Alaskan Grizzly

First and formeost. This kid (see below) gives me reason to rethink my earlier feeling of utter dispair and think there is perhaps hope. PFW rated Hill somewhere in the 3rd - 5th round range. That is pretty good considering a majority of the "big name" QB's went during that time...or worse. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...l042708.article Secondly, I don't think the Bears need to get a castoff this early in the year. Especially one of the seven QB's from TB. How about wait around and see what happens with Cleveland for example? They might have to make a choice this time next year (if not sooner) what they are going to have to do with either Anderson (unlikely) or Quinn (more likely). By then, the Bears will have solidified at least a 2nd and 3rd stringer on the team. And lastly, the longer the post draft analysis drones on, the more I am convinced the Bears didn't do so bad after all. "Forte is a poor man's version of Mendenhall" "All the top Offensive picks for the Bears have educational prowess" (translation: little off field issues) are things that are good to hear. Some candidates for the CHICAGO BEARS HONEYBEAR CHEERLEADERS

My first gut instinct, with the way things are right now (Urlacher, Hester and others with contract disputes...no drafted QB and the improvement of both Detroit and Minnesota) I fear a less than .500 season for 2008-09. Convince me otherwise but I feel 4-12 or 5-11 is in the cards.

As I mentioned before I would have preferred to have seen the Bears draft a skill position player vice someone like an OT in round 1. Offensive linemen don't work independently, but instead with 4 others, and shouldn't be paid as such. They can be had and gotten in later rounds (look at the list of available players and their colleges and you will see the large crop). In that line of thinking, Flacco should have been (IMVHO) the player the Bears went for in the first round. I had the same feeling about McNabb back a few years ago. But then again, I also liked Leaf better than Manning. So who knows??

Well for one, Corey Clark from Texas A&M. He is the same size and actually more regarded for his Run blocking than Williams. (Not to use a pun) But isn't that one of Chicago's forte's? There is a whole slew of 6'6" 300 lb Tackles still available and being that Tackle is not a "skill position" I don't think a lot of future hopes should be put on a position like Tackle...not enough for 1st round anhow. Besidess, whatever happened to Marc Columbo? He was a "draft day 1st round bust" for the Bears but has since gone onto a much more prestigious career in Dallas and making Pro Bowls. He spent his share of sitting on the pine. while in Bear uniform.

So, onto day 2. Jerry Angelo has proven his ineptitude at grading Offensive talent once again. I too am sorry for the wasted 2nd round pick (way better picks still available at that time). However, the Bears open with two picks in the third round. Who do you like to try and pull this thing out? At QB - Brennan, Woodson, Ainge or ??? How about at WR? It looks as though there are few Hawaii WR's still available...could that mean something??? Or how about Early Doucet??? He is still there. Speaking of "still there" and from LSU..how about Jacob Hester? He could be a FB pick and put in the backfield in tandem with Benson. That would be an interesting combo. I feel that not getting Flacco is really going to hurt the Bears in the long run. Williams maybe was a good round 1 pick but really, wouldn't any other OT do? Especially if they could be gotten in the 2nd round? Mendenhall would have been a real nice "feel good" pick (being he's a hometown hero and all) but at least he didn't end up with the Packers or Lions. Bad enough to have to face AP twice each year. Don't give up complete hope TerraTor, not just yet. On to day 2....

All I have to say is after this I hope the Bears never draft another RB from Texas (Ricky Williams being the other bust). As far as a back the Bears should look at drafting; forget about Jones (Ark) but instead check out this Mendenhall character. He is from Illinois and should hold up in the weather and seems more tough. That and Turner might have more insight on him. Looks like a future Bear RB escaping two future Packers....BEAUTIFUL!!!

As do I. We know the Bears potential as do the players on the team. Things will come along fine and with the opponents lined up for 2008...things look good. Take a look at this for a little motivation. Unfortunately some of the impact players (Ayanbadejo and Moose) are gone but the tradition is still there. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ahf-jtoSvqA

Even though your opinion was a bit longwinded...I would have to agree. Not on everything (getting rid of Wolfe and signing Darrel Jackson) both wastes in my opinion. But after reading this opinion from Larry Mayer at Chicagobears.com "I don’t see Kevin Jones being an answer for the Bears given his serious durability issues. He tore a foot ligament near the end of the 2006 season and then ruptured his right ACL last Dec. 23. With Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, the Lions intend to commit more to the run—and they still released Jones. That tells me all I need to know. I think it’s safe to say that the Lions and Bears both could select a running back in the first few rounds of the draft." I would still like to see the Bears try for KJ but after some time has passed (closer to draft day) and noone else of significance had popped up. As far as the draft goes #1 - OL #2 - Flacco #3 - RB(?)

