bradjock

Stud offensive guard might be a priority now that Louis has signed with Miami. In my opinion, if Austin is there we jump all over him and dump Hester. I just can't see us drafting defense bringing in an offensive head coach with one of the worst offenses in the league.

What's funny about that quote is, "It came down to the Dolphins giving him a chance to start." Huh? If healthy, he could be penciled in as a starter for the Bears at LG, RG, or RT. What that quote really means is the Dolphins gave him the most money. Starting had nothing to do with it. Right now we have James Brown, Gabe Carimi, and Edwin Williams as our guards. I REALLY hope we cough up the dough to sign Brandon Moore.

Agreed. You're looking for a professional NFL QB who can play 3 games without wetting himself. I'd include Colt McCoy in the mix. He's due to be cut from Cleveland now that Campbell is signed. You don't want any back-up QB having to start.

Lots of times success or a lack of success in college doesn't mean a damn thing in the NFL. Te'o looked damn good in the regular season but was blown up in the championship game. Quarterbacks like Vince Young, Leinert, and Tebow are college legends but have been awful NFL players. Matt Cassel has been professionally more successful yet didn't start a game in college. Before the chmapionship game Te'o was being touted as a top 5 pick . . . Te'o's instincts can make up for his lack of burst. That being said, IMO, it's the bad championship game, PLUS the bad 40 time, PLUS the baggage which will make him a 2nd round pick at best.

He's been officially signed. As per the Trib. He's a solid pick-up considering how much we play nickel against the Packers & Lions. With all the inexpensive talent available in free agency, IMO we'd have to think long and hard about trading down. We've done a great job of filling out our roster with solid players. What we need is talent and playmakers.

Yep. Those are 7 guys likely to be on the 53 roster and play and active role on this team. As for tomorrow, the SCORE says we want to bring back Lance Louis and Idonije. I'm still hoping we can snag Jet OG Brandon Moore. After OG, the only position we haven't addressed is back-up QB. We've said we want to bring back Jason Campbell, but I don't see it. With what he'll want, we could easily sign Brandon Moore. It's crazy to pay a back-up QB more than we'll pay a solid OG to protect him.

How'd he look in 2011? In 2011, I don't remember the bad drops and he had similar statistics plus 5 touchdowns. I agree last year was a nightmare. According to PFF, he had 6 drops in 25 attempts. Seemed like all six were between the numbers and bounced of his hands. That doesn't even count all the times he fell down before the pass even got there. IMO, he was ok as 3rd TE or a blocking TE. When there were expectations, he literally dropped the ball. (although he did have one helluva a TD catch in the Carolina game this year.)

After we signed what we hope will be our starting LT and TE for the next 4-5 years, in the last six days we have signed 6 players who either will start or add much need depth to the roster. 3.25.13--Signed Jonathon Scott who at worst will be a back-up swing-tackle. At best, he replaces J Webb at RT 3.24.13--Signed starting OLB James Anderson who was a big $$$ free agent two years ago. 3.23.13--Signed Tom Zbikowksi for LB & special teams depth. They say he could be the next Craig Steltz . . . 3.22.13--Signed MLB DJ Williams. He's probably better than Urlacher and cost less . . . if he can avoid getting suspended. 3.21.13--Signed blocking TE Steve Maneri. 3.20.13--Signed DE Turk McBride I'm hoping 3.26.13 results in an answer and the OG position.

Good point. I figured after we announced we weren't bringing Urlacher back, we'd have his replacement signed within the next two days. We basically struck Williams, said good-bye to Urlacher, then announced the deal on Friday.

Nice signing. He did a solid job for us as a starter. IMO, we're penciling Carimi in as a starter at guard. Expect us to sign Lance Louis next only to be followed by signing some guy none of us has ever heard of before. This give us REAL draft flexibility. Brad Biggs tweeted we wouldn't be as likely to draft an offensive tackle in the draft after signing Scott. But why not? We don't want to upgrade J Webb? As for the draft, I think we'll take an explosive WR who can stretch the field in round #1. Phil Emery was working in Kansas City when they passed on Carimi to draft Jon Baldwin. I could see us drafting a cornerback, defensive lineman, offensive lineman, linebacker . . . pretty much the only spot I don't see us taking in round #1 are QB, RB, TE, and safety.

