Bearstalk

Did you guys see that hit!?!?! Explosive. Amazing. I agree that it's a clean hit, because the WR ducking his head when he sees the contact coming, but how many times have we seen a nearly identical play get called a penalty? I believe we've had a debate or two about the topic on this forum. There is no denying the helmets hit, and Phil Simms is a moron. That is precisely when we have seen the helmet-to-helmet penalty come into play. Over and over again. It's a bogus rule, but if they're going to apply it, then effing apply it.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...T-rod18.article Peace

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech Height: 6-3. Weight: 210. Projected 40 Time: 4.48. Projected Round (2009): Top 5 Pick. 1/6/09: Michael Crabtree has told reporters and coaches that he's declaring for the 2009 NFL Draft. This has always been a no-brainer; I don't think Crabtree has ever left the top eight selections in my 2009 NFL Mock Draft 1/4/09: So, is Michael Crabtree coming out? "I'm just going to make my decision after the bowl game," Crabtree said. "It will be easier for everybody. I know, but I'm not ready to say." If Crabtree goes, he's pretty much a top-five lock. Crabtree had 93 catches, 1,135 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2008. 10/19/08:…

William Moore, FS/SS, Missouri Height: 6-1. Weight: 227. Projected 40 Time: 4.45. Projected Round (2009): Top 20 Pick. 1/14/09: William Moore finished the season with 86 tackles, 6.5 TFL, six passes broken up and a pick-six. 12/14/08: William Moore compiled 83 tackles, 5.5 TFL and five passes broken up as a senior. An All-Big XII first-teamer, Moore has a shot to land in the top 15. 5/19/08: Looks to be a good fit at either safety position at the next level. William Moore had an incredible 2007 campaign, notching seven picks and qualifying as a second-team All-American. 2007: An interception machine and the leader of Missouri's defense. Voted…

Trade out of the 1st for a 2nd, 4th, and 5th. Sign Jordan Gross. 2. Paul Kruger, DE, Utah ---The guy is a machine and has been compared to Aaron Kampman. 2. Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan ---Big hitter, leader, and ball-hawk. Can you ask for much more from a FS? 3. Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State ---I'm really starting to like this kid. He is 6'2 200 but he has great hands and is a great route runner. Perfect compliment to Hester. 3. Trevor Canfield, RG, Cincinnati ---He is a great run blocker and that's what we need. 4. Zack Follet, OLB, California ---Leader and is pretty athletic. 4. Gartrell Johnson, RB, Colorado State ---After watching …

I had work and forgot to post it last night but here's what I can remember: 1. Jurko specifically pretty much said that for Angelo to say QB is a need is a joke because any QB will struggle behind such an OL. Angelo said that OL isn't that big of a need quite yet. He specifically mentioned Beekman as playing well this past year, too. IN OTHER WORDS: Don't count on Jordan Gross, or a RT or a RG in the first 2 rounds come April. 2. Angelo mentioned that he thinks the players were fine this past year but the coaching wasn't there. He said for now they'll try some new coaches that have experience and know our system. IN OTHER WORDS: Don't count on Peppers or Sug…

You know JA made the QB comment. Now, he is clarifying with support of Orton. That leads me to the mind game. Since we already know the Queens are going hell bent for a QB this off-season. Is JA setting up a bidding war so the Queens will run out and overspend for a QB? Kinda like a bluff in poker... Even though the Queens get their guy, they also get a strained cap for other needs. Hell, I'd do it. I still see us going after backup, but a stud seems outta line due to our support players not being up to snuff.

