Gerard Lee: Signs with Chicago
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Bears Inside Slant: The Cedric Benson Saga
If the Chicago Bears decide they have had enough of Cedric Benson, his alleged drunken boating incident from this past weekend won't be the reason. Should he indeed be released, it will be because he failed to live up to expectations as a high draft pick. Get the Inside Slant from the NFL experts at Scout.com. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
With the NFL draft behind us, here's an updated look at the best available free agents from the defensive side of the ball. [Link]
Chopping Block: Who Will Be Next?
The Chicago Bears began the process of trimming down the roster this week, most notably closing the book on Adam Archuleta. Babatunde Oshinowo and Mike Jones were also released. Who could be next on the chopping block? Bear Report combs over the names and makes some educated guesses. [Link]
This NFL offseason has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL offseason? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
This NFL off-season has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL off-season? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
Passenger on boat backs Benson's story
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend. "He denies that he was intoxicated," attorney Brian Carney said Monday. "He denies that he resisted arrest." Benson is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges stemming from an incident Saturday night. [Link]
Bears release S Archuleta
The Chicago Bears released veteran strong safety Adam Archuleta on Tuesday, ending a brief and disappointing tenure with the team. Archuleta, 30, broke a hand early last season and started in just 10 of the 15 games in which he appeared. He lost his starting job to Brandon McGowan and finished the season on special teams. The Bears drafted LSU safety Craig Steltz in the fourth round of last month, but Tuesday's announcement was still a surprise. [Link]
Bears release S Adam Archuleta (AP)
The Chicago Bears released veteran strong safety Adam Archuleta on Tuesday, ending a brief and disappointing tenure with the team. Archuleta, 30, broke a hand early last season and started in just 10 of the 15 games in which he appeared. He lost his starting job to Brandon McGowan and finished the season on special teams. [Link]
Bears release S Archuleta (PA SportsTicker)
After not getting what they paid for, the Chicago Bears have cut ties with Adam Archuleta. [Link]
Don't give up on Benson, unless he pouts
That's what Cedric Benson is doing about the police and what fans are doing about him. Our NFL Czar says he shouldn't be cut … yet. [Link]
Forte can help Bears regain a punishing ground game (SportingNews.com)
The Chicago Bears haven't had much luck finding a consistent feature back over the past two decades. Rookie Matt Forte is their best bet to reestablish a strong running game. [Link]
What We Learned at Rookie Camp
The Chicago Bears got a good look at their dozen draft picks this past weekend, as Lovie Smith and Co. conducted their three-day rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. What do we know now that we didn't a week ago? Bear Report had a seat in the front row for all the action and came to five conclusions … [Link]
Bears' Benson plans to fight charges
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend. "He denies that he was intoxicated," attorney Brian Carney said Monday. "He denies that he resisted arrest." Benson is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges stemming from an incident Saturday night. [Link]
Bears' Benson plans to fight charges (AP)
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend. "He denies that he was intoxicated," attorney Brian Carney said Monday. "He denies that he resisted arrest." Benson is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges…
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Forte could help Bears regain a punishing ground game (SportingNews.com)
The Chicago Bears haven't had much luck finding a consistent feature back over the past two decades. Rookie Matt Forte is their best bet to reestablish a strong running game. [Link]
Five teams that could get over playoff hump
You can write off the Bengals, but Randy Hill isn't giving up. Cincy is one of his five surprise playoff picks for the 2008 season. [Link]
Minicamp Chat: WR Marcus Monk
All teams in the NFL want to find Marques Colston, a receiver drafted in the seventh round who became an immediate star. The Chicago Bears took a flyer on Marcus Monk, and he looked pretty good during rookie minicamp. Monk met with Bear Report after Sunday's workout to talk about his performance. [Link]
Benson: There was no resistance, I wasn't drunk
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. A call to Benson's agent was not immediately returned. [Link]
JC's Interactive Minicamp Miniblog
Bear Report Publisher John Crist was in attendance for rookie minicamp this weekend at Halas Hall, so he was able to see the brand new Chicago Bears up close and personal. If you want the insider scoop on everything that happened in Lake Forest since last Friday, then you've got to be a subscriber. [Link]
Rookie Minicamp Report: Sunday
It was only three days of workouts, but the Chicago Bears now have a pretty good idea what they can expect from their 2008 NFL Draft class after rookie minicamp. Who looks like an immediate contributor offense? Who might need a year of seasoning on defense? Bear Report has the answers inside … [Link]
Chicago RB Benson arrested on intoxicated boating charge
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was charged with failing a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisting arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said Sunday. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. [Link]
Benson arrested on boating while intoxicated charge
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. A call to Benson's agent was not immediately returned. [Link]
Chicago RB Benson arrested on intoxicated boating charge (AP)
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was charged with failing a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisting arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said Sunday.
