March 2011 - Chicago Bears Wiretap
Roy Williams Hopes To Re-Sign With Bears
Bears wide receiver Roy Williams thinks he's made enough plays in 2011 to warrant another year with the team.
Asked about his possible future with the club, Williams said, "Who knows."
"I feel like I made plays when the opportunity came," he added. "Of course, everybody's going to bring up the negatives, which is fine. But for the most part I made enough plays and I'll be happy to [re-]sign [with the Bears]. But if not, I'll continue on elsewhere."
Williams currently ranks third on the team with 33 catches for 447 yards and a touchdown.
Bears Place Cutler, Forte On Injured Reserve
The Bears placed quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte on injured reserve on Tuesday, meaning they will miss the season finale at Minnesota this week.
Chicago (7-8) has lost five straight since Cutler broke his right thumb late in a win over San Diego on Nov. 20, and things took another bad turn two weeks later when Forte sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee against Kansas City.
Cutler, who was scheduled to have surgically inserted pins removed Tuesday, threw for 2,319 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Forte finished with 997 yards rushing and 490 receiving and was selected to his first Pro Bowl hours after being placed on IR.
Jay Cutler To Have Pins Removed
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is scheduled to have the pins removed from his fractured right thumb on Tuesday.
Chicago coach Lovie Smith was evasive about Cutler's status for the team's season finale against Minnesota.
Smith added that he doesn't know if running back Matt Forte will play in the meaningless finale either.
"If they're healthy and ready to go, we won't tell them now," Smith said.
"But there are some other guys we feel comfortable playing. They're making progress, but if we had other things on the line (such as a postseason berth) we would take the same approach. We would never stop a player that wanted to play who was healthy and really ready to go. But I don't know if that'll be the case."
Kahlil Bell Motivated To Face Vikings
Originally signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent, Bears running back Kahlil Bell still has hard feelings toward the team that cut him more than two years ago.
"Personally, I really don't like Minnesota," Bell said. "I was there for a short stint. It won't take much for me to get motivated for this game."
The Bears and Vikings will face off in Week 17.
With Matt Forte and Marion Barber out Christmas night due to injuries, Bell ran for a career-high 121 yards on 23 carries in the 35-21 loss to the Packers.
"Nobody likes to sit there and say they feel good about the team that let them go," Bell said.
"They obviously felt I wasn't adequate enough to be a part of their organization, which is in my mind a blessing because I love it here in Chicago and I love being with the Bears. At the same time, hopefully I can make some plays and show them otherwise."
Bowman Replaces Jennings In Chicago's Secondary
Bears cornerback Tim Jennings said Friday the team plans to go in a different direction at his position, and Zack Bowman will start in his place Sunday against the Packers.
Jennings said the news was initially disappointing.
"I was discouraged earlier in the week. They kind of told me ahead of time that was a route they might take," Jennings said. "It's a different approach. They wanted to try something new, see if it worked for us.
"[I'm all] for whatever is gonna make us better -- make the team better -- I'm with it. But as a competitor it doesn't sit well with you. That comes with the nature of the game."
Devin Hester Could Sit Against Packers
Bears kick returner/wide receiver Devin Hester is questionable to face the Packers because of a nagging ankle injury.
Chicago running back Marion Barber is doubtful as well.
"I'm concerned. [He] hasn't practiced all week; hasn't done much," coach Lovie Smith said of Hester.
"Of course Marion Barber, too. Two key players for us [could be out]. [We] have a little bit of time still before the game, but it's not looking real good."
Matthews Wants To Help Keep Bears Out Of Playoffs
The Packers, having lost their first game of the season in Week 15, plan to play to win when they face the Bears this weekend.
"We're going to play this thing to win," linebacker Clay Matthews said.
The Bears, despite having homefield clinched throughout the playoffs, did not let up even a little in Game 16 last season.
Green Bay won 10-3, getting them into the playoffs despite the Chicago's efforts.
"You throw in the rivalry and bad blood between the two teams, and why would they want to see us in the playoffs?" Matthews said. "At the same time, I don't think there was another team with as much momentum as we had going into that last few weeks.
