SB Nation Chicago - Bears Preseason: Brian Urlacher Returns To Practice, Vows To Play Week 1

Chicago Bears 2012 NFL Season: All-22 View Makes An Early Debut

2012-09-07T11:40:04Z

When the Chicago Bears lift the lid on their 2012 NFL season on Sunday in a Week 1 matchup against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, there will be an extra reason for hardcore NFL fans to smile. For the first time ever, the league has offered fanatics the opportunity to access All-22 coaches' film (learn more here). In case you didn't know, the All-22 film allows the viewer to see every player on the field at the same time -- unlike traditional broadcast angles that focus on the offensive and defensive lines and avoid showing the defensive secondary until a pass arrives at its final destination. This is a step in the right direction for the league, especially as they work to keep a generation of Madden fans engaged in the game at all times.

Last November the NFL didn't think we deserved the chance to see football from the All-22 angle. In fact, league representatives found several politically correct ways to say they felt fans are too stupid to use coaches' film well. It's a lazy line of thinking that has managed to endure in some forms, but thankfully the league has backed off its perceived need to restrict access (probably for the sake of money, but that doesn't matter). I ripped the NFL a new one last season for denying fans the opportunity to experience the nuances of the passing game in an increasingly pass-heavy league, and here was the crux of my original argument:

Watching quarterback play from your couch is still exhilarating, but for all the wrong reasons. Routes of wide receivers and tight ends take place almost entirely off screen, and defensive configurations in the secondary are virtually invisible to even the most interested fans watching at home. Being a spectator to modern vertical passing attacks currently means you are left guessing about whether a deep pass is well-covered until the camera finally pans to the intended receiver. Essentially, passing attacks are exciting because the context of each long pass attempt remains a mystery until the last second. To think this is acceptable to NFL executives is insane.

...Having to rely on analysts and commentators to describe action that could easily be displayed on screen is an indefensible crime for which the NFL should have to answer in a meaningful manner. It is clear that the league should let the fans decide how much of the field they want to see, not preemptively restrict access under a bogus "proprietary NFL coaching information" defense. Deep and intermediate passing plays should not be a mysterious aspect of the game necessarily digested in fragments; they should be presented as wholly visible art forms for the viewing pleasure of NFL fans everywhere. In many ways, football fans have been seeking out this art form for years in video game simulations, but the clear demand for the All-22 has fallen on deaf ears. Although the revolution has already arrived, the NFL has unilaterally decided that the revolution will not be televised, and it's a damn shame.

I still feel my opinion was entirely appropriate for the circumstances, and I wouldn't change a word, but times have (thankfully) changed. The situation has improved. We will have new opportunities to digest what we see on a deeper level. Now it's about following through.

I purchased the NFL's new All-22 product as soon as they released it, and during the 2012 season I plan on trying to break down various plays soon after the footage is released each Thursday. To illustrate my original point, let's take a quick look at what we see on television during a deep pass attempt:

If you look closely at this image I pulled from the Bears' Week 9 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, you can actually see the shin and foot of one of the Eagles safeties! Take a second to process that absurdity. We glorify quarterbacks for reading defenses and deify safeties for changing the way offenses can attack, but live-action angles obscure the secondary. It actually gets worse, if you'd believe it. Here is an image of what we had to look at when Jay Cutler released the ball on that same play:

The play includes four different routes and the Eagles play two deep safeties in zone, but how the heck could you tell any of that from what is presented on the broadcast? Just to be clear, we get the privilege of watching: (a) zero receivers, (b) zero cornerbacks, (c) zero safeties and (d) zero route combinations during most intermediate and deep passing plays. At least Jay Cutler looks good, right?

With All-22 access, the chess match in the secondary is revealed and play designs take on deeper meaning. It's easy to say all of this, but I maybe it's better if I show you. Here is my first installment of a recurring Chicago Bears Playbook Series for SB Nation Chicago. In the first volume I will pick apart the same play from that Week 9 game in 2011:

It's time to show the NFL that fans deserved the opportunity to approach the game on a deeper level. It's time to show skeptics that there is no such thing as having access to too much good information. It's time to have some fun with Chicago Bears football. I plan on doing my part in 2012, so I hope you find the time to follow along and help the series evolve.

Week 1 NFL Odds: Colts Vs. Bears

2012-09-06T13:08:25Z

The Chicago Bears are a 9.5-point favorite when they host the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener on Sunday. The line opened with the Bears as nine-point favorites but has quickly moved up to 9.5 on most all sites. The line is not uniform across all sportsbooks as some still have the Bears favored by only nine and other sites have the Bears favored by as much as 11 according to OddsShark. The over/under for the game opened at 40.5, but now sits at either 43 or 43.5 depending on the sportsbook.

The betting public expects a tough weekend for No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck as he makes his NFL debut on the road against a strong Bears defense that hopes to have Brian Urlacher back in the lineup. The Colts finished with the NFL's worst record last year while the Bears finished 8-8.

For more on the Chicago Bears; check out Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago. Be sure to visit Oddshark.com to find betting lines for all Week 1 games and don't forget to play SB Nation's Pick 6 Football every week.

