Are the Bears still shopping?

I like it and what I like most is the sense of urgency to get the playmakers needed to make the scheme work. It's really no different than Martz wanting a Chester Taylor and a blocking TE.

I don't believe they're done either and what holes are left with DBs and OLs can be filled with the draft. Remarkably Angelo is better at finding gems in the mid-late rounds than 1 and 2. That's why it didn't unduly upset me when we lost those pics for Cutler. I'd listen to the out-of-towners cluck their lips, but I know, and most Bears fans know, that this team hasn't been built through the draft for years.

That's an issue for the near future. First up on our agenda is winning the NFC North. And it can be done.

So the $7M guaranteed to a safety is probably the focal point of contracts at this time, for all three of these football players. That is in addition to base pay for a player's respective tender.

Everyone expects Darren to get a rewarding contract and can start from there, but Atogwe's franchise tender becomes the market threshold at this time.

This is the reverse of a poker bluff, time to ante up the cash for the quality.

one this that is good about all these moves is that these pickups should be enticing to available head coaches once lovie is gone. hold out for 1 more year. Peppers,Cutler,Briggs and the young WR are going to have Cowher knocking at the door to let him in.Spend away Jerry .

Horrible moves if your a Bears fan. All you've heard in Chicago the last few years is get rid of Angelo and Smith. Now, the Bears sign a DE who's entering his 30"s, a TE who's career year was 39 catches, and a 30 yr old carrer back-up at TB. Maybe good for 2-3 more wins, no chance at a SB, but those guys are staying. I understand how Bears fans could get excited, but these are totally misguided moves.

Very good article.
Thanks

Horrible moves if your a Bears fan. All you've heard in Chicago the last few years is get rid of Angelo and Smith. Now, the Bears sign a DE who's entering his 30"s, a TE who's career year was 39 catches, and a 30 yr old carrer back-up at TB. Maybe good for 2-3 more wins, no chance at a SB, but those guys are staying. I understand how Bears fans could get excited, but these are totally misguided moves.................You are completely clueless due. These are GREAT moves. 30 is not old for someone like Peppers at all. He still can play a good 4-5 years. You talk about Brandon M like his "career year" of 39 catches was bad. He's not a Greg Olsen type of Tight end dude. He's a blocking TE. All TE's should be able to block or they're essentially not TEs. They're receivers. And Chester Taylor is far from a career backup running back. He was a starter before A.P. got there and amassed 1,200+ yards. He and Forte will be a force. You sound like a jealous hater. Go talk out of your A@# on another site dude.

To me Atogwe is a no brainer. He's relatively injury free,never been under the knife not even for a clean up,(much like Peppers & Taylor),& is under 30. He'll probably give you another 4 good years. W/Peppers now aboard he should even have more opportunities to pick some off,& could be a perennial all pro on this club. We'll see if they have another 6-7 mil. lying around in the kitchen cookie jar somewhere to get this done.

No kidding Adam. It seems as if Joshua doesn't even watch football, let alone follow the bears. I guess he doesn't realize that the TE with the career year of 39 catches isn't a receiving TE, but mainly a blocking TE. One of the best in the league and will sure up the Bears O-line.

The Bears needed a DE since Alex Brown is pretty much the only starter on the roster. So what do they do? Go out and get the best DE available. They needed help in blocking for Martz's passing system, what do they do? Go out and get the best blocking TE available. They needed another RB since Jones and Peterson are gone and Wolfe isn't an NFL RB. What do they do? Go out and get the best RB available on the Market. Now if they go out and get a safety to help fill their safety void then they've addressed some of their big holes they had last year. But ya....they are misguided moves. *rolleyes* Get a clue man.

Oh, Adam. You must be one of the moron Bears fans looking for any hope they can find in that crap heap of a team. 30 years old is not old for a DE? Obviously you know nothing about the game. Look at Bruce Smith, Richard Dent, Reggie White, and their numbers. They all go down after 30. Plus, Peppers isn't playing wiht half the talent those guys did. 9 catches is good for a TE? Maybe in your world, but those are 2 to 3rd string numbers to me. Ernie Cromwell had better numbers in that SAME system. And Chester Taylor IS a back up. Replaced by Willie Parker in Pitt and A.P. in Minn. And I'm not jealuous. The Bears have nothing to envy. If I'm taliking out of my a@$, then it knows more about the game than you do.

