jason

NFL Network just said Tillman was gone to Tampa Bay.

Briggs, DJ, Bostic, Greene, and SMC, yet you'd take LB in round 1? That doesn't make any sense to me. The Bears need to go DT or S in the first.

Do you think it's possible Houston is better than Peppers at this point in their respective careers? Peppers was very ineffective last year. Hardly noticeable most of the time. Hard not to improve on that.

That would be horrible. Are you being serious? You want to keep Peppers at a huge, salary cap-crippling, contract even though he hasn't done much? And, you want to pick a LB in the first even though the Bears got a LB with 2 of their first 3 picks last year?

All that scares me. It says, "Guy who gets stoned at the line of scrimmage, doesn't get much real pressure, but is good at getting off the block to stop the run." I'd rather see a pass-rusher. If the Bears get him, I hope they don't break the bank.

HAHA!

Although it's sarcasm, sometimes I actually think that wouldn't be such a bad idea. Suppose the Bears ownership told Emery: "Screw it. Let's build an offensive juggernaut. Go get Brandon Albert, put him in at LT, move Bushrod to RT. Then do what it takes to move up and get Sammy Watkins." It'd be crazy, but it'd be a fun ride.

I'm just throwing this in here because it's a discussion about LBs. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10586753...es-nfl-comeback Rolando McClain, if healthy and motivated, could be a supreme talent at a severely discounted price. Might be worth kicking the tires on a try out.

Hell, even if don't give a shit about trading Briggs. I've always though he was a bit overrated, tackled poorly, and benefitted greatly from having a HOF'er next to him.

Precisely.

Dude, eat shit and die. I've listened, but those are counter/additional to what was being said about his "value." If all that was said was "need extra roster spot" or "gotta save cap room" then this is a non-issue. It makes more sense in those terms to benefit both ways by using a young burner, who also plays WR, and gets paid a lot less. But what was being said was essentially "he's not that good anymore," which simply isn't true. He is still very good, but he's not superhuman like he once was.

Pretty sure I've already said in this thread. Not a ton, but above vet minimum and after a minor negotiation, I think he'd get 1.5-2M.

Exactly. Why can't the "Hester is worth no more than get minimum"-be supported with any sort of data? I've laid out a pretty compelling case as to why he's still valuable. The only real answers for him leaving are other than ability.

I don't believe that's true. Your logic fails because in my scenario the LB and secondary are above average. The Bears last year were below average in all three levels of defense. You put last year's DL with Otis Wilson, Mike Singletary, and Wilbur Marshall and you'd have ENTIRELY different results.

That's a cop out. The article is summed up by the final sentence: "Replacing him with a two-way player will give the Bears more roster flexibility and help from a salary cap perspective." If that's your stance, then it's more understandable. But your previous statements weren't ringing that bell. You said: "Great player in his prime but he has already been paid. " "I absolutely believe Hester is not worth any more than the vet minimum. I believe it is time to move on." Saying it's a good move because of salary cap or roster flexibility is one thing, saying that Devin Hester is simply not worth more than vet minimum is completely different. And wrong based on his efforts last year.

With the 15th pick in the 6th round, the Chicago Bears select Tom Hornsey, Punter, Memphis.

Everyone hear knows I'm a bit advocate of trench warfare considering my multi-year OL rant. On defense, however, I don't believe it's the same. On offense, if the QB loses efficacy, the entire offense dies. So there is a premium on protecting the QB with a good OL. On defense, there is no single player being defended behind the DL. It's entirely possible to have average players on the DL with a superior 2nd and 3rd level, and have great success. Upgrading the safeties allows the CBs to gamble more, which changes the timing on passing plays, which allows for the subpar DL to create more pressure/sacks. I believe a team with Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed in their prime would have so many crazy advantages in terms of play recognition and range that the defense could effectively send 6, if not 7, at the QB on just about every play, especially if you team them up with above average CBs like Peanut and Jennings.

The bolded part is very true, but knowing when that tipping point is not an exact science. Based on Devin Hester's production and ability, it's unlikely he'll turn into a complete bum in 2014.

Based on what? I just don't understand what basis you guys have to say Devin Hester is worth vet minimum only. There's absolutely no basis for it. His stats, his influence, and his ability all say he's worth more than vet minimum. BTW - Cutting Weems for the money he's getting is something with which I agree. Weems is DEFINITELY a vet minimum kind of player.

LMAO!! If SMC is leading the team, the stat has to be flawed somewhere.

When was that? Weems didn't make many plays at all, and of those very few were impact plays. Hester's big plays this year were significantly larger than anything Weems has done his entire career.

That's so hypocritical considering your stance on Urlacher. You've essentially said that past seasons didn't matter, and a. Player is worth what they are this year. Hester is worth more than vet minimum this upcoming year. That is almost undeniable.

Damn Right

But the PFF numbers go on a percentage based system, do they not? The potential flaw there is that with more snaps, there is more fatigue. It could be possible he's better suited for a rotational Mark Anderson type role, where he excels with fresh legs. And if given the chance to play full time DE, his explosion would diminish (i.e. Devin Hester when WR and returner).