Bearstalk

Football is an entertainment business. Judging by the empty seats it is not entertaining and not a very good business. I heard estimates of 11k empty seats. Soldier field is the 5th most expensive stadium that has a fan index rate of $557.18 (4 tickets ((avg price)) two small beers, four hot dogs, program, and two adult caps). That means that there is roughly 2750 units that can be associated with that index. So with that loss last night the bears potentially lost over 1 million in ticket sales and revenue from vendors. Now I know a lot of those empty seats are from ticket holders. But this is a trend you don't want starting. Vendors feel it, restaurants and bars …

This is the most optimistic view I have seen out of the national media. Now I remain realistic and slightly pessimistic (especially with the schedule). My projection is more in the 7-9 win range, but 10 would have us on the cusp of the playoffs. So what do you think? Can Fox/Gase/Fangio and Pace double the Bears win total in one offseason? http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1...80-b4b49994f214

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-nfl...sources-n412831 Very sad. I always remember how fun Kramer to Conway and Graham was. It didn't last long, but that was a rare aerial attack from the Bears. I hope he can over his depression. I also hadn't realized his 18 year old son had died from a drug overdose. Articles like this are why my kids will watch football, but never play (outside of flag).

Bears placed RB Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve with a torn hamstring, ending his season. They signed LB Gilbert Gardner. Gardner joins old Purdue pal Kyle Orton in Chicago. He knows the Tampa 2, having played in Detroit and Indianapolis previously,

Here is who we picked up in free agency so far: QB - 1. Mike Glennon, signed a three year, $45 million contract. Glennon received $18.5 million fully guaranteed, including a $3 million signing bonus. CAP HIT: $14 mil OT - 2. Tom Compton, signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract with $850,000 guaranteed. CAP HIT: $1.85 mil WR - 3. Markus Wheaton, signed a two-year, $11 million contract with $5 million guaranteed. CAP HIT: $5.25 mil 4. Kendall Wright, signed a one year, $2 million contract.(updated - this is a great deal) CAP HIT: $1,845,750 TE - 5. Dion Sims, signed a three year, $18 million contract, with $10 million guarantee…

Two more years on his contract - $7.2 million next year and $7.6 million the next. If we cut him, there is only a $1 million cap hit. I cannot imagine we keep him. Peace

We're are finally at the mid-point of the season. I'm curious what you view as our draft needs this offseason. As it stands now we won't pick until late in the 3rd Rd. Everyone knows Sims will be gone and that gives us $26mil in cap space. I expect a big chunk of that to be used to re-sign Callahan. Beyond that we just sign a few of our own players, or someone of similar talent, to fill out the roster such as RRH, Kush, Bellamy, LS Scales, and maybe Witzman. Likely departures Massie, Amos (I don't think they will pay him and Callahan), and the forementioned Sims. What then are the needs? The most obvious gap is RT if we let Massie leave. I think Coward wil…

THE REF BUMPED MARSH!!!

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1) By Michael Nudo Defensive end Gaines Adams’ status bears watching (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay). BEARS OFFENSEcolor> vs. BUCCANEERS DEFENSEcolor> Wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester left last week’s game with a rib injury. His absence would mean more reps for Marty Booker at receiver and the possible game day activation of rookie Earl Bennett. Cornerback Nate Vasher returned punts and nickel back Danieal Manning returned kickoffs during last week’s contest after the injury. Linebacker Derrick Brooks has been nursing a sore hamstring and as a consequence has not been qu…

Round 1. WR-Micheal Floyd: Displayed himself as the best all around WR at the combine. Enough said Round 2. CB-Stephen Gilmore: Great size, speed, and stength Round 3a. TE- Mike Egnew: all the skills we need Round 3b: OG/OT - Kenechi Osemele: 6'6 330lbs. May be long gone. But is very raw and athletic Round 4: LB - Tank Carder: hope he lasts this long Round 5: OG/DT Round 6: OG/DT

Breaking: Washington signs WR Terrelle Pryor to a one-year, $8 million contract. (via @AdamSchefter) Did we even attempt to sign Pryor? Was $8mil on a one-year deal too rich for us?

No one wants Cutler. So sign him to the minimum and have him be the no. 2, after we draft the future, of course. Weird, hey, the Twighlite Zone exits!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4797682 Peace

I have had several requests to lock the Webb thread so that it will roll off the page and we can get onto more important issues, things like the 2013 Bears and trying to make the playoffs. If anyone has major objections I can open it back up. Hopefully we can bury this and move on.

I was looking at next year's cap and there is not much room. Players that probably won't be here are Edmunds, Kmet, Moore and Jarrett. I say this because the first three are cap friendly cuts without huge dead money. Jarrett is simply not a need and high salary. (Wasted signing so far). The 25 draft saw us select Moore, Kmet and Jarrett's potential replacements. That Dayo signing looks to be a bust as well, but I don't know if he's cut-able. I know this has all been discussed before, but I thought the 25 draft was cool inclusion. Who else? Kiran?

Draft is end of April? Then when does camp open?

Link

http://www.chicitysports.com/2012/06/05/ch...nnais-illinois/ We're that much closer to the season. Anybody planning on going?

Just saw the news; Irv passed away. He was absolutely one of my favorites in the football broadcast business. He seemed like an outstanding human being. Rest In Peace Mr. Cross.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=team...ts-2011-nfl-chi Thought this article was really good. Big talking point is that Cutler was quoted as saying the offensive side of the ball will be working with each other shortly. Basically that something is planned but he didn't get into specifics. Also has a ton of quotes related to the draft. Pretty solid off-season summary article in general.