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Panthers, Moose loaded for Bear
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
firsttake

Manning, Colts aren't themselves
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- Joyous Bears players could be heard before they could be seen as they walked through the tunnel to the visitors' locker room Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium after a 29-13 season-opening thrashing of the Colts.

Bears shuffle secondary
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- The last line of defense is the first place the Bears tinkered with their defense.

Sunday's stars
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
PASSING * Donovan McNabb ,Eagles, threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns in Philadelphia's 38-3 win over St. Louis.

BEARS IN BRIEF: Q's answered on O-line
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- The only area that had more questions surrounding it than the Bears' defense was the offensive line -- and you don't have to watch the tape to get a feel for how it performed Sunday.

Call 'em baffling Bears
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- The outcome seemed glumly predictable when the schedule was first released and the Bears were sentenced to a season-opening game against the Indianapolis Colts in the debut of Lucus Oil Stadium. How far have the once-mighty Bears fallen that they were suddenly perceived as the hopeless directional school invited to be sacrificed at homecoming?

Bears shock Colts 29-13
Chicago Sun-Times | September 08, 2008
If there was an oversight in the construction of new Lucas Oil Stadium, it's that the media room isn't soundproof. The rally cries came through loud and clear after the Bear's 29-13 victory Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Recap: Indianapolis vs. Chicago
Kansas City Star | September 08, 2008
Rookie Matt Forte rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries and found the end zone, while also catching three balls for 18 yards, as the Chicago Bears christened Indianapolis' brand new Lucas Oil Stadium with a 29-13 victory over the Colts in a rematch of Super Bowl 41.

Chicago Bears Indianapolis Colts box
Kansas City Star | September 08, 2008
First quarter IND: FG Adam Vinatieri 39, 5:52. CHI: Matt Forte run 50 (Robbie Gould kick), 4:59. Second quarter

Addai leaves Colts/Bears game
Kansas City Star | September 08, 2008
Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai left the club's season-opening 29-13 loss to the Chicago Bears with a head injury.

Colts to get another shot at stopping Bears' Hester
San Francisco Chronicle | September 07, 2008
, Ill. - With a new stadium and a prime-time audience watching, the anticipation will be heavy when Chicago visits Indianapolis on Sunday night. Now, imagine this. The Bears win the coin toss and Devin Hester returns the opening kickoff. The last time he did...

Damned if they don't, defense must rise up
Chicago Sun-Times | September 07, 2008
Brad Biggs: The quarterback derby. Brian Urlacher's contract. Devin Hester's holdout-turned-into-a-contract. Chris Williams' achy, breaky back.

THE MATCHUP
Colts.com | September 06, 2008
A capsule look at Sunday's matchup between the Colts and the Chicago Bears, the 2008 regular-season opener and the first regular-season game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won a fifth consecutive AFC South title last season and the Bears missed the playoffs.

Left is all right with St. Clair
Chicago Sun-Times | September 06, 2008
You might not think much of John St. Clair as a left tackle, but it's at least worth noting that is the first position the St. Louis Rams thought of for him when he was drafted eight years ago. A third-round pick from Virginia, St. Clair's first job with the Rams was backing up Orlando Pace. No, it didn't allow for much of an opportunity to get on the field right away, but that's where the Rams figured he could develop at the start.

Bears will rely on 'Forte Formula'
Indianapolis Star | September 05, 2008

Star staff picks
Indianapolis Star | September 05, 2008

Bradley making special effort
Chicago Sun-Times | September 05, 2008
Mark Bradley lingered outside the weight room at Halas Hall after practice earlier this week after a one-on-one session with special-teams coordinator Dave Toub in which he worked as a gunner for punt coverage.

Peyton, LT, Pats the ones to beat
Chicago Sun-Times | September 05, 2008
New England redefined the possibility of perfection with an unbeaten regular season a year ago, only to see its grasp at history fall painfully short with a loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Ultimately, it was the Giants who redefined possibilities by taking a road less traveled to their ultimate triumph. New York won 10 straight road games, including playoff victories in severe weather -- the heat in Tampa, the cold in Green Bay -- before brutalizing the Patriots with a ferocious pass rush.

Homeland security
Chicago Sun-Times | September 05, 2008
For a man with bloodlines that make him a prince, Adewale Ogunleye has very common goals when it comes to Nigeria, the country his family comes from.

