Lovie Smith spoke about many different subjects about the Bears team. He first talked about adding a veteran QB to backup Jay Cutler.

Here’s what he had to say:

“It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we end up with a veteran, and that has nothing to do with Caleb Hanie.”

“We think Caleb is a heck of a football player. But, when you do go with two quarterbacks, it is a little scary each week. You never know.”

Smith said a veteran could be a sounding board for Cutler and likened that player to a second coach.

“Probably more so than any other position, you can have even an older veteran around because unless there’s an injury, it’s not like he’s going to be physically beat up every day.”

Other random things that Lovie Smith talked about are:

-Devin Hester will be a full-time receiver and also handle punt returns. So no kickoff returns for him.

-Brian Urlacher is healthy and said on two occasions that the middle linebacker is still “the face of the franchise.”

-He expects “pretty much 100 percent” of his players to attend the start of the voluntary off-season conditioning program on Monday.

-He hasn’t committed Julius Peppers to one side.

-He would like to “lock” Israel Idonije into defensive end more than tackle and “see how good he can be” (on the outside).

-He fully engaged tight end Greg Olsen when the team was looking to add an offensive coordinator and before they added tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.

-Smith reinforced that the Bears will not become a pass-heavy team. “We’re in Chicago. It’s not going to change. We’ll continue to run the football. We just want to be able to pass the football, too.”

-Nick Roach will, at this point, get the initial looks at strongside linebacker, ahead of Hunter Hillenmeyer and Jamar Williams.

-He was on board with the team’s decision to vote yes for the new overtime rule modification. “We voted for the rule, so that’s what I liked. That’s it.”

-Smith said the club felt it was time to give cornerback Nathan Vasher a chance at a fresh start. “You want to be fair with the veterans.”

-He said Adewale Ogunleye is officially done with the Bears and he is not returning this season to Chicago.

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com

Matt Forte was one of the goal line backs last season according to his statistics.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/03/stats_say_forte_worst_on_goal.html

Rex Grossman wants to be a starter under Mike Shanahan in Washington.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/18/grossman-wants-to-start/

Jason McKie is visiting with St. Louis even though Mike Karney is the starting FB.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/ex-bears-fullback-mckie-visiting-with-rams.html

Kevin Curtis is done in Philly, maybe the Bears should scoop him up. Just an idea!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/18/kevin-curtis-done-in-philadelphia-too/

A former shutdown cornerback in the NFL, Nathan Vasher was released today by the Bears. During the 2005-2006 he was nicknamed the “interceptor” because of his eight interceptions that season. Ever since that year Vasher, a fourth round pick in 2004 out of Texas has struggled to stay healthy.

The four seasons following the 05-06 season he appeared in 41 games, making 89 tackles and intercepting six passes. Overall in six seasons he had 19 interceptions, but eight came in that one year, so take those out and you have eleven in five seasons, very average numbers.

His durability was a big issue, but he just couldn’t seem to find his groove back after that magical season. The 29 year old could still have some game left, but the Bears were quick to release him because he was owed $3 million dollars this upcoming season and they just add depth in Tim Jennings.

Vasher could land on with the San Diego Chargers because of his familiarity with Ron Rivera’s defense. Or he could land with Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis or Houston teams in need for corners.

Vasher will always be remembered for his 108 missed field goal return for a touchdown in 2005. At that time that was the longest kick return for a touchdown ever. Devin Hester tied it in 2006 against the Giants and Antonio Cromartie of the Chargers made it 109 yards last season against the Minnesota Vikings.

Kudos to Nathan Vasher for all his hard work as a Bear, I feel bad he didn’t return to his Pro Bowl form because I was really big fan of his. Good luck on your next team.

The man who supposedly took a ride to the Super Bowl with the Bears in 2006 has signed with the Washington Redskins.

Grossman was used sparingly last season with the Houston Texans, backing up Pro Bowler Matt Schaub. The seven year veteran was a favorite at the beginning of his time with the Bears because of his gun-slinging abilities. But he was quickly hated for his horrible decisions and his constant interceptions. Even though Grossman wasn’t that bad Bears fans constantly booed him. In my opinion I wouldn’t mind having him backup Jay Cutler, but I guess their too much a like.

The Redskins with visit Soldier Field next season and if Grossman lands a roster spot I can’t imagine the kind of warm reception Bears fans will give him. I mean he did “lead” them to a super bowl.

For his career, Grossman has played in 37 games with 31 starts. He has completed 524-of-971 passes for 6,197 yards, 33 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. His QB rating is 65.9.

