A Final Goodbye to Safety Mike Brown

Mike Brown has been a great leader for the Bears in his nine seasons in the Windy City.

Brown started his career off with big after big game, but when he really struggled to stay healthy.

Brown only had six interceptions since Lovie Smith took over the head coaching job in 2005.

Brown played 15 games last season and I would love to see him back just for his veteran presence.

Brown brought so much to the defense.

He was great against the run, and decent against the pass the last couple seasons.

He was just hit with unfortunate injuries.

Maybe, no team will sign him and the Bears can scoop him up for cheap.

I doubt that will happen, but I would like to see him succeed wherever he goes.

I know he will be a good coach once he retires.


DT Tommie Harris had this to say about Mike Brown:

"Mike Brown is a special person, a special player, and a special friend, it's going to be different, seeing him leave, but I know he will be productive wherever he goes and with whatever he does. He will always be remembered in my book as one of the toughest guys to play this game."

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com

Mike Brown Update

Team sources said Mike Brown will probably return to the Bears if he doesn’t get any other serious offers in free agency.

Mike Brown Probably Not in Bears Plans for 09'

Jerry Angelo had this to say about Mike Brown:

"I don't see that right now, given how it affects Danieal [Manning], allocation of money comes into play, too, in what we want to do at other positions.

"There could be a case where we want Mike back, but we can't afford to do it given what we want to do in other areas."

Mike Brown, a second-round pick in the 2000 draft, took a cut in pay to play this past season after suffering a season-ending ACL tear at the start of the 2007 campaign.

Brown returned to play 15 games in ’08 before a hamstring injury put him on injured reserve two days before the season finale at Houston.

A series of injuries kept Brown from playing a full 16 games in each of the last five seasons.

Brown is due to become a free-agent in February.

Brian Urlacher said this about Mike Brown after the season came to an end for the Bears:

"I really hope he’s back next year, I can’t say much because I don’t make the personnel decisions. But he started 15 games for us this season. I don’t see that being an injury problem. He probably could have played the last game.

"If Mike Brown is healthy, I see him coming back. And I see no reason for him not to be healthy."

Video of Mike Brown

What do I think?

I think this would be a bad move, because what I saw out of Danieal Manning at nickelback was pretty good, but safety not so good.

Danieal really screwed up in Super Bowl XLI.

Letting Danieal take over for a proven guy like Mike Brown is dumb, Brown played 15 games last season and still has a lot of games ahead of him.

If you commit to Mike Brown, you still have to bring in help at Safety either through the draft or free agency.

Craig Steltz and Brandon McGowan (if he comes back) is not enough help.

Don't even get me started on Kevin Payne.

Chicago Tribune: Q & A with Jerry Angelo

You have expressed your faith in Brian Urlacher. Why didn't he make more big plays?

Players change. It's hard to stay on top forever. But he's still a good player. He still is a real good leader. He still has a lot of value to our team. We're looking at the whole package

Can you envision a scenario in which Mike Brown would return?

I don't see that right now, given how it affects Danieal. Allocation of money comes into play, too, in what we want to do at other positions. There could be a case where we want Mike back, but we can't afford to do it given what we want to do in other areas.


Do you still consider Nathan Vasher a starter?

He really hasn't played in two years, so he needs to redefine himself, starting in the off-season. He has to earn a spot on our team. He has to show he can be a starter, somebody we can depend on. We rewarded a very good player. He earned a new contract. But since then he has had some injuries, and when he has played, his play hasn't been up to his standards, I'm sure, and certainly our standards.


Chicago Tribune writers ask these questions to GM Jerry Angelo

Bears Off-Season

Bears Free Agents:

The Bears took care of all of their big names last year, so this year nobody that is hugely important is a priority.

Mike Brown *

Kevin Jones

Brandon Lloyd *

Darrell McClover

Rex Grossman *

John St. Clair *

Brandon McGowan *

The asterisks are the players I think the Bears should keep.

