HEADLINES

Dante Rosario

Bears Release Dante Rosario, Bear Pascoe

September 4th, 2015 at 5:41pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Bears are moving on from tight end Dante Rosario after two seasons, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Briggs, who reports they’ll terminate his contract (via Twitter). They’re also parting with fellow tight end Bear Pascoe, Briggs writes.

Rosario, 30, was the second tight end on Chicago’s depth chart last season, behind Martellus Bennett. The former fifth-round pick caught 16 balls for 116 yards, but primarily served as a blocker during his 323 offensive snaps. Although his Pro Football Focus grades weren’t spectacular in 2014, Rosario has traditionally been a very solid run blocker.

The eight-year veteran has appeared in 120 games for four different teams, hauling in 116 passes and eight touchdowns.

Pascoe signed a one-year contract with the Bears this past offseason after spending 2014 in Atlanta, where he caught just two passes (one TD) in a blocking role for the Falcons. Prior to that, the 29-year-old was a Giant for five seasons. He was a sixth-round pick of the 49ers in 2009 and has totaled 40 receptions and two touchdowns in the NFL.

Bears Re-Sign Dante Rosario

March 19th, 2015 at 3:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran tight end Dante Rosario has re-signed with the Bears on a one-year deal, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Rosario, 30, was the second tight end on Chicago’s depth chart last season, behind Martellus Bennett. The former fifth-round pick caught 16 balls for 116 yards, but primarily served as a blocker during his 323 offensive snaps. Although his Pro Football Focus grades weren’t spectacular in 2014, Rosario has traditionally been a very solid run blocker.

Mike Ditka Talks Bears, Free Agency

March 15th, 2014 at 6:48pm CST by Peter Sowards

In Mike Ditka‘s regular writing for the Chicago Sun-Times entitled “Four downs with Ditka,” the former Bears head coach and Hall of Fame tight end discussed free agency, Josh McCown, dementia and concussions. Chicago has been active in free agency with Lamarr Houston as the team’s key acquisition, along with signing lower-tiered players like Domenik Hixon, M.D. Jennings, Ryan Mundy, Dante Rosario and Willie Young. Key re-signings have included cornerback Charles Tillman linebacker D.J. Williams. Defensive end Julius Peppers was released due to his high cap number and eventually ended up with the Packers, and McCown found a starting job in Tampa Bay.

On how he likes the Bears’ moves in free agency so far:

“I do like what they have done so far. They realize they have to build on their weakness and that’s what they’ve done. They’ve addressed some needs on the defensive line and in the secondary. I think they understand that if they had any defense last year, they would have had a real good shot at winning the division.”

On if the Bears should have tried harder to re-sign McCown:

“You know, he’s a backup quarterback. It’s essential you have your starter in place. I think it came down to salary. When he saw he wasn’t going to get what he wanted, he went somewhere else. I think it’s a good move for Tampa, but also a good move by the Bears.”

On if he worries about memory loss:

“If you play football long enough, chances are you’re going to get hurt. People didn’t know about concussions long ago. They didn’t understand the ramifications or the long-term effects. They really didn’t know how serious it was.”

On if concussions could ruin football:

“You know, if you’re a parent with a young son, are you going to let him play football? No, it’s probably going to be basketball, baseball or something else. But not football. Give the kid a set of golf clubs. Basically, that’s what is happening right now.”

Bears Re-Sign Dante Rosario

March 13th, 2014 at 4:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears have re-signed tight end Dante Rosario, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Bears GM Phil Emery recently said that he was optimistic about Rosario’s chances of returning to Chicago.

Rosario, 29, was re-signed to a one-year deal by the Bears in late February only to be released on March 10th and neither side has explained that bizarre chain of events. The tight end had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).

Rosario had signed a one-year, minimum salary deal with the Bears, without any bonus money last time around, so it’s possible that the previous deal was dissolved in order to give him some guaranteed cash.

