The Chicago Bears’ fan convention is a month away, and head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo will arrive with new contracts.
Smith was given a four-year deal on Wednesday and Angelo received an extension through the 2013 season.
The Bears are an interesting team, in that both Smith and Angelo have publicly supported quarterback Rex Grossman while most fans are wishing they had a better choice at the position.
Behind the scenes, the Bears apparently are prepared to trade some of their best players, ones that were instrumental in winning the NFC championship. They are willing to unload linebacker Lance Briggs, who they believe they will be unable to sign to a long-term contract, running back Thomas Jones and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, who had only 6 ½ sacks last season, ranking third on the team.
Raiders update
The rumors persist that Michael Lombardi, the Raiders’ top personnel executive, won’t be back this season with the team. Sean Jones, the former player and scout, tried to supplant Lombardi with the Raiders during last season, suggesting several reforms with owner Al Davis, and his moves ended with him no longer being employed with the Raiders.
Outside of Davis, Lombardi is the only experienced personnel man in Oakland and the only one with extensive knowledge of the league and agent contacts. Although the rumors persist, what would Davis do if he did not renew Lombardi’s contract. I mean, if he wouldn’t promote Jones, who wanted the job, whom could he hire?
In reading responses to my blog on Sunday, the Raiders do know that Randy Moss can still play at a high level. They don’t want to trade him, but the feeling is that Moss would sleep-walk through another season in Oakland because he knows they won’t be able to win if they draft JaMarcus Russell and start a rebuilding process. What do you do with a player you’re paying $9 million to and he doesn’t want to run his routes?
Word is that the Packers might be willing to part with a fourth-round pick as long as Moss is also willing to restructure his contract. He is owed $11 million in 2008.
Miami worried
Did the Dolphins make a mistake in choosing Cam Cameron over Chan Gailey?
There is word that some in the organization are worried that they may have made the wrong decision. But owner Wayne Huizenga didn’t want to wait for Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who had a solid interview in Miami, or for the Chargers to fire Marty Schottenheimer.
Believe me, Schottenheimer would have been the perfect coach for the Dolphins right now. Instead, they have San Diego’s offensive coordinator.
Lions unloading
Detroit will trade cornerback Dre’ Bly and pass rusher James Hall, who had five sacks last season before ending up on injured-reserve. The Lions owe Hall a $500,000 bonus next month and they aren’t going to pay him. Bly wants out because he’s not a classic cover-two cornerback; he’s not interested in run-support tackling.
This is why the Titans will have difficulty trading troubled cornerback Pacman Jones. Pacman is a great kick returner, but he also hates to tackle. And with so many teams playing the Tampa Two scheme, you can scratch those teams off any potential trading list. Jones, though, if the league stiffens its off-field policy, could be facing a major suspension if the Las Vegas allegations are proven to be accurate.
Randy Moss is only worth a 4th round pick? I cant believe it. It's not worth it. Cant they try to package him with a pick to the Falcons for Matt Schaub the qb? or is that just not going to happen. -br
Moss trade for a fourth round pick, thats unreal, UNREAL! Deion Branch was worth a first round pick last year, Moss should be the same! nothing less! sure the guy is a chump and ####es when hes not on a winning team, but still if he actualy tries and runs his routes he can be a go to guy again like he once was.
I don't think Moss is worth a first round. His contract is way to high 9 million 2007 and 11 million 2008. That is for someone that plays when he wants. Oakland is the only team that is willing to pay a poor sportsman that kind of money. Oakland should get what they can for him.
Seriously! How has the Bears franchise gone from playing in a Super Bowl to now one that looks to re-build. Getting rid of 3 leaders on their team is outrageous! Salary will be saved, but talent will be sacrificed.
Brian
If I were Ted Thompson I would throw a 4th round pick and Robert Ferguson at the Raiders for Moss. Sure would be nice to see Favre with a wr he couldn't over throw.
While TO has been stealing the weirdo show (pun by chance)Randy Moss is still a dude with an attitude.The man did not play up to standard last season and is typical of MOST people all over the planet----Refuses to take responsibility for his "OWN" actions and has demonstrated time and again he does not respect authority.He very well may play well with Brett Favre as QB.Just remember----"Snakes" NEVER change their stripes----they just get bigger---rounder---and longer as they grow older.I would not have him OR TO on a team of mine.
Trade Randy Moss and a first round pick for
Michael Vick and Ashley Lelie; drafting a QB in the first round is not a good idea; it's better to get quantity vs quality unproven
Trading Randy Moss for at least a 1st or 2nd round pick would be the thing to do. Not letting go of their 1st round draft pick for vick and lelie. That would be retarded. But if moss is going to play like he did last season, Cut Him Loose!
