Alaskan Grizzly

Oh how quaint. Aren't you just soooo cute? I think the point, which I know you both missed, is that of the top 11 that were first rounders, I was able to illustrate not all of them were successful. Baluga and Albert to name two. Then of the remaining 1st rounders; Monroe, Thomas and Whitworth it is still in the cards whether they were/are/will be successful. I mean really, we're talking Jaguars (remember the game where Chicago won 41-3 and got three sacks?), Browns (who?) and Bengals. How have these teams benefited from LT play?

An opportunity for the team to find a suitable FA and replace him.

You're a funny man Terra. With your record of sarcasm I'm not sure. But never say never...or Brian and Jason will be all over you.

I will concede that the OL needs fixing. As I will remind Jason and Brian I have never said otherwise. What I have said is I don't agree necessarily with making OL your priority (at #1 or even 2). My point being the Bears have done it twice in the last three years and are coming up fruitless. Now in free agency I'm all for spending on a PROVEN lineman. Worked with players like Tait and Ruben Brown. And in my opinion the team should have made more effort to keep Kreutz. That being said, Cutler is beginning to show that maybe he really isn't the franchise QB player we all thought he was. With numerous concussions to his resume now his career could be drawing close. The player I talked about to begin this post was not necessarily the "solution" at QB. I never said that either. I even lowered my expectations after his team lost their grip on #1 last week. But I'm still intrigued. At any rate the QB will need to be addressed, probably sooner than later. Before OL though? Don't know yet.

Ok Brian, since you and Jason apparently share similar tastes, I'll share with both of you. Maybe it'll give you something to discuss during your next slumber party. First, and the easist to counter, is that Cutler has reportedly had as many as six concussions. He has not gotten all of those while playing for the Bears. Why? Because he is AN OUT OF THE POCKET PASSER. He likes to scramble. In fact, in the hit last week when we got hurt where was he? OUT OF THE POCKET. Hell he was 5-7 yards in front of it. So contrary to your statement, the "OL is NOT the reason". Jason wanted me to "learn about LT's" since I apparently know nothing of them. I considered this thought and figured why not. Here's what I found. And keep in mind I focused on "1st round talent". First, in our own conference. Bryan Baluga (with GB) 1st round 2010 draft. Where does GB rate in the Run offense? 26th. And if I'm not mistaken, Rodgers has been one of the most sacked QBs in the league. How about Branden Albert of Kansas City? 1st round 2008. Where is the "HOF runner?" How about their passer? Matt Cassel? He is not only not liked by the fan base, he was cheered when he was recently injured. But what's more, his backup, Brady Quinn was just cleared to play after receiving his own consussion. And the sitution in Pittsburgh is eerily familiar, but with all the "star studded" linemen. Save their most recent 2011 #2 pick, Marcus Gilbert, because he is hurt. But some of the other linemen, to include Mike Adams (RD 2, 2012) and Max Starks (RD 3, 2004) haven't fared much better. Pitt line Not to mention Roethlesburger is out with multiple injuries due to being run over in a game recently. And how about those highly touted San Fran 49ers that Jason said ran over the Bears D last night? Where was their starting QB during the game? Sitting on the sideline with a concussion. In comes Colin Kaepernick and the rest is history. Was it because of the Oline play? Hmmm. In the article attached is a list of the "top 20 Offensive Tackles" currently in the NFL. Top OLmen Of the top 11, six were drafted in the first round. To include the aforementioned Bulaga and Albert. The top three (Stewart, Clabo and Peters) were all picked in the 4th round - Stewart or (in the case of the other two) not even drafted to begin with. So with odds outside of 50/50 I can't say with certainty that Offensive Tackle position is the one to take each and every time for the first round. At least not as much as you or Jason would like to convince me.

Actually as I was beginning my formulation of a response to Jason and his friend Brian I was thinking exactly this . Odd how they both have the same first name. By the by, thanks for the thought out response.

When I talk about "you doing it" I mean to say that if you had your way the team would draft oline every round. The problem is you think you're smarter than most everyone else. The point I'm making is if you were so football smart youd be coaching and not Lovie. I've disproved your theory that OL should be picked in the early rounds because the Bears have done it twice and failed once and are on the way to doing it again. Skill players should be picked in the early rounds. More value. And for the record, I amended my thought on this kid being picked in round 2-4 and would be ok with a late flyer for him. Come down off your high horse and mingle with us lowly common folk. We really aren't all that less educated than you.

Well had to ask. Things were slow.

Allright Jason enough of your pompous ass smarminess. You're so friggin smart, take over the team and lead them to the promised land.

Give me a friggin break!

Of course as fate would have it, the day I bring this up K-State loses its first place ranking. But even if Klein has a "weak arm" I think his passing accuracy should count for something. And the more read about him it looks as though (especially with yestrdays loss) he might be available in later rounds. And for the record, I never said I "don't want to improve the O-line" just that it's a wasted pick at 1 or 2. And last but not least, the team helped itself at LB with McClellin. And both Tillman and Jennings are doing fine this year. Other than Tillman getting long in tooth, Jennings is pretty young. Didn't the team already draft a CB this year? Think he's sitting on IR right now.

