SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by JP Starkeyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2013-01-23T12:36:19-06:00https://chicago.sbnation.com/authors/jp-starkey/rss2013-01-23T12:36:19-06:002013-01-23T12:36:19-06:0049ers favored over Ravens
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers are three-and-a-half point favorites over the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.</p> <p>Both the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> find themselves in familiar spots in Las Vegas, as the 49ers are once again favored, making the Ravens underdogs for a third consecutive week.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/nfl/baltimore-san-francisco-odds-february-3-2013" target="_blank">According to OddsShark</a>, the 49ers opened as 5-point favorites over the Ravens. The lines have shifted slightly, with some books making the Niners 3 1/2 point favorites, while others have the Niners as 4-point favorites.</p>
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<b>For more on the Super Bowl, visit </b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">Niners Nation</a>
<b> and </b>
<a href="http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com">Baltimore Beatdown</a>
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<i> </i>
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<p>The over/under for the game originally opened at 49, but has since moved to either 47 or 47 1/2 -- depending on the book.</p>
<p>For the Ravens, being an underdog is familiar territory. Baltimore pulled off two major upsets en route to reaching Super Bowl XLVII, defeating the top-seeded <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> in double overtime during the AFC's Divisional Round, before defeating <span>Tom Brady</span> and the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> in the AFC Championship game.</p>
<p>San Francisco, meanwhile, was favored on the road in the NFC Championship game against the top-seeded <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>, so it comes as no surprise that they're favored to beat the Ravens.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/2013/1/23/3907860/2013-super-bowl-odds-point-spreadJP Starkey2013-01-23T12:14:53-06:002013-01-23T12:14:53-06:00Super Bowl date, time and kickoff information
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The 2012-13 NFL season will come to a close on Sunday, Feb. 3 when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.</p> <p>The 2012-13 NFL season will come to a close on Sunday, Feb. 3 when the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> take on the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> in Super Bowl XLVII.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the Super Bowl, visit </b><a href="http://www.ninersnation.com" target="_blank">Niners Nation </a><b>and </b><a href="http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com" target="_blank">Baltimore Beatdown</a></i></p>
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<p>Super Bowl XLVII will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff for Super Bowl XLVII is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT, and you can find televised coverage on CBS.</p>
<p>Few expected the Ravens to advance to this year's Super Bowl. Baltimore defeated the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a> in the Wild Card round before upsetting the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> in a double-overtime thriller in the Divisional round. Once again underdogs in the AFC Championship game, the Ravens knocked off the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> and advanced to Super Bowl XLVII.</p>
<p>Unlike the Ravens, many believed that the 49ers were the NFC favorite. San Francisco finished the regular season 11-4-1 and earned a bye week. They then defeated the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a> in the Divisional round before knocking off the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> in the NFC Championship game.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2013/1/23/3907760/2013-super-bowl-xlvii-kickoff-time-date-locationJP Starkey2013-01-03T15:00:10-06:002013-01-03T15:00:10-06:00Weekend bowl schedule
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<p>Kansas State and Oregon will meet on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl, as college bowl season begins to come to a close.</p> <p>Bowl season is quickly coming to an end -- but there's still two BCS games on the schedule.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks">Oregon Ducks</a> and Kansas State Wildcats will square off in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. Heisman trophy finalist <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36403/collin-klein">Collin Klein</a> will try to lead the Wildcats to their first bowl win since the 2002 Holiday Bowl, while the Ducks look to win their second-straight BCS game after winning the 2012 Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>Kickoff for the Fiesta Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Televised coverage can be found on ESPN.</p>
<p>Heisman trophy winner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> will lead the Texas A&M Aggies against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners">Oklahoma Sooners</a> in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night (7 p.m. CT, FOX), in what figures to be the best non-BCS game of this year's bowl season.</p>
<p>Two lesser bowl games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Ole Miss and Pittsburgh will square off Saturday afternoon (12 p.m. CT, ESPN) in the BBVA Compass Bowl.</p>
<p>Kent State will meet Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Sunday night (8 p.m. CT, ESPN) in the final game before the BCS title game.</p>
<p>Notre Dame and Alabama will meet on Monday night to determine this year's national champion in the BCS National Championship game (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2013/1/3/3829160/2013-bowl-game-scheduleJP Starkey2013-01-02T18:59:01-06:002013-01-02T18:59:01-06:00Packers OC on Bears' radar
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<p>Green Bay offensive coordinator Tom Clements is flattered by Chicago's interest in him as a head coaching candidate.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> offensive coordinator Tom Clements is drawing interest from multiple teams across the league -- including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Chicago Bears are one of the teams to express interest in Green Bay's play caller.</p>
