ASHKUM BEAR

Briggs told Lovie that he had family matters to deal with, and for him family comes first. Thats why he missed the workouts. Lovie said he understood, and yes I too believe family comes first. Briggs seems like his old self again, and will probably been seen a lot more giving interviews like before.

Facts about Urlacher: -9th player selected in the 2000 draft -First defensive player in NFL history to have his rookie deal reworked two years before it expired -Highest paid defensive player in the NFL in 2003 when he signed his new deal -Top paid LB's as of 2007: Ray Lewis, Balt.,$6,928,571;Brian Urlacher, Chi.,$6,157,142; Jamie Sharper, Hou.,$6,125,000;LaVar Arrington, Wash,$5,630,877;Derrick Brooks, T.B,$4,907,083. -2007 cap hits among LB's R. Lewis 9.4 (10million signing bonus) Z. Thomas 8.0 K. Brooking 7.9 (9.7 signing bonus) N. Barnett 7.7 K. Bulluck 7.6 L. Briggs 7.2 (franchise tag) D. Smith 7.2 R. Colvin 6.4 J. Peterson 6.3 (11.5 siging bonus) M. Washington 6.0 B. Urlacher 5.9 (13 signing bonus) W. Witherspoon 5.8 (9 signing bonus) Urlacher is still the Bears best defensive player, his salary is a little lower as of 2007, but he was signed before them all (Lewis 2004) and was given a higher guarantee. Thats why he was signed to 9 years(57 million), so the 13 million could be spread out. The Bears have made him an offer to extend him like he wanted. 1yr ext. (10yr/76million). He'd get 5 million up front, with 1 million added to each of the following years and an added year 2012 worth 9 million. Urlacher wants a 2 year extension with more than 5 million up front, thats all he's asking for. Is he worth it? I'd say yes, but will they alllow wheel chairs on the field in 2013?

Ha, I caught on, I thought you were talking about me. See Bear4ever 34's rookie predictions

This is a sore subject, it's like your wife saying I'm going to leave you unless you buy me a bigger diamond ring. You know you could do it, but your car is on its last leg, your roof is starting to leak, and you've been saving up so you can buy that fishing boat. She wants the ring because her little sister just got engaged and her ring is bigger and her fiance works at Walmart. So yea, I'm kind of ticked shes telling her friends she's gonna leave me unless I go to Jared's. I offered her a better one that fits the budget that will allow us to fix the roof and get a car next year, but she is still threatening to leave unless its the biggest. My buddies tell me to let here walk, but we've been together since highschool. I'm going to call her bluff, if she's not in it for love, she can move back in with her parents. P.S.- Can you believe last year she said we should pawn the ring off for a cheaper one, so we can loan her sister some money so they can get an apartment together. Man, I'm glad I didn't go there.

TD passes-Grossman 22 (11 int) TD runs-Benson (6) TD receptions- Olson (7) Rush yards-Benson (1000) Recieving yards- Booker (800) Pass yards-Grossman (3000) Tackles-Urlacher (130) Interceptions-Brown (7) Forced fumbles-Tillman (4) Sacks-Ogunuleye (11) Kick off/Punt TDs-Hester (7)

Like LT said, Urlacher wants his contract torn up. The Bears are willing to give him an extension on his contract. With the injury Urlacher suffered, I'm sure he wants to have that money moved up so he can retire in a year or two. He's probably looking at 4 years knowing he won't be able to play those out. The bad part, as much as I'd like to see Urlacher get re-rewarded, the Bears probably see the writing on the wall also. If they tear up his contract, give him bucko bucks upfront like he wants, you'll probably see him take the money and run. Will he have the heart to play up to that contract and play out the number of years on it, or conserve his body so he can enjoy the rest of his life? I believe the result will be that the Bears may up there offer a little on the extension, Brian will continue to hold out maybe up until the season starts. The Bears will not budge after there next offer, and Brian will have to play or end up with nothing. Brian's in it for the money now, knowing he'll never make it the final 4 years. Laurinitis anybody?

