'TD'

Did Favre officially retire, or did the Jets decide it for him?

Ehh.. I just wrote too long of a response and deleted it before I added it. Unfortunately this is still long. I'll never be able to be on that wagon, because it's too hard for me to forget the past. Think of all the mistakes over many years. I really don't feel the Bears truely pursued a number 1 WR hard this year, especially Boldin. Given that like 6 teams chose a WR in the first round, I imagine half the teams in the league offered equal to or as much as the Bears. This is a year that Coles, Howz, Holt, TO, Boldin, Burress, Edwards, and others were available. Some still are, but it hasn't happened yet. Curently the team have only like 2 WR's who have caught a pass, and have trouble catching passes. I don't see the big push to upgrade the offensive line. Pace was an awesome pick up, and should be a very welcome addition to what was a pitiful line last year. However, I didn't see any new youth infused on the line. The only other additions were a guy who couldn't get on the field and a cast off from what was a bad line in Cleveland last year. I'm also not a fan of bringing in 2 Free Safeties from 2 of the worst secondaries in the league and hoping that either one of them or one of the CB's will stick at the position. The draft I won't hate on. Each player either has potential or was a value pick. I never expect much out of 3rd round players or less. Hopefully a few good back ups will pop up, maybe a starter, but I wouldn't bank on a superstar. It is what it is. I'm not as big on the Cutler trade. I didn't see it as a Orton plus 2 firsts and a third type of need. It seemed more of a save my own behind type of move. Which I do like that mood better then JA being JA. I couldn't see the Cutler trade or Pace being brought in in past years. It undoubtabley inspired hope in a QB deprived fan base and will sell jerseys. In that alone it was a smart move. Even so, Orton was fine IMO. It may even be arguable that Orton is the better fit as the team has a solid D. I'm not saying he has more talent then Cutler. I just think cutler's gunslinger mantality may inhibit the team. I think Cutler was a better fit on a team like Denver who needs to score due to a bad D. I think with a line that wouldn't kill him, WR's that could catch, then the team would have had a very efficient offense. He will have all of that in Denver this year. Orton's nongunslinger mentality may kill Denver.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/04/pi...g_official.html Pitt WR Kinder making official visit to Halas Hall today By Brad Biggs on April 2, 2009 8:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (0) kinder.jpg Back in 2004 the Bears found a receiver with a story not to unlike the one that belongs to Derek Kinder. Bernard Berrian was projecting to be a first-round draft pick going into his junior season in 2002 when he blew out his knee in the first game of the season. His recovery from the injury, combined perhaps with the departure of Fresno State quarterback David Carr, led him to fall a year later. The Bears grabbed him in the third round and felt confident they had gotten a player who could have gone two rounds earlier. They proved to be right. They wish they still had him today. Nobody is saying Kinder will be the next Berrian, but the Bears are going to give him a good look. The Pitt receiver will be at Halas Hall today for an official pre-draft visit. He's a sleeper going into this draft and might surprise a lot of people how early he winds up being chosen. Kinder ran the 40-yard dash at his pro day March 17 and one watch had him at 4.46 seconds. At 6-foot, 202 pounds, he can stretch the field vertically, which makes him similar to Berrian in that respect. He was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2006 and then Kinder had a medical redshirt season in 2007 after suffering a torn ACL. He is considered a solid blocker who will work hard on special teams and he's just now getting to full strength with the knee. The Bears, of course, will give him a physical to see how it checks out. Kinder might just check out in pretty good position on their draft board. Keep an eye on him.

if thats true then im happy the bears traded down. i laughed my ass off when the raiders made that pick and have been all night.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4073253 Madden retires after 30 years in boothComment Email Print Share ESPN.com news services John Madden, a fixture in NFL broadcast booths for 30 years, has decided to retire, he announced Thursday in a statement released by NBC Sports. NFL.com Video John Madden discusses what the Hall of Fame means to him. Madden, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders, has been a game analyst and TV personality since walking away from coaching in 1979. "It's time. I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall," Madden said. "I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not." "It's been such a great ride," he added. The NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion -- It still is. ... It's still fun and that's what it makes it hard and that's why it took me a few months to make a decision. "I still love every part of it -- the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people... but I know this is the right time." Madden worked as lead analyst for all four networks broadcasting NFL football games, forming tandems with Pat Summerall at CBS and Fox and Al Michaels at ABC and NBC. He won 16 Emmy awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality. His last game in the booth was Pittsburgh's Super Bowl victory over Arizona. Madden led the Raiders to an overall record of 103-32-7, seven AFC West titles and a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. His .750 winning percentage remains the highest of any coach in NFL history.

