dawhizz

Yeah, I'm starting to think the Bears will use one of their first two picks on the highest OL on the board, whether it's OG or OT, and then planning their line-up accordingly, which is much better than trying to find a LT in this draft. If the LT is there that they love, great, but I'm not high on this class at that position.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post..._medium=twitter It's interesting to me that the Bears seem to be more focused on OGs in the offseason (Steinbach, Herrera) that OTs. I wonder what the Bears are really thinking for a line-up next year. Lovie recently said that he could see Chris Williams at any position on the line but center and even hinted that they thought Carimi might get a shot at LT if Webb struggled (http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/03/lovie_smith_casts_support_for_.html).

I wouldn't mind seeing a true center drafted. Garza's done an admirable job, but neither he nor Chris Spencer are young. Centers don't tend to garner high draft picks, but I actually like this crop of centers in the middle round with guys like Mike Brewster, Phillip Blake and Quentin Saulsberry. If I had to take off a need, it would probably be safety - I like Wright and Conte going forward and with Steltz already signed, I'd almost rather get a veteran after the draft (Atogwe? Sean Jones? Melvin Bullitt?) than another rookie.

I'm not really a Martin fan. There's questions about his strength and he apparently didn't impress at pro day - not sure how much of his perceived success comes from the success of Andrew Luck. I really don't like this OT crop much in general, especially at LT, where the Bears have the greater need. I also wouldn't like Allen in the second - I'd rather see what Davis can do in the new offense before we spend a high pick on another TE.

Mercilus makes me nervous. I keep flashing back to another Big Ten one year wonder at DE named Michael Haynes.

I agree with your general assessment. My only problem is that the position I think we really need help on on the O line is LT, and I don't like this class at LT at all. On the other hand, the guard crop seems really strong to me, to the extent that I think we can wait until the middle rounds and get a contributor. With that in mind, my current draft hope goes: 1) Nick Perry, DE, USC - DE depth in this draft falls off quickly, in my opinion, so I'd like to see it addressed early, if at all. 2) Brian Quick, WR, Appalacian State - Might need time to develop, but he's a young Brandon Marshall and I love the idea of having both of them for Cutler to throw to. 3) Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State - Great fit in a zone system who held his own against the top WRs in the Big 12. 4. Phillip Blake, C, Baylor - For an O-line that needs immediate help, a 26-year old rookie interior lineman isn't a negative, it's a positive.

There was talk of him slipping into the mid-second round, but I imagine this performance will push him back into the top half of the 2nd or back of the 1st.

I understand why he's upset, but Forte has to realize he's a RB on a franchise tag, coming off an injury, and that the previous back-up (Barber) was less than impressive and that the other back-up (Bell) was good, but remains unproven.

Lovie is at Baylor pro day. Maybe it's just cause he's a Texas guy, but worth noting because of Kendall Wright, though there's an intriging mid-round G/C named Philip Blake who might also be worth a look.

Hell yes. I brought him up in another recent thread. We need another DE and if anyone's gonna get him motivated, it's playing opposite another guy from NC who came out with similar questions about consistency.

I'm starting to think Quinton Coples might be the first round pick. I know he's being picked to go higher, but his inconsistency could very well push him below Ingram and Mercilus near our range. I'm thinking we might see something like Coples in the 1st, Zebrie Sanders in the 2nd, and a guy like AJ Jenkins in the 3rd.

I keep hearing he'll demand $10 million annually. I'm not sure he's worth that.

I say no. I guess it depends on the suspension. Certainly not if it's just a couple game. If it's longer, maybe I take a look at a 1-year deal for a veteran guy (Hines Ward?) to fill in, but it certainly doesn't push me to go WR at 19, unless your staff determines that's the best player available.

I like him, but if they went RB, I would have expected a speed guy, since Bell's a more of a banger (like Bush).

If the concern last year was that he was not yet healthy (which was my read on it), and now he is, I think this would be a great move.

Three year deal. They must be really worried about Knox's status.

Disappointing, but doesn't really chance my feelings about the trade. Worst case scenario, we lose him for a couple games and have to push through with the same team that started 7-3 last year.

Problem is, Wimbley isn't even a free agent yet, so you can't really move forward with him (there's even talks that the Raiders might restructure his contract).

I don't think "Breaking News" means what you think it means.

So, Brandon Marshall for Greg Olsen and a 3rd? Works for me.

I've never loved him, but he's been pretty good since he's been here and I saw a tweet that said he didn't give up a TD last year. I'd like to see some competition at the starting CB spot, but this is a start.

He actually said whoever signs him will be getting a top 5 RT, which is a little bit different. He'd certainly be an upgrade, but I get the feeling the Bears don't see Carimi as a LT.

It's also interesting to note that Schefter was on Mike & Mike this morning and besides noting that the Bears were in on Mario, he also said they were talking to some of the top CBs in the FA pool. I find this quite encouraging, as it's a position I'm concerned about. I'm wondering if maybe someone like Tracy Porter or Aaron Ross is worth a look, depending on how the rest of the Bears' spending goes.

Apparently Colston and the Saints are trying to work out a deal before FA starts today. The guy I'd go after is Robert Meachum. Got lost in the shuffle in NO, but he's a blazer, former first round pick, still young, and 6'2". He's been banged up, but not nearly as bad as Colston (two microfracture surguries).

ZachZaidman Zach Zaidman Phil Emery: "I'm a very different person than Jerry [Angelo]." 59 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply I like him already!