Bears leader and star linebacker Brian Urlacher has been selected to six pro bowls in nine seasons with the Bears. He recently spoke up about the talent around the team, this is what he had to say:

“I think this is the best team I’ve been on going into training camp since I’ve been here, there’s no doubt about that. If you look at each position, we stack up pretty well versus every team in the NFL. We’ve just got to stay healthy, have a good training camp and get to the season.”

“We’ve made some good additions on both sides of the ball—not just with the coaches but with the players too. We’ve just got to put it together and have a good training camp.”

“I was able to train this year, last year I had the neck surgery. I was trying to get ready for the season and rehabbing that. But now I was just able to train hard and lift weights and do things I normally have done throughout my career.”

all quotes from chicagobears.com

Danieal Manning started at free safety for the Bears his rookie season, 2007.

The Bears used him last season as a nickelback and a kick returner. They plan on using him as a kick returner, a nickelback and a free safety.

According to chicagosuntimes.com,

“Manning will open training camp in Friday’s 3 p.m. practice at free safety, a position he spent exactly zero time at during the offseason program. Kevin Payne will be the starter at strong safety with Craig Steltz challenging him. Manning will slide to the nickel cornerback role he played last season in passing situations. In the nickel package, Steltz will be at free safety.”

I really like this idea because I know Craig Steltz is a natural strong safety and Danieal Manning is so athletic.

Lovie Smith had this to say about Danieal:

“Danieal is getting more of the concept of this defense and his overall football knowledge has improved a lot, sometimes it takes players a while before they really get it and I think Danieal has gotten it where it all makes sense to him, and that’s why we’re putting him in this role right now.”

“I’ve heard people talk about the different positions Danieal has played, but that only helps you. He knows exactly what it feels like to play [corner, safety and nickel]. He’s played every position in the secondary. That’s helped his football knowledge and is going to make him a better free safety.”

Lovie Smith also declared second year player Zackary Bowman the starter across from Nathan Vasher in training camp. Bowman gets the spot over Corey Graham because Graham has been playing free safety this offseason.

Lovie Smith said this about Bowman:

“Every day it seemed like I was talking about some big play that he was making, and even if it wasn’t a big play, he was doing what we were teaching him to do. But that’s all without contact and all those things. Now we go to the next phase. But we like what he’s done so far.”

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com

The Bears, who pulled off a trade to bring in young and talented Jay Cutler don’t have a veteran to back him up.

Will they add 41 year old Jeff George?

The Bears had him in 2004 as a backup. I know it’s five years later, but this guy was a number one pick in 1990, why not give him a shot?

George would add the experience that the Bears need behind Jay Cutler, just in case something happens to the Bears star.

I mean Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez, who are they? Jeff George is better, even at 41 years old.

George has tried to make comebacks of late and he has spent time throwing balls to the incoming freshman at Illinois.

Profootballtalk.com had this to say about George:

The tape was created roughly three weeks ago, showing George throwing to incoming freshman at Illinois. We’re told that Illinois head coach Ron Zook was blown away by the performance, and he began beating the bushes to get George a second chance. [...]

Meanwhile, we’re hearing that some NFL scouts have responded to the video very favorably.

So, if the Bears don’t sign Jeff George to backup Jay Cutler I will very angry.

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE IS ENTIRELY A JOKE, NO ONE WANTED JEFF GEORGE IN HIS PRIME, WHO WOULD WANT HIM NOW.

Charles Tillman, who will miss somewhere between 4-10 weeks due to back surgery spoke up today about when he’ll be back.

This is what he had to say:

“I’ll be fine for the season, there’s no need to panic. When I panic, then you can panic. But I’m not panicking, so we’re good.

“[Things] happen. I’m just glad it happened now versus in the season. But I’m all right. I’m always optimistic.”

I’m glad to hear Tillman speak up about this, I hope he is ready to take down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Lambeau.

all quotes from chicagobears.com

The Bears’ top cornerback, Charles Tillman will be sidelined four-to-10 weeks as he continues to recover from back surgery.

This means he’ll miss all of training camp and most of the preseason.

Tillman is only 28 years old, but it seems like every season he deals with injuries.

What does this mean for the secondary?

Well it means Nathan Vasher will have to return to his pro bowl form and Corey Graham will move back to cornerback spot after getting a shot at free safety.

The Bears should be concerned about the situation there in at corner right now.

Here’s the cornerbacks on the roster:

Starters:

Nathan Vasher, Corey Graham, Danieal Manning (NB)

Reserves:

Zack Bowman, D.J. Moore, Trumaine McBride and Marcus Hamilton.

I don’t think that it’s enough, but I really like Corey Graham and Zack Bowman.

Hopefully Charles Tillman plays in week one against Green Bay.

Lets hope for a speedy recovery.

The Bears have weapons on offense for Jay Cutler.

I don’t understand why no one sees that.

Tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark are probably the best tight end tandem in the NFL and running back Matt Forte was the Bears leading receiver last season.

The Bears haven’t really had good wide receivers over the last couple of years.

Personally I like the Bears wide receivers, but I have to admit they’re very inexperienced.

Besides Hester and Davis, none of them have caught a pass in the NFL.

ESPN says the Bears have no chance to win the division because they didn’t surround Jay Cutler with “enough.”

What about the additions of Orlando Pace, Kevin Shaffer? What about the tight ends and the running backs? They don’t look at that, they just focus in on the young batch of receivers, who to them are no help to Jay Cutler.

I guarantee Jay Cutler has more than enough help on offense. Greg Olsen and Devin Hester are locks to have big years receiving. Desmond Clark, Matt Forte and Earl Bennett should all be solid. Rashied Davis, Brandon Rideau, Johnny Knox, Juquain Iglesias and Michael Gaines should all contribute this season.

Even though the Bears have the easiest schedule this season, I still think its pretty tough, but with the additions they made I see them finishing the year 12-4.

Chicago Bears’ 2009 projection: 11-5:

www.bodog.com

Chicago Bears Madden Rating:

www.easports.com

Top coach-gm combinations in the NFL:

www.ESPN.com

If you didn’t know Michael Vick is officially a free man.

I feel that Michael Vick has done his time and deserves a second chance.

I think he should he be reinstated to the NFL very soon.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he will take care of Vick soon.

I think the Chicago Bears should consider adding Michael Vick.

Here are my five reasons why they should add Michael Vick:

1) Because he is a much better backup than either of the unproven quarterbacks the Bears have behind Jay Cutler.

2) Because the Bears could use more wildcat formations, with Vick, Forte and Hester, this offense could be unstoppable.

3) Because he could be used as a wide receiver for this offense. Hester and Vick could be the fastest duo the league has ever seen.

4) Because he is the NFL’s all time leading rusher among quarterbacks.

5) Because he is only 29 years old and was the number one overall pick in 2001, there’s a reason he was taken #1.

Check back tomorrow, when I list the five reasons why the Bears shouldn’t sign Michael Vick

The Bears are 2-17 in regular-season games against the eventual Super Bowl champion.

They beat the Cowboys in 1971 and 49ers in 1988 but lost to the Packers twice in 1966, 1967 and 1996, as well as the Colts in 1970, Steelers in 1975 and 2005, Raiders in 1976, 49ers in 1981 and 1989, Redskins in 1991,  Cowboys in 1992, Rams in 1999, Buccaneers in 2002 and Giants in 2007.

The Bears will face the Super Bowl champion Steelers in Chicago during week 2 of the 2009 season.