Alaskan Grizzly

So I think then the point of contention maybe lies more with the fault of Shanahan deciding FOR RGIII whether or not he stayed in. Granted there is no comparison between RGIII and the coach in NFL experience, equally there is a disparity in knowing one's own capability. Perhaps RGIII thought he HAD to stay in, either because of Coach Shannahan or his wanting to "prove" himself. And since I don't think Coach Shannahan is a reckless person I have to believe the conversation between he and player took place...at some level. Regardless, after its all said and done it appears that the decision to play will effect how RGIII and the team perform for next year. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2...cl-lcl/1819605/

Not sure that I agree with this sentiment. Cutler is no doubt a strong passer and with Marshall and Jeffery doing the outside and deep parts you need more options for short and over the middle. Funny how we seem to think similarly in this regards. I agree that the team won't "sit still" for FA but how far will they go? Blockbuster (Long - Miami) or whimper (Otah)? I have to admit, I MIGHT be ok with this draft but I'm curious, weren't you one of the folks that fried me for talking about Klein as an eventual Bears QB not all that long ago?

I think the judging of either player in their respective situations is unfair. I wanna say it was Marshall Faulk commenting on how the player knows what's best for them. In Cutlers case he knew he couldn't do anymore for the team, at least effectively, so he bowed out to allow someone else give it a shot. (Oddly enough it almost worked too.). And in RGIII's situation, he thougt he could continue to play and produce for the team. Unfortunately in both cases, both players are/were burned for their choices. And I think you're absolutely right that RGIII's career will be limited not just with this injury but due to his style of play. Not many scambling QBs last for very long in the NFL let alone ones with two significant injuries (concussion and knee) in one year. I hope for the best in RGIII's situation, he seems like a pretty good kid.

He's been known to have a knack for the melodramatic. But I would be shocked if two of Alabama's OLmen were still available for the Bears. Although, like TT, I'm not a fan of picking OL that high..let alone two.

I believe this has been discussed before, but this isn't too far from reality. I'm pretty sure that Toub was mentioned to act in the "interim" role had Lovie been excused in the past (last year?). The endorsement for this move was from ownership at the time. Of course the one major difference being Emery wasn't GM then. And...this sorta plays into Emery's indication to keep as much staff as possible to ride out the remainder of their contracts. If it doesn't work then flush the whole mess and start to officially re-build next year(?)

I think what happened with Singletary was very similar to what occured with Lovie. Singletary was very much focused on the defensive scheme and not so much the offense. Harbaugh is more offense. Alex Smith was drafted during Mike Nolans tenure (where is he now?) and I would beg to differ on the fact that Smith really ever "got it" since now he's not even starting with Harbaugh as the coach.

I always thought the issue with the team not getting more championships was due to money and not having enough to keep all the players. Similar to how after 6 championships the Bulls fell apart.

Funny, the team has a few players been accused of the same personality; Cutler, Urlacher and Marshall. Not that it's new to the Bears at any stretch of the imagination. The most successful coaches in Bears history were known to be abrasive. Ditka and Halas were notorious for being rough around the edges. In fact, funny thing the comparison was made to Harbaugh. I can remember when he was QBing in Chicago and was asked what it was like to be berated by Ditka on the sideline when he screwed up. His answer was something like, 'Are you kidding? I played for Bo Schembechler in Michigan. I'm more than used to it.'

This Trestman could indeed be an interesting candidate. After reading the below article it would be hard to argue that he might not have the strongest resume of the known candidates so far. Jim Miller does make for a compelling case in favor of Coach Trestman. http://www.csnchicago.com/football-chicago...mp;feedID=10330

So whether or not Matt Spaeth's opinion matters, I think I might be just a tad more interested in this Arians guy. Especially when I hear "old school, aggressive running style" when defining Arians' type of offense. http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpos...mp;city=chicago

I have to agree with this (in bold). Not so sure how Carimi will pan out though. He's become a bit of an enigma. Drafted as a starting Tackle, but this year looks nothing like a Tackle and obviously didn't play as one..very well. So what happened to Scott? He seemed to be pretty good while in the lineup and held his own.

