Tuesday, July 26, 2011

[news] Re-signed C Olin Kreutz tops Bears' priorities

The Chicago Tribune, citing a source close to the player, reported on its website Monday that the team informed the veteran punter that he would not be re-signed.Heading into his 14th season, he's healthier than he was this time last year.Assuming that plan does not change, the first practice will be on Saturday.Obviously, it's going to be a very fast process, and Olin like everybody else is going to have to make quick decisions, it looks like.His agent Chad Wiestling did not return calls seeking comment.Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach, Brian Iwuh and Rod Wilson are all free agents, and rookie J.Since then, they've added first-round draft pick Gabe Carimi to the mix.Veterans can't sign until 5 p.The Bears have apparently decided not to bring back Brad Maynard.The Bears went more with the run, taking the load off their quarterback, and a line that struggled with injuries and poor play early on started to show some improvement.Re-signing the six-time Pro Bowler is one of the top priorities for a team coming off a run to the NFC championship game.The bigger issue, though, is on the line.For Chicago, there are several big issues to address, starting with center Olin Kreutz.Between now and then, there's plenty of work to do.The pounding quarterback Jay Cutler absorbed while being sacked a league-leading 52 times was well-documented, but things got better as the season wore on.Players put an end to the 4 {-month lockout when they OK'd the deal on Monday, days after the owners approved a tentative agreement, and turned the focus from the negotiating table to the field.

The 37-year-old Maynard spent the past 10 seasons in Chicago after starting his career with the New York Giants.And agent Mark Bartelstein made it clear he hopes to stay.They could also use some linebackers, considering they have only two -- Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs -- under contract.Training camp for the Bears begins Friday in Bourbonnais, Ill.He would love to be in Chicago, no question," Bartelstein said.The frenzy will start at 9 a.Re-signing defensive tackle Anthony Adams figures to be one of the top priorities, and on offense, many fans would like to see an upgrade at wide receiver.Now, at this point, things are going to move so fast it's hard to predict what's going to happen, but there's no doubt he'd like to be here.The Bears had big issues on the offensive line last season, and even though Kreutz might not be quite the dominant force he once was, he remains one of the team's leaders.Central time Tuesday, when teams can start talking with free agents and sign draft picks and undrafted rookies.The Bears could use another defensive end to create havoc and complement Julius Peppers.Thomas could fill a backup role.Even so, it's no shocker that the Bears would let him go, considering he ranked 32nd in punt average (1 yards) and 29th in net average (2).

The Chicago Bears' general manager figures to be a busy man now that a new labor deal is in place.Central on Friday, the same day the Bears are scheduled to report to camp at Olivet Nazarene University.Chicago signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract in February and could also bring in a veteran punter.After going with four different lineups the first seven weeks, Chicago used the same five linemen the rest of the way.

original article: The Chicago Tribune, citing a source close to the player, reported on its website Monday that the team informed the veteran punter that he would not be re-signed.Heading into his 14th season, he's healthier than he was this time last year.Assuming that plan does not change, the first practice will be on Saturday.Obviously, it's going to be a very fast process, and Olin like everybody else is going to have to make quick decisions, it looks like.His agent Chad Wiestling did not return calls seeking comment.Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach, Brian Iwuh and Rod Wilson are all free agents, and rookie J.Since then, they've added first-round draft pick Gabe Carimi to the mix.Veterans can't sign until 5 p.The Bears have apparently decided not to bring back Brad Maynard.The Bears went more with the run, taking the load off their quarterback, and a line that struggled with injuries and poor play early on started to show some improvement.Re-signing the six-time Pro Bowler is one of the top priorities for a team coming off a run to the NFC championship game.The bigger issue, though, is on the line.For Chicago, there are several big issues to address, starting with center Olin Kreutz.Between now and then, there's plenty of work to do.The pounding quarterback Jay Cutler absorbed while being sacked a league-leading 52 times was well-documented, but things got better as the season wore on.Players put an end to the 4 {-month lockout when they OK'd the deal on Monday, days after the owners approved a tentative agreement, and turned the focus from the negotiating table to the field.

