Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has been voted to six Pro Bowls since he joined the Bears in 2000.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears defensive end Julius Peppers, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester are all leading their positions in Pro Bowl voting on NFL.com, the league announced Wednesday.

Peppers (244,439 votes) is ahead of the Giants’ Osi Umenyiora (181,537), Urlacher (173,960) leads the 49ers’ Patrick Willis (165,485) and Hester (155,855) is ahead of the Cowboys’ Dez Bryant (114,006).

Four other Bears are in the top five at their positions.

Olin Kreutz (107,323) is third at center behind the Giants’ Shaun O’Hara (149,394) and the Packers’ Scott Wells (127,184). Lance Briggs is third at outside linebacker, trailing the Packers’ Clay Matthews (285,063) and the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware (174,641).

Brad Maynard (54,073) is fourth among punters behind the Cardinals’ Ben Graham (96,561), the Vikings’ Chris Kluwe (75,080) and the Cowboys’ Mat McBriar (63,556).

Robbie Gould (61,144) is fifth among kickers, trailing the Eagles’ David Akers (131,631), the Packers’ Mason Crosby (99,075), the Falcons’ Matt Bryant (80,504) and the Vikings’ Ryan Longwell (80,504).

One Bears player who probably isn’t receiving the recognition he deserves is Corey Graham. The fourth-year pro is not among the top five vote-getters on special teams even though he leads the NFL with 16 special-teams tackles, according to press box statistics.

Fans can register their Pro Bowl votes at NFL.com through Dec. 20. Fans, coaches and players each account for one-third of the vote in determining the 43-man squads. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes Dec. 22-23, and the teams will be announced Dec. 28. The Pro Bowl will then be played Jan. 30, 2011 in Hawaii.

Three Chicago Bears hold leading positions in Pro Bowl voting | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Decorate the Stadium Tree and Meet a Former Chicago Bears’ Player

Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr., hosts its fourth annual Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. in the United Club for about 600 guests.

The lavish brunch will be one of the few times during the year when the United Club’s fine dining is open to the public.

Families will not only be able feast on a fantastic holiday-themed breakfast, but also visit with Santa and his elves.

At the stadium, children under age 12 can decorate holiday cookies or take part in other interactive festivities.  Families are encouraged to bring their own ornament to decorate the stadium tree.  The top three handmade ornaments will receive prizes.

“We invite everyone to take advantage of this unique holiday event as it’s a special opportunity to experience this historic venue,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.

Dominick’s is the host sponsor of this annual holiday event.  Soldier Field will also be hosting a toy drive benefiting the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation.  Connie Payton and family members plan to be in attendance along with former Chicago Bear safety Shaun Gayle to help collect toys.

All are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to the event.  Donated toys will go to deserving Chicagoland children during this holiday season.

Admission is $50 for adults, $25 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 3 years of age.

Reservations are only available by calling 312-235-7162 or by emailing sfspecialevents@dncinc.com.

Guests can park in the north garage attached to the stadium for $16 (under 4 hours) and enter directly to the United Club.

Visit www.soldierfield.net for more information.

About the Chicago Park District

For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 7,600 acres of parkland, 570 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 natural areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY.

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Soldier Field Opens Up the Exclusive United Club for the Fourth Annual Holiday Breakfast with Santa Dec. 4 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Mike Ditka is carried off the field after the ’85 Bears Super Bowl win (AP File Photo)

They were a team unlike any other. The players were icons. And their talents were unbelievable!

The 1985 Chicago Bears lost only one regular season game. And they capped it all off with a decisive win, not to mention their first Super Bowl.

More than a few diehard fans consider them the greatest NFL team of all time.

Friday, many of them will reunite for the Allstate Glory Days Legends of the ’85 Bears Reunion at Chicago’s Arie Crown Theater.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

The 1985 Bears celebrate the 25th anniversary of their Super Bowl victory | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The vagaries of a year in the NFL never cease to amuse.

Nearly 12 months ago, Frank Omiyale was being touted as a potentially epic bust in Bears free agency history.

Now the hyperbole pendulum has swung nearly off the scale the opposite direction and Omiyale in some minds is being measured for a bust.

With the condition of Chris Williams right hamstring a looming cloud over the offensive line, Omiyale projects to be the answer at that position until Williams can return, and possibly even after that.

Omiyale moved from his spot at right tackle to Williams spot on the left early in Sundays win over the Dallas Cowboys, a move that will stand as testimony to Omiyales ability to adjust, literally, on the run and under extreme pressure.

