Marty Booker was sad to be traded from the Chicago Bears - "bummed" the Daily-Herald called it. So was I even though it was a trade that needed to be made and has paid dividends. All that matters is Marty is back. Say what you want about diminishing skills and age having got the best of him. When Marty Booker puts the navy and burnt back on, I'll be expecting the old Marty Booker. Apparently so will he.
Two things I like from a nice article on Da Site.
“When I was traded to Miami, I had to take a backseat to being No. 1, and being that No. 2 guy, that affected me a lot to where I didn’t the opportunities that I would have liked. But to come back and help out the young guys and hopefully be their No. 1 guy, that’s a role I’m comfortable with. It’s a role I’m ready to accept.�
“I just figured it would be a better opportunity for me to come to Chicago and the opportunity presented itself, so I had to jump on it,� Booker said.
#2 jdawg said . . .1st........
I agree completely,he even mentioned his body doesnt have that wear & tear @ his age considering the fins didnt push him much.In chicago in the other hand he will be pushed{pressured 2 be that #1 receiver & I know his up 4 the challenge.I believe Bryant johnson would make us feel more confident about our receiversMarch 7, 2008
#3 Shady McBears Fan said . . .and he has hands the size of garbage can lids.
Sorry, I've had too much wine that's labeled "House". You know it must be good.
March 7, 2008
#4 # 23 =HESTER=JORDAN=SANDBERG=# 23 said . . .Baby steps Jerry, baby steps. Take enough of 'em and you'll eventually move the chains...
March 7, 2008
#5 Polygonhell said . . .I truly believe we will be great if we fix the o-line & get a bonafied RB 2 compete w/benson,Remember we are a run 1st team,so marty,bradley,hester is enough considering we play more 2-tight end sets,im sold!!!bradley & hester stretching the field,booker,dez,greg working the middle,but it will only work if the line holds up & more importantly an above average runnig back 2 compliment bensons bruising style{when ever he feels like it or feels he needs 2 prove sumthing,which he will}garrett change of pace wolfe,also great screen runner,sorry 2 say but our AP will be only used on SP.
March 7, 2008
#6 Paul said . . .I think the free agency moves have/will give us some indicaion of the Bears faith in Hesters ability to transition to fulltime reciever.
Loosing both Moose and Berrian clearly left a void and I think Marty Booker fills a part of that. If the bears don't make any strong free agent moves at WR I think it shows an expectaton that Hester is at least part of the long term solution at wide out.
March 7, 2008
#7 jeff said . . ."Loosing both Moose and Berrian clearly left a void and I think Marty Booker fills a part of that. "
Id take Booker over Moose any day and I think Bradley can fill Berrians void given we use Olsen more. I see big things for Olsen.
Lets not forget Peterson and Wolfe are 2 great receiving backs and have made many big plays after the catch. I have a lot of faith in Benson and think with a good O-line can be dangerous
March 7, 2008
#8 Serious. said . . .polygone, make no mistake about it. the bears intend to use devin hester as a starting wide receiver this year.
March 7, 2008
#9 PolygonHell said . . .RB problem solved: I say if he's around at pick 14, we take him:
Height/Weight: 5'10/235
College Experience: Third-year junior
Combine Results: 4.48 forty, 28 X 225 lbs, 36" vertical, 10.8' broad jump
Comparison: Shaun Alexander
Draft Projection: Top 20
2007 Statistics: 280-1722-6.2-11 Tds, 22-145-6.6-2 TdsPositives: Stewart has remarkable strength and can be a punisher. He has experience on special teams as a kick returner and was extremely productive in that role. Stewart has the body of a power back in its truest form and is a balanced runner. He is a skilled receiver out of the backfield. Stewart is a workout warrior and set several weight room records at Oregon.
Negatives: Stewart can be too shifty. His 2007 touchdown total reflects that he needs to improve his red-zone efficiency. Stewart was actually more productive per touch in that area prior to 2007. He often dealt with minor, nagging injuries in college, but played through them.
Verdict: Among the top three backs in this draft, Stewart is arguably the most prepared to immediately be featured. He doesn't have the long-range upside of McFadden or Mendenhall, but may be the best fit in a power-based running offense. Stewart's work ethic among the draft's elite RBs stands out.
Source: rotoworld.com
Then draft OL in the 2nd. Then WR and OL/QB in the 3rd.
