ASHKUM BEAR

According to yahoo sports, it looks like JA has been secretly pursuing Cutler. He just doesn't try to advertise this as some other GM's/clubs like to do. Right now, Denver has Cutler off the trading block, but it sounds like if Denver puts him back on the block, the Bears are still interested. link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aloa...o&type=lgns

I'm getting to the point were I think I'd take Britton over an Oher/Smith the more I read about this kid. I really hope he's available at 18 and we'll have bookend OT's for years.

Monday 23, the NFL owners will meet in California. Usually they award the compensatory picks during the second day of the meetings, so it won't be long until we find out if we get a 3rd or 4th from Berrian. We will possibly get 2 extra 7th's also from the loss of Gilmore and Ayebadajo. This meeting will also be interesting to see if any info leaks out about how the owners will deal the the CBA and possible work stoppage. From what I've heard, they are planning on gaining more control that was lost to the players union in the last CBA. Hopefully out of it all, we have football and the put a cap on rookie contract.

I like it....I'm really hoping the Bears try and move up. We have two positions in a dire need and can afford to trade a third along with our 2nd to move up b/c thats more likely what it will cost. I believe our 2nd & 3rd will only get us to about 31 or 32 going off the draft trade value chart.

Great news, LaRocque seems like a great kid, reminds me of Hillenmeyer. I think he can be a good back up at the strong side LB and great special teamer.

Heres some comparison I've found: Earl Bennett Sterling Sharpe--Chris Chambers-Greg Jennings--fftoday, Jericho Cotchery=(walter football) Hakeem Nicks - Player Comparison: Jerricho Cotchery walter football and Nicks reminds me a lot of Greg Jennings coming out of college (walterfootball) Some sites I've read said Nicks would make a great #2 WR, I've also read sites were the said all Bennett would be is either a #2 or slot WR.