Firm foundation
Chicago Sun-Times | September 05, 2008
Mike Mulligan: Bears coach Lovie Smith is clearly a man who loves a paradox. How else do you explain his curious reaction to a new season of unprecedented change under his watch?

DT Harris braces for opener in return from knee injury
Chicago Sun-Times | September 04, 2008
Tommie Harris laughed and motioned to the brace he had to wear on his left knee while working late after practice on pad level with rookie Marcus Harrison .

A new Manning?
Chicago Sun-Times | September 04, 2008
By the end of a week of doing his gosh-darned dangedest to imitate Peyton Manning, Kyle Orton had the routine down pat. He looked the part anyway, and he didn't have to switch from his No. 18 jersey. By all accounts Orton, then the Bears' No. 3 quarterback, pulled off the act of mimicking the Indianapolis Colts quarterback in preparations for Super Bowl XLI in February 2007.

'Wale got best of deal
Chicago Sun-Times | September 03, 2008
Mike Mulligan: The anniversary passed without commemoration. Can it really be four years since the Bears traded Marty Booker and a third-round pick to Miami for Adewale Ogunleye? If it was a wedding anniversary, the two might have exchanged crystal or at least beer mugs, but the memory of that deal cut back on Aug. 23, 2004, is bitter for one and sweet for the other.

Buenning addition will help at guard
Chicago Sun-Times | September 03, 2008
Dan Buenning might not address the Bears' need for a reserve offensive tackle, but the veteran guard supplies instant depth for another area of need.

Quarterbacks have no 1 to look up to at receiver
Chicago Sun-Times | September 02, 2008
The Bears haven't announced their starting wide receivers, but Brandon Lloyd and Devin Hester were in the role for the last three preseason games, and it's unlikely the team is waiting to spring a surprise Sunday at Indianapolis.

Revamped offense will get stern test
Chicago Sun-Times | September 02, 2008
Alex Brown was talking about the defense's sudden nosedive at the end of the preseason when he paused to contemplate if the unit would have to carry the Bears again. ''No, it looks like we're going to have to hold up our end,'' Brown said.

Early-Manning wake-up
Chicago Sun-Times | September 01, 2008
The Bears would have you believe there's a switch somewhere that they'll get around to flipping this week. You know -- the one that turns on their defense now that the regular season has arrived. After another lousy outing last Thursday at Cleveland, there wasn't so much concern as there was relief that the preseason was over.

Miller's decision could come today
Chicago Sun-Times | September 01, 2008
The Bears brought back mostly familiar faces in assembling their practice squad Sunday, but their biggest move could be yet to come.

Hanie finds a home as Bears' No. 3 QB
Chicago Sun-Times | August 31, 2008
Living out of a hotel with his wife certainly got old, but Caleb Hanie didn't want to settle in some place only to have to turn around and pack up. Hanie and his wife, Andrea, can go hunting for a home this week. He will not have to look for work after the Bears decided to keep the undrafted free agent quarterback from Colorado State on the 53-man roster. Hanie made it through final cuts Saturday that claimed another former high pick, linebacker Mike Okwo.

Around the NFL: Bears defense struggling, too
PackersNews.com | August 30, 2008
Kyle Orton probably wont throw for 40 touchdowns. Matt Forte probably wont run for 2,000 yards. Even Devin Hester cant return a kick or punt for a touchdown every game.

Manning expects to start against Bears
Indianapolis Star | August 30, 2008

Tillman recounts ordeal leading to heart transplant
Chicago Sun-Times | August 30, 2008
Carol Slezak: When Bears cornerback Charles Tillman first learned that his 3-month old-daughter, Tiana, suffered from a heart condition called cardiomyopathy, a transplant was the furthest thing from his mind. ''At that point in time, I didn't know what it was,'' he said. ''I said, 'OK, we'll give her some [cough syrup], and it will be OK.' I didn't think it was something serious.''

Cutdown day clock ticking
Chicago Sun-Times | August 30, 2008
If Dan Bazuin's best football wasn't good enough for the Bears, he might have felt differently Friday after being informed he'll be placed on waivers today.

Manningâ��s workouts going well; QB wants to start Sept. 7 vs. Bears
Tribune Star | August 30, 2008
Peyton Manning said Friday that he fully expects to be in the starting lineup Sept. 7 when the Indianapolis Colts open the 2008 season with a home game at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Chicago Bears.