Aren't you sort of contradicting yourself? You're are basically saying the scouts know more then all of us, then bringing up 2 failures of scouts in Colston drafted so late adn Terrell so early.

I may be completely wrong, but my understanding is this. If I cut you from my team, the rest of the teams can either claim or waive the right to claim you. If 2 or more teams decide they want to claim you, the guy with the worst record gets you on his team. You'll go there and finish up your contract. If no one claims you, then you can become an unrestricted free agent and sign where ever you want and negotiate a new contract. I'm sure there is a lot more too it tho. edit: wess beat me to it.

I disagree. Last year Leftwich was a back up to Big Ben. He wasn't there because the fans thought their starting QB would suck. He was there because he was a quality back up. There is nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't mind Griese back as a back up. He was a decent back up as a Bear and already knows the system. His failures were due largely to the coaching. A majority of his games he threw over 35 times. I don't see him with the Buc's much longer. My understanding tho is that the Buc's are dedicated to Luke McCown this year. I'm not sure they will draft a QB, but I'm pretty sure they will start McCown or possibly Leftwich this year and look towards their rookie next year. If they are really high on McCown, they just signed Leftwich, it would only make since to bring in a guy to develop even if it's a later rounder. Griese should be available before the season starts.

Yea, Forte ended up being an awesome pick. I'll admit I was one of the people on here that just thought the pick was early, although I was really wanting him in the 3rd.

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I agree on Albert, just because I thought he was a better talent, among others that were available at the pick. That was reinforced by the fact that Willaims had Chronic back problems and always will. I do have to say tho, I really respect his attitude on the situation. Alot of players could have really been mad over not getting to play the position they have been groomed for for over a year. I also have to really respect Pace now. His calls to Holt, his desire to win, and what he has done since he has been in Chicago shows that he's going to be a great additon in the locker room at the very least. I'm very happy with the line right now. I hope Ominalye, however you spell it, can step up and play a guard. I got faith in Bruennig taking over the other guard position. You can't beat the depth in Garza that has started for the Bears the last few years,Schaffer that has started alot of games over the last 3 years, and the young guys on the team. If the Bears can get a WR and draft a FS in the second round, I'm looking for the Bears to atleast be in the NFC finals. Anything less and it's going to lie on the the Coaching. THe Defense has talent that hasn't been utilized properly the last 2 years. The line should be solid. The Bears have the QB they wanted. With a WR (Holt or Plaxico), Olsen and Dezzy, and potential in Hester and Bennet they would be set at WR. Forte behind a good will be scary. If the a WR is bought in, then it's all on the coaches if the Bears aren't contenders. JA has brought the team talent, and it is there.

