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| P.J. Pope will be cut by the Bears, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Pope had little shot to make the team behind rookie Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Garrett Wolfe, and Kevin Jones. |
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| The Chicago Bears have informed offensive lineman Tyler Reed that he will be cut, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Reed is a former sixth-round selection of the team from 2006, and must now find a new home. |
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| Dan Bazuin is now officially a bust, at least in Chicago, as the Bears will release their 2007 second-round pick, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Bazuin missed his rookie season with an injury and has never played a single snap in a regular season game. You would think some team would take a chance on him and claim him off waivers. |
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| Kyle Orton was fairly ineffective on Thursday night as he went 4-for-7 for 51 yards and an INT in two series on the field, while backup QB Rex Grossman was a bit better going 5-for-7 for 59 yards and a score. |
Our View: Neither one of these guys inspires any confidence at all, and therefore should be nothing more than a desperate play in a bye week situation until either proves that he can offer some consistency. |
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| Danieal Manning will in fact serve as the Bears' nickelback this season after there were reports that he was being moved away from the role, according to the Chicago Tribune. Coach Lovie Smith said, "Danieal has received reps at only one position this entire year, and that's nickel. Once we get in a game, could he be an emergency safety? Yes, he could. But he's playing nickel and that's where he's going to be."
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Our View: Manning should be a key member of the Bears' secondary and should be productive enough to target as a reserve for IDP leagues. |
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| The Chicago Bears, who released cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. on Tuesday and were thought to be replacing him at nickelback with Danieal Manning, have decided not to put Manning at that position after all, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Apparently, Brandon McGowan will now get the snaps as the nickel corner. Releasing Manning seems like a strange move considering they don't have any proven players to cover the slot, or even a plan in place at the position. |
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| Defensive end Dan Bazuin, the Bears second-round selection in 2007, could be cut if he does not impress in the team's final preseason game, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. |
Our View: Bazuin was hurt his entire rookie season, and did not play in any games. |
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| The Bears released Ricky Manning Tuesday. He had been asking for a trade, but his high contract made cutting him loose the only realistic option. |
Our View: Manning couldn't crack the two-deep on Chicago's depth chart, but he shouldn't have trouble finding any takers now that he's a free agent. |
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| Fred Miller is weighing offers between the Bears and Buccaneers, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: The Bears have reportedly offered him a one-year deal for $830,000, and the Buccaneers offer is believed to be financially better. Miller would be viewed as a significant upgrade to a Bears' offensive line that is riddled with uncertainty. |
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| Ricky Manning's request to be traded has been denied, according to the Chicago Tribune. He said, "I would have preferred a trade. My agent asked them to at least seek a trade if I wasn't going to be part of the plans. Not being a part of their plans, that's fine with me. If that's the mistake they want to make, hey, so be it."
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Our View: Manning is expected to be released as Saturday's 53-man roster deadline approaches. Interested teams would likely wait until he is released rather than give up a draft pick via trade.
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| Bears running back and 2007 third-round pick Garrett Wolfe could be in danger of getting cut from the squad, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: It was a shock to many when Wolfe was selected in the third round because of his diminutive size. Now, with Kevin Jones finally seeing action, Wolfe may have to find a new home. He has little to no fantasy value right now. |
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| Top rookie selection tackle Chris Williams unloaded a rather large surprise on the press this morning, announcing he had a herniated disc when the Bears drafted him with the 14th overall pick in April, according to the Chicago Sun Times. |
Our View: According to Williams, everyone knew and that's why the worst kept secret going, that Williams did not have a pre-existing back condition, was debunked by scouts who spoke to the Sun-Times the day after he had surgery to correct the problem on August 6th. The organization was adamant that Williams was not damaged goods when he was drafted and that the injury was a new one. For two weeks, the company line in camp was that he was suffering from back spasms. It took a while to get to the root of the problem. The Bears have been embarrassed to the point that they have been doing spin control since and worked over every house organ they could find. Williams also disputed a published report that he injured his back this summer in preparing for training camp. |
