Bears release WR Johnny Knox

ChronicKerr · Post #1 » by **ChronicKerr** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:09 pm

http://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/statuse ... 5951607809

Team news: The #Bears have terminated the contract of WR Johnny Knox this morning.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #2 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:26 pm

The Chicago Bears terminated the contract of receiver and former Pro Bowl returner Johnny Knox on Tuesday, the team announced.

Knox, 26, suffered a spinal injury on Dec. 18, 2011, on a hit by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove and hasn't played since. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured vertebra.

Former Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake, who is now with Arizona, was asked recently whether Knox will play again.

"I don't know," Drake said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show." "I know he's working extremely hard. I think that's in God's hands. You never say never, you never know. Will he get there? I just don't know. I hope he does because I think he's a special talent."

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... terminated

Jeff Dickerson@ESPNChiBears
#Bears did the right thing by paying Johnny Knox his full salary last season even though it was clear he was never going to play.

Saw this coming a long time ago. That hit was too brutal for him to continue his career.

viewtopic.php?f=156&t=1212288

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDhTJ6muHwI[/youtube]

heir_jordan22 · Post #3 » by **heir_jordan22** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:28 pm

Now to see what happens with Hester. I'm assuming we will try to get s speedy slot receiver in FA or draft regardless of what happens to Hester.

heir_jordan22 · Post #4 » by **heir_jordan22** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:29 pm

Now to see what happens with Hester. I'm assuming we will try to get s speedy slot receiver in FA or draft regardless of what happens to Hester.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #5 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:43 pm

Brad Biggs@BradBiggs
Could have cut after failed physical last year. RT @maclennan_paul Anyone wants to call team cheap should think of Knox. Could have saved$?

What is the benefit in terminating contract of #Bears WR Johnny Knox when it was about to expire?

The guess here is the Bears wanted to achieve a level of closure with Knox. He was in the same boat as all pending unrestricted free agents like Brian Urlacher, etc. They are not under contract to the Bears for 2013 but cannot yet begin talking to other teams. This allows Knox to look elsewhere if he wants but indications are he will not play again. It also signals to all potential free agent wide receivers that Knox will not be in the picture for the Bears. The hope here is Knox will be able to maintain a normal life after the difficult spinal cord injury he suffered.

http://sulia.com/channel/chicago-bears/ ... ce=twitter

BR0D1E86 · Post #6 » by **BR0D1E86** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 5:29 pm

heir_jordan22 wrote:Now to see what happens with Hester. I'm assuming we will try to get s speedy slot receiver in FA or draft regardless of what happens to Hester.

I doubt this has too much to do with what happens to Hester. I don't think the team really views him as a viable wide receiver any more. Whether he's here or not we need a speedy slot threat.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #7 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 5:33 pm

BR0D1E86 wrote:
heir_jordan22 wrote:Now to see what happens with Hester. I'm assuming we will try to get s speedy slot receiver in FA or draft regardless of what happens to Hester.

I doubt this has too much to do with what happens to Hester. I don't think the team really views him as a viable wide receiver any more. Whether he's here or not we need a speedy slot threat.

I agree.

This was addressed in an article I posted a couple weeks ago in the draft thread:

Bears searching for vertical receiving threat

With no reliable options for deep complement to Marshall and Jeffery, they're trolling for mid-round pick

During a season in which Brandon Marshall set multiple franchise receiving records, the Bears' passing game was missing two key components.

Beyond a tight end to occupy the middle third of the field, a serious need for Marc Trestman's new coaching staff, the Bears could use a wide receiver who can be a vertical threat. Johnny Knox went out in December 2011 with a spinal cord injury and hasn't been replaced. Devin Hester hasn't come close to filling the void.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013 ... on-jeffery

BTW, sign up for the game with us, BR0D1E86 & ChronicKerr.

NZB2323 · Post #8 » by **NZB2323** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:29 pm

That hit was really Brutal. I feel for Knox, and I don't think I'd be saying this 3 year ago, but we have enough big WR's, we need speed guys.

Post #9 » by **Jake0890** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:24 pm

Before his injury, Knox was one of my favorite players on the Bears. Sad to see him go.

I wonder what his career would have been like barring that injury.

Post #10 » by **emperorjones** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:51 pm

This makes me sad. I remember his first return for a TD during the 2009 preseason. From then I thought this guy COULD be a star. Very sad to read that report.

Magilla_Gorilla · Post #11 » by **Magilla_Gorilla** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:08 pm

FWIW - By keeping Knox, and paying him his salary the last year, the Bears have allowed Knox to become a fully vested player - meaning he is entitled to an NFL pension and medical care.

Classy move by the Bears.

heir_jordan22 · Post #12 » by **heir_jordan22** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:09 am

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:FWIW - By keeping Knox, and paying him his salary the last year, the Bears have allowed Knox to become a fully vested player - meaning he is entitled to an NFL pension and medical care.

Classy move by the Bears.

Thanks for that info Magilla. I hope Knox can make a full recovery some day and I'm happy to know he has come as far as he has

bearadonisdna · Post #13 » by **bearadonisdna** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:38 am

It wouldn't surprise me if he played again but I thought he was a FA? This is only a salary dump!? J.K..
Sure now there has to be a decision Hester, but in my opinion if he wants to come back then bring him back.
Trestmans probably wouldn't mind working with a guy of his potential, and if devins contract is incentive based it's low risk.

In regards to receiving, the Kellen Davis cut makes itself and wondering when and if it's gonna happen. Maybe he can be traded?

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #14 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:49 am

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:FWIW - By keeping Knox, and paying him his salary the last year, the Bears have allowed Knox to become a fully vested player - meaning he is entitled to an NFL pension and medical care.

Classy move by the Bears.

This is absolutely awesome. Makes me proud to be a Bears fan.

randybrown · Post #15 » by **randybrown** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:17 pm

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:FWIW - By keeping Knox, and paying him his salary the last year, the Bears have allowed Knox to become a fully vested player - meaning he is entitled to an NFL pension and medical care.

Classy move by the Bears.

I don't feel so bad any more. Best of luck to him.

Post #16 » by **Jake0890** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:16 pm

Now it's being reported he might never play again.

Crazy how that one hit ended his career.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #17 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:23 pm

Ex-Bears receiver Johnny Knox gives up fight to play football

Johnny Knox looks like he’s in game-shape when he appears in the dimly-lit entrance of a Chicago hotel restaurant Wednesday morning.

Except the always lean receiver walks with a limp, and he struggles to sit or stand comfortably, the lingering effects of a devastating hit he endured at Soldier Field 13 ½ months ago.

Yet Knox counts his blessings and not his challenges, even as he exclusively tells the Sun-Times that his football career is over.

“As an athlete, you don’t want to give up, you want to keep on fighting. That’s how I’ve always been,” Knox says. “But it’s been on my heart for a while. I know how my body feels, and I know I’m not going to be the same and perform at the ability that I used to.

“So I’m moving on and going forward.”

That’s a “hard pill to swallow” for the 26-year-old who prided himself on his underdog story, one that started at Tyler Junior College in 2005 and culminated with a Pro Bowl trip to Hawaii as a kickoff returner just five years later. He flashed his potential as a receiver during the 2010 season, finishing just 40 yards shy of 1,000, and he regained his starting spot after the club tabbed Roy Williams as a starter in 2011.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/18209031 ... tball.html

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08qGFY9cMnA[/youtube]