[The Stache]

Bears expected to keep Angelo, make “significant moves”

Bears fans wanting change after a depressing end to the 2011 season are likely to be disappointed.

Lovie Smith certainly isn’t going anywhere. All signs point towards G.M. Jerry Angelo sticking around as well.

CSNChicago.com’s John Mullin writes that Angelo will be back in 2012 “barring a monumental shift of Halas Hall thinking.”

Mullin has spoken to various sources within the organization that point to a couple key factors regarding Angelo’s status.

Angelo has already been deeply involved in 2012 planning. That likely wouldn’t happen if Angelo was truly a “lame duck” about to leave. Mullin also points to Angelo’s “excellent” relationship with the Bears’ new Chairman George McCaskey.

It’s believed the Bears want to gear back up for a title run next year with a healthy Jay Cutler at quarterback. Angelo will reportedly be given the resources to make “significant moves again” this offseason.

At some point, the Urlacher-Lovie-Angelo era will have to end. But this doesn’t look like a franchise that is ready to blow things up anytime soon.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ant-moves/

[The Stache]

Eh, I'm fine with him coming back. I'm really worried that the backup plan would be Tim Ruskell and that'd be really bad for a team that should realistically compete for the Super Bowl next year.

The last time Angelo was given big money to spend he signed Julius Peppers. I'm not expecting that again, but if he could go out and sign Ben Grubbs and/or a starting CB like Brandon Carr that'd be awesome and really alter our draft strategy.

There is no doubting that FA will be huge and after that we should have a clear list of priorities for the draft.

[jammin481]

Marques Colston likely to be a FA - Saints using franchise tag on Brees. Wouldn't mind him coming to Chicago for Cutler.

Regardless, they need to build this team around Jay - not the defense. Yes there are missing pieces to the defense, but that has a short lifespan remaining. Build this team (draft) around the offense, and what Cutler can do. He'll be here longer then Urlacher and company - so let it be his team going forward. If that means drafting or signing a big WR, do it.

[chiguy79]

You really think Brees gets the franchise tag and not a new deal? I don't see how he doesn't get a new deal given what he means to that franchise.

[The Stache]

Vincent Jackson is a FA too. Dwayne Bowe is as well, but will most likely get franchised tagged. Either would be a really good get at WR.

[Indianplaya17]

Sign Colston, Jackson and Bowe. Re-sign Forte. Draft O-line and DBs. SUPER BOWL IN 2012!!!

[The Great Santo]

You really think Brees gets the franchise tag and not a new deal? I don't see how he doesn't get a new deal given what he means to that franchise.

No. He will sign. Benson has given out some money recently and there is no reason no to do so for Brees. They just didn't want to do it during the season. At the same time Carl Nicks is a FA and he is more important to the team so they might need the tag for him. Maybe they let Colston hit the market but it's hard to say this early. The Saints got a bunch of money from the new stadium deal so they might try and keep the team intact.

[The Stache]

Well, just make this the off-season thread.

[Old Style]

Forte contract talks should be interesting.

[The Stache]

Forte contract talks should be interesting.

Me thinks he's going to get franchised. Hope he doesn't hold out, but I wouldn't blame him if he did.

[Indianplaya17]

Briggs and Forte will be back.

[chiguy79]

Briggs and Forte will be back.

Bold prediction there, IP, given one is still under contract and the other, at worst, can have the franchise tag placed on them. Sure you don't want to go out on a limb and say who our starting QB will be next year?

[Indianplaya17]

Briggs and Forte will be back.

Bold prediction there, IP, given one is still under contract and the other, at worst, can have the franchise tag placed on them. Sure you don't want to go out on a limb and say who our starting QB will be next year?

Im just saying considering their situations. Especially Briggs wanting to be traded. Heard rumors earlier this year that the Bears could trade Forte if they don't want to pay him. Not sure if the rumor had any legs to it. Just something i heard.

[Old Style]

Forte contract talks should be interesting.

Me thinks he's going to get franchised. Hope he doesn't hold out, but I wouldn't blame him if he did.

I can't say I'd blame him if he held out. Ownership treated him like a dirty stepchild this year.

[Indianplaya17]

Bears hoping for limited turnover
Source: Michael C. Wright / ESPN Chicago

MINNEAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears players quietly celebrated Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings that snapped a five-game losing streak, but a strong sense of trepidation about the future permeated the visitor's locker room.

"It's always like that," receiver Devin Hester said, before letting out a sigh.

The players understand change is on the way. They just hope there's not a ton for this team that started off 7-3, before injuries chewed through the promise of what likely should have been Chicago's second consecutive postseason appearance.

