ostrogoth

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/81...mully26.article

The Bears still have the three running backs who played last season: Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe. Benson, who has pocketed nearly $13.8 million for three years of remarkable mediocrity, has a cap number of $3.35 million with a base salary of just $820,000. He's coming off a broken left leg that required a small metal plate to be inserted to hold bone together. One source said the injury may cost him a step. Imagine, a slowed-down Benson, slower even than the one who couldn't find top gear last year. Benson came up 27 yards shy of triggering a conditional roster bonus worth $1.73 million. He has the same provision in his deal for this year, which means he'll make another $1.73 million if he gains just 701 yards or hits some other easily attainable -- in theory, anyway -- milestones. Why continue to pay him when he's regarded as such a bust that NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said he cashed in on a dinner bet he made with a prominent football evaluator. ''I felt he was a pretty good kid, but I didn't think he had -- from a work-ethic perspective -- what you needed from a No. 4 pick in the draft,'' Mayock said. ''After God and family, if football is not next, you have a problem.'' If football isn't next for Benson, as Mayock suggests and fans suspect, then why is he still on the team? Remember, general manger Jerry Angelo has said character evaluation is now a top priority in the team's drafts, and he predicts a better success rate in the future as a result of some of the things the Bears are doing. Angelo went so far as to say the team will take more players than ever off its draft board after researching their football character and citizenship issues. Shouldn't that concept be applied to guys already on the team? Or is the standard different with former first-round picks? The Bears have been furiously re-signing their players and working contract angles with most of the members of their roster. They'll be working to bring back Lance Briggs and Bernard Berrian through the start of the free-agent period that opens Friday. With a priority of re-signing their own, it doesn't look like they'll have the resources or inclination to make a big splash on the free-agent market. Presumably, that means they're going to use the draft to replace the players they're losing. If that's the case, they need more picks. They almost have to trade down out of the No. 14 overall selection if that is the plan. They love to trade down and have had success doing so. That would seem to preclude selecting Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall, the Niles West graduate whom Ron Turner recruited to Champaign. ''Love him,'' Turner said of Mendenhall, who ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL combine Sunday while weighing in at a stout 225 pounds. ''I liked then what I like now: his size, his speed, his instincts, his feel for the game. He's a very good player.''

The surgery Cedric Benson underwent to repair his fractured ankle required a small plate to hold the bone together. A source told the Chicago Sun Times that the plate and surgery "may cost him a step." Really, how much slower could he be? Benson can trigger a $1.73 million bonus by rushing for 701 yards in 2008, but probably won't get there. The Bears seem likely to find a new starting back this offseason.

Jonathan Vilma is in Detroit Wednesday to take a physical. Vilma, the No. 12 overall pick in 2004, is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, which he underwent in November. He has experience in a Tampa 2 defense like Detroit's, having played for Herm Edwards 2004-2005. If he's cleared physically, a trade could be announced on Friday.

Citing two NFL sources, AOL Sports' Sean Jensen reports Randy Moss is expected to sign a "multi-year deal" to stay in New England. Jensen writes from Minnesota, so he probably has close ties to Moss or his agent. Jensen believes the contract is expected to be for three years and $30 million with $12-15 million guaranteed. A lot of news that comes out at this time of year is misdirection, but this makes sense. Jensen adds that impending free agent Lance Briggs is slated to sign with San Francisco.

Patriots RB Kevin Faulk was reportedly arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession Friday night when was caught with four joints at a Lil' Wayne concert in the Cajundome. The drought of Patriot arrests has ended with Faulk and DB Willie Andrews getting caught this month. While going to the Cajundome is usually asking for trouble, Faulk might be the first person in history to get caught by a concert security check. If he wasn't in the league's confidential drug program, Faulk's playing status shouldn't be affected

Colvin was an excellent player with the Bears, 31 isn't that old and Williams and Okwo are raw and unproven in the NFL. Not sure I'm ready to leave the job to either unless necessary.

