ASHKUM BEAR

Once again, people complaining about the bears draft. Nothing new here. I'm personnally happy with the picks so far except maybe the DT. I thought we had bigger needs, but you don't know if Harris holds out, Dvorecek injury history and so on. Bennett was my favorite so I'm happy. Forte I had compared to a Mendenhall, he just played at Tulane. We always want the big name from a big school, but those players come to even ground once they get drafted and play in the NFL.

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TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE DRAFT Twas the night before the draft, when all through this board, not a member was stirring, not even Terra Tor. The players were slotted by the war room with care, in hope that the football gods would answer our prayers. The TalkBear alums were nestled all snug in there beds, while visions of Sweetness danced in there heads. And Jerry in his briefs, and Lovie in his cap, had just settled down for a few hours nap. When out of Halas Hall arose from a clatter, Jerry and Lovie sprang out of bed to see what was the matter. Away to the door they flew like a flash, turned off the alarm and removed the latch. The reflection of the moon on the brand new road, gave good indications that the Bears won't fold. When what to there eyes should appear, but a miniature jet with twelve men walking near. With a little old pilot, so awnry and malice, they new in a moment it must be Papa Bear Halas. More rapid than Grizzlies his coursers they came, and he shout and whistled as he called out there names. Now.....to be continued. Just wanted to say Merry Draft day and that I plan on being on here most of the time Saturday and Sunday. I will have espn on TV, the chat room opened, and a couple of other websites opened to get the inside scoops. I will be wearing #23 for good luck and plan on ordering pizza. Hopefully there will be many others here so we can SCREAM at the Bears picks in the chat room.

If the Bears are considering moving up, maybe they do take Mendenhall with 14 and then take Cherlius or Baker at 27. There has been no word on Benson's health, which IMO is some good smoke by the organization. Right now they have their cards at there chest and here are a few combinations: Pick #27 is worth 680 points. Pick 44=460, Pick 70=240, Pick 90=140, Pick 110=74, Pick 142=35, Pick175=21.4, Pick222=2.6 Everything comes down to who's available, so if Clady or Albert are there I don't think the trade happens. If they are gone, I can see the Bears going Mendenhall b/c they may have similiar grades with Otah vs Cherlius and Williams vs Baker. By moving up to 27 theres a slim chance Cherlius is available and a greater chance for Baker. In reality, we will be giving back SD pick at #90 and a future 3rd/4th. My picks would be the blue if the trade happened 1-14 Mendenhall RB 1-27 Cherlius/Baker OT 3-70 Woodson QB, Schuening G, McGlynn G Collins OLT, Avery WR, 4-110 Booty QB, Johnson QB, Hills OT, Franklin WR, Zuttah G/T, 5-142 Woodyard SS, Steltz SS, Burton WR, 6-175 Brennan QB, Dixon QB, DT 7-BPA/ST A lot of Oline drafted, but IMO that's the biggest weakness and w/ a back like Mendenhall I'd make sure he had a lot of talent in front of him Cherlius RT Garza RG Kreutz C McGlynn LG Tait LT(Hills in the wings) Tait can later be moved to G or RT as he gets older

It's also on the front page of www.nfl.com , but no details yet

Whoa, what did Minny give up? I'd also like to point out that I don't see any way in hell Car takes an O-lineman unless they are doing so for the sake of the future even before Rucker retired. They lost Center Hartwig and Guard Wahle which were quality starters. They resigned OT Wharten, OT Gross, OG Hangartner, OT Mathis. Acquired OG Milford Brown 2yr/5.5, OG Keydrick Vincent 2yrs/2 mil, OG Toniu Fonoti. It's been mentioned that they want to slide Wharten over to guard, but I think they have bigger fish to fry with the #1 pick.

"The injury comes at a bad time for Benson, who finished the season with 674 rushing yards. Had he gained 27 more yards—or less than three extra yards per game this season—he would have triggered a conditional roster bonus in his contract in the amount of $1.73 million. It’s lost money now for the running back." Brad Briggs Sun Times There is a lot of that written into contracts as Benson lost nearly two million dollars over 27 yards. I understand you being upset over greedy players as I am too for most part. I was extremely pissed with the supposed leak that Urlacher demanded to be traded or he will retire if the Bears didn't tear up his deal. Urlacher made a terrible decision when he signed his contract. The 9 year deal was lucractive at the time and would have carried him up to his retirement time. The contract is outdated as Urlacher is no longer making the money a player of his caliber should be making. He may feel disrespected by the Bears and the Bears should find a way to reward him. The thing I don't see the Bears doing is to tear up the original contract which is what Harris, Hester, and Urlacher are looking for. The Bears want to extend the original contracts and spread out the bonus money. Hopefully the Bears find a way to keep both parties happy before TC opens.

Alexander has also battled through injuries the past two seasons and after signing the big contract, he lost a little desire. Now, if he wants to be a player, he'll have to prove himself again. I'd be content on giving him an incentive laden contract that won't cost us much to cut him and that will reward him if he reaches certain milestones. Give him a one year deal, at least it's insurance if Benson can't rebound from his injury.

