Pixote

We had a thread months ago speculating on the value of trading Hester. In light of him threatening to hold out for the season, and knowing we have several other players with excellent return ability, not nearly as much as Hester, but still could be effective return men, would you consider now trading Hester? Is it conceivable that we could get a #1 for him? Would a team give up that much to get the #1 return man in the NFL and the potential to be a top flight WR? If I thought he would be a season long holdout, I would say yes, trade him for a #1 or maybe a #2 & #4. I am just not convinced this holdout will last very long. Although it may hold back his development at WR, his holdout may shield him from injuries, decrease his load at WR, allow others the opportunity to show up at the position, and keep Devin fresh for his return duties. Could this be a good thing?

I agree, as much as I have wanted to see Hass get a shot, the numbers are stacked against him.

Good stuff, impressed with Forte's speed and Bennett's catches. If Bennett continues to show up like he did in the first day of practice, he very well might contribute on the field as a rookie as a #3.

Colston proved he is a number one WR. Hester has not. He can not expect the same numbers as Colston. I do not see how this can be used as a yardstick for Hesters new deal.

I do not blame him for wanting a raise. Hell, I want a raise, and I assure you I deserve one. However, his agent was in negotiations with the Bears, they were working out a deal, there is no reason to sit out of camp and disrupt the team, he is being a self centered jerk. Does he really think this will make the Bears more responsive to his requests? You do not piss off the boss if you are looking for a raise. I am sure Smith & Angelo are not amused.

LOL, love it, good one Connerbear.

The Bears were working on his extensin. He has no right to hold out in my opinion. Therefore, fine him every day he misses, stop all negotiations with his agent, and he can pout all he wants. If he wants the Bears to work with him he can get his arse back in camp. Screw him!

Congratulations!! Please tell, is your wife a Bears Fan? LOL My daughter married a Packers fan, so I have to ask!

How can we say he lacks mobility? The problem is we have NO idea what Beekman is. He could be a stud. He could be a dud. He has not had a chance to show us anything. Many on the forum criticize the Bears coaching staff for their player evaluations. If that be the case, his not starting in the past should be ignored as an evaluation process. Hopefully he gets on the field this preseason and proves to us what he has to offer us now and in the future.

He isn't pumped up, sweaty and in pads, so it may be deceiving, but although he does look to have some good strength, his arms in these pictures pale in comparison to TJ's. IMO

Bears still hope to sign top pick Williams A new article from the Chicago Tribune talking about Chris Williams & David Hester in regards to contract signings. No major news, but with all of us sitting around waiting, thought I would toss it to you.

I think Olsen & Clark become big weapons in our offense this year and will be complimented with a variety of role players in our WR corps. I do not think we currently have a true #1 on our roster (and I do not think Berrian or Moose were either). We do have some guys who may develop into a number 1 in a year or two. Right now, we have some #2s, some slot receivers, some possession receivers, & some red zone targets.

Agreed, I fully expect, by the time I get home from work tomorrow and log into the forum, Williams will be signed and JA will start the watch for cuts made by other teams that might include players worth bringing in and taking a look at. I doubt Hester gets his new contract because he wants starting WR money and he has yet to prove his worth as a WR. Hester would be better off waiting, proving he is a valuable WR, then seek his new contract. I am sure that is basically what JA has told him. If he is reworked now, he will not be happy with the new contract, especially after a year or two if he works out to be a #1 or #2 WR starter.

It is amazing we were able to hold onto Harris & Briggs and rework Urlacher's contract to boot. These three are outstanding players that I am sure many other teams were hoping we would let hit the market so that they could go after them. I think all 5 of the signings you mentioned, as well as others you did not mention (such as Vasher & Tillman) were all critical to the future success of the team. JA did a great job! I am sure he will try and pull off some more signings before it is over with, including another FA or two. I certainly, to answer your question, have no regrets, none at all.

