This signing gives the Bears an enormous upgrade at the tight end position. After Olsen was traded to Carolina in 2011, the Bears were left with Kellen Davis as the starter. He was largely inexperienced, but was said to have potential to be a formidable receiving threat. That potential was never showcased as Davis has been a huge disappointment in the Windy City. The other TE that was used the past two years was Matt Spaeth, but his primary use was as a blocker in Lovie Smith’s offense.

This signing clearly shows that a new era of Bears football is upon us, at least on the offensive side of the ball. In today’s NFL, an air attack is key to prolonged success throughout the season. This is a great first step for this new coaching staff. Now the emphasis should shift to the offensive line as they look to give Cutler the protection needed to lead the offensive attack efficiently.

Stay tuned to BearGogglesOn for all the latest free agency news about your Chicago Bears! Bear Down!

January 1, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

In case you had visions of local boy Sean Payton coming home to Chicago to save the Bears offense in the event that Phil Emery launches Lovie Smith following the season, guess again.  Jay Glazer is reporting that Payton and the Saints have “agreed in principle” to a contract extension.

I’m reporting the Saints and Sean Payton have “agreed in principle” to a new contract extension to remain head coach of the Saints

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 29, 2012

Payton sat out the season following the Saints bounty scandal and many thought that with 2012 being the last year of his contract, that he might be finished in New Orleans.  Some folks speculated that he might be heading to Dallas but Bears fans yearned for an offensive mind like Payton’s to take over the Bears.

After signing a reported 5 year deal, Payton will be off the market for some time.  It will be interesting to see what the contract turns out to be, as it will set the standard for new contracts as “black Monday” looms when a bunch of coaching jobs are expected to be open.

Sep 23, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws from the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Lions 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

Matthew Stafford aggravated a leg injury he suffered this past week during a Tennessee Titan defensive score late in the game on Sunday. Stafford will undergo a MRI tomorrow to see what the severity of the injury is to the leg/hamstring. When Stafford left the game he was 33-42 for 278 yards, but he wasn’t around for the dramatic and strange ending to the Detroit Lions 44-41 loss in overtime.

Shaun Hill took over at quarterback and calmly went 10-13 for 172 and a hail mary to tie it on the final play of regulation.  Why in the world the Lions went for it on 4th and 1 on the 7 yard line in overtime instead of kicking the tying field goal is anyone’s guess, but it seems that the entire team has a different excuse for the failed attempt.  It’s unclear how long Stafford could possibly be out for with the injury, but the Lions are noticeably a better team with Stafford in the lineup as witnessed to last seasons 10-6 record when Stafford didn’t miss a game in his first complete healthy season.

The Lions are now 1-2 and at the bottom of the NFC north.  Even though Hill is a capable backup everyone in Detroit will be holding their collective breaths until the results of the MRI are released!

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they are our rivals!

DA BEARS

The “Tractor” Traylor who passed away was former Michigan basketball player Robert “Tractor” Traylor, who apparently died of a heart attack in Puerto Rico.   Deepest sympathies to Robert Traylor’s fans, friends and family.

As for former Chicago Bear Keith Traylor, here’s my all-time favorite moment, his 67-yard interception return against the Jaguars back in 2001:

Peppers got hit for roughing Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford, but not on the play that knocked the Lions’ QB out for the foreseeable future.  Here’s what Pep had to say about the fine:

“I’m not going to appeal that,” Peppers said. “My hand got high. I’d do the same thing again. I’m coming around his body to swipe the ball, and my hand hit his head.”

Meanwhile Urlacher got tagged for $5k for pushing Lions’ guard Stephan Peterman after the whistle on a Tommie Harris fumble recovery.  Urlacher plans to appeal his fine:

“I don’t want to pay it. It shouldn’t be a fine, in my mind,” Urlacher said. “First of all, I didn’t hear the whistle. If they would have blown the whistle, I would have stopped. (Peterman) said he didn’t even hear the whistle.”

A third Bear got hit in the wallet on Friday too, but this wasn’t by the league.  Brandon Manumaleuna was fined $22,000 for missing a mandatory meeting the Saturday before the Lions game.

The Bears selected Bailey in the ninth round of the 1990 draft after his decorated career at Texas A&I (now known as Texas A&M-Kingsville). He spent two seasons with the team, making one start and rushing for 129 yards and one touchdown. He was primarily used as a return man and made the Pro Bowl the next season with the Phoenix Cardinals, averaging 13.2 yards per return.

Bailey holds the Bears’ record for the longest punt return in franchise history. He ran back a punt 95 yards for a touchown as a rookie on Dec. 29, 1990 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bailey spent two seasons in Phoenix and then finished his career with two seasons with the Rams in 1995.

Bailey is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and was a three-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding Division II player. He is also in the school’s Hall of Fame along with Bears right guard Roberto Garza. Bailey was college football’s all-purpose yardage leader (7,803) when his career ended and he was No. 3 on the all-time scoring list with 428 points.

Deepest sympathies to Bailey’s family and friends.

Bulger headed to the Ravens. Nevermore!

For all you Bears fans out there who thought that Marc Bulger would be the ideal veteran backup to Jay Cutler, you’d better start working on Plan B.  Or C.  Marc Bulger has agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on a 1-year deal that will reportedly pay $3.8 million.

Bulger will be the insurance policy in case Joe Flacco can’t build on a successful 2009 campaign.  He’ll be competing with Troy Smith and John Beck to be Joe’s backup.

Why couldn’t Mike Martz deliver his former quarterback to the Bears?  If it seems like he’s resigned himself to be a backup, why isn’t he a Bear?  I’ve got 3.8 million reasons for you.

For even more Bears coverage be sure to check out my Fire Lovie Smith blog on ChicagoNow.

terrellowens @ underground!! Waiting on jay cutler 2 come n here 2 explain how I wouldn’t fit n their system!! Where u @ Jay?!
Mon, May 24 14:24:53 from MogoTXT

terrellowens Ut ohhhhhhhhh!! Jay’s n da house!! And his TE Greg Olson… Cool guys!
Mon, May 24 14:36:53 from MogoTXT

gregolsen82 @terrellowens. Good times. Hit the beach with us tomorrow. True Chicago summer
Mon, May 24 15:15:23 from TweetDeck

No, I did not make those tweets up, look them up for yourself…the only thing slightly off is I am working in SE Asia right now, so the time stamps look a little funny, so back up those times by 13 hours.  Yes, on a Sunday night/Monday morning in Chicago, T.O., Cutler and Olsen were hanging out at Underground and Olsen goes on to invite T.O. to join them at the beach tomorrow…maybe this is just a boys’ night out, but T.O., Cutler and Olsen don’t seem like they would just be “hanging out” except maybe for a recruiting trip???

Stay tuned…it’s probably nothing, but worth typing a few sentences to get my guy, Boomer, off my back for going dark for a while…until next time…

Can I get an “Amen” ?

The DeCon has spoken…so let it be written, so let it be done…

I’ll hear your confessions at beargoggles.decon@gmail.com.