The focus of the Chicago Bears organization shifted last night with Jerry Angelo's near-miraculous signing of Lance Briggs, characterized by both the Sun-Times and Trib as a disaster for the elite linebacker and a coup for Halas Hall. Now the organization has achieved the most economically efficient move of this off-season and restored the confidence of a fanbase slowly drifting out into Lake Michigan. Here's what else is going on.
Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper want to kill two-birds-with-one-stone for some lucky NFL franchise. Can you get Moss without Pepper?
Mosley Dead has changed his tune on the Chicago Bears, understanding that this defense is still very young and health will elevate them back to elite. They still need security at the safety spot, however.
Randy Moss is also being rumored to be a possibility in Green Bay if Favre returns. Jerry Angelo needs to take a page out of the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry on this one. Pay whatever you can to keep this from not happening. An unsuccesful Moss is Chicago is a positive thing if he's not playing with Favre.
Shane Olivea should be a real possibility at right tackle for the Bears. Norv Turner benched him in San Diego this season and GM A.J. Smith commented that he'd lost his fire but Olivea has proven himself to be a terrific player and could be a due for a renaissance with a new franchise where he'll be dedicated to prove A.J. the dickhead that he is.
Three interesting and (I think) related bits from Brad Biggs today which is a must-read for Bears fans. (1) Berrian saw his role diminishing in Chicago, most likely to...(2) Devin Hester, who has begun the negotiating process with Halas Hall. (3) Drew and Jerry are discussing Dejo, who is looking for an opportunity to play more linebacker.
Addendum: Michael Turner has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
#2 Mike said . . .1st(yeah)
Though I haven't heard much but Burner Turner is still out there.
I hope that can be the next thing I read about the Bears this off season.
March 2, 2008
#3 jdawg said . . .I'm surprised and very happy about the inking of Lance Briggs. He's the most important member of the defense next to Tommie Harris. Yes, he even surpasses the increasingly broken down Brian Urlacher.
And I cannot fault Jerry Angelo for letting Bernard Berrian walk. If Minnesota wants to pay him that kind of money then let them go right ahead.
Angelo is letting Michael Burner go elsewhere by all indications. That means he will no doubt attack the holes on the offensive line, running back and wide receiver with the 4 draft picks the Bears have in the first 3 rounds of the April draft. I'm guessing he will also sign a "serviceable" offensive guard type and a "veteran" wide receiver type in free agency.
March 2, 2008
#4 # 23 =HESTER=JORDAN=SANDBERG=# 23 said . . .Mike -- you rope-a-dope me on occasion. Another reasonable, positve, accurate post. Please pass the next hit my way.
Hmm... the tackle from SD is interesting. I haven't heard anything prior to this post on that.
Why in the hell Moss would want to go anywhere is beyond me. There's no comparison between Brady and Favre. none. It wouldn't be as crazy as him wanting to play with our QB mess, but still, what's he smoking?
March 2, 2008
#5 jeff said . . ...Speaking of turner & da chargers,they did let go of a FB named O'neal & even though I wish him unspeakable thoughts 4 what he did 2 MB da 1st game of season.If were gonna run like we luv 2 & looks like now that our two starting receivers are gone, the ball he should be able 2 open up sum holes w/his size & speed.Plus gilmore is gone.....and its more than likely we will pick RB in 1st early rounds or FA
P.S.Cant wait 2 see BB get smashed by M30B,tillman,briggs up the middle or long;-];=];-];-];-];-];-];-];-];-];-]priceless!!!even if he does score once or twice
March 2, 2008
#6 jdawg said . . .i think jerry should sincerely look to add "a body" for the receiving corps. a bryant johnson or something like that. as for the o-line, remember jerry grabbed fred and ruben late in the game. i'm sur ehe's not done.
March 2, 2008
#7 # 23 =HESTER=JORDAN=SANDBERG=# 23 said . . .yes -- my mind is a bit more at ease.
The Briggs signing and BB bolting mean we have money for others. I'm done hand-wringing over this and will just wait for it to play out.
What is really going to be fun is watching the Queens fans going nuts and making their SB reservations.
