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Bears sign WR Aiken, release Unga
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bear...-sign-wr-aiken
Bears sign WR Aiken, release Unga
October, 9, 2012 Oct 9
11:22
AM CT
By Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
- LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- With rookie Alshon Jeffery likely to miss time with a fracture in his right hand, the Chicago Bears signed Kamar Aiken to the practice squad on Tuesday, the team announced.
The 6-foot-2, 213-pound Aiken last week was released from the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills.
The Bears released Harvey Unga as the coresponding move.
There's a chance the team could promote rookie Joe Anderson from the practice squad to the active roster, and move Aiken into his place, which would seem a likely scenario. Anderson turned heads in the
preseason and has some familiarity with the offense, despite his inexperience.
Offensive coordinator Mike Tice lamented the loss of Jeffery, but expects the team to pick up the slack with players such as Earl Bennett, who is expected next week to make his return after missing the last two games with a hand injury.
"I don't know how long he's out, but it's tough," Tice said. "Hopefully we get Earl back. This is the NFL, and as you well know we have injuries. This is one that's too bad because he was starting to come on; great rapport between he and (quarterback) Jay (Cutler). But hopefully we can get Earl back and just keep going."
A second-round pick, Jeffery caught 14 passes for 184 yards over the first five games before suffering the hand injury during the second half of Chicago's 41-3 pummeling of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jeffery underwent an x-ray on Monday, and it was determined he suffered a fracture in the hand, according to a source, who disclosed the receiver was wearing a cast and that the injury wouldn't require surgery.
Jeffery's timeline for a return is unknown, but a source said he'd miss "a few weeks," including the bye week in that timeline.
"It's tough," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "But you know, we know we're going to get him back. Injuries are part of it. He'll be back before long."
Because Jeffery kept his hands in the pocket of a gray sweatshirt during the portion of practice in which the media is allowed to view, it was also unknown whether the receiver was wearing a cast.
It's likely that Jeffery's repetitions in the coming games will be divvied up between Bennett and Devin Hester, who expressed frustration with his role in the offense recently, but scored his first touchdown of the season on Oct. 1 in the team's win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Aiken, meanwhile, has NFL experience, having played in two games, contributing primarily as a special teamer. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011 by Buffalo from Central Florida, Aiken has spent the majority of his time in the league on the Bills' practice squad. So his lack of familiarity with Chicago's offense could mean the team plans to proceed slowly with the new receiver.
Aiken worked out for the Green Bay Packers on Monday, and was scheduled Tuesday to visit the New England Patriots, according to a source. As Aiken boarded a flight leaving Green Bay, the Bears swooped in with a call, and the receiver immediately proceeded late Monday afternoon to Halas Hall.
In other injury news, Julius Peppers (foot) didn't participate in Tuesday's brief one-hour session, but should be available when the team returns for an Oct. 22 matchup with the Detroit Lions along with Brian Urlacher, who will continue to be held out sporadically as he continues to work himself back to form. Roberto Garza appeared to be a non-participant in Tuesday's workout, but the reason is unknown. Because the team doesn't play a game this week, it isn't required to release injury information.
Evan Rodriguez, meanwhile, also missed as he continues to recover from a sprained knee.
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Plaxico Burress wants to join Bears
Updated: October 9, 2012, 9:31 PM ET
By Roman Modrowski | ESPNChicago.com
If the Chicago Bears are looking for a veteran receiver to replace injured rookie Alshon Jeffery, Plaxico Burress said he would be honored to take their phone call.
"For me to get to a football town like Chicago and play with a group of guys like (Matt) Forte, Brian (Urlacher), (Brandon Marshall) and Jay (Cutler) would be an honor," Burress said by phone on Tuesday. "I just have to get the green light."
That green light has been conspicuously absent for Burress, who remains out of football despite catching 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns for the New York Jets last season. Considering that came after two years away from the game as he served time for an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub, some wonder why no team is taking a chance on the 6-foot-5 Burress improving on those numbers this season.
Is it the fact he's 35, or are there character issues?
"I don't think anybody saw this coming from my camp," Burress said. "I just wanted to get my legs under me (last season) and get back to being the explosive football player like before. People look at me being 35 and say I can't do some of the things I was able to do, but I did that last year after being off 30 months.
"It's a mystery to me and everybody else. But I remain optimistic."
While Cutler didn't make a push for the Bears to add Burress when asked Tuesday about the possibility, he wasn't surprised that Burress was interested.
"I don't make those decisions, Cutler said. "That's up to the guys upstairs. We like our receivers. I know they're always looking to add to every position, so we'll see what happens.
