We have seen the results.

With no first or second round picks this year, the Bears are in a tough spot.

They need play makers and have to find a sleeper or two in the late rounds.

With the Bears having only 4 draft picks in this year’s draft, I would like to go over their potential 3rd and 4th round picks.

NFL Draft:

(Bears have no 1st or 2nd round picks due to the Jay Cutler and Gaines Adams trade)

Round 3:  #75
Selection:  Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama

Johnson isn’t very athletic and could be considered just a back up, but with Mike Tice now the coach of O-Line, I think the Bears will take a shot with him.  He was part of that great rushing attack at Alabama and has started 54 games in a row.

Other Possible Choices:
- Greg Hardy DE 6′5″ 265 Mississippi
-  Jerome Murphy CB 6′1″ 192 South Florida
-  Toby Gerhart RB 6′1″ 235 Stanford

Round 4:  #106
Selection:  Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut

This might be a reach, but hopefully the Bears strike gold with this pick.  Witten had a break out year in 2009 with 11.5 sacks.  He is fast (4.7 – 4.8 40 yard dash) and at 6-5 260, has the size the Bears covet in their cover two scheme.  If Witten has a great combine, expect him to be long gone by the 4th round.

Other Possible Choices:
-  Geno Atkins DT 6′1″ 288 Georgia
-  Larry Asante S 6′1″ 210 Nebraska
-  Trevor Lindley CB 6′0″ 178 Kentucky

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

The most essential part of that system is a fast, smaller defensive line that can rush the quarterback and penetrate the backfield.

Angelo traded Marty Booker, Chicago’s pro bowl wide receiver, to Miami for D-End Adewale Ogunleye.

They then drafted defensive tackle Tommie Harris, a prototypical Cover-2 DT, in the first round of the 2005 draft.

After the 2007 Super Bowl, the Bears D has gone down-hill and has not stopped rolling.

This has put Angelo and Smith on the hot seat.

They both know they need to make a big splash to land a player to bring the Bears D back to greatness.

Here are the top free agent defensive linemen in 2010:

Julius Peppers, Defensive End (Unrestricted FA)

Since being drafted in 2002 by the Carolina Panthers with the second overall pick, Peppers has been one of the most feared D-Ends in the NFL.

The 2002 Rookie of the Year and five time pro bowler, is in the open market after the Panthers announced they will not use the franchise tag on him for the third straight year.

Reports immediately surfaced that the Bears will aggressively pursue Peppers.

Peppers is a perfect fit for the Bears Cover-2 scheme.

Only problem with Peppers is he does have certain weaknesses that teams have recognized and have exploited.

Not to mention he is turning 30 years old and has never had more than 12 sacks in one season.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE (UFA)

Vanden Bosch is not the type of player to be in a Cover-2 D.

What Vanden Bosch can bring to a team is heart and a motor that doesn’t stop running.

Something the Bears defensive line has lacked in the last two years.

If Peppers ends up on another team, the Bears will attempt to sign Vanden Bosch.

The 6’4”, 270 pound D-End could play defensive tackle for the Bears.

His ability to play both DE and DT could make him an intriguing choice.

Dwan Edwards, DE/DT (UFA)

Edwards is an interesting story.

During the 2008 Preseason, Edwards was hurt and underwent surgery on his spinal cord.

After having one of his discs replaced, he was told he would never play the same.

In 2009, Edwards played in all 16 games and finished the season with 46 tackles, 1 sack and 1 TD.

His presence in the run game is why he will be a sought after free agent.

Edwards would be a great addition next to DT Tommie Harris and would help a defensive who is very weak against the run.

Adewale Ogunleye, DE (UFA)

The 2010 Free Agency is very weak at the D-Line positions.

With the exception of Peppers, most linemen are going to re-sign or have been hit the franchise tag.

It would make sense for the Bears to re-sign Ogunleye, who has never lived up to his expectations but has always

performed on and off the field.

If the Bears don’t sign another D-End this free agency, I see them offering Ogunleye a one to two year contract.

Check out my video about the 2009 Chicago Bears at:

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt. Way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now. And she’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. So she looks like she’s got sausage casing wrapping around her upper body. I mean, I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … But, Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing? … [She's] what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”

On this past Friday’s show, February 19, Tony openly said he was sorry for the comments he made earlier in the week. Then Monday afternoon came and Tony was missing from the PTI set. Not something that strange since he does take time off  but it was definately odd timing and it did cause people to ask the question. Was Tony suspended?