Has the pre-season favorite in the north been there at the top the last three or for seasons, at the end?
March 2, 2008
#8 RandomName said . . .Luv da idea of johnson or duckett@WR ****why not both,they shouldn't be xpensive.NO MOSS2 GB,DONT EVEN MENTION IT AGAIN UNLESS THEY MAKE A DEAL.WE DONT WANT THEM TOGETHER,BRETT MADE IT CLEAR LAST YEAR HE WANTED HIM W/ THE ORGANIZATION KNOWING THEIR WINDOW W/#4 IS ALL BUT OVER THEY WILL GAMBLE & WIN LIKE NE
March 2, 2008
#9 Max said . . .Hey, the deal is a good one, would like to keep Berrian and Briggs, but I think we kept the more needed player
Berrian is good and will have a good career in Minnesota but I hope not against the bears.
So no Berrian, no moose. so umm _> where's our receiver?
The Flash/Hester is good but he's not the whole JLA.
March 2, 2008
#10 Bears99 said . . .Do I smell a chance for Rashied???? . . . eh probably not. Maybe a little slow or a little short to be a starter, but the man should get some love in the slot.
We need to sign an O-linemen. I dont want to go into the draft with that many gaping holes in our line. And I cant lie, I wouldnt mind Brandon Lloyd. We just need bodies to compete there, plus the whole he-should-be-cheap-thing doesnt hurt.
March 2, 2008
#11 start olsen said . . .I think Davis will shine in the slot now with Hester lined up at one of the wideouts. Even more so with someone like moss or another vet lined up on the other side.
March 2, 2008
#12 jeff said . . .I am very happy they re-signed briggs. I had to spend the evening with my three raiders friends (dont ask) and listen to their shit about losing Berrian.
To which I say, with honesty, who cares?
1. never had good numbers
2. overrated, overpaid- glad it wasnt by us
3. Tavarias is his QB. enough said.
4. Mark Bradly is not the same guy- he is a bigger, faster Berrain.
5. the raiders fucking suck, and lost to the Bears.March 2, 2008
#13 JB said . . .i might be the biggest mark bradley fan in the bears universe. i have written about his lack of role so many times i started to bore myself with it. he has better hands than berrian and he's more dangerous once he's got the ball in his hands. he's going to have a nice season. i'd still like to see an amani toomer-type in here...someone reliable for the third down grab.
March 2, 2008
#14 Butt Kiss said . . .So, I was wrong on Rex.
I was wrong on Briggs.
I was wrong on Berrian.
Hmmm, not doing too well...and I'm very pleased! I was in total shock when I read the Briggs signing, I love it. We'll see if some of the things I called a long time ago may happen though. Resigning Tommie soon. Drafting Woodson, hopefully he falls to the 2nd. I still like Bryant Johnson if we can get him in here for a sober contract.
I am amazed at the money the vikings spent on B2...but who cares, he gone.
March 2, 2008
#15 jeff said . . .Get off your ass and do something for once. You dont need to sit around eating carbohydrates and drinking bear and obsess about the stupid Bears, It's f-ing March. Get a life.
March 2, 2008
#16 Megan said . . .i drink bear.
greatest typo ever.
March 2, 2008
#17 Max said . . .How does one drink a "bear"?
March 2, 2008
#18 Max said . . .Good bye best RB available in FA. . . damn
March 2, 2008
#19 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Could we sign Warrick Dunn if the Falcons release him? I realize that he doesn't really fit into the mold of the bruising running back that defines the Bears, but as most agree, anything is an upgrade from CB. And at least Dunn could be a good combo with Ced. . . like thunder and flash. . . cept with alot more flash than thunder
March 2, 2008
#20 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .If not Dunn,I like J Noorwood,that plays behind Dunn. maybe swing a trade for him.
too bad we didn't get Turner in for a talk though.
Sounds like he went for the money more than winning.
with the signing though I feel Dunn is done in ATL.March 2, 2008
#21 Mike said . . .I just hope Chris Brown isn't Angelo ace to back up Benson.
