So, how do the Bears rate???  In a word…SHITTY!!!  I guess the Bears will have some work to do to improve their ratings when updated rosters and ratings are released during the season.  Here are some highlights after the jump:

Jay Cutler contols the huddle in this screenshot from Madden '11.

(more…)

We'll get to see if Pisa is more reliable this season after an injury-plagued 2009. (Photo courtesy of chicagobears.com)

So much for one bloggers’ hope that the Bears and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa had parted company.  Why?  Because I am sick to death of trying to remember how to spell Tinoisamoa.

Tthe Bears bring back Tinoisamao after an injury plagued 2009 season where he hurt his knee in the season opener against the Packers and aggravated the injury in Week 6, when he went on IR.

Pisa adds some depth to the linebacking corp.  He will compete with Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach and Jamar Williams for playing time on the strong side.

Here’s what PT had to say about coming back tot he Bears in 2010:

“Hopefully I’m not the same player; hopefully I’m better,” Tinoisamoa said. “That’s my goal. I’m at a point in my career where I’m smarter, and physically I feel like I’m in some of the best shape I’ve been in a long time. So hopefully I can be better than I was before.”

His 1-year deal provides some insurance since neither Roach nor Williams have signed their tender offers.  Now if only the Bears could get this kind of depth in the secondary, they’d be in great shape.

I’m not saying that Briggs is headed to IR, but it certainly appears that there is doubt about him being able to go on Sunday versus the Rams.

If there is ANY chance that he could worsen his condition, he should sit.  This season is over anyway, so don’t put 2010 in jeopardy.   I guess it would be fitting for Briggs to be done since fellow linebackers Brian Urlacher and Pisa Tinoisamoa have already cashed in their chips on the 2009 season.

June should be able to get up to speed with the Bears’ system quickly, since he’s played the Cover-2 under Lovie Smith’s mentor Tony Dungy in Indianapolis.  I hope he can contribute, but at the same time, I hope he doesn’t have to.  If he does, it would be at the expense of Briggs.

BEAR DOWN!!!

The Bears had already lost outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa early in the first half with a knee injury, so this leaves the once deep linebacking corp extremely thin.

It is especially difficult to replace Urlacher because of the ground he is expected to cover in the Bears’ Cover 2 defense, where the middle linebacker is expected to cover the deep middle of the field.

For a defense with multiple questions marks in the secondary, this adds another hurdle that they must overcome.  As more details emerge, we’ll get an update out.

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.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BearGogglesOn.

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…)

First came a tweet from agent  Drew Rosenhaus about the contract extension for versatile defensive lineman Israel Idonije.  Izzy has been a valuable, jack-of-all-trades lineman who has been a key contributor for the Bears on Special Teams  and has served as a valuable backup along the defensive line in recent years.  The deal he inked keeps him in Chicago through 2011 with $3 million in guaranteed money on a contract that could total $7 million.

“My first priority was staying in Chicago,” Idonije said Friday afternoon. “This will be my seventh season as a Chicago Bears and my No. 1 priority was to stay here and conduct business as usual, get healthy and be ready. That was my focus from top to bottom.”

I like his attitude and tone of his quote.  He’s a good guy and a solid contributor whenever and wherever the Bears need someone to step up.  Good for you Izzy!

Next came a barrage of draft pick signings, with seven of the Bears nine selections coming to terms on 4-year rookie deals. D.J. Moore, Johnny Knox, Marcus Freeman, Al Afalava, Lance Louis and Derek Kinder and Henry Melton all agreed to terms.  Defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias still need to come to terms, but considering where they were drafted, it shouldn’t be long until they fall in line.  I think the key will be to get Iglesias inked and running routes to get his timing down with QB Jay Cutler.

Finally, the biggest and boldest move for last.  The Bears signed strong side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa.  He was cut by the St. Louis Rams as a offseason move because presumably they didn’t feel he fit with their new defensive scheme.  He led the Rams in tackles in 4 of the last 6 seasons, including 135 last season.  The move heats up the competition at linebacker, where he appears to be the early front-runner for the starting spot.  The pressure is certainly on Hunter Hillenmayer, who was already set to be in an uphill battle with Nick Roach for the Sam linebacker spot.  Speed and the ability to contribute on special teams will be a key to make the opening day roster.

Tinoisamoa played for Lovie Smith in his rookie year, so he should only need a crash course to get back in the swing of things with Lovie’s defense.  Hopefully, this move works out better than the last Lovie Smith castoff brought back to Chicago.  Adam Archuletta, anyone?