ASHKUM BEAR

Hopefully it's because of the system and coaching he has had at NO. You have to admit, almost all the DB's at NO have been terrible the past few seasons. I was searching for his draft profile but can't seem to find it, but remember reading it before FA started that scouts thought he would excel in the Tampa-2 system for some reason. Lets hope he pans out, or at least can be a band aid until a high draft pick can be developed.

I'm with you, we need to continue adding talent to the offensive line and I think theres a legit chance Smith/Oher is available at 18. For some reason, I can see us all in the chat room screaming when we get an announcement like, "With the 18th pick, the Chicago Bears trade down with Indianapolis" The Colts select: OT Andre Smith. "With the 27th pick, the Bears select Sean Smith FS and also gain a 3rd and 4th RD pick" Even though Smith can be a stud FS, we all know the greater importance of the oline and even WR over a DB. I also think this is a year we can use a 3rd or 4th to trade up and make sure we get a OT and WR like Smith/Oher or Nick/Robiskie

Good ridiance, not only was he worthless as a football player, he was an arse in public. I would've loved to kick him in his bad knee if I knew I could of made it out alive. My bad moment with him was during training camp, a lot of players were at an establishment and we were talking to St. Clair and Des Clark. Those two are great guys, so I would love to see St. Clair brought back b/c of that, but not really for his LT talent. Metcalf must have thought that the establishment was private or something and told me to move on and he was bluntly rude about it. None of the other players mentioned they didn't want us around and Mike Brown bought us a beer. It was one of my greatest nights out as a Bear fan and got to talk to about everyone except a few bigs that didn't show (Urlacher, Briggs, Ogunleye, Olsen). The greatest thing was when other people I don't know came in and asked me if I was with the Bears, if I wasn't so honest, I could've really had some fun.

About not raising ticket prices: I don't know if this holds any truth or not, but Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson mentioned during interviews/speech at the Hall of Fame inductions that the NFL suggested to owners not to raise ticket prices b/c of the economy. The owners can do so if they wanted, but suggested not to do so. The Bears have been increasing tickets prices the last couple of years and chose to follow the NFL's way this year.