The 37-year-old Maynard spent the past 10 seasons in Chicago after starting his career with the New York Giants.And agent Mark Bartelstein made it clear he hopes to stay.They could also use some linebackers, considering they have only two -- Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs -- under contract.Training camp for the Bears begins Friday in Bourbonnais, Ill.He would love to be in Chicago, no question," Bartelstein said.The frenzy will start at 9 a.Re-signing defensive tackle Anthony Adams figures to be one of the top priorities, and on offense, many fans would like to see an upgrade at wide receiver.Now, at this point, things are going to move so fast it's hard to predict what's going to happen, but there's no doubt he'd like to be here.The Bears had big issues on the offensive line last season, and even though Kreutz might not be quite the dominant force he once was, he remains one of the team's leaders.Central time Tuesday, when teams can start talking with free agents and sign draft picks and undrafted rookies.The Bears could use another defensive end to create havoc and complement Julius Peppers.Thomas could fill a backup role.Even so, it's no shocker that the Bears would let him go, considering he ranked 32nd in punt average (1 yards) and 29th in net average (2).

The Chicago Bears' general manager figures to be a busy man now that a new labor deal is in place.Central on Friday, the same day the Bears are scheduled to report to camp at Olivet Nazarene University.Chicago signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract in February and could also bring in a veteran punter.After going with four different lineups the first seven weeks, Chicago used the same five linemen the rest of the way.

original article: The Chicago Tribune, citing a source close to the player, reported on its website Monday that the team informed the veteran punter that he would not be re-signed.Heading into his 14th season, he's healthier than he was this time last year.Assuming that plan does not change, the first practice will be on Saturday.Obviously, it's going to be a very fast process, and Olin like everybody else is going to have to make quick decisions, it looks like.His agent Chad Wiestling did not return calls seeking comment.Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach, Brian Iwuh and Rod Wilson are all free agents, and rookie J.Since then, they've added first-round draft pick Gabe Carimi to the mix.Veterans can't sign until 5 p.The Bears have apparently decided not to bring back Brad Maynard.The Bears went more with the run, taking the load off their quarterback, and a line that struggled with injuries and poor play early on started to show some improvement.Re-signing the six-time Pro Bowler is one of the top priorities for a team coming off a run to the NFC championship game.The bigger issue, though, is on the line.For Chicago, there are several big issues to address, starting with center Olin Kreutz.Between now and then, there's plenty of work to do.The pounding quarterback Jay Cutler absorbed while being sacked a league-leading 52 times was well-documented, but things got better as the season wore on.Players put an end to the 4 {-month lockout when they OK'd the deal on Monday, days after the owners approved a tentative agreement, and turned the focus from the negotiating table to the field.

The 37-year-old Maynard spent the past 10 seasons in Chicago after starting his career with the New York Giants.And agent Mark Bartelstein made it clear he hopes to stay.They could also use some linebackers, considering they have only two -- Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs -- under contract.Training camp for the Bears begins Friday in Bourbonnais, Ill.He would love to be in Chicago, no question," Bartelstein said.The frenzy will start at 9 a.Re-signing defensive tackle Anthony Adams figures to be one of the top priorities, and on offense, many fans would like to see an upgrade at wide receiver.Now, at this point, things are going to move so fast it's hard to predict what's going to happen, but there's no doubt he'd like to be here.The Bears had big issues on the offensive line last season, and even though Kreutz might not be quite the dominant force he once was, he remains one of the team's leaders.Central time Tuesday, when teams can start talking with free agents and sign draft picks and undrafted rookies.The Bears could use another defensive end to create havoc and complement Julius Peppers.Thomas could fill a backup role.Even so, it's no shocker that the Bears would let him go, considering he ranked 32nd in punt average (1 yards) and 29th in net average (2).

The Chicago Bears' general manager figures to be a busy man now that a new labor deal is in place.Central on Friday, the same day the Bears are scheduled to report to camp at Olivet Nazarene University.Chicago signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract in February and could also bring in a veteran punter.After going with four different lineups the first seven weeks, Chicago used the same five linemen the rest of the way.

original article: http://j.gs/GLt

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