NFL FanHouse

Could Favre Become a Viking?

JJ Cooper — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:37:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Packers, Vikings, NFC North, Chicago, Minnesota

In the middle of Peter King's informative look at what's going to happen with the Packers and Brett Favre, he dropped in this nugget which should frighten Packers fans and give Vikings fans plenty of reasons to hope for a Favre return.

Overwhelmingly the team that makes the most sense to sign Favre for a couple of years is Minnesota. The Vikings are training Tarvaris Jackson to be their quarterback of the future, but he's an unproven commodity with promise at best. Their offensive coordinator is Darrell Bevell, who was Favre's quarterback coach for three years, from 2003-05. They have a close relationship. Not Steve Mariucci-Favre close, but Favre has a lot of respect for him. Imagine Favre in purple. It's an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals -- and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.

Obviously, if the Packers decide to release Favre to get out from under his $12 million cap hit, the Vikings should be calling him immediately. Offensively, the only real questions with this team are whether Tarvaris Jackson is ready to lead them to the playoffs. Give Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor and Bernard Berrian Brett Favre and watch the points pile up. Minnesota is a team that was on the cusp of the playoffs last year with horrendous quarterback play and a mediocre pass rush, adding Favre and Jared Allen would make the Vikes a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Now there is some risk in picking up Favre. It would slow down Jackson's development, and while Favre was great last year, he was only OK in 2006. There's a chance that Favre would be a good, but not great quarterback, in 2008. However, a good NFL QB would still be a dramatic improvement over last year. And while the Packers would be running a risk of losing Aaron Rodgers if they bring Favre back, Favre seems like a perfect fit with the Vikings, where he could play a year before handing the team back to Jackson next year.

But that would explain one of the reasons that Green Bay can't cut Favre. Beyond the public relations nightmare, Favre's most likely landing spots would be either Minnesota or Chicago, both of which would dramatically improve a team within the Packers' division. It's hard to imagine Green Bay letting that happen. So it's still unlikely we'll see Favre wearing purple this year. But less than a month before training camp starts, the Packers have an ulcer-inducing problem to fix, which can't be bad news for the Vikes.

Could Favre Become a Viking? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sun-Times 'Scoop' Broken Weeks Ago at Babes Love Baseball, College Baseball Blog

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:53:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, College Sports

I noted this morning that the Chicago Sun-Times had a report on its front page about Husain Mahmoud, who was recently fired from his job as the baseball coach at Chicago State University.

The front-page story says "a Sun-Times examination" uncovered that Mahmoud had lied on his resume, but in reality, that "examination" consisted of reading a couple of blogs that uncovered the story weeks ago.

The blogs Babes Love Baseball and The College Baseball Blog reported in mid-June that Mahmoud had fabricated details like having been drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and having led a defunct football league in passing. The Sun-Times story basically rehashes those blog posts, without noting that the blogs reported the news first.

Obviously, the Sun-Times should have credited the blogs in question. When the two blog posts were called to my attention, I e-mailed Sun-Times reporter Dave Newbart to ask for an explanation; ~~if he replies I'll post his explanation here~~. UPDATE: His reply is below.

I've been working on this story on and off since mid-May, well before your blog post. We got the tip from the alumnus (I'm assuming he's the same one that contacted you) containing references to wikipedia articles, which we had to independently verify. We did our own original research on the topic, including talking to the Cincinatti Reds, Major League baseball, experts around the country who maintain records of the football leagues he mentioned, sources at the university he attended and others with the summer baseball leagues he mentioned. As it turned out, he did play for one of the teams he claimed, but after it had left the Continental Football League.

For a variety of reasons, we chose not to publish this sooner. Part of the reason for the delay was due to the fact that we didn't want to run the story without speaking to him or getting a statement from the school.

Sun-Times 'Scoop' Broken Weeks Ago at Babes Love Baseball, College Baseball Blog originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago State Baseball Coach Fired, Claimed He Starred in Football League That Didn't Exist

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, College Sports

UPDATE: Sun-Times 'Scoop' Broken Weeks Ago at Babes Love Baseball, College Baseball Blog

This is the front page of today's Chicago Sun-Times, where the top story is the firing of Chicago State University baseball coach Husain Mahmoud. It's an embarrassing story, both to Mahmoud and the school.

