The Chicago Bears 2012 Draft: Day Three posted by Joe Anello

In the final day of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears continued to stockpile depth at a key defensive position after getting a jump start on days one and two. But they started the day off with a pick on the offensive side of the ball to load another bullet in offensive coordinator Mike Tice’s gun. A gun named Jay Cutler. (How did that metaphor work for everyone? I’m too tired to think it’s anything other than awesome.)

At pick 111 in round number four, GM Phil Emery selected tight end Evan Rodriguez out of Temple. At 6-2 and 244 pounds, Rodriguez was all over the field for the Owls, lining up at tight end, fullback, h-back, and receiver during his college career. In 2011, he racked up 35 receptions and two scores. He’s got 4.58 speed and is a reliable pass catcher, but as with so many tight ends these days he hasn’t excelled as an in-line blocker. He’s view by Chicago as a combo fullback and tight end who can get vertical for Jay’s downfield throws. Emery went on to state that Rodriguez has a chance to compete for a starting role, which could put incumbent fullback Tyler Clutts on the outs. Tice may like Rodriguez’s versatility too much to keep him on the bench behind Clutts.

Off the field, Rodriguez has a few missteps in his past. He faced trespassing and disturbance charges while he attended West Virginia in 2007 and was arrested for disorderly conduct in 2009. However, Emery made it clear in his talk with the media that the Bears did their homework on the tight end and felt confident in their assessment of his character.

The Chicago Bears 2012 Draft: Day Two posted by Joe Anello

The Chicago Bears' 2012 Draft contiuned Friday night as rounds two and three went on the air. Let's get right into their picks!

Not wanting to wait until their slotted selection at 50 overall, the Chicago Bears traded with the St. Louis Rams at 45, giving up their fifth round pick to take South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery’s 6’3”, 230 pound frame is clearly a plus for what’s been an undersized receiving corps. He had a phenomenal 2010 campaign, but his production sloughed off in 2011. Still, he managed 45 catches and seven TD’s in that “down” year.

However, he’s not without his question marks. His playing weight was in flux, ranging from 230 to 240, but he showed up to the combine at 213. An even more significant question is if he can get separation from corners. He’s a big body but if he can’t get free he’ll turn into merely a redzone target. (Which isn’t a horrible thing, but it’s not what you want your second round receiver to be.) If they can keep him motivated, Jeffery will be a dynamic weapon. Emery raved about his hands in his presser following their third round pick. I' bet Jay will like those hands. *snicker*

After a lengthy run on offensive linemen, the Bears had to look in another direction in making their second round pick. They just saw Stephen Hill come off the board thanks to the Jets’ trade up, which likely prodded Emery into moving up the five spots to 45 to ensure they got their wide-out. Though for everyone saying this is un-Bear like, Jerry Angelo gave up his fifth round pick last year to move up for Stephen Paea in the second round. No one remembers because DT isn’t as sexy as receiver.

Bears GM Emery Takes Shea McClellin in the First Round posted by Joe Anello

The first 18 picks in Thursday night’s first round of the NFL Draft shook out about as well as Bears GM Phil Emery could have hoped, with the only pass-rusher coming off the board being Melvin Ingram to the Chargers at eighteen.

Instead of ends Whitney Mercilus or Chandler Jones, Shea McClellin was Emery’s pick at nineteen overall. A defensive end out of Boise State, McClellin was projected by most to go later on in the first round, but Chicago deemed him worthy of the pick ahead of the other defensive ends on the board. A versatile front-line defender, McClellin will serve at left defensive end according to Emery. Opposite Julius Peppers, McClellin will see plenty of single blockers which hopefully means more sacks from a defensive line that struggled at times in 2011. McClellin didn’t show impressive strength at the Scouting Combine, but he did show off some good speed in the 40 yard dash. A lot of the terms tossed around were “high-motor” and “active,” which would make him seem akin to Jared Allen’s demeanor and play style. The Bears spent considerable time scouting the farm boy McClellin, bringing him in for a private workout and visiting him at Boise State.

After the pick was announced, Phil Emery called Shea “one of the seven” players they were targeting, mentioning his ability as a four down player and his potential impact on special teams. With nearly every defensive end still was available Emery obviously had McClellin high on his draft board. He’s got no character issues whatsoever and there’s no question about his commitment or production. He was fourth in Boise team history with 20.5 sacks in his collegiate career.

