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...

Pay day came early for Jay Cutler. With room under this year’s salary cap and satisfaction in their new quarterback, the Bears extended Cutler’s original contract by two years and nearly $30 million.   $20 million of the extension will be guaranteed.  He is now signed thru 2013 and will earn just...

 Three former Falcons now block for the Bears.  Two start.    Frank Omiyale and Roberto Garza are guards. Kevin Shaffer is the swing tackle.  All three were coached by respected offensive line coach Alex Gibbs.   “The technique that he thought just made so much sense,” said Shaffer. “He...

Cutler refused to say if he wants the Bears to acquire receiver Terrell Owens from Buffalo. When asked what he would say if the front office approached him about Owens, Cutler said, “I don’t think they’re going to.” Cutler said he does not know Owens. Jay Cutler also played the Falcons in...

In the big picture, the Bears are one of the healthier teams in the NFL entering week six. They hope to keep it that way. A healthy team in November and December is usually a team in the playoff hunt. Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer did not practice Monday. A rib injury in Seattle in week three, led...

One month down, three to go. Two short practices comprised the workweek for the Bears. They get a three-day holiday before the grind continues. “The two we got in this week were good,” said head coach Lovie Smith. “Short one today. We, I, the team are excited about having a little time...

JOHNNY ROCKET Speedster Johnny Knox is the NFL leader in kick return average. His 102-yard touchdown return set the tone for a 27-point second half explosion in the win over Detroit. Knox is the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week piling up 147 yards on returns. His touchdown distance ranks second...

It is the second worst week on the NFL calendar. We all understand the week after the Super Bowl is the worst. The Bears will go through a pair of “training camp” type practices Wednesday and Thursday. Ones will practice against ones, and the focus turns back to teaching and fundamentals. It...

Only two Bears know what it feels like to go winless. Rod Marinelli coached the 0-and-16 Lions. Michael Gaines played tight end for the worst team in NFL history. Both are Bears focused only on pushing the record to 3-and-1. “It didn’t hit me…I don’t know when it hit me,” said a perplexed...

Wednesday Practice Report: Lions Week It was in 2006 when Brian Urlacher willed the Bears to a comeback victory in Arizona. Last week in Seattle, Bears coaches feel Lance Briggs did the same thing in holding off the Seahawks. Briggs filled up the stat sheet with an interception, sack, and eight...

In three weeks, the Bears have benefited from outstanding depth at linebacker. Nick Roach is likely their third starter in the middle in four games, and Jamar Williams expects to be the third starter at strong side linebacker in four games. “Going into the season we talked about our three backup linebackers...

Alex Brown owns the Bears longest active streak of games played. He is making every effort to make it 114-straight Sunday in Seattle despite a sprained left ankle. Brown has yet to practice, and head coach Lovie Smith said it is not mandatory to play Sunday. “If Alex is ready to go Sunday, even if...

Wednesday Practice Report: Seahawks Week It is only week three of the season and the Seattle Seahawks are having serious injury issues.   They suffered the same scenario last season. Ten Seahawks are on the injury report including three players already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bears:...

It comes Sunday against two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Now it is up to Bowman to make it a memorable first start. “It’ll be a good challenge for us,” Bowman said. “That’s a very physical group. We just have go out there and play ball.” Bowman’s...

Some former NFL coaches have gone from reading defenses to reading facial expressions. Jay Cutler’s smirks, frowns, grins, and pouts are the subject of great debate from coast-to-coast.  In addition, some ex-coaches turned analysts are offering scouting reports that question Cutler’s leadership...

Injuries knock out three starters for Sundays game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reserves move up, which trickles down to the special teams units. 3-4 defensive teams like the Steelers can absorb more losses because they carry more linebackers. With Hunter Hillenemyer replacing Brian Urlacher and...

It was an expensive loss. Brian Urlacher is out for the season. Pisa Tinoisamoa is expected to miss several weeks. And the Bears are looking to add veteran depth at linebacker. A 21-15 loss at Green Bay claimed Urlacher in the first half. He tackled Packers running back Ryan Grant and suffered...

Every Bear with the exception of receiver Devin Aromashodu practiced. He has a sore quad. It also means Charles Tillman fully participated. Head coach Lovie Smith on the health of the secondary: “Now we have all the players that we started training camp hoping to be on the field we have for our first...

Packers Week: Wednesday Practice Report Jeff Joniak Reporting WBBM Newsradio 780 Bears head coach Lovie Smith is not ready to name his starting secondary for Sunday’s game. With eleven defensive backs on the roster, he is free to use multiple combinations in multiple personnel packages. CB Charles...