Tank Johnson Returning to the Bears?

Is it possible that Tank Johnson could play for the Chicago Bears again?

I don't know.

It's defiantly a long shot.

The Bears drafted Johnson in the 2nd round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

In three years (2004-2006) with the Bears, Tank Johnson played in 46 games, recorded 63 tackles and nine sacks.

The Bears released him after he found himself in trouble with the law too often.

In two years (2007-2008) with the Cowboys, Tank played in only 24 games and recorded 33 tackles and 3 sacks.

The Bears could make this move, just because defensive tackles Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek have been disappointing the last couple of seasons.

The other defensive tackles on the Bears' roster are Anthony Adams, Marcus Harrison and Matt Toeaina.

This probably won't happen, but it's a possibility.

The Bears could probably get him cheap.

The teams that I see signing Tank Johnson would be the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, or the St. Louis Rams.

A Final Goodbye to Safety Mike Brown

Mike Brown has been a great leader for the Bears in his nine seasons in the Windy City.

Brown started his career off with big after big game, but when he really struggled to stay healthy.

Brown only had six interceptions since Lovie Smith took over the head coaching job in 2005.

Brown played 15 games last season and I would love to see him back just for his veteran presence.

Brown brought so much to the defense.

He was great against the run, and decent against the pass the last couple seasons.

He was just hit with unfortunate injuries.

Maybe, no team will sign him and the Bears can scoop him up for cheap.

I doubt that will happen, but I would like to see him succeed wherever he goes.

I know he will be a good coach once he retires.


DT Tommie Harris had this to say about Mike Brown:

"Mike Brown is a special person, a special player, and a special friend, it's going to be different, seeing him leave, but I know he will be productive wherever he goes and with whatever he does. He will always be remembered in my book as one of the toughest guys to play this game."

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com

Warren Sapp talks about his former D-line coach Rod Marinelli and Bears DT Tommie Harris

Warren Sapp, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, has long credited Rod Marinelli with his success in the league. He joined Mully & Hanley the other day on the Score, 670-AM to talk about Marinelli and the Bears' prized defensive tackle Tommie Harris.

Here's the interview with Warren:

WHAT ARE THE BEARS GETTING IN ROD MARINELLI?

Warren Sapp: The architect of the one of the greatest pass rushes the NFL has ever known. We went on a string of 70 straight games with a sack. It was all of us. That was our little string. Him, it was all of us. We attacked quarterbacks like it was nobody's business. I just spoke to him the other day. He said, `Yeah, it's going to be fun again. Here we go.' He has a good group and he's excited. I spoke to him [Tuesday] night and said he was packing up and going to Chicago today. Look out Windy City, here comes the man.

IS IT THE X'S AND O'S OF ROD MARINELLI OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE?

Warren Sapp: No, it's the passion. It's his conviction. You don't see many men stand and do what he did up in Detroit, going 0-16 and people attacking him and talking about his daughter and different stuff. He's a man of dignity who served his country in the Vietnam War. I love the man. I absolutely adore him because he took me on a path to greatness and wouldn't let me deter off it even a little bit. After I won my defensive player of the year award, he looked at me said, `Let's see if your play can catch up with your athletic ability.'

I said, `What do you mean my athletic ability?'

He said, `What can you do?'

I said, `I can do anything.'

He said, `Well, let's see.'

I came back and up put 16 1/2 [sacks] so he'll challenge you in a way that just is going to push your boundaries. If [Adewale] Ogunleye and Alex Brown and Tommie Harris and the rest of them, [Israel Idonije] and [Marcus Harrison] and the rest of those guys up there buy into a system that lives off the front four, that's what the defense does, it lives off the front four. If they want that, greatness is right in front of them. Just go get it.

HOW DID ROD MARINELLI MAKE YOU A BETTER PLAYER?

Warren Sapp: I tell you, it's boots on the ground. I went in there and we worked everyday. I was in there with Eric Curry and some of those old-school Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Santana Dotson, and Mark Wheeler, big grunt guys that held up the place, did a great job. It is what it is. We were going a different direction. We started doing those pass-rushing drills where we were hanging and on our toes and we came out like the third day in a row and we were all looking at each other, me, Regan [Upshaw] and all those young guys like, `Yeah, let's go!' They looked at us, and turned to Rod and said, `Are we going to do this every day?' That let's you know who wants it and who doesn't, trust me, my friend. We used to call it 30 minutes of hell. It will be an absolute grind the first 30 minutes of practice because you have to put the work in on the practice field to be able to go out on Sunday and have the type of fun that defense will allow you to have as a group.

TOMMIE HARRIS HAS THE KNEE ISSUE AND WE KNOW HIS PRACTICE WAS LIMITED DURING THE WEEK. HOW DOES HE GO THROUGH THE 30 MINUTES OF HELL THAT MAKES YOU THAT PLAYER ON SUNDAY AND YOU HAVE THE KNEE AND YOU CAN'T GET THAT THING RIGHT?

