For the second time in the past four years, the Chicago Bears are the first NFL team to agree to terms with every single one of their draft picks. Defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert -- of YouTube pool-jumping fame -- and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias have both inked four-year deals with the Monsters of the Midway, according to a Bears press release. Dollar figures were not disclosed.
The task of signing the picks was likely a bit easier on Jerry Angelo and company, considering they didn't have a first- or second-rounder. Still, there have only been 30 draft picks in all of the NFL who have signed, and the Bears have nine of those guys. That's no small feat in efficient negotiating by the front office.
When the Bears acquired Jay Cutler almost two months ago, it became required for all journalists and bloggers alike to spew on and on about how awful Chicago's receiving corps is. CBS' Clark Judge still can't stop doing it, for example. The next chapter in the Bears Offseason Reporting Handbook is to try and connect every single available receiver to the Bears via free agency. Just as quickly as a name pops up, though, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo shoots it down.
The latest example in a long line is cocaine addict former Jags wideout Matt Jones. The talented yet troubled receiver caught 65 passes for 761 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. Angelo, staying true to form, doesn't seem interested.
As the season grows closer and closer, the malign on the Bears receiving corps gains steam. It seems as though everyone in the world believes the receiving corps is so bad that Jay Cutler can't be successful. Nevermind the fact that the vastly inferior Kyle Orton threw for almost 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns (in 15 games) in the same offense last season. It's not as though the losses of Marty Booker and a handful of games from Brandon Lloyd are irreplaceable.
Still, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo just can't escape the question of whether or not the Bears will pursue help at wide receiver. Inevitably, Plaxico Burress' name arises.
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.
When the Bears made one of the biggest offseason splashes by trading for Jay Cutler, they were left without a first-round pick. Many Bears fans would argue this was a blessing in disguise, considering general manager Jerry Angelo's rocky history with first-round picks (David Terrell, Cedric Benson, Rex Grossman, Michael Haynes).
Still, there were more needs than just quarterback on this team for the near future. Would Angelo be able to fill all those holes with a bunch of second-day draft picks?
Ever since the Bears landed Jay Cutler, the media and fans alike have flooded the internet with bashing of the Bears receiving corps. Raise your hand if you've either said, heard someone say, or read someone else saying "Who's he going to throw to?" I'll just assume all hands are raised.
Last week, some photos of Jay Cutler (gasp!) out on the town and possibly drinking (OMG!!) surfaced and the internet paparazzi/fun police went wild. As a Bears fan, I can tell you there aren't many things this offseason that brought on more personal indifference. In fact, the only real thing I took away from the picture was that it was cool seeing him hanging out with his new tight end, Greg Olsen. Relationship between QB and TE = Good.
The man who Bears fans hope will be the first franchise quarterback in recent memory, Jay Cutler, was introduced officially as a Chicago Bear at a press conference late Friday afternoon.
After the Bears made the announcement of their franchise-shattering acquisition of Jay Cutler, they didn't rest. Within a few hours, they announced they had also agreed to terms with venerable left tackle Orlando Pace. I'll admit, I was overly excited about the two new Bears, as were all my Bears fans friends -- which is weird, usually at least one of us disagrees about player movement. Make no mistake about it, though. We aren't delusional. This team is far from complete and the die-hards know it.
With the team still a decent amount below the salary cap and several holes left to fill for 2009, here's what I think the Bears should do.
I've taken time to check out many message boards and comments sections across the internet. What I'm finding, for the most part, is that fans of teams other than the Bears think this is a terrible deal. Their "evidence," though, is usually incredibly flawed. Here are some of the reasons people think the deal is poor for the Bears, followed by my rebuttals.
CHICAGO -- So the Summer Olympics must be coming in 2016. And a minefield of potholes soon will be magically filled. And the Cubs will win a World Series for the first time since, oh, your grandparents' grandparents were double-dating in Henry Ford's Model T. And those wicked, face-eating winters will be replaced by pleasant, sunny, balmy, gorgeous ... all right, I'm obviously overcome by shock.
For the second time in the past four years, the Chicago Bears are the first NFL team to agree to terms with every single one of their draft picks. Defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert -- of YouTube pool-jumping fame -- and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias have both inked four-year deals with the Monsters of the Midway, according to a Bears press release. Dollar figures were not disclosed.
When the Bears acquired 
As the season grows closer and closer, the malign on the Bears receiving corps gains steam. It seems as though everyone in the world believes the receiving corps is so bad that 
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 
Ever since the Bears landed 
Last week, some photos of 
After the Bears made the announcement of their 
CHICAGO -- So the Summer Olympics must be coming in 2016. And a minefield of potholes soon will be magically filled. And the Cubs will win a World Series for the first time since, oh, your grandparents' grandparents were double-dating in Henry Ford's Model T. And those wicked, face-eating winters will be replaced by pleasant, sunny, balmy, gorgeous ... all right, I'm obviously overcome by shock.
