Bears ink draft class early; Are they considering a veteran receiver? posted by Joe Anello

I can’t remember a busier or more significant Chicago Bears offseason. After the miraculous acquisition of Jay Cutler (which I still can’t believe happened), and then the signing of Orlando Pace, Jerry Angelo could have sat out the rest of free agency and skipped the draft and Bears fans would have been content. Not one to rest on his new QB’s laurels, Angelo refuses to let up.

Foremost among the newest faces is recently signed linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, formerly of the St. Louis Rams. Pisa brings a wealth of experience and talent to the strong side, where he should beat out Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer for the starting job. Roach filled in when Hunter was injured last season, but neither player asserted themselves in the role. Tinoisamoa is coming off a regular season where he led the Rams with 104 tackles (88 solo) and added three sacks and two forced fumbles. Paired with Pro-Bowler Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, Tinoisamoa makes Chicago’s linebacking unit one of the best in the NFL.

Also, in typical Bear fashion, Angelo has signed each of his nine draft choices. Jerry is known for locking up his draftees with quick market value deals. Teams and agents are barely negotiating during this period, so this is one area where I have to give Angelo and his front office a ton of credit. They get their draft choices in camp. Receivers Juaquin Igelesias and Johnny Knox look to get plenty of field time this offseason as the Bears search more depth on the outside.

Speaking of receivers, there’s been a load of ballyhoo regarding a few names that are supposedly available. Given Chicago’s lack of experience at the position, fans are clamoring for a big name to pair with their young QB. (Greedy much?) I’ll run down the Bears’ options for you and why they’re available.

Who wants Plaxico Burress? posted by Matthew McCabe

Plaxico Burress has avoided a decision in the justice system, for now, but will a decision on his playing future soon be reached? Burress and his agent Drew Rosenhaus have stated that he is in good shape and ready to play in the NFL this coming season after recovering from his self inflicted gun shot wound last fall. With jail time on the back burner for now, Burress seems free to rejoin an NFL team and resume his career, but does anyone want to sign him? More importantly, should anyone sign him?

Rumor has it that among a handful of teams, the New York Jets and Chicago Bears have expressed the most interest in Burress' services. Both teams could use Burress' experience and ability. The Bears have long been lacking a reliable, go to WR to help but some teeth in their offensive scheme. The Jets even more so could benefit from Burress as he would not only be able to stretch the field but would be a fantastic target for rookie Mark Sanchez if, or more accurately when, he becomes the Jets starter. The bigger question is, should either of these teams, or any other even consider giving Burress a contract.

Yes, Burress is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but it doesn't look good for him. New York's law is clear, jail time is the punishment for illegal possession of firearms. While Burress was the only "victim" in this crime, other people could have been injured when his gun went off accidentally. Like it or not, Burress broke the law and deserves to face the punishment. His status as a star athlete shouldn't shield him from facing justice.

Bears Have to Inquire About Burress posted by richard Kagan

Plaxico Burress' case was postponed until the fall.  It will be heard 3 weeks into the football season.  Since Burress only caused injury to himself, and shot himself by accident. He will be judged on whether he was carrying a licensed gun, which apparently, he wasn't.  OK, maybe he's not the smartest bloke but he can catch passes big-time.

The Bears need a bona fide receiver. A player who is a threat on the field, who demands coverage from the defense.

Burress is that guy.  Hey, don't settle for getting Jay Cutler who can throw the ball to any player.  Get someone to catch the ball.  The addition of Burress would make the Bears a threat.  A threat to throw the ball and it would improve the running game. Defenses can't key on Matt Forte for half the game.  IN my book he was NFL Rookie of the Year.

If the Bears get Burress, assuming he is cleared to play, and that is an assumption worth taking a chance on, they would serve notice to the die-hard Fans, and to the rest of the league that they aim to be in contention for hardware.

It's a long season and anything can happen, but some of it starts now.  The Bears saw that Cutler can throw the ball in mini-camp.  They need a player who can spread the defense and run routes. Burress is that man.

Sign him, He'll be a huge star in Chi-town. 

Santa Clara.... posted by Henri "theactor" Ramsey

WOW! It's almost done. Now it's a matter of the vote and we SHOULD be getting ready for a NEW 49ers Stadium!!!

I'm not sure how most of you feel but, I was just saying today at the Select-A Seat at Candlestick, just how much I'm going to miss it. I have a LOT of memories at the stick. Dating back to the days when the Giants shared the field, I remember when I went to my first 49ers game...it was against the Bears and they Lost...LOL I was broken hearted. 

It's going to be very interesting to have to drive that extra 25 mins. to get to the games when they move. I'm going to have to get up an hour earlier (5:00 am) to be down there in time for Club 49 set up. Man that too is going to be a LOT of fun. Our FIRST Club 49 tailgate at the Santa Clara Stadium...I wouldn't want to miss that!

Anyway, I just thought I'd speak on the issue and let you guys know that I'm EXCITED about it!

Until Next Time...

See at the "Stick" 

Brian Urlacher shopping at Jewel posted by Jessica Machen

On April 16, I received a text message saying that someone had just seen the one and only Brian Urlacher shopping at the Jewel right off the Roosevelt stop downtown.  I never got any surefire confirmation of this claim, but they did say that he was buying high fiber cereal. 

