Alaskan Grizzly

I think Denver's defense disproved the elite QB theory for both NE and Denver this year. Not only did they dismantle Tom Brady and his normally heroic efforts in the AFC title game but essentially carried the Broncos to the SB. I wouldn't necessarily say they did that the whole season but when it counted, they did. A few years ago Seattle did the same thing and before that Baltimore in 2001 and the Bears in '85. Which ties into your next comment. This applied to our run in '06. Rex did good but there's almost no question the Bears D carried most of the load that year. I think one thing to remember was 'we got lucky' with Long. Yes he was a first round pick but most everyone at the time, and several here, questioned that pick (the fact it worked out and Phil Emery chose him really sucks). The 'experts' concluded it was a stretch to pick him that early because he had only been playing oline in college for two (?) years. These are the same "experts" that told us Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams were 1st round worthy, and we know where that got us. That's why I say most people here could do as good a job analyzing college talent as some of the hacks like Kiper or Mayock. Anyhow, I digress... I don't know that "like" is the right word, its probably more like tolerate. Remember just about a year ago there was much speculation they were doing everything they could to trade him but they got zero takers. But yes, I agree they are going to build around him because he's the best we've got. (If they draft a QB early then we'll know how invested they are in him going forward). You're right they will probably draft a RB. Question is will it be early or late in the draft? Fox is generally a RBC type of guy so would he need a 1st round talent like Henry or Elliott or could they find what they need later on? As far as the Oline goes, I think they've done pretty well in building it up so far. What more do they need? Why draft a LT (in the first if that's what's suggested) not knowing if he's going to be the next Carimi or Long at that position? Too risky. If the trend is definitely more towards the passing game then all the more reason to look for a superb edge rusher. Hence why, IMHO, you look for that quality player in the 1st and/or second round. Or more stud players to bolster the defense that will eventually win you that championship.

And what about the second time he was injured? You know darn well had this occurred to Cutler you would be admant that the oline was at fault. You've said so for years that he's had to scramble because the OL has never been able to protect him. Yet when you are shown where a 'top tier' OLine doesn't hold up and allows the QB to get injured you instead blame the QB!? Really which way is it? If Cutler had every OLineman as a 1st round pick and got hurt AND/OR threw and interception, would it be his fault or the Olines? Sooooo...how did the Oline affect that? Are we discussing whether the Panthers would have been better in drafting a 1st round Olineman instead of a 1st Rd QB in Newton or???? If you're suggesting no then I'm ecstatic about the assumption that we might agree the Bears should draft a QB in the first round this year. At any rate, the fact the Panthers did not have ANY 1st round OLinemen (save Oher) proves its not necessary to draft Olinemen in the first EVERY time. So are you suggesting the Bears should instead draft defense in the first round? I'm even better with that. Hell I'll even agree with you that we don't need a new QB in the 1st if we draft heavy in for defense in the first few rounds. Find us the next Von Miller or JJ Watt and I'll be totally happy.

First off, Kiper's an idiot. As an example of his many blunders. This about Ryan Leaf: "His attitude will be an asset in the NFL and give him a mental advantage over other players in this draft." One of the "other players" from that draft class; Peyton Manning. That being said, I've seen in about 2-3 other mocks where Floyd ends up with the Bears. Not sure that I'm a fan, especially at 11. I still think that if they are going to consider an LB, even if he's not currently an OLB, you have to consider Ragland. But, like the article states, there are other players on the board (according to the clown Kiper's predication) more worthy of consideration. IE: Lawson or Robinson.

Thank you.

And why was it they 'juggled the QB's" to begin with? Because their starting QB got hurt...not once, but twice. Behind that 'excellent line'. So when you say Cam had a 'ridiculous year' what exactly do you mean, passing or rushing? If you mean rushing he really only had 630 yards rushing which is good but it isn't 'all time great'. Add that Johnathan Stewart (yes that old guy Johnathan Stewart) had just over 900 yards rushing and you can certainly consider his 'contributions' noteworthy. By the way, Stewart was a first round pick out of Oregon. If you meant passing then I'd first have to ask, who caught those passes? First let me mention that Newton passed for ~3,800 yds. In comparison; A. Rodgers passed for ~3,800, J. Winston - ~4,000 yds; R. Fitzpatrick - ~3,900 yards and our very own J. Cutler - ~3,600 yards. So really a 'pedestrian' attempt when it comes to passing. On the other end of those you had Greg Olsen (former 1st round pick of the Bears) with ~1,100 yards rec and T. Ginn (former 1st round pick out of Ohio state) ended up with ~730 yards. So in this point, what are you trying to tell me? That somehow the lack of offensive linemen, never mind none of them being 1st round draftees, helped the team win the SB? Isn't that my point?

You know where I stand on this. Again using the example of Dallas who has 4 of their 5 (?) OLMen drafted in (or near) the first round ended up 4-12 last year. Whereas Carolina with one guy who was drafted in the first round was able to make the SB. More of their (Carolina) 1st round talent were skill players. (Which coincidently translates to BPA). Conversely Denvers team relied more on their defensive players. Of those, Von Miller, was a first round pick. Oh and how many 1st rounders are (were) on Denvers OL?

JASON FOR PRESIDENT!!!! ok maybe it's the three rum and cokes talking but well said!! ROTFLMAO!!!!

At 11?? Nope, no way, no how. You have already had medical EXPERTS say the nerve damage to his knee is pretty significant and that he'll be lucky to approach what he's accomplished in his collegiate career. If somehow someway he has a miraculous 100% recovery and doing this all before the draft later this month, then maybe you consider it. Right after we change our team mascots to Unicorns. This would not be a BPA move in any stretch of the imagination. Smith can say all he wants on how well he's progressing but we already have experts in the field saying otherwise. If the team really needs to go ILB (and I'm not sure it's as much a need as it was a few weeks ago) they should consider Reggie Ragland, as he isn't in the above list mentioned. Ragland was, for some time, the consensus mock 1 pick for the Bears but since the additions of Trevathan and Freeman not so much.

