Note: I'm on vacation until Thursday so Noah and the Reverend will be here should anything newsworthy take place.
I. Sign Torry Holt
Did you think I was going to leave this off the list? I pushed for Jay Cutler and it happened so I'm taking full credit for that. Now I'm pushing for Holt, a player I believe has a pair of great seasons still in the tank. Using the Ambassadors of Former Ramdom (Orlando, Lovie), Jerry should make this acquisition to take the pressure off his second round draft selection.
II. Sign Gus Frerotte
Frerotte belongs in the category of quarterback where Brad Johnson has lived for a decade: serviceable. Big Gus could come onto the Bears and provide a back-up option that is ready to go into football games and - quite possibly - win them. Caleb Hanie might one day be professional football player but that day is not here yet.
III. Move Nathan Vasher to Free Safety
I'm not a football coach and don't pretend to understand the overwhelming complexities of defensive coordination. I do know facts. Fact: Vasher was good. Fact: Vasher stinks now. But his stinking seems to have been relegated to covering wide receivers and tackling in the open-field on the outside. Moving The Interceptor to the free safety spot will mean he's covering tight ends over the middle and playing a lot of centerfield - which should allow his ball hawk skills to flourish.
IV. Move Lance Briggs to Middle Linebacker
If the Chicago Bears want to develop a pass rush using the players currently on the roster, they should utilize their best weapon: Brian Urlacher's speed. That means moving Lance Briggs to middle linebacker and allowing Urlacher to attack quarterbacks on the outside. The days of #54 making player from sideline-to-sideline seem to be behind him. Where he got by on raw ability he now must succeed by being put in the right place at the right time.
V. Have a Conversation With Orlando Pace
Signing Orlando Pace was a pivotal move for this club and I understand they had to promise him left tackle in order to do so. But Pace needs to prove himself in training camp or Lovie/Ron need to be prepared to go with the younger, upside-laden Chris Williams at the position. The left tackle is no longer important in the "he's always important" kinda way. The left tackle of the Chicago Bears is protecting the blindside of the franchise quarterback.
I'll say that again. The left tackle of the Chicago Bears is protecting the blindside of the franchise quarterback.
#2 Z said . . .First.
I just woke up hungover as hell and the first thing that crossed my mind was JC. Then I smiled.
Happy Easter!
April 12, 2009
#3 zisk said . . .Re-post. Chi-town sports shout out.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/columns/story?columnist=jackson_scoop&id=4054014April 12, 2009
#4 zisk said . . .Anyone who hasn't read this yet needs to. Its completely awesome.
April 12, 2009
#5 zisk said . . .He didn't mention that 3 of the biggest rivalries in all of sports are bears/packers cubs/cardinals and cubs/white sox. No other city gets the anger going like we do.
April 12, 2009
#6 Joliet Jackhole said . . .I like all of your points except bringing in gus. The steelers are trying to resign leftwich for the veteran minimum to compete with charlie batch to be roethlisberger's backup. I think he's better than the starter on 9 of the teams. Including the lions and queens of course. Give him a million and we will never have looked better at QB.
April 12, 2009
#7 Z said . . .Leftwich went to Tampa Bay today. I think Frerotte woul be alright in a backup role. I kinda would like to see them work Basanez's ass off in preseason and find out what that guy's made of.
April 12, 2009
#8 zisk said . . .Sounds good to me Jeff. Everyone should have to prove themselves every year. If a move gives us the best chance to win, the coach needs to have the testicular fortitude to make it happen.
In other news this week:
Free-agent quarterback Byron Leftwich has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers also were interested in Leftwich, who joins a depth chart in Tampa that includes Luke McCown, Josh Johnson, and Brian Griese. (Better than going to Det or Minn)
Jeff Garcia signed a one year contract with the Oakland Raiders. (Out of the NFC)
The Baltimore Ravens have re-signed cornerback Samari Rolle to a four-year contract.
The Kansas City Chiefs and seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas have agreed to a contract.
Thomas, 36, started 14 of 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 during his 13th NFL season, recording 94 tackles, 65 of which came solo.
The Texans signed linebacker Cato June.
The Rams signed linebacker Kyle Boller.
April 12, 2009
#9 Z said . . .I just saw that on espn. So who's the best free agent QB left, grossman???
April 12, 2009
#10 Z said . . .Yes Boller is now at LB after adding 60 pounds of muscle in the offseason completely naturally.
*he is at QB
April 12, 2009
#11 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Qb's left. Not for the those with sensitive stomachs.
