nfoligno

Among the MANY things that come to mind once the shock settles in was the value Denver placed on Orton. Watching NFL Network, I think they were talking w/ Charlie Casserly. Pretty sure that's who it was. Anyway, he said there were several other teams very serious in the mix, but at the end, it came down to Orton. NYJ - They were willing to match picks, but Denver didn't care for their young, unproven QB prospects. Wash - Simply put. Casserly said Denver preferred Orton over Campbell, and by some measure. The feeling was Campbell was more similar (in terms of style) to Cutler, while Orton is more similar to Cassell, who he wanted all along. Minny - Mentioned that, while Minny publically talked the idea down, were very active in the negotiations, but neither Jackson, nor (forget his name) QB from Houston interested Denver enough. Supposedly, Denver liked Orton enough over the rest that it wasn't believe their upping the draft pick ante would have compensated. That was just a bit surprising to me. I felt all along Orton would have some value in a deal, but how many here felt he would be essentially the piece that got the deal done? One other thing. Doesn't it make it that much sweeter knowing Minny wanted Cutler, and not only did they not get their man, but they will face him twice a year.

Yea, that is one of the biggest keys. Why have we talked so much about WR? Because we had a WR who was pretty good, but needed to be surrounded by very good talent to suceed. Cutler si the sort of QB who makes WRs better, rather than being the sort who needs great WR to look good.

Crack, sorry to hear that. Sincerely. Glass half full. Hardest parts are over. You are with your son. Your son is doing well, as well as can be expected. Oh yea, and there has been a change in the whitehouse

No, they don't "have to" do anything, but (a) if you make a deal like this, giving up this much, I would think a new deal would be part of the plans, sooner rather than later. ( Cutler was upset, among other reasons, for a perceived lack of respect from Denver. IMHO, if we refuse to give Cutler a deal which is more represenative of the player we just made the statement that he is, that too could be viewed as a lack of respect. Not really how you want to begin a relationship. © We have the cap space to not only get the deal done, but to actually front load a chunk of it to limit future pain.

Haven't you heard. Texas plans to leave the union (which believe it or not, they can actually do, legally) and Bush intends to be president of Texas. Chuck Norris will be the VP.

Glad that was caught. I was beginning to worry.

Watching ESPN is killing me because all they have it seems is Dilnut, who over and over again says Denver is coming out of this way ahead. What do you expect though from an average QB who feels having a top tier QB isn't that big of a deal. Switched over to NFL Network, and they "get it". Their focus is on how starved Chicago is for a legit QB. They know the importance of a QB. While they realize Chicago gave up a lot, they also are talking about how the Bears still have their 2nd and a 3rd (which I have yet to hear ESPN even mention). They talk about how Chicago was on the verge of the playoffs, and this is the sort of move thatt can put them over the top. Further, they talk about how the D has not been good, but have talked about the coaching changes and how that can affect the D. It just seems to me that ESPN is looking at this in a very superficial way, while NFL is actually getting more in depth. I know that isn't a surprise to most, but I am surprised ESPN is putting out there such a limited amount of opinions.

To add to your addition. If you believe Cutler, he was told after Shanny was let go that the OC would be safe. Again, this is similar to what Indy promised Manning before adding dungy. But then Denver fired the OC. Denver owner says that conversation never took place. No way to know who is telling the truth, but I have to say, Denver's owner's story seemed to have loads of contradictions and holes in the story.

Sure, if a player drops further than expected, anything at that point can happen. I am talking about what I think our strategy heading into the draft will be.

Um, I guess you haven't heard the news. Hell froze over yesterday. I'm worried. For something like yesterday to happen, I hope it is not a sign that, This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions. Old Testament. Real wrath-of-God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!

Come draft day, just breath and remember how you felt yesterday afternoon. Close your eyes and go to your "happy place" because if you want OL, I think you are going to be sick. I will throw down the prediction that we see one OG drafted, but not until the 7th round, and likely w/ one of the late 7th compensation picks. I know all the arguments. I have made them myself many times. But step back and take a look at this point. On the OL, you and I can debate the quality day and night, but the fact remains we have added 3 veterans for the OL, including one future HOF player. Meanwhile, look also at the weapons our franchise QB will have to throw to. Hester and Bennett yes, but then what? Then theres the defense, which has not gotten much attention. Last year, top 3 picks were offense, and this year, little done in FA. I think that we will see a WR drafting in either round 3 or 4, and that will be it for offense until the 7th.

