Chicago Bears Rumors: Latest Raiders quarterback report is tellingon March 6, 2020 at 6:24 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

A brand new report regarding the Las Vegas Raiders’ plans at quarterback could absolutely impact the Chicago Bears’ plans going forward.

The Chicago Bears are going to add a quarterback this offseason. That has already been established. Whether or not you, as a fan, believe in Mitchell Trubisky, it is clear the team wants to push him.

Another franchise appears to be looking at adding a veteran to their quarterback room as well, and it could highly impact what the Bears will do in their near future.

On Friday, Mike Garafolo said on NFL Network’s show NFL Now that the Las Vegas Raiders’ plans include adding a veteran quarterback this offseason. Garafolo did not completely rule out the possibility of said quarterback being Tom Brady, but he did include that it is unlikely.

Garafolo added that Marcus Mariota is a name to watch in Las Vegas because of the fact that general manager Mike Mayock had him ranked as his number one quarterback coming out of the 2015 draft.

Whichever veteran quarterback the Raiders choose to add, it’s looking more and more likely that head coach Jon Gruden isn’t too fond of current starter Derek Carr. The rumor mill has been churning with plenty of Carr-to-Chicago rumblings, and with Gruden still having eight years left with the Raiders, I could see him looking to solidify the team with “his” guy.

The Raiders own picks no. 12 and no. 19 in the first round of this year’s draft. Those two picks very well could be packaged to move up and select Gruden’s future quarterback. Someone like Justin Herbert would make sense, or even Jordan Love. Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa should be gone within the top five picks, and I’m not so sure Las Vegas could move up that high anyways.

So, what does that mean for the Bears? It’s pretty simple. The door could be swinging wide open for a team to impress Mayock and Gruden with an offer for Carr.

At the same time, if fellow general managers are led to believe the Raiders want to move on from Carr, maybe the asking price goes down a hair. Should Carr become knowingly available to other executives, Ryan Pace has to get involved in the conversation.

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Adding Carr would immediately launch the Bears into the Super Bowl conversation. Whether you choose to point the finger at other issues on the roster or not, it doesn’t matter. The fact is, Carr is a significant upgrade over Trubisky — period. Go get him, Pace.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Giving fans hope again with winon March 6, 2020 at 3:00 pm

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 05: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers is pressured by Ryan Carpenter #22 of the Chicago Blackhawks as he advances the puck at the United Center on March 05, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks hung on for a big win against the Edmonton Oilers and now the fans have hope for the playoffs once again.

The Chicago Blackhawks knew that they had a lot to handle with Connor McDavid, Leon Drasaitl, and the Edmonton Oilers coming to town. The league’s two leading scorers have the Oilers in a playoff spot and were looking to get a big win in their chase for the division. Unfortunately for Edmonton, the Blackhawks played a pretty good game against them and earned the 4-3 win.

It was 4-1 at one point before Edmonton made it interesting but Corey Crawford was able to give them just enough to hand on. It was the type of game that you love to see your team win because they matched up against the opponent flawlessly. It was a win that once again has given fans hope that the team can be on the playoffs.

They are now within four points of the final spot in the Western Conference. It is a battle that sees the teams shift around every night and this night was no different. The Hawks are going to need to continue winning. This was their fourth win in a row and they can’t stop any time soon.

It was looking bleak on trade deadline day. They were on a bit of a skid before trading Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights and Erik Gustafsson to the Calgary Flames. Then, they went on this four-game winning streak to make it interesting again. If anything, it is good to see that they haven’t given up on the ice even tho the organization sold at the deadline.

Now, nothing is guaranteed, but tonight they play the Detroit Red Wings. This is not the Red Wings of old either. There is no Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom, or Henrik Zetterberg there anymore. In fact, at 15-48-5 with 35 points, they might be the worst team in the history of the National Hockey League. This is a must-win game for the Blackhawks.

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Chicago Bears Free Agency 3 key positions to ignoreon March 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm

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Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace might be tempted to spend on certain positions in free agency.

The Chicago Bears got an early start on their free agency period this year. Already, a couple of moves have been made ahead of the legal tampering period which begins March 16.

General manager Ryan Pace made the right call when he informed wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and cornerback Prince Amukamara they would be released in order to save some cap space. It was a classy move by the Bears brass, allowing those two to get ahead of the game.

Speaking of getting ahead of the game, the Cleveland Browns cut ties with tight end Demetrius Harris, who quickly found a new home in Chicago. The towering veteran comes to Chicago as a guy who will mostly block, but also an enormous target who could be used in the red zone occasionally.

These three transactions are just the beginning of a busy offseason for the Bears, who must add to their roster intelligently. They don’t have a plethora of cap space, but they’ll have enough to fill some holes.