I won't forget about you Joe. I guess Des Clark isn't a good enough blocking TE for you. A guy who is willing and able, AND can catch more than 39 balls. Real smart comment. Taylor the best FA RB? Better than Thomas Jones? Better than LT? No, those guys want rings and wouldn't play in Chicago. Where are the football savy Chicago fans at? Help Adam and Joe.

Yeesh Joshy... You sound so pissy... Taylor was the best RB available. He was a great back-up in Minny and guess what, he'll be a great back-up in Chicago. He is an absolute threat on third downs. Very scary... Plus, unlike LT and Westbrook he hasn't had serious injuries. Thomas Jones is good too, but he sort of got faded out in NY and looked a little sluggish. Also, there's no way in hell we could ever get him back in CHI after the Benson fiasco. Another thing Brandon Manumaleuna is a BLOCKING TE! He is not there to catch balls. He is a 300 lb. mammoth of a TE. He will provide Chicago's offense an additional blocking body. Lastly, Julius Peppers' contract is huge. But anytime you acquire talent like this ultimately you overpay. His production may begin to wane in a couple of years, but he'll still be extremely dominant.


P.S. LT would love to play in CHI. Who's his childhood idol? Who's jersey did he wear after he broke some big time records?
Hint... Hint... The GREATEST OF ALL TIME... Walter Payton!

I guess I must be one of those moron Bears fans too. I agree with Joe and the moves the Bears have made. I am no fan of Angelo or Smith, I am a Bears fan through to the Heart, always have been always will be. Peppers signing makes the Bears D-line much better across the board. You cannot run Martz's offense without time to pass the ball. I believe the Bears WR corps is much better than they have been given credit for, the offense as a whole was held back by the poor play calling last season. Cutler needs work and Martz is just the kind of OC he needs, If he can make Warner, Bulger and even Kitna that much better. He most certainly can get Cutler on the right track.
Should the Bears have been more active in Free Agency and done a better job drafting the last few years, I do not think any one can say no to that. Jerry Angelo ignored the OL for to long and it has cost the Bears, not to mention the many bad personel moves that have been made. Ron Rivera being maybe the biggest mistake made. Some bady should have made Lovie put the team above his friends, but none of that can be changed now. What they did Friday is a huge step in the right direction and those of us who know football, know that this is true. I am not saying that there are things that still need to be done, a starting OG or RT and a FS are a must. Another big corner would help too. I myself would trade Greg Olsen for a draft pick of r two. I know this is not a popular idea in Chicago, but the facts are he does not really fit this scheme and he is the play they can spare who is worth the most. This is way to deep a draft to be only making 5 picks and the Bears have to way to many needs.
So you see Joe we are not all morons. I think I can hold my own with just about any fan out there. By the way, what kind of man write 'rolleyes". The Bears are now an the verge of being a playoff team and that is a lot closer than they were Friday morning.

Josh you make no sense. You complain about Peppers being 30 years old, but yet talk up Des Clark. You do realize he's older than Peppers right? And LT? Did you watch him play the last 2 or 3 years? He's not the same LT he was. He's all name at this point. Taylor was the best free agent available. Thomas Jones was not coming back to Chicago after the way they treated him.

As far Taylor being replaced in Pitt, are you serious? He never played in Pittsburgh genius. Willie Parker? Seriously, you need to watch more football since it's obvious you have no clue what is going on in the league.

The Bears need one of theose safeties! Jerry Angelo, if you're out there, the playmaking safety is the one glaring deficiency on the Bears defense. Of course, we could use an O-Linesman or two as well, but hopefully you can draft a couple, and hope one can start later this season. I don't understand anyone who can criticize the moves they made! It's alot of money, but I would have very little excitement for the 2010 season if they failed in free-agency. I say, pick-up some bargain deals now (if your queasy about spending more McCaskey dollars). Could use a backup QB with some experience too.

Josh chester play for balitmore not pitt l

Right on Joe, my bad.

I myself would trade Greg Olsen for a draft pick of r two