'TD'

Didn't he even hold out some of training camp or something and demanded a trade? If I remember right, that's why Benson got to play with the starters. A little after he came back was when Url and Brown did their thing and took Benson out. Then it was pretty much TJ's job again.

One time we actually agree. He was hated by fans at the beginning because of TJ, Mike Williams love, crying cuz he made it to the NFL, and not accepting a below market value deal, Caddy arguably got a better deal behind him. He did good as a back up, when he got his shot in camp was put on the sideline by Urlacher and Brown. If the fans hating you and the team hating you didn't break you, that offensive line would have. I think under different circumstances the Bears fans would have loved him. The guy took out the safety they just signed for a couple years and broke Seau's arm or something. The guy could run hard and had talent. The only thing I hold against him is that I would like my money back for the jersey I bought of his.

.I'll be sick if they draft him in the first no matter the weight issue. Going into this offseason the team had 2 major holes, OL and WR. They ignored both, basically, in free agency. Now, I can possibly understand their reason on OL. Maybe there wasn't enough "studs" out there, they didn't want to overpay for the talent they got. Maybe they thought, hey I can draft a guy that will at worst be as good as them and possible fix the position for 10 +years. WR is a whole different story this year. On JA's own admission, the team really doesn't have a number one and 2's and 3's and so on. Well ok, well what time is better to fill that need then when players like TJ, TO, Holt, Harrison, Boldin (via trade) and a bunch of younger guys were available. (I know arguements such as age can be an argument, but this FA was full of WR talent.) It's hard to develop a WR, and will take years to find out if the player was a bust. To me, that's a wasted draft pick given what was available. Considering the state of the line, anything but OL will make me sick in the first. Combined with Hester, they would probably earn the Bears the award for lowest IQ at the WR posish

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3996780 Vikings sign Holt, PaymahComment Email Print Share Associated Press EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed free-agent wide receiver and kick returner Glenn Holt and unrestricted free-agent cornerback Karl Paymah. NFL.com Video Bengals WR Glenn Holt catches a 10-yd TD filling in for Chad Johnson. Holt is a four-year veteran who led the Cincinnati Bengals in kickoff return yards in each of his three seasons with the team, averaging 24.3 yards per return. In 2008, Holt had 46 returns for 1,110 yards, with five returns greater than 40 yards. He started at wide receiver for the Bengals the final five games of the season. Paymah played in 60 games with five starts in four seasons with the Denver Broncos. He was picked in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft. Paymah ranked first or second on the team in special-teams tackles in three of his four seasons there. Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

It might end up being alright, but it has major potential for disaster. I really don't think there is a FA RT (fart) available that will be much of a factor. I would think they would most likely have been scooped up by now. Williams, Ominayale, and who ever is being brought in as a rookie(s) will all be huge unknowns and still learning the game as they play. Buening is coming off a major injury that has had him sidelined for quite a while. He has one years experience and the spot duty he had for the Bears for last year. Beekman is subpar and is still young. It seems the team decided to plan around him, instead of starting him with the addition of Ominyale. Garza just sucks. I'm not saying it will fail, it's just a possible recipe for disaster. The team really failed in their preperation for the line. It's hard for any line to do an almost complete overhaul in a year or 2. Players need time to gel together and there's alot of inexperience likely starting for the team. LT Williams (Rookie) LG Ominyale/Bruening(Basically rookie/ basically 2nd year player due to injury that hasn't played much in 3 years) C Kruetz/Beekman (best OL on the team most likely/only matters here if Kruetz is injured) RG Bruenning/Garza(see above/ a player that needs replaced) RT Ominyale/unnamed FA/1st or 2nd round draftee(basically a rookie/probably junk/ a rookie)