Tony had an answer for everyone this morning: “On Friday I talked about the fact that I had made intemperate and stupid remarks about Hannah Storm and that I had called her and I had apologized and we had a 15-minute chat. All of that is true… And as a result of this, I have been sent to the sidelines from PTI for a while and when I’m allowed back on PTI I will happily go back because I really love the PTI show and love all the people on the PTI show.”

ESPN did release a statement: “Tony Kornheiser’s comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences. Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning SportsCenter.”

Really? Is free speech gone? Let me just point out to those who don’t know, PTI is the only job Tony has with ESPN. He no longer calls Monday Night Football games and his radio show is no longer aired on ESPN radio.

Is ESPN getting too sensitive? It seems like everyone either gets suspended or fired for doing anything wrong or being involved in any sort of scandal, well except Erin Andrews.

There has been Harold Reynolds, Steve Philips, Michael Irvin, Rush Limbaugh and numerous other suspensions and firings that we may not even know about.

What Tony said on his show is why ESPN hired him in the first place, it’s the reason they hire most of their on air personalities. They have an opinion and aren’t afraid to give it.  It’s like getting an attack dog but not being able to deal with it once it bites someone.

I wonder if Chris Berman made the same comment what the punishment would be?

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

The 2^nd year pro was used in over 60% of the Bears offensive plays in 2008 and with the addition of Jay Cutler giving the Bears a passing game, experts had Forte going to the pro bowl.

Forte didn’t come close to what was expected of him, playing most of the season with an injured ankle and taking the majority of the carries again.

The season ending injury to backup RB Kevin Jones showed how important it is to have two quality backs on one team.

Finding a back in free agency should be a top priority for the Bears this off-season.

Here are the free agents the Bears could look at:

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (Unrestricted free agent)

I just received news that the Chargers released Tomlinson, officially making him an unrestricted free agent.

Would the Bears sign an aging RB with a career total 128 touchdowns, 11,256 rushing yards and an average of 4 yards per carry?

Does a one legged duck swim in circles?

LT is still an above average RB who has a knack for finding the end-zone.

In 8 NFL seasons, Tomlinson rushed for over 10 touchdowns in every one of them.

Tomlinson is still one of the best receiving backs in the league, catching over 50 passes every season from 2002 – 08’ (only 20 in 2009).

The pass happy Mike Martz is the Bears offensive coordinator and he loves a RB who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

A 1, 2 punch with Forte and LT could be a scary combo in the NFC North.

Chester Taylor, RB (Unrestricted free agent)

Taylor has been in the league for eight years now and is turning 31 this year.

This may sound like a head scratcher, but Taylor has never been used as an every down back, averaging 129 carries a season with the Ravens and Vikings.

In 2009, Taylor carried the ball 93 times and caught 44 passes.

With the pass happy offense new offensive coordinator Mike Martz runs, which requires the RB to catch the ball more than running it, Taylor is an ideal candidate to split time with Matt Forte.

Jamal Lewis, RB (Unrestricted free agent)

A power running game is what Lewis can bring to the Bears offense.

Lewis isn’t the same dominant running back like he was in the early stages of his career when with the Ravens, but he can still run between the tackles and gain positive yards.

With the Bears running game unable to move an inch at the goal line last season and Jay Cutler throwing pick after pick in the red-zone, Lewis can provide that physical running attack that the Bears need to get past the hash mark.

Larry Johnson, RB (Unrestricted free agent)

Once considered the most dominating running back in the NFL, Johnson finds himself looking for work after a brief stint with the Cincinnati Bengals.

After taking over the starting role from Priest Holmes for the Kansas Chiefs, Johnson went to the pro bowl in 2005 and 06’.

Between 2007 & 2009, Johnson rushed for 1,995 yards and 8 touchdowns.  In 2006 alone, he rushed for 1,789 yards and 17 touchdowns.

With Johnson, comes a lot of baggage.

He has a lot of off the field issues and a “me first” attitude, which doesn’t sit well with the Bears.

Former Bears RB Cedric Benson was in the same boat (get it?) as Johnson during his time in Chicago.

The Bears cut him and he is was one of the best RB’s in the game last season (that was really hard to write).