Mike Brown should be brought back, even though he is hurt a lot, he is a great player when on the field.

Lloyd could be good as a 3rd or 4th receiver.

Grossman should be brought back to compete with Orton and maybe another veteran QB.

St. Clair will defiantly be brought back for depth behind the young players like, Chris Williams and Josh Beekman.

Brandon McGowan has been hurt a lot, just like Mike Brown, but I think having more solid depth at safety is a great idea.

Team Needs:

Wide Receiver

Defensive End

Offensive Line

Quarterback

Mike Brown: Done for the Year

I thought Mike Brown was going to play this Sunday.

I guess I thought wrong, because today it was announced that, Mike Brown will miss the rest of the season due to a calf injury.

Mike Brown played 15 game this season, which is a lot for a guy, who has been banged up for most of his career.

Many think this will be Brown's last season in Chicago, since he is a free agent this off-season.

But, I see this guy returning to the team, unless Craig Steltz plays out of this world on Sunday.

Mike Brown recorded 101 tackles, one sack and two interceptions this season.

Recently signed Cameron Worrell, will backup rookie Steltz this Sunday.

Steltz filled in for the injured Brown on Monday night against the Packers.


Lovie Smith had this to say about the loss of Mike Brown:

“Very disappointing for our football team and for Mike, too, injuries are a part of it, and Mike’s been in this situation before. He made it through this time about as long as he had in awhile.”

“Losing Mike Brown for the rest of the season is big.”

He has not played in all 16 games since 2003 and with an expiring contract, his future is in doubt.

For now, Lovie Smith said any conversations about that are “definitely premature.”

“Right now, he’s not going to play this week. That’s about all I can talk about,” Smith said, when asked if he would like to re-sign Brown.


Lovie on Craig Steltz's first career start:

“Craig’s a good player, he’s played well on special teams, and when we’ve given him an opportunity to play a regular down, he’s come through.”


Cameron Worrell on his chance to play:

“I’ve been through the system, I know what I’m doing. I picked it up fairly quickly when I came back. I’m just here to add some depth and do whatever they ask me to do.”

Mike Brown expected to play

Mike Brown sat out yesterday's practice with a calf injury.

If you ask anybody, whose a Bears player or fan you know this guy is tough.

I expect him to play.

Mike Brown has been battered by injuries his whole career and he id still a great asset to this team, thus they definitely need him to play Sunday.

Coach Lovie Smith had this to say about Mike Brown:

"Mike Brown, he's been down, but in the end, it seems like he always plays.


All quotes from Chicagotribune.com

Did you Know? 10-23-08

The Bears have now won back-to-back games in overtime for just the second time since overtime was adopted in 1974.

The previous time came in 2001 when safety Mike Brown returned interceptions for touchdowns in overtime to beat the 49ers 37-31 and the Browns 27-21.

Good as Gould Again

My first Soldier Field experience turned out to be a success.

Not only was it the coldest (-2) Bears game in history at kickoff, but they also defeated their most hated rival the Green Bay Packers 20-17.

The Bears were trailing 14-3 at half to the 5-9 Packers and basically did nothing offensively.

They adjusted at half, just like me.

My hands were pretty much frozen, so I put multiple hand warmers in my gloves.

That saved me, and the Bears.


Three reasons how they won:

1. Special Teams- Robbie Gould, Danieal Manning and Alex Brown had huge plays.

2. Matt Forte- He came up big late in the game.

3. The fans- they play a huge role in this one.


If they lost, I would have wasted my time freezing my hands.

Thank goodness they won.

Now they play a 7-8 Houston Texans team in Houston, a must win game to even have a shot at the playoffs.

They need Minnesota to lose to the Giants in Minnesota and the Cowboys and Bucs both to lose.

If Minnesota loses and we win were NFC North champs, and if Dallas and Tampa Bay lose and we win we clinch a wild card spot.

What a great weekend for me.

