Read More: Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte refused to discuss the current contract negotiations between the him and the team on Thursday afternoon, according to Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago. Forte added that he appreciates the comments of support that his teammates have given in public, but it’s unclear whether significant progress is being made.

Back in March, Forte was designated as the Bears’ franchise player by the club. The two sides have continued to work out a long-term deal given the running back’s public displeasure with being given the franchise tag. If the two sides can’t agree to a long-term extension by July 16, Forte is required to play the 2012 season for a $7.74 million salary.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And drop by SB Nation NFL for more news and notes from around the league.

LAKE FOREST — The Chicago Bears made a statement by not doing anything.

First-year general manager Phil Emery and his head coach Lovie Smith made it clear that the Bears really do like the offensive linemen they have on the roster by drafting a tight end and two cornerbacks with their last three picks of the 2012 NFL Draft on Saturday.

“Like I’ve said, we like the offensive line we have. With Chris Williams getting back on the football field and Gabe Carimi, we like that unit,” Smith said just minutes after the Bears wrapped up the first draft of the Emery era. “We want to do everything we can to open holes for our running backs and to protect Jay Cutler. But let’s not forget, there was a period of time there during the season where we played pretty well on the offensive line.”

So even with a couple of highly regarded offensive linemen still on the board, the Bears grabbed former Temple tight end Evan Rodriguez with their fourth-round pick (111th overall), and then selected cornerbacks Isaiah Frey of Nevada in the sixth and Greg McCoy out of TCU in the seventh.

Rodriguez, who played quarterback and safety in high school, led the Owls with 35 catches for 479 yards and two touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-2, 239-pounder is versatile, and played tight end, H-back, fullback and even lined up at wide receiver on while at Temple.

And it was that versatility that really zoned Emery in on Rodriguez.

“We feel like he’s really going to bring Jay (Cutler) and our quarterbacks an element inside, along with Kellen (Davis) and the two guys outside,” Emery said of Rodriguez. “He was the guy out of all the tight ends we looked at, that fit that versatility; that fit that need more than any of them. In terms of the blocking, to lead up on the linebacker, and the receiving.”

Emery insisted the Bears intend to use Rodriguez in the team’s base offensive package, as well as on multiple special-teams’ units. If he pans out, and Emery is correct, then Rodriguez would be a good find in the fourth round.

The Bears traded away their fifth-round pick to move up five spots and get wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the second round, so when they came back around in the sixth round, they went after a defensive back. Frey played man-to-man at Nevada and led the team with five interceptions and 21 pass breakups last season.

“I played a lot of man, all four years I was there. I think that’s one of the things that I bring to the table,” Frey said. “I didn’t play special teams the last few years in college, but I’m willing to do anything.”

With their final pick in the draft, they selected another corner, McCoy, as the 220th overall player taken. McCoy had 30 tackles and two picks last season, and also returned 37 kickoffs, two for touchdowns, one that went 99 yards all the way back.

“He’s a blue-level special-teamer,” Emery added, “and those kind of things are exciting.”

All the team’s rookies will head to Lake Forest to begin taking part in voluntary team workouts, and they will suit up and hit the field for the two-day rookie minicamp at Halas Hall on May 11-12.

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.

Bears’ Round 4 pick

Who: Evan Rodriguez

Birthdate: Sept. 21, 1988

Hometown: North Bergen, N.J.

Ht./Wt., position: 6-foot-1½, 239-pound tight end/H-back
College stats: Led Temple with 35 catches for 479 yards and two touchdowns last season; transferred in 2008, and played in all 13 games, starting seven, in 2009.

What Emery had to say: “I know he has some past issues. …But he’s a very tough, physical football player.”

What Rodriguez had to say: “I’m a mismatch for any team. You can put me in any situation, and I’ll handle it.”

Bears’ Round 6 pick

Who: Isaiah Frey

Birthdate: Sept. 21, 1988

Hometown: Olivehurst, Calif.

Ht./Wt., position: 5-foot-10½, 190-pound cornerback
College stats: Had 37 tackles, five interceptions and 21 passes defended last season at Nevada. Had 141 tackles and seven interceptions in his four-year college career.