Maybe a change of scenery can bring Johnson back to his old form, but I don’t see the Bears putting a lot of thought into signing him.

Willie Parker, RB (Restricted free agent)

The former un-drafted free agent and Pro Bowler from the Pittsburgh Steelers, saw his time in the steel city come to an end, when 2^nd year pro Rashard Mendenhall took over.

Parker is a speedster who can still play in the NFL, which means some teams will offer him the starting RB position.

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

And so it begins Bears fans.

The time of the year when we are all left waiting to see what the Chicago Bears organization does to improve a team   that has missed the playoffs the last three seasons.

The Chicago Bears off-season started early January again.

Most of us were hoping for a big change to the coaching staff and prayed for the McCaskey family to “clean house.”

Well that didn’t happen entirely.

As expected, Ron Turner and the entire offensive staff were let go.

Lovie Smith relieved himself of his defensive coordinator duties so he could focus on being the head coach.

What happened next?

It’s been like watching paint dry on wood.

Mike Tice, former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach and tight ends/ assistant HC of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was hired as the new Offensive Line coach.  This move looks inspiring because Tice ran a top five offense for three years in a row while with the Vikings and was a former NFL player.

Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo ran around the NFL and College Football ranks looking for a new offensive coordinator.  Their first target was USC’s O.C. Jeremy Bates.  Bates had a very strong bond with Quarterback Jay Cutler, when they both were with the Denver Broncos.

Bates glanced at the opportunity and brushed it aside like dandruff on his shoulder.

Then five other candidates did the same thing.

Angelo and Smith then took the first candidate to interview for the job, Mike Martz.

We have all heard the rumors about Martz.  He’s an offensive ‘wizard’ and has a playbook the size of a dictionary.

We’ll see how the Bears young quarterback, wide receivers, running back and left tackle respond to that type of system.

Angelo and Smith than struck out looking for their new defensive coordinator.  Perry Fawell, former D Coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and interim head coach, said no thank you and went to a safer job with the New York Giants.

Rod Marinelli was then promoted to the spot.

Lovie Smith runs the Bears D.  It wouldn’t have made any difference if Fawell accepted the offer or not.

All of these coaching changes look like the moves of a desperate team.

Moves like these put the hope of a playoff run on the players wearing orange and blue.

Players can make miracles happen during games.

What they can’t do is make miracles happen for an entire season.

From the way things have been going for the Bears, this could be another long year.

Do I believe this is a playoff caliber team?  Yes I do.

This team has a lot of talent on offense, defense and special teams.

Do I think this is a playoff caliber coaching staff?

With Special Teams Coordinator David Toub and O-Line coach Mike Tice being the only exceptions:

Not in a million seasons.

I will put the crown of mediocrity on Lovie Smiths head and Jerry Angelo can have the sceptre of somber draft picks.

Let’s hope the Bears organization is in a rush to win now and make a big splash during free agency.

Otherwise it’s early hibernation for this Bears staff.

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

I love listening listening to the Waddle and Silvi show and probably my favorite thing they do is Would You Rather where usually very strange and sometimes gross either/or questions are given to the hosts. Well I have the best one of all and it very apporiate leading up to the Super Bowl

As the Colts get ready for the Super Bowl for the second time in the last 4 seasons it has gotten me thinking. We could have had this same match up back then. What if Reggie Bush didn’t taunt the Brian Urlacher during that long touchdown, would the defense have rallied?

But that is for a different day. The argument for the day is would you rather have the Current Bears Trio with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Devin Hester

or

The Bears Trio from that Super Bowl team which was Rex Grossman, Thomas, Jones and Bernard Berrian. Also keep in mind on this team Hester was an all world kick and punt returner.

Bernard Berrian was allowed to walk in free agency and Thomas Jones was traded to the Jets for draft picks while after sticking with all his ups and downs during the Super Bowl season, Lovie only stayed with Rex for 3 games after taking away all his offensive weapons.

So would the Bears have been better off today sticking with Rex, Jones and Berrian instead of Cutler, Forte and Hester?

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

I know. There are seven games left, almost half the season. Optimists will tell me there’s reason to hope; teams have run the table before, why not again?

Those optimists haven’t watched these Chicago Bears.

It took me three days and at least one Blackhawks game to get over the ridiculous “effort” the Bears put forth on Thursday night on “national” television. ESPN, Fox and CBS should all write a collective “Thank You” note to the NFL Network for putting the hot garbage that was the Bears-49ers game on.