Comparing Nicks to Bennett, they are both similiar. Bennett seems like the better blocker and Nicks is a little more physical. Don't get me wrong, I like and would want Nicks on the Bears, but if he is close enough to Bennett were they would both make good #2's in the NFL, why jam this position up with another WR with a same set of skills. Just like Maclin's skill sets says he would make an excellant slot WR, where Hester should be. This is where I think if we do go WR, we may take Darius Hayward-Bey and I'll also lay out his profile. DHB is raw and will take some work, but is he raw due to a poor QB play and bad offensive system? If Maclin resembles Hester too much, I think Nicks resembles Bennett too much. Maclin/Nicks are the better WR's, but there skills sets match up with WR's we already have. DHB could be a force that can stretch the field and would balance out an arsenal of Bennett, Hester, Olsen, Forte, and DHB, they all have a different key skill that will give defenses a headache. The only missing ingrediant=QB. I know this will bring some arguements, but I just wanted to point this out and maybe change some thoughts. I hope we don't draft WR #1 and rather take Smith, Oher, or Britton and try to find a partner to move up with to grab a WR. Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt 6-1 205 40 time = 4.48 Receiving.....................................................Rushing Year... REC... YDS... AVG... LNG... TD... ATT... YDS... AVG... LNG... TD 2005... 79.... 876 ...11.1 ......41..... 9 ......5 ......11 ......2.2 .....14..... 0 2006... 82 ...1146 ..14.0 ......77 .....6 ......5 ......11 ......2.2 .....11 .....0 2007... 75 ....830 ...11.0 ......54 .....5 ....10 ......22 ......2.2 .....15 .....0 Totals. 236 ..2852.. 12.1 ......77 ....20 ...20 ......44...... 2.2 .....15 .....0 Strengths: Has good size and a solid frame...Excellent hands..Terrific route runner and knows how to get open...Tough and fearless...Very smooth...Nice vision and can do some damage after the catch...Gives pretty good effort as a blocker...Very smart...Might be able to contribute as a return man...Hard worker...Top intangibles...Productive. Weaknesses: Just average athleticism...Not a blazer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina 6-1 210 40 time= 4.49 YEAR... REC .YDS..... AVG ..LNG.. .TD.. ATT... YDS... AVG... LNG. TD.. FUM LST 2006... 39..... 660......16.9.....83..... 4..... 1..... 10..... 10.0.... 10... 0... 0... 0 2007... 74..... 958......12.9.....53..... 5..... 1..... -1 ......-1.0...... 0... 0... 0... 0 2008... 68.....1222.... 18.0.....74..... 12....5..... 34....... 6.8.... 12... 1... 0... 0 Strengths: Ideal height and bulk w/ long arms. Excellant route runner. Has big, strong, reliable hands. Plucks the ball out of the air and can make the difficult catch. Great body control and ball skills. Aggressive and is a decent leaper. Good balance and agility. Tougth, strong and physical. Will work the middle of the field. Able to do some damage after the catch. Nice instincts and awareness. Team player with solid intangibles. Extremely competitive. Experienced. Very productive Weaknesses: Just average speed and quickness. Is not very explosive and lacks a burst. Doesn't get a lot of seperation. Probably won't be much of a verticle threat. Not very elusive and lacks wiggle. Motor runs hot and cold. Must work harder as a blocker. Might be a little too cocky ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darius Hayward-Bey WR Maryland 6-2 210 40 time = 4.30 YEAR...... REC...... YDS...... AVG..... LNG..... TD.... ATT... YDS... AVG.... LNG... TD... FUM... LST 2006....... 45........ 694....... 15.4...... 96....... 5....... 5....... 5 .......1.0...... 9 ......0...... 0....... 0 2007....... 51........ 786....... 15.4...... 63....... 3....... 5..... 107.... 21.4 ....54...... 1...... 0....... 0 2008....... 42........ 609....... 14.5...... 80........5.......15.... 202.... 13.5.....76...... 1..... .0....... 0 Strengths: A smooth fluid athlete. Long strider with rare speed. Explosive with great acceleration and a burst. Quick and agile. Terrific height and bulk with long arms. Excellant leaper. Nice body control and ball skills. Tough and not afraid to work the middle. Verticle threat who can seperate. Also a dangerous weapon on reverses. Great work ethic. Could also contribute as a return man. Still has a ton of upside. Weakness: Is inconsistant catching the ball and does not have great natural hands. Questionable instincts and awareness. Still very raw as a route runner. Not much wiggle to make people miss. Doesn't break a lot of tackles. Average strength. Marginal blocker. Has little or no special teams experience. Wasn't real productive. Workout warrior?

Isn't he the guy Cedric ran over in a preseason game and broke his ankle. I remember seeing this and thinking Ced's going to be running over dudes all season long. What happened?

I'm really not too high on a 1st or 2nd RD DE, but also like Smith FS/CB if available at 2-49. As for DHB, I like what he can bring b/c it may complement our WR corp all together. I think Maclin = Hester, Nicks = Bennett, and DHB = a #1 we don't have. I'll be happy to get any of the WR's except for Harvin that's project in RD's1 or 2. [bennett Hester Williams Omiyale Kreutz Beunning Britton Olsen Heyward-Bey] ................................................. Orton ..................................................Forte

Great post, and hopefully I have a great answer. profile from draftcountdown.com Eben Britton RT Arizona Ideal size with a large frame and room to add more weight. Excellent tech who understands angles and positioning. Tough, physical, and plays to the whistle. Good strength and power. Gets a nice push in the run game. Has a terrific intial punch. Is stout at the point of attack. Neutralizes defenders when locked on. Outstanding football IQ and awareness. Hardworker, Leader, Durable, and lots of experience. As much as I'm excited to see Andre Smith or Michael Oher drop to us, I think this kid can be a great football player for years. Like Williams was projected as only a true LT, I think Britton is projected as only a true RT. I'm all for taking OT in the first and for all I care we can trade the rest of our picks to move up to guarantee a WR like Nicks, Britt, Robiskie.