Colts' Manning practices Friday, expects to start season opener against Bears
Star Tribune | August 29, 2008

Hanie hopes he made lasting impression
Chicago Sun-Times | August 29, 2008
CLEVELAND -- Caleb Hanie might have accomplished his goal of making it hard for the Bears to cut him.

First-team defense takes the night off
Chicago Sun-Times | August 29, 2008
It either means everything, or it means nothing. All the Bears can do now is hope the preseason performance of their starting defense has no bearing on what is to come Sept. 7, when the 2008 season officially begins in Indianapolis.

It's first things worst
Chicago Sun-Times | August 29, 2008
Lovie Smith could have left his first-team defense on the field all night Thursday. The way it was playing, it would have only embarrassed itself further. Hoping to find some improvement and maybe a little momentum after a poor effort the week before, the Bears instead found reason for alarm 10 days away from having to face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Cleveland Browns' starters play well in loss to Chicago Bears, but injuries persist
Plain Dealer | August 29, 2008
Decent play is what coach Romeo Crennel wanted to see in the Browns' final exhibition game, and that's what he got. But he didn't get a win.

Bears beat Browns 16-10 in exhibition finale
San Francisco Chronicle | August 28, 2008
Brady Quinn looked better prepared for the season opener in case Derek Anderson isn't ready, leading Cleveland on two scoring drives as the Browns closed their exhibition schedule with a 16-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. Quinn finished 7-of-9...

Staying healthy is key to final tuneup
Chicago Sun-Times | August 28, 2008
Players don't like playing it, and coaches don't even like coaching in it. While the third preseason game is considered the tuneup for the regular season, the fourth is simply compulsory. You have to do it. So like it or not, the Bears will show up tonight in Cleveland to face the Browns and do what every NFL team does -- cross its fingers that there are no injuries.

Browns-Bears: Game Balls
ClevelandBrowns.com | August 28, 2008
Zac Jackson, Steve King and Andre Knott hand out their Game Balls to those players who thrived in Thursday's Browns-Bears contest.

Bears dump Manning Jr.
Chicago Sun-Times | August 27, 2008
The Bears aren't done addressing two problem areas from last season. The team continued to work over its secondary Tuesday by granting cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. his long-sought release and waited to hear from offensive tackle Fred Miller, who has been offered a one-year deal for the minimum-salary benefit at $830,000.

Browns-Bears: Game preview
ClevelandBrowns.com | August 27, 2008
Romeo Crennel leads the Browns into the club's final preseason game against the Bears on Thursday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Bowen: Don't worry about Bears' D yet
Chicago Sun-Times | August 26, 2008
Editor's note: Matt Bowen is a former seven-year veteran of the NFL who retired last year. The former Glenbard West star has a degree in journalism from Iowa and will analyze Bears games periodically for www.suntimes.com/sports.

Rex waits for what's next
Chicago Sun-Times | August 26, 2008
Even when he found himself on the long, arduous road back from a torn ACL and later a fractured ankle, Rex Grossman always could point to the fact he was the quarterback of the future. Now, he's the quarterback with the clipboard -- or whatever he chooses to occupy his time with on the sidelines, where he will be a play away from being called upon but seemingly forever away from the starting job.

Cleveland Browns starters who missed Detroit Lions game might sit out against Chicago Bears
Plain Dealer | August 26, 2008
All six starters and special teams star Josh Cribbs who sat Saturday's 26-6 loss to Detroit were held out of team drills Monday, and most probably will sit out Thursday night's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.

Quarterback Brady Quinn likely to start for Cleveland Browns in preseason game against Chicago Bears
Plain Dealer | August 26, 2008
It looks like quarterback Brady Quinn might have a chance to redeem himself with another start Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Bears.

Colts stars are â��iffyâ�� for Sept. 7 opener against Bears
Tribune Star | August 26, 2008
When it comes to the question of whether quarterback Peyton Manning and center Jeff Saturday will be ready to play in the Indianapolis Colts’ Sept. 7 season opener with the Chicago Bears, Tony Dungy has coined a new medical classification.

As long as Williams pans out, Angelo is in the clear
Chicago Sun-Times | August 25, 2008
It wasn't a news conference so much as an extraordinary event. Bears general manager Jerry Angelo submitted himself to a hastily arranged conference call with local media late Sunday afternoon in response to a suntimes.com story he felt questioned his credibility regarding the injury history of first-round pick Chris Williams.

