Kelvin Hayden

SAN FRANCISCO — In 2009, the Cubs selected a strong, 6-foot-4-inch power pitcher named Colin Kaepernick in the 43rd round of the amateur baseball draft. So in some ways Kaepernick's right arm always seemed destined to disappoint Chicago one day....

GLENDALE, Ariz. — After losing their way at some point on their 16-game journey, the Bears might have found themselves Sunday in the desert. They dismissed the Cardinals with a victory that looked the way a 2012 Lovie Smith victory is supposed...

The Bears were facing one of the best special teams units in the NFL on Sunday, but special teams played a significant role in the Bears' victory. On the blocked punt that Corey Wootton returned for a touchdown, the Bears surprised the Titans by sending...

With the kind of viciousness Chicago would support if he were a Bear, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh violently slammed Jay Cutler into the Soldier Field sod hard enough Monday night to shake a football city's fan base. Suh's over-the-top...

It's rare that a game's first play from scrimmage is the most critical, but it sure seemed that way in Minneapolis on Sunday. Many Bears had a chance to stop or at least slow Adrian Peterson on his 51-yard run. Defensive end Corey Wootton had...

If the Bears have any hope to pass the Packers, pass is the operative word. And there is no opportunity like right here, right now. Three hundred yards in the air should be easy for Jay Cutler and company with this group of gifted receivers. They...

It didn't take Aaron Rodgers long to notice Tim Jennings wasn't playing. The Packers quarterback went at Jennings' replacement at left cornerback, Kelvin Hayden, and Hayden's replacement at nickel back, D.J. Moore, repeatedly. Neither made a play in...

BOURBONNAIS — Watching the Bears open camp Thursday, I have some questions about player development, scheme and competition on Lovie Smith's roster. Here are 10 things to focus on through the exhibition schedule. • There is no question Devin...

INDIANAPOLIS — There has been much speculation about offensive linemen and the Bears. Mock drafters have prognosticated the Bears will draft offensive tackles, guards, middle linebackers and tight ends. There has been nary a word about...

The bench players that general manager Phil Emery added to the Bears in the offseason did more than improve depth. They improved the front line too. There is little doubt that more intense completion at cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle,...

As we continue to peel away the calendar pages — only 12 days left — until the Bears arrive in Bourbonnais, the assignment is determining the 10 most important players in 2012. Let's first establish the criteria for "important." To me, it...

Most of the players on the Bears roster were acquired by Jerry Angelo to be coached by Lovie Smith. Now that neither is part of the organization anymore, many of those players might not be feeling quite as secure. The fates of many familiar faces in the...