ASHKUM BEAR

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

Recession won't affect Bears by Mike Mulligan Sun-Times This has some good info to ponder during this offseason until FA 1 - Sources don't think the Bears will have a pass rusher as a top priority 2 - Turner will like to see WR and depth at Oline as priorities. 3 - Bears might be looking for a CB in draft - moving either Tillman/Graham to FS?

Looking over this contract breakdown, I think it'll be closer to 3.3, but I'm not a good cap guy. usatoday.com : forgot about there contract breakdowns Player...........................Base Salary......Sign Bonus.....Other Bonus...Total Salary..Cap Value...Position 04 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 455,000........$ 10,000,000..$ 0..............$ 10,455,000..$ 2,113,855 DE 05 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 1,014,305.....$ 0................$ 5,003,850..$ 6,018,155...$ 7,677,010 DE 06 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 4,000,000.....$ 0................$ 3,850........$ 4,003,850...$ 5,662,705 DE 07 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 3,900,000.....$ 10,000,000.$ 4,200.........$ 3,904,200...$ 5,563,055 DE 08 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 4,700,000.....$ 10,000,000..$ 4,080........$ 4,704,080...$ 6,362,935 DE 09 Ogunleye, Adewale..$ 4,800,000.....(1.5/yr?)..............?...........$ 4,800,000...$ 6,300,000 DE

Gross was the RT before they drafted Otah. Wharton was the LT. Wharton moved into LG which helped solidfy Gross's play. Gross has showed he can handle both sides, Whether or not Carolina can afford him is a different story. If tagged, Gross will get rewarded with a top 5 average OT salary 8,597,893 (which Gross is #5 right now). My feeling is that they drafted Otah so they can afford to lose Gross. Releasing Gross, may help Carolina become creative in resigning Peppers, Delhomme, and Ken Lucas (maybe Gamble too). But like nfoligno states, if Carey were the only OT available, he still wouldn't get an average contract at 10/yr. He would be more in line like Stewart RT Tenn who is a top RT.

from sun-sentinial.com Carey hopes free agency leads to a contract similar to the one another former UM alum, Eric Winston, received this season from the Texans. Winston, also a right tackle, reportedly received $30 million over five years, with $10 million guaranteed. I think this is what Brianbear is referring to. Not 10/year, but 10 guaranteed over 5 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some recent RT contract signings: David Stewart RT Tennessee Titans 6/27/2008: Signed a six-year, $38.9 million contract. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus. 2008: $1 million (+ $2 million roster bonus), 2009-2012: Under Contract, 2013: Free Agent Sean Locklear T Seattle Seahawks 2/21/2008: Signed a five-year, $32 million contract. The deal includes $12 million in guarantees. 2008-2009: $1 million, 2010: $4.85 million, 2011: $5.6 million, 2012: $7.295 million, 2013: Free Agent Flozell Adams T Dallas Cowboys 28/2008: Signed a six-year, $43.8 million contract. The deal contains $15 million in guarantees, including a $13 million signing bonus. 2009: $1 million, 2010: $5 million, 2011-2013: $5.1 million, 2014: Free Agent. Cap charges: $3.6 million (2009), $7.6 million (2010), $7.7 million (2011-2013). Kwame Harris T Oakland Raiders 3/4/2008: Signed a three-year, $16.3 million contract. The deal includes a first-year roster bonus of $1.5 million and $2.3 million in likely to be earned incentives. 2009: $2 million (+ $6 million roster bonus), 2010: Under Contract, 2011: Free Agent Willie Anderson T Baltimore Ravens 8/4/2008: Signed a three-year, $11 million contract. The deal contains $3.5 million guaranteed, including a $1.67 million signing bonus. 2009: $3.5 million, 2010: $4 million, 2011: Free Agent