This is a mock looking at team needs after FA signings as of Monday. We have a good shot at either Andre Smith OT or MIchael Oher OT and then a good chance Robiskie/Nicks is available at RD2. Some guys I have higher than other mocks, but I'm thinking some teams may reach a little to fill the need. ROUND 1 01 Detroit...........Matt Stafford QB I have a feeling Detroit is spinning right now not knowing which way to go, they can gamble Sanchez will be there at 20 or hope a OT is there. I have them taking Stafford, b/c you can't gamble a QB will be available further down Team needs: QB, MLB, OLB, OT, SS Options: Aaron Curry LB, Eugene Monroe OT, Jason Smith OT 02 St Louis..........Eugene Monroe OT With the retirement of Pace, there almost certain to take a OT, even though Curry is tempting. Team needs: OT, OLB, CB, QB Options:Aaron Curry LB, Jason Smith OT, Michael Crabtree 03 Kansas City....Jason Smith OT I had them going Curry first, but switched to Smith. KC will want to give Cassel all the time in the world Team needs: OT, DE, WR, TE, G, CB Options: Aaron Curry LB, Michael Crabtree WR 04 Seattle..........Aaron Curry They could go w/ Crabtee, but there D gave up tons of points last year and they can't believe Curry is still available. Team needs: WR, OLB, FS, OT Options: Michael Crabtree WR, Michael Oher OT, Andre Smith OT 05 Cleveland......Brian Orakpo OLB/DE Orakpo will line up at DE for Clevelands 3-4 D. Team Needs OLB, CB, OT Options: BJ Raji DT, Andre Smith OT, Michael Oher OT 06 Cincinatti.......BJ Raji DT They could go Andre Smith/Michael Oher here, but view Raji with more value. Team needs: DT, C, OT, LB, DE Options: Rey Maualuga LB, Andre Smith OT 07 Oakland.........Micheal Crabtree WR Davis nearly dies of a heart attack when he sees Crabtree available and gets Russell a go to WR. Team needs: G, WR, OLB, OT Options:Rey Maualuga LB, Andre Smith OT, Micheal Oher OT 08 Jacksonville....Rey Maualuga MLB The team may opt to go offensive lineman w/ so many holes, but plug in a leader in MLB to replace black sheep Peterson. Plus they just signed Tra Thomas Team needs: MLB, G, S, OT Options: Everette Brown DE, Andre Smith OT, Michael Oher OT 09 Green Bay.....Everette Brown DE Green Bay selects a nice pass rusher to start there 3-4 base D. Team needs: DE, OT, DT Options: Malcom Jenkins DB 10 San Fransico..Mark Sanchez QB W/ a RB, TE, WR's already in place, the 49's jsut need a QB that can get them the ball. Team needs: QB, CB, OLB Options: Vonte Davis CB, Brian Cushing OLB 11 Buffalo.........Larry English DE Buffalo didn't have any pass rush last year and like English's ability to get to the QB Team needs: G, OLB, TE, DE Options: Michael Oher OT, Andre Smith OT, Brandon Pettigrew TE 12 Denver........Malcom Jenkins FS Denver can use a OT opposite of Clady, but feel Jenkins has more value than Smith/Oher Team needs: OT, MLB, DE, FS, DT Options: Micheal Oher OT, James Laurinitis LB 13 Washington...Tyson Jackson DE Washington has some aging OT's, but feel a DE to replace Taylor and play opposite of Carter will complete the D. Team needs: OLT, DE, LB, OT Options:Andre Smith OT, Micheal Oher OT 14 New Orleans..Brian Cushing OLB They can either go Vonte Davis CB or LB here. Team needs: OLB, C, CB, RB Options: Aaron Maybin DE, Clay Matthew LB, James Laurinitis 15 Houston........Clay Matthews OLB With no SS valued in RD1, they take another USC LB. 3 in the top 15 Team needs: SS, OLB, FS, RB Options:Vonte Davis CB, Clay Matthews OLB, Knowshon Moreno 16 San Diego.....Andre Smith OT They could go RB here, but would like to get a bookend OT opposite of McNeil Team needs: OT, OLB, DT, RB Options: Michael Oher OT, Jame Laurinitis LB, Knowshon Moreno 17 NY Jets........James Laurinitis LB LB's are flying off the boards, but they are some teams #1 needs and this is a great class to fill them Team needs: ILB, G, OT, CB, QB Opitons: Knowshon Moreno RB, Chris Wells RB, Jeremy Maclin WR 18 Chicago......Micheal Oher OT Angelo exhales as another miracle happens and a OT falls in his lap Team needs: OT, WR, FS, QB, G Options: Jeremy Maclin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR, Michael Johnson DE 19 Tampa Bay....Jeremy Maclin WR They feel like they got a steal with Maclin available Team needs: DT, QB, WR, CB Options:Darius Haywood-Bey WR, Peria Jerry DT 20 Detroit........Eben Britton OT Detroit follows Atlanta draft process and hope to have their success also. Team needs: OLB, MLB, OT, DE, SS Options: William Beatty OT, Max Unger OT/C/G 21 Philedelphia.....Vonte Davis CB With the loss of Dawkins, Sheppard, there DB's are depleted. Davis is probably the best CB in the draft Team needs: LT, RB, FS, WR, TE, LB, CB Options: Hakeem Nicks WR, Brandon Pettigrew TE, Knowshon Moreno RB, Chris Wells RB 22 Minnesota......Max Unger C With the loss of Birk, they draft the best C available. They considered Beatty, but prefer a road grader at RT. Team needs: OT, QB, DE, DT, C Options: Josh Freeman QB, William Beatty OT, Michael Johnson DE 23 New England......Aaron Maybin DE/OLB The rich just keep getting richer, Maybin falls into the Pats lap. Team needs: ILB, OLB, CB, S Options: DJ Moore CB/S , Alphonso Smith CB 24 Atlanta..............Brandon Pettigrew TE Matt Ryan can use a TE that can catch, and Pettigrew is at the top of the list Team needs: TE, DT, SS, OLB, OT Options: Peria Jerry DT, William Beatty OT 25 Miami................DJ Moore CB Moore will be tried out at CB first, otherwise he should be a viable FS Team needs: OLB, SS, FS, CB, WR Options: Percy Harvin WR, Darius Hayward-Bey WR, 26 Baltimore.........Darius Hayward Bey WR They get Flacco a deep threat to unload his cannon on Team needs: CB, LB, WR Options: Alphonso Smith CB, Percy Harvin WR 27 Indianapolis......Peria Jerry DT Indianoplis needs a couple of DT's, Jerry next best Team needs: DT, G, OT, WR, MLB Options: Percy Harvin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR, William Beatty OT 28 Philedelphia......Chris Wells RB Westbrook is getting up there and has trouble staying healthy. The chose Wells over Moreno b/c they like his size Team needs: LT, RB, FS, WR, TE Options: William Beatty OT, Percy Harvin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR 29 NY Giants.........Knowshon Moreno RB With Ward gone and Jacobs upright running style making him a play away from injury, they select Moreno who can be a star in this league Team needs: OT, OLB, MLB, RB, WR Options: William Beatty OT, Percy Harvin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR 30 Tennessee.......Percy Harvin WR They seen what speed can do at RB, now they want to see Harvin add that dimension to WR to go along with big 12ga(justin gage) Team needs: C, CB, DT, WR Options: Alex Mack C, Percy Harvin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR 31 Arizona............Michael Johnson DE Team needs: OLB, DT/DE, Options: 32 Pittsburgh........William Beatty OT Team needs: C, G, OT, WR/KR Options: Duke Robinson G, Alex Mack C ================================================= ROUND 2 33 Detroit................Jarron Gilbert DE 34 New England.......Sean Smith S/CB 35 St Louis..............Alponso Smith CB 36 Cleveland...........Jamon Meredith OT 37 Seattle...............Kenny Britt WR 38 Cincinatti............Alex Mack C 39 Jacksonville........Duke Robinson G 40 Oakland.............Tyrone Mckenzie OLB 41 Green Bay.........Evander Hood DT 42 Buffalo..............Jarod Cook TE 43 San Francisco....Darius Butler CB 44 Miami...............Hakeem Nicks WR 45 NY Giants.........Clint Sintum OLB/DE 46 Houston...........Louis Delmas FS 47 New England....Conor Barwin DE/OLB 48 Denver............Robert Ayers DE 49 Chicago...........Brian Robiskie WR 50 Cleveland.........Phil Loadholdt OT 51 Dallas..............William Moore SS 52 Philedelphia......Louis Murphy WR 53 NY Jets............Josh Freeman QB 54 Minnesota........Paul Kruger DE 55 Atlanta............Ron Brace DT 56 Miami.............Mike Mickens CB 57 Baltimore.......Fili Moala DT/DE 58 New England....Dannell Ellerbe ILB 59 Carolina.........Juanquin Iglesias WR 60 NY Giants.......Troy Kopog OT 61 Indianapolis.....Andy Levitre G 62 Tennessee......Eric Wood C 63 Arizona.........LeSean McCoy RB 64 Pittsburgh........Jonathon Luigs C

