Author Archives: Tom Shannon

Bears Remain Conservative, Retain Plenty of Cap Space for Future Contracts

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Bill Barwell at ESPN approves of the Bears signing inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. Barnwell points out that the Bears not only helped themselves a great deal at the position, but that the contracts had some specific cap implications. … Continue reading →

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With an Interesting Twist, Jerrell Freeman Calls Out Coby Fleener

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Well, say this for new Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman. He’s not afraid to say what he thinks. After hearing that fellow Colts free agent Coby Fleener called out some Indianapolis  players for quitting during a losing 2015 season, Freeman called out … Continue reading →

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Freeman Signing Signals the Apparent End of the Shea McClellin Era

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Dan Wiederer at the Chicago Tribune reports on the signing of new inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman. Freeman is a good, under the radar signing of the type I expected the Bears to make. He’s a few years old than the … Continue reading →

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Bears “Buy” into the Team Building Concept

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Tom Shannon

As I looked over what the Bears did on the first day of the new league year in free agency Wednesday, I was thinking about a strong and compelling article for The Bleacher Report by Dan Pompei on the dangers of … Continue reading →

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Jeffery Signs Franchise Tender, Changes the Offseason Game

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Mark Potash at the Chicago Sun-Times answers the question, “Would you sign WR Alshon Jeffery to a long-term deal?” “Yes, but I wouldn’t break the bank just yet, which is why it’s unlikely that the Bears will sign Jeffery to … Continue reading →

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No Sugar Coating What the Player Hold Out Really Is

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Tom Shannon

John Mullin at csnchicago.com makes one of the more irritating, if common, mis-statements regarding contract negotiations as he addresses Martellus Bennett‘s failure to show up for workouts last spring: “One note here: Simply because Bennett was/is under contract shouldn’t be … Continue reading →

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Looking for the Bears to Play Free Agency for the Long Haul

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Patrick Finley at the Chicago Sun-Times breaks down the Bears’ needs in free agency. The following says all that you need to know about the state of the defense: “2015 defensive rankings: Total — 14. Scoring — 20 “2015 Pro … Continue reading →

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Bears Concerns About Hard Knocks Genuine, Make Sense

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Mike Florio at profootballtalk.com passes on the news (as reported locally) that the Bears have no interest in being on HBO‘s Hard Knocks. Which really isn’t news since it’s no different from the stand that they’ve consistently taken over the … Continue reading →

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Bennett Still Has Value as a Member of the Bears

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Hub Arkush at chicagofootball.com sums up his feelings about tight end Martellus Bennett, who, along with the Bears, is reported to be seeking a trade: “Martellus Bennett reminds me a great deal of the kid back in school that no … Continue reading →

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Catching Up with Lamarr Houston

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Tom Shannon

Patrick Finley at the Chicago Sun-Times catches up with linebacker Lamarr Houston: “After he completed his comeback season but before he went overseas to train — in Turkey, of all places — Lamarr Houston met with his Bears bosses. “‘They … Continue reading →

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