Chicago Bears News

Bowman a money player
Comment
March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Cornerback Zackary Bowman has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. In 2009, Bowman started 12 games and had six interceptions. His base salary was just $310,000, so he gave the team its money's worth. Bowman received a bump thanks to the NFL's performance-based pay distributions, which reward low-salaried players who participate in a significant number of snaps. Bowman actually earned $355,355 by playing in 64 percent of the Bears' defensive snaps. That's the second-highest figure in the league, behind Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan, who started all 16 games and earned $397,555. Bowman's haul, though, pales in comparison ..."
Bears' Roach, Williams could attract interest
Comment
March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Josh Bullocks became the first Bears' restricted free agent to sign his qualifying tender Thursday, accepting a one-year contract that will pay him $1.226 million in 2010 if he's on the roster. There's no hurry. The Bears do not begin their voluntary offseason workout program until March 29 Players can participate even if they have not signed their qualifying tender as a restricted free agent, as long as they agree to an injury waiver. Restricted free agents can shop their services to other teams until April 15, the deadline to receive offer sheets, and expect linebacker Nick Roach to see what is out there. The Bears tendered the former Northwestern standout at the second round level, ..."
Bears' Bowman doubles salary with PBP bonus
Comment
March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"If there is a lockout in 2011, some Bears players will have some extra money to carry over into a period of uncertainty thanks to the NFL's performance-based pay system. Cornerback Zack Bowman collected an additional $355,355, the second-highest figure in the league, according to a source with knowledge of the payouts. Bowman's base salary this past season when he played in all 16 games and led the team with six interceptions was only $310,000. Call it Christmas in March. The NFLPA has recommended agents tell their players to save this money in the event of a work stoppage a year from now. The performance-based pay fund is a leaguewide system devised to allocate money to players with the ..."
Taylor inherits Peterson's No. 29 with Bears
Comment
March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Running back Chester Taylor will wear No. 29 for the Bears, the same number he had with the Vikings last season. This all but confirms that Adrian Peterson, who has worn No. 29 for the last eight seasons, will no longer be with the team. Asked a week ago if he had heard from the Bears, Peterson -- now a free agent -- said in a text message that he'd had no contact with anyone from the organization. Peterson said after the season that he didn't expect to be back."
Urlacher ready to run through a wall for Marinelli
Comment
March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Based on the way Bears players have raved about Rod Marinelli this offseason, the transition to the new defensive coordinator appears destined to be seamless. But will the defense be successful? Linebacker Brian Urlacher believes the defensive intensity should at least crank up a few notches, and not just because Julius Peppers is now in the fold. "If you listen to coach Marinelli talk, you want to run through a frickin' wall for him,'' Urlacher said. "When he talks, people listen. "I like coach Marinelli. He knows football. He knows how to get guys in position to make plays. And he motivates people. I have a huge amount of respect for him." Photo: Brian Urlacher is eager to play for new ..."
Trust is the key for Peppers
Comment
March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Sean Jensen
"Julius Peppers has cruised on the bling-crusted path to athletic superstardom, dominating at Southern Nash Senior High and at the University of North Carolina -- where he also dabbled in basketball -- and distinguishing himself as a Pro Bowl player in five of his eight seasons for the Carolina Panthers. He enjoys the fruits of his labor -- he owns a lakefront home, flies first class and drives three luxury vehicles -- yet he also defies some of the unofficial requisites of the uber-elite athlete. He isn't a self-promoter or a prolific pitchman, and he doesn't roll to nightclubs every weekend with an entourage. Sure, he purchased 25 bottles of champagne last Friday at a Chicago club, hours ..."
Bears bringing in Virginia DT Collins for visit
Comment
March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears will bring in Virginia defensive tackle Nate Collins for a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall on April 8, according to a league source. Collins came on during a big senior season for the Cavaliers and finished second on the team with 77 tackles, a remarkable feat for someone at his position. He had a season-high 16 tackles vs. Georgia Tech and was selected as a first team All-ACC performer. His absence from the national scouting combine last month in Indianapolis was considered a significant oversight, but it could help Collins fly under the radar somewhat for teams like the Bears that are interested in him. He is also scheduled to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 14 and will ..."
