Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Vikings 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Sun Times gossip columnist Michael Sneed reports that former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is close to signing a 1-2 year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.  (more…)

October 14, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA;Kansas City Chiefs tight end Steve Maneri (87) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) defends during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans are to be in the running for tight end Steve Maneri according to Jeff Dickerson.

#Bears and #Texans believed to be most interested in TE Steve Maneri. Deal could be finalized today.

— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) March 19, 2013

It’s safe to say both the Texans and the Bears would be signing Maneri as a blocking tight end with the Texans already having Owen Daniels on the roster and the Bears just signing Martellus Bennett.  Not only do both teams have these tight ends on the roster but Maneri career stats read 6 catches for 56 yards in two seasons.

Bennett has the tools to be on the field every offensive down, but with the release of Matt Spaeth the Bears still are in need of a backup blocking tight end.

BearGoggleson.com will have your updates with any free agency news that breaks.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) shares a laugh with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) after the Packers beat the Vikings 24-10 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

When the clock strikes midnight the decision for Greg Jennings services could be made almost like out of a fairy tale but it could be a nightmare for one NFC North franchise. Although there are a couple sleeper teams out there like the KC Chiefs and Indy Colts,  according to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette if the Minnesota Vikings don’t sign Greg Jennings by midnight he could return to the Green Bay Packers.

NFL source just told me that if Jennings hasn’t signed with another team by midnight, he could be back with the #Packers.

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) March 12, 2013

It actually seems like a basic battle of supply and demand with Jennings in the middle of the action.  First off the Packers of a huge supply of quality wide receivers from Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and James Jones so there is no reason for the Packers to overextend themselves on re-signing Jennings. Jennings is in his 7th season and although last season was injury prone he is a very good wide receiver that puts up big numbers when he’s on the field although he’s been blessed with having Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback for his entire career.

On the other hand is the need part of the equation which is the Minnesota Vikings.  After trading Percy Harvin on Monday and losing out on Mike Wallace when the free agent bell rang at 3pm Tuesday to the Miami Dolphins, the Vikings are in need of a #1 wide receiver.  Jennings looks to be trying to get every last penny out of this deal and it’s hard to see who he’s trying to play to get the most dollars from.  The one question for Jennings about going to the Vikings is that he would go from Aaron Rodgers at quarterback to Christian Ponder. One of the stories on Twitter as reasons that Harvin wanted out of Minnesota besides a huge contract was playing with Ponder so does Jennings really want that big of a drop off? It seems that the Vikings really need Jennings so will they step up and offer him a big contract to fill Harvin’s void before the clock strikes midnight?

It’s an NFC North showdown, will the Packers get the hometown discount or will Jennings wear purple in the fall?

For more breaking free agency news stay tuned with BearGogglesOn!

Sep 1, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills guard Andy Levitre (67) in the game against the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have added another offensive lineman to their list of free agent candidates this morning. According to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bears are keeping their eye on Andy Levitre, who is thought to be one of the best guard available via free agency this off-season:

According to PFF, Levitre rated as the ninth best guard in 2012. He was rated behind Jets guard Brandon Moore, who also is a free agent. But Moore is six years older than Levitre, 26.

The Bears also are expected to become more pass-oriented under new coach Marc Trestman. Levitre was the best pass-blocking guard in 2012 in PFF’s ratings.

(more…)

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Phil Loadholt (71) during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Christmas day for NFL agents and writers everywhere oh and also the players ready to cash in on their big payday. As everyone knows Offensive line is the Bears biggest  need in this offseason and while the Bears have been quiet in the last couple days, the first rumor of  the morning has the Bears interested in Phil Loadholt of the Minnesota Vikings.

The good and bad of Loadholt is this, he’s a great run blocker which would be great for Matt Forte but just an average pass blocker. So, yes this would be an upgrade but will the Bears put out a bunch of money to a run blocker that can only be average at protecting Jay Cutler?

The other thing to look at is this is just a rumor thrown out there by Phil Emery to disguise his real target just like last year when there were a lot of wide receiver rumors but nobody had him making the Brandon Marshall trade.

What do you think is this rumor closer to fact or fiction?

Today is an exciting day of free agency news and Beargoggleson will have your updates!

Aug 27, 2011; Nashville,TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Jared Cook (89) rushes against the Chicago Bears during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

After the Tennessee Titans decided to not to apply the franchise tag to tight end Jared Cook, Chicago Bears fans started to drool at the prospects of an athletic, pass catching tight end to add to the Bears’ offensive repertoire.  Cook has a great blend of size and speed and many feel he’s a little raw but could be ready to blow up.  The Chicago Sun Times’ Sean Jensen cites a league source who believes Cook will draw strong interest from the Bears.  (more…)

Editor’s Note: The NFL is calling this “leaked” schedule bogus.  Guess we’ll have to wait a couple more weeks to find out the schedule.

I am posting this with great reservation, because I don’t like posting unsubstantiated rumors.  As you know, the preseason schedule was released earlier this week and the regular season schedule is set but yet to be released.  You know the NFL, they like to trickle these things out every few weeks to stay relevant.  It’s usually released right around the time of the draft.

An Eagles blogger was digging around on NFL.com and claims to have found a way to access the entire 2012 NFL schedule, which you can find here.  Here’s his post talking about stumbling onto it, which doesn’t give much detail.

I’ve pulled together the Bears schedule, which you can see after the jump.

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The Bears will go into the hours leading to the start of free agency considered around the league to be the favorite in the competition to sign defensive end Mario Williams away from the Houston Texans, CSNChicago.com has learned from a number of NFL sources.

Check out a video clip of the Chicago Tribune Live crew, including Brad Biggs and David Haugh, debating the addition of Williams and my comments after the jump.

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