We're not sure what it costs to run a full-page ad in the Trib or Sun-Times, but apparently it's less than the $11 million balance on Lovie Smith's contract because Bears management decided to retain their beleaguered head coach as they officially announced during a press conference at Halas Hall on Tuesday afternoon. The same coach who led the team to a season poor enough that management felt compelled to apologize to fans in print this week. While Lovie remains as head coach, most of his offensive staff got their walking papers on Tuesday. As widely expected, offensive coordinator Ron Turner was the primary fall guy for the Bears' season. Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, tight ends coach Rob Boras, assistant o-line coach Luke Butkus and assistant wide receivers coach Charles London also got the ax. Given that the Bears have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons after appearing in Super Bowl XLI, David Haugh was correct to in his assessment that "[t]his wasn't a housecleaning at Halas Hall. This was light dusting." more ›

It's not the news most Bears fans wanted to hear today. The Chicago Bears are scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon at 2 p.m. to announce a shake up in the coaching staff but one of those departing will not be head coach Lovie Smith, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. So we guess the buy-out was too rich for the McCaskeys' blood? Instead, it looks like Lovie will remain in charge but look for a major shake-up amongst the assistants; tight ends coach Rob Boras has already been fired according to the ESPN report. Meanwhile, the Tribune reports a league source as saying the news is equally grim for offensive coordinator Ron Turner who has also been fired. Also getting the boot were offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton. more ›

When this season began, we figured we'd be spending this evening looking forward to the Bears' playoff opponent. Instead, the Bears prevailed over the Detroit Lions 37-23 in a meaningless game to wrap up a disappointing 7-9 campaign before heading home for the winter. more ›

The Bears headed out Seattle, a place where they hadn't won since 1976. They returned to Chicago still having not won out there since the Ford Administration, falling 30-23. What went wrong this time? Amazingly, perhaps it was not giving Cedric Benson the ball enough! A week after he gained 73 yards on 28 carries, Benson ran for 63 on just his first two carries on Sunday. Or at least somebody wearing his jersey on... more ›

Sure, we're all anxious and upset about the supposed cuts to the CTA service. However, there is one bus route we wouldn't mind see being cut. "We're a team that gets off the bus running the football,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday. ''I have it memorized, and that's what we are, period.'' Has he been watching the same offense we we've been watching this year? The only thing separating this team from a 1-6... more ›

Following Sunday's 19-16 win in Philadephia, Bears QB Brian Griese seemed to think that because there is an "I" in win, he would take the credit and claimed to have called the plays that resulted in the game winning 97-yard touchdown drive at the end of Sunday's game. He had no choice, he said, because the radio communication in his helmet stopped working just before the drive began. When the season's going as poorly it... more ›

After serving 60 days of his 120-day sentence, the Bears' Tank Johnson was released from Cook County Jail early Sunday morning. His sentence was reduced for "good behavior" during his time incarcerated, which included a private cell and nearly 100 visits from family, friends and teammates. Maybe Tank could call up Paris Hilton and tell her jail ain't so bad! While serving his time for probation violations, Johnson pleaded guilty to the gun charges that... more ›

Chicagoist wants to know exactly what was Rex thinking? How the hell could he think a pass like that was a good idea? With the way he'd been passing? With that much time on the clock? Or was this play called by offensive coordinator Ron Turner? Either way, it was a bone-headed call and might have cost the Bears the game. The Bears looked like they were going to find a way to win yet... more ›

After 5 preseason games with included a Apprentice-like quarterback competition but no first round draft pick, we finally got to see the real Chicago Bears as they opened the regular season in Washington against the Redskins. As Chicagoist expected, the Bears-Redskins game was a low scoring affair with two of last year's three worst offenses playing each other. Washington won 9-7, with their three field goals enough offense to counter the lone TD in the game -- scored by the Bears. more ›

The college football season kicks off this weekend, and Chicagoist can't wait! This is Big Ten country, so we thought we'd take a look at the conference and make our predictions. While the Big Ten is shaping up to be a major football powerhouse this season, the two Illinois schools don't figure to draw much attention. Illinois went 3-8 (1-7 conf.) last year, costing Ron Turner his job. Ron Zook, who lost his job... more ›

Chicagoist knows it OK to make mistakes so long as we use them as learning experiences. That's what we heard from parents, teachers and bosses through the years. Unfortunately, the Bears brass didn't seem to learn that lesson. Last year's fiasco of a season resulted primarily because the team lacked capable backups at quarterback when Rex Grossman went down in week 3 with torn knee ligaments. Bears fans endured watching Jonathan Quinn, Craig Krenzel... more ›

Wow, it was a busy weekend here in the Chicagoist sports offices! Bears draft, Bulls playoffs, Sox winning streak... First up this weekend was the NFL Draft. Wanting to bring the Chicagoist readers a first hand account, we set an alarm on a Saturday to be up for the big day. Around 12:30pm, moments after their 15 minute clock had expired, the Bears selected Texas running back Cedric Benson with the 4th pick. This was... more ›

The NFL released its 2005 schedule yesterday, which of course means we learn the Bears' 2005 schedule. Once again, the Bears are denied any Monday Night games. Their only prime time game is their Dec. 18th Sunday night game against Atlanta that will be shown on ESPN. Date Opponent Time 9/11 at Washington Redskins 12:00 p.m. 9/18 Detroit Lions 12:00 p.m. 9/25 Cinncinati Bengals 12:00 p.m. 10/2 Bye   10/9 at Cleveland Browns 12:00 p.m.... more ›

The first round of cuts came yesterday throughout the NFL, with teams primarily casting off players whose contracts tied their hands financially. Salary Cap cuts. But the Bears' first move involved cutting a player who wasn't much of a cap concern -- Jonathan Quinn. Signed to back up Rex Grossman, he failed miserably as a starting QB. After losing his three starts, the team started rookie Craig Krenzel while signing just about every out-of-work retread... more ›

Just days after firing offensive coordinator Terry Shea, the Bears have offered the position to former Illinois head coach Ron Turner. Turner served as the Bears offensive coordinator, from 1993 to 1996 under Dave Wannstedt, before leaving to take the Illini job. His tenure running Chicago's offense included some of the Bears 'best offensive years. The hope is that he'll be able to once again awaken the offense. Turner, however, is still in talks with... more ›

Following a season in which the Bears ranked last in the NFL in total yards and points, offensive coordinator Terry Shea was fired on Tuesday. Having previously served as quarterbacks coach within the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offensive sytem, Bears fans cheered his hiring less than one year ago when new coach Lovie Smith named him the successor to John Shoop. But when the team goes 5-11 and ranks last offensively, somebody had to be... more ›