Bears committed to Peppers, but have an out
Comment
March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Technically, only $19.9 million in the blockbuster Julius Peppers contract is guaranteed, but the reality is Peppers will be a Bear for at least three seasons. Peppers' $91.5 million, six-year contract has $42 million guaranteed vs. injury, but the number that needs to be remembered is $40.5 million over the first three seasons. That's how this contract shakes out. He's 30 and if he's still playing at an All-Pro level in 2013, when his base salary is $12.9 million, the Bears will pay him or work to restructure the deal. As was pointed out in Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Talk earlier this week, the Bears technically can get out of the deal after this season. But Peppers isn't tied to ..."
Bears re-sign restricted free agent Josh Bullocks
Comment
March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears safety Josh Bullocks, a restricted free agent, signed the one-year tender offered by the Bears on Thursday. Because Bullocks has five years of experience, the low tender for him is $1.226 million. Bullocks adds depth to a position of need for the Bears. Coach Lovie Smith said the team needed to improve at safety, but the Bears were unable to do so when free agency started. They were negotiating with Antrel Rolle, who eventually signed with the Giants. Bullocks played in 12 games last season, starting four. He had 21 tackles and played well at the end of the season."
Released by Redskins, Eddie Williams signs with Bears
Comment
March 11
Washington Post
 
"Fullback Eddie Williams on Wednesday became the fourth Redskins player released last week to join a new team when he agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears, according to the Chicago Tribune. Williams, chosen with one of Washington's two seventh-round picks in the 2009 draft, did not appear in a game last season. He suffered a broken leg in practice in November and underwent surgery."
Peppers burns brightly as Firebirds legend
Comment
March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Julius Peppers doesn't have a special day or a prominent sign in his hometown. But people throughout Nash County and beyond know all about him. ''He's a big thing in Wilson,'' said David Langston, a native of Wilson, a bigger town about 14 miles east of Bailey. ''He's from this area, and everybody around here knows about everybody.'' Especially Peppers. Tyrone Johnson coaches basketball and track at Beddingfield High School in Wilson, and he recalls Peppers as a dominant athlete. ''I've been here 22 years, and he's the No. 1 athlete to come out of this area -- no doubt about that,'' Johnson said. ''He was unbelievable.'' Peppers was 6-5, 225 pounds, as a freshman at Southern Nash Senior ..."
Peppers' humble beginning
Comment
March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Throughout his tenure with the Carolina Panthers, whether he was in downtown Charlotte or near his property on ritzy Lake Norman, Julius Peppers marveled at a consistent pattern. ''I would see people every day,'' Peppers said, ''and most of them weren't even from Charlotte. ''People leave home and do their own thing. That's something I wanted to experience.'' That freedom, however, was begrudgingly granted. Two columnists from The Charlotte Observer wrote that the Panthers overpaid to ''lease'' and ''rent'' Peppers for the 2009 season, and there's a prevailing sentiment among the team's fans that he left only because of money. ''I know there's a lot of people who are mad he left,'' said ..."
Kevin Jones odd man out in Bears' backfield
Comment
March 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"On Tuesday morning, running back Kevin Jones was hoping to get another opportunity with the Bears after being cleared medically to play. Now he's looking for another job. Jones said he was released Tuesday afternoon, ending his brief stint with the Bears. Newly signed Chester Taylor will be a co-starter with Matt Forte, according to offensive coordinator Mike Martz in an interview with the Bears' Web site. So the backfield picture was getting a bit crowded. "I'm just thankful for the opportunity the Bears gave me here," Jones told the Tribune."
Bears make Julius Peppers highest paid on defense in NFL
Comment
March 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Sometimes, contract numbers can be inflated. But two league executives confirmed that the Bears did, in fact, give Julius Peppers a monster contract that makes him the league's highest-paid defensive player. The six-year deal is worth $84 million, half of which is guaranteed. In addition, Peppers can earn another $7.5 million in incentives, making the maximum total $91.5 million."
Panthers coach Fox: Peppers a heck of a player
Comment
March 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"In Charlotte, N.C., they still talk about the back-to-back plays Julius Peppers made in a game in Denver in 2004. On third-and-3, he pushed Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer out of bounds on a bootleg after a 2-yard gain. Then on fourth-and-1, he intercepted Plummer's pass and ran it back 97 yards. That is how Peppers will be remembered by John Fox, the only NFL head coach Peppers has known. "Pep's a heck of a player," Fox said Monday. "I knew he'd be a guy who would be one of the first to get signed. He hasn't had any injuries. He's clean as a whistle medically. I know he's 30, but he looks just like he did when he was 22." Fox dispelled the notion that the Bears' new defensive end takes a ..."
