Bearstalk

People are getting really worked up about the draft and the Bears relative inactivity in free agency, but don't forget, June 1st salary cuts are around the corner, and I expect JA to look long and hard at some guys cut at OG, QB, DT, WR, RB, and S. Remember, the season isn't over yet.

It's an old article about both Kevin Smith and Matt Forte, but it does state why I think the Bears regarded Forte so high. Forte, Smith have taken similar paths to stardom What makes Forte's production so impressive is that Forte was Tulane's only weapon last year.

Draft Picks: LT Chris Williams = #74 RB Matt Forte = #22 WR Earl Bennett = #85 DT Marcus Harrison = #94 S Craig Steltz = #27 CB Zack Bowman = #35 TE Kellen Davis = #87 DE Ervin Baldwin = #99 OG Chester Adams = #72 LB Joey LaRocque = #90 OT Kirk Barton = #69 WR Marcus Monk = #19 UDFA: QB Nick Hill = #17 QB Caleb Hanie = #12 WR Curtis Hamilton = #14 OT Cody Balaugh = #79 DE Joe Clermond = #72 DT David Faateete = #79 DE Nick Osborn = #67 CB Trey Brown = #49 CB Leslie Majors = #46 K Shane Longest = #2

Any reason? It wasn't exactly controversial by any means.

I think he'll be released or traded...Cleveland is deep at OL and hes become expendable. Hes slated as a center, but could easily switch to G. Hes been on the DL because of (I think) a staph infection and post infection problems. Id love to get him if hes released or trade a late pick for him. Pretty much, there is no downside and hed be a great addition.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y321NmjoQGg Love all the TV announcer's voices, as I'm at all the home games so I've never heard them.

Very interesting perspective. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/couch/96630...-greg23.article Peace

Booked my ticket today

Here is an interesting nugget from Pat Kirwan. Interesting to see what the players think about Orton... http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4759

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4766 LAKE FOREST, Ill. – When the Bears resumed OTA workouts Wednesday at Halas Hall, Terrence Metcalf lined up with the No. 1 offense at left guard as he has done throughout the offseason. The seventh-year pro is penciled in as the starter, but he knows that he must perform better than he did last season when he was benched after taking over for the injured Ruben Brown. Terrence Metcalf has played in 78 games with 25 starts in six years with the Bears. “It’s a huge opportunity,” Metcalf said. “I feel like it’s time for me to step out and pla…

I just now see that the Offical Bears Site is offering for sale the new "Traditions" items mentioned earlier on the forum by another poster. Bears Online Pro Shop Some of my favorites:

Link.

I really hope he gets picked up by anyone but Denver. If this kid had a team around him that could block for $H!+ he would be able to put up some really good numbers. I am personally quite upset with the decision to kick him after these questionable run ins with the "law" Nfo made me feel a little better with his post about Ced but unless we get a healthy Kevin Jones (who would need to learn the offense still) I am still very scared about our RB depth. That and the article about Ced never wanting to be here tempers my anger at this (IMO) hurried and shortsighted decision on Angelo's part. I can understand everyone likes to blame the RB for the failur…

http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/ NO TAKERS FOR BENSON Posted by Mike Florio on June 12, 2008, 5:54 p.m. Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the running back Cedric Benson was unclaimed via waivers. Every team had a crack at Benson, and could have made a claim for him through waivers. The team that landed him would have picked up the last two years of Benson’s contract, at $820,000 for 2008. As it now stands, Benson is an unrestricted free agent. He might remain on the shelf until pending legal troubles resulting from two arrests in roughly a month are resolved. Or until a team starts losing tailbacks to injury during tra…

Since we will have a new LT (Williams)and a new RT(Tait) what teams DE do you think will give them the most problems this year? Colts =Mathis/Freeney Panthers=Peppers/Johnson Bucs=Adams/Douglas Eagles=Parker/Cole Lions x 2 =Devires/White Falcons=Abraham/Anderson Vikings x 2 =Allen/Edwards Titians=Kearse/Vanden Bosch Packers x 2 =Kampman/Jenkins Rams=Little/Long Jags=Spicer/Hayward Saints=Grant/Smith Texans=Weaver/Williams

NFC Offensive Line Rankings I was wondering if you all agreed with this ranking of the NFC Offensive Lines. If their speculation is right and we are 14th out of 16, we are in deep doo doo. I think we will be much better. I have no doubt that if needed Angelo will check out players cut during preseason do to a "youth movement" or "Salary Cap Problems" and beef up the OL with some veterans. However, I am hoping that Williams will be the answer at LT and with Tait moving to RT, we will be no less than #6 or #7 in the ranking by the end of the season.

http://maddenlist.com/2008/07/23/3232-chicago-bears/ Devin Hester is going to dominate and our defense is sick nasty. We are a top 10 team in madden easily.

a Coin Toss. Ah well, at least internet whiner fans can't claim it wasn't an open competition this season. Let the fun begin!

As we all know or at least are convinced Jerry let the wrong RB go after the 2006 Super Bowl run. Benson didn't pan out in 2007 and ended up injured. The run game was non-existent last year. In 2006 we enjoyed a 1-2 punch of Jones and Benson. IMHO Benson's only good season in chicago. Entering the Draft we had Benson, Wolfe, and AP. Not long after drafting Forte Benson is let go. Leaving us with Forte expected to be the feature back along with AP as backup and Wolfe in spot duty. Then comes the signing of Kevin Jones at a very reasonable one year deal. Let's suppose for a moment that Jones and Forte become a 1-2 punch that's as good or better than the Jone…

Anyone have an idea how much cap space we have left? I'd like to know if we'll be able to do something to help the Oline if a decent vet gets cut.