Angelo insists he didnt hide anything on Williams
Chicago Sun-Times | August 25, 2008
Chris Williams said Sunday that the Bears knew of a pre-existing herniated disc in his lower back when they drafted him in April. The club says that is exactly right. An emotional general manager Jerry Angelo said the player's story jibes with everything he and the team have had to say since the offensive tackle went down on the second day of training camp with an injury.

RB Jones is making progress
Chicago Sun-Times | August 24, 2008
While Kevin Jones entered training camp with visions of winning the starting running back job, he doesn't see Matt Forte on the bench.

Orton's a survivor
Chicago Sun-Times | August 24, 2008
Mike Mulligan: Another man might have been scarred by the trauma, mentally bruised by sharp lacerations to the psyche, but Bears quarterback Kyle Orton has emerged relaxed, confident and composed from his time in exile. The only remnant of the ordeal that was Orton's rookie season and his subsequent period of inactivity can be found in cruel statistics.

slot is his spot
Chicago Sun-Times | August 24, 2008
Had Davis caught three touchdowns he would be a rising meteor in fantasy football for those around the country not certain the Bears' offense is worth looking over. But Davis' performance brought up the interesting question of whether a player best suited for the slot can be a starter? At 5-9, 187 pounds, Davis possesses the quickness, toughness and hands to be an ideal slot receiver, a fact that was somehow lost on the team last season when he barely saw the field.

Bears bring Payne along as strong safety option
Chicago Sun-Times | August 23, 2008
The question marks for the starting lineup remain on the offensive side of the ball, but the Bears still will consider different combinations on defense.

No defending Bears' defense
Chicago Sun-Times | August 23, 2008
Had it been the regular season, maybe Mike Brown would have come out and announced, ''We suck.'' It would have served as a trip down memory lane. Brown said just that in 2005 after the team's 1-3 start, and it would have been an appropriate way to describe the Bears' hideous defensive effort Thursday against San Francisco.

Member of 1986 Bears' Super Bowl squad arrested in SoCal
San Francisco Chronicle | August 22, 2008
Former NFL cornerback Michael Richardson, who won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears in 1986, faces up to 13 years in prison if a court finds he violated terms of a probation granted after his 21st drug conviction. Richardson was charged this week in Orange...

What was the question?
Chicago Sun-Times | August 22, 2008
Idon't now how they calculate quarterback passer ratings, but the 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan -- who has been on just about every team in the NFL, including the Bears --exited the game Thursday with a perfect 158.3 mark.

What's that smell? It's indefensible
Chicago Sun-Times | August 22, 2008
On a night when Kyle Orton supplied confirmation that the Bears made the right decision by choosing him as their starting quarterback, the feeling of impending dread about the upcoming season didn't disappear so much as simply jump to the other side of the ball.

Attention gets tossed
Chicago Sun-Times | August 22, 2008
Marty Booker figured by now he'd be a lot closer to regaining the role he had as the No. 1 receiver when he left here four seasons ago.

Bears have their man
Chicago Sun-Times | August 22, 2008
If the Bears would have known Kyle Orton was going to play like this, he might have gotten the starting job weeks -- maybe months -- ago. Heck, last season. The Orton-led offense was efficient, productive and, dare we say, a little dangerous.

Return of one who got away
Chicago Sun-Times | August 21, 2008
Three days after the Bears picked their man in the quarterback derby, they face the one that got away -- or, more accurately, the one that was told to go away.

Bears select Orton as starting QB
Detroit News | August 20, 2008
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Kyle Orton was selected to be the Bears starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith on Monday.

Idonije may get DE look vs. 49ers
Chicago Sun-Times | August 20, 2008
The Bears liked what they saw from defensive tackle Israel Idonije in a spot start last week at Seattle and plan to look at him at defensive end Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Close, but never made
Chicago Sun-Times | August 20, 2008
Before the Bears decided to re-sign Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs in the offseason, they chose to part ways with him. At the heart of that issue is the imbroglio they found themselves in with the San Francisco 49ers last year -- a messy tampering case that went all the way to the commissioner's office.

Bears selected Orton as starting QB ahead of Grossman
USA Today | August 19, 2008
Kyle Orton will start as the Chicago Bears opening day quarterback beating Rex Grossman in a competition that lasted through ...