First, I think the 2nd round will be for defense. Just take a look at what all we have done on offense, both last year and this offseason in FA, and I think Angelo is going to go very heavy on D in this draft, starting w/ a FS in round 2. I do think we will see a WR, likely in round 3, and that could be the last time we see us draft offense until the 7th. Robiskie should be gone before our 2nd. Of the rest, the team is reportedly very high on the Mossaqaui kid, and I think Barden too, though I think Barden is the sort of WR who could go higher in the draft than expected simply due to his size. If I had to guess, I would say Mossaqaui, Iglesias or maybe Murphy will be a bear.

Several, including Ditka, made the point that this was not so much about the Cassell trade attempt. That was more like the final aspect of it. Cuter wasn't thrilled Shanny was let go, but hey, its part of the business. But he was skeptical from that point. He was more upset than when his OC was let go. He said he was told the OC would remain (like in Indy when they added Dungy) but it didn't workout. Regardless who you believe, at this point Cutler not very weary about the situation, but keeping everything to himself. Then the team hires some 32 year old HC. Especially when you consider who he is replacing, that is huge. But again, while Cutler may have been very weary, I recall nothing negative being said to the press. But then this 32 year old new HC, who Cutler was never sure about in the first place, the first thing this HC does is try to trade Cutler for a new QB. At that point, for Cutler, it was like all questions about this new HC were answer, but in the negative. Trust was questionable to begin w/, and after this, there was little chance it would be repaired. Many will say Cutler handled this poorly. Maybe. But then again, it was a poor situation. He is under contract for a team/boss who he believes doesn't want him. The HC can say whatever he wants, but actions speak louder than words, and the actions were, I want to replace you. Crap situation. Anyway, I too believe the whole thing was blown up. What kills me is, everyone talks about Cutler's character in this, but how about McDaniels? I know he is the boss, but character matters there too. To me, he basically is trying to be Billichek, which is fine when you have the skins on the wall, but when you are a 32 year old 1st time HC, I think it is a bit more difficult to play that role.

I think it very very likely Bennett is smiling as big as can be. Having chemistry between QB and WR is big, and as Cutler is joining a new team, Bennett is the only receiver he actually has experience w/, regardless if that was in college. Still, I will be interested to see what we do from this point about WR. Seriously, I do not believe Davis should even factor at WR. We have Hester and Bennett, but we just got ourselves a franchise QB. We now need to give him weapons. I think we will likely see both a veteran FA and a draft pick added to the mix. No, I am not holding my breath for Holt. I think it is more likely to be someone like one of the two WRs from detroit (Furry, McDonald) or maybe Curry, or someone more along that level. Then in the draft, it sounds like the bears are looking for a bit of size and hands. Robiskie would be great, but I think he is gone by our pick in the 2nd, and I think we go D that regardless. Iglesias, Murphy, Barden, Massaquoi. I'm thinking: Hester - Bennett - Furrey - Massaquoi - Davis. May not look great, but there is youth to develop, plus we have Olsen and Forte to catch as well.

Heard Ditka last night, and basically said win/win situation. Denver got a lot, and Chicago got a franchise QB. Ditka said he does wonder about Cutler as a leader, but also said that was due to a lack of time as much as recent situations. Today on Mike & Mike, interview was more in depth. It was obvious Ditka was tired of talking about the trade, and began to tease M & M about calling some foreigh diplomats for their opinion, so Greenie turned the subject some toward the incident leading up to the trade. Ditka said both sides blew it, and was fairly even keel, but then the coach came out and he talked about how one man is in charge, and that is the coach. Thus, while he felt Denver really screwed the pooch in the whole Cassell thing, he also felt Cutler at the end of the day should likely have gotten in line and been a good soldier, though he is quick to follow up that he understands his side of it too. What I really liked was when Greenie turned the subject a bit to when Ditka took over the bears, as Ditka had made a comment about how he needed to get rid of some "can't miss" guys when he came to chicago. Ditka said when he went to chicago, he was told there were some can't miss prospects on the roster he couldn't afford to loose, but who he just didn't feel had the heart or character. Greenie asked about the story of Ditka walking into the locker room and actually grabbing the crap out of those players lockers and throwing it in the street. Ditka's response was basically that the stuff wasn't throw into the "street". Funny as hell. Then Ditka started talking about how he couldn't understand the logic when he entered. Everything was about athleticism, but nothing about character, intelligence or heart. Said he didn't understand the idea of bending over backward for a guy just because he can run and jump w/o thinking twice about his character, etc. That was part of the environment he wanted to change. Anyway, just and interesting conversation. I honestly do not think it was so much about Cutler, but more about how a coach has to take control of a team, regardless the level of talent which he may have to deal w/, as Denver just went though. Then Greenie transitioned this to when Ditka started playing. Loved the talk basically about wanting football players over athletes, which is something I have talked about for a while. Also curious who the "can't miss" athletes were when he came in, and who he essentially threw their stuff out, though not all the way to the street