If we thought last years line was going to be bad, I'm scared of the thought of next years. It's likely that 3 basically rookies could be starting on the line in Williams, Omiyale, and the rookie that's likely going to be drafted. It's also possible Garza will lose his job, rightfully so imho, so that's possibley 4 starters with little to no experience at the professional level. It's sucks for Orton in a contract year, Forte, and the fans that the OL is in the state it is in, no matter how necessary the change is.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3991029 Updated: March 18, 2009, 9:15 AM ET Bears' Orton unfazed by speculation Comment Email Print Share Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- On a strange day for football, Kyle Orton was unfazed by speculation, offseason comments or any challenges to his standing as the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback. Kyle Orton Orton As the Bears kicked off a minicamp two months early and the weather on a windy March day soared to 70 degrees, Orton was asked about comments from general manager Jerry Angelo last December that Chicago needed to stabilize the quarterback position. "I haven't talked to Jerry. I leave all that stuff to my agent. That's what I pay him for so, all my concentration this year has been getting healthy, getting in good shape and being ready to come out here and perform," Orton said Tuesday after a two-hour practice at Halas Hall. Angelo's comments came after the Bears finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for a second straight season since they made the Super Bowl. Orton passed for 2,972 yards while completing 272 of 465 passes and throwing more touchdowns (18) than interceptions (12) after beating out Rex Grossman for the starting job. But a sprained ankle midway through the season hurt his mobility. Kyle Orton highlights NFL.com Video Bears QB Kyle Orton throws 2 TD and rushes for another in a 31-24 loss to the Texans. Angelo said he believed in Orton but wanted to see more competition at quarterback. Backups currently are Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. "It starts with the quarterback. It's all about the quarterback. You don't win because of wide receivers. You don't win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We've got to get the quarterback position stabilized," Angelo said. Orton said he wasn't upset or surprised by Angelo's remarks. "No, I just really didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it. I know what I've got to do to get ready. I'm worried about myself and taking care of all the things I need to do to be the guy in this organization for a long time," Orton said. "It's the most important position. You've got to get it right and he's got to know it's right. I think that I'm that guy. I feel like with my work and my play, I'm just going to make him believe that it's right as well and end up being the guy here for a long time." There has also been speculation -- most of it in the media -- that the Bears should try to acquire disgruntled Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, who has asked for a trade. "I haven't heard that, to be honest with you. I don't know," Orton said. "There's rumors every single year, whether it's him or somebody else. I'm happy with where I'm at. I think the organization is behind me and I know my teammates are, so that's really all that matters to me." Head coach Lovie Smith wanted his team to get a jump-start on the season and decided to have the three-day minicamp early instead of after the April draft. And he made it clear he was firmly behind Orton. "I think we got good play from our quarterback position before Kyle injured his ankle. So I'm excited about a healthy Kyle playing an entire year," Smith said, adding that Orton's not distracted by rumors. "Kyle's not listening to much of that. He had a big smile on his face today," Smith said. "Quarterbacks in general, they're going to have to answer questions. That's just a part of the life of a quarterback, but it doesn't faze him much." The Bears are still hoping to re-sign tackle John St. Clair, especially now that John Tait has told the team he plans to retire. They've added a safety in Josh Bullocks and an offensive linemen in Frank Omiyale. But some of their biggest offseason changes have come in the coaching staff where they've signed former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach and Jon Hoke to coach the defensive backs. Smith, who was the St. Louis Rams' defensive coordinator before being hired by the Bears, will take over much of the play calling on defense -- even though Bob Babich will retain the title of defensive coordinator. Babich will spend his time with the linebackers. Chicago's defense finished 28th (354.7 yards per game) in 2007 and 21st last season (334.7 ypg) under Babich. Marinelli, whose Lions finished 0-16 last season, is a longtime friend of Smith's from their days coaching together in Tampa Bay. Marinelli said he was glad to be back on the field and in meetings so quickly. "It's fun being in that room with your guys again. I mean it's a ball, I love that part of it," he said. "It's absolutely wonderful."

As good as cutler is, i feel like Orton has as much potential. If you look at what he had incompared to any other QB last year, he's right up there with them in stats. I like cutler cuz he is/was a bears fan, but i have faith in what the bears have in orton.

If you're going to be a running team and have the cap space, I think he'd be worth the contract. I've been wanting a real fullback on the Bears for years.

It's sort of an unrelated subject, but I was reading this article earlier on yahoo. It's obviously just talking about one aspect of an player, but it sort reinforces that I want the Bears to draft a LT prospect and let the chips lay where they may at the tackle spots. I'm not writing Chris Williams off because he has short arms, but considering his injury too, if we are going T in the first why not go LT and let them fight it out. This is more in reply to the post the other day about the one guy being a good RT prospect and not LT. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkTY...o&type=lgns

I'll start off by saying you may be totally right about the reshuffling of their line. I just remember what I read, and I can't vouch for it because I never follow the Panthers. I'm just disappointed in the Bears off season this year other then bringing Kevin Jones back. This team has a lot of holes. Given this was probably the best group of WR's I can remember available in FA, I'm a little disappointed in the lack of interest the Bears shown. Normally I wouldn't be mad with the idea of bringing in Omiyale or Bollock. In Omiyale's case, I feel that they are expecting too much based on too little. If they brought him in as a prospect and he was paid as such, I would love the signing. I think with the contract he has they expect him to start. If he doesn't win the job, then he's a way over paid back up. I mean he got a starting guards money based on a game or 2 at another position. That's why I hate the signing, especially when there were safer, better bets available in FA. Bullock was a Manning-esque FS while he was in NO. His coverage skills seem to be lacking from what I've seen and read about him so far. Normally I would like bringing in a Vet on the cheap to provide some depth. The Bears have plenty of young players for depth, what they lack is a starter. I'll be disappointed if this signing leads to them not addressing the issue now which I see as a possibility. Omiyale will atleast address a need as OL depth, at a price, but depth at FS was way off the team need list for me. I have seen no starting positions filled this offseason, IMO, and the players signed may give them an excuse to try and not fill their respective positions and that's what bothers me.

Sooo..... The Bears O-Line sucked. They bring in a guy to play guard that in his one NFL start his team rearranged the line so he wouldn't have to play guard. The Bears secondary sucked. They get rid of their only productive safety and bring in a guy from one of the if not the worst secondaries in the league. Bravo Bears, Bravo!!!

