Bear Down Sunday #15 Bears vs. Cardinals

The Bears started 7-1.  Very few teams in the history of the NFL have started 7-1 and not made the playoffs.  The Bears are in danger of joining that elite group.  Today, they are facing the Arizona Cardinals, who at 5-9 have already been eliminated from the playoff hunt.
I am still a Jay Cutler fan.  The Bears finally got a star receiver for him.  Cutler and Brandon Marshall are the best Bears at their positions in my lifetime.  You might be able to make an argument that they are the best qb-wr duo in the history of the Bears.
When I was a kid, Harold Carmichael was one of the best receivers.  At 6'8" and 225 pounds, Carmichael was a great physical specimen.  He was a four time Pro Bowl player.  He always seemed to be making the big catch.
When I met him in Oaks (PA), he still looked like he could play the game.  Heck, with the receivers the Bears have had over the years, I am pretty sure Carmichael could crack the starting lineup most of the time even at his age.
Is the Cutler-Marshall connection enough to beat the Cardinals?  We will see today, but I would feel much better if a young Harold Carmichael (or even a middle-aged one) would also be on the field.

Harold Carmichael and me in Oaks, PA-October 2008.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

The Bears just the lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Keeping with the Eagles theme, I am featuring Pete Ruggieri in another of his old school pictures. This time, Pete is with Harold Carmichael, the featured star from yesterday).
While I missed standing next to the tall Carmichael (see yesterday's post), Ruggieri was able to get a height shot. The fact that Ruggieri is only about 10 here really emphasizes Carmichael's height.
Ruggieri (aka Evil Pete) is the founder of 505, a social network based out of the Lancaster (PA) area. He also was the subject of an online piece I did for Global Traveler magazine.

Thanks again to Pete for sharing his great pictures.

Harold Carmichael and Pete Ruggieri in West Chester, PA-Summer 1975.

Bear Down Sunday #10

The Chicago Bears are 4-5 and hosting the Philadelphia Eagles who are 5-4. Philly's quarterback is Chicago's own Donovan McNabb, but today I am highlighting Harold Carmichael, their greatest wide receiver.
Carmichael played 13 years with the Eagles before ending his career with 2 games for the Dallas Cowboys. The 4 time Pro Bowler stood 6'8" and provided a nice target for his various QB's.
When I met Carmichael at the Ultimate Collectibles Show, I was really hoping to get a picture with him standing. Being that the show was in Oaks (about 20 minutes out of Philly), Carmichael was one of the most popular stars. There was no time for him to keep getting up for pictures, although he gladly posed if you bent down next to him.
I really didn't get to talk to him because of the crowd, but I can tell you that he made sure everyone got an autograph. He worked hard, but thoughtfully as he made his way through the long line ready to meet him.

Harold Carmichael and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.