DABEARSDABOMB

The Houston Texans would have liked to grab a RB, but with Mendenhall, Stewart, and McFadden off the boards I was unwilling to reach on Felix Jones (however, consider me on the board when it comes to moving up in the draft to target a RB). Therefor I went with what I felt was the next biggest need at CB and have selected CB Aquib Talib from Kansas. There are some off the field questions but nothing which the Texans deemed to be too problematic and the kid has done nothing but make plays at the collegiate level and has the tools to make plays at the professional level.

That is a ridiculously nice TV. Awesome contrast on it.

If he fell I would be shocked if the Bears didn't take him. I personally wouldn't want to take him but the Bears just like most teams in the league absolutely love the intangibles and would be getting a tremendous value pick (as I'm sure he's rated over most of the other players that would be available at 14 on the Bears board). That said there is absolutely no way that he gets past Baltimore.

LCD is the better of the two, imo. I'd also recommend the 47inch one as it is 1080P which is what BluRay is designed for. I have a DLP which I love to death. The other recommendation is to make sure you have a couple of HDMI inputs on the TV so you are ready for when you eventually get a BluRay plus able to hook up your cable or satellite to the other hdmi input.

The Bears still should have ample cap room to be able to extend Harris, renegotitae with Urlacher and take care Gould (kickers don't make a ton), Hester (this will be the interesting contract), and Anderson.

I'll go Texans.

Let me know what team is available, I'd be happy to pick up a team.

I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually see Briggs and Urlacher switch positions. I don't think it will happen this year, but I could definitely see it happening a year or two down the road (with Briggs still in his prime and Urlacher getting a little older).

I think Williams would be a tremendous pick. The one major question associated with Williams is the immediate impact he might make. I've read in numerous places that he is a bit more raw than the other tackles but he also has the physical tools to turn into a complete road blocker of a LT and I for one am for the taking of high impact guys (even though I believe he has more risk associated with him than some of the other tackles who would be available later on in the 1st and even early into the 2nd. I still have no problem trading down and grabbing Albert (move down about 4-5 slots and pick up some to ensure you have 2 2nd round picks; 1 for the RB who falls and the other for the tackle who falls). Either way I'd be happy with Mendenhall/Otah/Williams with the 14th pick and if we traded down I'd be more than thrilled to get Felix Jones and than use our 2nd and 3rd for tackle and guard (plus the extra picks acquired to get a WR/Safety/QB of the future/another olineman, etc).

Lets not forget that Mike Williams would have been an even bigger bust. Bottom line is, the guy the Bears picked is a bust and I'd be surprised if he's anything but that.

I agree. The Bears clearly have a deficiency in the backfield. You have Benson who has proven nothing except that he'll get hurt and that he has a less than stellar attitdue (and this is coming from someone who likes Benson). Peterson has shown he is nothing more than a 3rd down back and Garret Wolfe was the dumbest pick (given the Bears personell on special teams and in the backfield alreadY) as he doesn't have the tools to ever be anything more than a 3rd down back (and the Bears already had a solid one of those). Felix Jones and Mendenhall both seem like excellent fits. In Jones case playing behind McFadden means he will come to the NFL fresher but it also means he'll be less experienced. He has all the tools to be an elite back though as does Mendenhall. Stewart has the tools to be a workhorse type of back (which is what I thought Benson was going to be). Regardless, I believe the Chicago Bears 2 biggest needs are at the RB and Oline position. The next position in line would be the WR position (which while the Bears have some legitimate NFL talent, they do not have proven commodities at the position) and the safety position (again, some talent is there, but the production has been sub-par). After that, finally QB enters the equation.

Prophet, I assume you are indicating that you would like those things added by Invision (which is the company that designs the software)? Or do you know of any sort of modifcation that we can make to the software that would allow that?

I'm not aware of the ability to add a subject line, but later this week when my work schedule finally calms down (I work at a Public Accounting firm so the first few months of the year are absolute hell so I have little time to do any backend sort of site stuff). I also know I have to add links to the top of the forums (to mock drafts, chicago bears.com, etc) as well as the chat room (which will be for sure up in time for draft day).

Looking over Jackson's stats, you could really make a case that he's a simliar type of player to Berrian (more proven, but maybe on the downside of his career while BB is on the upside). Jackson had a poor season in San Fran, but he had absolutely no offensive help. Gore was hurt and the QB play in San Fran made the Bears QB play look like the Colts/Patriots play. The year before in Seattle he put up just under 1000 yards and 10 TD's. Obviously Seattle could potentially inflate his stats (given they are a good offensive team, definitely a better offensive team than Chicago) but he has 3 1000 yard seasons, plus a couple 800+ receiving yard seasons. And with the exception of one year where he was injured and this past season, he has always had over 700 receiving yards (that includes his rookie season in 2000). He would be the perfect pickup to compliment Booker and help Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton. Mix those two with Clark/Olsen and you have a pretty servicable set of receiving weapons with the threat of having an above average to even a top 5 receiving core if Bradley/Hester develop. Man, I really want Jackson.

