Alaskan Grizzly

RGIII is a recent example. And Robert Edwards (formerly of NE). Ki-Jana Carter, Priest Holmes and Terrell Davis. Admittedly I never would have thought of Davis but in reading up on this and after all his success with Denver, he was injured in '99. Enough where he couldn't return. "What could have been." Thing of it is is that many who suffer career ending injuries do so in college and are never heard from again.

I think there has to be a lot of stock taken into the 'what if' of a potentially career altering (not ending) injury like what Smith had. Are we really ok with our team drafting for the future if that means waiting for an extra year after we draft them to produce? Since when did we get away from the mindset that typically your #1 pick (especially in the first half of the draft) is supposed to be an instant starter? We drafted White last year expecting him to start only to find out he couldn't (I know different circumstance). But if for nothing else, and IMHO, we should be even more wary of players who have suffered some sort of major injury. And I for one would be concerned if our GM were ok with drafting a player KNWOWING he won't be able to produce this year...and especially a 1st round prospect. Over time I know there have been a few exceptions to the rule of injury and the player still managing to be productive. Willis McGahee and Navarro Bowman being those exceptions. Is it something to be said for the marvels of modern science or just luck that they were able to produce after such horrific injuries? I don't know that Pace has the luxury of drafting a player to sit on the bench for a year after having it happen with White. And I for one don't blame him if he avoids it.

DUH! I edited for you.

Simply put, since Pace likes BPA and if "his guy" isn't there at 11 he'll probably trade back for a later 1st (and later round) pick to get more value. Unless he knows something about Jay we don't.

Of the list I like Trevathan (same reason as everyone else) and Amukamura (because he's Nebraska alum and a solid player and agree Porter will need health insurance behind him). As for the rest I'm always of the opinion of getting proven OL help through FA is better than drafting. So if this Osemele is as good as advertised and another one, perhaps OT, could be had at a reasonable price then I'm good with it. I used to think that Wilkerson would be a need but with how much he'll probably demand, the emergence of Goldman and others don't think it's as necessary. Probably get another DLman for lesser cost or in draft. Like rounds 2, 3 or 4.

Heck all three are decent players. And like it was suggested with Bennett probably gone Cook would be viable option to fill in. He's no slouch. You almost have to give each a shot.

In preseason? Against a bunch of players that are now unemployed. Just sayin, perhaps hell stick after getting put on the IR last year and that was really the only reason Carey stuck around. Perry was productive on special teams the year prior. If they draft/sign another back then we'll know more what the plan is.

But...Kyle made the Pro Bowl again... ?

I had been considering this very thing just before the 'no deal' announcement and how I could see them trying to build a young stable of Rbs going forward. I kinda half wished they'd look at a hybrid RB/ ILB player like the kid from UCLa(?). But knowing they need ILB more than RB, probably not. So my guess is they'll go later rounds (3-4) for a RB. I could see them looking at either a Collins or Williams from Arkansas. Highly touted tandem that show up in these rounds in a few mocks.

I want to say that Urlacher hinted at retiring either at the end previous to or the same year he was released. Agreed that I think if the Bears offered him something he thought reasonable he'd have stuck around. Dallas was sniffing him out but never materialized for what ever reason. There's no doubt many thought Url got screwed. Otherwise they (Fox and Pace) wouldn't have made a point to make Urlacher feel welcome back at Halas Hall last season. Briggs was already distracted and really didn't care mostly because his restaurant biz in AZ was calling his name. I think you're right that he was ready to go the year he was let go. Don't think he even tried to get on anywhere. I hear lots of speculation Matt will end up with NE which I could see happening. He'll help Tom try and get one or two more trophies before they both retire.

For the sake of the team I hope you are wrong with #5...but I guess we'll see. And to be honest before the announcement of Forte I was wondering if they wouldn't entertain the idea of drafting another RB. Probably around round 3-4(?) Makes sense considering the style of offense Fox likes to use. Would be splendid to have a capable stable of very young running backs.

So I watched some Youtube videos on Ragland, Lee and Jack last night to see what the hype was about. Agreed that of the three Lee appears to be the most 'athletic' but small. Although one of the other two (Jack?) also played some RB which to me could be factor. As I said before, diverse players like that make for a better all around prospect (IMHO). He seems to definitely have speed. But.. the one I'm most impressed with was Ragland! At least in the videos I saw. That guy simply stuck to those he tackled and stopped them in their tracks. Sometimes he simply flattened them. Although watching some of his tackles made me think of that hit Bostic put on Bridgewater a few years back when they were still in college. And well, we know how Bostic worked out. But to me Ragland looks to be a monster. That being said pre-combine and of the three I'd say Ragland and Jack are 1a and 1b then Lee.