I told my wife that it was probably best that it was like that, where it was more of a reaction, Omiyale said. You didnt have time to think about the situation. It was more, Hey, theres a game going on, were trying to win this thing, do what youve got to do.

In February 2009 the organization lavished $11.5 million in a four-year contract on Omiyale, a player who spent 47 of his first 48 NFL game days on the Carolina Panthers inactive list. He had started exactly one game, in 2008, for Carolina at left tackle.

That apparently was enough for then-Pro Personnel Director Bobby DePaul to target the 6-4, 315-pound Omiyale in February last year. The Bears signed him but then proceeded to put him where he didnt belong.

When I came in, I was thinking tackle, but I knew the opportunity was at guard if I really wanted to get on the field, Omiyale said. I think it was more after I was here, switching around in OTAs, I think it was more in their mind as a guard last year.

Ironically, the reason Omiyale was handed the starting left guard job, which he subsequently lost to the since-released Josh Beekman, was because the Bears wanted to get bigger and more mauling-ly physical inside. Now Omiyale is the subject of discussion as the offenses left tackle, not because of his physical play, but because of his athleticism.

Thats why we made the decision to move him over to the left tackle position, coach Lovie Smith said. Hes athletic enough. You need a good athlete there, quarterbacks blind side and all that.

Second chance for the Bears

The Bears, who have devoted few draft resources to their offensive line, missed badly in the case of Omiyale, a three-year starter at Tennessee Tech at, of all places, primarily left tackle.

When the Bears turn came at slot No. 140, they took South Carolina wide receiver Airese Currie despite having invested their second-round pick on Oklahoma wideout Mark Bradley. Currie was brittle, spent his first two years on injured reserve with the exception of one game, and was gone in 2007.

The Atlanta Falcons took Omiyale with pick No. 163. He languished on the bench as a backup to Kevin Shaffer, now his backup in Chicago.

Left tackle may in fact be Omiyales comfort zone, although he has shown excellent recovery skills. After losing his guard post last year to Beekman, he eventually regained his job and performed well enough through the late season that the Bears decided to install him at right tackle in the offseason.

In training camp Omiyale started slowly against Bears pass rushers but responded to strong words from line coach Mike Tice and became visibly more aggressive after some suspect practices in camps early weeks.

Now Omiyale has played three different offensive-line positions (left guard, right tackle, left tackle) in the span of three games and projects to have three different starting positions in the span of four games, assuming his remaining at left tackle Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.

It did make me feel good that Ive played three positions now on the O-line, Omiyale said. Now, Ive just got to keep getting better. I was able to work in there, but I still didnt play as good as I want to play, and thats what my goal is every game, to grade out well.

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One problem with the Bears 0-4 preseason is knowing what the succession of decidedly sub-mediocre performances really showed about the quality or lack of it in the 2010 Bears.

Not only outsiders like fans and media appear to be curious about what exactly will happen when the Bears take the field against the Detroit Lions.

Im excited, really, to see the first 11, said linebacker Brian Urlacher, himself still one of the relative unknowns after missing virtually all of 2009 with his broken wrist and a significant portion of the preseason with a calf strain.

I want to see how not only the other 10 guys, but also myself, respond to what we want to be. Everything is not going to go according to plan. They game plan. They are professionals just like we are. But if we win the percentage game and we win the turnovers well win the game. Thats what were looking for.

Shaken confidence?

Coach Lovie Smith has been unfailingly positive, both publicly and privately, that this Bears team is the equal of or better than the 2006 team that reached a Super Bowl. Even discounting for the standard amount of coach-speak and optimism, it has been evident even to outsiders that Smith sincerely believes.

But the successive debacles of preseason appeared to have tempered even Smiths feel-good attitude, more toward a football truism that applies to most seasons:

No one knows exactly what type of football theyre going to have, until you get to this first game, Smith said, speaking for both teams in this case.

We took a hit; we were 7-9 last year and havent been to the playoffs in three years. We realize all that but thats whats exciting about a new year.

Various observers have taken the recent regular-season history and this preseason as sufficient evidence that the Bears are going to be no better, possibly worse, than their 2009 level.

You have a lot of experts, linebacker Lance Briggs said. Were all experts, based on what we think. But, in the end, I guess that matters before you play. But once you get to game week, it really doesnt matter.

Its always fun to look at some of the predictions early on. But history teaches you a lot. This time last year, the New Orleans Saints 7-9, kind of an afterthought they end up winning the world championship. So you cant really tell what a team will do.

