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With Peppers in Tow, Bears Must Be More Than Paper Champs

By Thomas George 3/05/2010 4:00 PM ET

Julius PeppersA buzz of energy and anticipation filled the Chicago Bears offices as all awaited word on the Julius Peppers free-agent harvest. And once the deal was accomplished, the Bears were again "offseason Super Bowl champions."

That title is reserved around the league for teams that make a spark, a splash in the offseason, ensuring they are the talk of the league. Last April, the Bears made news with their stunning trade for quarterback Jay Cutler. Then they finished 7-9.

Now, it is Peppers.

And another losing season will not do.
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Chester Taylor Signs With Bears

By Matt Snyder 3/05/2010 2:12 PM ET

Chester TaylorThe most active team in the NFL free agency market has signed their second player on the first day of free agency. Running back Chester Taylor has agreed to a four-year, $12.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears, a source close to the negotiations has told FanHouse's Dan Graziano. The contract includes $7 million in guaranteed money.

Taylor, 30, rushed for 338 yards last season as he played second fiddle to Adrian Peterson in the Vikings' backfield. A capable receiver from out of the backfield, he snared 44 passes for 389 yards. Taylor did run for 1,216 yards back in 2006 -- the only season of his career where he was a featured back.

He will likely split carries in the Chicago backfield with Matt Forte, who just suffered through a down season after a break through rookie campaign in 2008. Both backs will be called upon to do more work in the passing game with new offensive coordinator Mike Martz taking over.

A press conference is scheduled for later Friday afternoon, where the Bears will announce the signings of Brandon Manumaleuna, Taylor and defensive end Julius Peppers.

Julius Peppers, Bears Agree to Deal

By Matt Snyder 3/05/2010 1:56 PM ET

Julius Peppers The Chicago Bears and free agent defensive end Julius Peppers have agreed to a deal, according to multiple reports. Earlier Friday, a source familiar with the negotiations told FanHouse's Dan Graziano that the two sides were "close" to finalizing a contract.

Peppers, 30, is the crown jewel defensive player of this free-agent class and should help to fix a desperate need for the Bears -- a pass rush generated from the defensive line without the help of blitzing.

Reportedly, Bears head coach Lovie Smith flew down to Charlotte Thursday night to complete the deal almost immediately after the legal time period began (midnight Eastern). Friday afternoon, reports surfaced that Peppers was in Chicago completing a physical.

Peppers' deal will be for six years and around $72 million with three years guaranteed, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
In addition to Peppers, the Bears also came to terms with free-agent running back Chester Taylor on a four-year deal worth $12.5 million, with $7 million guaranteed. Taylor, 30, rushed for 338 yards and a touchdown on 94 carries last season for the Vikings.

The Bears have scheduled a press conference for 6:00 PM Eastern at Halas Hall, which is expected to be when they announce their three free agency signings from Friday (Peppers, Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna).

NFL Free Agency Underway, So Where Are the Redskins?

By Dan Graziano 3/05/2010 10:32 AM ET

Could LT Chad Clifton (r.) really be the Redskins' big first-day free-agent splash?In the days that led up to the first days without an NFL salary cap, the Redskins were a hot topic. Everybody around the league assumed Dan Snyder was ready to pounce and throw money around like crazy. The Skins were rumored to be hard after Julius Peppers, Darren Sproles, Karlos Dansby, LeBron James, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. Memories of last year, Albert Haynesworth and his $100 million were fresh in everybody's mind. So when midnight hit and the news was Peppers to the Bears, Dansby maybe to Miami, Sproles staying in San Diego, the question naturally arose: Why are the Redskins so quiet?

Well, the Redskins are under new management, folks, with Bruce Allen the GM and Mike Shanahan the coach. And it appears as if they're acting thoughtfully and intelligently. The hottest thing they have going right now is with left tackle Chad Clifton, who's in for a visit today and would be a smart, neat fit that solves their most pressing problem. Imagine that.
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Bears Kickstart Big Day by Landing Brandon Manumaleuna

By Chris Burke 3/05/2010 9:10 AM ET

Brandon ManumaleunaThe Chicago Bears have an important Friday ahead of them, and they got it started on the right foot, agreeing to a deal with free agent tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.

As first reported by Brad Biggs at National Football Post, Manumaleuna will sign a five-year deal after completing a physical.