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| The Bears reached the 75-man roster limit they had to get to by 3pm Tuesday, placing 7th-round pick Marcus Monk, safety Josh Gattis, wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen and cornerback Leslie Majors on waivers, according to the Chicago Sun Times. |
Our View: The hope was to see Monk, touted as a top NFL prospect before the 2007 college football season that ended in disappointing returns, rise to the occasion and battle. It didn't happen, so we will see if he can latch on with another team. |
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| After replacing injured starter Brandon McGowan at strong safety last Saturday night in Seattle, Kevin Payne is continuing to push McGowan for the right to line up alongside Mike Brown, according to the team's official website. “Brandon McGowan is our starter, has been our starter,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He’s played well at times. He’s played like the rest of our defense has at other times. Missing that game last week threw him back a little bit. And then we have Kevin Payne, who’s made a lot of progress, who’s a good football player, who brings a certain attitude to the defense. I like what he’s been able to do, even though he’s a young player who needs more experience. I think in time he’ll be a pretty good safety.” |
Our View: While McGowan started Thursday night against the 49ers, Payne rotated in with the first team and broke up a long pass intended for tight end Vernon Davis midway through the 3rd quarter. |
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| With training camp coming to an end and a late start hampering his efforts, veteran rusher Kevin Jones realizes his hopes for working as the primary rusher for the Bears are not going to become a reality, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Jones spoke with the Sun Times and believes the team is sold on the future of Matt Forte. He hopes to work as part of two-back effort and believes that will give him the opportunity he needs to revive his NFL career. He has passed every test in returning from surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament, and the plan was to keep him if he was healthy. |
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| Terrence Metcalf expects to return to practice by Monday after missing three weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is also hoping he is cleared to play Thursday at Cleveland. |
Our View: Metcalf was competing for the starting job at left guard prior to getting hurt, although he is only a marginal player. |
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| Rodriques Wilson has been waived/injured with a broken right arm and will revert to the IR when he clears waivers, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: This is unfortunate as Wilson was competing for the primary backup job behind Brian Urlacher at middle linebacker. |
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| Coach Lovie Smith believes Kevin Jones is close to 100 percent after being pleased with his performance against the 49ers, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He notably broke loose for 34 yards in his first carry against San Francisco. |
Our View: This is encouraging news regarding his recovery from knee surgery. Jones is an essential "handcuff" for rookie Forte. Jones could be more involved in the passing game, and could have increased value down the stretch if Forte struggles or wears down and "hits the rookie wall." |
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| Kevin Jones made a solid impact in his Bears' preseason debut against the 49ers, as he broke loose for 34 yards on his first carry, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He averaged 10 yards over three carries in the game, and projected starter Matt Forte carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards. |
Our View: If healthy, Jones is an essential "handcuff" for rookie Forte. Jones could be more involved in the passing game, and could have increased value down the stretch if Forte struggles or wears down and "hits the rookie wall." |
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| Rodriques Wilson was carted off the field after he sustained a broken right arm during preseason action against the 49ers, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Wilson was competing for the primary backup job behind Brian Urlacher at middle linebacker. |
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| Dusty Dvoracek made a solid preseason debut against the 49ers, as he stuffed running back Frank Gore on a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and later sacked quarterback JT O'Sullivan, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He was sidelined for the first two weeks of camp with a pulled calf muscle. |
Our View: Dvoracek climbed back into the competition for the starting job at defensive tackle alongside Tommie Harris. If he starts and proves to be healthy, he could be a pleasant surprise as a defensive lineman for larger IDP leagues. |
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| Marty Booker personally thinks he is in jeopardy of not making the Bears' final roster, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Booker previously believed he had a shot to be the No. 1 receiver in the offense, but said, "I haven't gotten many plays in any of the games. I'm trying to figure out what is going on. I've asked them and 'they have a plan.' I don't know what it is. It's secretive around here."