Bears should have been this active three years ago
Comment
March 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's unfortunate that Ted Phillips, Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith weren't in full butt-saving mode three years ago, when the Bears began their headfirst slide into mediocrity. If they had felt the urgency they're feeling now, who knows where this franchise would be? Even when Angelo reached out a paw and pulled in Jay Cutler last year, the general manager went back to grooming himself rather than doing more hunting. Cutler was left to fend for himself with no offensive line and wide receiver corps to speak of. Remember the rationalization at the time? Cutler was going to make everyone around him better, including an inexperienced group of receivers. Those receivers did get better. They ..."
Addition of Peppers to Bears' D-line makes Harris a happy lineman
Comment
March 8
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Fred Mitchell
"Tommie Harris believes he will be more effective on the Bears' defensive line because of the signing of Julius Peppers. "Who are you going to double-team on our defensive line now? Pick your poison, because you can't double everyone," Harris said. The injury-plagued Harris says he physically is ready to go. "When you play in the NFL you are never going to feel 100 percent, but I do feel better than I have in a long time," he said. "I started a new workout program that includes a lot of work in the swimming pool. I had no idea how much the water could help me train and feel better.""
A little more paper and Peppers would have stayed with Panthers
Comment
March 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Free agency never would have happened for Julius Peppers had the Panthers not stopped just short of his asking price last summer. That is what the prized defensive end told the Charlotte Observer after he signed his $91.5 million, six-year deal with the Bears, easily the biggest contract in franchise history. The Panthers placed the franchise tag on Peppers last year at a cost of $16.683 million. They worked up until the July deadline in efforts to sign him long term. Carolina's final offer was $54 million for four seasons. Peppers wanted $60 million for four seasons, a difference of $1.5 million per year. "My feeling is they could have done that," Peppers told the Observer. "If they ..."
Bears' free agent signings smack of desperation
Comment
March 7
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 columnist Howard Balzer
"Maybe someone should ask Chicago Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips for his definition of "hog wild." Because if what the Bears did Friday in the opening hours of the new league year wasn't "hog wild," then I'm not sure what the term means. fter all, it was on Feb. 19 when Phillips stated clearly what he viewed the team's philosophy to be when it comes to pursuing free agents. Said Phillips, "We're not going to be one of those handful of teams sometimes that just goes hog wild in free agency. I think you guys know our strategy has always been kind of balanced in free agency and work through the draft and every other area to try to add players to the team. It's not all about free agency. ..."
Bears take a page out of Redskins' book
Comment
March 7
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Are the Chicago Bears the new Washington Redskins? The Bears made the loudest splash in free agency after the clock struck midnight Thursday, landing two of the most prominent -- not to mention, most expensive -- available players on the open market. By Friday's end, they had shelled out $121 million -- $55 guaranteed -- in three separate deals, sending a message to the rest of the NFL that Monsters of the Midway isn't just a moniker about smashmouth football. It's a mantra about the lengths the McCaskey family went to make the Bears competitors again. They showered Julius Peppers with a record $42 million guaranteed despite a rap sheet longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls. They gave Chester ..."
Peppers provides spice for Bears' defense
Comment
March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"In 14 NFL seasons, mostly as a defensive line coach, Brian Baker has coached Pro Bowlers such as Luther Elliss, Leonard Little, Robert Porcher, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. But when he took over the defensive line of the Carolina Panthers last year, Baker elevated his bar because of Julius Peppers. Peppers could beat offensive linemen with his speed. He could beat them with his power. And he could beat them with his moves. ''He can, with one hand, lift an offensive lineman off his feet and throw him into the quarterback or running back,'' Baker said. ''These are things I've seen him do that I haven't seen any of those other guys do -- or anyone else.'' ''He's a physical freak. I would ..."
