The Chicago Bears improved their offensive line depth by signing Chilo Rachal today. Chilo Rachal started 38 games at right guard the last four years for the San Francisco 49ers. But he made most of those starts when the 49ers were a losing team.

This signing would be a lot more exciting if Rachal hadn’t started only three games last year when the 49ers were 13-3.

Rachal was replaced in the starting lineup early last season by a relative journeyman, but he was a second-round draft pick in 2008. Someone at some time thought Chilo Rachal was a top prospect, something that can’t be said of too many Bears offensive linemen in recent years.

The above story also bills him as a powerful straight-ahead run blocker, which the Bears could use, but says he is poor at pass blocking or pulling and blocking on the move. That does not bode well. Many Bear linemen have struggled with blocking schemes the last two years; when the Bears showed improvement in the second half of the 2010 season, that was after line coach Mike Tice simplified many of the blocking assignments.

He should do the same in 2012. I don’t know if Chilo Rachal can help Jay Cutler stay upright, but he should help Chicago running backs. At worst, he is a better backup than the Bears had before. At best, he’s a slight improvement in the starting lineup, mostly in the running game.

The NFL has released the 2012 schedule, and the Chicago Bears will have a tough road ahead of them if they hope to make the postseason. Between three Monday night games and tough competition in the NFC North, the Bears have their work cut out for them. The first game may be the key to giving the team the boost that they need to get them through the season and make it to the playoffs.

Season Opener May Provide a Confidence Boost

The Bears will host the Indianapolis Colts in their first game of the year. With a new head coach and a new starting quarterback, the Colts may not be as steady for the first game as they may be later in the season. It is presumed, of course, that Andrew Luck will go to the Colts in the first round of the draft. Constant comparisons to Peyton Manning won’t do much to calm the rookie’s nerves in his NFL debut. Look for the Bears to have a strong pass rush this game.

Monday night games present challenges

The Bears have three Monday night games this season. They will meet the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers in the three games. None of the teams will be easy to beat, but expect the Lions game to be especially brutal. Neither team has forgotten the ugly game last year; D.J. Moore was ejected from the game, and there were plenty personal fouls accrued on both sides of the field. The game won’t just be about bruised egos from last season; both teams are contenders this year. It may just turn out to be the best Monday night game of the season.

NFC North Will Be A Tough Conference

The Lions are expected to do as well as last season or better, and the Green Bay Packers are still the Packers, so the four games that the Bears have against the teams won’t be easy victories. Green Bay will host the Bears in the second game of the season, and Chicago will only have a few days rest between the opener and this game. The only break that the Bears may get will be in the two games against the Minnesota Vikings, since this season should be a rebuilding year for them. The Bears will meet all three other teams in the conference in the final four weeks of the regular season, with their last game being played in Detroit.

Bears Regular-Season Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 13, at Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 4: Monday, Oct. 1, at Dallas Cowboys

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 6: Bye Week

Week 7: Monday, Oct. 22, vs. Detroit Lions

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, at Tennessee Titans

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, vs. Houston Texans

Week 11: Monday, Nov. 19, at San Francisco 49ers

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, vs Minnesota Vikings

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Minnesota Vikings

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Arizona Cardinals

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Detroit Lions

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory. She has been covering the Chicago Bears and other Chicago teams since 2010. You can follow her on Twitter @wlevon1 .

The Chicago Bears just announced the 2012 schedule. NFL.com noted the Bears have a few tough short weeks on the schedule, starting the season with two games within five days. The Bears also play three Monday night games, one primetime Sunday game and a Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers in week 2.

The schedule is below. See the Bears website for more information.

PRESEASON
Thursday, Aug. 9, Broncos, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18, Redskins, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24, @ Giants 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 30, @ Browns, 6:30 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, Sept. 9, Colts, 12 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 13, @ Packers, 7:20 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 23, Rams, 12 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 1, @ Cowboys, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7, @ Jaguars, 3:05 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 22, Lions, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, Panthers, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4, @ Titans, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 11, Texans, 7:20 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 19, @ 49ers, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 25, Vikings, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 2, Seahawks, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9, @ Vikings, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16, Packers, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 23, @ Cardinals, 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 30, @ Lions, 12 p.m.

The Chicago Bears have started their voluntary, offseason workouts today, though the practices will be somewhat different than last year. The new NFL regulations have taken effect, which change the terms of the practice. There will also be some familiar faces back despite injuries or lack of contracts, and at least one noticeable absence. Here is a preview of what to expect from the offseason program.

Changes in Program

New regulations this year will limit the voluntary practices to nine weeks. Previously, they could last as long as 14 weeks. During the first two weeks, players can participate in drills, but they are not allowed to handle the football. The exception for quarterbacks allows them to practice passing, but not to other players. No one is allowed to wear a helmet on the field until the final four weeks, and one-on-one drills between members of the offense and defense are not allowed.