Not bad: If Sanchez is really available at our pick, we either A draft him or B trade down b/c 3 teams right below us will take him: Tampa Bay, Detroit if they don't go Stafford, or Minnesota. Heck, I bet New England might draft him if he made it to #23. Thats who we should be on the phones talking to if Sanchez is falling: Chicago: Pick 18=900 pts , New England: Pick 23=760 + RD3Pick 89=145 = 905 pts This would help us out since the value at our pick doesn't quite fit our needs, here what we could draft (going off dawhiz draft) 1-23. Hakeem Nicks WR - the next Anquan Boldin 2-49 Michael Johnson DE -compared to be like Peppers who teams also flagged 3-84 trade 84/89 = 315 pts to Carolina pick 59=310pts - Phil Loadholdt OT 3-89 from NE trade- traded to Carolina for Loadholdt 3-97 comp -Derek Peques or David Bruton FS 4-115. Rhett Bomar QB ------------ rest of the draft, take best offensive lineman available LOL

How about also adding: Sanchez and Oher as they were top 10 for a while. If Jenkins, Andre Smith, Maualuga, Sanchez, or Oher were available, I'd cut it down to Sanchez, Smith, and Oher. With Tait retiring and St. Clair just a stop gap, I would go Oher in a heartbeat. 1. Oher OT 2. Nicks/Britt/Robiskie WR (like last year, WR's will start going in RD2 - hoping 1 of 3 makes it to us) 3. Rhett Bomar QB 3b. Nic Harris OLB 4. D. Bruton FS 5. Aaron Kelly WR 6. Louis Vasquez G 7. best FB available

I'm with jason on this one! T.O. works best in a west coast offense which Turners offense is based off of. Every team that he's been on, he's put up monster #'s. When his team starts losing and he's no longer the focal point of the offense is when the media starts asking him his thoughts and the negative energy emerges. I think TO would be 50/50 on his decision to come here: 50 For - Chicago is the second largest market, a storied NFL franchise, team still has a chance at SB, he can become Chicago's best WR ever. 50 Against - Offense has been in the gutter, QB not very accurate past 15 yds, Turner hasn't been too creative. Odds are, Angelo/Lovie wouldn't think twice about it, but getting a true #1 may change minds.

