Bearstalk

St Clair wants to remain with the Bears http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5511 excerpt: Knowing that Williams likely will be given every chance to earn the starting position in 2009, St. Clair wouldn’t be opposed to moving back inside to guard. In 2007, the 6-5, 315-pounder started one game at left tackle, one at right tackle and the final three at left guard. “I’ve played everywhere,” St. Clair said. “If it fits, I’m all for it. I’ve always been a team player. I can play all the positions. I pride myself on playing everything.” Coach Lovie Smith said last week that it was premature to discuss St. Clair’s role next season. …

Would he be something to look into? Granted, his crimes were bad. But, he did serve his time...and we tend to be a forgiving nation. Would Vick be of interest to us? Back-up Kyle? Not sure how I feel, but on some level, I have interest. I hated what the guy did, but if he served his time, etc... I know leopards tend not to change their spots, but jail time is one thing that can sometimes make a difference for some.

ESPN and the Sun Times did a bit of Salary Cap work for the NFC North. Below are the figures for the four teams: Detroit: $26.8 million Minnesota: $20.4 million Green Bay: $19.09 million Chicago: $17.4 million These numbers do not reflect cap credits each team will get, including as much as $9m we are due to receive in credit for CB Marcus Hamilton. $9m for Hamilton? Wow. So we are looking at about $26M, and you can bet the others will be due increases also. What I didn't feel was mentioned much though was how each team is set up entering FA in terms of current players the team needs to sign. The bears have the following players due to hit …

I'm wondering what JA is thinking about Lovie and what Lovie is thinking about JA. I think maybe there's a little rift going on and our next move may be a sign of things to come. Lovie Smith said in his post season interview that it didn't help when he lost his #1 and #2 WR. I take those comments as strikes towards JA. I even think this started about a year ago. Muhammad was released in Feb, Berrrian was not resigned and then Lovie stated "Devin can be a #1 WR in this league" putting pressure on Hester and JA. The Bears also had Mark Bradley who IMO Angelo wanted to see get his shot, but Lovie refused. If it was Lovies choice not to play/develop and then cut …

News on the Score was that the Pats have placed the franchise tag on Cassell. So, one potential option is off the board.

http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=rookies

The Texans, who finished the year (thanks to us) at .500, didn't do well on defense, and fired a handful of their defensive coaches. Expectations for this defense were never high, but after finishing 22nd in the rankings, it was low enough to make a statement. GB had greater expectations entering the season for their defense, and after finishing 20th in the rankings, basically fired all defensive coaches. Now, those are two programs I would say made statements. They finished the season and said changes were necessary after not playing well. We entered the season w/ high expecations, at least for the defense. Two years ago, the D helped carry the team…

Please take Bob Babich and Darryl Drake with you!!!! http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/br...u_coach_ex.html Peace

Last year around this time, most of the experts pre-drafts had us taking QB Andre Woodson at this time. Of course, by the time the draft rolled around: 1. We'd already given new contracts to Kyle Orton AND Rex Grossman making the idea of drafting a QB at #14 improbable. 2. Andre Woodson had been bad enough in the combine that he slipped to the 6th round. How the hell does a guy go from being projected at #14 overall to #198??? While I can't wait for the April 25-26th draft, I just wanted to rant for a moment that I hate all the pre-combine speculation . . . and I'm bored and pissed that the Vikings are winning in the second quarter.

San Diego was horribly burned on the one play where they were trying to substitute. Other then that, Ron Rivera's defense looked damn good against Indy. In fact, it's amazing how the San Diego defense has improved since he took over. Is there any doubt at this point that it was a huge mistake to let him go? To be honest, when it happened I was ok with it and thought our defense could be even better. Damn I was wrong.

This is a very creative offense. They bring out just about every formation, the wishbone, the wildcat etc.. Their unique running style makes Chad Pennington look like a Pro Bowler when he's really just like Kyle Orton if you think about it. I wish the Bears would develop a clever offense like this, that keeps the defense on their toes. Bring that OC over here

If we had the #1 pick in the draft, what would you do with it?

I'm still undecided. I love Britt but Nicks is impressive and could allow us to go E. Brown in the 1st, but Bey is long but still a bit bulky with nice hands.

I was very impressed with him today. He's a rare guy who's a possession WR but can stretch a simple 8 yard pass into a 40 yard gain. He caught a 15 yard pass today and ended up taking it 65 or so yards for a TD. He's a monster. If this guy is really on the market and Angelo really doesn't want to give up a 1st and a 3rd, they're nuts and so is he. If I were Angelo, I'd make the trade. Period.

1. ted phillips - great bean counter and cap guru. accomplishments: great stadium deal if you are the owner and cheap help. all designed to keep money in owners pockets. 2. jerry angelo - cheap first time GM who is great as a cap guru and, as phillips right hand man, helps keep money in owners pockets. accomplishments: great cap management which helps put cash in owners pockets but after 7 years of drafts has nothing/nothing special to show for it on either side of the ball. hired the cheapest inexperienced coaches and staff possible and sees no need to change any of them after 2 pathetic back-to-back seasons of regressive mediocrity. won't rock the salary boat…

IMHO the reason the 2008 Bears didn't make the playoffs was because of coaching or the lack of it.With all the moving of players to different positions, using schemes to put the LB'S at the line, schemes to use your corners in the bail instead of jam off the line, squip kicks, playing too deep at the end of the game with 6 seconds left, going for it on fourth and one by handing off to the fullback, not using Olsen,Clark & Davis(TE) in the red zone, running Forte bewteen the tackles 80% of the time and not outside more. Not using Hester/Wolfe on the little underneath screens to get them out in space. Trying to throw deep with Orton who was either throwing the ball too …

IMHO this is what I think the Bears should do in the FA period if all possible. In the secondary Let M.Brown and McGowan go & get Sean Jones from Clev.and Asomugha from the Raiders Move Payne to SS and Vasher/Manning to the nickel DE see if Peppers is still there to Ogun WR get either C. Johnson. T.O or T.J. Hous, Bouldin or oneone to be the number one. Move Williams to LT, sign ST. Clair at LG move Buenning to RG and find someone to back up Tait Find a center in the draft...kruetz is getting old

All of you know my thoughts on who is to blame for the collapse of our defense. That being said, I also called for Babich to be the scapegoat. From everything I have been reading, it is looking as if he is staying as DC. Is this Jauron/Shoop all over again? Seriously, WTF is going on? Are they so clueless to think firing the DB coach is going fix the shit we saw on the field? Are they secretly giving the power to Marinelli to save face? Thoughts...

Bears | Smith to meet with Marinelli Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:05:46 -0800 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith is scheduled to meet with former Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli Friday, Jan. 2, about the possibility of Marinelli joining the Bears coaching staff. Marinelli is expected to take the Bears coaching job, but his agent says there are other opportunities. "Rod has a number of opportunities and he is seeing Lovie and they're sitting down and talking. It's a visit," agent Frank Bauer said.

Did you know that we have Cameron Worrell back on the team from the Dolphins and that J.D. Runnels the fullback is now signed with the Bengals?