Bearstalk

I haven't seen this mentioned here yet: the Chiefs just put Will Franklin on waivers. Speculation is that he did something to get on the wrong side of the coaching staff, since he's got a fair amount of potential, fits their new offensive scheme well, and is just coming off his rookie season. I really liked Franklin when he was coming out of Missouri last year. He didn't put up eye-popping numbers at Mizzou, largely because of two good tight ends (Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman) and another wideout you may have heard of: he had to compete for catches with Jeremy Maclin, who's easily a top-15 pick this year. Franklin's career numbers are still pretty decent: 143 r…

I'd be happy with this: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/ins...tory?id=4054695 It's almost been a month since Todd McShay and I released our dual mock drafts, and a lot has changed. We've seen most of the pro days for draft-eligible players that enable them to showcase their abilities in a comfortable environment, and we've gotten the results from some of the private workouts that some of the top players have to go through for teams. Below is a look at how I see the first four rounds shaking out at this point in the predraft process. 1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16) Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: Stafford is worthy of being the No. 1 …

The NFL regular-season schedule will be revealed at 6 p.m. (CT) Tuesday on NFL Network and NFL.com. At the same time, the Bears’ schedule will be posted on ChicagoBears.com. We already know that the Bears will open the season Sept. 13 on NBC’s Sunday Night Football against the Packers at Lambeau Field. In addition to home and road games against NFC North rivals Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota, the Bears will host Arizona, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis; and visit Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, San Francisco and Seattle. The Bears have the easiest schedule in the league in 2009, based on their opponents having a .414 winning percentage in 2008. That nu…

Personally, from what I have read, seen, and heard about Ron Turner, he's a pretty great offensive mind. His problem is inconsistency, boneheaded/very conservative play calling at times, and lack of weapons on offense. However, that last point might be the biggest reason why Turner has never taken off as an OC. I don't really remember the Bears from 93-96 as I was very young, but IIRC, we didn't have much offensive talent during those years. And those Illini teams he coached didn't have much talent on offense either (but that is kind of his fault considering they were his recruiting classes. Plus, I don't know if this is the case, but he might have given play calling…

This is another name at WR I have been hearing in articles, but I haven't seen him mentioned on here at all. What are the opinions on him?

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-10-5...for-Cutler.html Dude is good but a jackass!!

2. Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma Still on the board: Chung, Delmas, Duke Robinson, Derrick Williams 3. Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech Still on the board: Nobody worth mentioning 4. Derek Pegues, FS, Mississippi State Still on the board: Gibson, Jason Williams, Mickens 5. James Davis, RB, Clemson Still on the board: Vazquez, Francies, Casillas, Henry Melton, Orion Martin, Bruton 5. Mark Parson, CB, Ohio Still on the board: Collie, Morgan Trent, Maiava, Veikune, Ogletree That wouldn't be so bad. Parson was a 2nd or 3rd a month back so he's of good value there. I'd rather have Melton, Martin, or Vazquez then Davis. We already have For…

Now that we have Cutler and a few Oline players what do we need? Well I for one think that we need a big fast WR to throw to, someone in the mold of Burress. Not necessariliary Burress himself but maybe a guy like Kelly, Robiske in the draft to take some heat off of Hester. Cutler said that he is going to make Bennett better this year since they have played together and Williams will be blocking for him also. But what I really want to see is Turner throwing out his old playbook and get a grip to what his team can really do, and make plays for those down and distance calls. Down and distance you ask well check this and see if this can fit with what you think how an offense…

For the right price, I'd still like to see him brought in here. If Cutler gets hurt for 1 game or the whole year at the worst, we have Hanie coming in. Right now, we're an upper echelon NFC team and we need a serviceable QB in case Cutler goes down.

