CB Lito Sheppard Being Pursued by Bears?

There's only buzz on this rumor and we can't see this as a huge need for the Bears with two solid CB's in Tillman and Bowman. What the Bears may be considering is moving Lito to the free safety position. In the cover 2 we've heard that the free safety is needed more for coverage and the strong safety is needed for the punch or hard hit. Stay tuned.

Free Agency: Now what?

Olsen Unofficially On the Trading Block

There's lots of buzz around Greg Olsen getting traded.  Determining his value is difficult to do.  Olsen was drafted in the end of the first round.  The patriots seem to possibly be a fit and they have three 2nd round picks.

We would love for the Bears to address the offensive line need or their free safety need. Antrel Rolle signed a huge deal with the Giants yesterday.  We've also learned that Darren Sharper is in talks with the Saints.  So we are definitely happy with the moves the Bears made yesterday and hope that they can fill the last two holes before the draft.

Julius Peppers Deal vs. What Could Have Been

Looking at Julius Peppers signing we went ahead a looked at other factors that may have led to the Bears going after the number one free agent. The main factors were the lack of a first and second round pick as well as the salary of the departed Adewale Ogunleye. If the Bear’s didn’t trade away their first and second pick they would be picking 11th in the first round and 42nd, which was the 10th pick in the 2nd round. The 11th pick last year was Penn State’s DE Aaron Maybin and his contract was a total of 24.6 million. The 42nd pick was Oregon’s CB Jairus Bryrd and his contract was worth a total of 4.225 million. Adewale Ogunleye’s 2009 salary was 4.7 million dollars. All of that dough for the two picks and Ogunleye’s slary adds up to 33.5 million dollars of freed up cash. The Bears signed Julius Peppers to a six year 92 million dollar deal, with 42 million guaranteed. In the first three years he will earn 40.5 million.
What’s interesting about this signing is that Aaron Maybin had 11 tackles and 0 sacks in 2009. I’m not sure of his situation, but I would say that’s a lot of money for someone who didn’t produce results. On the other hand, Jairus Byrd had 9 interceptions and was voted to the pro bowl. These two picks highlight the hit or miss nature of the NFL draft.

With all that said, the Bears utilized that 33.5 million freed up cash on a proven player in an incredible area of need. So here’s the simple math:

+ 42 Million guaranteed cash for Julius Peppers
- 37 Million freed up cash considering inflation
________________________________________________
5 million dollar 3 year risk for Julius Peppers

We only put the 42 million as the salary because if Julius ends up flopping then this is the total loss that the Bears will be responsible for.

As we’ve calculated we estimate that Julius Peppers deal boiled down is only a risk of 5 million dollars. Considering the Bears lack of picks and departure of Adewale Ogunleye, we think this is an incredibly smart move by the Chicago Bears.

Bears sign peppers and Taylor

Check it out here:

http://www.blogdownchicagobears.com/2010/03/05/its-official-bears-land-julius-peppers-chester-taylor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogdownchicagobears+%28Blog+Down%2C+Chicago+Bears%29

Bears Sign TE Manumaleuna and visiting with Peppers and Taylor today

Martz has his blocking tightend Brandon Manumaleuna and possibly a complementary RB in Chester Taylor who is visiting the Bears today. Whats also amazing is your chicago bears are the front runners for Julius Peppers and julius is visiting the Bears today. Whats interesting is Lovie was knocking on Peppers door literally at 12:01am. What a way to communicate you want a guy! As a Bears fan I'm super excited to see the Bears this active in free agency.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/05/peppers-agent-says-its-the-bears-deal-to-lose/?related=1

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/05/bears-bag-brandon-manumaleuna/?related=1

Bears are in negotiations for antrel rolle

Check out the link here:

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/free-agent-rolle-could-find-new-home-quickly.html

Antrel Rolle Cut and now available

According to PFT the Arizona Cardinals have released Antrel Rolle. We believe because he was released that he is immediately available to discuss his future contract with the Chicago Bears.

Check it out here:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/04/cardinals-release-antrel-rolle/

PFT Video: Free Agency Big Spenders

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Olsen for Boldin?

Check out the article here:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355428-bears-trade-talk-olsen-for-boldin?utm_campaign=buzztap&utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

We think this would be good for the bears and can stop the search for a number one wr.

Video - Adam Schefter on Bears offseason

Pretend GM: Chicago Bears Offseason

Priority 1: Sign reliable defensive end

1) Julius Peppers

2) Aaron Kampman

The problem here is the Redskins may go after Peppers as well would escalate the price for his services. The Bears should overpay but not as much as the Redskins. With that said the Bears have outdone the redskins in the past...see Jay Cutler trade.

Priority 2: Sign Free-Safety

1) Darren Sharper

2) Antrel Rolle

We like Sharper more for his leadership. The Bears need leaders on defense and need to return to dominance. Rolle provides talent but not the leadership to gel a defense. Sharper shouldn't be around much longer so this will only solidify the position for a couple of years.

Priority 3: Draft Guard in 3rd round

3RD round is still good for the Bears to draft a quality player. We are not expecting a pro bowler but someone to bring competition to the players currently on the roster.

Priority 4: Trade Greg Olsen or Devin Hester

Both of theses guys may not fit or aren't as needed as last year and could command more value than what their worth for the Bears. Check your emotional attachments at the door and get someone that will make the Bears more competitive.

Video - John Clayton: Julius Peppers Market

Is this the best offensive line group

Is this the best offensive line group ever?

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This is good news for the Bears picking in the 3rd round.

Bears 3rd Rd pick for Anquan Boldin?

Bears fans may have to wait till the 4th round to see the first pick of the Chicago Bears. It is speculated that the Bears may trade their 3rd round pick for Anquan Boldin. Last year if you remember they offered their 2nd. Check out this link:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/25/combine-rumor-boldin-will-finally-get-dealt/

Urlacher wants Peppers

Check out this article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0226-bears-mcclure-chicago--20100225,0,6674071.story

Bears are going after Julius Peppers

According to sources inside the Bears organization the "not going hog wild" Bears are going after DE Julius Peppers at the start of free agency March 5th. This should be interesting. This is the Chicago Bears greatest need and there are no options via the draft because they don't have a pick in the first two rounds....thank you Jay Cutler.

The Bears plan B will be Aaron Kampman

Heres the link:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/23/report-bears-looking-to-pick-up-peppers/#comments

Bears Hire Tim Ruskell as Director of Player Personal

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/23/bears-hire-tim-ruskell/#comments

Darren Sharper wont be franchised by the SAINTS

According to multiple sources the Saints won't be franchising Darren Sharper which will mostl likely lead to him hitting the free agent market...enter the chicago bears. I'm still mad the bears didn't sign him last year when they had a chance. Sharper is 34 and can't have a ton left in the tank. We say sign him for two years at a price he likes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4937036

Antrel Rolle could be wearing a Bears jersey next year

It looks like Safety Antrel Rolle will be cut by the cardinals before March 1st. Antrel would fill a huge need in the Bears defensive backfield.


http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/13811/pro-bowl-contract-chatter-dockett-rolle