Lovie Smith’s coaching staff for 2010 is complete. Instead of going outside the organization Smith promoted Rod Marinelli to Assistant Head Coach and defensive coordinator. That was Smith’s plan in 2004, but Tampa Bay would not let Marinelli out of his contract. Two years later, he was hired to coach...

Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk tells it like it is when it comes to Mike Martz. “If you mess up, if you don’t do your job, if you don’t work hard he’s extremely difficult to deal with,” said the former Rams star. “If you decide to take a day off, you will hate Mike Martz. I mean,...

On the day the Saints and Colts arrived in Miami, it’s the Bears who grab the NFL’s attention by hiring “Mad Mike” Martz as offensive coordinator. Number four on the interview list during a process that covered 27 days after the dismissal of Ron Turner, Martz wound up being number one. “In...

Ron Turner is no longer running the Chicago Bears offense. He was relieved of his duties after five seasons under head coach Lovie Smith after a morning meeting. Speculation regarding Turner’s future was rampant throughout the season. New quarterback Jay Cutler did not look comfortable at times...

At least seven new coaches will comprise Lovie Smith’s 2010 coaching staff.  He is back for a seventh season, but not as defensive coordinator while Ron Turner and five aides were bounced.   “The status quo is not acceptable,” said Bears President/CEO Ted Phillips. “The changes we made are...

Three games remain in the Bears dismal season, but you would not know it from covering the team this week.   The entire focus is on “what went wrong” amid varying degrees of expectations following the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler.   On Thursday, the defensive breakdown was under the microscope.   “Through...

A frustrated Devin Hester said he is jealous of other offenses and predicts roster and coaching changes after the season. It’s one man’s opinion of course, but it’s an example of what happens when a team misses the playoffs three years in a row. “There will be a lot of change,” Hester...

When you’re hot, you’re hot and Jamar Williams is hot right now. No player in the Wednesday Bears locker room did as many interviews as Williams. His 20 tackles against the Rams put him on the media radar. ”I felt like I made plays at this level before,” Williams said. “It’s not a question...

There are new NFL mandated guidelines in place to help concussed players. If a player shows symptoms of a concussion during the game, he will not return. Once diagnosed, players need to get the okay to play from a team physician and consulting neurologist. It is a policy adopted by the Bears fifteen...

One of the players who helped silence a super Sunday in Miami in 2006, is now helping the Bears. Veteran weakside linebacker Cato June comes off the street to sign with the team. With 73 career starts with the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Bucs, he is very familiar with the Bears defensive scheme....

As expected, the Bears signed veteran linebacker Cato June. He passed a physical Tuesday after missing the first 12 weeks of the NFL season with a fractured forearm. June suffered the injury as a member of the Houston Texans in August. He broke the bone on August 20 during a practice. June had surgery...

If you believe, you can achieve. “The level of belief has to be high,” said defensive captain Lance Briggs. “You have to believe in what we’re doing. And that can be echoed throughout the locker room, throughout this building, and throughout the city of Chicago.” With only four wins in...

Returning to practice Monday, the Bears revealed a fresh outlook. Maybe three days off after losing twice in five days gives everyone involved perspective. There is much to be done, and no room for error. Some teams in the NFC playoff picture fell back to the Bears Sunday. However, they are seeded...

In the NFL, that is the only way to save. Money time is November and December. It always has been. With 5 November games, including the next four against potential NFC playoff teams, the Bears season is about to be determined. After eight weeks of the 2009 season, the Bears are in a trailing position...

Top message in the Bears locker room Thursday: Do not under any circumstance overlook the Cleveland Browns. “When you are looking at the game film you don’t see a whole lot of up and down the field by offenses,” according to Bears tight end Desmond Clark. “We got to be able to take advantage...

Nothing in six years has changed regarding potential lineup changes when it involves head coach Lovie Smith. Two weeks ago Smith said no changes were expected on the offensive line. Wednesday, he left the door open for a possible shift. However, when pushed on the subject Smith reinforced his stance...

Players were in for treatment and meetings pinpointing their failures in Cincinnati Sunday. Head coach Lovie Smith is not running away from the blame. “I did not have our football team ready to go,” said Smith. “It was definitely not one of my better coaching days…our best coaching day and...

KEYS TO THE GAME CHICAGO BEARS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS Offense: Red Zone Rebound Three teams in the NFL have (4) red zone turnovers this season—unfortunately the Bears join Jacksonville and St. Louis with the most in the NFL. With only (9) touchdowns on 18 drives inside the 20, the Bears need to take...

The big toe is a big deal in football. “You use it every play,” said Anthony Adams. “It’s what keeps your balance. A lot of people don’t understand. Oh, you just hurt your toe. You’ve got to push off it every play. You have to plant off it and push off it.” Adams played through toe...

 Jay Cutler is thrilled to have new money.  Cedric Benson is thrilled to be a Bengal. Pisa Tinoisamoa is out for the season.   It was that kind of day at Halas Hall, where countless storylines emerged in advance of the Sunday kickoff in Cincinnati.   The $30 million Cutler contract extension comes...