The Bears make writing this site difficult in the off-season with their penchant for doing absolutely nothing for long periods of time. So here's a couple of things developing around the league that should (but won't) have repercussions in Chicago.
(1) The Rams officially released Torry Holt. I can't imagine a potential Hall-of-Famer who's played his entire career in a dome having an interest in coming to Chicago for seventy catches tops. However, one would hope that Lovie built a relationship with TH when he was in St. Louis and might be able to make this happen.
(2) Samari Rolle is getting released by the Ravens. Rolle's not the player he was half a decade ago but the Bears lack a veteran presence in the secondary. This is the kind of addition the Pats have been making for years in order to put themselves over the top.
(3) Everybody has the Bears going with a wide receiver at #18. I don't see it happening. Jerry's been terrible when he goes offense early. I'm still thinking defensive end or offensive line.
(4) I don't know much about Josh Bullocks. I discussed it with a Saints fan friend of mine and apparently he ain't that good.
(5) For those of you who still don't think Anquan Boldin is being shopped, you're just not paying attention. Haugh cites the PFT report in his recent column and I'll let him reiterate my inflexible position: "I know if the Cardinals are shopping receiver Anquan Boldin as Profootballtalk.com reported Thursday, then the Bears should get in line quicker than a mall-goer the day after Thanksgiving. Other teams might have more to offer in terms of draft picks so the Bears would have to get creative to put a deal together that would change their off-season radically."
(6) I actually have a career outside my beloved ballclub. Here's an example.
#2 Perfontaine said . . .First
March 14, 2009
#3 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Congrats on the award Jeff. And Piss ON J.A. for not making a move for A.B.
March 14, 2009
#4 Z said . . .Congrats on your honors & awards.
March 14, 2009
#5 Z said . . .Wow, nicely done Jeff.
March 14, 2009
#6 craig said . . .Seattle has traded linebacker Julian Peterson to Detroit for defensive tackle Cory Redding and what is believed a 2009 fifth-round draft choice, a source told FOXSports.com. Peterson, 30, has been named to three straight Pro Bowl teams and five total. The deal raises questions about Detroit's draft-day plans. The Lions hold the top overall pick and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry had been suggested has a candidate for that spot.
March 14, 2009
#7 BDG said . . .Hearty congratulations, Jeff.
March 14, 2009
#8 jeff said . . .Truly nice Jeff. Congrats to you on your honors. And I just thought you were some fat beer drinking fan like me lol.
March 14, 2009
#9 zisk said . . .yeah, because no playwrights like booze.
March 14, 2009
#10 zisk said . . .Are you trying to stereotype bears fans as fat beer drinkers? As a matter of fact I'm a skinny rum and coke drinker.
March 15, 2009
#11 stuck in mn said . . .Ok I drink beer too.
March 15, 2009
#12 The Ghost of Halas said . . .love bears...need beers.
congrats BTWMarch 15, 2009
#13 Rancid said . . .Well, the vision an imagination conjures up when Bears fans are brought up often coincides with the Saturday Night Live skits back in the 80's. They were fat beer drinkers and glory be their names.
March 15, 2009
#14 Jerry Angelo said . . .I'd like Holt.
March 15, 2009
#15 Larry Meyer of ChicagoBears.Com said . . .It's not my fault! It's Virginia. She won't let me spend the $$. If she'd let me, I'd make these five moves in a heartbeat and have a championship team:
1. Sign Tory Holt
2. Trade 1st round pick and Orton for Jay Cutler
3. Sign Jason Taylor
4. Make safety the top draft need in the second round
5. Sign St. Clair, but to be the starting guard (with Omaliya and Williams the tackles)
March 15, 2009
#16 Z said . . .c'mon Jerry, you know it isn't about the money. Here in the Chicago Bears Organization believe in using our money for our inhouse talent by giving all of our money to underachievers (see Urlacher, Harris, Vasher) instead of going out and getting star players out of free agency! C'mon, who wants to win a super bowl anyway??? Its just a trophy!