Not sure on the exact laws, but you can get a BWI if you are water skiing. You can get a BWI on a sail boat. In the case of an anchored boat, I'm not sure on. Someone still needs to be responsible for that boat at all times. The boat will still drift even if anchored, thus similiar to the sail boat. If the boat was in a slip, or tied up to a dock, the rules may be different. With the case of Benson, I can see the water patrol approach the boat and ask "who is the captain of this boat". Cedric steps forward and says "I am sir". The water patrol does the regular safety inspection, interacting with Cedric while doing the routine. The water patrol sees alcohol containers and can see a little affect on Cedric. If Cedric wasn't so cooperative, the water patrol may have decided to straighted him up by giving him the field sobriety test.

Supposedly her dad is a judge or lawyer or something like that. She probably called him because dads know best

One thing about the PSL, its alot of money up front, but it's like putting that money in a bank. You own the rights to those seats and if you ever decide to forfiet them, you'll get that money back. The only loss is the interest you would earn on that money which the Bears would be the beneficiary of.

I don't think JA and staff were just unhappy with Cedric. IMO they were unhappy with all the RB's. Neither CB or AP could get the running game established, but I'd put some of the blame on Turner and the O-line as well. We added pieces to two of the factors (Forte/Williams), so if the run game still falters then it's time to fix the third factor (Turner).

Thats one thought that has crossed my mind also about the incident. I'm not familiar with with Lake Travis, but I'll bet there are not many African-Americans on that lake that own a nice "big" boat. Just for the heck of it, I googled lake travis and all the images were nice bikini photos of young white Americans. Cedric says that he has been stopped/checked about 10 times (kind of harassing IMO). I really do not believe Cedric would get himself silly drunk, maybe enough were he would question himself whether or not to take a breathalyzer. Heck, if I had 2-3 drinks and got pulled over, your damn right I would refuse too, especially if I passed a field test. With the resisting arrest, I'll give Cedric the benefit of the doubt b/c first off it sure seems that they do not want him on their waters (10 stops for inspections) and by Cedric statements, he seemed to be scared. The cops may have been annoyed of his pleas, and used forced to shut him up and wrote him a citiation for resisting the arrest. Right now, we've heard Cedrics story and the cops story, both are pretty far apart. If Cedric was warned a couple of times like Tank, then yes I can see Angelo out right cutting him, but this is his first offense so Angelo won't do squat. Plus we would have to shell out 5.5 million to cover the accelerated bonuses and spend more money to sign another RB. For all the wishful thinkers, you'll have to keep on wishing b/c Cedric Benson will still be a Bear.

If the "good" Rex from 2006 comes in, then theres no question who the better QB is and who deserves to start. If the bad Rex comes in, then yes we give Orton the reins. Orton wasn't horrible, but wasn't spectacular either. I'd love to see Orton come in and win the job, but he has to show that he can carry the team. Rex has showed that, and as much as you see the bad Rex, I keep seeing the good Rex and I haven't seen that from Orton yet. It's the whole higher ceiling/lower floor situation. I would be tickled to death if Kyle Orton's light switched on and he became the Bears QB for the future , I have nothing against him. This will always be the debate in newspapers, blogs, forums, etc. I don't care who the Bears QB is as long as the best player in behind center. Thats the way I believe the Bears see it also.

If we are going to cut or losses with Benson, that will cost the Bears probably 2-3 million against the cap. With the Bears trying to be wise with the cap, and use every penny to try and extend and make happy our own, I just don't see why we would throw away that money. This would irritate the one's holding out for that extra dime. The best way to do this would be to keep Cedric on the team, not put him on the game day roster and pay him what we owe him with out taking the cap hit for cutting or trading him. Then with the extra money that your suggesting we throw away, give it to Hester/Urlacher/Harris. That would be the best solution to dump Cedric. I would personally love to see Cedric come in and succeed, but if the Bears were to make Cedric disappear, this would be the best solution IMO. LT2 would know a lot more about this and if it is even possible.