Breaking Down the Bears' Options at 19 posted by Joe Anello

The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. On Thursday night, teams across the league will place their futures in the hands of unproven commodities fresh out of college. The Chicago Bears will be among them as they try to rebound from last year’s disappointing stretch run. After picking up solid pieces in free agency, GM Phil Emery will be looking to the draft to fill holes and strengthen core units. Let’s look at some the key positions and likeliest targets for the Bears as they select 19th overall in Thursday night’s opening round of the draft.

As is the typical stance of a Lovie Smith coached Bears squad, the defensive line is clearly Emery’s top priority. After their rumored interest in Mario Williams and confirmed chasing of Jeremy Mincey, it’s evident that Chicago envisions an outside pass rusher as a significant need. If the dominoes fall in line, there are more than a few defensive ends that could be available when they get on the clock. South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram won’t be there for them and he’s not a great scheme fit anyway. Quinton Coples out of North Carolina has moved around the mock drafts as the scouting season rolls along, with some projections giving him a top ten status and others having him falling right into Chicago’s lap. His motor has been put into question but his talent has not. A likelier name to see is Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus, whose speed and ability led him to lead the nation in sacks during his final (and only significant) collegiate season. He doesn’t have a lot of game tape, so Chicago would be relying on Rod Marinelli’s master motivating skills and line technique to craft him into an elite pass rusher (much like JPP with the Giants.) Shea McClellin and Nick Perry have also been mentioned as possibilities.

Using Marshall Force: Bears Trade for Pro Bowl WR posted by Joe Anello

Free agency kicked off with a bang in Chicago, but it wasn’t a signing that caught the league’s attention. It was a trade with the Miami Dolphins. GM Phil Emery made a statement in his first free agency by addressing the Chicago Bears’ longest suffering need, acquiring receiver Brandon Marshall in a deal with the ‘Phins. Sending two third-round picks in the exchange, Chicago instantly adds a number one wide-out to its roster.

I absolutely LOVE this move for my Bears. You give up two mid-rounders for a number one receiver who has an instant chemistry with your franchise quarterback thanks to their days in Denver. Marshall has been a bit of a headcase (to understate the matter), but he’s worth the price tag in this situation. His production has been steady with 86 and 81 catches in 2010 and 2011 while receiving passes from the likes of Chad Henne and Matt Moore. He’s already under contract for three more seasons at an affordable number, so giving him mega-bucks isn’t an issue right away. This gives Emery the flexibility to address his other needs via free agency. What else could he have in store?

For starters, Chicago is apparently negotiating with former Redskin and Raider Jason Campbell to become their back-up quarterback. This would be a smart signing for a team that now knows the true value of a competent back-up QB. Campbell isn’t eye-popping, but he’s reliable and has actually thrown a freaking pass in the league. Not even being on the team yet, he's still a better back-up than Caleb Hanie was when he was on the roster.

A Look at the Bears' Free Agent Possibilities posted by Joe Anello

With the start of the league year tomorrow at 4PM EST, 2012 free agency will kick off in earnest, giving veterans the chance to jump ship and earn their “well-deserved” millions. The Chicago Bears, with new GM Phil Emery, are in an interesting situation. They have an aging but still productive defense paired with a young but still unproven offense. To improve their lot, Chicago must take advantage of their glut of cap space and bring in proven commodities to take over starting jobs, provide competition to incumbents, or bring depth to key units. Let’s take a look at some of the free agents the Bears should pursue, the free agents they should stay away from, and the free agents they’re already reported to be chasing.


Phil Emery has his work cut out for him.

Vincent Jackson, WR
It’s already out there that the Bears are going to be aggressive in their recruitment of the former Charger. They were going to have trouble competing with the Redskins’ money, but the penalty levied against Dan Synder’s team means they can’t go hog-wild. Good sign. With the lack of size at receiver, the 6’5” Jackson would bring a formidable number one to a corps that has been without for years. His catching radius would partner with Cutler’s rocket arm quite nicely and his deep play ability instantly clears room for Matt Forte. He might not be the absolute cream of the crop and he’s got some nagging injury issues and some off-the-field baggage, but he’s the best on the market.

Bears select Phil Emery to be next General Manager: I'm hardly surprised. posted by Joe Anello

Alright Bear fans, your long wait is over. After turnover on the coaching staff (which is not yet completed), Ted Philips has finished his search for the fifth GM of the Chicago Bears. His name? Phil Emery. Excited yet?

