Bear is held in big drug bust

Here's something that will feed all those folks who say the NFL is filled with thugs: Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd was in federal custody Thursday after authorities accused him of trying to set up a drug distribution network in the Chicago area and arrested him after he allegedly agreed to buy a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover agent.

According to the complaint, Hurd was arrested Wednesday night after meeting with the agent at a Chicago restaurant. The complaint contends Hurd told the agent that he was interested in buying five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute.

Hurd, the complaint states, told the agent "his coconspirator is in charge of doing the majority of the deals" while he focused on "higher-end deals."

He allegedly said he could pay for the kilogram of cocaine after "he gets out of practice," then walked out of the restaurant with the package and was arrested.

The complaint alleges that Hurd told the agent that he and a coconspirator already distribute about four kilos of cocaine a week in the Chicago area, but his supplier couldn't keep up with his demands.

Hurd, 26, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in a criminal complaint filed Thursday in federal court in Dallas. According to the filing, Hurd negotiated a price of $25,000 per kilogram of cocaine and $450 a pound of marijuana, meaning he was willing to pay about $700,000 a week for the drugs.

The complaint says the investigation was launched after an informant tipped off authorities in Texas in July. During the probe, Hurd agreed to a "consensual interview" with Homeland Security investigators in the seizure of $88,000 in cash from a car he owned in the Dallas area.

Hurd, a native of San Antonio who played college ball at Northern Illinois, played for five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and is now in his first season with the Bears. He has contributed mostly on special teams, and has caught eight passes for 109 yards.

The Bears said in a statement: "We are disappointed whenever these circumstances arise. We will deal with them appropriately once we have all the information."

We are encouraged to write about Tim Tebow as often as possible, so we were especially glad to run into this item:

A brewery in Eagle, Colo., was so moved by the Broncos' renaissance under you-know-who that it has come out with (you knew it) "Tebrew" - a high-octane barley beer the brewers said "gets better as you drink it down. Occasionally bringing you to a knee in appreciation."

Bonfire Brewery is not at all discouraged by the simple fact that Tebow isn't a drinker. Tebrew, the company touts on its website, "is about celebrating victory, drowning the sorrow of loss, raising a glass, and rooting for the home team."

Come to think of it, a six-pack now sounds about right.

And it would really come in handy if the Broncos get hammered by the New England Patriots this weekend.

NFL.com, citing sources, reported that Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell will lose his job if the 0-13 team finishes the season winless.

The unnamed source told NFL.com that if the Colts lose against Tennessee (7-6), Houston (10-3), and Jacksonville (4-9), the 56-year-old Caldwell will be fired after three seasons at the helm.

The report cited a confidential source. Again, no kidding.

- Staff and wire reports