Thread: Bears sign Spencer

Updated: July 31, 2011, 5:33 PM ET
Bears agree to deal with Chris Spencer

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By Michael C. Wright
ESPNChicago.com
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BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears agreed to terms on a two-year deal Sunday with former Seahawks center Chris Spencer.


"At this point of my career it's a good fit for me," Spencer told ESPNChicago.com on Sunday. "Just meeting with (Bears assistant general manager) Tim (Ruskell) and just meeting with the Bears and playing against them the last four or five years, I like (what) they stand for. They have a really good defense, a really good offense ... and a star Jay Cutler back there (at the quarterback position). It's a good mix of guys. So I'm excited to come in and get back to football."

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Spencer's addition signifies the end of Olin Kreutz's celebrated, 13-year career in Chicago.


"... As excited as I am about those guys coming in -- Olin Kreutz -- we weren't able to come to an agreement with him," Bears coach Lovie Smith said following Sunday's practice.


"He's been a great Chicago Bear for us. But every year, of course, it's a different year, a different team."


ESPNChicago.com reported Saturday that Kreutz had began telling teammates he was unlikely to return after contract negotiations between the former Pro Bowler and the Bears broke down.


Kreutz had backed off his request for a multiyear contract and was willing to take a one-year deal. Even so, the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.

Spencer is well aware that he will be replacing one of the team's most respected players.


"I've been watching Olin since I've been in the league," Spencer said. "I've tried to pick up some things from him and learn things from him over the years. It's unfortunate that he used to play center for the Bears, but I respect the hell out of Olin. I wish him the best the rest of his career.

"But I'm here to play football, help this team and be me. Everybody is going to say you're coming in replacing Olin, but all I can do is come and play my football at the highest level I can play at. I'm really excited to learn from the guys around there who have been there. I'm excited."


Even with Saturday's news, the reaction following Sunday's practice from Kreutz's former teammates was somewhat somber.


"It's hard to put into words (what Kreutz means to the team)," Bears offensive lineman Roberto Garza said Sunday. "He stands for what a Chicago Bear is ... tough, hard-nose football player. He made his teammates better. He will be missed. He's a veteran leader that guys look up to and who helped me along in my career."


And what's Garza's take on the man who will be replacing Kreutz?


"I don't know (Spencer)," Garza said. "That's not up to me."


Ruskell selected Spencer out of Ole Miss in the first round of the 2005 draft. Spencer started 70 games in six seasons with the Seahawks.


"Spencer is a good football player. I can't compare him with Olin. Olin is not an option for us right now," Smith said. "It didn't work out. This is a good option for us. We're always trying to improve our ballclub. That's a position (in which) we needed a player, and we feel good about him.

"Every decision as far as personnel, it's not (general manager) Jerry (Angelo) and Lovie. We make those decisions. We've come to this conclusion. You try to negotiate. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. That's how it happened for us. Everyone knows what Olin has done for us in the past and that's quite a bit. This is a new year. We're going in this direction and we feel good about it."
Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

He's had plenty of time to watch Olin since he has been injured most of his career.

JA/Lovie feeling comfortable about this is again a sign of how poor they are at talent evaluation outside of the D.

He started all 16 games last year, so at least he isnt injured now. Olin wanted a one year deal, Spencer signed a two year...either way it says the same thing, Bears are going to draft a new Center after this season.

Originally Posted by soulman

With Ruskell involved you could see this coming from a mile away. This is an upgrade for the Oline.......BULLSHIT!

This entire offseason we've been restocking our roster with the former 1st round picks of other teams. There's Williams, Gholston, Okoye, and now Spencer. Every one of these guys was cut by their former teams because of their performance. Like I said at least we're dumpster diving at a classier level now.

By now I guess some of you may be wondering the same thing that I am. Are we the cleverest, shrewdest team in the NFL right now or the dumbest bastards on the planet? If these guys all just play as well as those they are replacing I'll be happy but I think that's a really big if.

PS: I didn't include Barber in this post because he was only a 4th round pick but the same principal applies.

And what is the alternative? Keep Manu and Maynard? Go into the season with the same WRs from last year? Give an aging Kreutz a one year deal because of his locker room presence? Leave our DL the way it was? Its almost as if the Bears dont sign a roster full of probowlers from other teams, then we shouldve just said screw it and stuck with what we had last year.

Well Jimmors if you don't sign the pro bowlers doesn't mean you have to sign the league leader in drops, a C that has spent most of his career on IR and a certifiable Bust for the DL. There is stuff in between. Floyd is a pro bowler but would have been a huge upgrade at WR, Kruetz at 1yr is still a sizable improvement over the jag we just signed, and the DL wasn't a weak spot, could it have been improved sure, but DB was a bigger issue imo. And you sure to hell don't have to trade away your one true big target that has good hands away.

If anyone, you included, before FA had started had said they would be happy w/Roy Williams, Sam Hurd, Marion Barber, Gholston and Spencer and traded away/let go of Kruetz and Olsen and would be hyped about it you'd of been laughed off this board, rightfully so. Fact is it wouldn't and didn't happened. Not one of these guys were in the conversation of guys people would want on their team. This has been at best a break even approach, and possibly slide backwards.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

And what is the alternative? Keep Manu and Maynard? Go into the season with the same WRs from last year? Give an aging Kreutz a one year deal because of his locker room presence? Leave our DL the way it was? Its almost as if the Bears dont sign a roster full of probowlers from other teams, then we shouldve just said screw it and stuck with what we had last year.

Did the Bears really upgrade the receivers? Did they upgrade the TE position? Punter maybe. OL, NO!!! ( especially with no OTA ) Still need an OL. Alot of wishful thinking with what they got. Just my take.