Bearstalk

It's his show now Take it from Madden: Smith calling defensive plays makes a lot of sense February 7, 2009 BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com When Bears coach Lovie Smith announced the day after the season ended that everything was going to be reviewed, he left little doubt change was coming. Whether it's change you can believe in is too early to tell, but change has arrived. Smith has moved veteran minicamp up almost three months. The mandatory three-day session begins March 17 and will allow the new assistants to acquaint themselves with the players and enable free-agent pickups to get into the system before the voluntary offseason program begins. Lo…

I guess he's interviewing today, but odds are extremely unlikely that he'd accept the job. According to his agent, there's no way: http://www.collegefootballtalk.com/2009/02...r-to-pitt-talk/ While it would be utterly awesome if he excepted this job, it seems like the only way is if Wanny offers some sexual favors and he gets a nice big 3-4 year contract, which would make no sense for Pitt. However, it would be awesome if he did get the job, we bring in a new OC from the outside, and bring in a whole new offensive staff.

Several articles out about how the team is not raising ticket prices this year. Frankly, at first I didn't think much of it. Team not raising ticket prices? Big deal. Then I began to read the articles. - The team, as most, have raised prices each year. Standard cost of living raises basically. This year no such thing though. - City of Chicago's amusement tax will increase from 8 percent to 9 percent. The bears plan to simply eat this increase, rather than pass it along to the fans. - Bears will now accept credit cards for the first time in its history. The team will pay a fee of 2 1/2 percent to credit card companies for every ticket purchased with…

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/0...-diner-news-93/ CHICAGO BEARS — At some point, the Bears will have to address their quarterback situation. There were times last season when Kyle Orton appeared to have a good handle on things, but after sustaining an ankle injury, he was not the same productive player he was earlier in the year. The Bears need a marquee player on offense, someone they can build around and make all the other pieces fit. They need someone they do not have to manage but who can run a complete offense. The need is there, but I doubt the Bears will be serious players. They have the 18th pick in the first round, but they hate to part with p…

One piece of good news - ticket prices will not be raised this yr. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/02/be...talks.html#more Peace

Saw on the Bears site some Q & A w/ Turner. As would be expected, not a whole lot of earth shattering news, but hey, its slow as hell, and I think others are getting tired of Lucky and my's back and forth Check out the bears site for full Q & A, but some of the basics. Hester - Felt the light turned on for Hester in the final 6 weeks, and said it was then Hester simply began to play, rather than think. Very high on his future. Bennett - Asked by Bennett couldn't get playing time, Turner essentially said the game was just too fast for him. Over and over again, continued to say Bennett wasn't playing as fast, or at NFL speed. Did say it often takes p…

Bears assistant's son is top Cover-2 corner prospect By Vaughn McClure The National Football Post did an interesting breakdown of this year's draft prospects. The player atop the list of Cover-2 corners stands out: Jarius Byrd of Oregon. He is the son of Gill Byrd, the Bears assistant defensive backs coach. The Bears are in the market for a cornerback, and Byrd -- who declared early -- seems to be an ideal fit. Byrd, a three-year starter, had 17 career interceptions, one off the school record. Nathan Vasher might not be in the mix next season and the Bears need another corner alongside Charles Tillman, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Corey Graha…

As per profootballtalk.com, in summary, Warner said he's staying in Arizona or retiring, and 1/3 of the teams in the NFL have interest in Leftwhich. This is news to Bears fans since after JA's state of the Union address, many of us have taken his comments to mean that Angelo will pursue a QB in free agency. Now Warner, the top QB in free agency, is off the market. That will drive Leftwhich's price up, since as PFT pointed out, there are a ton of teams in the NFL desperate for a QB. Early indications suggest there won't be a QB really worthy of the #18 pick. Anybody we draft won't likely provide immediate competition for Orton. I mentioned in a previ…

He wasn't good at all. He said he liked Rex, but that was about it. He was a total jerk and asked Waddle if he played in the NFL and pretty much said he wasn't any good. I don't want this ass on our team, sorry.

