ASHKUM BEAR

The guys I chose really stood out at the combine and even though having another young stud RB is a luxuary, he stood out the most when I selected. As for the selections, I used walterfootball.com and at the time they haven't updated since the combine. They just updated Thursday, so I'll do another one with these updates during the weekend. I like their site b/c they have 4 rds and are realistic IMO and as for this site, I can only do 3 polls (RDS) and 6 players per RD. I tried to give an option at positions we may be considering.

good condition Ditka RC's go for at least 200.00

The only reason Beatty was added was b/c he was the only lineman on Walterfootballs list within range of our pick. The kid for Arz was available too, just a few slots further than Beatty. Remember last year, teams like ATL/HOU took 2nd RD grade players in the 1st as OT's are higher value picks. I dropped Jenkins as they had him at 8 (yesterday) b/c he is bound to drop and V Davis should pass him as top CB. This is just for fun and I'd like to do a weekly/bi-weekly poll to see how we pick.

I would love this draft, I would consider drafting a G over Follett if a decent one was available. I also like the signings of both Wilsons to cover the Safety, Weaver sounds like he can do it all, and Floyd is a big body possesion type from SD. With all the cap space we have, we can probably afford a vet O lineman also.

I thought it would be fun to do a weekly or bi-weekly draft poll. I used Walterfootball.com to give us a choice of where they have them ranked. Walterfootball has decent rankings and they update every Thursday. Tomorrows version should be interesting to see where players shift to since the combine. I might post Talk Bears Mock version II over the weekend once the mock draft web pages all get updated. My votes as of today: Michael Johnson DE, Brian Robiskie WR, Donald Brown RB b/c they all were awesome at the combine. (Jarius Byrd was very close, but I hope David Bruton FS Notre Dame is there w/ the BB comp pick)

NFO, how about adding two of those three you mentioned. I would love to have Phillips, but like others have pointed out, he is more of an in the box safety. I am in favor of adding him b/c I think he is an upgrade over Payne/Steltz. I would also like to add a Wilson to man the FS spot. I like Eugene b/c I know more about him than Gibril. Payne has showed some promise, but he still has a way to go and Steltz hasn't had to much of an oppotunity to show his ability.

I'm more for Nicks/Robinskie/Britt, but I'd like to wait until RD2.

Looks like he can slide inside to play Guard in the NFL, I'd take him in 4-5 like Pix says. Here is a little bio on him from cbssport.com : Gerald Cardogan OT Penn State 6'-5" 309 Latest News 2/11/2009 - PRO POTENTIAL: OT Gerald Cadogan started for two seasons at left tackle and one at left guard. He has good size, good feet and almost never holds. He is a likely mid- to late-round selection. Overview Took over for NFL first-round pick Levi Brown at left tackle as a sophomore and never looked back. The 2008 first-team All-Big Ten pick was a major reason for the success of Penn State's "Spread HD" offense, keeping QB Daryll Clark clean. His run blocking is also solid, which makes him a late-round pick potentially moving to guard. Analysis Strengths: Strong in the lower body, and can get under the pads of taller defensive ends to drive them back. Has the length and anchor to keep defenders at bay in pass protection. Quick to cut his end on rush plays and screen passes. Gives great effort in the open field, and will latch onto defenders or just put a hand on them to widen the running lane. Plays with an attitude. Good teammate on and off the field. Weaknesses: Only adequate height and bulk for the left tackle position, and may move inside at the next level. Lacks the quick feet for outside pass protection. Inconsistent with his initial quickness off the snap. Loses his balance in pass protection and blocking on the second level because he overextends. Not consistently effective on pulls, and misses targets in space due to his heavy-footedness.

I like it! He's a real FS and shouldn't cost a fortune. We can bring him in and I'd also like to draft a FS RD3 or after.

If DHB jumps up ahead of 18, I'd be happy. Because like you said, someone else will become available. As much as I wouldn't mind a DE, my #1 preference is finding a OT. I'm still hoping Andre Smith or Michael Oher fall to us and if not we can find someway to trade down and take Duke Robinson.

Your right, Phillps is a SS. I'd still wouldn't mind adding him to our mix, he is definately an upgrade over all our other S's. I'm not sure what Housh will command. Berrian signed a 6 yr 43.4 million w/ 12 mil up front. Heres my offer which he'd probably laugh at 4yr 30 mill w/ 15 guaranteed. We pay him more upfront that way if he declines in 3 years it's cheaper to get out of it. OK, so the big names will for sure be gone after the first week of FA most likely. I'd still rather wait until after the draft on a RB, but we may need to go after a RT if we don't think one will be available in the draft and ready to contribute right away.