 I don't know if I buy that.  First off, Brian Urlacher lives up on the north side.  Why would he come all the way down to the southside to shop.  For cereal.  I would buy it, maybe if we were amidst football season.  Maybe he has an apartment downtown.  Soldier Field is just down the road, but Soldier Field is not owned by the Bears.  Bears offices are in Lake Forest.  Training Camp is in Bourbounias.  It doesn't add up.

 Second, they saw him buying high fiber cereal???  How can you do that without actually getting an autograph from the man?  If you are that close to know that it is Brian Urlacher, why would you not confirm it.  There are plenty of cut men with bald heads out there.  To not ask or at least say, "Hey, anyone ever tell you that you look like Urlacher?" is just puzzling to me. 

If you think you see a National Football League player out in a local store, speak to them.  They're only human.

Chicago Bears posted by Zac Cocco

Hey readers! How's it going?

This year the ,Chicago Bears, had a decent draft.  Dont expect much from this draft class.  The Bears did recently make a great move in trading for, Jay Cutler.  To me Cutler will do decent at best.  The reason I am saying this is because when he was in Denver he had some fairly decent recievers to throw to...with the bears he doesnt have many options.  If the bears can land a good reciever they will be in the running for some hardware.  This is what I have been thinking...the bears could trade Urlacher, because lets face it he is getting a little old and the Lovie likes to play that cover 2 defense which requires the linebackers to drop back and cover, urlacher has lost speed and the chronic back problems he has been having isnt helping.  A lot of GM's would love to have Urlacher on their team...a couple possibilities could be trading, Urlacher, for a couple picks in next years (2010) draft or even trading him to the seahawks for, Lofa Tatupu, he is a young ruthless linebacker who fits the bears cover 2 defense perfectly.  I can see the seahawks possible accepting this due to last seasons record and i am guessing Lofa wants out of a 4-12 team.  This season will either go farely well or be a huge bust.  The bears schedule is looking a lot tougher than last year so we will have to wait and see what Lovie will do.  This year is going to be a fun one!

Until next time....

ZaCocco

Why the Bears Don't Need A Reciever posted by Tony Kelly

The public outcry for a quality receiver has been going on for a few years now but intensified when Jay Cutler was picked up.  With a franchise quarterback in place and a great young running back in Matt Forte it would appear that the Bears are a great wide receiver away from having a quality offense week in and week out.  It seems whenever someone begins to talk about how great the trade for Jay Cutler a “Well who is he going to throw to?” always follows close behind.  Despite the Bears seemingly lackluster group of wide outs one could stand to reason that they will not only catch the ball for Jay but help the Bears offense considerably.  The bears don’t need a great a receiver they needed a great quarterback and average ones.  If one looks back to the Super Bowl year in 2006 and look at the wide receivers the Bears had no one would have imagined a Super Bowl appearance was coming.  Muhsin Muhammed, Bernard Berrian, Rashied Davis.  Now granted no one is going to claim that those receivers are the reason why the Bears were as good as they were, but they made plays when they had to for the most part and contributed to the wins.  Now when you look at who was throwing them the ball it becomes glaringly obvious why none of them put of great numbers.  When your quarterback has a rating of 0.0 in a game and goes from throwing 4 touchdowns in one game to 4 interceptions in another you can imagine it’s hard to put up huge numbers and become what is considered a great wide receiver.   Although none of thoContinue reading "Why the Bears Don't Need A Reciever"

Chicago Bears Draft Day Two: Angelo Finally Gets Busy posted by Joe Anello

With nine picks in the final six rounds, the Chicago Bears addressed their most pressing areas of need. Wide receiver, the defensive line, and safety were all points of focus for the Bears, who used six of their nine selections in those areas. It was a solid draft if nothing else, getting value late in the draft.

Round 3
Jarron Gilbert DT San Jose State 6’5” 288lbs
Gilbert projects to be an eventual starter at tackle for Chicago and could play on the outside, given that they could lose 3 ends in free agency this next off-season. This year he’ll see most of his use as a alongside Tommie Harris, threatening oft-injured Dusty Dvoracek’s roster spot. Gilbert is known for his “pool jump” found here, where he jumps from inside an in-ground pool to the surrounding pavement. Its impressive, to say the least, but he won’t be jumping any pools in the NFL.

Juaquin Iglesias WR Oklahoma 6’1” 210lbs
Iglesias is the most likely draftee to make an immediate impact this season. He is said to be a polished route-runner with great hands, so the Bears were smart in using their compensatory pick on him. Lose one wide receiver, use the pick gained from his loss on a wide receiver. That makes sense to me. Look for Iglesias to challenge for at least the third wide-out position.

NFL Draft Day One: Bears Trade Down and Out & Other Notes posted by Joe Anello

So there is barely any news on the Chicago front. After waiting over five hours to make their only pick of the day at number 17 in the second round (49th overall), the Chicago Bears made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears sent their 2nd round selection to Seattle and received the Seahawks’ 3rd round (68th overall) and 4th round (105th) choices, both of which will be on Sunday.