Below is some scribble, breaking down some contracts w/o having full details. Looking at John Taits contract status at rotoworld, it looks like we can save 4.8 million. His signing bonus remaining looks to be 550,000. 3/6/2004: Signed a six-year, $33 million contract. The deal included a $14 million signing bonus. 2009: $4.8 million, 2010: Free Agent. Cap charge: $5.35 million (2009). ------------------------------------------------------------ Bears | Contract update: R. Garza Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:51:01 -0800 Chicago Bears OL Roberto Garza's six-year contract extension included base salaries of $586,250 (2006), $691,250 (2007), $711,250 (2008), $711,250 (2009), $670,000 (2010) and $770,000 (2011). I believe he also had a 4 million signing bonus. So cutting Garza probably won't save anything b/c if his SB is divided equally it would be about 610,000/year x 3 remaining = 1.83 mil - 711,000 = 1.12 cap charge. W/O full details, we can't see how much was front loaded. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terrence Metcalf: from: thehuddle.com The Bears solidified their offensive line situation when unrestricted free agent Terrence Metcalf agreed to terms last Friday on a six-year contract for $9 million with a signing bonus believed to be $2.5 million. 6 divided by 9 = 660,000 base (approx). Signing bonus 2.5 divided 6 = 240,000 (approx.) So cutting Metcalf will accelerate his SB to 720,000 minus the 660,000 base = cap charge of 60,000 approx. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adewale Ogunleye: Signed in 2004 w/ 15 million SB. His Base is 4.8 million and his remaining SB 2.9 approx. = 1.9 savings ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outlook: Cut Tait and Ogunleye = 6.7 addition cap space, also cut Metcalf (-0.06) = 6.64 additional cap space 26 + 6.6 = 32.6 million , that can leave us with some decent FA scenerios.

Here's the deal IMO, Chicago needs to build a dome if they are to host the 2016 Oylmpics. Right now they have proposed to build a temporary dome here that they will take apart once the event is over. Why not try to attract another NFL team here. I know my heart will always be with the Bears and so will the majority, but think of the pressure that will put on the McCaskey's to stay competitive.

That could be a possiblity, but I see us adding some players with the growing pressure coming on Lovie/JA. If we were to move forward money, maybe they will do it to help out eventually moving on w/ Urlacher and Vasher as there play seems to be diminised the most. Hopefully STL looks to rebuild and lets him walk. After him, I like Phillips out of Tampa, who may be a little cheaper. I'm not high on Simms myself, but unless we go after Warner, I think Simms can be a stop gap to backup Orton for 1 year, Or maybe even Leftwich which some have mentioned. Whats really bad about the FA QB's, I'd rather keep Grossman for another yr just to see if Orton can take another step to earn a long term contract. It's hard to actually judge how Carey has done since you really don't here much about RT's in the league. All I really know is he was pretty good at the U. and he has played some LT also w/ the phins. The type of RT is personally want is the best run blocking, especially if Orton is to stay QB. As for cutting Tait, does anyone know what we'd save or lose. Maybe cutting Tait can cover resigning St. Clair. I really don't think we'll do a whole lot to upgrade the interior in FA, I would like to see us draft a G in the 3rd RD like Canfield. We also have Buenning who I think we'll get more of a look this offseason. You also got to expect Beekman will keep his job next year as he was better than expected and another offseason he should really improve by just knowing were he needs to be in terms of strength. I can see JA cutting Tait, Garza, Metcalf if he brings in Carey, resigns St. Clair, and Buenning is ready to go. I here you there, but w/ only 25 million or so to work with I'm not sure if we can squeeze a FA WR in. Maybe we can work it out were we can bring in a Clayton from Tampa or A. Bryant. Or if were confident DM can play FS and we move Vasher to nickel, we can use the Atogwe money on Housh?

One thing I don't get is everyone thinking we won't be a big player in FA this year. We will have 25-26 mil in available cap and who do we really have on our roster that we will be putting money up on? That money will have to be spent somewhere. I expect some big moves, heres a possiblity: OJ Atowge FS - Even though JA said Manning will get looked at again at FS and were crowded at CB with average. We could really solidify the D with finally adding a topflight FS. Atowge will get top dollar at FS if STL don't resign/tag him. Using Ken Hamlin's contract heres what to expect: 7/15/2008: Signed a six-year, $37.5 million contract. The deal contains $15 million guaranteed, including a $9 million signing bonus. Another $2 million is available through escalators in 2012 and 2013. 2009: $4.305 million, 2010: $5.596 million, 2011: $5 million, 2012: $6 million, 2013: $7 million, 2014: Free Agent. Cap charges: $5.805 million (2009), $7.096 million (2010), $6.5 million (2011), $7.5 million (2012), $8.5 million (2013). 26 million minus 9 million = 17 million left Chris Simms QB- JA said QB will be a priortiy until they get it right. They have always been high on Simms since he was drafted. He can come in a compete with Orton and push him to improve. Looking for a similiar contract a backup QB just signed, I used Seneca Wallace. 8/21/2007: Signed a four-year, $6.2 million contract. The deal included a $1.6 million signing bonus. 2008: $605,000 (+ $400,000 roster bonus due 3/15), 2009-2010: $1.5 million, 2011: Free Agent 17 million minus approx. 3 million = 14 million left. Vernon Carey RT - To help solidy the Oline, JA may look back to FA. Carey is a RT who right now would prefer to stay in Miami where he played college ball, but a lucrative deal and maybe some swaying from Hester and Olsen can land CHI a solid RT. Using David Stewarts contract from the Titans should be close to what it would take. 6/27/2008: Signed a six-year, $38.9 million contract. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus. 2008: $1 million (+ $2 million roster bonus), 2009-2012: Under Contract, 2013: Free Agent 14 million minus 9 million = 5 million left. There should be a player or two that we can cut that will increase our cap for a little more flexiblity with rookie pool, etc. Adding those three, I'd like to see the draft go: 1-Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech 6-7 257 2- Louis Murphy WR Florida 6-3 204 3-Trevor Canfield G Cincy 3b-Rashad Jennings RB Liberty 4-Scott McKillop ILB Pittsburgh 5-Brannon Sutherland FB Geogia 6-Graham Gano PK USC 7-Cullen Harper QB Clemson

