Pattymac

It definitely doesn't hurt to try, seeing that they're going to be getting rid of him one way or another. Anything we can get for him is gravy.

While I felt Nickerson was our least significant position coach in 2007 (due to the fact that he inherited a very solid veteran group that required no real development), I think finding a good replacement is a very important task for Lovie. Assuming Briggs leaves, the new LB coach will have to continue to develop Williams into a legitimate starting WLB in a system that demands very good play from the position. Additionally, he will need to develop Okwo into the #4 LB/back-up at all 3 positions/potential future starter. IMO both of these tasks are bigger challenges than anything Hardy Nickerson, or for that matter Bob Babich before him, faced as LB coach for the Bears. While I have no insight or idea into potential replacements, I would like to see Lovie depart from his track record of hiring a young rookie coach out of a college program. The next coach will need to be able to balance the challenge of utilizing 2 well-respected veterans on the team (Urlacher & Hillenmeyer) with the development of 2 young and relatively untested players (Williams and Okwo...untested emphasis on Okwo) who will both be needed for our defense to be successful in 2008. I think a veteran coach with NFL experience, either a former LB coach or Defensive coordinator, would be best equipped to do that. Then again, best case scenario, Briggs re-signs and this is all moot, but I just don't see that happening.

Snoochie Boochies Bro!!

Briggs is very good, but not great. I'd love to have him back, and unless the Bears go after both Bryant Johnson and a top-flight O-lineman, I think they should make every effort to sign Briggs. He's young, good, and a core player on a championship caliber defense (when everyone's healthy). While I feel the focus of this off-season should be squarely on improving the offense, I'm trying to look at this from the perspective of the overall impact on the team. Losing Briggs probably would hurt us more than signing any of the available offensive free agents would help us. Our biggest area of need is the OL, and this year the best available talent is in the draft, not free agency. All this considered, it won't break my heart if Angelo lets Briggs walk. He's been a beneficiary of playing with a lot of great players in Chicago, and I think Jamar Williams is a capable football player, so it's not liek we're doomed if we let him go...I just think we're better with him than without him, and I don't see a lot of areas where that money would be better spent, based on available free agents. Gonna be a damn interesting off-season, and I'm very anxious to hear what Angelo has to say tomorrow...

I with MBM on Babich, the defenses problems were largely due to injuries. If you look at all the games missed by defensive starters (Mike Brown, Dvoracek, Vasher, Tillman, Briggs, Anderson, Adams, Walker) and the fact guys like Urlacher & Harris were banged up most of he year, our defensive performance is more understandable. kepp most of thsoe guys relatively healthy all year, I think they're still a top 10 defense. I'm torn on Turner. While I feel a lack of talent at O-line & WR are our offense's main problems, there were plenty of times when turner made decisions (both play-calling & personnel) that didn't put the Bears in the best position to be successful. I don't think he should be fired unless there is a replacement who is clearly better, and I'm not sure there's anyone out there who fits the bill. Eitehr way, an infusion of young talent at OL & WR is a must, and the QB position will need to be addressed, as I doubt all 3 of our current QBs will be back.

You're on the right track DBDB. I think Berrian is a goner, so grooming both Hester & Bradley needs to be a priority. I think Hester will need to fill Berrian's void as a deep threat, and Bradley needs to be able to step in as a legitimate starter. To improve the rushing attack, I agree the o-line is the best way to go. I'n not against bringing in a new RB to compete, but I think if we can replace Miller, Brown, and possibly Garza, we'll be able to have a decent running game regardless of who starts. I also think we need to draft a receiver to fill the role Moose was supposed to fill; the #1, reliable, go-to WR.

I care mostly about playing young guys to help their development & see what they can do, regardless of the game's outcome. Obviously I will be pining for a Bear victory, but at this point, identifying & developing young talent serves the overall interests of the franchise much better than winning this game does.

I have to agree with Bradjock. Hester is a great talent, and is best suited as a return man who moonlights as a #3 receiver, with his responsibilities being stretching the field and creating matchup problems.

