Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

How ex-Bear Roland Harper lost the American Dream

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June 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"They were a couple nobodies -- a gang-banger from small-town Texas and a poor Irish farm hand -- whose unlikely American dreams came true in Chicago. Roland Harper, the 420th player picked in the 1975 NFL draft, rose to Bears glory as the lead blocker for legendary running back Walter Payton. Aidan Monahan -- a grade school dropout from Offalay, Ireland -- started one of Chicago's most successful landscaping businesses in a sturdy Northwest Side bungalow. But success wasn't easy for either of them. Harper divorced twice and struggled to find a steady meal ticket after injuries forced him to retire two years before his best friend, "Sweetness," and the Bears won Super Bowl XX in 1986. ..."

Ex-Bear Mike Brown signs with Chiefs

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June 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Mike Brown has found a new home. The former Bears safety has agreed to terms on a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Kansas City Star. Brown made a free-agent visit to the Chiefs at the beginning of the month when it looked like a deal would fall into place quickly before the team's minicamp. That didn't happen, and he wound up making a trip to see the Cleveland Browns. The signing reunites Brown with new Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who was the wide receivers coach for the Bears from 2001-03, during the beginning of Brown's career. It's expected that Brown could win a starting job in training camp. He will challenge Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page for a spot in the ..."

Devin Hester comes to defense of Jay Cutler

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June 26

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester says he has heard enough. He is tired of hearing the criticism that new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is not a mature, capable leader. "If you haven't been around a person like Cutler, how could you say something like that?" Hester said before appearing in a photo shoot Monday evening at Soldier Field for an Under Armour commercial. In recent weeks, Super Bowl-winning coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have been among those who have expressed reservations about Cutler's maturity level. "Can't judge a book by its cover," Hester said. "If you haven't sat down and talked to him, how could you say something like that? He's calm in the huddle. He makes us laugh and he jokes around ..."

Ex-Bear Mike Brown signs with Chiefs

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June 25

Chicago Sun-Times

"Mike Brown has found a new home. The former Bears safety has agreed to terms on a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Kansas City Star. Brown made a free-agent visit to the Chiefs at the beginning of the month when it looked like a deal would fall into place quickly before the team's minicamp. That didn't happen, and he wound up making a trip to see the Cleveland Browns. The signing reunites Brown with new Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who was the wide receivers coach for the Bears from 2001-03, during the beginning of Brown's career."

Devin Hester comes to defense of Jay Cutler

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June 24

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester says he has heard enough. He is tired of hearing the criticism that new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is not a mature, capable leader. "If you haven't been around a person like Cutler, how could you say something like that?" Hester said before appearing in a photo shoot Monday evening at Soldier Field for an Under Armour commercial. In recent weeks, Super Bowl-winning coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have been among those who have expressed reservations about Cutler's maturity level. "Can't judge a book by its cover," Hester said. "If you haven't sat down and talked to him, how could you say something like that? He's calm in the huddle. He makes us laugh and he jokes around ..."

Former players rave about Bears line coach Rod Marinelli

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June 22

Chicago Tribune

"The Bears expect new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will have as much impact on their team as anyone. Well, anyone except the guy who can throw the ball from Halas Hall to Soldier Field and walk on Lake Michigan. They believe the former Lions head coach will bring out the best in young defensive linemen Jarron Gilbert, Henry Melton and Marcus Harrison. And coach Lovie Smith says he already has seen a difference in veterans Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije. "I've seen improvement from our defensive line," Smith said. "Rod is doing a super job with the guys, and they're good players, too. Sometimes it's just taking a step back and analyzing what's ..."

Receiver Peter Warrick now playing for love of game

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June 21

Chicago Tribune

"On an indoor 50-yard artificial turf field inside a rocking U.S. Cellular Coliseum, 135 miles south of Chicago and even further removed from the NFL, the most accomplished wide receiver playing professional football in Illinois catches passes. Peter Warrick soon hopes to catch the attention of NFL teams in need of wide receivers too. Know of any? Wearing his familiar No. 9 jersey for the Bloomington Extreme of the not-so-familiar Indoor Football League on this Saturday night, Warrick grooved to the sounds of Soulja Boy's " Superman," before kickoff. Frenzied fans responded to Warrick's dancing the way the crowd at Soldier Field reacts when the same hip-hop song plays before Devin Hester ..."