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Chicago RB Benson arrested on intoxicated boating charge
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson faces criminal charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. Authorities say Benson was operating a 30-foot boat carrying about 15 passengers on Lake Travis on Saturday when he was stopped, then failed a field sobriety test. Officials say an officer had to use pepper spray to subdue Benson. Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade says Benson was freed from jail on a $14,500 bond Sunday morning. [Link]
Bears RB Benson disputes charges (PA SportsTicker)
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson is disputing his charges for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. [Link]
Rookie Minicamp Report: Saturday
After spending Friday inside the climate-controlled confines of the Walter Payton Center, the newest Chicago Bears fought the elements on a windy and rainy Saturday at Halas Hall. Which of the rookies is starting to make his mark? And who is still yet to impress? Bear Report lets you know inside … [Link]
NFL Draft: 2009 Mock Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft is behind us, but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and take a look at the 2009 draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber releases his first 2009 mock draft and includes draft-eligible underclassmen. [Link]
Bear Report Audio: TE Kellen Davis
The Chicago Bears were in need of a third tight end after John Gilmore left for Tampa Bay in free agency, so they drafted Kellen Davis in Round 5. Bear Report caught up with Davis at Halas Hall after Saturday's minicamp workout, and subscribers can listen to that exclusive audio feature right here. [Link]
Leak Gets an NFL Look
With the All-American Football League on ice, it's time for Chris Leak to resume his chase for a spot on an NFL roster. Chris Leak's second shot at the league may come in Kansas City. The former Gator quarterback is taking part in the Chiefs post draft rookie tryouts this weekend. [Link]
Rookie Minicamp Report: Friday
The Chicago Bears were open for business Friday. After taking 12 players in this past weekend's NFL Draft and signing 10 more undrafted free agents, head coach Lovie Smith finally got to see his new acquisitions up close at rookie minicamp. Here is what he witnessed at practice on Day 1 … [Link]
Bennett Rookie Diary: 1st Entry
Bear Report is very happy to announce that wideout Earl Bennett will be the star of Rookie Diary during the 2008 season. In his primary installment, Bennett writes about feeling a little jittery on his first visit to Halas Hall and the difference in the playbook from Nashville to Chicago. [Link]
Bear Report Audio: CB Zack Bowman
The Chicago Bears added five defensive players in this past weekend's NFL Draft, and Zack Bowman, a speedy corner from Nebraska, was one of them. Bear Report caught up with Bowman after Friday's minicamp workout at Halas Hall, and subscribers can listen to that exclusive audio feature right here. [Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
Bears Inside Slant: Meet the Press
First-round pick Chris Williams apparently wasn't much of a player in high school, but the Chicago Bears feel he can be their franchise left tackle for years to come in the NFL. As far as his personality is concerned, he's already an All-Pro. Get the Inside Slant from the NFL experts at Scout.com. [Link]
Rookie Minicamp Begins Today at Halas Hall
Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo deviated from his usual philosophy in the 2008 NFL Draft. Instead of just taking the best player available, he addressed his immediate needs and appears to have improved the roster significantly. Rookie minicamp kicks off today, our first chance to see the draftees up close. [Link]
BUY ONE MONTH, GET ONE FREE!
