AZ54

Also worth keeping in mind: If he's cut, Martellus Bennett only has a cap dead money of $1.1mil, and generates cap savings of $5.2mil in cap space. I personally would like to keep Bennett around but it's possible the club doesn't want to deal with his headaches long term and they could look to sign someone like the Colts' Coby Fleener who grew up outside Chicago. I don't know what Fleener's market value is although one Indy source puts it around $4/yr. Presumably Bennett wants $7-8mil/yr, or more, in his next deal. Is it better to give $8mil/yr to Bennett on his 3rd deal or something like $4mil/yr to a younger Fleener on his 2nd deal? We could also target the Colts other TE Dwayne Allen who is the better blocker and will likely come cheaper, and pair him with Zach Miller?

He built his career from being a 4th round draft pick to a Pro Bowl player and I respect how he handled himself as a professional. While he didn't hit the Pro Bowl level while he was here he played well for us and was a class act during his time here. No surprise seeing the Bears move in another direction. Overthecap has us sitting at $60mil in space. Next on the list might be Antrel Rolle after we see who we can sign at S in FA. http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space

Scanning names in FA and noticed Ian Williams FA NT from the 49ers. 65 tackles last season puts him ahead of Wilkerson. He's not a pass rusher but that kind of productivity inside would have made him him our best Dlinemen last year. For comparison Malik Jackson had 45 total tackles. Williams started his career with the 49ers as UDFA and worked his way up. Certainly Fangio would have some experience working with him. We might be seeing one of Williams or Damon Harrison from the Jets (he had 72 combined tackles last year). Goldman moved out to DE could be quite effective with interior pressure. We'd still need some interior pass rush help but we could prioritize that more in a DT we draft.

Sometimes I think your emotions get you typing before you finish reading: I said: "He might not be starter quality at OT but on game days he could be the backup OT." Or would you not even consider him as an emergency backup at RT if there is an injury to Long in a game? The game day active roster is fairly limited so you need some Olinemen who can fill in at a couple spots, even if for half a game. Further, they moved him over to LG but, much like how we moved Long outside, it might have been a case of having better depth at RT and moving him inside gave them the best 5 Oline combination. I simply don't follow the Ravens close enough to know what motivated the move. It is fair to say he's probably more comfortable on the left side because that's where he's most of his career. In any case we'll just agree to disagree because I think a full season at RT indicates Osemele could handle the switch to RG. I like the idea of having him and Long side by side and that Langford would find plenty of daylight running behind those two.

I had watched some highlights of this kid a week ago. Best thing I can say is that he's a football player and he's not afraid of contact. Jacquizz Rodgers was that way in college despite the slight stature. He fits the bill perfectly since he can return punts, and therefore kicks as well. Toss him out there for 10-15 snaps a game to mix it up and we're good.

Now that we've all thanked Forte for his many contributions to the Bears for the last 8 years it's time to figure out who we are adding to the roster at RB. There is no way a RB focused coach like Fox is heading into the season with Langford and Carey as certain #1/2 on the roster, and with no clear 3rd option. I don't think there is much love for S. Perry among the coaches. I've seen no signs they are very interested in re-signing Jacquizz Rodgers, although he might be offered another 1 yr deal later in FA. While they will be looking for Langford to assume that #1 role I can't see Pace or Fox just handing it to him. There will be some competition for the job and I don't put Carey in the mix for #1 role with his lack of speed. Carey competing for the #2/3 spot fits better. That means we're signing a FA RB or we're drafting one again. I would think the club prefers to bring in a vet FA to mix in with the younger guys but since they completely walked away from Forte before Free Agency began that seems unlikely. Unless we target a guy like Bronco FA Ronnie Hillman that means we're using a draft pick to bring in a RB. Hillman didn't exactly wow anyone this past season and reportedly he's got no special teams value. That special teams ability might be the key to who we go after. If Langford is your #1 RB and Carey can't do much on special teams then we might be going after a RB who can also be a KR/PR. Yes, this will blow up the "everyone agrees" mock but after thinking this over the last week I don't see Pace and Fox heading into the season without another solid option at RB.

Not sure where you got your info from but Osemele has played a full season at RT and I don't think he did too badly. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/roster...eb-f8227de0cb25 2012: (16/16, 4/4) Started all 16 games at RT as a rookie and helped the Ravens score the second-most points (398) in franchise history (409 in 2014) and gain the third-most total yards (5,640) in team history, including a then-career-high 3,817 passing yards by QB Joe Flacco and 1,143 yards and 9 TDs rushing by RB Ray Rice That versatility is one of the reasons I'd really like to sign him. Not only has he played RT but I would think that experience would aid him in transitioning to RG. He might not be starter quality at OT but on game days he could be the backup OT. At Iowa State he played LT and LG.