<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8806506/tom-clements-green-bay-packers-flattered-chicago-bears-interest" target="_blank">Per ESPN</a>, Clements is reportedly "flattered" by the interest, but insists his focus remains on preparing his Packers offense to compete against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>' defense this Saturday night, in the NFL's Wild Card round.</p>
<p>Prior to being named Green Bay's offensive coordinator in 2012, Clements served as Green Bay's quarterback coach between 2006-12 and helped develop <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> into the MVP-caliber quarterback that he is today.</p>
<p>After Chicago's offense struggled again in 2012, the Bears may opt for an offensive mind to take over as the team's head coach, after nearly a decade of a defensive-minded coach in Lovie Smith.</p>
<p>The Bears are unable to formally interview Clements until after Green Bay's game against Minnesota, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2013/1/2/3829536/tom-clements-bears-coach-searchJP Starkey2013-01-02T16:39:59-06:002013-01-02T16:39:59-06:00Barrett Jones returns to practice
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Crimson Tide received a boost on Tuesday when Barrett Jones returned to practice after suffering a foot injury in the SEC title game.</p> <p>Alabama Crimson Tide center Barrett Jones<a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/02/tides-barrett-jones-returns-for-first-practice-since-injury/" target="_blank"> returned to practice on Tuesday</a> for the first time since injuring his foot in Alabama's victory in the SEC title game.</p>
<p>Jones' availability for the BCS title game is unknown, but his return to practice signifies at least a chance that he'll suit up and start for Alabama on Monday night.</p>
<p>Earlier in December, Jones vowed that he'd play in the title game, <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8760392/barrett-jones-starting-center-alabama-crimson-tide-battling-sprained-foot" target="_blank">saying "I'll be fine."</a></p>
<p>One of the best offensive lineman in the country, Jones' return would certainly help the Crimson Tide against Notre Dame's top-ranked defense.</p>
<p>Alabama's senior center was named to the <a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/14/heisman-winner-manziel-headlines-fwaa-all-america-team/" target="_blank">Football Writer's Association of America 2012 All-American Team,</a> along with fellow offensive lineman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78281/chance-warmack">Chance Warmack</a>.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide are scheduled to land in Florida on Wednesday night, and will then practice on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.<a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2013/1/2/3828884/2013-bcs-national-championship" target="_blank"> Per ESPN</a>, both Alabama and Notre Dame have walk-throughs scheduled for Sunday, before the two teams square off for the BCS title game on Monday night.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2013/1/2/3829046/barrett-jones-injury-alabama-crimson-tideJP Starkey2013-01-02T15:43:42-06:002013-01-02T15:43:42-06:00Irish land in Florida
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame landed in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, as the Irish get ready to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS title game on Monday night.</p> <p>Brian Kelly and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8804052/notre-dame-fighting-irish-arrive-bcs-title-game" target="_blank">arrived in sunny South Florida on Wednesday afternoon</a>, as the Irish get ready to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> in the BCS championship game. </p>
<p>Wednesday's high in Miami is a very warm 80° -- quite the contrast compared to South Bend's high of 24°. </p>
<p>Neither Alabama nor Notre Dame will have long to practice in Florida. Per ESPN, both teams will practice on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, before participating in a walkthrough on Sunday. The title game is scheduled for Monday night, marking the end of the 2012-13 college football season.</p>
<p>Alabama is expected to land in Florida later on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Notre Dame's last regular season game was in Southern California -- another warm weather environment, which benefits the Irish. </p>
<p>Kickoff between the Irish and Crimson Tide is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET from Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Televised coverage can be found on ESPN. </p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2013/1/2/3828884/2013-bcs-national-championshipJP Starkey2013-01-02T15:29:36-06:002013-01-02T15:29:36-06:00Emery: Urlacher improved as season went on
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<p>Chicago Bears' general manager Phil Emery believes Brian Urlacher's play improved as the season went on.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears'</a> general manager Phil Emery wasted no time making drastic changes to his team. In the first day of his team's off-season, Emery relieved Bears' head coach Lovie Smith of his duties. He is now faced with another decision that could drastically change the Bears, as linebacker <span>Brian Urlacher</span> will be a free agent after the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>Though Emery won't speak about contract negotiations with Urlacher,<a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2013/01/phil_emery_says_brian_urlacher.html"> he did tell the Chicago Sun-Times </a>that Urlacher improved throughout the season, as the franchise icon recovered from knee surgery.</p>
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<p>"Coming back from the injury, there was a time he looked a little rusty," Emery said. "He admitted that himself in public. There was a time that he got better, that he got his feet back under him. Certainly he showed - like in the Seattle game - that he still has a burst. He chased <span>Russell Wilson</span> up the sideline, and he was the only one to get to him.</p>