I dont care how much we pay benson, we have the room to pick up another 1st round RB. This is, afterall, the black and blue division, a power running game is critical.
March 7, 2008
#10 jeff said . . .Jeff I ageree.
It's sometimes hard to read the signals that the bears organisation are sending, but I believe that Lovie et al believe that Hester is at least part of the solution at wideout.
I think he's one of the reasons Moose was released, they were probably hoping to keep Berrian, but with Booker replacing the Moose roll, I think WR isn't as scary a situation as some make out.
March 7, 2008
#11 Rancid said . . .the more you hear from berrian, the more you realize he just didn't want to be in the offense anymore. he's a deep threat who had that role taken away by a better deep threat and could not perform the duties of number one (namely catch the ball in traffic)
March 7, 2008
#12 Paul said . . .I'm not even convinced we need to draft a WR in the first 3 rounds. What we have has potential. I might prefer a later round WR abd the first 3 rounds be OT , QB, OG, RB
March 7, 2008
#13 Megan said . . .wed be stupid to draft a RB in the first especially anyone other than Mendenhall. He blew Stewart out at the combine. We can get a solid compliment to Benson in the 2nd or 3rd and get jack Ikegwuonu in the 5th hopefully. hes a STEAL
March 7, 2008
#14 JAB said . . .I like this...This is good. My football senses are tingling-with Booker being back. I also like the refreshing attitude/rejuvination I am reading/hearing in Halas Hall.
March 7, 2008
#15 JAB said . . .We cannot take a RB with the first pick. An OT in the first isn't a guarantee to do well in the NFL, but can you imagine if we wait and miss out on the first 3-4 of these OT on the board (Clady,Otah, Williams). The Bears left side will be so weak Grossman won't be able to even throw the ball. OT first round, RB 2-3rd round and QB/WR third round. Marty Booker is a younger, more talented Moose. Welcome back Marty but you can't be our # 1 receiver. If that's the case and we are depending on Hester to break out we might be in trouble @ receiver. However, if we can get our O-line fixed and have a running game again I don't mind the idea of Hester being a #1.
March 7, 2008
#16 JAB said . . .We cannot take a RB with the first pick. An OT in the first isn't a guarantee to do well in the NFL, but can you imagine if we wait and miss out on the first 3-4 of these OT on the board (Clay,Otah, Williams). The Bears left side will be so weak Grossman won't be able to even throw the ball. OT first round, RB 2-3rd round and QB/WR third round.
March 7, 2008
#17 JAB said . . .We cannot take a RB with the first pick. An OT in the first isn't a guarantee to do well in the NFL, but can you imagine if we wait and miss out on the first 3-4 of these OT on the board (Clay,Otah, Williams). The Bears left side will be so weak Grossman won't be able to even throw the ball. OT first round, RB 2-3rd round and QB/WR third round. Marty Booker is a younger, more talented Moose. Welcome back Marty but you can't be our # 1 receiver. If that's the case and we are depending on Hester to break out we might be in trouble @ receiver. However, if we can get our O-line fixed and have a running game again I don't mind the idea of Hester being a #1.
March 7, 2008
#18 JAB said . . .We cannot take a RB with the first pick. An OT in the first isn't a guarantee to do well in the NFL, but can you imagine if we wait and miss out on the first 3-4 of these OT on the board (Clay,Otah, Williams). The Bears left side will be so weak Grossman won't be able to even throw the ball. OT first round, RB 2-3rd round and QB/WR third round.
March 7, 2008
#19 Kyle said . . .Sorry about the multiple posts. for some reason I was having problems submitting.
March 7, 2008
#20 JAB said . . .Chris Johnson baby. 4.24 forty, he would be a perfect compliment to benson.
or, if he's there in the second, grab Felix Jones.
March 7, 2008
#21 Phil from SATX said . . .I couldn't agree more. Chris Johnson had a great college career as well. Plus he is as fast as they come. Felix Jones would also be great but I doubt he'll last past the early second round.
March 7, 2008
#22 Rancid said . . .I just saw a 3 round mock draft I loved (mostly) - Jeff Otah in the first, Early Doucet (WR-LSU) in the second, Marcus Griffin (S-UT)(yeah!) and Kevin Smith (RB, CF) in the 3rd. (fantasysportsdraft.com)
Not sure whether Doucet and Smith would be the best at their positions still on the board, but I like the order. This is presuming we don't get another solid FA WR. I really like the concept of picking Marcus Griffin as an instant contributor on S - or providing a ready starter waiting in the wings should Mike B go down.