I got the feedback on Cassell and it seemed to be about half for a trade and half against. In any case the draft pick had to no higher than a second or lower. Now there's some talk in Phoenix of the Cards considering trading Leinart. After getting to the playoffs I don't think they have a choice but to re-sign Warner and effectively make him the starter for next year. That means they can free up cap space and get another draft pick if they trade Leinart. My opinion is that Leinart doesn't have the work ethic to really succeed in the NFL. That might change as he gets older but I wouldn't bet on it. I don't have a clue what his contract is but I'm sure…

PEPPERS WANTS OUT OF CAROLINA Posted by Mike Florio on January 17, 2009, 12:15 a.m. At a time when the Carolina Panthers would be required to tender a $17 million one-year salary to defensive end Julius Peppers in order to keep his rights via the franchise tag, Peppers is making it known that he doesn’t want to remain with the team. “The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement e-mailed by his agent to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, and possibly others. “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow,…

Rejoining Smith with Bears the perfect situation for Marinelli By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 1/16/2009 4:07 PM LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Rod Marinelli leans forward in his chair, remote in hand, staring intently at a big-screen television in his Halas Hall office while breaking down tape of the Bears defensive line. Spend a few minutes talking to the team’s new defensive line coach and assistant head coach and it’s clear that there’s no place he’d rather be. Marinelli interviewed with the Seahawks and Texans but couldn’t pass up the chance to work with Lovie Smith in a defensive system they learned together in Tampa Bay a decade ago. Rod Marinelli bring…

Just in case some idiot posts a "what about Gruden" post.

Likely a question for later in the offseason, but hey, I'm bored:) So I am reading a couple articles on Marinelli, and I think the consensus is Marinelli will be good for the DL, and that Marinelli is a solid "teacher" who will elevate the play of the DL. So while most assume he will help the play of the DL as a whole, it got me wondering what players are most likely to see the greatest increase in their development. Tommie Harris - This one is easy. According to Marinelli, the system doesn't just revolve around the DL, but he actually said it all starts w/ the "under" DT, and that would be Harris. Harris was considered one of the elite pass rushing DTs in the ga…

We'll always love and respect you Walter! BIRK, WARNER, DAWKINS ARE FINALISTS FOR THE WALTER PAYTON AWARD Posted by Mike Florio on January 15, 2009, 4:36 p.m. As we recently learned, the NFL has only a handful of official postseason awards. Three, to be precise. The Super Bowl MVP, the Pro Bowl MVP, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. As to the latter prize, the field is down to three players. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, Vikings center Matt Birk, and Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. Another thing they have in common is that all three players currently are on track to become free agents in less than two months. The awa…

A Sun Times article discusses Lovie taking over on D, and goes on to talk about Lovie being "excited" about potential personnel changes, referring to players and not coaches. This led Briggs to wonder if we might not have our sights set on some of the big names in FA on the defensive side of the ball. Now, I know many here want to add the CB from Oakland, but I personally do not believe he would even be considered. We run a scheme that relies on the pass rush, while cover two corners are not usually considered shut down caliber. So while many would like to add a stud CB, I don't see that in the plans. If we are going to make a change to the personnel that w…

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...-bear15.article He could have called in a season but he stuck it out. I like his grit.

Rumor is the Patriots are asking for a 1st Rd pick for Matt Cassel. I'm not ready to give that up for a one year wonder, especially with the talent on that team as well the coaching staff. I don't watch Patriot's games so I really don't know how good he looked as a QB but he did put up some very impressive numbers in the second half of the season. I'd give up a 3rd Rd pick plus maybe a 6th Rd pick. What do you think he's worth?

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/0...rom-lombardi-5/ I doubt the Bears would sign him if released, and I doubt he would come to the Bears, but I guess you never know.

per espn.com. The guy will be a star. Too bad we'll settle for a veteran FA QB or draft a QB in the 3rd-5th round.

LOVIE TAKES OVER THE BEARS’ DEFENSE Posted by Mike Florio on January 14, 2009, 11:45 a.m. When former Lions coach Rod Marinelli was sniffing around Halas Hall a couple of weeks ago, some folks thought that Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich might be in trouble. In the end, Marinelli signed on to coach the defensive line, and Babich kept his job. But Babich is losing his juice. On Tuesday, coach Lovie Smith said that he’ll take over the team’s play-calling duties. “There are a lot of offensive coaches in the league that call plays and do a little bit more on their side of the ball where their expertise is,” Smith said, via the Chicago Tribune. “F…

I don't know what games these guys were watching, and I admit that I didn't even begin to research the other OGs in the NFC North, but I find it hard to believe that Garza is one of the best. All NFC North Team