The Bears certainly know how to excite and disappoint in equal measure. First up the good news that first round draft pick, Chris Williams, signed a 5 year deal hours before the first practice. When he was drafted Williams had said the word holdout was not in his vocabulary.
And whilst he has been working with the second team there is no doubt that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be the starting Left Tackle in the first game against the Colts. Sure he has a lot of learning to do but he has the ability and character to be successful.
The Bears have now signed all 12 of their draft picks
Now to the bad news, and if the word holdout is not in Wiliams' vocabulary it certainly is in Devin Hester's. The electric return man has decided to stay away from camp until the Bears re-do his deal.
The Bears, for their part, have been involved in negotiations for some time and Hester's no show was a unexpected. Jerry Angelo was bemused because they are continue to talk to Hester's agent and I would not have been at all surprised if the deal had been finalised in the first week of camp. However the Bears have a history and policy of not negotiating with players who fail to turn up. You only have to look at the Urlacher situation, as soon as he turned up at the OTA's progress was made on his extension.
It wasn't as if Hester needed to stay home for people to realise that he was unhappy with contract, Deion Sanders had voiced it for him sometime ago. In fact by holding out he'll be hurting his chances of becoming the number 1 wide receiver on the team. The Bears go into camp with open competition at the position and Hester had an opportunity to stake his claim to be the number 1. Its hard to do that if your not there.
A better strategy would have been to show up, play and practice hard and earn a new contract through your actions on the field.
Now, I don't doubt that Hester deserves a new deal, but I don't think he should receive a deal as a stand out wide receiver yet as he has yet to prove himself. And no way any team would give you a 5 year, $40m deal as a kick returner.
Perhaps the Bears need to put something on the table that's failry creative with a base salary and incentives based upon performance at wide receiver.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Urlacher Agrees To Deal
Well it looks like our erstwhile Middle Linebacker should be happy and content. After months of playing out contract negotiations in the open Urlacher has reportedly agreed to the terms of a new deal which he will sign when the players arrive at training camp today.
The deal is a $6 million signing bonus along with a $1 million increase in base salary each of the next four years. The Bears and Urlacher also have agreed to extend the deal into 2012, at a salary of $7.5 million. In addition Urlacher can earn an extra $500,000 in a workout bonus in 2012.
That works out to around $43.5 million over the next five years, with $18 million in new money for the six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro.
What gets me about this is that it doesn't seem that much different to what was on the table a few months ago, but perhaps it dawned on Urlacher that he wasn't going to get that much better an offer. The Bears were under no obligation to re-do the deal considering the length of time that was left and that Urlacher has an athritic back and neck problems. Not a good sign in a 30 year.
With the deal done though both sides can concentrate on what happens on the field rather than off it.
With number 54 out of the way all that remains is to sign Chris Williams a deal I reckon that could well be done today.
The other issue facing the Bears is extending Devin Hester - but that is a harder one to reconcile. Do the Bears pay him as a kick returner or wide receiver? Its a catch 22 for the Bears. Though you could argue that big deals are done with rookie wide outs before they have proved themselves in the NFL, and in that sense Hester is in the same boat, though he has shown flashes of what he can do when he saw limited action last year.
The deal is a $6 million signing bonus along with a $1 million increase in base salary each of the next four years. The Bears and Urlacher also have agreed to extend the deal into 2012, at a salary of $7.5 million. In addition Urlacher can earn an extra $500,000 in a workout bonus in 2012.
That works out to around $43.5 million over the next five years, with $18 million in new money for the six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro.
What gets me about this is that it doesn't seem that much different to what was on the table a few months ago, but perhaps it dawned on Urlacher that he wasn't going to get that much better an offer. The Bears were under no obligation to re-do the deal considering the length of time that was left and that Urlacher has an athritic back and neck problems. Not a good sign in a 30 year.
With the deal done though both sides can concentrate on what happens on the field rather than off it.
With number 54 out of the way all that remains is to sign Chris Williams a deal I reckon that could well be done today.