Not only do the the Chicago Bulls win Saturday night, but all the teams the Bears needed to lose lost and they pick up a huge win.


Just a few notes:

S Mike Brown injured his calf late in the second quarter and did not return.

Brad Maynard’s third quarter punt hit Green Bay’s Jarrett Bush, who was blocking on the play, and the Bears’ Jason Davis recovered at the 27.

The 4th and one, when it was 17-10 was converted by only an inch.

Matt Forte played through an injured toe to keep the Bears playoffs hopes alive.

The coin toss in OT went off of Brian Urlacher's Helmet.


Alex Brown had this to say about his blocked field goal to save the day:

We got a great push from a lot of different people. I was just the one who got my hand on it, we were saying on the sidelines that we have to block it. I got through pretty good but I didn’t really think that was going to happen. You just go as hard as you can and see if you can get a hand up and hopefully you can get it.”

Orton had this to say after the game:

“Everything fell right, gave us a lot of momentum and energy coming into this game. We just had to carry it all the way through."

Lovie on team win:

"I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a team."

All quotes from Yahoosports.com

Quotes of the Week

Brian Urlacher on Sunday's win:

"As long as we win and they win, they're going to get in, that's the picture. We've got to get some help.

"I wanted Detroit to help us out today, but they didn't. But the Vikings have three tough games: Arizona, Atlanta and the Giants. It's not easy for them or us."

Adewale Ogunleye on Sunday's win:

"We're still in a tough situation, it's not even just about this game. The whole season right now is kind of like a big drag. … I'm not even going to look at the [playoff] scenarios, because if we don't handle our business, what does it matter?"

Mike Brown on Sunday's game:

"We peeked up every now and then at the scoreboard, but we had to make sure we took care of our job. That's first and foremost. We've got to win. If we lose, then it really doesn't matter what Minnesota does."

Lovie Smith on win:

“We can finish up 10-6,” most teams that finish up 10-6 end up going to the playoffs. We’re just looking straight ahead.”

Alex Brown on win:

“You look at it, but you’ve got to take care of your part,” he said. “That’s it. Whatever happens in the Minnesota game is going to happen whether you look at it or not. It’s still going to happen. We’ve got to do our part and that’s winning.”

All quotes came from chicagotribune.com

Wednesday's injury update

Fullback Jason McKie (quad), nose tackle Anthony Adams (foot), linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (Achilles') and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (shoulder) were held out of Wednesday's practice.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris, safety Mike Brown, and center Olin Kreutz rested.

Bears plans for the rest of the season and next year is??

1. Win the next four games and you might have a real shot of making the playoffs.

You play Jacksonville this week, New Orleans, Green Bay and @ Houston in the four game stretch.

Don't worry about the other teams in your division, worry about yourself and winning the next four games.

2. Minnesota obviously beat you on Sunday, but they have a tough four game stretch to finish out the season. They play the win less Lions on the road, then Arizona on the road and Atlanta and NY "football" Giants in Minnesota.

The Vikings have lost both Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for the rest of the regular season, so that is huge for the Bears.

The Packers still have a real chance of winning the division, they play vs Houston, at Jacksonville, @ the Bears, and vs the Lions. They can easily finish 9-7.

3. Start thinking about what you need for this team to win in the future. They need a big time receiver, maybe T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Chad Johnson would come to Chicago. They could always draft someone in the first round.

Other areas of need:

backup RB, Forte needs a helper.

DE, a big time pass rusher, Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije are just not getting it done anymore.

S, Mike Brown is getting old and Kevin Payne just isn't very good.

Coach, I think it's time for Lovie to go, the guy doesn't show any character after a win, loss or a big play.

Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner is consistent with his horrible play calling, especially in the red zone. He consists on giving it the FB at the one yard line or just running the same play three times in a row.

4. For now, the Bears need Orton to get healthy, cause he hasn't looked himself since his injury and fans are starting to call for Rex to come in, but Orton will be just fine. Hopefully Hester, Davis and Lloyd are enough to help Orton and Forte just be yourself.