What Emery had to say: “We had him as the most skilled cornerback on the back end of the draft, and we were happy to see he was still there.”

What Frey had to say: “I played a lot of man — basically all four years I was (at Nevada) we were in man. That’s one of the things I bring.”

Bears’ Round 7 pick

Who: Greg McCoy

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Ht./Wt., position: 5-foot-10, 181-pound cornerback

College stats: Had 92 tackles, seven interceptions and 18 pass breakups in his four-year career at TCU, three as a starter; had 37 kickoff returns for 979 yards with two touchdowns, including a 99-yarder, last season.

What Emery had to say: “He’s a blue-level special teams player, too, and those kind of things are exciting.”
What head coach Lovie Smith had to say: “Those last two picks really addressed a need for us. This entire class brings an awful lot to this team.”

–Compiled by Jay Taft

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.

Lovie Smith long has talked about the excellent attendance the Chicago Bears get in their voluntary offseason workout program, where much of the groundwork is laid for training camp and the regular season.

This year’s offseason workouts begin next Monday, the starting date and the period in which teams can conduct such programs having been pushed back under the new collective bargaining agreement. The Bears will be without running back Matt Forte for the sessions if he does not sign the tender he received as the team’s franchise player or a long-term contract is not worked out. To this point, there’s been no sign of progress. Publicly, general manager Phil Emery says the team continues to work toward the goal of a multi-year deal.

So, barring a breakthrough, Forte will be a high-profile absence as the Bears get going. That’s not necessarily a reason to fret. For starters, the key word for players in the offseason program is “voluntary.” The only mandatory period for them is one full-squad minicamp. The Bears have not announced it, but their minicamp will be held in early June, about two months from now. Forte cannot attend that either if he’s not signed, so it’s only “mandatory” for players under contract.

Without an offseason program last year, Forte reported to training camp in the best shape of his career. He then enjoyed the best season of his career until a minor knee sprain in Week 13 put him on the shelf. Forte led the NFL in yards from scrimmage at the time of his injury, and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He also led the team with 52 receptions — 15 more than any other player.

Although the Bears have changed offensive coordinators, Mike Tice has said nothing will change in regard to the running game, how it’s blocked or anything like that.

“There will be no need to change the running game at all,” Tice told the Tribune in January.

So, it’s not like any missed time this spring will put Forte behind the rest of the offense, including new running back Michael Bush.

Forte is unhappy he doesn’t have a long-term deal. While the franchise tag will pay him $7.742 million — a raise of more than $7.1 million from 2011 — he doesn’t have the security that comes with deals other running backs have received the last few years. That’s what he feels he’s earned and it’s a sticky situation but one in which the Bears hold the ultimate leverage with the franchise tag, something they could apply to Forte again in 2013 at a cost of about $9.29 million.

The key date isn’t next Monday or the first day of minicamp or training camp. It’s July 16. That is the deadline for the Bears to reach a multi-year agreement with Forte. If no deal is in place by then, he has to play 2012 for the franchise tag amount. So, a holdout after that date might show the team how upset he is, but it’s not going to result in any negotiating leverage for him.

Forte is a well-prepared professional who turned up in the best shape of his career for a contract year in 2011. This could turn out to be another contract year for him and the Bears probably won’t worry too much if he’s not at Halas Hall next Monday.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

While I love the Chicago Bears as much as any fan, part of being a fan of this organization has been having deal with –for the most part– “improvements” via free agency over the years. You know the kind I’m talking about: “we need a number one wide receiver, let’s sign Muhsin Muhammad or Marty Booker (again).” For whatever reason, the Bears consistently looked for the bargain –Julius Peppers’ signing not withstanding. They rarely seem to buckle down and go after major contributors in free agency. It never really made sense to me. Most recently, it was the Marion Barbers, Amobi Okoyes, and Vernon Gholstons of the league that fit this mold.

While I’m hesitant to crown new general manager Phil Emery based on a few signings that look good on paper, and bash ex-general manager Jerry Angelo because of the difference in approach, this has been one of the most active –and best (on paper) — free agency periods for the Bears in quite some time. With the Bears signing Jason Campbell, Eric Weems, and Michael Bush (and acquiring Brandon Marshall via trade), they aren’t illustrating the “let’s hope we find a diamond in the rough” attitude. They are signing players that appear to have plenty left in the tank and who could be key contributors for years to come.

The only downside is that in signing Michael Bush (to a four-year contract, no less), the Bears appear to have further alienated running back Matt Forte –who has been wanting a long-term contract of his own. While he’s going to command a higher salary than Bush, you can kind of see where his frustration is coming from. While I’m all for signing Forte, part of it is just the nature of the running back position in the NFL. Their shelf life just isn’t very long. It’s dangerous for a team to sign a running back to a long term deal. That’s not to say Forte doesn’t deserve this raise, it’s just that you might see where the Bears cringe at the thought.

Overall, I love the Bush signing. He’s a powerful back that has the potential to compliment Forte well. We said the same thing about Marion Barber, but I think Bush is, at this time, a much better back. Time will tell. Whether it’s simply the change in general manager or something else, I like the direction the Bears are going. A lot.

Now, I just ask the Bears to use this draft to continue to improve the offensive line to help block for these great new additions.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Bears Sign Bush

Bears Active in Free Agency

(WSCR) The Chicago Bears and Matt Forte will resume negotiations in hope of agreeing to a new contract.

According to reports, new Bears GM Phil Emery and Forte’s agents will begin negotiation during the NFL Combine.

Forte earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 after rushing for 997 yards, despite missing the team’s final four games of the season with a knee injury.

If the two sides cannot come to an agreement, the Bears will likely use the franchise tag on the running back.

If franchised, Forte will make roughly $7.7 million in 2012, a considerable drop from the $9.6 million designated for franchise-tagged running backs in 2011.

December 28, 2011 (LAKE FOREST, Ill.) —
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was selected to his eighth Pro Bowl, while teammate Lance Briggs made it for the seventh year in a row.

Running back Matt Forte made his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday, hours after being placed on injured reserve because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Veteran cornerback Charles Tillman was also picked for the first time as was special teams contributor Corey Graham.

The five selections were the most for the Bears since they had eight in the 2006 season. Six-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers, who leads the team with 10 sacks, was among the Chicago players who did not make it.

Urlacher is the sixth player in team history to be voted to eight Pro Bowls as a Bear. He is second on the team with 125 tackles behind fellow linebacker Briggs (140) and is tied for the lead with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Briggs became the fourth linebacker in franchise history to be selected to seven straight Pro Bowls, joining Hall of Famers Dick Butkus (eight in a row), Bill George (eight) and Mike Singletary (10). He is the ninth player overall to be voted to seven Pro Bowls as a Bear.

The pick comes after he made a hard push before the season for a new contract even though he had three years left on a six-year deal. Management shot down his request, but did try to get something done with Forte, whose rookie contract is expiring.

Those negotiations went nowhere, but he was having his best season before a hit to the knee against Kansas City on Dec. 4 cut it short. Forte was leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,487), ranked third in the league in yards rushing (997) and ranked fourth among all running backs with 490 yards receiving before missing the past three games.

That didn’t stop him from becoming the first Bears running back to make to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson following the 1991 season.

Tillman has 11 pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to go with 107 tackles.

Graham has 20 special teams tackles, and his selection was the eighth by a Bears player under coordinator Dave Toub. Devin Hester (2006-07, 2010) and Johnny Knox (2009) have made it for returns, with kicker Robbie Gould (2006) and Brendon Ayanbadejo (2006 and 2007) also getting picked.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – The Chicago Bears placed their slim
playoff hopes in the hands of quarterback Josh McCown and running
back Kahlil Bell in a prime-time road game against the defending
Super Bowl champions.

It didn’t turn out quite as badly as it sounded going in. Bell
rushed for 121 yards, and McCown made enough plays to keep the game
close into the third quarter.

But it wasn’t good enough to keep the Bears in the playoff chase.
Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers beat
Chicago 35-21 on Sunday night.

“Yeah, that’s what this business is all about, getting a chance to
showcase your abilities,” said Bell, a third-year player out of
UCLA. “Tonight, I had a good shot and a good chance to get out
there and play and try to make some plays for our team. Just
unfortunate that we fell short.”

