Peppers to sign with Bears this afternoon?

[G's pks]

Should happen flying in.

LB Brackett resigned with Colts.

Bears also signed a blocking TE from the Chargers and may add Rolle, or Taylor...they have some free cash with no 1st or 2nd round draft picks.

[ZBOIZ]

Wow

[ZBOIZ]

If I was the gm I'll trade my 2011 1st rounder for Brandon Marshall

[sidewinder66]

could be interesting. Peppers would take the Bears defense to the next level. Also I think Manumaleuna is a good pickup for them. A blocking TE is always useful to have

[MJT1212]

I saw Peppers last game, last play, last INT with the Panthers during week 17. It was classic, they put him back in at the very end and he caught an INT on the line and slung the ball down the field all the way, 75 yds, from the 25 YDL to the opposite goal line.

[MJT1212]

And yes ZbOIZ, it WAS against the SAINTS!

[whatsgood5]

Good news. Glad to see my redskins won't be overpaying for him.

[G's pks]

Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:01 am EST
The Bears are trying to sign everybody

By MJD

Without first- or second-round picks, the Chicago Bears are unable to improve themselves much through the draft. There's nothing stopping them from going bananas and doing a Redskins impression in free agency, though.
Chicago's looking to reel in two of the biggest fish out there: Julius Peppers(notes) and Chester Taylor(notes). Head coach Lovie Smith was in Charlotte at midnight to meet Peppers, and is bringing him back to the Bears facilities today. Running back Chester Taylor will also be in for a visit. Big blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna is visiting, too.
The Bears have been mentioned as a potential player in free agency, but I don't know if anyone expected them to be this aggressive. I don't know if anyone expected the "Lovie Smith knocking on your door at midnight" bit. Did he bring flowers? Did he sing?
Maybe things work out in the long run and maybe they don't, but the Bears at least get credit for going after it aggressively. If you're going to do something, you might as well do it maniacally.
Peppers makes perfect sense for the Bears. They lack a pass rusher; he is a pass rusher. A very, very expensive one who takes the occasional year off, but still, it feels a need.
So does Taylor, unfortunately. I say unfortunately, because in Matt Forte's(notes) third year, I'm sure the Bears were hoping they wouldn't need a complementary back. Forte regressed a bit last year, though, averaging just 3.6 yards a carry and putting up 4 touchdowns.
Manumaleuna is an old Mike Martz guy, having played for him with the Rams back in Martz's glory days. Now Martz is the offensive coordinator in Chicago, he values a big, blocking tight end, and no one fills that role better than Manumaleuna.
It'll be a busy and potentially expensive day in Chicago. We'll see how successful they are.

[Irish Lumberjack]

bears need some help on both sides of the ball, they should be very active

[G's pks]

If I was the gm I'll trade my 2011 1st rounder for Brandon Marshall

Cutler and Marshall could get reunited...one GM bet another GM a steak dinner on it...but not hearing that one on espn or yahoo yet...

[Chi_archie]

Bears fans sports beat guys have been talking about peppers for months here.......

thing is, just like WR'S.... defensive linemen come here to Die.... or even young guys with lots of potential end up mediocre here.....

not sure what it is

[coloradobuff]

bears need offensive help, not defensive.

[tblues2005]

Bears sure would be getting a very good player if they got him. They do need some offensive help also.

[lakerboy]

bears need offensive help, not defensive.

I hear what you are saying but as an avid bears fan trust me our defense stinks . People still have thoughts that its good cause of a few years ago but hardly any team created less pressure on the qb last year.

[G's pks]

Get Peppers first, than Taylor, than a few guys for the "O" line. Urlacher returning, Briggs, hilenmeyer (spelling) got some needed experience...Roach, Williams looked like ok LB back ups. Maybe at receiver add marshall.

[G's pks]

Also RB Taylor signed 4 years, Peppers got 6 years... Wow look out here come the Bears!

[lakerboy]

So G's how much does this help our team out? I think having Peppers is exactly what we needed , finally someone that can bring pressure to the qb and allow Urlacher to influence the middle of the field more. Obviously taylor is a good addition and will help Forte break loose more often.

[obamaismyuncle]

Also RB Taylor signed 4 years, Peppers got 6 years... Wow look out here come the Bears!

And the Bears still won't win the division.

[whatsgood5]

Excellent way to start Free-agency for the Bears, I think they can be a contender for the NFC North next year if Cutler can manage to put together a halfway decent year.

[G's pks]

So G's how much does this help our team out? I think having Peppers is exactly what we needed , finally someone that can bring pressure to the qb and allow Urlacher to influence the middle of the field more. Obviously taylor is a good addition and will help Forte break loose more often.

You know how important a pass rush is, Peppers over 80 sacks since 02!

Taylor nice to have on 3rd downs...remember Forte fumbling twice in that Sunday night game against Atlanta and costing the Bears the game. With Cutler/Martz this team has a whole new look.

[BurtRapp]

Bear down chicago bears

[in2thethickofit]

I love what the Bears are doing here...as a Bears fan I agree with lakerboy above, we are suffering on BOTH sides of the ball. Any improvements are welcome in Chicago.

[Tree Rollins]

The bears need receivers.

[nobshine]

I thought his only concern was to WIN. not happening in Chicago.

[ryanjep]

chester taylor signed as well

[filter15]

they have like no draft because of cutler, now this

it reminds me of the haynsworth deal

[stealthyburrito]

Bears are pulling a Redskins this year. Dont have any draft picks cuz you traded them away? No problem, just attempt to sign every big name free agent on the market!

[slacker00]

Peppers is a stud, any team would be lucky to have him.

Chester Taylor is underrated as well, IMHO.

Good moves by the Bears.

[jgiun1]

like the Ravens adding Boldin.......nice move also

[ijrod21i]

Do the Bears now have "Adrian Peterson" and Taylor now? hah. What sucks about Peppers is that he could've been the greatest D-lineman since Reggie White but just didn't put in the effort and had some injuries. Have fun with all the distractions and cold weather up there in Chi-town, Peppers!

[flyingillini]

Good news for my team!

[GunShard]

Peppers is useful because Cutler keeps donating the ball to the other team, lol.

Also, I think the Bears should be upgrading thier offensive line and wide recievers. The wide reciever the Ravens got was more important than Peppers.

[DOMINATER]

The Pats really needed him, hes going with the bears i thought it was the jets. wow the Pats are not filling their holes and they have many.

[gr1624]

As a packer fan I fell the Bears have made a move to the top of the division. I think Cutler will have a much better year then last and Martz will have something to do with it. Pack or Vikes won't make playoffs next year due to the upgraded Bear team.

[Wrigley]

Bears looking good on paper with their signings if Cutler can turn it around next year they could contend for the division with minn and GB