madlithuanian

I second that... And state for the record that Smith is hindering this team. But, I'm sure you all knew I felt that way already...

But doesn't all this kind of prove we can't expect much out of this years' crop as the law of averages seems to dictate?

Man, Don Johnson can never be replaced... But in all seriousness, you are spot on.

Same thing as this year... The only difference would be hopefully the O actually gets scores vs punts. But, our D will be tired, out of place and giving up 1st down completions on 3rd and long all season long. Nothing tells me otherwise...

Sucking up to Connor and Jason only makes you look more desperate!

Boldin's a consistent pro bowler, Olsen has been a consistent disappointment. Top 10 whatever. Every single knowledgable fan and commentator have not said anything other than he's been a disappointment. I've not heard that about Boldin... Apple. Orange. Both are fruit, but are quite different nonetheless. Yes, JA would be making the pick if we got rid o Olsen for a 2nd. But, I thnk that's a chance I'm willing to take in the hope of finding an OL. Everything else you mention, I can't disagree with, but still feel Boldin is worth it.

...and DA, Knox, Olsen, and Hester haven't been injured? I just think Boldin is between Marshall and James. And he doesn't come with the female-beating gene Marshall has...at least as far as we know.

They let him go because he's unhappy, because Fitz is the best WR in the game, and Breaston is looking quite good as a solid #2. I'm not sure what the Cards will actually accept as a trade, but if it's a 3rd, we should do it. We have no 2nd. And I don't want to mortgage more of our future on it. I have hope the next regime will know how too draft. You kind of make the case for him... All we have are speedy guys, but not savvy guys. He's a perfect fit. I hate to say it, but every WR drops a few...maybe except the greats like Largent, Rice, Fitz... Boldin isn't a great, he's a very damn good. I know what Boldin wants. And for the most part, most NFL guys rarely get what they want. But as Mick Jagger said, sometimes they get what they need! He's be paid well enough and I'm sure we can afford it. I'm ok with keeping Olsen and the 3rd. But I still feel Boldin would be a HUGE help for Cutler and worth the 3rd... I see the case for both sides. I'm just siding on the one I think will have the best outcome for the franchise long term. You guys feel differently.

I was speaking of defense...and the rest of the D lokked so freaking good chiefly because of Brown and Urlacher's heroics with a little help from a once healthy T. Harris. Once Brown went down, you'll notice a slide in effectiveness... Without those 2, the rest of those conributors don't do so much. You think Horance Grant and Bill Cartwright could have won w/o MJ and Pip? Did he really just say "go" to the SB, not "win" the SB? My recollection may be off, but I thought he said "win". Regardless, that should have been the statment. idon't want to just go an lose, I want to win. Pretty good is just that...unfortunately, not good enough. And the trend right now is hideous. If it were going in the opposite direction of starting bad and looking good for the past 3 season I'd feel differently.

Will to send Olsen for a high pick. No less than round 2... And he hasn't shown wnough. Davis and Clark can fill his shoes. It's apples and oranges... I just think the cash situation will work itself out. It's one thing Teddy's good at. I'm glad you have faith in our cornocopia of WR's...I really don't.

Ha! Point well made on the 3rd...and actually I've come around to thinking a 3rd is OK. So what your saying is you view a potnetial draft pick chosen by the current brain trust in the 3rd round to be more valueable than a proven pro bowl difference maker? I think that's just the crux where we differ in opinion. The money will be there for him...either with an increase in the cap as TV revenues continue to skyrocket (just look at the SB ratings...) or the cap gets throuwn out alltogether. And we have some dead weight like Vasher that can be tossed... Maybe I over-thought the potential for improvement on the OL based on an outstanding WR. I still feel that way, but maybe % increase isn't that huge. My thought process on that was a stronger passing attack makes for a different look at the LOS, thus improving the running game, which in turn helps the OL. Again, my point wasn't that all of a sudden Boldin would turn our turnstiles into Munoz'es...but I think it certianly cannot hurt in the least. I feel pretty certain we don't have that WR on our roster. Are you so sure we do that you'd pass up Boldin?

