Bears Football Blog

Bears open at Packers

The Bears got a jump on learning their 2009 schedule Monday and got a boost in next month’s draft.

The NFL announced during the owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif., that the Bears will open the season Sept. 13 at Green Bay on NBC’s ‘‘Sunday Night Football’’ and that the Bears will receive three compensatory draft picks for losing unrestricted free agents a year ago. Continue

Lovie taking hands on approach with D

Ask Bears coach Lovie Smith about his added responsibilities as defensive play-caller, and immediately he goes into beat-cop mode, ushering curious onlookers from a crime scene: ''Nothing to look at here. Move along.''

Change might be afoot, but Smith downplayed his new dual role as head coach and de facto defensive coordinator, even as he makes aggressive moves to ensure high impact in that role.''I've been involved throughout, and I am involved now,'' he said. ''You won't see much of a difference.'' Continue

Tackle John St. Clair signs with Cleveland Browns

Tackle John St. Clair signed a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns today. The Bears had offered their free agent tackle a three-year deal worth more than $4 million but St. Clair went with the higher offer from the Browns.

According to a source close to St. Clair, the deal is worth $9.1 million with $1.25 guaranteed.  (Tribune)

Bears taking a look at UNC's Nicks

The Bears announced on their Web site Monday that wide receiver Earl Bennett would get every opportunity to win a starting job this season, beginning with the first minicamp practice today.

That would seem to fall somewhere between wishful thinking and unrealistic, considering the 2008 third-round draft pick ended his rookie season with nary a reception.

General manager Jerry Angelo has pledged to address the position, even saying help likely will come through the draft. Toward that end, college scouting director Greg Gabriel is in Chapel Hill, N.C., today for North Carolina's pro day, where wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is the featured attraction. Continue

Jenkins may be fit for Bears

Ohio State had its Pro Day Friday, and the big talk was running back Chris ``Beanie'' Wells running a 4.34 in the 40.

In terms of the Bears' draft needs, it might be worth keeping an eye on defensive back Malcolm Jenkins' progress. His draft stock fell after a dismal showing at the NFL combine. It looks like Jenkins didn't exactly boost his stock Friday.

After the combine, people talked of Jenkins being a better safety prospect than a corner. The Bears need both, so it might be tempting to at least look at Jenkins with the No. 18 overall pick if he's available. Continue

Bears sign S Bullocks

 The Bears have signed safety Josh Bullocks to a one-year contract, a league source said. Bullocks gets $525,000 guaranteed, and will add depth to the secondary immediately. Continue

Bears interested in drafting DL Johnson?

 Lovie Smith has said it time and time again. Jerry Angelo has repeated it for years: You can't have too many defensive linemen.

Perhaps to that end, the Bears were represented today at Georgia Tech's pro day. The Yellow Jackets have defensive end Michael Johnson, one of the better prospects in the draft. Johnson has a rare combination of size at 6-7, 266 pounds, and athletic ability. He was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.68 seconds at the combine. He's got the long arms and quickness to come off the edge and create instant problems for the offense. Continue

Kevin Jones resigns with Bears

Some might have considered running back Kevin Jones the more difficult to re-sign of the free agents the Bears are pursuing, but he returned Friday.

Jones agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.5 million, a deal that will pay him $2million this year. It solidifies what's expected to be a more diverse backfield this season, as Jones will team with Matt Forte and Garrett Wolfe, who's still expected to get an opportunity for an expanded role. Veteran Adrian Peterson always finds his way into the mix, too. Continue

S Sharper still high on Bears

Free-agent safety Darren Sharper visited the Saints on Monday but left New Orleans without signing a contract.

The Bears are high on his list.

"The visit [to New Orleans] went really well, and I should know something by the end of the week," Sharper told the Tribune on Wednesday. "My agent [Joel Segal] is in discussions with [the Saints and Bears]."

Sharper does not have a trip to Halas Hall scheduled but said he could sign with the Bears without it. Continue