'TD'

He's a good Gm for defense, special teams, and budget, but I can't say the same for the offense. There's no reason to get in yet another JA is good or JA is bad debate. The fact is tho, the page about him that is on there is just as bad as the stupid one that had jerk@ss or whatever written all over it. The one that is up has a mythical story about the mcclasky's struggle for power over the team, JA gaining power in the struggle, and alot of bias. Wikipedia is supposed to be unopinionated and factual. Neither page fits that.

Don't forget us in the third camp, QB. I don't like the idea of the 3rd or 4th OT in the draft with the first pick. I think Ced will be adequate. It's time to get a QB in to develop. I'd much rather have Brohm if he falls then the guys that will be there in the 2nd or 3rd round. When/if Rex fails this season, I want to be prepared for the year after this at the position.

I think Benson will do as good as anyone we could bring in now, as long as the line gets fixed(Which I don't see happening this year). If the report of him possibly "Losing a step" due to his surgery are false, then he should be as good as anyone outside the elite backs in the league. I was wanting Turner to be brought in, but that wasn't because I think Benson sucks that bad. It's because I think Turner can be an Elite back. Turner is young, big and is fast enough to break one off at any time. Running back in the first would be a waste imo, unless it's obvious Benson is looking really bad from his surgery. I'd personally rather see Brohm if he falls, or possibly an OT if one falls. The Running Backs in later rounds really shouldn't be better then Benson. There's also no special backs left in FA, honestly I don't there was any outside of Turner to start out with. Is Jones an improvement over AP or Wolfe? Yea, most likely. Is he worth a multi-year deal? I don't think so. If he is going to only be here for a year, is he worth the drama of being here? No, I don't think so. I don't think he is as good as Benson or that much better then the other guys to be worth it. Why poop on AP for a guy that's not going to be much better, esp. with the way the line is looking.

Well, I guess it's about as accurate as his current one with the same amount of bias, except in the opposite direction.

Did it change since you guys posted? It looks like his old page, full of inaccuracies, like the one that follows: "Then, during the 2003 season, Ed McCaskey died, thus spreading out the shares he had, and allowing the other McCaskey children to take the majority share away from Virginia and Michael McCaskey. Thus this led to Angelo finally being elevated to full GM and powers (instead of name only). It also signaled the end of Dick Jauron, who was fired at the end of the season."

Is it a point that needs backing up? I know the off season isn't near over, but is it really realistic to expect to find band aids to piece this offense together? Take into consideration the number of needs this offense has. At this point the cap money available is quite low and the availability of players is even lower. I just don't see where the Bears can find a 2 starting WR's, 2 starting OL, and a starting RB or atleast competition as JA promised. They can address some of this in the Draft. They may be able to get a starting OL from the draft. They can get atleast competition at RB, but not definitely a starter if needed in the draft. They will not find starting WR's for this year in the draft. They also need to get a legitimate QB of the future in the draft, look for depth for both sides of the ball, and figure out something with the safeties. If Grossman's career takes a 360, Benson's injury has been overplayed, Booker is signed and returns to 2001 form, complete steals are made from cut offensive linemen, and Turner learns to call a game, then the offense will be respectable. That's a lot of ifs, and if they don't happen, then this will be a bottom of the cellar offense. That's pathetic for a GMt after 6 seasons, especially since no offense fielded in that time has been respectable. You can't call the offense rebuilding when it still hasn't been built. Can you even call it an offense at this point when it needs starters at almost every position excluding TE and Kruetz.

