ASHKUM BEAR

Cross Jermaine off the list. He signed with Arizona Cardinals.

Marty will not miss any time or any of his pay check. Yes, according to his performance he is under payed. He did have the right to express that with sitting out of volunteer practices. But for a guy that wants money, he will not sacarfice any more. He will put up another stellar year, and count on it as he will get twice the looks with Marshall gone in the end zone.

How will this roster shake out once regular season starts? We know what we have in Matt Forte. I expect him to perform as usual and possibly beyond being a contract year. Do the Bears extend him going forward? Do they use his money to extend another player on a contract year like Mason Foster or Shea McClellin if one of those two becomes the leader in the middle? Many questions arise with the RB because behind Matt is completely unknown. Jeremy Langford is a given to survive this season as a Bear, being this regimes draft pick. He has a similiar skill set to Forte, but an extra gear of speed. The problem is, can he bring that into the NFL? I expect some growing pains learning pass protections, but think he can become the #2. Ka'Deem Carey did not get much of an opportunity as a rookie. He came out of college as one of the top prospects, but slid to round 4 because of size, speed and possibly maturity issues. He will have motivation entering the year with already becoming a bubble player. He will get a good look in preseason and hopefully survives since the Bears spent a pick on him. He seems like a good choice if they are looking to tighten up the defense by running between the tackles. Jaquizz Rodgers brings ST expert and 3rd down back abilities to the table. He also recieved guaranteed money in his deal. He doesn't have flashy speed either, but is a known capable pass blocker. I think the battle is between Rodgers and Carey for a spot. Senorise Perry is the speedster and return guy. Can the Bears get positive carries out of him if he needs to be relied on in the run game? Not sure if he can be moved back to the practice squad but if so, I'd like to hang onto him. Daniel Thomas is a bigger between the tackles back. He has had trouble hanging onto the rock, but will be motivated being here on a prove it deal. Can the Bears get the same output out of Carey if they need short yardage or is Thomas more valuable? It will be an interesting TC and preseason watching these battles unfold. My personal wish for an outcome is Forte, Langford, and Carey as the top 3. If they can make room for a fourth, then Rodgers survives. Alot depends on players that possibly could start off on the PUP and the TE depth. Perry to the PS would be nice also if that option is possible. What are your thoughts?

Hard to say what the Bears will do. I would love to see him retire a Bear but would also hate to see him fall apart with a new big contract. I am sure if he looks great all season, they will find a creative incentive contract with exit strategies.

I hope you are right. It seems we either majorly struck out on drafting D lately or the coaching/scheme was the culprit. I think the later has more to do with it. We will still need another CB in the mix next season, unless one of our short term prove it deals works out.

The key is offensive line improvement. If they can establish a run game that commands respect, I think the rest will take care of itself. I am not saying Cutler needs to be all pro, but if the rest of the offense is working without having to take risks downfield, Cutler should still put up decent numbers. The offense needs to step up to their talent level and allow the team time to retool the defense. I was a bit shocked with last draft spending 3 out of the 4 first picks on offense. We will need to see more pieces soon on D.

What would it take to make the Bears Super Bowl contenders? I don't consider this coming season a great possibility, but lets say 2016 working within realistic means. Come draft day and FA, what moves would bring Chicago the Lombardi? What players need to emerge? My thoughts: Long transcends to OT and the oline play improves Cutler emerges with his surrounding talent and becomes a top 10-12 QB Chicago develops a strong running game behind Forte and Langford Defensively, they have the biggest hill to climb but Ego, Goldman, and Ratliff become a solid front McPhee was a hidden gem and becomes a monster in the pass rush Fuller builds on a solid rookie campaign and gets pro bowl considerations and safety play is not noticed because they are not screwing up Bears get the 15th pick and select LB Scooby Wright, the next Luke Kuechly to lead the pack 2nd round Dadi Nicholis OLB, and 3rd rd Eddie Murray CB...he stayed in school. These 3 picks fill out the D Free Agency the Bears find another S and G too with starting capabilities and the rest of the draft is developmental positions in QB, TE, 3-4 DE, and oline. I think if Gase gets Cutler under control, they can draft missing links. Cutler falters and we are in a 2-3 window a

I hope you are right on Langford. I like his skill set. I hope they give Carey a fair shake too. After Forte leaves, we will need a stable of young legs. I think Fox will keep a handle on the offense and not let it get out of control, which will keep us in games. Only a couple of weeks until TC!!!

Haven't done any research on him and I think we should avoid spending a draft pick on any RT or G material until we see how this oline shakes out. Kyle Long may move outside and we still have Bushrod and his hefty contract for a couple more years. This would be a good year to experiment with Long on the left tackle. If he fits, then we are looking at 2nd or 3rd round picks to find a future G. I think we have decent Gs on this team already. This will allow the Bears to find a CB, pass rush OLB/DE, possible a QB and of course a Safety.

