AZ54

I'd wait and see on both players. Ogun definitely needs to show something during the season. Idonije has some competition and needs to make the team. I think that's very likely but regardless it's best to let things sort themselves out. If he's still playing at the level we need then I suspect he'll get a new deal early in the season if not soon after the final cuts are made.

In the past it has been the Bears style to allow 2nd tier players to visit other teams first and JA let's the agent know they have significant interest and to call them before agreeing to a deal. They can see if they get an offer and then the Bears can choose to be in the game and bring the player in for a visit. If we like him offer a bit more, or if it's too much for us thank them and move on. On the flipside is the visit to the Bears when they don't get a contract offer from the other team. Now at this point we have negotiating leverage and if we like the player we bring them in and if they check out we offer the contract that day and have a good chance of signing them. Ask Michael Gaines about this process. At this time of year players are nervous about having a job. It's a bit of a risky strategy in that you can lose the player if they get a great deal but if we weren't willing to give them a great deal it probably wasn't going to work out anyway.

I like the fact that we've drafted WR who are known for their ability to catch versus the "athletes" we've brought in over the years and then hoping they'd improve as a WR. We still have two of them on the roster in Davis and Hester. It looked like we might be doing that same old thing with Massaquoi who is not known for his hands and to be honest I wouldn't have minded drafting him in the third either.

Wolfe was significantly outperforming AP on special teams last year. With Kevin Jones as our backup RB keeping Wolfe around instead of AP, who is a similar style runner albeit with less ability and who now has less value as a special teamer than Wolfe, makes a lot of sense. Keep another young RB on the practice squad (or raid a guy off someone else's practice squad) in case injuries take a toll on Forte and Jones.

On passing downs Dusty just stood there and looked at the offensive players in front of him. He made zero effort to get to the QB. He seemed to start the season well but faded very quickly and it was surprising it took Babich and Lovie so long to get him off the field, especially considering that Adams had played well for us the year before.

Horrible idea. Trade an up and coming TE for WR who's on the downside of his career, whines like a high school girl who got dumped at the prom, and wants more money on a contract he just signed a couple years ago (i.e. he's greedy). On top of that it's esentially giving up a 1st and 2nd Rd pick for Boldin which is even more than the Cards are asking for but I'm absolutely certain they'd make the deal.

Bring him on. I think he's better than either of their two QBs. However, he's not nearly as mobile as he used to be and more importantly, when he was with the Jets he acted like the prima donna he is. He didn't hang out with his teammates at all, didn't spend extra time watching film, etc. He just showed up for practice and the mandatory stuff and then left the scene without hardly talking to anyone. They said he had his own office and spent most of his time in there alone. There's a reason Thomas Jones called him out at the end of the season. If he goes to Minn he'll take the same approach because everyone is going to call him their saviour. I don't mind that dissension in the Viking locker room.

Phenomenal. Thanks for posting the article.

That's assuming at least one and likely two of our young WR step and play well: Bennett, Iglesias, Knox, Kinder.

That's assuming at least one and likely two of our young WR step and play well: Bennett, Iglesias, Knox, Kinder.

I have to wonder if that was that because he was off the juice?

As Peyton would say...sweeet!

I think the guy stepping up will be Bennett. However, let me add here that if he does become our reliable underneath receiver it will help Hester in a big way. Point is Hester could end up with the bigger numbers because of his deep speed but Bennett could be the guy that makes it all work with reliable short routes and consistent hands. WR corps in 09: Bennett Hester Davis (will stick because of experience) Iglesias Knox (unless he is a total bust and deserves to be cut he won't stick on the practice squad without someone else picking him up). Kinder to practice squad I don't see Bears keeping 6 WR especially with our DB situation so unsettled. Players like Melton and Louis could also force an extra lineman on the roster compared to what he carried last year.

He has serious character issues. Maybe he's been humbled, who knows but I think it's worth giving him a tryout so we can get to know him a bit better with no risk.

nor anyone else

I don't think Mike Doss was ever any good, except maybe in college.

I'd be more than happy to see Davis move on after what he did last year. However, what worries me is that he was considered to be playing great during training camp and was expected to have a breakout year. Then he dropped key pass after key pass. Point is that he might be a great practice guy but terrible on game day. Other guys can be the opposite. If that same scenario happens this year will the coaches put more stock in what they see in preseason games versus the practice video?

Don't forget our backup RB is Kevin Jones who should be much improved with another offseason to recover from his knee injury. I also think he'll be back at a lighter weight and we'll see more explosiveness from him this year.

6 TDs were against Arizona.

Part of Rashied's value to the team was that he could be a backup for KR. Well we now have Iglesias who can do that albeit without the explosive you want to see and Knox has also returned punts and kicks but wasn't a full timer at it. So I agree Davis should be on the bubble but with the lack of experience we have at WR I think he still makes the team. If Knox and Kinder impress in camp then I can see us keeping 6 WR. Most likely I'd say Kinder ends up on practice squad. That could be a risk if he plays well in preseason as other teams will likely be keeping an eye on him.

Packers D was bad last year. How are they going to suddenly be so good this year in a new scheme and with so many pieces that don't quite fit the new roles?

That's a heck of a bandaid for a minor cut.

I really feel like Burress is the perfect compliment to the experienced WR we have the on roster but given the good young talent we have at WR I do not want, nor do I foresee, JA going after Burress. I do feel we have 3 good rookies at WR and believe at least two should end up contributing long term to this team. If we are going to add a vet WR these young guys need to see how a real professional goes about learning the craft. Plax is only going to teach them it's ok to skip practices, be late for meetings, get fined and stay home, shoot yourself, whatever you want and the teams will keep giving you money as long as you play well on Sunday. I don't want these guys hearing that message much less seeing it play out in their locker room.

I based the inconsistent comments on the draft profiles I read. His first few seasons he showed raw talent but it didn't translate to the field. Last season he worked hard and it paid off. Today even Dick Tomey came out and said he wasn't on anyone's radar until this season. So I said he was inconsistent during his college years. If Jarron Gilbert had played better his junior season he wouldn't have been there in Rd 3 for us.

On Melton all I'm saying is we grabbed him in the 4th which was higher than where he should have gone just because we felt he was the right player for our scheme. Disregard any comparison to Freeney at all, that was just one situation I though of where a team simply drafted their guy earlier than expected. I guess if I used the Raiders and Mitchell FS scenario it would have been a better comparison. Freeney situation came to mind just because he's a DE. With regards to your relationship with JA, I think now that you've committed to him for this season you'll be hearing about this from all sides until the next offseason. I'll at least grant you that it must one of those love - hate relationships.