Not your usual Detroit Lions?

That could apply to the Lions as well as the Bears.

But on the surface, the NFL could not have given the Bears a more ideal opener to their season. They draw a team that is 2-30 over the past two seasons, one that is notoriously poor on the road: 20 straight road losses. On the bad side, the last time the Lions won outside of Michigan was in Chicago during the 2007 season.

Divisional favorites Green Bay and Minnesota were assigned road games at Philadelphia and New Orleans, respectively. The Vikings already lost on Thursday night and the Packers are beginning their season against a fellow playoff team.

The Bears get a relative unknown in the refitted Lions, with a virtually new defense that includes three of four linemen and three defensive backs.

The draft has helped them a lot, starting with [wide receiver] Calvin Johnson, and then they get [quarterback Matthew] Stafford, and this year they get [defensive tackle] Ndamukong Suh, said linebacker Brian Urlacher.

They got some good free agents, also. Theyve still got to go out there and prove it, but theyve made some good acquisitions in the offseason. I think theyll be better this year than they have been.

If thats the case, the Bears have legitimate cause for concern. Amid the carnage of the Lions 2009 season were two strong showings against the Bears. The teams were tied 21-21 at halftime of the first game, and in the second, Detroit trailed just 27-23 in the fourth quarter, and that was without Stafford playing at all because of a prior injury.

For the Bears, Sunday is a division game, meaning that a victory gives them a significant one-week jump on the Vikings.

When you start your first game against a division opponent, its good to get off to a good start, Smith said. We take this year, its got to be one game at a time, and Detroit being the first game is the best test we could have.What to expect

Because of the uncertainties with pass protection and the 10 sacks of Cutler in barely five quarters played, the Bears may well be the old-school place of needing to run the ball to set up the pass. This has never been the offense of choice for coordinator Mike Martz, but letting his offensive line play physical from the start is a time-honored way of both slowing a pass rush and also helping a line establish itself.

What a dose of smash-mouth also does is limit the amount of damage Cutler can do with interceptions, a problem that may not have been altogether resolved from last season when he threw 26. Cutlers preseason passer rating was a sub-standard 62.3 and he threw 2 interceptions vs. his one TD pass.

Whether the Bears offense opens on the ground or in the air, I think that in that first quarter, wed like to come out and be sharp in what we do, Martz said. Execution of what we do and doing the little details, what we want them to do, is really important.

Thats the only thing that you focus on in this opener is to make sure that were wired in on those things because its the opener, theyre a little jittery, and this thing and the other thing, and [you want] to keep them calmed down and wire in on the details and perform the way we know that we can.

John “Moon”
Mullin is CSNChicago.com’s Bears Insider, and appears regularly on
Bears Postgame Live and Chicago Tribune Live. Follow Moon

on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Bears information.

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Bears look to kick 2010 season off on right foot | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“Toyota has quickly become a valued Bears marketing partner,” said Chicago Bears Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Chris Hibbs. “The fact that they’ve chosen to further invest in the Bears after our first ever partnership in 2009 validates the value of our brand and the importance Toyota places on our expansive fan base.  We’re very pleased to have Toyota as the ‘Official Car of the Chicago Bears’.”

“Toyota and its Chicagoland dealers are extremely excited with our new expanded role with the Chicago Bears,” said Michael Rocco, General Manager of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.’s Chicago Region. “The Bears are one of most prominent franchises in the National Football League and we consider it an honor to be deemed the team’s ‘official car.’”

In addition to a variety of Bears assets, Toyota will be the headline sponsor of the team’s official post-game show Bears Gamenight Live on FOX Chicago (Sundays at 10:35 pm CT). They will also be an associate partner of Back to Football Week, a celebration throughout the Chicagoland area to get fans primed for the kickoff of the Bears regular season schedule.

Toyota will also be sponsoring the “Fan of the Week” application on Facebook, which will honor the Bears biggest fans.

Throughout the agreement, Toyota will also have a presence in LED Signage throughout Soldier Field during Bears home games, the official GameDay Magazine, preseason television and the Bears Insider radio show (Monday’s at 7:00 pm CT on WBBM-AM).

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion.  Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.77 million vehicles in 2009.

Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

http://www.toyota.com

Chicago Bears Extend Partnership With Toyota | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Mr. Reid was awarded $325,000 after suffering a right knee injury while playing for the Bears from 2003-2006, according to a Chicago Tribune report last week.

It is the largest workers comp settlement for a pro athlete in the state of Illinois, an attorney told the newspaper.

