Everyone seems impressed by Niners' Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo has impressed everyone who's seen him win his first three games as the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback.
Counting his two wins with the New England Patriots last year, Garoppolo is the first NFL quarterback since the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 to win his first five starts.
Garoppolo, the Arlington Heights native who played at Rolling Meadows High School, made his 49ers debut in Chicago and impressed Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio as the total package, as he led a 15-14 victory by completing 26 of 37 passes for 293 yards.
"Some guys have talent," Fangio said. "They've got a lot of tools in their box, but they're not a good carpenter. It's the same thing with quarterbacks. They've got a lot of skills, got a lot of tools, but they're not a good quarterback.
"It's like a pitcher who's got the big arm, but he's not a pitcher. This guy is a quarterback. He knows how to play the position. He's got good quarterback intangibles."
Christmas monkey business:
One of John Fox's favorite Christmas presents as a kid, was a pet monkey named Gidget.
"That year we had gone down to my grandparents in Marathon Key in Florida," Fox recalled. "On the way back, we happened to stop at a pet store. Those days, it was legal, above board. I don't think they're selling too many of those things now. She was actually a great pet.
"I was probably 11 or 12. We got her as a real small baby, so she was very friendly. She was like a pet, so yeah, she went for walks."
Fox said he had the monkey for three years, but the story has a sad ending. His brother leashed her outside, the monkey got tangled in the leash and died from sun stroke when it couldn't escape the sun on a hot day.
"You think a monkey (from) tropical land would be fine," Fox said, "but it didn't work out so well."
Keeping it interesting:
Why should anyone show up for Sunday's Bears-Browns game at Soldier Field featuring two teams with a combined record of 4-24?
Well, Bears coach John Fox would be glad if you did.
"I appreciate our fans, for sure," Fox said. "It's obviously been a frustrating season from a win-loss standpoint. But, as I reflect back at the games at our place, they've all been entertaining games anyways. They've all been close. I'd have liked for the outcome to have been different in a few of those. I can understand their frustration. But I know our guys are giving it their all and we will on Sunday."
The Bears are only 2-5 at Soldier Field, not much of a home-field advantage. But, if past performance is an indicator, Fox is right, it should be a close game.
The Bears have scored the exact same number of points (128) in their home games as they have allowed, losing games by 6, 3, 7, 3 and 1 and winning by 6 and 14 points.
Injury status:
Guard Josh Sitton (ankle) did not practice Friday and is doubtful for Sunday.
Tight end Adam Shaheen (chest), safety Chris Prosinski (concussion) and guard Tom Compton (concussion) were limited and are questionable.
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