Ditka reminds me of a friend of mine. He (friend) is a mountain of a fellow and resembles an oxen. He's been hit in the head with a flying ceramic mug (no effects), accidently drank what looks like anti freeze (no results) and taken on an MMA type fighter and winning by simply lying on him. I joke that he's similar to the old school version of Terminator. I'm convinced he has a metallic frame and when something adverse happens to him he simply reboots the computer reroutes some circuitry and keeps going. Ditka is probably one of those models.

Yeah it is hard to get too enthused. Especially given he is currently a Heisman contender and quite frankly reminds me of Tebow. But given his gritty way and that he might be a thought for 2nd or 3rd round material, could be worth it. I'll leave the first round pick for OL to appease the likes of Jason. But since the teams pick will be somewhere in the 30s (of the first round) not sure what kind of "find" you'll get. What have I done? I may have opened up another mock draft discussion?!?! Stop me!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-sat...480--ncaaf.html I know, I know, I decry the very idea of "mock drafts" but just finished reading the referenced Sports Illustrated article about the QB for the currently #1 ranked Wildcats. Base on it he seems he would be a fantastic pick for a town like Chicago. And "they" are expecting him not to go early on drafts... So why not? Please don't tell me "we need OL help".

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...aking-hand.html According to "sources". Tee hee

My source says the source of all this sorcery is sauced.

To be fair, in a few of the contests the Bears were far enought ahead that "hurry up" was not a necessity. Other games, for example against Houston, the situation may have not been optimal. With Campbell (not having a lot of first team reps), the weather, the score and utilizing a "vanilla" offensive approach. But I do agree overall that it (hurry up) needs to be an element of this team. It has been used this year with some success, so to say it never has would be incorrect as well. Just not enough. Should've known you "go there".

My how the tides have turned. When he was signed it was "thank God no more Hanie" etc, now it's "he's always been a check down" QB. So playing devils advocate, what's really wrong with doin what Campbell "allegedly" does? What's his turnover rate (normally?). Is he more the "game manager" style, ala Orton? The long ball in Chicago isn't really a staple and if it is it really only goes to Marshall (which Campbell did with success once last Sunday night) and occasionally to Hester. Outside of that throwing underneath (West Coast) is more "safe" in the conditions for Chicago. And players like Forte and Rodriguez(?) benefit from the catch and receive. What I think we'll see more of is are the passes to Forte for screens and short gain plays. And maybe the infamous bubble screen to the wideouts and who knows maybe more to the "H-back" or TE underneath? Why not, could play more to ball control offense rather than score big. Nothing wrong with that.

Or perhaps more reliable options for the quick pass? Like an H-back and/or TE configuration (that are actually able to catch)? Almost negates the stronger need of "better blocking" as the defenders now have a new wrinkle to defend.

I think it safe to say that Davis has had his chances to show he DOESN'T belong out there, so why not bring in new blood? I like the proposal Mad Lith had in showing Adams as H-back and your idea of letting Rodriguez play strictly more TE.

The fact is that even one or twelve could leave you impaired for a life time should weigh heavily in anyone's mind. (more below) How many times did it take those testing nuclear bombs (and literally standing near ground zero) before they realized the long term effects were deadly? I would have been good as this being the closing remark. You are absolutely right, the players need to be looked after. Given how much money they are paid to do the job they do, you'd think the league would do better at after care. The problem is, when is too much? Like you addressed earlier there are "no hard facts" and rather than being a guinea pig I would advise the time is now. Why take the risk? Because the power of the almighty dollar. As far as "everyone retiring" for the fear of the unknown, that argument is hogwash. In that same line of thinking we wouldn't have any police officers, any fire fighters, race car drivers, airplane pilots....etc. Wherever people put themselves that is "out of the norm" and could cause their life to be altered significantly by their choice of career. I believe there is some way to prevent long term health concerns. I've been "concussed" a few times in life and once enough to be unconcious. Did it inhibit my health, memory or lifestyle? Probably. We're talking about a brain here, not a knee or elbow or a toe. In my opionion, the NFL should regulate when a player is to be force retired. One or two concussions? I would have to ask questions like what degree? How severe? Symptoms, long term or not? How many previously? And like you said before, keep tabs on afterwards. Post career care.

What about Kyle Adams? Isn't he supposed to be the current best "pass catching" TE the team has?

Personnally, I think Cutler should seriously consider retiring. Should this be his "6th concusssion" nothing positive (for him as an individual) can be gained long term for him to risk a 7th. But that's just me. I realize the drive players have to "make it to the mountain" but at what cost? Ask Junior Seau, Dave Duerson or Andre Waters. A little information on "concussions in the NFL". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussions_i...erican_football

My oh my, henny penny the sky is falling. How bout everyone get a collective grip?

Its called "Family Medical Leave Act" (FMLA) of 1993. It doesn't "give" you time off, per se, but allows you time off if you need it to deal with what you describe. The employee would also need leave to draw from in order to actually "use" leave. In most places it would be your payroll/HR section that should be ultimately familar with how it works. Sorry, I digress.