Put me in for the Bears Also: Philedelphia (2picks)

Today on ESPN1000, Silvy/Waddle were explaining part of the St. Clair situation. They said the Bears offered the 3 yr 4.5 million deal. St. Clair said he was looking for a deal close to 3yr 15 million. The Bears did not budge and said to hit the market to find your value. At Cleveland, they offered him a 3yr 9 million deal which nearly fell apart after the numbers were figured out. I'm thinking St. Clair was trying to get the Bears back involved but Cleveland said take it or leave it. I find that amusing, but can't hate a guy for trying. I'm also relieved Angelo didn't fold b/c I truly want to see the Bears dedicate the next year or two to totaly rebuild the line with youth and have good young backups pushing for starting time. Resigning St. Clair anything over the 3yr 4.5 million would have taken away a roster spot and cap that could be used on better talent.

I heard this on Silvy/Waddle show this afternoon. They seemed to think b/c he took so long to feel comfortable with the play book he was somewhat in the coaches doghouse. Bennett supposedly said he didn't feel comfortable until week 7, and since he really didn't play until the last game, makes me believe he was in the coaches dog house. They said this was the same situation with Mark Bradley. I think this is a trend and can actually explain some of the poor play by the WR's since Turner took over. This also may explain why we can predict so many plays, just like defenses. If the players can only nail down so many plays, thats all the OC can call during a game.

Some people are upset over the Bears about the lack of FA involvement, but with almost everybody locked up long term, we only have so much room before we have to start cutting guys and taking cap hits. I have 45 players I feel are locks for the 53 man, at least 5 draft picks will be on the roster, and I have some tweeners that could go either roster, practice squad, or cut. That pretty much fills the 53 man and as much as I would love to, I think we'd be better off not signing a guy like Tory Holt becasue we need to play Bennett and whoever we draft at 1 or 2. 57 Kreutz, Olin C 72 Buenning, Dan G 67 Beekman, Josh G ~~~~~~~Look to add a RT and G most likely through the draft 74 Williams, Chris OT Omiyale, Frank T 63 Roberto Garza G Basanez, Brett QB 12 Hanie, Caleb QB ~~~~~~~We may draft 1 but doubtful, need vet to backup 18 Orton, Kyle QB 22 Forte, Matt RB 27 Jones, Kevin RB 37 McKie, Jason RB~~~~~~~~~Full house, unless AP/Wolfe gets cut this is set 29 Peterson, Adrian RB 25 Wolfe, Garrett RB 85 Bennett, Earl WR 81 Davis, Rashied WR ~~~~~~~Look to add 2 WR's in draft, try to add vet 23 Hester, Devin WR 88 Clark, Desmond TE 87 Davis, Kellen TE~~~~~~~~~~Like RB, Full house 82 Olsen, Greg TE 9 Gould, Robbie K 4 Maynard, Brad P~~~~~~~~~~Not much to do here 65 Mannelly, Patrick LS Bullocks, Josh FS 44 Payne, Kevin SS 20 Steltz, Craig S 35 Bowman, Zack DB ~~~~~~~~~Crowded DB class, but can still add a FS 21 Graham, Corey CB 26 McBride, Trumaine CB 33 Tillman, Charles CB 31 Vasher, Nathan CB 38 Manning, Danieal NB 97 Anderson, Mark DE 96 Brown, Alex DE ~~~~~~~~~Full House, maybe draft Ogunleye replacement/Idonije competition 71 Idonije, Israel DE 93 Ogunleye, Adewale DE 95 Adams, Anthony DT 98 Dvoracek, Dusty DT~~~~~~~~~Depends on Dusty's health could draft late round 91 Harris, Tommie DT 94 Harrison, Marcus DT 55 Briggs, Lance LB 92 Hillenmeyer, Hunter LB 53 Roach, Nick LB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Full House, could draft a bigger SLB 54 Urlacher, Brian LB 52 Williams, Jamar LB ---------cut/practice------------ Reed, Tyler G Balogh, Cody T 43 Davis, Jason RB 19 Aromashodu, Devin WR Broussard, John WR Burgess, Rudy WR 84 Rideau, Brandon WR~~~~~~May win roster spot Mines, Fontel TE 99 Baldwin, Ervin DE ~~~~~~~May win roster spot Clermond, Joe DE 75 Toeaina, Matt DT~~~~~~~~May win roster spot 90 LaRocque, Joey LB~~~~~~May win roster spot 24 Hamilton, Marcus DB~~~~~Will be given a chance, but doubtful 45 Worrell, Cameron DB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MOCK: trade our 2nd and 3rd to move up into the first with PIT at 32 (i'd even throw in a 4th to move up for Nicks) 1-18 Michael Oher/Eben Britton RT 1-32 Hakeem Nicks/Kenny Britt WR 3-97 comp - Herman Johnson OG 4-115 Jonny Knox WR