Good luck Rex in your second spot after getting dumped by the Bears. Seriously good luck, you need it. If Jason Campbell goes down you might be in for a rude awakening.

Are you as excited as I am about the Bears signing of DE Julius Peppers? Well for $80 you can own a Julius Peppers jersey and wear it everywhere you go. Support your  Chicago Bears, I mean maybe with this guy helping out Urlacher, Briggs and Tillman this team could find themselves representing the NFC in Super Bowl 45.

Peppers will make or break the Bears season, the Pro Bowler could make the defense what it was back in 2006 when they went all the way to Miami for Super Bowl XLI.

So, come on and support your Chicago Bears by purchasing a brand new #90 Julius Peppers jersey.

Finally the Bears disposed of some wasted roster space. They released veteran fullback Jason McKie.

The 29 year old, appeared in 71 games with 35 starts in seven seasons with the Bears. He rushed for 84 yards and 3 touchdowns on 29 carries and caught 62 passes for 344 yards and 3 TDs.

McKie was known for his blocking skills more then his running ability and it has been said he that he didn’t fit Mike Martz’s scheme. Newly added FB Eddie Williams seems to fit better because of his size, 6’1″ and his ability to catch out of the backfield. I was never a big fan of McKie on the field, but he was a real leader in the locker room and I respect that. Hopefully Eddie Williams is a real blocker because Forte needs all the help he can get.

In other news, the Bears added former Colts cornerback Tim Jennings. Jennings was a 2006 2nd round draft pick out of Georgia. The four year veteran was not tendered by the Colts after disappointing last season. He was used in nickel situations only and was a part of the 2006 championship team but only as a reserve. In four seasons, Jennings has appeared in 53 games, making 161 tackles, four interceptions and forcing three fumbles.

The 5’8″ corner seems to be to small for the NFL, but he might be a nice fit in the nickel package for the Bears or just as added depth. Lovie Smith really likes big corners that’s why Charles Tillman and Zackary Bowman will be the starters come week one of the season. With Jennings signing a two year deal, he joins Corey Graham, DJ Moore and Danieal Manning as the other corners on the roster.

The Bears have tendered Danieal Manning, but he wants a contract extension and he isn’t very happy the Bears haven’t offered him one yet. I think it would be a mistake not signing Manning, he is one of the most versatile players on the team if not the most versatile. He can return kicks, punts, he can play nickelback and both safety positions. The Bears need to resign Manning now before it gets out of hand.

Who knows what Tim Jennings can bring to the Bears, but all I know is Jason McKie needed to go and now that he’s gone the offense could be that much better.

The Bears added Kevin Jones during the 2008 off-season thinking he would be a solid complement to the rookie Matt Forte. The former first round pick out of Virginia, Jones, was coming off knee and ankle injuries.

During 2008 he appeared in 11 games rushing 34 times for only 108 yards. This past season he tore a ligament in his left ankle and was declared out for the year during a preseason game against the Browns.

The Bears needed to get rid of some used space by dumping Jones. Chester Taylor, who was recently signed has been named the “co-starter” with Matt Forte by offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Add Kahlil Bell and Garrett Wolfe to the mix and the Bears have some talent at the running back position.

Jones, the 27 year old Pennsylvanian native will have a hard time finding a roster spot with his history of injuries. Maybe he kind land a spot with the Steelers or the Browns. I know he has to fight hard to find a spot on a team and if he can he’ll have to work his way up the depth chart.

Good luck Kevin Jones sorry we let you go so early. Find a team where you can get some playing time.

Jones had this to say about his departure from the Bears:

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity the Bears gave me here.”

All quotes from chicagotribune.com

The Chicago Bears have officially made the biggest moves in free agency they basically had no choice. They wee forced to add big time players because this could be the last year with this coaching staff and they don’t have a draft pick until the third round.

Julius Peppers is an instant upgrade at DE. Put him on the defensive line with Tommie Harris, Alex Brown and Mark Anderson and this line could be the best since their Super Bowl season. Also consider Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and others being on the field at the same time, that could be scary.

The reason the Bears landed the top free agent in the class, Julius Peppers was because they were aggressive before free agency started and they were committed when it did start. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the deal is believed to be in the range of a six-year, $72 million contract with $40-45 million in the first three years. That’s a lot of money for a defensive end. People around the league constantly bash the guy for being a good player who doesn’t really give his full effort every game. Peppers has 81 sacks in his NFL career, which began in 2002. That’s the third-most in the NFL during that time, behind only Jason Taylor and Dwight Freeney.