With the win, the Packers nailed down the No. 1 seed in the NFC and
claimed another round of bragging rights in the NFL’s most storied
rivalry. The loss eliminated the Bears (7-8) from postseason
contention and put the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs.

The Bears trailed by only four points early in the third quarter,
but Rodgers drove the Packers for touchdowns on their next three
possessions to put the game out of reach.

“When you play the Super Bowl champions, you have to be on top of
your game,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Offensively, we did
enough things to keep us in the game and have a chance to win the
game at the end. But defensively we just didn’t have it.”

The Bears have lost five straight games since losing quarterback
Jay Cutler to a broken right thumb in a Nov. 20 victory over San
Diego. Chicago was 7-3 then.

The Bears started McCown on Sunday after backup Caleb Hanie
struggled to fill in for Cutler. McCown’s most recent start came
with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, and he was out of the NFL last
season.

McCown was 19 of 28 for 242 yards with a touchdown and two
interceptions.

“All I know is, my number was called tonight and I played as hard
as I could,” McCown said. “The bottom line is, we still came up
short. We have to protect the football better. You can’t have those
two (interceptions).”

To make matters worse for the Bears’ offense, Barber was inactive
because of a calf injury. Chicago already was without Forte, who
missed his third straight game because of a sprained medial
collateral ligament in his right knee.

Chicago did have Devin Hester, who played despite a lingering ankle
injury, but he didn’t look like himself.

The Bears were able to stay in the game early, with solid defense
and tough running by Bell and Armando Allen. Rodgers’ second-half
fireworks proved to be too much for Chicago.

“Thirty-five points on that defense, that’s a good night,” Packers
coach Mike McCarthy said.

The victory was the Packers’ fourth over the Bears in 2011. Green
Bay also beat Chicago in the 2010 regular-season finale, the NFC
Championship game, and at Soldier Field on Sept. 25.

With the Bears trailing 14-3 at halftime, McCown found Earl Bennett
wide open for a 49-yard gain to set up first-and-goal on the 1.
Bell fumbled just short of the goal line on the next play but
offensive lineman Edwin Williams recovered the ball for a
touchdown.

With the Packers nursing a four-point lead, and the Lambeau Field
crowd nervously quiet early in the third quarter, Rodgers answered
by dropping deep and throwing a rainbow pass to Nelson, who blew
through the Chicago secondary and hauled in the ball for a 55-yard
touchdown.

Rodgers then showed his running ability on the Packers’ next
possession, juking his way between linebackers Brian Urlacher and
Lance Briggs on a scramble. Rodgers finished the drive with a
7-yard touchdown toss to Jones, giving the Packers a commanding
28-10 lead.

Packers safety Charlie Peprah came up with an interception, and
Rodgers found Nelson for another score to give Green Bay a 35-10
lead.

McCown finally answered with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Kellen Davis – then drew the ire of the Lambeau crowd by scrambling
for a two-point conversion and spiking the ball over the goalpost
with his team trailing 35-18.

The Chicago Bears placed their slim playoff hopes in the hands of quarterback Josh McCown and running back Kahlil Bell in a prime-time road game against the defending Super Bowl champions.

It didn’t turn out quite as badly as it sounded going in. Bell rushed for 121 yards, and McCown made enough plays to keep the game close into the third quarter.

But it wasn’t good enough to keep the Bears in the playoff chase. Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers beat Chicago 35-21 on Sunday night.

“Yeah, that’s what this business is all about, getting a chance to showcase your abilities,” said Bell, a third-year player out of UCLA. “Tonight, I had a good shot and a good chance to get out there and play and try to make some plays for our team. Just unfortunate that we fell short.”

With the win, the Packers nailed down the No. 1 seed in the NFC and claimed another round of bragging rights in the NFL’s most storied rivalry. The loss eliminated the Bears (7-8) from postseason contention and put the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs.

The Bears trailed by only four points early in the third quarter, but Rodgers drove the Packers for touchdowns on their next three possessions to put the game out of reach.

