Brandon Lloyd: Wants To Come Back

I wouldn't mind Brandon Lloyd on the roster next season, he had some really nice catches.

Lloyd was unable to stay healthy for most of the season, but I can see him back because Ron Turner and him have connections from the University of Illinois.

The Bears Should look at these Wide Receivers

In the upcoming NFL Draft, which is about 3 months away, the Bears most glaring need is wide receiver.

They own the 18th pick in the upcoming draft and by the time they choose expect Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and Florida's Percy Harvin to all be off the board.

That's why they should look at Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey and North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks.

Darrius Heyward-Bey's College Statistics:

Maryland			Receiving						Rushing
Season	Games		Rec	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD		Att	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD
2006	13		45	694	15.4	96	5		5	14	1.0	9	0
2007	13		51	786	15.4	63	3		5	110	21.4	54	1
2008	12		42	608	14.5	80	5		15	202	13.5	76	1
Total	37		138	2,089	15.1	96	13		25	326	13.0	76	2

Career highlights and awards for Darrius Heyward-Bey

• 2006 The Sporting News first-team freshman All-America
• 2006 All-ACC second-team
• 2008 All-ACC honorable mention

fftoolbox.com says that "Darrius Heyward-Bey is a big 6-2 receiver who is simply an amazing athlete who can win a jump ball against any corner in the NFL."

YouTube Highlights of Darrius Heyward-Bey




Hakeem Nicks' College Statistics:

tats Overview	Receiving					Rushing					Fumbles
YEAR	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
2006	39	660	16.9	83	4	1	10	10.0	10	0	0	0
2007	74	958	12.9	53	5	1	-1	-1.0	0	0	0	0
2008	68	1222	18.0	74	12	5	34	6.8	12	1	0	0

Career highlights and awards

• Most career receptions in UNC history (181)
• Most career TD receptions in UNC history (21)
• Most single-season TD receptions in UNC history (12)

fftoolbox.com says that "Nicks is not a pure speed receiver, but he has certainly been productive. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, he has decent size and could develop into a solid complimentary receiver on just about any team in the NFL."

YouTube Highlights of Hakeem Nicks


So why should we care about these guys ?
Because they might help the Bears tremendously next season.

I'm not a big Kyle Orton fan, but he had horrible wide receivers this season.

Kyle Orton needs other help than Matt Forte.

Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd and Rashied Davis are not #2 receivers in the NFL.

And Devin Hester is definitely not a #1.

I would love to have either of these guys, but I would prefer Nicks of Heyward-Bey, just because of the highlight above from YouTube.

Bears Off-Season

Bears Free Agents:

The Bears took care of all of their big names last year, so this year nobody that is hugely important is a priority.

Mike Brown *

Kevin Jones

Brandon Lloyd *

Darrell McClover

Rex Grossman *

John St. Clair *

Brandon McGowan *

The asterisks are the players I think the Bears should keep.

Mike Brown should be brought back, even though he is hurt a lot, he is a great player when on the field.

Lloyd could be good as a 3rd or 4th receiver.

Grossman should be brought back to compete with Orton and maybe another veteran QB.

St. Clair will defiantly be brought back for depth behind the young players like, Chris Williams and Josh Beekman.

Brandon McGowan has been hurt a lot, just like Mike Brown, but I think having more solid depth at safety is a great idea.

Team Needs:

Wide Receiver

Defensive End

Offensive Line

Quarterback

Bears win 23-10 against struggling Jags

The Bears made sure they won this game, by coming out early and setting the tempo.

Kyle Orton looked solid with a 85.3 passer rating, 219 yards and two touchdown passes to Dez Clark and Greg Olsen.

His one mistake came when he under threw Devin Hester, who finished the game with five catches and 80 yards.

Danieal Manning, who moved to nickel back this season, picked off David Garrard on the Jag's first drive.

Manning returned it to the five where he fumbled out of bounds.

It was initially called a touch back, but Lovie Smith threw the challenge flag and the Bears scored on a Dez Clark catch.

They looked solid in the first half, but they were very conservative in the second half.

They knew they had it in the bag.

They allowed only 159 yards threw the air and the defensive line helped out with three sacks.

The defense had about 11 tipped passes in this game and it seemed like they were going to pick off Garrard more than just once.