Does his name sound familiar? It should. Phil Emery worked in the Bears personnel department as an area scout from 1998 to 2004. Notable selections during his tenure were Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, Marty Booker, Jerry Azumah, Mike Brown, Tommie Harris and Nathan Vasher. Now, that’s not a bad list…of eight players. The question is: who knows how responsible Emery is for drafting those players, if at all? Scouting personnel discussions are intensely private and are probably one of the best kept secrets in the NFL. Plus a team has so many scouts that it would be nearly impossible for anyone outside to determine whose input got a specific player drafted.

That being said, this hire reeks of Beardom. Emery’s familiar with Lovie Smith, knows the franchise and management and likely won’t cause a raucous. In other words, he’s a safe pick, but an uninspired one. For Bear fans that wanted wholesale changes (and there are many), you probably didn’t get it. That’s certainly not to say Emery can’t be a good or even great GM given the chance, but this isn’t some massive attitude shift. Emery is clearly comfortable working with Lovie Smith and had no issues with Philips declaring that Smith would certainly be around this next season. So we’re not chucking the Cover-Two, for example. Emery’s here because they Bears believe he’ll be able to better evaluate the talent needed for the systems this team has in place on BOTH sides of the ball. At Atlanta as Director of College Scouting, Emery likely had large input on Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones. So hopefully that bodes well for his offensive acumen. We’ll see.

Bears promote Tice to OC: Right call? posted by Joe Anello

Well that didn’t take very long. After all of three days, Lovie Smith has found his next offensive coordinator. The big-time hire? Mike “Boat Show” Tice. (I would have also accepted “Ticket Scalper.” I hinted at Tice’s eventual hiring on Tuesday when I addressed the firing of Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz, but I suppose I should break down this “hire,” yes?

Bears promote Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice to Offensive Coordinator

Oh Mikey Tice. A man of football if there ever was one. His stint as head coach in Minnesota from ’02 to ’06 was best remembered for scandals, most notably his scalping of Super Bowl tickets. As a play-caller, Tice is all about smacking people around on the ground. His tenure in Jacksonville provides evidence to that, as his work with the o-line and offense gave the Jags one of the best running games in the league during his tenure. That means he'll know the value of a premiere runner like Matt Forte. He does tend to favor the downfield throws, shying away from the short routes that are more of the West Coast variety. This will utilize Jay's best asset: his arm.

Probably not the right call, but it’s clearly the best option for Lovie Smith if he wants to keep his job after next season. Tice is already on the staff, knows all the players and their talents and can make adjustments and tweaks to the offense that’s already in place. Lovie will bring in a “passing coordinator” and new QB coach in all likelihood to ensure that the Bears are not an entirely one dimensional team. While I certainly think this decision was made too quickly, I am by no means shocked by the result. This job was Tice’s to lose as long he didn’t completely botch in interview. Apparently he didn’t, so ipso facto, he got the job.

Wha??? Bears move on without Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz posted by Joe Anello

Woof. The news broke quickly today from Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears started their offseason with a major shake-up near the top of the organization with the removal of Jerry Angelo and the “resignation” of Mike Martz. No time to waste in breaking these moves down!

Bears release General Manager Jerry Angelo

In a move that both surprised and delighted long-time Bears fans, Team President Ted Philips announced the firing of 11-year General Manager Jerry Angelo. I know some fans are confused as to why Lovie wouldn’t be on his way out too, but nearly every problem this season could be attributed to poor personnel decisions and a lack of depth at key positions. Angelo has had eleven years to accomplish the following: find a number one wide receiver construct a cohesive offensive line through the draft, provide quality depth on the defensive line find a viable number two corner behind Charles Tillman, or draft or sign at least ONE competent safety for Lovie Smith’s cover-two scheme (which I feel is the most important position in the system). I debated running through examples of players Angelo missed on at those positions, but I didn’t want to make myself cry. Ultimately, your GM can’t find occasional success in free agency and the rare fifth-round gem while completely missing on nearly every first-round draft choice. It simply sets your franchise back too far.

Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Recap: Bears 17, Vikings 13 posted by Joe Anello

I’m not going to spend this Gameday Recap pontificating about what could have been this Bears season. That’s for later. In today’s contest, the Bears held onto the win over the struggling Vikings to get to 8-8 on the year.