I agree, players do not develop on the bench. Let's see how Leno, Groy, and Fabalu(sp?) can do. It seems this has always been a Bear problem at developing. They hold on to these picks but sign vet FA over them and all we see is a practice squad player.

This was more of the case that Bushrod and Mills did not participate and they were short handed. Plus it stirred the twitter world Nothing wrong with giving him a look/feel, but I think he will be back at his spot come training camp.

I hope Allen does well or better, but until I see it I am holding back. Lots of Bear propaganda on Allen and McClellin, can they beat the odds of showing success? As for Tillman moving to S, I am uncertain that would have extended his career. Safeties take as much or more abuse. They get into bigger collisions and I think that was one reason Tillman declined.

Maybe I put that wrong. I think the goal was to get drafted in round one and no team was willing to take that risk. No team was willing in round two either. Then the agent calculated out if he didn't get picked by round three they can make more in guaranteed money by signing as an udfa. I think his agent salvaged as much money as he could bc not one team was risking a 1st thru 3rd pick not knowing his involvement.

If Trey Williams works out well, Goldman might be able to play some end as well.

Collins agent has admitted that the sitting out a year to re enter the 2016 draft was a bluff. Their goal was to go undrafted, which allowed Collins to cash in on guaranteed money. If he was drafted in the 4th Rd, his contract slot would have paid him 2.75 million with $350,000 guaranteed. Going undrafted gave him 1.6 million guaranteed and FA one year earlier with the 3 year deal. The money had to come out of the rookie pool allotment the NFL designates also.

Would you like to see some 2017 needs too ? Because whether or not they played yet, they have contracts that dictate possible needs when they expire. That's all I looked at. I will always talk draft, needs, and Bears.

Seems like everyone is high on SMC in the offseasons. I hope he makes it. Also, the Bears would be foolish to take the 5th year option at 7 million. First off if he does play good enough to draw FA interest, , I doubt he would want to start all over with another team when he finally found some success. The Bears would get a hometown discount

That could be. Fangio wants a HC chance and the same with Gase. Hopefully we can hang on to them for a few years to build consistency.

My list was composed by current contract lengths. If Cutler plays well/good, the Bears get a bonus. If he plays like we've seen than I have no doubt QB will be our #1 target. If he looks like he can hold the position a couple more years, than I see CB as a #1 or #2 pick. D-line depth is up there too. The team eventually needs drafted youth to man the positions, not fa's. I do think this next draft will be QB rich, but not 1983 rich. More like 99 lol. Lots of qbs drafted.

Sure the deflated ball didn't help the Patriots beat the Colts, but the game before against the Ravens was a 3 point difference. Having a small advantage as getting a better grip on a football on a freezing cold game could give an advantage. Rules are always pushed to the limits, like speeding, if you get caught expect to receive a ticket.

I composed a list of some players that may be top 100 come seasons end we may have interest in that may fit our BPA. I didn't put these in any particular order besides positions. KENTRELL BROTHERS LB MIZZ MYLES JACK LB UCLA JAYLON SMITH LB ND REGGIE RAGLAND LB ALA ERIC STRIKER OLB OK CURT MAGGITT OLB TENN REGGIE CARTER OLB GA DEVONTE FIELDS OLB/DE LSU LEONARD FLOYD DE/OLB GA SHILQUIE CALHOUN DE/OLB MICH ST SCOBBY WRIGHT DE/OLB ARZ CARL LAWSON DE/OLB AUBURN CARDALE JONES QB OHIO ST CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG QB PENN ST CONNOR COOK QB MICH ST JARED GOFF QB CAL CODY KESSLER QB USC DAK PRESCOTT QB MISS ST GUNNER KIEL QB CIN JACOB COKER QB ALA LAREMY TUNSIL OT OLE MISS RONNIE STANLEY OT ND TAYLOR DECKER OT OHIO ST SPENCER DRAGO OT BAYLOR JOHN THEUS OT GA JACK CONKLIN OT MICH ST GERMAIN IFEDI OT TEXAS AM VERNON HARGREAVES CB FLORIDA KENDALL FULLER CB VA TECH ZACK SANCHEZ CB OK EDDIE JACKSON CB ALA TREDAVIOUS WHITE CB LSU JALEN RAMSEY CB/S FSU

This! This here is the reason the contracts need to be signed if the player accepts being drafted. The pay scale is slotted and pre figured, so why not have a sheet a paper the player signs before he shakes Rogers hand. I am sure there is a little wiggle in the way the contracts are written, but they are basically the same dollar amount.

I'll buy that. TE Depth and future starter is a need which I would think will come out of this next draft. Maybe round 4 would be better suited. There are some good LT prospects, I really like my ND's Ronnie Stanley but I see him going top 10.

Seems like a legit prospect. I have a feeling S won't be the top need unless he is too good to pass up. I am thinking CB, QB, or OLT will take the prize.

It is possible, we will have to see how the line works with a new philosophy. Sounds like some zone blocking will be used and I expect Slaussen to hold up and solidify the left side helping Bushrod out more.