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Our View: Brandon Lloyd has been slated to start, and Rashied Davis is believed to be battling Devin Hester for the other spot. Mark Bradley has fared well and should make the team, leaving Booker's role and future with the Bears in question. |
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| Matt Forte rushed 11 times for 44 yards and added one reception for 7 yards against the 49ers Thursday night. |
Our View: Forte is the favorite to start at running back, but his fantasy value could be seriously compromised by the Bears' weak offensive line and the lack of a solid supporting cast. |
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| Rashied Davis caught four passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns Thursday night against the 49ers. |
Our View: Davis was targeted early and often. Without a true number one receiver on the roster, Davis made a case that he wants to be the go-to-guy in Chicago. |
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| Kyle Orton completed 10-of-17 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers Thursday night. |
Our View: Orton passed his test with flying colors, making the Bears coaching staff happy with their decision to name Orton the starting Quarterback. |
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| The Chicago Sun-Times speculates that Brandon Lloyd will be named a starting receiver. |
Our View: Lloyd has been displaying good chemistry with starting quarterback Kyle Orton, but Lloyd has failed to make an impact with Washington and San Francisco, and there is no reason to believe he will break out and generate solid numbers with Chicago. |
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| Bears first-round draft pick, tackle Chris Williams, has made it known that he wants to play this season despite the fact he had surgery on a herniated disc, according to ChicagoBears.com. “I’d like to play at least half the season," he said. |
Our View: The team was counting on Williams to be a big part of his team's offense, but that plan was clearly put on hold. Williams' timetable for a return is unknown. He could be out just a part of the season, or he could be out for the entire year. |
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| Reports indicate the Baltimore Ravens, attempting to solidify their offensive line following the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, remain in pursuit of free agent tackle Fred Miller, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Miller would represent a significant veteran upgrade for a line loaded with questions. Rusher Willis McGahee is already struggling to stay healthy and having an questionable offensive line will do nothing to ease concerns moving forward. The Bears, Miller's former employer, are still ponder a decision to re-sign Miller while an unnamed NFC teams is also in pursuit of the lone free agent of solidified value. Miller's agent Harold Lewis will meet with Ravens officials on Friday. |
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| Desmond Clark will not play in the Bears' third preseason game Thursday against the 49ers due to his injured right knee, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: His absence will allow more playing time for rookie tight end Kellen Davis (fifth-round out of Michigan State), who has looked good over the first two games of the preseason. Davis has good size at 6-7 262 pounds and has displayed solid hands and athleticism. He should make the team as the No. 3 tight end and could make an impact while working behind Greg Olsen if Clark fails to make a favorable recovery. |
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| Kevin Jones is expected to make his preseason (and Bears) debut when they face the 49ers on Thursday, the team's official web site reports. He tore the ACL in his right knee on December 23. |
Our View: It will be interesting to see how the former Lion looks after only eight months of recovery. Matt Forte remains the starter, but a healthy Jones could cut into the rookie's workload down the road. |
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| Bears defensive end Mark Anderson underwent surgery on his right thumb and will not play in the team's preseason game on Thursday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: The injury is not thought to be serious, and Anderson should be good to go for the regular season. |
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| Kyle Orton has been named the Bears' starting quarterback for Week 1, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Rex Grossman will serve as the primary backup. |
Our View: Orton has the job for now, but is only a few bad performances away from being yanked for Grossman. Orton should only be considered as a deep backup in fantasy drafts. |
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| After starting Kyle Orton against the Chiefs and Rex Grossman versus the Seahawks, Bears coach Lovie Smith has yet to announce which quarterback will open Thursday night's preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field, according to the team's official website. “We’ll evaluate all of that,” Smith said following Saturday night’s 29-26 overtime loss in Seattle. “We had made a decision how we were going to start the first two games and that’s about as far as we’ve gone. We’ll let you know on everything else.” |
Our View: The third preseason game tends to resemble a dress rehearsal for games that matter, and as such the start at quarterback carries much weight. The Bears continue to watch other potential options at the position (namely Chris Simms in Tampa Bay), but for now, all signs point to Orton. Grossman has been as inconsistent as ever this preseason while Orton appears calm in the role behind center. |
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| Matt Forte struggled behind a poor offensive line as he only mustered 17 rushing yards on seven carries against Seattle Saturday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He only ran 25 yards on seven times in his previous outing against the Chiefs as well. |
Our View: Forte is the favorite to start at running back, but his fantasy value could be seriously compromised by the Bears' weak offensive line and the lack of a solid supporting cast. |
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| It's only the preseason, but it appears as though the Bears are operating as usual. They scored 26 points against the Seahawks thanks to a blocked punt for a safety, a punt return for a touchdown, and an interception return a touchdown. |
Our View: The Bears offense stunk on Saturday, but they took the Seahawks to overtime. It looks like fantasy owners may be able to count on the Bears defense and special teams for big plays again this year. |
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| Tight end Desmond Clark injured his right knee during the Bears second possession in Saturday's preseason game in Seattle, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He moved to the sidelines and began icing the joint. |
Our View: We'll be on the lookout for updates about Clark's status. He barely useful in fantasy leagues, but he is a key part of the Bears offense. They would miss his run blocking and ability to move the chains. |
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| Defensive tackle Tommie Harris will miss Saturday's preseason tilt against the Seahawks because he is "sore," a team spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times. The Bears don't want him wearing down his body on the artificial surface. Harris has been seen wearing a brace on his surgically repaired left knee. |
Our View: The Bears have no reason to push Harris through much preseason action. He is one of the game's best defensive tackles and needs to save his body for the real action. |
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| Coach Lovie Smith stated that questions regarding Devin Hester as a receiver have been answered, according to the Daily Herald. Smith said, "Coming into camp we talked about him as a returner that a lot of people thought could play receiver. Now, I think it's safe to say that he's a receiver. He's doing all the things that we've asked him to do. I still make the same statement: I think he can be a 1- or 2-type receiver in the league. He's dangerous when he has his hands on the football, and we're excited about getting his hands on the ball in a lot of different ways."
