The Bears have released a pair of high 2007 draft picks, defensive end Dan Bazuin and linebacker Mike Okwo, according to Chicago Tribune. "They basically told me that the circumstances at my position were a lot different than the circumstances were when I was drafted in the second round," Bazuin said. "Part of that had to do with my injury. And the other part of it had to do with Alex Brown getting a new contract. It changed the way they looked at me." Chicago didn't formally announce any other roster moves with Saturday's 53-man roster deadline looming. Other confirmed cuts, though, included receiver Mike Hass, fullback Lousaka Polite, running back P.J. Pope, and safety Leonard Peters.

The Bears released cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. on Tuesday just a day after he revealed that his previous request for a trade or release was denied by the team, according to Chicago Tribune. "Of course it's a tough day because I have to leave my boys, and my cousin Danieal [Manning]," Manning Jr. said. "I wasn't able to talk to Danieal, but we're going to connect later." His cousin Danieal was part of the reason for his release, as he transferred to nickel back successfully. "Getting released was more emotional for my wife than me," he said. "She was a little upset that they said I was a part of the program, then they released me this late in the process when it could have been done a while ago. That would have made things easier for my family."

Bears' cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. said the organization has denied his request to either seek a trade or be released, a move that he believes puts him in a bind heading into the 2008 season. The disgruntled Manning Jr. said the request was made through his agent Jim Ivler. "I would have preferred a trade," he said Monday. "My agent asked them to at least seek a trade if I wasn't going to be part of the plans." "Not being a part of their plans, that's fine with me. If that's the mistake they want to make, hey, so be it."

Jerry Angelo called an impromptu teleconference with beat reporters late Sunday afternoon to refute an online report about left tackle Chris Williams' back injury that Angelo thought cast him as a liar. "Nobody was trying to pull the wool over anybody's eyes," Angelo said testily. "Nobody is covering their ass." Williams disclosed after Sunday's practice that he had a herniated disc when the Bears drafted him, an injury suffered three years ago at Vanderbilt. "Nobody is twisting the truth or embellishing it," Angelo said. "I could give a [bleep]. I could give a [bleep]. If we screwed up, I would tell you, 'We screwed up.' Hey, if we said this was 50-50 and we just rolled the dice, I would tell you that."

Kyle Orton will start as the Chicago Bears opening day quarterback as he has won the job over Rex Grossman in a competition that lasted through training camp and two preseason games. The Bears open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Kyle Orton appears to be leading the race to be named the starting quarterback of the Bears as the 2008 season draws near, according to The Chicago Sun Times. Orton looked a lot better than Rex Grossman in the team's preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night in overtime. "I never really got comfortable," Grossman said. "We just weren't playing real smart to start the game." Grossman was 9-for-15 with 74 yards and an interception in the loss. "Not really pleased with what many of our offensive guys did early," coach Lovie Smith said. "We didn't get a lot done. Rex was a part of that." Orton, however, looked solid after going 5-for-9 and leading the Bears downfield for a key field goal.

Former Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who signed with the Panthers this offseason, recently knocked his former team, according to About.com. Muhammad reportedly told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that Chicago is "where receivers go to die."

With the competition for the Bears? starting quarterback job still ongoing, Kyle Orton has been tabbed to start Thursday?s exhibition opener against the Chiefs by Coach Lovie Smith, as reported by Yahoo.com on Wednesday.