Considering the talk from Pace and Burress, I think the best option is just to get the free safety they wat. This signals to me that they are serious about pursuing Burress and/or Holt. If they are, and get one, I think it would make more sense to see what they have in Bennett this year and draft a WR next year. If Bennett looks like the tredecessor to whoever is being brought in, then draft a Speed WR next year. If he doesn't look to fill the roll then move in more of a possession type receiver direction next year. I personally think Burress and Holt will be good for atleast 3 more years. TO is still on top of his game at 36, Rice went through his 40's, I see no reason for Holt or Burress not to be able to succeed until they are atleast 36.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5721 April 9, 2009 Williams doesn't mind making move from left to right tackle By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 4/9/2009 2:01 PM * LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chris Williams may still be the Bears’ left tackle of the future. But the 2008 first-round draft pick from Vanderbilt is the team’s right tackle of the present. Williams will flip-flop positions to accommodate the addition of free agent Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowler who will line up at left tackle after signing a three-year contract with the Bears. Chris Williams is moving from left tackle to right tackle in his second season with the Bears. “I don’t care,” Williams said. “I just want to play. You can put me at free safety if you want as long as I’m playing. I’m just excited about getting out there and playing.” Williams is eager to get on the field after a back injury derailed his rookie season. After missing the first six games while recovering from surgery, the 6-6, 312-pounder made his NFL debut on the extra point and field goal teams last Nov. 2 in a win over the Lions. Williams then lined up at left tackle for the final five snaps in a blowout loss at Green Bay two weeks later and spent the rest of the season playing as a third tight end in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Two of the NFL’s best offensive linemen over the past decade—the Ravens’ Jonathan Ogden and the Panthers’ Jordan Gross—both started their careers at right tackle before moving to the left side. “I played a little bit of everywhere in college,” Williams said. “I played left tackle, right tackle, left guard and some center. It doesn’t matter. It’s all the same when you break it down to fundamentals.” Williams is ecstatic that the Bears were able to sign Pace. “It affects the whole team,” Williams said. “Orlando Pace is a one-of-a-kind player who I watched on film since I was in high school. I’m geeked about it. I’m so excited to have a guy like that here. To have him and a guy like Olin [Kreutz], that puts [13] Pro Bowls in our room.” While Williams is expected to start this season, he will be challenged by free-agent acquisition Kevin Shaffer, a seven-year veteran who started 47 of 48 games the past three seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Politically speaking: Former Bears linebacker Jim Schwantz on Tuesday was elected mayor of Palatine, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Schwantz reportedly called his win over longtime incumbent Rita Mullins “extremely humbling.” Schwantz, who grew up in Palatine and attended Fremd High School and Purdue University, appeared in all 16 games with the Bears in 1998, recording a team-high 23 special teams tackles. He has more recently served as a Bears pre-game radio analyst on WBBM 780 AM. Schwantz entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Bears in 1992. He spent most of his first two seasons on Chicago’s practice squad, but he did appear in the 1992 season finale. Schwantz played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1994-96, winning a Super Bowl ring in 1995 and getting voted to the Pro Bowl as the NFC’s special teams representative in 1996. He spent one season with the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 before returning for his second tour with the Bears. Sad news: Former Bears defensive lineman Ken Anderson died last Friday night of a heart attack at age 33. Anderson joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve with an ankle injury before registering one tackle in two games in 1999. Another ex-Bears player, Al Campana, died Tuesday from an undisclosed illness. He was 83. Campana played three seasons with the Bears from 1950-52 before concluding his NFL career with the Chicago Cardinals in 1953.

I mean, considering Holts record, and how good he is, I think he is still good for over 1000 easy with cutler, but hester just dont seem to bright in his comments still. One bad year in the worst offense in football dont mean ya are on the decline

Of course they are. They actually caught the ball. Cutler may be able to get the ball to them but he can't make them actually catch it. Do you remember all the drops last year?

Like us with Berrian last year? Honestly, It doesn't surprise me Orton had that much value to him. My friend and I who are both Bears fans argued all night before Cassel was traded on who was better and who would have a better career. I honestly feel Orton is just as good as Cassel, just he had more talent surrounding him. Their numbers were some what similar.

I was praying for the Bears to get him back in the day, but they decided on Moose instead.

I think that if it was Washington that gave up 2 firsts, a third, and and Campbell for him, then we would all be here laughing at them and saying they over paid. The deal is good to Bears fans because of deprevity at the position for years. The excitement is understandable and even more so this far into the offseason after it was so boring before. Personally, I'm neutral on the whole thing. I'm neither excited or mad about it. I've screamed louder then anyone for the Bears to do the right thing and get a QB over the years. The thing is, I thought they had found that last year. He was coming into his own early in the season and earning the teams respect after the injury. He was doing it with a bad line and wr's that dropped about everything. He wasn't really the problem and outside of Forte, one of the highlights last year. For the last few years, fans had been screaming for either the guy that was a gunslinger (grossman) or a guy who can manage a game (orton). I think Orton can do more then manage, but you get the gist. As fans we'll get both of those things in Cutler. It's just seems like a lot of payment to me, and hard seeing a player go that I was starting to like alot out of no where I guess. I could see the deal seeming one sided from fans of teams that aren't the Bears. Only a true Bears fan can understand the magnitude of what the Bears received in the deal to them like ice water in hell vs. at a resteraunt. If I'm in hell, you better bet I want an Ice water, but if I'm at a resteraunt, get rid of that ice water and give me a damn beer.