Those holes, of course, include positions like offensive line, cornerback, tight end, safety, edge rusher and quarterback. But, where will Pace choose to address those positions?

The first opportunity comes in just over a week, when free agents may begin negotiating contracts with prospective teams. Contracts will be officially announced March 18.

After just seeing what this year’s rookie class can do at the Scouting Combine, Pace and Nagy have a lot of information to sort through. But, as they get set for free agency, they would be best served skipping over a few positions and waiting until draft time — three in particular, in fact. Let’s delve into those.

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The Chicago Bulls are falling apart at the seamson March 6, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Things could not get any worse for the Chicago Bulls than they have been right? Not so fast my friend.

If you are a Chicago Bulls fan, you are likely counting down the days until the team is mercifully put out of its misery. The team only has 20 games left in the regular season, and once those are over, so too will the fans’ suffering. That is if the team makes it that far.

While admittedly tongue and cheek, the team, and more accurately, the whole organization appears to be hurling towards a 10,000-foot cliff.

Following Wednesday night’s 115-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boylen was apparently incensed. What drew the head coach’s ire this time? Well, it was more of the same from the ole head coach — effort. Specifically, his team’s lack of it according to Boylen. He didn’t like how his team fared in the rebound battle or in fights for “50/50” balls.

On the heels of this news came word that there is significant conflict between Boylen and Doug Collins, whom Boylen has apparently banished from sitting in on his coaches meetings. Perhaps Boylen is insecure in his own abilities and not one to be open to criticism or advice.

Whatever the reason, the current situation seems to continue to devolve by the minute, and if the organization does not do something to intervene, they will cause irreparable damage to this franchise — or at least damage from which they won’t recover for a long, long time.

So naturally, Boylen’s reaction would be to ease off the gas, and take a more measured approach, right? Nope. Quite the opposite actually. Boylen appears ready to double-down on his Draconian tactics and go full-fledged drill sergeant on his team.

This ship is sinking fast, and Boylen appears to have chained himself to it and thrown away the key. Of course, the likelihood of him being able to turn things around even to the point of changing the perception around him is small. However, if he has any chance, the way to do it is certainly not to double-down on the methods that have led to him being in this position in the first place.

If nothing else, the final quarter of the season is going to be entertaining — you know — if you like watching trainwrecks.

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High school basketball scores: IHSA state playoffson March 6, 2020 at 8:25 pm

