madlithuanian

Let's open the kool aid keg before the season starts! We could catch them by surprise...

Good point... Steal one early...

You're probably right...but given that it's the first game and would be first kick to him of the season, I could see them potentially testing the waters... Probably just a pipe-dream! I just hope if they don't we can capitalize on the good field position!

Looks like I missed his name on the big board! Thanks for the clarification!

Agreed...but it's better than a kick in the groin. I guess we just load up the practice squad, take a chance on a LB (like Dizon) or FB...and hopefully get some good ST'ers.

Is that a good thing? I hope the result is much better! Having been at that SD game in person, it was pretty darn disappointing. Here's hoping for much better!

No! (We'll be kicking off to them...) But, I would say yes if theya re kicking to us. I think there's this odd pride thing that'll get in the way! (I hope...)

I'd say it's decent odds if we're on the road in week 1! And if not, hit one of the many bars and watch the game with a ton of Bears fans in Chicago!

Well dang... Can we spoil their parade then?

Tough game...hopefully it'll be at home.

Sold! Although if the experts are saying we're taking someone...odds are it'll end up being something different!

Then call me crazy... Those are nice runs by Benson for sure. However, we all must admit that it's an even nicer editing job. No fumbles there, or runs straight into a defender and falling down... I fully understand the need for a good OL. As I've mentioned with nfo (probably too many times for everyone else's liking...), I just think Mendenhall is a top ten prospect that is right now slotted at 14 by the so-called experts. I think taking him is a steal if he lands to us. I still don't think he will, because I imagine I'm not the only one seeing his potential. I'm more than OK drafting an OL. Even in lieu of Mendenhall. I just think it would be foolish to pass him up. It wouldn't be the first time the BEars did something against my wishes, nor would it be the first time I was wrong about a prospect. But something tell me if we don't get Mendenhall if he's available to us at 14, we will severely regret it.

That's all I needed to hear!

I hear ya...

No worries!

1. I suppose my thought on DJ are that I thought he could be moulded to what we needed... Obviously, that may not have been sound thinking given what we already know has transpired...and that guys like Merriman and Ware as you stated would have been the "fantasty pick" per se. (Which, by the way, I love your fantasy draft!) I did conveniently forget about Urlacher's short stint outside of MLB...but I think that stems from my overall dislike of that era's coaches for us! Yeah, that draft class really has left much to be desired other than Edwards. 2. I don't think I'm really comfilcting anything regarding Jones. I do think he was just good, but I also think he's far better than Benson. That's whay I thought we'd have been better. Also, odd things do tend to happen in team dynamics when players switch teams. Sometimes it's good... Jones to CHI, sometimes it's not so good, Jones to TB/NYJ.... The planets can align oddly, even with what one would think would be comparable situations. I just think given Jones' success here, the overall love the players had for him, he would have continued to do well. But, only a gut feeling is telling me that. Nothing concrete per se. 3. I'm ready to re-set my Madden based on your fantasy draft!

I hear ya... I guess it boils down to whether it tastes great or is less filling! Personal preference...

I'm trying to take over for CrackerDog! Your point on the good/great is correct. I do really think Mendenhall will be great. I completely follow your thoughts. For instance, I thought TJ was good...not geat. And while the OL was preforming well, he did well. I understand that most folks will disagree with me that Mendenhall is a top 10 pick...justifyably so! I'm glad you do follow my logic that if that were a given, it makes sense to take him at 14. I would also mention of all the "other" OL is somewhat dismiss, Clady I do find a little more intruiging than the rest. I think I do recall you mentioning you wanted D Johnson as well! I apologize for not recalling that! (Too many Old Styles...) I can see your thinking that he may not have excelled as much here than KC...but I just have to think that talent would over-rule the position and he would be better than Hunter (as much as I like Hunter). He would probably be one of these unsung guys in the league... Those in the know would say he makes a difference, but there aren't stats for what he'd do. I guess it's moot regardless! But, I really think we'd have been better off in the long run. Odss are TJ would still be here doing a decent job and the D would be slightly better as well... Just a Madden-esque fantization!

Chile, I hear ya. If we did trade up to get Long, I'd be all for it. He sounds like the real deal. The others just don't excite me. Your sig says it all... I'm not comparing Gale to Mendenahll...but I think he would be the next great Bear RB if we took him.

That may be...but the comment comes off as bad. Wasted means wasted. Are you certain Medenhall will put up weaker numbers than Benson behind St Clair and Metcalf vs Miller and Brown last year? I think St Clair is better. I don't think Metcalf is...but maybe between him and Beekman (and pssobily a FA after cuts or the draft), we should be better. We won't be the Cowboys of the 90's, but I think better than last season. Much will also depend on the QB play as well... but I digress. I take nothing away from what Grant did...I just want to see him do that again without Favre. Denver has had lackluster back too...and them get ones that get mad yards there and can't find an inch elsewhere. I stand by my comments. It is difficult to find a good RB. I never denied a better OL makes for a better running game. But a good back is a good back! He should be had! Granted, none of my examples had stellar OL's...but nor did they have stellar backs. Believe you me, in the end, I'm all about taking the best player available at QB, RB, WR, or OL. THose are our biggest weaknesses and they need addressing. I just happen to think where we sit, Mendenhall is a value and the OL mentioned other than Long are where they should be. I think Mendenhall is top ten. If we get him at 14, we've beaten the system. If we pick up one of the plethora of OL mentioned, we're getting exactly what we should. No problem. We're not reaching. We're just not getting any more. But, again, I think higher of Mendenhall than most apparently. I sure wish more people thought as I did when we drafted Benson over Derrick Johnson 4 years ago...

Actuall, I disagree...I think most people do know that. Maybe I'm wrong...but I definitely know it. He was supposed to be this big durable back. But, there were questions on his chracter and desire. I think those questions have been answered! In that draft, I felt we didn't need a RB and thought it completely frivilous. I wanted Derrick Johnson to have the beefiest LB crew ever at the time... In the end, the draft is a crap shoot. To not draft a position because you had bad luck with one in the past is foolishness.

Here's the key..."he played with a big heart". I do not see that with Benson. I see an injury plagued guy that isn't into it. I forget the exact quote, but the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over getting the same results, yet expecting something different.

Well put fenom283... I think I'm a bit too attached to Mendenhall to be completely unbiassed. You put it far more objectively than I did.

That's a safe bet... I'd have Long McFadden Mendenhall Clady Williams Otah Ryan

I beg to differ...finding a RB is not easy. Look at us, look at the Lions... Citing the Broncos is the exception that makes the rule... Also, let's not anoint Grant as great yet...Favre had a career year thus opening holes for Grant. I'd like to see Grant without the great Favre. Let's also not forget the RB woes of the Panthers, Bengals, Atlanta, Seattle... No, you can't run if people are in the backfield unless you're a Barry Sanders. But, I think that what we will have when the season starts this year will be an upgrade to last year regardless. To say Mendenhall would be a wasted pick is just plain hate. You could say, we won't see fruits of that until we shore up the line...but to say it's a wasted pick means you're a soothsayer and can predict the future. And if that were the case, you'd be in the Caribbean drinking an umbrella drink being fanned by 20 hotties and not on a Bears fan site... I could even accept stupid...as you just deem somethings more important thatn others. But, wasted it would not be. Unless he is like Benson, but there's no knowing that at all right now. Yes, I agree, we have too many needs...but one of them is a stud RB!