Here's something I recently heard, but can't find any facts on yet: The way the salary cap works, the teams have a limit and a floor on what they have to spend. The Bears have approx. 20-30 million available to spend, but if the ownership don't have the cash readily available, they won't be able to compete in signing bonuses. At some point in time, the teams are given there revenue sharing but that is after the FA period starts. What I heard is that the Bears won't be able to do too much b/c the ownership wouldn't have millions available to hand out and with the economy and banking situations borrowing wouldn't be much of an option. I wish LT2 3 were available to correct me and explain, but I think this has something to do with the inactivity. Once the cash becomes available the Bears will have to find a way to be within 85.2% of the cap.

Your right, we don't move too fast b/c we got ourselves at 30 mil plus cap space by not buying into the FA hype and letting things settle a bit. We look for contributors that will keep us finanically healthy and build our core through the draft. Also, I think whatever JA and the Bears do, they will be criticized one way or the other. For instance we need a franchise QB. If the Bears brought in Warner, there would be negative statements like he's too old, can't play in cold/wind, won't have Fitz/Bolden or Holt/Bruce as WR. If we brought in Housmanzadeh we would get: he's too old, only a pos WR, always a #2, played in Cincy who almost always had to pass to catch up. So I'm ok on bringing in lesser names like we have in the past (R. Brown, R. Garza, F. Miller, K Jones, etc.)

One reason we are in such great cap space, 30mil or so, with most starters signed long term is b/c we don't bite on the high priced FA's. We wait it out, prices go down, and we can get the bargains. It may not be flashy, but right now the Bears would prefer to bring in their stars through the draft and be able to resign them.

We did interview Crabtree and Smith at the combine though, why would we go through that process if we didn't think there was a slim chance we might be in position to take one.

Going back to saying JA sabotaged Jauron is dilusional, Jauron had GM powers even though JA had the title. It was put in Jauron's contract. Once Angelo got control of full GM, he canned Jauron. This took place after Ed McCaskey died in 2003 and his power in shares was divided out and the majority was taken away from Virginia and Mikey. I know were trying to figure out why we've only signed one player in 5 days there must be a conspiracy, but that's just not the case. JA will make a move when he finds a player he likes on/off the field and a Bear friendly contract can be made.

I'm thinking maybe more like St. Louis, Seattle, Oakland, or Jacksonville. These are teams that are not in the best cap space according to ask the commish: 21 Jacksonville Jaguars $20000000 22 San Diego Chargers $18000000 23 NY Giants $15000000 24 Dallas Cowboys $14000000 25 Carolina Panthers $13000000 26 Seattle Seahawks $13000000 27 St. Louis Rams $12000000 28 Oakland Raiders $8000000 29 Indianapolis Colts $6000000 30 Washington Redskins $1000000 31 New Orleans Saints $-1000000 32 NY Jets $-3000000 But to make a deal with one of these, we probably have to forfiet this years 1, 3 and a 1 next year at least. Sitting in this position, we can possibly get: Stafford, Monroe, J Smith, Crabtree, Orakpo, E. Brown. The ones making the most since would be Monroe/Smith to play RT. 1. Monroe/Smith OT..................Crabtree WR......................Crabtree WR 2. Britt/Robiskie WR ..... OR...... Loadholdt OT........... OR....L. Delmas FS 3b. Bruton FS..........................Bruton FS...........................X. Fulton OT A draft like this would have me satisfied

I always mix those two up, dang it. It looks like he signed today, maybe they had an agreement in place 3 days ago. Lions | B. Johnson signed Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:37:56 -0800 Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports the Detroit Lions have signed unrestricted free-agent WR Bryant Johnson (49ers) to a three-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sorry guys, had to throw a "sike" out there. As we are all down on the lack of news, were only 5 days into FA. We all hope for the "castle of grayskull" toy for Xmas, but since our parents aren't big spenders, we know we'll always end up with a lego set every year instead. We can always hope, please ma/pa by building our castle from legos, and maybe we'll get our dream once things settle down.

