ASHKUM BEAR

Great to see Jones doing well in his new position. Hope he makes the most out of it and earns a roster spot. Braverman has to be be a Wes Welker to make it and it does not see possible this season so far, hope a year on the ps gets him up to that level. With the sounds of it, Royal may make it by default with Marinelli also backing him up. Bellamy and Thompson if healthy may round out the 5th & 6th. If Meredith can still be elgible for practice squad, maybe keep him around too.

Appreciate the game thread. Finally get a chance to read up!

Looks like Saturday afternoon I can watch! #Bears-#Patriots to re-air on NFL Network at 5am Saturday, 1pm Sunday and 4 pm Monday.

Keep churning the bottom, we may find a gem too.

Thanks! I am just glad there is content to read on here again

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate this board and with the season kicking off the board is back with interesting chatter. I think this board has some of the greatest Bear talk minds and it is always a pleasure to visit. I will have to miss the Bears vs Patriot game since I will be traveling back from Sioux Falls SD that evening. I hope to find a radio station broadcasting for that drive back to Illinois, but if not hopefully you guys will be posting often.

Next week they will be a little more prepared. They will get familiar with NE and have a feel of the competition. I would like to see them get the running game established, that was one part I was somewhat disappointed in. We saw very little since they started off passing. As for Hall, they drafted him knowing he wasn't quick twitch at the hips. His length makes up for that. Once he learns what works and doesn't he will improve. He made some good plays and with that his confidence will grow. For his first performance, he did well and fans/media may be overreacting a bit. I wasn't too impressed with Houston-Carson to be honest, I figured he would sneak into the good spot light some. Washington was a pleasant sight. No news yet on his injury status, but since he wasn't designated to make room on the roster is a good sign. Same with Grasu, still on the roster. Maybe his injury isn't as serious as thought.

I agree it was an ugly performance, but we do not know what the intentions were. This game counted as nothing. What preseason is is evaluating what you have. They got to see how the players did in situations and that allows them to adjust with stunts or help. Give it time and hopefully by the time the real season starts, we see a decent team on the verge.

I am feeling good so far on the Hall pick. He showed some promise in his opportunities. Now lets hope he can learn from this game and improve on keeping his eyes on the WRs eyes to track the ball. He is a bright and hungry kid, I think he makes those adjustments so he doesnt have to rely strictly on his length. The Bullard picks look safe too! He came out looking for a meal too. Whitehair did well against Broncos #1s also. The coaching staff never hesitated to put him in at C also.

Odds on him retiring in 2-3 weeks? Just kidding, I like this signing. I think he can fill in for Massie and no one would notice.

I must have missed a WR column as you said. Wilson may stick around on the PUP until he is healthy too. He'd be a decent option if we lose any WRs later in the season. Thursday will be interesting to see these guys perform, even in preseason

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depth-chart.html Some interesting rankings TE: #1 Zach Miller, #2 Khari Lee, #3 Tony Moeaki (Lee will be the blocking TE, so makes sense) RB: #1 Jeremy Langford, #2 Ka'Deem Carey, #3 Jacquizz Rodgers #4 Jordan Howard (Anyone else surprised to see former bubble player Carey at the #2? - I like it) WR: #1 Jeffery/White #2 Eddie Royal/Mariani #3 Braverman/Meredith/Duncan... (No surprise, but Braverman made early noise and still at #3) DE: #1 Hicks/Unrein #2 Ferguson/Bullard #3 Washington/Browner (Unrein as a starter, but Ferguson starts first 4 games on suspension) NT: #1 Goldman #2 Will Sutton #3 Terry Williams (Sutton lining up at NT?) OLB: #1 McPhee/Young #2 Houston/Acho #3 Floyd/Jones CB: #1 Porter/Fuller #2 Bausby/Callahan #3 McManis/Hall (Bausby is supposedly playing lights out and may sneak up on #1's, interesting prospect) S: Amos/Jones-Quartey #2 Bush/Prosinski #3 Hurst/Houston/Carson

Maybe for next year. Boykin was put on reserved/injured.

