Tag Archives: Chicago Bears

Emery Rocked the Free Agency Boat for Bears

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Bears new players

Touche Mr. Emery! After last year we had a feeling you were a shaker-and-maker type of guy and you’ve proved us right again. On Tuesday the Chicago Bears picked up not one, but TWO fantastic additions to their offense on the first day of free agency. On Wednesday the Bears welcomed left tackle Jermon Bushrod and tight end Martellus Bennett at Halas Hall.

bushrod w breesBushrod is a two-time Pro Bowler, has a Super Bowl ring under his belt from 2009 and has been anchoring the Saint’s offensive line the past four seasons. You haven’t seen Drew Brees get creamed in every game and this guy is one of the reasons why. We have to keep our QB standing to keep the offense moving and Bushrod is an immediate improvement for Jay Cutler.

Bennett is the complete package – a tight end that can block and CATCH the ball. He set career highs with 55 receptions, 626 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Giants. YES PLEASE! With the addition of Bennett the Bears said goodbye to both Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth (no tears were shed here).

With the two free agency pickups the Bears got themselves some legitimate players, addressed immediate holes in their offense and also gave themselves some flexibility in the upcoming draft (4/25-4/27).  Cutty gives two thumbs up!

cutler smiling

Cutler smiles are hard to find

BEARS: Lovie’s Out, Who’s In?

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Chicago Bears v Arizona Cardinals

After nine years as the Chicago Bears head coach the soft spoken and level headed Lovie Smith is OUT. It wasn’t the best way to ring in the new year as Smith was fired by the Bears on Monday after a 10-6 season. Smith did quite a bit of good for the Bears in his time with Chicago, but his downfall was the part of the game in which he had no experience; the offense.

Chicago is now on the hunt for a new head coach and guess what they’re looking for…an offensive minded guru. Bears General Manager Phil Emery described his current head coach search as ”fast, furious and thorough” on Thursday after conducting the initial round of interviews with prospective candidates. He held a press conference to discuss Lovie’s firing on Tuesday and was jet-setting to Atlanta for interviews almost immediately after.

Who are the Potential Candidates?

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It’s not required to have an offensive minded coach to be successful in the NFL. We’ve seen the defensive minded coaches get the job done as well, for instance Mike Tomlin, Bill Belichick and John Fox, even special teams guys like John Harbaugh. But if offense is the reason Lovie was booted, offense is what the Bears are looking for. Our defense is solid for at least another year with Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings all still under contract.

There are definitely other head coach openings around the league, but hopefully the Bears position is the most appealing to the potential candidates. Sometimes coming into an organization who believes they already have their “franchise quarterback” (Jay Cutler) and other star players in Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte takes some of the fun out of the job. Instead, we can only hope the large market, fantastic city and impenetrable fan base will lure the best of the best to lead the Bears.

Bears Blowout Titans 51-20 in Music City

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There’s is nothing like a Chicago Bears romping in Nashville to start your week off right. I swear when the Bears play well I begin the week in a better mood. Plain and simple, the Titans got their “asks” kicked (please watch this adorable youtube video to understand the reference). The Bears have now won six consecutive games in a row; this hasn’t happened since 2006, and may actually be considered a contender heading into the difficult part of their schedule (Texans and 49ers woowee).  If you missed the Bears Titan mauling, below you will find a quick recap.

Who Needs an offense when you have the Bears defense?

Cornerback Charles Tillman’s ball-punching hands forced a career-high four fumbles. Peanut has been a recognized player in the league for many years, but this year something set the man on fire. He’s absolutely in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. The infamous linebacker Brian Urlacher trotted (it wasn’t as speedy as Tillman or Jennings sprinting down the field, but hey he still got there) his way into the end zone after the team’s seventh interception return touchdown of the season. 7 defensive touchdowns is more than most teams score all season, let alone in 8 games – animals I tell you. If all the critical pieces to the Bears defensive puzzle can stay healthy, this may be the year Bears fans have been waiting for.

Special teams got down and dirty:

They couldn’t let the defense have all the fun! It all started when Sherrick McManis blocked a punt (I mean when does that even happen?!) that Corey Wootton returned for a 5 yard touchdown. THEN Devin Hester got in on the action with a  44-yard punt return that set up a one-play scoring drive. Yup – love it.

The offensive spark was delayed, but things heated up in the end:

Counting on your defense to score first isn’t going to cut it further down the road for the Bears, but Jay Cutler and his boys woke up in the second half. Cutty eventually threw three touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall. Matt Forte deserves some recognition as well, his rugby style rushing touchdown was the first positive offensive play the Bears had during the game. Forte was also effective in the passing game, his 47 yard reception off of a screen pass was something to be reckoned with.