Warren Sapp: I guarantee you he is going to be healthy this year and if he's not, it will be obvious. You have to put him together before he gets there. Rod will do a great job with that. He's always done a great job with me because I had a little trick knee sometimes and I didn't practice at times but you know when you need to grind and the grind happens. I talked to Tommie the other day and I told him, `Me and you are going to start this offseason as soon as I get out of Tampa [after Super Bowl XLIII] buddy because the under tackle position is something that not many people even want to be talked about because it's not a defensive tackle and it's not something else, it's an under tackle, a unique guy that goes both ways, that does special things. I only know two other ones other than myself and that's John Randle and Keith Millard that even consider themselves as under tackles. If you want to be in that class with me and those other two dudes, we're going to have to look each other in the eye and we're going to have to talk about this the right way and see what he's thinking. Because if he's not thinking about it the right way, with me and Rod, we're going to get some work out of Tommie, I guarantee you this because he's too good of a player to be sitting in that system looking like he's not a player.

SO YOU ARE GOING TO WORK WITH TOMMIE?

Warren Sapp: I am going to work with him, yes.

Tommie Harris on Rod Marinelli

Tommie Harris said this about new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli:

, "I always wanted to be coached by him. He is the best defensive line coach. I know that from talking to Warren Sapp and also from what I have seen on tape."

Lance Briggs lone bear heading to Honolulu

Lance Briggs was selected to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl today

Lance Briggs leads the Bears in tackles with 122.

He also has three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.


Briggs on Pro Bowl:

"Obviously, I'm ecstatic about it, I'm extremely excited. It's always nice to get voted to the Pro Bowl, and this is going four years in a row."


Urlacher on Briggs' Pro Bowl vote:

"He’s having a great year, man, after the first game of the year I told him, 'You should be defensive player of the year. There’s no doubt in my mind.' He just makes plays."

Brian Urlacher was named a third alternate at MLB.

Tommie Harris was named a first alternate at defensive tackle.

Center Olin Kreutz, punter Brad Maynard, and tight end Greg Olsen were named second alternate.

Also, Devin Hester was named a third alternate kick returner.

All quotes from Chicagotribune.com

Just a Thought: Bears need Albert Haynesworth

I know they need a big time receiver for next season, but they might want to get themselves a big run stopper.

This would be a brilliant idea, because Adrian Peterson is having great success against the Bears.

In his first four games against the Bears, Adrian Peterson has averaged 6.2 yards per carry and 138 yards per game.

Wow, sounds like need someone in the middle to clog up the runs.

We, saw them stuff the Titans, but Tennessee found success through the air, because the Bears kept eight men in the box for most of the game.

Albert Haynesworth might be too expensive, but who knows maybe the Bears realize they need him to win the division.

They could easily lose every game to the Vikings, if Adrian Peterson keeps running wild.

The signing of a run stopper like Haynesworth will help everyone around him, including Tommie Harris, who will see less double teams and Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

The Browns look like geniuses with the signing of 350 pound run stopper Shaun Rogers and so do the NY Jets, who brought in Kris Jenkins.

So, the Bears most pressing needs this off season are wide receiver and a big run stopping nose tackle.

They could easily go after other positions, like safety, running back, offensive line and quarterback.

Wednesday's injury update

Fullback Jason McKie (quad), nose tackle Anthony Adams (foot), linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (Achilles') and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (shoulder) were held out of Wednesday's practice.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris, safety Mike Brown, and center Olin Kreutz rested.

Dusty's ruptured biceps forces him to end his season

Nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek will miss the final four games after rupturing his right biceps during
a loss at Minnesota on Sunday night, his third season-ending injury in his time in the NFL.

Dvoracek was injured on the opening drive and headed straight to the locker room.

"It's very hard for a guy like Dusty," coach Lovie Smith said Monday. "No one works harder than him. He's a tough guy. It's just unfortunate. If you look at how he injured his arm, it's a typical play that he's made plenty of times. It happens."

"It's disheartening knowing the adversity he's been through in the past," defensive tackle Tommie Harris said. "To keep continuing to go through this each year is very disheartening, especially having the season that he was having."

Defensive tackles Marcus Harrison and Anthony Adams will fill in for the injured Dvoracek

Clark, Booker questionable vs. Vikings

TE Desmond Clark and receiver Marty Booker are expected to be questionable for Sunday night's game against the Vikings. Both are coming off knee injuries.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), safety Mike Brown (calf), and linebacker Jamar Williams (groin) are all probable coming off their injuries.

Orton Update

Kyle Orton was on the practice field for the second consecutive day as his right ankle continues to heal.