I think we need to make a big splash at FS and WR, the OL/RB and other positions can wait until after the draft. Targets: Jermaine Phillips FS - He has played 7 seasons in our style D, productive at creating turnovers TJ Housmanzadeh WR- yes he's 31, the top WR FA prospect, and nothing to get too overly excited about (like Moose), but we need a go to possesion WR and TJ has been that in Cincy for a while. If he can put up numbers with Fitzpatrick at QB and no running game, he'll be able to put up numbers here. With his age, I'd like to see a 4 year deal and nothing more. I'd also like to draft a RD1/RD2 WR and then maybe a late RD 6-7 flier. -------------------------------- After the draft, I wait to see who we end up with then go: Khalif Barnes RT Brian Dawkins SS Correll Buckhalter RB Nate Washington WR

I think the official times are now posted on nfl.com, DHB it show 4.30 official

Man, I've been glued to The NFL channel the last two days. I think with this years draft, we need to find a RT in RD1 and with all the WR's we can get a good one in RD2. Remember last year, there wasn't one WR drafted in RD1. The guys I would love to get: Kenny Britt-Built like TO Darius Heyward-Bey-Amazing speed Hakeem Nicks-Compared to Boldin Brian Robiskie - He could be the steal of the draft Mike Wallace - also impressed me not only w/ his 4.33 speed, but with his hands and other drills

Great replies and thanks!!! I see some replies for LB, but what would you think if the OT, WR, and DE were gone and Moreno/Wells were both available at 18. We do need a #2 RB and if one of those were availlable and we couldn't trade down, would you take one of those or reach for a bigger need?

Got this idea off another board and thought it would be interesting to see your thoughts. What one player would you like to see the Bears draft and why. Try to include some player information/draft profile. (Please keep to players that are reasonable at 18 and with no trades.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Oher OT 6-6 322 Ole Miss [RT] (Even though this scenerio is very unlikely, some mocks have had Oher sliding lately and the Bears have talked to him.) Oher would be a steal at 18, even though he is better suited to play the LT which the Bears filled in last years draft with Chris Williams. Oher has long arms to keep defenders off of him in pass protection and very good feet to help steer them away from the QB. He is also known as a good run blocker and can drive players off the line opening up huge holes for the RB. His durability is not in question either as he started all but one game in his 4 year career (and C. Williams also had a big streak intact also). The only question scouts/player personnel may ask is whether he can learn the plays in the NFL as he had a difficult upbringing. Drafting Oher in the first could have the Bears set at the OT's for years to come and can give them an opportunity to really evaluate the offense. A great line will give each skills player a higher notch as they will give them more time and keep bodies off of them. Once the line is set, then get your QB/WR combo.

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.

Maybe Tait was told by the Bears he can save some face by announcing his retirement before they cut him, but if that was the case, we would have seen Booker to retire also instead of being cut. Losing Tait/St. Clair is a bright spot IMO. Sure they're both great guys, but there level of play hasn't been mind blowing either. This will force the Bears to compete in the FA market/Draft which I believe they have planned on anyway. I would make Jordan Gross my first priortiy as he is flexible at playing either OT spot. He is also one of the best OT's in the league and the Panthers have Otah/Wharton to replace him. The Bears are in great cap financial shape and can be in the market for 2-3 starter quallity players. 1-Jordan Gross RT 2-Oshio Atogwe FS 3-Michael Jenkins WR ATL 6-4" 215 / Michael Clayton WR TB 6-4" 215 / Reggie Williams WR JAX 6-4" 212

Looking at available QB's in FA and the draft, I think the Bears are stuck with Orton (and not that that's really a bad thing). What is kind of interesting is the 2010 potential draft class, this is were I think the Bears can land a possible franchise QB. Sam Bradford Colt McCoy - *like* Javon Sneed Tim Tebow Jimmy Clausen Pat Delvin- Joe Flacco #2??? Tim Hiller - Zac Robinson - *like*

You could be right on Moore, I've seen some mocks with him going higher. I just followed draft tek to get player rankings after RD3. If he does hit the 4.3 some team will jump on him possible RD3 or 4. As for WR, I also really like Britt and Nicks but feel 18 may be a little bit of a reach for them. At 18 Maclin would be a steal IMO. My order of preference Maclin, Britt, Nicks, DHB. I would take Mac/Britt at 18, then I'd look at Duke Robinson, Larry English, Michael Johnson before I think about Nicks/DHB. Bomar may be considered a 5th RD, but after Stafford, Sanchez, Freeman, theres not much left. Bomar, Nate Davis, Pat White, Nathan Brown, or Hunter Caldwell are all going to go between RDs 4-6. I'd use a 3rd RD comp pick (basically 4th RD value) to reach a little for a QB. Loadholdt may struggle at times with the pass rush. I've stated it may take a little time to work on the footwork, but I think his run blocking would be huge and if we don't cut Tait and resign St. Clair, we will have a little bit of time for him to develop.

