Brutal news if true.  We really have to assess our scouting skills if true.  You waste a #14 pick on a guy with a bad back?

From rotoworld:

Bears first-round LT Chris Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a herniated disc in his back.

Profootballtalk.com is hearing rumors that Williams may be lost for the year. John St. Clair, who's resembled a swinging gate in past starting chances, will likely start at Indianapolis in the season opener. Assuming he's healthy, Colts RE Dwight Freeney (foot) should be licking his chops

From the Sun Times:

The organization that has had three first-day draft picks spend their entire rookie season on injured reserve over the last two season has had another serious injury.

First-round draft pick Chris Williams has had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. The plan is to keep him on the 53-man roster at this point, but when the offensive tackle will be able to return, no one can say.

The Bears are considering adding a veteran, including ex-Bear Fred Miller, and have already cleared a roster spot by placing running back Matt Lawrence on injured reserve.

The Bears are comparing the situation to what cornerback Charles Tillman underwent last season. Tillman had surgery following Super Bowl XLI to repair a herniated disc. That surgery happened in February and he was not cleared to fully return to drills until June.

If Williams follows a similar timetable, his chances of playing this season would have to be considered slim. Tillman is a cornerback. As a lineman, Williams is taking pounding on every play.

Williams was injured July 24 in the second practice of training camp, a non-contact drill. The team said it was a muscular issue but when that issue calmed down, they detected the disc issue. Team physician Mark Bowen and Dr. Srdjan Morkovic performed the surgery late Wednesday night.

 

 

According to a report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Rodney Harrison has been suspended by the NFL for four games after admitting to obtaining Human Growth Hormone.

I know this is not necessarily related to the Bears directly, but it will more than likely have a huge effect on the NFL.  HGH is not currently tested for,  but it seems like something will be right around the corner after this.

Also, NE now has a pretty mediocre secondary which bodes well for the rest of the NFL, including the Bears.

Robothal:

The White Sox have reached agreement with right fielder Jermaine Dye on a two-year, $22 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned. The deal will include a mutual option for a third season. Dye, 33, would be the second potential free agent to remain with the White Sox at a below-market rate, joining left-hander Mark Buerhle, who agreed to a four-year, $56 million extension at the All-Star break. Gonzales: Dye will receive $9.5 million in 2008 and $11.5 million in 2009. The mutual option is $12 million for 2010, with a $1 million buyout. Merkin: Dye had originally spoken of this deal potentially being his last contract but amended that statement to being his last significant multi-year deal. ... "I just wanted to be treated fair, that's it," said Dye, who admitted that he was willing to take less money on the open market in order to be with a team with whom he felt comfortable and had a chance to win a World Series. "I don't want to speculate on money and all that stuff."

There are at least 9 players under the Sox control for 2008, and others like Uribe, Erstad, Cintron, Podsednik, and Crede all have Arb or Team Options.

This extension pretty much guarantees the end of at least one Starter not named Danks and probably Uribe and Crede.

I know it is not Bears related, but it is huge news.

"Two NFL sources said that commissioner Roger Goodell likely will announce this week or next the suspension of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for the 2007 season."

"That's the direction it's going and has been from the time this started," one of the sources said this week.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmduGE4ZvhRemj.dFr7eL345nYcB?slug=jc-vick081207&prov=yhoo& amp;type=lgns

Cornerback Dante Wesley, signed by the Bears in 2006 from the Carolina Panthers, is headed elsewhere. He was made expendable by the rapid development of rookie Trumaine McBride. "Dante is not in our plans anymore," Smith said. "We're seeing what options there are out there for him."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-070805bearsbits,1,6789272.story

       Sept. 9 at San Diego, 4:15 p.m.
       Sept. 16 Kansas City, 4:15 p.m.
       Sept. 23 Dallas, 8:15 p.m.
       Sept. 30 at Detroit, 1 p.m.
       Oct. 7 at Green Bay, 8:15 p.m.
       Oct. 14 Minnesota, 1 p.m.
       Oct. 21 at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.
       Oct. 28 Detroit, 1 p.m.
       Nov. 4 BYE
       Nov. 11 at Oakland, 4:15 p.m.
       Nov. 18 x-at Seattle, 8:15 p.m.
       Nov. 25 Denver, 1 p.m.
       Dec. 2 New York Giants, 4:15 p.m.
       Dec. 6 at Washington, 8:15 p.m.
       Dec. 17 at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m.
       Dec. 23 Green Bay, 1 p.m.
       Dec. 30 New Orleans, 1 p.m.

