Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been three months since the Bears have hired head coach Marc Trestman, and star wideout Brandon Marshall is already enthusiastic about the new offensive scheme.

‘‘Oh, my gosh, I’m in love with it,’’ Marshall told the Sun-Times. ‘‘Martellus and I sat down and went through the formational stuff and started challenging each other. It was exciting to go through, and it’s pretty cool to have a partner.’’

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Marshall is “embracing the change.” He took new tight end Martellus Bennett to his house where the two tested each other on plays in the new scheme. Marshall says that he is in love with the new playbook, and that he likes Bennett being his partner.

‘‘It’s so stimulating and it gets everyone involved, and that’s exciting to me,’’ Marshall said. ‘‘Because the better Alshon [Jeffery] is, the better I’ll be. The better Earl [Bennett] is, the better Martellus will be. The better Martellus is, the better Matt Forte will be. And so on and so forth. It’s just awesome.’’

This could not be any better. Marshall and Bennett are quickly hitting it off. There is no question in my mind that our number one receiver can quickly turn Bennett into an outstanding tight end.  Also, they are already intrigued by the new system.  Let’s hope that this positivity continues.

What do you think Bears fans?  Will the new Marc Trestman playbook finally help turn this Bears offense around?

BEAR DOWN!!!

Jan 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Kenny Stills (4) during the Cotton Bowl.

Phil Emery is realizing that the key to winning in the NFL is now piecing together a compatible offense. In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears picked up South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the second round at pick number 45. After acquiring Brandon Marshall and drafting Alshon Jeffery, you would think that the Bears would be done at the wideout position…but they shouldn’t. Devin Hester shouldn’t be put back as a wide receiver, and be strictly used on special teams. That and Earl Bennett has proved to be a decent wide receiver but with little production.

I believe that the Chicago Bears should be using one of their draft picks on a wide receiver later on in the draft. My projection: Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Kenny Stills. It’s a stretch seeing that Stills would be a perfect fit IF the Bears had a 3rd round draft pick…so I’m assuming that if the Bears pick a WR it would be with their 4th round draft selection. Take a look at some stats about Sooners wideout Kenny Stills from CBSSports.com:

Height: 6-1

Weight: 194 lbs.

Position Rank: 16

40 yard dash: 4.32

Bench Press: 16

Vertical Jump: 33.50

2012 Statistics

82 receptions                    959 receiving yards                11.7 avg                   11 touchdowns

The team of Marshall, Jeffery, and (Earl) Bennett wasn’t enough. Adding Martellus Bennett is going to help tremendously, but I think that the Bears still need one more wide receiver. With Alshon Jeffery getting injured last year, I question if he will end up being an injury-prone guy or if he will produce more than the 367 receiving yards with three touchdowns from last season. And can Earl Bennett be a wide receiver worthy of even 500 receiving yards a season? Personally, I don’t think so. The more offensive guns, the merrier.

Enough about the Bears wide receivers, let’s talk about Kenny Stills. He’s an incredible athlete with speed and good hands. Well, I’m sold. But really, Stills is great when it comes to beating out fast corners while tracking the ball. Meaning that Cutler would have another deep threat target. Stills has excellent footwork, and in combination with his knowledge of routes, he could make an impact from day one. My favorite parts about watching Stills plays is that he seems to enjoy blocking, which I think is a great quality to get in wide receivers. Not only that, but his ability to get physical after the catch is outstanding.

Some critics have said he needs to learn how to play all four quarters. If he plays for the Bears, Trestman won’t be playing him the entire game, and he will have to learn to make the most out of the time that he plays. Stills has had some run-ins with the law, but maybe having a “brotherhood” atmosphere with Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett around, he might get his act together.

Will Phil Emery choose to pick a wide receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft after picking one in the 2012 NFL Draft? Is Kenny Stills the guy the Bears need to help win more games? What do you guys think?

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While checking out every website for Chicago free agent news it looks as though the Bears are not even a blip on the radar. The Bears are in need of offensive line help or we will be stuck with Jay Cutler injury stories for a third straight season.

The Chicago newspaper writers are also saying that the Bears will not be players in the free agency period that officially opens Tuesday, so I looked for a positive sign that the Bears will be adding pieces to the roster for a Super Bowl run in 2013 and I found it of all places on Brandon Marshall twitter page.

GM Marshall had this to say this morning.

