Since 2004, the honor of playing the opening game of the season goes to the Super Bowl champions. The Patriots should have been the hosts, but nothing better to mark a century of NFL than to entrust the scene to two sworn enemies who have disbanded since 1921.
The two franchises with rich history came to blows 198 times. The Packers show a slight advantage in the venerable series with a record of 97-95-6. Tighter than that …
The Bears, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary, will see many of their old glories in town throughout the week, reminding them that it is now their responsibility to build their own legacy.
"This word is often used in different teams, but especially here this year as part of the team's 100th anniversary. We must create our own identity. We want to have another great season, and the best way is to start by winning the first game, "said Nagy, who was named coach of the year last season after the North Division title and a 12-4 for his Bears.
The moment seems so wide in Chicago that even the players do not try to slip behind the most banal clichés to make believe that this season does not have a particular cachet.
"I feel a bit like the ball just hit the goalpost (on the failed punt that eliminated the Bears in the playoffs) and after we slammed our fingers, we ended up here! It all came out quickly and we are excited to leave, "smiled guard Kyle Long.
"It's extremely special to be part of this moment of celebration with so many legends of Bears history. We are fortunate to continue the long tradition of excellence of this team. We feel privileged, "he added.
A concentrated quarterback
Despite the hundred candles that the Bears are blowing this season, there is always a first for everything. The centennial celebrations ensure that the club, on whom expectations are high, will play for the first time in its long history an opening game on a Thursday night.
In all the frenzy that surrounds this mythical kickoff, if there is one player who can not afford to be carried away by the magnitude of the moment, it is the general of the offensive, the quarter- back Mitchell Trubisky.
"There is a lot of noise about the 100th anniversary and other historical elements, but for us, the reality is that it does not matter. We have a job to do.
"If you get caught up in the madness of the moment, the adrenaline rises and you risk not just doing the job that is expected of you. You really have to turn a blind eye to everything around this game and remain relaxed as if it were a normal match, without all this fanfare, "said the third-year player.
Last season, September 9, the Bears sabotaged a 20-0 lead in the third quarter to lose 24-23 to the Packers after Aaron Rodgers' small miracles. They had savored their revenge in December, but have only won one of their last six games and only three of their last 18 against the cheese heads.
The oldest franchises of the NFL
1 • Arizona Cardinals
(Originally Chicago, St. Louis and Phoenix)
- Seasons in the NFL: 100
(Originally Staleys of Decatur)
- Seasons in the NFL: 100
3 • Green Bay Packers
(Oldest franchise that has never changed city)
(Originally Portsmouth Spartans)
No place for Betts in the training team
QMI Agency Photo, JIM YOUNG
Mathieu Betts had to make a final cross on the Bears Sunday.
Cut off Friday of the regular roster, Montreal's Mathieu Betts officially saw his adventure with the Bears come to an end on good Sunday when the team did not retain his services either in the training team.
For example, the one who became the first player in history to win three consecutive JP Metras Trophies for the best university defensive lineman in the country failed to convince the Bears that he deserved to be developed. in their lap.
The organization began this weekend with numerous deletions to comply with the regulatory alignment of 53 players.
Ignored by the other run-off teams, Betts could have returned to Chicago via the practice team, but he was not among the ten names.
"I'm not familiar with the level of football in Canada, but what I saw of him here is a guy who gave everything in the field and who broke up in four every day to carve a post. It's very difficult to make a place in this league and all you need is to get a chance. It's not easy, "reacted star cornerback Kyle Fuller, when The newspaper spoke to him.
In all spheres of activity in the world of work, inevitable unpleasant moments occur. In the NFL, elimination day is part of the story.
"It's always hard to free a player, no matter who it is. In the last few months, we have built relationships with these guys. We are a team with a lot of depth and it is not because these players are no longer with us that it was easy to let them go, "explained head coach Matt Nagy, without targeting specific names. .
"It's the worst part of our sport," quarterback Mitchell Trubisky said. We saw all these guys working very hard to get their place. We would like everyone to stay, but that's not realistic. I hope that all those who have been released will be successful elsewhere. "
Unless another NFL team gives Betts some sign of life in the days to come, his future in professional football is clearly going through the Canadian League, with the Edmonton Eskimos.
The former Red and Gold defensive end, who trained as an outside linebacker with the Bears, was the third overall pick in the last draft in the CFL.
For the moment, Betts has not commented on his experience in Chicago or the subsequent events.
Source link
https://www.journaldequebec.com/2019/09/02/prets-pour-un-100e-botte-denvoi
