Author Archives: Tom Shannon

The Horizontal Draft Approach and How Teams Don’t Pick the Best Available Player

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Armando Salguero at the Miami Herald says that, though all general managers say they are taking the best available player, many are  actually drafting horizontally and not vertically: “Drafting horizontally basically means the Dolphins want to give themselves space to … Continue reading →

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Bear Played It Safe with D.J. Williams

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Well, financially at least. ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Siefert gives the specifics of D.J. Williams‘ contract: The contract does not include any guaranteed money. Williams’ base salary is $900,000, and there are two sets of roster bonuses that will pay him $23,437 … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bears | 3 Comments

Will We See More Zone Blitz from the Bears in 2013?

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

While reading this interesting article from Andy Benoit at ESPN, on NFL teams and their “pillar needs”, the comments regarding the Cincinnati Bengals and their need for athletic defensive linemen caught me eye: “A critical component of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s scheme, … Continue reading →

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The Kansas City Chiefs Make a Special Announcement

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

The Sports Pickle “reports” that one team has made a progressive announcement: The Kansas City Chiefs bravely stepped forward today and announced they are gay, becoming the first team in major professional sports to come out as homosexual. I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers | Leave a comment

Nawrocki Evaluates the Bears 2012 Draft

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Nolan Nawrocki at Pro Football Weekly reviews the Bears 2012 draft: “Far from a great debut for GM Phil Emery’s first draft class, but it’s too soon to call it a failure.” The pick that kills this draft? Brandon Hardin … Continue reading →

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Dan Pompei’s Mock Draft Has the Bears in a Good Position

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Dan Pompei‘s mock draft at the Chicago Tribune works out well for the Bears: 20. Bears: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia. If he makes it this far, Ogletree seems like an easy pick. A trade down remains a viable possibility, as the Bears … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bears, NFL Draft | 1 Comment

Nolan Nawrocki Rips Geno Smith

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

It the time of year when everyone, including me, starts paying more attention to player scouting reports and this one by Nolan Nawrocki at Pro Football Weekly reads like a bad movie review: Started the season red-hot with the help of two … Continue reading →

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A Bit of a Reboot

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tom Shannon

I took some time off from writing this blog in part because its a slow time for the NFL and in part because I wanted to think about how I was writing it. I have a suspicion that people didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bears | 1 Comment

Mike Singletary Gets HIs Due and Other Points of View

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Bears NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock tells Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune some truth: “‘Football players win football games,’ Mayock said. ‘If you’re in the first round … and you’ve got a guard that is rated as the 11th-best … Continue reading →

Posted in Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Points of View, San Francisco 49ers | Leave a comment

The Smallest Actions Are the Most Revealing

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Tom Shannon

Jared S. Hopkins catches up with Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall in a little article for the Chicago Tribune. Marshall’s response to a question about setting franchise records for receptions and yards was interesting: “‘It was OK,’ he said. ‘My No. 1 goal (is) to be … Continue reading →

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