March 15, 2009
#17 Dr J said . . .The Minnesota Vikings' persistent pursuit of Denver Broncos cornerback Karl Paymah was successful. He agreed to a one-year. The Vikings have also re-signed both players who held down the nickel job last year, Charles Gordon and Benny Sapp. Each signed one-year deals.
The Oakland Raiders scored a free agent coup Saturday by convincing Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes to sign. Barnes agreed to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal weren't available. Barnes had been in talks with the Bucs late last week but opted to go with the Raiders.
Choosing the sales pitch from Bill Belichick over that of Mike Tomlin, free-agent wide receiver Joey Galloway has agreed to a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
The Baltimore Ravens reached an agreement in principle with Titans cornerback Chris Carr. Carr, according to a source, agreed to a two-year deal. What made Carr so valuable is that he will be a versatile third cornerback and a nickel corner. He also can play safety, if necessary and is a return specialist.
Green Bay defensive back Jarrett Bush signed an offer sheet with Tennessee.
Because Bush is a restricted free agent, the Packers have seven days to match the Titans' offer or allow him to leave. Because they assigned Bush the lowest tender possible last month, the Packers will get no compensation in that latter scenario.It looks like free-agent tight end L.J. Smith will sign with the Atlanta Falcons. At least that's what Smith told the Philadelphia Inquirer's Bob Brookover on Friday. He said he expects the deal to be finalized in the next few days.
Charges against Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent receiver Reggie Williams have been dropped.
March 15, 2009
#18 Phil from SATX said . . .Congradulations Jeff ! Its March Maddness down here in NC in the heart of college basketball country so I am zoned in on Roy and the Tarheels run to the championship : But still think we need a QB
March 15, 2009
#19 Megan said . . .Jeff, major kudos to you my friend! Congrats! We all know if they gave awards for your unpaid avocation you'd take em all home - you are, simply, "THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS!" All of us here are lucky you choose to take a busman's holiday and create and nourish this thing here we all love. And thank you for sharing, this is the first time you have ever posted a link to your other world.
Back to football - a few comments. Just because Moose didn't ultimately pan out for us doesn't mean that wasn't a big FA signing when it occurred. It was, and that move should not be confused in any way with the Booker and Lloyd singings. I'd take a signing of that magnitude today.
Jeff, we have "aveteran presence" on cornerback, he just didn't play that well last year. I believe due more to injury and POOR BABITCH scheme and lack of pass rush rather than lack of peanut skill. But that doesn't mean I don't want more of that, Rolle would be a great addition.
Would love Holt - but you make a great point in him likely not wanting to move outdoors, especially our kind of outdoors.
Lastly, Jerry has telegraphed his intent to take wr with the first pick. Unless he does an AB (won't happen), he's picking one of the two guys not named Crabtree at 18. He doesn't have to worry about a bust with either of those guys, and he's never blown a first round wr pick - was our last one Curtis Conway?
March 15, 2009
#20 WTF were they thinking said . . .Jeff,
Congrats on your award! We all need to do something besides worry about the Bears; I am glad you found something to keep you..well, sane is not the right word...
XXOO
MeganMarch 15, 2009
#21 Anonymous said . . .David Terrell was our last first round pick WR. He was #8 in 2001 and a major bust.
Terrell couldn't catch a felt ball with velcro gloves.They don't need to draft a RG or RT in the first round. I could see a FS but this years not the year to draft one. He could go DE but they have soo much $$ in the line already. WR is the only one that makes sense. Especially if they can get a second or third best WR at the 18 th pick.
What do you think the Bears could do besides a Mike Ditka in NO trade? Boldin is going to the Eagles or the Giants.
March 15, 2009
#22 jeff said . . .Jerry,
Extend Forte's contract now. Just do it. Make the commitment now. If we are not going to spend money on free agents, then spend it on the stud rookie RB we got for cheap last year. I know it does not make football or business sense to do it now, but do it anyway.
Every second round pick for forever more will play harder if they know they will be rewarded. Roll the dice. Forte earned it. Pay him, with the hope that you get more out of your future second rounders. Give him a raise, Jerry.
Then fire Lovie.
March 15, 2009
wtf, please change your handle to Velcro Gloves.
March 15, 2009
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.