I really do'nt know where you people get your information that the Bears are going to let these players go. The way I understand it is Jones asked to be traded and Briggs said he wanted to test the free agent market. Lets face it people,with these players now a days its not about love for the game anymore its all about the money.
Adewale Ogunleye OR Alex Brown are not out of the question as far as being moved, one or the other could go with Israel Idonijie and of Course Mark Anderson giving solid depth at DE.
With the financial investment already made in Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones has no leverage other than to ask for a trade, and the Bears can move him on their terms.
Lance Briggs will have to live with the Franchise tag for a year and get over it and show up in camp on time.
Anyone willing to give up a first round pick or a player like Vick for Randy Moss should have his head examined. The guy is talented, but unfortunately has a bad attitude and worse work habits. I would never want him on the Chargers. A player like that brings the whole team down.
The Bears thing is fascinating. But like others have said, the NFL is a business first and foremost (unfortunately).
As far as the Cam Cameron thing, why are people already second guessing their selection of head coach? What have the powers that be seen to warrant that kind of talk? I thought that the Dolphins were excited to get such a great offensive mind to be head coach. Wasn't the offense the area that needed the help?
Yes Randy Moss is an extreme talent. The problem is he has never understood that with this talent, you must be willing to expand the horizon.
He is a waste of god given abilities, and as have many that have proceded him feel that society owes him something.
My ancestors have been here after slavery ended, and the abuse of the Indian nation drew to a close. I am here to tell you I/We don't owe anybody ####. My ancestors may not have had the world by the tail, but they got off there #### and proceeded to make something of their lives. Maybe it is time some of the perceived minorities started looking at the same working class ideals.
Are you suggesting "STEREOTYPING" an entire "NATION" with Randy Moss? And do you think "ALL" Blacks and the "So called minorities" of which you speak-----are living in the past and lazy? I happen to be Black-----American Indian (Cherokee) and European (White) do "I" attack the two that are part of "MY" ancestry because they are Red and White? My late Fathers Mother was Cherokee and my late Mothers Grand Mother was white.A tall redhead.I have no doubt "YOU" have no love for stereotypes.Since "YOU" made slavery an issue when Football is the subject---Were "YOUR" ancestors held in hard bondage? At least "OUR" ancestors FOUGHT to protect their way of life.The Black side of "MY" ancestry" never had a chance.EVERYONE" needs to let the past "DIE" as NO ONE can go back and change a thing.Stereotype whom ever you will but keep "ME" out of it.I---and millions of Blacks are just as industrious as you "THINK" you are.I urge you to leave the past alone in addition to the present if all you intend to do is make asinine remarks.Other than this--Read the post I made with regard to Randy Moss AND TO.Finally---those who criticize and condemn the most and hardest are revealing "THEMSELVES" as the carbon copy of those whom they condemn.It would be to your advantage to concentrate on "YOUR" super inflated "EGO".
Last edited by fleetstream on February 27th at 10:08 PM.
Yankees_13, Culpepper for a second round pick was a steal for Minnesota. Culpepper will never amount to anything in this league. He never would have if it weren't for Moss and his babysitter Cris Carter. I can't believe anyone in the league would agree with Moss being worth a first round pick where you could actually land a player that has talent AND works hard.
How about Jake Plummer and Tatem Bell from the Broncos for Mike Jones from the Bears. Everybody knows Jake is a proven winner look at his record, he would be a huge upgrade for the Bears.The back field of Benson/Bell looks great on paper too. Tatem has proven he is a team player and 1,000 yard rusher. While Jones is almost a sure thing for Denver with his downhill style of running and has proven he can handle being The featured running back (aka Terrel Davis) that it seams Denver has to have to win the big games.
Well spoke'n fleetstream we should all be proud of or hertitage. It was a huge event to have the coache,s in this years Super Bowl. But when I look at them (or other people) I don't see their Race. To me Tony and Lovie repersent Two Great Amercain Leaders who still manage to put God/family, Work Ethics, Moral Standards and Compassion for Other regaurdless of Race, into Lifes proper perspective's. What great Role Models Lovie and Tony are reguardless of your Race or Age.
Last edited by Denveristheplace on February 28th at 8:19 AM.
Please read:This was sent to me and I wanted to share.....
LIFE WITHOUT BLACK PEOPLE
A humorous and revealing story was told about a group of white people who, fed up with African Americans, joined together and wished themselves away. They passed through a dark tunnel and emerged in a twilight zone. It was their dream of America - - one without Black people.