April 12, 2009
#12 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .Screw Gus Frerotte, no way do i ever want him in Bears blue.
and i dont know if i agree with moving Urlacher to OLB, he came in the league originally as OLB, and struggled mightily the first few games, and that is why he was moved to MLB
but i am high on using Vasher in any capacity deemed productive, besides the no longer playing for the bears capacity.
April 12, 2009
#13 The Ghost of Halas said . . .I like the Vasher to Free Safety idea and love IV and V. Urlacher's side-to-side speed has to have taken a hit from the back and neck issues...not so much the flat-out sprint.
I also hope the the talk about Percy Harvin and his wacky tobacky "problem" heats up to the point where he drops into the second round. If he gets close enough, the Bears would have to trade up in the round and grab him; I don't think he's a character problem, but lots of GMs are spooked by Goodell now.
April 12, 2009
#14 jdawg said . . .I like a lot of these, Jeff. But I honestly think none of them are going to happen.
...But I also thought the Bears would never sign Jay Cutler.
Jeff-1
The Ghost of Halas-0April 12, 2009
#15 Duff Diggler said . . .is Vasher big and physical enough to play FS? Also, tackling is not one of his strengths. Do we really want a FS who's a so-so tackler?
April 12, 2009
#16 Shady said . . .Cutler is durable. I think were ok at QB. I wouldn't mind seeing them draft Pat White though...
....imagine a wild cat with him and Hester
...and the best FA (kinda) QB out there kills puppies....
April 13, 2009
#17 Murph said . . .Jeff, not really on board with anything after your 1st move.
II. Gus? REALLY? I'd rather sign Grossman. I can't believe I just said that.
III. JDawg shared my thoughts exactly - Why move a guy who can't tackle to your last line of defense? I thought Peanut would be the guy to move to safety, if we moved any corner at all.
I believe a lot of Vash's struggles last year were because the line didn't create any pressure on the QB. Vasher became the interceptor in '06 when our dominant D-Line forced opposing QBs into making bad throws into coverage, but the way things went last year almost ANY WR can get open with the kind of time we were giving up. An improved pass rush should help out our secondary in a big way.
IV. Lance doesn't have the same cover skills as Urlacher. The MLB needs to be able to drop back into coverage on a TE and Brian is far more accomplished in coverage than Briggs.
V. Pace is a future Hall of Famer. If he's healthy, he starts at left tackle. Chris Williams can't carry Pace's jock at this point in his career. The Bears have already had this conversation in negotiations before they signed Pace and agreed to start him at LT because the Ravens wanted him at RT.
April 13, 2009
#18 jdawg said . . .I say sign Grossman too. No pressure to try to be number one, no pissing match with Orton....he knows the offense and he did QB us to a super bowl. All uspside and no down side, especially if he can win the fans over again.
April 13, 2009
#19 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Grossman is gone.
Pace is your LT
Vasher will battle Graham for CB
Briggs can't cover. You don't move a tackling machine away from the position the defense is designed to funnel the would-be-tackle-ee to.
Frarawt -- ho hum. although he did look all-pro against our D.
We are officially in the post Cutler trade dogs days.
My only hope is that the Bulls pull an upset in the first round of the playoffs so I can see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ3y5hTHuP4
if there is a god in heaven!
April 13, 2009
#20 Z said . . .I dont think Grossman can ever "win" the fans over at this point. but he definitely would have more going for him than frerotte. Gus is useless.
Shady - i completely concur with Vasher's trouble coming from our lack of pressure situation with the front four. if we run the Tampa 2, pressure HAS to start up front.
and Lance is a pro bowl OLB, and Urlacher should have been a pro bowl MLB, just because of who he is.
April 13, 2009
#21 Idonije said . . .Well hopefully he will never have to play so it would be fine.
April 13, 2009
#22 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .Jared Allen is making me hate him more than I have ever hated another football player. Here was his quote about Cutler;
"Twice a year, I'm going to peel the back of his head off the turf. I love the guy, but business is business."
April 13, 2009
#23 Z said . . .DO NOT look at the list of free agent QBs left.
(The effect is similar to looking at the uncovered Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones.)
April 13, 2009
#24 BearDown11 said . . .That would be funny if it wasn't so tragically accurate (still funny)
April 13, 2009
#25 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .Jared Allen is a cousin fucker hillbilly. Gotta love how the league changes rules when Golden Boy Brady gets his knee rolled up yet Matt Schaub goes down twice in the same game (courtesy of Allen) on a late hit nonetheless and noboby says a word. Once again, this media love affair w/ the Qeens has got to stop.