I'd pick the highest rated offensive lineman available in the 1st round, preferably a left tackle, but we could use new blood at either tackle or either guard position. As the Bears proved in 2005, a team with mediocre quarterback play, bad receivers, and a decent running back can win if the o-line can hold up against a pass rush and create holes for a running back. As the Bears proved in 2007, regardless of who your quarterback is, who your TEs & receivers are, or who your running back is, if the o-line can't pass protect or create holes in the running game, your offense is going nowhere. If we get 2-3 GOOD new starting o-linemen, and our defense gets healthy, we could win 10-11 games next year with the exact same skill position players we had this season. That's not to say we shouldn't upgrade the skill positions, but simply that improving the o-line is the single most important thing Angelo can do to ensure the Bears are competitive in 2008.

I think this is a good hire by the Dolphins. Their entire organization (not just the team) is disorganized & a generally sloppy mess. Parcells has been known for his discipline & organization skills through-out his career, and this is just what the proverbial dotor ordered for Miami. He is a good evaluator of talent, and much like his protege Bill Belicheck, he has a knack for both finding, and developing, players & assistants with sharp minds & strong work ethics. I think he will hire his own GM/player personnel boss, consult with that guy to hire their coach, and draft players that fit the profile I mentioned above. 2-3 years of that, and Miami can be a legitimate playoff contender again.

The positions where we will need some work are tackle, guard, safety, and wide receiver. I think our first day picks should be 1 o-lineman, 1 safety, and then either an o-lineman or a WR, depending what we do in free agency. I today's NFL it's very possible to field a competitive team with decent skill positions players, if your o-line is very good. I think adding 1-2 new WRs and 2 new o-linemen to our current crop of QBs/RBs/TEs, we could be right back in the NFC hunt in 2008. On D, we need a new strong safety, and everyone else to get healthy. WLB should also be a priority, and at this point I think Angelo should go for broke in trying to re-sign Briggs.

I agree we should sit Harris. We know what he can do, and he's a core player on our defense. it is infinitely more important to the Bears that he goes into 2008 100% healthy and ready to go, than it is for him to play out the string in 2007. We aren't going anywhere, and he is a much bigger asset to us in 2008 if he is healthy, than he is now playing on one leg. If we were going to be in the playoffs I'd change my opinion, but at this point we need to focus on the 2008 playoffs, not the 2007 playoffs. As far as Darwin Walker, I would play him every snap I could. He is due for a huge roster bonus in March, and we need to see what he can do, and how hard he'll play when banged up. He has under-performed this year, and now is his chance to prove whather or not he deserves to be here. Angelo has to make the decision whether to give him the bonus, attempt to restructure, or just cut him outright. I'd try to get everything I could out of him to prepare for that decision.

I think she's pretty damn funny, but I wouldn't touch her with a 10 foot pole. You'd think a pro football player could do a little better...

While nothing is guaranteed, I think it's safe to say the Bears will not franchise Bernard Berrian. He is a speed receiver with average hands, and given Angelo's track record at WR I doubt he would spend that kind of money on this caliber a player.

If Im the coach, anyone who is injured, or even close, doesn't take a snap the rest of this season. That means Rex, Tommie, Urlacher, Vasher, Darwin Walker, don't see the field. Anyone who is either young, or unproven, should get full opportunity to gain experience & prove themselves worthy of a spot in training camp next year. This means Orton, Wolfe, Beekman, Hass, Bradley, Jamar Williams, McBride, Kennedy, Olsen, that DT off the practice squad, D. Manning, Hester, and McGowan should all be in the game for the majority of the snaps at their respective positions. This team had a bad year, but we really aren't that far away from being a legitimate NFC contender again next year. While roster upgrades, and probably some coaching staff upgrades, will be necessary, we can get a good head start now by identifying which guys deserve a chance next year, and which guys should be cut loose sow e can move on to somebody else.