Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved

Guitarzan-54 · 11-29-2007, 05:37 PM

I don't know if you guys already know this. But, I thought I'd drop a line.

Bears-Skins game might be moved
Taylor's funeral Monday would make for short week before Thursday matchup

November 29, 2007
BY MIKE MULLIGAN mmulligan@suntimes.com

The Bears would be agreeable to moving their game next Thursday at Washington to Dec. 8, 9 or 10 if the Redskins petition the league to do so after the shooting death of safety Sean Taylor, Bears coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday.

No such petition has been filed, a league source said, but the Redskins have looked into the feasibility of such a move.

The Redskins host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, then plan to fly the entire organization to Miami early Monday for Taylor's funeral services, which begin at 11 a.m. at Florida International University. The Redskins have only one Tuesday practice scheduled before hosting the Bears on Thursday night.

''In situations like this, you want the league to do what is best for everybody concerned,'' Smith said. ''I understand what the Redskins are going through right now. We are team players. We will do whatever the league thinks is appropriate.''

A league source said it's unlikely the game could be moved because of problems securing hotel rooms for both teams. There are also TV considerations because the game is airing on the NFL Network, and the league would be competing with its network TV partners if it were moved to Sunday or Monday.

''Whatever the Redskins think is best in this situation, we'll do,'' Bears center Olin Kreutz said. ''Whatever they need in Washington ... we understand.''

Smith addressed Taylor's shooting death during a team meeting Wednesday, then talked individually to friends of Taylor, including former college teammates Devin Hester and Greg Olsen. Smith said Hester was ''extremely close'' to Taylor at the University of Miami, and Hester declined to speak with the media despite being honored as NFC special-teams player of the week for his performance against the Denver Broncos.

Olsen said he was kept up to date on Taylor's condition by their agent, Miami-based Drew Rosenhaus, who was at the hospital late Monday. Olsen awoke Tuesday to find a text message from Hester informing him Taylor had died.

Bears kick returner Devin Hester, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, would not comment on the loss of his former University of Miami teammate Wednesday because he was still too distraught.

"They lost a member of their family," coach Lovie Smith said. "I know Devin Hester is one of the guys on our team that he was extremely close to, as are all Miami guys. They seem like they are one big family."

''It's sickening,'' Olsen said of reports about the circumstances of Taylor's death.

Taylor was at home with his girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, and their 18-month-old daughter when one or more intruders broke into the home, kicked down a door and shot Taylor in the groin, severing his femoral artery.

Olsen said he also knew Garcia, the niece of actor Andy Garcia and a former women's soccer player at Miami. Olsen said he has talked with many former teammates and hopes to attend the funeral.

''If there is any chance we can make it, we'll try to get down there just because we feel it is important that all of the guys who played with him and knew him go there and show their respect,'' Olsen said.

Smith said Hester, Olsen and any other Bears players who wish to attend the services Monday have his permission to go.

''As a general rule, any time there is something family-related that our players need to take care of, they can do that,'' Smith said. ''No questions asked. Period.

''Any of our players that need to go down there, that want to, they have my blessing.''

************************************************** ********

''Whatever the Redskins think is best in this situation, we'll do,'' Bears center Olin Kreutz said. ''Whatever they need in Washington ... we understand.''

KUDOS.

As I had hoped, it appears that the BEARS are not going to take advantage of the SKINS by practicing on Monday.
And, instead....will be there with them.

As it should be.

.

firstdown · 11-29-2007, 05:42 PM

I think that is a very nice of the Bear organization and shows allot of class but I just don't think its going to happen. I could see moving it to Friday or Saturday night but I'm not sure if the NFL has agreements with college football not to air games on these night until the playoffs. I'm not sure what one night would even do to help.

CanadianSkin · 11-29-2007, 05:51 PM

That is really nice of the organization to say they will do this. But as I said in another thread I really hope this is not the case as I am coming in from Calgary with my dad to watch the game and we are both looking forward to it. I know this is a tough time, but I think with the Bears players also going to the funeral both teams are going to have the same amount of time to prepare for this game.

SmootSmack · 11-29-2007, 05:47 PM

I like that they won't be practicing on Monday. I don't think though there was ever really a question of whether the Bears would agree to it. The quesiton is if it can actually be pulled off.