Man I’m so excited about free agency like I’m about to get a check. Few more pieces #BearDown

— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshall) March 9, 2013

Now I can rest easy, even if John Clayton and Ed Werder have nothing to say about the Bears the next two days! The Bears will be a player for at least a  few new pieces this spring! Thanks Brandon!

Click the image to go to the puzzle site to try to solve this puzzle.

As I was thinking about this post and the impending free agency period, I thought of one of those slider puzzles where you have to move pieces around until the picture comes together.  The pressure is on the usually reliable contract negotiator Cliff Stein and Phil Emery to solve the salary cap puzzle to help the Chicago Bears become players in free agency.

The Bears are only about $3.8 million under the salary cap but have a lot of needs to fill.  Now we’re getting word that Brian Urlacher’s people have presented their contract proposal to the Bears.  It’s already been clear that both sides are willing to make this work, but the big question is how much they really want to make it work.  It’ll be curious to see what the Bears will offer.  Phil Emery assured us that Urlacher “would not be slighted”  in negotiations.  Slighting is in the eye of the beholder I guess.  (more…)

Aug 10, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Brandon Albert (76) on the sidelines against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs were busy on Franchise Tag deadline day.  The Chiefs made three big moves whose effects will ripple across free agency and in turn to the Chicago Bears.  (more…)

Brandon Marshall of the Bears (15) catches a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night in San Francisco. Mandatory Credit: John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune

Let’s face it; apart from receiver Brandon Marshall, the Bears offense did not have much to offer this season. This is partly due to poor play calling and weak blocking. However, there were a few offensive players who had some good moments this year. Here are the top 3 candidates for Most Valuable Offensive Player, not including Brandon Marshall. (more…)

Charles Tillman and Brandon Marshall chat with Adrian Peterson following the Bears’ 28-10 Week 12 win over the Vikings. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune)

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King released his 2012 season All-Pro Team and two Chicago Bears were named to the team.  Wide receiver Brandon Marshall and cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman were selected to King’s team.  Here’s a full list of King’s squad:  (more…)

As we end 2012 and prepare to turn the calendars to 2013, it’s time to wind back the clock and take a look back at the year 2012 for the Chicago Bears.  It was an interesting and eventful year with changes in the front office, a huge trade that could change the face of the franchise for years to come, injuries, win streaks, losing streaks, ups and downs and ultimately the head coach of nine seasons finally getting fired.  You know, a typical season.

January 1, 2012 – Bears defeat the Vikings 17-13 to snap a 5 game losing streak and finish their 2011 campaign at 8-8.  Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher suffers a knee injury late in 4th quarter of the meaningless game.

January 3, 2012 – Jerry Angelo out as Bears GM.

January 6, 2012 – Mike Tice promoted to Bears Offensive Coordinator.  He shared his vision for the Bears offense.  Did it really turn out that way?

March 16, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference introducing new signings wide receiver Brandon Marshall (not pictured) and quarterback Jason Campbell (not pictured) at Halas Hall . Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

January 28, 2012 – Phil Emery is hired as the next General Manager of the Chicago Bears.

February 7, 2012 – Chicago Bears hire Jay Cutler’s buddy Jeremy Bates as QB coach.

March 2, 2012 – Bears put Franchise Tag on Matt Forte

March 16, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery (center) poses for a photo after a press conference introducing wide receiver Brandon Marshall (left) and quarterback Jason Campbell at Halas Hall . Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

March 13, 2012 – at the start of the NFL Free Agency period, new GM Phil Emery makes his first big move, sending a pair of third round draft picks to Miami for wide receiver and longtime Jay Cutler buddy Brandon Marshall.   Emery also brings back Tim Jennings, which proved to be brilliant as he developed into a Pro Bowl performer.  The Bears also signed Jason Campbell to back up Jay Cutler.

March 14, 2012 – more free agent signings including bringing back Kellen Davis (BAD!) and Josh McCown, and signing special teams guys Blake Costanzo and Eric Weems.

March 22, 2012 – Bears add free agent running back Michael Bush.  Matt Forte gets mad.

March 24, 2012 – Marion Barber retires from football.  About 9 months too late.

April 4, 2012 – Brian Urlacher proclaims he’ll ‘end his career as a Chicago Bear.’  Prescient?  We’ll see how this plays out in 2013.

April 11, 2012 – Lance Briggs agrees to a 1-year contract extension.

April 17, 2012 – with NFL schedule released, I predicted the outcome of all the Bears games.  I had them at 11-5.  What could possibly go wrong? Oops.