Mahmoud was fired, the Sun-Times reports, after an examination of his resume found a multitude of false claims. Perhaps the most outrageous was that he played with the Indianapolis Capitals of the Continental Football League for five years, leading the league in passing in 1977 and 1978.

Slight problem: The league didn't exist in 1977 and 1978. It took me about two seconds to type "Continental Football League" into Google and find the league's Wikipedia entry, which reveals that it folded in 1969. Apparently that kind of background check would have been too much work for the folks at Chicago State.
Mahmoud also claimed that he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds (he wasn't) and claimed that he set a college football punting record (he didn't). The Sun-Times gives his explanation:

"It's been 30-some years ago since most of this stuff,'' said Mahmoud, formerly known as Hallie Buckner. "I may not have been exactly correct on some of the leagues and different things like that because it's been so long ago.''

Totally understandable. I only have a vague recollection of the Pulitzer Prize I won in the 1970s.

Chicago State Baseball Coach Fired, Claimed He Starred in Football League That Didn't Exist originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Bears Fan Barack Obama Won't Pander to Minnesota Vikings Fans

Michael David Smith — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:53:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Vikings, Chicago, Minnesota

Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Fargo on Thursday, and the focus of his speech was military veterans benefits. But on Sundays in the fall, Fargo becomes Minnesota Vikings country, so Obama also took a brief moment to talk a little smack to the many Vikings fans in attendance.

"You guys need to be re-educated," the Minneapolis Star Tribune quotes the Illinois senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee saying. "Go Bears!"

Obama did find one Chicago fan in the audience, an 11-year-old boy wearing a Bears hat. Obama asked him what he'll be doing this summer, and the boy said he'll play golf and football. Obama responded, "I wish I was doing that for the summer."

That's what Hillary Clinton wishes Obama was doing this summer, too.

Via Sports by Brooks.

Chicago Bears Fan Barack Obama Won't Pander to Minnesota Vikings Fans originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Call Chicago Bears' Olin Kreutz a 'Serial Jaw Breaker' if You Must, but Say It to His Face

Michael David Smith — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFL Media Watch, Chicago

Chicago Bears center Olin Kreutz seems like one of the NFL's hardest players to figure out.

On the one hand, he's obviously smart, a hard-working team player, and a charitable man who has contributed money to retired players who have had health and financial problems. On the other hand, he has broken teammates' jaws in fights on two different occasions.

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander has a wide-ranging interview with The Big Lead today in which he addresses his own history with Kreutz, and how he thinks a columnist gains credibility in criticizing an athlete if he'll meet that athlete face to face.
Telander says:

Last year I had a verbal run-in with Olin Kreutz. ... I had called the center a "serial jaw-breaker" in a column because I was pissed off at the treatment I and other writers were getting in the Bears locker room from guys like him. ... Yet I admire and respect Kreutz, a Bears team captain, a ferocious, dedicated football man, and in time we worked everything out. My statement had hurt him, I learned. Words have power. I apologized, to a point, told him why I was pissed off and how ignorant I thought the players were in this instance, and he quit with the nonsense he was doing and was rather generous ...

The whole interview is an interesting look at the way Telander does his job. My only complaint: Telander concludes his explanation for why he likes to meet with the people he writes about in person by using this tired cliche: "Otherwise, we're just bloggers in basements." Good one. Never heard that before.

Call Chicago Bears' Olin Kreutz a 'Serial Jaw Breaker' if You Must, but Say It to His Face originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cedric Benson Appears in Court, Judge Orders Breathalyzer Installed in His Car

Michael David Smith — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago, NFL Police Blotter

A judge changed the conditions of Cedric Benson's bail today when the former Bears running back appeared in court, forcing him to take alcohol counseling courses and install an ignition interlock breathalyzer in his car.

The breathalyzer, which the judge told Benson he has 72 hours to install, will make it impossible to start his car if his blood alcohol level registers above the legal limit. The judge told Benson the intent of the new bail conditions was "what's best for you."