We are 10 days until the Combine kicks off. Players will start moving up and down the draft boards shortly, so I'll take another stab at who I think the Bears will take come April. 1-18 Chicago Bears Big names available: Jeremy Maclin WR, Percy Harvin WR, Hakeem Nicks WR, Duke Robinson G, James Laurinitis LB, Michael Johnson DE, Larry English DE. The Bears select Jeremy Maclin WR as they follow the copy cat league in trying to find the next Larry Fitzgerald or Santonio Holmes. 2-49 Chicago Bears Big names available: Phil Loadholdt OT, Fenuki Topou OT, Herman Johnson G, Brian Robiske WR, Patrick Chung SS. The Bears select Phil Loadholdt OT to be the other corner stone in there youth movement at offensive line. Loadholdt has a little learning to do on footwork, but once he gets up to speed with the NFL he will be able to open up huge holes for Forte 3-85 Chicago Bears Big names available: Trevor Canfield G, Jarron Gilbert DE, Nick Harris SS, Emanuel Cook SS, Javon Ringer RB, The Bears select Trevor Canfield G to add depth and eventually replace Roberto Garza. Guard is now a position with extra depth with Buenning, Garza, Metcalf, Beekman, and possilby St. Clair. 3-97 comp Chicago Bears Big names available: Rhett Bomar QB, Jeremiah Johnson RB, Zack Follet LB, Patrick Turner WR The Bears select Rhett Bomar QB from Sam Houston St. with the compensation pick from losing Benard Berrian. 4-115 Chicago Bears Big names available: Graham Harrell QB, David Bruton FS, Brandon Underwood FS, Troy Nolan FS, Brandon Williams DE The Bears select David Bruton FS from ND. 5-146 Chicago Bears Big names available: Alex Boone OT, Anthony Parker G, Pat White WR/QB, Otis Wiley SS, C.J. Spillman FS, Tony Flammetta FB The Bears select Tony Flammetta FB from Syracuse. Tony may be the best run blocking FB in the draft, and the Bears see him as an asset to improving Matt Forte's success. 6-178 Chicago Bears Big names available: Devin Moore RB, Glen Coffee RB, Tyrelll Sutton RB, Andy Kemp G, Joel Burnett CB, Phillip Hunt LB, The Bears select Devin Moore RB to complement Forte. Moore is the smaller change of pace back at 5-9 192 with 4.3 speed. The Bears never really gave Wolfe a chance, so maybe Moore will get to see some carries relieving Forte. 7-212 Chicago Bears Big names available: Orion Martin DE, Maurice Evans DE, Lee Robinson OLB, DeAndre Levy OLB, Derek Walker LB/DE. The Bears select Derek Walker DE from Illinois. Walker could be a late round steal as he always seems to find a way to get to the QB. recap: 6 offense/ 2 defense (2 starter quality Olinemen, true playmaker WR) 1 Jeremy Maclin WR 2 Phil Loadholdt OT 3 Trevor Canfield G 3 Rhett Bomar QB 4 David Bruton FS 5 Tony Flammetta FB 6 Devin Moore RB 7 Derek Walker DE