..or.... He (Pace) could be entering this similar to how Emery did and say 'my way or highway', with a hint more respect. No real way for us to know but surely does give us (at least me) reason to pause. So far he's let BM go and we saw how that affected the WR game. And now he's letting go a cog in the running game...how that turns remains to be seen. As others have said, if it fails...so too could Pace. TD might be right in looking at him with less than rose colored glasses.

As they say in France: "Moi aussi". I agree. And as much as it pains me I also agree with Jason. I feel there should have at least been an effort to sign him. I'd much rather have read something along the lines of "...neither camp could come to an agreement..." rather than what appears to be no attempt at all. I get the 'why' of Chicago not signing him but like has been already said can we really trust what Langford has to bring? If not he then what about Carey? Carey's already been dinged a few times and Langford has just the one year. The question of 'what if' is a valid concern. I would be a little less concerned if I knew the team at least tried and /or offered him some sort of minimal contract offer. Or is just the traditionalist in me that hates to see important pieces to the team leave?

I think the way Fangio constructs defense he gets (or will get) ILBs that are speedsters to shoot gaps and OLBs that can set the edges and maintain outside contain. With Young, McPhee and Houston I think he has what he needs in the OLB positions...or at least models for that. Of those three McPhee might be able to do the occasional drop back (not sideline to sideline) coverage on slower receivers. Think Kony Ealy in the Super Bowl last weekend. But in order to have it work for the front seven you need speed in the middle, strong edge setters and beef in the front middle to clog the line and keep the interior OL busy.

Funny how just a few days ago my wife and I were discussing how reminiscent the play of Davis and Keuchley are/were to Briggs and Urlacher. Hmmm. But in considering an idea of putting more speed on the field, especially defensively. I think the idea of looking at converted players like those that go from Safety/CB to LB is the wave of the future. Urlacher proved it can work. Another up and comer on the Panthers is Shaq Thompson (their 1st rounder from last year) is a converted safety who now plays LB. (Taylor Mays was another I felt could have had that potential). He (Thompson) was someone last year that was discussed for our team but obviously passed on. I think we still need to consider someone like that. Especially if we are going to emphasize defense in the earlier rounds.

Dp

Other than the obvious at pick one, no id say no major objections. And other than spew my normal skill player vs Oline stuff I'll say that between the two first round picks they kept comparing last weekend, Newton and Miller, the defensive player outshone the offensive player. I'll even throw in that another former 1st rounder, Oher, looked pedestrian in comparison. The revision to my counter now would be not only is it more important to draft a skill player in early rounds but that player should be defensive as the adage "defense wins championships" seems to consistently ring true.

Not sure I'm completely sold on QB for 1. Especially if Prescott is available in later rounds. I'd rather make my choice closer to draft and certainly after the combine. Leaning defense at the moment.

When we say 'yes' are we saying we like the mock or confirming the 1st pick?

"If..." only indeed. Fact he has been there (not to the SB-but lost due to poor play) and acted very similarly. And been "blasted" because of it. And rightly so. But as did Jay, so too will Cam eventually learn to cope with the losses better than he has the wins. Jay has come a long way in how he deals with the press and addressing the tough to answer questions. And instead of pouting about he's accepted that he oft times is the face of the team and must act accordingly. Difference is how many opportunities will either have in addressing the super bowl media?

Im pulling for "the sheriff" myself. And for the love of God, I just saw Joe DeCamillis on Denvers sideline Wtf?!?? How the hell???

Gotta say somethings not right with the planets but i like most of it. Seems almost too defensive heavy. But if done right and as you suggest should Fangio pull it off, our defense would be young and volatile. This I like. And I see your hard on for Oregon OLmen continues as does your man crush on Johnstone. If Prescott is available anywhere between 2nd round or 6th round you take him. That would be sweet.

Yeah I know. I was more trying to lift up TDs spirits. But, theoretically speaking, if Johnny Dipshit goes to Dallas and plays behind a predominantly 1st round Oline, he's sure to win the Super Bowl -yes?