ASHKUM BEAR

Jason, thats what I really want to do myself, but for some reason I swithced it to Harper.

Too early, nah. Jerry Angelo and staff have their scouts out and are evaluating, they have positions of priority they concentrate on and I bet they have QB, OL, S, WR on that list. They will also look at other positions, but those so far are priorities I see as evident. I enjoy looking at mock drafts and following college players.

I will admit, I was pretty down that week as the Bears were looking awful in every aspect. Now, I feel so much better than the 4-12 (which I stated to spark some interest) I was slating them back then. I can now improve them to 9-7. I sure hope they can be much better, but until Orton can get a better grasp behind center, the offense will be rocky. If they beat Carolina in the same fashion as Indy, I'll be on the 13 win boat.

After dominating the Colts in week 1, the Bears war room re-arranges its priorities. Here is my version of there draft board. My highest priorties are QB, RT, S and then G, WR. ROUND 1 - PICK 20 1-Cullen Harper QB Clemson - The Bears do need to address the QB position, so don't be suprised if they pull the trigger on Harper who can spend the 2009 season grooming behind Orton. Other considerations: Darius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland - The Bears would love to take the speedster at WR, but feel OL needs to be priortiy #1 until they are probowl caliber. There philoshy is to run the ball and Forte looks real good so far and by adding more quality to the front 5, he should only get better and last longer. Duke Robinson G Oklahoma - Robinson will fit Lovies philosphy for getting off the bus running. Even though the Bears look like they have depth at G with the addition of Buenning, the emerence of Beekman, and the steady Garza, they need to prepare themselves for the drop off in production from the aging: Kreutz at Center, Garza at RG, and Tait at RT. Buenning is young and should regain his rookie form of dominating and would fit nice at the RG position. Robinson will battle Beekman for the LG spot and he should take that without any problems. Garza will fill in nicely as a backup G, while Beekman can challenge Kreutz for the C. The Bears opened up competition for the QB spot, so I see no reason why the rules should be different for any other position. Myron Rolle S Florida St - He can challege Craig Krenzel for smartest Bear as Rolle will have to decide whether to continue on in his medical studies or pursue a career in the NFL. S will be on top of the Bears needs since Brown/McGowan are FA after this season. ROUND 2 - PICK 52 2-Phil Loadholt OT Oklahoma -Loadholt will be another risky pick as he was picked up for a DUI last June. But his ceiling is high as the 6-8 350 pounder will be a road graded paving the way for Forte at RT for many years. A healthy Chris Williams will solidy the LT. Other considerations: Curtis Painter QB Purdue - Painter will join former Purdue alum Kyle Orton and follow in his footsteps once again. The Bears hope that Painter will outperform Orton like he did in college. Painer should pass Drew Brees and Orton for Purdues passing yardage Patrick Chung SS Oregon- Heart and soul of Oregon's D, Chung plays more of a rover similiar to what Urlacher did in New Mexico Courtney Green S Rutgers Michael Hamlin S Clemson ROUND 3 - PICK 86 3-Derek Pegues FS Mississippi St. - A safety with speed, Pegues is Daniel Manning take 2. Peques can also play ST as a returner. Other condiderations: Oderick Turner WR Pitt - At 6-3 200, Turner has size and speed and depending on how Lloyd, Booker, and Bradley do he may become a higher priority. Louis Vasquez LG Texas Tech - Vasquez is a big road grading G, that plays LG for Texas Tech's pass happy spread offense. He could challege Beekman for the rights to left guard.

The only reason I wouldn't do it is b/c of your RB situation. Rudi Johnson/Ronnie Brown combo would be very questionable. RBrown could bounce back, or be a fantasy bust. Word on my street is Miami is also high on Ricky Williams. So your looking at a RB by committee and counting on Browns recovery lasting. Minny is projected as a #1 or #2 fantasy D. J. Stewart should see as many carries if not more than DeAngelo Williams. Ladell Betts backs up Clinton Portis and how many seasons has Portis stayed healthy. Evans and Reg. Brown are hit and miss, so you'll have to be lucky in guessing which to use as your flex. I'd look for another trade partner to see if you can find some RB depth b/c your WR/TE is a strong point. Find whoever has Portis and offer Evans, Brown, and Betts for a decent RB and an extra WR. Good luck

I first met him his rookie year in Bourbonnias, he was pretty cool and hanging out with Columbo. Now he seems bitter and is pretty arrogant. Won't go into details, but it's just a personal experience.

I'm sort of disappointed in the Bears. First off, they draft Zach Bowman, who was a very a high risk/high reward type of player, in a position that we were fairly deep at. I was all excited about him developing into what we envisioned to become. To end up wasting that draft pick is why i'm disappointed. We could of grabbed G Roy Schuening who was taken at pick 157 by Stl (15 picks after Bowman) or even Carl Nicks OT who was taken at pick 164. If we end up with Bowman after he clears waivers, I'll be alright, but I don't see Bowman wanting to stay with us. He'll have a better chance elsewhere since he won't have to be behind Tillman, Vasher, McBride, Manning, and Graham. Plus he has sleeper written all over him, ask the Patriots who were setting there sights on him. My position on Jerry Angelo has just ticked one notch lower. I am a huge JA fan, I like what this new Guard can bring, I like his cap management. I also know this team is getting to the point were we can't keep everyone we like. I would of rather we cut Metcalf who is personally a jackazz in public and hasn't done one positive thing on the football field in 6 years. Hopefully all ends up as planned, we get a LG with starting experience and sign Bowman to the PS.