The ankle was wrapped, and the Bears' starting quarterback didn't run during warm-ups.

Orton's role in practice was expected to be limited, and no announcement was expected regarding his availability for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (thumb) and cornerback Charles Tillman (shoulder) were limited as well.

Backup tackle Fred Miller sat out nursing a sore shoulder.

Safety Mike Brown, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and center Olin Kreutz were back at practice after a day of rest.

Running back Kevin Jones was back as well after missing Wednesday for personal reasons.

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.

Vasher back at full practice

Cornebacks Nathan Vasher (wrist) and Charles Tillman (shoulder) and receiver Marty Booker (knee) had full participation in practice Thursday, one day after being limited.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) returned to practice in a limited role after missing Wednesday's session.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer continues to be limited coming off right thumb surgery. He is not expected to play Sunday vs. Detroit.

Look for Nick Roach and Jamar Williams to get a lot of playing time this Sunday.

Punter Brad Maynard was also limited in Thursday's practice.

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.

Tommie Harris on a TV Show?

Yes, it's true the Bears DT appeared on CBS's Criminal Minds last Wednesday.

He played the role of the father.

I guess the producer of the show is a big Chicago Bears fan, from what I have heard.

For, Tommie Harris to be on a TV, but not playing football is weird for anybody, maybe he has a future in Hollywood.

He can partner up with Redskins DE Jason Taylor and they both can dance there ways to Hollywood.

I think it's pretty cool that he is on a TV show, but I haven't seen it yet, so it might be a terrible performance.

Who knows if the guy can act.

From what we saw against the Vikings was the old Tommie Harris, making big plays when his name was called.

Good work Tommie.

Bears Win a Wild One Over The Vikings 48-41

Your probably asking yourself how did the 2008 Chicago Bears score 48 points and how did they give up 41 points.

The Bears looked great offensively today.

Kyle Orton had this to say after completing 21 of 32 passes for two touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 114.5:

We’ve got a group of guys who are together, it doesn’t matter what happens outside that huddle. It’s everybody inside the huddle working for a common goal and we work together very well.”

When was the last time the Bears scored this many points?

The last time the Chicago Bears scored this many points was 1986 and the last time the Bears and Vikings combined for that many points was in 1961.

The Bears have never won, while giving up 41 points.

Matt Forte ran the ball 20 times for only 56 yards, but did get a 2nd quarter touchdown.

Even though the Bears gave up 41 points, they forced 4 turnovers, had two huge late game sacks and two special team touchdowns.

The interceptions were made by young corner-backs, who were filling in for Vasher, Tillman and Manning.

Trumaine McBride, Corey Graham, Zack Bowman and Kevin Payne all had an interception.

Bowman played in his first game ever today and he also scored on a muffed punt by the Vikings.

I thought at the end of the game the Bears were going to blow it but Tommie Harris came up with his biggest play all year, by sacking Gus Frerotte on a 3rd down.

Injury News:

Devin Hester injured a quadriceps muscle in the third quarter on a kickoff return.

Thank Goodness for the Bye Week:

Bears fans and Bears players should be thankful for the bye week because they need there secondary to get healthy and hopefully Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd won't be out for much longer.

Top Performers:

1) Greg Olsen- he came up huge today.

2) Kyle Orton- he looked great in the no-huddle and if Marty caught two perfectly thrown balls, Marty would have had three touchdown receptions.

3) Corey Graham- another big game for the young corner-back.

4) Zack Bowman- he looked great in his debut.

Non-Performers:

1) Adewale Ogunleye- he was pretty invisible today.

2) John St. Clair- he messed up on a Jared Allen sack, forcing Orton to fumble.

When the offense plays like that they are tough to stop.

They know they should be 7-0, but the Packers crushed the Colts today and are tied with the Bears for first place in the NFC North.

The Bears come back after the bye November 2 to take on the Lions in Chicago.

Then they take on the undefeated Titans at home the week after that.

Look for the Bears to take control of the NFC North after they get rest after their bye.

Tommie Harris expected to play against Atlanta

Tommie Harris returned to work Monday, and the Bears expect the Pro Bowl defensive tackle to play Sunday at Atlanta.

Tommie Harris has missed the last two games, the first because of his banged-up left knee and the second for a one-game suspension.

''I've heard a lot about the message,'' coach Lovie Smith said.

''No message has been sent from me. The message is the same message for everyone: There are rules, and everyone has to go by the rules. And Tommie or anyone else, it's left up to them. If they want to be a part of the team, you're going to go by these rules. It's as simple as that.
''We're going to go back to work. I assume everyone that's here wants to do that. They know what happens if you don't.''

Look for Israel Idonije to get big money some time soon

Israel Idonije started again in Tommie Harris' place this Sunday at Detroit and recorded three solo tackles and a pass deflection.

