MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: Blue Horseshoe on December 15, 2011, 10:52:45 AM
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Not a major contributor to the team. Federal drug charges are serious biz
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7355706/chicago-bears-sam-hurd-arrested-drug-charges
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Doesnt say what drug but my guess is Syrup or Weed
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Coke.
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...and pot. Full-service.
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Trying to buy booger sugar from the Feds.
Deadspin posted the federal complaint
http://deadspin.com/5868426/bears-receiver-sam-hurd-arrested-after-trying-to-purchase-5-to-10-kilos-of-cocaine-from-a-federal-agent (http://deadspin.com/5868426/bears-receiver-sam-hurd-arrested-after-trying-to-purchase-5-to-10-kilos-of-cocaine-from-a-federal-agent)
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A federal agent tipster who called into the score said that the feds have a list of names who bought drugs from Sam Hurd. The number of names reaches double digits.
Hurd was one of the top drug dealers in Chicago.
He was trying to buy 5 to 10 kilos of coke and 1000 lbs of pot EVERY WEEK!?!?!?!?
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Not one player the Bears signed that was on the Cowboys last year has been worth a dime bag.
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Not one player the Bears signed that was on the Cowboys last year has been worth a dime bag.
Two weeks ago:
Roy Williams drops a TD pass, which is then intercepted.
Last week:
Marion Barber fails to get out of bounds and kill the clock to end the game in regulation.
Barber then fumbles on a game winning drive in OT to ultimately lose the game.
This week:
Hurd gets caught buying a load of coke, and happens to have a list of names he sells to. Surely this will doom the Bears season.
Thank Jerry "Spawn of Satan" Jones.
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It does make you wonder how much longer Angelo will stay in that position though. They haven't drafted particularly well, and I think Lovie is a decent coach, but that team is getting pretty long in the tooth on the defensive end.
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It does make you wonder how much longer Angelo will stay in that position though. They haven't drafted particularly well, and I think Lovie is a decent coach, but that team is getting pretty long in the tooth on the defensive end.
There's been talk here in Chicago about Angelo possibly retiring after the season.
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A federal agent tipster who called into the score said that the feds have a list of names who bought drugs from Sam Hurd. The number of names reaches double digits.
Hurd was one of the top drug dealers in Chicago.
He was trying to buy 5 to 10 kilos of coke and 1000 lbs of pot EVERY WEEK!?!?!?!?
Yup. Using his NFL salary to finance the drug purchases.
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There's been talk here in Chicago about Angelo possibly retiring after the season.
The problem is that Angelo's retirement may mean that Assistant GM Tim Ruskell would take over and he might be just as incompetent as Angelo.
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Angelo needs to go but what I really want to happen is the Bears fire Martz or he goes somewhere on his own terms and we get Norv Turner. No matter what his history is as a head coach the guy knows offense and since he is gone from San Diego I think he would be perfect for the Bears. Hopefully Cutler and Rivers conflict has nothing to do with Norv though.
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The problem is that Angelo's retirement may mean that Assistant GM Tim Ruskell would take over and he might be just as incompetent as Angelo.
Agree. I actually think Ruskell is worse. His moves and drafts in Seattle leave much to be desire.
If Angelo does retire, it seems to be the perfect opportunity for new boss George McCaskey to make his own statement on the franchise. However, I don't know if he has the power and/or vision to make that happen. Perhaps MUDish has some insights?
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In such an uncertain economy, it sounds like Hurd was just trying to diversify his portfolio.
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The Hurd stuff...is mind blowing (probably the wrong choice of words, but oh well). What's going to get real bad is when the list of his clients come out. There's "at least" 15 NFL players on that list.
The Angelo/Ruskell dynamic is both interesting and complicated at the same time.
There's a weak rumor that if there's a house cleaning in Tampa, Angelo will go down there to serve in some capacity. I do know that Angelo will not be the GM after the 2012 season. I've heard conflicting things...one side says Angelo wants to go for one last shot and end his tenure on a high note in Chicago, and come back for 2012. I honestly haven't heard much good/bad/indifferent on Ruskell. The people I know don't see him/talk to him all that often. Ruskell wasn't promised anything as far as when Angelo leaves, that I have heard.
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off topic a bit...
get rid of angelo, ruskell, phillips... the bears have way too many "front office" people, especially those who aren't football people but are just people with the right connections. the mccaskey's need to prove their competence to the city of chicago. it's sad we have such a loyal fan base, as well as one of the better NFL markets and have to deal with the morons who run the show.
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The Angelo/Ruskell dynamic is both interesting and complicated at the same time.
