Former starter Josh Beekman is among the latest round of Bears cuts.

More cuts are coming to light for the Bears as the Turk is making the rounds at Halas Hall.  One of the notable cuts is another former starter.  Josh Beekman, who started 20 games over his three years with the Bears will be waived.  This according to the best in the business, Brad Biggs:

Now, he won’t have a chance to be a backup interior lineman this season as the Bears will waive the veteran, according to a league source.

The move doesn’t come as a complete surprise. New offensive line coach Mike Tice prefers bigger linemen and Beekman was undersized, listed at 6-2, 310. The Bears thought that possibly he could one day replace veteran Olin Kreutz. Now, he’ll be seeking work elsewhere. Beekman was a fourth-round draft pick from Boston College in 2007.

The Beekman move puts further doubt into the future of the Bears offensive line beyond 2010 since he was considered by many to be Olin Kreutz’s heir apparent at the center position.  The veteran center doesn’t have too many years left, so it will be interesting to see how the Bears address that area.  I suppose Garza could move to center, where he has served as a backup before so the musical chairs along the offensive line will continue for the foreseeable future. (more…)

Let’s get all the cards on the table.  First and foremost, with as little disrespect as possible to our opponents, the Browns are awful.  Their offense makes the Jonathan Quinn era here in Chicago look like the old Run and Shoot.  I don’t know what’s worse, Derek Anderson or the fact that Brady Quinncan’t outplay this guy to get the nod as the starter.  Anderson’s QB rating for the first half – 0.0.  Anderson is walking among bumbling quarterback legends like Cade McNown and Rex Grossman to post such numbers at Soldier Field.

With that said, the Bears defense got to beat up on a weaker kid on Sunday, notching 5 takeaways.  Actually, it was probably more like 5 giveaways by the Browns.  Danieal Manning had himself a heck of a nice ballgame with a great diving interception and also pouncing on a loose ball.  Peanut Tillman scored a defensive touchdown with an interception return for a touchdown too.  I’m left to wonder if the defense was that sharp or if the Browns were that bad.  (more…)

Lots of news from Halas Hall as OTA’s are in full swing.  Brad Biggs was Twittering has ass off, sending frequent updates throughout the day on Wednesday, as the media was allowed to observe workouts for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Matt Forte limped off the field toward the end of practice, but Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner doesn’t seem concerned.   According to Twitter, Chitownforte22 tweeted “I’m good!!” Let’s hope so.

Newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa ran with the 2′s behind Nick Roach, while Hunter Hillenmeyer sat out, recovering from sports hernia surgery.  A sports hernia just sounds painful.

Frank Omiyale was holding down the starting left guard spot while last year’s starter Josh Beekman ran as the second team center.

Trumaine McBride was cleared to practice while Peanut Tillman sat out, still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.  Apparently, Tillman spent his time on the sidelines mocking the offensive plays.

Tommie Harris participated in practice.  It’s good to see him getting some work.  Harris is as important as any other defender for the Bears’ D to regain Super Bowl form.

It looks like Jarron Gilbert’s deal is close to getting done.  His agent, Frank Bauer (no relation to Jack, but I heard he uses some interesting negotiating tactics) was on hand for OTA’s on Wednesday.    Now about the Iglesias guy.  Let’s get it done!

I hate to even write these words, but it appears Mike Brown took another step closer toward becoming former Bear Mike Brown as the safety visited the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jay Cutler continues to impress, making some nice throws throughout  offseason workouts and drawing the praise of his biggest fan, Jerry Angelo.  On the Bears’ official website, Larry Mayer sat down with the GM.

LM: Jay Cutler hasn’t missed a single day of the offseason program since he was acquired by the Bears on April 2. How pleased are you with the attitude and leadership skills he has displayed?

JA: I’ve been very pleased with his day-to-day attitude, and obviously it’s reflected with his work ethic and how he’s approached things. He’s rolled up his sleeves and he’s gone to work. He’s certainly not resting on any laurels. He’s come in here to prove himself and establish himself. I think we’re all impressed with that-I’m talking about coaches and players-because that’s the right way to do it. He’s got to earn his stripes here, and by showing up and doing the things that he’s doing every day, he’s doing it the right way.

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Corey Graham vs Craig Steltz at Free Safety

Corey Graham began working out at Free Safety during OTA’s.  That signals a couple of things.  #1 – it shows that Nathan Vasher may be coming back healthwise and also gaining the confidence of the coaching staff once again.  #2 – it may speak to some of the depth at the CB position between 2nd year man Zackary Bowman coming back after showing some flashes during an injury-shortened 2008 and the newly drafted D.J. Moore exuding confidence right out of the gate.  I like the playmaker Graham to get the nod.

Caleb Hanie vs Brett Basanez for backup QB (more…)

It’s time to start the building process for the 2009 Chicago Bears.  Jerry Angelo hasn’t exactly been a master builder in recent drafts, but whenever draft talk comes up, he seems to talk enough about floors and ceilings (of players) that you’d think he was a carpenter and not a GM.  Since the Bears announced that they won’t be raising ticket prices in 2009, I don’t expect any big splashes in Free Agency, so the bulk of the work will have to come through the draft. (more…)

Quarterback

Kyle Orton manned the most important position on the field admirably for the better part of the season, though he wasn’t quite the same after the ankle injury sustained Week 9 versus Detroit.  I think it’s important to keep everything in perspective.  A few years of Grossman may have blinded Bears fans as to what a real QB is supposed to be.  Other than not being Rex, did Orton really do that well?

The Bears offense ranked 21st in passing with 191.5 passing yards per game. Some of that may be attributed to the lack of WR’s, but we’ll get to that later.  Orton finished with 18 TD’s and 12 INT’s with a QB rating of 79.6.  Hardly mind-blowing numbers.  Does Orton deserve an extension?  I say no.  Let him play in a contract year with a sense of urgency and earn some new paper. (more…)

Low and behold after resigning with the team for a one-year contract worth $830,000 (he was due $4 million before the Bears cut him in the offseason) he announced he played last year injured.  Prior to last season, Miller had surgery on his ankle and had one of his worst years as a player.  Yesterday he announced that after taking out bone spurs and leaving cartilage floating around, he was probably only playing at 40 to 50 percent.  He added he’ll never be 100 percent after the surgery but he’s at about 90 percent now as opposed to last season. 

This comes as a big blow to the Bears, who say this is the first they’ve heard of it, and to Bears fan who wanted answers why the offensive line broke down so quickly.  In one season the offensive line of the Bears went from Super Bowl caliber to barely able to get across mid-field.  If Miller would have expressed his lingering problem the Bears probably would have kept him and possibly would have taken a different approach in the draft.  Instead, the Bears have Chris Williams on the bench indefinately and Fred Miller needs to get back into game shape.

It’s also an interesting move since I thought John St. Clair played admirably at the left tackle position against Dwight Freeney on Sunday.  Freeney got a sack on Kyle Orton but St. Clair did a good enough job to keep him away from Matt Forte and Orton most of the game.  You know a lineman is doing well when you never hear their name and St. Clair’s name was called only once in that game.  However, the Bears have never had and appear never will have confidence in the ability of St. Clair to be a starting tackle. 

There’s no doubt the Bears will plug Miller into the offensive line, it’s just a matter of how long it will take to get him in game shape and at what position.  Veteran John Tait is currently at right tackle and John St. Clair is playing left tackle.  Fred Miller prefers the right tackle position and the last three years Tait offered to play left tackle, even though he much prefers right tackle.  When asked earlier in the year about the possibility of Miller returning, Tait didn’t appear happy.  Tait has spent all offseason preparing for making the switch from left tackle to right tackle, which he says is no small effort.  Lining up on the left or right side of the line involves lining up on the different side of your body and working different muscles in a different, fluid motion to stop defensive ends and linebackers.  Tait played almost his entire career with Kansas City as a right tackle and made the switch for the Bears so Miller could play right tackle. 

Tait is a good natured player and has always brought a team first attitude.  Since Miller is the new guy it would only be fair for him to take the left tackle spot and figure it out.  Whether he gets his right tackle spot back depends upon how pissed Tait will be about having to make yet another switch. 

As of right now, the Bears have Miller listed as back-up tackle behind St. Clair and Tait.  There is no set time table for how long it takes an NFL lineman to get back into game shape.  I would be suprised if he sees any game time on Sunday against the Panthers.  I would realistically give him 2 or 3 weeks before even considering plugging him into the line.  However, in the world of pro football, things have a tendancy to get put into fast forward when coaches want it to happen.  Only time will tell. 

In the meantime, if Miller can play like the guy he was two years ago when the offensive line could control the ball and the game, he is welcome back.  I don’t know if this ankle injury is an excuse or an attempt to apologize to fans for what he knows was a terrible performance last year.  Either way, all will be forgiven if he can get back to form. 

Left guard Josh Beekman had a quiet day on Sunday, which again is a good thing.  However, he’s only in his second year and came out of nowhere to win the spot after spending all last year on the bench and only playing in the season ending game against Green Bay.  If Miller gets back into game shape the Bears may opt to plug St. Clair into the left guard spot since he has more experience.  It looks like it will be at least another month before the offensive line will have stability but if they keep playing like they did Sunday then it won’t matter. 

Of course my excitement is curbed by reality of this being an exhibition game.  We’ll like only see a quarter or half tops of good football and then the remainder of the game will feature the players fighting for a roster spot.  The third and fourth string players certainly play with plenty of heart but they run around the field with a wild disregard that makes you wonder if they really know what play was just called in the huddle. 

For the Chicago Bears, the preseason holds an important test for several positions on the field.  A season cannot be made or lost in a single preseason game, but tomorrow night’s contest certainly holds the futures and opinions of my players in the balance.  Without further delay, here are my players to watch tomorrow night.

First Round Bench Warmers

The Bears and Chiefs have a lot invested in the success of their first round picks, all of whom will not be dressing tomorrow.  Bears first round pick, and hopeful for left tackle of the future, Chris Williams will not be playing due to a lingering back injury.  He has missed significant practice time and is now reaching the point where coaches should be concerned if he will be ready for the actual season.  Without Williams playing left tackle the Bears will be starting the season with a weak offensive line.  The Chiefs will also be playing without their first rounders, Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert.  Both players need to get healthy and contribute to help the Chiefs rebuilding process begin.

Matt Forte Show

The Bears signed free agent running back Kevin Jones to help in the backfield but Jones is still coming back from his injury.  He is almost ready to put on pads and get his first taste of game action but for tomorrow, it will be the Matt Forte show.  There is no understatement in saying all eyes will be on his every move and touch of the ball.  He should get about ten touches before being pulled for Adrian Peterson, but he needs to show some of the flashes coaches have been telling us about.  Fans may extend a learning curve to the rookie, but I think everyone will feel better on Friday if Forte can show he can run the ball in the NFL.

Wide Receiver Madness

The Bears have a LOT of receivers to choose from and players need to stand out or find themselves at the bottom of a deep depth chart.  Bears quarterbacks can throw to Marty Booker, Devin Hester, Brandon Lloyd, Rashied Davis, Mike Hass, Marcus Monk, Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau, and Ryan Grice-Mullen.  Every day I read articles from reporters at training camp and every day they seem to have a new favorite at the receiver position.  The Bears appear committed to Booker, Hester, Lloyd and Davis as their starting four for the upcoming season.  The remaining players will have to come up with big plays to earn a place among the top.  Fan favorite Mike Hass is known for making spectacular catches but coaches are afraid he’s too slow to put him on the field.  Little has been said about rookie draft picks Bennett and Monk so any contribution will help get their names in the running.

O-Line Disaster

I’ve been talking all summer until blue in the face about the importance of the Bears to solidify the offensive line.  First round pick and left tackle Chris Williams is out indefinately with back pain and Olin Kreutz missed practice time with injuries early in camp.  More recently there have been troubles with the guard position and the Bears may be forced to start Josh Beekman.  No one really knows if Beekman is good or bad because coaches have never opted to use him.  Even last season when the offensive line was terrible, Beekman dressed but was never put into a game.  That’s not a good sign for things to come.  I for one will be watching Beekman to see if he can step up with this opportunity.

QB Coin Flip

Coach Lovie Smith didn’t rely on a coin flip to make his decision this time, but he did continue to flip.  Kyle Orton will be the starter of tomorrow’s game and Rex Grossman will the starter for next week’s game.  Grossman and Orton have been very close throughout training camp and game situations could prove to be the final test.  Grossman has always given the Bears the better chance to win, but his failure to maintain his composure and mechanics have proven disasterous.  If Orton shows he can stand in the pocket he may move ahead in the competition.

Injury Bug

Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek is considered a possible key player for the defense at tackle but can’t seem to stay healthy.  For the third year in a row he has been injured and will force the Bears to find a new tackle to play alongside Tommie Harris.  Rookie Marcus Harrison was ranked by many teams as a possible first round pick but passed on him because of character issues.  Reports indicate he has been a model citizen in training camp and he may get a lot of activity tomorrow night.  At the present moment he appears to be the best candidate for surprise draft pick if he can deliver.

Roach Factor

Nick Roach is a second year linebacker with the team that is getting a lot of attention.  He recently moved up the depth chart ahead of Rod Wilson as backup middle linebacker to Brian Urlacher.  I thougth highly enough of Wilson that I suggested last season the Bears should let Lance Briggs go and start him this season.  If Roach is even better he may prove to be valuable addition to the defense.  If he can make a big play Roach may see more significant playing time.