I remember a few years back, most likely on the other board, a lot of people were saying (me included) that the Bears are trying to model themselves after the New England Patriots. This was brought up because the Bears weren't targeting big name FA's. The Patriots were winning Superbowls left and right, built there team through the draft, plugged holes with either mid level FA's or older vets that wanted to come for a shot at a title. When one of their players became a nuisance about getting more money, they let that player go. Now after thinking about that thread, I look at what the Patriots have been doing the last two years. It seems like they have flipped their philosophy and are now actively pursing the bigger names (Peppers, A. Thomas, etc.). I just wonder how many more years it will take the Bears to figure out their role model has abandoned them, unless they may have changed their role model to Pittsburgh b/c they just won a Superbowl. Just wondering if any of the old board members remember this philosophy?

He would also have his old college LT protecting his blind side again. One reason why McDaniels wanted Cassel, besides him coaching him, is b/c Cassel manages the ball. Too bad we didn't expose Kyle last year, b/c thats what the experts were saying about his play last year.

I like these moves their making. I don't think these moves are cheap, just trying to get guys who deserve some playing time an opportunity to compete. Bowman-would've been buried at CB and probably wouldn't dress for games. Move him to a position that lacks depth and is open for competition and maybe we have a star looking for an opportunity to shine. Bowman made the most out of his oppotunity at CB, and even though he went down with injury, he showed enough to warrant the Bears to give him a bigger role. Omiyale- When he was brought in, the Bears said right off the bat that he would get a first look at G. When we were talking to him before he decided to sign, it had to be brought up about the position switch. If the Bears and/or Omiyale didn't think the move was for the best, he wouldn't be here. In the little time he did get to play, he has shown he can play with the big boys and should be a upgrade over Beekman who also did fairly well as a first year starter. Idonje-With a crowded DT class and all but Dvorecek coming back 100%, Idonje would be with Adams wearing street clothes on Sundays. Moving him to DE gives him an oppotunity to dress on Sundays. Idonje always seems to make plays and was a stud on the ST's. Depending on who we draft, Idonje should have a good chance on being the 4th DE and blowing up wedges on ST's again.

Awesome, IMO the Raiders signing Barnes takes away a dire need for them to select an OT. This helps us out, just like JAX signing Tra Thomas, in getting a OT in RD1.

I give Bullocks the benefit of the doubt. When he first came into the league and was under Haslet, he looked pretty good. After Haslet left, the whole D totally fell apart and the CB's were awful. They were so bad, they played a soft zone against us this year. Bullocks may be a surprise if our D line steps up under Marinelli, the CB's improve b/c the QB has less time with the pressure, then a guy like Bullocks can look to play center field and pick off QB's. I'm not saying Bullocks is a stud, thus a one year contract, but his play may not be as bad as it looked in NO. I'm willing to give him a chance and think it was a good FA pick up.