SmootSmack · 11-29-2007, 05:55 PM

This is from JLC's blog this afternoon on washingtonpost.com

Posted at 4:26 PM ET, 11/29/2007
NFL Says No Change To Thursday Game/Redskins Say Same Thing (UPDATED)
Just got off the phone with Greg Aiello, Senior VP of Communications for the NFL, who says that to the best of his knowledge there has never been one discussion about moving next Thursday's game between the Redskins and Bears. It has garnered no consideration.

Aiello said the NFL has not been contacted by either team regarding moving the game, there have been no internal discussions at the league office about it, yet he hears the same constant rumors and speculation we all do about this topic. Aiello says the only precedent for moving games in the past that he could immediately recall dealt with earthquakes and the Katrina situation with the Saints last year, obviously, and the league has always operated in this case as if next week's schedule would proceed as normal.

"I have not heard any discussion of any of it," Aiello said. "We haven't been contacted about it, not that I am aware of. There's nothing to it. No one here has heard about it. It's just some rumor that won't go away, but there is nothing to it."

Again, perhaps, at some point the Redskins could contact the league about this, but no one at the NFL office is expecting it at this point. We're now a week away from that game and if the Redskins have not petitioned for a schedule change at this point, then it's hard to see it happening.

Jason Reid is checking with the Redskins to make sure that by chance they have not called the league within the last few hours to ask to move the game, so I'll post whatever feedback he gets, but this appears to be a moot issue.

UPDATE: Chris Helein, head of Skins PR, said the Redskins have not asked to change the game and have no plans to ask the league to change the game. So, finally, this should be resolved once and for all

CanadianSkin · 11-29-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

This is from JLC's blog this afternoon on washingtonpost.com

Posted at 4:26 PM ET, 11/29/2007
NFL Says No Change To Thursday Game/Redskins Say Same Thing (UPDATED)
Just got off the phone with Greg Aiello, Senior VP of Communications for the NFL, who says that to the best of his knowledge there has never been one discussion about moving next Thursday's game between the Redskins and Bears. It has garnered no consideration.

Aiello said the NFL has not been contacted by either team regarding moving the game, there have been no internal discussions at the league office about it, yet he hears the same constant rumors and speculation we all do about this topic. Aiello says the only precedent for moving games in the past that he could immediately recall dealt with earthquakes and the Katrina situation with the Saints last year, obviously, and the league has always operated in this case as if next week's schedule would proceed as normal.

"I have not heard any discussion of any of it," Aiello said. "We haven't been contacted about it, not that I am aware of. There's nothing to it. No one here has heard about it. It's just some rumor that won't go away, but there is nothing to it."

Again, perhaps, at some point the Redskins could contact the league about this, but no one at the NFL office is expecting it at this point. We're now a week away from that game and if the Redskins have not petitioned for a schedule change at this point, then it's hard to see it happening.

Jason Reid is checking with the Redskins to make sure that by chance they have not called the league within the last few hours to ask to move the game, so I'll post whatever feedback he gets, but this appears to be a moot issue.

UPDATE: Chris Helein, head of Skins PR, said the Redskins have not asked to change the game and have no plans to ask the league to change the game. So, finally, this should be resolved once and for all

Thanks SS, it put my mind to rest about this. Like I said, I feel for the team and Sean, but I really hope this game stays as put cause this is going to be my second time coming to FedEx (Did it last year with my Brother for the Falcons game), only this time with my Dad who is a Bears fan (and actually the reason I became a Skins fan, thanks to me winning my $5 allowance when the Skins beat the bears in the '87 playoffs). We are both really excited about the game. I hope they have 21 jerseys still available that day cause I would like to buy one to honor one of the greatest football players I have even had the privledge to see play the game.

HAIL!

Ocliw · 11-29-2007, 05:57 PM

Very classy Bears organization.

MTK · 11-29-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocliw

Very classy Bears organization.

Yes indeed

skinsfan_nn · 11-29-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocliw

Very classy Bears organization.

Simple as that. Not much more to add to this one.

redskinsfanatic · 11-29-2007, 06:10 PM

i'd expect nothing less from the bears,they have always been a classy team.
i do'nt see why the game can't be moved to saturday?