(8-8) Chicago Bears 17
(3-13) Minnesota Vikings 13

For another week Chicago’s offense sputtered and killed its own momentum with costly turnovers. Earl Bennett started the game off right with an early fumble, giving the Vikings possession and the opportunity to drive down for a field goal. A Percy Harvin run later in the first gave the Vikes a 10-0 lead and Bears fans reason to change the channel. Luckily, there was a second quarter. A rare pass to Roy Williams capped off the Bears’ only touchdown drive, but a throw off the hands of Toby Gerhart fell right into the lap of first-time Pro Bowler Charles Tillman, who ran it right back for 22 yards and six points. From there Chicago’s defense locked down, picking off Minnesota’s quarterbacks two times (a total of three) to secure the win.

It was my idea for a while to just post my notes from this game instead of a structured recap, but I decided I was caring too much about this game and taking WAY too many notes, so I checked out. Here are some of my real-time notes from today’s game. (Edited for capitalization and sometimes punctuation.)

First Quarter

Earl Bennett fumbles, Bears manage not to get to line of scrimmage in the nine minutes it takes Frazier to challenge

WR Jeffery nurses leg cramps at Bears camp (Yahoo! Sports)

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Vegas sportsbooks release NFL spreads for every game through Week 16 (Shutdown Corner)

If you're the type of person who's already interested in the line for the Week 8 game between the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers -- and, let's face it; you're on Shutdown Corner on a Wednesday afternoon four months from the start of the season, so we know the answer -- then you may want to clear the next 20 minutes. Cantor Gaming, a company that runs a number of Las Vegas sportsbooks, has released lines for every NFL game through Week 16 of the 2012 NFL season. Want to bet on the Lions-49ers rematch? Hoping to get on the RGIII bandwagon early? Eager to throw some money on your favorite team to win after their bye week? Desperate to find another way to lose your paycheck in Vegas? You're in luck, my degenerate friends. What do the odds show? Vegas loves the Philadelphia Eagles, has no idea what to do with Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos, wavers on the decimated New Orleans Saints and is fairly certain how Mike Mularkey's first season in Jacksonville is going to go. The season spreads contain few surprises -- the Indianapolis Colts are expected to be bad, the Green Bay Packers are expected to be good -- but are a good way to kill some time during the NFL's May doldrums. A week-by-week selection of the most interesting lines (via Covers.com ): Week 2 Detroit Lions (+3.5) at San Francisco 49ers Week 3 New York Giants (PK) at Carolina Panthers Week 4 New York Giants (+4) at Philadelphia Eagles Week 5 Green Bay Packers (+9.5) at Indianapolis Colts [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Independent counsel: bounty payments were made (Yahoo! Sports)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Players vowing to fight bounty suspensions (Yahoo! Sports)

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From Yahoo! Sports

NFL legend Junior Seau found dead at his California home (Shutdown Corner)

Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau was found dead Wednesday morning at his Southern California home. He was 43 years old. The ex-linebacker's girlfriend found the NFL legend with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that police received a call to 911 at 9:35 a.m. reporting a possible suicide, per Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy. Officers found Seau in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the chest, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Reports indicate that a gun was found by Seau's side. Seau's death was first reported by TMZ. The San Diego Chargers issued a statement at approximately noon PT: Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now...We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family. "Obviously, it's shocking," Chargers team president Dean Spanos said . "It makes you feel very sad. He's brought so much to this community over the years. A good person, a good friend. He was the fabric —really a part of this community. He was the heart and soul of our team for so many years. Even after he left, his roots and his home were still here. Just people loved him and admired him."
If Seau committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest, it is similar to the way former Chicago Bears great Dave Duerson ended his life. Duerson shot himself in the chest on February 17 , 2011 -- the method used so that his brain could be examined for symptoms of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a trauma-induced disease common to NFL players and others who have received repeated blows to the head. Seau, a 12-time Pro Bowler and 6-time First-Team All-Pro, was selected fifth overall in the 1990 NFL draft after an outstanding collegiate career at USC. He played with the San Diego Chargers through the 2002 season, spent 2003-2005 with the Miami Dolphins, and then signed with the New England Patriots in time for the 2006 season. In New England's perfect regular season of 2007, he played in all 16 games and started four. Seau first retires after that season, only to come back and play in 2008 and 2009 before finally leaving the NFL for good. "I'm going to go surf," he told Showtime upon his January, 2010 retirement announcement. Whatever happens, I can honestly say, that that probably was my last game." Seau is the eighth member of the Chargers' 1994 Super Bowl team to pass. We will keep you updated on this story as more news is confirmed. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports