dawhizz

Considering we were starting Ryan Groy by the end of last year, it's hard to criticize this signing.

I would be fine with it as well. It seems to me that if Cooper is there at #7, and we are focusing on a BPA strategy, he almost has to be the pick, right? The biggest question mark for me as far as projecting the draft (besides not having any frame of reference to Pace's drafting approach/philosophy) is their evaluation of the defensive linemen on the roster. I just don't know what they think they have and where they potentially fit (see, my recent post on the need at OLB). I've generally operated under the assumption that there is no true NT on the roster, so I've been lately leaning towards Danny Shelton in the first. But Ratliff has played the nose before and I can see Ego also handling it OK (and I think I remember Pace talking about Ratliff being a "building block" for the new defense when he was hired), in which case our needs on the line would shift toward DE and guys like Carl Davis make more sense. It would be nice if that were the case, because it seems like there are more quality 3-4 DEs in rounds 2-5 than 3-4 NTs.

SIGN SOMEBODY ALREADY! (I'm only kind of kidding)

Parker back to Chiefs. 5/$30 million. Seems high. Glad the Bears moved on.

I would hope that given our holes we could do better in the third round than go after competition for a backup RB who did a fine job last year.

I know we've all penciled in OLB as a need in the first two rounds, but the more I look at the roster, the more I'm questioning it: - McPhee will be a starter and while he'll probably move all over, but figures to spend most of his time at OLB. - Pace has said Young, Allen, and Houston will all start as potential OLBs. I personally see Houston and probably Allen as a better fit at DE, but I can see Young locking down the other OLB. - Even if he doesn't, I think most of us see Christian Jones as a starter, and his best position is probably OLB in a 3-4, though maybe ILB isn't out of the question. - I can actually see David Bass being very effective as a 3-4 OLB. - On top of that, while he could potentially play inside, McClellin was seen coming out of the draft as a best fit at 3-4 OLB. - The only real fit on the roster presently at ILB is Bostic. Maybe Khaseem Greene and Jones/McClellin can play there too, but that seems more uncertain. Hopefully they bring in Mason Foster or someone as well, and likely draft another ILB. So, we have seven players (McPhee, Allen, Young, Houston, Jones, Bass, and McClellin) on the roster right now who can challenge for a role at 3-4 OLB. Even if Houston and/or Allen end up at DE and someone like McClellin just washes out, that still leaves a full four players. I'll certainly defer to Fangio's evaluation of the fits, but don't these guys deserve a year to see if they fit before we spend a top pick on an OLB?

Had a better year than Marshall last year and is two years younger.

This is the last semi-legit thing I saw, from last night: Michael C. Wright ‏@mikecwright · 12h12 hours ago If anything gets done w/Ron Parker, expectation is it won't be soon. Told it could, emphasis on could, happen later tomorrow.

My read on Rolle and Royal is that people on Twitter jumped the gun on the signings and created a premature sense that they were going to be Bears. I think they both will sign, likely today. If all we heard was that Royal and Rolle were on their way to Chicago for a visit last night, we wouldn't even be asking what was up. It's just that some lesser known people on twitter are trying to join the arms race for NFL legitimacy and were willing to go on less than concrete information to be the "first to post." I mean, @ChiSportsUpdates reported the Royal signing at like 4:00 yesterday, then again at around 11:00, then whined on twitter about getting credit for the report, then Michael C. Wright said no deal yet half an hour later. We just need to wait and try to separate the legit sources from the wannabes.

Leming now saying deal for Royal done.

I would think WR is squarely in play at #7. We got an edge rusher in McPhee. If we can land Knighton you have your NT. You get Cooper at #7, you have Jeffery and Cooper with Royal in the slot and Wilson in 4-receiver sets.

Bears seem committed to not get in any bidding wars. Seems like a reasonable approach.

Now sources saying he's just visiting, not yet signed.

Sounds like a done deal. Graham and a 4th for Max Unger and a 1st.

To me, Allen is the guy without a home. Houston seems like a good fit at 3-4 DE and I like Young as a possible OLB (and even if not, he has value and his guaranteed money is pretty low, as I recall).

I was hesitant when I saw just 27 tackles last year, then I saw his snaps and sack total and I'm cautiously optimistic. If we could land a dependable NT, we could really go anywhere with that first round pick.

Peter King says Knighton likely to Washington or Oakland.

Per Jayson Braddock on Twitter. Bears have called, as have Eagles. Surely we would have to throw something else in in a Kaep for Cutler trade?

Ian Rapaport says McCourty back to NE.

Agreed. One other name worth consideration in that sense is Michael Crabtree.

I think this is just the "negotiating period" and deals can't be announced/signed until Tuesday.

Britt is about the same as Nicks as far as I'm concerned (no thanks to both). I'd rather have Nate Washington, who seems like a steady and underrated guy every year.

Hopefully Gore and Maxwell puts the Eagles out of the running for McCourty. They were considered to be one of the favorites for him.

4/$40 million per Schefter, so you can cross him off your FA wish lists.

Not a fan of Coates personally. Even in the highlights, he catches with his body almost all the time. I get a real Stephen Hill vibe from him.