Redskins247 · 11-29-2007, 06:40 PM

Michael Wilbon just said on PTI that the NFL is a joke if they don't move the game to another night for the Redskins, especially after the Bears said they would be fine with it. He said their excuses about hotel rooms and all is an absolute joke!!!

jgalecpa · 11-29-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redskins247

Michael Wilbon just said on PTI that the NFL is a joke if they don't move the game to another night for the Redskins, especially after the Bears said they would be fine with it. He said their excuses about hotel rooms and all is an absolute joke!!!

Michael Wilbon is the Joke.

The Bears are classy for the offer, but keep the game where it is.

My brother-in-law is flying up from florida to see his first skins game in 20 years.

He doesn't have much money, and I'm spotting him the Tix. He's had to take two days off work and pay the airfare.

Play it for the fans.

There are 50,000 other stories like that, I'm sure.

Play it for Sean.

J-Dawg

Frost · 11-29-2007, 07:34 PM

I didnt know Sean's gf is Andy garcia's niece.. does anyone have a picture of her?

Guitarzan-54 · 11-30-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frost

I didnt know Sean's gf is Andy garcia's niece.. does anyone have a picture of her?

BEAUTIFUL GIRL!!!

.

Cowell · 11-29-2007, 08:10 PM

I agree that this is an extremely classy move by the Bears. I don't think it's right though to change the date when I'm sure that many people have already take that time off of work and wouldn't be able to change it, or have plans that can't be changed. It's a good idea but not fair to the fans.

11-29-2007, 05:37 PM	#1
Guitarzan-54 Camp Scrub Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31	Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved I don't know if you guys already know this. But, I thought I'd drop a line. Bears-Skins game might be moved Taylor's funeral Monday would make for short week before Thursday matchup November 29, 2007 BY MIKE MULLIGAN mmulligan@suntimes.com The Bears would be agreeable to moving their game next Thursday at Washington to Dec. 8, 9 or 10 if the Redskins petition the league to do so after the shooting death of safety Sean Taylor, Bears coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday. No such petition has been filed, a league source said, but the Redskins have looked into the feasibility of such a move. The Redskins host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, then plan to fly the entire organization to Miami early Monday for Taylor's funeral services, which begin at 11 a.m. at Florida International University. The Redskins have only one Tuesday practice scheduled before hosting the Bears on Thursday night. ''In situations like this, you want the league to do what is best for everybody concerned,'' Smith said. ''I understand what the Redskins are going through right now. We are team players. We will do whatever the league thinks is appropriate.'' A league source said it's unlikely the game could be moved because of problems securing hotel rooms for both teams. There are also TV considerations because the game is airing on the NFL Network, and the league would be competing with its network TV partners if it were moved to Sunday or Monday. ''Whatever the Redskins think is best in this situation, we'll do,'' Bears center Olin Kreutz said. ''Whatever they need in Washington ... we understand.'' Smith addressed Taylor's shooting death during a team meeting Wednesday, then talked individually to friends of Taylor, including former college teammates Devin Hester and Greg Olsen. Smith said Hester was ''extremely close'' to Taylor at the University of Miami, and Hester declined to speak with the media despite being honored as NFC special-teams player of the week for his performance against the Denver Broncos. Olsen said he was kept up to date on Taylor's condition by their agent, Miami-based Drew Rosenhaus, who was at the hospital late Monday. Olsen awoke Tuesday to find a text message from Hester informing him Taylor had died. Bears kick returner Devin Hester, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, would not comment on the loss of his former University of Miami teammate Wednesday because he was still too distraught. "They lost a member of their family," coach Lovie Smith said. "I know Devin Hester is one of the guys on our team that he was extremely close to, as are all Miami guys. They seem like they are one big family." ''It's sickening,'' Olsen said of reports about the circumstances of Taylor's death. Taylor was at home with his girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, and their 18-month-old daughter when one or more intruders broke into the home, kicked down a door and shot Taylor in the groin, severing his femoral artery. Olsen said he also knew Garcia, the niece of actor Andy Garcia and a former women's soccer player at Miami. Olsen said he has talked with many former teammates and hopes to attend the funeral. ''If there is any chance we can make it, we'll try to get down there just because we feel it is important that all of the guys who played with him and knew him go there and show their respect,'' Olsen said. Smith said Hester, Olsen and any other Bears players who wish to attend the services Monday have his permission to go. ''As a general rule, any time there is something family-related that our players need to take care of, they can do that,'' Smith said. ''No questions asked. Period. ''Any of our players that need to go down there, that want to, they have my blessing.'' ************************************************ **** ''Whatever the Redskins think is best in this situation, we'll do,'' Bears center Olin Kreutz said. ''Whatever they need in Washington ... we understand.''** KUDOS. As I had hoped, it appears that the BEARS are not going to take advantage of the SKINS by practicing on Monday. And, instead....will be there with them. As it should be. . __________________ -- "FOREVER 21" --

