Bearstalk

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/6276358.html

Pos Player Name FA Status Previous Team Current Team OT Stacy Andrews UFA Cincinnati Bengals Free Agent OT Cody Balogh Signed Free Agent Chicago Bears OT Khalif Barnes UFA Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agent OG Joe Berger UFA Dallas Cowboys Free Agent OT Mike Brisiel ERFA Houston Texans Free Agent OT Wesley Britt RFA New England Patriots Free Agent OG Elton Brown UFA Arizona Cardinals Free Agent OG Milford Brown UFA Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agent OL Rashad Butler RFA Houston Texans Free Agent OG Cooper Carlisle UFA Oakland Raiders Free Agent OG Kirk Chambers UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent OG Tyson Clabo RFA Atlanta Falcons Free Agent …

The Bears have formally submitted a contract offer to free agent OT John St. Clair. The proposal is for three years and probably about $5-6 million annually. Vernon Carey's six-year, $42M deal reset the tackle market, however, and St. Clair may wait for free agency to compare the Bears' offer against others. Source: Chicago Tribune

NFL | R. Johnson has met with several teams Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:25:48 -0800 During his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine Sunday, Feb. 22, Alabama S Rashad Johnson measured a height of 5-foot-11 and a weight of 203 pounds. He said he had talked with the Atlanta Falcons, the Chicago Bears, the San Diego Chargers, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals so far.

The Bears have sent contract tenders to exclusive rights free agents Nick Roach (above) and Marcus Hamilton, NFL sources confirmed. Roach started nine games at strong-side linebacker and finished with 40 tackles including a season-high eight in the final game at Houston. Roach is expected to enter minicamp atop the depth chart at the position although he will be pushed by seven-year veteran Hunter Hillenmeyer, 28. Hillenmeyer has made 56 career starts but fell out of favor. Hamilton appeared in eight games last season, primarily on special teams, after the cornerback was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's how the Bears acquired Roach, …

From an article on the Sun Times, this is a bit scarey..... (maybe we should trade down )

Angelo feels attitude, coaching will key defense's resurgence This part of the item on the CB site irritates me, how about you? I'm sorry, but that seems to be a negative that I would not expect to be said by a GM or HC.

You can read this article and many other at Bearsbacker.com THE blog for any Chicago Bears Fan. Tank Johnson Returning to the Bears? Is it possible that Tank Johnson could play for the Chicago Bears again? I don't know. It's defiantly a long shot. The Bears drafted Johnson in the 2nd round of the 2004 NFL Draft. In three years (2004-2006) with the Bears, Tank Johnson played in 46 games, recorded 63 tackles and nine sacks. The Bears released him after he found himself in trouble with the law too often. In two years (2007-2008) with the Cowboys, Tank played in only 24 games and recorded 33 tackles and 3 sacks. The Bears could m…

No Hail Mary here: Hanie in position to be the No. 2 quarterback After Orton returned from his injury I was disappointed he did not regain his earlier form. I thought it was reported he was nearing full recovery from his ankle injury. If that was the case why was his play so bad compared to earlier in the season? In this interview I see he was no where near 100% after returning from the injury. Heck, he is only reported to be about 95% now: I am pleased he is indicating Hanie will get a chance to be the #2. I know this upsets many, but quite frankly, it excites me. I also think we will draft a QB prospect on day 2.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....k-in-draft.html Personally, I would love the pick (Assuming he is there at 18). Would of gone top 5 last year if he came out early. Williams and oher as ends for the next 10 years...thats how you solify an oline and an offense. Just food for thought. Hypothetical: If Sanchez and Oher are both available at 18 (would never happen, thus HYPOTHETICAL) who do you take?

With Tait's retirement looming, we are looking at approx 32 million to use in free agency. That number could increase if some cuts are made. Another scenario that makes this money huge is that we have no big name FA's to re-sign. I have big on re-signing St. Clair. I'm no longer on the bandwagon for signing him no matter what. If he can't be had for a decent price before FA begins, it's time to roll the dice. Who I like: Khalif Barnes. He had a down year, but didn't all the Jags. He's young and has shown his talent. He's the best remaining OT out there and provides us great flexibilty. Next up is the WR's. Gotta go Houshmandzadeh here. Orton needs a #1…

Crabtree's injury causes him to drop to 18th where we can nab him. Really though that does suck for him and i wonder if it will have any affect on where he gets drafted. I could see it not really doing anything

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...-bear21.article Peace

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/around_th...?urn=nfl,142741 Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:19 pm EST Execs taken aback by Asomugha, Lechler deals By Jason Cole INDIANAPOLIS – Reaction was swift and ugly Thursday to the deals the Oakland Raiders gave CB Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler over the past two days. "How many different ways can you say, 'What were they thinking?' " a team executive who declined to be identified said after being told the terms of Asomugha's three-year, $45 million contract. "Insanity, stupidity, whatever you want to attach to it. Yeah, the kid is the best cornerback in the league. They paid for quality. I'll give them…

According to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, DT Albert Haynesworth will not re-sign with the Titans before testing the free agent market. Haynesworth obviously wasn't satisfied with the progress of contract talks, and this news significantly decreases the odds that he will return to the Titans. Perhaps the most disruptive defense player in the NFL the past two seasons, Haynesworth is sure to draw a monster contract on the open market. The Titans would have to match the highest offer now that their exclusive negotiating window is closed

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....afety-talk.html In a nutshell Lovie laughed at the thought of moving Tillman to FS. However, he didn't say it wasn't happening either. I'm close, but not quite ready to eat crow on the subject.

Free agent Julius Peppers reportedly will refuse to sign a long-term contract with any club not on his four-team wish list "under any circumstance." Adam Schefter notes that Peppers already turned down a deal from Carolina that would've trumped Jared Allen's, so he's not playing games. The Broncos, Packers, Chiefs, and Dolphins are positioned the best to get him. Source: NFL.com

Carey, Dolphins agree to deal ESPN.com INDIANAPOLIS -- The Miami Dolphins on Friday signed right tackle Vernon Carey to a six-year contract. Of Miami's five unrestricted free agents, Carey and safety Yeremiah Bell were the most significant. The Dolphins on Thursday opted not to place the franchise tag on either of them, increasing the likelihood they would hit the open market on Feb. 27. But the Dolphins locked up Carey less than 24 hours later. Carey, the 19th overall selection in the 2004 draft, has started 59 straight games for the Dolphins. He started at right tackle for two years and was moved to the left side for 2007. The Dolphins swit…

Just saw where Peppers was tagged. What I would love to see explained is, how this was done w/in the cap. All reports previously had Carolina w/ $10m in cap space, and yet they somehow signed Gross to a massive deal AND tagged Peppers, which will count a bit under $17m against the cap. I have no idea how they were able to do this. The only thing I can think of is, maybe this is a time of the year teams are allowed to be over the cap, which I suppose would allow them to get this done. If that is in fact the case, it only further points to Carolina trading Peppers, as at some point, they would have to be under the cap, and would likely have to make massive moves to…

Panthers LT Jordan Gross revealed Thursday that he has completed a multi-year contract to stay in Carolina. "We're done," he said. Gross' deal is expected to make him the NFL's second highest paid offensive lineman, behind only Dolphins left tackle Jake Long. Gross made his first Pro Bowl last season and was voted first-team All Pro. Feb. 19 - 1:00 pm et Source: Rock Hill Herald