According to the NFL Network, the Bears and Lance Briggs/Drew Rosenhaus have begun working on a long term extension.

This would represent a major change from both camps as Briggs has consistently said he will never play another down for the Bears and the Bears have consistently said they will not offer Briggs a long term deal.

Now this could just be misinformation from the previous statements by Rosenhaus or this could actually have some life behind it.

Unbelievable.

Mark Buehrle was willing to go forward and make a deal with the Chicago White Sox that didn't include a no-trade clause, but his overture was rejected.

The White Sox had offered Buehrle a four-year, $56 million deal, and Buehrle had insisted on a full no-trade clause. According to a source familiar with negotiations, the White Sox asked for possible solutions to the impasse. Buehrle's side suggested a new structure, without a blanket no-trade clause -- a four-year, $56 million deal, and if Buehrle was traded, then a $17 million player option for 2012 would kick in. This way, if Buehrle were traded, then his deal would get closer to his current market value; five years and $73 million is equal to what Roy Oswalt got with the Astros last fall.

But the White Sox turned down the proposal, and continue to market Buehrle aggressively. Buehrle threw eight scoreless innings Saturday, and as he walked off the field after the top of the eighth, he waved his cap -- perhaps for the last time with the White Sox.

*****

Update (wiz): Mark Buehrle's agent Jeff Berry, says 'final overtures were rejected':

"Mark loves playing for the White sox and has the utmost respect for everyone in the organization. In an effort to bridge the contractual impasse, we offered a sensible alternative to a full no-trade clause. Those final overtures were rejected and at this point, Mark hopes for resolution prior to the start of the second half," Berry said.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris returned to practice for the Chicago Bears on Monday, providing relief and optimism to a position severely thinned by defections and suspension.

Harris had been sidelined since December by a hamstring injury that kept him out for the final month of the season and the playoffs. He underwent surgery in December to repair a torn left hamstring tendon and was cleared late last week by the Dallas surgeon who performed the procedure to return to the practice field.

His return to practice was first reported Monday evening by the team's Web site.

Although he is not yet at full speed, Harris said his left leg is strong and he anticipates no problem being recovered for the start of training camp late next month.

"It felt good and I wasn't even pushing it really hard yet," Harris said after an organized team activities session.

The team's first-round draft choice in 2004, Harris, although only 24, generally is acknowledged as one of the NFL's premier interior linemen, and he was voted to a second straight Pro Bowl appearance despite playing in only 12 games in 2006. In those dozen appearances, the former Oklahoma star had 48 tackles and five sacks.

.......
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2901537

It's Official!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Tank Johnson of the Chicago Bears was suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2007 regular season for violating the league's new personal conduct policy.

The defensive tackle recently served a two-month jail stint on a probation violation on gun-related charges.

Goodell said Johnson's suspension could be reduced to six games if he has no further involvement with law enforcement and undergoes counseling.

After meeting with Goodell last month upon his release, Johnson said he was ready to accept whatever punishment Goodell handed down and that he wants to become the NFL's "Man of the Year," the player honored for being its best citizen.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag5TP2HHLrKYA2QPc.uqiI05nYcB?slug=ap-tankjohnsonsuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the NFL is likely to hand down disciplinary action regarding Tank Johnson by Thursday.              

Schefter believes Johnson will get a six-to-eight game suspension; ESPN's Michael Smith has guessed the defensive tackle may only get two games.                                  

Run Distribution by Game

Runs Scored

RS Games  Record
0    2    (0-2)
1    7    (0-7)
2    5    (1-4)
3    3    (2-1)
4    5    (4-1)
5    5    (3-2)
6    7    (6-1)
7    4    (3-1)
8    0    (0-0)
9    1    (1-0)

19-6 when the Sox score 3 or more.
1-13 when the Sox score 2 or less.

Runs Allowed

RA Games  Record
0    3    (3-0)
1    3    (3-0)
2    2    (0-2)
3    10   (7-3)
4    6    (5-1)
5    4    (1-3)
6    3    (0-3)
7    2    (1-1)
8    3    (0-3)
9    0    (0-0)
10   0    (0-0)
11   2    (0-2)
12   1    (0-1)

18-6 when the Sox allow 4 or less.
2-13 when the Sox allow 5 or more.