Friday, March 6, 2020

Class 4A state tournament

Regional finals

LOCKPORT SECTIONAL

Romeoville

Joliet West vs. Romeoville, 7:00

Lincoln-Way West

Plainfield North vs. Neuqua Valley, 7:00

Oswego East

Bolingbrook vs. East Aurora, 7:00

West Aurora

West Aurora vs. Plainfield Central, 7:00

PEKIN SECTIONAL

Belleville East

Collinsville vs. Belleville West, 7:00

Edwardsville

O’Fallon vs. Edwardsville, 7:00

Bradley-Bourbonnais

Normal vs. Yorkville, 7:00

Moline

East Moline vs. Normal West, 7:00

ADDISON TRAIL SECTIONAL

Lake Park

Lake Park vs. Hinsdale Central, 7:00

Geneva

Wheaton-Warr. South vs. Geneva, 7:00

Willowbrook

Glenbard East vs. Batavia, 7:00

Naperville Central

Naperville Central vs. Naperville North, 7:00

MCHENRY SECTIONAL

Cary-Grove

Cary-Grove vs. Jacobs, 7:00

Huntley

Jefferson vs. Huntley, 7:00

Guilford

Hononegah vs. Rockford East, 7:00

Elgin

St. Charles North vs. St. Charles East, 7:00

ELK GROVE SECTIONAL

Loyola

Loyola vs. Maine South, 7:00

Schaumburg

Niles North vs. Schaumburg, 7:00

Maine West

Glenbrook South vs. Maine West, 7:00

Maine East

Evanston vs. New Trier, 7:00

PROSPECT SECTIONAL

Stevenson

Stevenson vs. Highland Park, 7:00

Warren

Libertyville vs. Zion-Benton, 7:00

Fremd

Mundelein vs. Fremd, 7:00

Grant

Buffalo Grove vs. Prospect, 7:00

BLOOM SECTIONAL

Thornwood

Bloom vs. Thornwood, 7:00

Marian Catholic

Marian Catholic vs. Brother Rice, 7:00

Lincoln-Way East

Thornton vs. Lincoln-Way East, 7:00

Marist

Homewood-Flossmoor vs. Oak Lawn, 7:00

LYONS SECTIONAL

Argo

Curie vs. Lyons, 7:00

Morton

York vs. Morton, 7:00

Lane

Simeon vs. Lane, 7:00

Proviso West

Young vs. St. Rita, 7:00

Class 3A state tournament

Regionals finals

HINSDALE SOUTH SECTIONAL

St. Laurence

Bogan vs. St. Laurence, 7:00

Riverside-Brookfield

Riverside-Brookfield vs. Glenbard South, 7:00

Kenwood

Hinsdale South vs. Kenwood, 7:00

Benet

Benet vs. De La Salle, 7:00

THORNRIDGE SECTIONAL

Agricultural Science

Morgan Park vs. Tinley Park, 7:00

Hillcrest

Hillcrest vs. Rich Central, 7:00

Oak Forest

Oak Forest vs. Thornton Fr. North, 7:00

Kankakee

Kankakee vs. Roch East, 7:00

LINCOLN SECTIONAL

Mattoon

Lanphier vs. Eisenhower (Decatur), 7:00

Rantoul

Mahomet-Seymour vs. Urbana, 7:00

Bloomington

Lincoln vs. Danville, 7:00

Springfield

MacArthur vs. Springfield, 7:00

MOUNT VERNON SECTIONAL

Marion

Herrin vs. Marion, 7:00

Triad

East St. Louis vs. Triad, 7:00

Taylorville

Glenwood vs. Jacksonville, 7:00

Effingham

Carbondale vs. Centralia, 7:00

ST. IGNATIUS SECTIONAL

Fenwick

Fenwick vs. Payton, 7:00

Little Village

North Lawndale vs. Westinghouse, 7:00

DePaul Prep

DePaul Prep vs. Farragur, 7:00

Clemente

St. Ignatius vs. Clemente, 7:00

GRAYSLAKE NORTH SECTIONAL

North Chicago

Notre Dame vs. Vernon Hills, 7:00

Deerfield

Carmel vs. Deerfield, 7:00

St. Patrick

St. Patrick vs. Grayslake Central, 7:00

Fenton

Sr. Viator vs. Fenton, 7:00

PEORIA SECTIONAL (BRADLEY)

Metamora

Notre Dame (Peoria) vs. Metamora, 7:00

Sterling

Geneseo vs. Rochelle, 7:00

LaSalle-Peru

Rock Island vs, Ottawa, 7:00

Galesburg

Galesburg vs. Manual, 7:00

BOYLAN SECTIONAL

Burlington Central

Burlington Central vs. St. Francis, 7:00

Belvidere North

Wauconda vs. Belvidere North, 7:00

Woodstock North

Boylan vs. Woodstock North, 7:00

Plano

Hampshire vs. Plano, 7:00

Class 2A state tournament

Sectionals finals

CARVER

Corliss vs. Dyett, 7:00

MARSHALL

Clark vs. Orr, 7:00

HAMILTON COUNTY

Nashville vs. Murphysboro, 7:00

SHELBYVILLE

Marquette (Alton ) vs. Mater Dei, 7:00

GENOA-KINGSTON

Timothy Christian vs. Rockford Lutheran, 7:00

PRINCETON

Newman vs. Fieldcrest, 7:00

BEARDSTOWN

Sacred Heart-Griffin vs. PORTA, 7:00

PONTIAC

Bismarck-Henning-AR vs. Joliet Catholic, 7:00

Class 1A state tournament

Sectional finals

DUPO

Madison vs. West Central, 7:00

LEWISTOWN

Athens vs. Peoria Christian, 7:00

HARVEST CHRISTIAN

Hope Academy vs. Aurora Christian, 7:00

RIVER RIDGE

Dakota vs. Indian Creek, 7:00

CASEY-WESTFIELD

Moweaqua Central A&M vs. St. Anthony, 7:00

NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD

Woodlawn vs. Goreville, 7:00

SCHLARMAN

Roanoke-Benson vs. Ridgeview, 7:00

OTTAWA MARQUETTE (MARSEILLES)

Fenger vs. Leo, 7:00

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Have a Drink With Máximo the Titanosaur at the Field Museum’s Chicago Beer Festivalon March 6, 2020 at 6:53 pm

Want to get a drink with SUE the T-Rex? How ’bout the world’s largest dinosaur, Máximo the Titanosaur? Experience the Field Museum like you never have before at the Chicago Beer Festival. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night at the museum tasting some of your favorite local and domestic breweries and being able to sample their spring seasonal beers.

The event takes place on March 14, with general admission opening from 8 pm – 11 pm, with VIP ticket holders enjoying an extra hour of drinking beforehand. In addition, there will be specialty beers that are available only to VIP attendees.

At the event, you’ll be able to enjoy music, food (for purchase), and more! All ticket holders get to try samples from more than 60 breweries, including:

Destihl Brewery
Ravinia Brewing Company
Exit Strategy Brewing Co
Crystal Lake Brewing
Smylie
Noon Whistle Brewing
Maplewood
Whiner Beer Co.
And more!

