The story of the three possible Bears...
Pisa Tinoisamoa
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch details the reasons for his release from the Rams. Tino's speed and versatility would make him a perfect fit for the Lovie Deuce but I'd just like to see them add some new blood to the unit. If the Bears enter the 2009 season with the 2008 defensive roster, they'll be watching the Andre Johnsons of the world keep them from the playoffs again.
Amani Toomer
My favorite line about the Bears' interest in Amani Toomer comes from Vaughn McClure: "Maybe the Bears should get back in the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes. The Cardinals receiver remains a trade possibility, as agent Drew Rosenhaus stated from his Twitter account." (1) Twitter was invented for Drew Rosenhaus. (2) Jerry's attempted deal for Anquan on draft day wet my whistle and I can't let it go. (3) Toomer would be a solid replacement for Rash in the slot but he can't be expected to make a significant game impact.
Michael Gaines
This would be a remarkably smart signing if it happens. It sounds like Lovie wants to turn Gaines into a Chris Cooley-type player - lining him up at both fullback and tight end. This would provide Captain Cutler a solid target around the goal line and also get Jason McKie off the field.
#2 SOCALBEARSFAN said . . .yep, First
May 9, 2009
#3 BDG said . . .I say we will see a WR on the current roster step it up in a big way this season. We just don't have the pieces to get Anquan.
Or do we......................
May 9, 2009
#4 KidronMusic said . . .I'm all for signing any of these guys. I just hope they can keep Kellen Davis if we get Gaines. He seems like the logical long term replacement for Dez. Toomer wouldn't cost much and would be a reliable 3rd down option and red zone target. Not sure if Piso can play the strong side but if he can Lovie would know and we need and upgrade there for sure.
mikebdot- What did you mean that Hunter WAS overrated was he cut and I missed it or just because he got benched now? If he didn't get cut I think he will this year. I liked him but it's time to give his spot to someone with more upside.May 9, 2009
#5 Ditka Forever said . . .haha, Porridge... Three Bears... I get it. That was pretty clever.
May 10, 2009
#6 Shady said . . .I'm sick of all this McKie bashing. He is probably best in the league at dropping passes and falling down one yard short of a first.
May 10, 2009
#7 CSauce said . . .I think that honor goes to a certain Cedric "I fail at life" Benson.
May 10, 2009
#8 Fresno,CA BEAR FAN said . . .Speaking of Ced, I just watched a tape of the Bears from 2007 and saw Benson running the ball for da bears. You look at guys like Forte, Chris Johnson, Brandon Jacobs - they all have SOMETHING they do particularly well. Benson's got nothing - no straight-line speed, quickness, vision, power... makes you wonder what was going on with JA. I'm so glad he's a Bengal.
May 10, 2009
#9 Foxtro Tango Packers said . . .Is just all about offense now? did we forget that we got big holes in a defense?
May 10, 2009
#10 Murph said . . .Fresno, i completely agree with you. I think the signing of Jay has seriously detracted the light off of our D.
it's all been about WR since then, and while i believe it's important, we've more than proved (05/06) that we were able to win with a good RB, and awesome D.
even mediocre WRs will catch balls when big 6 puts it right in there hands in stride.
S is a far more pressing need at this point, along with fixing our line and LBs... wow, i just got dizzy.
why pursue another TE? we have that position LOCKED DOWN.
May 10, 2009
#11 jdawg said . . .Sign Pisa before the Pats beat us to him. Hes the kind of veteran player that can help this D return to form. Any player with his size and speed and the ability to make a tackle will improve our overall pass coverage.
May 10, 2009
#12 Shady said . . .look at how many draft picks were for the D. Also, the off-season moves Angelo made on O should have a positive effect on time of possession. Our D is built for speed but gets lousy gas mileage, so keeping it off the field may be the best way to improve it.
May 10, 2009
#13 Ditka Forever said . . .Very insightful metaphor jdawg, nicely done.
Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there, without you, how would we have ever gotten to practice on time?
May 10, 2009
#14 MaddBearFan said . . .Jdawg: couldn't agree with you more. Cutler was the best defensive acquisition.
May 10, 2009
#15 MaddBearFan said . . .That's what I kept screaming last year. Everyone kept saying the defense wasn't doing their job. And just how many times did they get the ball back , just for the offense to go 3 and out. No question we need some youth on the defensive side, but even they'll get tired as hell when they have to play 4o minutes a game!!
Another thing that just pissed me off is that Turner should have let Calib in when Rexless was out there floundering around like a fish out of water. Maybe it was just me, but I could swear I saw a little of the Cutler style in the preseason games when Calib was playing!!! Couldn't have done any worse!!!!May 10, 2009
#16 Max said . . .HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to the lady bears fans out there!
May 10, 2009
#17 Fresno,CA BEAR FAN said . . .I don't fully buy that about our defense last year. We gave up 41 points to the vikings. And not all of that was late in the game.
We gave up 31 to the Texans, not all of the was at the end of the game.
I realize the longer our defense stays out there, the more tired they become, but dont use that excuse as a crutch.
