Bearstalk

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 …

Brandon Moore was the starting RG for the Jets the past 4 years or so and was cut to save cap. He's a great run blocker and would be a perfect replacement for Garza (who needs to go). He's only 28 and has only been playing the OLine for about 6 years and still has room to improve.

probably a boom or bust, but then again our WR are terrible

I know it's not going to happen because of the money involved and the fact that he wouldn't want to come to Chicago, but how awesome would it be if Ray Lewis signed with the Bears? Urlacher - Lewis - Briggs (HOLY SHIT) The other oddball idea about this is moving Urlacher back to his college position of Safety. --I don't want either to really happen, but what do you guys think? Is he another one of those players that you all don't want because he's a bad guy off the field?

Players who could drop because of injuries: Brian Orakpo - hamstring Rey Maualuga - hamstring Michael Crabtree - Injured his foot Players who are just stupid Andre Smith I see a real possibility that one of these guys could fall to the Bears.

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

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

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 )

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.

Whats everyones thought on Gerald. I just noticed that he benched 26 reps and his arms measured a whopping 35". Also of note is that he ran a better than expected 40 time. Thoughts?

The Sun Times and Tribune both had articles in today's paper talking about our secondary. Three things that were news: 1. Peanut Tillman is staying at cornerback (Not exactly breaking news, but it stops the rumors of him going to fs) 2. Danieal Manning is staying at nickel-back, not free safety (this is different then what Smith had said before) 3. Craig Steltz is penciled in as the starter at free safety with Payne at SS. First, this tells me our cornerback position is pretty damn strong. D Manning looked really good at nickel-back. We're hoping Vasher can return to form, and he'll be battling with Corey Graham who was pretty damn good last year. T…

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.

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…

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.

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.

Lovie Smith announced this at the combine. He's no longer thinking about it, but he's going to make it official. Damn that sucks. I was really hoping after a couple of months off he'd reconsider. So that brings our money we have to spend to 31-32 million. Any thoughts on who we should spend it on now? (Other then St. Clair which has immediately become urgent.)

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

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…