Benson was arrested twice in five weeks on alcohol-related charges, once for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, and once for driving while intoxicated. In both cases, he has pleaded not guilty and publicly said that he wasn't drunk. The Bears waived him after the second arrest, and no team picked him up.

Cedric Benson Appears in Court, Judge Orders Breathalyzer Installed in His Car originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tommie Harris Thinks Keeping Quiet Helped Him Get His New Deal

Josh Alper — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

There was a pretty stark contrast between the way Tommie Harris negotiated his deal with the Bears and the way that his defensive brethren Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have dealt with the team. There were no threats, Harris even said if he were franchised it wouldn't be a big deal, and a lack of ill will which undoubtedly led to the quick resolution of his contract.

I'm not the only one who's noticed that. Harris himself pointed out the different way he handled things.

"We didn't try to go out there and talk about one another or dispute different things, and I feel like we did it all in-house. I would never go out and talk about the Bears in front of the media or disrespect my team."

The Bears don't have the best reputation when it comes to dealing with players but I must say they were pretty true to their words here. They've said, in relation to Urlacher, if you want a new deal then you should come to practice and negotiate one in good faith. That's what Harris did. He turned down an initial offer but didn't draw some arbitrary line in the sand and wound up with an offer more to his liking.

Urlacher, on the other hand, scoffed at an offer and has done very little to create common ground with the team. Harris's deal has provided the path, it's up to Urlacher to walk down it.

Tommie Harris Thinks Keeping Quiet Helped Him Get His New Deal originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Bears' Tommie Harris Signs Contract, 'No NFL Player Deserves the Money We Get'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:21:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago

Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris signed his four-year, $40 million contract today, and afterward he met with reporters to give an admirably humble view of an eight-figure payday:

"It was the principle of the whole deal. I wanted this deal done because the NFL gave me a price tag. I don't believe any NFL player deserves the amount of money that we do get. But in the business that we're in, they give us tags and say, 'This guy's worth this, this guy's worth that.' We play a game-a kids' game-and get paid a king's ransom.

Fans and the media often complain that pro athletes are overpaid, and I've never agreed with that: After all, if you can fill a 60,000-seat stadium and get millions to watch you on TV, don't you deserve to be well-compensated? And yet I respect Harris for saying what he said.

Still, somehow I'm guessing Harris's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, wishes Harris would knock it off with the stuff about no NFL player deserving what they get.

Chicago Bears' Tommie Harris Signs Contract, 'No NFL Player Deserves the Money We Get' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Bears Sign Tommie Harris to 4-Year, $40 Million Contract Extension

Michael David Smith — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:33:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago

The Chicago Bears and defensive tackle Tommie Harris have agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract extension that will keep Harris in Chicago through the 2012 season, when he will be 30 years old.

Harris had been skipping voluntary practices because he was upset with his contract, but he has now ensured that he'll spend the prime of his career with the Bears. The extension was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and the value of the extension was first reported by Pro Football Talk.

Harris is the perfect defensive tackle for the Lovie Smith defense. He has been chosen for the Pro Bowl in three of his four years in the NFL, and he's coming off an eight-sack season.

The next priority for the Bears will be determining how to handle a couple of other players who want contract extensions, Devin Hester and Brian Urlacher.

Chicago Bears Sign Tommie Harris to 4-Year, $40 Million Contract Extension originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today's NFL Rookies Still Love Walter Payton

Michael David Smith — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:35:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago

It's been more than 20 years since Chicago Bears great Walter Payton retired and almost nine years since he died. But Sweetness is most certainly not forgotten.

The NFL has implemented a new policy this year requiring every rookie to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and there's great news for any old-school type who worries that the modern 20-somethings don't have respect for the history of the game. Here's what Hall of Fame vice president of communications and exhibits Joe Horrigan had to say about the rookies' visits:

"The one guy they all seem to know about is Walter Payton. It's just the mystique. I think it's the personality, the nickname 'Sweetness,' and everyone really revered him as a guy that put his heart and soul into the game."

This year's NFL rookies were infants when Payton stopped playing and pre-teens when he died. And yet they still revere him. That speaks well to them, and to Payton's enduring legacy.

