Alaskan Grizzly

Right and so far all the re-signings have been 2nd and 3rd tier players; Al Louis, Lattimore, Hurst and Clausen. I get it, sorta. Only thing to me that is the glue in this is Fox. FA period starting next week will be interesting to watch. He'll officially be on the clock from then on out.

As much as it pains me, I agree with this. Been focusing on a top flier defensive player this whole time but an up and comer rookie WR would be even better...if it worked out. Ala Jefferey.

Oh no not more of those "anonymous sources" type of stories!!!!

Using 30 as the benchmark and going back a little on recent history of other productive receivers: Jerry Rice: Turned 30 in 1992 and still played another 7 for SF before moving on to Oakland and Seattle. Had a "career year" in 1995 at age 33. Made the Pro Bowl in 93, 94, 95 and 96 (all after being 30) Randy Moss: Turned 30 in 2007. The same year he signed with NE. We know how that ended up. Made the Pro bowl in 07 and 09 Tim Brown: Turned 30 in 1996. Made the Pro Bowl in 96, 97, 99 and 2001. Obviously Brandon isn't exactly this caliber but darn it sure is hard to see him go, even at 30 or 31.

Wow Terra has a fan club!!!

I'm not one to overact usually, unless I'm sauced and either Jason or Stinger push the right buttons, but on face value I don't like it. I think the one thing that makes me feel ok with it is that Fox is involved. If it was a rookie coach AND Pace making these moves I'd really be p'oed. I like Pace so far, but I'm wary.

Wont he need a tow truck to get it there? Or at least something to remove it from the impound lot? This article speaks volumes of the 'younger' more brash Lance. Besides the crash, he was late for training camp and pissed about the Franchise Tag. Ahhh...those were the days!!! http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d801e...onecar-accident

So the idea is to tear down the only half functioning part of the team while essentially re-building the D which was not functioning at all for the last 1 1/2 years? Wow if this silliness continues we could be seeing us in fourth place of the NFC North for a few years.

Me too. Maybe that's why the Jets jumped so quick? But like I asked in another thread, would the idea of bringing someone like Wayne over for a year or two be totally out of the question? He fits into that good character that the new regime is talking about.

Hey Terra, do you have a ghost writer? LOL. But you're right, not a real smart move....maybe. I have faith only because Fox is proven to do good things wherever he goes. If this was Emery making these moves then my allegiance would be questioned.

??? I thought that was Lyndsey Petruny? (Or however you spell it).

Yeah Terra to some degree I have to say this feels a bit hollow. I was sorta disturbed when they floated the idea of a trade and worse when it actually happenedz. Like I said earlier I don't like it for akt of reasons. Most of that was due to the need being on the other side of the ball and this doesn't directly help that...maybe long term it will. And that unlike many others I don't see him as much the distraction but more an outspoken leader. Like everyone else that was "Bears" last year he was frustrated and to me sounds like he vocalized it. Can't find fault in it. Hell if he pointed at Jay and said he was the cause for a lot of the offensive trips I woiuld have to agree wholeheartedly. Personally I would have liked to see them pursue ridding themselves more of a player like Cutler. With players like Marshall, Forte, Bennett and AJ around you'd probably be able to bring in a relatively younger QB (with more ceiling) and still be productive of offense. Heck I see they decided to keep Clausen and even with him for a year or two I'm convinced he could have at least maintained the position until they found that diamond in the rough. Maybe with all the right moves they could have made a play for Mariotta? Oh well, what's done is done. Onto FA next week. I'm curious to see what comes of it for our team.

Who or what is Jen Lada? And why would we care what *she* says?

Just saw that Reggie Wayne will not be resigned in Indy. I think I know where Brandon will end up. *edit: No I don't... Lol. Would Wayne be one of those veteran "character" guys the team should consider?

All great points. Part of what bothers me is that by getting rid of him you're taking away a piece of the team that actually worked. We all know the defense is primarily what needs help not so much the offense. As Cracker said I'd agree that of the offense, Marshall is not THE broken piece. But the point about cap space, if that is what it is, sucks because that could be the only reason. Although I don't think the team needs to rebuild (going back to my original point). This feels to me like it could be very de-stabilizing .