Figure Bears to keep Peppers on left side
Comment
March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Signing Julius Peppers to a $91.5 million, six-year contract was the hard part. Now what do the Bears do with him? Logic would dictate that is an easy decision and the free-agent prize will be the starting left defensive end in coach Lovie Smith's defense from now until, well, 2015. But the team wasn't ready to make any definitive statements Friday, a day reserved for celebration at Halas Hall after the team signed him along with tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and running back Chester Taylor. "He has excelled at both (right and left) positions," Smith said. "Even during the course of a game he has been able to do both. We're just going to keep our options open right now. We know he can play ..."
Bears free agent signings have ripple effect
Comment
March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Wasn't it Isaac Newton who said that for every action, there is a reaction? Or was it Bears coach Lovie Smith? These will be some of the reactions to the actions of the Bears on Friday. • Chester Taylor is a threat to take playing time away from Matt Forte. But he's a bigger threat to take jobs from Garrett Wolfe, Kahlil Bell and Kevin Jones. • The signing of Julius Peppers will affect Tommie Harris as much as anyone. The blocking attention Peppers will demand will mean more single blocks for Harris. And that could mean a rejuvenated career for the defensive tackle."
Bears need to punch Atogwe's ticket
Comment
March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Now that the Bears have a player who can force the opposing quarterback into making bad throws, they need a player who can intercept those passes. O.J. Atogwe, meet Lovie Smith. You might remember Atogwe. When he was playing free safety for the Rams last December, he had two forced fumbles against the Bears. And those forced fumbles are part of a large trend. Since Atogwe came into the league as a third-round pick out of Stanford in 2005, he has had a hand in 41 takeaways — an average of 10.25 per season. No player in the NFL has had more as the Ravens' Ed Reed is second over that period with 39. Atogwe has piled up his numbers playing with a team that has been inept — rarely playing with ..."
Bear market: Julius Peppers leads Chicago's free-agent haul
Comment
March 6
USA Today
 
"Julius Peppers got his change of scenery even if he won't be switching positions.The crown jewel of the NFL's unrestricted free agent market, the veteran defensive end signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Friday. The package is worth up to $91.5 million. Peppers will earn a record $42 million in guaranteed money according to his agent with $20 million to be paid in the first year and $40.5 million over the first three. The 6-7, 283-pound Peppers has 81 sacks since 2002, third-most in the NFL over that span behind Jason Taylor (88) and Dwight Freeney (84). Peppers' pass-rush ability and athleticism helped earn him a spot in the NFL's all-decade team for the 2000s even though ..."
Minnesota Vikings dealt 1-2 punch from Chicago
Comment
March 6
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Bob Sansevere
"The Chicago Bears opened the vault Friday, fattening the financial portfolios of Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers. The aftershock of those signings will be felt in Minnesota. The Vikings need to replace Taylor with someone versatile enough to be a third-down back and good enough to spell Adrian Peterson if he continues to fumble. The two most tantalizing free-agent backs are LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook. If they're confident he will go into the season healthy, Westbrook makes more sense because he played for Brad Childress in Philadelphia. Westbrook's history of concussions, though, could make Tomlinson the safer pick. Either would give Brett Favre one more reason to return. If ..."
Peppers excited about Bears' tradition
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 
"Julius Peppers cited the Chicago Bears' rich history as one of the reasons he's excited about his new NFL home. "Getting to come to a place with the deep-rooted tradition in winning is a great thing for me. It's a wonderful thing," Peppers said Friday after signing a six-year contract reported to be worth $91.5 million, with $42 million in guarantees. After playing for the home-state Carolina Panthers, who have a 15-season history, Peppers joins a Chicago organization that was a charter member of the NFL in 1920. "It's one thing to play football in this league and make a living, but it's a totally different thing to come to a place with a great tradition and rich football culture like the ..."
DE signed to reported 6-year deal in Chicago
Comment
March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The Bears became the big player in free agency today when they signed DE Julius Peppers to an reported 6-year deal that could be worth $40-million over the first three years, according to ESPN's John Clayton. But, when the shock of Chicago and GM Jerry Angelo being able to open up their wallets for Peppers wears off, we have to look at this move from a football perspective - and discuss why it is such a big play for the Bears. Head coach Lovie Smith wants to play his Tampa 2 scheme - the same scheme that seems to come under fire when we see attacking, pressure defenses in New York with Rex Ryan and in New Orleans with Gregg Williams and the Super Bowl champion Saints have success."