"It was going to be tough for them to see us again and maybe that played a part."
Bears Will Start McCown Against Packers
The Bears will start Josh McCown at quarterback Sunday night against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
"I'll tell you what, you can't be anything but excited," McCown said.
"(Coach Lovie Smith) put that up there this morning about the oldest rivalry. To get to be a part of that in this atmosphere, I'm very excited. I'm very thankful. It's a great opportunity to go play and have fun; to play on Christmas and all that. Absolutely it's neat."
Since 2007, McCown has attempted only eight passes, completing two.
Source: Bears May Start McCown Against Packers
The Bears are giving recently acquired quarterback Josh McCown a chance to win the starting job against the Packers on Sunday, according to multiple sources.
If McCown performs well enough during practice this week, he will get the start, according to the sources.
"I have no idea," McCown said. "I'm just gonna get myself ready like I've done every week, and then we'll see what happens."
Johnny Knox Undergoes Back Surgery
Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery Monday.
Knox was carted off the field on a stretcher in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Seattle after the receiver -- scrambling to recover his own fumble -- absorbed a devastating hit from Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove.
He suffered a fractured vertebra, the team said, and surgery was performed to stabilize it. Knox's injury is not considered career-threatening.
Knox To Undergo Back Surgery
Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox will have surgery to stabilize a vetebra in his lower- to mid-back.
Johnny Knox Leaves On Stretcher
Johnny Knox suffered an apparent back injury against the Seahawks.
Forte Aiming For 100 Percent Before Return
Matt Forte suffered a Grade 2 sprain of the MCL in his right knee on Dec. 4th against the Chiefs.
Ratliff Restrained In Near Dust-Up With Reporter
Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff had to be restrained by two teammates in the team's locker room during media access time on Thursday.
Hurd's Lawyer: No List Of Clients Exists
A report suggested that authorities have a list of NFL players that purchased drugs from Sam Hurd.
Bears Cut Sam Hurd
The Bears cut receiver Sam Hurd on Friday, two days after he was arrested on federal drug-dealing charges.
Bears' Sam Hurd Arrested On Drug Charges
Bears receiver Sam Hurd was arrested in Chicago on federal drug charges on Wednesday night.
Urlacher On Tebow: 'He's A Good Running Back'
The Broncos edged the Bears 13-10 in overtime on Sunday afternoon, stunning their defense late in the game in the process.
Bears GM Angelo Could Be On Way Out
Longtime Bears general manager Jerry Angelo could retire this offseason based at least in part on how the season ends.
Tebow Leads Broncos To Another OT Victory
Tim Tebow was dominant in the fourth quarter and overtime against the Bears.
Briggs Will Be 'Pissed' If Bears Lose To Tebow
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs would be more than embarrassed if the team loses to Tim Tebow and the Broncos this weekend.
32-Team NFL Scoop, Dec. 8 Edition
The contrasting courses of two 4-8 teams, Houston's superb defense, Lovie Smith defending mobile quarterbacks and perhaps the worst MNF game in history.
Tebow 'Excited' To Play Against Chicago's Defense
Tim Tebow, who has led the Broncos to five straight victories, is excited to face the Bears this weekend.
Martz 'Bothered' By Rumors Of His Demise
Over the weekend, it was reported that Mike Martz, in the final year of a two-year contract, is not expected to return to the Bears next season.
Cutler: Favre Might Have Joined Bears For Right Price
Jay Cutler and Brett Favre share the same agent.
Cutler Hopes To Begin Throwing Soon
During Jay Cutler's Nov. 23 surgery, doctors inserted three screws and two pins to stabilize the right thumb.
Earl Bennett Could Wear Banned Cleats Again
Bears receiver Earl Bennett plans to give the gift of defiance on Christmas when his team faces the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Forte Unsure Of Return From Knee Sprain
Matt Forte isn't ready to declare his season over.
Favre Says He's Staying Retired
Brett Favre has no plans to return to the NFL.
Source: Bears Have No Interest In Favre
The Bears have no interest in signing Brett Favre, according to a high-ranking team source.