ASHKUM BEAR

I am more mad that the AJ will be the top FA this offseason and the awful Bears get nothing out of it but false pride. We will have cut, let walk, or traded all of our playmakers (Cutler, Forte, Marshall, Jeffery, and Bennett) with little to show for replacements. Which leaves the replacements today looking like (Shaw, Howard*, White, Meredith, and Miller). I know that won't be accurate but I am frustrated and not at anyone here. At the end of next week free agency starts, maybe the tune will change

We will have nearly 60% of the cap available. Kind of sad seeing that to be honest. Cut Houston and Royal and that number goes up. Pace will have to find a lot of 1 or 2 year deals so he don't handcuff himself and lose some of our draft gems down the road.

I do not like this at all. If Jeffery walks and we get nothing in return, what does this say about Pace managing assets? If he knows he will match and lets the market set the price then he may save some grace but now we may have to over pay. The Bears cannot keep letting good players get away. It seems like any good player we have, we find a reason not want them.

It is unfortunate, but that is how it works. It will be a couple more years until the Bears are back to that point where they have the roster to let a FA walk and have a backup waiting in the wings to step in. Unless they clean house again firing the GM/Coach and have to start over again.

Not a chance. The Bears will be the biggest spender in FA this offseason. They will sign more than they lose which will keep them from getting compensation.

The combine will answer some questions on Bolles in regard to leg strength, which is currently his red mark. He also doesn't have much history besides last season. If he checks out, he is first round material. If he still needs work, maybe trade down some in the second for him. I think at 36, we can still get a first round graded talent. Drafting an OT that can eventually play at a high level should be on the Bears board. Leno is on his final year and Massie took a long time to get it together, it is time to add a young bookend.

I like his production and size the best. I have high hopes on Deandre Hall who we drafted last year also to push for playing time too, which can lessen the high need to find a draft pick. Porter and Gilmore outside, LeBlanc/Callahan nickel. Fuller/Hall pushing Porter. If a stud falls in the draft, it would be a luxury. It comes down how healthy Fuller and Hall are and if Fuller has the heart to compete.

Back on Kelly for a moment. He is not invited to the combine because of his assault but that can change if enough teams request an invite. As of today, he still hasnt reached the number of requests required. He may have talent, but it seems teams are sending him a message. I would not have a beef if they used a 6/7 pick, we know his talent level is higher. Just wanted to point out why my initial response was he probably won't be drafted.

The Bears have to get creative then. I know few here like the QB class and I would love to see Adams or Hooker myself, but the Bears do not even have a QB under contract they can count on. They are shopping Jay and I see no possible way he is back if there are no offers. He would rather retire. Shaw is signed but can he play? Hoyer and Barkley are free agents, it is possible we get one back to have a vet with starting experience for a year or so, but not certain. They either trade for Garappolo or find a way to draft one without over reaching, otherwise going into the season with Hoyer, Shaw, and a Peterman (3-4 rounder) isn't much better.

I figured he would eventually develop into a LT after we drafted him high but moving him off a position he locks down may backfire. I really don't see it this season since he may not even have his strength back after having 2-3 surgeries. He has alot on his plate already.

Ok, I will give you the 6 or 7 round pick. Talent wise, he has skills. Personality wise, he does not fit Chicago/McCaskeys. That there is why they will not take him. Blame it on old fashioned owners, being realistic though. If that is all the Bears came out of the draft with to count on being the future, then Pace would be on a short leash.

I would rather try and fail getting the franchise QB than waiting or doing nothing at all. I think there are 4 candidates in this class that can be groomed into a starting QB. Will one of these become Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady? Possibly, but you have to draft one and put the resources around him to succeed to find out. If you are not certain on that pick after one year, draft one in 2018 also.

If the Bears take a chance on Kelly, it would be as an UDFA. Coming off a serious injury and he has a history of causing trouble will keep teams, especially the Bears from taking that risk.

Aaron lives in Ridgecrest California. His work is all remote, but he does really good work imo. He also writes for Scout's Bear report which I follow from time to time. I think his access comes from Jeremy Stoltz who is in charge of Bear Report and gets press credentials to get first hand access.

That is why I think the Bears get something out of him. Seems like the Jets are the best option because they have young QBs to groom and have to decide how to shave cap space. Mohammed Wilkerson or Sheldon Richardson at DT or how about Ryan Clady at OT? Would swapping 1st and Cutler for Wilkerson and Clady be an option? Just brainstorming...

QB will be taken between 3 or 36 and more likely 3. What do you think they will do with 50-70 million in a couple weeks? They will build up the D and free up the draft to build around a QB. That is how I see it, wrong a lot, but looks that way to me.