Today's NFL Rookies Still Love Walter Payton originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Forte Gets a Major Vote of Confidence From the Bears

Josh Alper — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

Say this for the Chicago Bears, they have a very high opinion of their personnel department. It's not the most common viewpoint around the NFL. Most people think they're crazy to entrust the quarterback spot to Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton and insane to run with their wide receiver corps but Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith have stuck to their guns and that's who they'll go to battle with this season.

Still, I think everyone expected them to bring in a veteran running back after Cedric Benson drank, boated and drove himself out of town. Matt Forte is full of promise but Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe aren't and handing your entire running game over to a rookie is a risky play for a team that will need to run to be successful. But, on Wednesday, Smith said that's exactly the plan.

"We like the running backs we have. We don't have any plans to [bring in competition]. This late in the game you need to feel good about the players you have. We do."

It's not that late in the game. Admittedly, free agents like Kevin Jones and Shaun Alexander have their warts but a little proven insurance behind Forte would not be a bad thing. Even Adrian Peterson (not the one mentioned above, the good one) split time as a rookie and he played behind a much better offensive line than the one in Chicago. I'm not as confident as Smith that the Bears have all they need in the backfield.

Matt Forte Gets a Major Vote of Confidence From the Bears originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lovie Smith Wants the Bears to Be the Celtics of the NFL

Josh Alper — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:35:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

In sports, the losers take their cues from the winners. Whether they hope to copy the style of play or organizational philosophy, when one way is successful it inspires a legion of imitators. The Chicago Bears can't copy much about the Boston Celtics, different sports and all, but they do hope to borrow their worst-to-first turnaround and co-opt it as their own.

"It's good to see a team like the Boston Celtics come back from a disappointing year and hold up the championship trophy the next year," Lovie Smith said. "We've been in last place and we've climbed that mountain. So that's the message going in."

As if Devin Hester playing quarterback wasn't enough of a trip to fantasyland for one week. Who is going to be playing the role of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Chicago this season? Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker? Booker may be on the older side but I doubt he'll give the Bears as much as P.J. Brown.

The Celtics of 2007 had very little to do with the Celtics of 2008. They didn't just magically start winning games. No, they overhauled the roster of a putrid team and were successful because of it. The Bears, on the other hand, haven't added any veterans of consequence and may be even worse offensively. They do have plenty of off-field intrigue and embarrassment, though. That smells a little bit more like the Knicks than the Celtics.

Lovie Smith Wants the Bears to Be the Celtics of the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Devin Hester Takes a Turn at Quarterback, Jumps to Lead in Competition

Josh Alper — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

The Bears wrapped up their offseason activities this afternoon and will scatter to the winds until they reconvene for training camp next month. They've got no shortage of questions to answer in that time. Will Brian Urlacher get a new contract? Are they going to sign another running back to fill in for Cedric Benson? How many children will Lance Briggs conceive?

All that can wait, though, and the Bears had a little fun before breaking camp. Players traded jerseys and switched positions in a practice that the Bears website describes as having a "last day of school" feel. One notable switch involved Rex Grossman donning Devin Hester's #23 while the returner/receiver/great hope of Chicago's offense took a snap from center.

"That was just for you guys," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said to reporters. "I said, 'Hey, he's in an 8 jersey, we might as well put him back there.' I'm sure [Hester] will be lobbying [to play quarterback in the future]."

Hey, Ron, after about three quarters of watching the winner of the epic Grossman-Kyle Orton duel, Hester may not be the only one lobbying for him to see more time under center. It's so crazy it just might work. 10 blockers and a direct snap to Hester is better than anything the offense came up with last season.

Devin Hester Takes a Turn at Quarterback, Jumps to Lead in Competition originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Bear Disputes Report That Teammates Tried to Injure Cedric Benson

Michael David Smith — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago

Former Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was unpopular with the fans and, according to various reports, with his teammates. But one former Bears teammate disputes a report that the team's defense conspired to injure him in practice.

