dawhizz

The Ravens have called the league to appeal, saying a deal was done and JA just didn't call it in. It's easy to say no harm no foul, but if it was us and we had a deal to get an extra 4th that another team failed to call in, I'd be mad. It'll be interesting to see if the league does anything about it. After further review, I don't see how this is different than what the Ravens did the Vikings in 2003. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/...kings_draft_ap/

If they were really looking to get Baldwin, then I think Little's a good call. I'd love Hankerson, but I think he'll be gone. If they aren't targeting a WR, I have to think it's a good fit at DT like Drake Nevis, Jurrell Casey, or Christian Ballard (who might fall in their lap after his drug test).

I wouldn't give up on him at LT yet. Depending on how the draft/FA shakes out, our best O-line might be Carimi at LT, Williams at G, and Webb at RT.

Interesting if Baldwin actually was our target there. Might mean that a big WR is a priority for this team and they'll take a long look at someone like Hankerson or Little in the second if they're there.

So, any offensive lineman Jerry picks is automatically bad? That makes a lot of sense.

Except the offensive line is a much bigger problem than the defensive line and Bowers has a major knee issue. You can dislike the pick, but I don't see how this is "stupid."

Thrilled.

Unless they wanted Baldwin, which I think is unlikely. Better to be lucky than good. Now let's see if they are both.

If the Bears don't take Carimi, I give up.

Sounds like the Bears caused it - Tried to trade up with Ravens.

If you're the Bears, don't you spend a 4th or 5th or whatever to jump ahead of the Chiefs for Carimi?

Vikings head coach apparently talking about the "great competition" between Joe Webb, Christian Ponder, and Rhett Bomar. Color me not scared.

The Bears would have to be thrilled with that. But I can't see any way Watkins is there at the end of the 2nd or Carpernter is there at the end of the 3rd.

My money says their first pick doesn't come until Friday.

Can someone tell me the last time a position change worked for the Bears? They moved Hester to CB, only to move him back to WR. They moved Idonije to DT, only to find him later have success after moving back to DE. Hell, they drafted Dustin Lyman to be a TE and that flopped. Jerry Azumah's about the only success story I can think of. Can we stop with the position changes please?

About 44 hours from the start of the first round, here's what I would do if I was the Bears: *Trade down - #29 for a high/mid 2nd, high/mid 4th, and 7th (unless Carimi or Liguit falls, I don't see value for the Bears)** 2a. Orlando Franklin, OT/OG, Miami - An immediate starter somewhere on the line, Franklin brings a nastiness sorely lacking on our offensive line. 2b. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU - Nevis isn't a great fit on a lot of teams, but he's a perfect fit here to replace Tommie Harris. 3. Mason Foster, LB, Washington - Incredibly productive LB from a lesser Pac-10 school taken in the third round, in a bit of a surprise, by the Chicago Bears? Hey, it worked with Lance Briggs. 4a. Ahmad Black, S, Florida - He slid down draft board when he ran 4.8 at the combine and he's only 5'9", but he's a pure playmaker who has experience sharing a secondary with Major Wright. The Bears use a 3-safety lineup as much as anyone, and Black is a great fit there, at the very least. 4b. Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia - I just think he has all the tools you want from a CB and just needs a mentor like Peanut to get his head on straight. 5. David Arkin, OG, Missouri State - Prototypical NFL guard size at 6'5" 300 lbs and has played all over the line. With him and Franklin, the Bears add two versatile linemen to upgrade the unit. 6. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M - The Bears are talking like they want to take a project at QB, so here he is. Johnson lost his starting job this year, but has the size, arm strength, and, most importantly, work ethic to invest in, and he's just one year removed from a year where he threw for 3,500 yards and 30 TDs against just 8 ints. 7. Armon Binns, WR, Cincinnati - While I'd love to draft a big WR earlier, I just don't like that many this year. I don't see why Binns isn't getting more love considering he's 6'3", 210, runs a 4.5 40, has been a consistent red zone target, and averaged 1,000 yards and 10 TDs each of the last two seasons. I'll go to war with that team.

I'm personally tired of storing these undrafted FAs or busts on other teams on our roster. Asiata, Johnson, Horn, and Edwin Williams can all walk as far as I'm concerned and can take Lance Louis with them. Keep one if you want, but I want NFL players. Kreutz is obviously staying, though I pray this is his last year. Garza is a fringe starter/passable backup, which is at least useful. Webb showed me enough to keep around. I'm fine with Williams starting somewhere (guard or LT) if we upgrade elsewhere. Omiyale can stay or go. If it's me, I draft a starter at T/G within the first two picks, draft someone who can push for a job in the next three, and sign a FA starter. For instance, sign OG Marshal Yanda, draft Orlando Franklin, OT/OG, Miami in the second round, and David Arkin, OG, Missouri State in the middle rounds.

My dream was always that the draft and free agency would happen simultaneously, which would make for the craziest three days in NFL history. Now, there's a chance that might happen . . .

I'm looking forward to it. After three years of having the NFL draft during finals week, I'm hoping my work schedule allows me to return to my previously enjoyed "every single second of the NFL draft" devotion.

Here's what I'd do, at the moment: 1) Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin - The LTs will rise, the RTs will fall. I think Carimi can play either and the Bears have looked at him hard. 2) Orlando Franklin, OT/OG, Miami - The rebuild of the O-line continues. Frankline can probably step right in anywhere but center on the line and brings a bit of nastiness sorely lacking in the current O-line. 3) Jurrell Casey, DT, USC - Not the best fit, but he's a good penetrator and his lack of height may cause him to slide to around here, where the Bears still have to fill their need at DT. 4) Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia - If his head's on straight, he's got the pure cover skills to be a starter, so I'm more than willing to take a chance on him here. 5) Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College - After recovering from a bout with cancer, Herzlich could go anywhere from the 3rd round to the 7th. If he's back anywhere near full strength, he's a bargain here. 6) Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon - With Aromashodu likely gone, it's time to fill his slot as the WR who has talent but perpetually squanders on the practice squad.

My picks at the moment: Trade out of first for early 2nd and early 4th 2) Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami 2) Orlando Franklin, OT/OG, Miami 3) James Brewer, OT, Indiana 4) Brandon Hogan, CB, Virginia Tech 4) Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock 5) Karl Klug, DT/DE, Iowa 6) Jabara Williams, OLB, Stephen F. Austin

From what I've heard, there won't be any UDFAs this year, since the lockout keeps teams from signing any players at all. It'll be interesting to see how that affects teams drafting and whether there will be more of a premium on 7th round picks. Not that the Bears have to worry about that (thanks, Harvey Unga!).

How about the Bucs? Gets to play with his brother and they could use a compliment to Blount.

Like others here, I've started to look to the draft and we've seen a lot of names thrown out. Any guys that are potential targets for the Bears you really want them to stay away from? I'll start: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pitt. Seems like the big WR the Bears need and may be around when the Bears pick in the first, but he doesn't make anyone miss, looks like a TE when he runs, and he body-catches way too much (even when he catches with his hands, he seems to need to hold the ball against his body to steady it). Mix in attitude/maturity concerns and I'm out. I'm also weary of Mike Pouncey in the first. I think if his name was Mike Jones, he'd be a third round pick.

I'm not impressed. Looks like a poor man's Brian Finneran. Mike Hass never got a real shot here. Marcus Monk never got a real shot here. Freddie Barnes never got a real shot here. I don't see why this guy is any different.