As for ferrotte in Chicago.......are you kidding? Keep that fool as far away from us as possible. I cant stomach NFC North castoffs on our roster. I hate to admit this but bringing back Rex seems logical. He knows the system and we can get him cheap. He's a standup guy (despite his flaws on the field) and wouldnt pitch a fit on the sidelines.
One more thing....Happy Easter and f*ck Minnesota!
April 13, 2009
#26 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .I have my tickets to the Broncos-Bears game...sure, they suck (although the price did not), but wearing a Cutler jersey with Papa Bear on the shoulder in the midst of the chardonnay-swilling Broncos fans is going to more than make up for the view.
I will be bringing a case of Old Style and my little brother to the game.
April 13, 2009
#27 Fresno,CA BEAR FAN said . . .The only reason the media rolls over for the Viqueens is that the NFL desperately wants a team with a following back in LA to soak up what's left in the studio exec wallets after another Monday morning trip to the pole bar.
If the queens ain't popular, LA will ignore them.April 13, 2009
#28 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .MIKEBROWN-have fun and chug an OLDSTYLE for the rest of us
April 13, 2009
#29 Duff Diggler said . . .so, will our division then consist of the L.A. Vikings?
April 13, 2009
#30 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .no, the rams and queens would trade divisions...
April 13, 2009
#31 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .Either way, two Bears wins a season for the foreseeable future.
April 13, 2009
#32 zisk said . . .Uhm, I meant "two guaranteed" last post.
April 13, 2009
#33 BDG said . . .Facing the rams and lions twice a year. If we split the rest of the games it would be still be playoffs every year.
April 13, 2009
#34 BRH said . . .Did anybody else watch the game that the guy I said I hoped I would never have to write about on here play in for us last year? Even though he does know the offense he has been terrible. I can't watch another snap from U know behind center for us again. I'm starting to think with the signing of Leftwich in T.B. it's very possible that Griese will be our back up QB again. I'm not saying I like that either but I'm sure he will get cut and I'm sure they are looking for a veteran and since he does know the offense if the shoe fits? I just think they know that Sexy needs a new home.
I would rather see Vasher play the nickel pos. than FS. I think he would be an upgrade over Manning in coverage.
I agree with everyone that Briggs would be a liability in coverage. I think we could get better pressure from all of our LB's if we just mixed up our blitzes a bit instead of starting them from a standstill at the line and then sending them. I'm sure we will have some different looks this year.
I love the idea of Pace at LT for a year or two. Best case scenario would be if they could slide Williams over there in some blow outs or on certain packages still. Jonathen Ogden and Walter Jones both started on the right side for a couple years I believe. It makes perfect sense to me. takes a lot of pressure of Williams to face some of the Elite pass rushers. My only real concern is if he is powerful enough to get a strong push in the run game that you look for in your prototypical RT
April 13, 2009
#35 BearsTransplant said . . .No offense, but I think 4/5 of your suggestions are absolutely terrible ideas.
#1: Totally agree. Holt would be a great addition.
#2: Total waste of money and a roster space. Frerotte brings nothing to the table. Just out of curiosity, how do you know for a fact that Hanie isn't ready to be a serviceable backup QB? I'm not saying he is, but I'm curious how you know he isn't. Have you seen something of him since last preseason?
#3: This is just an absolutely awful idea. Vasher is way too small to play safety. He'd get killed and his bad open field tackling would be even more of an issue.
#4: Not as bad as #3, but still not a good idea. Briggs doesn't have the range and speed to take away those middle zones like Urlacher does (when he doesn't have a moron DC making fake the blitz first on every play). With a regular offseason to work out and some decent play calling, Urlacher will be just fine where he is.
#5: It's pretty well documented that Pace's run blocking has dropped off, but his pass protection is as good as ever. So why wouldn't you want one of this generations best pass protecting tackles protecting your QB's blindside?April 13, 2009
#36 Albert in Tucson said . . .1. Sure
2. Why not
3. Never in a million years. Safeties have to tackle in the cover-2, no matter if they're the FS or SS. Terrible, terrible idea. We've already moved Corey Graham to safety... we do need corners, you know.
4. Briggs is undersized. You can't match him up with guards in the running game; that's the job of a big freak like Urlacher. Urlacher doesn't always make the tackle anymore, but he can take on a block much better than Briggs.