Do we remember the Falcons game? Matt Ryan was like 6-7 on third and long in the first half! 6 out of 7! Give me a break.
Cutler will help the defense. But there is only so much he can do. We need new blood on that side. I would like Pina, I would like another safety. I don't care about Gaines. We have 2 pretty good tight ends and a decent backup from what I gather.
Defense wins championships. End of story
May 10, 2009
#18 BDG said . . .Exactly!
May 10, 2009
#19 Phantom One said . . .I think there's plenty of need and cap space to improve ALL areas of the team. Just because there looking at Gaines doesn't mean they are done looking at Defense options too.
May 10, 2009
#20 jdawg said . . .The ails of our D is not talent. Honestly, the demotion of Babich Patch and Lovie (I know they still have their titles, but Babich is the Linebackers Coach, and Lovie is our DC) will do more for our D then signing a 2nd rate FA at this point in the offseason. The game planning, scheme, and play calling were atrocious last year. And to top it off, we had players who lacked discipline in the most inopportune times (think Peanut in the end-zone against Tampa Bay in OT).
Our D will get better when our coaches call the right plays. That is not to say we do not need playmakers, because we always will, but we got beat between the ears too much last year, and I believe JA has sent a message to Lovie that his ass is on the line this year if the ship does not correct.
Not to overlook the importance of the job Marinelli has on his hands...
A deal for Boldin will not happen, and I'm not sure if Toomer is the missing piece. I would rather pay less for Matt Jones (with our Vet leadership in the Locker Room I think he would flourish).
Totally agree that we should bring Michael Gaines on board. We are a run first team, and run first teams need guys to blow people off the line - and break a tackle or two. Thinking of this moose on the goal line in Dec and Jan at Soldier Field gives me goose bumps.
Is Pisa that good, or did the Rams suck that bad? I'm neutral on this one. I have no clue if he will fit in this system.
May 10, 2009
#21 BDG said . . .I didn't mean that the only help the D needed was an improved O.
Our pass D was stinky last year. Didn't we have Brownie about 30 yds. off the LoS? Hello completed slant pass.
We need better corner, free safety and DE play. Gaines may very well be a perfect 3rd down tackle. Let's put him and Izzy on the same side every third and long and tell them: "wave your hands in the air like you just don't care".
May 10, 2009
#22 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Gaines 3rd down tackle?
Tango TE can't be locked down unless you have a blocking TE. Gilmore was sadly missed in that respect last year. We have GREAT receiving TE's but very mediocre blocking ones.
Everyone is touching the problems on the Defense. The offense should help. The scheme was bad last year. Babich demo./Lovie promo can only help. Marinelli has to be an upgrade to the obvious talent on the D-line. Discipline was lacking all the way to our special teams last year. We are built on speed and bend but don't break so we can't stay on the field too long. We do need better play from our S's,Cb's, & De's. It's all just the formula of what will work. Will Lovie's play call's get better production from our Marinelli coached De's making our secondary better couple with the rest our offense gives them? I'm betting yes. Would I rather have Julius Peppers than Ogun. U bet.May 10, 2009
#23 MaddBearFan said . . .As I thought, ESPN did jump the gun. NFLN is reporting that Brett Favre NEVER sent any X-Rays to Minnesota but did actually speak with the Vikings "head coach."
NFLN is reporting that due to questions about his health, both sides have decided not to continue talks.
Looks like Favre won't be throwing interceptions this season.
May 11, 2009
#24 Urlacher FTW said . . .Maybe Farve is testing the market to see if his popularity is high still enough so he could go after Maddens old job. I thought I saw an interview of him one time that and it seemed like he had a tobbaccy chew stuffed on his mouth, so NBC would have to keep a spit-toon handy during games. Yum
May 11, 2009
#25 Anonymous said . . .new post Jeff!
I think Freeman will be better than Tiniosamoanamadoanoa, I think Toomer is only a good signing if it gets Rashead cut, but I do like Gaines, we could ditch 2 FBs and a TE off the roster the day he signs because of his flexibility. Plus he is a known good inline blocking TE and that's what we need.
Plus with our lack of talent and depth at wideout we could move to more three TE sets, where Olsen could roll out to the slot and Gaines could move up on the line.. 2 totally different looks with the same personnel, that's how you move the chains.
May 11, 2009
#26 enderwiggin said . . .Pisa Tinoisamoa, like the player, but where does he play? Strong side?
Still think we need a vet receiver. Like Toomer, but what about Harrison?
Michael Gaines, I think would be an excellent addition.
Jeff- Is tomorrow still the big day?
May 11, 2009
#27 Urlacher FTW said . . .speaking of "the big day". Will we get redirected to the new site?
May 11, 2009
#28 JerseyBearsFan said . . .We finally signed a receiver!
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/roster_depleted_bears_sign?utm_source=a-section
Oh man, sorry but it is damn funny.
May 11, 2009
#29 Praissonien said . . .Matt Forte is awesome.......its almost too good to be true how good he is on and off the field
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5815
May 11, 2009
Hello Penitential klooper allot in bear of my english jer, buti definite warm-hearted re counter .
October 26, 2009
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