Didn't Rhodes sit out the first 4 games because of steroid abuse. Whose to say that Rhodes w/o steroids = bad NFL RB

Bears offense: >[WR]Booker [WR]Bennett[RT]Tait [RG]Garza [C]Kreutz [LG]St. Clair [LT]Williams [TE]Olsen[WR]Hester [QB] Grossman [RB] Forte If the Offensive line can hold there own, I see this line up being one that could put up some points. Hester to stretch the field and pull a safety deep Olsen matched up against a LB running a intermediate route Forte sits back on a delayed play action, helps on a chip block and sits for a dump off Bennett working the slot coming accross the middle Booker on a curl or slant

I really don't think we will cut Benson, but Angelo has done this before with Cade. I really think if Cedric is healthy and he is capable of making all the cuts/moves as he did before, you will see him play with alot more heart and desire. Cedric has one thing on the back of his mind and that is he lost a 2 million dollar bonus over 27 freak'n yards. I'm sure he has another bonus clause that will kick in if he reaches a certain milestone of yards, so you know he will be hungry to get a least one more payday before becoming a FA. If Benson is healthy, he will produce b/c he won't want Forte taking money out of his pocket.

Thanks for all the thanks! Just wanted to help point out that the draft was pretty good at helping the Bears out for the now. I do wish we would have taken a QB over TE Davis, but we did get a couple of UDFA that we liked. This team was recently in the SB, and with the way the Bears drafted, they still believe that Urlacher, Brown, & Harris can carry them back there again before the window is definately closed. If the Bears did decide it was too late and the window was closed, I think we would have drafted much different and would be letting our higher priced FA's walk or get traded.

About the only two guards in this draft that could come in and start would have been Albert and maybe Rachal. St. Clair came in at the end of the season and looked pretty good especially since he had his mind set at being a back up RT or LT. St. Clair is a good player and teammate and if he can be a starting caliber G in the NFL, why not give him his shot at being a starter in the NFL. Last year we drafted Beekman in the 4th. He was considered the 3-5 best guard in last years draft. Rusty/the Bears wanted him to strengthen up a year before putting him in as most teams do with lower drafted offensive linemen. Beekman is still a highly touted G, we still need another prospect I definately agree, but the dire need of the team was still OLT, WR, and RB. As for drafting McGlynn, if you remember he was sitting right there for the Bears, but the Eagles traded up and took him right before the Bears. They were very high on McGlynn and whose to say they wouldn't have taken him. After he was gone, thats when the Bears traded down twice to gain more picks. As for WR's, I love the pick of Bennett and will be the first to buy his jersey when it hits the shelfs. He's not the homerun threat, but we have that in Hester and Bradley who have speed. Bennett is said to be in the mold of Hines Ward and if he becomes that type of receiver, I think every Bear fan will be thrilled with that pick in the third round.

