Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Zack Bowman (38) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Devin Aromashodu (19) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

As reported by Sean Jensen, Cornerback Zack Bowman has signed a one year deal to return to the Bears this year.

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) March 15, 2013

Mostly a special teams player, Bowman showed flashes of ball hawking skills in 2009 when he recorded 6 interceptions playing cornerback for the Bears.

I doubt that Bowman plays much time as a cornerback, but he should be one of the top performers again on special teams.

The Bears were not performing very well in coverage on special teams until they signed Bowman last season. Luckily for the Bears, Bowman was on the market after the Minnesota Vikings cut him early last season.

The Bears continue to make moves in Free Agency. Who will they sign next? My guess is that they will sign Brian Urlacher. I’m not that good at guessing.

Woodny Turenne picks off a Brett Basanez pass in training camp last season. (Photo courtesy of SI Kids)

I’ve been very critical of the Bears and their lack of depth at the cornerback position.  Once you get past Zack Bowman and Peanut Tillman, there’s not much there.  Corey Graham is inconsistent at best and besides him, you’ve got a couple of midgets in DJ Moore and Tim Jennings and rookie Joshua Moore.

ProFootball Weekly hears whispers that undrafted 2nd year man Woodny Turenne, who spent last season on the practice squad could be gaining momentum as the third cornerback.

The feeling among many hangers-on at Halas Hall is that CB Woodny Turenne, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, warrants consideration for the No. 3 CB job. Said one team insider: “He’s got really good size (6-0, 184) and is faster than people thought he would be. I think he’s a better prospect than (2009 fourth-round pick) D.J. Moore.

Considering the injury history of both Tillman and Bowman, finding some added depth at the cornerback spot is a battle to keep an eye on as camp approaches.

BEAR DOWN!!!

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The Bears finish the season at 7-9 to take their post-Super Bowl XLI record to 23-25.   Now the emphasis shifts to what the Bears front office will do to improve this team after three straight years of missing the post-season party.

Before we move on to the offseason, let’s wrap up the regular season.  This second matchup with the Lions was reminiscent of the first matchup with the Lions.  The Bears looked sluggish early and only at the end did they turn it on to pull away and secure the win.   Check out the highlights.

Devin Aromashodu hauls in his second TD of the game in the Bears 37-23 win over the Lions (Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune)

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It looked like things would get out of hand early as the Eagles drove down on their first 2 drives to open up a 10-0 lead.  The defense settled down and keep the Bears close.

Knox overthrown

Rookie Kahlil Bell came off the practice squad to fill Garrett Wolfe’s spot and he did so in a big way, tearing off a 72 yard run on his first NFL rushing attempt.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t bring it to the house and that was the story for the Bears for much of the night.  Robbie Gould kicked 4 field goals and Cutler hit Kellen Davis on a beautiful corner route, but there were plenty of missed opportunities.

Jay Cutler was just thismuch off.  He just missed Greg Olsen on a TD route.  He just overthrew Devin Hester on another TD.  Late in the game, the overthrew Johnny Knox on another route!  That, along with INT’s has been the story of the Bears offense this season. They’ve been just a bit off on their timing.

Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots:

Punchout!

Super Punchout!

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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…)

Here’s what the guru’s over at ESPN think:

Trent Dilfer brings analysis like he used to bring passes back when he was with Bucs- weak and off the mark.   An opportunity for Kyle Orton?  Gimme a break!

Here are the things I’ll be watching for after the Cutler drama dies down a bit: (more…)

There is some question about who was at fault in Jay Cutler's INT intended for Devin Hester.

The Bears lost their 2009 preseason opener to the Buffalo Bills 27-20.  Jay Cutler’s debut was probably not what anyone outside of Denver had been hoping for.  It’s not nearly as bad as the 3 INT night that Kyle Orton threw in his Broncos debut, but it leaves plenty of room for improvement.  Cutler went 5/10 for 64 yards and an ill-advised, off-the-back-foot Grossman-esque INT on an attempt to Devin Hester.  There’s some debate about how that play ended up, according to ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson but I’ll chalk it up to a learning experience for a QB anxious to make a big play.  (more…)

The Score’s Laurence Holmes is impressed with how Jay Cutler has taken control of the Bears offense.   Leadership on offense from the quarterback position.  What an innovative concept!

Vaughn McClure talked to one of the early standouts in camp, Zack Bowman, who went down with a hammy on Wednesday.   He’s anxious to get back on the field. These injuries in the secondary are making me a little nervous.

The Eastern Seaboard Programming Network rolled in to Bears camp on Thursday.  I think Mort’s bus just ran out of gas while driving around Vikings camp looking for Brett Favre.  Here’s a clip of Uncle Morty chatting it up with Brian Urlacher.

For you hard-core X’s and O’s guys, Windy City Gridiron sink their teeth into the details behind Tommie Harris’ 3-technique defensive tackle position.  I can hear the shoulder pads poppin’! Me likey!

My guy Matt, of Pippen Ain’t Easy and Zoner Sports is tackling another blog; this one dedicated strictly to Jay Cutler.  It’s called Jay Cutler Superstar, so if you need a Jay fix any time, day or night, it’s right there for ya.  I hear he’s got one of those tracking chips like the ones Jack Bauer uses on 24 to keep tabs on Jay at all times.  Check it out!

Hat tip to Amanda Kaschube for this gem of a Chicago Tribune reporter trying to replicate Jarron Gilbert’s pool jumping feat.  Pretty hilarious stuff, especially if you like annoying banjo music.

That should give you a little flavor for what’s going on out there.  Give me your feedback on Bear Essentials.  Thumbs up?  Thumbs down?  More X’s and O’s?  More banjos?  Naked women?

BEAR DOWN!!!

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