Essentially, players are not allowed to participate in contact football during the offseason practices. The rules were enacted as part of the collective bargaining agreement last year, and are designed to prevent injuries to players. The NFL has come under close scrutiny for injuries due to several lawsuits by former players alleging that the league did not do enough to prevent serious injuries and traumas over the years.

Chris Conte Returns

Chris Conte will be back to practice after suffering from a foot injury he received in the Seattle Seahawks. His injury, a Lisfranc injury, usually requires surgery to heal. Conte was lucky; he was able to recover without having to go under the knife.

Matt Forte Holds Out

Forte has not been quiet this offseason about his feelings regarding his contract. The Bears slapped him with a franchise tag, and have not yet signed him to the long-term deal that he is hoping for. After losing his cool on Twitter, it was assumed that he had simmered down a bit. Now, he is skipping the workouts, and may possibly miss part of training camp if he is not satisfied with the way the team handles his contract.

Kahlil Bell to Participate Regardless of Status

Bell is a restricted free agent, and the Bears tendered an offer of $1.26 million. He has vowed to take part in the practices whether he is signed or not. Bell actually stepped in for Matt Forte at the end of last season when he suffered an injury. Even though Forte has always seemed like a team player, Bell ends up looking like the classier guy in the contract situation.

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory. She has been covering the Chicago Bears and other Chicago teams since 2010.

David Terrell, former Chicago Bear.

A former Chicago Bears wide receiver was ordered held on $10,000 bond Saturday after he was charged with battery.

David Terrell, 33, was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after he allegedly grabbed his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend in his high-rise apartment in the 1700 block of South Michigan Avenue on Chicago’s Near South Side early Friday, the Chicago Tribune reports. Terrell allegedly told the woman he would throw her off the balcony of his apartment “and say you jumped.”

According to CBS Chicago, the woman checked into an area hospital and contacted police after leaving Terrell’s apartment and was treated for bruises on her neck, chest and arms.

Terrell, who played four seasons with the Bears and one with the Denver Broncos, was arrested Friday afternoon and appeared in court Saturday.

Terrell’s attorney says his client is innocent, ABC Chicago reports. He is slated to return to court April 30.

Yahoo! Sports notes that Terrell was a first-round draft pick by the Bears in 2001. Though widely hyped, many feel he was “one of the biggest draft busts” in the NFL. He has previously been cited for a number of driving infractions including speeding, driving without insurance and driving on a suspended license.

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David Terrell, the former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, is making headlines in Chicago once again. He has been arrested for battery after allegedly grabbing his ex-girlfriend and threatening to throw her off of a balcony. It is a sad chapter in the life of a player who once held so much promise.

Terrell played for the University of Michigan, and joined the Chicago Bears in 2001 as their first-round pick; he was the eighth pick overall. Though there was much hype and hope surrounding the rookie, he is widely thought of as one of the biggest draft busts in the NFL.

He did little to live up to his potential while with the Bears. He only had nine touchdowns in his four seasons with the team, and caught the ball just 128 times. The Bears eventually got rid of Terrell, and he joined the Denver Broncos for one season. He only played one game while in Denver. That would be his last season in the NFL.

Terrell was also known for stirring up trouble. Even after his one-game season in Denver, he was quoted as saying, “Terrell Owens is not better than me. Keyshawn Johnson is not better than me. Randy Moss is not better than me. The only person better than me is me.” No one was impressed by such wild statements. A poll of Bears fans showed that 65 percent approved of the team’s decision to release him.

Off the field, he was known for his trouble behind the wheel. He was cited by police numerous times for speeding, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended license, and negligent driving. He was also arrested for failure to appear in court in connection with his driving citations.

Now David Terrell has found himself in more hot water than any of his minor scrapes with the law. He was held on $10,000 bond, and has been charged with misdemeanor battery. The charge may not sound serious, but what his ex-girlfriend has accused him of is. According to her, Terrell grabbed her, saying “I’ll throw you off the balcony and say you jumped.”

Terrell went from having a promising career in the NFL to having his mugshot plastered across the internet. It is a hard fall for the former first-round draft pick, hopefully this time he will clean up his act.

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory. She has been covering the Chicago Bears and other Chicago teams since 2010.

Former Chicago Bears like Robin Earl, Allan Ellis, Kris Haines, Al Harris, Jim Morrissey and Mickey Pruitt will provide instruction when Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps return to the area this summer.

The camps will provide non-contact instruction for players ages 6-14. Players will learn how to run, throw, catch and defend the Chicago Bears’ way.

The price for the camps is $399 with a $20 savings available through April 13. All camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the dates listed.

The following locations will host the camps in June and July:

Monday, June 25 to Friday, June 29 at Elmhurst College and All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville.

Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13 at Geneva Middle School North.

Monday, July 16 to Friday, July 20 at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale.

Monday, July 23 to Friday, July 27 at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, Park View Elementary School in Glen Ellyn and at All Saints Academy in Naperville.

Bears Youth Camps instructed over 2,000 athletes last summer and plan to expand to meet higher demand this year.