Pixote

I was taking my Son in Law to the store and listening to the Score and it was mentioned that in an interview with our HC he said he felt Brian could help our team if brought back as a "2 down" LB. That would indicate that they really did not see him returning to the form he once had. Still think we are going to miss him and regret not having him back. Time will tell.

I would not be surprised to see him sign with another team, play all 16 games and earn a spot on the Pro Bowl. Sorry to see him leave. I would prefer he retires because if what I just said before come true, I am going to be really pissed off.

I must be dumber than a brick. JB was voted to two Pro Bowls, that usually indicates he was pretty good at his position, in this case LT. Now to get to the Pro Bowl it takes Fan Votes for one part, then players and coaches for the second part. Now a huge fan base can unjustly tip the scales in favor of a player on their team. Fans are not always knowledgeable and will vote for anyone and everyone who plays for their team. However, from what I am being told, NOS fans have no respect for JB because he was good only because of support from other players on the OL. So I would assume that he would not get an unfair advantage do to the NOS fan base "stuffing the ballot box". That leaves the players/coaches aspect of Pro Bowl voting. Players and Coaches generally know who is good and who is bad and a player who is riding on the shirt tails of fellow players on the OL would not get many votes from the "insiders". So, I guess my question is: If he sucks so bad according to "stats" and the NOS loyal fans thinks he sucks, how in the hell does he get voted to 2 Pro Bowls?

Also, remember, he took a long time to recover, he was unable to take part in off-season workouts, get reps with the OL, hit the weight room, etc... I am actually anxious to see what he can do this year. Will he play RT or switch to a Guard? I do not know. He looked pretty good at RG when inserted last year without much prep time for a position I do not think he has ever played before.

Is everyone giving up on Carimi already? He was looking good in year one before the injury. It has taken time to recover. He did not play well last year but I doubt he was anywhere near 100%. I think I would need to see him more before I would write him off. I certainly would not even begin to think of cutting him.

If I remember correctly, Webb sucked a## at RT when he played there before moving to LT, a move which always confused me to start with. I see him no more than an experienced backup.

Link to Article on NFL.com Confirming Bennett is going to be a Bear

According to NFL.com, will be 33 in June, 9 year starter, Pro Bowl in 2011, hasn't missed a game since 2003 (so no health issues). Suppose to be considered the 3rd most talented OG in 2013 FA. Obviously, at age 33 for the 2013 season, this would have to be a "CHEAP" stop gap signing while developing other options for the future.

I think this is where an "incentive laden" contract should be in play with bonuses for XX ## of games played, making the Pro Bowl, etc... I do not think URL is as washed up as many think. He has had some injuries over the past few years but I would not be surprised to see him have an outstanding year if he returns. No, not the URL of 10 years ago, but still one of the top tier MLBs in the league.

But you had me to entertain you at good ole "West", LOL I never thought I would say this but there are times I miss the "grind" at West.

With a bum right hip, a bad disc in my lower back and using a cane it would take me longer than that to walk 10 feet. LOL

Amendola from STL would be awesome but STL would be crazy to let him leave.

I would be all for drafting him is he is the BPA that matches a positional need for the Bears after the FA period is over. Until we see what happens in FA with the signing of our own FAs and picking up some FAs from other teams to fill needs we really do not know for sure how to approach the draft, IMO.

I like Scott a lot and think he would be a very good starter for our OL. IMO he played very good last year and may be even better this year with a chance to work with the line during preseason. It has to be difficult to join a team and take over a OL spot in mid season and I think he pulled it off successfully.

I know we have read articles about Kromer before and we certainly all have concerns over our OL going into 2013. I noticed this new article on the Bears official website. I am usually leary of anything posted there as many times it seems as self serving propaganda. However, I liked this one as it gave a good amount of feedback from N.O. Saints OLmen. I am anxious to see what he can do for us. New Aaron Kromer Article

When did they restructure Peppers Contract? Could you give us a link if it was recent? Yes, restructuring contracts can create big benefits for cap space and if this is recent then it may be an indication we will be a big player in FA. And yes, it is still possible under the new CBA.

Any idea what it was last year?

Unfortunately we selected, with the 5th overall pick in round 1, drum roll please, Curtis Enis!

I have mentioned before that I grew up in Delaware and was a huge Baltimore Colts fan growing up, with Unitas, Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, Gino Marchetti, etc ... as my boyhood heroes. When they left and relocated to Indy, like many Colts fans, I totally abandoned the Colts. I then became a Bears fan back in the 70's when I married my wife and moved to her home state Illinois. I have no doubt if I had remained in Delaware I would have welcomed the Ravens with open arms and would have been a Ravens fan. For that reason I will have to pull for the "underdog" Ravens to win tonight.

I am missing something here, LOL, what the heck is the "Guy Code" Never heard of the term.

We really do not know how good Url will be this year if he plays for the Bears. He is obviously older but the diminished performance last year was more due to his injury not allowing him to prep during the offseason as he is accustomed to combined with not being able to play any in preseason. He was never able to practice much during the weeks between games. His conditioning was off. He never really got into "game" shape. No one knows if he will remain healthy this year. If he does I think you will find he will be worth every penny he is paid. Obviously, at a lower salary than what he has been receiving. I would be willing, if I were the one to call the shots, to pay him at least the amount equal to the average $$$ paid to starting MLBs in the league. If he would accept that I do not think you will find a better replacement for the same $$$.

I agree with you Jason. No, he did not have a great year in 2012. I know it, you know it, and HE knows it. If he can stay healthy this year I think we will see him return to form, however, probably 80-90% of his peak due to age. 80-90% of his "Peak" is awesome and much better than what we would obtain in FA or with a rookie, IMO, especially when considering the intangibles he brings. Yes, we need to develop a replacement. However, to say he should be let go, cut, thrown aside, crazy, crazy, crazy!

Just the way the new CBA that was reached was structured. I read that if there was an increase this year it would be minimal. NFL.Com Article Quoted

Interesting list of options. I read somewhere, I believe in an article on NFL.com, that players hitting FA will likely be disappointed as it is predicted that teams will not be prepared to spend big bucks on FAs this year due to the fact that the Salary cap is not expected to increase much if any from last year and a lot of teams are with cap issues. If this is the case hopefully the Bears can get some players, like OL help and a decent TE, in FA without having to mortgage the future of the team.

NFL.com has an article up about how a fake identity Twitter account has been targeting NFL teams as well, ie Redskins Article about WAS team players being duped by a fake on Twitter I think the truth is that there are disgusting human beings trying to dupe notable athletes, both pro and college. I bet this is a bigger problem than any of us realize. The situation about Te'o being fooled I think is just one that went public first, there will be many more come to light in the near future, IMO.