Bears Release WR Mark Bradley

The Chicago Bears have announced the release of former second-round pick WR Mark Bradley today.

Bradley was injured in his first two years, from 2005-2006. He injured his knee, ankle, and ACL in the time span.

Last season Bradley played in 15 games, catching just six passes for 71 yards and one touchdown. He primarily played on the special teams.

I always thought Bradley had the big play ability, but I guess the Bears didn't see that.

DT Tommie Harris, who is coming back from knee surgery, didn't agree with his former teammate's release.

"I don't feel like he had a fair chance," Harris said. "I feel like he just had his job taken from him. You know how it goes: He had a knee surgery, then he lost his job."

Bradley knew his release was coming; he thought during the preseason that he would be waived. He was surprised he even made the 53-man roster.

Harris said he had a conversation with Bradley in the preseason, where Bradley indicated he asked the team for his release.

"Mark understood that this was going to happen from the beginning," Harris said. "He asked for his release so he would have a fair chance to be on somebody else's roster. But I guess they wanted to wait until week four for whatever reason."

Bradley was inactive for the opening game against the Colts, and he played on special team against the Panthers and Buccaneers.

Bradley had 36 catches for 583 yards and four touchdowns in his three seasons with the Bears.

What's Next for Bradley?

Harris believes Bradley's future is bright.

"He's a great receiver, he'll get picked up by another team and do well," Harris said.

Harris and Bradley were teammates at the University of Oklahoma and developed a good relationship in their time together in Chicago.

What Now?

Lovie Smith said in the preseason that Bradley would have the No. 1 WR spot to start the season, but then Bradley had knee surgery and he lost his spot.

The Bears expected Bradley to take over for Muhsin Muhammad (released) and Bernard Berrian (signed with the Vikings).

Expect the Bears to promote WR Brandon Rideau from the practice squad if Devin Hester stays out of the lineup for a while.

So, Hamilton Played Against Us Four Days Ago and Now He Is on Our Team?

Yes, after spending his entire rookie season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad last year, Marcus Hamilton made his NFL debut Sunday against the Bears, recording one tackle and two pass breakups.

The seventh-round draft pick from Virginia forced the Bears to punt on their first two possessions of the second half by breaking up third-down passes intended for Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker.

Hamilton was brought in to help a struggling secondary.

Did You Know?

Bradley's release leaves quarterback Kyle Orton as the lone member left from the Bears' 2005 draft class.

Bradley is also the second second-round pick Jerry Angelo has cut in the last month, following Dan Bazuin out the Halas Hall door.

Why Was Bradley Released?

Obviously Bradley couldn't stay healthy and when he played he struggled to keep focus. Look for the Dolphins or Seahawks to pick him up.

Ex- Bears Muhsin Muhammad And Tank Johnson Have Comments For Their Former Team

For a guy who led the NFL, the last two years in dropped passes to say something rude about his ex-team is wrong.

Two days ago ex-Chicago Bear Muhsin Muhammad told Peter King of SI.com "That's right. It's where receivers go to die.''

What Muhsin Muhammad said made it into Peter King's Quotes of the Week.

I think Muhsin is just mad because the Bears finally released him and his large contract, which he never lived up to.

The Bears signed Muhsin Muhammad in 2005 the year after he had a career high 16 receiving touchdowns.

The last two seasons, Muhsin led the league in drops and it was time for him to go.

I don't hear Bernard Berrian bashing his former team.

Muhsin was out of his prime and the Bears picked up a guy to take his place, Marty Booker.

A look at Booker, not only as younger, but also as a better player. Booker had his best years as a Bear.

Yesterday, WMVP-AM 1000's Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman chatted with Muhsin Muhammad a day after his criticism of the Bears made headlines.

This is what Muhammad had to say, "I was actually responding to a comment that was made, and I guess you can kind of agree with it,'' Muhammad said. "My career didn't really take off there. I wasn't really directing it at any particular coach or any particular staff member. It was just a situation where I was looking at the receiving corps, as a whole, over the course of time. And you really haven't seen a lot of big-name receivers go to the Pro Bowl for Chicago.''

