Contract talks between the Bears and defensive tackle William Perry are once again at an impasse.
After a proposed trade with the Eagles fell through late last week, the two sides agreed to sit down in earnest to restructure an agreement. But there has been no progress made in the last two days.
”None. Zip. Zero,” said Bears finance director Ted Phillips from his office in Lake Forest.
”I talked to (agent) Jim Steiner, but we really didn`t do anything. They don`t seem to have the urge to do much until Perry loses more weight. That`s my gut feeling.
”We`ll probably talk every day and see if we can`t just keep the lines of communication open and see if we can`t work something out,” said Phillips of the negotiations. ”My feeling is that it would probably be a two-year deal.”
Coach Mike Ditka says Perry must weigh 320 pounds before he would be allowed to play.
”We`re sticking by our demand to structure a contract with weight-related clauses. They`re not quite ready to accept that yet,” Phillips said.
”I guess they feel that he`s not going to be allowed on the field until he weighs 315 or 320. My only guess is that he`s not at that weight.”
– The news was no more encouraging on unsigned center Jay Hilgenberg. The seven-time Pro Bowler initially asked for $1.6 million, and the Bears offered just less than $800,000.
The two sides have not communicated in about nine days.
The Bears aren`t willing to meet Hilgenberg and agent Steve Zucker halfway at, say, $1.2 million.
”No. That`s pretty close to where we`ll probably end up. I know what they`re trying to do, but we`re going nowhere,” Phillips said.
– Tight end James Thornton sat out Tuesday`s practice with a bruised heel. . . . Rookie tackle Louis Age, who sat out three days last week with a sore back, has been practicing this week.
