Brian Westrbook, who was recently released talked on the “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on WVMP-AM 1000 today, here’s what he said:

“I would love to play in Chicago; I would love to play anywhere, they have a pretty good quarterback there; great defense. There’s no question that I would love to definitely play in Chicago.”

“I’ve admired Matt’s game from afar, he’s a young guy, very talented. I like the way he runs. I like the way he plays the game. He plays with passion. He runs hard.”

all quotes from chicagotribune.com

Lovie Smith spoke up about Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris and the free safety position which is basically in chaos right now.

Head coach Lovie Smith said this to the media about Tommie Harris:

“That’s how it was, some ups and downs, but after having a chance to really dissect the video, which we’ve been doing, Tommie had a lot of flash plays, a lot of special plays. I’ll say five more sacks where he just didn’t wrap the guy up. He can still be an impact player. He’ll be an impact player. And our defense is counting on him to do that.”

“When you go through some injuries, sometimes you say, ‘Well, maybe a guy can’t do it anymore, he can still do it, and he needs to do it this year. … We need Tommie to play the way he’s capable of playing every snap.”

Also, he had this to say about the safety position:

“We need to improve our safety position, period, haven’t been pleased with the production we’ve gotten. I think we had one interception from the safety position. That was one of the reasons why I feel like our takeaways were down this year. We need to bring in or just get more competition and just improvement in general.”

“When you look to improve it, you look at all areas, we do have some draft picks. Hopefully, maybe we will be able to use one a little bit earlier. But right now there is free agency and there are some possibilities there also. Keeping all of our options open.”

Thoughts:

Will see what the Bears do to improve the defensive line via free agency/draft and the same goes for the safety position. The combine has started, so they better start doing the homework.

all quotes from chicagotribune.com

We all know Brian Westbrook has been one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL in his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, but now his time with them is over and he is looking for a new team.

The eight year back missed eight games last season with an ankle injury and multiple concussions. The Eagles owed him $7.25 million this season and they simply didn’t want to give him that kind of money because of durability issues. LeSean McCoy is going to take over the number one running back position.

So here’s the question should the Bears go after a once NFL star, who has serious durability issues or should they stay put with what they have.

I think they should consider going after him because when healthy he is one of the best runners/receivers out of the backfield in this league. The current backs behind Matt Forte aren’t that great. Garrett Wolfe was a third round pick and hasn’t done anything like his college days showed. Kevin Jones got injured again and he may not be back next season. Kahlil Bell is a surprising young kid who is similar to Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson will not be resigned. A combination of Matt Forte, Kahlil Bell and Kevin Jones isn’t too bad, but I think if they added Westbrook to the backfield they would be solid. Forte, Westbrook and Bell could be the best trio in the league.

New offensive coordinator Mike Martz doesn’t use the running game very much, but Matt Forte and Brian Westbrook could be a lethal tandem out of the backfield.

So, if the Bears could get Brian Westbrook for a cheap deal and he proves to stay healthy their offense could be set. When Brian Westbrook is right he is one of the best and don’t forget he is only 30 years old.

The Bears should at least consider the signing of Westbrook because it can only strengthen their team.

This may be insignificant news but the Bears brought back undrafted wide reciever Eric Peterman on a one year deal. They signed him out of Northwestern after the draft and he was released before the season started. They also signed big 6’8″ tight end Richard Angulo, who has played 28 games for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings in his short career.

I think these are solid moves considering the Bears wide receivers are already young and Mike Martz likes to use a lot of them at a time. Peterman is a familiar face who is going to have to work hard to get a spot on the team, but anything is possible at this point.

Angulo has a better shot of making the team because of his size and experience in the league. The former seventh round pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2003 has only caught 17 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown in his NFL career, but he is a very excellent blocking tight end. The Bears offensive line is already a bit shaky, but with the addition of a good blocking tight end to pair with Dez Clark it could be a perfect fit.

Will see what the Bears decide to do with Angulo, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the team, Peterman on the other hand is a long shot to make it.

Arizona Cardinals free safety Antrell Rolle is owed a roster bonus of four million dollars and it’s rumored that Arizona doesn’t want to pay it.

The Cardinals already made strong safety Adrian Wilson the highest paid player at his position and now they have to make decisions on LB Karlos Dansby, DT Darnell Dockett and WR Anquan Boldin, with that in mind Rolle might not be in their plans.

The 27 year old Rolle was the eight pick in the 2005 draft out of the University of Miami. He appeared in his first Pro Bowl this season.

He has appeared in 68 games, making 336 tackles, catching 12 interceptions (4 returned for touchdowns) and forcing three fumbles. 10 of his interceptions have come in the last three seasons.

I think he would be an immediate improvement over what the Bears have at safety currently. Kevin Payne and Al Afalava can’t get it done. Josh Bullocks should be resigned because I thought he was pretty good and he was a cheap option. Danieal Manning moved to nickelback where he thrived. If Rolle comes to the Bears they will be much improved in the secondary and it could save some jobs for the coaches.

Hopefully the Cardinals let Rolle go and the Bears make a move after him because the Dolphins and Giants are reportedly interested in him.

Antrel Rolle come to the Windy City.