Mr. Reid is an unrestricted free agent, but has not played in the NFL since the Bears released him in 2006.

The state workers comp office wasn’t done doling out the cash to former Bears, though.

The state agency also awarded former All-Pro safety Mike Brown, who led the Kansas City Chiefs in tackles last season, $140,000 after he suffered leg and foot injuries during his time with the Chicago Bears, according to the Tribune.

Mr. Brown’s attorney, Gil Gordon of Chicago-based Gordon Rappold & Miller L.L.C., told reporters the safety would have received more money if he weren’t still playing in the league.

Ex-Chicago Bears score big with workers comp | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The team sent out invoices to season ticket holders on Friday, announcing prices were going up for 75 percent of the seats at Soldier Field.

The 25 percent of seats with no price hikes are those in the 400 level and the west grandstand.

Prices for non-club seats will rise between $2 and $17 each, now ranging from $68 to $125; club seats will go up from $10 to $20 each, now ranging from $255 to $365.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Bears raising most ticket prices for 2010 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday morning that in the wake of Adams’ death, the league’s cardiovascular committee is discussing the issue.

Adams was buried Friday after a funeral in Easley, S.C. Autopsies showed that he had an enlarged heart. He was 26.

By Brad Biggs

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Report: NFL considering new heart-test requirement | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Also making the trip were team principal owner Virginia McCaskey and sons Michael, Patrick, George and Brian.

The Bears will take a team charter down for the service, which begins at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, S.C. Sixty members of the Bears organization, including about 25 players, are expected to attend.

Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also will fly via charter to attend the funeral. Adams was traded from Tampa Bay to Chicago in October in exchange for a second-round draft pick. The defensive end was the fourth overall pick by the Bucs in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Adams died Sunday of cardiac arrest attributed to an enlarged heart. He was 26.

By Vaughn McClure

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Cutler, Urlacher part of Bears’ contingent traveling to Adams funeral | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Now calling plays for the Houston Texans, Grossman, 29, closed on the sale of the 3,437-square-foot unit Wednesday. The buyer is not yet identified in public records.

Grossman purchased the two-bedroom Trump unit in September 2008 for $2.681 million. Less than a year later, after the Bears informed him that he was not in their plans for 2009, Grossman signed with the Texans and then placed the unit on the market for $2.349 million.

Photo: Rex Grossman recently sold his Trump Tower condo at a loss. (Sam Greenwood/AP)

He later reduced its asking price to 2.295 million. Features in the unit include Snaidero cabinetry, upgraded appliances, his-and-hers baths, hardwood floors and two parking spaces.

Grossman continues to own a three-bedroom town home in Lake Forest, which he currently has on the market for $849,000.

–Bob Goldsborough

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Rex Grossman sacked for a loss on Trump condo | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The clean-up procedure followed a post-season MRI. Forte sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee during the Bears’ 25-19 victory at Seattle in Week 3, but it is unclear if the surgery stems from that specific injury.

Although Forte ran better toward the end of the season, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, down from his 3.9-yard average as a rookie.

He finished with 929 rushing yards on 258 carries as the Bears ranked 29th in the league. Forte ran for 1,238 yards on 316 carries as a rookie the year before. As a receiver, he had 57 catches for 471 yards in 2009 against 63 for 477 in his first season.

Forte also suffered a partially torn hamstring during offseason workouts before the ’09 season.

With Forte recovering from surgery, the Bears have at least three running backs on the mend.

Garrett Wolfe had shoulder surgery almost two weeks ago while Kevin Jones continues his extensive rehab from torn ligaments in his left ankle. Jones missed the entire regular season.

Also, punter Brad Maynard had his right hip scoped, a source said. His recovery time is unclear.

Maynard was listed as questionable with a groin injury before the last home game against the Vikings. He handled the punt duties that night despite the Bears’ decision to sign Richmond McGee as insurance.

The first day teams can start the offseason workout program is March 15.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Chicago Bears’ Matt Forte has knee surgery | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Adams passed away Sunday following cardiac arrest attributed to an enlarged heart.

“Nobody will ever wear 22 again,” Tackett said. “And we’re going to name a football award after him, the ‘Gaines Adams MVP’ award.”

Tackett said the jersey ceremony is likely to take place before the first home football game in the fall. A memorial service for Adams was held at the school on Tuesday.