Besides this exciting signing of Peppers, the Bears add a familiar face Chester Taylor. As we all know Taylor was the backup runner for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota for the last couple of years. Taylor was the most versatile back in this class of running backs. Taylor is 30 years old, but his body is very young because he has been a backup every season except one, which took place before Adrian Peterson showed up on the scene in Minnesota. Taylor will provide the Bears with another good runner, a very good receiver out of the backfield and a talented pass blocker. Plus he was a cheap option, they gave a four deal worth about 12 million dollars, they gave him seven million in guarantees. Put Chester Taylor with a healthy Matt Forte and they might be the best one two punch in the league. Taylor’s coming in, might spell the end for Kevin Jones, who is constantly injured.

The addition of Brandon Manumaluna is also very good considering he is arguably the best blocking tight end in the NFL. Manumaluna wasn’t an expensive option, his deal is reported to be five years worth 17 million dollars, six million dollars in guarantees.

Just a thought:

This might be the best off-season the Bears have ever had. Last season the Bears gave up almost everything for Jay Cutler, but they got Johnny Knox in the fifth round, so it wasn’t too bad. Bears fans thought the addition of Cutler would instantly make the Bears a playoff contender they were wrong. Cutler and the offense were in a wrong system with offensive coordinator Ron Turner calling the plays. Now with Mike Martz’s philosophy, which is a pass happy system by the way it suits Cutler and the young receivers they have. Knox, Aromashodu, Bennett, Hester and even Iglesias should get plenty of looks. Hester will be a slot receiver which suits him, he isn’t a number one receiver and he should be the kick returner once again. Now they have some very good tight end protection with Dez Clark and Brandon Manumaleuna and they have excellent backs who are pass catchers out of the backfield Forte and Taylor.

The Bears defense weren’t as bad as they seemed to be last season. There main problem was there lack of pass rush, their injuries and their inexperience in the secondary. Adding Julius Peppers, having Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Charles Tillman, Pisa Tinoisamoa healthy this season will be a huge boost. Maybe they should look at bringing Mike Brown back, he was pretty solid in Kansas City last season.

Stealing a player from the division rival Vikings is a win and having Peppers face Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie two times a year could be a deciding factor in games.

Are the Bears done signing free agents? They need a safety and some depth on the offensive line. We’ll see. Atleast we know the Bears actually are committed to winning next season, they could be early favorites to win the NFC.

The Bears added a tight end today. His name is Brandon Manumaleuna he almost immediately signed a five-year deal after he walked through the doors of Halas Hall. Manumaleuna spent the last four years in San Diego and before that was with Mike Martz and Lovie Smith in St. Louis. The 30 year old tight end was the best available tight end and Martz values the tight end as a blocker more than a receiver.

With the addition of  Manumaleuna he can now team up Greg Olsen, Dez Clark and Kellen Davis. Clark or Davis is the odd man out. Davis is still a project and not a very good blocker, Clark is a crafty veteran who for the first time in his Bears career was injured last season. Clark is owed a $475,000 today and will see if the addition of Manumaleuna spells the end of Clark. I think the Bears should keep Clark around at least for this season because he has been the most consistent player receiving and blocking.

The addition of the 6’2″, 295 pound Manumaleuna should really improve the Bears running game and offensive line, he is basically another blocker. Plus, the Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak should have saying his name and Devin Aromashodu’s at the same time.

Good start of free agency by the Bears, Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor will walk through Halas Hall later today hopefully they don’t they don’t leave without signing a contract.

Brandon Manumaleuna’s career stats:

Brandon Manumaleuna had this to say about joining the Bears:

“I played for Mike Martz (in St. Louis) and Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator. It was a great situation, this team has a chance to be real successful. It was difficult (to leave San Diego). I had a lot of friends and it was close to home, but the business is what it is.”

All quotes from chicagotribune.com

The Bears will not only be hosting DE Julius Peppers and RB Chester Taylor tomorrow at Halas Hall, but also TE Brandon Manumaleuna who thrived in his years with Mike Martz in St. Louis.

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting big money for Manumaleuna because Martz values the tight end as a blocker more than a receiver. This could spell the end for TE Kellen Davis because the Bears already have Dez Clark and Greg Olsen on the roster, unless their considering keeping four tight ends.

If the Bears do sign Manumaleuna, I feel bad for play by play announcer Jeff Joniak announcing Manumaleuna’s name and Aromashodu’s name next season.

Tomorrow will be a busy day at Halas Hall.

Brace yourself Bears fans