I did see this somewhere as well and I believe right after making this statement that he added something to the effect that he would work with a team (if it were in the playoffs) and they had a person on their staff he wanted for the HC job. He also led the reader to believe that he was still keeping all options open if that 19 January date wasn't met. But while reading this I still can't help think that he already has someone in mind and is simply going through the motions. Obviously the drive for having a coach in place for the East/West shrine game is that Emery wanted to afford the candidate the opportunity to hit the ground running with assesing next year's talent pool. You'd think Emery was some sort of scout before or something.

And considering Carimi was a virtual unknown after being out for the better part of the previous year, Emery did have little info to work with. I would think he would have to assume (based on his knowledge - from draft reports etc) that Carimi would work out. And Williams (also a previous #1 pick) was still with the team. One would think SOMEONE would have worked out. FWIW, I would defend the choice of Jeffery every day to Tuesday as there is no question he will be a big contributer to the team in years to come and will be a complimentary WR to Marshall. To have gotten him in the 2nd round was a virtual steal for the Bears.

I have to agree here. Not sure that an early round draft pick is necessary. In fact, and as someone else pointed out, I have this sneaky suspicion that they have plans for Shea McClellin still.

Maybe the question should be asked who was the coach at Purdue? Didn't both Orton and Brees come from there?

Going with the thought of NOT having to totally rebuild, it makes more sense to try and stay with what the team knows best, its defense. Currently its defense is the Cover 2. There are three (??) Pro Bowlers on the team because of it, so it would be simply ludicrous to change out of it. Obviously one of the biggest reasons why Lovie was dismissed was due to his inability (or at least manage) the transition of the Offense to a higher level. If a new coach comes in, he will probably need to focus on the offense and should leave the Defense alone...for the most part.

Completely agree with this. There is one name in the "big" names that I could see as a possibility, Gruden. Not sure why, just get that funny feeling. But other than that I have a sneaky suspicion that Emery already has a list of 2-3 people in his head and a lot of what he is doing are formalities.

Wow, if Te'o were available? I would hope that Emery wouldn't even think twice about signing that guy. But yes, generally speaking I say get the best player for the value at the first round if you can. Again, and considering where the Bears will be picking, that player just might be the #1 rated Olman.

Although I don't agree with everything you said (although you're onto something with the term "rebuilding") I love the delivery. Felt like I was reading an excerpt from Gen. Pattons diary.

As you may have seen I'm of a similar opinion that Terra has. Think it more "gun shy" than "idiotic". And yes you're right, it would be unfair to compare Angelo's two failures to Emery's none (in the OL Dept). Jason and I have gone round and round about this and I'm just concerned with getting another dud. I'm more of the opinion that 1st rounds are more for the skill set players, unless you really find the blue chip deal at OL. Personally, I'd just as soon spend the money (I'm talking big bucks) on a proven 3-5 year veteran before drafting for that position. And in that position I'm referring to the blind-side Tackle, in this case LT.

Actually I was going to mention that Tony Gonzalez is also being mentioned as a possibility as a UFA....never mind. The tie to Cutler does make some sense, but he still seems too inconsistent to me.

Hm, whodda thunk? Seems like Scheffler has been around forever. But then Clark was in the same system forever. Ok, I'll go with Clark being the better player...regardless of age.

What about Dallas Clark? Read that he might become a UFA at season's end?

So, as much as I despise the guy, Ray Lewis announced he is going to retire after the playoffs. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/...,0,959581.story Oddly enough I used him as a prime example for my teenage kid on how players that are good at what they do build up and sustain intensity for a game. Of course I realize that most players have their own routines but Lewis without question is one of the most visible when it comes to his intensity. For that I thank him and for what appears to be a dedicated player to the sport I cherish. So, why post that here on a Bears board? I heard earlier this year that if the Bears were to have made the Super Bowl, Urlacher said he would have retired. I wonder if he still is considering that? Or will he wait until after the new coach is brought in and assess whether he thinks the team will contend next season? Or will he persue the FA market to see if other fans boo their teams?

Really? How many times am I told (in so many words) to respect other opinions and you put this out? Think that was the whole point of this board; to be able to express personal opinions and thoughts about our "beloved". Now you're telling me (and anyone who reads what you wrote) that it's not ok?