Idonije recorded a sack the week before against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Although Idonije is only signed through next season, don't be shocked if he makes the list of players whose contract the Bears want to extend.

Idonije turns 28 next month and seems to improve with more responsibility.

He has gone from a part-time end and special-teams player to having a defined role at tackle.

He moved from defensive end to defensive tackle and gained about 35 pounds this offseason.

Both head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo have said a team never can have enough quality defensive tackles.

Lovie on Israel Idonije's play this season:

''Israel has taken advantage of every opportunity we've given him since he's been here."

''He played very well [Sunday], like he has the last couple weeks, and he hasn't peaked yet. He has a lot of ability, and I only see him getting better. ''But that's what we would like for all of our players, to take advantage of opportunities when we give it to them.''

The Bears defensive tackle rotation is much better than last seasons and i think even better than the Super Bowl season.

With Tommie Harris, Dusty Dvoraceck, Israel Idonije, Anthony Adams, and Marcus Harrison they look really solid.

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.”

Bears Win a Big One Sunday Night

I'm starting to get the feeling that the Chicago Bears should play all there games on Sunday night.

They looked great on offense in the first half and then great on defense in the second half.

What I liked the most, was that the Bears came away with seven points instead of just a field goal after turnovers, which killed them in the last two weeks.

The Bears came out in the no-huddle and Kyle Orton completed two big passes, to Rashied Davis and Greg Olsen, who finally had a good game.

Rashied Davis disappeared from the game after that catch.

Marty Booker awoke from the dead when he scored a big touchdown.

The big loss for the Bears is Brandon Lloyd, who was playing some good ball the last two weeks and obviously becoming the go-to-guy.

They really played some good ball in the first half.

Orton had a passer rating of 106.6 with his three touchdowns in the first two quarters, but Forte was shut down the whole game by the league's best run defense.

The second half was a whole different ball game the Bears came away with only a field goal which proved to be enough to win the game.

Orton's turnovers started after a Kevin Payne interception where the Bears had a the ball at the Eagles eight yard line and Orton through a pass to Dez Clark which was intercepted in the end zone.

He was intercepted one more time and fumbled after getting lit up by #58 Trent Cole of the Eagles.

The Bears play calling was very conservative in the second half unlike the first half, but the defense came up big the goal line stand at the end of the ball game and that was the difference this week.

Alex Brown made the touchdown saving tackle on that big goal-line stand.

You can say all you want that the Bears should be 4-0, we all know that but you can't look in the past when the future is right in front of you.

That was a huge win for the Bears for two reasons there now 2-2 atop the division with the Green Bay Packers and they play Detroit and Atlanta in the upcoming weeks.

Did You Notice?

Nick Roach took over for Hunter Hillenmeyer at LB for a couple of drives.

He also recovered a muffed punt made by Desean Jackson in the first half.

Kyle Orton tied his career high for TD's with three.

Who They Need Back for Next Week?

It would be nice to have Charles Tillman and Brandon Lloyd back next week, but who knows what there conditions currently are.

Also, Tommie Harris will probably not rush back to risk more damage to his knee, as Israel Idonije and Anthony Adams filled in well for the Pro-Bowler.

Best Quotes from the Game:

Mike Brown: “It’s make a play, everybody was thinking the same thing. I was the guy who got my hands on him, but we had other guys keep him out of the end zone. It wasn’t just me. I’m not going to sit here and take credit for it. That play was a complete defensive effort and it was a special way to end that game for us. It was great.”

Lance Briggs: “It was one of the best fourth-down finishes I’ve ever been a part of, finishing is the key.”

Rashied Davis: "Kyle was good; we won."

Greg Olsen: "We didn't play perfect, and we were still able to overcome mistakes and beat a good team."

Marty Booker: "We escaped and got lucky on this one."

Dusty Dvoracek: "I was shocked. I thought they'd run a quarterback sneak, it was six, eight inches from the goal line."

What to Expect Next Week?

Look for the Bears to take the lead early in this one against the Lions.

The defense should get pressure on QB Jon Kitna all game.

Tommie Harris could miss Phili game

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris' status seems in doubt for Sunday night's game against Philadelphia as he continues to battle knee problems.

Tommie Harris sure didn't look like himself against the Buccaneers on Sunday and I think it would be better for the team if he sat out and got a rest.

Harris hasn't practiced all week, and coach Lovie Smith indicated that Harris got banged up in last Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.

"However you put it, he's not in condition to practice right now," Smith said.

Asked if he would consider shutting Harris down, Smith said he would consider it, if Harris is not ready to go.

Smith said if Harris can't play, Anthony Adams would be active.

Harris, however, sees it differently. Asked about his status for Sunday, he said, ''I'll see you on the field."

What's Next?

Look for both Marcus Harrison and Anthony Adams to get more playing time Sunday vs the Eagles.