There's a weak rumor that if there's a house cleaning in Tampa, Angelo will go down there to serve in some capacity. I do know that Angelo will not be the GM after the 2012 season. I've heard conflicting things...one side says Angelo wants to go for one last shot and end his tenure on a high note in Chicago, and come back for 2012. I honestly haven't heard much good/bad/indifferent on Ruskell. The people I know don't see him/talk to him all that often. Ruskell wasn't promised anything as far as when Angelo leaves, that I have heard.
Is the end of the Ted Phillips era close as well?
Perhaps I'm reading into things too much, but I thought the move of George to chairman of the board in the spring was significant. It looked to me as the family getting more involved in day-to-day team matters, not just some shuffling of roles within the ranks. My feelings are based on the general media comments about George... That he is the most respected and capable member of the family.
In terms of NFL standards, the Phillips/Angelo/Smith era is quite long-lived. Feels like major changes are coming.
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The McCaskeys LOVE Ted Phillips, absolutely love him. As long as they own the team, Phillips will have a job. From personal encounters with him, I will say he is a good, modest, and genuine guy.
Once Virginia passes, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Will the family sell their stake to Pat Ryan? Ryan currently owns about a 10% stake, off the top of my head.
George is well respected, but the way the organization is set up, he's more a figure head and face of ownership more than a power player.
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Ryan is in his mid 70's. Not sure he would want to purchase the team.
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Ryan is in his mid 70's. Not sure he would want to purchase the team.
He'd want to own the Bears, but I'm not sure the McCaskey's or the NFL would want a new owner who's in his 70's.
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i, for one, would love a "mark cuban" style owner. i dont think the NFL would allow someone of his type though; the NFL seems to be much too conservative for that.
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Ryan is in his mid 70's. Not sure he would want to purchase the team.
He absolutely would buy the Bears, in a heartbeat. 100% confidence in that. Would the family sell, once Virginia passes, is the ultimate question. They would sell to Ryan, and the NFL would approve.
On a completely unrelated note, I've thought for years there should be an AFC team in Chicago.
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i, for one, would love a "mark cuban" style owner. i dont think the NFL would allow someone of his type though; the NFL seems to be much too conservative for that.
What is a "Mark Cuban style owner?"
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What is a "Mark Cuban style owner?"
For the NFL, I would think Jerry Jones, minus the meddling in player personnel decisions.
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For the NFL, I would think Jerry Jones, minus the meddling in player personnel decisions.
Honestly, I know what he means. I just think there are a lot of ways to be a good owner. Bob Kraft for instance...or the Rooney family...the Mara and Tisch combo.
And I don't think the McCaskey's have been all that bad. They don't meddle in personnel decisions. They devote the resources that the team needs to be successful. There may need to be a little more clarity over who is calling the shots, but I don't think that has impeded the football product in any way. I think there problem is simply a GM that has performed below average in the draft room.
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Honestly, I know what he means. I just think there are a lot of ways to be a good owner. Bob Kraft for instance...or the Rooney family...the Mara and Tisch combo.
And I don't think the McCaskey's have been all that bad. They don't meddle in personnel decisions. They devote the resources that the team needs to be successful. There may need to be a little more clarity over who is calling the shots, but I don't think that has impeded the football product in any way. I think there problem is simply a GM that has performed below average in the draft room.
If you ask Bears fans, most will tell you that the McCaskey's tend to be pretty cheap and they let the city (which owns Soldier Field) push them around. Mike McCaskey is, by just about all accounts, a very intelligent man and a genuinely nice person, but he was never overly interested in being the president of an NFL franchise and was viewed as a bit of a pushover. He's retired now though so he won't be around to announce the hiring of anymore coaches who haven't actually been hired yet. There are numerous examples of ineptiness amongst the front office. Frankly the Bears just aren't a very well run organization, especially when you consider the resources at their disposal.
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I heard Sam Hurd was autographing all his coke bags before selling them.
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If you ask Bears fans, most will tell you that the McCaskey's tend to be pretty cheap and they let the city (which owns Soldier Field) push them around.
Personally, this idea that the McCaskey's are cheap is a relic from the '80s. It doesn't match the realities of the Bears' spending patterns. Under Angelo, and even Rod Graves, the Bears have always been pretty active players in the free agent market.
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Personally, this idea that the McCaskey's are cheap is a relic from the '80s. It doesn't match the realities of the Bears' spending patterns. Under Angelo, and even Rod Graves, the Bears have always been pretty active players in the free agent market.
Exactly. They signed Peppers to a $90M contract....extended Cutler's contract to a tune of $50M...put a bunch of money into Halas Hall a decade ago.