The other issue facing the Bears is extending Devin Hester - but that is a harder one to reconcile. Do the Bears pay him as a kick returner or wide receiver? Its a catch 22 for the Bears. Though you could argue that big deals are done with rookie wide outs before they have proved themselves in the NFL, and in that sense Hester is in the same boat, though he has shown flashes of what he can do when he saw limited action last year.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Lamont Jordan
I have read in some quarters that the Bears should have waited for the Raiders to release Lamont Jordan. I’m not sure if that would have been a better scenario for the Bears. Is Jordan a better player at this stage of his career? I would say Jones has more of an upside, and there is no guarantee that Jordan will be released. It’s been rumoured that it might happen since the turn of the year yet Jordan is still on the Raiders roster. Surely if they were going to release him they would have done so by now in order to give the guy a chance at finding a new team.
How Does the Jones Signing Affect Forte?
I guess the first thought upon hearing that Kevin Jones had signed was, well how does this affect Matt Forte?
For me I think the signing is a good thing, not just for the Bears and Jones but for Forte as well.
If he had been expected to carry the load as rookie I think we would have seen signs of Forte hitting a rookie wall sometime between games 10 and 12. With Jones on board Forte will be able to get more of a breather and not be expected to be an every down back as he won’t need to be.
There will also be a mental as well as physical benefit. With the Bears running game in pretty dire straights last year a lot was being expected of Forte in livening the ground game up; a pressure that was intensified when Benson was released. With Jones onboard that expectation will be spread and not heaped on the shoulders of a player who has yet to play a down in the NFL.
Last year’s backup, Adrian Peterson, can also return to the role he excelled at which was on special teams. He will, no doubt, contribute in the running game, especially in the early part of the season when Jones may not be quite 100% fit. Peterson excels on special teams and his return to the unit will partly make up for the loss of Brendon Ayanbadejo.
The Running Back with most to worry about following the Jones signing is Garrett Wolfe. His chances of making the roster may well depend whether the Bears keep 3 or 4 Running Backs. I believe he could play a specialist role on the offence and perhaps contribute as a return man on special teams – especially if Hester plays more at Wide Receiver.
For me I think the signing is a good thing, not just for the Bears and Jones but for Forte as well.
If he had been expected to carry the load as rookie I think we would have seen signs of Forte hitting a rookie wall sometime between games 10 and 12. With Jones on board Forte will be able to get more of a breather and not be expected to be an every down back as he won’t need to be.
There will also be a mental as well as physical benefit. With the Bears running game in pretty dire straights last year a lot was being expected of Forte in livening the ground game up; a pressure that was intensified when Benson was released. With Jones onboard that expectation will be spread and not heaped on the shoulders of a player who has yet to play a down in the NFL.
Last year’s backup, Adrian Peterson, can also return to the role he excelled at which was on special teams. He will, no doubt, contribute in the running game, especially in the early part of the season when Jones may not be quite 100% fit. Peterson excels on special teams and his return to the unit will partly make up for the loss of Brendon Ayanbadejo.
The Running Back with most to worry about following the Jones signing is Garrett Wolfe. His chances of making the roster may well depend whether the Bears keep 3 or 4 Running Backs. I believe he could play a specialist role on the offence and perhaps contribute as a return man on special teams – especially if Hester plays more at Wide Receiver.
Bears add Jones to Backfield
Do you ever get the feeling that no-one will ever take anything seriously that Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo says in the future? Just weeks after telling the assorted media that there were no plans to add a veteran Running Back they promptly sign Kevin Jones. As DDP said on the Beardown forum you wouldn’t want to play poker with them. Now though whatever missives come from their direction you are going to be less inclined to believe them.
As for the Jones signing, well it's something I can live with. I’ve made no secret that I would have preferred Shaun Alexander; however the signing of Jones does have some considerable upside.
For a starter Jones is only 25 years old, so perhaps doesn’t have the same wear and tear that someone like Alexander might have on his body, and he’s a good size at six foot and 228 pounds with decent speed and elusiveness.
The Bears have signed him to a 1 year deal which if it doesn’t work out they can cut their losses and the chances are he’s signed for the league minimum. If Jones proves to be reliable and healthy the Bears will have the inside track on re-signing the former Lions player. Perhaps the Bears missed a trick by not signing him to a 2 year deal with second year voidable by the Bears if Jones doesn’t pan, and this might have added some additional security for Chicago.
The major downside is that over the last 3 years, Jones has proved less than durable amassing just 2,000 yards in that period due to a variety of injuries. His latest ACL injury was just over 7 months ago and they are never the quickest of injures to get over.
However, Jones is a former 1st round draft pick who still has something to prove. He was just the third player in Lions history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season but since then those injuries have hindered his progress.