Jarrett Payton on his dad, Walter: 'He would be so proud'

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June 21

Chicago Tribune

"Being the son of Walter Payton can be a blessing and a curse. Expectations always have been over the top for Jarrett Payton, who signed a contract June 6 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Before heading into a team meeting recently, Jarrett reflected on what his father's reaction might have been if he were alive this Father's Day. "I think he would be so proud of me," Payton, 28, said. "He always taught me that you never give up and you go until you can't go anymore. I had this opportunity and I just said: 'You know what, I am going to try this one more time. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. But I am going to give my all and leave everything out on the field.' ..."

Despite iffy shoulders, Bears CB Charles Tillman hopes he's a healthy camper

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June 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"The plan is for the Bears to have everyone ready for training camp, which begins six weeks from today. But five months removed from reconstructive shoulder surgery, cornerback Charles Tillman didn't close out the offseason program Wednesday. Will he be fully ready for the rigors of training camp coming off his second shoulder surgery in four offseasons? ''I think so,'' Tillman said. ''I hope so. I keep my fingers crossed.'' There are questions in the secondary, but they have focused on whether Nathan Vasher will rebound at the other cornerback spot and how things will shake out at safety. Tillman, arguably the Bears' most valuable defender when healthy, is expected to be a sure thing ..."

TSN sets Pace on cover

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June 19

Chicago Tribune

"Last week the Sporting News created quite a stir around Chicago by ranking Lovie Smith 20th among top coaches in the NFL, behind the likes of less-accomplished head coaches such as Brad Childress and Wade Phillips. This week, the publication strives to generate some more Bears buzz by putting left tackle Orlando Pace on the cover of the current issue. Pace is featured along with five other players over 30 who changed teams this offseason. "It was a weird feeling at first when the Rams released me -- after all, I had played in St. Louis for 12 seasons -- but it probably needed to happen," Pace said in the story. "After winning only five games in two seasons, they needed to clean house. I ..."

Brian Urlacher, other ailing Bears hit rest time

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June 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears got through the offseason program in the nick of time as a handful of star players remained sidelined with injuries. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is still out with a groin injury. That's not a huge concern in mid-June, but considering a hamstring injury in late July 2004 was an issue for the entire season, it's something to monitor. Urlacher did some jogging on the side with Hunter Hillenmeyer, who missed the entire offseason program to recover from surgery to repair a sports hernia. ''Once you've gone through an entire offseason, a lot of players have sore muscles -- no more than that,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''I'm putting Brian along with quite a few other players that we ..."

Jay Cutler at forefront of Bears' deep changes, with receiver question open

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June 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"Third-round draft pick Juaquin Iglesias ran under a bomb from Caleb Hanie in the two-minute drill to score a touchdown on the final play of the Bears' offseason training activities Wednesday at Halas Hall. There might not have been a more fitting conclusion to the voluntary offseason program for a team that has remade itself since stumbling at Houston last season, a loss that prevented it from reaching the playoffs for the second straight year. Newcomer Jay Cutler didn't throw the pass, but the second team finishes practice, and it was a different sight for the Bears, who had just two touchdown catches of more than 23 yards in 2008. Earlier in the day, Cutler zipped a 27-yard pass to Devin ..."

City of Chicago suspends plan to tax Bears season ticket licenses

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June 18

Chicago Tribune

"The city of Chicago has temporarily suspended efforts to collect taxes on the resale of licenses that allow people to buy Bears season tickets, officials said Wednesday. The suspension came in response to a request by attorneys who filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of thousands of permanent seat license holders who were told they may owe amusement taxes. Ticket-holders were informed of the suspension Wednesday in a letter from the team, which said it also does not believe the city is entitled to the taxes. "We're glad to see the city is going to hold off on this for a while," said Keith Hunt, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys. He said the suspension is likely to remain in place until a ..."

