Mark Anderson, from Hero to Zero.

The Bears finally ended the Mark Anderson experiment on Tuesday.  After such a promising start with 12 sacks in his rookie year, the Bears cut the underachieving defensive end who has never come close to repeating that type of production.

This season marks the second time that Anderson was basically handed a starting defensive end job.  After his rookie year, he was handed Alex Brown’s starting defensive end job.  That ended with Anderson being sent to the bench and Alex Brown at his rightful place.

This offseason, the Bears cut Brown so they could give guys like Jarron Gilbert, Israel Idonije, Corey Wooten and Anderson more time.  How’d that work out for ya?  Gilbert couldn’t get out of camp and now Anderson is on the street, Wooten hasn’t dressed for a game yet.  I’m not taking any shots against Izzy because he’s a solid special team contributor and has always done what the Bears have asked him to do, but he’s not a starter in this league.  Not for a team with playoff aspirations.

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Alex Brown had best take his Gator chomp elsewhere. Security!!!

Alex Brown decided to do the old pop in at Halas Hall and surprise his ex-teammates and coaches.  Well the biggest surprise was for old AB, who was escorted out of the building!  Check this out from his Twitter feed.

First we get the teaser:

Then we get the big disclosure:

Then we get the exclamation point:

With a “Who Dat!!” at the end to boot!

Thanks for all your hard work and help through the years, but get the f*ck outta here!

Notable player additions:

Defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor, safety Chris Harris, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, safety Major Wright, defensive end Corey Wootton, cornerback Tim Jennings, Pisa Tinoisamoa (re-signed after playing in just two games)

Notable player subtractions:

Defensive end Alex Brown, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, linebacker Jamar Williams, safety Kevin Payne, cornerback Nathan Vasher, offensive tackle Orlando Pace, fullback Jason McKie, running back Adrian Peterson, running back Kevin Jones

JD goes on to outline where the offense and defense ranked last season, but I’ll leave that depressing reading to you. (more…)

I wonder how Alex Brown's Gator Chomp will go over in LSU country?

He was worshiped like a saint upon his departure out of Chicago and now Alex Brown is a Saint, a New Orleans Saint that is.   Brown signed a 2-year deal that will pay him $6.5 million over two years.

It’s a little bit of a pay cut for AB, which led Jurko of ESPN 1000′s Afternoon Saloon to speculate whether the Bears asked Brown to take a pay cut and when he refused the haircut, he punched his ticket out of Chicago.  That’s just speculation on Jurko’s part while other published reports noted that Brown had asked for an extension.

Either way, Brown moves on and into a new system where he will be expected to hold down the left defensive end position.  When asked about whether he needed to bulk up to play left end, here’s what AB said:  (more…)

If we are going to get rid of Alex Brown, this is the way to do it!!!  I know Marshall has been a malcontent, but he always seemed to be in control when Jay Cutler was his QB.  And, Lord knows we could use a legit # 1 WR who JC has always been fond of.  Can you imagine the Bears lining up long WRs like Aromashodu and Marshall outside with Hester at a more natural slot position and then throw in Knox for the homerun ball???  Yeah, I need to change my underwear too.  Build us a dome and we might just have the NEW Greatest Show on Turf!!!  But right now, if this deal gets done, I will settle for the FIRST Successful Show on Slop!!!

Please note that BDCB.com via Yardbarker.com posted this blog at 11:59pm on March 31, one minute away from April Fool’s Day.  So if this IS a joke, and I don’t know that it is, I apologize on behalf of BDCB.com and YardBarker.com for the few minutes of deamful bliss this potential trade brought to you…

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.

Alex Brown will take his Gator chomp elsewhere next season. (Photo courtesy Chicago Tribune)

Alex Brown tweeted his goodbyes earlier today, confirming earlier reports that he had played his last game as a Chicago Bear.

I am extremely grateful for my time as a Chicago Bear and I wish the Bears the best. I am glad that they gave me an opportunity to realize…

… A dream I had (as) a child. I appreciate the fans but as we all know this is the nature of the business. Bear down!

CSN Chicago’s John “Moon” Mullin recounted a candid chat with the estranged DE before this latest shit hit the fan, where Brown was quite prophetic:

Brown learned the NFL lessons and had good teachers. When he arrived, Bryan Robinson was the starting defensive left end, himself an undrafted free agent who scrapped his way onto the St. Louis Rams, made it to Chicago and has endured to play in a Super Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals in a career that is still going.

“B-Rob was probably the biggest as far as helping me understand that it’s a privilege to play here,” Brown said. “You can be gone tomorrow.”

Remember after the Super Bowl run when Lovie was quick to anoint Mark Anderson as the starter and send AB to the bench?  How did that work out for everyone.  Anderson flopped and Brown returned to his rightful spot at DE.

Isn’t it great when players are just handed things?  Just like Danieal Manning being handed the starting strong safety spot, Anderson has yet to sign his tender and is sitting out the offseason workouts.  Didn’t it work out great when the Bears traded away Thomas Jones to hand Cedric Benson his job?

Supposedly the Bears are trying to save a few bucks after signing Julius Peppers and it came down to choosing between Brown and former Pro Bowler Tommie Harris.

Peppers will command $20 million this season alone and that forced the Bears into a decision on the line: Get rid of fellow defensive end Alex Brown or tackle Tommie Harris.

This is sure to prove a colossal blunder for Lovie Smith and the Bears.  May Papa Bear strike me down for even thinking this, but if Peppers gets hurt, who is playing defensive end for you?  Think about it…

NFLDAILYTIMES Oh, Wow, This Is Crazy: Bears Want To Trade Alex Brown: Because Mark Anderson is supposedly ready to handle the fu… http://bit.ly/bvH1Ew

Twitter is one thing, cuz they will let anyone have a Twitter account, but Brad Biggs is the source for this rumor.  I feel Biggsy is a pretty credible source and because of that, I am absolutely speechless that the Bears would consider trading (or even cutting) one of their most consistent players, consummate professional and team captain (annointed at the end of last year).  And, they think Mark Anderson is ready???  WHO YOU CRAPPIN’???  With only 9.5 sacks over the last 3 seasons, I am not sure he is ready to make the team, let alone increase his plays.  Also, with the addition of Julius Peppers, or Julius the Great, as I know him, Alex could only become more of a force with all the attention Julius the Great will get from opposing O Lines.  Not to mention, Alex has the heart of a warrior and this is not how warriors should be treated.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, considering the Three Stooges in charge, but for all the great moves this offseason, this one could really put a damper on things…more to come when Boomer wakes up and tries to jump out out of his basement window.

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.

NFL.com is reporting that the Bears may be readying to make a run at a big name free agent defensive end such as the Panther’s Julius Peppers or division rival Green Bay’s Aaron Kampman.

Defensive end is clearly a position of need for the Bears.  With Adewale Ogunleye headed to free agency himself and the tragic passing of Gaines Adams, the Bears are left with Alex Brown and a handful of projects.

Last season the Bears tallied 35 sacks and struggled to get a consistent pass rush without blitzing.  That certainly weakened the much maligned Cover-2, which is predicated on getting pressure from the front four.  (more…)