madlithuanian

nfo, you and I have had our fair share of disagreements! And never, once did either of us even minutely question our loyalty! Nor have I questioned anyone else's loyalty as well...and nor have I seen you do as well. I completely agree...it's beyond silly. Keep the kids occupied...and focussed on on who's wearin' the crown!

Oh agreed. Doesn't mean it's good for the overall long term health of the franchise though...

Foreign is foreign...

Just to clarify...I only want to do one team unless it's needed. Then I'm willing to do the others.

It's up there...w/o Hampton and Dent, Singletary's usefulness would have been far more minimal...

Put me in for the Bears in the lottery please. If not the Bears then I'll gladly take in order: 1 SF 2 BAL 3 NE Much thanks! ...but may I recommend we don't allow trades. While kind of fun, it's too Madden-esque and skews the info far too much and rarely happens. Just my 2 cents worth!

You need to have a leader before you can lead...

I won't argue that! You can point out the rare cases of Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer...but it's those exceptions that make the rule. And when you look at both those franchises, the D really got them there with a strong running game. And both QB's played well in the big game. Also, they never returned. At least won't with those teams. Whereas if you look at the last 10 years, guys like Brady, Roethlisberger, Warner, the Manning bros., and John Elway helmed winners. Bottom line, you must have a good QB or hope you get lucky one year. I think we missed that lone opportunity in 2006. Odds of lightning striking again and going with a fair QB are now next to nothing...

Bingo!!!

I think the lesser evil is overpaying. It at least addresses needs. Not doing anything may give youmore room to work in future years...but assuming you hold the same philosophy in future years...you'll basically never land a FA. In theory, every good FA is overpriced. It's paying a premium to have a previously groom the player. However, the best philosophy lies in the middle. You make a huge move every now and then, but most years, try to fill as many holes with guys and contract that won't hinder your future.

I think you're right... But, why? At best it got one ring...and after Angelo had left. And now they are in disarray. Why wouldn't you pattern yourself after more successful franchises? Steelers, Patriots, etc... ?

Good question... Even if this is true that they are hunkerin' down for a lockout...it still doesn't mean you don't try to pick up players and make the team better.

Dang...now that requires outside the box thinking that our mgmt does not appear to possess.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least... I've never really thought that highly of him, but given our complete hole there...I was hoping we'd keep him along as a stop gap and back-up.

Per Sun Times... St. Clair bolts for Browns By Brad Biggson March 17, 2009 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) John St. Clair has signed three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns worth a total of $9 million. The deal contains $600,00 guaranteed, which is believed to be less than the Bears had offered in a $4.5 million, three-year contract. Now, the Bears will have to venture out into the market and find a right tackle or draft one high in the draft or both. Undrafted college free agent Cody Balogh played right tackle in minicamp Tuesday. Kevin Shaffer, Marvel Smith and Orlando Pace are just a few options on the market the Bears could consider. The St. Clair deal on the surface appears to be a series of one-year contracts. http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03/st...for_browns.html

...and another one's gone. ********************************************************* ST. CLAIR LANDS IN CLEVELAND Posted by Mike Florio on March 17, 2009, 5:40 p.m. Tackle John St. Clair has opted to sign with the Browns, and to spurn the Bears. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times, Biggs has agreed to terms on a three-year, $9 million deal, with $600,000 guaranteed. The Bears had offered exactly half that amount — $4.5 million over three years. But Biggs says that the contract appears to be a series of one-year deals; this suggests that sizable roster bonuses are owed to St. Clair at the start of the 2010 and 2011 league years. The Bears now need to find a new right tackle.

I agree. Doing something of this stature would be completely acceptable if it didn't work out. The hand was played as it should. Doing nothing, just means that there is possible negligence and fraud being perpetuted on the city of Chicago which expects the tema to make a good faith effort in putting a competitive team out there. There are too many tax dollars going to the Bears...

Good points! I agree! Pressure is pressure!

Thanks for posting! That's the first signs of life on Mars!

That's what Cutler would want... Not necessarily what the bears want. I've heard nothing that the Bears are even remotely doing any due dilligence on this. Huagh and other media guys are clammoring for it, along with throes of fans...but until the team does anything, it's just hopes and prayers.

I have a hard time arguing agasint what you're saying... This team basically is 500. Once in a while we do well...once in a while we suck eggs. But mostly, we do seem to hover at .500. Thus we never get great draft picks, etc...(and when we do, we botch them). And yet it appears good enough for us die hards to keep lining their pockets. It is true, nothing will change without the fans truly boycotting an inferior product. But it's in our blood to follow. It's a Catch 22. The only real hope is a change in ownership once Virginia passes away... And I, for one, won't be hoping for someone that nice to pass away. So, I'm only doing what I can, and that's boycotting going to games and buying new product. The TV revenue will be there regardless, so I have no problem watching and cheering. But at least I'm not directly putting loot in the McCaskey coffers.

Actually, the pat's have always been brining in FA's...just many came due to the success the team was having. Rodney Harrison come to mind as one major example. Also, Corey Dillon. Without those guys, the pat's don't have some of those rings. Being successful requires succes in all areas. Drafting, FA, etc...

Nice addition... Thanks for the post!

Seems quite possible!

They have made some good ones, but there are as many bad ones. I recall guys like Dustin Lyman and others that never really worked out. I know there are more, but I htink I've tried to eliminate those from my memory banks! I wouldn't give them credit for Hester... When he was drafted, pretty much every expert said he was position-less and was pretty much a return man. In all honesty, our succes rate probably mimics the NFL. Some work, some don't... I just think in Bowman's case, too many recall the Danieal Manning failed attempts and have concern.