Pixote

Here is a good article from the Sun-Times, if anyone hasn't read it yet (especially if you are one complaining about our FA) it is a good read. You may not agree with it but I do. The Bears are not the only team playing the waiting game in FA. Even the Packers, who had a miserable year and are trying to retool their defence to a 3-4, has only signed one player in FA and he certainly was not a household name. None of us know what is planned, but I would be willing to lay a wager with anyone who wants to do so that we will see our needs filled before the start of camp in July and that we will be a force in the NFC this year. Free agency isn't where Bears shop

Ok, I took the test, but once you know how many correct answers you get how do you translate that into a score? I am assuming this test was much shorter than the standard test and normally you get one point for every question correct? If that is the case, I wasted my time taking the test since there was only 15 questions, LOL.

Ageed

I remember getting pissed because the Bears swithed "Big Cat" from DE to OT. Guess that worked out ok. A lot of teams do position switches. I think the move of Bowman to FS (he did play the position in college) makes sense.

My understanding was that Bennett did not play last year because he was having trouble adapting to the speed of the NFL. I am not sure what that says about him. It was also said he was beginning to adapt to the speed of the NFL towards the end of the season. Hopefully he will be up to full speed this year and produce as we all expected when we drafted him.

Cleveland could pull a brain fart like Minny when they shelled out big bucks for Berrian and outbid the Bears for St Clair. I hope JA does not over pay for JSC to return. I would like to resign him but I do not want to over pay for the guy. There are still FAs available and I am sure there will be a stud ORT in the draft at position 18.

I am sure there is no way Denver trades a QB like Cutler w/o getting a viable starter in return. I doubt they would consider Orton a substitute for Cutler and their backup now is I believe Chris Simms? I seriously question that DEN would accept Draft picks alone in compensation.

Hopefully this means he returns to an increased role on special teams as well.

I just saw your email.

Tait retirement becomes official; Bears still seeking right tackle By Brad Biggson March 12, 2009 4:32 PM You can cross one name off the list of potential right tackles for the Bears this coming season. John Tait has turned in his retirement papers as an NFL source said his name came across the waiver wire less than an hour ago. The Bears have placed him on the reserve/retired list. Tait informed the Bears in January that he was seriously contemplating retirement. No move was official at the time. When the club asked him if he wanted an announcement to be made, he said no, proof that he was going to continue to think it over even if he was mostly sure what path he was going to choose. Now, it's over. Tait, a first-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999, walks away from the game after 10 seasons. Of course, turning in his paperwork doesn't mean a whole lot. Remember, Brett Favre's paperwork was once turned in and we know what that turned into for Green Bay and then the New York Jets. Tait played the last five years with the Bears and made 73 starts for them since being signed in 2004. He had one year remaining on his contract and walks away from a base salary of $4.8 million and a workout bonus of $50,000. His departure clears $4.85 million in cap space for the Bears. The team could seek $500,000 from Tait, the pro-rated portion of the $3 million signing bonus he received in his contract, and it's unknown if that is in the plans. Based on his service, character and willingness to participate in local charities, that would seem unlikely. The Bears are still seeking a veteran to come in at right tackle. The John St. Clair situation remains at a standstill with the team still offering him a contract proposed on Feb. 13. Marvel Smith, the former Pittsburgh Steeler remains an option, and on Thursday the Cleveland Browns released Kevin Shaffer, who started 15 games last season. He's another experienced possibility. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03/ta...mes_offici.html

Agree with the signing, gives us an experienced starter as a backup or emergency starter. Cheap enough to cut if necessary. Mike Brown was a SS, we have younger, healthier SSs on our roster. I like JAs ability to draft Safties. My guess is we will draft a FS on day 2. We may still add another FS with experience once cuts are made this summer.

From a quick search of the net, I found an article on 3/7/2008 about the signing of B Lloyd and an article on July 15th 2008 on the signing of K Jones.

Even in offseason, it's a marathon not a sprint I was surprised the Bears were not listed as one of the five teams who have been very quiet in FA. Instead it centered on GBP, MIN, SDC, KCC & ATL. Still, it is interesting that the article sort of supports JA's approach to FA. I have no doubt our needs will be addressed. There are a good number of players who will be signing on the cheap who will be good additions. JA like many are just unwilling to overpay for a FA that once he gets his fat check will disappear. Once we have our March mini camp (when is it?) and evaluate our team, see who we pick up in the draft, we will make the necessary moves. Also let's not forget how many players are cut loose by teams later on in the summer.

Sounds like we may not be interested. Hope Briggs is full of S**T as usual. I was hoping we would sign Barnes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFL | Barnes close to signing with a team? Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:45:28 -0700 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports it is believed unrestricted free-agent OT Khalif Barnes (Jaguars) is close to signing with an unidentified NFL team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bears | Not interested in Barnes Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:45:13 -0700 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears are not interested in unrestricted free-agent OT Khalif Barnes (Jaguars), according to a source. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is it Barnes or Smith they are saying teams are concerned about back injuries?

Anyone love the AFLAC commercial where Yogi Berra in the Barber Shop completely confuses the AFLAC bird? It is one of my favorites. On the score today on the way home two things came up on one call that made me feel as confused as the bird on that ad that had me shaking my head in disbelief. The caller suggested we trade Forte in a package deal with some picks to get Cutler. This is one of the dumbest things I think I have ever heard. Then, the radio host says he does not think it would ever happen because, for one reason, other teams would not consider Forte as an elite RB that they would want to trade for?????? DUMB DUMB DUMB, AND DUMBER!

I hope we get the 3rd round compensatory pick everyone seems to be assuming we will get. Logic would say we should receive a 3rd from the NFL but they have screwed us in the past. It seems whereas most everyone is so negative when it comes to the Bears management, they have faith in the NFL hierarchy. I guess I am just the opposite.

Agree, happy to see Cassell in KC & TJH in SEA. Either or both of those 2 in MIN would have worried me.

I agree with you guys. To overpay free agents gets you no where. How much do you want to bet that Haynesworth tanks in WAS just like the vast majority of their BIG$$$ FAs have. These FAs are getting way to much money and in many cases slack off afterwords. Jared Allen was an exception for MIN (unfortunately) but there are few FAs who are considered prime time guys who work their ass off after getting the big pay day. It seems like key position players are especially risky in FA. I do think the "TJH" wpuld be one player who would not slack off. However, in our system, I am not sure he would be the answer. I still would prefer see us go after a player like Nate Washington (has he signed yet?) or D Henderson. I think they would be good bargains for us and would be good additions. I suspect we will sign a few more, but not until the dust settles and FAs & their agents accept reality.

Maclin, Loadholdt, & Byrd for me.

An article on the Sun Times site says 10 teams were seeking him as a FA. Actually a nice little article. Bears one of 10 Teams trying to sign our new Free Agent OLman

When you click reply and the text box comes up, there are three selections at the top, "insert special item", "Veranda" (font), and "SIZE". JUST SELECT SIZE TO CHANGE

This guy could be a steal in the 4th or 5th round.

Draft Pick Value Chart

Good for them. I would love for them to get him rather than go for a guy like Cassell. Rosey threw for 6 TDs anf 10 INTs with a 79.5 QB rating with an excellent RB and one of the top if not the best WR in the league in AJ and an excellent #2 in Walter. How do you think he will do in MIN? He will lose more games than he wins because he will throw up picks in pressure situations.