Tag: Mike Ditka

Saints had their worst offensive performance in a win since Mike Ditka was their coach

The Saints did beat the Panthers, but it was their worst offensive performance in a win since Mike Ditka was their coach:

The New Orleans Saints had their struggles against the Carolina Panthers but were able to sneak away with a victory. You could tell it was an ordeal for them to move the ball simply based on the eye test. Numbers really put the struggles into perspective, however.

And here’s a telling stat from NFL Research: the Saints ended the game with a mere 207 total yards, the lowest total yardage in a victory since their 1997 win over the Seattle Seahawks. That was 26 years ago, when Mike Ditka was their head coach.

Now 207 total yards is low, period, but most times it would lead to losses.  Since the NFL merger in 1970, teams are 25-175 when gaining fewer than 207 yards. This season, New Orleans has only amassed fewer than 207 yards once, against the Buccaneers, when the offense totaled 197 yards and 9 points.

As much as Derek Carr has been criticized, he passed for more than 207 yards in nearly every game he hasn’t left due to injury. That should put the Week 14 struggles into perspective. This was a bad performance that luckily resulted in a victory. Carr and the Saints must improve if they’re going to beat better opponents than the one-win Panthers.

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Bears legend Mike Ditka featured in new episode of ‘Peyton’s Places’ from Omaha Productions

Happy National Tight Ends Day! Celebrate with a new episode of “Peyton’s Places” featuring Bears legend Mike Ditka.

Did you know today is National Tight Ends Day?

For those unaware, National Tight Ends Day is an unofficial holiday established by 49ers star George Kittle that celebrates one of the most underrated positions in the NFL — tight ends. It’s observed on the fourth Sunday in October, which just happens to be today — Oct. 22, 2023.

While many know Mike Ditka as the outspoken head coach of the 1985 Bears, he first made his mark as a player in Chicago. Ditka is credited with revolutionizing the tight end position as we know it as today.

During his six-year stint with the Bears, Ditka was named to five Pro Bowls and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro. He averaged 52.6 receptions, 750.5 yards and 5.6 touchdowns with Chicago from 1961 to 1965. Ditka, considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history, was also the first tight end named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

So it’s only fitting that it in a brand new tight-end centric episode of ESPN+ and Omaha Productions’ Peyton’s Places that Ditka is among those featured. In the episode, aptly titled “National Tight Ends Day,” Hall of Famer Peyton Manning chats with some of the greatest to ever play the position — Ditka, Chargers great Kellen Winslow and 49ers star George Kittle.

A new episode of Peyton’s Places is now available to stream on ESPN+.

Eagles’ regular season countdown: Every player to wear No. 98 for Philadelphia

With Eagles training camp less than 100 days away, we’re looking at every player to wear the No. 98 for Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their 2023 regular season against the New England Patriots on Sept. 10, now 90 days away.

From now until the start of the season, we’ll be counting down each day by revisiting the players who have worn that specific jersey number.

No. 98 is currently worn by first-round pick Jalen Carter, who will be a key rotational piece and star at the defensive tackle position.

There have been some memorable players to don the number, including legendary Bears head coach Mike Ditka.

With 90 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to ever wear No. 98 for the Eagles (via Pro Football Reference):

Jason Sudeikis says Ted Lasso look was inspired by Bears legend Mike Ditka

Bears legend Mike Ditka inspired Ted Lasso’s look: “The shades, the short polyester shorts and the mustache was very much Ditka.”

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Former Bears coach Mike Ditka has been an integral part of sports pop culture with his signature mustache and shades, as well as his outrageous personality. He was part of the inspiration behind one of television’s most beloved characters.

“Ted Lasso” creator and star Jason Sudeikis revealed on a recent episode of “Hot Ones” that the former Bears legend was the inspiration for Lasso’s look in the show.

“The look was kind of inspired by Mike Ditka,” Sudeikis said. “You know, the shades, the short polyester shorts and the mustache was very much Ditka.”

Mike Powell /Allsport

But that’s where the inspiration ends. Lasso and Ditka couldn’t be more different. While Ditka was outspoken and at times crass, Lasso is exceedingly positive and optimistic.

Sudeikis explained that Lasso is a combination of different mentors throughout the course of his life, especially his Missouri high school basketball coach Donnie Campbell.

“He would do those little turns of phrases like Ted does,” Sudeikis said. “I always loved those things. He was also the one who introduced myself and my teammates to John Wooden.”

Even decades later, Ditka remains an important figure in sports pop culture.

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10 best first round picks in Chicago Bears history

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in franchise history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers.

The Chicago Bears have had some memorable — and Hall of Fame — first-round picks during their storied 102-year history, with linebacker Brian Urlacher being the most recent.

Chicago hasn’t had much success in the first round in recent history — whether it was during the Jerry Angelo, Phil Emery or Ryan Pace eras. The hope is that changes with quarterback Justin Fields, who was the team’s last first-round pick in 2021.

After not having a first-round selection in three of the last four years, the Bears will pick in the top 10 in the 2023 NFL draft. They traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for two first-round picks, two second-round selections and wide receiver DJ Moore.