This struck me as fairly odd. Georgia wide-out Mohamed Massaquoi and Missouri safety William Moore were still on the board at 49. Massaquoi was the last remaining receiver that would warrant a high selection and could have slid in at the number two spot in the Bears’ offense. Moore was Mel Kiper’s top-rated safety in the entire draft. Maybe Jerry Angelo didn’t think Moore had the instincts for the free safety spot, but Massaquoi was a target all along. Instead, the Bears trade out of the first day of the draft and will have an extremely busy Sunday with nine selections in the final four rounds.

Dallas also traded out of the first day, which means Jerry Angelo did something Jerry Jones-like. (Weird, I know.) It sparked comments from the analysts on ESPN and the NFL Network that scouts told them that this draft class wasn’t very strong or deep. If the Bears really didn’t feel any player they wanted was available, trading down is the right idea. Still, trading down from the middle of the second round when it is your first pick will always confuse me.

In related Bears news:

The Denver Broncos used the third round pick from Chicago (acquired in the Jay Cutler deal) in a package to move back into the second round to pick tight end Richard Quinn.  In the more puzzling move out of Denver, they sent their original first round selection in 2010 to Seattle so they could draft cornerback Alphonso Smith in the early second round (37th). They still have Chicago’s first rounder, which means Denver thinks they’ll finish ahead of the Bears in the standings, thus keeping the higher pick. (Could be an interesting topic of discussion, given the lackluster divisions each team occupies.) Denver’s day was odd. Giving up a first-rounder next year is risky, given 2010’s believed status as a better draft class.

Chicago Bears 2009 NFL Draft Preview posted by Joe Anello

Mmm… draft weekend. I live for it. Call me crazy, call me an NFL freak, but I simply can’t get enough Mel Kiper or Todd McShay spouting off intangibles of some cornerback out of Florida State in the fifth round. I will be pasted to my couch this weekend, analyzing every Bears selection and dutifully following the ticker at the bottom of the screen.

Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo traded away a small chunk of this year’s draft in the now epic Jay Cutler deal. So instead of at 18, his first pick comes off the board at 49, in the middle of the second round. Also, his instead of two third round picks at 84 and 99, he is left with the latter, a compensatory pick awarded for losing Bernard Berrian in free agency last off-season.  Still, even with those losses, Angelo has a great deal of work ahead of him on this draft weekend with seven picks total (One in each round 2-6, two compensatory picks in round 7). What should he do? What do the Bears need? I break it down right here, right now.

Wide Receiver:
Um…this is still a “duh.” Since the Jaguars signed Torry Holt to a three-year contract, the Bears have little to chase in free agency. They released Marty Booker and allowed Brandon Lloyd to seek employment elsewhere. Their only remaining receivers are the confused Devin Hester, the unsure-handed Rashied Davis, and the unproven Earl Bennett. That receiver corps doesn’t exactly help Cutler out. In fact, it will probably hinder his growth a great deal if Angelo doesn’t bring in another immediate threat. His second round selection will almost surely be a wide receiver, perhaps Brian Robiskie or Hakeem Nicks if either are still on the board, or probably Georgia’s Mohamed Massaquoi. It’s not a guarantee he’ll draft another wide-out, but it’s a fairly safe bet. No wide receiver taken in the second round will likely be a game-changer off the bat, but it’d be nice to see a contribution on the field this year. (*cough*Earl Bennett*cough*)

Chiefs sign former Pro Bowl safety Brown

The Kansas City Chiefs added depth to the defensive backfield, signing former Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown.Terms of the deal announced Thursday were not disclosed.Brown played nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2005. He holds team records with seven defensive touchdowns and three fumble return TDs, and his four interception returns for touchdowns matches the team record. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Chiefs sign veteran S Mike Brown (AP)

The Kansas City Chiefs added depth to the defensive backfield, signing former Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown. Terms of the deal announced Thursday were not disclosed. Brown played nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2005. He holds team records with seven defensive touchdowns and three fumble return TDs, and his four interception returns for touchdowns matches the team... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Orton gets nod as Broncos starting QB

Kyle Orton will be the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback.Coach Josh McDaniels made the announcement Saturday as the team readied for Sunday's final day of on-field prep for training camp in late July. The former Chicago Bears quarterback took all the snaps behind the first-team offensive line during Saturday's practice.Orton has been competing for the starting position with Chris Simms.Orton came to Denver on April 3 as part of the trade that allowed the Bears to get ex-Broncos No. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Broncos name Orton starting QB (AP)

Kyle Orton will be the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback. Coach Josh McDaniels made the announcement Saturday as the team readied for Sunday's final day of on-field prep for training camp in late July. The former Chicago Bears quarterback took all the snaps behind the first-team offensive line during Saturday's practice. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Texans sign QB Grossman (AP)

The Houston Texans have signed quarterback Rex Grossman. Grossman, an unrestricted free agent, led the Chicago Bears to the NFC championship in 2006, when he threw for 3,193 yards and 23 touchdowns. The 28-year-old will compete with Alex Brink to be Houston's third quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and Dan Orlovsky, who spent last season in Detroit. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports