The Bears cut backup running back Kevin Jones today.  No big surprise with the signing of Chester Taylor last week.  Jones’ career with the Bears never really took off.  He joined the Bears in 2008, coming off a knee injury.  He saw a limited role, playing second fiddle to Matt Forte while racking up 109 yards on 34 carries.

Jones looked strong in training camp last year, only to have his season ended with a devastating ankle injury during the last preseason game.

Some insiders thought that Jones’ experience with Mike Martz from their days in Detroit may have given him a shot to compete for the 3rd running back spot, but that will be left for former 3rd round pick Garrett Wolfe and undrafted free agent Kahlil Bell to battle out.

Too bad it didn’t work out here in Chicago.  Best of luck to KJ.

Ladanian Tomlinson honored his hero Walter Payton when he passed him on the rushing TD list. (Photo courtesy NELVIN C. CEPEDA, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE)

‘Tis the season to go picking through other peoples’ trash.  Coming off a down year, with limited draft picks and even less desire to spend money, the Bears ain’t too proud to beg.  Guys like Ladanian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were recently cut by their respective teams and pundits in every corner of the interwebs want to find a new home for these guys.  My suggestion?  The retirement home!

Don’t get me wrong – Tomlinson and Westbrook were among the best in the game and would be in the any decent all-decade team for the 2000′s, but I just don’t think they fit here with the Bears.  I understand why people are quick to try to plug them into Chicago.

Matt Forte is coming off a disappointing sophomore season; a season in which he struggled behind a struggling offensive line and a new quarterback.  To make matters worse,  primary backup Kevin Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, former third round pick – yes THIRD ROUND PICK -  Garrett Wolfe has never lived up to his lofty draft status and Adrian Peterson – no, our AP – brings occasional burst but not consistent #2 RB kind of stuff.   Only when free-agent rookie Kahlil Bell came on the scene was there any real depth for Forte.  (more…)

QB Brett Basanez
FB Jason Davis
FB Will Ta’ufo’ou
WR Eric Peterman
WR Brandon Rideau
G Johan Asiata
OT Cody Balogh
G Dan Buenning
C Donovan Raiola
DE Ervin Baldwin
DE Joe Clermond
LB Marcus Freeman
LB Kevin Malast
LB Darrell McClover
LB Mike Rivera
CB Rudy Burgess
CB Rod Hood
CB Marcus Hamilton
CB Woodny Turenne

For a breakdown of how the final roster shakes out, check out the Bears’ website.

(more…)

The following players have been informed they will be released:

G Dan Buenning
C Donovan Raiola
FB Jason Davis
DE Joe Clermond
WR Eric Peterman
CB Rod Hood
WR Brandon Rideau
LB Kevin Malast
LB Darrell McClover
LB Mike Rivera
LB Marcus Freeman

Meanwhile, backup running back Kevin Jones is headed to the IR with a torn ligament in his left ankle.  While it means that Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson are very likely to make the squad, I’ll be interested to see if the Bears scour the waiver wires for another running back.  Plenty more as the cuts roll in.

Rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox left the Browns in the dust as the Bears rolled to a 26-23 victory

The Bears finished up the preseason with a 3-1 record after edging the Cleveland Browns 26-23.  Check out NFL.com’s highlight package here.  In typical fourth preseason game fashion, the starters broke more of a sweat during warmups than they did in the game.  Many of the regulars played one series, which consisted of one snap for the defense after Zack Bowman’s interception on the first play from scrimmage.  Jay Cutler played a series, but that included handing the ball to Kevin Jones, who left the game in the second series with an ankle injury.  It will be interesting to see the extent of the injury and how that might impact the final 53-man roster. (more…)

He’s not, for now…

Brett Favre allegedly, supposedly seemingly will not come out of retirement to join the Vikings.   Can we call off the Favre-watch stakeout of Kiln, Mississippi?  Can ESPN talk about something else?  Stay tuned.

It’s unfortunate that he won’t join the Vikes, but maybe the sideshow can drag out into training camp and provide enough of a distraction to keep the defending NFC North champs off their game?  Any time Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson throws an interception, will they be looking over their shoulder?

In case you were wondering what Jay Cutler thinks about the possibility, don’t worry, Larry Mayer’s got ya covered from his chalk talk: (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…)

• It’s cold out there!  Do not give the Jags a warm welcome!
• Pressure David Garrard.  He needs to spend significant time on his backside today.
• Kevin Jones is inactive for the 4th straighT game.  The end is near, KJ. 
• Also noticed that Matt Toeaina is inactive.  With Dusty Dvorcek OUT and Anthony Adams dinged up, I hope there is no lack of depth at DT position today.
• I’m starting Maurice Jones-Drew today in Round 1 of my fantasy playoffs, so if the Bears let the Jags score at all, let it be Mo-Jo.  I know, Blasphemy!  I can take it if I win.
• David Haugh wrote a nice piece evaluating the Bears’ roster in the Chicago Tribune today.  Maybe David’s jumping the gun, since this is something you really start to think about when the season is over.  The Beloved are still solidly in the playoff picture, so let’s worry about next year after this year is over.  Nevertheless, it’s a good article and I suggest you check it out :http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-081206-chicago-bears-nfc-north-haugh,0,4370382.column
•  I can’t believe that a judge has issued a temporary injunction to allow the Williams boys (and the three Saints) play today.  I hope that judge gets a dose of common sense and the 4 game suspensions are upheld.
• As much as l like to see the Lions suffer and would love to see them go 0-16, I will be rooting for them to beat the Vikes today.  Maybe Ford can use some of that Federal bailout money to fix the Lions!

BEAR DOWN!!!