State of the Bears by the Ashkum Bear With the 2008 draft completed, the Bears have added alot of pieces. Many highly regarded analysts and scouts have given the Bears mixed reviews. The one big question asked by all is why didn't the Bears select a QB when they have started a gazillion different ones in the tenure of Favres career. They could have selected Henne or Brohm with there second round pick as both were considered low first round talent. They could have taken Brennan or Woodson with there fifth round pick also. The only reason I could see is maybe adding another developmental project when your other two are still obviously developments would have diluted the process. By adding UDFA's like Nick Hill and Caleb Hanie, the Bears won't feel pressured by the fans/media to put in a Brian Brohm or Chad Henne if things don't start off well like last season. Soldier Field is not very homey when the fans are booing and hoping you go down, just ask Rex and Cedric. What the Bears needed may be exactly what they have done or are doing. Adding a older vet may also be a solution. There biggest need in the last twenty years may be that they need a QB, but there biggest need going into the 2008 season was to upgrade there offensive line. By selecting OLT Chris Williams, the Bears believe they solidified two positions with the pick. John Tait will slide over to the RT, a position he is more superior at and will most likely be lining up next to Matt Garza, who is a decent guard. Kreutz will man the center position while St. Clair has the upper edge on LG because he will be there to help guide Williams at LT. Beekman may suprise many this summer as he will push for playing time, but with the need for a veteren to play next to Williams, Beekman may have to wait his turn. Other backups hoping to make the roster will be Terrence Metcalf G, Chester Adams G, Anthony Oakley G/C, Mike Jones G, Tyler Reed G, Kirk Barton T, Cody Balough T. The Bears may need to add a veteren OT that can play both sides to serve as a backup. The Bears believed there second biggest need was running back. Even though they have three on there roster, not one has proven to be a reliable option. Cedric Benson is coming off of a 3.4 ypc and a severe ankle injury so his status is uncertain. Adrian Peterson is a fan favorite, but he can't be relied upon if the number one goes down. Peterson best value is a number 3 change of pace back, thats were last years third round selection Garrett Wolfe is supposed to fit in. Wolfe is smaller and makes good moves when in space and has showed his skill towards the end of the season. With a mess at the RB position, the Bears addressed that position with a RB that is considered a 3 down back. Matt Forte of Tulane will most likely win the starting role especially if Benson doesn't fully recover to his rookie form. Which RB will get the ax, in my opinion, it will be Adrian Peterson. Bensons value is still high with the Bears as they owe him quite a bit of money yet. Peterson who is servicable, should not be relied on to step in if the number one goes down with a season ending injury and won't cost the Bears to cut. The only hope Peterson has is that Bensons injury keeps him on the IR, or the Bears have the extra money to cut there ties. The third big need for the Bears was WR. They cut Moose and let Berrian walk. That left newly acquired Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, Mark Bradley, Rasied Davis and Devin Hester to fill there production. Hester the other day said Lovie doesn't want or expect him to be a everydown WR. That leaves you with Booker as the only for sure as a wideout. Lloyd was successful in SanFran before going to Wash, so maybe a new team will reignite his talent. Bradley has shown flashes of what he can do, but injuries have hampered his development. Davis is a nice #4 option and has been clutch in the small opportunities he has been given. Third round pick Earl Bennett gives the Bears a great WR that is not considered just a deep threat or a slot receiver. Bennett is a gem and will soon be the Bears best WR option. He runs exceptional routes, has good size and speed, and great strength. He will beat man to man coverage with his routes and find holes in the zone. He will go after jump balls and has the strength to win those battles. He's very smart on and off the field and a team leader. His only knock is he doesn't have top end speed to hit the homerun. Not considering Hester as a WR roster spot, will give Mike Hass an opportunity to beat out seventh round pick Marcus Monk. Monk may have an edge because with his height and speed, he may be a good target as the Bears like throw downfield and Monk can stretch the field and catch the high passes. The WR position is full and will take all of training camp to sort itself out, but with the addition of Booker, Bennett, and Lloyd may end up stronger that last year. With the first three rounds, the Bears have filled their biggest needs going into the 2008 season. A QB, wouldn't have made this season and may have only prohibited the Bears development of Grossman and Orton. Adding another guard would have also crowded that postion. The positions they added were all key postions that kept them from winning in 2007. DT was a strength that became a weakness when all the starters went down with injury. Adding a talent like Harrison will help solidify that from happening again. When Chris Harris was traded, Safety was also regarded as a strength. Then Mike Brown, Kevin Payne, Adam Archuletta all went down with injuries. Adding Steltz brings in a player that has the potential to be a starter and will help solidify the safety position. Cornerback is also considered a strength especially having your two starters tied up for the long haul. When both went down and missed multiple games, the Bears defense also went down. Manning tried to play CB but looked terrible, Ricky Manning Jr also looked out of place as he is only suited to play nickel. McBride looked pretty good especially for being a seventh round pick, but who else can help him. The addition of Zachary Bowman will help insure the D doesn't suffer when Tillman and Vasher go down. Bowman has size and speed and if he was healthy would have been considered one of the top CB's in the draft. Picking a TE was a need, but could have waited until the seventh, but since a highly rated one was available like Davis, the Bears couldn't resist. Davis has a skill set similiar to Olsen, but to a lesser degree right now. Kirk Barton OT was probably the best pick from the fifth round to the seventh because the Bears are in desperate need for a back up tackle if St. Clair is to play guard. The Bears overall draft is great considering there needs for the 2008 season. Drafting beyond there needs for this year, the Bears did fail to get a QB and that is the only major one that they have always had. Now if they can get everyone signed and extended, they have the pieces to find success again.

