Alaskan Grizzly

I dunno. I think Bush will be higher maybe in the 20's. (Or better?)

I know, when I discuss something with you I usually am wrong. But I've learned to live with it. But what we are discussing now is simple semantics. As I've said before statistics can be used any wAy you or I see fit. For example, you say the likelihood of first round draft picks at the (OT/OL) position succeeding is higher, where I say the likelihood of the two first round OT picks for the Bears, so far have not (in their respective positions). I will go further and agree that its not up for debate, these are facts.

I have to continue and disagree with the "common" in the common sense as you portray it here. As I've pointed out before, previously before this year the team's last two first rounders were in fact Offensive Tackles. And yet last year (and the year before) a 7th rounder (Webb) played more in THAT position did both of those 1st rounders combined.

It makes perfect sense. Having Bush signed makes Forte almost expendable. I say almost as Bush hasn't really been tested as a feature back for a whole season. Is he capable? no doubt. The additional fact that Kalil Bell and Forte are very similar in their styles (IMHO) also makes it less difficult to watch Forte sit out. The guaranteed money from the teams perspective makes logical sense. With the uncertaintly of Fortes future ability they are wise in holding off for now and see how things are after the end of the year. Forte isn't really gettting that bad a deal in the franchise tag amount. I know it sucks as a player but the team holds the cards in this one.

I'd have to say "no" mostly for the same reasons already mentioned. Especially given Davis, Spaeth and Rodriguez are already on the team. I think the team has as good a chance to get most or all of what they need out of these three. And rather than throw money away at a player like this, save it for using towards getting Forte signed.

Oh no, don't open the door for negative Nellie talk. This place is usually so upbeat and consistently positive.

I was just going to say that if they were going to do this, I wish they would kept Okoye. Unless he was going to cost a lot.

I think I have to agree with Balta's assessment that Forte is NOT a short yardage rusher. Sure the OL could have been a part of it, but Walter Payton could almost always gain yards, in the open field or with being surrounded on four sides. So could Barry Sanders. When in those last mentioned situations, and in short yardage, Walter would just leap over the top. Forte does not do that...or at least I don't recall him doing that. Many times after Benson left and about the time Forte started I could recall how frustrating it was to watch them both run to the line, meet resistance and stop. In between the two there was Thomas Jones who many times would simply re-direct himself when he met resistence and gain big chunks of yards. So yes it could be that the line isn't helping but I think Forte is simply not a short yardage back. Finesse running and pass catching are his (forgive the puns) "fortes".

I'm with you Pix. I've made no secret in my support of Lovie but to think that Emery would pick a guy so that eventually, maybe he could play a role they (whoever "they" are) see him better fitting is ludicrous. I've seen that thought echoed here a few times and chuckle. You hit the nail on the head that if Lovie fails, by associatiation so does Emery. What I think people need to get a grasp of is that Lovie is an effective "COACH" and that his players appreciate playing for him. Our perception of him does not matter, good bad or indifferent. Recent moves not withstanding it should be noted of the players on the team a few have recently signed extensions with the hope of "being a Bear for life". A few years ago it was Urlacher this year it was Briggs. And this despite him saying how displeased he was the previous two years.

Isn't the similar course Dave Duerson followed a few years back? And he was thought to hav lingering effect from concussions. My hope is the NFL will look into this for the health and safety of past, current and future players. Sorry for the Seau family. RIP Junior.

I think there is something to this Brown. I'm intrigued to see how he does. I read one of his "selling points" was that he has fiery disposition. I think he'll be an upgrade to Webb...maybe even Williams (if he goes back to Tackle). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...ames-brown.html

Until Cutler and Forte were both injured the Bears were on a five game winning streak (7-3?). And they have added better players (Marshall and Bush) so I'm not sure how they couldn't be better. Top 10? Perhaps. At least top 16.