* Updated - May 19th.

Per ESPN.com:

Still without a contract and apparently without much hope of landing an agreement anytime soon, two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs will not be in attendance when the NFC champion Chicago Bears begin a mandatory three-day minicamp on Friday morning.

Not really unexpected, but let the fun begin:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2873882&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

From Rotoworld:

"The Northern Illinois product is the first draftee in the NFL to sign and took a rare four-year deal for a third-round pick. Wolfe is a prototypical third-down back who can catch the ball and line up outside. He will battle Adrian Peterson for the backup job in Chicago. The winner will be a fine sleeper in Cedric Benson's first season as a starter."

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3429

From chicagobears.com:

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears rookie running back Garrett Wolfe enjoyed a profitable day at Halas Hall Tuesday, working with his veteran teammates for the first time and signing a four-year contract.

The third-round pick from Northern Illinois is the NFL’s first 2007 draft choice to put his name on the dotted line.

"I’m not a numbers guy, so I wouldn’t have been too worried about it anyway," Wolfe said. "But it’s a great opportunity for me with the Chicago Bears.

"The one thing that I’m excited about is that I’m here and I’m working out with the guys. I get to get a feel for what’s going on and that’s just going to put me that much more ahead. Going into training camp, I’ll be ahead of the learning curve."

To Wolfe, who grew up in Chicago cheering for the Bears, signing his first NFL contract wasn’t nearly as monumental an experience as being drafted by his hometown team April 28.

"That contract is only what I make of it," he said. "I have to make that contract work for me as opposed to getting caught up in the figures and not producing or not playing. If you don’t play and you don’t produce, the contract’s not important anyway."

Wow, the 1st NFL draft player signed, and a 4 year contract to boot. NICE!

Greg Olsen - TE
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen1fu7.jpg
http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen2dy0.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen3dm4.jpg
http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen7qx9.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen10mx7.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen4jj4.jpg
http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen5of3.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen11xd1.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen6kd6.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen8af7.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olsen9pl4.jpg  

Dan Bazuin - DE
http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bazuinia8.th.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bazuin2oz5.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bazuin3ug4.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bazuin4uq3.jpg

Garrett Wolfe - RB
http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolfe2qg3.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolfe3al3.jpg
http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolfemz1.jpg
http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolfe4gx1.jpg

Michael Okwo - LB
http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=okwo1hb6.jpg
http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=okwo2nk3.jpg
http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=okwo3jy5.jpg

View Thumbnails here: http://www.talkbears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=582&st=75

Here are the last updates for most of the major Mock Drafts on the internet.  

Here is a summary of the most picked:

Player - Jon Beason - LB - Miami (26%)
Position - Linebacker - 38%
School - Miami - 36%

- MOCK DRAFTS -

SI.com - Dwayne Jarrett - WR - USC
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ...art3/index.html

Scout.com - Lawrence Timmons - LB - FSU
http://nflexperts.scout.com/2/637844.html

ESPN.com - Jarvis Moss - DE/LB - Florida
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=2848586

Fox Sports #1 - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6735038

Fox Sports #2 - Greg Olsen - TE - Miami
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6746858

Fox Sports #3 - Greg Olsen - TE - Miami
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6746878

CBS Sportsline - Arron Sears - OT/OG - Tennessee
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9961542

CBS Sportsline #2 -Ben Grubbs -OG
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9999771

CBS Sportsline #3 -Jon Beason - LB
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9999370

Yahoo Sports - Robert Meachem - WR - Tennessee
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-m...o&type=lgns

NFL.com - Brandon Meriweather - S - Miami
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/10149495

USA Today -
Justin Harrell - DT - Tennessee

Justin Harrell - DT - Tennessee

Ben Grubbs - G - Auburn

Dwayne Jarrett - WR - USC

Justin Blalock - G - Texas

Dwayne Jarrett WR - USC

Lawrence Timmons - LB - FSU
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/dr...-mock-draft.htm

------------------------------------

Fantasy Tailgate - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.fantasytailgate.com/NFL_DRAFT.html

Junkyard Jake - Justin Blalock - OT/OG - Texas
http://www.junkyardjake.com/NFLDraft/index.htm