The Chicago Bears acquired offensive guard Dan Buenning from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tuesday in exchange for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick. Buenning was originally selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft and has appeared in 25 regular season contests with 23 starts during his NFL career. The Wisconsin product started all 16 contests in 2005 at left guard and helped pave way for Carnell Williams to rush for 1,178 yards in his rookie season. In 2006, Buenning started seven of nine contests he appeared in before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Last season, Buenning was declared inactive for all 16 regular season contests and one playoff game. Looks like a good pick up to me. Started LG for Tampa but had trouble with injuries. If he can rebound, we may have a future LG for many years.

I live in Ashkum IL, 65 miles south of Chicago. 20 miles South of Bourbonnais.

The point I was making that you'll like this is I want QB,OL,OL,WR,OL,OL. I was also on board for doing that last year too. As for looking into the draft before Halloween, I keep up with that kind of stuff year round. I like to follow the top players to see who I'd like to see the Bears draft.

I would take either: Cullen Harper QB Clemson or Curtis Painter QB Purdue Then 4 offensive linemen, 1 WR, and 1 Safety.

It's really early, but maybe since the college season starts Next Sat (Aug 28th) we can start our wish lists. My season prediction was 4-12 so that would put us with the 3rd overall pick. 1-1 Atl Michael Oher OT 1-2 Stl Michael Crabtree WR 1-3 Chi Matt Stafford QB GA Would love to see Oher here, but the Bears can't afford another season w/o a QB ---------------------------------------- 2-34 Chi Herman Johnson RG LSU 2nd guard on the board, big, good run blocker 3-67 Chi Louis Vasquez LG Tex Tech Big bodied G that will be good at pass blocking and run blocking 4-99 Chi Marko Mitchell WR Nev at 6-4 200, he has good 40 speed 4.45. 5-131 Chi Rashad Johnson FS Ala 6-0 189 4.44 Another S, but with Brown/McGowan on last years of contract 5-146 TB(CHI) Brett Helms C LSU Back up possiblity for Kreutz if Beekman don't develop 6-163 Chi Dallas Reynolds OT BYU Another Oline prospect to replace Tait/St. Clair. 7-195 Chi Joe Ganz QB Neb Another QB prospect So out of this draft we get: 2-QB:franchise prospect & a work in progress 4-OLINE prospects:2 huge guards, 1 Center, 1 RT 1-Saftey to cover if we lose Brown/McGowan to FA 1-WR-Marques Colston take 2 (marcus monk)

I doubt we cut him also, I believe he signed a 7.65 million dollar contract over 4 years, so we probably still owe about 1-1/2 to 2 million in guarantees. It would sure be a shame to cut him loose before we can really see his talent. If anything, maybe he will go on the PUP list if that is at all possible.

About 1-1/2 months ago a lot of us were glowing and thinking the Bears could go 10-6 or 11-5. What are your thoughts now? I know my prediction is kind of low balling it, but right now my expectations are really low. @ IND~~~~~~~ L @ CAR~~~~~~~ L TB~~~~~~~~~ W PHI~~~~~~~~~ L @ Det~~~~~~~~ L @ ATL ~~~~~~~W Min~~~~~~~~~ L BYE ~~~~~~~~(W) Det~~~~~~~~~ W Ten~~~~~~~~~~L @ GB~~~~~~~~~L @ STL~~~~~~~~W @ Min~~~~~~~~ L Jax~~~~~~~~~ L NO~~~~~~~~~~ L GB~~~~~~~~~~L @ Hou~~~~~~~~ L ---------------------------------- 4-12 And if we finish 4-12, would the Bears management keep the staff intact, or will there be major changes?

Have to agree on Forte/Jones. I got to meet them both in Bourbonnais. Forte is very quite. I got him to sign a Super Bowl program that they were selling in the souvenir shop. Jones seems pretty nice also, I met him outside of camp and he took the time shake hands and chat. Hopefully both of them have a sucessful season and we can get some respectability for our running game.

Kevin Jones hasn't been cleared to practice as of yet, so next week I'd move GW up to get reps with the #1,#2 squads. As of the future for Kevin Jones, I really don't see Chicago keeping him after this season. Kevin Jones wants to get paid like a top 10 RB. He will playing his arse off to get that payday. If KJ meets his goals, I really don't think the Bears will be able to afford him. He's just the hedge on the Forte bet. --I'd love to keep KJ myself, I'm just trying to think like the Bears Brass--

I'd love to see a 1-2 punch of Forte and Wolfe for the future. If I were Lovie, I'd be moving AP down to 3rd string and let Wofle play against the big boys to let him prove to all the naysayers that "size" doesn't always matter.