I like Kearse a lot more than Killebrew. Kearse has some nastiness to his game.

That's ok, I just hope he's not ours.

That cap space comes with a lot of needs but it gives Pace plenty of flexibility to mix in some good players on their 2nd contract while his draft classes come up to speed over the next few years. In the meantime, he can secure players like Jeffrey and Long for the next 4-5 years.

According to Overthecap http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space we have cap space of 2016 $51mil 2017 $84mil 2018 $125mil 2019 $151mil Pace has plenty of room to maneuver and build the roster he wants.

First, total respect and props to Forte for all he has done as a Bear. At the end of the day he earns the best compliment: He did everything the right way. He will be missed. I understand the emotions of the loss and calling this a mistake but comparing stats makes little sense. It doesn't take into account the growth of the Langford throughout the season, and later Carey. While I agree Forte was our best RB last year that does not make him our best RB next year. It is correct that we did not negotiate with Forte but I think it's a bit simplistic to say we didn't talk at all. Pace has a good feel for what's going on around the league and between some conversations with Forte's agent and feedback from around the league on what his value is likely to be I think he has a good idea of what contract Forte will command. We can't "know" this but it's easy to surmise. If the team was set on not re-signing Forte from the end of last season they'd have made this decision long ago. In fact, they could have made it clear at the last home game. They didn't. Pace waited until he had time to put his plan together for both FA and, to a lesser extent, the draft. He looked at the pro's and con's of keeping Forte at the price he is likely to command, even if there was a home town discount, and feels that we'll be better off moving in another direction. It is quite likely Forte will get at least a 3 year deal worth at $5mil/yr with half or more guaranteed. I won't be surprised if he gets quite a bit more than that considering teams like the Jaguars have $$$ and big need. They could want a solid vet to come in and anchor that spot beside their young QB while their next drafted RB learns the ropes. At some point Pace has to weigh the balance of who else he can sign with that money. I'm excited to see this news because I think it indicates we're going to be bigger player in FA than Pace indicated. If he wants an extra $4mil available it's for a reason. He's likely got several options (since you don't know which one will sign) that he views as all being better than re-signing Forte. Therefore he just bids adieu to a class act in Forte instead of leading him on. If this nets us Osemele at RG next to Long at RT then I'm a very happy camper. I'm sure Langford and Carey will be happy too.

Rds 2 and 3 kill me because I'm not a big fan of Cravens for ILB and even less of a fan of Killebrew who seemingly only wants the hard contact when it's easy (as in WR not looking his way). When it's mano-a-mano he becomes an arm tackler from the side instead of squaring up for the hit. Y'all know I prefer football players over guys with the measureables. In this case Cravens is the better football player.

I'll defer to Ashkum as his knowledge here far outweighs mine. What matters most to me is that you've been able to put together some really good drafts that hit on a lot of needs. Pace should be able to add some good talent to our roster this draft at many positions of need. We're not even considering FA which will eliminate or reduce some of these needs, and that's ok because it will introduce too many variables.

I'm also not that enamored with Cash. IIRC what I was thinking that night, he's very good around the LOS but when asked to stay in coverage he seems lost. IMO, the way the game is these days it's hard to commit to an in-the-box safety, at least in the 2nd Rd.

Saw that interview. Forte is a class act and after listening to him I'm thinking there is some middle ground where we can come to terms with him.

QB pressure doesn't necessarily have to come off the edge, there are different ways to get the job done. I don't see a Von Miller in this draft, perhaps Noah Spence although he doesn't appear to be as quick. There are guys like Buckner, Nkemdiche, Sheldon Day, Sheldon Rankins, Vernon Butler, maybe even Adolphus Washington that have inside rush ability or potential. If we can get early push up the middle our current OLB are good enough to take advantage of it. I'd still like to add more speed to the mix.