In other news, Cedric Benson resigns with Cincinatti and Antoinio Bryant WR signs with Detroit

Bengals | Grossman to visit Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:12:57 -0800 Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports unrestricted free-agent QB Rex Grossman (Bears) said during a radio interview that he will meet with the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday, March 5. Here's some news for the guys with the kffl ticker blues.

My choice: 1- Reggie Williams WR JAX (not sure after the bone head was drunk and high driving around) 6-4 225 4.45 forty time draft profile: Positvies: good speed for size, excellant hands, very physical, rarely loses on jump balls. He can manhandle CB's trying to jam him at the line, great blocker, He can be the closest thing to Larry Fitzgerald and maybe a new team will allow him to refocus his NFL career. If he is willing to straighten up, I'd be willing to offer him an incentive laden contract. 2- Michael Jenkins - never mind, I see he signed a contract extension back in Nov 25.

Feb 18th, no hard feelings. Feb 18 2009, 10:20 PM Post #13 Practice Squad Group: Super Fans Posts: 321 Joined: December 11, 2007 From: Ashkum, IL Member No.: 2,593 I can live with that mock, but I think at least for this year we can pass on a CB or at least not a high RD one. Right now we have a decent group that can become better with better D-Line play. Tillman, Graham, Vasher, McBride, Bowman, Manning have all shown flashes and my sleeper to step up this year is Bowman. Heres my take: 1-Hakeem Nicks WR - He is really starting to grow on me and I think he can become a #1 threat that would complement Hester very well 2-Phil Loadholdt RT - He definately has some work cut out for him in terms of pass blocking, but the Bears can really use a mauler on the right side to open up lanes for Forte. 3-Trevor Canfield G - After Canfield, the next 2-3 best G prospects have had recent knee injuries. If Canfield still available, he'd be too good to pass up. 3bb-David Bruton FS - Has decent speed that Lovie likes and can possibly be insurance behind Atowge when we sign him 4-Phillip Hunt DE - A quick DE that has a knack for getting to the QB 5-Drew Willy QB - Decent size QB, Doesn't make a lot of mistakes, comes out of MAC conference. 6-Herb Donaldson RB - coming out of our far back yard at Western IL, Donaldson is 5-11 220 has good size/speed but played in Div 1-AA. With approx. 1800 yds and 21 TD's he outshined his small division which shows something. This will be JA's small school talent. 7-Travis McCall FB - known for playing as a FB/TE at Bama and he can definately block. He only had 8 carries last year

I like it, but like someone else mentioned, if Bryd or Bruton are there grab them. As for Hunt - here's what you told me earlier (lol)

I'm sure if we took Beatty, then RD2 would be Britt or vice versa Darius Hayward-Bey and Phil Loadholdt RD2. I know a couple of guys here that would love to see all lineman drafted though.

My choices for this version: 1. Aaron Maybin DE - We need to have some youth move in for Adewale and Alex real soon. I picked Maybin over English b/c Maybin has 2 more inches of height at 6-4". It was mentioned before that Mark Anderson was too small, but he's also listed at 6-4" were Wale=6-4, Brown=6-3". Larry English listed at 6-2" 2. Brian Robiskie WR - He's the sleeper of the litter at WR. Playing for a run oriented Buckeye team, Robiskie at 6-3 209 has nice size/speed combo. His routes, hands, and maturity are pro ready as his father (ATL WR's coach) groomed him well. 3a. Jarius Bryd CB/S - The Bear need to find a true FS, Byrd has the versitile to move from CB to S if needed 3b. Fenuki Tupou OT - Two Ducks in a row lol, Tupou has nice size and can be groomed for the RT spot. When I compare him to Beatty/Britton I don't think theres much of a drop off. With Xavier Fulton still on the board we can even look at him. ---------

The Results of the People of TalkBears version I mock is: RD1=William Beatty OT Con 9 votes ---Darius Haywood-Bey MD 7 votes RD2=Phil Loadholdt OT OK 11 votes ---Kenny Britt WR Rut 6 votes RD3=Jarius Byrd CB/S 7 votes/J Watkins OT 7 votes See Version II that has adjustments made after combine

Derrick Dockery signs with Washington. 5 yr 26 million 8.5 guaranteed.