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots are expected to release LB Rosevelt Colvin today. His $5.5 million base salary combined with a foot injury sealed his fate. We're still surprised because they are very thin and old at the position. Colvin quickly becomes one of the most intriguing names available at linebacker, while the Patriots need to add a lot talent to the position. Feb. 26 - 2:39 pm et Source: Boston Globe

The Raiders' coaching staff "definitely has a strong interest" in free agent to be Bernard Berrian, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Trib adds that Oakland anticipates the Bears placing the franchise tag on Berrian. The Bears' beat writers to this point have said that Berrian is unlikely to be franchised. It'd still be logical for the team to keep its most explosive player not named Devin Hester with the one-year guarantee.

Well last week it was the 49ers that were after both of them, If Redskins are that much over then no way they land Briggs!!

I think Wolfe has more of a Maurice Jones-Drew appeal, maybe he can but based on what I've seen I'd be surprized if he comes back next year!

The dude is washed up, rather have the edge from U2 than this guy.

While the Bears might have seen the last of Briggs and Berrian, Steelers offensive lineman Alan Faneca would be an intriguing free agent to pursue. Faneca, a 31-year-old perennial Pro Bowl guard, is expected to leave Pittsburgh as an unrestricted free agent. Faneca said Friday he never has envisioned himself playing for the Bears but wouldn't rule it out

An NFL executive believes impending free agent Lance Briggs will end up with the 49ers this offseason. The Niners were close to acquiring Briggs at October's trade deadline, but the sign-and-trade agreement was nixed because Briggs was the Bears' franchise player. Briggs is a sideline to sideline outside linebacker in Chicago, but would play inside in San Francisco's 3-4 scheme. Source from Chicago Tribune.

Looks like there are many in favor of his departure based on this: http://www.fireronturner.org/

Agreed, ship his ass to Miami!! Take a draft pick

In 1995, with Erik Kramer at QB, the Bears set a team record for passing yards per game with 233.9 while compiling the fourth-most points in team history with 392. Kramer set club records with 29 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions (least among 16-game starters) while standing as the last Chicago passer to start all 16 games. The 1995 squad produced the third-most total net yards (5,673) and the second-most first downs (340) in team history. The offense also featured a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in 1995, the only such season in team history. Uhh Yeah, He has been good but it's been a while. I'm not defending him necessarily but...

Turner is an easy scapegoat, just like every offensive coordinator in Chicago has been for the last ten years. It doesn't speak well for Smith that he would be hiring his third coordinator in five years.

Kyle Orton credited his neckbeard with helping him overcome the cold and windy elements in Chicago on Sunday. "Certainly with the wind, it was cold, but I have a beard so that helps out a little bit. It's kind of warm in this area," Orton said. As always with Orton, there is a method to his madness. Lance Briggs' status for the Bears' season finale is in doubt due to a hip injury. Briggs wants to return to ensure that he has played in 75% of all snaps, thus preventing the Bears from placing the franchise tag on him once again, thus preventing what will surely be a big payday. S1.bmp

Bears signed DT Matt Toeaina off the Bengals' practice squad. A sixth-round pick out of Oregon in April, Toeaina immediately becomes the Bears' fifth defensive tackle. He was known as a run stopper with the Ducks. Bears signed former Rams DT Jimmy Kennedy on Tuesday. Kennedy, a 2003 first-round pick by the Rams, has been a bust in the NFL and has not played this season after being waived by the Broncos in training camp. The Bears are desperate for interior line help after a recent rash of injuries and Kennedy played under coach Lovie Smith with the Rams Lovie Smith is "hopeful" that CB Nathan Vasher (groin) can return to the lineup this week against the Vikings. Vasher has avoided being placed on the IR despite missing 10 straight games. If active, and that's a big if at this point, he likely would play in nickel packages against the surprisingly effective Tarvaris Jackson.