I really liked what I saw from Bellamy, but is he even eligible for the Practice Squad? He has played on the 53-man roster for a couple of teams already and been a PS player for parts of two years. I don't know if he is eligible.

 

 

I believe I read that he is eligible for 1 more season if he clears waivers.

Are they actually going to use Holmes at PR if they don't keep Williams?

 

Holmes returned punts yesterday and looked pretty good.

 

 

I think so. Holmes for Punts, Spurlock for KR.

Are they actually going to use Holmes at PR if they don't keep Williams?

 

Holmes returned punts yesterday and looked pretty good.

 

I have a feeling they have Spurlock in that spot until he loses it

I can't believe it's less then a week till the regular season starts.

 

 

Ok, I'm officially agreeing with the NFL Owners that one of these preseason games needs to turn into a regular season game. People still get hurt during these games and they're a complete waste of time.

 

Since sports revenue is driven mostly by TV money these days, here is something the NFL could do that would be radical but would explode their TV money:

 

1) Start the regular season on the Sunday that falls within the range of September 23-29. [This is for a 16 game season, move a week earlier for a 17 game season.]

 

2) The 13th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of December 16-22. Each team will get a bye within the range of weeks 4-10.

 

3) The two weeks after the 13th week are off weeks for all teams. No games.

 

4) The 14th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of January 6-12. The 17th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of January 27-February 2.

 

5) Playoff schedule continues as usual following the end of the regular season, with Super Bowl Sunday falling within the range of March 3-9.

 

6) Eliminate all Thursday games except for Thanksgiving. Add Saturday doubleheaders in Weeks 12-17.

 

Why this helps TV ratings:

 

You move games out of 2-3 weeks in September where ratings suffer because it's still nice weather outside, and 2 weeks in December/January because people are traveling for holidays. You move games into January-February when the weather is too bad to go outside in most parts of the country, plus there aren't many compelling sporting events to compete with.

Since sports revenue is driven mostly by TV money these days, here is something the NFL could do that would be radical but would explode their TV money:

 

1) Start the regular season on the Sunday that falls within the range of September 23-29. [This is for a 16 game season, move a week earlier for a 17 game season.]

 

2) The 13th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of December 16-22. Each team will get a bye within the range of weeks 4-10.

 

3) The two weeks after the 13th week are off weeks for all teams. No games.

 

4) The 14th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of January 6-12. The 17th week of the regular season will include the Sunday that falls within the range of January 27-February 2.

 

5) Playoff schedule continues as usual following the end of the regular season, with Super Bowl Sunday falling within the range of March 3-9.

 

6) Eliminate all Thursday games except for Thanksgiving. Add Saturday doubleheaders in Weeks 12-17.

 

Why this helps TV ratings:

 

You move games out of 2-3 weeks in September where ratings suffer because it's still nice weather outside, and 2 weeks in December/January because people are traveling for holidays. You move games into January-February when the weather is too bad to go outside in most parts of the country, plus there aren't many compelling sporting events to compete with.

 

Yet you are gonna increase the amount of outdoor sporting events happening in those parts of the country?

Also, are TV ratings really an issue in September even if the weather is nice?

Yet you are gonna increase the amount of outdoor sporting events happening in those parts of the country?

 

Yes, but the NFL makes far more on TV money than ticket money, so while it would suck for the fans who go to games, it would be highly profitable.

 

Also, there are those who would prefer sitting outside for 4 hours in a 38 degree day in January over an 88 degree day in September. A minority, but there are some.

Also, are TV ratings really an issue in September even if the weather is nice?

 

Not with the NFL.

 

They can put a game on whenever they want and it will do well.

Also, are TV ratings really an issue in September even if the weather is nice?

 

A little bit. They've already moved the season back 1 week due to poor ratings on Labor Day Weekend. Moving it back more would be even better.

People are busy doing stuff over Labor Day weekend, though. I don't know how many people have big plans for September 8th that would drive down NFL ratings.

People are busy doing stuff over Labor Day weekend, though. I don't know how many people have big plans for September 8th that would drive down NFL ratings.

 

I don't think ratings are bad in September, but I think they would be better in January. Even a 1% difference is a lot of money.

I don't think ratings are bad in September, but I think they would be better in January. Even a 1% difference is a lot of money.