Bears Punter Adam Podlesh May Still Play Vs. Colts

2012-09-06T12:44:38Z

Chicago Bears punter Adam Podlesh was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice and may be able to play in the Bears' regular season opener on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Podlesh injured his left hip flexor in the Bears' second preseason game against the Washington Redskins on Aug. 18. Wednesday marks the first time Podlesh has been seen punting the ball in practice since suffering that injury. If Podlesh is unable to go, the Bears will turn to rookie Ryan Quigley, who they kept on the 53-man roster because of the injury to Podlesh. In his first season with the Bears last year, Podlesh posted a career high net average of 40.4 yards per punt.

Bears running back Lorenzo Booker sat out Wednesday's practice with a head injury; free safety Chris Conte was limited with a shoulder injury. Brian Urlacher was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

For more on the Bears; check out Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Chicago Bears Injury Report: Chris Williams Could Spell Gabe Carimi On Sunday

2012-09-05T21:43:16Z

Chicago Bears tackle Gabe Carimi might not be fully recovered from his knee injury, offensive coordinator Mike Tice said on Wednesday. According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, Tice doesn't feel that Carimi is back to full strength and his ability to play in full games at the moment is in doubt.

Per Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears believe that Chris Williams could spell Carimi from time to time if his endurance becomes a problem.

Carimi injured his right knee during a Week 2 game against the Saints last season, yet participated in most offseason practices and workouts after multiple surgeries to repair the knee. The tackle played in three preseason games and appeared healthy, with the Bears now concerned about his ability to play through a game while still working to get his knee back into shape.

Chris Wiliams has been with the Bears since 2008 when he was drafted No. 14 overall in the 2008 draft. He has played primarily at left and right tackle before moving to guard in 2010.

For more on the Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And for additional pro football news, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

2012 NFL Schedule: Bears Take On Colts In Week 1

2012-09-05T13:48:48Z

The 2012 NFL season is imminent and the Chicago Bears will be looking to bounce back from a 2011 season that was derailed by injuries. They'll start that campaign in Week 1 by hosting the Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck in the No. 1 overall pick's first regular season game as a pro. The Colts are expected to be significantly better than they were last season, but the game is still a nice, soft opening for the Bears.

The Green Bay Packers, though, don't have it as easy. The Chicago rival will open the season with the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to once again field one of the top defenses in the NFL. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, are likely to dine on a cupcake as they open by hosting the St. Louis Rams. The same could be said for the Minnesota Vikings, who will welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that is relegating its best player, Maurice Jones-Drew, to third down duties after the back held out for the preseason.

For the week's full slate of games, check out SI.com's weekly schedule.

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler Haven't Discussed Contract Extension

2012-09-05T13:27:40Z

Jay Cutler is a free agent after the 2013 season, and according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago, Cutler and the Bears have not yet discussed a contract extension for the quarterback. Cutler will earn over $15 million in base salary over the next two seasons, and will almost certainly be looking for comparable money, if not a raise, with his next contract.

Whether new Bears GM Phil Emery wants to do that remains unknown, and likely will depend on how Cutler does this season. Wright theorizes that the team will begin negotiations in earnest at the end of this season so that the situation may be resolved heading into the final year of his contract. The Bears, according to Wright, will have over $50 million in cap room heading into the 2014 season.

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Jay Cutler Says Wife Kristin Cavallari Doing 'Unbelievable Job' At Motherhood

2012-09-05T00:00:06Z

Jay Cutler had some kind words for wife Kristin Cavallari's mothering instinct Tuesday. The Chicago Bears quarterback was asked on ESPN 1000's "Waddle & Silvy Show" about fatherhood, thus far, and he had this to say:

It's life changing. Having that responsibility definitely changes your priorities. I've been gone a lot, though, so I think a lot of it has been heavy on Kristin. She's done an unbelievable job. I don't think you know exactly what you're getting into until you get home from the hospital and it's bam, there's no instruction manual, there's no taking it back. They tell you you're tired, you don't sleep, he wakes up at all hours, and you're like 'OK, I've stayed up all night before, I got up in the middle of the night, I'll be fine.' But it's a different animal. It's still fun. Kristin has definitely done more than my share, and she's been great at it.

Cutler and Cavallari's son Camden Jack will be a month old on Saturday. Cutler's Bears open the season against the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 9.

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Jay Cutler Says Alshon Jeffrey A 'Natural Catcher'

2012-09-04T23:43:31Z

Jay Cutler made an appearance on ESPN 1000's "The Waddle & Silvy Show" Tuesday. The Bears quarterback raved about rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery's skills and progress throughout camp:

Alshon Jeffery I think is better than we expected ... down the line we have guys who can flat out play football. We knew he had great hands. That was the thing on him, he catches everything, and he did. He's a natural catcher. Big net, you can put it anywhere and he's going to snag it. I think the way he's able to get out of routes, the way he's naturally able to beat press, I think his speed is probably a little bit underrated, he can go get the ball. His jumping ability, being able to time balls and go up and get balls, that's just a natural attribute. A lot of guys have trouble attacking that high point and he does it really well.

Cutler also said that Brandon Marshall's presence will allow Jeffrey to "naturally fit where he fits in." The offensive line has had a "good preseason," according to Cutler - though he hedged against saying J'Marcus Webb has earned the starting left tackle job - and that he thinks the running game is "going to come."

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.