5. "Earn" his spot? Future hall of famer? Top 3 tackle of his generation? Member of a Superbowl winning offense? Pace is probably one of the best pass-blockers of the decade... maybe 2. what do you intend? Make him do 1-on-1 drills w/defenders to make him "prove" himself? Pace can pass-block. Period. We won't be running off-tackle-left very often, but w/Omiyale providing more size (vs. Beekman), I dont' think it will matter much. The thing is we have to protect our investment in Cuter, now that we've mortgaged the future. I don't want to take a chance on a 2nd-year player at LT who's almost a rookie, that really hasn't shown anything yet. We would all be screaming for Angelo's head if Williams let someone get by him and injured Cutler early on.April 13, 2009
#37 Duff Diggler said . . .I am all for the new rule to protect the QBs and SPARE ME the "put a skirt on them" crapola. The NFL doesn' work without good QBs. Bear fans know that ALL TOO WELL. That 2nd or 3rd Super Bowl from the ;85 gang never materialized because they couldn't keep McMahon on the field enough. Lying on the ground and lunging or rolling into a QB's knees ankles is DIRTY. Period. If you think it's not then let's legalize chop blocks because the result is the same: Careers jeopardized by cheap hits. To all the former DTs out there, like Mike Golic, who are decrying the rule I say, goon defensive players are a dime a dozen. Good QBs are ALWAYS (and I've been watching the NFL for 45 years) I repeat ALWAYS at a premium. Shake a tree and 20 Mike Golics will fall out but only 1 Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Either learn how to stop getting knocked on your ass so you can make a clean tackle or learn to play QB.
April 13, 2009
#38 Duff Diggler said . . .Speaking of Greise, weren't we supposed to get some pick if he made their team or sumthin???
Also, I think Tampa might have a couple D players for sale. Not sure who we'd want, or need, but since they're switching from tampa 2 to 4-3, shouldn't we at least investigate???
April 13, 2009
#39 Urlacher FTW said . . .oh yeah.....
1. Hell yeah
2-5. Pass the dutchie to the left hand sideApril 13, 2009
#40 Phantom One said . . .Hmm, signing Holt would be cool, if we would be willing to come here. Only issue I can see is that he is being a bit primadonna in wanting to be guaranteed to start and worrying about the type of surface he'd be playing on. We have one of the worst fields in the NFL every year and a supposed competition at every spot right? Doesn't seem like a great fit but who knows after they got the Cutler deal done, anything is possible. I would prefer Matt Jones; yah he has some issues but, he's huge, strong , fast, young and has amazing hands. He is starting to look like a choir boy next to Plax and 1/3 of the Bills roster, maybe it's the east coast.
2-5; what are you.. on dope?
Frerotte.. why? You pass on vets Garcia, Leftwich, Losman, and Grossman but.. Gus Frerotte, he's the guy? No I would just as soon see Hanie or Basanez in there for a couple weeks as Gus.
Bowman has far more of the intangibles to move to a cover-2 safety which is why they moved him. If anything Vasher may get more chances to return punts if Hester can't remove his head from his ass and at least scare people into punting it directly out of bounds again; man I miss that shit.
Slightly less ridiculous than how clueless Vasher would be at FS would be moving a great OLB inside and exploiting his few weaknesses. If you think Urlacher is done in the middle then you need to bring in a great young athlete to fill there, move Brian to the other OLB and leave Briggs alone.
Pace to RT to make room for Williams... that'd be a bit like signing Barry Sanders at the end of his career and then asking him to block for Benson. No let Pace do what he do. He will be a Hall of Fame LT, He plays LT; he gets hurt yes you shift Williams and slide Shaefer at RT but until then, Pace is our guy.
April 13, 2009
#41 Urlacher FTW said . . .1 - I'd rather sign Matt Jones. Much ytounger with more upside at this point in his career.
2. I'd rather have Grossman as the back-up. He and Cutler have similar strenghts, and we would not have to alter a game plan if JC becomes injured, as we would if Gus was our #2.
3. I would rather trade Vasher for a 3rd rounder, but I do think his play will improve as a consequence of Marinelli's leadership on the D-Line...
4. Lance Briggs to MLB? If it ain't broke don;t fix it. See Devin Hester and kick returner for example.
5. JA has hit a home run with every FA pick up on the Offensive Line. (John Tait, Roberta Garza, Fred Miller, Reuben Brown). I trust OP will be a solid addition the the line, and hope the whole lot of them are learning the playbook as we speak...
April 13, 2009
#42 MattIsMyForte said . . .oo how about Vasher for Ocho Cinqo straight up or plus our 5th rounder from Denver? That would get us out of that contract bind and get us a legitimate #1 WR for at least a couple years.