Unless the Bears have like 6 Olineman guys not named Clady or Long who they grade the same, I don't like nor can't see them doing anything but drafting at this position with the first round pick. Yes, drafting a Malcolm Kelly or a Mendenhall with that pick would be sexy and exciting, but here we are on March 7 with only 3/5 of a line. Still fully expect there to be a signing of a free agent, but given that we no longer have the ability to sign the best, we've got to spend that top pick on someone sure to make an immediate impact. Otah, Baker, Williams all seem to be graded similarly (or at least there hasn't been concensus about which order they should go in), so I'm sure that the Bears will be working hard to trade down by as many picks as they can while still remaining sure to get one of the three. Moving down by 6 picks should net you a high 3rd rounder. We could be part of the chain that moves Jerry Jones up to grab McFadden, which we hear he is desperate to do.
March 7, 2008
#23 JAB said . . .Great quote from Haugh:
"True, the Bears could have kept Muhsin Muhammad for about the same money they will pay Booker. But Booker fits better in a locker room where Muhammad practically had strained his rotator cuff throwing Bears quarterbacks under the bus."
Here's the link
March 7, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .I would be OK with that mock draft. Kevin Smith is another RB who had a great college career and is also a big back @ 6-1 ,220 I think.
March 7, 2008
#25 jeff said . . .I'm liking that mock but like Phil said I'm not sold on Doucet and Smith being the best available at their positions at those times. I am a big proponent of drafting best available period but we are so desperate for O-line I cant see us not taking one even if someone like McFadden fell (which wont happen but you know what i mean).
March 7, 2008
#26 jefff said . . .phil, just saw the same mock and i give them credit for being on the ball. so many people think the bears are considering a quarterback early and i dont see it. o line, rb, wr, safety. thats it.
March 7, 2008
#27 JAB said . . .by the way, the suntimes thing on us being interested in justin mccareins...it needs to go away. he sucks.
March 7, 2008
#28 Duff Diggler said . . .Jeff, where did you read that the Bears were interested in mccareins? I hope that's not true. I would even take Brandon Lloyd before I took mccareins.
March 7, 2008
#29 Duff Diggler said . . .alas.... i officially recant my bid for the bears to take Phillips (S Miami) 14ht overall...
...we still need a safety though....
....i say we take Zbikowsky from ND if he's still on the board with our late third/mid forth....
he's blue colar, smart, got a mean streak, still rockin the mo-hawk, got 7 TD returns/+ who knows how many ST tackles(i.e. makes our special teams even better!), from the area (kinda), a good polish boy, and just simply makes sense....
so.... lets recap....
2008 Draft picks are as follows:
1. OT or RB
2. OT or RB
3. OT, WR, or QB
L3. QB, WR, or S
4. WR or S
5, 6, and 7: utility.... maybe throw a DT in there........anyone concur?
March 7, 2008
#30 Duff Diggler said . . .BTW... ran something like a 4.48/4.52 40 the other day....
March 7, 2008
#31 Duff Diggler said . . .BTW... ran something like a 4.48/4.52 40 the other day....
March 7, 2008
#32 Phil from SATX said . . .o god....
the cardinal double post sin!!!!!
forgive me! i am not an idiot, the government computer did it, i promise!!!
March 7, 2008
#33 jeff said . . .Jeff, regarding Rancid's comment - it may be completely nuts but don't you get the feeling that in some small way this site gets to have some impact on shaping the way players are viewed - I swear that Moose had long gotten a pass from most fans (and all media) who felt the guy could do no wrong, and probably surmised it was always Orton's fault and Rex's fault - but around here we've been hammering on the fact that Moose is a bad teammate ever since I've been here, at least. And finally leading (maybe) to Haugh's funny comment.
BTW, I was doing a google search and came across something along these lines - the Swashbuckling post - pretty damn funny - "I've got my eye on you Brad Biggs" - I'm sure you remember. That was before my time - and maybe before everybody's, because it was just you and Noah talking to each other on it.
Speaking of... why does Noah never post?
All rambling self-centered blog talk in the absence of any real Friday morning news...
March 7, 2008
#34 Phil from SATX said . . .noah has like seventy other websites...he just doesnt have time
March 7, 2008
#35 mikebdot said . . .Is that what he does for his job?