I still think that if the Bears don't draft a QB, Grossman will be brought back. The market hasn't been there for him, and for the Bears at least he knows the "System".

His attitude sucks, but it doesn't bother me much. It's arguable if he's top 10 or top 20, but the Bears may not even have a top 50 WR. The guy is 35 and will be 36 before the play offs, which is too old to really plan the next 3 years or so around. If he was going to come in for a Booker type money and be a stop gap at the position, then I would be all for it. That's not going to happen and the only reason I don't want him here.

He graduated from my highschool, Ironton High School in Ohio. I used to pass a bust of his head everyday in the trophy case. Another NFL. Another NFL veteran Coy Bacon who was from here and very active in the community till passed in December.

I agree, the guy I was hoping for was Coles. I had a feeling the Bears wouldn't go for the top FA WR in Howz, but I thought Coles was doable. He just signed in Cincy tho 4 year 28 mil.

I agree. One thing you left out was that he could have been franchised. It would have fit well under the cap. The money could have been used in better areas such as getting into the Faneca hunt instead of bringing back Fred Miller to help with the depleted OLine. It could have been used to bring in a number of players to fill many gaps the team had. Instead it was just saved. It may have been the little bit the Bears needed to get over the hump and into the play offs.

The cap space was still there after Briggs was signed. Hester got a contract similar to that of Berrians. Even after that money was spent, the Bears were able to sign a guy hoping his 10 million dollar incentive based contract would be carried over to this year. The simple facts are 10 Million dollars was there. This year the Bears would have been fine carrying his contract also. A division rival got made stronger. Berrian played an integral part in the deciding game that sent the Vikings to the play offs and made the Bears sit at home. The Bears are still in need of a WR and the market for all players this year has steadly increased. That's shown in the contract that a player that's played like 11 games in 4 years got when he signed with the Bears, only starting one.

Plus the Bears are offering him more then what he is worth in a market where he doesn't seem in demand. Has he had any visits yet?

Why does it matter that you have 30 million if you don't spend it? The Bears had 10 million apparently last year, and didn't sign Berrian. Berrian pretty much put the Bears out of the play offs in the game against Minnesota.

I think he will end up back in chicago. He's tested the market and realized he won't have a chance to start anywhere. His value has been driven down, and the bears need an experienced back up QB. He knows the system.

Edit: nevermind

He's an OT from Carolina. He played in 10 games and started one. He gave up 2 sacks, and got a deal for 4 years and between 11 and 14 mil.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/storyBills cutting Dockery, RoyalComment Email Print Share By John Clayton ESPN.com Archive Offensive guard Derrick Dockery, who was signed to a seven-year, $49 million deal two years ago by the Buffalo Bills, was informed Thursday he is being released. AFC East blog ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog. • Blog network: NFL Nation Veteran tight end Robert Royal, who had two years left on his contract, also will be released, according to his agent, Rick Smith. The two moves would free up a total of about $8 million in salary cap space for a team that has missed the playoffs for nine consecutive years, the worst streak in franchise history. Dockery was one of the key prizes in the free-agent class of 2007. His agent, Todd France, was able to get him a Steve Hutchinson-type package to leave the Washington Redskins for Buffalo. His seven-year, $49 million deal was the highest salary for a guard at the time. During the first two years of the contract, Dockery was guaranteed $18.5 million. France said he was informed by the Bills that they wanted to go in a different direction, and that Dockery didn't fit the offensive line scheme under assistant Sean Kugler, who took over last year after Jim McNally retired. Dockery, who will go on the waiver wire at 4 p.m. ET, could go to the top of the list of guards in free agency. The 28-year-old Dockery, who played in college at Texas, entered the league as the third-round pick with the Redskins and has 77 career starts. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, he started all 32 games in Buffalo and was part of one of the NFL's largest offensive lines in terms of height and weight. But the line struggled last season, allowing 38 sacks, 12 more than the previous team, and the offense finished 25th in the NFL in total yards. In another move, the Bills have re-signed starting fullback Corey McIntyre to a two-year extension. John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN.com's Tim Graham and The Associated Press was used in this report. ?id=3936197

It's official.... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3931695 Colts release all-pro receiver Harrison Comment Email Print Share By John Clayton ESPN.com Archive Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay scheduled a quick news conference to announce the release of one of the greatest players in Colts history -- wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Can't-Miss Play: Harrison's #2 NFL.com Video Marvin Harrison becomes the 2nd all-time receiver with his 1,102 receptions. Harrison, who is second only to Jerry Rice in career receptions with 1,102 catches, asked for his release over the weekend and was granted it on Monday. Harrison was scheduled to make $9 million this year. His release saves the team $7 million. It was a tough loss for Irsay. Harrison has been with the team since 1996. He has been to eight Pro Bowls and has been named All Pro eight times. The Colts drafted him in the first round in 1996. John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.