“When you play the Super Bowl champions, you have to be on top of your game,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Offensively, we did enough things to keep us in the game and have a chance to win the game at the end. But defensively we just didn’t have it.”

The Bears have lost five straight games since losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a broken right thumb in a Nov. 20 victory over San Diego. Chicago was 7-3 then.

The Bears started McCown on Sunday after backup Caleb Hanie struggled to fill in for Cutler. McCown’s most recent start came with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, and he was out of the NFL last season.

McCown was 19 of 28 for 242 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

“All I know is, my number was called tonight and I played as hard as I could,” McCown said. “The bottom line is, we still came up short. We have to protect the football better. You can’t have those two (interceptions).”

To make matters worse for the Bears’ offense, Barber was inactive because of a calf injury. Chicago already was without Forte, who missed his third straight game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Chicago did have Devin Hester, who played despite a lingering ankle injury, but he didn’t look like himself.

The Bears were able to stay in the game early, with solid defense and tough running by Bell and Armando Allen. Rodgers’ second-half fireworks proved to be too much for Chicago.

“Thirty-five points on that defense, that’s a good night,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

The victory was the Packers’ fourth over the Bears in 2011. Green Bay also beat Chicago in the 2010 regular-season finale, the NFC Championship game, and at Soldier Field on Sept. 25.

With the Bears trailing 14-3 at halftime, McCown found Earl Bennett wide open for a 49-yard gain to set up first-and-goal on the 1. Bell fumbled just short of the goal line on the next play but offensive lineman Edwin Williams recovered the ball for a touchdown.

With the Packers nursing a four-point lead, and the Lambeau Field crowd nervously quiet early in the third quarter, Rodgers answered by dropping deep and throwing a rainbow pass to Nelson, who blew through the Chicago secondary and hauled in the ball for a 55-yard touchdown.

Rodgers then showed his running ability on the Packers’ next possession, juking his way between linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on a scramble. Rodgers finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Jones, giving the Packers a commanding 28-10 lead.

Packers safety Charlie Peprah came up with an interception, and Rodgers found Nelson for another score to give Green Bay a 35-10 lead.

McCown finally answered with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis — then drew the ire of the Lambeau crowd by scrambling for a two-point conversion and spiking the ball over the goalpost with his team trailing 35-18.

“I was overcome with Christmas joy, I guess,” McCown said.

Now the Bears will be home for the playoffs.

“It’s tough,” offensive lineman Roberto Garza said. “We had a lot of big goals for the season. We had a lot of injuries, but that doesn’t matter. We have to step in, guys have to step up and make plays. We haven’t done that. We haven’t been able to score enough points. We haven’t been able to finish plays. Obviously, it falls squarely on us. We have to go out and do a better job of that.”

With the first five-touchdown game of his NFL career, Aaron Rodgers ensured that the Green Bay Packers’ playoff road will go through Lambeau Field. 

He also made sure the rival Chicago Bears will be spending the playoffs at home.  

Rodgers broke a close game wide open by leading three quick scoring drives in the second half, and the Packers beat the Bears 35-21 on Sunday night.  

Rodgers noted that he once threw six touchdowns in junior college — also in a rivalry game — but acknowledged this one was a little bit bigger.

“Yeah, this one’s pretty special,” Rodgers said.  

With the win, the Packers (14-1) nailed down the No. 1 seed in the NFC and claimed another round of bragging rights in the NFL’s most storied rivalry by knocking the Bears out of the playoff chase.  

“We wanted the path to go through Lambeau,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.  

Rodgers threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson, another two to James Jones, and found tight end Jermichael Finley for a score. Rodgers was 21 of 29 for 283 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions when backup Matt Flynn took over for Rodgers with 7:54 left in the game.  

Rodgers surpassed Lynn Dickey’s single-season franchise record of 4,458 yards passing with one game left, although it’s unclear how much Rodgers will play in the Packers’ finale against Detroit.  

The loss eliminated the Bears (7-8) from playoff contention and put the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs.  

Third-string running back Kahlil Bell rushed for 121 yards for the Bears, who trailed by only four early in the third quarter. But Rodgers drove the Packers for touchdowns on their next three possessions to put the game out of reach.  

