DABEARSDABOMB

I'm predicting that the Steelers and Bears swap 1st rounders.

The reality is this team has too many needs to be moving up in the draft. In fact, I honestly would have zero problem moving all the way down to 27 (as I still feel you can get a starting caliber LT at that point or at least an RT like Cher..whatever from BC). Moving all the way down to 27 should also give the Bears additional picks on the first day which means we can draft WR/RB/QB/LT/G/S (all practically in the first three rounds, which means you have a better shot at getting quality guys at all of those positions, although you may miss out on the so called star but there is no guarantee of getting a star at 14 anyway). In fact, I have no idea what the value board is at, but if someone wanted to move up to 14 from the late 20's, I'd do it for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (or 1st, 2nd, and next years 2nd).

Benson is more North to South. In fact I think the two backs would compliment each other incredibly well. Mendenhall isn't pure speed though as he is very elusive and has much better "make guys miss" ability than Ced. Of course if Ced was healthy I wouldn't even think about picking a back, but I just don't think we can possibly consider Ced healthy (its too bad because I still think he has a world of ability (now that was pre-injury, who knows what form he is in now), despite his shitty attitude).

I think Mendenhall is a less explosive, stronger version of Reggie Bush. IN fact, if I were going to compare him to someone it would be Ladanian Tomilson. I really love Mendenhall's all around athletism, strength and vision. He also has good hands for a WR and game-changing speed. Bottom line he has the ability to be a workhorse back who can also take it to the house on any one play. I absolutely love this guy's upside. The only question is how good he will adjust to running between the tackles and just running in a pro offense (since he is coming from a more option ran offense).

I really like Thomas, but he's just skyrocketing up draft boards. I know people will say how guys that skyrocket up draft boards tend to be busts, but do I have to remind people of Brian Urlacher (he was a workout warrior that just skyed up draft boards despite serious questions relating to the fact that he had never played LB). Thomas has good hands, athletism and is just very talented in what I don't consider that good of a WR class. However, the reason I'd be semi upset with this pick is that while I think WR is a freaking major need (in fact, I think you could make a case that it is a bigger need than many think, but that depends on how highly you think of Bradley/Hester) when compared with OLT/RB (I do actually have it graded just a tad below RB, but I have Mendenhall graded much higher than Thomas).

Got both of your guys (Flea/Prophet)

Deadline is when the draft starts. So as long as the email comes in before the start of the draft, you are good.

So far: MadLith Nfo I'll shoot out an email through the board later on today which will hopefully get out to the loyal members (since I know this wasn't set up until last minute). I look forward to beating everyone and not finishing like a fool. On a sidenote, I will not open up anyone's excel spreadsheets until I have completed my own (I figure thats only fair).

TieBreaker: In the case of a tie, I will give the win to the person who had the most actual 1st round picks (ie, the total number of players in there mock that actually went in rd 1). 2nd TieBreaker: If there is still a tie, I will go by the person who had the most consecutive picks in a row correct.

It is a little late, but in honor of ITC3, I'll take over running the draft contest this year. Please submit a first round mock draft to me via email (preferably in excel) to Bullsback@gmail.com . Please list from the #1 pick in the round to the last pick in the first round (you don't need to put the team name down as I will solely be looking at where a player is picked, not by whom they are picked). The person who has the most correct picks (regardless of trades, I will just go down the list and if the guy is picked at the number you said you will get one point) wins. I have no idea what the tie-breaker would be, but maybe someone can come up with something. The prize will be a $50 gift certificate to NFL Shops or Amazon or something like that (basically whatever the person's choosing). Note: It will probably take me an extended period of time to actually score this (been working 11-12 hour days all week and have the same thing in store for me next week).

The trade of Allen means the Chiefs target 3 positions at 5 (QB/OT/DE). The sleeper could be Matt Ryan as the Chiefs clearly are not big believers in Croyle. However, the Chiefs have an even bigger need on the oline and the dline (and the oline is what you have to have before you can truly develop/evaluate offensive players such as Croyle). The key is there is a stud DE on the board who wouldn't be a reach at 5 and therefor I think after thinking heavily over Albert (who has just shot up all the draft boards) the Chiefs realize that the quality of lineman available at 17 (Minnesota's pick which is now the Chiefs) will be similar to what Albert grades out at while the defensive ends available at 17 will have a lot less upside as Gholston.

That is a lot to give up for a guy who may stay in trouble. That said if he gets his head on that turns into a steal, imo. Still, can't blame the Titans for just washing there hands of PacMan.

The Bears must like him more than we thought. I didn't mind him two years ago but last year I never noticed him. Maybe it didn't have anything to do with him, but regardless, if you are on the field as much as he was last season I expect to see more contributions.

10 special players. I think that means he either moves up or since he isn't going to get one of those guys opts to move down in the draft because he has a lot of guys graded in a similar spot (ie, maybe he has the Tackles graded all so closely that it would pay off to move down).

If we don't go with an oline man I will be more than happy with Mendy in the first round with the hopes of grabbing the best tackle on the board in the 2nd round. I'd also be happy moving down 7-10 spots and picking up an extra 3rd or 2nd round pick in the draft (as it will allow the Bears to still consider a back like Felix Jones or they can opt for a tackle like Cherilius) and they will have ammo to take a RB/QB/WR very early on as well.

NFL moves it back to make it more "prime-time" for the first day. Ie, Saturdays portion will carry into the evening.

You don't like a thread, either state your case by making a football argument or move on. No need to make these type of comments.

I would make the move if the Bengals included a 2nd round pick in addition to Johnson. I have zero problem moving Urlacher, in fact, if Dallas or any other team with 2 1st rounders offered them up for Urlacher I would bite on it right now (Because I believe the Bears have a lot of needs which could be filled, Briggs could slide into the middle and we could use Jamar on the outside with Hunter; yes it is a bit of a downgrade but if it enables the Bears to upgrade all over the rest of the field...ie, oline, rb, WR could all be addressed early with potential impact guys, plus even the safety position).

Brohm will go to the Falcons in the 2nd round. I really don't see him jumping off the board before that. He's just not as good as a couple of the other QB's out there, imo.

I have updated things to add a few more topics to the forums before moving onto page 2. Also, in case people aren't aware the yellow downward pointing arrow is something that identifies that there have been new posts since your last visit and if you click that arrow it will take you to the first new post which occurred since you were last at the site (its pretty helpful cause it means you don't have to scroll and try to randomly figure out where you left off a thread last).

If Alexander got healthy he could still have another year or two left (obviously he can't be given the ball 30plus times like he did in his prime, but still there could be value there. The problem is he's the type of back that needs good blocking to succeed and Chicago really doesn't have that. I'd rather have Alexander as a backup plan/guy to push Benson than Peterson (who I know isn't a legit starter).

I assume a 1st and 2nd rounder?

Ya, it won't effect your settings. I assume though that most posters don't go in and customize there board settings though (although it is an option for those of you not aware of it).

The goal is for Saturday. As people contribute on a regular basis I can create a user access for them where they can actually go in and post the articles (but Mario Scalise, who has ran a few magazines and was the founder of SoxNet, will be the person running the day to day stuff with the Front page along with Alex Ernst (Soxtalk.com). I think there should be some cool stories on the site throughout the year.

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.