Sports Outlaws - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://www.sofantasyfootball.com/mockdraft.html

Inside the Eagles - Tony Ugoh - OT - Arkansas
http://www.insidetheeagles.com/2007mockdraft.htm

Draft Connection - Lawrence Timmons - OLB - FSU
http://www.draftconnection.com/nfl/mock-dr...ftb.php?id=1098

East Coast Sports News - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.eastcoastsportsnews.com/2007draft.html

Fantasy Football Extreme - Quinn Pitcock - DT - Ohio St
http://www.fantasyfootballxtreme.com/profi...asyfootball.php

Football.com - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://www.football.com/cgi-bin/posters/pr...aft_blank.shtml

Draft Tek - Paul Posluszny - OLB - Penn State
http://www.drafttek.com/firstround.html

Walter's Football Site - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://walterfootball.com/draft2007.php

War Room Report - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.warroomreport.com/draft/mockdraft.htm

FF Toolbox - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2007/mo...pson.cfm?page=2

Draft King - Justin Blalock - OT/OG - Texas
http://www.draftking.com/nfl/2007/mockdraft.shtml

Scouts Notebook - Arron Sears - OT/OG - Tennessee
http://www.scoutsnotebook.com/modules.php?name=mockdraft0607

Huddle Geeks - Michael Griffin - S - Texas
http://huddlegeeks.com/NFL_Draft/mockdraft.htm

Mock Draft City - Quinn Pitcock - DT - Ohio St
http://mockdraftcity.com/NFL/nflmockdraft.htm

NFL Draft Countdown - Dwayne Bowe - WR - LSU
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

QI Sports - Lawrence Timmons - LB - FSU
http://www.qisports.com/nfldraft2007.html

MTs Mock Draft - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://mtmock.blogspot.com/

D&J Mock Draft - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.djnflmockdraft.com/mock.htm

The War Draft Room - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://www.warroomdraftguide.com/mock_drafts/

Football Futures - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nflmockdraft.html

Football Expert - Justin Blalock - OT/OG - Texas
http://thefootballexpert.com/buresmockdraft.html

DRU FFB - Lawrence Timmons - LB - FSU
http://www.drufantasyfootball.com/

FF Cheat Sheets - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://ffcheatsheets.com/nfl-mock-draft.htm

Sports Nutz - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/draft/2007/mock_draft.htm

Saturdays 2 Sundays - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.saturdays2sundays.com/mock.htm

Draft Ace - Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn
http://www.draftace.com/draft2007/mockdraftround1.htm

Ask the Commish - Michael Griffin - S - Texas
http://www.askthecommish.com/2007nfldraft/

On the Clock - Greg Olsen - TE - Miami
http://www.ontheclockdraft.com/mock

NFL Draft Forecast - Justin Blalock - OT/OG - Texas
http://www.nfldraftforecast.com/mock/boyer/round1.shtml

The Phinsider - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.thephinsider.com/story/2007/3/21/0143/22304

Draft Season - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://www.draftseason.com/Lupagus

NFL Draft Dog - Greg Olsen - TE - Miami
http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2007_Mock_Draft.htm

Consensus Draft Services - Jon Beason - LB - Miami
http://condraft.com/mocks/round-1.html

53 Mock Drafts

Jon Beason - LB - Miami - 14 (26%)
Ben Grubbs - OG - Auburn - 8
Justin Blalock - OT/OG - Texas - 5
Lawrence Timmons - OLB - FSU - 5

Greg Olsen - TE - Miami - 4
Dwayne Jarrett - WR - USC - 3
Michael Griffin - S - Texas - 2
Arron Sears - OT/OG - Tennessee - 2
Justin Harrell - DT - Tennessee - 2
Quinn Pitcock - DT - Ohio St - 2

Paul Posluszny - OLB - Penn State - 1
Robert Meachem - WR - Tennessee - 1
Brandon Merriweather - S - Miami - 1
Dwayne Bowe - WR - LSU - 1
Jarvis Moss - DE/LB - Florida - 1
Tony Ugoh - OT - Arkansas - 1

By Position
LB - 20 (38%)
OL - 16
DL - 5
WR - 5
TE - 4
S - 3

By School
Miami - 19 (36%)
Auburn - 8
Texas - 7
Tennessee - 5
Florida St - 5
USC - 3
Ohio St - 2
Penn St - 1
LSU - 1
Florida - 1
Arkansas - 1