The case for Boldin Bottom line, tell me this guy is not worth it? Rookie of the Year 2003 Pro Bowl 2003 Pro Bowl 2006 Pro Bowl 2008 Age 29 586 receptions 7,520 yds 44 TD's 1. That's 3 pro bowls out of 7 years. About 43% of the year he plays. So you could say he's pro bowl calibur every other year. Also, his selection to the pro bowl are well spaced out, from the beginning, middle and end of his career to date. 2. He's not that old. He will be hitting the stride of his career if brought on by the Bears. 3. We know he didn't play all the games in his career due to injury (especially that horrible head injury), but we we assume he did regardless, that amounts to: a. 84 receptions per season, 5 per game b. 1,074 yards per season, 67 per game c. 6 TD's per season, .4 per game We could use that I think. Let's also factor in that Boldin pretty much started as a #1 (the way virtually everyone on earth uses the term in pro football) WR for 2 years before Fitz came on. And, he makes tough catches. You draft for need, but if a difference makes is available, you take him. I think Boldin is a difference maker. I've re-thought my position, and I would take Boldin for a 3rd. As much as we need an OL, I just simply feel that a bird in the hand is better than only 1 in the bush. Especially if the bird catcher is JA.

I agree. You tack in the veteran skills of Clark, and the potnetial of Davis, and losing Olsen doesn't appear as harsh as it would appear. Clark won't be around long, but I do like what I've seen out of Davis.

Good point...

You're skewing the argument to your favor! I also never said I'd be for giving up our 3rd... I stated a 5th (really a pick not a bottle of booze) and Harris. Everything has a cost benefit. And the example I give I think the benefits outweigh the costs. I think you're a little too high on our WR corps. They are not a glaring need. But a legit bonafide proven big game WR would make Cutler, the WR's, and the running gaem all better... And in turn, that could help the OL. I think it's got a big potential for a trickle down effect. Again, I don't want to give up a 3rd (although w/ JA picking, I may not really be that opposed to it...)...but for something else, it's worth looking into. If JA does not, he is not doing his due dilligence and should be fired immediately.

It seems as though before we blitz, we give a courtesy call into the other team's huddle to let 'em know what we're doing. You know, so it doesn't catch them off-guard or anything. You'd think the law of averages would be that one blitz would get through...

I generally agree. In fact, I only see us getting fleeced on trading him. The question would be to get what? Trade him to get Boldin? Yeah, I'd probably do it. Or at least seriously consider. Becasue I like Kellen and Dez. But for a lower draft pick JA will probably squander, I'm not interested in the least. Olsen hasn't lived up to potential. Yet. I wonder, like you, with better coaching, can he reach that? Just not sure if that "better staff" is in place now...or later.

I can't really disagree with your assessment. But I think Boldin offers up a special opportunity than just picking up a WR off the scrap heap (a la Holt) or hoping one of our youngsters comes through. Boldin is big, proven, and not too old. Imagine for a moment... QB - Cutler RB - Forte WR1 - Boldin WR2 - Hester or DA WR3 - DA or Hester or Knox WR4 - Knox TE1 - Olsen That to me looks like a recipe for success for Martz. All of a sudden, if the OL doesn't give, that's an extremely dangerous passing/receiving group... I still agree that OL and DL are our most pressing needs. Then secondary (safety especially). But, I'm always of the frame of mind that when the right opportunity presents itself, you take it. As we did with Cutler.

Fair enough, but until we see more of DA, we may conclude DA is the better of the 2 at this moment.

Send Tommie and a 5th...of vodka!

If not officially, defiantgiant certainly hinted at Hester being a #1 in this thread. http://www.talkbears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5622

Last I checked Smith and JA are still in charge. This is not a copletely different staff. Just because martz is here, do you really think Smith and JA will see the light?

Yeah, but who cares what Dallas and Steelers fan think?

Yeah, I kind of got out of this that if Olsen can't block, he'd be moved to WR...