You’ll have 40 drink tickets, so you’ll be able to choose your favorites and drink your fill! You can go back to the same brewery as many times as you want, or you can try as many breweries as possible. Plus, you will have access to a select number of exhibits at the museum that you can explore while having a few drinks.

If you love breweries, this beer festival stands out from the standard event. While you do get to sample different kinds of beers, you get to do it at the Field Museum! Drinking around the dinosaurs makes this festival unique compared to others, so if you are a serial beer festival attendee, make sure this one is on your list.

No infants or children are allowed, and you must be at least 21 or over to attend. Tickets range in price from $50 – $65. You will not be able to purchase tickets beforehand, so make sure to get your tickets before they sell out! There will be no designated driver tickets for this event.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Chicago Beer Festival

America’s Largest Aerial Adventure Course Brings a Towering Zipline to Chicagoland Areaon March 6, 2020 at 6:20 pm

The installation of America’s tallest zipline tower helps transform Lemont, IL, into the largest aerial adventure course in the United States, debuting this summer. Daredevils can take the most extensive zipline trip in the tri-state area for gorgeous views of Illinois’s prairie landscape.

Built on over 300 acres of historic land, The Forge: Lemont Quarries features everything a true adventurer would enjoy: high ropes courses, ziplines, climbing walls, mountain biking, hiking trails, flatwater paddling, fishing, and more. Guests who wish to make regular trips to the park can purchase Season Passes, All Access Passes, or a Single Activity Pass based on the experience they’re seeking.

The park features over 260 activities with countless possible routes to explore, including the tallest zipline in North America, standing at a proud 120 feet with two 90-foot towers to boast. This ride will also be the longest zipline experience in the tri-state area, flying anywhere from 850 to more than 1,000 feet through a forest canopy and over a scenic quarry.

zipline chicago — Photo Credit: Lemont Quarries

The goal of The Forge: Lemont Quarries is to exhilarate, educate, and entertain, so on top of the exciting physical activities they have available, the park will feature team-building programs, summer camps, field trips, and more. The park also plans to host music festivals, an outdoor film series, adventure dining, and more, in addition to having several restaurants and cafes on site.

The Forge: Lemont Quarries will open in Lemont, IL, just 22 miles from downtown Chicago, on May 25, and offer year-round activities for all ages. Memberships to the park are on sale now, so make sure to get this steal of a deal before prices shoot up after March 31.

Get a sneak peek at what the park will look like when it opens this summer:

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At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: The Forge: Lemont Quarries

These Communal Food Halls Bring Together Chicago’s Best Restaurantson March 6, 2020 at 4:02 pm

If you’re looking for variety or can never make up your mind about what to eat, food halls are a great option. Luckily, Chicago has some of the best food halls around that bring together local favorites and popular classics.

Revival Food Hall | 125 South Clark Street

This 24,000 square foot Chicago food hall hosts some well-known favorites like Antique Taco, Furious Spoon, The Fat Shallot and Hot Chocolate Bakery.

Aster Hall | 900 North Michigan Avenue

Located in the 900 North Michigan shops, Aster Hall has 12 food vendors that offer an upscale dining experience.

chicago food halls — Photo Credit: Chicago French Market

Chicago French Market | 131 North Clinton Street

With 29 stalls offering European-inspired food options like crepes and seafood, Chicago French Market is here to stay. The seating and vibe inside the food hall is reminiscent of a Parisian street cafe.

Wells Street Market | 205 West Wacker Drive #100

Located steps from the Chicago Riverwalk, Wells Street Market has something for everyone. From sushi to donuts, everyone can find something here.

Foodlife | 835 North Michigan Avenue

This urban food hall located in Water Tower Place focuses on healthier options with 14 distinct kitchens serving soups, salads and tasty cafe items.

Latinicity | 108 North State Street

If you want to feel like you’ve traveled to Latin America, you don’t have to go as far as you think. Latinicity features 8 innovative food, coffee, and bar stations that bring the vibrant and colorful culture of Latin America to Chicago.

Forum 55 | 55 East Monroe Street

Hosting local women and minority-owned food businesses as rotating vendors, Forum 55 provides some great breakfast and lunch options in the Loop.

Politan Row | 111 North Aberdeen Street

Offering the culinary curious crowd a place to find new and thoughtfully curated food and drinks. Politan Row invites and inspires community and conversation in its design-forward dining space.

Hayden Hall | 333 South Wabash Avenue

Celebrating Chicago’s rich culinary history is the objective of Hayden Hall with local Chicago favorites like Ada St., Great Lake Meat Co., and Sophia Wine Bar.