Sep 9 @San Diego 4:15pm    
Sep 16 Kansas City 4:15pm    
Sep 23 Dallas 8:15pm    
Sep 30 @Detroit 1:00pm    
Oct 7 @Green Bay 8:15pm    
Oct 14 Minnesota 1:00pm    
Oct 21 @Philadelphia 4:15pm    
Oct 28 Detroit 1:00pm    
Week 9 BYE      
Nov 11 @Oakland 4:15pm    
Nov 18 @Seattle 8:15pm    
Nov 25 Denver 1:00pm    
Dec 2 N.Y. Giants 4:15pm    
Dec 6 @Washington 8:15pm    
Dec 17 @Minnesota 8:30pm    
Dec 23 Green Bay 1:00pm    
Dec 30 New Orleans 1:00pm

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/315865,CST-SPT-mully28.article

PHOENIX -- Lance Briggs is close to getting everything he wants. The only question is whether the Bears can afford to let him fulfill his dreams.

Multiple sources confirmed Tuesday that the Washington Redskins have made a formal trade offer to the Bears for the Pro Bowl linebacker, offering a swap of first-round picks that would put the Bears near the top of the first round at No. 6 overall for Briggs and the No. 31 selection.

'That's what I have been told,'' said Drew Rosenhaus, Briggs' agent. ''The two teams have talked, and it's in their hands now.''

Sources said the Redskins are set to pay Briggs $20 million in guaranteed money as part of a multiyear deal that will average $7.5 million per season. It's a sweet deal for a guy who played out his rookie contract only to be hit with the franchise tag by the Bears, which means he would get $7.2 million for one year.

The tricky part now for Rosenhaus and Briggs is getting the Bears to go along with the plan. That isn't going to happen very quickly.

''We're going to take it under advisement, and if it is something we're going to pursue, we'll get back to them,'' Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. ''We are not negotiating through the media.''

.............. more thru link

Some initial numbers coming in from the Combine.  TE's and OL.

TOP TIGHT END 40 TIMES:

1. Greg Olsen - Miami (4.51)
   
2. Michael Allan - Whitworth AND Gijon Robinson - Missouri Western St. (4.71)
   
4. Ben Patrick - Delaware AND Derek Schouman - Boise St.  (4.74)
   
6. Dante Rosario - Oregon (4.76)
   
7. Kevin Boss - W. Oregon AND Schott Chandler (4.78)

TOP O-LINE BENCH PRESS:

40 reps
Justin Blalock - Texas
Manuel Ramirez - Texas Tech

34 reps
Nathan Bennett - Clemson
Dustin Fry - Clemson
Brandon Frye - Virginia Tech
Ryan Kalil - USC
Enoka Lucas - Oregon
Cameron Stephenson - Rutgers

32 reps
Kasey Studdard - Texas
Tony Ugoh - Arkansas

TOP O-LINE 40 TIMES:

1. Allan Barbre - Missouri Southern - 4.84.
   
2. Gabe Hall - Texas Tech - 4.91
   
3. Joe Thomas - Wisconsin - 4.92
   
4. Ryan Kalil - USC - 4.96
   
5. Tony Ugoh - Arkansas - 5.06
   
6. Andy Alleman - Akron - 5.07
   
7. Brandon Frye - Virginia Tech, James Marten - BC, Adam Koets - Oregon St. 5.08
   
10. Ryan Harris - Notre Dame - 5.09
    
11. Justin Blalock - Texas - 5.10.

"Hardy Nickerson has agreed to terms to become the Bears' new linebackers coach, a possibility first reported in the Sun-Times. A team official also confirmed the Sun-Times report that Brick Haley will be named defensive line coach when a contract is signed."

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/269602,CST-SPT-bearnt23.article

Here are the final payrolls for 2006.  Surprising to see the Sox drop all the way to 9th, and only $1.6 million from 11th.