It's only a bad move if they count on Kellen Davis to do much. Davis was a pretty good #3 TE for the Bears. He was an ok blocker and looked like he might not be inept as a receiver. I take Kellen Davis over our current #3 TE Kyle Adams.

Melton signed his franchise tender. We are no longer able to rescind it. We could sign him to a long term contract with a better cap hit, but he's ours for the 2013 season. That being said, why would it be necessary to dump Melton to sign Moore to a 2 million per year contract? We could dump Hester and free up that amount. I'm not saying we should dump Hester, he's just one of many ways we can get under the cap to sign Moore.

Moore is a pro-bowl caliber player who never misses a game. To hell with the minimum. sign him for 2 years 4 to 5 million. That's less than we paid Chris Spencer. The main difference would be that unlike Spencer, Brandon Moore doesn't suck. That' s important. To your first point, about moving Carimi, do you really think we will sign not one but two starting guards? If we sign Louis, his health will be questionable. If we draft a guy early to start . . . there's no guarantees with a rookie. The longer Jonathon Scott is a free agent, the more likely it is he'll return to the Bears.

I agree with everything you say. With the exception of the guard position, pending health or an upset, we have our opening day starting line-up in place.

As per PFT. Althogh he's visiting with the Cowboys and Lions. The Dolphins are also interested. Offensive guard is one area with have not addressed in free agency. (which leads me to suspect we plan on starting Carimi at guard). It would be huge if we could add Moore to stabilize the line. Although he plays at RG which means we'd need to move either him or Lance Louis to LG (assuming Louis resigns.)

Agreed we are paying him too much. Hopefully we restructure his salary quietly and there's not a big discussion about, "Will we release him or won't we?" I love to see him get one more crack at building on his resume of being the best return man who ever lived.

Just because Zbikowski has been a return man is no indication he'll be a return man for the Bears. With the exception of maybe Weems, who didn't supplant Hester last season, do you see any of these guys winning the job of #23? That being said, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Bears took a guy like Tavon Austin with the #1 pick. We would cut Hester and make Austin the slot receiver/return man.

Don't forget we have Brandon Hardin returning. Everyone is amazed by his combination of size/speed/inability to stay healthy.

I hope we bring him back. He's been a constant.

I agree, but all indications are we want to bring Jonathon Scott back as our swing tackle. If that happens, like it or not, Carimi becomes a guard. Probably a starting guard. Granted, that hasn't happened yet, but Scott is still available and the Bears still need offensive linemen.

You think Albert is that much better than Bushrod that he be worth more $$$ AND a 2nd round draft pick? Keep in mind, every indication is that the Chiefs do not think he's a great left tackle. Maybe Bushrod made the pro-bowl because of his team/offense/quarterback, etc . . . but he did make the pro bowl twice. If we're talking just dollars, that's a different discussion. But dollars plus a #2???

If we had Brandon Albert money to spend, we'd be better off just signing a RT. Like the guy they just cut, Eric Winston. You have to be really desperate to give up big money and a high draft pick. There is still plenty of good offensive tackles available.

Agreed. Good signing for the price. We've mentioned his health concerns, but up until last year, he's been pretty damn healthy. Particularly when you consider it's Williams vs. Urlacher, #54 has a bad back, bad knee . . . As for the draft, I could see the Bears going guard/linebacker . . . or not. I could see another OT, a WR, D-line . . . I think we have options.

First, with the negative effect on the future of veteran contracts, there are two things players look for: 1. They want to play for a winner, and 2. $$$. that's it. No more. No less. As for drafting a guy, I predict we will sign a starting linebacker in the next few days.

Why not draft a guy and sign a guy like DHB? I believe both Earl Bennett and Devin Hester are expendable. Make it a true competition and see what happens. DHB may suck and we cut him anyway. Not to mention, is Alshon Jeffrey really that good? Don't get me wrong, I like the guy. But he's getting a lot of hype for a guy who played 10 games and caught 24 passes for 367 yards last season. Yes, he showed signs of potential. It seems like we always have WR's who show signs of great potential that never amounts to much. (Mark Bradley, Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Dane Sanzenbacher . . . I'm sure I'm forgetting 10 or 20. Who's the guy who was with the Vikings who had like one good game for us? I'm not talking about Mike Haas either)