March 7, 2008
#36 cjazel said . . .Booker didn't throw any of the QBs he played with in Miami under the bus. That really says something.
March 7, 2008
#37 Phil from SATX said . . .If nothing else, he's got one of the best deep balls I've seen the Bears throw in years! Grossman could learn a thing or 2 haha.
March 7, 2008
#38 mikebdot said . . .Duff, the only thing I'd tweak is your emphasis on RB over WR - and only because I think we have a better shot at getting two immediately contributing players if the order is reversed, and one of the best WRs in the draft is picked with the 2nd rounder. I believe strongly that there will be value in RB in the 3rd round. And since I am convinced that pick 1 has to be Oline, that would eliminate for me taking a Mendenhall or Stewart.
Regarding Mendenhall, Stewart and Felix Jones, how convinced are any of you that any or all of these 3 could be a real franchise back - and I mean with the ability to become a top 10 kind of guy? Interested in your thoughts, those who have had a chance to watch these players. All of these guys are projected to go bottom half - how would you compare them with the last time we had 3 go with very high picks - R. Brown, C. Benson and Caddy Williams (don't really have to compare them with Benson, we know how that would go)
March 7, 2008
#39 Pissed Off said . . .Phil: I like Felix Jones because when I watched him play he reminded me of Brian Westbrook whom I have always liked watching. He's great receiving the ball, great at hitting holes, can return kicks (in case we make Hester tired) and he seems like a good guy. The only thing I don't know about is his blocking ability. I watched maybe 3 or 4 games this season and last season and just don't recall him being used to chip block at all. Hopefully it's a skill he could learn...
March 7, 2008
#40 Phil from SATX said . . .I have no problem with McCareins. I'd rather have Hackett but McCareins will come on the cheap and he's had some productive days. In NY he's been behind Coles and Crotchery so he's hasnt been on the field. I'm just saying for what we'll pay for the guy he'll be pretty low risk.
March 7, 2008
#41 Phil from SATX said . . .What about the concept of having CB being the blocking fullback with a F. Jones behind him? I realize that he's not considered to be any great blocker, but the role of the blocking FB has much less skill involved, more strength, and I believe Ced has strength. Plus it would be great punishment to him for his 2007 transgressions - just get out there and block, Ced, we'll let you carry it every once in a while when Felix gets tired. And when you do carry it, make sure and excel because you're going to have to impress some other teams for next year!
March 7, 2008
#42 jeff said . . .One thing I really liked about the Marty Booker interview is that he believes he's as good as he was when he left, the same guy. Now, as we all now from recent personal experience, all wide receivers overrate themselves, some obscenely. But Marty seems to be the kind of cat who wouldn't, at least not like the typical one. I think if he felt he was slower, he would say something like "I'm getting older, maybe don't have the speed I once had but I'm also smarter, more experienced and can contribute a lot."
He says he intends to be important enough to be considered the #1 receiver. Unlike when the stereotypical receiver says this, I am excited by his words - let's throw him the ball and see what happens. Since I considered Des Clark our #1 receiver last year, who says as possession receiver can't be our de facto #1?
Probably my all time favorite Bear receiver, maybe even including Dennis Gentry, and I'm damn glad to get him back while he still should be long away from washed up. (Of course I too loved Tom Waddle)
March 7, 2008
#43 Pissed Off said . . .po'd...mccareins dropped three major touchdown passes this year. he's the last thing the bers should be interested in
March 7, 2008
#44 Mike (for subscribers only) said . . .Jeff, love the inital comment under the "say something" header. Very tasteful, but I would add...And if you're Mike feel free to hang yourself in an alley you dickhead. And maybe something regarding the impersonating as well...that shit is gettin' old.
Regarding McCareins I'll defer to your better judgement since you live in the area and watch more Jets football than I. He had a couple of good years and he's still young but if you say he sucks well then I'll have to believe you and say he sucks. I watched more of him his last year in Tennessee and he was pretty good then. I wonder what happened?
March 7, 2008
Just say no to Justin McCareins (go NIU). He was terrible with the Jets. Dropped balls, bad routes, etc. We already have enough question marks at wide receiver without adding another one.
And don't go expecting Marty Booker to be a savior. He's slowed down quite a bit the last two years.
Bears WILL be drafting a wide receiver no later than the 3rd round.
March 7, 2008
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