The Bears have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa. Tinoisamoa led the Rams in tackles in four of the last six seasons, but was released by the team's new coaching staff. He is expected to start at strongside linebacker alongside Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

Defensive lineman Israel Idonije agreed to a two-year, $7 million contract extension with the Bears on Friday. Idonije was due to make $1.75 million in 2009, but received an added $2 million through a signing bonus. He is scheduled to make $2.5 million in each of the next two years. In 2010, $1 million of that money is guaranteed. "He'll be effectively doubling what his current contract was," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "He's essentially one of the more highly paid backup defensive lineman in the NFL. "Should he develop into a starter at some point in the next year or so, it's a short-term deal. And it creates some flexibility. But for one of the most versatile defensive lineman and an outstanding special teams guy, we think that this deal makes a lot of sense for both sides."

When asked about Matt Jones on Wednesday afternoon, Bears GM Jerry Angelo seemed to have reservations about adding the wide receiver with a troubled past. "He was a first-round draft pick and he is a very talented player," Angelo said, "but it's case by case. We're not quick to move on any player." In recent years, the Bears cut ties with two players due to off-the-field concerns: running back Cedric Benson and defensive lineman Tank Johnson. "Guys make mistakes, move on, and become better people," Angelo said. "Some guys have patterns of bad behavior and continue to have those patterns. I'm not saying that about Matt Jones. What I'm saying is we have to do our homework. And then you have to look at what value that person brings to your football team irrelevant of his off-the-field issues."

The Bears haven't given up on landing free-agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa. Tinoisamoa visited the Patriots on Tuesday, and has also met with the Bills. The Eagles could be a suitor as well. He was released by the Rams earlier this month.

Bears wide receiver Devin Hester compared new quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago basketball legend Michael Jordan recently. "[Cutler] takes over the offense," Hester told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He makes things happen. It's like having Michael Jordan on the team. Michael Jordan makes everyone on the team better."

William "The Refrigerator" Perry has been released from the hospital after a month-long stay. Perry was admitted due to complications of a nervous system disorder known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Jay Cutler had his first practice as a member of the Bears on Wednesday. "Sometimes you can hear it coming," said receiver Rashied Davis. Bears receivers are not yet accustomed to the velocity of Cutler's passes. "You just have to get used to catching a ball that comes that hard," said Davis. "It comes fast; it's on you real quick. You've got to get your head around. Once you get used to running routes with him and catching the ball from him, it gets a little bit easier. But he throws the ball pretty hard and the heat is still on the ball 20 yards down the field. It's not like you're [just] five yards away from him and it's hot." Devin Hester wants Cutler to consider him a dependable big-play option. "He's going to make us a lot better," said Hester. "Some of the things Jay tells me ... I wish I could put that in the playbook. Instead of having one window open, he gives you a second option. So if something is not there [with the called play], there could be something else before the play ends. That's the type of quarterback he is. "Everybody knows that Jay has a strong arm and that's real important. He is not only strong with it, he is very accurate. At the end of the day, when you need a big play, you can always depend on me. That's the kind of receiver that I try to carry myself as. Just make big plays, you know."

Jay Cutler is signed through 2011 and the Bears appear willing to discuss a long-term deal with their new quarterback. The Bears are $20.8 million under the cap and could give Cutler a big bonus now in order to have more cap space down the road.

Pisa Tinoisamoa, a free agent outside linebacker, is scheduled to arrive in Chicago Wednesday morning to visit Halas Hall, according to a source close to the player. The St. Louis Rams released the 27-year-old Tinoisamoa, their leading tackler last season, on May 8, as he was scheduled to count $4.25 million against the salary cap. He was drafted in the second round in 2003, when Bears coach Lovie Smith was the Rams' defensive coordinator.

Bears coach Lovie Smith and offensive coordinator Ron Turner never have worked with a talent like Jay Cutler, but they believe they know how to use him. "We have a lot of trust and faith in what Jay will do," said Smith. "I know he's an all-pro quarterback and we are going through unchartered waters a little bit. But we aren't going to change what we are. ... We just expect to do what we believe in better." Three pro scouts said Cutler's arm is the second-strongest in the NFL after Oakland's JaMarcus Russell. "It's hard in this league to have 60-, 70-, 80-yard drives without getting some big plays," said Turner, who knows all too well. "We've always believed in taking shots [downfield so] I'm excited about what he's going to allow us to do."