In the aftermath of the 17-13 victory over the Vikings, questions remain. Does the team bring back receiver Roy Williams, and running back Marion Barber? Does the front office look past current backup quarterback Josh McCown to find a No. 2 for Jay Cutler? Will the team bring in new receivers?

Have certain long-time players participated in their last games as Chicago Bears?

"Things are gonna change, and hopefully not many," said center Roberto Garza. "We have a good offense. We can go out there and move the ball. We obviously have to go out and execute, but when we do that we're a damned good offense. If we could keep that continuity going, that would be great."

It's also not realistic. Although it's likely the team brings back most, if not all, the core players on both sides of the ball, Bears coach Lovie Smith indicated after the game.

Throughout the week, he stressed the season finale would serve as an evaluation tool for decision-making purposes.

"Our plans from here: we are going to enjoy this win and of course go back tomorrow, and then kind of start the evaluation process and see what we need to do to take that next step and to get back where we belong," Smith said. "We are a good football team, and we are going to try and keep as many of our coaches and players as possible together."

Does Williams fit into that group? He certainly thinks so, after finishing with 10 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown over the final two games. Nagging injuries slowed Williams early on in the season, as he caught 16 passes over the first eight games and 21 over the last eight.

Williams finished with 50 yards receiving or more in six games, but frustrated fans with occasional drops.

"I have no idea [whether I'll be back]," Williams said. "I'm gonna continue to say I think I played well this year. You can look at all the negatives if you want to. But I think I had way more positives than negatives; in run blocking as well."

Earl Bennett and Hester agreed with Williams. Hester said the entire receiving corps fought through nagging injuries throughout the season that affected their productivity. Naturally, Hester pointed to the Nov. 20 victory over the San Diego Chargers as the turning point of the season, because the Bears lost Cutler with a fractured thumb.

The disappointment about what transpired afterward even took enjoyment from the win in Minnesota.

"The last time I looked at our record, we were 7-3," Hester said. "From that moment on, everything just came tumbling down like a small snowball into a huge snowman; from the injuries to the off-the-field issues, et cetera, et cetera. We won the ballgame, but we still feel like we've left a lot out there [from losing games] that we should have won. Key guys went down early, and Roy [Williams] was banged up early in the season. We were never 100 percent, but we did give 110 percent effort every time we were out there. We've got to make sure things like that don't happen again next season."

That means changes, no matter how hard Smith tries to keep the team together. Several players' contracts expired after Sunday's game. The group includes defensive ends Israel Idonije and Amobi Okoye, cornerbacks Zack Bowman, Corey Graham and Tim Jennings, safety Craig Steltz, running back Kahlil Bell, tight end Kellen Davis and quarterback Caleb Hanie.

Said Bell: "I don't want to go anywhere. I love this city," adding that, "I also do want to play."

Jennings cracked jokes, saying, "If you all find out [what happens for me in free agency], will you please tell me?"

Smith knows the immense challenge this team might face in the coming months, with the front office looking to upgrade talent in some areas, while fighting to hold on to other key contributors that might have multiple suitors in free agency.

"We don't want to tear this team down and start over," he said. "This is a good football team, and we are going to win a lot of games with this core remaining the same."

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... 8-8-season

[The Stache]

Sean Jensen @skjensen
I wrote about this last week. But, I'll give you a freebie. Projected to be $20 million under RT @cutler53235 what Is the bears cap at?

Something we already knew, but just confirming.

[Indianplaya17]

Dowell Loggains off Bears radar
Source: Michael C. Wright / ESPN Chicago

Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Dowell Loggains emerged as an early candidate to hold the same post with the Chicago Bears but just as quickly disappeared from contention.

The Titans denied the Bears permission to interview Loggains for the position Tuesday, according to sources. The latest development shouldn't be seen as a surprise or setback for the Bears because one source maintains the club still "[has] a good, solid list," which doesn't include former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, who was fired on Tuesday.

When news originally surfaced about Chicago's potential interest in Loggains, who is a friend of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, a source with the Titans expressed doubt that the coach would switch teams.

"[Titans head coach Mike] Munchak loves him," the source said. "I don't see him letting him out of his contract unless [it's] a play calling coordinator's job. No chance they will get Loggains as just the QB coach."

Bears coach Lovie Smith had been making calls inquiring about Loggains last week, according to the source. Another source close to Loggains said the coach would have been interested in joining the Bears because of his relationship with Cutler. The quarterback lobbied for Loggains to join the Bears two years ago after the club fired Pep Hamilton. But recently-departed Mike Martz took over as offensive coordinator and brought in Shane Day, who was also recently relieved of his duties.

With Mike Tice taking over the offensive coordinator position, the thinking was it would make sense to bring in a coach with a strong relationship with the team's franchise player. Had the Bears asked permission to speak with Loggains about the offensive coordinator's job, the TItans would have granted the request, according to a source.