Free-agent running back inks deal with Chicago
Comment
March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The Bears continue to make moves with the signing of FA running back Chester Taylor to a deal worth a reported $12.5 million in total value with $7 million in guaranteed money. As expected, with this type of money up front, Taylor will most likely come into camp this summer as the club's No. 1 back, reducing last year's starter Matt Forte to a backup role. But, with most NFL teams, you need two backs that can produce and two backs that can play within the system. That system in Chicago now belongs to Mike Martz. And having seen that offense up close, I don't see why the Bears wouldn't consider this a positive play."
Does Manumaleuna spell the end for Olsen?
Comment
March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Neil Hayes
"The debate shouldn't be centered on whether the Bears should or shouldn't trade Greg Olsen. The bigger question, now that bruising tight end Brandon Manumaleuna is coming to Chicago, is whether general manager Jerry Angelo can get a player of equal or greater value in return. The Bears reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with the 6-2, 295-pound Manumaleuna. General managers never want to be in a position where they are trading a player for the sake of trading him just like they don't want to keep a player for the sake of keeping him. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz's schemes don't emphasize a pass-catching tight end. His playbook requires a lot of five-and seven-step drops, which is ..."
Taylor, Manumaleuna key pieces of puzzle
Comment
March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna are complements, not replacements. The Bears are trying to upgrade an offense that ranked 23rd in the NFL in 2009, and they're confident that Taylor and Manumaleuna can co-exist with incumbents Matt Forte and Greg Olsen. ''The production from our running back position, it's easy to say we've done that as far as improvement is concerned, and Brandon will give us a new dimension at the tight end position,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said Friday. ''It's a good day.'' Especially for new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. After an eye-opening rookie season, Forte's production dipped in 2009, largely because of injury. Lacking a 1-2 ..."
Bears need Peppers to be as big as his paycheck
Comment
March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Neil Hayes
"The last time the media was invited inside the Halas Hall auditorium, Jerry Angelo's and Lovie Smith's lips were grim creases as they tried to explain why they shouldn't be fired. Two months to the day later, they were introducing the biggest free-agent haul in team history, and their smiles were so wide they could've eaten Italian beefs sideways. There are always reasons to be skeptical when talking about free agency, where teams often get Albert Haynesworth instead of Reggie White. But this wasn't a day to be skeptical, not after the Bears signed defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna on the first day of free agency Friday. We don't ..."
Bears fulfill most of free agent wish list in 1 day
Comment
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"They sure didn't act like men at the head of a regime in peril. Instead, the Bears went boldly into free agency like the franchise never has gone before, busting out of the gate with general manager Jerry Angelo doing his best Daniel Snyder impression as the organization dipped into the McCaskey war chest Friday for contracts potentially worth $121 million. The Bears likely never will fork over the maximum value in any of the three deals, but in landing defensive end Julius Peppers, the prize of free agency, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and running back Chester Taylor, they certainly upgraded the roster at Halas Hall. Peppers is a dynamic pass-rushing threat for a line sorely in need one. ..."
Peppers' signing completes huge day for Bears
Comment
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a bold and swift free-agent strike, the Bears capped a stunning day by finalizing contract terms Friday with five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers. Peppers' six-year deal is worth a whopping $91.5 million, with $42 million guaranteed ($20 million in the first year, $40.5 million over the first three years). Earlier Friday, the Bears agreed to a five-year, $17 million deal ($6 million guaranteed) with tight end Brandon Manumaluena and a four-year, $12.5 million deal ($7 million guaranteed) with running back Chester Taylor. "We weren't looking to make a splash, we're looking to win," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said at a Halas Hall news conference. Adding the 30-year-old ..."
Bears get main man in Peppers
Comment
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The constant talk of Julius Peppers taking plays off finally started to annoy Mike Rucker. Before Rucker retired, he toed the defensive line as the Carolina Panthers' right defensive end along with Peppers, who played on the left side until Rucker's retirement in 2008. Rucker watched Peppers evolve into one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the league. "People can write what they want and scouts can say this and that but when you talk to offensive coordinators, are they going to let him go one-on-one against your offensive tackle day in and day out? Rucker posed. "Nine out of 10 times with Julius, that's going to be, 'No.' "At end of the day, if a guy needs to be double-teamed, that's ..."
