William 'The Refrigerator' Perry in Serious Condition in South Carolina Hospital

According to the Chicago Sun Times, William “The Refrigerator” Perry — the former defensive lineman who captured the hearts of Chicago Bears fans in 1985 when he rumbled for a one-yard touchdown in his Monday Night Football debut — is in serious condition in a South Carolina hospital after suffering from symptoms of a chronic illness.

A relative said he is expected to recover.

The 46-year-old Perry, who resides in his native Aiken, S.C., was diagnosed last June with Guillain-Barré syndrome and hospitalized for five months. He used a wheelchair during his rehabilitation.

Purnell Perry told the Sun-Times in a phone interview that his uncle entered the hospital more than a week ago because of complications related to the illness, and is expected to make a full recovery.

“They were making sure he was in pretty good health before they started treating him,” said Purnell Perry.

A spokeswoman for Aiken Regional Medical Center said Perry is in serious condition, but declined to elaborate.

There is no cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome, but treatments are available that can ease the symptoms and duration.

Perry played ten seasons in the NFL — eight of them with the Bears and two with the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned the nickname “The Refrigerator” for his intimidating 6-foot-2, 350-pound frame. He won a Super Bowl ring his rookie year with the 1985 Bears, scoring a touchdown in the game.

Pace Wants a Reunion with Holt

The Chicago Bears are in need of wide receiver, that is not secret, new quarterback Jay Cutler has already reached out to Plaxico Burress, and now another new Chicago Bear is lobbying for a familliar free agent.

Bears LT Orlando Pace, who was recently signed to solidify the offensive line in the windy city, want to bring an old buddy along with him to spice up the offense, former Rams WR Torry Holt.

“I spoke to Torry,” Pace said. “It’s funny he was just probably at my house a few days before I even came here. I think he’s just out searching. I’m probably recruiting him in Chicago here. And hopefully it works out.”

The 32-year old WR would bring playmaking ability to Chicago as well as an experienced mentor to Chicago's young receiving core along with his 12,660 yards and 74 TD's

Lovie Smith, is also familiar with Holt, as he served as the Rams defensive coordinator from 2001 through 2003.

Cutler Reaches Out to Burress

The Chicago Bears got themselves a shiny new quarterback, a real gunslinger in Jay Cutler, and if Cutler has his way he will be throwing passes to a differnt kind of gunslinger in the near future.

According to WSCR radio, via the Chicago Tribune, new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has reached out to free-agent receiver Plaxico Burress about joining the team.

When Bears head coach Lovie Smith was asked about potentially adding Burress, the coach responded.

"Every player that's available, we look into," Smith said.

Former Bear/Razorback Ken Anderson Dies

Ken Anderson, the former Chicago Bear and Arkansas Razorback defensive lineman, has died of a heart attack in Fayetteville Arkansas, he was 33 years old.

Anderson's death was confirmed by Dexter Howard, Anderson's Pastor at Life Harvester Church, where Anderson was a Minister.

Anderson lettered for the Razorbacks from 1994-97 and played for the Bears in 1999.

Busy Bears, Setting the Pace

The Chicago Bears have had an epic day in improving their franchise, specifically their offense today. Not long after the Bears had secured their franchise quarterback, by trading for Jay Cutler, the Bears went out and grabbed the massive former franchise LT of the St. Louis Rams Orlando Pace.

Pace, the first overall pick in the 1997 draft, was cut last month by the Rams. He visited the Ravens a couple of weeks ago, before heading into Soldier Field, where the signed the mammoth tackle to a 3-year deal. Financial terms have not been released at this time.

It is unknown if Pace will slide right in to the left tackle spot and battle with last year's first rounder, Chris Williams or if he will battle for the right tackle spot with recent signee Kevin Schaffer.

BREAKING NEWS: Jay Cutler Traded to Chicago

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that the Chicago Bears have sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and quarterback Kyle Orton to the Broncos for quarterback Jay Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick.

The Bears held the 18th pick in the first round of the draft.

Per NFLPA records, Orton is signed through 2009, at a base salary of $995,000.

Bears Fan Makes Bullucks "Highlight Tape"

The Chicago Bears struggled on defense in 2008 and fans were hoping for drastic improvements via free agency. The fans haven't seen it, and one of them has expressed his anger with a "highlight" tape that has been posted on youtube.

Enjoy!

Bears/Browns Swap Tackle Via Free Agency

Earlier this month the Cleveland Browns added long-time Bears OT John St. Clair to solidify the right side of their o-line, taking away a player the Bears desperately wanted to re-sign after the announcement that their other long-time OT John Tait had retired.