The defensive stars:

Anthony Adams, Israel Idonije, and Daniel Manning led the defense for most of the day.

Adams, who is filling in for the injured Dusty Dvoraceck had eight tackles and really looked good.

Israel Idonije, had 1.5 sacks and a couple of deflected passes on some big plays.

Danieal Manning looked like a first round pick.

Manning not only had an interception, three tackles and two deflected passes, but he also had some decent kick returns.


The offensive stars:

Kyle Orton looked good with his 2 touchdowns and 85.3 passer rating.

Devin Hester had a big day receiving, but he also seems to know what he is doing returning punts now.

Hester was close to taking a punt to the house in the second half, this made the Jaguars punt out of bounds multiple times.

The tight ends looked really good, with Greg Olsen's 52 yards and a score and Dez Clark's touchdown catch.

Matt Forte, who is a rookie, but plays like a veteran, finished with 69 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving.


Notes from the game:

Garrett Wolfe left the game on the opening kickoff with a hamstring injury.

Mark Anderson recorded on his first sack of the season, when he beat tackle Tony Pashos with a spin move.

Adewale Ogunleye, who was on the injury report, helped Israel Idonije bring down David Garrard late in the game.

This victory gives the Bears 700 wins, an NFL record.

Adrian Peterson, finished the game with 19 yards on three carries, but he really looked like a solid backup running back.


Disappointments from the game:

Besides Devin Hester the wide receivers looked pathetic.

Marty Booker, Rashied Davis, and Brandon Lloyd combined for 5 catches.

Lloyd didn't catch a ball and looks almost invisible lately.

Booker was banged up late in the game and Rashied Davis just has no hands.

None of these guys should be starters in the NFL.

I don't understand why Earl Bennett and Brandon Rideau don't get any playing time.

Lance Briggs missed a tackle on the little, but powerful Maurice Jones-Drew four yard touchdown.


What's Next?

The Bears face the 7-6 New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.

Both teams need this win.

The Lions played the Vikings tough, but the Vikings came away with the victory to stay one game ahead of the Bears.

The Packers lost their eighth game of the season and are eliminated from the playoffs.

Bears plans for the rest of the season and next year is??

1. Win the next four games and you might have a real shot of making the playoffs.

You play Jacksonville this week, New Orleans, Green Bay and @ Houston in the four game stretch.

Don't worry about the other teams in your division, worry about yourself and winning the next four games.

2. Minnesota obviously beat you on Sunday, but they have a tough four game stretch to finish out the season. They play the win less Lions on the road, then Arizona on the road and Atlanta and NY "football" Giants in Minnesota.

The Vikings have lost both Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for the rest of the regular season, so that is huge for the Bears.

The Packers still have a real chance of winning the division, they play vs Houston, at Jacksonville, @ the Bears, and vs the Lions. They can easily finish 9-7.

3. Start thinking about what you need for this team to win in the future. They need a big time receiver, maybe T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Chad Johnson would come to Chicago. They could always draft someone in the first round.

Other areas of need:

backup RB, Forte needs a helper.

DE, a big time pass rusher, Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije are just not getting it done anymore.

S, Mike Brown is getting old and Kevin Payne just isn't very good.

Coach, I think it's time for Lovie to go, the guy doesn't show any character after a win, loss or a big play.

Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner is consistent with his horrible play calling, especially in the red zone. He consists on giving it the FB at the one yard line or just running the same play three times in a row.

4. For now, the Bears need Orton to get healthy, cause he hasn't looked himself since his injury and fans are starting to call for Rex to come in, but Orton will be just fine. Hopefully Hester, Davis and Lloyd are enough to help Orton and Forte just be yourself.

5. The tight ends have been almost invisible the last couple of games, Olsen looks like a bust and Dez Clark looks really old all of a sudden.

6. This team better get their act together if they want to win the NFC North, they have been so inconsistent this season. One week they barely beat the Lions, then they almost beat the Titans and they get crushed by the Packers and Vikings.

Coaches, players, if you want to be here next year, i'd tell you this, "step it up a notch.(Mark Rogers, friend)"

Hey Brandon Lloyd How u Doin?

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was not listed on the injury report Wednesday for the first time since he hurt his knee Sept. 28 in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field.

