Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas likely will be cleared of a misdemeanor drug possession charge before the regular season begins, provided he completes the terms of a deferred sentence. Thomas was arrested Feb. 13 and charged with possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana after being pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Morgantown, West Virginia. He paid a $165.80 fine and has to complete Morgantown Area Youth Services Project classes — typically an eight-hour obligation. A motion to... [Read More]
Agent Adisa Bakari took an exception to a report that the Bears are concerned about how Matt Forte's knees will hold up, as they try to sign the Pro Bowl running back to a long-term deal. "Matt Forte is among the most, if not the most, durable, all-purpose running back in the NFL,"Bakari said. "The 2011 season was the first season of his career that he missed any games. Had the Bears been play-off contenders, he could have returned for the balance of the season. To question his durability at this stage... [Read More]
A source for the Chicago Tribune is saying that with more than 1,200 touches under his belt in the NFL, the Chicago Bears wonder how long running back Matt Forte’s knees will hold up. Forte has history with both knees. He tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November 2006 at Tulane and that injury, combined with 833 carries in college primarily on artificial surfaces, caused a handful of teams to note worries over the length of his NFL career. He suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in the... [Read More]
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said Friday he is considering testing the free-agent market after this season. "I think (team President) Ted Phillips said when they had the owners meeting they're going to wait until the season is over. See what happens, how I play (before addressing the contract situation)," Urlacher said Friday. "It's kind of exciting. I've never been a free agent. So if I can get to free agency we'll see what happens. "I no doubt want to finish my career here. There's no... [Read More]
Brian Urlacher turned 34 on Friday, he's been a member of the Chicago Bears for more than a third of his life, the man has seen things. This qualifies Urlacher to discuss matters of perspective when it comes to pro football teams that call Soldier Field home. Urlacher isn't known for Rex Ryan-style proclamations, but he was unable to contain his excitement when asked if this is the best Bears team he's been a part of. "Yes, it's not even close," Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowler, said Friday on WMVP-AM.... [Read More]
Wide receiver Johnny Knox was in good spirits Wednesday at the Bears’ offseason practice at Halas Hall but still a long way from participating in practice and an even longer way from playing in a game. Still rehabilitating from surgery to stabilize a vertebra in his back after suffering a horrific injury Dec. 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, a clearly underweight Knox acknowledged the possibility that he might miss part or all of the 2012 season. ‘‘It could happen, but I’m staying optimistic,’’ said Knox, who was... [Read More]
David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune suggests that the Bears could sign quarterback Jay Cutler to a new long-term deal before they give a new contract to unsigned franchise running back Matt Forte. This is just another sign that the Bears have no intention of paying Forte's current asking price but you have to wonder about their priorities, Cutler has two years left on his contract while Forte doesn't have a contract at all and rookie GM Phil Emery is playing hardball. This is a league that is all about the quarterback... [Read More]
The Bears announced Wednesday that they have signed DT Nate Collins to a one-year contract. Collins entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and played in 13 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons after beginning his career with the Giants. He recorded 10 tackles and was credited with one half of a sack and a pass defensed in 12 games last season. The addition of Collins brings the Bears' roster to the 90-player maximum.
It’s been more than 4 ½ months since Brian Urlacher went down in an awkward position in clear pain with a knee injury. The Chicago Bears had immediate fear the middle linebacker had suffered a serious knee injury in what was a meaningless Jan. 1 season finale at the Metrodome. It turned out all he suffered was a sprain of the medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments, the Bears figured it would require Urlacher 10 weeks to rehabilitate but from the sounds of things the team is going to let him take it easy... [Read More]
The Chicago Bears could use defensive tackle depth. The man that helped them win the 2006 NFC Championship is out there, looking for a job, a potential reunion between Tommie Harris and the Bears makes a lot of sense. The Chicago Tribune reported previously that the Bears have "talked about" bringing Harris back into the fold. That would be welcome news to former teammate Lance Briggs. "Absolutely he could help. Tommie will make any defensive line better, any team better," Briggs told Vaughn... [Read More]
Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Bears RB Matt Forte is believed to be seeking a base salary close to that of LeSean McCoy‘s recent contract, which would pay him $8.5 million per year. Chicago supposedly offered him a contract that would’ve paid him salary of $6 million per season, but that’s obviously not the kind of money that Forte’s looking for at this point. Pompei adds that it may might more sense for the Bears to franchise him this year and next, despite the 20% increase that a second franchise... [Read More]
After joining the Chicago Bears this offseason, wide receiver Brandon Marshall is confident his new team can leapfrog the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in the NFC North pecking order. “Honestly, I think we can not only make it to the Super Bowl, but I think we'll have a chance to win it,” Marshall said on ESPN's "First Take" on Friday via Sporting News. The Bears missed the playoffs last season after losing five of their final six games. Chicago's offense ranked just 24th in 2011, but Marshall said the... [Read More]
Running back Matt Forte's contract is still an issue the Bears need to resolve. Forte has not participated in the Bears' voluntary offseason workout program and can't be fined for missing their mandatory minicamp because he is not under contract. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports Bears President Ted Phillips said in March the club had made a "strong offer" to Forte, the most General Manager Phil Emery has said is the team continues to work on a deal. Former Packers contract negotiator Andrew Brandt... [Read More]
Police in New York City will not bring charges against Brandon Marshall for the melee at New York nightclub in March, attorney Harvey Steinberg told NFL Network's Michelle Beisner. Marshall had said he was at the club at the time of the incident but claimed that his wife who was hit with a bottle and taken to a hospital was the victim. The first reports of the alleged incident indicated that Marshall had punched a woman in the face outside of the club. "The situation in New York, it's unfortunate," Marshall... [Read More]
Sources familiar with the situation say the Chicago Bears will move veteran Chris Williams back to offensive tackle according to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com. A former first-round pick -- 14th overall in 2008 -- Williams was drafted to play left tackle. As a rookie, Williams played in nine games, seeing limited action at left tackle. In 2009, Williams started 11 games at right tackle and five on the left side.