Many Chicago Bears impress coach Lovie Smith in off-season

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June 18

Chicago Tribune

"Had Lovie Smith talked about the Bears who failed to impress him this off-season instead of those who did, it would have saved notebook paper, video tape and vocal strain. Before a question could be asked, the coach of the Bears praised the work of 17 of his players, and before his 11 minutes with the press was over, he praised three more. If only June were January. "Most head coaches feel pretty good at this point, I realize that," Smith said after the last of 13 organized team activities wrapped up at Halas Hall. "I'm excited about what we've done in shorts. We need to get in pads. We'll find out a lot more about our football team, especially some of the linemen we've brought in [for ..."

Chicago Bears can win without controversial receivers

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June 18

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Forget whether Plaxico Burress may get suspended for as many as eight games next season or if Brandon Marshall is even attainable for a Bears team that has too few high draft picks left to offer in a trade. The essential question surrounding the pursuit of either game-breaking, trouble-making wide receiver Wednesday was answered unwittingly by coach Lovie Smith. "We think we're a strong football team without adding anyone," Smith said at Halas Hall. "We feel like we can win with this group." Indeed the Bears can -- the NFC North and, who knows, maybe even an ordinary NFC. In an off-season for the ages, they added a franchise quarterback and rebuilt the offensive line. Their defense full of ..."

Farewell note for Broncos' Marshall?

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June 17

Chicago Tribune

"In a note that sounded like a farewell to Bronco fans, wide receiver Brandon Marshall wrote on his blog Tuesday night that the hardest thing about a recent meeting with Denver owner Pat Bowlen was hearing Bowlen "wish me luck in the future." Marshall met with Bowlen last week to request a trade -- a trade new coach Josh McDaniels told ESPN on Tuesday wasn't likely to happen. Still, Marshall sounded like a man leaving town. "Life is filled with change, and where I am in my life now change is probably best," Marshall wrote. "It's hard leaving an organization [run] by one of the best owners in all of sports, and someone who's been there for me through my ups and downs. The hardest thing was ..."

Agent says Plaxico Burress could play in 2009

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June 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"Plaxico Burress didn't move any closer to resolving his court case Monday, but his agent ramped up efforts to land a job for the free-agent wide receiver. Burress' trial on gun possession charges was adjourned until Sept. 23, and attorney Benjamin Brafman called it ''inconceivable'' his client could stand trial before 2010, meaning he could be able to play football this season. But the unknown remains how the NFL will handle Burress' case. Traditionally, commissioner Roger Goodell waits to rule on player-conduct issues until after the legal system has done its part. The trick is, Goodell doesn't have to wait for the slow wheels of justice to turn in this case. ''We are also confident that ..."

Brandon Marshall to the Bears? Maybe

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June 15

NBC Sports

"If there's one thing Bears fans still want, it's a wide receiver. There's a belief, perhaps rooted in reality -- even if it's a little unrealistic, maybe -- that Cutler can only be as good as his wide receivers. If they're bad, he won't be able to overcome. Or vice versa. Whether or not this is actually true seems dubious. Cutler will likely improve the Bears in a variety of ways, even if his receivers aren't the standard he had in Denver. His feet -- his ability to keep plays alive outside of the pocket -- is one of his more underrated skills, something the Bears haven't had, like, ever. All the same, there's no arguing with the fact that the Bears wideouts are not particularly gifted. ..."

Chemistry key subject on Jay Cutler's rapport card

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June 15

Chicago Sun-Times

"There's no way for the Bears to simulate game conditions in offseason practices. Nonetheless, the team is doing what it can to hasten a rapport between Jay Cutler and his assortment of offensive weapons. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner says at least two of the Bears' top four receivers are on the field every time Cutler throws a pass. One or both of the tight-end tandem of Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark also must be on the field when Cutler throws. Ideally, one of the two running backs, Matt Forte or Kevin Jones, also must be on the field. With Forte sidelined by a hamstring injury, Garrett Wolfe has gotten more chances, although most of his opportunities with Cutler are limited to ..."

