jason

First of all, for Hester316, it's actually spelled Favre. I just prefer to spell it Farv. As for your post, it makes nearly no sense. What do the two more games have to do with anything when talking about a guy who has started every game for over a decade? Nothing. Actually, I did listen to the press conference, and while I thought the tears and emotion was genuine, the reasoning seemed fake. To preach his two points of playing while he still could and playing for fun, and then quitting after putting up a good year and clearly having fun is disingenuous. Once again, you completely missed the point. I don't know how to make it any more simple for you. Are you even reading what I am writing? He should have stayed before the year started! Hell, he should still stay. The fact that he led his team as far as he did is proof that he should stay. But he isn't. If you want to call it selfish then fine, he should be selfish and stick around. I happen to think that it's not selfish and he should play more when he is obviously capable. However, this is the year he chose to retire. And it just happens to be after a year in which he A. Had fun, B. Could clearly play, and C. Conveniently just broke the last few remaining passing records. Actually, this last part is just proof that you are either skipping my posts or failing to understand them. HE.SHOULD.HAVE.PLAYED.LAST.SEASON. HE.SHOULD.STILL.PLAY.THIS.SEASON! The fact that you mention the hardships he has been through only proves my point. IF he can make it through that, then he can make it through the "mental toughness" that it "causing his retirement". Also, your last sentence happens to just prove my point as well. Did you even watch his games the year before last? Have you looked at his stats? Did you even read a single article about how he was washed up or how it was time for him to quit?! That was the perfect time for him to retire, when it wasn't fun, and when he evidently didn't have it. It would have validated everything he stood for, everything he said about retirement, and paved the way for the Packers to move on. it would have proven that he wasn't sticking around merely for the records. But he didn't do it that year. He stuck around one year, after having a horrible year, a year in which many thought he should retire, and showed everyone he still could play, and that the game was still fun. And during that season he broke all the remaining passing records. And then he retired. It's just awfully convenient when it's apparent, once again, that he was having fun, and that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Disclaimer: Please read this again so you understand what I'm saying, because you have clearly missed it the past two times.

Completely agree. It makes absolutely no sense to me. If the Bears wanted a Jones, they should have kept Thomas. He's better than Julius anyway. No sense whatsoever.

I would absolutely love to see him in a Bears uniform. And I don't think he'd try any of that crap here. IF he did, I'm quite sure that Olin would straighten him out.

Thanks for taking it over the top and totally ignoring what point I was making. You either didn't understand, which is what I suspect, or you are just being irrational. Brilliant. I'm sure the organization, the city, and everyone who likes the Packers is upset about the decision. That's not the point. I'm sure that he could have played more. That's not the point either. And I'm quite sure leading the organization along for the last few years with talks of retirement, while slightly irritating to some, was no real concern as long as he stayed with the team. THAT'S not even the point. The point is, he fed everyone this line about playing for fun, and playing until he couldn't play any more - something everyone in their right mind admits that he's capable of - yet he retired when he was clearly having fun and clearly able to play. He retired after breaking the records. He didn't retire after his team had a horrible season. Nooo, he wasn't too tired then. Evidently, he was still having fun when they sucked and he was having one of his worst years ever. He wanted to play some more. Fine. But don't feed me this BS about being tired now. It's painfully obvious that he held on for the records, one of which was the INT record most Farv ball-swingers fail to mention. Hell, I think it's awesome he stuck around. I think all players should play until they drop. I think as long as they are good enough to play, they should. Honestly, I do. But don't try to sell the story about playing for the love of the game or some other such nonsense. If a player is holding on to break a record, get paid, or because he needs to pay child support like Travis Henry, just say so. Don't lay it on so thick about this "love of the game" garbage, or "playing until I can't play anymore" nonsense. As for the other stuff... The Vicodin Thing He was addicted to pain pills. Maybe that's how he got through to his record streak of games. I know he isn't the only one to abuse presicription pain pills, but maybe, just maybe, it had something to do with the fact that he was able to keep the streak alive. Abusing any sort of medication to help you do better is definitely a gray area of cheating. It's only a small step away from performance enhancing drugs like steroids. Actually, it's quite a deep issue of degrees when you think about it. At what point is an athlete cheating by using prescription pain killers to stay on the field? Isn't that improving performance? The Sack "Record" Exaggerate and be stupid about it all you want, but Farv laid down for that sack for his buddy. To others it may seem insignificant, but to me it shows that there's a chink in the armor. He doesn't respect the game as much as many would have us believe. You simply don't give away a record because your buddy is on the other team. The Media/League Favoritism That's the only one I admit has nothing to do with him. It's the fact that he became one of the NFL's poster boys, and he got every benefit of the doubt for the last ten years. And I won't even go into the love afair between him and Madden. The Three Consecutive MVPs I'll go to my grave saying he only deserved two, and the media man love of Farv was partially responsible for Barry Sanders retiring early. How the hell a guy rushes for 2000+ yards and doesn't win the MVP is beyond me. Of course, that plays into the Brett Farv love that I despised so much.

