DrunkBomber

Heres a link to an article about shotgun I posted a while back It makes it sound like Turner was the one who didnt want to run it. It says Rex likes the idea and doesnt mention Olin at all. I think its a great idea, one of Grossmans biggest problem is throwing off his backfoot and this would almost completely resolve that issue. It will also increase his field vision.

This doesnt surprise me at all. The only thing thats gonna suck is if he gets picked up by someone else and stays healthy and is productive.

For as much as a douche Rosenhaus is hes not an idiot. I think that if it was in Briggs best interest to play he will advise him to do so. That said, Im not sure they think it will be. We all do obviously and it seems pretty simple but who knows. I wouldnt completely rule out Briggs playing. Him missing these workouts just warrants any salary docking that gets thrown at him.

I think Grossman does really like the shotgun and theyre planning on using it this year. He used it all in college and I believe the main reason they werent running it was because Kruetz didnt like it. I posted an article about a while back.

Briggs drama 2 weeks away Smith has 'no idea' if LB will show up at mandatory camp By John Mullin Tribune staff reporter May 6, 2007, 10:10 PM CDT With the Bears' first mandatory mini-camp two weeks away, coach Lovie Smith did not sound upbeat Sunday about the chances of seeing disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs. "I have no idea," Smith said at the conclusion of the weekend's rookie mini-camp. "That's the first thing we've done that's mandatory, so I assume he'll be there. But if not, we'll go from there." Briggs has threatened to hold out over the Bears putting the franchise tag on him, and there's no reason to expect his participation in the team's off-season program. Through their paces The purpose of this weekend was NFL orientation for players who already will be starting several steps behind veterans if only because of inexperience. The messages to the rookies came in a variety of forms. Smith began Sunday's practice with a point of order: "We're 10 seconds behind," only partly tongue-in-cheek. To emphasize a point on an angle on kick coverage, special teams coordinator Dave Toub used All-Pro returner Devin Hester and some constructive fear. "If you do that," he told rookie safety Kenny Payne, "Devin'll go right around you." Special duty Tight end Greg Olsen, the Bears' first-round draft choice, was used on all four special teams units, something he hasn't experienced in a while. "I haven't done it since my freshman year in college," Olsen said, shaking his head. "I played just a little bit of it this past season and then to come out here and you're on every phase, it takes a little bit of getting used to. They make everybody do it, which is good, because the more versatile you are, the more valuable you are." Tell us about that play … Former Boise State wide receiver Drisan James made a good impression on coaches. James was involved in one of the biggest plays of Boise State's scintillating victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in January. He played a part in the last-second, hook-and-ladder, fourth-and-18 play that resulted in a 50-yard touchdown to tie the game. James caught a pass at the Oklahoma 35 and lateraled to Jerard Rabb, who scored the tying TD with seven seconds remaining. Boise State then won in overtime. "[The play] was like a rabbit-out-of-the-back-pocket, point up to the sky, cross your fingers and let it rip as hard as you can," James said, laughing. Good reviews Besides Olsen, coaches were pleased with the play of rookie free-agent receiver Dave Ball, tight end Fontel Vines, linebacker Michael Okwo, quarterback Chris Leak and safety Andrew Shanley. Vines and Shanley were in camp as tryouts and are expected to be brought back for the second mini-camp. jmullin@tribune.com Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune

Im still real high on the pick. Ive been a Rex fan from day one and I think him getting a guy like this is gonna push him to the next level. Dez has been more than solid but he was never the offensive gamebreaker we needed, and olsen can be that. I look forward to seeing what the kids got.