I just wanted to say that while this thread is up, that if there is any sort of feature that any of the members would like to see added or any adjustments made please feel free to let us know. We as the admins/mods are not here to run this board as dictators. We are just here to ocassionally get involved in situations where moderation is needed and to do things behind the scenes to ensure proper server set up or add features which members have requested. Given this group, which I've been a part of for over 10 years (crazy to even think that), I know that rarely is any sort of moderation needed as while things can get heated at times, everyone has always shown a great detail of respect for the fellow members. Bottom line, I don't want anyone to think that we as admins just do things because we can. We are all here to just lend our helping hand when its needed, that is it. This is an awesome community and one that I'm proud to be a part of.

Plus the 3rd/4th rounds are a very good place historically to grab safeties and QB's which are two need position which rank a bit below the oline, guard and WR position (so if they can address WR via FA, it will really allow JA to go best available a bit more in the middle to latter rounds of the draft). I hope he takes that approach during Rd 1 and 2 as well. If the best available player is a WR take him, if its a RB take it, if its a OT take it. Bottom line unless it is a LB or CB (as they are clearly not needs) I want him going best available (mainly because I think given the strenghts of this draft best available will be a tackle or RB).

I just looked it up and your right on Harris. For some reason I was thinking he was a 7th rounder. Good call on McBride though. Not only was a 7th rounder who looks like he's going to turn into a solid backup (in fact he already was during his rookie season) but he has the ability to be a starting corner and an above average nickel back (which is where I expect him to play this season as I hope Tillman/Vasher are healthy and kicking ass as starters all season).

Lloyd signed a one year contract at the minimum. While I know a lot of us are excited about the signing given the fact that he has some quality tools and had a good season or two at a very young age, we also have to realize it was a one year deal and much more of a tryout than a guy being guaranteed a job. Lloyd would not at all get in the way of Bradley/Hester unless he came into camp and kicked ass and if he did so, than so be it, he would have earned a job based on his performance. The way I see it, you sign Jackson to a 2 or 3 year deal, have Booker, and than plan on having Bradley/Hester as your 3/4 WR's and those guys should be able to get ample reps and hopefully one of them during the season develops into a top 2 WR replacing one of Booker/Jackson. You also have to realize injuries happen so you have another one of those guys capable of stepping up and taking a starting role with an injury to one of the top guys. Than sitting behind you have a 5th in Lloyd who is a veteran capable of coming in and making a play when needed (or given an injury, who can easily slide up and be a servicable #4). Thats what I call depth and it also allows the Bears to ignore the WR position in the draft and given how many needs they have to fill in the draft it would be a good idea to at least try and address some of those needs now so that you can realistically fill the other needs via the draft. Currently, the Bears have needs at WR/OT/OG/RB/QB/S. I could argue the QB spot (as I am comfortable with Orton/Rex) but it is pretty evident the Bears aren't overly comfortable with either of them). There is no freaking way, with 4 first day picks that you can seriously address all those needs for this year. However, if you sign DJ, you've taken WR from that list. If you sign an OG, you may have just pulled OG from the list, and now the Bears just have OT/RB/QB/S which can all be addressed during day 1, knowing that your first two picks go to the biggest needs, OT/RB. You can even make a case to sign the S position and take a guy like Schuening in the 3rd if he is there (this way you get two younger guards). And yes, there are still quality guards out there that the Bears could sign and they should have the cap room to sign a FA guard, a guy like Jackson, and than work an extension with Harris or any other current Bear that JA wants to extend now.

Oh man, I'd throw up if the Bears took Henne with there 2nd round pick. I really think Oline/Guard/RB are the Bears 3 biggest needs entering the draft. In fact, WR is another major need curently (given no FA signing of a legit WR like Jackson). All of those needs are > QB, where the Bears have two young QB's (albeit they aren't rookies thats for sure) who have the ability to be solid starters. I would be very happy with the first round pick and would again be mad about Slayton. Why draft another version of Wolfe, ie, a guy that will never be big enough to be an everydown back (The Bears already have enough backup backs, the last thing they need to do is draft another guy who has absolutely zero chance of being an everydown back).

Personally I think it is all a major crap shoot. I would love Williams because I think he has all the tools to be a franchise left tackle which is something you can't necessarily say about the other guys (although all project to be above average left tackles and most would have the ability to be probowl right tackles). I just hope the Bears can identify the guy they want and end up getting him and he ends up living up to his skill-set and turns into a bookend on our line. I also believe there are a handful of these tackles that grade out very similarly and because of that I see valid reason to wait and move down in the draft targetting two things (RB & OT) knowing that by moving down you should get enough ammo to move your 2nd round pick up a few slots to ensure you get what you want with your 1st and 2nd round pick.

