clnr

According to this site: http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/faq.asp the date is Feb 27th (see question 1.9a). I.e when free agency starts. That means that the Panthers just bought them self 8 days to make a trade.

February 27th.

IMO he is a camp arm for the veteran mini camp in March. Insurance if we don't get the player they want in FA. I believe Hanie is way closer to the 3rd than Basanez is.

Former Northwestern QB and local boy. Offensive player of the year in Big Ten 2005. wikipedia

I agree with you. My guess is that if we would offer this years first and next years first or second pick, they'll listen to us. Boldin >> Roy Williams!

I would like us to trade down a bit in the first and pick up Britt if we are going to take WR there.

Schwarz, not Spagnuolo. Spag signed with the Rams

They are around $ 10 millions under the cap as today. I'm no cap wizz so I'm not sure if both can be fitted under the cap with new contracts. Guess it depends on how set the rest of the team is. My guess is that you're right and they won't keep both Gross and Peppers. But stranger things has happened in this league... http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/10/saturdays-...shape-for-2009/

I can see Carolina keep both Peppers and Gross if they cut Delhomme. He has a cap number of $ 11 millions for 2009. http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/01/11/...-his-departure/ I'd say he's on the hot seat!

Per Brad Briggs, Hoke worked with Dave Toub and Harry Hiestand at Missouri, http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...-bear14.article So I guess that Sundquist is spot on. He's not Lovie's boy, but other coaches on staff vouched for him.

Good question! More info from Brad Briggs: Lovie will take over the defensive playcalling next year. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/lo...fense_babi.html

Well, Smith is taking over some of Babich's duties. Good or bad? Don't know! But at least this will mean it will be a make or break season next year for Lovie. From the same article: Smith said with Babich working with the linebackers that Smith will help coordinate the defense, and he will be more involved this season. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/lo...out_coachi.html

And look at the drops stats on WRs in the league (I think Flea posted it here somewhere). They aren't that good elsewhere either.

He didn't stick in New Orleans and stayed on the Bears PS for how long? 3 years? And no other team picked him up until now. Guess he's a star then!

Thanks for the answer, although once would be enough I think it's safe to say that Tait will be gone for the next year, since he's due such large salary next year and we'd increase the cap space by cutting him.

I have a question for you guys! How much of Tait's poor play was due to him cover up for Garza? IIRC the most times Tait got burned he was focused more to the interior part of the line than covering the outside. I can't properly evaluate the finer aspects of line play since I've not grown up with the game and has really just covered the game closely for the last 3 years (before that it was an occasional game besides the Super Bowl).

And now Lee is canned as well! http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/sh..._coach_lee.html

Good write up! 2 things: - Colombo is not FA. His contract has been extended for 4 more years (and I doubt he would like to return to Chicago). http://www.bigblueview.com/sports_data/tea...ws_detail/24135 - Matt Birks future in Minnesota is not certain. I've read a lot of rumours of him nor returning. With a supposedly good draft for centers coming up, they might go that way and save some cap dollars there! http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-7-39...-Frerotte-.html

Of course! I want Babich gone and a new DC with some new coordinators come in. I hope that the lack of action is to see if Marinelli will come here or not and that Angelo is holding off the axe a while until that issue is resolved. And once it's done, something shakes out! It might be blind faith though

Sure there has been 3 LB coaches under Lovie but Nickerson left because of illness in his family and Babich got promoted so the comparison in turnaround on the position is not valid as I see it. However, a little more production on the LB position would be nice!

Peppers, Ashomuga and one of those WRs... Can you show me how all three fit under the cap?

Decent, but I miss Duke Robinson on that list. You can't ignore the Duke!

Browns didn't make it on 10-6 last year.

I'd love him as well, but I think Oakland will slap him with the franchise tag again.

Keep the hope alive!