Bears fans are the BEST fans:

I don’t know what you heard, but LP Field sure sounded like a Bears home game with all that hootin-n-hollerin going on. I can’t imagine it hurts a team’s morale to know their fans are willing to pack their bags and head anywhere to cheer on their monsters of the midway.

#Beardown

Bears Idonije is a Prankster

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Make it rain rookies! Tuesday night, Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije had rookies Shea McClellin and Aston Whiteside shaking in their boots. After a lovely dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse in downtown Chicago, Idonije worked with the restaurant to play a little prank on his rookies – they were presented with a bill for $38,091. Idonije tweeted out a complimentary photo to the twitter-universe for our viewing pleasure. YIKES!

“It was five minutes of them trying to debate what they were going to do and how they were going to figure it out. We laughed. It was a lot of fun,” said Idonije.

McClellin wasn’t let off the hook entirely. The defensive end out of Boise State told reporters he did get stuck paying a bill in excess of $10,000 at the steakhouse (I would have to do dishes in the back to work off my debt).

It looked like another instance of rookie hazing – flashback to 2010 where Cowboys veterans stuck then first-year receiver Dez Bryant with a nearly $55,000 tab – but the Cowboys weren’t playing around.

Idonije then let the twitter world know it was all just fun and games :-)

 

#BEARDOWN boys and girls.

Jennings Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month

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Oh heyyy! Chicago Bears Tim Jennings is the NFC defensive player of the month. The cornerback has been tearing things up this season leading the NFL with four interceptions in his first four games (the streak was snapped Monday during the Cowboys match-up, but the rest of the defense made up for it with 5 interceptions and two defensive TDs.)

A seven-year veteran, this is Jennings first player of the month honor. He had just seven interceptions in his career entering the 2012 season. I have a feeling he may break some personal records this season :-) .

What’s in store for Urlacher in 2012?

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The Chicago Bears were full of smooth moves this off season making improvements to the team’s offense, but it looks like things are a little shaky on the defensive end coming into the 2012-2013 season. Eight-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Urlacher, the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears defense, is still suffering from a knee injury he faced last season. After all the excitement from the offensive Cutler-Marshall duo wears off, should Bears fans be a little worried?

Last Tuesday Urlacher had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee – AKA a left knee scope. Now we’ve learned that Urlacher didn’t necessarily wait until the last minute to relieve his knee pain. According to a Chicago Tribune report, Urlacher traveled to Europe earlier this offseason for a “non-invasive treatment” on his left knee. This treatment is known as Regenokine injection therapy and has been utilized by other athletes such a Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez. What’s the catch you ask? The procedure has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration  so it’s not “up for discussion” just yet.

The middle linebacker and the Bears are still targeting the Sept. 9 opener against Indianapolis for his return, but is this the best idea? The Bears organization keeps emphasizing the importance of the first game of the year – why rush Urlacher back on the field before he’s absolutely ready (especially when the Bears should be able to beat the Colts without their Pro Bowl Linebacker)? Does Lovie Smith’s defense only work if all four Pro Bowl defensive players stay healthy and on the field?

Urlacher acknowledged that the knee could be an issue all season adding, ‘‘I don’t see it getting any better during the season. We have to manage it, my reps in practice, and then get through Sunday.’’

Right now, fill-in middle linebacker Nick Roach can play the position capably. The key to the Bear’s success defensively will highly be influenced by the pass rush. In the preseason game against the Redskins we saw an example of some sultry pass rushing when Israel Idonije forced Robert Griffin III to fumble and Julius Peppers recovered the ball. If the big men up front get a ferocious rhythm going, our defense can survive while Urlacher recovers.

Knee injuries are no walk in the park and should always be taken seriously. Ultimately, it’s most important that Chicago brings Urlacher back slowly and the team tries to overcome his absence in the meantime. We gotta be cautious! We need the big man for some Bears playoff wins!

FINALLY: Matt Forte and Bears agree to 4-year deal

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HALLELUJAH! After some seriously prolonged contract negotiations, the Chicago Bears and their Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte have finally agreed to terms on a 4-year deal worth approximately $32 million reported ESPN Chicago. Of course the Bears cut things close with Forte as they had a 3 PM deadline on Monday to avoid any franchise tag nastiness.

Back in March the Bears slapped Forte with their franchise tag and secured the young star would be in a Chicago uniform for the 2012 season – it didn’t really go over too well as Forte was looking for the lucrative deal former GM Jerry Angelo had promised. The one-year agreement would have paid Forte $7.7 million for this season — a $7.1 million raise from his 2011 salary. In the end, the franchise tag ended up being a handy negotiating tool for the running back as he secured about $8 million a year.

Forte signing his contract at Halas Hall

Forte finished his fourth season with 1,487 yards from scrimmage and 997 rushing – he would have had even higher numbers had he not sprained his MCL in December of 2011. Forte is now healthy and making the big bucks, it’s time for him to produce his best numbers yet.