I couldn't agree more. I think having a Jones in the backfield would be superb. I would have liked to keep Thomas there and even added Julius but would be satisfied in seeing Kevin join in. He DOES have the hustle needed for that East/West running style (vice Benson's alleged ability for North/South) and has the experience to follow his blockers. However, as someone else mentioned, he is a bit of an injury risk. That would work in the Bears favor though and not needing to pay optimum price. Here are some stats...not bad... TEAM GS Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg YAC TD 2005 Detroit 13 186 664 3.6 5 20 109 5.5 5.1 0 2006 Detroit 12 181 689 3.8 6 61 520 8.5 9.9 2 2007 Detroit 13 153 581 3.8 8 33 199 6.0 6.4 0 Career (Full) 53 761 3067 4.0 24 142 1008 7.1 7.9 3 The only thing is that he too would have to change his number....

Now they (Seattle) have two halfway decent RB's through FA (Duckett being the other) and still Alexander. Probably see more of the Seahawks in the coming seasons..especially if they (Bears) make it into the playoffs with regularity!! Like they should!!! What the HECK with the Lloyd signing? I have to agree with Terra Tor on the ridiculousnous in this one. Why not hold out for someone like Fitzgerald who could become available. If not, then still hold out...geez...what a waste.

I wholeheartedly agree with the aspect of building this guy (Flacco). I think with the 6'6" and only 230 that in and of itself tells you that he has some "building" to do on his frame. That is pretty light for a guy that tall (I am 6'4" and 250 - some of which is old age settling in ). At any rate, with Grossman trying to prove himself with one year and Orton (my money is on Orton this year) given the chance to prove his worth I think someone like Flacco would most definitely prosper from the chance to hold down the bench for one maybe two years. I don't think drafting a WR is a necessity and drafting one that high will be a waste of a draft pick (instead maybe 3rd or later). The Bears have essentially brand new unprovens in Hester, Bradley, Davis and Hass. Try these guys out first before you go and hit the panic button for a WR that high up. Besides, as somebody else mentioned there could and will be other good FA WR's showing up in the coming months. The Bears need a RB (draft or FA) LONGGGG before they need a WR for sure.

Ward??? Maybe. Durability issues too me thinks. "Ward Runs and Runs and Then Limps Off " - New York Times. Dec 2, 2007 After playing the Bears by the way.

The Bears don't need someone like Hackett as he can't seem to get through the year without one or another injury. They (Bears) already have enough problems in that category...see Hass and Bradley. I think getting Bryant Johnson would be a much better choice. Still need to get a decent RB in FA (maybe Marion Barber through tough negotiations?? ) In the meantime...sign a petition for bringing Flacco to Chicago!!!! At 6'6" and 230lbs., what's not to love???

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! At least try for Julius Jones. He is probably, right now, the only decent UFA RB right now. He is "our" Thomas Jones, right Jerry???

Toeaina, Matt 75 DT 6-2 311 Oregon After the nice finish he had in the season last year, this guy for sure.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4438 I remember when Booker left a few years back and there was a rumor that he actually was depressed because he wasn't in Chicago any longer. I think Booker will be a fantastic addition and will play his heart out for the time he is with the Bears. Good veteran player, already knows Chicago and wants to be there. This is a good thing you did Angelo especially after letting Moose go. Now get us a decent RB.

I REALLY wish the Bears could have signed Turner but oh well. At this point, I think the Bears should stick with (what I hope to be) their original plan. Draft a decent OL in the 1st, Flacco in the 2nd. and whatever else for 3rd - 7th. As far as RB goes, because Turner is gone, they should look at the idea of getting someone like Julius Jones, Labrandon Toefield, TJ Duckett or even Mewelde Moore. Mostly because these are more the type of back the Bears need to offset Benson and will come with a decent sticker price and they are all UFA's. If I were Angelo and knowing the Bears are a running team then I would work on a deal to get Marion Barber. Much more difficult, because of his RFA status, and especially more unlikely since Turner was available and they (Bears) passed. Overall though, I am pretty satisfied with the way the Bears are handling Free Agency. Resign your core players of importance and get the position you need and can mold in the draft.

