ChicagoBreakingSports reported that the Bears met with DE Julius Peppers’ agent this past weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. If these rumors are true, the Bears could be facing “tampering” charges from other teams, according to Michael Lombardi of National Football Post
Lombardi points out teams usually avoid tampering charges because agents usually have more than one client and they can claim they were meeting to discuss another player. Unfortunately for the Bears Carl Carey, Peppers’ agent, only has one client: Julius Peppers.
ESPNChicago contacted an NFL spokesperson, who refused to comment.
ESPNChicago states the current CBA defines tampering as:
The term tampering, as used within the National Football League, refers to any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with the club or within the NFL.
If tampering charges (.pdf) are brought against the Bears, the commissioner would gather the facts then make a ruling of tampering had actually occurred or not. If the tampering was found to be intentional, then the NFL could impose a fine on the Bears and the team bringing the charges against the Bears could be awarded (.pdf, page 41) 50% of the fine collected by the NFL.
The Bears announced the release of three players today. Seven-time Pro Bowl Left Tackle Orlando Pace was released after a single season with the Bears. Pace had the first eleven games of the season before the leaving the Nov. 29 loss against the Vikings with a injury to his groin. The remainder of the season, Pace was placed as a reserve to Chris Williams.
Guard Tyler Reed and Tight End Fontel Mines were also released from the Bears today. Reed and Mines spent their time with the Bears on the practice squad having never played in a regular-season game.
The Bears are looking to make use of their budget on free agents come 11:01pm this Thursday, looking to fill some gaps – most notably at defensive end and safety, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
The Bears have their focus set free safety Antrel Rolle, who was released from the Cardinals. In 2009 Rolle posted 61 tackles, 11 assists and four interceptions.
Their eyes are also set on defensive ends Julius Peppers (2009: 36 tackles, 6 assists, 5 interceptions) and Aaron Kampman (2009: 30 tackles, 12 assists 0 interceptions).
Maybe these will be the upgrades the Bears need to make it to the post season for the first time in four years. But then again… if Cutler keeps throwing directly at the other team’s defense, there may be no hope for us yet.
Happy Holidays! - Despite having the most interceptions in the NFL, QB Jay Cutler ignores the criticisms of everyone except those within the Bears organization, Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports.
“Whatever you guys write and whatever you guys do, that’s your deal… I can’t get wrapped up in what’s going on outside of this building.” Jay Cutler told reporters during Wednesday’s news conference.
Going into Monday night’s game against the NFC North champion Vikings, Cutler has already thrown 25 interceptions this season alone-more than any other NFL Quarterback this season.
Is this the right approach? Should Cutler ignore the criticisms from the media, especially in light of how terrible his performance has been? What do you guys think?
The wretched reality for the Bears with five games to play is that they’re no longer battling for victories to get a playoff spot and that they can’t improve their draft position by continuing to lose.
If that sounds like NFL no-man’s-land, well, it isn’t.
The scrutiny never stops in the NFL; the tape is always running. Pride matters, of course, but finishing with dignity pales in comparison to what happens if you lose out. How the Bears close this season will determine the future of the coaching staff and the players.
Without a first- or second-round draft pick, and with limited numbers expected in the free-agent market because of the NFL’s labor situation, the Bears’ way out of their mess is to develop the young talent they have. And they already have begun that process.
Click here to read the full article – By Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bears Mens Appareland other
Bears Apparel
The Bear’s 24-20 loss to the Eagles was a bitter sting. The good news? Jay Cutler only threw one interception. The bad news? It was a game-ending interception with 1:51 left to play, closing the door on the possibility of the Bears regaining the lead.
Check out the Chicago Tribune for a full recap of the game.
