DABEARSDABOMB

Hey Guys/Gals For a while I've been working on creating a Chicago Sports blog, which is related to this site and than a few other message boards (the Sox site I run as well) and I was going to see if anyone here is interested in writing bloggish pieces on Chicago sports teams. I know in the past Bearstalk used to have a front page and this blog will at least kind of be able to act in a similar sense (as there will be a section dedicated to stories/write-ups on the Bears). The plan is to launch on draft weekend (I know I'm going to be trying to do some write-ups on the Bears draft picks). I know a couple people on here had contributed to Bearstalk's front page in the past so I was going to throw that offer out to all of those people and anyone else with some interest in doing a little writing.

I think right now the setting calls for only like 10 or 15 threads on each page (ie, when you go into the Bears forum, you only see 10 or 15 threads), but would people prefer a few more threads when you go to the forum as the default? The activity has been booming and with that it has forced some threads off of page 1 pretty quickly so I'm thinking if we can keep a few more on page 1 it will keep discussion going in more threads. Anyway, just give me a yeah or nay on the idea.

If the GM and coaches win out in the draft room, Glenn Dorsey will be the #3 pick in the draft. The Falcons will get a game changing defensive tackle who really has the upside of a guy like Tommie Harris (and we all know the impact a healthy Tommie Harris has on the game). However, the xfactor in this is the Falcons owner who could opt to go with the sexier choice in Matt Ryan. Ryan is a great guy with good QB skills (not really worthy of being a #3 pick, but you could do far worse). More importantly he would help the Falcons get away fro Michael Vick and would be a great person to begin the rebiulding process of the Falcons (especially from a PR state). Basically put, Ryan is the anti-vick.

Wow, I know this is less money, but at the same time QB's drafted #1 tend to get more money than the typical #1 pick. The money being paid to these top picks is just ridiculous and I truly believe the NFL needs to do something where there is a slot system in place (maybe cut the guaranteed money but also cut the lenght of the deals so the players drafted can hit FA a bit sooner???). I know the veterans would be fans of this because if less money goes to the unproven draft picks it means there is more money to get thrown around to in-house players, veterans, and UFA's. Basically put the money will stick get spent but instead of so much of it going to the younger players (now a days the top picks in the draft are immediately becoming the highest paid guys at there position or close to it) it will now go to the guys in there prime who have proven themselves. Bottom line the great players get paid regardless, the good to average players get paid more, and teams are less likely to be in absolute cap hell by ruining there entire franchise based on the fate of a couple high draft picks (this will also bring even more parody to the game and put an even bigger emphasis on scouting, imo).

Despite myself thinking they go for the workout warrior, I can't really disagree with this pick. Long has proven himself and looks to be a lower risk guy, who still has all the tools to be a 12-16 sack a season difference maker.

Brian Brohm is a big reach @ 14. If the Bears move down into the 20's, okay, I can maybe see it, but again, why not go Felix Jones which is a bigger need or a tackle or best WR on the board (all would be better picks than Brohm, imo, who really isn't head and shoulders above Henne/Flacco). I will say this, you can make a case for Brohm being extreme value in the 2nd given the fact that a year ago, had he entered, there is a good shot he goes top 10, if not top 5. Oh and when you tell me Ryan wasn't that good, I say look at what Ryan had to work with, far less than Brohm (who played in a much more offensive friendly system) and look at the teams Ryan went up against (he played some pretty solid teams while running a pro offense and doing a damn good job of it despite not having that much talent on his own squad).

I don't mind the draft, definitely like the first 2 rounds of it, plus Zbikowski and one of Dixon/Brennan (I think Dixon went too early, but again, I like him and his upside). The only real question-mark I have is why go 2 QB's. Are the Bears realistically going to have 4 QB's on the active roster (because there is no way they could protect one of Brennan/Dixon on the practice squad; unless the plan would be to IR Dixon for the entire season, which wouldn't be a bad idea, and at that point a year from now either Kyle/Rex has proven themselves and the other is sent away with the two young guys competing for the back up spot; if both stink, you now have two young guys who can compete and push each other and one vet whom you could keep around as the crafty backup).

I enjoyed Ditka just because he's pretty funny and absolutely loves the city of Chicago and the Bears. However, I have always been a fan of Kramer. The guy is one of the best QB's in franchise history (and yes, that alone says something about the history of QBs in Chicago) and had a couple fun seasons in Chicago.

I was thinking Johnson would end up going for a 2nd rounder, so I was clearly off (and yes I would give up a 2nd rounder in a heartbeat to get Johnson on the Bears). In fact, I'd consider giving up a 2nd this year and a future 2nd as well. Johnson would make the WR core a strenght instead of a weakness (albiet, there is some potential in our WR core, but way too unproven too be considered anything but a weakness). The key issue of course is the Bears have Hester/Harris/Urlacher situations to resolve (and they have the cap room to resolve all of these situations as well as the Gould one). It is just a matter of the risk involved relating to the Harris/Urlacher situations (ie, both have some injury questions) and than unique situation of Hester (he is incredibly talented, but he wants to be paid like a top WR and he's never proven a damn thing at such position).