I am curious where he will fit. As of now it is a tryout and since he is injured his odds are slim. Porter was in the same boat, so maybe they go off of his past performances too. Still not hearing much on the DBs in camp other than the WRs getting behind them for great catches. That is camp for you though, eventually they tighten down.

McPhee is a solid piece and leader on D, but can he stay on the field? He will be brought along slowly like they allowed Houston and Young last season, so hopefully he is strong at the end of the season. It will be interesting to watch how Fangio uses his assets. He is one of the best, so I see a lot of 4-3 fronts with Houston/Young/McPhee as DE's and Floyd at OLB. If McPhee doesn't regain his form after the season, then they will have to revaluate his situation, but I think he is safe this year.

Intersting. I enjoy watching Young play, but figured with McPhee, Houston, and now Floyd signed long term they would allow his contract to expire. Do they keep this group through 2018, or maybe they trade/cut Houston this year or next? If they all produce and stay happy as a core, it is good knowing we have them for 3 years.

I know it is early, but good reviews on Braverman today. They were calling him "open all day". Hope your prediction is right on! On D, Jones-Quarty looks to be the 2nd year vet that is impressing also.

We have some interesting defensive prospects I am anxious to watch. Actually this whole class can be big contributors to a playoff run in the future.

I am all for finding a QB that can make us forget about Jay, but it takes a lot of rights to make and if it were easy this wouldn't be the nfl.. White will still need help opposite to draw coverages and AJ is a perfect complimate. I'd like to keep him around but if he wants to go to warmer weather than so be it.

I think we are in decent shape. A lot will depend on this years draft class and also If we can find away to sign Alshon. If he produces and stays healthy, sign him and cut Royal (if we need cap...which we shouldn't.) If AJ stays, the major holes on the team will be at TE and backup QB. The draft can be used for that and plugging depth at other less talented positions.

I put together a list of the Bears current roster, color coded by contract expiration and sorted by position. I hoped it would not be reduced, but I am not great at uploading photos or spreadsheets. *Red is for players on their final year under contract. Nearly half the team is in the red, so expect another big year of turnover. *WR, TE, and QB are heavy red - depending on AJ resigning after this season, WR may be a huge need. TE I already figure we will address soon also. QB we will need to address a solid #2.

Do you think Pace screwed up? Reason I ask is because Jeffery can put the Bears into another situation of using the franchise tag again, which basicall guarantees him 18 million. The Bears will have to decide to tag him or sign him long term to the numbers he may have been looking for before. I think the 30 million total guarantee was in his ball park looking at the top WRs. If that was the case, this approach may have cost the Bears extra to give them another year to evaulate. Of course this all depends on Jeffery producing.

The Bears have done another good job at creating excitement for this seasons team. The retooled defense will have a different look for sure. The offense will be a wait and see as they made some major moves too. I like to walk the edge with my player picks: Defense Deiondre Hall DB - this guy has good length, high football IQ, and does what it takes in run or pass. I do not see him getting much time to showcase his game early on unless there are injuries. His skill set will compliment Fuller well since he w is great against the run. Donatell will do good grooming Hall and I think he will be a name we watch making plays on Sundays. Offense Eddie Royal WR- not much of a surprise, but many of us have written him off. With Jeffery and White drawing the most attention, Royal should see a lot of easy coverages he can expose, so he is my pick.

I am sure Jeffery is looking at this like the Cutler deal too. At the beginning, Cutler was paid near the top if not at the top for QB's. Within a couple years as other QB's renewed contracts, his value fell. If Jeffery wants 14 million, I would not hesitate, but not go any higher. I think 13.5 would fit him well.

That is because they spend so much time giving the starting QB most of the practice reps. They really need a minor league system. Not saying Connor Shaw would ever make it, but why even use a waiver on him? Is it to screw the othern teams who may be needy of a 3rd string camp arm? We all probably agree he cannot beat out Hoyer, so maybe we are keeping 3 qbs on our 53.