Monday, Jan. 24, 2011
CSNChicago.com
Urlacher and Briggs back out of Pro Bowl
Bears' linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs will not be participating in the Pro Bowl. Urlacher will be replaced by Washington linebacker London Fletcher.
The Carolina Panthers announced that Jon Beason will take Briggs' place.
It is unknown if Julius Peppers or Devin Hester will participate in the Pro Bowl, (ChicagoBreakingSports).
Peppers, Hester named to AP All-Pro team
Bears defensive end Julius Peppers and kick returner Devin Hester were named to the Associated Press' NFL All-Pro team. The Bears were the only team in the NFC with more than one representative on the team.
NFL
This is the third time both players have been honored. (Chicago Breaking Sports)
Bulls acquiring Rip Hamilton?
Although Rip Hamilton never gets off the bench, the veteran guard willbe dealt by the Feb. 24 trading deadline. Fox Sports Ohio reports that deal could possibly involveDenvers Carmelo Anthony. Chicago, Dallas and Portland are also said tobe in the running for Hamilton. (Fox Sports Ohio)
Cutler and Cavallari eat out after NFC loss
Following the Bears' loss to the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Jay Cutler and girlfriend Kristin Cavallari dined at Mastro's Steakhouse. Cutler was not on crutches at the restaurant, but according to a source, "he limped a tiny bit." Eleven other people joined the quarterback and reality star in Mastro's private upstairs dining room.
Cutler was not the only Bear eating out after the NFC loss. Greg Olsen and J'Marcus Webb had dinner at Hub 51, after which Webb went on to Bull & Bear later that night. Danieal Manning dined at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
Several teammates, including Chester Taylor, Garrett Wolfe, Major Wright, D.J. Moore, Kahlil Bell and Corey Wootton hung out at Lumen in West Town. (Chicago Tribune)
Bears' Idonije finalist for NFL Man of the Year Award
The Bears will not be in the Super Bowl, but Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije is scheduled to be headed to the North Texas area as a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which will be handed out during Super Bowl Week.
It was announced Sunday that Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders, Madieu Williams of the Vikings and Idonije are the top candidates for this year's award, (ChicagoBreakingSports).
Ozzie passed on Jenks for Sale
On the last day of SoxFest 2011, Ozzie guillen said that as the 2010 season drew to a close, he passed on the opportunity to pitch closer Bobby Jenks so he could get a few more looks at the young talented hurler Chris Sale. Guillen said that Jenks told him he was ready to return to action in the last few days of the season.
"In the meanwhile, I wanted to see (Chris) Sale to see if he could handle the situation," Guillen said, "I think (Jenks) was a little upset about it. What's the difference?" (ChicagoBreakingSports)
Shani Davis takes 3rd
Chicago native Shani Davis took third place in the Sprint Speedskating world championships on Sunday. Lee Kyou-hyuk of South Korea finished in first place, with his fellow countryman Mo Tae-Bum finishing second overall. Davis skated well on the final day of the event, winning the 1,000-meter race, but was at a severe disadvantage after finishing a disappointing sixth in the 500-meter event on Saturday.
"He had to skate four solid races this weekend," Davis' coach Peter Mueller said. "If he had skated as well today as he did yesterday he might have had a chance, but Lee is very hard to beat." (USA Today)