If, and a BIG if Andre Smith is available at 18, there's no hesitating on drafting him. The worst the kid could do is be a Probowl RT or LG. All this negative news on him about being out of shape, skipping the combine is only going to give a team slotted around 10 a great chance to draft a good offensive lineman. All these tackles in the draft are first graded/ranked to play LT. Britton is the only OT so far that scouts are saying is better suited to play the RT spot because of his short arms and lateral movement. The rest of the OT's can be starting LT's in the league, and if they aren't probowl caliber there, move them to RT where the less skilled DE is, the better the OT looks. Andre's problem in my eye is he is still a little immature. He's still a kid in a monster body. Jason Smith and him both had trouble/failed to get an agent and the agent is usually the one putting these players in camps to prepare them for the combine/nfl. If you get a chance, watch some NFL network channel when there covering path to the draft. They have some segement's on Smith and you can see he's not a bad apple. He got a unfortunate late start on preparing for the combine and hasn't had the greatest support (agent) to bring him along. If I were in JA's shoe's and he was available at the 10 spot, I'd be calling trying to find out what it would take to get this kid.

With the guys listed below, what would be your order to select them? 1. Michael Oher OT 2. Andre Smith OT 3. Jeremy Maclin WR 4. Mark Sanchez QB 5. Everette Brown DE 6. Eben Britton OT

Looks like we'll have to wait until March 23rd to find out: (11 more days woo-woo) The NFL typically awards the compensatory picks on the second day of the Annual Meeting, which would be March 23 this year (the meeting will be March 22-25 in Dana Point, CA). Here's some 2008 awarded teams: THIRD ROUND Washington (Derrick Dockery, $7 million per season, 16 GP/16 GS) Cincinnati (Eric Steinbach, $6.971 million, 16/16) Baltimore (Adalius Thomas, $6.9 million, 16/15) Atlanta (Atlanta (net-value comp; lost three for $9.567 million, 47/30 and one Pro Bowl; signed three for $4.964 million, 45/13) FOURTH ROUND Buffalo (Mike Gandy, $4.667 million, 16/16) Baltimore (Tony Pashos, $4.7 million, 15/15) Philadelphia (Donte Stallworth, $5.083 million, 16/9) Green Bay (Ahman Green, $5.6 million, 6/5) Tennessee (Drew Bennett, $5 million, 14/1) Going off talent alone, Berrian played a bigger role than Stallworth/Bennett in his first year w/ Minny. He got paid a ton which factors in, so I can almost guarantee a 3rd (almost). Another funny thing about comp. picks, if there are not 32 picks given out due to FA loss vs gains, the NFL will start awarding the left over picks like an 8th RD in the draft until 32 picks are used up.

C'mon, stop being a Benson hater ( j k ). Benson IMO will elevate himself to the fair range (have a couple of 1000yd seasons) before his career is over, but he'll never achieve greatness b/c of were he was drafted. Like you said, first rd RB's usually pan out at a good %,, but I would also like to see what % of 2nd RDers succeed, 3rd RD, etc. RB is probably the easiest to make a transistion to and a 2nd tier prospect's drop off from a 1st tier isn't as great IMO as say a OT or QB.

We've now signed two guys that none of us had a clue the Bears were in contact with. We're getting smoke screens on St. Clair and Sharper and then we sign Omiyale and Bullocks. Since the Bears aren't targeting any big name players, the media has no clue who the Bears are targeting unless they a) start calling all the agents b.) the agent volunteers the news to the media, but doubtful with a lesser name player c) Bears volunteer the news, also doubtful unless a smokescreen or trying to lure another team to start a bidding war. I believe there used to be inside moles that would leak some info to the media previously, but with some harsh words printed the past few years and strong opionions on JA/Lovie/McCaskey's they are keeping plans really tight and have eliminated any sources that may leak.

I would be fine taking Britton only if Smith/Oher were long gone and Maclin was gone also. I would hate to see DHB/Harvin drafted b/c we have our shifty WR in Hester. For some reason, the way you see JA taking DHB, I see him taking Harvin. The reason I see him going Harvin is because of Kyles short game. Harvin would be able to make big gains out of the 5 to 10 yard pass plays.