The Orton File
Chicago Sun-Times | August 19, 2008
THE ORTON FILE

'Happy' Orton is the man
Chicago Sun-Times | August 19, 2008
By the time the Bears returned from Seattle at the crack of dawn Sunday, Kyle Orton had an idea he soon would be named the starting quarterback. He had gotten the quick hook after only two series the night before against the Seahawks and figured a move was in the works. But wiped out from the cross-country trip, he wasn't up late contemplating his future or dining on the town.

Orton outduels Grossman as Bears' QB
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | August 19, 2008

NFL news: Bears pick Orton to start the season
Kansas City Star | August 19, 2008
LAKE FOREST, Ill. | Kyle Orton was selected Monday to be the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith.

Orton gets nod over Grossman as Bears starter
Denver Post | August 19, 2008
Kyle Orton was selected to be the Bears' starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith on Monday.

Bears select QB Orton as opening-day starter
Orlando Sentinel | August 19, 2008
Kyle Orton will be the Chicago Bears' opening-day quarterback -- beating Rex Grossman in a competition that lasted through training camp and two preseason games.

Bears give Orton nod
Baltimore Sun | August 19, 2008
Kyle Orton was chosen yesterday to be the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith.

NFL news: Bears pick Orton to start the season
Buffalo News | August 19, 2008
LAKE FOREST, Ill. | Kyle Orton was selected Monday to be the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith.

Manning sighting: Colts star says rehab going well, wants to start vs. Bears
Tribune Star | August 19, 2008
More than a month after undergoing a July 14 surgical procedure to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee, Peyton Manning returned to the public eye Tuesday.

Bears name Kyle Orton as opening day starting QB
Kansas City Star | August 18, 2008
Kyle Orton was selected to be the Chicago Bears starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith on Monday. Orton won the competition with Rex Grossman for the starting job.

Orton named Bears' starting quarterback
Kansas City Star | August 18, 2008
The Chicago Bears announced Monday that Kyle Orton will line up under center in the team's season opener September 7 in Indianapolis.

Manning's wish to play granted -- minimally
Chicago Sun-Times | August 18, 2008
When a player has fallen as far as Ricky Manning Jr. has on the Bears' depth chart, sometimes the smallest things mean the most.

Bears' problems just get started with QB
Chicago Sun-Times | August 18, 2008
SEATTLE -- It's a simple fact of NFL life that the evaluation of an offense too often begins and ends with an evaluation of the quarterback. That's particularly true this year for the Bears with Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman locked in a preseason death spiral to determine who will line up under center for the season opener Sept. 7 at Indianapolis.

Signs point toward Orton
Chicago Sun-Times | August 18, 2008
It seems pretty obvious which way the Bears are going at quarterback. With 20 days until the start of the regular season, all signs are pointing to Kyle Orton being the starter Sept. 7 at Indianapolis. Coach Lovie Smith didn't give any indication Saturday night after a 29-26 overtime loss at Seattle, but did he have to?

Hester up to new tricks, gets ready to fire from shotgun
Chicago Sun-Times | August 17, 2008
SEATTLE -- The Bears' quarterback battle looked a lot more interesting near the end of training camp when Devin Hester was taking direct snaps in the shotgun.

No offense, but it looks like Orton
Chicago Sun-Times | August 17, 2008
The committee to resurrect the Bears' offense held it's second official meeting last night with the expected amount of argument and confusion and little resolution. Actually it's not so much a committee, but rather a series of subcommittees.

Pressure cooked
Chicago Sun-Times | August 17, 2008
SEATTLE -- Imagine what it would have been like if the Bears' 29-26 loss to the Seahawks in overtime Saturday night at Qwest Field was played at Soldier Field.

Resilient Seahawks trump Bears in OT, 29-26
Seattle Post-Intelligencer | August 17, 2008
Brandon Coutu's fifth field goal of the game lifted the Seahawks to a 29-26 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears in a game in which they were as resilient as the back-and-forth action was wild.

Recap: Seattle vs. Chicago
Kansas City Star | August 17, 2008
Brandon Coutu kicked a 36-yard field goal to cap a 69-yard drive in overtime and Seattle squeaked by Chicago, 29-26, in preseason action.

Grossman harried, bloodied, Orton better as Bears lose to Seahawks in OT, 29-26
Star Tribune | August 17, 2008

Orton outplays Grossman, Bears lose in OT, 29-26
San Francisco Chronicle | August 17, 2008
Bloodied Rex Grossman hopes this wasn't a knockout blow in his fight for the Bears' quarterback battle. Grossman started and completed 9 of 15 passes with one interception in a harried, sputtering quarter and a half before Kyle Orton led Chicago to a field...