“When you play the Super Bowl champions, you have to be on top of your game,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Offensively, we did enough things to keep us in the game and have a chance to win the game at the end. But defensively we just didn’t have it.”

McCarthy said the team’s run defense will be examined after the big performance by Bell, but added that the final score told the story.  

“We won big,” McCarthy said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Chicago came into Sunday on a four-game losing streak and beset by injuries. But the Bears were able to stay in the game with solid defense and tough running by Bell, who started because of injuries to Matt Forte and Marion Barber.  

Rodgers’ second-half fireworks proved to be too much for Chicago.  

“Thirty-five points on that defense, that’s a good night,” McCarthy said.  

The victory was the Packers’ fourth over the Bears in 2011. Green Bay also beat Chicago in the 2010 regular-season finale, the NFC Championship game, and at Soldier Field on Sept. 25.  

With the Bears trailing 14-3 at halftime, quarterback Josh McCown found Earl Bennett wide open for a 49-yard gain to set up first-and-goal on the 1. Bell fumbled just short of the goal line on the next play but offensive lineman Edwin Williams recovered the ball for a touchdown.  

With the Packers nursing a four-point lead, and the Lambeau Field crowd nervously quiet early in the third quarter, Rodgers answered by dropping deep and throwing a rainbow pass to Nelson, who blew through the Chicago secondary and hauled in the ball for a 55-yard touchdown.  

Rodgers then showed his running ability on the Packers’ next possession, juking his way between Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on a scramble. Rodgers finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Jones, giving the Packers a commanding 28-10 lead.  

Packers safety Charlie Peprah came up with an interception, and Rodgers found Nelson for another score to give Green Bay a 35-10 lead.  

“It just hasn’t gone the way we wanted to,” Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “If we play like this, that’s what’s going to happen. The last five weeks, we haven’t played well enough to win, and we’ve lost all five games. We’re not real happy where we’re at. Our coaches aren’t happy, but that’s what we get.”

McCown finally answered with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis — then drew the ire of the Lambeau crowd by scrambling for a two-point conversion and spiking the ball over the goalpost with his team trailing 35-18.  

Rodgers’ offensive feats came behind a patchwork offensive line, as the Packers were without three of their top four tackles.  

Chad Clifton returned to practice this week after sitting out since October because of hamstring and back injuries, but isn’t ready to play. Bryan Bulaga was inactive Sunday because of a left knee sprain, and backup Derek Sherrod is out for the season with a broken right leg.  

Green Bay also was missing wide receiver Greg Jennings, because of a sprained left knee, and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett because of a concussion.  

The Bears have lost five straight games since losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a broken right thumb in a Nov. 20 victory over San Diego. Chicago was 7-3 after that win, but came into Sunday’s game barely alive in the playoff chase.  

The Bears started McCown on Sunday after backup Caleb Hanie struggled to fill in for Cutler. McCown’s most recent start came with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, and he was out of the NFL last season.  

“It’s a tough assignment, but you’ve got to find a way to pull it off,” McCown said.  

To make matters worse for the Bears’ offense, Barber was inactive because of a calf injury. Chicago already was without Forte, who missed his third straight game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.  

Notes: Sunday’s attendance was 70,574, the team’s 300th consecutive sellout, including the playoffs. … Bears offensive lineman Lance Louis left the game in the first half because of an illness. … Packers RB James Starks bruised an ankle.
 

DENVER — Running back Marion Barber was on a roll, enjoying his best game as a Chicago Bear through about 58 minutes of football in Denver on Sunday.

But then it all came crashing down for the seventh-year pro with two costly mistakes. Even early this week, his teammates and coaches were still standing behind him, but the aftereffects of his bumbles were being felt as well.

“It’s on all of us,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said Monday. “Yes, it’s a coaching thing. It’s on our team, on Marion, on us. All of us. It’s a situation that shouldn’t happen, but it did, and we’re all suffering the consequences for it.”

Despite rushing for 108 yards on 27 carries and helping the Bears build a 10-0 lead with a solid all-around game, Barber’s first mistake was a killer. Though he was trying to get extra yardage, he failed to stay in bounds on the first play after the two-minute warning with Denver out of timeouts. He later fumbled in overtime, leading to Denver’s game-winning field goal.