That former teammate, offensive lineman Ruben Brown, told a local radio station, per David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune:

"That sounds like a lot of mumbo-jumbo," the former Bears guard said. "Nobody does that anymore. We all respect each other's right to earn money. I mean, we're all trying to make it, and that makes no sense.

"You're saying Mike Brown, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, outstanding stand-up people in the community and on the team, leaders of our team, wanted to go and hurt another teammate?"

My hunch: The defensive players didn't like Benson, didn't like his work ethic, and didn't like that he was one of the highest-paid players on the team before he ever stepped on the field. As a result, they probably hit him a little harder in practice than teammates usually hit each other. But I doubt they actively set out to tear his ACL.

Ex-Bear Disputes Report That Teammates Tried to Injure Cedric Benson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Chicago Bear Michael Haynes on Benson: 'Cedric Has Always Been Lazy'

Michael David Smith — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:48:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago

Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Michael Haynes is, like Cedric Benson, a onetime first-round draft pick who became a bust and currently is not employed by an NFL team. So Haynes has an interesting perspective on Benson, and Haynes says it's easy to figure out why Benson washed out with the Bears:

"Cedric has always been lazy,'' Haynes said. ''Cedric was lazy when he first got to Chicago, and I guarantee you he is lazy now. It's the work ethic that a lot of teammates didn't like. When I was there and things didn't work out, I always showed up and I always worked hard. I tried really hard, and I never complained.''

Haynes also says he objects to being compared to Benson. Haynes says that unlike Benson, he hasn't gotten into off-field trouble, and that unlike Benson, his own failure to make it in the NFL isn't a result of laziness.

Via PFT.

Ex-Chicago Bear Michael Haynes on Benson: 'Cedric Has Always Been Lazy' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Bears Don't Want Cedric Benson, Neither Do 31 Other NFL Teams

Michael David Smith — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago, NFL Free Agency

The Chicago Bears placed Cedric Benson on waivers this week, which means all 31 other NFL teams could have claimed the rights to him. And although Benson hasn't exactly been, you know, good -- either on or off the field -- there was some talk in league circles that some team might take a flyer on him.

Nope. Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports (via PFT) that no team claimed Benson on waivers. That means he's now an unrestricted free agent, and it means no team thinks he's worth the relatively low salary of $820,000 he was scheduled to make in 2008.

So where does Benson go from here? I still think he'll sign with some NFL team in 2008. For as disappointing as his career has been so far, if guys like Tank Johnson and Pacman Jones can get second chances, Benson can too. He'll never be close to the kind of player the Bears thought he was when they made him the fourth pick in the 2005 draft, but Benson isn't done.

Chicago Bears Don't Want Cedric Benson, Neither Do 31 Other NFL Teams originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kevin Jones Reaches Out and Touches the Chicago Bears

Josh Alper — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, NFL Gossip, Chicago

Kevin Jones isn't afraid to let people know how much he'd like another shot at a job in the NFL. With Cedric Benson's release in Chicago earlier this week, he's putting a full court press on the Bears to try and move to the front of the line of potential free agent replacements.

Jones's agent called the Bears before Benson was released but after his second arrest and Jones himself picked up the phone and called his old chum Tommie Harris yesterday. Harris agreed to pass his interest along to the coaching staff and Jones turned his PR work to the Chicago Tribune.

"Chicago would be the perfect situation. I'm familiar with the division. The Bears, they know what I have. I've made plays against them. I made plays against other teams in the league. Chicago would just be perfect. And I hope they know it would be perfect too."

Jones should be one of the first players the Bears consider. Despite a checkered history with the Lions, he's young enough and talented enough to add something to the team's offense. His receiving skills, in particular, would make him a good complement for Matt Forte. The rookie could concentrate on simpler tasks while working his way into the league and Jones could be a useful pair of hands for a team that's lacking at receiver.

Kevin Jones Reaches Out and Touches the Chicago Bears originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today On as the Brian Urlacher Turns: He Shows Up to Practice

Josh Alper — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

Just when you think you've got all the answers to Brian Urlacher's current relationship with the Bears, he changes all the questions. Last week he continued his tradition of missing the team's OTAs and earned a response from the Bears that they weren't willing to negotiate with players who weren't taking part in practices. Voluntary or not, teams aren't thrilled by players under contract who choose to skip the workouts.

