BearFan PHX

So much for Greg Gabriels inside info. He said Dexter would not be traded. https://x.com/ggabefootball/status/2041280939557269917

I wonder what his new deal will look like too.

if there were good LT options that would be there for us in the 2nd round, then I could see it. But in this draft, its either the first pick, or you're adding another body to the mix thats already crowded with mediocre players. Is there a second round LT that is clearly better than Amagadje, Jones, Benedet and the new guy? Now of course, I didnt know Trapilo's name last year pre draft when I did a lot of pre draft film watching, so if they have another hidden gem in mind, then that changes things. But from where im sitting now, I think there's more depth for Edge and S that will be there in the second round, than at LT?

if you add in Garrett, that clears $10M off the cap

This is exactly how most of my mocks have been going. I usually take Bryce Lance in the 4th instead of the Center, but it could go either way. But yes those exact names keep coming up for me over and over.

I think 3 of the first four picks have to go to LT, DE and S. The other could go DT, but it could be CB or WR very easily too Then if you look at whats available for our 2nd round picks, it makes me think we go LT with pick #25.

He's already knocking ont he door of $30M and holding out. Since neither of us has a crystal ball, i'll come at it this way: if you're right about what he wants to be paid, then yeah, Im all in on your trade idea, or even a little more if that's what it takes. If he wants $40M/yr would you still want him? I was willing to pay Myles Garrett something like that, so is Dexter worth as much as Garrett? Again, Im really asking, what do you think?

He's a hell of a player, and the trade scenario that DABEARS suggested would be a steal for us. I suspect they'd want more. But it's clever to regain that 37th pick. The concern I have is salary cap. He wants a lot of money. he's already set to make $27M and $29M for the next two years, and he's holding out, so he's gonna want a lot. Today, Will Anderson Jr signed an extension with the Falcons for $150M over three years WITH a no trade clause. In light of that, I dunno if I can see paying Lawrence $40M+ a year. I'm not an expert on him, so maybe he is worth it. Anyone want to argue that he is? I'm all ears.

Ive been thinking similar things. If we can get a good Edge in the first two days, we might not need another DT as much as we need LT and S. And world beating 3T are not easily found anyway. Another Billings isnt really what we need. I keep thinking the depth in this draft means LT with pick #25 makes the most sense, there are Safeties and even Edge players to be found with our 2nd rounders. On the other hand, I don't see any LTs that can start being there for us in the 2nd. Then again, I didnt have Trapilo on my radar at all last year, so maybe they found someone, like they did with Trapilo AND Monangai last year.

I havent done the amount of film study I usually do this year, so I cant really agree or disagree with your critiques of Iheanchor. If or when I watch more film of him, I will definitely look for the things you mention, so thank you for that. I still think our first pick goes LT though, but I suppose Im making a generic statement about need, and not one driven by close evaluation. I also think unless Lomu is there, we'd like to trade down from 25 if there are any takers. Iheanchor (for example) could probably still be had a little lower, and the 2nd tier of Edge Rushers certainly can.

I think we will go LT with the 25th pick. Proctor, Lomu or Iheanchor are mostly likely in my opinion, depending on how the board falls. I think that Edge player comes in the second round. A Safety too.

yeah our picks throughout that period and in years before and after have been mostly atrocious. So Im just saying, I don't take Greg Gabriel's clickbait as "evidence" If someone wants to say a player is good or bad for a REASON that makes excellent discussions, and I always learn something in those. But to just say "well Brugler and Gabriel say..." is not a discussion, it's just a brick wall that kills the discussion. It's been extremely quiet here, unfortunately.

Oh for sure, I absolutely trust our Coaches and Scouts now much much more. And yes, youre right Gilbert WAS a third rounder - Ill edit that.

I even question Gabriel's abilities as a scout. He was with the Bears from 2002 until 2009. He was part of a pretty dysfunctional scouting department. Here are all the first, second and third round picks we made during those years. yes there are a few names, but maybe only one that would be worth a mid round first round pick. And LOTS of misses, which is why he and they got fired. For example, they scouted that Hester would be good as a DB. And SO many busts on this list. There was a time on this board where people could discuss their opinions about players, but now whenever anyone does, they get shut down with quotes about how their opinion isnt in lock step with some "expert" or "pundit" - so now we just get regurgitated narratives, and we cant really even discuss our own opinions. That's why the board is slow. We are all being told to bow to someone else. I'll bet most of us have found other boards now too. I know I have. First Round OT Marc Colombo DE Michael Haynes QB Rex Grossman DT Tommie Harris RB Cedric Benson DB Danieal Manning TE Greg Olson OT Chris Williams Second Round CB Charles Tillman DT Tank Johnson WR Mark Bradley DB Devin Hester DE Dan Bauzin RB Matt Forte WR Juaquin Iglesias Third Round OG Terrence Metcalf LB Lance Briggs WR Bernard Berrian DT Dusty Dvoracek RB Garrett Wolfe LB MIchael Okwo WR Earl Bennett DT Marcus Harrison DT Jarron Gilbert