April 13, 2009
#43 Urlacher FTW said . . .I-No
II-No
III-No
IV-No
V-No
April 13, 2009
#44 Kidron Music said . . .As far as the new rule for protecting QBs. I agree with protecting them but I think you could have done it differently. ie.. make it all bets off once the rusher is on the ground for the OL, as in no more holding, if they get on the ground you can knee em hold em sit on em whatever you wish with no flag, that would have essentially accomplished the same goal and actually result in fewer penalties (less holding).
I do get bored with seeing yellow on every third play when in reality you could throw a flag on about every snap, it's all just so speculative, let them play.
April 13, 2009
#45 Kidron Music said . . .I'm pro Torry Holt. But I don't think he wants to play here.
I think the best backup QB available is Rex Grossman. I think JP Lossman might be a slightly better player, but Rex knows the offense, and has a similar strengths to Jay Cutler, so, I think he is our best bet. I would hope that now that Cutler is here, the Rex hate in Chicago could be contained. He really seems like a good guy. I don't understand why everybody hates a guy just because he didn't master the hardest position to play in all of sports.
I think Nathan Vasher was over-rated in his good year. But I think that we need to leave him at CB for this season. he isn't a particularly good tackler, so I don't think he is our answer at FS. Besides, it's a little to close to game time to start switching positions around.
I have often wondered about switching Briggs and Urlacher, and I was just having this conversation with a friend a few days ago. I might try it, but I would rather bring in a solid MLB, and switch Brian to OLB. Then we would have the best linebackers in football, again.
I think Orlando Pace signed here to be our LT, so, he's our LT. And he's likely the best LT on our roster, so I wouldn't touch him. Besides, we haven't seen him play yet. If he starts off shaky, then maybe we sit him down and talk. But if we have that conversation now, then it will seem like we lied to him in negotiations. Nobody likes being lied too, and unhappy players tend to suck.
April 13, 2009
#46 Kidron Music said . . .Can we start talking about WR's in the draft now?
I rank them like this:1.Michael Crabtree
2.Jeremy Maclin
3.Darrius Heyward-Bey
4.Kenny Britt
5.Hakeem Nicks
6.Percy Harvin
7.Brian Robiskie
8.Juaquin Iglesias
9.Mohamed Massaquoi
10.Derrick Williams
11.Louis Murphy
12.Demetrius ByrdI think there will be about six receivers off the board when we pick at 49. Hopefully we can take Robiske at #49, he is the son of the Atlanta Falcons WR's coach. He is very fundamentally sound and has a pretty good perspective on NFL life.
However, I think there is a decent chance that Hakeem Nicks slides to the 2nd round, and if that happens, I think we should trade up to grab him. I would be thrilled with that scenario, while he isn't the best receiver in the class he might be the one who can contribute immediately. Great routes and hands.
The only WR that I don't want is Percy Harvin, I think he is either a bust or a poor man's Devin Hester. We obviously don't need another bust, and we already have a Devin Hester.
Mel Kiper has us using the #49 on Massaquoi as the 8th WR taken in the draft.
Side note: I would love to sign Torry Holt, draft the best WR available, and tell Devin Hester to remember how to return kicks. I think Hester will never be as valuable at WR as he was as the best return man in history. I don't think this scenario will happen, but I wish it would. That said, if Devin is going to be our #1 WR, then let's have Garret Wolfe return kicks and focus only on that. I think we have seen that Devin can't do both.
April 13, 2009
#47 The Ghost of Halas said . . .actually, looking back at my ranking of WR's in the draft, I'd probably switch Percy Harvin and Robiskie, so it looks like this. Fortunatly, I think that other teams would have Harvin ranked higher, so he might go in the mid to late first round and drop Hicks or Robiskie into the second.
1.Michael Crabtree
2.Jeremy Maclin
3.Darrius Heyward-Bey
4.Kenny Britt
5.Hakeem Nicks
6.Brian Robiskie
7.Percy Harvin
8.Juaquin Iglesias
9.Mohamed Massaquoi
10.Derrick Williams
11.Louis Murphy
12.Demetrius ByrdApril 13, 2009
#48 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .The more I think about it, the less I agree with bringing Gus Frerotte in. What's the point? A veteran quarterback means very little in the NFL, e.g. Brian Griese, Chris Chandler, Trent Dilfer, etc...Brad Biggs hits it on the head in his Four Down Territory today:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/04/four_down_territory_april_13_d.html
I somewhat agree with BRH too. Hanie did show skill last preseason, that should be neither ignored nor overblown. But he did show skill. He might be the best backup for Cutler.
