dawhizz

One of the Score reporters has reminded everyone that Clark got the roster bonus that was due today, even after they signed Manu. That suggests Clark will stay. Davis showed enough to make you think he can contribute at a blocker and a receiver. If someone will give you a 2nd for Olsen, do it.

From KFFL: According to SIRIUS NFL Radio, it appears a deal between the Chicago Bears and free-agent DE Julius Peppers (Panthers) is close to being completed.

The real question, IMO, is whether you are willing to give up on Olsen because of a Martz offense that might not be in effect after this year.

I say it's Olsen to the Pats for their later 2nd round pick.

Surely, they can't sign Peppers, Rolle, AND Taylor. I don't care how much you saved not having a 1st and 2nd.

Honestly, despite what we heard in recent days, I think it's Olsen. You saw some flashes from Kellen Davis last year, I think. If they can get a 2nd round pick for Olsen from the Patriots or someone else, you keep Clark, Manumaleuna, and Davis. In Martz's offense, I'm not convinced that Olsen would give you significantly different production than Clark would with the same role. You end up with a TE roster with pass-catcher (Clark), a blocker (Manumaleuna), and a young guy who can do a bit of both (Davis). Then, in another year, you can reassess whether you want to keep Clark around, if Davis can be a legit pass-catching threat, how Martz's offense is working. Plus, the glaring need that you don't seem lined up to address at the moment (free safety) is so deep in this draft that you can get a guy like Morgan Burnett or Nate Allen for the pick you'd get for Olsen.

Bad news. According to his blog, one of the things Rolle is looking for in his next team is "teams that have a good reputation as far as how the organization is run." That probably takes us out of the running . . . http://www.rolle21.com/blog.html

For the people saying Rolle is a bad fit for the Cover 2 or that Otogwe is a better fit in the cover 2, can you explain why? I really just want to know. Of course, at this rate, by the time you reply, it might be moot...

Get. Rolle. Now.

My picks (at this point): 3) Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama - A guy who can anchor against the pass and create a big push for the run, with a lot of experience in big games against big-time opponents. I think he can start as a rookie, especially given our recent O-line struggles. 4) Robert Johnson, S, Utah - Pure free safety with good hands and a knack for making big plays. Plus, gives the secondary a safety with legit NFL safety size at 6'2", 200 lbs. 5) Patrick Stoudamire, CB, Western Illinois - I'm scared to death of our CBs at this point. Tillman has gone way downhill and doesn't tackle any more. I like Bowman and Graham, but neither are sure things at this point. We haven't seen anything from DJ Moore. So I'll take this kid from down the road who apparently did not allow a TD pass during his career at Western and has shown pretty good ability in the Shrine Game. 6) Jammie Kirlew, DE, Indiana - A disruptive force in the backfield against the run and the pass that can rotate in and maybe make some plays once Ogun and (probably) Anderson move on. 7) Chris Marinelli, OT, Stanford - Underrated pure right tackle that was a central part of a very good Stanford offensive line. Has had some shoulder problems, but is worth the gamble, IMO.

I've generally found myself impressed with Reesing when I've watched him. He has major size issues (I don't even know that he's 6'0"), but he's got a stronger arm than you think and he put up consistently big numbers until this year when things kind of fell apart. As a later round guy, I can see him making a team.

Let's hope he can be the same difference maker on the O-line that Marinelli was on the D-line.

Here's the list I found of who is under contract for how long. You're pretty much right, unfortunately. http://walterfootball.com/freeagentscontractschi.php

God help me for saying this, but I think Jim Zorn would be next on my list (of those I've heard linked to the job). Unless Kevin Gilbride would come here.

No to Martz as well. Avoid him like the plague. I don't know why would would bring in an offensive coordinator who minimizes the only offensive threat you have (Greg Olsen). Remember, Vernon Davis did nothing in SF until Martz left. I'll take the GB guy. Which probably means it will be Martz.