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Our View: Hester could be the most dangerous player in the league in the open field, but his potential to post solid numbers as a receiver will be compromised by the Bears' poor options at quarterback. |
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| Bears' O.C. Ron Turner stated that the quarterback competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton is about even, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. That makes the second preseason game Saturday against the Seahawks one of the most important games of the year. The Bears gravely need one of the quarterbacks to step forward and direct a couple of solid scoring drives. They need something to produce some confidence in this offense. Turner added, "This game is going to be huge."
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Our View: Coach Lovie Smith previously noted when camp opened that he'd like to have a starting quarterback selected in time for the August 21 game against San Francisco at Soldier Field, the third preseason game that traditionally serves as a dress rehearsal. Both options will hold low fantasy value in 2008. |
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| Bears GM Jerry Angelo might not agree, but John Clayton is reporting rookie tackle Chris Williams is, for all intents and purposes, done for the season, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: The surgery recently completed to repair a herniated disc in Williams' back is not an easy recovery, and it seems difficult to believe the Bears won't view the investment as one to protect rather than push. Clayton notes it's likely the Bears will keep him on the roster like they did with Rex Grossman a couple of years ago, with the hope he could be available in late November or December. Still, the chances of him doing anything for the team this year are not good. |
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| As if the situation in Chicago isn't troubling enough, reports from training camp today indicate the Bears are experimenting with plays that will line return phenom-turned-receiver Devin Hester behind center to throw passes, according to the Chicago Sun Times. |
Our View: The team wants to get Hester involved, no doubting that, and now they appear ready to make him a complete threat matched by few in the league. Stay tuned. |
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| Running back Kevin Jones said it is unlikely he will play in the Bears next preseason game, according to ChicagoBears.com. |
Our View: Jones said it's not for sure that he will sit out, but he probably will. Jones also added that he very well could play the week after this. Check out our Fantasy Football Impact Report on Jones at the top of this page for more on his fantasy status. |
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| Adam Archuleta, who was released by the Bears in May, is trying out with the Raiders, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: He is not working as a safety, and the Raiders are looking at him as a potential linebacker. The strongside position remains open, and feel Archuleta is physical enough to handle the job. |
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| Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman each struggled in practice today, reports the Chicago Tribune. According to the paper, Orton threw two interceptions, and Grossman was off-target with throws that were too high. |
Our View: This is not shocking news. Neither will put up numbers that will affect fantasy teams - in a positive manner, anyway. |
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| Dusty Dvoracek will practice with the Bears for the first time today, according to the Chicago Tribune. He had been suffering from a strained calf. |
Our View: Dvoracek will battle for a starting spot at defensive tackle, and his fantasy value lies in the performance of the Bears defensive unit as a whole, which was surprisingly bad last season. |
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| Bears running back Kevin Jones has been given the go-ahead to start practicing with the team, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Jones will be in competition with a number of backs for carries, but in all likelihood, he will be a back-up to rookie Matt Forte. Still, he has fantasy potential and is worth taking a late round gamble on. |
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| Chris Williams underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, but team GM Jerry Angelo does not believe the rookie offensive tackle is in jeopardy of missing the entire season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Angelo said, "Well, you know the good news is we'll get him back in the season, at some point during the season. We have to wait and see probably for a few weeks and see how the rehab is. We were hoping it was muscular, meaning it was spasms. When they gave him another look they determined it was a herniated disc and so, but the good news is we're going to get him back."