I think you are mistaken and misguided. You have more respect for a guy who: A ) Openly cheated by abusing pain pills B ) Fell down on purpose to help a friend break a record C ) Blatantly gets favoritism from the league officials D ) Hanging on for an extra year just to break records That covers misguided, as for mistaken...you might want to rethink the whole "played for the love of the game" angle. He strung out his team three or four years in a row with retirement talks. Then he used the "playing until I can't play" and "as long as it's fun" garbage. And THEN, hangs on after one of his worst years as a pro, a year in which many said he was washed up. IF anything, he should have quit after that year because it "wasn't fun" anymore. Conveniently enough, he waited one more year, broke the records, had a great season, and THEN quit. He didn't retire; he quit. If it was all about "love of the game" and "playing while it's still fun", then I call BS. Because he clearly can still play, and he sure as hell seemed to have fun last year running around like a loon with a WR on his shoulders. Love of the game? My ass. He played for the records. He played for pride. He played for personal accolades. Love of the game and fun are afterthoughts. If they weren't, then he would have retired before this past season.

Not only did I roll my eyes when he cried like a schoolyard sissy today, I rolled my eyes at the decision. So, let me get this right: You keep playing as long as you're able to play, and you're doing well. Wasn't that basically his mantra for the past three years when he toyed with the retirement idea? And now, "all of the sudden", he retires the year after he breaks the records? Hmmm...sounds an awful lot like a bunch of BS, and like a player who held on just to get the records. I have always hated him because he is a packer, and now I have one more arrow in the quiver. Drugs, virtual BJs from the media, never getting called to task for his INTs, giving up the sack record to his buddy Strahan, the refs allowing him to get away with murder and break rules, and now his selfish "retire right after breaking the records" deal. Screw Brett Farv. The era is over, and the deal with the devil is done.

I love being right. I was right about TJ the entire time, and it appears that I was right about Benson (wish I wasn't). Anyone who says that TJ didn't run through tackles needs to watch this video. He clearly breaks arm tackles more than once, and has the cutback ability that is so sorely needed behind a bad OL. Come to think of it, he did well with the Bears this whole time because he was that style of runner. And then Benson comes in and is a one-cut, dive to the hole kind of guy. Well, those holes aren't there, and Benson sucked.

An offensive line that makes holes is not what the Bears OL was last year. In other words, fix the line, and the RBs will be better able to utilize their talents.

I want to be on record, again, stating that getting Mendenhall in the first is a horrible decision for the Bears. HORRIBLE

I think this is a great move, and I wouldn't be all that upset with a WR corp of Booker, Bradley, Hester, Haas, Olsen, Clark. Every time Bradley saw the field he seemed to be bigger, stronger, and faster than most. He seemed to be on the verge of a big play, but the OL sucked so bad, and the QB consistency wasn't there, so we never saw it. We also know that Devin Hester is a threat to Forrest Gump a play on every touch. We may also see Haas this year, who knows? And seeing a double-TE package that we were promised last year would be great! I'm not all that worried about the receivers...unless of course the OL is not addressed...in which case the WRs won't matter nearly as much.

I've used the analogy before, but I'll use it again. Drafting a RB in the first for the Bears this year is like fixing the tires on a burning car. Sure, the tires will be better, but they'll still go to crap since the car is on fire. Drafting an OLineman is a crapshoot, just like all other positions for the most part. HOWEVER, there are tons of RBs who do well behind good lines. Pretty much any scrub can be put in behind a good line and show production. Look what the best OLine in history did for that moron Emmit Smith! He was good, but there is no way he should have Walter's record. Watch his highlight reels and you'll see a bunch of 5 foot holes being opened, and Emmit being chased down by a safety 20 yards down the field. Great OLs make average skill players look great. Very rarely do great skill players excel with poor OLs. Look what the incredible OLines over the years have done for Denver RBs. Look what an upgraded OLine did for the Cleveland Browns last year. I never said I wouldn't love getting some good FA OL help. I'd be happy as hell. However, it doesn't seem to be happening, and I know what I saw last year. Anyone who doesn't realize the OL is the biggest problem on the Bears either missed a lot of games last year, or only follows via radio. Getting Mendenhall will do nothing but give the Bears another first round RB who will get disappointed after getting stuffed at the line over and over again. The point is, it all starts in the trenches, and it's best to stockpile good, young OLinemen rather than take shots on RBs who can pretty much be had in the first four rounds. If you look at the draft history, and I just did, you'll find a ton of bad first round RBs, along with the good. What you will also find, however, is a ton of RB talent in other rounds. As for OL, you want to point out Ferguson...fine. I'd rather look at Joe Thomas.

