DABEARSDABOMB

If we are going to be positive, I'll point out that entering our superbowl season we had no idea that Berrian would emerge as the WR he was nor did we know that Grossman would have as many dominant performances that he did.

I would trade him in a heartbeat. The problem is the time to trade him was in the off-season when you could have immediately made use of the draft picks you would have received. To make a deal in-season, I would ask for a 1st, a GOOD WR, a 2nd and a 3rd. Thats what I would ask for, but I would require at least a 1st, a good WR (who could come in and start immediately and be counted on down the years) plus at least two other draft picks (not necessarily a 2nd and 3rd though). Say Chad Johnson is truly available, I would deal Hester for Johnson and a pick. Hell, I'd do it straight up just as I'd make a deal straight up for Anquan Boldin. I'm not sure if the other teams would do those deals or what the heck the salary ramifications would be.

Thing about the business world. Lets say I want to get paid more, there is a good chance that I'll go interview elsewhere and leverage the higher offers to get a raise at my current employer. The bottom line is that raises aren't necessarily given to the best performances, sure if you perform well you'll get a raise, but in most instances in the business world there becomes the point where to maximize your raise you have to do other things to gain leverage (ie, interview elsewhere and tell the firm hey, I got other options). In the NFL world, that leverage can be to hold-out (hey, you pay me like crap, I just won't play).

This could work out good. Vikings get punished and the Packers have to deal with this distraction.

It was funny to see that is how they determined things. I'm very curious to see what happens come preseason and whether one guy is going to have to play that much better to get the job (Does Rex have a nod because he's had a history as a starter or does Kyle have a nod up because the Bears have already seen what Rex can do and would like to see what they have in Kyle).

Dissapointed to see this. I can't blame him since his salary is so miniscule compared to his production and he's just one play away from never really earning that one big pay-day. However, he had handled everything so well and the Bears have always had that stance that when you hold-out the organization won't take care of you. I figured Hester would have seen what happened with Urlacher/Briggs/Harris/etc and realized that the Bears have a history of taking care of there own.

Congrats!!!

Fantastic job. Now the Bears have one hard task left and its Hester. The two sides are far apart and my guess is at the very best they'll either do a short extension or agree to re-open things mid-season when Hester has proved hismelf more as a WR.

I'm excited training camp is beginning. We'll get some fluff pieces but at the same time we'll actually get to see the Bears in uniform and practicing and soon enough we'll see some pre-season games.

http://www.talkchicagosports.com/blog/?p=139

I was listening to someone talk on the radio and they indicated that St. Clair is will be a significant upgrade at the guard position. Apparently the Bears are very high on him as a guard and because of that they won't really look around at Brown much (unless they plan on replacing Garza). The one thing that hurts is St. Clair moving to guard means you really don't have a backup tackle (unless you plan on moving St. Clair outside if anyone goes down and bringing in Metcalf which would be horrid).

The Giants clearly didn't need Shockey to win the superbowl so this makes them better in the sense that they don't have to worry about any off the field stuff regarding Shockey trying to jockey a trade. They'll also get draft picks (I'd have to imagine at least a 2nd round pick would be heading the Giants way). The Saints have significantly upgraded there receiving corps (Shockey is a hell of a receiving TE) and when you factor in Colston/Bush/Deuce (he'll be back) along with Drew Brees the offense should be more explosive than ever.

Thats a whole lot of cap room to still have available. I'm assuming Williams signing will take up a solid chunk of that available cap room because I don't think the Urlacher deal will have a significant impact on that. This also means the Bears will have a significant amount to throw towards Hester or anyone else that they are interested in extending (while using this years portion of the cap).

I sure as hell hope he's right. The last time he made the prediction they made it. If the defense is 100% all season, anything is possible (and it would definitely allow the offense to buy time and develop).