Watching NFL Network tonight and they are talking about this subject. A lot of good points being made. One of which was Willie McGinist and Solomon Wilcots both saying that they are not ridding of him because of his personality. John Fox knows how to manage people like that. It's something else. I'm starting to think trying to trade BM is going to be a real bad idea. I see this akin to Urlacher leaving like he did.

At this point if I had to choose I'd much rather see Cutler go long before I'd rather see Brandon leave. Hell I'd just as soon rather see Cutler go before Conte or even Briggs for that matter.

There is something to be said about a between the tackle runner (like MJD) versus a more overall field runner (Forte). Forte isn't really a North/South style runner but more elusive and edge runner. The fact he catches a lot out of the backfield helps to, not as much impact and continue running style. Most of his tackles are glancing blows or from behind whereas players like MJD were hit from all angles, numerous times. Marshawn Lynch I suspect will hit that wall soon too. Since we're looking at him Mark Ingram is another North/South style runner. Walter Payton managed to go 12 years and still looked strong until his retirement. A lot of that was due to his conditioning and elusiveness. Forte recently added hill running to his regimen which could help prolong his career.

Wow that is shocking. I heard recently that he was actually a personal favorite of Robert Kraft and they would do anything to keep him. I guess it is 'just a business'. No thanks for the Bears. Will cost too much and too old. Suh would be much better option as a player but I still don't even want him.

I'm wondering if that meeting with Hartline went well and they are anticipating moves? I personally don't like the idea of losing BM, but then I'm just a fan watching from afar. My wife will be upset too as his is the only jersey that she owns.

Not knowing his stats I like him simply on the fact that he's a veteran and is familar with what type of D we'll see run. Add in the relatively low expectation in exchange (6 or 7th round) then I'm sold. *edit: so he's also an "exclusive rights free agent" similar to the "other" Brandon Marshall in Denver ? Yet SF can trade him? And based on the article below I can see why he became expendable. http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-franc...le12512912.html

I can if Rodgers is able to perform with less available to him and similar obstacles to overcome. As is Pace familar with Aaron Kromer.

...nor the one that Turner, Martz, Tice, or even McDaniels had. Granted not many, save Daniels, is doing much now but there are those that would say Cutler is a career killer. So perhaps there is truth to that? I'd have to at least think the constant in all that is Cutler. Tell me again his overall record and how many playoff games he's won? http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosen...203-column.html And in response to the bolded; this is most of the time. As someone else pointed out, other QB's have managed to do more with less. Aaron Rodgers is a prime example. For awhile there he was getting sacked more often than was Cutler and didn't have the players around him that Cutler did and still managed to put together winning seasons time and again. Hell the defense in some of those years was worse than was in Chicago those same years. Some will offer every excuse in the book to believe he'll succeed but until that's a proven theory, I'll continue to have my doubts.

DUH!!!! (bolded) Who was it that said it was insulting for Brian Billick to compare Cutler to Jeff George? And going into a little more on this article, on the one hand you have folks that anonymously rip Cutler for his performance where you have one, Kromer who did it publicly and all heck broke loose. Either anonymously or publicly this is all consistent with what some of us have been seeing and commenting on. If the public rifts between Martz and Tice were not indicative enough....then not much else will. I'm fairly convinced at this point that there is nearly no way to successfully win with Cutler as QB. But I am a simple observer. If any major developments occur in the QB position for Chicago, we'll soon know what Fox and Pace had planned all along.

In trade from Vikings. Apparently draft picks involved with deal. Interesting moves the Bills are making these last few days. Could their offense suddenly be legit? Hell they didn't look all that bad with Orton running the show. Cassel isn't that much worse. Vikings could be getting really good really fast and stay young in the process. Not sure the RB situation but Bridgewater is the real deal (or so it seems) and now Minnesota has a few more draft picks to beef up their team.