Brian Urlacher caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from holder Brad Maynard on a fake field goal on Dec. 23, 2001 in Washington.

The score turned a 13-10 deficit into a 17-13 lead with 9:55 remaining in the fourth quarter in an eventual 20-15 victory over the Redskins.

Former Bears WR Brandon Rideau, who was released this preseason after Devin Aromashodu beat him out was signed today by the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Rideau was a preseason stud the last two years, but didn’t show enough to be out draft picks Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias.

The former University of Kansas wide receiver dressed for only two games (2008) in his time with the Bears.

Rideau was always a good player, but he just couldn’t break into the starting lineup. I hope does well in the CFL with Toronto maybe this will help him audition for the NFL next season.

Good luck Brandon.

By Pedro Gonzalez (Guest writer)

Sometime during the past decade the Bears ‘D stopped being a force in the league and when this happened the mediocre offense looked awful. Of course everybody put the blame on the QB, first on Rex Grossman and then on Kyle Orton.

We thought we had the answer on Jay Cutler but then the other flaws of the offense showed.

The Bears need to replace the veterans with some fresh players.

Offseason need #3: Wide Receivers

If the O-Line had to take some blame for Cutler’s 26 interceptions the receivers had to take some to; the had a lot of trouble getting open and just couldn’t separate from the DB, at the end of the season some of them showed flashes of greatness but there’s still some work to do.

In the ’09 Draft they chose 3 WR (one of them being Pro Bowler Johnny Knox) so they have some young talent but they need a veteran who can be a mentor for these young players.

If I was the Bears front office: I would get an experienced player, probably Derrick Mason, Antonio Bryant, Nate Burleson or even bring back Muhsin Muhammad.

Offseason need #3: Linebackers

The Bears have always been known for their fierce linebackers but lately it just hasn’t been like those fearless teams of ‘60s, ‘80s and ‘90s even at the start of the millennium things were okay with a young Brian Urlacher and a underrated star in Lance Briggs.

But then injuries took over Urlacher’s career and even though Nick Roach and Hillenmeyer filled in the role pretty nicely. The team still needs some young backup players that can step up to the plate when asked to.

If I was the Bears front office: I would pick a solid player on free agency and an OLB in the Draft probably in the 4^th or 5^th round. But it’s important that the rookie has to have speed so he can cover tight ends and wide receiver besides getting to the QB on blitzing packages.

Other Needs: HB (3^rd down-back) and S (backup)

According to bodog.com, the Chicago Bears chances of winning Super Bowl XLV next year in Arlington, Texas are 35-1.

The losers of last night’s Super Bowl, the Colts are actually the favorite to win next year at 13-2.

The Bears find themselves behind almost half of the league including the Super Bowl Champion Saints (10-1), New England Patriots (10-1) and the Chargers (8-1).

The Lions, Browns, Chiefs, Rams, Raiders and Bucs are all (100-1).

Hopefully these odds mean absolutely nothing because after watching last nights Super Bowl its time for some new and exciting to get in the big game. I mean obviously it would be sweet to see the Bears in the Super Bowl, but I think it might take a while for this offseason to get in the groove.

The end of the Bears season is a hopefully a nice preview to the 2010 year. Free agency officially starts March 5th, so will see what the Bears have up there sleeves.

Go Bears!

By Pedro Gonzalez (Guest writer)

After another disappointing season, (The Bears had a losing season this year and have missed the playoffs the last three years) obviously the Bears need to make some changes on both sides of the ball.

The Bears promised a drastic change. But after filling out their coaching staff, it didn’t seem like they had done much, so I think  (or should I say, hope) they’ll pick up some playmakers either on free agency, the draft or even by trade.

Here is which are the biggest offseason needs for the Windy City team.

Offseason need #1: The Offensive Line

The O-Line is, without a doubt, the reason why the Bears simply sucked carrying the rock and were a big part on Jay Cutler throwing so many interceptions.

They specially need a major improvement in the tackle position; Orlando Pace was just a temporary solution and didn’t exactly perform at a high level.

The team simply couldn’t run the ball and Mike Martz is known for his willingness to let the QB sacked. So if the team wants to really exploit Jay Cutler and Matt Forte’s abilities, they need to get some solid players for this aging line.

If I was the Bears front office: I would try to pick up a veteran free agent (but not to old, I’d be a happy with a player that’s been around the league for at least 5 years) and in the Draft a project pick in the 6^th or 7^th round.

Offseason need #2: The Defensive Line

The main problem for the Bears was their inability to stop the run and the defensive line has to take a lot of the blame.

The team drafted with their first pick in the ’09 Draft, defensive end Jarron Gilbert. But he didn’t impress enough the team and they decided to trade for Gaines Adams (R.I.P) and still he didn’t help the team much.

They were ranked 29^th in rush defense and they just didn’t get to the quarterback enough. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant had career days and both of those games made a huge impact on the Bears.

If I was the Bears front office: I would pursue Julius Peppers if the Panthers don’t resign him and trade their 3^rd and/or 4^th pick for a young talented player. But I would change the defensive system because the Bears have the talent to play the 3-4 not the Tampa 2 blitzing with Hillenmeyer or Nick Roach sounds much better than what they have now.