AZ54

I liked Bennett but when you watch him he always looked pedestrian in running his routes. Good hands, knows where to be but some that quickness he had when he was younger doesn't (or didn't) show up the last couple years. Still you'd think Cleveland would have kept him around through camp to at least compete. He'd be far from their worst option at the bottom end of the roster.

I'm more excited because I think we've had two good drafts in a row, really two good off-seasons, despite being hamstrung by serious needs on either side of the ball and are well positioned for the future cap wise. Cutler's deal become extremely team friendly in a couple years. If SMC pans out at LB then the perspective on Emery's first draft changes quite a bit. I don't so much care about the draft rating rather that we just find a future starting LB because it's a big need. Emery said his goal is to build the type of depth that allows a team to compete at a high level year after year. Right now I think he's on the path to doing that. I'm not expecting things to be perfect this year but how we play this season will definitely go a long way toward proving that to be true.

More good news. OTAs and no hitting but still to have a bigger, stronger, and apparently quicker Wilson out on the field with Marshall and Jeffrey could turn into a great combination for us. http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/...r-chicago-bears

It is only OTAs... http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/jon-bostic...rs-no-1-mlb-job

I agree, we'll be staying with a 1-gap front for the most part. Which is why I have the question on the LB run fits and why it seemingly would change so much according to Bostic. Whatever they are doing it seems we're going back to a more conventional way for the LB reads.

This offseason I'm most curious about our new defensive scheme. Reading this article, along with Bostic's quotes, makes me wonder what differences we'll be seeing after a nearly a decade of the Tampa 2. Some of the board members have experience or knowledge of football well beyond my limitations. I'd like to hear thoughts on what changes we'll be seeing in our run fits (to use their term), or should be looking for players to do as I expect execution won't be perfect early on. Any ideas on what our LB assignments are now versus the old "get in your gap" of the Lovie 2? http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...ml#.U5Mu2MY8icM

After letting this simmer for a couple days…why not add one more guy to the mix, especially one who has experience? I'm not a big fan of Fales even if he ends up as our 3rd guy which at the moment appears to be his ceiling. Palmer, Clausen…let 'em go at it.

Agreed.

I know Trestman downplayed it but there is no way he didn't go back to his office afterward and smile a bit when thinking about this. His team is in voluntary OTAs and already players are getting after it. Tim Jennings comes on NFL Network afterward and says the D isn't backing down from anyone and they are ready to fight to get the D back to where a Bears' defense should be. Don't think the rookies didn't take notice of this…these veterans come to practice!

I love the list. One caveat, there is no way I could put Marcus Robinson ahead of Alshon Jeffrey. I realize Jeffrey has only had 1.5 seasons of play but Robinson also only had one season over 1000 yards just like Jeffrey. Oddly enough Robinson had 1400 yards that season so very similar to Jeffrey in 2013. There's no point in arguing about the QBs who threw those passes (one better than the other) but if I'm picking one of these two to win the jump ball I'm taking Jeffrey every time. It is sad that we can't really discuss our WRs much more than that. Who else have we had? Curtis Conway, Johnny Morris, Marty Booker, Dick Gordon. Booker had two 1000 yd seasons, while Morris and Gordon each had 1 albeit in a different era. Curtis Conway had 3 1000 yard seasons. At this point, if Jeffrey signs a contract extension we know which two names will be at the top of the list below years down the road. Chicago Bears Receiving Career Register Single-season Passing Rushing Receiving Returns Kicking Scoring Career Passing Rushing Receiving Returns Kicking Scoring Defense Approximate Value ReceivingProBowl(*), 1st-team All-Pro(+), · Glossary · SHARE · Embed · CSV · PRE · LINK · ? Rk From To G AV Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Fmb 1 Johnny Morris 1958 1967 121 60 356 5059 14.2 31 80 2.9 41.8 16 2 Harlon Hill 1954 1961 89 2 226 4616 20.4 40 88 2.5 51.9 2 3 Walter Payton 1975 1987 190 168 492 4538 9.2 15 75 2.6 23.9 86 4 Mike Ditka 1961 1966 84 52 316 4503 14.3 34 76 3.8 53.6 9 5 Curtis Conway 1993 1999 92 44 329 4498 13.7 31 85 3.6 48.9 7 6 Marty Booker 1999 2008 82 33 329 3895 11.8 25 66 4.0 47.5 5 7 Willie Gault 1983 1987 76 37 184 3650 19.8 27 87 2.4 48.0 3 8 Ken Kavanaugh 1940 1950 90 162 3626 22.4 50 81 1.8 40.3 2 9 Dick Gordon 1965 1971 97 41 238 3550 14.9 35 93 2.5 36.6 10 10 James Scott 1976 1982 70 38 177 3202 18.1 20 72 2.5 45.7 2

No complaints from me at all. Never ever have we had a thread on this board where we debated if the Bears had the best WR duo in the NFL. All they did this offseason was work out just as hard as they did in 2013 and they took Marquess Wilson down there with them to help him too. They are not being selfish and prima-donna's as some WR are even though Marshall has admitted to being that way in the past.

I agree this is likely Dallas just speculating where they could look and based on past experience in the system it is logical Urlacher's name came up. However it is not logical that they'd pursue him a year after he retires when no team had interest in him. What we can gather is that Dallas is definitely looking for options. Will they get more desperate as training camp approaches?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0,4882964.story First they say they are content to fill their MLB void via their current roster now they consider luring a retired MLB back to the game. Nothing serious here in terms of negotiations but I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas reached out to Urlacher's agent.

