Pixote

Yep, I will be curious what players get cut at the last minute due to salary cap issues, players teams had hoped to trade but obviously couldn't and now have no choice but cut. Hopefully a few OLmen, under 30 years of age, with some quality experience, LOL.

Ist, I do not think we are finished in the FA market. 2nd, We still have some of our own FAs to sign 3rd, many on the board were screaming at Angelo for not giving Forte his extension, could some of this money be used there, obviously yes. So let's not get things out of kilter here.

I have seen some posts on other boards saying how stupid it was for Angelo to not give the extra 500k to keep Olin, why not? Well, it works 2 ways, why didn't Olin, if he wanted to play here, agree for 4 Million instead of 4.5 million? I am sorry to see him go but does he really think anyone else is going to pay him 4 million? I do not think so.

If he changed his mind at the last minute, Spencer could fill in at guard and we would have a futre replacement for Olin

On second thought, are we sure Olin is gone? Has it been confirmed? Did we sign spencer as a backup/heir apparent for the future?

I am sure this gives usd even more room under the cap, as I doubt he gets paid what we were offering Olin, and hopefully that extra money brings us more OLmen in free agency

As much as I hate to say it, as I loved Olin, leadership qualities is nice, but when you make the highlight films not because of your good play but highlight reels of you being knocked on your ass while Cutler gets sacked, well, like I said, leadership is one thing, but without being able to do your job it is not good enough.

Yea, you are right, the Bears would never go out and pick up a top DE in the off season to bolster out defense, ooops, wait a minute, they did that last year, why not again

I suspect there are yet to be more cuts, or trade possibilities with OL teams cannot sign or need to cut for cap purposes do to FA signings

I suspect we will see one or two OL signed in the near future

My understanding he was kick ass in college as a DLman. Was drafted high, switched to a standup outside rusher in a 3/4 defense, and only got 5 starts. If this is correct and he is allowed to get back down to a traditional 4/3, and work with Rod, I wonder if we could get a bargain out of this? Some DLmen cannot transform to a standup 3/4 guy. Am I correct in his history? If I am I am all for it as long as we do not over commit and can cut him anytime we see it is not going to work.

Our entire defense looked pretty damn good last year. I see nothing wrong with Marinelli, I like him and think it was a great move to make him DC.

My guess is we have more WRs than we need, with Williams and Hurd added to Knox, Hester, and Bennett, it will be hard to justify another WR pickup. We still have the UDFA from Ohio (forget it, I am not even going to try and spell his name) and the guy from Canada, Fantuz. Now we need to concentrate on OL, maybe DL, and LB. I want Jenkins from GB, or Edwards from MIN, or both. Now that would give us a killer DL!

I highly doubt Williams gets cut. I am intrigued by Fantuz. Any other year he may have had a better chance, but with a short period of time to learn the playbook and Martz system, he will be a candidate for the PS, maybe.

Probably a good addition to the SP unit. Not a bad receiver for a #5. He looked impressive the few times I saw him play on the offense down in Dallas.

You know, at first I was not too happy with this move, but thinking about it, under the circumstances, it might just be the best option the Bears had. Do to the lockout, it would be difficult in such short time to bring in a Braylon Edwards or the like and get him up to speed in the Mike Martz system. Roy Williams had his best year under Martz, even went to the Pro Bowl under him. He should be able to pick back up on the system and be full steam by opening day of the season. I am not sure any of the other big WRs we were looking at would have been able to do this. Yes, Williams has had some other issues as well. But many would have loved O.C. and he certainly can be a hand full, B Edwards probably set a record for dropped passes a few years ago, just about every WR we were considering on the forum has issues, many old and on their last tour of duty, other locker room issues, others ??? All I am saying is I am anxious to see the Williams that went to the Pro Bowl under our current OC.

I was concerned when I saw a pick and a player, being I do not think Carolina was that desperate for a TE since they already picked up Jeremy Shockey, that it would be something like a 5th and some player I never heard of. At least this way it is not watered down and a 3rd seems fair being Olsen never really lived up to the expectations of the team. Like everyone, I was hoping for a miracle in compensation, but alas, it did not happen.

I agree, I like Kellen Davis a lot and I think he can replace Olsen in the starting lineup just fine. I do not think we will really miss Olsen that much. Wasn't it in Carolina where he fumbled 2 or 3 times in one game? If it was it is odd they would trade for him. What game was that he had butter fingers?

Do not have more details, they get a player and draft pick from Carolina, that is all I know for now, just announced on NFL Network.

Everyone is talking like the Bears have been pinching the pennies. That might have been the case years ago but just look at what we have done the past few years. I think the Bears should have shaken that "tightwad" perception, they certainly have ponied up a whole lot of money the past two years! I think this will be the third year in a row that we outbid a few teams for some additional key players. Like everyone, OL is my first concern, and oh how I would love to take Jenkins from the Packers and Rice away from Minny. Give me A mauler OLman, Jenkins and Rice, and I will sit back and enjoy the fun!

I have a feeling there are going to be some bargains out there in FA this year. It sounds like there is an excellent chance we may walk away from FA with some excellent improvements to our roster. I also suspect that Paea is going to be a DROY candidate. I love his selection and feel he may be a fantastic addition. I am not ruling out him being a good pass rusher. He has the strength and quickness/athleticism to not only stop the run but to penetrate as well, especially with Peppers on one side, someone like Jenkins on the other, and some continued development of our RDE Idonoje (sp?). It could be the best DL we have had in years and that only makes our DB that much better. Briggs and Urlacher behind that group should flourish!

I would only let Collins go to Minny if we got an 11th round draft pick in return. Asking too much?

I think what we have to look at is the road to the NFC Championship game is easier traveled with Seattle coming to Chicago. Assuming we come to play and remember to run the ball and stop the run, we will make it to the Championship game and will be one game away from the SB. I am not sure if I would prefer the Bears to go to Atlanta and play them or GB at our house. There are pros and cons to both scenarios. However, the way I see it, if we cannot play well enough to win against either of those two teams we do not deserve to be in the SB. I want the Bears to earn their berth.

How much longer are you going to be stationed over there? I figured you would be back home by next season!

Bennett injured his ankle last week against the Jets and did not finish the game. He was held out of todays game as a precaution. I agree with the decision, we need him for the playoffs.