Titans | Talks with Collins have not progressed Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:18:49 -0800 Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports contract talks between the Tennessee Titans and QB Kerry Collins, an impending free agent, have been going slow thus far. "There's been nothing substantial,'' Collins said. "There might have been some conversations between my agent and Mike, but nothing to think they are working on anything big." Collins reiterated his feelings from the end of the season. He's not interested in returning to be the No. 2 quarterback behind QB Vince Young after guiding the team to a 13-3 mark this season. ------------------------------------------------------…

Anyone that watches or follows college football no anything about this guy. I do not watch at all. But I happened to catch Barden on the college football all-star challenge. Looks like a small school guy the Bears could take a chance on. Some info http://www.nfldraftdog.com/Small%20School%...mses_barden.htm

Panthers | Contract offered to Basanez Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:40:25 -0800 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Carolina Panthers had offered QB Brett Basanez a contract but Basanez decided to sign with the Chicago Bears. Giants | Basanez cancels workout Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:33:00 -0800 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears QB Brett Basanez cancelled a workout with the New York Giants after deciding to sign a two-year contract with the Bears.

BEARS SIGN BASANEZ Posted by Mike Florio on February 3, 2009, 3:15 p.m. Though there could be plenty of free-agent options on the market once the annual signing period opens later this month, the Bears have gotten a head start by adding to the offseason roster quarterback Brett Basanez. The team announced on Tuesday the signing of the former Northwestern quarterback. Basanez previously played for the Panthers. He spent most of the 2006 season on the practice squad, all of the 2007 season on injured reserve, and all of the 2008 season on the practice squad. Basanez was the Big Ten offensive player of the year in 2005. It’s unknown whether Kyle Orto…

Bears | To have easiest 2009 schedule? Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:10:31 -0800 Kevin Seifert, of ESPN.com, reports the Chicago Bears' 2009 opponents had a combined .414 winning percentage in 2008, lowest in the National Football League.

Rice aiming to make comeback, could Bears figure in?

Trade 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 3rd next year to Arizona for Anquan Boldin and a 4th round pick. ---From there, we give him a 5 year, $50 million deal. Sign Byron Leftwich- 2 years/$5.5 million. Cut Tait, saving about 4 million. Re-sign St Clair (1 year) and Roach (2 years). Trade Nathan Vasher to Houston for a 5th and 6th round pick. Trade 2nd round pick and a 4th for the Browns 2nd round pick. 2. Duke Robinson, RG, Oklahoma 3. Jason Watkins, RT, Florida 4. Maurice Evans, DE, Penn State 5. Jahi-Word Daniels, CB, Georgia Tech 6. CJ Spillman, FS, Marshall 6. Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU 7. Jeremy Childs, WR, Boise State 7. Herb Donaldson, R…

Kyle Orton sounded unconcerned in his first public comments since GM Jerry Angelo indicated he may bring in another QB, calling the position the team's "Achilles heel" under his watch. "I really just don't have any comment on it," Orton said. "I actually haven't talked to [him] or anything like that, so it really doesn't have any bearing on me." According to a gossip column in the NY Daily News, Matt Cassel was urinated on in the bathroom during the Super Bowl. An intoxicated man allegedly tried to cut in front of Cassel at the Raymond James Stadium urinals. After Cassel told the drunk to wait his turn, the man "barged in and proceeded to purposefully pee direct…

Plenty of attractive pieces on market for Chicago Bears Bears will find good options if they're willing to invest cash By David Haugh | Tribune reporter February 1, 2009 TAMPA - Monday officially begins the off-season. Even if free agency doesn't begin for another 25 days, Bears fans will bandy about many names over the next month that may or may not make sense for a team buoyed by watching a fellow 9-7 team play in the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Chris Simms. Veteran leaving the Titans makes sense as Jerry Angelo seeks competition for Kyle Orton. If the choice ends up being Simms, whom the Bears have liked since the 2003 draft, it's a competition Or…

How's it going guys? I have been a long time reader of the forum going back to 2006. No doubt I have to get my Bears fix here. I like to read up here before I check out the internet articles! I never really had a chance to sign up and contribute. Hope to get involved all of you bring some cool insite for sure. Look forward to talkin with you all! Now I need to work on getting that Newbie title off!

I know that if we cut Tait, we'd gain around $7 million. I know that if we cut Ogunleye, we'd gain around $4 million. I know that if we cut Vasher, we'd lose around $7 million. But what if we traded Ogunleye or Vasher? Would we have to trade for another high priced guy, or what? Let's say we sent Vasher to Oakland for a 5th round pick- do we still have to pay his contract?