Fantasy Impact: Kyle Orton

Considering the Bears had an absolutely putrid passing offense last season (and overall offense in general), and the Chicago franchise has really had a signal caller worth mentioning since Jim McMahon, is it really even worth mentioning Kyle Orton’s name in fantasy discussions? Read more

Fantasy Impact: KJ To Chicago

25 year old former Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones signed a one year contract with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday afternoon. Now that he’s back on the fantasy radar, what’s Jones’ prognosis for 2008? Read more

Kevin Jones to visit Chicago

Kevin Jones (RB) 7/15: Kevin Jones will visit Halas Hall to take a physical for the Bears on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. His agent anticipates him landing in Chicago or Pittsburgh. No-Offseason Take: Chicago makes a heck of a lot more sense for KJ, in terms of being able to garner playing time, as he'd compete for snaps with rookie Matt Forte - who would still likely remain the favorite to start. Discuss this more in our forums.

Bears Won’t Add A Veteran RB?

Rotoworld reports that Chicago is completely comfortable with Matt Forte as their starter and doesn’t intend to add a veteran ball carrier to help him shoulder the load. We definitely jock the rookie really hard and believe that he’s capable of being and every down back. He very well could see 300 carries, and his fantasy value will only continue to rise as August approaches.

He’ll be available in rounds five or six for “early” drafters, but in late August, he’ll be gone as early as round three - and could be well worth it. Yeah, we like him.

It should be helpful that his back-up Adrian Peterson will miss a month or so due to an appendectomy, meaning more reps and attention up front for Forte in terms of learning the offense and acclimating to the pro game before the season starts.

Bears’ Hester & Lloyd Look Solid…

Rotoworld reports that WRs Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd look like the two best pass catchers at Bears practices this off-season, and that Mark Bradley is out of the mix right now.

We really like Hester as a deep sleeper in leagues that require three or more starters at WR.  We’re definitely not sold on Lloyd though, as he seems like someone who would “impress” in practice, but his track record in games recently has not been good - both in San Francisco and Washington. In other words, he’s had his shot.

Hester, on the other hand, could be a fantasy gem waiting to explode.

Cedric Benson Clears Waivers…

Former Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was not only released earlier this week, but he failed to be picked up by all 32 NFL teams in the waiver process yesterday. This is bad news in that no team thought highly enough of Benson to take a stab at him, but semi-good news in that his agent now has free reign to try and drum up some interest in him, and potentially to a city where he wants to play.

The larger issue is that right now, nobody wants this guy. We wouldn’t be surprised if he remains unemployed - like George Costanza - for the entire 2008 NFL season.

KJ’s Agent Called Chicago Bears…

According to KFFL, Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune reports that Kevin Jones’ agent called the Chicago Bears immediately following the release of Cedric Benson. It’s unclear whether the Bears have interest in Jones.

This tells us a couple things - 1. KJ hasn’t really received any offers that he really, really likes yet. 2. He potentially hasn’t had any offers yet.

We believe he’ll end up somewhere in 2008, but it’s clear there’s doubt around the league regarding what he can contribute this season. That, or it free agent RB market is way too watered down right now. You’d think that Jones being only 25 years old, would be the first one to sign.

In other Bears RB news, back-up Adrian Peterson had his appendix removed yesterday, but should be 100 percent for the start of training camp - even more good news for rookie Matt Forte, who is expected to start Week 1 for Chicago.

Kevin Jones Still Searching For A Home…

Recent reports indicate that Kevin Jones is interested in playing for the Chicago Bears, now that Cedric Benson has been released. Jones reportedly looked phenomenal in a couple recent workouts, and believes he has value close to the $3 million range for a one-year deal. We’re not going to deny it, Jones probably would be a great fit in Chicago, and a nice insurance policy for rookie Matt Forte - who is likely to enter the season as Chicago’s starter.

Jones, along with Travis Henry, Shaun Alexander and Ron Dayne, still do not have homes, which is definitely making it harder for all of them to get a deal they want from a monetary standpoint. Each of them will likely have to take incentive-laden deals if they want to remain in the NFL.

Strahan & Benson Out - Tuck & Forte In

Yesterday was a huge news day in the NFL, just another example of why there is no offseason. Giants DE Michael Strahan actually made a freaking decision and decided to call it a career at the age of 36, and a former fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft named Cedric Benson was released by the Chicago Bears, after three disappointing seasons and two arrests in the span of 30 days. Yeah, these stories are interesting, but what fantasy owners really want to know is - what happens now that these guys are gone? Read more

Fantasy Impact: Cedric Benson Released…

As expected, the Bears released RB Cedric Benson on Monday, following his second arrest in less than 30 days. As you know, we predicted his second arrest on Friday afternoon in Our Sources Tell Us.

Bears GM Jerry Angelo had already set a precedent by releasing DT Tank Johnson a couple years ago after a few run-ins with the law as well, so permanently excusing Benson from the team wasn’t a huge shock after Saturday’s news of his second arrest.

Benson was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, and leaves behind a phenomenal opportunity that will no doubt be taken advantage of by the versatile second round rookie from Tulane, Matt Forte.

We have a feeling that somebody - perhaps even the Cowboys or Texans - will give Benson a shot to play in the NFL again soon. There still remains the possibility that he could be suspended by the NFL for his behavior off the field.

Bears Rookie Matt Forte In The Driver’s Seat…

As quickly as Cedric Benson’s future has come crumbling down, Bears rookie RB Matt Forte has been anointed a superstar featured NFL back by Bears coaches. We love the rookie second rounder out of Tulane, and have been high on him far before Benson’s off-the-field issues have come to light.

Rotoworld reports that Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner has made the following comments to media about Forte - “he will definitely be an every-down back. I love Matt Forte. He’s got the size, he’s got the hands. He’s smooth as an athlete, very smooth. How many touches do I see him getting? A lot.”

Dynasty owners should be all over this kid.

To see where Forte ranks in our Top 700 overall seasonal and dynasty fantasy football rankings for the 2008 season, you’ll need to sign up for our premium Ultimate Strategist Package package. We post our official 2008 Dynasty Rankings, Seasonal Rankings and Keeper Rankings on the Ultimate Strategist Package forum, and we encourage you to click here and sign up. Note: if you’re not registered for the No-Offseason.com forums yet, do so first, then click on the link above.

Subscribers get the following for only $9.99 a year:

- Updated printable draft kit rankings leading up to your fantasy drafts this summer.
- Rankings include multiple scoring systems for Seasonal, Keeper and Dynasty formats.
- Rankings also include both IDPs and team defenses.
- Updated printable weekly cheat sheets during the 2008 NFL Season.
- Unlimited year-round personalized line-up advice and team management advice from No-Offseason.com staff members.
- “Sunday Brunch” - including last minute inactives and game-day updates every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Exclusive information, including bonus “Our Sources Tell Us” blurbs and more.

Sign Up For The Ultimate Subscriber Package NOW! The step-by-step process is provided here.

Cedric Benson Could Get Cut Soon…

Remember former Bears DT Tank Johnson? Cedric Benson could be headed down the same path. Johnson was released by the Bears a couple years back after multiple run-ins with the law. Now, Benson is in a similar spot after his second arrest in a 30 day span. Bears GM Jerry Angelo is extremely baffled by Benson’s behavior, and feels betrayed. Rumor is that Angelo may make the decision to cut Benson today.

The former University of Texas running back has been extremely disappointing since becoming the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Benson’s career high in seasonal rushing yards in only 674 and his career YPC average is only 3.8, but if he’s released, some other NFL team will give him a chance. The Cowboys, perhaps? After all, that’s where Johnson is now.