They aren't far apart but I think the key is no one near him has signed a deal yet so that has been causing the final hold-up. I think if it gets closer to Wed you'll see the Bears sweeten the deal just a bit and get things done regardless of whether the other teams around the Bears have signed (neither side is far apart so I'd be stunned if there was a holdout).

I think I read where of all of the players Washington has signed since Snyder took over none of them have made the pro-bowl as a RedSkin. I think Portis has made it (traded for) but considering all of the major signings they have had in the Snyder area, that is pretty telling. It also tells you how a good franchise is successful (and its not by getting its best players in FA, its by drafting well and using FA to fill any minor holes or a final piece). However, given the circumstances (losing 2 DE's in one day) I can't knock the Skins. Taylor is an absolute monster (even though he's older) and the only real question is whether he stays healthy and how long he'll stay. Assuming he holds true to his word and is around for 2 seasons this isn't a terrible deal, however, if he demands more money or walks at the end of this year than a 2nd rounder is far too much (especially considering that Taylor isn't the piece to put the Skins over the top, hell, I don't think the Skins make the playoffs with Taylor).

I realize this isn't really new news. However, the fact that the Bears are said to be counting on this guy as the potential #1 is a joke. A, he hasn't proven anything in the NFL. B, The only thing he has proven is that he can't stay on the field. It sounds like Brandon Lloyd has impressed so we have to really hope that he just died in the pit that is Washington and is now rejuvenated and ready to get back to doing what he did early on in his career in San Fran (where people were raving about his upside).

Its outstanding that we can now put this behind us. The next thing on the burner has to be Chris Williams, whom I'm guessing signs within the next 24 hours (definitely by Wednesday). After that I think the Bears will work early in training camp on getting Hester happy and if they do that you can honestly say they accomplished a hell of a lot this off-season with the only major mistake being related to not franchising Bernard Berrian. Thats not to say that this team doesn't have serious question-marks, but overall I was quite pleased with the draft and off-season (aside from Benson being an idiot).

Realistically I think you hope Jones is ready to take a few snaps by the final pre-season game and is back to being able to contribute 10-15 carries by Week 4 of the season. Than by Week 8, maybe he's ready to go as high as 20 carries for the time being.

I would absolutely love to get a premier WR. It would do wonders for the offense. However, I don't think the Bears have the resources to acquire Boldin (you bet your ass that I'd give up a 1st and more to get him and than sign him to a fat extension). However, what was Booker's injury? I didn't realize he was hurt.

I think they will carry 4 backs and one fewer WR. This is because Peterson has incredible value as a special teams player and the Bears just aren't going to give up on Wolfe after one year (on the right roster, Wolfe is a solid pick cause he is very effective as a receiver out of the backfield).

Fantatstic news. I can't be happier about the Bears finally getting someone signed. He's had injury concerns but should be a nice guy to have around to ensure that the Bears are able to ease Forte into his career. He is obviously returning very quickly from an ACL injury so I think our expectations should be to hope he is able to play in one preseason game and can work his way up to being a 10-15 carry a guy for the Bears by about the 3rd week of the season (which is just perfect cause that should help shelter Forte enough to prevent him from hitting some sort of rookie wall by week 12).

Favre would clearly be an upgrade and Bentley and Jones would be tremendous pickups if they could regain health. In terms of Henry he would be a significant upgrade to what is the worse WR corps in the league but I don't think its one the Bears make (given how they've been burned with Tank and Benson over the past two years).

The actual surgery was pretty minor, it was more the fact that it was infected that makes the recovery a bit longer (as he'll be on antibiotics and such). Still, I'd be shocked if he isn't taking the opening day snap against the Bears.

This is fantastic news. Glad to see the Bears didn't have there heads up there collective butts regarding this whole RB issue. Hopefully he passes his physical and will be good to go towards the end of pre-season. Having him here to help take the pressure off of Forte will be huge, plus Jones has shown he can handle a load at the RB spot previously in his career (although he never lived up to his hype coming out of the draft).