Adams, the team’s go-to receiver and a two-way standout, led Cambridge to a 12-1 record and state title in 2000 while playing eight-man football. After one year of prep school, Adams went on to be an All-American at Clemson and become the fourth-overall draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the ’07 draft.

Tackett said the school is considering naming its football field after Adams.

A Clemson official said the university might consider retiring Adams’ number 93 jersey, although nothing is imminent.

The funeral will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, S.C. Members of the Bears will charter a plane to attend. The Buccaneers will do the same.

By Vaughn McClure

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

School to retire Gaines Adams’ No. 22 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Lovie Smith has made one hire so far as he begins Day 15 of the coaching search at Halas Hall, and four positions remain unfilled. Could another opening arise?

Running backs coach Tim Spencer has spoken to Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio about the vacant running backs coach position on the Spartans’ staff, according to FootballCoachScoop.com.

Spencer is an original member of Smith’s staff. He left Ohio State after 10 seasons as an assistant for the Buckeyes to join the Bears in 2004. He was one of two assistants on the offensive side of the ball to survive the Jan. 5 purge along with wide receivers coach Darryl Drake.

The report indicated that Michigan State also was considering Reggie Mitchell (Kansas) and Sedrick Irvin (Memphis) to replace Dan Enos, who left to become the head coach at Central Michigan.

Irvin, a who played at Michigan State, accepted his position at Memphis less than two weeks ago.

Spencer’s son Evan is a junior at Vernon Hills High and is a highly recruited wide receiver who is getting significant interest from Big Ten programs. Tim Spencer played at Ohio State.

By Brad Biggs

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Report: Bears assistant Spencer talks to MSU | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Adams, 26, died Sunday morning after suffering cardiac arrest as a result of an enlarged heart.

Marcia Kelley-Clark, chief deputy coroner for Greenwood County, told the Tribune it was a natural death.

Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, although drug use is not suspected. Those results might not be available for several months.

Adams died at Self Regional Hospital near his home in Greenwood. His girlfriend made the 911 call, and Adams was pronounced dead at 8:21 a.m., Eastern time.

The family could be searching for further confirmation that an enlarged heart was indeed the cause of Adams’ death and that no other factors were involved.

No one knew Adams had a heart condition.

Family members were scheduled to meet with Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Tuesday  to discuss funeral arrangements.

By Vaughn McClure

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Second autopsy set for Bears’ Gaines Adams | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“He was one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met,” said defensive tackle Chris Hovan, whose locker next to Adams’ in Tampa.

“He was this gentle, free spirit. He could be friends with anybody. He was always happy, always grateful for his life.”

Adams struggled with the expectations of being taken with the fourth pick in the 2007 draft.

“When you’re the fourth pick in the draft, you’re going to be the face of the franchise,” Hovan said.

“It was tough on him at first because he was so young. But he understood. And he came out with the mind-set that he was going to get better.”

Get the full story: TampaBay.com

Photo: Gaines Adams struggled with high expectations in Tampa. (Rick Stewart/AP)

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Gaines Adams remembered as ‘gentle, free spirit’ | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The 26-year-old Adams was taken to the emergency room at at Self Regional Healthcare at 7:14 a.m. Eastern time and pronounced dead at 8:21 a.m., Kelley-Clark said. Adams, who is from Greenwood, was visiting his girlfriend.

A Greenwood County Sheriff’s investigator said the house was owned by Adams and the player and his girlfriend were at the residence at the time, and she reportedly made the call to 911 at around 7 a.m.

Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, though drug use was not suspected as a factor in Adams’ death. However, those results probably will not be available for at least two months, Kelley-Clark said.

The Bears issued a statement Sunday afternoon, saying, “We are stunned and saddened by the news of Gaines’ passing. Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Adams’ unexpected death shocked teammates. He was traded to Chicago from Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2010 second-round draft pick.

“It’s crazy,” Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “I didn’t know him that well because he came in during the middle of the season. But I did know him. I still saw him every day when I went into work. It’s just weird.

“I had a teammate die when I was in college. You just don’t know how to handle it. It’s just sad, man. It’s a bad deal.”

Adams, a star at Clemson, was the fourth pick in the 2007 draft by the Buccaneers. The Bears traded for him in October, intent on rebuilding their pass rush around him.

Adams did not have any reported prior medical issues that would have revealed heart issues.

“I remember him at the 2007 Draft as a fine young man,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Our condolences to Gaines’ family, his teammates on the Bears and Buccaneers, and their organizations on their loss.”