Bears Notes: Peppers, Rosario, McCown

March 12th, 2014 at 5:54pm CST by Ben Levine

During the press conference introducing new Bears defenders Lamarr Houston and Ryan Mundy, general manager Phil Emery addressed a number of topics pertaining to his team’s offseason plans (many of which were tweeted out by the Chicago Tribune’s Rich Campbell). Emery talked about the defensive end position, saying the team was “going to be patient and see how it all works out.” The general manager also touched on the team’s former defensive end, Julius Peppers, who was cut by the Bears yesterday. Emery said that Peppers was not designated as a post-June 1st cut, which means he’ll count for $8.4MM in dead money this season but would be off the books the following year.

More from Campbell, Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune and Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times…

  • Emery said there’s a good chance that tight end Dante Rosario would return, stating “We like Dante.” Rosario was released by the team earlier this week.
  • For their number-two running back, Emery seeks a player who can specifically pass protect.
  • In regards to cornerback, the general manager makes it sound like the team will address the position through the draft. “The draft has a lot more depth than what’s available in the free agent class,” Emery said.
  • The team will also look towards the draft for a quarterback, but Campbell adds that they may also sign someone for the position. Former Bears’ quarterback Josh McCown signed with the Buccaneers earlier today.
  • Talking about free agent cornerback Charles Tillman, Emery said “it’s an ongoing conversation.”
  • The Bears brought safety Cody Grimm in for a workout, tweets Biggs.
  • The Bears never presented McCown with an offer, and Biggs (via Twitter) says the team never would have matched the Buccaneers’ offer.
  • According to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter), Mundy had a two-year offer from the Giants to stay put but chose to go to the Bears instead.

Bears Cut Dante Rosario

March 10th, 2014 at 4:24pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have released Dante Rosario, less than two weeks after re-signing him to a new deal, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Marvez acknowledges that it’s an odd move, but adds in a second tweet that it came across the NFL’s transactions wire.

Rosario, 29, had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).

Rosario had signed a one-year, minimum salary deal with the Bears, without any bonus money. As such, the team presumably won’t be on the hook for a cap hit for releasing him shortly after re-signing him.

NFC Rumors: Tynes, Brown, Jackson, Hatcher

March 5th, 2014 at 4:32pm CST by Luke Adams

Buccaneers kicker Lawrence Tynes currently isn’t scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2014 season, but a decision on his contract status could mean he hits the open market next week, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, there’s a disagreement over whether the Bucs should have placed Tynes on the non-football injury/illness list or the injured reserve list last season when the kicker developed an MRSA infection. The team opted for the NFI list, whereas if Tynes had been placed on the IR, he’d be eligible for free agency this year, so a ruling will be required.

Let’s round up a few more afternoon notes from around the NFC….

  • The 49ers are “making a push” to re-sign prospective free agent Tarell Brown before Tuesday, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). As Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details, former Colts GM Bill Polian had high praise for Brown, who Polian thinks is one of the best cornerbacks available this winter.
  • On the heels of a weekend report suggesting the Eagles could gauge DeSean Jackson‘s trade value, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com reiterates that the wide receiver’s days in Philadelphia may be numbered. In the piece, Mosher explains why he doesn’t think Jackson will be with the team beyond 2014.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com believes the Buccaneers will be among the suitors for Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jason Hatcher, who the Cowboys may not be able to afford to re-sign (Twitter link).
  • While things could change in the next few days, indications are that the Rams will keep center Scott Wells for 2014, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Wells, who has two years left on his deal, has a cap number of $6.5MM for ’14.
  • Defensive back Kelvin Hayden and tight end Dante Rosario, who both recently re-signed with the Bears, will each make the minimum salary in 2014, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links).

Bears Agree To Re-Sign Dante Rosario

February 27th, 2014 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears and tight end Dante Rosario have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to the team (Twitter link). Rosario, coming off another one-year deal with Chicago, had been eligible for unrestricted free agency next month.

Rosario, 29, had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).

After earning the minimum salary in 2013, Rosario will likely be in line for a similar deal this time around. Because he now has seven years of NFL experience, that should mean a base salary of $855K. Assuming he signs a minimum salary pact with a signing bonus of no more than $65K, his overall salary will be a little larger than his cap hit.