Please football god if your listening,Mendenhall would look great in a Bears uni
March 2, 2008
#22 tenacious d said . . .There are few stone cold locks in this world. But the Bears picking the best available offensive tackle with the #14 pick in April is as close as you can get. And we had better hope whoever that OT is that he can step right in and start.
I shall puke in my shoes if Angelo signs Chris Brown. He is terrible. Worse than Cedric Benson if that is even possible.
One more thing....folks on this board are too dismissive of Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota. Brad Childress KNOWS quarterbacks and if he has hitched his wagon to Tavaris then that says something about the young man's potential in this league.
March 2, 2008
#23 Rancid said . . .I know this is not a popular opinion because he's a local kid, but I agree with JA not pursuing Turner. If you're going to spend big bucks in free agency, pay for production not potential. Turner has looked good in limited opportunities, but he is far from a proven commodity. If we are going to get an unproven talent to compete with Benson, its best to get one from a deep class of RB's in the draft for way less money than what Turner got from Atlanta.
March 2, 2008
#24 Shamen said . . .I didn't want Turner, so I'm glad with this developement. Ideally I want a rookie RB to compete with Ced. I still like Booker as a possession WR for us for a couple years but that apparently has no chance of happening. Love that idea for a tackle, jeff, I'll have to check him out.
March 2, 2008
#25 start Olsen said . . .We don't want Dunn. He's an older scat back. If you'll remember, we have a young scat back on the squad already in G. Wolfe. The potential he showed at the end of the season when they started throwing him screen passes is very exciting. That's an offensive dimension the Bears have lacked the past several years. I would always get pissed off watching the Packers run screens to pick up 8-10 yards on third and long, thinking "why don't the Bears do that?" Now that they have Wolfe, they can. I am hopeful that Wolfe can become a top-notch third down back, in the Kevin Faulk mode.
March 2, 2008
#26 jeff said . . .DAMN. I wanted to see Turner carrying the rock for us. @#$@#.
Im telling you, we need to be coveting Jonathan Stewart of Oregon.March 2, 2008
#27 minnie Mad Dog said . . .everybody calm down. i do think mike is right and love the phrase "i shall puke in my shoes." we're going offensive tackle early unless we make a surprising splash soon.
March 2, 2008
#28 Mike said . . .Mike.
I have to respectfully disagree with you about Tavaris Jackson. I live here in minnie and have seen him play alot. He is a good athlete and has a rocket arm. But he has no accuracy and no patience in the pocket. Frankly, I think the Bears have 3 quarterbacks better than Tavaris. His statistics are also very misleading. On defense, most teams put 8 in the box to stop "the real Adrian Petersen." Who couldn't complete some passes against that coverage?
We will see if Tavaris can actually get the ball within 5 or 10 yards of Bernard B. Personally, I doubt it.
March 2, 2008
#29 start olsen said . . .Ryan Clady or Jeff Otah. One of them has great chance of being a Chicago Bear on draft day.
March 2, 2008
#30 start olsen said . . .that is funny shit. I cant wait to watch berrian frustrated all year long, watching balls sail over his head or drop behind him, getting hung out and blasted by safeties, getting yelled at for not blocking for AP downfield, pouting like a bitch, getting pulled over for speeding the in new car he buys with all this money, getting shut out by the Bears stud corners, missing the playoffs, and finally, dropping the few catchable balls he gets.
March 2, 2008
#31 Shady said . . .Which sounds better in your mind?
"Grossman throws deep to moss....Touchdown!"
or
"Grossman throws deep down the middle, he's got Javon Walker... Touchdown!"March 2, 2008
#32 jdawg said . . .I bet Angelo trades down if the opportunity presents itself. The more draft picks the better. JA loves draft picks like a fat kid loves...
March 3, 2008
#33 Al in WI said . . .From what I hear the QB class in this draft sucks after Brohm and Ryan. If we take one it will be after Flacco and Henne.
I don't want anybody to lay a turd on the floor, but don't be surprised if Brennen is chosen in the 4th or 5th. He was coming off the flu at the senior bowl and was the most accurate passer at the combine.
This is actually starting to get fun. I can' t wait to see what happens next. The thought that our D will resemble the 2005-2006 D has me sleeping like a baby.
