ASHKUM BEAR

I think Emery prefers to build through the draft, so signing 2nd tier players on one year deals is what we will most likely see. I think we will try our hardest to resign a few of our own like Tillman, Wootton, and possibly Ratliff. Wootton may get a 4 yr, while the others 2 years. Those 3 alone will eat a good chunk of cap, because they wont play for minimums.

Also, if our Oline improves with an offseason of gelling, maybe we can use the TE's more than as a recieving threat instead of an extra blocker. Wouldnt be surprised to see Britton re-signed soon too.

"I resign" lol, I am guilty of this all the time.

Atkins: 6'-2" 293 40 times: 4.72 -- 4.75 -- 4.88 10yd dash: 1.68 20yd dash: 2.64 40yd dash: 4.75 225: 34 Broad: 9'09" Vert: 33 20yd shuttle: 4.43 3 cone: 7.33 Donald: 6"-1" 285 40 times: 4.62 -- 4.68-- 4.79 10 yd: 1.59 225: 35 Broad: 9'07" Verticle: 32 20 yd: 3 cone:

I think if we can get Donald RD 1, Martin/Smith RD 2, and the best S RD3 (hopefully Ward) we will be in great shape on the rebuild.

Kareem Martin DE helped himself out a lot. Clowney: 6'-5" 266 - - 4.47 40 time -- 1.56 10 yd - - 21 bench - - 34-1/2" arm Martin:6'-6" 272 - - 4.68 40 time - - 1.53 10 yd - - 22 bench - -35" arm Ealy: 6'-4" 273 - - 4.84 40 time - - 1.66 10 yd - - 22 bench - - 34-1/4" arm ----- Donald 6'-1" 285 - - 4.65 40 time - - 1.59 10 yd - - 35 bench - -32-5/8" arm

Nothing wrong with Mosely, but I see the Bears going Dline. Everything I see out of Donald so far shows he has leadership quality, team captain 2012 and 2013 seasons. His relentless play is inspiring, and here's what his coach says about him: ""I think he’s a tremendous example to our young guys about how to approach it and how that translates in the game," Chryst said. "He’s vocal at certain times, but he’s not giving speeches because I don’t think that’s what inspires him. But he’s certainly aware of how he can help the team.” Chryst also credits Donald for being a leader on and off the field. “Donald is a good leader. Leadership comes from within your personality. There’s no better way than to have his actions speak," Chryst said. "Not just with his play, and he is playing at a really high level, but also with his preparation, the way he competes in practice, the way he goes about things every day.""

You are starting to steer me back towards wanting Donald. The one certain thing we know is the Bears will run a one gap front and the smaller quicker DT's are better fits, even though Emery has mentioned wanting bigger players. I think Donald brings leadership and a nonstop effort, not sure about Ealy, his media spotlight has been quite. So, ....I'm back to Ealy and Donald as my Rd 1 choices.

What about the Michigan kid. He's the more realistic option of being available. Taylor Lewan has been slotted near 14, been putting up nice results at the combine, and is said to have that nastiness. I'd prefer to go defense, but our big investment is Cutty, so maybe they grab him if he is available.

Like the idea of resigning him. Perfect vet to run a hybrid front with

Ok, I'll give you that. So no trade and the draft stays the same minus Swanson and McGill. Possible starters Ealy, Ward and Jones in the rotation.

I've heard that they may move up if a top OT is available because of Martin/Incognito. Plus they have traded with the Bears in the past...ha! But my first two picks is my Bear prediction.

I doubt they resign Tillman the way it's looking, could be wrong. If Garza comes back, we need his successor to learn for a year on the bench. Maybe Boggs can be that guy?

