Bearstalk

OK, let the grilling begin, but here’s my shopping list. Just a pipe dream at 4:25 AM Is this even realistic? I really haven't researched the matter. Alan Faneca 4yr/32 mil Allows us to draft a rookie LT and move Tait to the right. Sign Jacob Bell for 5yr/28 mil if Faneca signs with NYJ. We get younger and better by signing a 31 year old and drafting. Age upgrade to youth is 9yrs per player.(10.5 if you sign Bell) Randy Moss 3yr/30 mil How do you improve your QB play? A+ Sign the most gifted receiver to ever play the game and chuck it. How do you improve your run game? A= Get the safety out of the box by(see above). The combination of Faneca …

The Redskins are not believed to be interested in free agent LB Lance Briggs, according to the Chicago Sun Times. It looks like Briggs overestimated the market. He hasn't even made a visit yet to our knowledge. If he makes it through the first wave of free agency, Denver, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay could up their efforts to pursue him.

If Tommy Kelly can get $50 million over 7 years, what will Tommie Harris command? Kelly is now the highest paid DT. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AgXL...p&type=lgns

Don't be surprised if the Bears do end up making a play for Turner and maybe even Flozel Adams. I am certain that Berrian is a gonner, but I wouldn't mind if we picked up a veteran in FA and then maybe used our 2nd round pick on a wide receiver. It wouldn't shcok me to see someone like Brandon Lyod come to Chicago given his teis to Turner and then say the Bears pick up someone like Manningham in the second round.

from the Suntimes http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...t022908.article Peace

As per the SCORE, Bernard Berrian is NOT going to Oakland, and is staying in Minnesota for at least one more night.

49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz immediately phoned Isaac Bruce Thursday night after learning of Bruce's release from the Rams. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that if Bruce gets on a plane to San Francisco Friday, it won't be for a formal visit. It will be to sign a contract

Rams | Team releases Bruce Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:32:27 -0800 Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams cut WR Isaac Bruce Thursday, Feb. 28. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal and focus on addressing the position in the draft either this year or next with him to help guide the rookie thru the ropes of adjusting to the speed of the NFL?

Signed by the Jags for 6 yrs, 30 million with a 10 million signing bonus. Fairly comparable to the Bears offer to Berrian for 5 yrs 25 million with a 8 million signing bonus. I think Minny is going to offer probably 5 yrs 30 million with a 12 million signing bonus and he will sign on the dotted line. Free agent WRs left that interest me: Bryan Johnson (meeting soon - hopefully we sign him) Reche Caldwell Drew Carter DJ Hackett Jabar Gaffney Keary Colbert Marty Booker Robert Ferguson (if we are desperate) Javon Walker (is he a drillrod; can he stay healthy?) I am really hoping we can sign Johnson. I saw that Wilford signed a 13 million de…

On here, I've been echoing Angelo saying, "Wait for the bargains." Now that our bad offense has lost 2 starting lineman, 2 starting WR's (inevitably), our best run-blocker (Gilmore), and we still haven't replaced Thomas Jones . . . I admit I'm getting a bit anxious. At some point we will sign a good offensive guard that nobody has ever heard of. We'll draft an offensive tackle early. But that ain't good enough. We're going to lose Briggs & Berrian. Why not sign the best RB available? Any word on him? I know he was flying to Atlanta today . . .

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2008...-on-faneca.html Jets close in on Faneca The free-agent signing period opened at midnight, and the Jets were expected the strike quickly. The target: Steelers LG Alan Faneca. The Jets are poised to make Faneca an $8 million-a-year offer and, barring an upset, they will get their man. The official announcement may not happen for a day or two, but those in the know believe it’s a fait accompli. It’s never done until the ink is on the paper, but the Jets are expected to outbid the Rams and 49ers. Faneca, 31, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He would fill a gaping hole at left guard, sliding between LT D’Br…

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag9c...o&type=lgns INDIANAPOLIS – Eyeing the free agent bloodbath on the horizon, Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo preached “sobriety in the marketplace” – the act of keeping your head, spending money wisely, and not corrupting prices in the NFL’s free agent period. “Because you have the money,” Angelo said, “doesn’t mean you have to spend all the money.” In a way, it sounded like a verbal white flag from the team most likely to get raided when free agency begins on Friday. Of all the years to allow talented free agents to get to the open market, Chicago gambled and stumbled upon the worst. A solid period …

Free agent Bernard Berrian is reportedly en route to Oakland. The Vikings couldn't get him signed immediately, not that they're entirely out of the running. Berrian is the deep threat big-armed JaMarcus Russell needs and Al Davis has tons of cap room, even after the Tommy Kelly signing.

The Bears and Brian Urlacher are discussing a restructuring of his contract. Urlacher signed a nine-year deal in 2003, but will make just $3.95 million this season, as salary inflation has far exceeded the increments in his agreement. The timing is bad for Urlacher, though, as he suffered with a sore back for much of last season, and still won't be able to run for two more weeks after undergoing neck surgery. Source: Chicago Tribune Michael Turner is visiting the Falcons Friday. Atlanta, looking for a power rusher, is the most logical landing spot for Turner. We wouldn't be surprised if he signs Friday. The Lions, Bears and Saints are also said to be actively …

Broncos released WR Javon Walker, according to ESPN's Michael Smith.

So who do we draft as a QB to develop if Rex and Kyle fall short of expectations? Everyone seems concerned about QBs in the draft who have problems with mechanics, speed, agility, athleticism, quick release, Big School competition, etc... There have been many QBs drafted who had all of these attributes that flopped as NFL QBs. Ryan Leaf, drafted #2 in round 1 of the 1998 draft. Cade McNown drafted #12 in round 1 of the 1999 draft. How can we forget Rick Mirer drafted #2 of the 1993 draft. All of these QBs had all the qualities we have discussed necessary to become an NFL Star QB. But there have been QBs who lacked these attributes that succeed…