Lance Briggs gives back to Sacramento with his first football camp

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June 15

Chicago Tribune

"Cherrae Rushton never threw a pass as footballs zipped around Consumnes River College stadium Saturday morning. She never toed the line for an agility drill, never positioned herself against a receiver in press coverage. But it would be fair to say Rushton deserved a few MVP votes following the conclusion of Lance Briggs' First Annual Nor-Cal All-Star football camp held near the city of Elk Grove, Briggs' hometown. Rushton, a psychology director for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento, shared the compelling stories of some of the 250 campers that attended Briggs' event. Without revealing names, she recalled how several showed up to the after-school program without shoes on their ..."

Broncos' pick for starting QB: Orton

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June 14

Denver Post

"Announcing Kyle Orton as the Broncos' starting quarterback stirred all the reaction of a saint entering heaven. No surprise, really, although there is significance in the moment, anyway. Chris Simms took the news like an angel. "Kyle's extremely underrated," Simms said while fielding questions regarding his personal defeat in the offseason quarterback competition at Dove Valley. "I've always felt that way. He was underrated in college, he was underrated with the Bears. He throws the ball very well. He's a smart guy. He's a big guy. There's a lot of pluses about Kyle, and I have the ultimate respect for his game." Broncos coach Josh McDaniels notified Orton and Simms of his decision Friday ..."

Q-and-A with the QB

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June 14

Chicago Sun-Times

"Being anointed a franchise quarterback for a franchise with a dire quarterbacking history can't be easy. Throw in some flak from former NFL coaches and the media, and the pressure's already on. But new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is taking it all in stride. ''I think every quarterback in the NFL has a lot of pressure,'' Cutler said after a diabetes-awareness event Saturday at La Rabida Children's Hospital on the South Side. ''You are trying to lead a team offensively. You are trying to do the best you can out there. ''Anywhere you go, you're going to have pressure. Obviously, Chicago has great fans and great tradition. They expect a lot. And I expect a lot out of myself. It's going to be ..."

Time ripe for Chicago Bears to get Plaxico Burress

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June 13

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"If the Bears were waiting for Plaxico Burress to appear Monday in Manhattan Criminal Court to help determine what course to take in pursuit of the troubled wide receiver, they may have to keep waiting. Or, they could act boldly before knowing Burress' legal fate. Your move, Jerry Angelo. Proceed with caution. Reports out of New York on Friday indicate Burress' criminal lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has requested a continuance that will be granted Monday when Burress shows up to face two felony gun charges. Brafman told the New York Daily News that he expects to be in and out of court "in five minutes." It will mark the second continuance, and the next court date could come in September, which ..."

Olivet OK with Bears weighing move to Romeoville

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June 12

Chicago Sun-Times

"Officials at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais are aware the Bears have had discussions with Lewis University about relocating their training camp to Romeoville. ''If there was a much better opportunity all the way around for the Chicago Bears, we would trust they would be looking out for the best interest of their team and investigating,'' ONU spokesman Gary Griffin said. ''We didn't feel that was a slap in the face to Olivet at all. ''My counterpart, Brian McCaskey, gave us a professional courtesy, gave us a heads-up as to the meeting, so we were aware of it. We view that as the Bears doing due diligence in taking care of their franchise.'' The Bears have a meeting with Lewis ..."

Ex-Bear QB Rex Grossman agrees to 1-year deal with Texans

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June 12

Chicago Tribune

"Looks like the guy with the gunslinger mentality will end up taking aim in Texas. Howdy, Rex. Former Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, whose penchant to attempt to make the big play was his biggest strength and weakness in Chicago, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Texans worth the veteran's minimum $620,000. The Houston Chronicle first reported the story Thursday on its Web site after the Texans' OTA practice. Grossman did not return calls and was said to be unavailable until the Texans make the signing official as early as Friday, when the quarterback is scheduled to take a physical. Much to Grossman's surprise, few teams expressed interest in him during free agency. ..."

