Thread: Bears prepare to get back to business

I can live with the 2010 rules as it applies to free agency. Keeping both Manning and Graham as well as Roach is worth what we may lose out on in the way of Olineman IMO. There will still be some quality guys available but not as many and the prices will probably be higher.

Now that we have Carimi and can pick up another OG/C somewhere around the middle to the draft I'm less concerned than I was. The first target of FA the very hour that it opens should be Malcom Floyd. I'm fine with drafting a guy like Pettis too but in Floyd we get a bona fide vet WR of the size that Cutler loves and he can play now without having to get up to NFL speed for one or two seasons.

Bears prepare to get back to business
Bears prepare to get back to business

Set rookie minicamp for May 6-8, voluntary offseason program for May 9

By Brad Biggs, Tribune Reporter 8:33 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2011



Better late than never.

The Bears will kick off their voluntary offseason workout program May 9, four weeks later than it was originally scheduled to begin.

The team will hold a rookie minicamp May 6-8 and then, per NFL rules, the draft picks will be forced to remain away from Halas Hall until after graduation is held at their respective schools. Mandatory veteran minicamp will run June 3-5.

All of these dates are subject to change if the owners can reverse a trend of significant losses in court. The league is appealing to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, seeking a stay of the lockout that was lifted earlier this week by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson in Minnesota.


Unless the owners get a swift victory, the league's new year could start in coming days and free agency could begin early next week. That means the Bears' roster could look very different a week from now if the team sets out to upgrade positions in free agency following the draft. The team also is expected to pursue some of its own free agents.

The NFL announced that team facilities will be opened for players to work out beginning Friday morning. That gives players with workout bonuses around the league an impetus to show for work, but with the Bears announcing they will begin their program May 9, their players have one more week to vacation or work out on their own. NFL teams are permitted to have 14-week offseason programs and the Bears typically use 10.

On Friday, the NFL is expected to announce ground rules they will use moving forward. There is considerable speculation the league will use most of the 2010 rules in 2011. In the big picture, that means another season without a salary cap — or a salary floor. It could also mean players need six years of service before they would be eligible for unrestricted free agency. That would allow the Bears to keep safety Danieal Manning (5 years) and cornerback Corey Graham (4 years). Manning started 16 games at strong safety last season and Graham was a stalwart on special teams with 25 solo tackles.

Manning turned down a multiyear contract in December and is looking for a big payday. Graham would like to find a team where he has a clearer path to earn playing time on defense. Dave Toub's special teams unit projects to be decimated by free agency, so keeping these two players would be a good start.

Off-season program, minicamps scheduled

Posted by Bob LeGere
The Bears plan to start their off-season program a week from Monday (May 9) and conduct their rookie minicamp May 6-8 and their full-squad minicamp June 3-5 at Halas Hall, according to the team's website.

Those dates were set Thursday after the NFL had notified its clubs that they could resume operations at 7 a.m. Friday.

At that time, players will be permitted to work out, receive medical treatment, meet with coaches, watch tape and pick up playbooks.

The Bears' off-season program originally was supposed to begin on Monday, April 11.
It still has not yet been determined when the official league year will begin, which means that free agency remains on hold. But it's possible that could happen as soon as Monday, with teams scrambling to sign free agents. Teams also cannot sign undrafted free agents or trade players under contract, but that too could begin on Monday.
However, the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis still may grant the NFL a stay of the ruling lifting the lockout.

U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson on Wednesday denied the league's request for a stay of her Monday ruling that lifted the lockout. If the lockout is reinstated, players would again be prohibited from entering team facilities.

and reg camp schedule for july 22nd:( shoudl e a big crowd again)

Bears scheduled to open camp July 22

April, 28, 2011 Apr 28
7:34
PM CT



By Jeff Dickerson



LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears are tentatively scheduled to report to training camp on the campus of Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais on July 22.

The first practice is expected to be held on July 23.

The Bears are scheduled to open the preseason by facing the St. Louis Rams in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 7, therefore requiring the organization to report to camp a week earlier than usual.

This marks the 10th consecutive year the Bears have held training camp at Olivet Nazarene. The club recently signed an extension to keep the team training in Bourbonnais through at least 2012, with a team option for 2013.

I just hope the courts don't overturn things again, and open the door for the lockout to continue. that would REALLY screw things up. that and I can't wait to see how FA goes once we get through the draft.