I stand corrected. I was just on my way to passing out on my hammock when I wrote that. And Rosie Williams didn't sound right.

Sadly enough 3 of the top 4 of Jerry's first group didn't do all that bad; Colombo, Colvin and Brown. Unfortunately the top two did well elsewhere.

Born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. (Went back 17 1/2 years later for boot camp). Family all over the Mid West (Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana). In Illinois my family still is around Chicago, Woodstock, Mount Vernon and De Kalb. I've been in Alaska since 1977 (hence the handle). Loved the Bears as long as I can remember. White Sox in baseball (mostly because of the "Big Hurt" and Ozzie). Can remember a time once when I was younger that my Grandpa was talking about taking us to see the Bulls play because "there was this new kid named Michael something that is supposed to be pretty good". Man was he right.

Wait wait wait! He played for a "small school"! Ha ha... I'm sorry, I couldnt resist. In all seriousness, looks like a decent "bargain player" for the 6th round.

Well it looks like your "missing thread"was found. Anyhow, no I probably would not have picked a FB in the fourth round, unless I knew WHY he was picked. Was there other intangibles that other teams saw in him? (sounds like NE might have seen something). Perhaps all the other "higher rated" and more heavily scouted players could have had bad info (injuries, personality etc) the team disliked. Perhaps Emery is using his skills as a scout and looking for true bargain players. So far he's made a lot of bargain moves (save Campbell) so why not continue that? Think about it, these higher touted and more popular players could cost a bundle during contract negotiations. Maybe Emery wants money to see what falls out after the draft is over, when other teams have to get rid of players they can't afford so they can sign their picks? Emery can come along with his saved money and pick up a decent veteran player for position of need. Maybe this is totally "outside the box thinking" but I have no history on Emery yet other than what I've seen so far. And so far he's done pretty good. As far as me thinking that JA was a savior, not sure I really ever said that. In fact I was one that thought, late last year, that he and Martz needed to go... And they did. The one tha I get ceiticized regularly for siding with is Lovie. But that's fine, I'm still sticking by him.

I saw the one he is talking about but it isnt there anymore. Did it merge with Bradjock's about the same subject?

Well played sir. "Keep calm and Chive on!"

You're sick! Ha ha ha! I can't wait to see Terra, Jason, Bear 4evrr, or Lucky see that post. Brilliant!

Really Terra? Since when have you NOT been known to be a "Johnny Raincloud"? Or whatever you called it. This is the first draft that Emery has done and already many are willing to consider it the worst yet? We haven't seen any of these guys play yet so how could it be decided already?

I think a lot of this type of posting is those that are just waiting for an excuse to bad mouth the organization. So the team drafts a fullback (although a confusing choice) they pile on. I think it would be better to hold off on the judgement until we have an opportunity to see how this and the rest of the players pan out. After all the last I checked, none of us are in the "war room" when these choices are beig made, nor during the time leading up to it.

What's to say McClellin won't be a "freak of nature"? I think it a bit premature to assume a lot about he and the school he came from. And just for reference: Richard Dent - Tennessee State (by the way Ed "Too Tall" Jones played there too); "Mean Joe" Green - North Texas; Osi Umenyiora - Troy and Israel Idonije - Manitoba (that's in Canada). Ok maybe the last one isnt necessarily a "freak" but most would say he's a pretty decent player. And has made an adjustment to the NFL despite not having that high calibe college pedigree.

Uhm, actually I was making the comparison to the opinion of schools that were regarded as stronger (Big 10) vs those that weren't (MWC?). Of those in the "weaker" conference, New Mexico was listed (as was Boise State). Urlacher played at New Mexico and regardless of how "inferior" that conference was/is, he has had a pretty good career. As far as comparing McClellin to Urlacher specifically. I'll reserve judgement for now. Just like in 2000 if I would have compared Urlacher to either Singletary or Butkus, I would have been considered crazy.

Didn't Urlacher play at New Mexico?