DABEARSDABOMB

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.

That is a pretty solid move for the Raiders though. A 2nd round pick, albeit a high one, isn't too much to give up for a player of Hall's magnitude and ability.

Interesting. I hadn't heard much and had continued to hear rumors of Johnson being close to a deal with the Bills. I also remember preliminary talks involving the Bears scheduling a meeting with Johnson if he made it out of Buffalo without a contract but that talk came and went without a meeting. I would be surprised if the Bears signed Johnson, but I would also be quite happy as it would take a bit of pressure off Angelo in the sense that WR wouldn't be as big of a need position come draft day (which I'm fine with because I still don't consider this a super strong WR class, like a lot of others do). Plus, I really believe the WR position is one where you can find a quality WR later on in the draft (small school type of guy).

Welcome aboard, great to have another Bears fan around!!!!

I guess we can count him out as coming to the Bears. Given the lack of action with the Bears and any FA RB, I'm led to believe they will be addressing the position during the draft.

My understanding of the situation is that the Cards want to renegotiate the deal because of the cap rammifications (ie, Fitzgerald counting 32 million against there cap in the next 2 years). Fitzgerald is not too interested in renegotiating though, unless he gets a pretty hefty salary (since there really is no reason to give up that type of money). I know if I were the Bears, I would go absolutely all out for Fitzgerald. I just don't think we have the resources to acquire him, but financially the team could afford him.

Mendenhall has one real weakness. He has never played in a typical pro-offense and because of that you really dont know what type of vision and ability he has when it comes to running in between the tackles. The athletism is definitely there though.

I was wearing pants in 75 degree weather at the Fullerton baseball game today. So we must have just flipped places.

On a sidenote, I know people call Flacco this fast riser, but isn't that similar to what Jay Cutler ended up doing. I know a lot of people had Cutler on the radars, but during the college football season I don't recall anyone having him jumping up the boards as much as he did. Its just he threw an impressive ball and had all the tools despite playing on a relatively poor college FB team (Vandy). Obviously Vandy is superior to Delaware, but from everything I've seen, Flacco has all the tools you'd want out of a QB.

THat I agree on. They clearly don't have any QB who they can develop and count on for the next 10 years. I thought Simms was going to be okay this year, but you are probably right. He had a pretty serious injury and for all I know he'll end up getting cut or not play at all.

They already have Griese, Simms, Gradowski, Garcia. Than again, that hasn't stopped them in the past (since they technially have the rights to Plummer as well) so maybe they will add yet another QB.

I agree with you. I think the Bears are in a spot where they should put the weapons around both QB's and see who wins the job. Whomever wins the job gets a fat extension while the QB drafted gets groomed as a backup who could potentially turn into a starter (you never know with the QB spot since your always one play away from having a new starter). Bottom line, I want to see the Bears rebuild the line, develop WR's (and find as much WR talent as you can, hopefully finding a legit #1 WR cause that can really help a QB), and find a running game. And that is also how I want the first three picks to go (OT/RB/WR in no particular order). I also want them to sign a FA guard and a safety who gets cut (I also have no problem with them drafting a safety in the 4th). Oh and the one position I don't want to see the Bears draft at all is the DE/LB position (with Jamar/Okwo the Bears don't need any more depth there, imo, at least not anytime early) and with Brown/Ogunley/Anderson I am happy at the end spot (plus Bazuin).

I do think Jerry has made one bad move, which was not franchising Bernard Berrian. I also expect them to sign a solid offensive lineman (no one old, although I could live with bringing back Ruben Brown and drafting both a guard and tackle within the 1st 4 rounds) and if he doesn't do that, it will be my 2nd knock. Otherwise I think you are spot on. Inking Harris to an acceptable deal could be next, but I'm really not in a hurry and I'd have no problem franchising him in the off-season and giving him whatever he wants (assuming he proves he can stay healthy). Really if you sign him now with his lingering injury problems it could truly blow up in your face (however, the team may have a lot of cap room so financially it could be smart to use some of that cap room in the CY, which may not get used, to ease the salary cap rammifcations in future years).

I think he's going to have to earn that start. He won't go on the first day and likely won't go till the 5th or 6th round (probably just after Woodson). I think in the right spot a year or two from now you could really see him pan out. Given that I don't mind Rex/Kyle and I feel the Bears have more important current needs than QB (we have a lot of holes to fill if we plan on competing this season, so I think taking a QB during the 1st 2 or even 3 rounds would probably be indicating that the franchise is looking more towards 09 than 08) I would have no problem holding off and taking Brennan (or Johnson from San Diego in the 4th as a couple year project).

I for one will miss Brett. He was the ultimate competitor and a true entertainer on the football field. He was part of the reason why I looked forward twice a season for the Packers/Bears games. I obviously still will look forward to that game more than any other regular season game in the season still, but I must admit it won't be quite the same without having to worry and think about how the team is going to shut down a player like Favre. Brett got the best of us most of his career, but late in his career it was great to finally start getting the best of him.

I don't think any one of those guys is capable of being an average to above average guard in the NFL and I truly hope the Bears plan on signing a FA guard and than draft a tackle (and another offensive lineman later in the draft) in the 1st or 2nd round. If the Bears make the mistake of keeping all of them I have absolutely no doubt that Metcalf would win the job. Beekman isn't very good, at least not right now (unless he's had one hell of an off-season) and Metcalf is superior to oakley, imo.

Brennan reminds me a bit of Drew Brees. I think in the right system, with patience, he could turn into an awesome west coast type of QB. I think he can make quick, accurate throws and make a lot of plays with his feet (not necessarily running for 1st downs, but running around to buy time and make plays).

I believe right now Orton probably is a 55/45 favorite on Rex. However, I think Rex knows the offense better and more importantly can make all the throws. Rex has a quicker release, stronger arm, and is more accurate. The only key is whether Rex is truly comfortable and willing to step up and be more agressive in the pocket (ie, be more willing to take off and truly forget about his leg injury). He showed a buttload of improvement late last season (prior to getting hurt against the Redskins) and I would really like to see him continue with that development. He really has the ability, a great attitude, and man would I love to see him fight through all his adversity and suceed. Kyle on the other hand showed a pretty good ability to take a hit and stick in and make a play. He also showed good accuracy at times and better arm strenght than I expected. He sees the field very well (better than Rex) but at the same time can't make all the throws, but if he can improve on his down field accuracy he could very well be a better QB (in the sense that with his height he can make plays to the strenght of our offense easier than Rex...ie the middle of the field where our TE's and Booker will be).