On a side note, I am sure a lot of fans of other teams are wondering the same thing about the Bears, how the hell did they manage to lock up just about every key player on their roster that was worth keeping? We have probably inked more contracts in one off season than any team in the history of the league, with exception of a 1st year expansion team. JA, you da man

Like I said in reply to another post on Urlacher, I think Bill Johnson, Urlacher's agent, is also Chris Williams' agent. Maybe this will spur things along. Could BJ have been using Chris Williams as leverage to get Urlacher signed to an extension? (assuming I am correct and BJ is Williams' agent).

If I am not mistaken Bill Johnson, Urlacher's agent, is also Chris Williams agent. Is it possible this is what was holding things up? If BJ is Williams' agent, then he may sign very very soon, like tonight or tomorrow. Great to get Urlacher happy, IMO he deserved the extension. Now Williams and Hester and I defy anyone to say the Bears are cheap or that they did not kick ass this off season!

Rodgers was a 1st round pick, highly thought of, and they would never drop him from the team. Trade possibly, but he certainly would not be just cut loose.

First off, I do not think the loss of one player, as good as he was, will effect the play of our special teams units much, if at all. AP will be returning to the unit and we have some players that will fill the void just fine. Secondly, our OL should be improved, I know our position at RB is vastly improved, and you can't tell me the loss of two WRs who dropped as many passes as they caught will hurt us that much. I think our offense will be improved over last year with the talent we currently have and I am sure Angelo will be adding a piece or two to the equation before the preseason is over. Almost everything you gave as reasons for us to be 4-12, 5-11, or 6-10 happened last year and we were 7-9. Our schedule, as far as teams we have to play this year compared to last year, is softer IMO. We seem to have a lot of doom sayers on the forum. Have a little optimism, it feels good! I see a 10-6 in our future and a trip to the playoffs.

Special Teams Article at Bears Site They just posted the 9th and final position article on the Bears Website. To be honest, the previous 8 I found very uninteresting as it seemed like typical coach-speak and gave really no information we did not already know or suspected. This one actually was interesting to me and gave an insight to some changes in special teams that might take place. If you have yet to go to the team site (my home page, LOL) you should check out the article. It talks about some changes being made in personel, a change in Goulds KO technique, players to keep an eye on with special teams, etc... Good stuff!!

Agreed, I thought all posters on the forum was aware he had a scope done. It does not mean he is a washout for the season. Scopes are done all the time.

Yep, KJ is #27, Steltz is #20. You buy a customized jersey already, LOL

Washington keeps picking up awesome players, especially on defense, over the years and yet they never seem to do squat once signed with them. I bet Taylor is a wash out. He has already said he only wants to play one more year. Doesn't sound too motivated to me.

Guys, I just do not understand the rips that Bradley gets. This opinion I am about to present is not aimed at anyone in particular, I respect the opinions of all of you, I just do not agree with this trend. In his rookie year he showed flashes of being an elite WR. I was exccited to see how he progressed. Since then he has had a lot of injury problems. However, was this his fault? Did he fail to play through an injury that he could have? He got injured. He could not play through the type of injuries he sustained. He did nothing wrong. He still has enormous potential if he can stay in the lineup. I am sure he is as disappointed in his injuries as we are. Yes, if he has another injury riddled season I think it is time to give up on him. However, why rip him as if he is a sissy, using references that questions his manhood? Hasn't Mike Brown shown the same inability to make it past training camp without getting injured during the same time period that Bradley has had his injury problems? I do not see anyone ripping MB as being a Pu&&y. Now I realize Brown contributed for years before sustaining the string of injuries he has experienced, so I do not want to hear that I fail to recognize that fact, but if we rip Bradley for being feminine for missing games do to injury, then I say Brown is a sissy also. Mike Brown IS NOT a sissy, and NEITHER is Bradley. IMHO

Wesson, Did you volunteer for an additional tour over there? I thought you would be home and safe by now. We all certainly appreciate the dedication you and your buddies show in your service for our country.