March 3, 2008
#34 HesterFan23 said . . .The problem that I see with the fantasy of shutting down Berrian twice a year with our great corners is our not so great safties that play behind them in the cover two. Whatever I guess I sure hope it happens. I'm pretty down on the offense right now. As I've said in previous posts, Bryant Johnson and Javon Walker would turn around the situation awful fast. Let's get some deals done.!
The Briggs signing is fantastic for the defense. I think they have to address saftey in FA though, I like the sounds of McCree of SD.March 3, 2008
#35 jdawg said . . .Dang, I wanted Turner.
On a side note, I'll take Pepper if it means Moss in Chicago...
March 3, 2008
#36 Shady said . . .D Manning is faster than BB, and a healthy Mike Brown will, in those famous disco era lyrics, "ringa my bell-ell-ell ringa my bell."
What about Issac Bruce. In the word of Yoda, "no love gets he? hmmmm?"
March 3, 2008
#37 Mike said . . .I think Bruce signed with the 49ers. He's back w/ his buddy Martz.
March 3, 2008
#38 HesterFan23 said . . .Folks, you way underestimate the developmental potential of Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota. Brad Childress KNOWS quarterbacks. If he didn't like Jackson then he would have gotten somebody else by now. And yes, I think objective football people around the NFL look upon Tavaris Jackson more favorably than they do Rex Grossman.
Adrian Peterson, the Viking, scares the crap out of me. The Vikings are a team on the rise. Make no mistake about it.
March 3, 2008
#39 jdawg said . . .Think about this:
Olsen & Clark
Moss & Hester
Besnon & MendenhallThen you sign an O-Linemen and draft another and the offense just got a whole lot better...
March 3, 2008
#40 HesterFan23 said . . .and I just farted a bouquet of flowers.
March 3, 2008
#41 Shady McBears Fan said . . .I know thats a lot of dreaming, but one can wonder what that'd be like...
March 3, 2008
#42 Pissed Off said . . .What the fuck, flowers?? Is that some kind of Valentines Day gone wrong? haha
Anyway, do you guys believe Tommie and Devin will be signed to a new contract before the start of the season?
How about Urlacher?
Which Randy Moss are you going to get (if you want to pay around 10 MiL per year) the New England Randy Moss or the Oakland Randy Moss? Think about it. Moss is a terrific talent, but requires a certain offensive ingredient the Bears do not currently possess (Ahem). Personally I don't think it would work the way you might think it would, and I don't think it's worth the ri$k.
I would agree w/ Mike that the Vikings are a team on the rise. I think the entire NFC North realizes that fact and I hope JA spends a pick or two on a DT late in the draft...
*Going to drink a few bears*March 3, 2008
#43 craig said . . .You ask now what? Here's what: dump Grossman, dump Orton, dump every running back and wide receiver we have. Throw all of our money into signing Moss, trade away our first rounder for Derek Anderson. Trade a number of this years draft picks and next year's first round draft pick plus a number of future draft picks for to move up and draft McFadden. It's the only way this team will win. Otherwise, we should be rebuilding because we're not going to score with Grossman, Benson, and a bunch of no-name wide receivers.
March 3, 2008
#44 Phil from SATX said . . .Mendenhall would be nice, but I don't see that happening. It'll be an OT in rd1. MAYBE a QB in rd2 although something tells me it won't be because this year's class has been so underwhelming. I'm guessing they'll take a RB in rd 2 or 3, but could also see them jumping on, say, a DT that they really like (evaluating defensive talent in the draft is their strength and they know it). How early they draft a RB will tell us a lot about how they feel about Benson, though. The longer they wait, the more likely it is that they still believe he can succeed.
As for FA, Moss is a pipe dream. He'll sign with the Pats by Monday or Tuesday. I'd like to see the Bears at least talk to Javon Walker, but there's a lot of hype around him right now and Angelo is all about "sobriety." This is how he got Briggs back, and Jeff is probably rightâ€â€he's waiting for things to settle. We'll reel in our share of guys...