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Our View: John Tait may now be forced to start at left tackle heading into Week 1, where he is less effective. Williams' absence will not bode well for the Bears' passing game. |
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| Bears quarterback did not play poorly, but he was not great either, connecting on seven of 10 passes for 56 yards. He also fumbled, but did not lose the ball. |
Our View: Neither he nor Grossman did much to establish themselves one way or the other, so the epic battle between the two will continue. |
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| Rookie running back Matt Forte ran the ball seven times for 25 yards in the Bears preseason loss to Kansas City. |
Our View: Forte's longest run was seven yards, so he didn't do anything spectacular, but he was not awful by any means. He very easily could wind up being the starter for Chicago. |
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| Bears first-round pick, offensive tackle Chris Williams, underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, and it is possible he could be out for the entire season, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: This explains why the Bears are trying to acquire Fred Miller, and it would be a big blow to a Bears team whose offensive line is shaky, at best. |
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| Offensive tackle Fred Miller will decide whether to sign with Chicago, Houston or Baltimore soon, with his preference being the Bears, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: The Bears are dealing with a lot of injuries on the offensive line, so Miller, who they cut in the winter, would be a nice pickup. |
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| With the first game of the Bears' preseason looming (Thursday vs Kansas City), reports have focused the discussion on the continuing quarterback battle between Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman . When asked about when he hopes to have a decision, coach Love Smith replied, "In a perfect world, before the regular season starts," according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Orton has been named the starter for this first preseason battle, but reports out of Chicago, as indicated by that quote from Smith, suggest neither is emerging as the favorite for the job. Fans are siding with Orton, having booed Grossman mercilessly during practice earlier in the week for throwing a pass away inside of the 20-yard line. It is starting to sound like Smith is all but certain that this will not be settled before the season begins, thus the already-low fantasy value of both passers could be further hampered by sharing snaps. |
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| The Chicago Tribune indicates that Kevin Jones is close to coming off the preseason PUP list. |
Our View: He is dressing in full pads with a brace on his right knee. He is also running close to full speed on the sidelines, and we will continue to monitor his progress through the preseason. |
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| Kyle Orton will start in the Bears preseason game against the Chiefs on Thursday night, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Rex Grossman will get the starting nod on August 16 against the Seahawks. |
Our View: This news may mean that Orton has a slight edge over Grossman, but we can't read too much into it. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore both quarterbacks. |
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| Bears rookie running back Matt Forte will be the starter when the Bears play the Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday's preseason contest, reports the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Forte had been practicing a lot with the second unit, but this start is confirmation of the glowing reports of his play so far in training camp. |
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| Terrence Metcalf is dealing with a knee issue, according to the Chicago Tribune. He had his knee drained Friday after it swelled, and he's not sure how the injury occurred.
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Our View: Metcalf has yet to be cleared for Monday's practice, but believes the injury is minor, and he expects to play in Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers. He is competing for a starting job at left guard. |
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| It is starting to sound like Chicago could be doing something about disgruntled defensive back Ricky Manning , and they may be doing it soon, according to ProFootballWeekly.com. PFW reports Manning is losing more repetitions with the first-line defense as the Bears focus on progressing three young replacements, including Corey Graham, Trumaine McBride and Zackary Bowman. Manning was seen approaching both head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Bob Babich on the sidelines, and while the discussion was not heated, it was prolonged. |
Our View: It is no secret Manning is upset with the situation and has been more than vocal about his displeasure with the treatment he feels he is suffering through in camp. If the Bears are able to find the right partner (i.e. in the AFC), they may consider sending Manning along via trade at a reasonable price. We'll keep you posted. |
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| Rex Grossman got booed by Bears fans after tossing the ball away inside the 20-yard-line during a scrimmage, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: There were nearly 25,000 fans at the scrimmage inside Soldier Field, and it's safe to say most of them are rooting for Kyle Orton to win the job. Not that it will make much difference to fantasy players, who should completely ignore these two at all times. |
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