For a guy who couldn't push Kelvin Hayden out of bounds in the Super Bowl, Muhammad has no right to say this.

I used to like Muhsin Muhammad, and i like cheering "Moose" everytime he caught a pass, but now he lost my respect as a player and as a person.

Of course the Bears quarterbacks had little to say.

Rex Grossman said ''I don't pay attention to that" and Kyle Orton said "No comment."

Muhsin was asked about the coaches in Chicago, and this is what he said "Well, for whatever reason, it just didn't work out,'' he said. "Ron has had success in different places and, obviously, he's a good coordinator. And also Darryl Drake, he's a great receivers coach. And Lovie Smith, can't say enough good things about him. I think the comment was taken out of context a little bit and probably blown up a little more than it should have been. "But that's just how it goes sometimes in this business—you're going to be misquoted or … things like that happen. We pick up the pieces and try to leave on good notes. I wish them well and I know they do the same for me.''

Chicago Bears wide receivers coach had this say about his former WR “Everybody is entitled to their opinions,” said Drake, who’s in his fifth season with the Bears. “I love Moose and hope that he continues to have an illustrious career.

Daryl Drake alluded to former Bears receivers Bobby Wade, Justin Gage and Bernard Berrian as players, who emerged here in Chicago, before signing lucrative long-term deals with other teams. Drake also mentioned that, Muhsin Muhammad had to share time with Bernard Berrian, when Berrian finally grew as a receiver.

In the end Daryl Drake said this about Muhsin Muhammad, ''I'll give him a great big hug, right around the neck [when they meet in Week 2] because I love him.''

Another former Bears player made rude comments about one of his former teammates.

DT Tank Johnson told CBS Sportsline.com that Grossman was "brittle" and "soft."

Tank Johnson, shouldn't be saying anything after his off the field arrests and mistakes he made as a Bear.

Also, Muhsin Muhammad dropped more passes than i can remember.

Ron Turner reflected on the comments made by the former Bears players. He said "To be honest that's the first time I ever heard that from either of those guys, but any time anybody says something about guys on this team you take offense to it."

Next time you want to talk bad about someone Muhsin or Tank, talk bad about yourself.

Maybe you guys should look in the mirror, once in a while.

Rex Grossman gets so much criticism and I hope he proves everyone wrong and has a great year.

Bears Player Preview: Kellen Davis

Today I will preview the Chicago Bears' second fifth round pick, Kellen Davis, on Chicago Bears Player Preview.

This guy is 6'7" and 262 Ibs.

Kellen Davis will replace TE John Gilmore who left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this off-season.

Kellen Davis enjoyed his years in college at Michigan State.

Davis will take Muhsin Muhammad's number 87 and he might contribute more than many think.

I can't remember when the Bears had better tight end's on their roster.

With veteran Dez Clark, last years first-round pick Greg Olsen and Kellen Davis they looked pretty stacked.

Kellen Davis had 60 career receptions for 789 yards (13.1 avg.) and nine receiving touchdowns in his four year career with the Spartans.

Last season Davis was third on the team with 32 catches for 513 yards and he had six receiving touchdowns.

With those stats, he was named honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.

Not only did he play offensively as a TE and defensively as a DE, but he also played on the field goal/PAT unit on special teams and on the defensive line.

Look for the Chicago Bears to use him like Israel Idonije on the field goal unit, because of his height.

The Bears love drafting athletic players, who are versatile.

He is a fast-developing receiver and has big hands, but needs some more practice at catching the football.

Kellen Davis could be used as a DE, but Lovie Smith said after the draft they selected for his offensive skill not his defensive skills.

Bears coaches have reported that Kellen Davis has looked sharp in training camp.

Look for Kellen Davis to be nice fill in TE if Greg Olsen or Dez Clark goes down with an injury.

Kellen Davis won't get much playing time unless that happens, but he will get time in goal-line situations