March 3, 2008
#45 Phil from SATX said . . .Couple of thoughts - I don't think there's a good FA RB fit out there for the Bears, since the two SoCal backs are gone. Julius Jones - 8 100 yard games in his career. And you shouldn't read much if anything into the fact that his brother got better as his career continued - I don't think familial genetics have much to do with this.
Chris Brown, nobody seems to much like. Tatum Bell exceeds in nickel situations and hasn't been very durable. On the other hand, the draft is very deep in RBs. Although I agree that the 14th pick won't be a RB I think
March 3, 2008
#46 Matt said . . .Premature posting. Let's try that again.
Couple of thoughts - I don't think there's a good FA RB fit out there for the Bears, since the two SoCal backs are gone. Julius Jones - 8 100 yard games in his career. And you shouldn't read much if anything into the fact that his brother got better as his career continued - I don't think familial genetics have much to do with this.
Chris Brown, nobody seems to much like. Tatum Bell excels mostly in nickel situations and hasn't been very durable. On the other hand, the draft is very deep in RBs. Although I agree that the 14th pick won't be a RB I think you can get an immediately contributing guy for much less money than the free agents in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.
On the other hand, a veteran WR is a MUST for the Bears, so I hope they have Plan A, B and C here.
There's been some talk that Atlanta doesn't need Darren McFadden with their 3rd pick now that they signed Turner. They will be shopping the pick and Dallas is a decent bet for throwing the farm at them to get McFadden. If they did that, what would that mean for Marion Barber, RFA? He's one I really like.
There was discussion on NFL Network about the new trend of stacking teams with a bunch of DE's and then moving one inside. I guess that's what Giants did with great effect in the SB. The quickness of these guys, when placed on the inside, can create much havoc, is the theory. Which brings me to... we're potentially thin at DT - what about moving Mark Anderson inside at times next to Tommie. Physically he's very similar to Izzy, who gets his occasional inside shot. I haven't forgotten about Dusty, but I'm talking about rotation here. Same concept for Dan Bazuin (who is very different physically from those two guys but shares quickness), because otherwise, is the guy going to get any PT?
Just some early morning thoughts. Still very jazzed about Briggs. Sounds like Moss will stay with the Pats - and really, why wouldn't he? Minny Mad Dog, all is long since forgiven from last week - great post on TV Jackson. NOT ACCURATE - which doesn't say much for Berrian's chances up there. I don't know why they haven't put QB high on their list of needs.
March 3, 2008
#47 Matt said . . .From eastcoastsportsnews.com:
"The Buffalo Bills reportedly reached a tentative contract agreement with Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson on Sunday night ...the contract agreement is expected to be finalized by the two parties sometime this morning and is considered to be a done deal unless Johnson has a change of heart."
I'll give Angelo credit: He must really want to show everyone he can successfully draft offense. I think Johnson would have been just as good if not better than the current crop of WR's.
March 3, 2008
#48 Phil from SATX said . . .And is this signing a precursor to a Losman/Evans trade, maybe to Detroit.....
March 3, 2008
#49 JAB said . . .This one (Bryant Johnson) stings a little - I felt like he was a guy we'd be interested in. Does this mean Hackett's price is creeping up? Also, why are we not hearing anything about a lineman? Maybe we will today.
I absolutely hate the fact that one of the hottest stories being perpetrated by the sports media is that Lance Briggs is the "Biggest Loser" in free agency. Lance, don't listen to these guys, and thank you for giving us a home town discount (whether he did it intentionally or not, he might as well get credit from us for it). I hope this doesn't create any lingering bad feelings for him. Just ridiculous that the media can't instead talk about how stupid MN is for overpaying Berrian, rather than calling Lance a big loser. They're helping to perpetuate this nonsense.
March 3, 2008
#50 Bill said . . .The reports from Buffalo still do not confirm Johnson signing with the Bills. Not that he would be the greatest signing but it couldn't hurt.
http://www.wben.com/news/wgrstory.php?newsid=3102
March 3, 2008
#51 Phil from SATX said . . .Mike: "The Vikings are a team on the rise. Make no mistake about it. " Is this as much a lock as your saying Grossman wouldn't sign with the Bears? And I don't have the time to look it up, but I wonder what your "make no mistake" prediction on Briggs was. Still, you were right about RT. But in my opinion, your opinions are just that. I really think it's silly at best to portray yourself as more knowledgable when you are as subject to being wrong as anyone else.