The sixth-year pro hopes to return to action Sunday in Green Bay after missing the last six games.

At the time of his injury, Lloyd led Bears wide receivers with 15 catches and 249 yards.

“I’ve been chomping at the bit to get out there and all the training has kind of paid off,” Lloyd said after practicing without restrictions Wednesday. “I wake up and I feel really good in the morning and feel really good at practice. I’m just excited to get back out there.”

“The last time Brandon played for us he was really playing good football, so anytime you can get another offensive weapon like that it has to help,” said coach Lovie Smith. “We can’t wait to get Brandon back out there. Brandon is making a lot of progress. He was close last week, so hopefully he’ll be ready to go this week.”

“This is the one that’s going to matter as far as how the division is shaping up,” Lloyd said. “You don’t want to put too much pressure on it, but it’s hard not to put pressure on a game of this magnitude.”

Will Brandon Lloyd ever play?

Brandon Lloyd was listed as probable on friday's injury report, but said his knee sprain still need some time to heal.

Lloyd seemed confused that he didn't play.


He was happier on Monday:

"I don't think it was some sort of punishment or anything like that," when it comes to doing the things I need to do as a receiver, I'm just not there. It's as simple as that."

Brandon Lloyd hasn't played since getting injured against Eagles on Sept. 28, missing five games.

They really need Lloyd, because without veteran Marty Booker gets more playing time and Booker doesn't look very good lately.

I'm starting to wish we still had Mark Bradley, who looks great with the Chiefs.


Lovie on decision to let Lloyd rest:

"He was close this past week, [he] probably could have [played]. I ... decided to wait one more week."

Lloyd previously stated he wouldn't return for a game until 100 percent.

"I'd say he was just probably saying when he was ready to go and he could go out there and not hurt his football team, it's nothing more than that."

Mike Brown, Kyle Orton sit out Wednesday's practice

Safety Mike Brown (calf) joined quarterback Kyle Orton (ankle) on the sideline Wednesday, sitting out practice.

Also out were receiver Marty Booker, cornerback Charles Tillman and defensive lineman Tommie Harris.

I don't think Charles Tillman was healthy enough to play last week, but we really need him this week.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (thumb) was limited.

Luckily, Receiver Brandon Lloyd (knee) and nickel back Danieal Manning (hamstring) had full participation.

Bears' Hillenmeyer could miss Lions game with a hand injury

• A Chicago Bears Source says LB Hillenmeyer had surgery and CB Vasher is still day-to-day.

Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher remained sidelined Monday, nearly four weeks after surgery on his right wrist, and now strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer is out with a hand injury.

Vasher sat out during a short workout at Halas Hall, as did Hillenmeyer, who had surgery last week on his thumb, a source close to the player said.

There is no timetable for his return, and he has not been ruled out for Sunday's game against Detroit.

Vasher how you doin?

''I'm doing good, still just going day-to-day, and hopefully by the end of the week I'll be able to see.''

Lovie Smith had this to say about Vasher's starting job:

''Each snap you're earning a job, you have to do something to say that you deserve to be out on the field. Nathan Vasher is a good player. A lot has been said about him and is he starting and all of this. Nate's one of our guys. He's going to help us win a lot of games around here.''

Vasher seems upset at reporters:

''Are you guys starting something?" "Oh, my gosh. It's the middle of the season. I don't know what you guys are talking about. You tell me. I'm always content with whatever my role is on the team. I just want the team to win.''

Since Hillenmeyer might not play, Nick Roach and Jamar Williams practiced with the first team and worked with coach Lloyd Lee worked for 20 minutes after practice.

Hey Brandon Lloyd you gonna play this weekend?

''I don't know. I'm not going to play unless I am 100 percent.''

Other important injury updates:

Nickel back Danieal Manning (hamstring) returned to practice after sitting out two weeks. Cornerback Charles Tillman (shoulders), wide receiver Marty Booker and defensive tackle Tommie Harris (left knee) sat out.

Lloyd Out; Booker, Tillman, Vasher and Williams Questionable

Brandon Lloyd is officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions and Marty Booker, Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher and rookie T Chris Williams are all questionable.

Also, Tommie Harris is suspended by head coach Lovie Smith for the game because he showed up late to some of treatments for his knee.