Urlacher wasn't swayed by that argument. Well, he wasn't swayed by it last week, anyway. What a difference a few days makes because #54 was on the practice field for today's OTA. The Chicago Tribune reports that Urlacher said on Tuesday that no deal was imminent. Discussions have been going on between the team and Urlacher's camp, though.

The Bears made it clear that talks would continue to remain positive if Urlacher returned to the practice field. That's part of the reason he showed Wednesday. But no new figures have been traded between the sides, although Urlacher presence at OTAs could change that.

If his appearance today was merely a good faith gesture, it was a smart one. Urlacher wasn't happy with the team's first offer and reacted by taking his ball and going home. That's posturing and it wouldn't be good business to just throw money at every player who pouted. Urlacher's not every player, though, and his reappearance should go a long way to a second offer coming across the table.

Today On as the Brian Urlacher Turns: He Shows Up to Practice originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who Will the Bears Turn to in a Cedric Benson-Less Future?

Josh Alper — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

This weekend, Ryan Wilson spitballed some ideas about a running back replacement for Cedric Benson. That was hypothetical, though. Now that Benson's actually gone, it's time for the Bears to think seriously about who will be toting the rock for them this season.

Matt Forte, the second-round pick, will be given every opportunity to win the starting job but rookies are always a crapshoot, especially when the Bears are the ones drafting them. Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe have their charms but proved last season that they aren't capable of carrying the offensive load. The Bears should scour the free market to see if any of the available veterans can help them this season.

Shaun Alexander - He's certainly the highest profile name but there doesn't seem to be all that much left in the tank. Alexander's probably feeling a bit desperate after having the league ignore him once he became available which could have him burning to prove his doubters wrong. If so, he'd probably come on the cheaper side. He'd certainly be a better mentor for Forte than Benson, as well.

Travis Henry - The Bears didn't cut Benson so that they could bring in an older player with the same issues staying out of trouble.

Kevin Jones - The former Lion is coming off of ACL surgery but has been looking good in workouts. That injury is the latest in a series that have kept Jones from building on a promising rookie year. The Bears can't develop their own backs but struck gold with someone else's mistakes in the past. Jones shares a last name with Thomas Jones, who came to Chicago a bust and left a 1,000-yard rusher. That he's itching to stick it to the Lions probably helps his cause.

LaMont Jordan - Can't stay healthy and his pouting when the Raiders gave Justin Fargas a go in the backfield make it unlikely that he'd work well with Forte.

Jones and Alexander are the only two of that group I'd seriously consider. Jones, because of his upside and the ol' change of scenery deal that's helped many other players, and Alexander because he may have just enough in the tank to form a useful platoon with Forte.

Who Will the Bears Turn to in a Cedric Benson-Less Future? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Won't Have Cedric Benson to Kick Around Anymore

Josh Alper — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, NFC North, Chicago

It's unlikely to foster any montages with sappy music or give rise to testimonial speeches but the Cedric Benson era in Chicago is over nonetheless. The Bears have placed Benson on waivers as a precursor for releasing him outright in the wake of his second alcohol-related arrest in a month.

The chum was in the water when Lovie Smith told Benson that he needn't bother taking part in the Bears OTAs today and the shark finally came for him this afternoon. There's nothing surprising about this. Benson's production wasn't going to carry him past two embarrassing arrests. Because he's got less than four years of NFL service, Benson couldn't be released without going through waivers first.

Technically, Benson could file a grievance under the CBA because teams aren't allowed to release players because of legal trouble. A four-game suspension is the maximum penalty. Tank Johnson didn't file one when the Bears cut him loose, though, and the Bears would have a solid argument that Benson's poor play was the reason anyway.

If a team does want to bring Benson aboard, he'd still be subject to potential league discipline from one or both of his run-ins with the law. He's young enough that you'd think he'll get a look but it's an uphill climb. An uphill climb is, ironically, the exact opposite of the one-time fourth pick's career trajectory.

Chicago Won't Have Cedric Benson to Kick Around Anymore originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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