1 New York Yankees      $207.5  (Luxury tax - $26)
2 Boston Red Sox          $137.5  (Luxury tax - $0.5)
3 New York Mets            $116.6
4 Houston Astros            $107.7
5 Los Angeles Dodgers    $107.3
6 Los Angeles Angels      $104.0
7 Chicago Cubs             $99.0
8 San Francisco Giants   $98.9
9 Chicago White Sox      $96.9
10 St. Louis Cardinals    $96.1
11 Seattle Mariners        $95.3
12 Philadelphia Phillies   $93.3
13 Atlanta Braves          $92.2
14 Detroit Tigers           $89.8
15 Texas Rangers          $82.7
16 Baltimore Orioles       $76.1
17 San Diego Padres      $73.8
18 Toronto Blue Jays      $72.4
19 Oakland A's              $70.9
20 Washington Nationals  $67.4
21 Minnesota Twins         $64.8
22 Cincinnati Reds           $63.7
23 Arizona Diamondbacks  $61.5
24 Milwaukee Brewers       $58.1
25 Colorado Rockies         $53.2
26 Cleveland Indians        $52.4
27 Kansas City Royals      $51.5
28 Pittsburgh Pirates        $43.4
29 Tampa Bay Devil Rays  $36.4
30 Florida Marlins            $21.1
* All figures in Millions (US)

Note: Figures are for 40-man rosters and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses and earned incentive bonuses and other compensation. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to reflect present-day values. Figures include money paid or received in cash transactions between teams to defray parts of salaries of traded players.

Below is the entire Bears roster with contract status.  The Bears only have a few moves needed after this season, with several more needed after 2007:

QB
Grossman thru 2007
Griese thru 2010
Orton thru 2008

RB
Jones thru 2007
Benson thru 2009
Peterson thru 2009
McKie thru 2011
Runnels thru 2009

WR
Muhammad thru 2010
Berrian thru 2007
Bradley thru 2009
Davis thru 2007
Gage thru 2006

TE
Clark thru 2008
Gilmore thru 2007
Reid thru 2006

OL
Kreutz thru 2010
Garza thru 2011
Tait thru 2009
Brown thru 2006
Miller thru 2009
Metcalf thru 2011
St. Clair thru 2008

K/P/LS
Gould thru 2008
Maynard thru 2010
Mannelly thru 2010

DL
Brown thru 2009
Ogunleye thru 2009
Harris thru 2008
Idonije thru 2009
Anderson thru 2009
Johnson thru 2008
Boone thru 2006
Scott thru 2006
Garay thru 2006
Dvoracek thru 2009

LB
Urlacher thru 2011
Briggs thru 2006
Hillenmeyer thru 2011
Joe thru 2007
Wilson thru 2008
Ayanbadejo thru 2007

DB
Tillman thru 2007
Vasher thru 2008
R. Manning thru 2010
Hester thru 2009
Wesley thru 2007
D. Manning thru 2009
Johnson thru 2006
Worrell thru 2006
Brown thru 2008
Harris thru 2008

Free Agents after 2006
Offense
Justin Gage - WR
Gabe Reid - TE
Ruben Brown - G*

Defense
Alfonso Boone - DT
Ian Scott - DT
Antonio Garay - DE
Lance Briggs - LB*
Todd Johnson - SS*
Cameron Worrell - SS

Free Agents after 2007
Offense
Rex Grossman - QB*
Thomas Jones - RB*
Bernard Berrian - WR*
Rashied Davis - WR
John Gilmore - TE

Defense
Leon Joe - LB
Brendon Ayanbadejo - LB
Charles Tillman - CB*
David Wesley - CB
* Starters marked with an asterisk

So based off this information, who gets resigned, franchised, etc?

[Dave van Dyck]

Disdaining the high-priced free agent market, the White Sox re-signed left fielder Scott Podsednik to a one year, $2.9 million contract.

Update [2006-12-1 14:4:39 by thewizardsofoz]:

Kenny on Pods being hard on himself:

[Scott Merkin]

"I'm the team's general manager, not the team's psychologist, and each player has to deal with success and failures in his own way. Is Scotty hard on himself? Well, he was no harder on himself when he stole how many bases and hit [.290 in 2005] and hit a home run to help win a World Series. Sometimes, the same things that make us succeed make us fail. You better be very careful of trying to change your overall makeup because you might find yourself in a worse position."

The Cubs and White Sox swapped relief pitchers Thursday, with the Sox acquiring right-handed pitcher David Aardsma and left-hander Carlos Vasquez in exchange for left-handed pitcher Neal Cotts.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-061116cubssoxtrade,1,2256208.sto ry?coll=cs-whitesox-headlines

I just thought that the Sox could get more value for a LHP with Post Season experience, but I guess not.