At first these white people breathed a sigh of relief. "At last," they said, "No more crime, drugs, violence and welfare. All of the Blacks have gone!"
Then, reality began to set in. Their "NEW AMERICA" was not America at all- - but only a barren land.
1. There were few crops that flourished because the nation was built on a slave-supported system.
2. There are no cities with tall skyscrapers because Alexander Mils, a Black man, invented the elevator. Without it, there is great difficulty reaching higher floors.
3. There are few cars because Richard Spikes, a Black man, invented the automatic gearshift, Joseph Gambol, also Black, invented the Super Charge System for Internal Combustion Engines, and Garrett A. Morgan, another Black man, invented traffic signals.
4. One could not use the rapid transit system because its procurer was the electric trolley, which was invented by a Black man, Albert R. Robinson.
5. Even if there were streets on which cars and a rapid transit system could operate, they were cluttered with paper because an African American, Charles Brooks, invented the street sweeper.
6. There were few if any newspapers, magazines and books because John L
Last edited by DC4Life on February 28th at 9:39 AM.
Hi everyone. I think this is suppose to be a football forum. I am a white guy in Washington state, and I have six or seven members of my extended family who happen to be black. Enough already. With out black athletes, there would be no Bill Russell, Wilt, Jordan, LeBron, Magic Johnson, Carl Lewis, Dr. J., Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and the late Dennis Johnson, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, Reggie White, Warren Moon, to name a very few great players/Competetors. This is a sports forum, and lets keep it that way. For every Morrice Clarett there is a Barry Sanders. Not everyone is perfect, Black or White. And there are plenty of white players that were great too, Montana, Farve, Elway, Bird, Stockton, Ripken, CLemens. This is about sports, and how you feel about your team/player and their decisions. All people are equal in Gods eyes, but only a few can dunk, throw a 70 yard pass, or hit home runs. Those people happen to be of every background of humanity and race. Hate/love the player, not their color. My favorite NFL player is Steve Young (white), My favorite NBA player is Kevin Garnett (Black).
Last edited by 49erz4life on February 28th at 12:36 PM.
why would you even engage a vikings fan... who can't even spell words correctly? save your breath for a real debate.
EDIT [you too DC4LIFE]
Bears better figure out a way to keep Briggs at minimum. Jones is effective when the line is stacked in front of him. Benson needs to get healthy. He's not a downhill runner like Jones, just his size seems to work more in different applications. Bears depth was enough to take them all the way, but they have more problems than just shoring up salaries long term with these three. I say they look elsewhere for more depth and possibly let Jones go (as much as I love him) to free up that $. The one comment I don't understand is "they believe Briggs will be UNABLE" to sign a long term contract. WTF does that mean? getterdun BEARS!
Last edited by merdly on February 28th at 12:35 PM.
Wow, the world would be a miserable place without street sweepers. Nobody else would have ever thought of that??? Inventors are really overrated a lot of the time. It's almost always not the fact that it was invented, it's the fact that somebody did it first. Well who cares, if it wasn't that person, it would have been someone else a year later...black, white, yellow or red. Let's get back to sports. I believe Denveristheplace meant Thomas Jones in Denver. I agree, it'd be a great match. So would Willis McGahee in Denver, or anyone in Denver that can hold on to the ball and weighs more than 200 lbs. I'd like to see Denver aquire a TE(Graham from NE), a corner(Dre Bly from Detroit), a running back(T. Jones, W. McGahee, Turner) and a back up QB through free agency. Then get two DE's, a Safety and a WR in the first 3 rounds of the draft. Denver doesn't have much cap room, but they do have Plummer, T. Bell, M. Bell, G. Foster and G. Warren to trade. All 5 could be starters for a lot of teams.
By the way, I would take Jones 10 times before I took the Oft injured Benson. Jones runs super hard, is a stud, and frankly won me my Fantacy Football League by being a sleeper. Jones is cut from marble, and he would have no problem playing on concrete. Benson can trip in the grass and be out for 10 weeks.