Gridiron Greats give helping hand to William Perry

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June 12

Chicago Tribune

"It was Mike Ditka who turned William "Refrigerator" Perry into an international celebrity and Chicago folk hero. And it is Mike Ditka who is helping Perry, 46, literally get back on his feet and walk again. The coach who put the rookie defensive tackle in the Bears' backfield in 1985 has taken an active role in getting the Fridge the medical care he needs in his continuing battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome and CIDP, an offshoot of the disease that affects the nervous system. After a stay of nearly six weeks in Aiken (S.C.) Regional Medical Center, Perry needed to be transferred to a rehabilitation center to continue his therapy. But he didn't have the money or insurance to pay for it. ..."

Bear-bonnais an endangered species? Move pondered

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June 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"If you've always wanted to see a Bears training-camp practice in Bourbonnais, you'd better not put the trip off much longer. This summer will be team's eighth year at Olivet Nazarene University. It also could be their last. Although the Bears likely will remain in Bourbonnais for their 2010 training camp and perhaps even in 2011, sources say the team is interested in moving closer to Chicago. Lewis University in Romeoville is one option the team is said to be considering, with a meeting scheduled next week between school representatives and a Bears group that includes team president Ted Phillips, financial guru Cliff Stein and Brian McCaskey. The Bears have tried to hammer out a long-term ..."

It's never too early to worry

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June 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"It's one thing to see Jay Cutler's powerful arm from the sidelines and quite another to match up against it. Just ask Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, who took part in his second consecutive organized team activity practice Wednesday after missing all of the previous offseason workouts following mid-January surgery on his right shoulder. Like anyone who has watched Cutler effortlessly fling the ball around Halas Hall, Tillman has been impressed by the velocity and accuracy of the quarterback's throws, but he also has gained a unique perspective since returning to the field. ''He got me the first day back [Tuesday], threw a pass over my head and Earl [Bennett] made a great catch,'' Tillman ..."

Bears sign Gilbert, Iglesias

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June 11

Chicago Tribune

"The Bears today signed their final two draft picks, defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias to four-year deals. Gilbert is the team's third-round pick (68th overall) out of San Jose State. Iglesias, from Oklahoma, was taken in the same round, 99th overall."

Mike Ditka says Jay Cutler still has to prove himself

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June 10

Chicago Tribune

"When asked about Jay Cutler last week, Tony Dungy said he wasn't completely sold on the maturity and leadership ability of the new Bears quarterback. Mike Ditka read those comments. And he didn't flinch. "I don't think anything about what Tony said is earth-shattering," Ditka said. "I think it's a fact. [Cutler] came here under uncertain circumstances. The way he got out of Denver was kind of strange. But the kid is a talent." That's not to say Ditka has nagging doubts about Cutler, but he's certainly not ready to add him to the pantheon of Chicago greats. He simply wants to wait and see. "People ask me one question: Is he a good quarterback?" he said in a telephone interview. "Well, he ..."

Brett Favre should come back

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June 10

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"Brett Favre is a serial waffler when it comes to retirement, and small as that sin might be, it's enough to put him somewhere between Simon Cowell and Michael Vick on the National Register of Villains. If you're a Bears fan and you don't want to see Favre come out of mothballs and join the Vikings, OK, that's understandable. You think he would be an upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson for Minnesota and thus be more of a threat to the Bears' hopes of winning the NFC North in 2009. I get it. You hate the way Favre treated the Bears like a punching bag when he was with the Packers all those years. I get that too. But the please-go-away sentiments sent his way are well beyond what some fans in ..."

Chicago Bears, Tommie Harris treat his knee carefully

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June 10

Chicago Tribune

"Tommie Harris has grown accustomed to ignoring the negative chatter, particularly when he is the topic of discussion. Yet the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle found it hard to disregard talk radio last month suggesting the Bears should cut him after they picked promising Jarron Gilbertin the third round of the NFL draft. "People love you when you're hot and when you're not, they try to expose the obvious," Harris said. "I'm glad I've had this time in my career to separate those who really care from those who are just there. " Jarron Gilbert's a great athlete, and every guy that comes in, I want them to take my job if they're better than me. ... And I will still help teach him." Harris ..."

