Holy shit, it's been reported that the Bears get out their fucking checkbook and land DE Julius Peppers from Carolina, and a backup RB Chester Taylor from the Vikings.


Chicago Bears


http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816c37f9&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers has agreed to a six-year, $79.8 million deal with the Chicago Bears, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Friday.


The contract guarantees Peppers $40 million in the first three years. Agent Carl Carey didn't return messages from The Associated Press, and the Bears declined comment before a 6 p.m. ET news conference.

The Bears also landed running back Chester Taylor from NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that Taylor agreed to a four-year contract worth $12.5 million with $7 million guaranteed, according to a league source.

Taylor, who backed up All-Pro Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, will challenge Matt Forte for time in the Bears' backfield after Chicago's hallmark power running game slipped last season.

Chicago also reportedly has signed tight end Brandon Manumaleuna to a five-year contract. Manumaleuna began his career in St. Louis (2001-2005), playing for Mike Martz, who is now the Bears’ offensive coordinator.

RE: Peppers

That would've been bad 2 years ago. It's EPIC FAIL now IMO.

Detroit Lions



The Detroit Lions were one of the more active teams Friday, striking the first deal of free agency by agreeing to a four-year, $25 million contract with wide receiver Nate Burleson. They also set their sights on defense, agreeing to a four-year, $26 million deal with end Kyle Vanden Bosch and acquiring tackle Corey Williams in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816c28ac&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Lions coach Jim Schwartz, Vanden Bosch's former defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, visited the two-time Pro Bowl lineman shortly after the free-agency period began at midnight ET. Schwartz traveled to Vanden Bosch’s Nashville-area home for the meeting.

"It was a strange deal," Vanden Bosch said on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday morning. "I was talking back and forth with my agent all day, trying to figure out what to expect. So I was waiting, waiting, waiting. Then 11 o'clock (midnight ET) came and my phone rang and it was Coach Schwartz, who said, 'I'm down at your gate, I want to come talk to you.' Coach Schwartz, my wife and I were up until about 2:30 just talking."

A league source told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora that Vanden Bosch will be paid $10 million in the first year of the contract.

Crazy talk, the guy is still a beast

Agreed.

Enjoy your highly talented over-paid unmotivated pass rusher. Too bad he can't throw or catch a football for you.

He's a DE, he doesn't need to throw a football


dude was playing in Carolina, that's about as unmotivating as it gets

I know he's a DE. I was alluding to the fact that you need QB and probably some WRs.

Carolina has been pretty good. They played in NFC championship game in 08'. Not sure what why you wouldn't be motivated playing there.

yeah, 2008 being the key word there


one year and a reconstructive surgery later = Louisiana native QB Delhomme crying on national TV today

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816c34fe&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true


now there's an EPIC FAIL on the part of the Panthers management




"youth movement", LOL

New York Jets

One day after they acquired cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers, the Jets released defensive back Donald Strickland, who played in just nine games during an injury-plagued 2009 season. He dealt with a lingering quadriceps injury, a concussion and a broken pinkie during the season, and he suffered a groin injury during the AFC Championship Game.

The New York Jets officially released Thomas Jones on Friday, but a league source told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora that the team is interesting in re-signing the running back at a reduced rate.

The Jets cut Jones despite a season in which he set career highs with 1,402 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and helped the team reach the AFC Championship Game. However, he was due a $3.3 million roster bonus.
former RB for the NY Jets, Thomas Jones drawing interest from The Chiefs



LOL, Kansas City is always the last stop for NFL players

Falcons signing CB Dunta Robinson from Texans. Checkmate.

And SP, that Peppers signing might work out for a year or two but dude is over 30 and has a lot of miles and a lot of injuries and it's just too fucking much money.

Also, why sign Taylor when you've got Forte?

Carolina is a better franchise over the last decade than the Bears BTW. Just saying. Sorry if it hurts any feelings.

boldin to the ravens.

godfuckingdammit. i'm losing my patience with tuna. if he doesn't land either dansby or rolle....

we'll probably sign derrick mason or something now

i'm glad the Eagles signed Weaver

and all but declaring him the starter over forte already. lovie and martz will be sent packing after this next season and the bears will be in shambles....

re: Peppers


I think the guy is good for another three years at least. Don't see where people think he's injured or "lazy", not true. No doubt we overpayed him for sure but we got an instant, massive upgrade on our defense that will feature:

Urlacher - Briggs - Harris - Peppers - Tinoisamoa ----> we will dominate again



Initially I was surprised to see this too, but now I see the logic in it. Forte struggled last year because of a suspected unreported injury early in the year plus a massive failing in our revamped oline.