First off, congrats to Obama! Second, this article shows that GW put his country before himself with the war on Iraq. He took a lot of criticism and I think a lot of American's should at least consider what he did and give him some credit. Subject: Bush FINALLY vindicated on WMD in Iraq ... > > > > .... > > > > A national defense analyst says President Bush should be commended for > > keeping quiet about a discovery that could have blown his critics out > > of the water. > > > > Retired Major General Jerry Curry is a decorated combat veteran who > > served as an Army aviator, paratrooper, and Ranger during a military > > career that began during the Korean conflict. He recently wrote about > > a very under reported story by the Associated Press. > > > > According to the report, a large stockpile of concentrated natural > > Uranium, known as "yellowcake," reached a Canadian port to complete a > > top secret U.S. Operation that included a two-week airlift from > > Baghdad , and a ship voyage crossing two oceans. The Uranium material > > had been housed at a former Iraqi nuclear complex 12 miles from > > Baghdad . > > > > Curry says the president kept mum about the discovery in order to keep > > terrorists in the dark. "He made a very brave stand, a resolute > > stand..., in which he decided that he wasn't going to blab everything > > to the press," Curry commends. "...And in the meantime while he kept > > it quiet, he was buying time from the terrorists to get all that stuff > > out of the country. So that's what was done -- he just very quietly > > kept his mouth shut." > > > > "The press beat him to death for the last several years," he > > continues, "and now it turns out that, yes, there were weapons of mass > > destruction...." Curry also maintains that Saddam Hussein had an > > active nuclear program and the material could have been made into a > > nuclear weapon. > > > > President Bush's actions took courage, he notes, and all Americans > > should be thankful to have such a brave president who puts the welfare > > of the American people above personal considerations. > > > ........................................................................... > > > > On July 5, 2008 , the Associated Press (AP) released a story titled: > > Secret U.S. mission hauls uranium from Iraq . The opening paragraph is > > as follows: > > The last major remnant of Saddam Hussein's nuclear program (a huge > > stockpile of concentrated natural uranium) reached a Canadian port > > Saturday to complete a secret U.S. operation that included a two-week > > airlift from Baghdad and a ship voyage crossing two oceans. > > > > See anything wrong with this picture? > > > > We have been hearing from the far left for more than five years how > > Bush lied. Somehow, that slogan loses its credibility now that 550 > > metric tons of Saddam's yellowcake, used for nuclear weapon enrichmet, > > has been discovered and shipped to Canada for its new use as nuclear > > energy. > > > > It appears that American troops found the 550 metric tons of uranium > > in 2003 after invading Iraq . They had to sit on this information and > > the uranium itself for fear of terrorists attempting to steal it. It > > was guarded and kept safe by our military in a 23,000-acre site with > > large sand berms surrounding the site. > > > > This is vindication for the Bush administration, having been attacked > > mercilessly by the liberal media and the far-left pundits on the blogo- > > sphere. Now that it is proven that President Bush did not lie about > > Saddam's nuclear ambitions, one would think that the mainstream media > > would report the true story. Once the AP released the story, the > > mainstream media should have picked it up and broadcast it worldwide. > > > > That never happened, due in large part, I believe, to the fact that > > the mainstream media would have to admit they were wrong about Bush's > > war motives all along. Thankfully, the AP got it right when it said, > > "The removal of 550 metric tons of yellowcake, the seed material for > > higher-grade nuclear enrichment, was a significant step toward closing > > the books on Saddam's nuclear legacy." > > > > Closing the book on Saddam's nuclear legacy? Did Saddam have a nuclear > > legacy after all? I thought Bush lied? As it turns out, the people who > > lied were Joe Wilson and his wife. > > > > Valerie Plame engaged in a clear case of nepotism and convinced the > > CIA to send her husband on a fact finding mission in February 2002, > > seeking to determine if Saddam Hussein attempted to buy yellowcake > > from Niger . The CIA and British intelligence believed Saddam > > contacted Niger for that purpose but needed proof. > > > > During his trip to Niger , Wilson actually interviewed the former > > prime minister of Niger , Ibrahim Assane Mayaki. Mayaki told Wilson > > that in June of 1999, an Iraqi delegation expressed interest in > > "expanding commercial relations" for the purposes of purchasing > > yellowcake. > > > > Wilson chose to overlook Mahaki's remarks and reported to the CIA that > > there was no evidence of Hussein wanting to purchase yellow cake from > > Niger . > > > > However, with British intelligence insisting the claim was true, > > President Bush used that same claim in his State of the Union address > > in January of 2003. Outraged by Bush's insistence that the claim was > > true, Wilson wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in the summer of > > 2003 slamming Bush. > > > > Wilson did this in spite of the fact that Mayaki said Saddam did try > > to buy the yellowcake from Niger . The Senate Select Committee on > > Intelligence disagreed with Wilson and supported Mayaki's claim. This > > meant nothing to Wilson who was opposed to the Iraq war and thus had > > ulterior motives in covering up the prime minister's statements. > > > > It was a simple tactic, really. If the far-left and their friends in > > the media could prove Bush lied about Hussein wanting to purchase > > yellowcake from Niger , it would undermine President Bush's credibility and give them more cause for asking what other lies he may > > have told. > > > > Yet the real lie came from Wilson, who interpreted his own meaning > > from the prime minister's statements and concluded all by himself that > > the claim of Saddam attempting to purchase yellowcake was "unequivocally wrong." Curiously the CIA sat on this information and > > did not inform the CIA Director, who sided with Bush on the yellowcake > > claim. This was made public in a bipartisan Senate Intelligence > > Committee report in July 2004. > > > > Valerie Plame also engaged in her own lie campaign by spreading the > > notion that the Bush Administration outed her as a CIA agent. Never > > mind that it was Richard Armitage - no friend of the Bush > > administration - who leaked Plame's identity to the press. Never mind > > that Plame had not been in the field as a CIA agent in some six years. > > > > The truth is, due to their opposition to the war, Joe Wilson, Valerie > > Plame, the mainstream media, and their left-wing friends on the blogo- > > sphere engaged in a propaganda campaign to undermine the Bush > > administration. Now that Saddam's uranium has been made public and is > > no longer a threat to the world, do you think these aforementioned > > parties will apologize and admit they were wrong? > > > > Don't count on it. > > > > The rest of the American people should hear the truth about Saddam's > > uranium. It is up to you and me to inform them. > > > > As far as the anti-war crowd is concerned, the next time they say that > > Bush lied, we should tell them to "have the yellowcake and eat it too." > > > > For verification of this information, click on these > links: > > > > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25546334/ > > > > > http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/u/uraniumyellowcake.htm