Sorry if that came across as insulting. I have a headache this morning from drinking way too many bears yesterday.
By the way - the Vikings are a run first team - at least they should be. Having Berrian fulfills the need to stretch the field so AP can run free. That's a lot of money for a decoy, but I assume it will work. He will not be a TD machine - and he'll not have a bunch of catches. And our corners will shut him down pretty well. But he's not the guy we have to worry about - it's AP. So of the two, it was far more important to keep Lance.
Now we have to lock up Tommie.
March 3, 2008
#52 JAB said . . .Interesting article by David Haugh today where he references an insider with the Bears saying that off all the free agents WRs available, only Moss is a true #1. This seems to make it more likely that our 2nd round pick could go to an impact WR. There is relatively strong agreement among mock drafts that there will be 4 WRs taken in the first round - Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, Desean Jackson and James Hardy are the names that show up most often.
That leaves a lot of interesting names for the 2nd round and beyond:
Early Doucet
Mario Manningham
Andre Caldwell
Eddie Royal
Earl Bennett
Adarius Bowman
Devin Thomas
Jordy Nelson
Lavelle HawkinsA lot will be placed on one of these kids' shoulders for the Bears, if that insider report is true. And that's assuming that they understand that neither Hester nor Bradley should be counted on yet to be the team's #1 - I have my hopes out there for both of these guys in 2008, but Jerry better be planning on something more than hoping.
March 3, 2008
#53 Mike said . . .We're not going to count on a rookie to make an impact. Someone will be brought in whether it is Javon Walker or some other receiver JA will not let the WR position hinge on a rookie.
March 3, 2008
#54 Mike said . . .With the x pick in the 2008 NFL draft the Chicago Bears select....
1st round...Offensive Tackle
2nd round...Wide Receiver
3rd round (A)....Offensive Guard
3rd round (B)....Running BackFree agents? Angelo will bring in somebody for the offensive line. Not somebody who is awe inspiring, but somebody. He will also pick up a veteran wide receiver off the dung heap if for no other reason than Roger Goodell is taking steps to revoke the franchise license of the Chicago Bears if they continue to insist that Mark "I've caught 30 fucking passes in 3 years" Bradley is on the top of the depth chart.
You guys should have to pay me for this stuff.
March 3, 2008
#55 Phil from SATX said . . .With the x pick in the 2008 NFL draft the Chicago Bears select....
1st round...Offensive Tackle
2nd round...Wide Receiver
3rd round (A)....Offensive Guard
3rd round (B)....Running BackFree agents? Angelo will bring in somebody for the offensive line. Not somebody who is awe inspiring, but somebody. He will also pick up a veteran wide receiver off the dung heap if for no other reason than Roger Goodell is taking steps to revoke the franchise license of the Chicago Bears if they continue to insist that Mark "I've caught 30 fucking passes in 3 years" Bradley is on the top of the depth chart.
You guys should have to pay me for this stuff.
March 3, 2008
#56 Jerseybearfan said . . .Mike, you'll get nothing and like it!
Actually I liked your post though, all except for the Mark Bradley part, which I will continue to disagree with. Mark Bradley can't catch balls when he's sitting on the bench. They would have been better off last year benching Moose in favor of Bradley and letting him run opposite Berrian. Jerry Angelo said as much, both in words and actions.
But I agree with everything else, which is actually pretty amazing. Rope-a-dope?
March 3, 2008
Phil thank you so much for saying that about bradley.....im tired of hearing people dog him like he doesnt know what the hell he is doing...lets not forget before he got hurt in 2005 he was a starter who was so good they had to bench gage in favor of him. but he got hurt.....berrian eventually took his role.....hes now healthy and so deserves a chance again...remember it takes roughly 2 years to heal from an acl....and ive never heard lovie and friends apologize for using or not using a player ..... until him
March 4, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.