Kyle Orton had this to say about playing without WR Brandon Lloyd:

“It’s tough because he’s really coming on strong, he made a couple really nice catches and ran some great routes last week.”

Devin Hester had this to say about playing without WR Brandon Lloyd:

We know Brandon Lloyd went down, he’s a key receiver, but he’s down this week. It’s just going to give the next guy an opportunity to make plays. With him being down, it’s time for somebody else to step up.”

Lovie Smith on Tommie Harris suspension:

“We’re not trying to send any messages, it’s pretty simple: You’ve got rules, you break rules and you get punished.”

Other News:

After being inactive for the first four games, Bennett could be in uniform Sunday at Ford Field.

“I’m very eager to get the opportunity to get out there and play and help us win a game,” said the third-round pick from Vanderbilt. “If opportunity knocks, I’m there.”

Starting cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nate Vasher (wrist) were limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable on the injury report, but both said they expected to play against the Lions.

Booker (knee) was also limited and listed as questionable, while rookie left tackle Chris Williams practiced without restrictions and was listed as questionable.

The first-round draft pick has been making steady progress in his rehabilitation from back surgery.

“Chris Williams had another good day and he’s had a good week of practice,” said coach Lovie Smith. “That’s always good to get a player like that back into the mix.”

Mike Hass Signed to Practice Squad

The Bears re-signed receiver Mike Hass to their practice squad.

Hass, who was caught in a numbers game during final cuts, had a tryout scheduled with the New York Giants.

Earl Bennett will likely suit up if Brandon Lloyd can't go and if Marty Booker can't play look for Brandon Rideau to get some time as well.

Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd named Starting WR's

The Bears named WR/KR Devin Hester aka Windy City Flyer or ridicilous and WR Brandon Lloyd their starting WR's.

Behind them will be Earl Bennett, Marty Booker, Rashied Davis and Mark Bradley, who all look like good solid options.

Why Rex Grossman Has To Start the Regular Season

Written by Farooq Ahmed from Bleacherreport.com

Yes. I said it. Rex Grossman must start for the Bears.

Call me crazy, but in 30 starts, he has a 19-11 record. Yes, people will say that he turns the ball over way too much, but as many Bears fans know, the players around him respond to the guy for some strange reason.

And don't forget that he was "the guy" that helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl only two years ago.

He definitely has a chip on his shoulder after Super Bowl XLI, where the Bears ran the ball well and defended solidly. Despite the Bears' great defensive play, Grossman's turnovers cost them the game. He threw three interceptions, including one that resulted in a touchdown, which sealed the Colts' victory.

That’s why I believe Rex will start the season opener against the Colts and continue to play throughout the regular season. He wants to prove himself as an elite NFL quarterback. But first comes the much-publicized QB competition in the Windy City.

It's clear that Rex is the favorite to win. In fact, Bears officials have said that they expect Rex to win the starting job. He has the talent to lead a team. Whether or not he wins the starting role is another question.

We all know that when he’s hot, he can be unstoppable, as was the case when he threw four touchdown passes against Detroit in 2006 which was his best game to date.

When he’s cold, he can be awful. This was apparent when he threw for zero touchdowns and three interceptions against Green Bay.

With a career rating of 70.9 in 30 starts, Rex is definitely under pressure to perform like a 22nd-overall pick should.

Rex will have a better season this year.

I can see him easily beating out Kyle Orton in the QB competition and throwing well in preseason games before Lovie Smith declares him as the starter. Much to the outrage of thousands of Bears fans that will shout and scream, “WE WANT FAVRE,” it won’t happen.

One thing Rex has to do is mature and stop the stupid, unwanted turnovers and vow to protect the ball. He's shown glimpses of the great quarterback he can be, and that’s what the Bears will need to see from him in the 2008 season.

He doesn't quite have the weapons he had in 2006, but he does have Devin Hester providing a deep threat at WR, along with veteran receivers Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, and Mark Bradley.

With much-hyped running backs Matt Forte and Kevin Jones in the mix, and a re-jigged offensive line, the Bears should improve on their 29th-ranked offense from a year ago.

Add a solid top-10 defense and a No.1 special teams, and the Bears can set their sights high this season and make a playoff run. The mood around camp is very positive, with Jerry Angelo dishing out contracts like lunch. But it is up to the players and team to prove that money was well spent.