But Chicago does have the No. 9 pick — which will be Ryan Poles’ first-ever first-round selection — something that worked out well for the franchise back in 2000.

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in team history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers:

5 worst head coaches in New Orleans Saints franchise history

Dennis Allen has his faults, but he’s a far cry from the 5 worst head coaches in New Orleans Saints franchise history:

Ask around and you’ll find some New Orleans Saints fans who are ready to call Dennis Allen the worst head coach in franchise history, which is a bit shortsighted. It’s very shortsighted, actually. Allen has his faults and the team wasn’t as competitive as it should have been last year because of his flaws as a coach and too-conservative game management, but he’s far from the worst coach to wear a headset in New Orleans. Anyone saying otherwise needs some perspective.

We’re only considering coaches who managed at least 15 games for New Orleans, which eliminates interims like Joe Vitt (10 games), Rick Venturi (8), and Wade Phillips (4). Some fans will be quick to suggest also-rans like Bum Phillips and Dick Nolan as the worst coaches in team history, but we believe these men take the cake. Do you agree with our list?

How badly do Rivera and Washington ‘need’ a quarterback?

Head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew haven’t been shy about Washington’s intentions to upgrade the quarterback position.

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This evening I read some guy tweeting that the Washington Commanders had offered the Seattle Seahawks five first-round choices for Russell Wilson, but the offer was turned down by Seattle.

Of course, that offer was both absurd and false. Yes, head coach Ron Rivera has publicly declared (more than a few times) that Washington is looking for a QB. He and GM Martin Mayhew last week both spoke to the media at the NFL Combine and neither was shy to admit they are indeed looking to improve the position for the Commanders.

Are Coach Rivera and Mayhew crossing the line, appearing too needy? In business, one can certainly proclaim what they need. Yet, shouldn’t that person also remain shrewd, to never cross the line of appearing too willing to trade too much for what one desires?

Mike Ditka had won coaching in Chicago. Ditka won 11+ games in six NFL seasons, including a 15-1 Super Bowl Championship for the ’85 Bears.

When Ditka took over New Orleans in 1997 and experienced back-to-back 6-10 seasons, he made it known he wanted Ricky Williams. Charley Casserly and Washington took advantage of Ditka and traded the No. 5 overall pick in the draft to the Saints for all six of the Saints 1999 selections and the Saints’ 2000 selections in the first and third rounds. I was doing cartwheels and backflips when that trade was announced.

Might Rivera have been too quick last week to say no one was concerned with what the Rams gave up for Matthew Stafford? Remember how Washington received only one exciting (10-6) season from Robert Griffin but had already (being too eager) given up first-round choices in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for a guy yet to play a down in an NFL pocket? At least Russell Wilson has already proven himself to be a capable NFL passer and leader.

Sometimes in negotiations, we really must be careful, because if our posture is one of being too needy, the negotiation will actually be nothing more than the other guy taking advantage of us. A fair mediation will involve you being willing to walk away from the table. I am hoping, if need be, Coach Ron and Mayhew are both willing to walk away from the table.

Matt Nagy fired: Every Bears head coach’s all-time record

From Matt Nagy to George Halas, we’re taking a look at every Bears head coach’s all-time record in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears have parted ways with head coach Matt Nagy after four years. It was a move that many expected over the last couple of months, and one that marks the first of perhaps several changes this offseason.

While Nagy has received his fair share of criticism, and rightfully so, he actually finishes his Bears tenure with a winning record. Granted, he benefitted from some great defenses, but his offense got worse with each passing season.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at every Bears head coach’s all-time record, starting with Nagy and ending with George Halas.

*Records courtesy of The Football Database and include postseason

Kyle Pitts becomes second rookie tight end with 1,000 yards in NFL history

Pitts is 58 yards shy of the record set by Mike Ditka in 1961 heading into the final game of the regular season.

Kyle Pitts had a lot to live up to heading into his NFL career. The former Gator was regarded as one of the best tight end prospects in history heading into the 2021 NFL draft, and he was taken by Atlanta with the fourth pick, making him the highest-drafted tight end in the common era of the draft.

Even with the expectations sky-high, Pitts has impressed as a rookie. He’s been the featured player in Atlanta’s passing game, especially with Calvin Ridley taking an extended leave of absence this season. And now, he’s reached an impressive milestone.

With his two catches for 69 yards against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Pitts reached 1,018 yards on the season, becoming the first rookie tight end to break the 1,000-yard mark since Mike Ditka in 1961. Pitts is now 58 yards shy of Ditka’s rookie record, a mark he could reach in the season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

Of course, Ditka’s mark is made even more impressive by the fact that he accomplished it in 14 games, but that doesn’t detract from Pitts’ stellar play this season. He passed Tony Gonzalez for the most single-season receiving yards for a tight end in franchise history earlier this season, and he’s the first rookie tight end to make the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey in 2002.

Pitts isn’t done yet, and he will try to add another accolade to his resume against the Saints on Sunday.

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