With the season now officially over (as opposed to when it was essentially over two months ago), what does this team actually need to do in the offseason? It's easy to look at this team and see nothing but holes, but without their first two picks (which hurts both for draft and for trade purposes), it's hard to see how they can fix, or even patch, everything. So, let's look at this team: QB: It'll be Cutler and Hanie, but am I the only one who would kind of like to see a veteran QB on this team? At the very least, I feel like it would be nice to have someone like that on the sideline Cutler can talk to after a bad play who has actually played QB in the NFL. It's not like Hanie is going to impart much wisdom. I'm thinking someone like Jon Kitna. Not a need by any stretch, but something I wouldn't mind seeing them look into. RB: I’d love to believe that if we upgrade the O-line, Forte will be back to what he was last year, but I’m not sure I believe that. Kevin Jones and Garrett Wolfe are still under contract, and Adrian Peterson is probably gone. Would I like to have Chester Taylor or Jerious Norwood? Sure. I’m just not sure this team can afford the investment. My guess is the Bears just hope Jones and Forte stay healthy, use Wolfe more, and focus on O-line. I also wonder if McKie gets any blame for the running woes, which might lead the team to look seriously at a more established FB. WR: I have no idea. None. I’m not sure we know what we have with any of them. If it were up to me, I would keep Aromashodu, Knox, and Bennett. I would hope Iglesias is ready to contribute next year. If anyone will give you a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Hester you take it (Manning can approximate his return abilities, as we saw). You can’t get a big money WR because you have nothing to trade, but I think a guy like Malcolm Floyd from San Diego is realistic in terms of availability and fit (the big receiver we don’t really have). I’d also consider a 5th-6th round pick on a productive college player like Freddie Barnes from Bowling Green, who might be slow, but can at least get open. TE: No changes likely here, unless someone wants to trade for Clark. OL: I think Williams is a keeper at LT. Kreutz is a shell of what he used to be, but he probably needs to stay for at least another year. Other than that, no one’s spot is safe. If you want to spend, this is the place to do it, though I’m not sure there’s much out there that will actually be available. I say you draft the best available guard with your 3rd round pick (where you can still find legit, early starters) and sign a potential starter at RT (maybe former Illini Tony Pashos, who was a starter for Baltimore, but had a broken shoulder last year). Hire someone to kill Frank Omiyale. DE: I’m fine letting both Ogun and Anderson go. I assume the Bears traded a second round pick with the intent to start Gaines Adams, but he hasn’t shown much yet. Idonije and Melton are OK for depth, but you probably need at least one more rotation/starter at DE. I would go big after Aaron Kampman, who doesn’t fit the Packers new scheme and is coming off an injury, but does nothing but make plays in the backfield (as opposed to our DEs, who just do nothing). DT: You probably need another body here to go with Harris, Harrison, and (hopefully) Gilbert, though I would be OK with keeping Anthony Adams. I don’t love this group, but I’m not sure it’s high on my priority list either. LB: Pisa can come back if he’ll sign cheap. If not, resign Williams and see what he can do. Some may want to trade Urlacher, but I think we saw this year what happens to this team without him. Not a need position. CB: Cut Vasher or move him to FS. Send a search party out for DJ Moore. I actually like Bowman and Graham more than Tillman at this point, who has developed such a reputation for causing fumbles he’s forgotten how to tackle. And cover. Bring back Manning to play nickel and handle returns. This might be the quietest huge need for this team, I’m just not sure where the help comes from. S: We NEED a playmaking safety. Bullocks was an experiment that (unsurprisingly) failed. Payne would be fine if he can just fly around and hit someone. When he’s better at coverage than the other safety, we have a problem. He’s probably a bit overrated, but it might be best for the Bears to overpay for a guy like OJ Atogwe. That's just my opinion based on what I see and what I think is reasonable. What do you think?

I say we go after Jerious Norwood. I know he's hurt too often, but he's got the speed Forte doesn't have and he seems to have fallen out of favor in Atlanta.

Is it too much to hope for that Pace will be starting for the Packers? Cause that the only way this is good news for the Bears.

New deal. I like it. I like him. Smile. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4581192

If I'm Lovie, I have to think seriously about sticking Beekman at LG and Shaffer at RT. You have to change something on that line.

Brian Williams got cut by the Jaguars. If we are at all uncertain about the CB position, he's a veteran who's been a playmaker most of his career and can probably step right into the Cover 2. I'd take him over McBride. Also, Brian Brohm was released by the Packers (making those of who loved him a few years ago feel a little sheepish). I'd rather see him on the practice squad than Bazanez.

I could see Baldwin and Balough back. Probably not Kinder, since he was released even before everyone else. Maybe another WR from somewhere?

McClover's gone too. I'd be suprised if we keep 5 safeties, though we may consider Manning a CB and cut Hamilton.

According to Biggs. Hello again, AP & Wolfe (unless the Bears like a cut RB).

Does anyone really think either Rideau or Aromashodu are getting picked up by another team? I sure don't. I'm not sure it makes much difference who stays on the active roster cause the other one will be on the PS.