11-29-2007, 05:42 PM	#2
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved I think that is a very nice of the Bear organization and shows allot of class but I just don't think its going to happen. I could see moving it to Friday or Saturday night but I'm not sure if the NFL has agreements with college football not to air games on these night until the playoffs. I'm not sure what one night would even do to help.

11-29-2007, 05:51 PM	#3
CanadianSkin Special Teams Join Date: May 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 48 Posts: 226	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved That is really nice of the organization to say they will do this. But as I said in another thread I really hope this is not the case as I am coming in from Calgary with my dad to watch the game and we are both looking forward to it. I know this is a tough time, but I think with the Bears players also going to the funeral both teams are going to have the same amount of time to prepare for this game. __________________ HTTR from North of the 49th!!!!! Two things I love.... Canada and the Redskins!!!!

11-29-2007, 05:47 PM	#4
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved I like that they won't be practicing on Monday. I don't think though there was ever really a question of whether the Bears would agree to it. The quesiton is if it can actually be pulled off. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

11-29-2007, 05:55 PM	#5
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved This is from JLC's blog this afternoon on washingtonpost.com Posted at 4:26 PM ET, 11/29/2007 NFL Says No Change To Thursday Game/Redskins Say Same Thing (UPDATED) Just got off the phone with Greg Aiello, Senior VP of Communications for the NFL, who says that to the best of his knowledge there has never been one discussion about moving next Thursday's game between the Redskins and Bears. It has garnered no consideration. Aiello said the NFL has not been contacted by either team regarding moving the game, there have been no internal discussions at the league office about it, yet he hears the same constant rumors and speculation we all do about this topic. Aiello says the only precedent for moving games in the past that he could immediately recall dealt with earthquakes and the Katrina situation with the Saints last year, obviously, and the league has always operated in this case as if next week's schedule would proceed as normal. "I have not heard any discussion of any of it," Aiello said. "We haven't been contacted about it, not that I am aware of. There's nothing to it. No one here has heard about it. It's just some rumor that won't go away, but there is nothing to it." Again, perhaps, at some point the Redskins could contact the league about this, but no one at the NFL office is expecting it at this point. We're now a week away from that game and if the Redskins have not petitioned for a schedule change at this point, then it's hard to see it happening. Jason Reid is checking with the Redskins to make sure that by chance they have not called the league within the last few hours to ask to move the game, so I'll post whatever feedback he gets, but this appears to be a moot issue. UPDATE: Chris Helein, head of Skins PR, said the Redskins have not asked to change the game and have no plans to ask the league to change the game. So, finally, this should be resolved once and for all __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

11-29-2007, 05:57 PM	#7
Ocliw Special Teams Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NC Age: 57 Posts: 253	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved Very classy Bears organization.

11-29-2007, 06:10 PM	#10
redskinsfanatic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 542	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved i'd expect nothing less from the bears,they have always been a classy team. i do'nt see why the game can't be moved to saturday?

11-29-2007, 06:40 PM	#11
Redskins247 Impact Rookie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 873	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved Michael Wilbon just said on PTI that the NFL is a joke if they don't move the game to another night for the Redskins, especially after the Bears said they would be fine with it. He said their excuses about hotel rooms and all is an absolute joke!!!

11-29-2007, 07:34 PM	#13
Frost Special Teams Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Burke, VA Age: 42 Posts: 285	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved I didnt know Sean's gf is Andy garcia's niece.. does anyone have a picture of her? __________________ "He can run like Jerry Rice and hit like Night Train Lane" 21

11-29-2007, 08:10 PM	#15
Cowell Impact Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bluffton, South Carolina Posts: 803	Re: Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved I agree that this is an extremely classy move by the Bears. I don't think it's right though to change the date when I'm sure that many people have already take that time off of work and wouldn't be able to change it, or have plans that can't be changed. It's a good idea but not fair to the fans.

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