February 15th, 2012 
Matt Loede 
Posted in Matt Forte has one goal this offseason: get paid. But if the Bears slap the franchise tag on him without the intent to sign him long-term, this could be a messy offseason in Chicago.
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Tim Holt Hired as the Bears New OL Coach
The Bears have hired Tim Holt as their offensive line coach.
The move announced Wednesday completes the coaching staff for next season. Holt takes over for Mike Tice, who was promoted to offensive coordinator after the departure of Mike Martz.
Tice was widely credited with getting the most out of an undermanned line the past two years and still figures to play a big role with that unit.
Holt spent the past three years on Tampa Bay’s staff, serving as the assistant offensive line coach last season and as an offensive assistant in 2010. He joined the Buccaneers as a coaching intern in 2009.
He also coached for 14 years on the college level.
Bears Name Jeremy Bates QB Coach
The Chicago Bears announced that Jeremy Bates has been hired for the team’s quarterbacks coach position.
Bates worked with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler from 2006-08, first as an offensive assistant and then as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Bates spent the 2009 season as the assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach at USC and was a candidate for the Bears’ offensive coordinator before he was named the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator in 2010.
Fired by the Seahawks, Bates spent 2011 out of football.
The Bears had sought to interview Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn for the position, but were denied. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterbacks coach Greg Olson turned down the position, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt was also on the interview list.
Bears 2012 Free Agency Outlook: Forte, Idonije Headline List
The Chicago Bears enter the 2012 off-season with 53 players signed or under contract for the next season. Bears general manager Phil Emery has just one decision to make on a restricted free agent.
Thirteen players are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents, including running back Matt Forte, who is expected to receive the franchise tag if a long-term extension is not reached.
Restricted Free Agents (1)
RB Kahlil Bell
Unrestricted Free Agents (13)
QB Caleb Hanie
QB Josh McCown
RB Matt Forte
WR Roy Williams
TE Kellen Davis
DE Israel Idonije
DT Amobi Okoye
CB Zack Bowman
CB Corey Graham
CB Tim Jennings
S Brandon Meriweather (cannot be franchised)
S Craig Steltz
LS Chris Massey
Forte Not Worried About Tag if it Means a Long Term Deal
Bears running back Matt Forte told the “Waddle & Silvy” program on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that he’s okay with receiving the franchise tag if that leads to a long-term contract.
“It depends on the motive of (the franchise tag),” Forte said on Thursday. “If they are doing the franchise tag just to get more time in order to negotiate a long-term deal then I would be okay with it. But if it’s just to hold me another year and just ‘Let’s throw some money at him right now to keep him quiet,’ that’s not going to solve anything.” The Bears have no intention of letting Forte depart via free agency, but have been unable to reach agreement on a long-term contract.
The Bears were reportedly offering a contract that included $13 to $14 million in guaranteed money, while Forte’s camp was looking at guaranteed money of over $20 million. The running back franchise tender is projected to be worth around $8 million in 2012.
State Delays Payment for Improvements on Soldier Field
The Chicago Tribune reports that the State Panel has delayed payment on improvements on Soldier Field:
A revamped Illinois Sports Facilities Authority board tabled a measure Wednesday that would approve a $2.6 million payment to the Chicago Park District for improvements to Soldier Field after members decided to review the relationship between the two agencies, including the subsidies the agency is required to give to the district. The funding is required as part of a deal for stadium renovations completed in 2003. The other annual subsidy is for maintenance, projected at $4.4 million this year. Both increase by 3 percent annually independently of the authority’s revenue and do not reach a maximum, ISFA officials said Wednesday. Board members meeting for just the second time expressed concern about the open-ended arrangement and how the authority doesn’t receive revenue from Soldier Field events.
Former Bear Alex Brown and Roberto Garza To Host Youth Football Camp
Football players will have the opportunity this summer to learn individual and team football techniques from Bears players during the Alex Brown and Roberto Garza Football Camp held on July 6th-9th.
The camp offers overnight and day camp options and will be held at Benedictine University, in Lisle, IL, and will feature former Chicago Bears defensive end, Alex Brown, and current Chicago Bears Center, Roberto Garza. The camp is designed for players ages 7 to 18 and will feature daily instruction, lectures, and demonstrations by Brown and Garza and/or members of the Chicago Bears. The college and high school coaches on staff will ensure individual and team instruction on both offense and defense.
Football newcomers and seasoned players alike will also experience teamwork, self-discipline, selecting the correct role models, and how to attain their sports and life potential. Even though this is not an “autograph camp,” members of the Bears will be available for autographs.
“The goal of the camp and instructors is to maximize the potential of each young player while giving them an experience they will never forget,” says Brown.
Alex Brown played in 127 straight games with the Bears, Brown played in every game for New Orleans in the 2010 season, making 39 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Alex Brown will be inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” in the Spring of 2012.
As for Roberto Garza, he was signed by the Bears in 2005, and after starting at guard, he moved into the center position in 2011, starting all 16 games there. Garza has started in 101 games and has eight starts in the postseason, including the Super Bowl during the 2005 season.
“The camp works the fundamentals of the game. The skills presented here give the players a head start to the season,” says Garza.
Obtain more information and request a camp brochure that includes an application by calling 301-575-9400, or by visiting www.footballcamps.com. Space in the football camp is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