Of the two, the running out of bounds will be remembered most, because if he just dropped to the ground, the game would have most likely ended with the Bears’ offense on the field.

“I’m sure we’d all like to have that one back … All running backs are trying to get a couple more yards here or there, but we have to know the situation,” Smith said. “In that situation, we have to be able to keep the ball in bounds. He’ll tell you that.”

But instead of telling anybody anything, Barber constantly clears out his locker and bolts from the building before reporters are allowed in. Barber has talked to the media just twice this season, for about 30 seconds on each occasion. He was not around to discuss his mental mistake that cost the Bears an easy touchdown in the previous game as well, when he lined up off the line of scrimmage during a 25-20 loss to Oakland.

“I hope a lot of us,” guard Lance Louis said, “learn some lessons from this.”

Despite the mistakes, there are still teammates who insist they have a lot of confidence in the guy who averaged four yards per carry against a tough Denver defense.

“Marion Barber is going to help us get into the playoffs,” linebacker Lance Briggs said. “Things happen. They happen to all of us … If he just keeps his head up, he’s going to help the Bears win some games.”

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.

Note: The opinions expressed here are my takes on each player’s individual matchup. As always, use your best judgment and conduct your own research on who to start or bench each week. You know your individual team and/or league situation better than anyone else.

Caleb Hanie(notes), QB

With Jay Cutler(notes) out, Hanie will make his first professional start this week against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are allowing 18.80 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks but due to his lack of experience, Hanie should be played by only the bravest of the brave who have absolutely nothing to lose this week.

Matt Forte(notes), RB

Averaging 15.90 fantasy points per game, Forte is one of the more reliable running backs in fantasy football. He scored just 8.30 fantasy points last week against the San Diego Chargers but looks to have a very favorable matchup this week against the Raiders. Oakland is giving up 21.73 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, which is great news in itself. Knowing Forte will be getting an increased workload due to an inexperienced quarterback is even better. Expect Forte to come up big this week.

Devin Hester(notes), WR

Hester is expected to play this week after missing some time with a shin injury, but without Cutler on the field my confidence is slim in both him and Roy Williams this week.

Earl Bennett(notes), WR

Bennett is averaging 10.37 fantasy points per game in the last three weeks since his return and had a 7.50 fantasy point game last week against the Chargers but with Hanie under center my confidence is slim for the Chicago Bears’ wideouts this week. Oakland is allowing 23.08 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season but that still has me cautious. I would play Bennett only if absolutely needed this week or if you have nothing to lose.

Kellen Davis(notes), TE

While not the best tight end option available, Davis did score 6.40 fantasy points against the Chargers and is tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions with three. Oakland is allowing 7.84 fantasy points per game to tight ends, which is promising, but like my fears for the wide receivers, I feel the Bears will focus more on the running game this week with Hanie under center.

Robbie Gould(notes), K

Averaging 10.40 fantasy points per game, Gould is a solid kicking option. Oakland is allowing 6.80 fantasy points per game to kickers this season which is a concern but if Chicago is unable to convert in the red zone this week, Gould could see more action than usual. I would be confident in playing Gould this week.

Defense

Averaging 12.60 fantasy points per game, the Raiders offer one of the top team defenses in fantasy football. They scored 7.00 fantasy points last week against the Chargers and 36.00 fantasy points the week prior against the Detroit Lions. Oakland is giving up 8.50 fantasy points per game to team defense this season giving me confidence the Bears are geared up for another solid game this week.

Sources:

All data provided by Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football

Paul Rados is an avid fantasy football participant and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has a broken thumb on his right, throwing hand and will undergo surgery, a major blow for a team contending for a playoff spot in the NFC.

Coach Lovie Smith said Cutler will be out “for an extended time” but expects to get him back this season. He would not say when the surgery would take place, just “hopefully fairly quick” and provided few details about the specific nature of the injury.

He did make one thing clear, though.

“Is it a season-ending injury? No,” Smith said Monday. “From what I’ve been told right now, we can expect him back at the end of the regular season.”