Yes. Greg Gabriel isn't the insider he paints himself to be.

I think we are taking LT, Edge and Safety early. I would not be at all shocked if the Bears took a Left Tackle @ 25, and then an Edge like Dani Dennis-Sutton and a Safety. After that, it could go on the DL, CB, or even WR. Guys like Bryce Lance, and DeZhaun Stribling could be hanging around the 3rd or 4th round. Also, if the right player is there at DT, even at pick 25, thats certainly an option. A guy like Peter Woods might be a Bear choice there. Personally, I dont see Zion Young for us. I didn't like his tape at all. I know the pundits look at his measurables and DA's scheme and connect dots, but he's not a great player on tape, and hes not worth pick 25 for sure in my opinion. Id take guys over him in the second round too. I'm kind of expecting: OT Max Iheanachor or OT Caleb Lomu with pick 25 In the second round: Edge Gabe Jacas (if hes still there) or Edge Dani Dennis-Sutton (or another Edge that falls like Malachai Lawerence or Derrick Moore) Safety AJ Haulcy or Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren In the third and fourth rounds: DT Gracen Halton or Edge Mason Reiger WR Bryce Lance or WR DeZhaun Strribling S Bud Clark (if we didnt take one in the 2nd round) If a center falls like Hecht, Connor Lew And then CB, blocking TE, LB, DL, a C like Trey Zuhn, and even a late pick developmental QB.

This one is excellent too, although because it has a "fantasy" slant, he only does offensive skill positions. Still, his insights into those players are really good and he has a long track record of predicting things correctly, even that go against the grain of common wisdom. https://mattwaldmanrsp.com/

right. with a pass rush ALL your defenders get "better" at coverage. Edge is a force multiplier for sure.

And what makes it extra stupid is that every GM has a boss that will fire them if they dont like the choices the GM makes, so that gives every GM's boss the final word. So what are we even talking about here? If Poles picks poorly, and Warren fires him as a result does that mean Poles wasnt the GM? And Poles know this, so if Warren says something like "take Caleb Williams" then Poles kinda has to do it. Not saying Warren does that, but he COULD. And so thats all no different than the situation Ian Cunningham is in. Something in Ryans contract gives him an executive GM role I guess. But so what? Its still a promotion to a GM position. League blew it on this one. They're blowing it on the referees contract too. Just pay them.

I think that's highly likely. A safety is almost a lock, and we need CBs. I dont think JJ is sticking around very long. Hopefully his play is elevated from last year, having a healthy offseason, but otherwise he's being paid too much for his production?

It's hard to remember but these are just kids too. That doesnt mean I forgive his lack of discipline, but it does mean that redemption is possible? He was 24 last year - maybe some maturity will kick in. And either way, new faces will be nipping at his heels.

I agree, but at the same time, if we draft his replacement, that'd be OK too. I'm curious to see what we have in Zah Frasier too. No idea what last year's absence was about, but Al Harris pushed for him, and we saw what he did with Nashon Wright, so maybe Frasier will be excellent for us?

I think Stephenson has a ton of talent, but his mind hasn't been on the game properly. Im not even saying I think it ever will be. But if he grew up, he'd be a pretty good CB.

Can someone please tell me how to block someone on this new version of the site? Thanks in advance.

#1 youre a dumbass. I dont get most of my information from them. I read and watch lots of stuff just like we all do. #2 you are always saying "so and so says" so thats how your brain works, not mine. I have never once cited Phils opinion as the reason I think something, or that something I think is true, have I? I just watch the film cutups. Theyre excellent. But I make up my own mind about what I see. This is just more weird fake psychoanalysis. I swear this is the weirdest Bears board. This doesnt feel like men discussing football. Its more like a jr high school girls clique. Its embarrassing really.