Chicago Bears spending spree could add up to success
Comment
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Ted Phillips, you're a terrible liar. But Bears fans will stand in line to forgive you after a day they never will forget. They don't want you to stop telling tall tales now either. Fib your way back into the playoffs if you can. Tell Bears Nation another whopper about being out of money after committing $121 million, including $55 million guaranteed, to three players Friday so you can't afford a safety. Then go out and pursue a safety your team still badly needs. A veteran offensive lineman might be available on the cheap too. And by all means keep shopping for wide receivers. You're not done. Admittedly that sounds like nitpicking after one of the most eye-popping offseason days in Bears ..."
Bears Are Big Spenders in Free Agency
Comment
March 6
New York Times
 
"Now the N.F.L. knows what happens during free agency without a salary cap: the Chicago Bears turn into the Washington Redskins and the Redskins morph into the Bears. The Bears, one of the most conservative spending franchises, went on a Dan Snyderesque shopping spree on the first day of free agency Friday, agreeing to terms with defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. Peppers was the jewel of a depleted 2010 free-agent class and the Bears made sure that no other suitor - like the New England Patriots - got a crack at him. Coach Lovie Smith flew to Charlotte early Friday morning and accompanied Peppers and his agent to Chicago to close ..."
Source: Peppers, Bears finalize deal
Comment
March 5
ESPN.com
 
"The Bears and Julius Peppers finalized a six-year deal to bring the top free agent in 2010 to Chicago, according to a source. Peppers was looking for at least $12 million a year in the early part of the contract. The agreement could be worth $40 million over the first three years. The 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers is a five-time Pro Bowler who recorded 10.5 sacks with two interceptions and five forced fumbles last season."
Taylor agrees to deal with Bears
Comment
March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Chester Taylor has agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $12.5 million, according to a league source. Taylor will be guaranteed $7 million. The numbers are surprising since Taylor will turn 31 in September. But Taylor only started one full season, gaining 1,216 rushing yards, before Adrian Peterson took over as the Minnesota Vikings No. 1 tailback. Taylor, though, remained a valued part of the Vikings offense, and he completed his four-year, $14.1 million with the club."
Sources: Peppers and Taylor to Bears imminent
Comment
March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears signing of free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers is imminent, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. A separate source has told Sean Jensen of the Sun-Times that former Vikings running back Chester Taylor will also sign with the Bears today. A press conference announcing the signings of Peppers, Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna is expected to be held at Halas Hall later this afternoon. The source said that although the Patriots and Eagles have also made offers for Peppers, the deal the Bears are offering is worth more per season and it would be a huge upset if Peppers left Halas Hall, where he is visiting today, without signing what is expected to be a ..."
Taylor quickly sets Bears visit
Comment
March 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Running back Chester Taylor hit the free-agent market late Thursday night, and it didn't take long for him to draw interest. Only minutes after the start of free agency, Taylor had scheduled a Friday visit with the Chicago Bears, according to a league source. The Chicago Tribune reported that the Bears also are bringing in former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers for a visit Friday. Taylor, who spent four seasons with the Vikings, figured to draw a lot of attention after becoming an unrestricted free agent at 11:01 p.m. Taylor turns 31 in September, but he has spent most of his eight-year career as a backup so he hasn't endured as much wear and tear on his body. Taylor has ..."
Bears to get some visitors
Comment
March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears may go ''hog wild'' after all. The club scheduled visits for today with arguably the top defensive and offensive unrestricted free agents, according to their agents. Defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor will visit Halas Hall with their agents in tow. Given the interest in both players, the Bears apparently made strong enough pitches to agents Carl Carey (Peppers) and Ken Sarnoff (Taylor), especially since their clients had plenty of teams interested in them. ''It's a good sign that the Bears are getting the first visit,'' Carey said. ''We do have some [other] visits pending.'' Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna also is scheduled to visit with the Bears on ..."