They're doing what needs to be done.
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They're doing what needs to be done.
Except putting competent "football' people in the front office. angelo? phillips? ruskell? gross. and how many vps does one front office need?
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Not arguing with that. Just arguing with the fact they are "cheap." And Angelo did build a team that got them to a Super Bowl and another NFC Championship. He's not a great GM, but his track record is better than many of them out there.
BTW, you guys are making me feel a little dirty sticking up for the Bears.
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Not arguing with that. Just arguing with the fact they are "cheap." And Angelo did build a team that got them to a Super Bowl and another NFC Championship. He's not a great GM, but his track record is better than many of them out there.
BTW, you guys are making me feel a little dirty sticking up for the Bears.
Other than leaving $19mm in cap space on the table while not signing a back-up QB who had actually started an NFL game and the failure to significantly add to the worst offensive line in the NFL (and to to protect his Cutler investment) or failing miserably in the college draft year after year, Angelo has done a good job. Fact is, other than the Cubs, the Bears are the worst run organization in Chicago...and you can say that the Cubs have changed that this Fall....and that says a lot. Virginia loves Lovie like a son. It wouldn't shock me if he took over as Coach/GM, not that would make things better.
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I heard Sam Hurd was autographing all his coke bags before selling them.
The more I read about it, the more I think to myself: This guy has to be one of the dumbest drug dealers ever.
I loved the part about how he thought the Feds wouldn't be able to tap his calls if he got Mexican cell phones.
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Not arguing with that. Just arguing with the fact they are "cheap." And Angelo did build a team that got them to a Super Bowl and another NFC Championship. He's not a great GM, but his track record is better than many of them out there.
BTW, you guys are making me feel a little dirty sticking up for the Bears.
haha. die-hard bears fan here. i agree with you that, lately, they haven't shown to be cheap in acquiring players.
my beef more lies with the front office, as well as crap like letting lovie kick ron rivera to the curb and bringing in his buddy babich - what a joke that was. and how is daryl drake (WR coach) still on the staff? watching NFL network/ESPN and seeing countless times the analysts/former players pointing out basic receivers' mistakes reflect on poor coaching to me.
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haha. die-hard bears fan here. i agree with you that, lately, they haven't shown to be cheap in acquiring players.
my beef more lies with the front office, as well as crap like letting lovie kick ron rivera to the curb and bringing in his buddy babich - what a joke that was. and how is daryl drake (WR coach) still on the staff? watching NFL network/ESPN and seeing countless times the analysts/former players pointing out basic receivers' mistakes reflect on poor coaching to me.
On the topic of WR, a few years ago the Bears FO publicly stated that Hester was their #1 WR, which was naturally followed by Hester's agent requesting his client be paid like a #1 WR. And there's that botched trade with Baltimore at the draft and the aforementioned "hiring" of Dave McGinnis and the o-coordinator more or less making the decision to trade away the Bears best pass-catcher because Martz - who will be gone next season - doesn't utilize the TE. Getting back to the original topic, the Bears also had no idea that Sam Hurd had been caught with weed in his car and was questioned by Homeland Security the day before they signed him to a $4M deal!
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the o-coordinator more or less making the decision to trade away the Bears best pass-catcher because Martz - who will be gone next season - doesn't utilize the TE.
i would argue the best pass-catcher on the Bears' roster the last few seasons has been earl bennett. i hope martz isn't gone after this year, if nothing else, just for the sake of cutler/the offense to not have to learn yet another offensive scheme. when does it finally occur to the bears staff that winning comes from consistency and consistency isn't changing things when it doesn't work perfectly after 1-2 years?
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i would argue the best pass-catcher on the Bears' roster the last few seasons has been earl bennett. i hope martz isn't gone after this year, if nothing else, just for the sake of cutler/the offense to not have to learn yet another offensive scheme. when does it finally occur to the bears staff that winning comes from consistency and consistency isn't changing things when it doesn't work perfectly after 1-2 years?
Martz reminds me of Bob Schnelker. He often outstays his welcome. Even learning a new system, I think the Bears would be better off with a new OC. As a Packer fan, I hope he stays. ;)
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the bears just cut his ASS!!! how can people be so stupid!!
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Martz reminds me of Bob Schnelker. He often outstays his welcome. Even learning a new system, I think the Bears would be better off with a new OC. As a Packer fan, I hope he stays. ;)
Martz reminds me of a "chucker" on your team in basketball. He can play under control for a while but eventually he's going to do something stupid with the ball, often at the most inopportune time (i.e. screen to the TE in Oakland or end-around to Bennett in the NFCCG).