The Chicago Bears filled that void by signing a former Brown, OT Kevin Schaffer to a three-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Shaffer started 47 games for the Cleveland Browns the past three seasons, 31 at right tackle and 16 at left. Shaffer was selected by Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2002 draft. He made 39 starts with the Falcons and started the 2005 NFC title game against the Eagles.

Bears Sign Safety

The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Glenn Earl, to a one year deal worth the veteran minimum of $620,000. Earl has not played a game in the NFL in two-seasons.

Earl had his career seemingly cut short in the final preseason game of 2007, when he suffered a Lisfranc injury of the foot. Earl was placed on injured reserve for 2007, and was released in 2008. He has not played in the NFL since then, but is healthy again now that the foot is fully healed.

Earl, 27, will likely be competing to play on special teams, and as a nickel defender, as he re-adjusts to the speed of the game after his two-year lay-off.

A four-year veteran, Earl was originally a fourth-round pick of Houston in the 2004 draft. The former Notre Dame standout provided size and play-making ability to the Texans' secondary before his injury. And in 2006, he had a career-high 74 tackles.

For his career, Earl has 153 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and four passes defensed. He has 31 starts and has played in 37 games. Earl has a good shot to adding to his career start total by joing the Bears, who recently released veteran safety Mike Brown.

Bears Move Tait to Reserve/Retired List

The Chicago Bears have moved OT John Tait to the Reserve/Retired list, clearing a spot on their active roster. Tait, a 10-year NFL veteran who spent the past five years with Chicago, is expected to retire. He was the 14th pick overall in the 1999 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bears other starting tackle John St. Clair is still a free agent and the team is hoping to re-sign him to fill the spot vacated by Tait. St. Clair's left tackle position will then be manned by last seasons first-round draft choice Chris Williams, who spent 2008 on IR with back problems.

Redskins Ink Another Punter

The Washington Redskins have been searching for answers in their punting game and have been cycling through punter after punter to try and find a solution. The next one in the cycle is veteran Dirk Johnson. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Johnson has a 41.7-yard career average and a career net average of 35.9. He has punted for several teams in the NFL including New Orleans, Chicago, Arizona and he has also punted in the Super Bowl for Philadelphia in 2004.

The Redskins ranked last in the NFL in net average last season. Draft pick Durant Brooks won the job over incumbent Derrick Frost during training camp, then was cut and replaced by Ryan Plackemeier in October. Plackemeier was released last month.

Benson Remains in Cincinnati

Troubled running back Cedrick Benson has decided to continue resurrecting his career in Cincinnati, and has signed a two-year contract to remain a Bengal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Benson was Chicago's first-round pick and the fourth overall in the 2005 draft, but struggled to stay on the field because of his poor work ethic. In Cincinnati last season, Benson became a bright spot fot the team and finished the season with 747 yards on 214 carries. He also caught 20 passes for 185 yards. He had the team's longest run (46 yards) and longest reception (79 yards).

"Cedric was recognized as an elite talent coming out of college," coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday. "His years in Chicago weren't what he hoped for, but he was able to give us a lift on the field and be a great presence in the locker room. He earned everyone's respect, and we're excited to let him continue to grow in our system."

Bears Sign Versatile OL Omiyale

The Chicago Bears have signed free agent Frank Omiyale to a four year contract, in hopes of stabilizing an offensive line that could be losing some key pieces.

Omiyale can play tackle and guard, but his role with the Bears is not clear. They need help at tackle, with John Tait telling them he's retiring after 10 seasons and John St. Clair an unrestricted free agent.


"We told (Omiyale) that we wanted to look at him at guard first, but we're not going to limit him in terms of his reps (to) guard," general manager Jerry Angelo said. "We'll expose him to tackle, which is where he's been predominantly trained, but we want to expose him at guard as well. How it ultimately comes to fruition, I can't really sit here and say."

6-foot-4, 310-pound Omiyale coming out of Tennessee Tech was high on the Bears draft board but was ultimately signed by the Atlanta Falcons in the 5th round of the 2005 draft.

Chet Bulger, 91, of Chicago Cardinals’ 1947 Title Team, Dies

Chet Bulger, a member of the 1947 Chicago Cardinals Championship team has passed away at age 91.

Bulger played in the NFL from 1942 to 1950, starting with the Chicago Cardinals and spending his final season with the Detroit Lions. In 1947, he helped the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21, for the NFL championship.

The Cardinals lost the 1948 title game to the Eagles, 7-0, then did not play for the championship again until reaching Super Bowl XLIII.