How can you possibly know that if they are continuously getting blasted at the line by three defensive players? The question was rhetorical...you don't know what the RBs on this team are capable of until the OL stops sucking. There's a reason why each of the Bears' RBs were record setters in some way, shape, or form. They have talent. However, just about any RB will appear poor or average if the OL is horrible...which it was.

There's a reason I keep mentioning the Payton, Sanders, Jackson, Tomlinson group. I happen to think that McFadden could be another one. IF he falls to the Bears, it means he is injured - like you said - and is no longer in that group. With that said, I'm not including him in the scenarios. As for scenarios if there is a run on OL and none are left: 1) You already know that I'd trade down as option 1. I'm not sure on the trade value chart, and don't care to look it up, but a late first and late second are probably pretty close. I'd like the Bears to do something like that. 2) Let's say there is a run on OLinemen. To me, this means that the following players (more or less) are gone before the Bears make a selection (which I HIGHLY doubt): Chris Long, Vernon Gholston DE Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, Chris Williams OL Matt Ryan, QB Darren McFadden, RB Glen Dorsey, DT Leodis McKelvin, Mike Jenkins CB Top WR (maybe Malcolm Kelly), WR Keith Rivers, LB or Cromartie, CB - can't decide who to fill in there Well, if that scenario plays out, which it won't, and the Bears can't trade down, then I would want the Bears to select the highest ranked WR on their board, which would hopefully be Limas Sweed. I'd hate to see him go so early, because it would be a reach, but I'd rather see that than another first round RB. At least that way when the Bears OL sucks because of the OL draft craziness, the QB, whoever he may be, can throw bullets into Sweed's hands from 5-10 yards away. Also, this would give the Bears one of the most formidable physical receiving combos in the NFL (Sweed & Olsen). And if that does happen, then the Bears need to draft OL with their next two selections.

I will go on record as saying I agree with the idea, but COMPLETELY DISAGREE with the idea of drafting Mendenhall in the first. That would be a horrible decision. In fact, I'm slightly irritated that so many Bears fans could be so blind as to honestly think that drafting a RB would help right now. Plain and simple, the OL sucked last year, and unless the Bears have Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Ladainian Tomlinson, Bo Jackson, or possible another absolute stud at RB, there is not going to be productivity. Enis, Salaam, Benson...how many do the Bears have to get in the first round before fans start to realize that there is just as good of a chance in later rounds of drafting a stud RB? If the OL is right, it can be done year after year after year. Just look at Denver. Besides, RB is one of the easiest positions to transition to in the NFL. Mendenhall in the first is a horrible idea.

Thank you for being just about the only person in this thread to make sense. First of all, if the Bears were to select Mendenhall in the first, it would be one of the stupidest damn moves in the history of the draft. I don't care if he's the 2nd best RB, which is debatable. At that point there are going to be better players at OL that the Bears need more. Secondly, if the Bears were to have McFadden fall to them, the only way drafting him would be a great idea is if they already have the trade worked out with Dallas for the two first rounders. I'm simply stunned that anyone who isn't blind, and actually watched the games last year, thinks the Bears' problem is at RB. Unless that RB is named Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson (pre injury), or Ladainian Tomlinson, they aren't going to do squat with the Bears' OL from last year.

I'd be happy as hell with him being a Bear. As others have said, his major flaw is in coverage. However, much like Brown, he just seems to be in the right spot at the right time. In other words, don't let the measurables confuse you. The kid can play. Also, as an added bonus, he's a boxer...so you know he's a tough SOB.

I would love it if the Bears gave Mike Williams a shot. He still has all the talent in the world, vice-grip hands, and can match up physically, dominate even, just about every DB in the league. It's just that he's got an attitude problem, and a possible work ethic issue. Why not sign him cheap, tell him he's in a legit battle for the spot Moose left, and see what happens? Maybe the guy is finally ready to buckle down and show why he was drafted in the first. It can't hurt. It would be relatively cheap. Could pan out huge though. The possible rewards outweight the risks.

