Pixote

This may be a good barometer as to how much it will cost us to keep Berrian. I have heard it said that Berrian may be the top WR FA this off season. If that be the case, he will demand much more than Crayton just received. Even the Patriots, who are frugal when it comes to contracts and have let many a player walk instead of resigning them do to contract demands paid some relatively big $ for players like Stallworth & Walker, both of whom look fantastic in the NEP high octane offense but were not what I would call stellar WRs (good but not stellar) prior to going to NE. Berrian in NE would probably be a Pro Bowler. With 8 Million in bonuses do Stallworth in Feb & Mar if he is to stay in NE do they do as usual and let him walk and then sign Berrian as a FA?

Oh don't get me wrong, he was clearly out of line and looked like a total fool then and continues to look like a fool as he sounds off.

I am looking forward to the game. I despise the MIA teams "Bravado" celebration every year when the last undefeated team loses. If NEP goes undefeated, then it puts that to rest. Unfortunately, I also despise the NEP! So my best case scenerio would be for the Pats to win and go 16-0, shut up Shula, Marino, Boniconi (sp), & company and then get killed in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Bears are the sixth team in the last seven years to have failed to make the playoffs after losing the Super Bowl the year before. So how do we finish this disappointing season? Do we finish the season with 2 wins in a row, something we have not done all year? Do we finish with a loss? What is your guess on the score and player performances? What do you want to see in this game while we prepare for a long off season?

Vasher missing the next game is very disappointing. His return seemed to spark our D. I am surprised he was out for so long with this injury. I pray he does not turn out to be a "M Brown" injury problem. We invested heavily in our 2 CBs and need for them to play and be productive.

That has to be one of my main gripes, I want to see both Bradley & Haas featured heavily in the game on Sunday. I like both and feel the 2 could be excellent WRs. Of course, until our QBs have enough time to throw the ball and WRs have enough time to get open, as well as open holes for RBs to hit, our offense will continue to suck.

St Clair actually has looked pretty good at OG. As an OT he sucked, but it looks like they made a smart move trying him at OG. I hope they continue towork with him at the guard position in the off-season.

Yeah, gotta be embarassing to be taken down by grandpa!! (but do not underestimate us grandpas, ) Barnett is a good player. Little dirty, but anyone here old enough to have watched Butkus play would agree this guy is squeeky clean compared to him. The difference is Barnett is a Packer, so he sucks, LOL.

Welcome aboard. I lived in C'ville back in the early 80's, bought a home on Cardinal. Take care of yourself. My brother was 22 yrs in USAF (retired). I was USN. Packer bashing is a-ok

On AM 1000 in Chicago market (ESPN) it was said that Briggs told the media in an interview that he would play this weekend against NOS "if healthy". If that is the case, he has left himself an easy out to not play. I feel he does not want to chance an injury in a game that has no value to the Bears except for pride and development for 2008. Let's face it, if he sustained a major injury in the game this weekend, it could easily cost him Millions of $$$$$$$$$$. I honestly think he will sit out this game.

I have read several other posts about this guy. If as good as everyone says, will he last to the 2nd or 3rd rd? If so, I would be thrilled if we grabbed him there. I would love to see the Bears not only get younger but BIGGER on the OL.

I would have to agree. They are not healthy right now. They need to get players healthy and rested. They have NOTHING to gain by trying to out duel the NEP in a meaningless game. If they do not rest their starters as much as possible they are idiots, IMO.

That is certainly great news. Douglas was always a standup guy. I wish him well!!

Here are the top FA & Draft prospects known to date for 2008. How do we fill out our needs at this position? We obviously have to make some assumptions as to our actual needs. I would say OK at center is solid. I think Tait moves to ORT and is solid there. We have several options at OG, resign R Brown, I did not like St. Clair at OT but think he might actually be an excellent OG, Garza? ..... One of these 3 would be a good fill at OG That means we need, IMO, an OG and LOT. Here are the top FA 2008 listed by one site. How many will actually hit FA is another question... I have not followed the College scene this year and therefore am unfamiliar of these players in the 2008 draft except for what you guys have told me on the forum. Here is one sites listing of 2008 OT prospects: Here is one sites listing of 2008 OG prospects:

I agree, it will take a tremendous job to fill all the needs the Bears have within salary cap restraints. It will definately be an interesting off-season.

I was certainly hoping you meant per year but when you kept on saying 7M OVER 6 yrs I just wanted to make certain we were both on the same page. I assure you, with esculating contracts and salary cap, and another Pro Bowl in his resume, Lance's contract demands will esculate even to a higher $$$ and beyond what the Bears will be able to afford with all the positional needs they have to fill.

I agree MBM. I have always liked McNabb, followed him ever since being drafted by the Eagles, wanted to see him some way some how come over to the Bears. Wow, he would look great in a Bears Uni. Our entire offense would prosper from his talents. Unfortunately, when he signed his last contract with the Eagles, I knew his playing in a Bears Uni would likely never take place. At some point reality has to come to the forefront. The only way McNabb will ever make it to the Bears, IMO, would be at the age of 33 or 34 when the Eagles could afford to trade or release him near the end of his contract. Would we need him at that time, I hope not, hopefully we will not still be in need of a starting QB in 3 years (one would hope we would resolve that need much sooner). So I can certainly understand those wanting to see him come to the Bears to start as our QB in 2008, but, again, IMHO, it is not going to happen.

There is speculation the Giants may rest its starters. That is what was being asked on the MNF coverage. I wonder?????

You said 7 Million over 6 years. That to me is a little over 1 million per year. Now if you mean 7 million PER YEAR, for 6 years, for a total of 42 Million fine, but then add on another 20 million for a signing bonus and he will sign with us for a contract totalling 62 million over 6 years, not 7 million over 6 years.

I am not sure I want a college guru. I want an experienced NFL OC coordinator, not someone who will learn on the job. No more Crowtons.

How do we know he didn't work out? As a 4th rounder was he expected to start and shine his first year?

It will take a whole lot more than 7 Million over 6 years, better rethink those numbers!!

Yes, happy holidays everyone. Please be careful and take care. Family & health has to be number one concern!

My understanding was he was told if he played 75% of the snaps he would not be franchised, if he did not play 75% of the snaps, we would not have to honor the "no franchise" agreement.

Hearing them talk on the Score about the move, I guess they felt the team was not showing up and that Skiles had heated words with Paxton after the last loss before his firing. I wonder who will replace him next year? I assume an interim HC will come from the current assistant coaching staff?