Adam Schefter has tweeted: Chicago Bears have actively started seeking a trade partner for quarterback Jay Cutler, per @JeffDarlington. The Bears have put an ad out on www.letgo.com.....Jay Cutler is for sale. Hopefully some team will see value and make an offer.

The Bears are loaded with available cap space and deficient on talent, I don't see them cutting many players other than Royal and maybe Houston. Cutting those two opens even more holes to be filled, so the Bears may hold back until they find replacements. I think Cutler is held onto for possible trade commodity even if it is minimal.

Nothing too surprising here. Wonder if you were to take health into consideration were these numbers end up. For example we lost Goldman for a big part of the season, Alshon to suspension, Kevin White, Zach Miller, Kyle Long . I would still have QB and DB's as biggest needs.

I am growing on Hooker also, he is the better FS in my mind. The Bears have lacked a ballhawk safety since Mike Brown.

I like Bouye, Gilmore, and then Ryan in that order as my targets, Bears should land one. Less than 3 weeks and we shall see what Pace has in mind.

It is not a good year to hold the 3rd pick while having a desperate need for a QB. I like some qualities with the top 4 but do not like the idea of over drafting when a blue chip player can come in right away and make a difference. What price do they give to trade back into the first? I think a 4th may get us around 26.

This is the elephant in the room. The Bears have to get serious on this issue and find a solution this spring. Word on the street is this QB class is not appealing since the choices are not blue chip products. The current blue chip list contains Myles Garrett, Jonathon Allen, Jamal Adams, and Malik Hooker. The Bears hold the 3rd pick and have a token to take a potential probowl player. Quarterback is the most important position in the league and desperation will drive these prospects higher than there graded value. As a young GM, Pace will have to make a very difficult decision and it will be held against him the rest of his career, good or bad. He will either reach for the need or possibly miss out by sticking to BPA. Below are the prospects. Mitch Trubisky QB NC - 6'3" 220 69% 3748 yds 30 td 6 int 3 rush td Trubisky is accurate throwing the ball and doesn't make many bad decisions throwing picks. He has decent athletism and can move in the pocket or take off and run. He does not have much experience to go off of, so we are basically going off of one year. I look at completion percentage and td/int ratio as a guide and he tops the list. Once the combine wraps up, intelligence and character will make an impact on his grade. He will be drafted top 10 because of need. DeShone Kizer ND -6'4" 230 59% 2925yds 26td 9int 7 rush td Kizer has the physical skill set to be a starting QB. He has great vision seeing the whole field and making decisions. His arm strength is good and accuracy to place the ball in tight windows or put touch on his passes when needed. His will have some character concerns in terms of leading since ND failed to put it together, but following ND I seen it more on coaching and surrounding talent. It may be a blessing because his price might be undervalued. He will still get drafted round 1. DeShaun Watson Clem - 6'2" 205 67% 4593 41td 17int 9 rush td Watson will be considered because of his high character and leadership. His NC game alone sprung him into high considerations, but he has a more up hill battle than others. His athleticism is off the charts but will not be as important in the NFL as in college and his size will come in question. He has shown great accuracy and decision making but it is not consistant. Arm strength is decent but he will have a lot of learning to do to become a NFL QB. His character says he has the work ethic to do it. I think he will be a late 1st rounder or high second. Patrick Mahomes QB Texas Tech - 6'3" 220 66% 5052yds 41tds 10int 12 rush td Mahomes is the most intriguing prospect. His numbers alone grab your attention. He has great size and athleticism. Arm strength is good and quick delivery. Decision making will need work as well as adapting to the NFL system, but his father played MLB so he has been around the professional athlete to know the work needed. Some team may consider him round one off of his intangibles, otherwise round 2 is were I see him. Davis Webb QB Cal -6'4" 230 62% 4295yds 37td 12 int Davis gets into the mix since he has the skills to start. He will also need to adjust to the NFL since he came from a gimmick college spread, but in time he should get there. He will get looked at somewhere in round 2 or 3 and a team that has a QB at the end of a career will take a shot with him. One of these will be wearing Blue and Orange in April, unless a bizarre trade happens for Garappolo or McCarren, which would cost picks and extra cap space. How Pace gets his QB will take some craft or that blue chip token or luck his target makes it to pick 36.

Sounds like rumors coming out of NE are that Jimmy G is not going anywhere. They never shopped him and only a reporter speculated what the price could be by going off of Bradfords deal.

Miami just cut LT Brandon Albert, he can sign anywhere now since he is a vested veteran. Wonder if Pace will give him a call?