Bears backup RB's were:

Kevin Jones, former Detroit Lions "star" ---> injured again, this time in preseason so did not play. Probably to be released.

fast, but way undersized Garrett Wolfe ----> injured with a lacerated kidney, out for the season. Probably will be released.

Adrian Peterson (no, the other one) ------> dependable backup, but getting older and thought to be good for only a few plays a game or emergencies only. Probably to be released, though I really like this former Georgia standout. Dude always plays hard and fights for every fucking inch of yardage.

Kalil Bell ----> rookie RB from USC elevated for duty off of the practice squad. May have future as a backup of a backup. Resigned to a one-year deal for 2010.


time to move on, Chester Taylor is solid plus it weakens our rivals



I will openly agree with this, fuck my feelings

People call Peppers lazy because he is lazy. When you're 2-4 looking at a bye week he will become your TO.

y'all are just jealous

Height: 6-7 Weight: 283 Age: 30

Born: 1/18/1980 Wilson , NC

College: North Carolina

Experience: 9th season

Peppers has started 120 of 122 career games played, registering 381 tackles, 81 sacks, 41 passes defensed, six interceptions and 30 forced fumbles. His 81 sacks rank third in the NFL during that span.

In eight seasons, the 6-7, 283-pounder has been voted to five Pro Bowls, has started all 16 games five times and has compiled double-digit sacks on six occasions.

Peppers, 30, registered 14½ sacks in 2008 and 10½ in 2009.



Tackles Interceptions
Year Team G Comb Total Ast Sacks SFTY PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng
2009 Carolina Panthers 16 42 36 6 10.5 0 5 2 1 13 6.5 13T
2008 Carolina Panthers 16 51 40 11 14.5 -- 5 -- -- -- 0.0 --
2007 Carolina Panthers 14 38 30 8 2.5 -- 5 1 0 0 0.0 0
2006 Carolina Panthers 16 57 48 9 13.0 -- 6 -- -- -- 0.0 --
2005 Carolina Panthers 16 50 38 12 10.5 -- 6 -- -- -- 0.0 --
2004 Carolina Panthers 16 64 52 12 11.0 0 7 2 1 143 71.5 97
2003 Carolina Panthers 16 44 37 7 7.0 -- 3 -- -- -- 0.0 --
2002 Carolina Panthers 12 35 28 7 12.0 -- 4 1 0 21 21.0 21
TOTAL 122 381 309 72 81.0 0 41 6 2 177 -- 97


that ain't lazy, he's in his prime

Hey, dude is a beast and he's put up the numbers to prove it but, as a Bears fan wouldn't you rather your GM actually do some work and get 2-3 very good players to anchor your D for the nest 5-7 years than throwing a bunch of money at a guy who is on the other side?; I'm not gonna miss playing him twice a year but think of it this way: I was always more scared of somebody else on that team.

I also think The Bears need to find a way to get Adrian Peterson to the Vikings so he can backup Adrian Peterson. That would rule.

LOL, that would be pretty funny


One of the knocks on the Bears' GM is that he hasn't done very well with draft picks over the past few years


sure we've mortgaged our future but we're going to make another super bowl run this year

(low whistle)

Man, the dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals continues...

As a bengals fan, boldin to the ravens bums me out, but for some reason, dansby to the fins pisses me off too.

Crack will cry foul, but it is what HE meant.

Good riddance Coles.

at least the pats didn't let wilfork get away.

you dolts who are calling the peppers signing dumb are retarded. there is no cap, peppers instantly upgrades the defense, regardless of what he costs. if there is no limit of spending and getting peppers doesn't compromise getting a stud WR, then its solid. but he's definitely on the downside of the career. but fuck it, what do they have to lose?

GO OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY, LOVIE. SPEND SPEND SPEND

i cant really take attitude assessments seriously coming from a bengals fan