Pixote

Teams can always strike gold in later rounds but realistically players selected round 3 and later are hard pressed to give you immediate production and on good teams many of these players wind up on practice squads or are relegated as deep backups and special teams players. I am not concerned that a team has a load of late picks. Minnesota did well with 3 1st rounders, giving up a boat load of picks for the 3rd pick of a WR. Time will tell if it is enough to make them "elite". I still do not think they are anywhere as good as their record last year would seem to indicate.

A lot of posters on the forum are still saying "we should have traded back to pick up K Long, we chose him too high, bad value..." From what I have heard and read, his father, Howie, who would not reveal the teams he had contact with, said his son would have been gone before the 2nd round started, indicating several teams were interested in selecting his son between picks 20 & 29 in the first round. I am also reading many had him rated the #3 OG prospect. Yes, he has limited experience as a starter. However, there was a defensive end, cannot remember his name, who was drafted much higher in the first round, who had only played football for 1 year and only started 3 games. I like the pick.

With so many teams passing on S Floyd, something is up we do not know about.

The ONLY thing I knew for sure, and in previous years I always posted this prediction, was that TerraTor would be pissed with whoever we selected.

I am sure they would have traded back if they could have. The way OL was being hit hard I am sure they felt they needed to take a good prospect now or when they selected in the 2nd there would not be anything left. We needed the upgrade.

Totally agree, they should be thankful they got selected and shut the hell up. If you do not want to play for the team that drafts you, fine, they should be made to flip burgers for a year and re-enter the draft the next year. Screw them, that is exactly what they are doing to the team that drafts them. And let me add, if the team that drafts them winds up with the player refusing to play for them, award them an equal pick in the following years draft in compensation.

It is normal to bring in extra kickers & QBs to share the reps in training camp to avoid overworking our guys who will be needed on the roster during the season. No need to wear them out with excessive reps. And yes, Robbie is still recovering from the calf injury he had at the end of the season (or he wants more time off and does not care for training camp, LOL).

Percy Harvin at #2 is a joke, he is not even in the top 10. That article lost all credibility IMO.

I went to NFL.com, saw the videos, read the articles, about Te'o after this comment. Every thing I saw and read seemed very positive so I was wondering why, after viewing & reading this on NFL.com, you say you now more than ever do not want him on the Bears? I am not saying I want him at #20 in the first. It would not upset me if we did draft him there but I think there are other players at #20 I would prefer, even Eifert. Just curious why the info on NFL.com increased your negative opinion.

Gosh, I am flattered and appreciate the kind words. We have all come a long way together. There are many other admins who we need to tip our hats to as well as many great fans who post on the site. Lets hope we all have a great time this year with a trip to the Super Bowl!

Personally, unless we pick up another FA OLman or draft a starting prospect for the OL, I wouldn't mind seeing: Bushrod (LT), Slausen (LG), Garza ©, Carimi (RG), Scott (RT) I thought Carimi looked decent at RG without much prep time or experience at the position and Scott I think is under valued by many fans.

That would be my guess as well. Sign them to a 1 year. If they look good during the year try and extend at a low price tag. If they want too much, screw them and wait for free agency next year. If they sign cheap, we get a steal.

Here is an article from the Tribune about the signing.

I agree. He was a former 1st round pick that has shown the ability to be a difference maker. He has screwed up his career with foolish mistakes. If he can get his act together we have a good signing. If he screws up we lose nothing, no guaranteed money, very low salary. I think it is a solid gamble on what might be a good stop gap. We still need to draft some youth to develop for the defense.

Changed the thread title as you suggested

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.