Bears' Grossman, Orton looking to score points
Seattle Post-Intelligencer | August 16, 2008
Chicago brings tight quarterback battle to Qwest Field.

Still looking for answers
Chicago Sun-Times | August 16, 2008
All eyes will be on the quarterbacks tonight as the Bears look for a clue as to who will be named the starter in the next week or so. If only it were that simple. The Bears have so many moving parts right now that coach Lovie Smith has said the starters could play into the third quarter, territory they usually don't reach until the standard dress rehearsal in the third preseason game.

A great camp, but ...
Chicago Sun-Times | August 15, 2008
The Bears can talk about progress all they want, but the best indication of whether they had a successful training camp will be how they perform Saturday at Seattle and Thursday against San Francisco. Much is left to be decided, and the Bears are using game situations to shape position battles before the Sept. 7 opener at Indianapolis.

Little safety in numbers
Chicago Sun-Times | August 15, 2008
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Bears are only one preseason game into 2008, and already it's time for a change at safety. Brandon McGowan's sprained right ankle is likely to keep him on the sideline Saturday for the second preseason game at Seattle.

QB battle
Chicago Sun-Times | August 15, 2008
The final training-camp practice didn't shed any light on the quarterback situation, as it was a walk-through working off cards for Saturday's game at Seattle. The most interesting thing this week was coach Lovie Smith's statement that the competition might have another full week to go. He's not committing to naming a starter until the final preseason game Aug. 28 at Cleveland, which means perhaps letting the decision carry to next weekend, after the game against San Francisco on Thursday. Of course, a big outing by Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton in Seattle could change everything.

Seahawks' Frye likely to start at QB vs. Bears
The Olympian | August 14, 2008
But in practice with the first unit this week, Frye missed receivers while working with the first team, and still is working to get his timing down. At 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, Frye has decent but not overwhelming arm strength. Hes struggled at times going against Seattles first-team defense, with tighter coverage and smaller windows to throw into.

Bears stake claim to No. 1
Chicago Sun-Times | August 14, 2008
On Saturday the Chicago Bears will unveil a major brand campaign from its new ad agency, Two by Four/Chicago, that is designed to make a bold statement about the team's bond with the city and -- most important -- the fans who have stood by the team through some disappointing seasons.

Camp spotlight
Chicago Sun-Times | August 14, 2008
QB BATTLE

Rex, Kyle in stalemate
Chicago Sun-Times | August 14, 2008
When the Bears rolled into town brimming with optimism 23 days ago, they came in search of answers. The one thing they wanted most is the thing they can't seem to get: one quarterback to step up and grab the starting job. They've talked ad nauseam about the need for consistency and efficiency, which is code for wanting someone to make the decision as clear to the team as it is to the viewing public.

Camp spotlight
Chicago Sun-Times | August 13, 2008
QB BATTLE How even were Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman on Tuesday night? Both directed drives to the 25-yard line in the two-minute offense. Backup punter Zac Atterberry was wide left with the first 43-yard try and hit the second. Both quarterbacks tried some deep balls, and neither connected on much in 7-on-7 and team drills. Grossman, with the second team, had one nice pass to Brandon Rideau down the right sideline. Orton showed nice presence sliding to his left and hitting Mark Bradley and had good touch on a screen pass that was one-handed by Adrian Peterson . The play had a rough ending between Peterson and free safety Mike Brown .

Injury-free plea at DT
Chicago Sun-Times | August 13, 2008
Standing outside the dining hall at Olivet Nazarene University, Bears defensive line coach Brick Haley didn't have any wood nearby. So he balled his right fist and knocked on the nearest object, a metal pole. Haley is willing to knock on anything to have tackle Dusty Dvoracek remain healthy this season. He'd knock until his knuckles were raw to have all of his tackles stay healthy.

Bears rookie QB does well, but not contender yet (Chicago Tribune)
Yahoo! News | August 12, 2008
Tuesday's two-minute drill ...

No time to hold that line
Chicago Sun-Times | August 12, 2008
Mike Mulligan: Former president Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator himself, once described the term ''status quo'' perfectly: ''You know, that's Latin for the mess we're in.'' The Bears' offensive line remained status quo Monday, just as it has been since rookie left tackle Chris Williams underwent surgery on a herniated disc Wednesday and likely will miss at least half the season.

