Speedy Willie

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It's going to be slow going for the next couple of months, but this may be something to pay attention to on home game days. 

In other news, the Bears drafted a series of players that will either be decent or terrible.  Neither the offense nor defense appears to be appreciably better than it was 10 days ago.  But the special teams should be improved. 

That is all.

SpeedyWillie v. "My Official Green Bay Packers Blog"

History's, most colorful ages have been defined by rivalries.  The best examples of this are classics such as the Azteks v. the 4-Runner's, Lincoln v. head wounds, RainX v. liquid precipitation, etc.  You see where I'm going with this.  Rivalries bring out the best in people, organizations and civic movements.  The human race wouldn't have won out against clear skies had it not been for the rivalry between the industrial revolution and nature. 

And with that I introduce you to the newest rivalry of the bunch:  SpeedyWillie.org v. Green-Bay-Packer.com. 

Certainly both parties will have lessons to be learned from the other.  The focus of the two blogs seem to be fundamentally different, ours looking closer at the events surrounding the game, and MOGBPB looking at the goings on on the field and league-wide.  Regarless,  things should heat up quickly with the Bear heading north for the 1st game of the season.  

I suggest everyone check out our new rival, and maybe MOGBPB will share with us they're obvious advertising / marketing savvy.  I'm working on igniting other friendly relationships with Vikings & Lions blogs, so we'll see if we can get something going throughout the NFC North. 

Best of wishes to everyone!

Speedy Willie Schedule Released

After months of waiting, we've arrived at the annual April tradition; the announcement of the 2009-2010 Speedy Willie Tailgate Schedule, presented by Speedy Willie and Speedy Willie Tailgate Productions, Inc.*  Please find below the tentative schedule and associated events for each of the 10 home games:

Pre-season:

Saturday 8/22/09 v. Giants 7:00 p.m. - Dominic's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Thursday 9/03/09 v. Browns 7:00 p.m. - Final tune-up, 1st Anniversary Speedy Willie Reunion

Regular Season:

Sunday 9/20/09 v. Steelers 3:15 p.m. - Ladie's Night
Sunday 10/04/09 v. Lions 12:00 p.m. - Christopher's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Sunday 11/01/09 v. Browns 12:00 p.m. - Jerome's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Sunday 11/08/09 v. Cardinals 12:00 p.m. - Feast of the Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Sunday 11/22/09 v. Eagles 7:20 p.m. - Formal Tailgate / Dance (evening wear preferred.)
Sunday 12/06/09 v. Rams 12:00 p.m. - Sweatpants-a-palooza
Sunday 12/13/09 v. Packers 12:00 p.m. - Italian Sausage v. Bratwurst Cookoff
Monday 12/28/09 v. Vikings 7:30 p.m. - Winter Weather Fashion Show (Sponsorship offers now being accepted.)

The above listed events are pending approval of the full membership committee, final invitations will be mailed no less than 10 business days before event**. 

*Incorporation pending.  And when I say pending, I mean we haven't submitted any paperwork.  I have mailed a piece of notebook paper to myself, and that post-marked envelope sits unopened inside a dusty hutchdesk.  What is on the notebook paper you ask?  The first draft of the articles of incorporation for Speedy Willie Tailgate Productions, Inc.  But that's none of your business.

**Coverage and offer not available everywhere. Call for locations. Ends 1/10/10. Excludes taxes and service plan charges. May require two-year agreement, up to $36 activation fee, up to $200 early termination fee, credit approval and deposit. Additional terms and restrictions apply.

Off Season Questions Bears Must Still Answer

On April 2nd, 2009 Chicago Bears management made a series of roster moves that will heavily impact the 2009 - 2010 NFL season.  A day later, the organization still has questions that need to be attended to. 

1.  Did the Denver altitude inflate some of Cutlers statistics?

This question has been applied most to baseball statistics, and only occasionally to football performances.  Though field goal kicking afficianados will recall Jason Elam currently holds the record for longest field goal at 63 yards, kicked where else?  Denver's Invesco Field. 

A little "back of the envelope math" will reveal the difference in altitude is signficant between Denver (5,281 ft) and Chicago (583 ft.)  Will this result in errant passes that otherwise would have been completed in the thin Denver atmosphere?  That will be up to the strength and condition staff, and Cutler to resolve.

2.  What is it going to take to get Rex Grossman in camp?

Grossman is an unrestricted free agent, and has yet to sign with an NFL team as of April 3rd.  While there has been some interest shown by regional South American semi-pro teams, his availability provides Chicago an opportunity to sign a quality quarterback to compete with Jay Cutler for the top spot in 2009.  Bears fans changed their tune on Grossman, who was universally reviled after the loss in SBXLI, after he led the beloved to a hard fought victory during a week 9 inter-division grudge match against the up-and-coming Detroit Lions.

If this scenario plays out, would the Chicago brass allow an "open competition" when the final result most likely have the new guy riding the pine?  Unlikely.

3.  Will Orlando Pace be able to contribute on a revamped O line?

It could be argued that the Orlando Pace signing raises many of the same questions as the John Tait signing did 4 years ago.  Both are Mormon's.  Both secretely despise children, and both weighed over 600 pounds at the time of the deal.  Google searches on orlando+pace+ideal+playing+weight didn't provide any specific numbers, but I have to think that he (AND THE BEARS) will be best served playing somewhere in the mid 400's.

4.  What can the Bears do in this year's draft?

 Sure, Jerry Angelo has made a career out of the middle rounds of the NFL draft.  With 8 picks this year, he's got his work cut out for him to further shore up the offensive line, defensive backfield and wide receiver corps.  Names like Johnson, Richardson, Ade-Kobaki and Lawrence have been thrown around as possible picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but can any of them make an immediate impact? 

Not likely.  Which is why I would like to hear Roger Godell announce, "With the 49th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, The Chicago Bears select Lebron James."  Hear me out.  Basketball players are easily the most athletic members of the sporting community, and former hoopers have made significant impacts on the NFL.  Names like Antonio Gates, Bo Jackson, "Neon" Deon Sanders & Michael Jordan should ring a bell. 

In the 3rd round I would pick up Alex Rodriguez and in the fourth I would select Martin Broduer. 

5. What's for lunch?

Culvers Deluxe basket, no pickles with fries & a Mountain Dew.