But Tice, who plans assume play-calling during games, is pushing for the Bears to bring in Dirk Koetter, with whom he worked in Jacksonville. Koetter was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach with the Jaguars. With no head coach in Jacksonville and new ownership, Koetter's status there is unresolved. It's believed Koetter -- whose contract expires in February -- could become a hot commodity around the league in the coming days. According to a source, if Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey lands the head-coaching job in Jacksonville, the Falcons will go after Koetter to direct that offense.

Loggains isn't a highly-touted name around the league, but he is viewed by members of the Titans' staff as an intelligent, up-and-coming coach who gets along well with players. Having finished his second season as Tennessee's quarterbacks coach, and his fourth with the team, Loggains served as an administrative assistant with the Titans when Cutler was finishing up his career at Vanderbilt, and pushed hard to draft the former Commodore over Vince Young.

Because of their past ties with Cutler, former Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and Miami offensive coordinator Jeff Fisch are also considered strong candidates. But Koetter, a former head coach at Boise State and Arizona State, will be the most coveted of the potential prospects.

Working with Tice in Jacksonville (2007-09), Koetter helped the Jaguars convert 45.1 percent of their third downs in 2009 (Tice's final season with the club), which ranked as fourth in the NFL. The team also ranked fifth in rush average (4.5 yards) and tied for seventh best in the NFL with 23 giveaways.

In Koetter's first season with the Jaguars, the team set a franchise single-season record for points (411, 25.7 average), touchdowns (50), touchdown passes (28) and yards per play (5.6). The team finished seventh in total offense (357.4 yard average) and generated 400 yards or more in three games. During the time in which Koetter and Tice were both on Jacksonville's staff, the team ranked in the top 10 in seven categories (rushing yards, rushes of 10 or more yards, average per rush, fewest giveaways, fewest interceptions, third-down conversions and first downs).

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... -bears-job

[Indianplaya17]

Bears interview QB coach Greg Olson
Source: Michael C. Wright / ESPN Chicago

The Chicago Bears announced plans to bring in candidates to interview for the vacant general manager position on Wednesday, but they followed that with an actual interview Thursday of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson for the position of passing games/quarterbacks coach, according to an NFL source.

The team's quarterbacks coach under Dick Jauron in 2003, Olson brings extensive experience on offense to the table. Olson worked in Detroit as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, offensive coordinator in St. Louis, and held those same positions in Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers fired him on Jan. 2, the day after the team finished the season with a 4-12 record.

Olson came into the NFL in 2001, working with Steve Mariucci in San Francisco as quarterbacks coach, after playing a key role in developing Saints quarterback Drew Brees on the collegiate level at Purdue from 1997 to 2001.

During Olson's tenure in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers competed despite featuring one of the NFL's youngest rosters. And despite being elevated late to the coordinator position in 2009, Olson directed an offense that generated 400 yards or more in three games that season.

Olson has also been credited with the rapid development of players such as quarterback Josh Freeman (led all rookie quarterbacks with a 54.9 completion percentage in 2009), receivers Mike Williams (11 touchdown catches as a rookie) and Arrelious Benn, and running back LeGarrette Blount. In 2010, Olson's offense produced Rookie of the Week award nominations on 10 occasions.

It's also unclear where Olson fits among the other rumored candidates, such as front runner Dirk Koetter -- the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars -- who is scheduled to interview with the Atlanta Falcons, and University of Miami offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch and former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates.

Sources said new offensive coordinator Mike Tice wants to bring in Koetter for the opening because of their extensive experience together in Jacksonville. But it appears Koetter -- who also recently interviewed for the offensive coordinator's job at Alabama -- will be a hot commodity as the offseason continues to unfold.

Bates and Fisch, meanwhile, both worked with Cutler in Denver, giving them a potential leg up on the other candidates in terms of their ability to work with the quarterback. The team interviewed Fisch in 2007 for the job of quarterbacks coach before settling on Pep Hamilton, who was fired in 2009.

Unless Olson blows the Bears away during Thursday's interview, it's unlikely the team will make an announcement before bringing in any other candidates.

While Tice's input will be considered, ultimately, Bears head coach Lovie Smith will make the final decision on this hire.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... acks-coach

[Old Style]

JayCutler6 Jay Cutler
No brainer RT @KRock_19: @Shields3L Just read Bears could potentially trade their 3rd round picks for @BMarshall19 ....opinion?

[Old Style]

JayCutler6 Jay Cutler
Time for a new songRT @magic_uno: @REMILOVESPORTS "Reunited...and it feels so gooooooood!" #ashfordandsimpsonparody @JayCutler6 @BMarshall19