Bears-Skins Game Might Be Moved

[Guitarzan-54]

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.''

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''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.

.