jason

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.

Matt Jones is a perfect comparison. I'm not talking about on the field ability in the NFL. I'm talking about someone who was relatively average as far as the scouts were concerned, maybe considered good, and then they DESTROYED the combine, and all of the sudden they are the best thing since sliced bread.

I've been seeing everyone spooge all over the idea of Flacco for some time now. And, all of the sudden, this guy is flying up the depth chart at the combine like Matt Jones, going from a 4th to a late first. I can understand if you love the guy and want to draft him, but a late first rounder for someone widely considered a fourth rounder just a month or so ago is absolute lunacy. I'd be much happier passing of Flacco if it meant the Bears got to A) Keep their picks, and Draft non-reach picks with the first two rounds. If Flacco is there in the third, fine, grab him. But since he won't be there, why reach? I'd much rather see an OL, OL, QB draft sequence while keeping our picks, versus some of the other scenarios I've seen around here. Oh, and before you say it, I know that each pick is a risk. I know that he has "upside". However, that makes him the same as everyone else: we simply don't know. I'm still hoping that either Colt Brennan or Dennis Dixon fall into the fourth or fifth (maybe beyond), and the Bears wait to grab them there.

They only make "more than enough" because they are raping the fans. It's gotten completely ridiculous. The players do not deserve that much money. Period. The owners need to do something about it, or the fans will ultimately suffer. When an upper-deck seat for a Chicago game is upwards of $100, and it's nowhere near the front of the tier, then the fans are getting screwed. We pay because we love the game, but it's complete horseshit. Each and every owner could lower ticket prices if the players weren't getting paid so much. Would they? That's another discussion. All I know is that the rise in ticket prices over the last ten years is directly related to the crazy rise in players' salaries over the same period of time. It makes me hate the "$10M is an insult to me" players even more.

Just for the record, I think Flacco is a huge reach in the second round. He's slowly morphing into the QB version of Mandarich. I'd like it if the Bears went after another OLineman in the 2nd.

So, everyone is so down on the Bears' WRs. I happen to think the bunch isn't actually that bad, but they simply don't get much chance since the line has done so poorly, the running game blew this year, and the QB play has been as inconsistent as Bea Arthur's bladder. Nonetheless, there are two guys who are available for big money, but are pretty much sure to produce. 1. Randy Moss - I'm sure the Pats want to keep him, but what would it take to go after him? 2. Chad Johnson - He's clearly not happy in Cincy. Do you want them? If you don't, and it's for a reason other than financial, then I just don't buy it. You can't have everything. You either get great, prima-donna WRs, or you get the guys we have now. The great WRs who don't have big heads are few and far between.

Agreed. It's like shaking hands with someone's grandfather. Often times, the guy looks a little weaker, a little smaller; it's generational. But then you realize there is some sort of wirey strength in there, and he can really keep up. Not to mention the fact that he could have whooped your ass just a few short years ago. The 85 Bears were like that. They were fast, strong, smart, dedicated, and intense. If there is any sort of speed differential between that team and teams of today, it would be negated. That 40 track time doesn't mean jack when the pads are on and you realize that therre is a borderline insane man (Danimal) lining up across the line from you. Not to mention the fact that the 85 Bears D had multiple HOFers, and should probably have more. I'll take a bunch of quick HOF players over a bunch of quick good players.