If you've been waiting for a special offer to become a BearReport.com subscriber, your patience is about to be rewarded. Through this Monday, buy one month for $9.95 and get your second month free! And with rookie minicamp kicking off this weekend, now is the time to get your Midway Monster Total Access Pass. [Link]
Scout.com NFL Draft Report Card
Only five NFL teams earned an "A" in last weekend's NFL Draft according to former pro scout Tom Marino. Was your favorite team one of them? Or was it one of the handful who earned a failing grade? Check out Marino's grades for all 32 teams in this Scout.com feature. [Link]
Rookie Receiver is a Quick Study
The Chicago Bears have to replace a duo of starting receivers from a year ago, as Bernard Berrian left town as a free agent and Muhsin Muhammad was cut in February. Rookie wideouts usually struggle to make the leap from college to the pros, but Vandy's Earl Bennett has proven to be a fast learner. [Link]
JC on NFL Network: Path to the Draft
The Chicago Bears had multiple needs to address heading into the 2008 NFL Draft, and Jerry Angelo put aside his best-player-available approach in order to fullfill those needs. Bear Report Publisher John Crist was a featured guest Wednesday on NFL Network's Path to the Draft, and he discussed what the heads at Halas Hall may have been thinking. [Link]
Long Wait Finally Over for Barton
The Chicago Bears need to repair their wretched offensive line from a year ago, as the running game was not effective and the quarterbacks were not protected very well. Kirk Barton of Ohio State hopes to be a part of that rebuilding project, although he had to wait a little longer on draft weekend than he would have hoped. [Link]
Top questions heading into mini-camps
Which rookies will thrive? Will Brett Favre return? What are the Bears doing? Our NFL Czar tackles the biggest looming questions. [Link]
Top questions heading into mini-camps
Which rookies will thrive? Will Brett Favre return? What are the Bears doing? Our NFL Czar tackles the biggest looming questions. [Link]
Watch Bear Report on NFL Network
Do you want the inside scoop on the Chicago Bears and their additions in this past weekend's NFL Draft? If so, then tune into NFL Network this evening at 5:30 p.m. Central time. Bear Report Publisher John Crist will be a guest on Path to the Draft to give his insight on the Monsters of the Midway. [Link]
Forte Looks Like a Better Benson
The Chicago Bears had one of the worst running games in the NFL this past season, and a terrible offensive line was largely to blame. But that didn't stop Jerry Angelo from investing a second-round pick on Tulane tailback Matt Forte. Cedric Benson, you have officially been put on notice. [Link]
On the Clock: 15 prospects for '09 NFL Draft
With the '08 draft in the books, who's ready for next year? Peter Schrager gives you his draft wrap, complete with names for '09. [Link]
UDFA Analysis: QB Caleb Hanie
The Chicago Bears are still looking for their No. 3 QB behind Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. After not taking one in the NFL Draft, it appears that a pair of undrafted free agents, Caleb Hanie of Colorado State and Nick Hill of Southern Illinois, are on the inside track. Today we take a closer look at Hanie … [Link]
Barton's Long Wait
For five seasons, Kirk Barton fought, scrapped and clawed his way into Ohio State's starting lineup and finished his career by being named first-team All-Big Ten. That mattered little on draft day when he could only watch as he slipped further and further before being snagged by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round. [Link]
10-pack: Booty could challenge Jackson in Minnesota (SportingNews.com)
Pro Football Talk.com's Mike Florio offers postdraft coverage. [Link]
Williams Needed at LT Right Away
The Chicago Bears got Chris Williams of Vanderbilt with the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Based on how bad their torn and tattered offensive line was this past season, the former Commodore simply has to succeed. And right away. Can he be the franchise left tackle this team needs? [Link]
