balta1701-A

Here's one thing worth thinking about...Webb is basically "Mike Tice's guy" on the line, isn't he? Hasn't he gone to bat for Webb as a player both of the last 2 years? I'm totally in agreement that if the Bears are going to upgrade on the O-Line, it has to be at LT...I don't think it should happen in the draft (Because it's a 2-3 year process for a tackle to really become a top level player even if you have a hit)...But the guy who might have the most say on whether that position changes has been Webb's biggest backer.

Louis had quite a good run while playing Guard, but was much weaker at tackle.

I think he was really performing well at the guard spot before he got hurt. He was really key to those big runs Forte was breaking because he was always pulling out in front of them, with Webb and Garza sealing off the left side. At the very worst, he looked like an exceptional starting guard. I'm not sure I'd want to move him to tackle, but if you're signing a guard, that's the only real option. Makes more sense to me to sign a tackle if you're upgrading the O Line and put that tackle on the left side, but this isn't my plan.

If he's signing a starting OG, then Williams probably moves back there.

Personally I'll be stunned if the Patriots can pull it off with that defense. GB and the Saints...they win it by having a great offense but having enough defense to go along with it. GB's biggest weakness this year is that their D isn't playing as well as it was last year, to most people's eyes. Personally, I don't think the Bears' problem is the "Cover 2" per se, as much as it is the fact that 1 or 2 positions keep being weak. Right now, it's the 2nd DE position...and that's weakening the whole defense. That, and the occasional drop into the prevent.

Lovie Smith needs a 10 win + season next year. It'd take somebody coming in who has a great reputation on their own to be able to move Smith out of the way this year, but next year will be Smith's next evaluation year. Of course, that usually means the Bears will have a stellar season next year, earning Lovie a contract extension. So, you can either be happy about the Bears having a great season or angry that it earns lovie an extension. Because that keeps happening.

I can't think of a team in the NFL that has a bigger need at WR than the Bears, and that means the Bears need to be out there spending the money to fill that need.

This is one thing I think having Lovie Smith actually helps with. If you recall, Julius Peppers had a similar reputation in Carolina. He comes to Chicago and I haven't heard a peep of Peppers being unprepared...just of him being held every game. I think Smith would work well in this case.

Fins also interviewing Jeff Fisher.

The one thing I don't like about keeping a coach and firing the GM is that the GM doesn't get the right to choose his own coach. I agree with you that Lovie has done the job he needs to do...but that's my one issue with the concept

Of course, if you paid attention to this season, you saw several examples of how the opposite could work...at least 2 teams have been partially/completely torn apart by WR. Santonio Holmes was a disaster for the Jets to the point that Rex Ryan will not name team captains any more, and DeSean Jackson really hurt the Eagles by quitting on his team repeatedly during the year.

If Floyd falls to #19, great. Grab him before anyone else notices he's there. But this team can't afford to wait and see if he'll fall. It needs WR help that badly.

Orton could not have signed with the Bears. The Chiefs claimed him on waivers and had priority. There was nothing the Bears could do.

No surgery necessary, but this would have been a bad thing to happen during the season. Sounds like a "Severe sprain", grade 2 would be my guess. Damaged but not torn.

Crap, I read the timestamp on the Pompei article but just assumed it was today and not "1/1/12".

With where the Bears are sitting in this draft, they have to add a WR in free agency. They just have to. Draft what is available at 19, but make sure you fill that WR spot in free agency first.

McClure writes that he has an MRI today, so we'll know for sure afterwards.

Here's Pompei: Link

Current word is sprained MCL. Happy New Year.

Sprained MCL is the current word.

Free Agency starts at the end of February again, the draft is several months later.

I don't think this is a good time for the Bears to be trading down. They need big play guys who can step in immediately and contribute, not players for depth. They may have multiple needs, but with a veteran defense and guys who might be retiring soon, the best way to fill the other 2-3 slots is the FA market.

The training staff?

He'd have to be better than AJ Green to be worth that to this club.

I can't fathom anyone giving Martz significantly more money next year than this team, can you?