And Rex is NOT coming back to Soldier field in a navy jersey. Surely someone like the Jets will want him. Who do they have? Kellen Clemens?
April 13, 2009
#49 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Erik Ainge! lol.
yeah the more i think this over, the more i can't believe i said bring rex back.
but IF it were between Rex and Gus, i'd still prolly take Rex.my final thought is
no, to all of this.I. Holt doesnt wanna play for us, so why would we want him anyways, the whole production of an unmotivated player thing?
Matt Jones would still be our best bet for a longer term player, pending he stays out of jail.II. FUCK GUS, he's like the guy from tales from the crypt.
III. Nate @ FS= lots of touchdowns scored
IV. again, we are only as good as our front four, so if they are better, the spotlight comes off of our LBs, Urlacher is still a great MLB, even at half speed, Briggs is a great OLB, dont screw with it.
V. i agree with BearsTransplant, you can't sit down and talk to Pace, he is what all LT in the NFL want to be when they grow up, so how can you tell him to protect the QB, pretty sure he understands that.
April 13, 2009
#50 Kidron Music said . . .anybody look at Louis Murphy as a prospect?
April 14, 2009
#51 Kidron Music said . . .Louis Murphy, Florida (6'2 3/8, 203)
40 - 4.42, Arm - 33 5/8, Hand - 10, Bench - 12Murphy has really good toughness and speed. In fact, if I thought he could run a decent route, I would have him four slots higher on my list (see post #46)
I really want a receiver who can contribute soon, if not immediately. And though Murphy shows sold physical potential, he also shows a lack of fundamentals and experience.
If we sign a vet WR like Torry Holt, I think Murphy would make more sense for us, so we could bring him along under the radar a bit working out of the slot.
April 14, 2009
#52 Kiper's Curl said . . .I really think we should target Hakeem Nicks in this draft. I think he will go around the beginning of the 2nd round.
Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (6'0 3/4, 212)
40 - 4.54, Arm - 33 1/2, Hand - 10 1/2I think Crabtree, Maclin, DHB, Kenny Britt and Percy Harvin will all go before Hicks... and I think Hicks has the potential to be a Anquan Boldin type of reciever. And I think he can contribute in year one.
Unfortunately, they are 8 or 9 teams picking ahead of us in the 2nd that might grab a WR. I would hate to lose out on Hicks and grab somebody who can't contribute right away, or doesn't fit as well, just because we didn't trade up a bit.
April 14, 2009
#53 Mike Brown said . . .I think if you're the Bears, and you're lookin' for a guy who can start in year 1, and you're sitting at 49, you look at guys like Brian Robiskie and Juaquin Iglesias who are more possession type receivers who run crisp routes, smart players. If Hester is your deep threat, you need a guy who can pick up the tough 1st down across the middle. Jay Cutler threads bullets and Chicago''s WRs need to be there and hold onto the ball when it hits them between the numbers.
Mohamed Massaquoi? This guy has a brief history of dropped balls, not going to make it very far if you can't hang on to the ball. From NFL.com:
Analysis
Positives: Prototypical NFL build for the position. Good height and surprising overall musculature with the frame to add additional mass. Possesses at least adequate straight-line speed to challenge deep. Can throttle down to separate from defenders. Long arms which he extends well to make the tough reception. Flashes good leaping ability and body control to snatch high passes out of the air. Good vision for the cutback. Good elusiveness for a receiver of his size. Good size and strength to run through arm tackles and create positive yardage after the reception. Stepped up his level of play as a senior. Became a vocal and on-field leader as a senior.
Negatives: Simply drops too many passes. Prone to lapses in concentration or not looking the pass into his hands before trying to make a defender miss. Allows passes into his frame too often, resulting in some ugly bounce-backs. Bit of a long-strider with build-up speed. Lacks elite foot quickness and agility to consistently gain separation from NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Tends to disappear for long stretches.
I wouldn't spend my 2nd round pick on him. But I would spend my 3rd round pick on Ramses Barden if he's around at 99 http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/ramses-barden?id=71195#profiles-tabs:players-overview
April 14, 2009
#54 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQxEvv4_8Mk&feature=related
April 14, 2009
#55 BDG said . . .The Murphy kid has been clocked at 4.25 in the 40 before... which is blazing fast.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80fae451&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
more info on Murphy, i think he'd be a steal for the Bears.