Lol, well he might not have to stop and catch the ball, but he'll have to keep moving and catch the ball. Both of which were a problem for him and all of the WR's last year. They all couldn't catch for whatever reason.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Bears bringing in Darrell Jackson. He had a pretty nice career in Seattle but didn't do much in his year in San Fran or Denver for whatever reason. He's only 30, and should be some familiarity with Cutler from practices last year. The only thing that would have me not jump in the Torry Holt bidding war with Jacksonville and Tennessee is the fact he's a 3 year band aid and not a solution. The guy had 780 yards his rookie year, then had 8 seasons of 1180 yards or more until last year when he was on a horrible St. Luis team. He still pulled off over 780 yards tho. I could possibly with Bennett or Jones at a league minimum, but nothing more. Really none of those guys excite me. Holt would, but damn he's old now. Darrell Jackson would have 2 years ago, but I'm not sure what happened to him since, he's still only 30 tho.

I'm not sure what age group you are going for really or what the cut off is. Going off of the year Rivers was born, I would put BigBen, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers and Aaron Rogers ahead of where he's at now. His own coach put Cassel ahead of him, I'd probably put him about par with him. When you are limiting it to 81 or sooner, there's not alot of starters he's ahead of at this point either of that age. It would be guys (anderson/quinn) Schuab, Orton, Campbell, Edwards, Russell and Jackson. I hate to throw Flacco and Ryan in there because they were rooks. 30 or younger would add in QB's like Brees, Palmer and Romo ahead of him and I don't see anyone thats a starter to add worse then, I guess Shaun Hill. I would probably put him at 8 or 9 of 19 starters 30 or younger. Manning, Big Ben, Rivers, Rogers, Brees, Palmer, and Romo ahead of him at this point in no paticular order and possibly Casse or top 5 or 6 of 14 Rivers age or younger. He's about middle of the road but with a lot of potential.

I take it you're not a dog man, just kiddin. I'm not going to get into the morality of dog fighting. I think you just need to look at it from the NFL's side. They promoted Vick heavily to sell their product much like they do with Brady and Manning. Vick benefited from it and got extra endorsements. He broke the law and served major time due to this. This embarrassed the NFL and tainted Vick's name to almost an OJ Simpson like shadow. They have no obligation to let him back in their company just like the it's a dell dude didn't get hired after he dealt with his issues. The company itself also does not benefit either by Vick's return. It's doing quite well without him. Personally, I could care less what happens to him as long as he's not a Bear. He never was a good QB, he was just highly mobile. You don't win championships with a QB that can only run. Look at how much better the WR's he had looked once they got a new, rookie even, QB this year.

Last year Orton had a guy learning to be a WR, a rotation at the other starting spot, a bad line and coach to deal with. Hopefully, Hester has learned the position more and they will upgrade the other starting spot either through the draft, Holt, or an emergence of Bennett. With Orton going into camp with another year as starter under his belt, first time the unquestioned starter, I'm actually looking forward to seeing what kind of strides he can make this year. This is actually the first time I've been happy with the Bears QB situation in years, Orton as starter and Hanie's potential. Now I wouldn't be "Mad" if they traded for Cutler. I've been wanting the Bears to find a QB for years. I'm just not sure it's the right move to pursue him. Let's not forget what got Denver in the situation they are in. They alienated their QB. He wants to get the F out now. There's been plenty of times in JA's history that the Bears had got in talks with players but didn't have what it took to pull it out, Plummer, Kearse and so on. If the Bears get involved and it leaks that they tried and failed to get Cutler, it could have major repercussions. Orton is on the last year of his contract and that could be enough to chase him off. I think you also have to consider the needs on the offense. I know there are band aid's available in Pace and Holt if they pursue and sign them. Sooner or later they will need to be addressed in the draft and those players will need time to develop. If neither are landed, Cutler might have a hard time succeeding with no other viable options available and less draft picks.

Personally, I would still draft a couple linemen some what early. Even if you get Pace signed, the most you are going to get out of him is 2-3 years of play. The rook could come in and play a guard spot until he is ready to surpass Pace or Williams fails. The Bears on the other hand, probably wont draft a tackle prospect with a pick earlier then 4th if Pace is signed.