5. The tight ends have been almost invisible the last couple of games, Olsen looks like a bust and Dez Clark looks really old all of a sudden.

6. This team better get their act together if they want to win the NFC North, they have been so inconsistent this season. One week they barely beat the Lions, then they almost beat the Titans and they get crushed by the Packers and Vikings.

Coaches, players, if you want to be here next year, i'd tell you this, "step it up a notch.(Mark Rogers, friend)"

Clark, Booker questionable vs. Vikings

TE Desmond Clark and receiver Marty Booker are expected to be questionable for Sunday night's game against the Vikings. Both are coming off knee injuries.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), safety Mike Brown (calf), and linebacker Jamar Williams (groin) are all probable coming off their injuries.

Bears Defense Sounds off on loss to Green Bay

Lance Briggs:

"Nothing was effective, we didn't do what we wanted to do, and they did. And that's why they beat our heads in the way they did."

"We didn't do anything right, it doesn't matter what adjustments you make because we didn't get it done in every facet of the game. It was a poor display of football. That's not the way we prepared. That's not Bear football. We have to get ourselves to who we are."

Corey Graham on giving up a TD to Greg Jennings:

"I was actually anticipating it to come inside a little bit," Graham said. "Maybe next time I'll be a little more inside."


Adewale Ogunleye:

"The thing I can't wait to do is watch the film and see, even after the game was a little bit out of hand, who gave up, we've got to get that straightened out. We've got to have guys on the field that are going to fight all the way to the end. And hopefully we'll see that we had all 22 guys fighting."


Brian Urlacher:

"I'm frustrated, but I don't think anyone gave up, if we gave up, I think I would be embarrassed, but I don't think anyone quit or didn't play hard. We just got beat, that's what it comes down to."


Alex Brown:

"I think we have a good defense, I think we have a good scheme and I believe Alex needs to put in some more work to get better, "That's what I believe." ...


Nathan Vasher:

"Our scheme is good, we just have to execute and make plays. Everybody in this locker room is staying tight. We just have to circle the wagons and believe in each other."


Mike Brown:

‘‘All I can tell you is obviously, our defense isn’t what it used to be, once everyone accepts that, and understands it, he said, everyone will be better off.

Orton Update

Kyle Orton was on the practice field for the second consecutive day as his right ankle continues to heal.

The ankle was wrapped, and the Bears' starting quarterback didn't run during warm-ups.

Orton's role in practice was expected to be limited, and no announcement was expected regarding his availability for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (thumb) and cornerback Charles Tillman (shoulder) were limited as well.

Backup tackle Fred Miller sat out nursing a sore shoulder.

Safety Mike Brown, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and center Olin Kreutz were back at practice after a day of rest.

Running back Kevin Jones was back as well after missing Wednesday for personal reasons.

Kyle Orton only Bear to be held out of practice

Kyle Orton is not on the practice field for the second consecutive day, not a surprise considering the quarterback is expected to be out for Sunday's game against the Titans with a high ankle sprain.

Publicly, Orton has remained optimistic.

Safety Mike Brown is back at practice off his calf injury.

He looked fine in warmups but backpedaling is how he injured the calf in the first place.

He has a wrap on his leg.

Orton is the only player being held out.

Mike Brown, Kyle Orton sit out Wednesday's practice

Safety Mike Brown (calf) joined quarterback Kyle Orton (ankle) on the sideline Wednesday, sitting out practice.

Also out were receiver Marty Booker, cornerback Charles Tillman and defensive lineman Tommie Harris.

I don't think Charles Tillman was healthy enough to play last week, but we really need him this week.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (thumb) was limited.

Luckily, Receiver Brandon Lloyd (knee) and nickel back Danieal Manning (hamstring) had full participation.

Orton Update

An MRI confirmed quarterback Kyle Orton has a high right ankle sprain, and Orton was told Monday the injury would sideline him three to four weeks, according to a source.