If the Bears were to draft Mendenhall at 14, it would go down as one of the stupidest draft picks in NFL History. Not only because it's bad from a team perspective, because you either are completely giving up on a first rounder, or admitting that last year's third rounder is worthless, but also because it will be yet another first round RB picked by the Bears that will amount to jack in the NFL. Mendenhall was a stud in college, but he'll be slightly-above average at best in the pros. To use an Angelor phrase, Mendenhall isn't a special player.

Yes, same Jason, but more apathetic. I didn't want to call you out on the new site because I didn't want to hear anyone cry and whine about their sensitive feelings or some other such nonsense. As for the $$, at 25 I would still have made a fortune with that kind of cash. And any halfway intelligent NFL player will get an accountant and do the same. Hell, I'd be surprised if it's not included in the price/package for their agents. And I don't think finding a new job would be too difficult. There's always some former buddy, college friend, college coach, or person seeking notoriety for their company, who would hire a former NFLer with the quickness.

I'm not really calling you out, but I find it ridiculous, and borderline obscene that half a million dollars isn't enough to alleviate their "worry about setting aside a ton of money for the future". That's over ten years worth of salary for most of the US, who will still have to work many, many years to even get to keep anything near that amount. Orton and his 466K, meanwhile, can buy everything he needs right now, and just sit on the rest and let it gain interest, and with the help of a smart/shifty accountant, he'll easily double his money before ten years is done. Nobody should ever feel bad about the money these guys make, nor should anyone feel bad about their future. They are playing a game for way more money than 99.9% of people in the US make, and they know the stipulations when they get into it. Give me half a million in one year and see if I don't turn it into a pile of money. It's a lot easier to make more money if you already have a lot.

Let's say that the Bears do the smart thing and get an OL in the first round. Otherwise 99% of us would go crazy (like I did when they drafted Benson). With this year's WR class, it seems there is a great possibility to draft a stud in several of the first few rounds. There is a distinct possibility of having a good one in the fourth round. Desean Jackson will be gone when the Bears 2nd comes up. After that, it's almost a toss up among many there. Mario Manningham (had a bad 40 time, could slip) Early Doucet Malcolm Kelly Limas Sweed (will probably be gone after his good 40 time) James Hardy Devin Thomas Andre Caldwell Earl Bennett Adarius Bowman Lavell Hawkins So, what I'm asking is, would you be happy with is the prospect of drafting two WRs. I say OL, then WR, then fill needs with the two third rounders, but there is a very good chance a stud WR is there in the fourth. Maybe one of the ones listed, or maybe someone like Maurice Purify or one of the Hawaii WRs will be there. 1. OL 2. WR 3. OL 3b. QB 4. WR Would you be happy with that?

I won't flame you, because I like Hester a lot; hell, the kid is rugged, and seems to run over someone every time he gets the ball. I wouldn't mind seeing him get selected late and taking the spot of one of the current FBs. On the other hand, I think you are way off on Wolfe. I still don't get where the hate comes from. This guy, when given the chance last year, was better than Benson or Peterson. Wolfe came in and made things happen. Aside from Devin Hester, and at times Bernard Berrian, Wolfe was the only player in on offense that actually had the potential for a big play within the Bears' offense. He made several people miss, and even cranked out a few great plays in limited action. We'll compromise: Keep Wolfe, Draft Hester, Dump a FB (I don't care which one)

So, maybe the "one month" thing was a bit off...but you are debating semantics at this point. I think it was clear what I was getting at. He was a guy thought of as a 4th, maybe 3rd, and now everyone is putting him in late 1st or early 2nd. That spells danger, especially for a guy with Delaware on his resume (not to mention the fact that his highlight films show him constantly throwing behind the WRs).

I picked Matt Jones because he was the first guy who I could think of. HE was not nearly as highly regarded before the post season buzz machine started, and next thing you know he's a first rounder. On a side note, I happen to think the guy still has a ton of talent, but is incredibly underused in Jax.

Shortly after the season ended, there is no way in hell Flacco was a second. No friggin way. We can maybe agree that he was a third, with the potential and upside, but he was mentioned quite a bit as a sleeper. Sleepers are usually not first day guys. Then the buzz started. As for Brennan, I tend to disagree. I think he has better talent, a similar throwing motion (albeit a bit worse), but with better height, better potential, and better intangibles than Rex.