Reports surfaced that Knox had requested a trade following the move, and quotes from Mike Martz don’t help things. Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune relayed Martz’s musings about Knox, particularly the given, not earned line .

Drake on Johnny Knox

That statement says it all. Cutler doesn’t do many interviews, which made Thursday morning’s appearance on the Mully & Hanley Show mighty intriguing. Listen to his voice inflection when describing his viewing of last year’s tape.

Jay Cutler on The Score

I spoke frequently this offseason about that fact on our FOX Sports Radio show. Everything fit perfectly and fell into place for the Bears to thrust them into the NFC Championship Game. They stayed healthy overall, opponents sustained key injuries during or prior to matchups and the defense dominated. I don’t recall ever discussing a title game participant at NFL Draft time and basically saying — “they need just about everything.”

Things got better in the second half of the season on the O-Line (look at Forte’s production), but there’s still a long, long way to go. For now, Cutler is encouraged by where the unit is at.

Fans and fantasy owners get their first look this weekend when the Bears host the Bills.

The explanation is simple, “We miscalculated.” OK, for the purposes of a family night practice, it’s easy to cancel things and chalk it up as a minor error. But this isn’t the first, second, third, 900th time that we’ve heard about the woeful field conditions at Soldier Field. At some point, somebody needs to step up and just get this thing right once and for all.

Bring in the brain trust of baseball field trustees (I can hear the cries for “The SodFather,” Roger Bossard, as I type this) and figure it out. I know that the October-January run in Chicago weather-wise is brutal. Trust me, I lived through my share of those. You have to figure this out.

Family Night Canceled in Chicago

The Bears canceled the big night, sending the huge crowd home without autographs, player meet-and-greets and a practice. Rather, they got their ticket price refunded, the parking paid for and saw some fireworks.

There’s a PR miss here. I understand that practices are a precious commodity in this lockout-shortened preseason. I’m not suggesting that players didn’t need to get on the bus and head back to Bourbonnais for a workout. That’s a must. And, you’re not going to risk a player’s health in this instance.

I’m just thinking that a few tickets could have been doled out or some pre-autographed merchandise. Bust out the paint pens and sign a few mini-helmets. Here’s a ticket for the preseason game against Buffalo next week.

Instead, fans leave with a sour taste in their mouths. So, it’s time to get back to the Al Davis mantra, “Just win, baby.”

Let’s rock and roll.

#26: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh to Kansas City (Baltimore’s clock had expired) — Cassel and Bowe get much-needed help

#27: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado to Baltimore — I thought he’d end up in Philadelphia, but this was destination #2. Smith is truly a polished player who will contribute immediately. I like the fit alongside strong veteran leaders.

#28: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama to New Orleans — The emotional Heisman winner is a bulldozer with good inside running skills and a burst to the outside. He and Pierre Thomas (Reggie Bush?) make for a nice tandem to complement Brees.

#29: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin to Chicago — Jay Cutler gets the help he needs, particularly after Detroit grabbed another defensive lineman

#30: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple to New York Jets — A potential steal here at the end of the draft. He helps a defensive line that has been banged up a bit. At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, he’s got the heft to hold down the line against the run and to obscure passing lanes. Great rush.

#31: Cameron Heyward, DL, Ohio State to Pittsburgh — He’s a monster at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds. He rushes well to the inside and has the ability to drop into coverage. Heyward is active at the line and disrupts passing lanes with his long arms. Ups to “Ironhead.”

#32: Derrek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State to Green Bay — it’s an older offensive line & they get a great option to pair with 2010 draft pick Brian Bulaga. He obviously excelled as a run blocker. Now, he’ll have to refine his work to get ready to protect Aaron Rodgers. Chad Clifton’s injury history necessitated a look-see.

* Hanie talks about the help received from Cutler during the game.

One of the other observations Zaidman made concerned the number of veterans hanging around the facility today, many of whom were ready to jump into the Cutler fracas.

Check it out. Zaidman on Boers & Bernstein

The roar of the crowd behind Cornelison is something that sometimes draws criticism. Check the poll below the video. Is cheering disrespectful as the national anthem is performed?

NFC Divisional Round: Chicago Over Seattle

F15 Wednesday: Halpin Returns

Check out the archives at Fantasy15Podcast.com .