Chicago Bears

Play-by-play of Bears trade confusion

As you know, Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has taken responsibility for botching a proposed trade Thursday night with the Baltimore Ravens. Angelo admitted the Bears didn't hold up their end of the deal and report it to the NFL in time.

Apparently to illustrate that point, the Ravens have taken the extraordinary step of publishing a detailed account of the event on the blog of their longtime senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne. Here are some excerpts from the perspective of Ravens general manger Ozzie Newsome's conversation with NFL official Joel Bussert.

With just over four minutes remaining, the Bears called and made an offer. Oz told them "not good enough, we're ready to pick." Chicago called back within a minute and agreed to Ozzie's suggestion. Almost instantly, Oz had Bussert on the line. "Joel, we just made a trade with the Bears. They're calling you now," Newsome said.

A minute later -- now around the two- minute mark -- Ozzie said: "Joel, I've got them on the other phone. They've agreed."

To the Bears: "Joel said you guys haven't confirmed the trade."

"Joel, they said they called. I don't know [who they called]."

To the Bears: "Joel says you guys haven't called. What's going on?"

"Joel, are you sure your phones are good. They said they called. Let's go."

Someone in the draft room called out: "Oz, Kansas City is ready to pick."

"They won't take Smith," Joe Hortiz, our director of college scouting, said loudly.

[Personnel assistant Chad] Alexander alerted the room: "Kansas City is walking the pick to the table."

Newsome, who was still trying to get the offered draft pick from Chicago, said to the Bears: "What's going on? Joel said you haven't called and there's no problem with the phones. ... We're done. Chad, turn in the card."

Whew!

....

My immediate reaction was to get to Oz and tell him that some media were going to be saying the Ravens messed up by letting the clock expire.

"Oz, the Bears messed up. We shouldn't take the hit for this," I told the Wizard.

"I'm not going to throw the Bears under the bus," Newsome said.

"Well, how about at least explaining that we had a deal with another team and that they did not follow through with a confirmation at the last second?"

Newsome: "Okay, I'll do that. But, Kevin, we got the kid we wanted and he can really play."

In the end, the Bears soon admitted at a press conference that they "had dropped the ball on a trade with Baltimore."

Nice of them, I guess. But, we'd rather have the draft pick. While it worked out, it could have been a bad situation for us, the NFL and the Bears.

I'll be interested to see if the Bears respond this weekend or if they try to move past this episode. With about an hour before the second round begins, there have been no indications that the Bears will lose the fourth-round pick they originally were offering the Ravens.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/40057/play-by-play-of-bears-trade-confusion


Chicago Bears 2011 season: Fan breakdown

Is it possible for a Chicago Bears fan to live in happiness and harmony in the state of Indiana? Of course! Despite the mockery and football jabs given by friends and random strangers after seeing my Chicago Bears car plate leading me on my journeys in Colts country, I cheer on Da' Bears every football season with the same faithfulness and enthusiasm as when I had residence in Illinois. I have fond memories of attending Chicago Bears games in Soldier Field before its remodel and gathering with fellow northern Illinoisans on game days to watch the Bears on cold winter days. Now living in Indiana, I still wear my Bears shirt proudly during football season, as it seems to glow amongst the sea of blue and white in Indiana.

The 2011 season for the Chicago Bears will be an exciting one, and hopefully Jay Cutler(notes) will be able to carry this year's team to a further stage in the playoffs and steer clear of injury. The Chicago Bears came so close to playoff victory in 2010, with a less than happy ending in a fairy tale season. Hopefully 2011 will be the year the Chicago Bears end their season in football's castle - the Super Bowl arena.

September

Sun. 11 Atlanta Falcons 12:00 PM - This should be an exciting opening game against the Bears in the regular season.

Sun. 18 @ New Orleans Saints 12:00 PM - We'll see how nice-guy QB Drew Brees(notes) does against the Bears this year.

Sun. 25 Green Bay Packers 3:15 PM - Who won't be watching this game?! This game between two of the biggest rivals in the NFL will not be disappointing, and hopefully the Bears will claim victory.

October

Sun. 2 Carolina Panthers 12:00 PM - Unless something goes terribly awry, the Bears should be victorious in this game.

Mon. 10 @ Detroit Lions 7:30 PM - The Bears should easily claim victory over the Lions.

Sun. 16 Minnesota Vikings 7:20 PM - Close neighbors with almost as much rivalry between them as the Packers - this will be a good game to watch.

Sun. 23 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (London) 12:00 PM - This team may be a challenge for the Bears.

November

Mon. 7 @ Philadelphia Eagles 7:30 PM - I hope the Bears smear any hopes of Mr. Vick and the Eagles winning. I cheer for any team challenging the Eagles for that matter.

Sun. 13 Detroit Lions 12:00 PM - Can the Bears make a clean sweep of the Lions? Let's hope so.

Sun. 20 San Diego Chargers3:15 PM - This game could go either way for either team.

Sun. 27 @ Los Angeles Raiders 3:05 PM - A tough team, and hopefully the home field advantage for the Raiders won't be a disadvantage for the Bears.

December

Sun. 4 Kansas City Chiefs 12:00 PM - Perhaps with some newcomers from this year's draft, the Chiefs will be a new and improved football team. Nah…

Sun. 11 @ Denver Broncos 3:05 PM - Hopefully the altitude won't hamper the efforts of the Bears, but the Broncos haven't been much of a threat as it is.

Sun. 18 Seattle Seahawks 12:00 PM - This is a good team and should make for a good game.

Sun. 25 @ Green Bay Packers 7:20 PM - Bears and Packers fans will be glued to their TV's during this game for another challenge for both teams, mentally and physically.

January
Sun. 1 @ Minnesota Vikings 12:00 PM - The end of the regular season will conclude with an exciting game, hopefully with the Bears on their way to the playoffs.

Good luck to the Chicago Bears during the 2011 season - cheers will be heard even from Indiana.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-8373459

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