Actually, Russell is project to shift to RT after it was reported he was badly out of shape this offseason.

With the 48th pick, the Atlanta Falcons pick a CB with return abiltiy. Justin King CB, Penn State. Philedelphia Eagles on on the clock with the 49th pick

I think it's everything being thrown at us that's really starting to anger us loyal fans. This team as a whole is starting to look like it might just need to be blown up. With football starting to buzz again, me as a fan would like to hear these players are hungry to redeem themselves and the front office is ready to add the right pieces through the draft to help bring the team to that level again. But all were getting out of the media is the unhappiness of the team. We've read about Harris, Urlacher, Briggs, Hester, and now Gould all unhappy and most of them are skipping the voluntary workouts except for Hester. I know its voluntary, but not showing up to me says that they don't care enough about the team or there goals. Right now, this team has nothing going for them at all. Questions at every offensive position (QB, RB, WR, T, G) and now we have our best D players which should be the leaders of this team threatening the only positive we have to look forward to. If there going to be unhappy and show there displeasure by not showing leadership by being at the voluntary practices/working out as a team, we will never reach our goal. The Bears front office have said they want to get all of these guys taken care of and they want to take care of there own. Negotiations take time which is understandable. These players also have to realize that theres only so many gum balls in the jar and if they all want the most, they all won't be able to dip into the same jar. I hope we can get this all behind us quickly and this team can get together and focus on winning. Otherwise, like thread was titled to hell w/ it. Blow it up.

Also, he can be a returner if the "unhappy" Hester wants to test the Bears and hold out.

With a new QB to develop, the Falcons want to make sure he's protected. The Atlanta Falcons pick Carl Nicks OT Nebraska

If the Bears draft goes as planned and they get there OLT, QB, RB, WR in the first 3 rounds and when there 4th round pick is up and these two are available, who should the Bears take? Josh Barrett S Arizona St. 6-2 223, 4.34-40 (4.34, 4.30, 4.43) Very athletic for his size, 4.35 speed at combine, in the box safety who can tackle and deliver the big hit, plays the run very well, high football IQ, and a team leader, also can drop back and cover. Tom Zbikowski S Notre Dame 5-11 211, 4.44-40 (4.44, 4.40, 4.58) Hard worker and team leader, has a high football IQ, plays the run very well, in the box safety, cover skills need some work, makes plays when he gets the ball, excellant special teams player. Both players have there flaws, but could be the SS the Bears cover-2 could use. Tom Zbikowski has Chicago ties and could become the fan favorite as he seems to be the John Lynch type of safety. His ceiling isn't as high as Barrett's, but his floor isn't as low. Josh Barrett has the speed that JA/Lovie covet. He's an amazing athlete in the mold of Sean Taylor. He could blow the roof off of the ceiling if he matures/develops, but he has potential to bust more than Zibby does. At the least, Zibby could be a backup SS but be a ST ace where as Barrett would just be a back up S as he has no history at playing ST. So out of the two Safeties, who would you take. Someone help me make a decision b/c I like them both. For all those saying Zbikowski is slow, a 4.44 40 time is really not that slow and how fast was John Lynch?

The Atlanta Falcons biggest needs are DT, QB, OT, CB. They feel they got possibly the best DT in the draft and if he gains his full health, they possibly could get the next Warren Sapp type of player in Dorsey. There draft board plan is playing out as planned and the have shown a lot of interest in Deleware QB Joe Flacco. With the 34th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcon select Joe Flacco, QB, Deleware. With pick 35, the Kansas City Chiefs and Brletich are now on the clock..........

Great to here he's back! He was really missed last year and his leadership/emotion will be a big boost. The way he played in preseason and the SD game makes me think he can be bigger than T. Harris on this team(blasphemy), but he has to first prove he can stay on the field. JA might have two DT's to sign after the 2008 season if DD can stay healthy and play like he is capable of.

I'd be more than happy to take Mendenhall like that if the opportunity like that presented itself. So we get a top 10 prospect at RB by moving up and it cost us a 3rd this year and next which the 3rd next years value equals a 4th (by trade charts) {this obviously won't happen though} 1-14 Chris Williams OLT - may not be a road grader, but a finese pass blocking OT. 1-25 Rashard Mendenhall RB - IMO the best RB in this years draft. Benson will really have to step it up to prove he's the man 3-90 Mike McGlyn G - Starter quality G that made Otah look good. Some say he is the better NFL prospect out of the two 4-110 Josh Barrett SS - Fast, Athletic, hard hitting SS that Lovie/Angie love for there D 5-142 Colt Brennan QB - Young cocky QB, maybe like McMahon ? 6-175 Keenan Burton WR - The Bears brought him in for a look at and like this kid 7-222 Jacob Hester FB - The Bears just couldn't resist a man named Hester 7 comps (TE , WR, CB )

Jake Scott the G from Indy who signed with Tennessee? Nah, I think I'd rather have Jake Long. (just busting)

I like seeing this much better: Devin Hester #4 for this current all time mock. 4. Oakland Raiders – Devin Hester, WR/KR. No, this is not a misprint. Al Davis is that far gone. "Who is the fastest player on our board?" Davis asks in the war room. When Lane Kiffin starts to answer, Davis puts his finger to his lips as five armed security guards surround the second-year coach, place him in a straitjacket and lock him in the broom closet. The last thing Kiffin says before his mouth is gagged is "Yo, Adrian," and no one knows whether he's talking about a halfback named Peterson or paying homage to Sly Stallone

If I remember right, Lovies/JAs plan was to bring in players to help improve our 3rd down efficiency. Olsen was the first step of the plan, and finding a RB that can be brought in on 3rd down and be a threat on screens/draws was another part. The major part that they both didn't realize was that w/o a push up front from the oline, none of this would matter.