Bears/NFL Notebook Olsen makes fabulous first impression May 5, 2007 By Gene Chamberlain Staff writer Over the past week, first-round draft pick Greg Olsen had to answer a lot of questions about a mistake in judgment. At Friday's rookie minicamp, the former University of Miami tight end made the Bears feel good about the judgment they used when they selected him. "He showed all the things that we like about him, why we drafted him No. 1," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "He's got the speed to get down the field. That was evident. What I liked that I saw from him is coming off the ball, getting his starts. Even though we only had shorts on, he was very quick off the ball and played low. "He's bending his knees well, like we thought. He played with good pad level, but his initial quickness stepping off the ball in the run game (was excellent). He's very, very good." Olsen closed a passing drill with a nice downfield catch, made while slanting toward the sideline. He made a handful of catches and usually had enough distance between himself and defenders to run afterward. However, he couldn't do much to dispel the notion that he's a mediocre or poor blocker. Without pads, there wasn't much contact Friday. "You just try to stand out," Olsen said. "Stand out in a good way through your athleticism, through your technique, that sort of thing. That's what I'm trying to do." The first week of Olsen's pro career has been exhilarating, as well as disappointing. "I couldn't be happier than to finally get started out here today in actual football practice, not running 40-yard dashes and stuff like that," Olsen said. The disappointing part for him was discussion about a past transgression: As a college freshman he took part in a rap recording of a song with explicit lyrics. "Obviously I wasn't happy about it," Olsen said. "It's not one of the proud moments of my life. But I've moved on. I've come on a long time since then. It was a long time ago. As I said before, I apologize for what's happened and to anyone who was offended. That's not who I am. That's not what I represent." Pressure on Harris The Bears view fifth-round draft pick Kevin Payne as the kind player who can help them through a long season. They've had trouble keeping safeties, especially strong safeties, healthily through a season. So Payne, out of Louisiana-Monroe, could prove valuable. "You really have to look at what we ask our safeties to do, particularly the strong safety, who is really a lot of times a linebacker in the box," defensive backs coach Steve Wilks said. "We wanted someone 220 or 225 (pounds) that is going to be able to take that pounding and beating. "Payne is a good fit for us. I liked him on film. He's a tough guy, a hard hitter and he also has good range." Panning for talent Past Bears rookie camps included just a handful of players. This year, however, the team invited enough players to allow for two-deep scrimmaging. It's akin to panning for gold in hopes of finding a nugget. "We need to add just a few pieces to the puzzle and hope we can find a couple guys that can help us in this group," head coach Lovie Smith said. "We're looking for all the players. "You're always looking for a diamond in the rough, but it starts off with your top (draft) picks. You would like for them to look better than some of the other players, and that was definitely the case today." No Walker Notre Dame running back Darius Walker decided against signing with the Bears after it was widely reported he would either sign or come to rookie camp by invitation with hopes of catching on with the team. NFL urged to boot players involved in dog fighting A prominent animal-rights group called on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to ban players who are involved in dog fighting, saying it was especially troubled that evidence of the deadly activity was allegedly found at a home owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The Humane Society of the United States sent a letter to Goodell on Thursday, calling on the NFL to "collaborate with us in an organized effort to eradicate animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting activity from the ranks of the NFL." 'Pacman' appeal May 11 Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones will meet with Goodell on May 11 to appeal his season-long suspension. This will be the second time Jones will meet with Goodell since April 3. The commissioner needed only a week after that hearing to suspend Jones for the 2007 season, with a chance to have his case reviewed after the Titans' 10th game. Goodell also suspended Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry for eight games. Contributing: The Associated Press

Well it appears hes gonna wear number 82 after all. Im glad, thats the number I wore so Im definitely gonna get the jersey.

Maybe when Griese is gone is the only situation I can think of.

I dont think Leak will stay on the roster. its not worth dumping Orton for him. Orton at least has some solid live experience and has led the team to some wins.

I believe its 1 year for 1 million. Which makes me wonder if something else happened because we wouldnt even need a hometown discount to match that.

It was of been nice to have him for depth but maybe hell get a better opportunity in Philly.

I knew I forgot something

youre ruining all my fun

Thats why I made the first option start from zero. I would say assume they stayed healthy though.

Is this Rexs breakout year?

How will the rookie do?

How do you think Cedric Benson will do this year as the feature back?

I think the best idea would be to use him and Moose to spell each other. They are the same type of receiver and are both aging. Then we have Berrian as the number two and can use Bradley and Davis in the slot. Not to mention it gives us needed depth at the receiver position where our guys have a tendency to be injured.

Just reported on NFL live. They say he should command about 1 million per year. I absolutely think it would be a good idea to make a run for him. I think he could be a nice addition for 1 or 2 years until our young guys develop a little more.

I could swear I heard his work ethic was one of his positives. I know hes not a good blocker but hes got the size to learn if somebody teaches him.

I cant stress how much I love this pick. I was hoping to maybe upgrade a little at TE by going with Miller but when I saw Olsen was there I was ecstatic. Him and Clark compliment each other very well and I think Olsen is gonna elevate Rex's game to a whole new level. He finally has a sure handed big target to go to.

I dont think he'll get a full season, I think it will be 8 or possibly four. His situation at least IMO seems less severe than Henry and Pacman.

Im a little confused about some of the positions we selected in certain rounds but its hard to judge this early. Honestly, this time last year I would have given us an F for a draft grade. I hated our picks and we ended up having about the best draft class in the NFL or close to it. I love the Olsen pick. Getting him alone makes me think this draft was a success. Like Ive said in some other posts though, I would have liked to keep our second round pick and taken a receiver like Jarrett to replace Moose. Im still curious to see if Hester is really gonna play receiver, and if so, how much and Im curious to see if Briggs is gonna play and if he doesnt, who we would use there.