Phil Emery's pre combine speech gave a little insight on this draft. He is looking to trade down, he is looking for a young defense, he wants to stop the run, and he wants a defense that can score. He learned his lesson on undersized D-Lineman, he is giving Conte another shot, he wants to resign Garza, Tillman, DJ Williams, and Wootton. Since Phil is looking to trade down, I found a trade partner with Miami at 19. We acquire 1-19, 3-81, and 5-143, which equals out in the trade value chart. 1-19 Kony Ealy DE Missouri 6'-5" 275 A lot of updside, has all the tools to develop into a premier DE in the NFL. 2-51 Jimmy Ward SS Northern IL 5'-11" 193 Ward is smart, feisty, and athletic play making safety that shined in senior bowl. 3-81 Travis Swanson C Arkansas 6'-5" 310 The top available center in the draft should be taken here, Richburg/Swanson 3-82 DaQuan Jones DT Penn St 6'-4" 323 Jones has been one of the top D-linemen in the big10. Great against the run and can pressure the QB. 4-113 Pierre Desir CB Lindenwood 6'-2" 206 4.56 Little raw at CB yet, but has the size and speed to match big WR's 5-143 Marqueston Huff FS Wyoming 5'-11" 198 Small program athlete with NFL upside. Fast, tough, could play CB also 5-144 Keith McGill CB Utah 6'-3" 214 FS that played CB his senior year, struggled to adjust. Size makes him attractive 6-167 Robert Herron WR Wyoming 5'-9" 193 4.4 Herron performed well in the senior bowl, could be on of the fastest WR's in the draft. Comes in to compete in the slot. 6-175 George Atkinson III RB Notre Dame 6'-1" 220 4.48 Atkinson has nice size and speed to can complement Forte, he can also return. He has break away speed and can take it to the house.

I think this could eliminate a undersized DT also, Donald. My guess is we are going, Ealy, Nix, or possibly Tuitt. Tuitt/Nix if we move down a little.

Emery is also is "selling" that this draft has talent on offense early, which might mean he is hoping to find a suitor to trade down with.

SCS is right, Shea would stay at LB in a 4-3 also. Hopefully his days with his hand in the dirt are over. .

I will say RT Jordan Mills steps up and improves his PFT rankings.

For Jason, the link above is a study about success of drafted players. Low and behold, safety has the highest success rate, followed by guards, then centers. GB is the most successful team draft wise since 2000. Rds 2 and 3 produce better than rd1. Kind of an interesting article that I skimmed through.

I have to disagree, and it comes down to the same reasoning/thinking along a good oline. What the line can do is effect time, a good offensive line buys time, a good defensive line steals a QB's time. A good offensive line opens holes for a RB, a good defensive line can collapse a pocket. Note:I want to read this , not sure what it will say but ran out of time, posted here to find later http://web.cs.wpi.edu/~cew/papers/nfldraft13.pdf

Only ones I would touch: DE: Clowney(not a chance in hell), Ealy, Ford (not sure he can play DE 4-3) DT: Donald, Jernigan, Tuitt, maybe Hageman but I have flags on him too Nix has knee issues, same as Easley. The Dline is not a deep as you think either.

I think we need to take a step back and think about one thing, and that's be grateful we are in this moment, able to hug loved ones, breathe, and feel. Tomorrow may not come, yesterday will never be back, and today is what we make of it. My post's are in black and white, like everyone else's. We all have one big thing in common in sharing a passion for the beloved Bears. If topics get off base on touchy topics, just keep in mind that your views, no matter how they are worded can affect the next guy. That's why dad said do not talk religion and politics in the bar. I know it's a slow time, but lets get back to discussing Bear football. Plenty of draft talk left with the combine coming up. Plenty of FA prospects to look at.

I came to the conclusion thay the most like position we'd take would be Tuitt/Hageman also. If the plan is to use the hybrid d, then I think we need a DT/DE the most. There is other prospects that I like better, but landing the dlineman is worth the most.

Emery last two RD1 picks were Senior Bowl standouts, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Donald was taken. Jernigan is better know as a run stuffer, only this year he showed some flashes of pressuring the QB. Not sure if that was his role or what. Ealy would be great too, DE is one of the toughest positions to hit on in the draft.