Hey look, another guy with return experience! And our third(?) guy from AZ? We have quite the pipeline going between us and them and Denver.

This makes sense since the team has been known to snoop at the upper to middle tier veteran RB's. Davis would fit that mold (mostly mid-level) provided KC knew they weren't going to have any issues with Charles' return. And he has some skill as a return man. On the big downside, I'd be disappointed to see Slauson go.... perhaps they could move Slaus to Center and trade Grasu? Here is KC side of thing where it explains why he's available: http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-chiefs...oming-to-an-end

I can't remember if it was you that sent it out but that one YouTube review of him, while in Denver, wasn't really all that flattering on his return skills either. Personally, it looks like Thompson has more upside since he can contribute in a pinch as a WR. He did it last year in limited action.

Gotta remember that Pace is BPA type of guy and allegedly likes both Wence and Goff. If either or the other are there at 11 I see it happening.

Agreed. He's more a pass catcher than blocked but could fill the void on a one year deal. Don't think he had a lot of opportunities in Denver as Owen Daniels became the favored TE in Kubiaks offense.

A few other positive things that I saw about him. He was ranked 2nd overall in the NFL with 29.2 yds per return (with 10 or more KO returns). And during his Pro Day ran a 4.31 / 40. Not too shabby. Seems he could be 'diamond in the rough' type of find.

Bolden's more a return specialist with a SS designation. Similar to how Hester was listed as a CB coming out of college At any rate they are certainly entertaining the idea of putting more bodies in the return game tryouts should they add Bolden.

Housler is no slouch. In fact looking at tape between he and Hill, there aren't a lot of dissimilaraties. Housler highlights - I think if all four are in camp; Miller, Lee, Housler and Hill it'll be Miller as the pass catching TE and the rest will have to be able to show their worth with blocking abilities. Personally I see Lee losing out.

Given his relative unreliable health history and laissez faire approach to the team since BM left, I wouldn't be too heartbroken if they were to shop him around for some value. Wouldn't be the least surprised (as you suggested) that the team has gotten some inquires along those lines. Maybe to sweeten the deal they could package Cutler? Surely that would garner some sort of 1st round(s) pick swap? (please note some of this was said in a sarcastical tone).

Signing of Bolden would be a minor coup if I'm recollecting right. Seems there's been a fair number of whispers about how underrated he is and a position of need (in special teams) for our team. If that be the case would be a great signing by Pace and crew. Just hope that he's able to get over the injury bug that seems to have plagued him.

I really hope you're kidding about this. Consider Hardy like a B. Marsh but twice as big and twice as fiery. This guy is pure cancer. Not only has he been charged twice with assaulting a female (at a minimum) but he was nothing short of a distraction for the Cowboys last year. http://nypost.com/2015/10/26/cowboys-woman...eam-in-tantrum/ You think a team that has cut ties with the likes of McDonald, Marshall and Bennett because of their attitudes they'd somehow think this ass clown would be worth their while?

Was actually thinking the same thing. And wouldn't have minded seeing him try out... Until I saw this. http://m.jsonline.com/sports/packers/911-c...-360816591.html

Mike Pettine. The guy who drafted Johnny Manziel? And where were either Pettine or Manziel these days? Sure it's possible he doesn't amount to anything but we should at least take a look. They've already re-signed him so why not? I don't think it necessary to draft a TE 'just because'.

Funny a few weeks ago I brought up Floyd based on the NFL.com 4.0 mock and most said absolutely not. Is he gaining favor now? And why is Henry suddenly not 1st round material? Fwiw I still absolutely like the idea of getting Prescott at any level of the draft. Funny how he keeps popping up on Bears mocks. I hope it rings true.

The point(s) is/are first that you said all we would need are "average stats" by our TE. By average I'll presume you mean for a receiver to have "average" stats one of those would be measured in reception yards. 1,000 yards being a measure of pretty good for any receiver, let alone a TE. Roughly 500 yards would count as "average" and realistically 400 yards would probably be a high average for a TE. That being said Bennett (who many would consider top 5(?)) has only gotten close to 1,000 yards one time (916 in '14). Three other years (all in the last four) he's managed; 759 in '13, 626 in '12 and 439 last year. Since he's been in the league for 8 years he's accomplished going over 400 yards 50% of his career - as a starting "top 5" TE. Conversely Housler who has been in the league for 6 years has managed 400 yards for two of them. As an "average" (some would argue less than) TE who's been a backup most of his career. Is this not what you yourself need when you expect "average stats"? Why search out 2nd or 3rd round talent hoping for them to be at least an average performer when you already have one in Housler and possibly better than average in Miller? Especially if you consider our team probably still needs to look at least half of its draft for defense?

Housler has managed two 400 yard seasons without really trying. Miller has only done it once - last year. And for reference Bennett has had 400 or more yards in a season four times (out of a possible 8 years). And last year he totaled just 439 yards.

So now I'm confused, are you a plumber/psychiatrist or English major? To be honest, I'm not 100% convinced our team will draft a TE...at all. Your opinion is yours, mine is different. This would be precisely the reason why the Bears would not need to draft a TE. IF your primary receiving corps is stacking yards and TD's like nobodies business why would you draft a TE when all you need is a 'serviceable' one? Unless, as I pointed out earlier, you don't trust your WR's to stay healthy (or Cutler to continue to miss them - sorry couldn't help myself) then maybe...just maybe you'd be looking at getting a TE worthy of more than just being a journeyman.