Washington has been way to careless in their spending the last couple of years, hence their not looking too hard at Briggs. And apparenlty because they may have "tampered" with Briggs before they were allowed, San Fran has backed off a bit in their pursuit. I think you hit it on the head with the line "...Briggs could be this year's Cato June..." in so many ways. For one he will not thrive as well as he did in Chitown, much like Cato June did in Indy before going to Tampa Bay. And he (Briggs) is over-hyped for the money he wants. Another reason that TB may be hesitant. Time will tell.

Can you say Jay Cutler??? Granted he isn't a top gun but certainly is showing his potential and poise. And he was pretty much the #1 guy by the end of his 1st year. Cutler was virtually an unknown until the Combine and all of a sudden he is a can't miss. I would prefer a guy that continues to grow, through the Combine, than a guy who was "a flash in pan" in college; see Chris Weinke, Andre Ware, Gino Torreta, Danny Weurffel and Jason White to name a few. Who were these guys? All QB's that have won the Heismann over the last 20 years or so. The point is, someone like Flacco is a great development player (especially a #3 QB in Chicago) and has a great frame to build on. 6'6" and 230 stands great in the pocket. The Bears would be lucky to get him in the 2nd round....and I for one hope they do whatever they can to get him.

I think it best said when there really isn't much else out there. Both Grossman and the Bears are better off trying to make a deal for one year (with LOTS of incentives) and giving him the chance to pull his head out... The advantage for the Bears is that they don't have to look real high (draft) for a QB (DID I MENTION I REALLY LIKE FLACCO???) and they have a guy (or two with Orton) who know the offense already and can work on tweaking some things. In the meantime, get a new guy into the #3 spot who can start to learn the process. Rex can prove his worth I think with a contract that is full of incentives for him to achieve. He would also be better served by a better RB (c'mon Michael Turner) and overall Offensive scheme (GO AWAY TURNER!!!). Orton really isn't half bad, not a BIG play QB, but pretty reliable down the stretch. If the Bears had won that last Minnesota game they would have been in the playoffs. And considering that the Giants got to and won the Super Bowl...who knows??? Sign Rex and move onto getting some good FA's in then onto the draft.

I lost my feed to NFL Network. (Dang Dish Network!!!) And was hoping to see some Combine stuff, specificially the OLer's and Flacco!! By the by, I for one am disappointed to see Muhammad go. He may not have been like they hoped he would have been 3 years ago but I believe that he was a strong and positive influence in the locker room with the younger players. And, he was willing to go over the middle, despite his advanced years. Good luck Moose wherever you end up next.

I think the logical choice is first and foremost on the OL for Round 1. After that, I still say go for JOE FLACCO!!!! Andre Woodson concerns me and I am not crazy about Brohm...mostly because he was coached by Petrino. I guess we'll know more about all these guys here in the coming days with the Combine just around the corner. http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/pa...ls/o808t19w.jpg

Why not?? The Bears need someone to take over for Briggs. The only problem being that he would have to change his number.

I also think that bringing back Booker would be an awesome idea. He actually did pretty well considering the "team" he was on before with the Bears. I also think keeping Muhammad around for another year or so would be also good. Those other guys; Bradley, Hester and Davis are either too fragile or too valuable to ALWAYS be available at WR. Booker and Muhammad at least are durable. Secondly...what about bringing in someone like Zach Thomas to take over for the loss of Briggs...or perhaps *gulp* when Urlacher becomes unavailable? Last...Faneca is probably worth the money he wants. The Bears won't pay it but he's still worth it.

Me thinks this could be a good idea.... http://www.udel.edu/sportsinfo/football/im...-uri(mc)_lg.jpg OT first round, this guy 2nd (or maybe 3rd). Not Brennan or Woodson. Some insight to his pre-draft stats and info. at this link. www.nfldraftcountdown.com/.../qb/joeflacco.html