I was embarrassed to be a Bears fan on Thursday night.

Watching Devin Hester fall down, and then stop his route when a ref got in the way, was amateur.

Watching Ron Turner send an extra tackle onto the field for a pass play was ridiculous.

Watching Jay Cutler take the blame for a terrible supporting cast was maddening, but deserved.

There is no coaching going on at Halas Hall these days. The stupid mistakes are painful after half a season, and the product on the field is worse.

We’re right back to where we ended last year. Matt Forte is the best receiver on the team, Turner doesn’t know how to utilize he personnel, especially Greg Olsen, and the quarterback is taking the full responsibility for mediocrity.

Jerry Angelo bought some love from Bears’ fans this summer when he unloaded the farm for Cutler, but he has done nothing since to keep it. His resume has been consistent surrounding the Cutler move (poor), and he’s done nothing to earn more than the rest of this regular season with his current job.

The offensive line stinks. The defensive line is average. The linebacker depth is bad. The secondary is pitiful. And the team only has two healthy running backs on the roster. Cincinnati has four running backs, and the Bears have two.

Therefore, I’ll continue bringing you the news and notes on the 2009 Chicago Bears, but my emotional investment in this team is leaving with their chances of making the playoffs. I’m done cheering for mediocrity. I’m done with the 2009 Bears.

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Bears hosted the Arizona Cardinals in what had been described as a must-win game. Both teams came in with 4-3 records, but the Bears hadn’t done much to build their confidence in recent weeks. This game was to be a building block to Lovie Smith’s big second half of the season.

Then the game started.

Just as they did against the Cincinnati Bengals, the defense didn’t show up to begin the game. In fact, why Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris even put on a uniform can be questioned. On only the third snap of the game, Harris was ejected for punching a Cardinal lineman in the facemask right in front of an official.

This comes just two weeks after Smith deactivated Harris for a questionable work ethic for the Bengals game. Harris hadn’t practiced much, allegedly because of a number of injuries, and Smith opted to keep the former Pro Bowl tackle on the sidelines for that blowout.

On Sunday, it was Harris deciding when his day was over. It was just three snaps longer than Smith had allowed him in Cincinnati.

Harris’ absence was just a small part of the defense’s problems. Charles Tillman did an admirable job trying to stay with Larry Fitzgerald for most of the first half, but still allowed the All-World receiver to have a big first half with two touchdowns. Tillman hurt his shoulder on the second score, and would not return.

The Bears also allowed one of the worst rushing offenses in football to have a huge day. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower had their way with the Bears’ defensive front, getting close to 200 yards on the ground against a Bears team that hadn’t lost in Chicago yet this year.

In the first half, just like the Bengals, the Cardinals punter didn’t break a sweat. On five possessions, the Cardinals scored four touchdowns, all through the air, and a field goal.

On offense, the Bears had a good statistical day. Quarterback Jay Cutler had a day that, on paper, is one of the best from a Bears signal caller in decades. He threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns on the day, with all three scores going to tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen had a huge day of his own, with his first three-touchdown game as a pro.

But stupid mistakes and an invisible offensive line killed the Bears offense. Cutler was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after a fairly obvious pass interference call wasn’t made on fourth down in Arizona territory. Olsen was called for offensive pass interference later in the game as well.

The biggest concern, though, continues to be the abuse that Cutler is taking behind one of the worst Bears’ lines in recent memory. He was sacked four more times on Sunday, and was hit a number of times as well. How well, or long, Cutler can continue to take this level of abuse is questionable, even as a durable quarterback.

If the Cardinals suspect defensive line, just like the Browns the week before, can hit Cutler as often as they did, what will Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings do to him?

The Bears receivers didn’t help Cutler much, either. Troy Aikman, providing color commentary for Fox, noted that Cutler’s one interception of the day was as much the fault of Earl Bennet for quiting on a route as it was Cutler’s for forcing a throw late in an attempted comeback. Johnny Knox dropped a couple balls as well.

Overall, Ken Wisenhunt could have echoed Bears fans by bringing back some vintage Dennis Green and calling these Bears “who we thought they were.” They won’t be wearing a crown, or participating in the playoffs, they way they’re playing right now.

http://fanhuddle.com/chicagobears/2010/02/19/off-season-drags-into-the-off-season/