Cleveland Browns host safety Mike Brown

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June 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Former Bears All-Pro free agent safety Mike Brown visited the Browns on Monday, a source told The Plain Dealer. It's not yet known if the Browns are interested in signing him, but he is drawing interest from other teams, the source said. Brown, 31, would most likely provide veteran depth behind starters Abram Elam and Brodney Pool. A free agent since February when the Bears let his contract expire, Brown also visited the Chiefs last week. The Browns' mandatory minicamp is Thursday through Saturday. Brown, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the 2007 season opener and sat out the season, returned in 2008 to start 15 games. He made 101 tackles, the third-highest total in ..."

Bears' Lovie Smith deserves more respect

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June 9

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Rank Lovie Smith in the bottom half of NFL coaches in terms of rhetoric and not an eyebrow in Chicago would be raised. The McCaskeys would love to pay Smith by the syllable. He's no Mike Singletary or John Harbaugh, that's for sure. But The Sporting News Today's ranking of NFL head coaches that put Smith No. 20 must have weighed nouns and verbs more than victories and paid more attention to the podium than the field. There are 19 men considered better NFL head coaches than Lovie Smith? Remove coaches who weren't taking over new teams, and only three veterans -- Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis, Houston's Gary Kubiak and Washington's Jim Zorn -- were ranked lower than Smith. My first reaction in ..."

Chicago Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa due to make $1 million

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June 5

Chicago Tribune

"New Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa said he chose the Bears for the opportunity to win and compete for a starting job. But Tinoisamoa wasn't going to play for nothing, and NFLPA records show he is due to make $1 million with the Bears this season. The 2009 minimum for a veteran with four to six credited seasons is $620,000. Tinoisamoa signed a one-year contract after being released by the Rams last month. He was due to make $3.25 million with the Rams before his release."

It's no sin to reserve judgment on Jay Cutler

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June 5

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"I might be evil incarnate, but it's nice to know I have company. Interestingly, it is Tony Dungy, considered a saintly man by many people, who also is questioning the maturity of new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. After the Bears traded for Cutler following his ugly squabble with the Broncos, I questioned his mental makeup. By the reaction of Bears fans, you would have thought I had questioned the Dalai Lama's selflessness. Let's be clear: Dungy's recent comments don't mean I'm right in saying Cutler is a maturity risk. They don't mean Dungy, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Colts, is right. They mean that the concerns I and several others raised before and after the Bears traded ..."

Matt Forte observes practice but MRI results not known

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

"Bears running back Matt Forte observed Thursday's organized team activities but did not participate, according to an NFL source. Forte was scheduled to undergo an MRI Thursday morning, but the Bears would not confirm that the procedure was performed. Forte limped off the field following Wednesday's practice, apparently after hearing a pop in his left leg. It was believed to be either a hamstring or calf injury considering that Forte pointed to pain behind his knee. With Forte sidelined, running back Kevin Jones ran with the first-team offense."

Pisa Tinoisamoa chose Bears for a shot to win

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June 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"The opportunity to join a winning team made the Bears an easy choice for Pisa Tinoisamoa in free agency. He echoed the remarks made by Orlando Pace when he came aboard two months ago after things turned for the worse in St. Louis, where they were part of just five victories over the last two seasons. ''Just the chance to be on a winning team is worth it to me,'' Tinoisamoa said Wednesday after his third OTA this week with his new team. ''I've been fortunate to get paid in this league, and that was good, but I still had to go home a loser. I'd give all the money back if I could win again.'' Tinoisamoa won as a rookie in St. Louis in 2003 when the Rams made the playoffs. He's drawing on his ..."

Bears players would love to land Plaxico Burress

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June 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"Jerry Angelo's door remains open when it comes to adding a veteran wide receiver. Bears players would like to say ''come on in'' to Plaxico Burress. The general manager has not ruled out anything, and in an offseason like none the franchise has seen, everything is in play eight weeks before training camp. That includes Burress, the former New York Giants receiver who remains without a team while the NFL waits to see how his gun charge proceeds in New York courts. Burress could be the final piece in a vast reshaping of the roster over the last two months, keyed by the April 2 trade for quarterback Jay Cutler. It was shortly after the deal that Burress told Bears' radio sideline reporter ..."

