The Bears dropped over $91 million on the prize of the 2010 Free Agent Class, Julius Peppers.  But the numbers could be deceiving.  Oh those crafty Bears.

During the Friday presser, GM Jerry Angelo repeatedly thanked Cliff Stein for his hard work in hammering out the blockbuster deal.  After reading Mike Florio’s Pro Football Talk post I’m starting to understand why Jerry was so appreciative of Stein’s efforts:

Peppers gets $20 million in 2010 (all but a $100,000 workout bonus is guaranteed).  But the $22 million in guaranteed money that he’s due to receive in 2011 and 2012 is guaranteed for injury only.

This means that the Bears can decide after the 2010 season to cut Peppers for skill reasons — and they’ll owe him nothing.

Specifically, Peppers’ 2011 base salary of $900,000 is guaranteed for injury at the time it’s signed; on February 10, 2011, it becomes guaranteed for skill. Also, a $10.5 million roster bonus due in 2011 is guaranteed for injury at signing. On February 10, 2011, it becomes guaranteed for skill.

An $8.9 million base salary in 2012 is guaranteed for injury at signing and then for skill as of February 10, 2012

Finally, $1.8 million of Peppers’ 2013 base salary is guaranteed for injury only.

So, basically, if the Bears decide before February 10, 2011 that Peppers isn’t what they thought he’d be, they can treat it as a one-year, $20 million deal, and walk away.

So if you push all the rhetoric aside, the Bears are really on the hook for $20 million.  If Peppers doesn’t perform, the Bears have themselves a Get out of Jail Free card.

Of course, we’re all hoping that Peppers racks up about 15 sacks and leads the Bears back to the playoffs and there is no consideration of using any out clause.

The Bears cut backup running back Kevin Jones today.  No big surprise with the signing of Chester Taylor last week.  Jones’ career with the Bears never really took off.  He joined the Bears in 2008, coming off a knee injury.  He saw a limited role, playing second fiddle to Matt Forte while racking up 109 yards on 34 carries.

Jones looked strong in training camp last year, only to have his season ended with a devastating ankle injury during the last preseason game.

Some insiders thought that Jones’ experience with Mike Martz from their days in Detroit may have given him a shot to compete for the 3rd running back spot, but that will be left for former 3rd round pick Garrett Wolfe and undrafted free agent Kahlil Bell to battle out.

Too bad it didn’t work out here in Chicago.  Best of luck to KJ.

Marconi Hot Giardiniera - not the hottest peppers in Chicago any more.

The Bears got them some hot Peppers on Friday.  No, not Marconi’s hot peppers, but maybe there’s a new spokesman for Chicago’s best giardiniera in the newest Bear, Julius Peppers.

Then again, Peppers doesn’t need the money after inking a 6-year, $92.5 million dollar deal with $42 million guaranteed.  Not a bad little Friday for the prize of the 2010 Free Agent Class.  Here’s what ESPN’s John Clayton said about Peppers’ motivation to come to the Bears:  Continue Reading »

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Chester Taylor has inked a 4-year deal worth $12.5 million with $7 million in guaranteed money.   Stay tuned for more details.  Welcome aboard Chester!

The Bears have made their first signing of the free agent period, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.  Brad Biggs is reporting that Manu (I’ve got to come up with shorthand for him) arrived early Friday morning to come ink a 5 year deal.

Here’s what Manu had to say about joining the Bears:

“I played for Mike Martz (in St. Louis) and Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator. It was a great situation,” Manumaleuna said Friday morning at O’Hare Airport after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles. “This team has a chance to be real successful. It was difficult (to leave San Diego). I had a lot of friends and it was close to home, but the business is what it is.”

While it’s been widely speculated that signing the big blocking tight end might mean Greg Olsen is on his way out, Biggs speculates that the signing could mean the end for veteran Dez Clark.  I hope that doesn’t happen, since Dez is a class guy and a true professional – we here at BGO know firsthand.

A better move would be to move Olsen while his perceived value is higher.  The Bears won’t get much for him if his role and production drop off in Martz’s system, as is widely believed to be true.

In any case, the Bears are in the free agency mix and it figures to be a busy day at Halas Hall.

The Tribune’s Vaughn McClure is reporting that Julius Peppers will visit the Bears at Halas Hall on Friday.

No team was allowed to have contact with Peppers until the free-agent period officially began at 11:01 p.m., but Peppers had a strong interest in joining Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Tommie Harris on the Bears’ defense. The Bears were the first team to call Carey and extended a “substantial offer” that was good enough to get Peppers on the plane.

Meanwhile, the Sun Times’ Sean Jensen is reporting that Chester Taylor is scheduled for a Friday trip to Lake Forest.

Taylor would seem an ideal fit to complement Matt Forte in Mike Martz’s offense, which highlights the running back position.

Taylor is one of the most coveted offensive unrestricted free agents. Although he will turn 31 in September, Taylor has minimal mileage.

UPDATED: March 4, 11:55 PM

Add Tight End Brandon Manumaleuna to the mix.

Updated March 4, 11:22 PM Central

The Bears are dropping out of the Antrel Rolle sweepstakes.  With Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor set to visit Halas Hall on Friday, I guess their dance card is full.

Updated March 4, 10:45 PM Central

It’s being reported that Antrel Rolle is set to visit the NY Giants on Friday.  I’m pretty sure it’s not to show them his new Bears jersey.  Lots of rumors swirling around, so stay tuned.

Word out of Halas Hall is that the Bears are currently negotiating with Antrel Rolle.   You might be asking yourself, the free agency period hasn’t opened yet, how can they be doing that?  That is true, but because Rolle’s contract was terminated by the Cardinals, he gets a jump start on Free Agency.

I am guessing that the Bears are trying to hammer this deal out to see if they have any of their allowance left from Auntie Ginny to go get some them some Peppers when the stores open at midnight.

Rolle is looking forward to being courted by many teams after getting his walking papers from the Cards.  After reading his blog, you get the idea that he didn’t really get the rules and wasn’t expecting this early action.  Hey Antrel, the quicker that deal is worked out, the quicker you get that new paper.  Don’t spend it all in one place.

The Bears like Peppers. He likes them too.

The Bears like Julius Peppers and he likes them back.  It’s the equivalent of an awkward  junior high boy passing a note to the popular girl that he likes and her passing one back saying “I like you too.”    OK, put your first stiffy away.

I’ve heard and read a lot about the Bears having an interest in Peppers.  So far, I’ve taken it all with a grain of salt, thinking that the Bears were just getting their name out there in the mix to appease fans by being ‘active’ in the free agent market.

Yesterday I read that the Bears supposedly met with Peppers’ people during the scouting combine and thought two things:  Continue Reading »