jason

Good thing the Bears picked up Corey Wooten in the 4th, and Joshua Moore in the 5th...because DE and DB were OBVIOUSLY bigger needs than OL. Honestly, if we're sitting here talking about Omilaye, Beekman, and Schaffer as the main competition for more than one position, then it's a problem that needed to be addressed sooner than a training camp battle.

Completely agreed. It's ALL about the OL blocking.

Hester is perfect for the slot, and just about all of the others would benefit from the move.

Completely agreed. Too many injuries, too many questionable starts...something just isn't right. It may not apply to the combine and the enlarged heart/valve issue, but there is definitely a pattern of sorts.

Thought you guys might find this interesting. I was working an Arena League game the other night and ran into Paul Edinger. Remember him? Paul Edinger Remember his twisting, whirling kicking style? Well, he doesn't do it anymore. I didn't want to be too intrusive so I didn't ask to pose for a photo or anything (photos below), but I did talk to him for a quick bit. He's still trying to get back into the NFL, and he has completely reworked his kicking motion. He said after leaving the NFL he watched tape and realized that the unconventional twist was causing him to pull kicks (who woulda figured?!), and he had to straighten things out as well speed it up a bit. I always liked him, and he looks like he's gotten even more accurate.

No way I can go with Smith. I dislike him immensely, but he's still behind at least Jauron and Wanny. Jauron was completely inept, ignorantly loyal, and just always seemed overmatched. Wanny completely destroyed the Bears from top to bottom. Zombie Lovie is not my favorite, but at least the Bears made it to the Super Bowl under his "watch."

MOST HATED: RW McQuarters. He didn't care about winning. He didn't cover anyone. He always played off the ball ten yards. The damn bandaid pissed me off like no other adornment in NFL history. And the infamous "gimme the ball" moment will always be remembered. MOST LOVED: This is tough, because I have loved so many Bears. Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Brian Urlacher, Neal Anderson, so many great choices. But I'd have to split it between two less-heralded players: 1) Mike Brown - He didn't seem to be the strongest, fastest, or great in anything measurable, but the guy knows how to play football. When he returned the back-to-back, game-winning INTs in OT, he forever became a Bear legend in my eyes. I don't think I've ever been happier as a Bear fan than after those two games. 2) Tom Waddle - Despite a short career, he will always remembered as what a pro football player should be. He is the epitome of effort, dedication, and a desire to win. Seeing him play after sustaining multiple concussions - and getting straight knocked out one game - showed me that he actually wanted to win, rather than collect a paycheck like so many other professional athletes (like that douchebag RW McQuarters).

I have been for this, saying this, supporting this, SCREAMING this, since the early 90s. The only time I didn't call for it was when the Bears had Crowton, who, admittedly didn't do care too much about the running game, and was quickly run out of Chicago as a result...with assorted other details (but at least he tried to attack the defense). The last few offensive coordinators have been protect the lead, play not to lose limp-dicks. I EAGERLY anticipate the Martz regime.

Almost exactly my point. Hell, Iglesias has all sorts of potential, was drafted, and he can't get on the field. Barnes is going to have splinters on his ass to prove that he was on the Bears, and that's about it.

I like Chris Harris and everything, but is there a new type of cover-2 defense that relies upon the abundance of strong safeties? Because we have them. Maybe a 3-4-4? (j/k)

I agree to a point, but the opposite poses problems as well. Hiring retread guys over and over creates a situation where coaches and front office guys are so far in the woods that they can't see the trees.

That's hilarious for two reasons. One, there is no way he is worse than Omiyale. Two, there is no way he is anything resembling what he once was. The pickup would be just like the Pace signing. Promising and scary at the same time.

I like the guy, but he doesn't fit. He doesn't beat out Knox for the speed position. He doesn't beat out Hester for the slot position. He doesn't beat out Bennett for the possession position. He doesn't beat out Aromashodu in anything. Nice to get the hometown kid, but barring injury, there is no way he sees the field.

The easy answer is, you make roster spots by cutting guys that suck. Omiyale may be one of the worst performing Offensive Linemen I've ever seen. Shaffer and Beekman weren't a lot better. And Chris Williams is still somewhat of an unknown, but I hope, like you, that he'll be the starting LT for ten years. I just happen to think it's was a more important need than anything else with the exception of FS.

I like that draft better. With one simple change, it would have been much better. Granted, I think OL was/is more important than DE, and the 4th rd pick could have been used on something more important in my opinion.

As someone who was nearly indestructible as a younger man, fighting through bumps and bruises that should have been massive injuries, and having torn an MCL/ACL combo in the past three months, I can confirm that age plays a large part in being able to recover from bumps and bruises and avoid injuries. If we want Cutler to be around for years to come - much like our hated nemesis - then he needs to be protected so that he doesn't have to "hold his own."

The lists from the first few rounds are much longer. Sure, it's possible...but not likely. For a position that needed arguably the most attention on the team, I'd hope the Bears would pay more attention to it than "not likely."

There's a reason the list of draftee success stories from the 7th round is short...there is typically less talent, bigger risks, and assorted issues that cause them to typically go in the 7th.

That's what worries me.

It's just too bad Barnes will probably never see the field. 1 - The Bears are stacked with young WRs. 2 - The Bears are stacked with potential at WR. 3 - Look how long it took for Aromashodu to get on the field. 4 - Hester is getting paid too much to be eliminated from the WR position entirely. So where does Barnes fit in? Slot? Nope. That's Hester's position. Straight line speed? Nope. He can't do it, and it's all on Johnny Knox. Possession WR? Nope. Bennett is better at it, AND has familiarity with Jay Cutler. Potential sleeper to get on the field and explode? Nope. That's Aromashodu. So, once again, how does Barnes get on the field?

Faneca? I'm not sure. I'd feel the same way I did about Pace. At first I would be hyped, remembering his old playing ability. Then I would caution myself because of how Pace turned out. IF they signed him, I'd be pretty happy. But it would not surprise me if he Pace'd the Bears.

Not entirely, but yes, I do believe it's part of the decision. Sure, if there was a stud in the 7th they would have selected him, but I actually believe the front office does stuff like this just so they can argue with the concept that they don't draft OL.

I don't know about you, but I'm not confident in Cutler's health when it is protected by friggin Omiyale at RT and Beekman at OG. Neither of those two guys inspire confidence in me. This draft should have had attention to OL before CB and/or QB.

This pick was nothing but placation, a way to manipulate stats so that years later they can argue their disdain for drafting OL by saying, "We drafted an OL every year!" (or some other nonsense)

Not very happy with the fact that they waited until the seventh for OL help. Yet again ignored. But, we are just fans and don't know any better, right? Good thing the Bears have been consistently good for the past decade, otherwise that argument wouldn't make any damn sense.