Competition looms at strong-side linebacker

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

"Bears running back Matt Forte is scheduled to undergo a MRI on Thursday after suffering what appeared to be a lower left leg injury Wednesday, according to an NFL source. Forte complained about pain behind his knee, possibly in his hamstring or calf. Forte felt a pop Wednesday and limped off the field before the Bears' organized team activities concluded. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner sounded positive when asked about Forte's status. "I don't think there's any concern," Turner said. "I think he'll be fine." But Turner cautioned the final determination is up to the medical staff. Coach Lovie Smith usually provides injury updates, but he was unavailable to the media Wednesday. Forte was ..."

Tony Dungy questions Chicago Bears' acquisition of Jay Cutler

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

"The giddy reaction in Chicago over the Bears' acquisition of Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler is not shared by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy. "[The Bears] took a risk [trading for Cutler]. I think they took that risk specifically with beating the Green Bay Packers in mind," Dungy said Wednesday. "I really think Chicago gave up a lot to get a quarterback who they believe is going to be the final piece of the puzzle. But I am not sure he has won enough to merit that yet." Dungy and the newly retired New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison were introduced Wednesday as the newest members of the NBC studio show "Football Night in America." Their first regular-season Sunday night ..."

Ron Turner not too worried about Matt Forte's injury

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

"Moments after Matt Forte limped off the practice field on Wednesday, Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner was asked about the status of his star running back. ``I don't think there's any concern,'' Turner said. ``I think he'll be fine.'' Forte left the field a few minutes before the session officially ended. He slowly made his way to the locker room but it was unclear what exactly happened. Head coach Lovie Smith usually provides injury updates, but Smith did not address the media on Wednesday."

Jay Cutler to Devin Hester: Already in sync

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"One play into Wednesday's full-team Bears scrimmage session confirmed the most interesting bit of progress at Halas Hall still three months before the 2009 season-opener. Jay Cutler glided back into a seven-step drop, set his feet in a pocket protected by left tackle Orlando Pace, and peered downfield where wide receiver Devin Hester had gotten a step on his defender. For aesthetic purposes, ignore for a moment that cornerback Zack Bowman was limited in how physical he could get with Hester in this non-contact drill. But that is beside the point. The point that will be driven home whenever the Bears offense takes the field from now until September came in the way Cutler's arching spiral ..."

Bears not sure bet

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June 4

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"When the Chicago Bears traded with the Denver Broncos for quarterback Jay Cutler, many observers installed the Bears as the favorites to win the NFC North title in 2009. But if you listened Wednesday to comments made by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, Cutler is not a sure proposition for the Bears. Dungy made his remarks during an NBC-organized conference call with reporters to note that Dungy and former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison had joined NBC's Sunday studio show, "Football Night in America." NBC's first telecast of the regular season is Chicago at Green Bay on Sept. 13. "Chicago gave up a lot to get a quarterback they believe is going to be the final piece ..."

Mike Brown to visit with Kansas City Chiefs today

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June 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"Mike Brown could find some familiar faces to work with this season, but they won't be at Halas Hall. The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in the veteran safety for a visit today, according to a league source, in a move that would reunite him with first-year head coach Todd Haley, who was the Bears' receivers coach from 2001 to 2003. The Bears let Brown's contract expire, and he has been a free agent for three months. Brown told another source he is motivated to prove he remains a starting-caliber player. His injury history includes a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener at San Diego in 2007. Brown, 31, played his final game for the Bears on Dec. 22 against Green Bay before ..."

Former coach sings Pisa Tinoisamoa's praises

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June 3

Chicago Tribune

"Former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator and Northwestern head coach Rick Venturi never questioned Pisa Tinoisamoa's toughness, but Venturi may have doubted the linebacker's sanity at one point. Venturi, then the Rams linebackers coach, recalled a 2006 matchup against the Lions when Tinoisamoa was two games removed from dislocating his left elbow at San Francisco. "He wasn't going to not play, so they fixed him up with this brace," Venturi recalled. "[Once,] the brace actually popped, so he had to come out while they fixed it. "[Then] he went running on the field without the brace and made a tackle. That won't be anything Top 10 in history, but it showed the kind of guy he is." The new ..."

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