This is just an appetizer for the Bears, who have bigger courses on the menu -- namely defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor, both of whom are set for Windy City visits Friday. Peppers, especially, would be a major coup for Chicago.
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Karlos Dansby to Visit Miami Friday

By Bruce Ciskie 3/05/2010 1:15 AM ET

Karlos DansbyAs NFL free agency began at the stroke of midnight (Eastern time, of course) Friday, players started to plot out visits ahead of striking it rich on new contracts.

For some players, these visits are nothing but a formality. They've made up their mind on where they want to go, with no influence from the teams of course (that would be tampering, after all).

Other players have no real idea what they want to do. They're going to take their time in free agency, and try to figure out which team is a good fit for them, both from an on-field and off-field standpoint.

Soon enough, we'll find out which category linebacker Karlos Dansby falls into.
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Peppers Appears Chicago-Bound as NFL Free Agency Begins

By Dan Graziano 3/05/2010 12:48 AM ET

Julius Peppers appears poised to sign a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears.The stars of the early moments of the uncapped NFL season appear to be the Chicago Bears, who will bring top free agent Julius Peppers in for a visit Friday and will almost certainly sign him to a new contract. The Washington Redskins also had been pursuing the pass-rushing former Panthers DE. But just after the free agency period kicked off at midnight ET, Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, told the Chicago Tribune that his client would visit the Bears on Friday.

Such visits almost invariably result in signings, and the it's hard to imagine Peppers leaving Chicago without his signature on a new Bears contract.

The Bears also are bringing in running back Chester Taylor for a visit Friday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Signing Taylor would help Chicago shore up a running game that fell flat in 2009 with a disappointing year from running back Matt Forte and the offensive line.
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Julius Peppers, Bears Mutually Interested, but Redskins Loom

By Matt Snyder 3/03/2010 1:37 PM ET

Julius PeppersThe free agent free-for-all is nearing its kick-off, as unrestricted free agents hit the open market at 12:01 AM Friday. The biggest name is easily Julius Peppers, and there is certainly no shortage of rumors beginning to circulate. One place where Peppers, 30, would be a fit is with the Chicago Bears, and he's reportedly just as interested in joining them as they are in adding him to the fray.

The Bears have a nucleus of aging yet talented defensive players, but desperately need to shore up a pass rush and the safety position. Peppers himself might be enough of a shot in the arm to fix the pass rush all by himself. The five time Pro Bowler had 10 1/2 sacks last season (and 14 1/2 the year before). The Bears entire defensive line mustered just 24 in 2009. Adding Peppers would mean less attention to those holdovers as well, possibly freeing them up for higher totals.

Of course, the Bears aren't exactly the free spenders you'd expect coming from a large market like Chicago. The McCaskey ownership group is notoriously cheap and they may have to compete with someone who most certainly is not for the services of Peppers: Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins.
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Orlando Pace Released by Bears

By Matt Snyder 3/01/2010 8:25 PM ET

Orlando PaceIn a move that may spur a retirement, the Chicago Bears have reportedly cut ties with veteran offensive tackle Orlando Pace, according to a press release from the team Monday night.

Pace was the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and made good on his immense promise -- earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl and being named a First-Team All-Pro three times. For a span of several years, Pace was considered either the best tackle in the league or on the short list of the best. He helped pave the way for three straight NFL MVPs (Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2001 and Marshall Faulk in 2000).

In the past four years, however, Pace has greatly regressed as he's aged. He battled injuries in 2006 and 2007, starting just nine games between the two seasons. This past season, the Bears eventually replaced Pace at left tackle with Chris Williams.

Considering his age, deteriorating skill set and big contract, the move by the Bears was not surprising. Now, however, Pace will be pondering retirement. It's hard to see him getting much interest on the open market and he has enjoyed a full career -- one that will likely land him in the Hall of Fame someday.

Coin Flips Favor Jaguars, Titans and Falcons for NFL Draft Order

By Knox Bardeen 2/26/2010 11:00 AM ET

Friday morning coin flips at the scouting combine in Indianapolis determined the fate for six teams, as three draft-order ties had to be broken.

With identical 7-9 records last season, the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars tied for the 10th overall spot in the NFL draft. Friday's coin flip landed in favor of the Jaguars giving them the 10th pick in the draft. The teams will alternate selections in each round after.

The Denver Broncos had a keen interest in the results of this contest as they own the rights to Chicago's first-round selection due to the Jay Cutler trade. That means after Jacksonville picks in the 10th spot, Denver will go next.

The second coin flip determined the drafting order between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, who each finished the season with 8-8 records. However, as with the first flip, a third team will be the actual benefactor of the results as the San Francisco 49ers own the Panthers' pick in the first round.
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