With the 26 pick in the 2009 draft, the Chicago Bears select G Duke Robinson Oklahoma

Jason-I love your passion to Talkbears and well thought out discussions. I don't always agree with you, but your thoughts are always interesting. The one I love the most about you is after every draft, you argue how you would have done better. Heck, somethimes I think I could do better myself. One thing you or me or anyone for that matter don't know is the top managements plans and goals (ie. Harris contract, Bensons health, Bazuin's inability to learn the defense) I'm 80% happy with all the picks, I would have liked to see a couple of things different, but I can't complain. Williams-(A) I too liked Albert, he was intriquing especially how fast he climbed in a month and at least his floor was LG, but Williams is a smart, well rounded LT and a position that will set a team for 8 years if he pans out. Forte- (A) He was our guy all along, I'd prefer to trade down 5-8 spots, maybe we tried but we got our guy Bennett- (A) I was really high on him. Does everything you'd want out of a WR. May be our best WR in a long time Harrison (B ) I really wanted best OG, but we do have Beekman/St. Clair and with Harris mentioning a hold out, and ?'s on the rest of our DT's, Harrison may fill a huge need. Look at the dropoff last year after injuries. Steltz (B ) The more I read/watch about him, my grade might change to an (A). Everyones first impression is an in the box safety (Arch) who is slow. The coaches have him graded to play both S's and there are plenty of highlights with him playing nice coverage. Bowman © This is a gamble pick, he pans out 2-3 years this will change to an (A) if not an (F). CB was also a need last year as Tillman/Vasher both missed a lot of time and our D dropped big time. Bowman has been compared to Cromartie of SD b/c of the potential but injury history, if he turns out to Cromartie no one here will complain about the pick. Davis © I love him as a TE, big & fast like Olsen. TE was a need, but we should have taken either Brennan or Woodson. This is my only major regret was missing these QB's, but I don't dislike Davis. Baldwin (D) who the hell is this guy, Lovie's nephew? If we were drafting BPA my guy Josh Barrett should have been taken (fire Angelo) C. Adams © Don't know much about him so he gets a C probably as good as Metcalf J. LaRocque © Once again, don't know much about him and really don't care. K. Barton (A) I would have drafted him earlier, that's how much love I have for him. Would have went higher (injury) M. Monk (A) Big fast WR that uses body well (CAN YOU SAY OUR MARQUES COLSTON) I would of like to see Schuening/Radovich, Brennan/Woodson, Barrett SS, but if those are the only misses (G and QB) I think well be ok, a rookie G especially RD3 or later will most likely need a year to beef up like Beekman and the QB would be a project (Krenzel,Leak). I think were better off finding someone like Volek than a rookie right now.

Couple of things: 1 Grossman has 1 yr remaining & Orton has 2 yrs (to correct a statement saying they both had only 1 yr remaining) 2. As much as I wanted Brohm, Henne, then Brennan. The only one we can really complain about really missing out on was Brennan. It would of cost us too much to trade back up for either Brohm/Henne at least our (1st) 3rd and 4th. I'd take Bennett and Stetz over a #3 QB as of right now. We got a potential Hines Ward and Doug Plank/Fencik. Our need at RB was also a higher team need b/c AP will either be cut or just a ST ace, Benson will either be injured, suprisingly cut, or come to camp as a legit #1 RB, and Wolfe is a change of pace 3rd down back. Brennan could of been had w/ our 2nd RD5 and so could have Woodson. I like Dave TE, but that spot was the only obvious mistake. If we would have grabbed one of those two QB's, everyone would have gave the Bears an A.

If that's what you hope for, why are you even a Bears fan. I'm hoping with Williams/Forte our offense gets back on track and our defense finds its way back to the top and the Bears are back to the playoffs. I never say I hope Griese throws a bunch of interceptions so I can say "I told you so". That's what it feels like anymore on these message boards. You got the glass half full guys (me) and the glass half empty guys.

I love almost all the picks, we filled some immediate needs and took BPA without reaching a whole lot. You can bitch about the picks, but that will never change anything. I choose to like them Williams=stud OLT, haven't had one in 10 years Forte=stud RB-can be an everydown back Bennett=stud possesion rec, can run good routes, great hands, can go up and get ball Harrison=stud DT that had some character issues, could of been a 1st or 2nd rounder. Steltz=in the box safety, team leader, hi football IQ Bowman=6-1 big CB, 4.35 fast, suffered injurys but if he was healthy would of been RD1 talent Davis=Big, very fast TE. can play DE, block, and run after the catch. Baldwin=Don't know anthing about this guy can't say anything Adams=big physical run blocking RG, played RT at Georgia. Need Oline

Zac Bowman could be a steal. He most likely won't contribute this year, but we got an extra 5 by moving down some slots to get a SS for the team. A bonus draft pick is ok to take a gamble on a player like Bowman who if he'd stay healthy would have been a 1st RD pick