April 14, 2009
#56 Albert in Tucson said . . .I'm confused by the logic in some of the trade idea's on here at times. Do you really think we would get a third for Vasher? This is a guy that we are debating moving to FS. Vasher and a 5th for Ocho Cinco ? Really?
I just don't want us to get caught up making play station Maddon like trade scenario's on here. We would probably get a 5th for Vasher right now after the way he's played over the last 2 1/2 years plus his injury history and that's if we are lucky with the size of his contract. So could you see the Bengals trading Chad Johnson for (2) 5th round draft picks? Or even in your scenario a 3rd and a 5th? Strongly doubt that.
I think the Bears will take whichever WR is left btw Robiskie and Iglesias at 49th. Possibly Massiquia(?) If they like him better than Iglesias. I imagine with his ready to play now abilities Robiskie will be gone too. I'm a huge fan of Nicks though so if somehow they could make that happen oh what a day that would be. I don't think we have the ammo to go up to get anyone though and we will take what falls to us, and I still would not be shocked if they grabbed a S with our first pick and went WR after that.April 14, 2009
#57 big ten speed said . . .As long as we're fixing the rulebook, let's
limit pass interference to the spot of the foul but no more than 15 yards, just like in college. There should be no such thing as a 50 yard penalty. That's WAY too much responsibility for the zebras.April 14, 2009
#58 O-Line wins games said . . .I - Yes.
II - Frerotte is awful and 37 years old. Grossman knows the offense and is probably better at this point.
III - Right, let's put an injury-prone, undersized cornerback at safety, a position that demands more tackling. Tillman would make a good FS, of course, but that opens up a new can of worms.
IV - Briggs has the speed to play MLB, but Urlacher's poor blitzing ability and inability to shed blocks will be even worse at WLB. The current arrangement works okay.
V - Eh, Pace doesn't have a great chance of avoiding IR. Williams will probably have to switch over to LT soon enough.
April 14, 2009
#59 animal said . . .RIP Harry Kalas
Here is his call in 2007 on a Hester Punt return. Great video!! NFL Films will never be the same.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d805932ff
April 14, 2009
#60 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .five things I'd do right now.
1. stop chasing washed up old guys
2. Draft WR and Safety in the mold of the hester/manning, briggs, vasher, etc. drafts where we find good players in rounds 2-5
3. give 54 his steroids back. ya, I said it. fuck you.
4. tell pace he is a back up, tell williams you were drafted in the first fucking round to be the fucking franchise cornerstone left tackle now step the fuck up to the plate or we will shoot you
5. stop drinking and go to bed.April 14, 2009
#61 Kidron Music said . . .why dont you tell us how you really feel. :)
but i hear youApril 14, 2009
#62 BDG said . . .Kiper's Curl: Agree that the Bears are and should be looking for a WR who can contribute sooner rather than later. And probably not an undersized fast elusive receiver so much as a big, convert third downs, move the chains, catch everything thrown in his direction type.
This is reflected in my rankings of WR's, and in my love of Hakeem Nicks. Kiper has us picking Massaqoui. And I wouldn't be pissed if we wound up with him, but there is literally 9 guys at his position I would rather have.
Foxtrot: I think Murphy is a good 3rd round value. He is risky, and I don't think he fits the mold of somebody with great hands who can contribute soon. I think that Louis Murphy is a Bernard Berrian type, somebody who can stretch the field vertically, but not so great on third down. I do think that he could be a sleeper, but pretty much all sleepers are risky by nature. That's why they are expected to go late. He has never been the focal point of an offense and he has never played in anything close to an NFL system. That makes him ripe with untapped potential, but also means he lack fundamentals and will likely struggle with reading defensive schemes and learning offensive plays.
BDG: I agree that Robiskie and Inglesies are the two most likely WR's to be wearing a Bears uniform next month. And I don't mind that, I think they fit the mold of future possession receiver. And both players have a shot to be very good.
Robiskie in particular runs fantastic routes, and is mentally the most ready to contribute of any WR. And Inglesies is a very driven, and very tough to tackle football player. So I would be fine with either.
Then again, if Robiskie is gone, it probably means 7 WR's are already off the board, and if that's true, then there is probably better value at Safety, CB or DE. So maybe we would address one of those needs first, and take somebody like Derrick Williams or Louis Murphy in the 3rd.