WHATS WITH ALL THIS RACE ####? NOW ITHINK RANDY MOSS IS NOT WHAT HE USED TO BE IN MY EYES HE IS DECLINING . THE SMART THINK FOR HIM WOULD BE TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THE PACKERS FAVRE STILL HAS POWDER IN THE CANON. NOW THE BEARS ARE DUMB DUMB NOT TO TALK AT LEAST, WITH GARCIA THE GUY IS FEISTY AND IS A MOTIVATOR SOMETHING THAT THE BEARS NEED WHEN THEY ARE OUT ON THE FIELD. PHILADELPHIA IS GOING TO REGRET IT CAUSE I GUARANTEE YOU MCNABB WILL GO DOWN AGAIN WITH INJURY . AND PLEASE JUST KEEP RACE OUT OF THESE BOARDS YOU PEOPLE GIVE ME A HEADACHE
I think if the Bears cont. to be as ill managed they will be lucky to finish out of cellar in their division . Bonehead ideals :lowest paid head coach , overpaid second string injury prone attitudinal "don't know if I want to play football" RB who wouldn't go back in the big game concerned about his future ,letting a hard nosed RB whom has broken post season record set in 1943 (hey didn't Sayers and Peyton play between those dates 1943-2007 good thing they had good management they might have got traded)for yardage in a game and would have again in Super Bowl had you drove the ball down the throats of the weakest rushing D in the league only to turn it over to Mr Turnover Grossman , a no talent QB whom received a 1 million dollar bonus final two games for being able to stay in the games , who paid this the Saints and the Colts sure worked out well for the colts ....hey Chicago good luck with your big plans going to need it !!!!
agreed that Benson needs to get a lil more NFL tough... but Jones simply is not BIG enough to punch through some lines. i donno if you were even intrigued enough to watch the super bowl (i did because i am a Bears Fan... i know others coulda cared less however) but Jones couldn't move the ball. too small. now, i live in Denver, and when it comes to AFC, i still have the same colors on at gametime... and Jones may be a good component here in Denver, but Shannahan seems to like them young and hungry without recollection of being beat up. remember Terrell Davis? Olandis Gary? C-Po? Mike Anderson? all great beacks in my mind.. however the wear and tear on RBs in Denver is pretty heavy. I donno that a vet in his right mind would come here unless he had confidence in the O line for the Donkeys.. and in case you didnt see the Bronco's this last season.. one of Jake the Snake's biggest problems besides predictability of the bootleg was the O was swiss frickin cheese. Jamal Lewis maybe? i donno... good debate though.
[edit]
marty~
a bit harsh on grossman. he has talent, but needs direction. dude got put in positions where he felt he had to rush things. when he has good schemes and coverage, he is seemingly genius. when he feels he has to win it himself, he makes the same mistakes manning does. look at the stats. yes bears played weaker teams and may not even make the playoffs this year.. thats the way the NFL is nowadays, but no talent is a bit harsh considering someone who threw 23 TDs in his first FULL year at the helm.
Last edited by merdly on February 28th at 4:36 PM.
I stand chastised AND corrected.Take care.I guess I got a little beside myself on that one because what the guy said was so unneccessary.I harly EVER do that.You very likely know that from most of my post.I wont engage---confront or argue.A mistake---I made this time.
Not sure of the details, but doesn't the Franchise tag boost Briggs' salary to a very high level (top 5 in the league, I believe). I'm not so sure he deserves more than that. He needs to get over it - he has his payday now. I think he makes more than Urlacher now.
Jones is a great guy, but probably needs to go to Denver for Jake the Snake, assuming he'll be satisfied backing up Grossman. I supect that's attractive since Grossman is injury-prone (prior to this year) and frankly not yet up to his potential.
I like Jones - good Chicago-style work ethic, but I'd rather have Benson assuming he too can play up to his potential. (I laugh at myself because these guys are reminding me of the old Chicago Cub Shaun Dunston - great arm, good bat, always expected greatness from him and he never delivered.)
Quick fact check for that list, DC4ever:
Alexander Miles invented safe elevator doors for tall building units- the actual elevator was invented by a Roman named Archimedes in 236 B.C. The first as we know them was in 1795 at the winter Palace in St. Peterburg, Russia.
Gottlieb Daimler invented the Supercharger in 1900 for Daimler-Benz/Daimler-Chrysler. I don't care what color he is, I love him for this.
Frank J. Sprague invented the electric trolley we know today and its electrical system and in 1887-88 in Richmond, VA, installed the 1st of its kind.
Charles Brooks actually patented improvements to a design already in production that constitutes the modern street sweeper.
The rest of your facts are correct, though.
I am also African American, Cherokee, and white (Irish), so I'm not bashing. But you gotta have the facts straight.
Last edited by Celica2003 on March 1st at 12:04 PM.
The Bears really helped themselves by signing Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo--
a winning combination.
They should cut DE Adewale Ogunleye and start Israel Idonije in his place. Therev are plenty of good good DL's
in the draft. They also should get Iowa TE Scott Lindgren to back up Desmond Clark. In the first round, they should get a good OT
like Arron Sears. The OL is getting older. Angelo is a great talent picker; I hope he comes through again.
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