“I’m still a Cardinal, always a Cardinal,” Bulger told The Associated Press in a telephone interview a few days before the Super Bowl. “I can’t see too well anymore, but I’m going to get up real close to the TV to watch that game. Maybe we’ll win that Super Bowl. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Bulger scored seven points in his N.F.L. career, kicking an extra point in 1943 and returning a fumble for a touchdown in 1945.

Bulger stayed in Chicago after his playing days and taught and coached at De La Salle, where he stayed through 1982. He became the athletic director, and the school named its main athletic field for him. In later years, he helped raise money for De La Salle.

John Tait Considering Retirement

While the Bears are busy cutting unwanted players from their roster, a player they want to return might be interested in leaving the team, and leaving football altogether.

Offensive tackle John Tait, a Chicago Bear since 2004 and 10 year veteran has hinted towards retirement. Tait played through injuries the last few years and underwent ankle surgery after the 2006 season.

''You notice little things that didn't happen when you were younger,'' he said. ''It just takes a little bit longer to recover from games. I think you have to do a lot more maintenance, just the upkeep. That's the biggest thing.''

Bears S Mike Brown Not Returning

We reported yesterday that the Chicago Bears had released WR Marty Booker, well along with the release of Booker came the news that long time Bears safety Mike Brown, who is set to become a free agent, would not receive a contract offer from the team.

The 9 year veteran has had a problem staying healthy throughout his career and has missed 43 games from 2004 through 2007. The decision comes as no surprise after general manager Jerry Angelo admitted he was ready to move on without Brown a year ago. The Bears must find at least one safety in free agency or the draft.

Anquan Bolden to Become Ocho Uno?

Cardinal's WR Anquan Boldin, who caught 8 catches for 84 yards in the Super Bowl last week, arrived in Hawaii to participate in the Pro Bowl. Upon arriving he wasted no time to express his displeasure with the Arizona Cardinals and their refusal to re-work his contract.

"I don't think the relationship can be repaired with the organization," Boldin told USA TODAY after Thursday's NFC practice for Sunday's Pro Bowl. "It takes more than, 'Well, we did you wrong and we'll pay you this.' It's not about the money. It was always about the principle. Guys being true to their word. I guess I was expected to uphold my end of the bargain, and it wasn't reciprocated."

Boldin has two years left on his $22.75 million deal at $2.75 million and $3 million. He is looking for a deal similar to that of teammate Larry Fitzgerald who signed a 4 year $40 Million contract before the 2008 season. Ocho Uno caught 89 regular-season passes for 1,038 yards and a career-best 11 TDs despite missing two games after a Sept. 28 hit required seven titanium facial plates and 40 titanium screws to repair multiple facial injuries.

Anquan Boldin joins Cincinnati's Chad Ocho Cinco and Chicago's Lance Briggs in players who have publicly demanded a trade, in previous offseasons, after contract extensions weren't offered in the time frame they provided. Like Boldin both openly said they would never return and that the relationship was unrepairable, but eventually resigned with their respective teams.

Arizona teammates Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner have both gone on record saying that Boldin is a key part to their success and hope he can mend fences with the organization.

Ruben Brown Retires

Ruben Brown, a nine-time Pro Bowler, who sat out the 2008 season while trying to find a team in need of his services has decided to retire. Brown's announcement on Buffalo radio station WECK wasn't a surprise, but it brought his decorated career to an official end.

"I came to the conclusion it's time to hang it up," Brown said. "I'm going to officially retire this week. I'm going to submit my paperwork to the NFL. I am terminating my active playing days. It's a wrap. There's no more football for me. They're always inquiring if I'm done. Yeah, that's it. There's no more. It was an awesome ride."

Brown started his career with the Buffalo Bills and made 8 straight Pro Bowl from his 1996 to 2003, his final Pro Bowl appearance came as a Chicago Bear in 2006 the year they played in the Super Bowl.

Neon Deion Says He Can

NFL Network analyst, and former NFL superstar Deion Sanders believe that Bears WR Devin Hester can be both an Elite return man as well as an Elite wide receiver. This came in response to Bears GM Jerry Angelo's comments that the expectation of Hesters season must be reshaped since he was splitting time.

"He could do it,'' Sanders said in between Super Bowl XLIIII media day sessions Tuesday morning at Raymond James Stadium. ``You get the right personnel to block for him, sure he can. When I returned punts it wasn't that I was so great, it was the 10 guys in front of me were great and they were blocking their butts off. That's what made me who I was as a returner. That's the same as Devin in his previous years.''