I'm late to the party so there's already Rev 2.0 and 3.0....and a 4.0! Overall this is not bad. 1) Ragland. As you know, I'm not that high on Ragland at #11 because I think he will be limited in coverage in the NFL but he will bring a toughness to our defense we don't have right now. Assuming the medical reports are accurate I too prefer to take the risk on Jaylon Smith over Ragland. 2) I like Washington, very good athlete for his size and it seems like if he used his hands better he'd be more impactful. 3) Theus. I prefer to address OG early instead of OT, and after watching Ragland run right around Theus (among other players) I'm not that enamored, plus he's not that strong on run blocking. He looks the part but I think there's more development needed than I'd like to see from a 3rd Rd pick. Here I prefer (if I use CBSSports rankings) Joshua Garnett, or maybe Landon Turner. 4) Canady. I'd like this pick a lot. Good athlete, seems like he has very good size/speed and he's a good PR. He'll contribute early on special teams while he learns how to play CB at the next level. 5) Prescott. While I've been a critic of his in the past if he's here in the 5th Rd this is a good place to take him. To his credit he has improved throughout the last two seasons. As a backup with that work ethic he might end up a good player for us. 6a) Since I already have OG filled, and I'll assume the team likes Tayo as backup RT (seeing as they kept him around last year, and now I expect Long to backup LT) then I'll take Nick Vigil ILB. 6b) Not sure about a CB who was implicated in a theft from his own teammate. How about Jordan Lucas, SS/CB out of Penn State? It worked last year. 6c) Aguayo I'm on board with this. 7) Kwiatkoski. Another ILB, yes we need them. I figure this guy will at least be a good special teams player. Throw enough darts at it and something good will happen.

I absolutely agree, Cam will learn from this and he will be back. But he'll respect what it takes to win more, and his opponents more, the next time he gets there. Reality is that Cam is there largely because he had a top 5 defense leading the way. Lost in their defeat was a phenomenal effort by the Panther's defense. On the flip side, Cam is very good when he has 3+ seconds to throw. Not so good when he doesn't, which is like most QBs in the NFL. Rare is the QB who can consistently get rid of the ball in 2 sec or less and still generate offense. The Broncos made Brady look similarly "lost" in what to do just two weeks earlier. I have no doubt if we put a top 5 defense on the field Cutler can get us to the Superbowl.

The real Cam Newton showed up to recover his fumble late in the game. It's all fun and smiles when he's winning and can show up his opponents, but when things don't go his way not so much. If Jay Cutler had his stat line in the Superbowl, including the record 10 over-thrown passes, he'd be getting blasted from all directions, including the media.

Von Miller played in one of the two Superbowls.

If the first round played like they have it I'd certainly be looking to trade down a little bit. It's an even split for me between Jack/Buckner. Knowing Wentz and Goff are both still available when we pick means teams nervous about getting their next franchise QB (Eagles, Saints, Rams) will be anxious to move up a bit and get their man. I'd be willing to drop back to any of... 12th Saints we'll still get to choose between Jack/Buckner 13th Eagles we're assure of Jack or Buckner 15th Rams need more in trade here because we get Raiders slotted at #14 and risk of missing one of our top targets goes up, but I still think Jaylon Smith will be there at #15.

Picking a QB at #11 won't make me that upset simply because our backup is bad. I don't have that much confidence in Fales but maybe he can prove me wrong in the next preseason. There is that valid argument that giving up an elite 1st Rd talent at another position just to have a backup QB for a couple years doesn't help as much as say Buckner or Jack. The flip side is that Jay usually doesn't get through an entire season and last year that meant some automatic losses. Even when he returned he wasn't nearly 100% (75% Jay was a lot better than 100% Clausen). If Pace feels a guy like Wentz or Goff can be a franchise QB in 2-3 years and he's BPA then go for it because I still think it helps us get into the playoffs in at least one of the next two seasons, if not both. If he drafts Cook at #11 then he's outta his mind. I don't see this happening as I think we're more likely to grab a QB on day 3. Now back to the question. I'll put this in the context of likely 1st Rd players at our positions of highest need. I don't want Nkemdiche. I liked him months ago after seeing him in one game where he did some impressive stuff but now I've watched other games, looked at his lack of production vs. talent, seen his lack of effort on many plays, plus the crazy jumping out the window/doesn't talk with teammates, etc. ..... and I just prefer to pass. While his ceiling might be high, his floor is far too low for me to take him at #11.

Watched some video of Spence. For comparison I found some highlights of Von Miller too. IMO Spence is not as quick off the line as Miller is, and probably not as fast. He might be stronger at the point of attack than Miller (lower level of competition in 2015 makes it tougher to assess) but we also have guys who are quite good at that aspect right now in Houston, McPhee, and Young. The need, if we go in this direction at #11, is for an elite pass rushing edge player I'm not so sure Spence will play at that level. We'll see how Spence performs at the combine or Pro Days and then we can better compare against Von Miller. Even without considering Spence's character issues and just going off what I see on the field, I still prefer the top targets I've been talking about: Myles Jack, DeForest Buckner, or Ronnie Stanley. http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/von-miller?id=2495202.

If he's firm on that then no way Pace signs him. But it does depend on how much he wants up front too. If it were a straight $5mil/yr with zero bonus, that's still too rich for me as I'm guessing his deal should be in the $2-3mil/yr range, but I'd go on the high side if there's no bonus. Given his history, I would think he'd be all about the guaranteed money.