Interesting because I had to think about this for a minute. I've always been a Tillman fan and so I'll stick with him as my favorite. My favorite player through the years has always been on defense but if he continues to grow into his potential Kyle Long may take over once Tillman retires. Another player on the long-term horizon for me is Will Sutton but that is largely because I've been watching him play for years and I'm optimistic about what he can do on our revised defensive front.

I may be an exception but I really don't see Briggs as a leader other than by his performance on the field. I can't find the article right now but he had some quotes recently that made him sound happy that someone else was taking over the play calling responsibilities. He's a quiet guy in some ways who just wants to come in and do his job. He is definitely respected in the locker room but I can't recall many players saying he was a coach on the field always getting guys into the right position ala Mike Brown years ago. Briggs was pretty clear last year that he wasn't comfortable making the calls in the defensive huddle. By popular vote the majority here would trade him for a 2nd Rd pick. Those who wouldn't trade him at all are all-in that we can win the Superbowl this year and see no reason to take a risk. I said initially that if things were looking good with our young LB'ers in training camp I'd accept a 3rd but a 2nd Rd pick would close the deal for me before training camp.

With Dallas losing Sean Lee for the season I'm wondering if anyone would consider trading Briggs to Dallas? There are no rumors so this is purely my fantasy league. We are dealing with Jerry Jones who is known for his desperation moves and Briggs is a natural fit into Dallas' defense. Right now there is no way I'd do it solely because I think we can compete at a high level in the playoffs and there is too much risk in all the young players. However, if SMC and Bostic are looking good (I'll assume DJ Williams is "good") and the coaches think guys like Greene and Christian Jones will be decent backups then I'm open to it. We can't know that now, or rather the coaches can't, so this is more likely a training camp deal. Briggs is near the end of his career but should have a couple decent years left in him, giving Dallas a reasonable ROI if they decide to extend his contract a bit. If the young guys are looking good early in training camp and JJ offered a 3rd Rd pick in next years draft I'd take it. I'd accept the deal for a lower draft pick if a good veteran safety showed up on the FA market and we needed the cap space to sign him. In that scenario we'd have a weaker LB corps (young and improving) but a stronger safety group balancing it out. Maybe a decent DT shows up on the FA market as well making it a 2 for 1 deal with regards to the cap space. On the negative side, (if accurate) right now Over the Cap says we have $6mil in space so that isn't a need. The only reasonable contract extension that I can see is Jeffrey and that, with 2 years left on his deal, would be very unlike the Bears. However, if they did roll the dice and tried to get him early on a reasonable deal (should he hit the Pro Bowl again) it could set us up for a much better cap situation down the road. After looking at everything I'd say a deal is unlikely but I wouldn't be surprised if there hasn't already been a phone call from Dallas to Chicago just to ask what if.

Stinger has picked up the slack somewhat but where oh where is Grouchy?

Context is key here IMO. Lots of good pieces to go along with Cutler as well as good coaching and play calling add up to a better QB. What's most telling is that this is data largely predicated on the first part of the season when everyone was still trying to figure out where to go and what to do. He came back and played horribly while still injured (or re-injured) and then later in the season he was just ok. At that point later in the season the defense was so bad it was almost impossible to try to compete. Nonetheless, we haven't yet seen what he's supposed to be as a player. Hopefully a second season in this system really pays off. $20million says the Bears believe it will.

Only surprised to see Jennings moving inside to nickel back. Losing Hixon on day 1 is bad news from one day of practice and for him the 3rd time on the same knee. I scanned the photos of practice and a few guys stood out. It's photos and really means nothing other than seeing those who might be out of shape. http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/pho...590eb39a6#start Most have already seen the new SMC. Garza looks like he hasn't left the weight room in 3 months. Greene also seems to have added some bulk and Ford looks ripped. Will Sutton has noticeably trimmed the extra weight and that's good news for both his quickness and stamina. OTOH Ratliff looks like he's had too many biscuits and M.D. Jennings doesn't look strong enough to survive a full season playing safety in the NFL.

That's not good. It's going to be tough to work out as usual but OTOH I know many people who have come back from shoulder surgery and rehab with more strength and flexibility.

I'm sure he would have preferred to be in Denver.

$15mil guaranteed for Houston's 5 yr deal seems excessive? Compared to what contracts?

Hmm…wonder what the odds are for the Bears to make the playoffs, win the division? I'm headed to Las Vegas in early August so I might have to put some money down on these bets.

I'd say he understands that as well. His comments that he really wants to just stay at one position so he can learn it, master it, indicates some level of frustration with his past assignments moving him all over the field.

I don't get the whole Forte is "tired" complaints. He had 363 touches last year, 2nd only to Shady McCoy who had 366. Payton was usually in this same area in terms of touches but had a few seasons where he got around 400 touches. Payton was elite and sits in the Hall of Fame for that reason. McCoy is openly campaigning for less touches this year so he can have fresh legs in the 4th quarter. Forte (and Payton) should have been tired at times. I think he's doing plenty of good hard work for the Bears on the field and I'd much rather have him take a quick break than be too tired to adequately protect Cutler, or himself.