I'm thrilled we got Marinelli. I think we can throw the whole Detroit thing out the window, because he was not given the best opportunity to succeed. The guy wants to bring the best out of everyone. In media intervews,the guy is always spinning negatives into positives. He'll be the drill sergant in TC that will demand excellence from the players. Just with his enthusiasm, he will turn around this team. The guys I can see him helping out the most: Tommie Harris - He will become a believer once again (in the team that is). Marinelli/Sapp will work with him to give him techniques and a better mentality to the game. Harris will follow Marinelli and once again become a vocal leader. The elevation of Harris will spread through the D, because that is were it all starts. Once Harris gets back to his early 05 form, teams will have to scheme to contain him. Dvorecek/Harrison - The NT's will benefit greatly from a healthy/motivated Tommie Harris. Like with Harris, Marinelli will get these guys prepared with proper technique. He will have them in shape and motivated. The push all starts from the middle in the cover-2. Thats why Lovie has the DE's take wide angles to swallow from outside then in. DE's-whoever we will have at the start is the biggest unknown. I can really see JA going after Peppers or Suggs and then using a RD1 or RD2 on a DE in the draft. With our system, the DE's can't just be a specialist. They will need to be good at run contain, but excellent at pass rush. Mark Anderson had the pass rush down his rookie year, but all of his effort/talent was used firing off to the QB and his run defense was horrible. Once teams found that out, they attacked him. Brown is a little bit of the opposite. His run D is great, but he just don't have the speed to get to the QB. If you watch Brown, he is always anticipating the snap. He is really good at getting off before the Olineman, and sometimes gets the offsides call. With that sound technique, he still only manages 6-7 sacks/yr. Wale, I won't bring up b/c I believe he will be cut. With our DE's, I think Marinelli will teach them how to use there feet/hands better to fight the olineman until they can make a play. I don't think we have a DE on our roster right now that can elevate there play to cause other teams to panic over. Sign Peppers and draft Everett Brown, and then we a talk about panic. LB's - I think the addition of Marinelli will also bring Urlacher back to pro-bowl level. Because the Dline will be back to swarming the QB, the LB's will get free roam over the middle of the field. You won't see a G using his first steps to target the LB as he will first try to chip the DT. I expect Urlacher to increase his tackles, and have 1-2 INT's. In order for any of this to work out, Marinelli needs to get Tommie Harris of old back and the rest will follow.

The problem with Lovie is that he doesn't show any emotion or personality. He speaks in monotone and his answers are short and it seems to make the media mesmerized. Maybe that's his plan? It's that personality that has everyone turned off about him. If he gave us some emotion, showed "some" fire on the sidelines (like he was actually involved), maybe the fans/players would have his back. I know when I played football, my coach was a fire ball. Throwing clipboards and spitting during practice, he got our attention. I still respect him today, because he taught me that as hard as somethings can be, grind it out, give 100%, leave it all on the field, and when it's over you will regret it if you ever held back. This personality may not work with everyone, but it worked pretty good with our unit. I fully expect Lovie to show a different side this coming season. He will be taking the reigns of the defense and will have to interact with the players during the game and his lips will be moving when he calls the plays.

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