"It says a lot (that he'd like to play for Chicago). We got some good guys in the locker room. We got some hungry players, got a lot of Pro Bowl players. I think is if you're a free agent you're looking for a team like Chicago. It's got be at the top of your list."
Some thought the Jets might call after a season-ending injury to Santonio Holmes and their struggles on offense. Coach Rex Ryan, who recently praised Burress' character, lamented some dropped passes after Monday's loss to the Houston Texans. But the Jets have not called.
"They want to go younger," Burress said. "That's what it looks like this league is becoming; all the veterans are sitting on the sidelines watching from home.
Get the latest Bears news from ESPN Chicago's Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright. Bears blog »
• ESPN.com: NFC North
"All it will take is a coach or GM to believe in me. I just need one. I think teams would be very happy with what I bring to the locker room and the field."
Will that one GM be the Bears' Phil Emery? Jeffery suffered a fracture in his right hand during Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson.
"You just look at what they already have in place," Burress said. "Jay's been one of my favorite quarterbacks for some time now.
"And I trained this whole offseason with Forte in South Florida. You see a guy like him doing the things he's able to do, watch the guy's work ethic, and it's incredible. And Brandon is one of the top five receivers in football. You talk about adding me to that offense, and teams won't know who to guard in the red zone. It's about creating match-up problems."
Burress, who is keeping in shape, said he planned to talk to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, later Tuesday and would express his interest in the Bears.
"I'm going to tell him if an opportunity in Chicago presents itself, I want to go now," Burress said. "I just want to go out and play."
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story...-chicago-bears
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Last edited by Riczaj01; 10-10-2012 at 10:05 AM.
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Member
Okay, I'm sorry. Aiken is a pussy, forget that asshole. Anyone seen him play? Ya, I thought so. There's a reason you haven't. He sucks.
Secondly, this Plaxico nonsense is about as dumb as the McNaab talk last year. He sucks and there is a reason no one wants to work with him. I don't need to know exactly what it is, other teams have scouted that out for me. Thanks other teams!
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 2 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
XxMidwayMonstersxX 
Okay, I'm sorry. Aiken is a pussy, forget that asshole. Anyone seen him play? Ya, I thought so. There's a reason you haven't. He sucks.
Secondly, this Plaxico nonsense is about as dumb as the McNaab talk last year. He sucks and there is a reason no one wants to work with him. I don't need to know exactly what it is, other teams have scouted that out for me. Thanks other teams!
No one wants Plax because he is a head case. Reminds me of Marshall in many ways... Though Marshall didn't shoot himself,
If we didn't have Marshall I would take a look at him, but the Bears do not need two reclamation projects
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Boy oh boy. The guy have played in 2 NFL games in his career and you can tell he is a pussy, asshole and sucks. Wow maybe you should become a NFL scout. How can one person know so much and yet know so little.
Just one more negative comment to go along with your other 41.
Originally Posted by
XxMidwayMonstersxX Okay, I'm sorry. Aiken is a pussy, forget that asshole. Anyone seen him play? Ya, I thought so. There's a reason you haven't. He sucks.
Secondly, this Plaxico nonsense is about as dumb as the McNaab talk last year. He sucks and there is a reason no one wants to work with him. I don't need to know exactly what it is, other teams have scouted that out for me. Thanks other teams!
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High Fives / Like - 6 BEAR DOWN!, 1 Dislikes
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I see no reason in not giving Plaxico a look. Not saying i'd take him over Sanz, but if he can be as good as he was last year (he was hampered, seeing how he was playing with Sanchez...), just give him a once over, if nothing more. As far as other teams not wanting him, all I have to say is: Cleveland. Don't tell me they don't need him in the worst way...
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 1 Dislikes
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WOW I got a Dislike from XxMidwayMonstersxX I don't know if I can make it through the day now. I am totally heart broken. I guess he doesn't take the truth well.
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High Fives / Like - 3 BEAR DOWN!, 1 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Henry Burris I see no reason in not giving Plaxico a look. Not saying i'd take him over Sanz, but if he can be as good as he was last year (he was hampered, seeing how he was playing with Sanchez...), just give him a once over, if nothing more. As far as other teams not wanting him, all I have to say is: Cleveland. Don't tell me they don't need him in the worst way...
Before we acquired Marshall I would have agreed. I wasn't opposed to looking him over when he was done with his jail time.
Now, not so much though. Jeffrey's injury sucks, but with Bennett coming back we are still pretty good at the wr position. Plax would be a distraction and cause issues with Marshall. I don't think he's worth even a look.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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between BM, Bennet, Hester, Sanz and Davis; not to mention Forte I think we'll be okay not brining in plax
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High Fives / Like - 3 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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