 

The NFL doesn't have to worry about viewership like that though. They have their deals with CBS/NBC/FOX already. So if 1% less people watch on one weekend out of the entire season, I don't think they care much.

 

The networks might, and I guess they could complain, but really the NFL games are the biggest draws out there. They already demand top dollar.

Let's all think back to last winter, and having the Bears play some games in January and February. Terrible idea. I don't want to watch snow football in below zero weather, even if I'm not at the game. I'd rather have a good product out there to watch on TV.

Let's all think back to last winter, and having the Bears play some games in January and February. Terrible idea. I don't want to watch snow football in below zero weather, even if I'm not at the game. I'd rather have a good product out there to watch on TV.

I think you're the only person that doesn't like snow games.

Let's all think back to last winter, and having the Bears play some games in January and February. Terrible idea. I don't want to watch snow football in below zero weather, even if I'm not at the game. I'd rather have a good product out there to watch on TV.

 

Couldn't disagree more. The best weekend of football last year was watching 5 white-out games at once (Sunday Ticket woo!). Don't give me that "perfect conditions" nonsense. The WORST games are easily dome games. By far. About as stale as a viewing experience as you can get.

 

Give me crazy weather. The crazier the better. It's memorable, it's nostalgic and it's fun.

The NFL doesn't have to worry about viewership like that though. They have their deals with CBS/NBC/FOX already. So if 1% less people watch on one weekend out of the entire season, I don't think they care much.

 

The networks might, and I guess they could complain, but really the NFL games are the biggest draws out there. They already demand top dollar.

 

A 1% average increase in viewership over 3-4 weeks pushes the price even higher the next time negotiations come around.

Brad Biggs predictions on the Bears roster

Can you post it? Can't read it on mobile.

Running back (4): Matt Forte, Ka’Deem Carey, Shaun Draughn, Tony Fiammetta

 

Bubble guy: Senorise Perry

 

Wide receiver (6): Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson, Santonio Holmes, Josh Morgan, Micheal Spurlock

 

Bubble guys: Chris Williams, Jay Bellamy

 

Tight end (3): Martellus Bennett, Dante Rosario, Matthew Mulligan

 

Offensive line (9): Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slauson, Roberto Garza, Kyle Long, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola, Brian de la Puente, Eben Britton, Charles Leno

 

Bubble guys: Dennis Roland, Taylor Boggs

 

Defensive line (10): Jared Allen, Jeremiah Ratliff, Stephen Paea, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, Trevor Scott, Ego Ferguson, Will Sutton, David Bass, Cornelius Washington

 

Bubble guy: Austen Lane

 

 

Linebacker (7) : Lance Briggs, D.J. Williams, Shea McClellin, Jon Bostic, Khaseem Greene, Jerry Franklin, Christian Jones.

 

 

Cornerback (5): Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, Kyle Fuller, Sherrick McManis, Kelvin Hayden

 

Bubble guys: Al Louis-Jean, Demontre Hurst

 

Safety (4): Ryan Mundy, Chris Conte, Danny McCray, Brock Vereen

 

 

Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Pat O’Donnell, Brandon Hartson

 

 

 

 

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 6m

 

#Bears have informed local product and NIU standout Jordan Lynch he will be placed on waivers.

...for the purposed of placing him on the practice squad.

What kind of money do guys on the practice squad make? Anything at all?

What kind of money do guys on the practice squad make? Anything at all?

Link

Salary

 

Practice squad players earn significantly less than players on the active roster, but they still take home a solid weekly paycheck. NFL practice squad players make a minimum of $6,000 per week they are on the practice squad. There is no limit to how much a team can pay a player on the practice squad. Some will offer a higher weekly salary in order to entice better players to sign, although the practice squad contracts do count against the salary cap.

 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have paid practice squad players significantly more in recent seasons. In 2010, Tampa Bay offered wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe a contract worth equivalent to the minimum salary to entice him to sign to its practice squad.

 

If a player remains on the practice squad for an entire regular season, he would earn $102,000. A player with less than one accrued season on the active roster would earn a minimum salary of $405,000.

Bears are placig Wilson on the "IR-designated to return" list

Bears are placig Wilson on the "IR-designated to return" list

That's so risky to me. I love Wilson, but he is not an integral player to this year's success. Meanwhile, if Cutty gets hurt again, god forbid Forte or someone else who is integral, we could be in a huge bind.

 

I would have rather waited to use the designated-to-return (or just not used it at all).