QBs duck Muhsin's verbal jab
Chicago Sun-Times | August 12, 2008
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- It was what the Bears didn't say about Muhsin Muhammad that spoke volumes when practice ended Monday.

Camp spotlight
Chicago Sun-Times | August 11, 2008
QB BATTLE Anytime the Bears want to take some of those pages with screen plays on them and tear them out of the playbook will be fine. The day after defensive end Alex Brown intercepted one in practice, Jamar Williams got his hands on another, picking off one floated by Kyle Orton and returning it. Brown nearly got another one from Orton intended for a hidden Matt Forte , then Charles Tillman blew up one for Garrett Wolfe . Enough already. Both quarterbacks struggled throughout 7-on-7 and improved a little as the practice went on. Orton's drive with the first team in the two-minute offense generated nothing. Rex Grossman used a deep corner route to Devin Hester to position Zac Atterberry for a chip-shot field goal. Grossman looked Mark Bradley's way often, connecting on a few during team drills. Orton had nice passes deep across the middle to Greg Olsen and Rashied Davis .

Metcalf injury becomes Beekman opportunity
Chicago Sun-Times | August 11, 2008
The window is not going to be open long, so Josh Beekman has to act fast.

Brendon was special
Chicago Sun-Times | August 11, 2008
Ask special-teams coordinator Dave Toub how you go about replacing Brendon Ayanbadejo, and he says you don't. Not with one player, anyway. That's the position Toub's unit, top-ranked in the league the last two seasons, is in after losing its ace coverage man, leading blocker on returns and captain.

Bears reading some back issues
Chicago Sun-Times | August 10, 2008
Mike Mulligan: The Bears are so confident rookie left tackle Chris Williams will play this season despite surgery Wednesday to repair a herniated disc in his back, they insist he'll be have a spot on the 53-man roster when the regular season begins. Playing a man down -- most likely for more than half the season -- tells you a couple of things.

Camp spotlight
Chicago Sun-Times | August 10, 2008
QB BATTLE Rookie wide receiver Earl Bennett had a pass go through his hands in the two-minute drill against the Kansas City Chiefs that could've led to a victory. Given the same opportunity, albeit in a practice Saturday night, he capitalized. Bennett got between cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and Craig Steltz to haul in a bomb from Kyle Orton to end the two-minute period for the second team. Rex Grossman's drive with the starters ended on a 55-yard field goal by Robbie Gould that was wide left. Grossman did well in the blitz period, hitting Desmond Clark and Rashied Davis in stride across the middle. He did have a screen attempt picked off by defensive end Alex Brown in team drills. Orton made a couple of nice connections with Brandon Rideau . Grossman's completion to Mark Bradley on an inside route was nice until Corey Graham stripped the ball loose.

Dorm life not bad for Bears
Chicago Sun-Times | August 10, 2008
BOURBONNAIS, Ill.-- No team is ever going to match the revelry and merrymaking of the '85 Bears during training camp when they created the perfect storm of football and nightlife in Platteville, Wis., en route to a Super Bowl championship.

OTs Tait, St. Clair stay put
Chicago Sun-Times | August 10, 2008
The starting offensive tackles remained in the same spot Saturday night that they were in for Thursday's preseason opener against Kansas City. The more experienced left tackle, John Tait , remained on the right, and John St. Clair , who was supposed to keep left tackle warm until Williams was ready, was on the left.

So far, no good
Chicago Sun-Times | August 10, 2008
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- With five days of practice left in training camp and three preseason games to go, the Bears have basically half of their offense unsettled with four weeks before the opener against AFC powerhouse Indianapolis.

Scatback wanted -- and it's looking like Wolfe
Chicago Sun-Times | August 09, 2008
While linebacker Michael Okwo appears to be in a precarious position with a leg injury that has kept him out for a week, running back Garrett Wolfe stepped forward in the Bears' preseason opener Thursday night to ease any concerns about his role.

No Williams, no clear-cut plan
Chicago Sun-Times | August 09, 2008
An idea that was largely dismissed when floated earlier this week -- moving John Tait back to left tackle -- now will merit serious discussion. The Bears weren't going to make a knee-jerk decision with first-round pick Chris Williams sidelined with a back injury, but they have to react now that the rookie is shelved indefinitely after back surgery.