I never saw this clip before. It seems everyone has a crazy Lawrence Taylor story, and his might be the most nuts!
I won’t spoil it.
Enjoy. -
Quotes 1
Good thoughts. Good words. Good Deeds.
– ZoroasterBonus round – “Bohemian Rhapsody” not just a great song but also a poignant movie.