Players Bears once coveted among those cut
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"What the Bears missed out on in the not too distant past was put in the discard pile Thursday in a furious day of roster reworking around the league. Just think, if the Bears had not lost out to the Redskins in free agency four years ago for the services of Antwaan Randle El, Devin Hester never would have been. Well, he never would have been a second-round pick of the Bears that year. The team was seeking a slot receiver and an elite return man and madly pursued the hometown kid Randle El. Less than a month after he threw a touchdown pass in the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory, Randle El signed with the Redskins, earning a $31 million, seven-year contract with $11.5 million guaranteed. ..."
Urlacher, Harris key to Bears' resurgence
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"As the Bears were preparing for the start of free agency late Thursday night, thoughts of a defensive resurgence didn't necessarily hinge on landing a big-time free-agent such as Julius Peppers. A lot depends on the play of defensive tackle Tommie Harris and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, two once-perennial Pro Bowlers who have been hindered by injuries the past few seasons. "It's going to be awesome to have them back playing at a high level, and they will,'' defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "I believe that. I believe in them. I know they are coming back in a prideful manner. They're great players.'' Urlacher said he expects to be close to 100 percent when the Bears begin the ..."
Bears land blocking tight end Manumaleuna
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Greg Olsen is going to play a role in the Mike Martz offense, and so is one of the better blocking tight ends in the league after the Bears agreed to terms on a contract with free agent Brandon Manumaleuna. Manumaleuna, who began his career in St. Louis playing for Martz, became the first of what could be multiple free-agent acquisitions for the Bears on Friday. Prized defensive end Julius Peppers will visit Halas Hall, as will running back Chester Taylor, and both could be Bears by the end of the day. Manumaleuna, who at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds is the size of an offensive lineman, will sign a five-year contract with the Bears later Friday pending a physical.His signing does not spell ..."
Lovie employs perfect strategy to get Peppers
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"This was as good as Jets coach Rex Ryan showing up at linebacker Bart Scott's doorstep at midnight on the eve of 2009 NFL free-agency. This was better than Vikings coach Brad Childress picking up quarterback Brett Favre at the airport in a black Escalade in the middle of a training-camp practice. This was Lovie Smith employing the perfect strategy in the pursuit of defensive end Julius Peppers by flying Thursday night to Charlotte, N.C., so he could meet the NFL's most prized free-agent at the first possible moment of 11:01 CT. Smith will accompany Peppers and agent Carl Carey back to Chicago on Friday, presumably to ensure the plane doesn't take a right turn to Washington. If Smith had ..."
Chicago Bears begin pursuit of Julius Peppers
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, the top free agent on the market, has agreed to visit the Bears on Friday, agent Carl Carey told the Tribune as free agency began Thursday night. The Bears also will host running back Chester Taylor — Adrian Peterson's backup with the Vikings — and Rams tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. Agent Ken Sarnoff said Thursday night the Bears are the front-runner to sign Taylor, a restricted free agent. Bears coach Lovie Smith arrived in Charlotte, N.C., early Friday and is expected to return to Chicago later in the day accompanied by Peppers and Carey. No team was allowed to have contact with Peppers until the free agent period officially began at 11:01 p.m., ..."
Chester Taylor to visit Bears
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March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Running back Chester Taylor is expected to visit with the Bears Friday, according to a league source. Taylor spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, starting 15 games in 2006 and gaining 1,216 rushing yards. But the Vikings selected Adrian Peterson with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, believing they couldn't let him slide past them. But since then, Taylor has served as a valuable backup, particularly on third downs because of his ability to block, run and catch the ball."
Seahawks could be favorite to land Peppers
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March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears are expected to make a big push to sign defensive end Julius Peppers when free agency starts tonight at 11:01 p.m. CST. But their greatest challenge may be the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks aren't afraid to spend money, and former Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, unlike some of his peers, obviously doesn't have any cash flow issues. Word is, Peppers may command a deal that averages about $14 million a year and includes guarantees of up to $40 million. The McCaskey family has approved about $30 million for free agency, so the Bears would have to get creative to land Peppers or free up some more money."
Are Bears guilty of tampering with Peppers?
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March 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears could be guilty of tampering if they met last weekend with Julius Peppers' representatives at the NFL scouting combine, as reported by David Kaplan of the Tribune and WGN. The free-agency signing period doesn't begin until 11 p.m. Chicago time Thursday. When contacted by ESPNChicago, an NFL spokesman said: "We do not comment on speculative tampering matters or engage in interpreting the anti-tampering policy.""