Not only does he have something to prove, Jones wanted to come to Chicago and has a desire to be successful with the team. In contrast to Benson, Jones certainly appears a team first type of guy and I’m sure will be a good locker room presence.
As for the Jones signing, well it's something I can live with. I’ve made no secret that I would have preferred Shaun Alexander; however the signing of Jones does have some considerable upside.
For a starter Jones is only 25 years old, so perhaps doesn’t have the same wear and tear that someone like Alexander might have on his body, and he’s a good size at six foot and 228 pounds with decent speed and elusiveness.
The Bears have signed him to a 1 year deal which if it doesn’t work out they can cut their losses and the chances are he’s signed for the league minimum. If Jones proves to be reliable and healthy the Bears will have the inside track on re-signing the former Lions player. Perhaps the Bears missed a trick by not signing him to a 2 year deal with second year voidable by the Bears if Jones doesn’t pan, and this might have added some additional security for Chicago.
The major downside is that over the last 3 years, Jones has proved less than durable amassing just 2,000 yards in that period due to a variety of injuries. His latest ACL injury was just over 7 months ago and they are never the quickest of injures to get over.
However, Jones is a former 1st round draft pick who still has something to prove. He was just the third player in Lions history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season but since then those injuries have hindered his progress.
Not only does he have something to prove, Jones wanted to come to Chicago and has a desire to be successful with the team. In contrast to Benson, Jones certainly appears a team first type of guy and I’m sure will be a good locker room presence.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Kevin Jones Paying a Visit
Latest reports suggest that the Chicago Bears are on the verge of signing Free Agent Running Back Kevin Jones.
I'm not one to count my chickens so I'll wait till it happens before I post anymore.
I'm not one to count my chickens so I'll wait till it happens before I post anymore.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Bears Shuffled to 85 Title
The last in the series - which has been great.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With more characters than a Disney parade, the 1985 Bears dominated their opponents and brought fun back to the game, shuffling their way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title. Coached by Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka, the Bears compiled a 15-1 regular-season record with their only blemish coming in a Monday night game against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With more characters than a Disney parade, the 1985 Bears dominated their opponents and brought fun back to the game, shuffling their way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title. Coached by Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka, the Bears compiled a 15-1 regular-season record with their only blemish coming in a Monday night game against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Opportunistic Defence Grabbed 63 Title
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – In 1963, the Bears defense generated 54 takeaways in 14 regular-season games, led the NFL in 10 of 19 statistical categories and placed five players on the All-Pro team. The unit dominated throughout the season, then saved its best performance for the 1963 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants at frigid Wrigley Field.
With a game-time temperature of nine degrees, the Bears bruised and battered Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle, intercepting five passes, including two that set up Chicago’s only touchdowns in a stirring 14-10 victory.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
With a game-time temperature of nine degrees, the Bears bruised and battered Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle, intercepting five passes, including two that set up Chicago’s only touchdowns in a stirring 14-10 victory.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Luckman Bootlegged Bears to Title
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Sid Luckman was a Hall of Famer passer, but the legendary Bears quarterback burned the New York Giants in the 1946 NFL Championship Game with his feet.
With the score tied 14-14 midway through the fourth quarter at the Polo Grounds, Luckman reached deep into the Bears’ playbook for a seldom-used play that was called Bingo-Keep-It.
Luckman faked a handoff to Hall of Fame running back George McAfee to the left and dashed around right end, tucking the ball against his leg. With Bulldog Turner and Ray Bray delivering key blocks, Luckman ran 19 yards for the game’s decisive touchdown in a 24-14 victory.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
With the score tied 14-14 midway through the fourth quarter at the Polo Grounds, Luckman reached deep into the Bears’ playbook for a seldom-used play that was called Bingo-Keep-It.
Luckman faked a handoff to Hall of Fame running back George McAfee to the left and dashed around right end, tucking the ball against his leg. With Bulldog Turner and Ray Bray delivering key blocks, Luckman ran 19 yards for the game’s decisive touchdown in a 24-14 victory.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
Friday, 4 July 2008
Luckman Led Way To 1943 Title
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears continued to build a dynasty in 1943, winning their third NFL championship in four years behind legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman.Luckman enjoyed the most productive season of his 12-year career with the Bears (1939-50), leading the NFL in all passing categories. He threw for 2,194 yards and his 28 touchdowns and 107.5 passer rating remain Bears records to this day, 65 years later.
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
Click here to read more at ChicagoBears.com
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