My Friends,

 

Somewhat lost in the excitement of the return of the NFL is the fact that we’re smack dab in the middle of packer week. It seems like only yesterday that we last left the Bears here, as they were showing off their new NFC North Champion caps while the local fans trudged off into the darkness to morosely consume their Christmas beast.

But Sunday is a new season, one in which the Bears return all 22 of their starters and have added key backups to their roster through the draft and free agency. The defending cellar dweller to the north, on the other hand, has spent its time burping and feeding the 14 rookies on their squad and getting used to Mike McCarthy, their new head coach.

Among the casualties of McCarthy’s wholesale roster purge was Najeh Davenport, whose packer career finally crapped out. The reason Davenport was dumped, according to GM Ted Thompson, was his inability to stay healthy during his four years in green bay. Maybe a change of laundry will help get his slate wiped clean.

One guy who did survive was their veteran quarterback, some say the consummate team guy, who whined last season that he didn’t wanna hafta come back and learn a whole new offensive system while the team was in rebuilding mode. But he decided to suck it up and play after keeping the packers wondering almost a full month past the start of the free agent signing period. At the press conference announcing his decision to return he said, “my desire and my commitment is why I’m here,” and I believe him. That is, his desire to pick up his $3 million roster bonus and his sixteen game checks worth $625,000 each and his commitment to see them cashed. And that’s a good thing for the Bears, with whom he connected for six interceptions and two touchdowns last year while also losing two fumbles.

And things are going to get harder for him before they get better, as the line charged with keeping a swarming Bears line away sports rookies at both of the guard spots. Tommie Harris, come on down!

It’s opening day at Curly’s Place, and they’ll be commemorating the tenth anniversary of their quarterback’s only Super Bowl ring with a special pregame ceremony. Also, they’ll be unveiling a spot on the façade of their silo boxes with the name of Reggie White, who was recently enshrined in the Hall of Fame. It’s fitting that the packers chose the east side for this honor, as the packer faithful will rise as one and face the direction of the city where Reggie retired.

I can’t wait for the Bears to spoil their party, much like the packers did on those Monday nights when the Bears honored Butkus, Sayers and Hampton.

Have a nice drive home.

LBF

9/7/2006