April 14, 2009
#63 MattIsMyForte said . . .Kidron I agree
That's why I'm not ruling out a S here. I think at the most 1-2 S's will be gone at this point not counting converted CB/S Jenkins (obviously). Most likely Delmas and Moore will be off the board and I heard the Bears at least interviewed Rashad Johnson during the combine, so if like him or Chung maybe better than who is there at WR I can see them going that route and picking 1-2 WR projects after round 2 and signing a veteranWR or 2 after the draft. Right now I think it will come down between Rashad Johnson and Iglesias. I would love to be wrong and have someone real special fall to us but this sound about right and I think both would be solid picks if we took themApril 14, 2009
#64 Urlacher FTW said . . .LOL Animal. Point #3. Hilarious!
"Ya, I said it. fuck you" =Priceless
April 14, 2009
#65 Murph said . . .I for one don't find steroid use very funny. I think it has tainted record books beyond repair and is still allowed to much leway when discovered.
It is hard to make into a black and white issue; I can almost guarantee for instance that Brady was prescribed steroids as part of his knee rehab. I was and my injury was less serious and when I was 15.
Also since it is a business and in the NFL they are rampant. Some would argue the point that they are being compared to others who are using them and since they don't prevent it outright everyone should just do them and make it fair across the board. I am too much a purist to believe that nonsense.
And there is the issue of catching people. Steroids can be done in "cycles" and if they are not tested during the offseason you could only do them when you are exercising in the offseason and be clean a cycle before getting tested. Making it hard to catch all but constant users.
When illegal steroids are discovered , it should come with a huge fine, a lifetime ban from all pro sports, and exponging of all personal records. It should be as if you had never played. Eventually the problem would go away, guaranteed.April 14, 2009
#66 MattIsMyForte said . . .#49 Foxtrot, Ive been touting Murphy since January on da site. Kidron...he does have good hands...hes been catching Tebow knuckleballs for three years. He has been pegged as high as late first round pick all the way to late second round. Hes big and strong and fast....everything we look for. Just because hes fast doesnt mean he cant go across the middle...hes very strong and pretty tough kid. he can add some serious yardage after the catch because if his combination of speed and strength.
April 14, 2009
#67 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Urlacher, nice rant. I agree. Animal, still funny.
April 14, 2009
#68 Mel Kiper Jr said . . .Well, I for one find steroids hilarious.
April 14, 2009
#69 BDG said . . .Well I've had a chance to thoroughly check my big board for who would most likely be available for the bears 2nd rounder. I have a few names that are likely to be there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnDjWILfadU
April 14, 2009
#70 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Pittsburgh at home week two oh my. Tough schedule to start the year. I like hosting the Queens on Monday night football and two more Sunday night games home against the Eagles away at Atlanta though. It should help us to have a little extra motivation in those big games. Hate the fact we have to kick Samurai's ass in his own back yard but he'll get over it. Go Bears
April 14, 2009
#71 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .SCHEDULE
http://www.chicagobears.com/team/schedule.html
April 14, 2009
#72 Shady McBears Homer said . . .Well at least when we destroy the Steeler's, the whole world will see it. and nobody will be injured to say "oh, well xxx is why the Bears squeaked by the Steelers"
April 14, 2009
#73 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Jay Cutler to the Bears?
Chicago Bears 16. Opponents 0.
Championship!
April 14, 2009
#74 Bears<3 Forever said . . .other than the obvious fact that clearly we will go 16-0, anybody feel 11-5 is reasonable?
April 14, 2009
#75 Garner said . . .I think that the JA will definetly draft a reciever in the 2nd... As for which one i think it will be Robiskie and we dont need to move Vasher yet, lets wait and see how the D-Line does, it doesnt matter who you have at CB if the QB has a minute to find an open reciever he will find him
April 15, 2009
#76 Jeff Smith said . . .Vasher cannot possibly play safety. He is too small and lacks the ability to tackle anyone. Furthermore, you said that he would be covering TEs, so what is a 5' 10" 185 corner supposed to do against a TE up to 6' 7" and at least 230. If Vasher is not a CB he will be a nickel back.
On the other hand I do like the idea of switching Briggs and Urlacher, and I cannot agree more about signing Holt. At the Bear minimum he could at least help out some of the young guys on the team, and I have a hard time believing he isn't much better than the two old timers we had last season.
Lastly, A proven backup QB is another must. I hadn't even thought about it until you mentioned it. You are absolutely right, Hanie has no experience and Basanez is a practice squad player.
April 15, 2009
#77 abe said . . .So much for Holt, he just signed a 3 year deal with the Jags.
April 20, 2009
what are we gonna get? hope fully a receiver
April 26, 2009
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