Reports are that the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles have all made offers for Chad Johnson's services with the Redskins making a significant offer. The Redskins offer included the 21st overall pick in this years draft and a 3rd round pick in next years draft (which if Johnson hit certain performance clauses in the trade offer, the 3rd round pick would escalate to there 1st round pick). The Bengals are continuing to say they will not trade Johnson and giving the out of conference offer that was proposed by the Skins, I'd start buying into the fact that while Johnson may consider himself on the market, the Bengals certainly don't and they seem willing to play some hardball (even if it means Chad sits out).

I think the Rams go with Gholston. However, if they take Long the Falcons and Raiders will be very happy because it means the Falcons get Dorsey and the Raiders get the guy they like the most in Gholston (and yes I'm sure I spelled that wrong). The Raiders love measurables and it doesn't get much more measurable than the DE from OSU.

If they took a QB in RD 1, it better be Matt Ryan. Other than that I don't want a QB in the first. Brohm is below Henne/Flacco on many teams boards and I definately don't feel he's worthy of going 14 (I could live with him in the 2nd round, although personally I'm not a big Brohm guy). Also, I want to point out that the Bears QB situation is better than the RB situation. Peterson is not an average back, nor is Benson (Benson could become average or above average, but he's yet to ever do that at the NFL level as an everyday player).

As someone that is negatively biased against Colt Brennan based on my own interactions with him in my life, I still would be a fan of picking him up late in the 2nd day (there is something to be said about guys who have accurate arms and the knack for making plays).

I think if things work out, Bears draft RB in RD 1 (possibly even moving down) and than get enough ammo to move up and take Cherisus (I am sure I botched the spelling of that) of BC or Baker of USC.

McNown is my favorite college player ever. I was so excited when he was coming to the Bears. Boy, talk about a let down.

There is a lot of talk the Rams may go with Gholston or Dorsey as opposed to Long. If that happens Long will be a Raider (playing with the same team his dad played on). Falcons want Dorsey badly at #3 so if Dorsey goes 2 it could make things interesting as it could make the Falcons a player for Matt Ryan, which means one of KC/Bmore (the teams who I believe will take Ryan assuming Dorsey is on the board for the Falcons) would be taking a position player of some sort (which could have a negative impact on what is available for the Bears).

Allen left Minnesota without an offer. If he were to sign an offer sheet, the Chiefs would have the right to match, otherwise the Vikings would be on the hook for two first round selections.

To me I'm less concerned with his speed and more concerned with his Knees and questionable comments. I think his play on the field showed he was able to generate seperation and make plays, so its just a matter of him not getting into trouble or saying stupid things and staying healthy, imo. In fact, this is the type of guy who could realistically fall all the way to the Bears 2nd round pick.

I could see someone feeling that way because Mendenhall will probably be available when the Broncos pick or at least there is a good shot he will be. If he isn't there, than it likely means the Bronco's will have there pick of one of the top tackles on the board (which is another need position for them). The same scenario could very well play out for Chicago. However, the one reason I couldn't call this one of the worse trades ever is because Mendenhall would give the Bronco's there most talented RB since Clinton Portis and I'd be pretty surprised if Mendenhall (barring injury) doesn't have at least a solid career and he obviously has the upside/potential to have a tremendous career and therefor assuming you get production out of the guy it would really be hard pressed to consider the move that bad of one (aside from my belief that Mendenhall would be available at the Broncos pick). I also see the logic to building the offense and than going DT later on (or maybe even trying to move up later in the draft, dangling your own 2nd and Travis Henry or another pick) to take a guy like Balmer from NC late in the 1st if he's there). Giving Jay Cutler an impact back to work with could really make that entire offense pretty dynamic (and Jay has shown plenty of flashes as to why he was drafted when he was).

Damn it, I was ready to redeem myself for my slow response the first go round, didn't realize Houston didn't have a 2nd rounder this year.

How is David Carr a bigger bust than Cade McNown? I saw no mention of McNown and while Carr never ended up panning out he did have a few quality seasons in Houston despite playing behind a horrid line and being on a generally bad team. That said I understand Carr was the #1 draft pick so with that comes higher expectations than a guy like McNown (who I think we drafted at 12).

I will definately be in and out all day. I can get the link added and will have everything up before draft day so people can check it out and give it a test run.

I honestly have no problem dealing Urlacher. I think its smart business to trade guys when they are exiting there prime, especially when they still have tremendous trade value and Brian has exactly that. However, the one flaw with your idea I have is the money that will go to all of those picks is probably greater than what it would cost to sign guys (this may seem like a ridiculous concept, but the amount of guaranteed money top 10 picks get is just crazy). Oh and the other flaw is we are getting rid of guys who gripe about there contract but will than draft guys that end up holding out for at least some part of training camp (or at least there is a very good chance of that, especially as you move into the top 10 picks in the draft; although Angelo clearly has a good history of getting guys signed).

This would be a tremendous draft in my book. Williams is a nice looking tackle, Brohm would be good value at a long term need position, Smith is a workhorse type back (I have concerns over his longevity given how many carries he's already had in his college career), and Simpson is an absolute workout warrior (lots of raw tools) who again fills a need (Simpson is tall, with good speed, just a bit raw).

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.