Pixote

He finished third in the NFL in kickoff return average (27.2 yards) in 2016. I have no doubt that is why we are giving him a look. It is an area of need.

Just turned on NFL Network and one of the guys on the show was projecting Solomon Thomas going #2 to San Francisco. I say this only in that it surprises me how much this guy is gaining speed in the pre-draft process. Now, it seems instead of the majority of the sites predicting the Bears picking DL Jonathan Adams they are predicting Safety Jamal Adams as our selection. I see this as a strong draft for many of our needs so I am still hoping for a trade back, getting some additional picks.

I found this short article interesting on ESPN.com. I am like most of you, a little nervous about the signing but trying to think positive. I think attitude and intangibles can be extremely important to the success of a player. This excerpt from the article mentioned is what I found encouraging:

I remember after the Bears got rid of B Marshall Alshon was upset. I thought he got over it but obviously not. It is obvious he did not want to play in Chicago. The fact that no other team would offer him a big $$$ multi year contract says there are concerns shared by other GMs. I am a bit disappointed but I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes we are unaware of.

AJ has had trouble staying healthy & available on game day. When you are going to pay a player the type of money he will be seeking you want to have reasonable expectations that he will be available to play. After having injury issues for a couple of years the Bears were a bit nervous last year to obligate themselves to a long term big $$$ contract. So they played it smart and tagged him, basically saying to him, prove to us you can stay healthy and earn the big investment in your future. Although he was being reported during the season nursing minor injuries, he remained active. However, in a year that he knew he would have to prove he could remain healthy and reliable he is caught using PEDs. So do you think he was using these PEDs in an attempt to stay active weekly? Why else risk taking them during such an important year for his future contract status? I cannot blame the Bears if they decide to move on without AJ.

In the past Fox/Pace did not think we needed an upgrade at LOT I certainly do, it is obvious you feel we do, I think the majority of the posters on the forum agree.... It will be interesting to see if they change their tune with the excess cap money and good FA OTs available I personally would like to see ROT upgraded as well.

This years draft is suppose to be strong in the DB area, both CB & S. However, the Bears are so weak in this area I can see us addressing it in FA & the draft. On ESPN they are saying the Bears should go after Logan Ryan, CB from NEP. Unfortunately, it is one of their ESPN Insider articles, I refuse to pay, LOL. I did find an INTERESTING ARTICLE ON LOGAN RYAN when trying to find out more info. I think it might be written by a fan but I think extremely well written and researched, worth a read, for free ;-) According to the article other notable 2017 free agent cornerbacks include Trumaine Johnson, Stephon Gilmore, A.J. Bouye, Morris Claiborne, and Prince Amukamara.

I do not see the "top 3" being there in round two........ I do not want to "reach" for a player...... Unless we are able to trade back in round 1 or one of the top three slides to round 2 that leaves: Mahomes or Webb I like Webb over Mahomes. I cannot say I am excited about that but from the options given on the poll that would be my vote.

Is Arik Armstead enough of a difference maker to go after? I watched very little 49er football last year but looking at his stats on NFL.com I am seeing 23 tackles and 4.5 sacks TOTAL for 2 years? Then a shoulder injury putting him on IR on Nov 8, 2016? As a cheap FA pickup for a look see in preseason, OK, but I certainly would not give up any draft picks for him.

I was surprised this morning to find Rotoworld NFL Mock Draft 2.0 posted with "out of the box" results. What surprised me is Solomon Thomas was projected #2, to SF, with the Bears taking Trubisky at #3 and J. Allen slipping to number 4. Again, I did not follow college football last year (way too busy) to give a good opinion on this. (I am now officially retired and anxious to start following NCAAF once again this year) It just seems to me I am beginning to see a trend of Solomon Thomas climbing the boards whereas J Allen seems to be dropping, possibly do to concerns about the shoulder surgeries and if this would indicate a future durability issue in the NFL.

Palmer announced he is returning for 2017 season.

I agree with you guys, I can not see drafting Solomon Thomas at #3, there are too many other possibilities I like over him. I posted it not because I agree with the mock draft, but enjoy reading one that offers a different view, right or wrong. I am tired of viewing mock drafts which 7 out of 10 have Jonathan Allen as our selection at #3, especially when I am not sure I am in favor of J Allen at #3 - he showed me nothing to get hyped about in the playoffs and now with the history of injuries in question, I would not take him at #3.

I sometimes get tired of mock drafts in that they all seem to rubber stamp themselves and then just change a few selections here and there to make it look like the author of the mock draft did not cheat, LOL The new CSN CHICAGO'S 2017 NFL MOCK DRAFT: VERSION 1.0 was just posted on 2/7 and I found to be interesting. What I found interesting, despite some of our posters on this forum mentioning it in the past, 2 options were given that I do not believe I have seen any other mock draft predict. 1) First round selection of Solomon Thomas (DL), Stanford, nice explanation given as to why this selection was made. 2) Predicting the Bears will deal their second-rounder, plus a 2018 third-round selection to the Patriots for Jimmy Garoppolo. Like I said, I enjoy seeing Mock Drafts that are reasonable (not involving 20 trades and 1st round picks projected in the 3rd round, LOL) and, more importantly, does not look like the author sent in a modified rubber stamped mock they found on the net. Agree or disagree with it, at least it gives us something to think about.