I would have an interest in Kevin Jones, however, I prefer that given the depth of this draft at the RB position, that the Bears use an early pick on an RB and pass on the WR position (using FA and Darrel Jackson to be where they fill the hole at WR, with a developmental pick or two made on the 2nd day). I also have a lot of questions regarding Jones health and given that Benson has injury questions I do not think it is a good idea to have your #1 & #2 backs with health issues (because i do not want to see AP and Wolfe being our #1 & #2 backs again anytime soon). I would also trade Garret Wolfe who I think is worthless and a horrid fit for our system (he wouldn't be worthless if we didn't have AP, but the fact is we do and AP contributes to the Bears in so many ways). I just am not a fan of this years WR class. There are some guys I like, but I think in a typical year you'd have more talent early on in the draft that could be there for the Bears and if you get a guy like Jackson you have enough to go with Bradley/Hester that you could pass on using your WR pick early and therefor focus on the OL/RB/QB position (I would personally also pass on the QB position as well). But I would like to see the Bears 1-3 rnd turn into this...Oline or RB (depending on which OT will be there, if they feel they will have a similar graded one there at 2, wait till 2 and take the RB), take the other spot with the rd 2 pick, go QB or Guard, than take the other pick with your 2nd 3rd round pick. I would love Mendenhall in the 1st (great athlete and talent, may or may not be there at 14). I would have zero problem moving down and grabbing Stewart (who I know is injured, but it is a minor injury in terms of any long-term effects) or Felix Jones (Jones is a bit more raw, but again, I love his ability). As rookies, these are guys that wouldn't necessarily have to start for the Bears but will be able to make significant contributions and push Benson. IF Benson tears it up, great, we have a good problem, and if he doesn't, we already have a guy with a year under there belt to hand the job to as we tell Benson to peace out with Peterson and Wolfe sliding up on the depth charts. Plus, I believe if Benson tears it up and our RB selection looks good, we could always consider dealing Benson for a pretty high draft pick and address other needs. Either way, I Think it just makes way too much sense to draft a RB early as opposed to signing an RB (I would have liked Julius Jones or even Michael Turner (although I'm not a proponent of giving that much money to a back that has never proved himself as a starter...and Turner money will be substantially more than what the Bears end up giving there first round draft pick) but those options are long gone.

I would have loved to get some earlier picks since 7th rounds can be tough, but either way, the more 7th rounders you get the better the odds you get lucky and get a quality starter, backup, or special team player on your roster. Afterall, while I know a lot of people weren't a fan of our old safety we traded to Carolina, but overall, given where we picked him and how quick he started for the Bears, that was a hell of a pickup by Angelo. Plus, there are always those guys that end up really sliding and turning into UFA's for whatever reason and in this case the Bears with 3 late picks can pretty much hand pick which one of those guys they want without having to deal with 30 or so other teams calling and negotiating with the players.

I see where it says that the Niners would be punished by losing draft picks if something happened, but would the Bears receive those draft picks since they were the team that was harmed through the process. They obviously were very close to making a deal and If that was the case I'm sure we are talking about players or pieces (ie draft picks) that the Bears were interested in. Either way I'm happy as hell to have Briggs back and at a very fair price and I look forward to him playing at a pro bowl level and helping the Bears get back to the promised land for the next 6 seasons.

When healthy Jackson has been a sucessful #1 WR in the NFL. He clearly isn't as good as he once was, but he still has something left and would definitely be a solid pickup. In fact, if the Bears aren't planning on drafting a WR early (which typically is the only way to get the type of WR who would start or get significant playing time from the get-go) than it would be wise to get as many quality veteran WR's (Booker is one, Jackson could be the other) who you can surround Bradley/Hester with (since those two guys are the so-called game breakers and future top WR's). It also gives Grossman a few guys who should know how to run crisp routes, make plays, and more importantly get open on 3rd downs which will ease things for Hester/Bradley. Bottom line, having Jackson/Booker/Bradley/Hester is not too bad of a WR core. You have two super fast guys in Bradley/Hester who can make plays and than two pretty dependalbe guys in Booker/Jackson (in fact, IIRC, Jackson has had some drops issues in the past, but he also has been a semi big play guy as well). Financially I couldn't imagine Jackson breaking the bank either and I consider him a good buy given the fact that San Francisco had freaking terrible QB's and thus it is hard for anyone to get decent stats in the passing game there.

Personally I think that any thread which involves a player or position the Bears have as a need, should be in the Bears forum. Basically put, if someone believes something is Bears related and throws it in the Bears forum it should be there. However, I do think we should have an NFL forum, but that such forum should be for completely unrelated things, such as the Vikings signing some random QB or the Patriots doing something. Hell, a perfect example would be the Falcons trading DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders. Bottom line, I think for 99.9% of the time, the posters who make the post should know whether they believe something is Bears related or not. For example, something on Mendenhall and the Lions would be a Bears worthy news considering how many of us on here believe the Bears should consider Mendenhall (therefor, I believe it is Bears worthy, regardless of whether Mendenhall has actually been tied to the Bears). Hell, Fitzgerald was never tied to the Bears, but I know on multiple ocassions I indicated that I would give him the largest contract in NFL history for a WR if there was any way the Bears could have gotten him.