Garza, Melton land on "All-Joe" team

With 30 interceptions in nine seasons with the Bears, Charles Tillman is eight behind all-time leader Gary Fencik (38). The only other players with more picks than Tillman are Richie Petitbon (37) and Donnell Woolford (32). Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. He is also the Chicago Bears writer for NFLTouchdown.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker...

Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.

The Bears filled the last significant vacancy on their coaching staff, hiring Tim Holt as offensive line coach.

Shortly after Navy hired him as running backs coach in 1995, Ken Niumatalolo chatted with a player in the Midshipmen’s expansive sports-conditioning facility. Soon, a tall, sturdy man approached them and politely interrupted. “Very stern and direct, he said, ‘Don’t talk to the players during their lift. They’re focused,’ ” Niumatalolo recalled. “There was a focus...

The Chicago Bears have reached an agreement with Tim Holt today to become the team’s offensive line coach. Holt has 17 years of football coaching experience, including the last three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-11).  The addition of Holt rounds out the Bears coaching staff.  A young assistant who will be aided by former line coach turned Offensive Coordinator [...]

The Chicago Bears have hired Tim Holt as their offensive line coach. The move announced Wednesday completes the coaching staff for next season. Holt takes over for Mike Tice, who was promoted to offensive coordinator after the departure of Mike Martz. Tice was widely credited with getting the most out of an undermanned line the past two years and still figures to play a big role with that unit.

Quarterback Jay Cutler will have his third offensive coordinator in four seasons with the Bears, but this transition could be the smoothest yet.

The Bears spent most of the 2011 season looking for continuity at the safety position. They used five different safeties at the position and used over eight different combinations. Veteran Chris Harris disappointed enough to be released after returning in 2010 for his second stint. Major Wright showed flashes, but struggled at times to stay healthy. Staying healthy seems to be a...

Steve Rosenbloom: Jeremy Bates figures to be the Bears' passing game chief with the title of quarterbacks coach, sort of opposite the way that Phil Emery seems to be the chief scout with the title of GM. Bates' successful history with Jay Cutler means he should push hard for plays that take advantage of Cutler's greatest assets.

Former NFL safety Matt Bowen thinks the addition of new Bears quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates will provide a huge boost for quarterback Jay Cutler.

If the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants are the last two Super Bowl champions, how far away can the Bears be? The Bears were NFC North champions ahead of the Packers in 2010 and battled the Packers to the end in the NFC Championship Game even with Caleb Hanie playing most of the second half. The Giants were below the Bears in every NFL power ranking with six games left in the...

In the search for an offensive line coach, Lovie Smith was seeking a hungry individual who possessed excellent teaching skills, NFL experience and knowledge of the game.