Bearstalk

"The negotiations for a new labor agreement couldn't be going any worse. If the past few days, I've spoken to sources on both sides of the labor talks, and I've come to the conclusion that it'll be an upset if there isn't a work stoppage that either delays or cancels the 2011 season. Many of us in the media have speculated about the chances for a lockout and predicted one is coming, but the total lack of progress over the nut issue in 11 bargaining sessions tells me unless there's a sea-change by one side or the other, you'd better savor the 2010 season because it could be the last football we see for a while. At the core of the problem is ownership's demand for…

We need to sign at least 2-3 new Dline. An LBs There are alot of guys available. http://www.theredzone.org/FreeAgency/2010FreeAgents.aspx Kapman - Perfect athletic guy that may actually get a pass rush. Plus hes comin off a crap year playin OLB so his value should be down a bit Marques Douglass - also an option as pass rusher Wilfork - guy i always wanted over Harris, but lovie knows best (ya) Casey Hampton - not a bad pickup for a another 2 years. At least comes from a winner. Demeco Ryan - Id throw the bank at this guy.... He and briggs could power the D for a long time...

The other thread suggested an independent thread for discussion of what the Bears should do about their Defensive Line, given that they're now even more undermanned there and have no picks in the first 2 rounds.

Facebook Update from Bear Report Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams, 26, died this morning after he was taken to the Emergency Room at Self Regional in Greenwood, SC.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...-bear17.article

Pix, Have you heard anything from Jeff, Da Webmaster in some time? I miss guys like him.

That we're hiring offensive coaches without bringing in the OC? Wouldn't an OC want some of his own guys? Just saying... Seems like we're doing this backwards. I like the Tice hire...but this methodology concerns me.

The above is a real good piece and it is the way I feel. I was really bummed about losing Fewell but am excited about what the team is looking at on the offensive side of the ball. Plus the Patriots Dcoord is now available and you never know, maybe the Bears could go that way (although the %'s are probably like 1% that they would consider him).

Its official, we have hired Mike Tice to become our Oline Coach, this is being reported by multiple sources including Zach Zaidman, Adam Shefter and Brad Biggs. http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6490

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/colu...&id=4827883 Dammit if it doesn't look like Willie, Otis and Mike couldn't play a down or 2 right now! And I love Jimmy Mac on the "Rascal" instead of the Honda Scooter!

Cutler meeting with offensive coordinator candidates Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 15, 2010 11:15 AM ET With Pete Carroll involved in G.M. interviews, it's fair to wonder if he's the one voice that matters in Seattle. A similar dynamic may be playing out in Chicago, but the voice belongs to a player. Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo confirmed that Jay Cutler is a key part of the interview process as the Bears search for an offensive coordinator. "We've involved Jay, and we'd like to have him meet with [all] the candidates," Angelo said. "He understands the whole process, and he knows we want him involved. This is not the first time we've involved a player…

I am interested in everyone but Barry. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/01/fe...s_now_what.html Peace

does it really matter who we get at DC? Whomever comes in will most likely have no previous DC experience (probably someone from Indy's staff). Unless Lovie can pull a rabbit out of a hat and get Herm Edwards to take the position, he is screwed. Hell, they might as well give Babich the position back. He won't cost them anything extra and they could say that a year away from the position gave him a better perspective. Who cares what the fans think??? They have basically told us to go pound sand so how could bringing Babich back be any worse. Hell, he'll probably have more experience than any candidate they hire. UUUGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Peace

When it comes to charting Cowher's career, don't bet against Bettis Posted by Mike Florio on January 14, 2010 7:14 PM ET Rosenthal posted earlier tonight the eye-opening comments from former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis regarding his belief that former Steelers coach Bill Cowher is waiting for the Giants job to come open. And Bettis has a high degree of credibility in these matters. He was one of the first to proclaim with any degree of fact that 2006 would be Cowher's last season with the Steelers. "I really think this is the last year for Coach Cowher in Pittsburgh," Bettis said at halftime of an NBC preseason game between the Redskins and the Beng…

I do not want the Bears to rush to hire an OC or DC just to appease fans and media. There are many good candidates on the eight remaining teams in the playoffs the Bears are unable to interview. There are other candidates that will surface as well. I hope they take their time and make wise decisions. I see no reason to rush to a decision at this point in the off season.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/01/gi...ell_headed.html http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4825410 http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/...rry-fewell.html

It was brought up that apparently the last time Tennessee was looking for a head coach that Tennessee had attempted to get Lovie Smith at that time which was roughly fourteen months ago. With Lane Kiffin's bolting to USC, Tennessee is looking for a new head coach once again. Here is the link from the article on the trib's website: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/...ovie-smith.html Personally I think that would be a good thing considering all that has transpired for the last year and one half and the fact that all the projected OCs and DCs are not coming into what is apparently being interpreted as a lame duck situation in Chicago with the win or else dema…

I know it will make a lot of people vomit, me included, but next logical person we could be after for DC is Joe Barry. He is another big Tampa 2 guy, is Rod Marinelli's son in law, and when Marinelli was in Detroit, Barry was his DC. He seems like he'd be the perfect fit for Lovie. He'd be cheap, and probably go right along with Lovie and be the perfect yes man.

going to the giants in all probability for those in this guys corner.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/...r-escape-to-ut/ Lovie would be wise to consider escape to UT Posted by Mike Florio on January 14, 2010 7:59 AM ET In 2008, the folks at the University of Tennessee reached out to Bears coach Lovie Smith to gauge his interest in becoming the head coach at the program where Smith worked in 1993 and 1994. Smith declined. Now, the UT job is open again -- and Smith will be occupying one of the hottest of the hot seats in Chicago when the 2010 season starts. Frankly, it might be in everyone's best interests for Smith to pursue the opportunity, unless he has no interest in leading a college program. The Bea…