The MRI exam revealed no ligament tear, the source said.

Lovie Smith said this about Orton's injury:

"I'm not playing doctor; you shouldn't either, you should let us come and tell you once we know for sure exactly what the injury is. We're hopeful, I'll just say that."

According to Stephania Bell, ESPN's injury analyst, it is common to conduct extensive testing on a high ankle sprain to make sure there is no fracture. But even without a fracture, a high ankle sprain could be a concern.

Dez Clark on Orton's injury:

"Hopefully he misses a minimum amount of time," he was playing at an elite level."

Bell had this to say about this injury:

"The problem with the high ankle sprain is that every time we take a step, there is stress placed across the ligaments (that join the two lower leg bones) that form the roof of the ankle joint, stress that would tend to stretch or widen the roof, if the roof continues to widen, then you get instability ... and ultimately lead to an arthritic condition."One of the things they look at with high ankle sprains is how 'wide' that roof has become. If it's not that bad, then it's treated conservatively with a boot. If too wide, it becomes a surgical situation."

Just a Thought:

It could be worse, Kyle Orton could have been out for the season.

Fun Fact:

Going into the Detroit Lions game, Orton was tied for fourth in touchdown passes since Week 3 with 10, trailing only Philip Rivers, Brett Favre and Drew Brees.

How's Mike Brown?:

As for Mike Brown, his calf injury was initially thought to be a cramp.

He left Soldier Field with a protective boot in hand, but he told teammates the injury wasn't serious.

If Brown can't go this week. look for Steltz to get the start at FS and either Danieal Manning (if healthy) or recently signed Terrence Holt to back him up.

Israel Idonije had this to say about Mike Brown:

"No one can fill Mike's shoes, Mike's a playmaker for us. But at the end of the day, if he can't go, someone has to step up."

Three Stars from Sunday's Game

My three stars from Sunday's game are as follows:

1) Matt Forte- everyone said he wasn't an effective runner anymore, but he went wild in the second half with a game high 126 yards on the ground and looked unstoppable.

2) Craig Steltz- he was clutch, filling in for the injured Mike Brown and made the most of his opportunities with a huge interception.

3) Rex Grossman- he came in for the injured Kyle Orton was 9-19 and threw a touchdown in the red zone to Rashied Davis and ran for a clutch touchdown in the 4th quarter.

Steltz on his first career NFL interception:

"I think [Orlovsky] kind of pump-faked to my right, and I don't know how much I took the pump fake, he tried to come back to hit Johnson in the seam. Just happened to make a good break on it and make a play."

Mike Brown said this about his injury:

"Everything is good, man, you'll see me back out there shortly."

Grossman on Forte's play:

"Beyond his physical ability, he's extremely smart, one of the smartest guys on the team, he knows the offense like the back of his hand, and he's a rookie. … He just has a demeanor about him that reassures everybody, 'Hey, I got this.' "

Forte on the game and the QB Situation:

"We just have to hope he'll be back, we have to look forward and get Rex ready." "Rex knows the game plan too, they both go over it. That didn't slow us down a bit." "We were beating ourselves in the first half, so we had to come out in the second half and start eliminating the mistakes."
"Running the ball is going to be huge, especially when the weather changes, I mean, we won't always have ample opportunity to throw the ball when the weather changes.

To be noted:

Kyle Orton wasn't the only QB to suffer an injury in Sunday's game.

Lions QB Dan Orlovsky, who really looked decent, hurt his thumb and will be out a few weeks.

"Sexy Rexy":

Can he get it done against Tennessee?

Will just have to wait and see.

Breaking News: Orton's ankle is not broken

Kyle Orton's ankle is not broken, hopefully he will be okay for next week, if not we got Rex Grossman, who wasn't awful today.

Also, Mike Brown walk off the field under his own power and is fine as long as I know.

Craig Steltz replaced him and had a huge interception late in the 4th quarter.