Two receivers I haven't heard anyone really talk about as possibilities for the Bears, which would seem to be for good reason as they share a lot of similarities to Devin Hester (at least in theory). But let's say the top receivers are gone by our second round pick (Crab, Maclin, DHB, Nicks, Britt, Robiskie), and Harvin has somehow falled and Williams is on the board. Should the Bears consider taking either of them (as talent-wise they would be considered good value) or do you pass because they seem too redundant? I've seen a bit of each, but I honestly haven't looked at them very much. I'm not even sure what kind of receiver they both are after watching their highlights …

I've been thinking about posting thoughts on the effect signing Cutler will have on the Bears. Here are my thoughts: Offense: The effect here is obvious. He has all the tools, mobility included. He'll stretch the field with his arm allowing Turnwer to call any play he wants. Forte and Co. will have more room to run, as a result of a softer box. Lastly, Cutler will have to accounted for when designing pass rushes, as he will dangerous out of the pocket. Defense: Lovie will be able to release the hounds in various ways knowing he has a QB that can put numbers on the board. Also, with an improved running comes greater time of possession, keeping the defense…

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5721 April 9, 2009 Williams doesn't mind making move from left to right tackle By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 4/9/2009 2:01 PM * LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chris Williams may still be the Bears’ left tackle of the future. But the 2008 first-round draft pick from Vanderbilt is the team’s right tackle of the present. Williams will flip-flop positions to accommodate the addition of free agent Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowler who will line up at left tackle after signing a three-year contract with the Bears. Chris Williams is moving from left tackle to right tackle in his…

2. Mohammad Massaqoui, WR, Georgia ---Do I like him this early? No. But the organization does. 3. Darcel McBath, FS, Texas Tech ---Talk about rising talk? This guy was a 6th rounder 2 months ago. 4. Jason McCourty, CB, Rutgers ---CB depth. 5. Orion Martin, DE, Virginia Tech ---DL toy for Marinelli. 5. Tony Fiammetta, FB, Syracuse ---Best FB in the draft, IMO. McKie doesn't get it done. 7. Jeremy Childs, WR, Boise State ---WR depth. 7. John Gill, DT, Northwestern ---DT depth and the team likes him. Thoughts (this could all change by signing Holt or Burress)?

Jerry Angelo and the Bears are really excited knowing they now have a QB that can get them back to the Super Bowl. With this new energy swarming, the players are also feeding off of it. It is now up to Jerry to add the remaining pieces to complete this task and keep young talent waiting in the wings to fill in for retirement/FA releases. My picks are: Rashad Johnson FS, Fenuki Tupuo OT/G, Zack Follett SLB, Johnny Knox WR, David Veikune DE With there first pick, which is RD2 Pick 49, the Bears will be targeting the following players: A.) Brian Robiskie WR Ohio State - At 6-3 208 and sub 4.5 speed, Robiskie is NFL ready with his route running ability and …

At 6 CT on NFL Network, they will announce the schedules for the 2008 season. I'm going to guess we have night games against GB, one MIN game, the PIT game, the ARZ game, the BAL game, and maybe the SEA game.

Good luck with that Bengals. Didn't Tank Johnson bitch about Cedric Benson after he left Chicago?

You got to admire the boldness. My guess is any move up would be to acquire a WR or tackle. Pompei later speculates how the Bears are very interested in Robisnkie. Robinskie definately would be a nice fit along with Bennett and Hester. My guess is that if they trade up, its to target a 1st round tackle that slides or to grab a WR like Robinskie/Nicks. Otherwise I could very well see them trading down if Britts/Robinski/Nicks are off the board (this would be easier to do if the Bears sign Holt cause they'd have even less pressure to grab a WR super early and could make adjustments of what they picked based upon the way the draft unfolds).

The three most attractive veteran WR options out there are Torry Holt, Plaxico Burress, and Matt Jones. Anyone else available isn't going to make the impact that these three guys can make. However, of the three individuals, Burress has had constant on the field and off the field problems and Jones has had very serious off the field problems. Suspensions are looming for both Jones and Burress and in Plax case you have jail to worry about. Holt is a similar age to Burress and his productivity slipped last year but you can point to a lot of factors that led to the decrease (Rams being horrific being numero 1 through 10). Given the fact that the Bears just made a huge …

What are the thoughts on Brandon Tate? I read Brad Biggs piece on him and he sounds like a Desean JAckson or Eddie Royal type of player. Will we be able to get him?

Over the course of his career in Chicago, Lovie Smith has seen about all that there is to see. He started his career with a lowly team that looked to improve as the season progressed. Year two, he saw his Bears, lead by a tenacious defense and special teams, beat the packers and make the playoffs, much to the satisfaction of Bear nation. Year three, the team peaked by winning the division and making it to the Super Bowl using the same formula as the year before and utilizing their new weapon in Devin Hester. Year four, the Bears were proclaimed to be bulletproof by the collective thoughts of some NFL executives. They were regarded as the only team i…