The regular-season finale is Jan. 1 at Minnesota.

With Cutler out, the Bears will turn to backup Caleb Hanie against Oakland this weekend. They’ll also look to bring in a veteran quarterback.

Hanie has thrown just 14 regular-season passes in four years. He made some plays in the NFC championship game against Green Bay last season after Cutler was injured and Todd Collins struggled, helping keep the Bears in it, but Chicago ultimately lost to the Packers.

Cutler was injured trying to help tackle Antoine Cason on an interception return in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 31-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

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Cutler stayed in and finished with 286 yards passing. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another while leading the Bears (7-3) to their fifth straight win.

Around the league

Jets • Coach Rex Ryan was fined $75,000 by the NFL on Monday for using profanity while angrily responding to a fan at halftime of New York’s 37-16 loss to New England on Nov. 13. Ryan received an official notice from Commissioner Roger Goodell in the morning, and said he will not appeal the penalty.

“The commissioner’s got a tough enough job,” Ryan said. “I’m an NFL lifer. I know I represent the NFL and I know I represent the Jets, so I’m accountable for my actions.”

Ryan spoke to Goodell a few days ago to discuss the matter, and to apologize to him.

Vikings • Running back Adrian Peterson has a high ankle sprain that will put him in a walking boot, leaving his availability for Sunday’s game at Atlanta question. Peterson’s left ankle rolled hard late in the first quarter on Sunday against Oakland while he was tackled at the end of a run. He didn’t return. Peterson has missed three games in his five-year NFL career.

49ers • Safety Dashon Goldson insists his fight with Arizona wide receiver Early Doucet was a one-time transgression and said he addressed his teammates and coaches after Sunday’s 23-7 win over the Cardinals regarding the mistake. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the league doesn’t plan to suspend Goldson, who will get word on a potential fine when they are handed down Friday.

Chiefs • Kansas City placed quarterback Matt Cassel on injured reserve with a hand injury, ending his season. Cassel had surgery on his right throwing hand Nov. 14 after being injured one day earlier in a 17-10 loss to Denver. He was placed on IR shortly before Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots. His absence made Tyler Palko, who had thrown 13 NFL passes, the first-stringer with rookie Ricky Stanzi the backup.

It’s official Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will undergo surgery to fix his broken thumb, an injury he sustained during his teams 31-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers this past Sunday.

The Bears front office first announced that Cutler would have surgery on Tuesday but then quickly changed their statement to say a date has not yet been chosen.

“He’ll be out an extended period of time,” Smith said. “The plan now is for him to have surgery on the thumb soon, and I can’t tell you exactly how quick, but as soon as possible. Not today, but hopefully fairly quickly we can have surgery on the thumb.

“And I also said, the plan is to get him back at the latter part of the regular season. This is what I wanted to know, ‘Was it a season-ending injury?’ No. From what I’ve been told right now, we can expect him back at the end of the regular season. For me, that’s enough to go on.”

Cutler sustained his regular season ending injury while attempting to make a tackle on Antoine Cason who intercepted one of his passes with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Cutler made the tackle and the Bears went on to win the game 31-20. After his injury Cutler completed two more passes for 24 yards to complete his teams final possession.

Speaking about his quarterbacks injury Brian Urlacher said:

“It’s devastating … It’s horrible, and I felt worse for him than I did for us. It stinks for us because he’s having such a great year. He’s our leader. He’s the guy we turn to for pretty much everything.”

In the meantime Lovie Smith hopes to sign a veteran QB to the teams roster since the Bears now only have rookie Nathan Enderle to rely on should Caleb Hanie be injured.

“The plan is for that. With Jay being out for awhile, we need another quarterback on our roster,” Smith said. “The plan is to look for a veteran, preferably, to come in and help us.”

In the meantime the Brett Favre rumors can begin, especially since Cutler and Favre share the same agent in Bus Cook. Rest easy Bears fans, there’s very little chance that Favre would join the Chicago Bears

In the meantime look for the Bears to focus much of their effort on the running game as they have in the last five weeks which is probably a good idea for Hanie who is now forced to run a complicated Mike Martz offense midway through the season while chasing a wildcard playoff berth.