One of the few, albeit major, knocks on Julius Peppers — a point amplified precluding the official start of free agency — was that he tended to take plays off. And one of the potential issues surrounding key members of Bears management is that they will, uh, cease to exist if 2010 goes badly. Fortunately for both, Julius Peppers’ contract takes care of all that. (more…)

The last post of the week; something to ponder as you await the certain couch slouch and booze binge of the weekend.

Ohhhhh. That was nice, was it not? Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manumaleuna are now all members of the Chicago Bears. I’m just 26 years old, but yesterday was easily the most, dare I say, satisfying offseason day I’ve ever lived through. (more…)

Formalities are over. The man to your left in the North Carolina jersey is now officially a member of the Chicago Bears. He brings with him 81 career sacks and the hopes of an entire nation. Oh, and aside from Julius Peppers, the Bears signed Chester Taylor, too. So, yep, not a bad day. (more…)

The first day of NFL free agency is huge for the word “reports”. And, just hours in, it’s been big for the Chicago Bears, too. Players expected to interview at Halas Hall today include: Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manumaleuna. And if you don’t think the Bears are serious about Peppers, Lovie Smith flew to North Carolina just to escort the 30-year old defensive end back to Chi-town. (more…)

1o Bears are slated to become free agents — both unrestricted and restricted — when free agency officially begins on Friday. Below: who, and the likelihood they’ll return to the team. (more…)

Why do I get the feeling that, as we speak, someone in the Bears organization has barricaded themselves inside the team’s PR room and taken control of the “wire”. Whatever that means. How else do you explain the Bears’ inexplicable interest in all these high-profiled free agents? (more…)

He was such a force in the NFC championship three years ago. With exception to the Cutler-for-rights-to-participate-in-the-NFL-Draft swap, he was the recompense in the Bears’ biggest trade of the last 10 years. And I so proudly learned to say his name correctly. For these reasons, I’m going to miss Adewale Ogunleye. (more…)

Year after year, we’ve watched while the Bears did nothing in free agency. There is an old adage and I believe it goes something like: don’t give me Brandon Lloyd and tell me he’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Bad example, maybe. But, the Bears did something remarkable last year, something they never do — instigated a blockbuster trade. Is this reason enough to believe Julius Peppers to Chicago is going to happen? (more…)

The Kansas City Chiefs recently worked out two free agent wide receivers: David Terrell (!) being one of them. And while they went with the other, Amani Toomer, the luxury to pick and choose between two high-caliber options says a lot about the state of the Chiefs, currently the favorites to win the 2002 Super Bowl. Also, that Mike Vick seems like a nice man.

Derrick Brooks is 36, in the obvious twilight of his stellar career, and after getting released by Tampa Bay more than four months ago, still looking for a home. One of the fastest linebackers of this generation is best in the Tampa 2 and has ties to Lovie Smith, but why feed the rich while the poor starve?

In other words, the Bears are stacked at linebacker, and Brooks would have to compete/share time with Pisa Tinoisamoa, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach and Jamar Williams–all worthy candidates. Still, Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times thinks Brooks’ agent should call the Bears first.

The last post of the week: something to ponder as you await the certain couch slouch and booze binge of this weekend.

Be forewarned that this weekend will predominantly be filled with will-they or won’t-they speculation as fans, media, and teams alike clamor about the future of Plaxico Burress. Oh, and something might happen on Monday, but I didn’t go to lawyer school so I have no fucking idea.

Enjoy your Plaxified weekend…

In the case that–now may or may not be decided on Monday–Plaxico Burress isn’t available to sign with the Bears because, you know, he goes to prison, ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson throws another name in the free agent wide receiver hat: ex-Titan and Ram Drew Bennett. (more…)