Bears fire linebackers coach
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:39:10 PST)
The Chicago Bears fired linebackers coach Lloyd Lee on Tuesday, the latest move after the team finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Lee, who joined the team in 2004, was in his first year as linebackers coach. He spent his first two seasons as a defensive quality control coach and assisted with the linebackers in 2006 and defensive backs last season.

Vikes Frazier, Fassel added to list of candidates in St. Louis
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:08:51 PST)
Those close to Leslie Frazier say he's ready to be a head coach and is very interested in talking to the St.

Bears Team Report
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:21 PST)

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo expressed disappointment in the team's highly paid defense in his end-of-the-year press conference Tuesday, and a couple of hours later, defensive backs coach Steven Wilks was fired.

That doesn't bode well for defensive coordinator Bob Babich and defensive line coach Brick Haley, who have already taken some heat for a defense that was 28th in total yards allowed in 2007 and 21st in '08.

With essentially the same group, the Bears' defense was No. 2 in total yards allowed in 2005 and No. 5 in '06, the final two years under former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

The roles of Babich, Haley and other defensive assistants will be discussed at length as Angelo and coach Lovie Smith continue their postseason evaluations this week.

Bears courting Marinelli to work with defensive line
(Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:39:30 PST)
Lovie Smith could complete the next move on his coaching staff by the end of the weekend but the agent for the...

10-Pack: Home teams all underdogs on wild-card weekend
(Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:16:07 PST)
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio weighs in on the biggest story lines of Week 17: 1. Wild-card hosts could all...

Angelo: Orton will have to earn starting job
(Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:23:25 PST)
If Kyle Orton wants to start for the Chicago Bears next season, he'll have to earn the job. General manager Jerry Angelo made it clear Tuesday he's in the market for a quarterback after his team went 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year, although he's not necessarily ready to give up on the one in place.

Winners and losers: McNabb, Reid stay alive
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:57:00 PST)
Written off after a blowout loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid aren't quite done in Philly.

Roethlisberger expected to play in postseason
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:19:03 PST)
The Steelers endured the nightmare of every NFL team that has clinched its playoff positioning: watching a star player go down with an injury. Pittsburgh seems to have escaped the worst-case scenario, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to be ready for the postseason after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's rout of the Cleveland Browns.

Your comprehensive guide to week 17 in the NFL
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:01:53 PST)
NFL fans are getting a belated holiday gift from the league today with a whopping 16 games, ten of which have...

Bears' hopes alive as they prepare for Texans
(Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:01:40 PST)
Finally, the Houston Texans are playing a meaningful game in late December. The problem is it's only meaningful to the Chicago Bears, still in playoff contention thanks to a big overtime win on Monday. Even with a win over Houston, getting to the playoffs will be difficult. To win the NFC North the Bears need Minnesota to lose to or tie the New York Giants, who with a playoff spot secure may rest...

NFL's final weekend offers plenty of excitement
(Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:15:59 PST)
If you crave excitement, you could read a James Patterson novel, drive on a Chicago expressway any time day or...

Bears hope Orton ends giving ways
(Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:52:48 PST)
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The way Kyle Orton has been giving away the ball lately, it's hard to believe the Chicago Bears quarterback was so stingy not too long ago. He threw a club-record 205 passes without an interception, but that is a distant memory. Well, with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Bears hope to see some of Orton's old mistake-free ways at Houston on Sunday.

Bears place safety Mike Brown on IR
(Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:19:47 PST)
Chicago Bears safety Mike Brown will miss the rest of the season due to a calf injury, leaving the defense without one of its emotional leaders heading into Sunday's game at Houston that could decide whether they make the playoffs. It's the fourth trip in five years to injured reserve for Brown, who left the game against Green Bay on Monday night.

Bears place S Brown on IR
(Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:59:01 PST)
The Chicago Bears will be without one of their defensive leaders for Sunday's regular-season finale at Houston.

Intrigue, relevance stick through final weekend
(Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:29:00 PST)
From the Lions trying to avoid history to several teams hoping to make the playoffs, the league keeps fans engaged.

Week 17 NFL picks: Watch out for reenergized Chargers
(Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:25:50 PST)
The San Diego Chargers have proved they have an electric offense, led by quarterback Philip Rivers.

Maynard doing his best to boot Bears' opponents
(Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:02:13 PST)
Unlike his recent punts, Brad Maynard's search wasn't long or hard. He didn't have to cover much ground to pinpoint the best stretch of his career. He thinks he's currently in it -- and it would be tough to argue. "I think it could be one of the best stretches in my career," said Maynard, the Chicago Bears' punter.

Bears face long odds for playoffs
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:05:56 PST)
It seemed so improbable just a few days earlier, the notion that the Chicago Bears would somehow slide into the playoffs. Now? Well, it still is a long shot, but not quite as long. Spared from elimination over the weekend, the Bears remained in contention for the NFC North title and a wild-card spot by rallying to beat Green Bay 20-17 in overtime Monday night in the coldest game on record at Soldier...

Obscure NFL rules baffle teams, sometimes the refs
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:25:16 PST)
In a game against the Chicago Bears last month, Eric Bassey of the St. Louis Rams went out for a pass on a fake punt and was tackled before the ball arrived. He sprang to his feet, confident he had drawn a penalty. A clear case of pass interference. "He hits me well before the ball gets there," Bassey said.

Ditka to sub in for Blagojevich?
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:20:18 PST)
There's a movement out there to try to get Mike Ditka in the Illinois governor's office in place of current...

Titans help prove draft grades are bogus
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:15:00 PST)
Players who got low grades by "sudden" college football experts in April are turning heads in Tennessee.

The not-at-all premature playoff picture: Week 16
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:00:37 PST)
In : Dolphins, Chargers, Bears, Cowboys Out : Jets, Broncos, Vikings, Buccaneers AFC First-Round Byes :...

Nothing pretty about Bears; they're just gritty
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:37:00 PST)
Ugly wins are still wins, and the Bears are masters at the homely-looking W, says Vinnie Iyer. That's how they've been able to stay in the playoff race.

Bears rally to beat Packers in OT 20-17
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:19:22 PST)
Alex Brown reached up and saved the Chicago Bears' season. Brown blocked Mason Crosby's 38-yard attempt with 18 seconds to go in the fourth quarter Monday night, forcing overtime against the Green Bay Packers. And once the Bears got to the extra period, reliable Robbie Gould kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 20-17 win.

Bears lose Mike Brown to calf injury
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:37:31 PST)
Bears safety Mike Brown left Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a calf injury, leaving Chicago's defense without one of its leaders. It was not clear when Brown was injured. The Bears had possession to start the third quarter and the offense was still on the field when the announcement was made.

Monday Night Live Blog: Packers vs. Bears
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:40:56 PST)
Tonight, it's the Packers and the Bears in the last Monday Nighter of the season. The Bears are playing for a...

Bears RB Forte active vs. Packers
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:03:01 PST)
Chicago Bears rookie running back Matt Forte is active for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

All Bears have to do now is not choke ... like the Vikings
(Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:43:48 PST)
The Chicago Tribue's blog was to the point Monday. It told the Bears: Don't choke Monday night against the...