I like it Pix! How bout this mock: 1-Duke Robinson LG 2-Phil Loadholdt RT 3-Herman Johnson RG ----------------------------------- 3x-Louis Murphy WR 4-Devin Moore RB 5-Brannon Sutherland FB 6-Chris Clemons FS 7-Kyle Moore DE

I would be game for a Jordan Gross, but instead of Bjohnson, how bout checking out Nate Washington. He always seems to make a play in limited action. If we went this route, JA can concentrate on the D, using a 1st RD pick would only make sense if it were used on a DE IMO. Also, I'd like to add that JA is starting to find his way with drafting offense as Olsen/Forte have been difference makers. Beekman/Hester are coming along, even though Hester wasn't intially brought in for O. Williams I think will be solid at LT as Thayer has given him praise recently.

I love projecting mocks and looking at possiblities. Of course it all depends on what we do in FA and w/ our roster as were sitting pretty nice right now with cap space. While trying to guess what we will do that not only helps our team now, we also have to do what is right 3-4 yrs from now. 1.) Right now, our team needs a proven WR that can be a difference maker. We tried going with an older vet last time w/ Moose and we all seen how that worked out. This time, I see the Bears looking to go a little younger. Nate Washington WR 6-1 185 AGE 25 - Washington is an up and coming WR that has nice size and has played for a championship caliber team. He knows what it takes and he can replace the loss of Berrian. Washington is known as a deep threat who has great straight line speed that can stretch defenses. He has good hands and always seems to be open. If we can get this guy in, we can line him up like Berrian, put Hester in the slot and Bennett as the #2 possession WR. 2) The second FA move the Bears should make before the draft is FS. Enough with the talk of shifting Manning/Tillman/Graham/Vasher and just bring in a true FS. This may not be high on the Bears priority b/c of the log jam of mediocre DB's, but bringing in a true talented FS can help make some of those mediocre DB's look better. Oshiomogho Atogwe FS 5-11 210 AGE 27 - Atogwe is the only true and good FS available. As soon as FA opens, the Bears ought to make it known they want his services. 3.) With the addition of those two FA, the Bears will have huge flexiblity in the draft and then I'd love to see it play out like this: a's stick together and b's stick together, not 1 or the other. 1-18a Michael Oher OT - I'd be estactic if he were available at our pick, then that would give us an option of releasing Tait and saving about 4-4.5 in cap space. With Thayer saying some great things about Williams, I think we can be set at OT for a decade. 1-18b Michael Johnson DE - He'd be my second choice b/c we need to get a young replacement for Wale. Johnson has huge ceiling, but also a higher floor(bust). I think he'd be a nice toy for Marinelli. -----------------------RD 2------------------- 2-49a Josh Freeman QB - Unless we can bring in a Kurt Warner type QB, I think the Bears can count on Orton like the Packers did w/ Rodgers and not have a proven backup. Freeman and Haine can battle out the #2 spot as the word out of Halas is the Bears are very high on Haine still. 2-49b Phil Loadholdt RT/Fenuki Topui OT - If we don't get a 1st RD OT, I'd like the Bears to grab the best one available RD2. There both huge bodies, and I'm not sure which one projects as the better pro just yet. -----------------------RD 3--------------------------- 3-85a Trevor Canfield G - Canfield is a big bodied G that is a good run blocker. We need to improve all depth on Oline. 3-85b Rhett Bomar QB - I'm not sold on Orton, and since we here very little on extending him, I'm guessing the Bears want to see him perform 1 more year. Bomar can compete w/ Haine for #2/#3 if a vet is not signed to back up. -----------------------RD 3 Comp ------------------------- 3-97a Louis Murphy WR 3-97b Anthony Parker G/ Andy Kemp G/ Louis Vasquez G