Didn't he actually say, "I have a stronger arm than John Elway"?

W/ $25m or more in cap space (not to mention money we no longer have to reserve for the 1st round pick) we have more than enough for both

I have to believe we made this deal w/ the intention of keeping him long term, which means a new deal. While he is not due to hit FA for two more years, you gotta bet he wants to be paid. Now we can utilize that huge amount of cap space. It will be very curious to see just how big of a deal he gets, and further will be interesting to see the "bears are cheap" response when we give him a deal for likely $30m guaranteed.

I had the same thought while watching ESPN report about Boldin talking about wanting to play in Miami.

Please do. And if I slip in the future and criticize Angelo FOR ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to remind me of this day. This is the sort of move that a fan can live off for a long time.

I have bashed Angelo more than my share over time, but I (at least in my mind) have also given him props for many moves I felt warranted, as well as admitted when I was wrong (Briggs and Tillman come to mind). But yes, I have been an absolute Angelo basher. W/ that said, I made the point prior to the deal that I would praise Angelo if he made such a move. Further, as I said, whether Cutler is a boom or bust, that will have NO EFFECT on my opinion of the trade itself. I may disagree w/ some future Angelo moves, but I'll tell you this. I will not be bashing Angelo. He went a long way in terms of respect in my book.

I would have loved to keep Orton as a backup, but if Orton is what it took to get it done, you send him packing.

I heard Urlacher's statement too, and could not believe how he sounded. Stuff like, he is a pretty good QB "I guess". I really hope this is not a situation where the D feels like Cutler is taking the job away from a veteran they liked, because we all know how the D can deal w/ such a situation. I get the idea of praising Orton, a former teamate, but as long as this D has dealt w/ bad QBs forcing them on the field massive minutes, you would think they would be a tad higher on this move.

I should specify that. Watching NFL Today, or whatever the ESPN show, Dilfer and Shlerif (however you spell it) just blasted the bears. Basically said the bears have too many holes to give up so much. What cracked me up was, Dilfer said Detroit was the biggest loser, saying they should have made the trade. Like Detroit doesn't have holes? Seems a bit of a contradiction. Seriously, though, what irrated me as much as anything was the way they talked about it. - Pointed out the Bears lost both starting OTs. Failed to mention (a) those two OTs sucked ( we have a 1st round pick coming off a red shirt season © added two other veterans in Omiyale and Shaffer and (d) while they reported we signed Pace, the failed to factor that point at all only stressing we lost our starting OTs. - Talked about how he won't throw as much in Chicago as in Denver (system and weather) acting like QB isn't important in a non-high flying offense. Seriously, it was near funny listening to Dilfer, not to mention expected. As he was never very good, he seemed to take the position almost that QB just isn't a big deal. - Railed about how bad the bears D is, w/o even touching on coaching changes. - As for Cutler specifically, they acted like he is barely above average. You should have heard them. Strike that. Youl wouldn't want to. They said Aaron Rodgers is far and away the better QB, both physically and mentally. Said it was not even close. Huh? Further, you should have heard them praising Orton. I loved Orton, and always supported him, but when did he become such a great QB? It was truly unbelievable.

Dude, I about lost the burger I just ate w/ your 4th point. Oh yea. And I'll tell Jessica. She's at my place now.