Being reported by the Tribune right now. No problem, the Bears will draft Field Turf in the first round to replace him.

Surprise move: Bears' Tait set to retire
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
12:39 AM CST, February 14, 2009
The Bears made plans Friday to move forward without two veteran offensive players; one departure was expected but the other will surprise many.

Starting right tackle John Tait has informed the team he is strongly contemplating retirement, and an NFL source said the team expects Tait will walk away from the final year of his contract in 2009.

That decision caught some off guard, but sources said Tait has been considering the move since the completion of his 10th NFL season because of nagging ankle injuries that affected him more than outsiders realized.

The release of wide receiver Marty Booker, the last Bears receiver to make a Pro Bowl, was expected. Booker, 32, struggled in his second stint with the team and caught just 14 passes for 211 yards.



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Marty Booker in action Photos The loss of Tait, 34, will cause a bigger shock to the Bears' system. He started all 16 games last year despite often playing through pain and has started 73 regular-season games since coming to the Bears in 2004.

If Tait officially retires as is now anticipated, free-agent offensive tackle John St. Clair will have considerably more leverage in negotiating with the Bears. The team already was expected to pursue him to compete with Tait, and now he becomes the favorite to become the starter. He has said he prefers to stay in Chicago.

"I definitely want to play tackle," St. Clair told the Tribune. "I've played tackle most of my career. I'm all for playing right tackle. Playing there again wouldn't be a problem at all. And Chicago is a good fit for me."

It was a good fit for Tait, too, since he came to the Bears as a restricted free agent from the Chiefs in 2004. His ability to switch to left tackle before the 2005 season when the Bears signed right tackle Fred Miller solidified the line on a team that went the Super Bowl in 2006.

When the Bears drafted left tackle Chris Williams in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, Tait unselfishly switched back to the right side. His absence would make it likely the Bears will look to select a right tackle in the first few rounds of April's draft.

Tait was to make $4.8 million, and Booker's release will save the Bears another $1 million as the team prepares for the beginning of free agency Feb. 27.

The Bears also released linebackers Gilbert Gardner and Marcus Riley on Friday.

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“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” ~ Dr. Suess


Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

Gilbert Gardner! Not Gilbert Gardner!

Would he stay if JA gave him more money? Otherwise he'll be calling Fred Miller again.

I don't like JA. They are so screwed.

Doesn't this help the Bears? Doesn't it free up some money to go out and get an offensive lineman that doesn't double as a turnstyle?

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"Tubby? Oh yes, Tubby."

I see it as a problem. It saves money but who are they going to put there? Now they have more issues when they already have issues at WR, S, and a crappy D line that should not be crappy.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?posit ... ionId%3d46

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?posit ... ionId%3d45

I'm not sure who I'd like off those lists.

This should have been taken care of last year instead of ignored AGAIN!

This will really but the Bears in a bind. I think the Bears will convince him to give it one more year.

On the radio this morning they said the Bears arent going to offer a contract to Mike Brown
Bears have a lot of holes to fill

Off those lists, I wouldn't mind seeing Jordan Gross, but that's about it.

Tait had a pretty average year. Can't stay young forever.

Gross would be an upgrade. I liked Khaliff Barnes coming out of college. Didn't Stacey Andrews have a major leg injury?

This is just chickens coming home to roost for a GM who has completely ingnored the OL for the better part of his tenure.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Great point, GD.

And when he does draft a OL, he goes to 15 different doctors before he gets the diagnosis he's wants. Draft pick steps on the practice field for 2 minutes and is out for the year.

Andrews tore his ACL and MCL and had surgery at the beginning of January. I wouldn't take the chance on him.

I don't like Barnes and hope they could do better.

Whos name will I get to make fun of now? I used to love referring to Johnny boy as John Taint.

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