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or end-around to Bennett in the NFCCG
Thanks, I had almost completely blocked this memory out of my mind. Frack.
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Following up to a few points...
Bears are not cheap. I understand where the perception comes from, but they are in no way cheap. Halas was as cheap as they come, after he died and the family took over, they stayed cheap because they could, the run of success and larger than life personalities enabled that.
As both their run of success ended in the 80's, and NFL free agency started to evolve, the family slowly realized they needed more 'football' people. Since the McGinnis debacle, the McCaskeys have stayed more or less out of football decisions. Although, believe it or not, Virginia still has final say on all front office hirings/firings.
I've always thought the best thing that could have ever happened for the Bears is to have an AFC team in town.
If/when the family sells, and Pat Ryan does not buy, would be interesting to see the team on the open market. They'd get in excess of $1 billion for the Bears, only the Cowboys/Giants/Jets/Skins might be worth more (no team is as valuable as the Cowboys). Most sports business people believe the Bears are a sleeping giant in terms of untapped revenue potential.
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Following up to a few points...
Bears are not cheap. I understand where the perception comes from, but they are in no way cheap. Halas was as cheap as they come, after he died and the family took over, they stayed cheap because they could, the run of success and larger than life personalities enabled that.
Can you elaborate on this point? I'd disagree but if there are some facts out there to back this up, I'd have no trouble being wrong.
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A better question would be, why do you think they are cheap? They shell out for free agents...coaches...facilities...scouting staff....
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A better question would be, why do you think they are cheap? They shell out for free agents...coaches...facilities...scouting staff....
They actually don't, which is why I asked.
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They don't? I listed earlier in this thread the free agents they paid for. The coaching staff certainly isn't underpaid. They just built Halas Hall the past decade.
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They don't? I listed earlier in this thread the free agents they paid for. The coaching staff certainly isn't underpaid. They just built Halas Hall the past decade.
No, they don't. They paid Peppers and Cutler. Who else ya got? They have had major weaknesses at WR, o-line and safety for the last several seasons but have made no significant upgrades despite being nearly $20M under the cap. They also didn't want to pay money for a solid back-up QB and it's going to cost them a playoff spot this season. They're 14th overall in team payroll despite being the league's second-biggest market and Lovie is the 10th-highest paid coach. Halas Hall was built in 1997.
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No, they don't. They paid Peppers and Cutler. Who else ya got? They have had major weaknesses at WR, o-line and safety for the last several seasons but have made no significant upgrades despite being nearly $20M under the cap. They also didn't want to pay money for a solid back-up QB and it's going to cost them a playoff spot this season. They're 14th overall in team payroll despite being the league's second-biggest market and Lovie is the 10th-highest paid coach. Halas Hall was built in 1997.
I can understand your frustration, but the points made don't reflect cheapness. When quality players have been available, the Bears have thrown money around. Peppers, Cutler, Chester Taylor (full disclosure, at the time I thought it was a great signing, clearly I was wrong), Colon (Bears offered him the most $ this offseason). When Moose was on the market, they pounced on him. Sometimes things don't workout, some guys they sign just suck, some just don't want to play here. Could they make better decisions? Of course. Are they cheap? I'd say no.
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I agree with Dish here...the Bears WR issues are not due to cheapness. Frankly it is due to them having "issues" identifying talent. If you want the Bears, or any NFL team, to spend a bunch of money on FA talent, you will be like the Eagles.
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...you will be like the Eagles.
Speaking of... Would like to see the Bears go after Desean Jackson.
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Speaking of... Would like to see the Bears go after Desean Jackson.
But see this is what I mean. Would you label the Bears as cheap if they don't go after him?
For the record, I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. The Bears already have a world class returner. As a receiver, he is basically a one trick pony...he's fast. He's small and not a very good route runner. The Bears already have "that guy" - Johnny Knox.
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Were the Bears cheap or smart to not re-sign B. Berrian and let him go to the vikings for millions?
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Being a Packer fan, I find the discussion interesting. Under Thompson's leadership, many a Packer fan has chastised him for being cheap because he did not go after FA's. He has signed Woodson and Picket, but that is the end of the contributor list. Woodson signed, in part, because few others wanted him and the Packers made it work financially at the time.
I have wanted Thompson to go after FA's, but more selectively. But, I know there is a risk. The Packers have been burned (see Joe Johnson) almost as many times as they have come out ahead. Thompson's philosophy is to draft well and develop from within. It has worked, but they have pretty solid scouts.
