Bears Blunders
By Matt Eurich
Bears BlundersApr 26, 2021
Episode 5 | The 2007 NFL Draft
We are back with another episode of Bears Blunders just in time for the start of Chicago Bears training camp. This week we are looking back at the 2007 NFL Draft that was riddled with questionable picks but still provided a pair of Bears who went on to do bigger and better things away from the organization.
Dan Bazuin's brief—and head-scratching—tenure is examined, as well as the lofty expectations that were placed on linebacker Michael Okwo. Matt also discusses how Garrett Wolfe was ahead of his time and likely would have had a better NFL career during this era of football. The podcast also touches on Josh Beekman, Corey Graham, Trumaine McBride and Aaron Brant.
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Quotes from Bazuin came from a pair of David Haugh pieces for the Chicago Tribune, here and here.
A John 'Moon' Mullin article from the Chicago Sun-Times was referenced for a quote from Greg Gabriel here.
Quotes from Dave Toub regarding Garrett Wolfe came from the Leavenworth Times.
Audio snippets scame from the following YouTube videos:
Garrett Wolfe
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Royalty-free music was provided by Adobe Stock and MixKit.co. This episode was written, produced and hosted by Matt Eurich. He can be reached at BearsBlunder@gmail.com or on Twitter @MattEurich.
Bonus EPISODE | Drafting Justin Fields
Following the selection of Justin Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Bears Blunders has turned into Bears WONDERS - at least for one episode.
Instead of focusing on previous mistakes by the Bears regime, we are taking a look at all that came to be in order for Chicago to trade up and select Fields in the first round. We take a look back at everything that happened on draft night from Trey Lance going third overall to the rumors regarding Aaron Rodgers and the Denver Broncos. We also look into how the Dallas Cowboys played a part in the Bears locking down who they hope will be the quarterback of the future in the Windy City.
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple podcasts and you can connect with the host on Twitter at @MattEurich.
Episode 4 | Drafting Mitchell Trubisky
The NFL Draft is just days away and there is no better time than now to look back at one of the biggest blunders in recent Chicago Bears history. The Bears were hoping Mitchell Trubisky could be the long-term answer at the quarterback position, but after four seasons with the team, he was shown the door following the 2020 NFL season.
In this episode of Bears Blunders we take a look back at Chicago's decision to trade up for Trubisky and how the two quarterbacks selected right after him easily adjusted to life in the NFL.
Be sure to leave the podcast a review on Apple Podcasts and be on the lookout for a website launching soon. You can e-mail the podcast at BearsBlunder@gmail.com or you can contact the host on Twitter @MattEurich
Episode 3 | Trading Greg Olsen
Just as athletic tight ends were starting to become all the rage in the NFL, the Chicago Bears made the wise decision to select Greg Olsen out of Miami in 2007. What followed was a handful of years misusing his skillset that culminated in the organization trading him away. Olsen went on to become of the most productive tight ends of his era and notched three Pro Bowl nods.
This week's episode focuses on Olsen's time in Chicago, how he was misused in a Bears uniform and how his trade actually went down. Be sure to rate and review the podcast and to follow the host, Matt Eurich, on Twitter @Matt Eurich.
Links:
https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/6811546/chicago-bears-trade-greg-olsen-carolina-panthers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0812-pompei-greg-olsen-bears-p20110812,0,7001687.story
https://www.radio.com/sports/nfl/greg-olsen-was-pissed-off-as-hell-when-traded-to-panthers
Episode 2 | Acquiring Rick Mirer
The quarterback position for the Chicago Bears has been filled with few hits and plenty of misses in over 100 seasons. In this latest episode of Bears Blunders, we take a look back at Chicago's decision to trade for quarterback Rick Mirer in 1997 and the impact it had on the organization.
Be sure to rate and review the podcast and send in any feedback, questions or episode suggestions to BearsBlunder@gmail.com. The host, Matt Eurich, can also be reached on Twitter: @MattEurich
Links:
Joseph Tybor's piece from Mirer's pre-draft workout: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-04-01-9304010125-story.html
Hillary Smith of The Times of Northwest Indiana's interview: https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/football/professional/bears/rick-mirers-bears-memories-are-not-the-fondest/article_4989ac83-f998-539c-a0b5-3b13ab4b951c.html
Episode 1 | Trading Thomas Jones
In the first full-length episode of Bears Blunders, Matt goes back over Chicago's decision to trade away Thomas Jones following the 2006 season. This episode features Jones' history leading up to signing with the Bears, a look at the gaudy numbers he put up with awful QB play and how the addition of Cedric Benson killed any chance he had at solidifying himself as a Bears great.
The episode features numerous quotes from Jones' time in and out of the league and we recommend giving Jack M. Silverstein's interview with Jones from 2017 a read here:
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2017/1/10/14221698/thomas-jones-power-pride-pain-chicago-bears-super-bowl-acting-injuries-cedric-benson-olin-kreutz
Suggestions for upcoming episodes can be sent to bearsblunder@gmail.com or you can contact Matt directly on Twitter under the username of @MattEurich
Be sure to rate and review the podcast!
Bears Blunders: An Introduction
In this preview episode, Matt Eurich sets the stage for the launch of Bears Blunder. This episode gives an explanation on what to expect from the podcast moving forward and how he plans on going back through some of the biggest mistakes in Chicago Bears history.