Photo: Gaines Adams in 2009. (Photo by NFL Photos)

By Vaughn McClure and Brad Biggs

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Gaines Adams, Chicago Bears defensive end, dead at 26 from cardiac arrest resulting from enlarged heart | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The 26-year-old was reportedly taken to the emergency room at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood County where he died, County Coroner James T. Coursey told the Greenville News.

ProFootballTalk.com and other outlets are reporting that the cause of death is believed to have been a heart attack.

“It’s crazy,” Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “I didn’t know him that well because he came in during  the middle of the season. But I did know him. I still saw him every day when I went into work. It’s just weird.

“I had a teammate die when I was in college. You just don’t know how to handle it. It’s just sad, man. It’s a bad deal.”

Adams, a star at Clemson, was the fourth pick in the 2007 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears traded a second-round draft pick for him in October, intent on rebuilding their pass rush around him.

An autopsy will be performed later today by a forensic pathologist in Anderson County, Coursey told the Greenville News.

By Brad Biggs and Vaughn McClure

PHOTO: Gaines Adams (99) chases Cincinnati quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan (4) in an October game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Chicago Bears’ Gaines Adams dies | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

OKBlitz.com reports: Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was arrested early Saturday in Norman after an altercation at a bar on Campus Corner.

The altercation occurred at Seven47, and he was charged with public intoxication, assault and battery, and interfering with an official process.

The former Oklahoma Sooner was drafted by the Bears with the 73rd overall pick in 2006.

He did not play this season after tearing his ACL during the preseason, and has now finished all four years of his NFL career on injured reserve. He is not under contract for the Bears in 2010.

“Our security was simply just doing their job and Dusty just kind of freaked out,” Seven47 general manager Hunter Mankin said. “Our security would never provoke. I think Dusty’s temper got out of hand.”

Get the full story at okblitz.com.

Photo: Dusty Dvoracek after a defensive stop in 2008. (Tribune file photo)

Read the original article from WGN Radio Chicago.

Dusty Dvoracek arrested after fight in Oklahoma | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

So it was no surprise Sharper was there to scoop up a fumble by Arizona wide receiver Jerheme Urban on the Cardinals’ second possession, leading to New Orleans’ go-ahead score in the first quarter of the Saints’ 45-14 blowout victory Saturday.

Sharper, in his first season with the Saints, has been around the ball all season. He tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, and was named a starter in the Pro Bowl for the fifth time.

To think the Bears went through another season of rotating safeties when they had an opportunity to sign Sharper in free agency.

“You know how long ago that was?” Sharper said. “What do they run up there? Cover 2? It would have been a good opportunity but I am not surprised. They know who I was and I played in that division for so long. To make a run at me, it’s not up to me to say whether they should have done that or not.”

The Bears have to find a consistent pass rusher, that is their clear No. 1 issue to address during the offseason. Working to settle the situation in the back half, at safety, has to be their second order of business.

Sharper wasn’t going to get the Bears younger as Mike Brown left via free agency. But he might have made them better after he spent four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings following eight in Green Bay with the Packers.

“I wasn’t going to command huge money,” Sharper said. “I think the front office is a good place to ask that. Chicago is a place that has great fans and everything, but the fans here I am loving a lot and I am glad I came down here.

“I’m loving Gregg Williams’ defense because it allows playmakers to be playmakers. It takes the handcuffs (of the Cover 2) off.”

Williams had experience with two talented safeties when he ran the defense in Washington, utilizing the late Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry. The free safety is a difficult position to fill. Just ask Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo. It’s hard to find athletic players who can run in coverage and lend a hand in run support and the responsibilities, at least for the Bears, have led to an abundance of injuries. But they’ve also misidentified players and tried twice to make Danieal Manning fit in the role.

“You know what, a lot of people don’t know the free safety position takes on a lot of responsibilities,” Sharper said. “A lot of people want to get younger. But there are so many things you need to think about as a free safety whether it is calling a defense, with the angles approaching the football, playing the ball as a deep half player, you know there are adjustments you have to make and it can be tough for younger guys to do that. That’s why you see Brian Dawkins still playing in the league. Guys of that stature, guys that have been around and seen a lot of things, that is why they are still able to play at a high level.”

That’s precisely why the Bears stuck with Brown as long as they did, waiting for him to return from multiple season-ending injuries.

“Mike was a good player for them,” Sharper said. “He could have still been playing for them except for the injury problems that he had. He was a great player for them, always came up with big plays and always was in the right spot.”

Photo: Darren Sharper celebrates after breaking up a pass play against the Cardinals. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

By Brad Biggs

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

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