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<p>Urlacher appeared in just 12 games for the Bears this season, missing the final four because of a hamstring injury. In 12 games, Urlacher registered 68 total tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.</p>
<p>Emery will be faced with a difficult decision regarding Urlacher, since the linebacker will turn 35 next May. Still, if Chicago's general manager truly believes Urlacher's play improved as the season went on, it seems likely that Urlacher will once again anchor the Bears defense in 2013.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2013/1/2/3828826/brian-urlacher-chicago-bears-phil-emeryJP Starkey2012-12-27T15:00:08-06:002012-12-27T15:00:08-06:00NFL Mock Draft: Bears targeting OL
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<p>Both of CBS Sports' NFL Draft analysts project the Chicago Bears to take offensive linemen in the first round of next April's NFL Draft.</p> <p>Though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> still have a chance to make the playoffs in 2012, draftniks and fans are already looking toward next April's NFL Draft. The folks over at <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock" target="_blank">CBS Sports</a> posted a pair of mock drafts on Wednesday, and both CBS analysts have the Bears targeting offensive linemen in the first round.</p>
<p>Rob Rang projects Chicago to select North Carolina offensive guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48999/jonathan-cooper">Jonathan Cooper</a> with their first selection, and notes that <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-RobRang" target="_blank">Chicago's offensive line is "a mess."</a> Rang also calls Cooper one of the safest prospects in this year's draft.</p>
<p>CBS' other draft analyst Dane Brugler projects the Bears to select Oklahoma offensive tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87274/lane-johnson">Lane Johnson</a>. Brugler believes that Johnson's upside is <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-DaneBrugler" target="_blank">"off the charts,"</a> but that the offensive tackle is still "growing" at the position. </p>
<p>With Chicago's offensive line having more questions than answers, it does stand to reason that Lovie Smith and his staff will target offensive line help in next April's draft.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/12/27/3805600/2013-nfl-mock-draftJP Starkey2012-12-26T19:00:49-06:002012-12-26T19:00:49-06:00Five Bears named to Pro Bowl
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<p>Brandon Marshall, Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, Julius Peppers and Henry Melton were all named starters for the NFC in the 2013 Pro Bowl.</p> <p>Even though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> might not make the playoffs in 2012, five Bears have been rewarded with spots on the NFC's 2013 Pro Bowl roster -- and they've all been named starters, as well.</p>
<p>Wide receiver Brandon Marshall will start for the NFC, alongside <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> wide receiver <span>Calvin Johnson</span>. Marshall, who was reunited with <span>Jay Cutler</span> this season, has hauled in 113 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns through Chicago's first 15 games -- which is no easy feat, considering Marshall is Chicago's primary, and often only, receiving threat.</p>
<p>Chicago's pair of starting cornerbacks, <span>Charles Tillman</span> and <span>Tim Jennings</span>, will both start for the NFC in the 2013 Pro Bowl. Jennings has an NFL-high eight interceptions so far this season, while Tillman has 82 tackles, 10 forced fumbles and three interceptions.</p>
<p>Defensive end <span>Julius Peppers</span> will start opposite <span>Jason Pierre-Paul</span>. Peppers has three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble to go along with 11.5 sacks.</p>
<p>Defensive tackle <span>Henry Melton</span> will also start for the NFC. Melton has recorded 41 tackles and six sacks so far for the Bears, and has forced two fumbles.</p>
<p><i>Be sure to check out complete Pro Bowl rosters for both the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/12/26/3805760/2013-pro-bowl-afc-roster" target="_blank">AFC </a>and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/12/26/3805768/2013-pro-bowl-nfc-roster" target="_blank">NFC </a>here at SB Nation.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/12/26/3806336/2013-pro-bowl-rosters-chicago-bearsJP Starkey2012-12-26T17:32:37-06:002012-12-26T17:32:37-06:00Urlacher, Tillman miss practice
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<p>Charles Tillman and Brian Urlacher missed practice on Wednesday, as the Bears get ready for a crucial Week 17 showdown against the Detroit Lions.</p> <p><span>Henry Melton</span> was limited, while <span>Brian Urlacher</span> and <span>Charles Tillman</span> <a href="http://www.chicagobears.com/team/injury-report.html" target="_blank">sat out the Bears' Wednesday practice</a>, as Lovie Smith and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> get ready to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> in a crucial Week 17 game.</p>
<p>Urlacher has not played in a game since Week 13, when the Bears lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> in overtime. Still, <a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8776309/lovie-smith-hopeful-brian-urlacher-returns-detroit-lions" target="_blank">Lovie Smith is hopeful</a> that Urlacher will be able to return from his hamstring injury this week.</p>
<p>Tillman also missed practice, and Smith told the media that <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachZaidman/status/284045390393798656" target="_blank">Tillman is recovering from a rib injury</a>. </p>
<p>Running backs <span>Matt Forte</span> (ankle), and <span>Armando Allen</span> (knee), safety <span>Chris Conte</span> (hamstring), and linebacker <span>Blake Costanzo</span> (calf) also did not participate in Chicago's Wednesday practice. </p>
<p>Cornerback <span>Tim Jennings</span> was a full participant, while Melton and <span>Jonathan Scott</span> were limited for the Bears. </p>
<p>Chicago will take on Detroit in Week 17 needing a win, coupled with a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> loss, in order to qualify for the playoffs. </p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/12/26/3806060/bears-injuries-charles-tillman-brian-urlacherJP Starkey