Tom Thayer was on the radio this morning and said that this is pretty common in the NFL. He had it done and was back in about 8 weeks. Once the procedure was done, the discomfort was gone and the therapy actually made his back stronger. He said with better medical knowledge he said Williams should be fine and on the football field before this season is over. Heres a few players I found by google: -Charles Tillman had a herniated disc repaired after the Superbowl season, his recover was 5 months -Chicago Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson had the same procedure done last April 2007 and was back playing ball in July. -Washington Redskins Doug Williams QB had it done and was back in 10 weeks. -Joe Montana had it done was back in 8 weeks _Warrick Dunn had it =Mack Strong -Mike Alstott -Kyle Turley -Adam Archuletta (thats why he was afraid to tackle)

Like the DBomber said, this was a preseason game against a bunch of guys who probably won't be playing in the NFL in a couple of weeks. Lets hold off on the appoint him starter already. I like what we are seeing out of him, but he should not even snap up his helmet this year unless Rex/Kyle both go down, or our season is mathmatically over. I'm thinking JA made the right move now by not taking a QB earlier and waiting for Haine. After seeing Colt Brennan's game at the Hall of Fame game, I thought JA should've took him instead of Kellen Davis, but now I'm very pleased that we ended up with a potential stud TE and a potential good QB.

I think that was totally unclassy. Rex Grossman is a Great guy, shows class, and wants to bring the Bears to the promise land. If it was Cedric Benson, I think that it would be justified to boo, but come on let the guy get a fresh start. So much for having the "4th Phase" if there only going to hurt the team by making a player feel rejected. As of right now, the competition is about even. Rex was ahead until the last day or two and Kyle has just stepped up his game.

The Bears Core is looking pretty good, as long a players develop JA will keep this team in good shape. Players in RED are ones that JA will have to decide on extending Players in GREEN are players if they step up big, can get rewarded early. The way I see it coming, the Bears will be working on extending Mike Brown if he stays healthy and Brandon McGowan if he produces. Grossman will get franchised only if he produces just to see if he can do it again. If Kevin Jones produces, he'll command a high salary and I just can't see the Bears giving it to him. If Brandon Lloyd produces, this may likely get done b/c I think Lloyd will be looking for long term security so he may not demand as much. Next years draft class, look for the Bears to invest in QB, G, S, WR, DT, DE, Offense ******* "year" is how many years left on contract************** QB Rex Grossman 1 year Kyle Orton 2 years RB Matt Forte 4 years Kevin Jones 1 year Garrett Wolfe 3 years Adrian Peterson 2 years WR Devin Hester 7 years Mark Bradley 2 years Marcus Monk 4 years Brandon Lloyd 1 year Rashied Davis 3 years Earl Bennett 4 years Marty Booker 2 years TE Greg Olsen 4 years Des Clark 3 years Kellen Davis 4 years O-line Olin Kreutz C 3 years Roberto Garza G 4 years Josh Beekman G 3 years John Tait T 3 years John St Clair T 2 years Chris Williams T 5 years Terrence Metcalf G 3 years Kirk Barton T 4 years Chester Adams T 4 years Defense DT Tommie Harris 5 years Dusty Dvorecek 2 years Antony Adams 3 years Marcus Harrison 4 years Matt Toeaina 2 years Israel Idonije 3 years DE Adewale Ogunleye 3 years Alex Brown 4 years Mark Anderson 2 Years Dan Bazuin 3 years Ervin Baldwin 4 years LB Brian Urlacher 5 years Lance Briggs 6 years Hunter Hillenmeyer 3 years Jamar Williams 2 years Michael Okwo 3 years Nick Roach 2 years Darrell McClover 1 year Rod Wilson 2 years Joey LaRocque 4 years CB Charles Tillman 6 years Nathan Vasher 4 years Trumaine McBride 3 years Zachary Bowman 4 years Corey Graham 3 years Daniel Manning 2 years Ricky Manning Jr 3 years S Mike Brown 1 year Brandon McGowan 1 year Kevin Payne 3 years Craig Stetz 4 years

So that means no Steve Smith when we go into Carolina. It helps, but I would rather he played because I think we owe him some pay back.

Depends on whats out there for left over RBs. I just Yahoos top player page to make those picks if they fell off the chart in that order.

When picking #1 in a 10 man, if you don't take the best RB, you will be screwed. You won't be picking again until pick #20 and #21 and I guarantee you there won't be anything left at RB and still many good QB's. I'd go: 1-1 L. Tomlinson RB 2-20 M. Jones-Drew RB 3-21 B. Edwards WR 4-40 D. Brees QB 5-41 A. Gates TE 6-60 H. Ward WR 7-61 R. Mendenhall RB 8-80 B. Berrian WR 8-81 J. Cutler QB 9-100 P. Crayton WR

I like drafting 2 or 9 in a 10 man. Gives you a little strategy especially in the later rounds. If you pay close attention to the guy who has the wrap around pick, you can guess who he is wanting and take him before he has the chance. When this situation occurs, I get 4 players in mind that I want and take the one the wrap around guy needs the most.