I also read that Cleveland, San Francisco, NY Jets, and Buffalo are interested in Jimmy G, possibly others as well. Sounds like, as you guys have already said, reporters flying baloons, slow period for legit news... My guess is the cost to obtain Jimmy G will be too high with competition anticipated making it too risky Bills' Tyrod Taylor might become available, night be cut or traded. If cut and we could get him at a reasonable cost would he be a good stop gap QB - better than what we already have ;-) Key words here, "CUT" & "REASONABLE COST"

OK, time to show how little I know about NCAAF. I thought Myles Garrett was considered a DE prospect for both a 4/3 & 3/4 defense. Lately, I am seeing more and more sites (and posters on this forum) refer to him as an OLB prospect. So those of you who are more knowledgeable than I am. please fill me in...... If for some reason he was still available at #3 and the Bears drafted him for our 3/4 defence, what position would he play? DE or OLB? If at DE I would absolutely love the pick. If at OLB, I assume we would have quite a few very good offers for a trade down, I would take the trade.

I was not high on Jonathan Allen before this story broke. This obviously only strengthens my opinion that we do not draft him Round #1 Pick #3 We cannot afford to gamble on any player with significant injury history with a top 5 pick. If it becomes one of those head scratchers where he drops like a rock in the draft and all of a sudden is there in round 2, maybe.

Tough one for me. For FA I would prefer Eric Berry, although I still suspect KC will find a way to keep him. I think whoever signs Calais Campbell overpays and regrets it big time. So with wanting Berry I have 3 options, I am not big on Allen or Trubisky which leaves me with: Eric Berry & Deshaun Watson Personally, I would love to have Eric Berry and either Garrett (can always hope for a miricale that he drops) or either Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker. I want a strong secondary, I want turnovers. I would draft QB but not in Round 1 unless we had a hell of a deal to trade down.

I believe I heard that on day 3 the Browns staff & the Bears staff will switch sides for 1 day to get a chance to work with "the other side". I am not sure but I think I heard this on the TV coverage of the Senior Bowl practice yesterday. I hope that is the case as it would offer Fox & Co. insight into "ALL" of the Senior Bowl participants.

Hicks & Garrett at DE Goldman at NT McPhee & Floyd OLB Freeman & Trevathan ILB Now that would be a solid front 7 on D, get 4 good DBs to go with them and you have a top 5 D.

I did see that Cleveland asked Watson to play in the Senior Bowl, interesting. So if Cleveland goes QB #1 with Watson or ??? San Francisco with new HC will be tempted to draft a QB at #2 So hyperthetically, we could be seeing Garrett drop to number 3? If that happens, no doubt about it, I would draft Garrett. (If Garrett was on the Board at that time I bet there would be some major trade down oportunities for Pace!) I was not at all impressed with what I saw out of DE J. Allen during his last 2 playoff games. If Garrett is gone in the top 2 picks and DE J. Allen is there for us at #3 I would far rather see the Bears pick a QB at #3 than to choose him. I am not 100% sure about a QB at #3 in round 1 but I am becoming more comfortable with the idea when looking at the other options, or should I say the lack of available options, to clean up our long time deficiency at QB.

There was an article on CSNChicago.com about the Bears that I found interesting. It gave team stats in some offensive and defensive areas for the Bears compared to teams which made the playoffs this year. I was actually surprised by the info provided and encouraged in that if we could rank that favorably with the 2016 playoff teams with 19 players on IR, what could we accomplish in 2017 with a healthy roster and key additions made this opffseason in FA and the draft? It is a long offseason.

LOL, Chief fans are nuts IMO. I actually think Reid is a damn good HC. And although Alex Smith is not a top 10 QB, he is a heck of a lot better than anything we have had on our roster over the past decade. Sure hope the KC brass screws up and allows Eric Berry to test the FA market.

I would absolutely love having Eric Berry in a Bears' Uni. Has anyone heard anything as to KC's intentions, are they going to hit him with another francise tag or pay up big time? I know there was some question last year, I have not heard what their position is this year. If we can get him, it is a no brainer, lock him up.

Romo has had surgeries 2 years running, has only started 4 games in 2 years. the 4 he started in 2015 he threw 5 TDs to 7 INTs. If this was 3 years ago before multiple back injuries I would be all for trading for Romo, IF he is even made available, only Jerry knows. However, at this point, I don't think it would be a wise move. Hell, I could be wrong, maybe he starts all 16 regular season games in 2017, wins comeback player of the year, and has success in the post season. OR. WHAT I FEAR, he winds up injuring his back again and misses most if not all of 2017 before finally retiring. Think about it, everyone says Dallas always has one of the best OLs in the NFL yet Romo has had 2 significant back injuries. Is he going to fare better with a lesser OL providing him protection?

AZ54, Great post!