The NFC is one of the most competitive conferences in the entire NFL and Chicago needed to make some serious offensive adjustments to compete with the rivaled Green Bay Packera and Detroit Lions.

In the off season, the Bears picked up some more offensive weapons and a team who souly relied on their defense finally has some key players to produce points offensively. Now, if we can just tighten up that offensive line, we may really have something here.

Here are the keys to this season’s offense:

  • Quarterback – Jay Cutler
  • Running Back – Matt Forte with Michael Bush as backup.
  • Wide Receiver –  Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester
  • Tight End – Kellen Davis (Mike Tice, the new offensive coordinator has a tendency to utilize his tight ends – which Mike Martz didn’t ever do).
The ongoing “Pay Forte” drama has been put to rest and now it’s time to focus on the resurgence of “Da Bears” and making things rain in the Central division. Let’s go!

Briggsy got his extension

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Number 55 will be in a Bears uniform through the 2014 season. The Bears crossed another item off their offseason “to-do list” Wednesday when they agreed to a one-year extension for linebacker Lance Briggs.

“My dream is to retire a Bear,” Briggs said, “and now I know I will.”

The decision seemed far more painless than previous attempts for the seven-time Pro Bowler. His agent worked with GM Phil Emery during the NFL scouting combine in February and once the Bears addressed their offseason priorities, Briggs extension was worked out.

“It is by far the least amount of time that I’ve had talking with the Bears on a contract. I’m just very appreciative right now that the work has been recognized and it got handled as fast as it did,” said Briggs.

Easy as pie.

Bears Unveil New Nike Threads

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photo by Sean Jensen - Chicago Sun-Times

After all the hoopla regarding the unveiling of Nike’s new line of NFL uniforms, the Chicago Bears threads look…basically the same, their classic “old school” look maintained. The Bears will debut their new Nike lighter and tighter uniforms this upcoming season. The other 31 NFL teams will be rocking new Nike uniforms as well because the company struck a deal with the NFL for the next five years.

There are a few key changes to the Bears new uniform, Nike worked hand in hand with Bears head equipment manager Tony Medlin, who kept the players in the loop. The jerseys are lighter, snugger, with shorter sleeves (this gives opponents less to grab onto), they obviously have the Nike swoop adorning the sleeve, but also feature something the Bears hold near and dear: the presence and prominence of the GSH patch, which stands for George S. Halas, the franchise’s owner and a professional football pioneer.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey stated:

“Our family’s biggest concern was, we wanted to make sure the GSH on the left sleeve went back to its original size,” McCaskey said. “It had gotten smaller. Now, it’s restored to its original, 1984 size, so we’re very excited about that.”

Here’s a little before and after for you:

Brian Urlacher is looking fierce as always. Some subtle differences are in the sleeves and neckline. The NFL logo on the collar no longer has a white background. The stripes on the sleeves have been moved up, and the numbers are now on the shoulders instead of the sleeves. The shorter sleeves allow for less bagginess, in theory meaning less holding, which Urlacher believes will free up defensive end Julius Peppers for a wild season. I think my favorite touch is on the gloves, I’ve always been a sucker for accessories, check it out.

The biggest makeover happened for the Seattle Seahawks with some coloring changes, a patch look on the shoulders and what are allegedly feathers down the legs representing the 12th Man.

Forte Feelin’ Disrespected?

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Chicago Bears have made yet another move to improve their roster by signing running back Michael Bush to a four year deal this morning. Who knew things at Halas Hall would be so lively? Chicagoans aren’t used to such activity!

The Bears snatched Bush from the Oakland Raiders, now securing a more than able back-up if anything serious ever happened to Pro Bowler Matt Forte. Earlier this winter, the Bears slapped Fore with a franchise tag (strike one), and this move most likely prolongs negotiations with Matt Forte on a long-term deal, some analysts stating this situation causes major flux on his total value to the franchise (strike two).

Bush’s deal is worth 14 million over the four years, with $7 of that guaranteed money. The pickup of Bush almost assures the departure of Marion Barber before or during training camp (I’m not sure the two fumbles in Denver last season were ever forgiven, falling into the trap of Tebowmania), but Chicago’s star running back is the player who has been most vocal about this deal.

A perfect example of the beauty of twitter, tell us how you really feel Forte:

Ouch. I think he means – nice guys finish last – but it’s okay buddy, we get your point. To be fair, Forte doesn’t call out the Bears or the franchise, but he did happen to retweet Greg Olsen’s “If u have a studd 3 down guy like @MattForte22 why keep paying backups big $ every yr? Crazy!! Matt deserves better” comment and then tweet this gem an hour later. Is Forte seeing a lack of respect from the Bears organization?