-Beekman might just have an edge on any drafted G right now unless it's Albert's. -What would you think of shifting Kreutz to LG and putting Beekman in at C. Beekman has that versatility, and may be able to make a snap with out fumbling the exchange. -I still have G as a priority, but I think there's bigger fish to fry right now (OT, RB, WR, QB) and then (G, S, DT, Heres my priority for the draft: RD1=OLT (I'd happily take a chance at B. Albert - and if he can't make it as a LT he will be a probowl G) RD2=QB Chad Henne (I'd prefer to trade down a little w/ this pick) RD3=RB Matt Forte RD3=WR RD4= OG/S

I don't think Beekman was ever competing to beat out Ruben Brown. Lovie has a policy that if a player can practice during the week, he can play. Blame it on Lovies system, but since Brown won the job in TC it's his unless he really blows it or ends up injured. With Brown, he played injured until he shut himself down on his own. I question why Beekman didn't get a shot when Metcalf failed so bad that they put St. Clair over at guard. There must be a reason and I really don't think it is he a terrible player. Maybe he was the teams #2 Center behind Olin and if Olin went down, they needed someone to fill in.

Sorry guys, I wrote this myself. It was not a PR fluff, just pointing out that the Bears were redshirting Beekman like many other Bear draft picks. So many write him off like he is not even in the mix of things. Go back and read what the scouts had to say about him coming out of college. This kid is a good kid that plays with a mean streak. I still want to bring in another guard, but it won't be any higher than a 4th RD selection IMO

Exactly. Since Rusty has joined the Bears, they've been redshirting players. The Bears have been redshirting the players were they have depth to do so (Bazuin, Okwo, Williams, Dvorecek) and with Beekman, he was mostly inactive until they sat John Tait for his ankle injury. I don't think it's a coincidence we've been claiming IR on so many draft picks, but a strategy to let these players develop there bodies for the NFL to help avoid future injury. Most scouts had Beekman rated as a 2nd RD grade, he did slip to the 4th, which was probably due to his strength, but if he does commit to the program and comes back stronger he should be able to compete for a G position this year and IMO he will beat out Metcalf.

Josh Beekman Resurrects When the Chicago Bears selected Josh Beekman in the 4th round of the 2007 draft, most fans were very pleased with the selection. They thought they got a player who was projected to go as high as the 2nd round in the 4th round. Jerry Angelo started the process of injecting youth into the aging offensive line. The Bears had high expectations for the 2008 season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. No one expected the Bears offense to recess like it did, and a big factor was the breaking down of the offensive line. Players played injured until it was time to fold the cards. Ruben Brown played most of the season with a torn shoulder, literally trying to stop defenders with one arm. John Tait and Fred Miller both sat out games due to ankle injuries. They played through the injuries even though it was evident they were a main reason for the poor showing on the offensive side of the ball. When the Bears decided to insert John St. Clair and Terrence Metcalf, many were questioning why not give Josh Beekman a shot. Was Beekman another one of Jerry Angelo's awful offensive line picks? There must be a reason why Beekman didn't see one snap during the 2007 season. One reason for Beekman's absence was his strength. He posted 24 reps on the bench press at the combine and since he's undersized as it is at 6-1 307, the Bears wanted to see him get stronger before putting him against NFL caliber players. Beekman was basically redshirted like fellow draftees Dan Bauzin and Mike Okwo. Jerry Angelo has a knack for drafting players and hiding them for a year and Beekman was no different from any of the others. With a year under his belt training with Rusty Jones, Beekman will enter the 2008 season ready to compete for a spot on the offensive line. He will most likely be competing against Terrence Metcalf for Reuben Browns vacant LG position and may have the edge on the 6 year veteren. The Bears still need more youth for the offensive line and will look early in the 2008 draft for an offensive tackle. The Bears would like to find there LT to solidify there line for years and this is the best draft in recent history to do that with. With Beekman now in the mix, the Bears need to replace Reuben Brown is not as high a priortity, but don't rule out finding another guard talent in RD4 like they did with Beekman to add competition for Garza for the 2009 season. Quick Josh Beekman facts: -Beekman started on the Amsterdam (NY) varsity football team as an eigth grader, playing defensive line. -2006, received the Jacobs Blocking award for being the most valuable blocker in the ACC -Honored with the Scanlon Trophy, the highest honor given to BC senior football players that exemplifies scholar, athlete, gentleman, and friend. Josh Beekmans website