The problem is not spending for the Bears. As Sultan mentioned, it is scouting and developing. The Bears have made more of a splash in FA than the Packers. It is the other picks/players that they need to be better at.
That said, the Bears were in the NFC Championship last year. Until both Cutler and Forte went out, they were likely the top Wild Card team. They must be doing something right. ;)
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Sultan,
If they didn't I wouldn't consider them cheap. And honestly I would rather see the dollars go to OL, (given time to think about it). Although the line was playing better before Williams got hurt, and Carimi is still an unknown. <End of incoherent rambling>
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If anything, the Bears spending has made them/kept them competitive and made up for very poor drafting.
I know this isn't the NFC North thread, but this Bears/Seahawks game is completely unwatchable. I've watched more Packers/Chiefs than Bears today.
Odd effort from the Pack so far today. You could tell early without Jennings, they seemed in a funk. As I type this Sherrod is carted off (has to be done). If I was a Pack fan at this point (assuming Chiefs hold on), I'd start thinking about Rodgers just playing a half next week and against the Lions. That offensive line is really beaten up right now.
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Onside kick made zero sense, surprised McCarthy went that route.
McCown or Enderlee both must secretly be crippled, because I don't know how they can worse than Hanie. I'd like to apologize to all NFL fans who have to watch this Bears offense on Christmas night. Only hope Bears have is if they can beat up Rodgers.
Kudos to the Chiefs, they really outplayed the Packers all day today.
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Coach McCarthy was NOT at the top of his game today. Ugh!
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Onside kick made zero sense, surprised McCarthy went that route.
McCown or Enderlee both must secretly be crippled, because I don't know how they can worse than Hanie. I'd like to apologize to all NFL fans who have to watch this Bears offense on Christmas night. Only hope Bears have is if they can beat up Rodgers.
Kudos to the Chiefs, they really outplayed the Packers all day today.
I think McCarthy saw that his D was dead tired. I don't think he had confidence that they could stop the Chiefs ... and they did not. Otherwise, you are correct, that call made no sense.
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Onside kick made zero sense, surprised McCarthy went that route.
McCown or Enderlee both must secretly be crippled, because I don't know how they can worse than Hanie. I'd like to apologize to all NFL fans who have to watch this Bears offense on Christmas night. Only hope Bears have is if they can beat up Rodgers.
Kudos to the Chiefs, they really outplayed the Packers all day today.
It makes a lot of sense actually. Even after the Chiefs got the onside kick the Packers D KNEW KC would run the ball and they couldn't stop them.
You let your best squad win the game, and the offense has been the best squad all year... except maybe this game. :)
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It makes a lot of sense actually. Even after the Chiefs got the onside kick the Packers D KNEW KC would run the ball and they couldn't stop them.
You let your best squad win the game, and the offense has been the best squad all year... except maybe this game. :)
+1 - The onside kick was absolutely the right call. You have a 35% chance of recovering - why not give yourself that chance?? Particularly with the Green Bay defense being the weak link on the team - plus they were on the field about 35 minutes.
Saw McCarthy's post game comments and he basically said it was the right decision to NOT challenge that play where the Chiefs receiver "fumbled" the ball through the end zone...as he "thought" the foot hit down out of bounds before the fumble occurred. Why not challenge anyway - a huge potential play, essentially the same as a turnover in the red zone..
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Not sure how football logic makes sense to kick onside there. You have 4 time outs at your disposal including the 2 minute warning. Lot more pressure starting at your own 20 instead of your own 40. Doesn't matter though, Green Bay didn't deserve that one today.
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Not sure how football logic makes sense to kick onside there. You have 4 time outs at your disposal including the 2 minute warning. Lot more pressure starting at your own 20 instead of your own 40. Doesn't matter though, Green Bay didn't deserve that one today.
Because McCarthy knew the defense was tired. I think it was the correct call.
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Not sure how football logic makes sense to kick onside there. You have 4 time outs at your disposal including the 2 minute warning. Lot more pressure starting at your own 20 instead of your own 40. Doesn't matter though, Green Bay didn't deserve that one today.
You only get the 2:00 warning if you kick it out of the end zone or a touch back. Any return and they use the 4 seconds up and it is down to 3 TO's.
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You only get the 2:00 warning if you kick it out of the end zone or a touch back. Any return and they use the 4 seconds up and it is down to 3 TO's.
Huh?
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Huh?
Dish said the Packers had 3 TO's, plus the two minute warning. There was 2:04 at the time of the kick off. Clock does not start until the returner begins to return the ball. Should have read "get advantage of the 2:00 minute warning" Does it make sense now?