I suppose he will be released soon with the addition of Turner.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3273710 Source: Turner to get $15M guaranteed from Falcons ESPN.com news services Updated: March 2, 2008, 3:34 PM ET * Comment * Email * Print The best available running back in the free-agent market has a new home. Michael Turner, who has been the Chargers' insurance policy for LaDainian Tomlinson, agreed to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Falcons, with $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.com's Michael Smith. Turner gained 316 yards on 71 carries with one touchdown last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3273447 Moss, Culpepper talk about reuniting via free agency By John Clayton ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: March 2, 2008, 12:33 PM ET * Comment * Email * Print Inside the Huddle: Moss-Culpepper Reunion? With no deal close with the New England Patriots, Randy Moss continues to explore all options in his first professional exposure to free agency. On Saturday night, he came up with an interesting idea. He reached out to Daunte Culpepper, his former quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings. The two former teammates discussed the possibility of finishing what they started in Minnesota on any NFL team interested, sources told ESPN.com. Though their relationship ended a little rocky when Moss left the Vikings to go to the Raiders in a trade, Moss and Culpepper stayed in touch with each other and stayed friends. They joked that at some point they might be free agents at the same time and might have a chance to unite. As Moss spent his second day in unrestricted free agency Saturday, he started to think about Culpepper, who also is a free agent. What they had talked about for years all of a sudden was true. Hashmarks ESPN.com's Matt Mosley, Mike Sando and Pat Yasinskas are following the NFL free-agency frenzy and sharing their thoughts. Get the latest news from the always updated Hashmarks. Don't necessarily confuse this as a package deal. It's an option for teams looking for a quarterback and a wide receiver and solving both needs at the same time. At the age of 30, Moss has accomplished everything except getting a Super Bowl ring. He has been on the two highest scoring offensive teams in NFL history, one in Minnesota and last season in New England. He has 774 catches, 12,193 receiving yards and 124 touchdown receptions. He's been to six Pro Bowls. It's a reflective time in his career. He's looked back on his accomplishments and his future. He's also had a chance to reflect on his friendships, which prompted his call to Culpepper. They spent time on the phone Saturday night talking about the Vikings days and comparing notes on what they are hearing in free agency. Daunte Culpepper Culpepper Randy Moss Moss On Friday, Moss, while still in talks with the Patriots, started to listen to what other teams had to say about their interest in him. There is no word on how many teams contacted him and he has no visits scheduled yet. He's studying options. Moss can stay with the Patriots. He can move on to another team. He can reunite with Culpepper on another team. Moss set an NFL record by catching 23 touchdown passes from Tom Brady this season. This will be his 11th season, but this is his first chance to study all options as a free agent.

I would much rather have a guy that was drafted as the third WR on his college team, that couldn't get on the field last year, and a guy that lines up out of position 50% of the time. We're soo better off without him.

Seriously, I'm saying a young, explosive WR leaving is worse then losing a 30 year old journeyman running back. Berrian will be alot harder to replace then a RB.

I'm indifferent. It's always great to retain a good young player. His loss had been planned for, and I feel the defense could have withstood his loss. Personally, I would have liked to seen the Bears to use that money to be in the running for Faneca. The Defense has had enough money spent on it with the extensions of Tillman, Vasher, and Brown, plus the eventual extension of Harris.

Wow, Berrian just got thrown under a bus. The guy made some great plays as a Bear. I'll miss him. Is he as great as the contract he received? Probably not. Is he nearly as bad as people here are playing off? Not in the least bit. The guy is young, fast, and excelled with what's considered one of the worst QB rotation in the league. That's without mentioning the excess of money every team has this year to spend. His loss to the Bears is the biggest in the last decade. He was the only good player on offense. Not franchising him was a major mistake.

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=1394 Was that Berrian? You betcha March 1st, 2008 – 12:12 PM by Judd Zulgad An odd thing happened as media members waited in the Winter Park practice facility for the Madieu Williams’ news conference to begin. A Vikings official and someone wearing a Vikings cap and with a Vikings jersey in his arm emerged from the team’s weight room. First thought: Did we just see Bernard Berrian? It certainly wasn’t Williams and it looked like Berrian. (Update: After examining his picture in the Bears media guide, we are now sure it was the 6-foot-1 Berrian.) Later in the Williams’ news conference Vikings coach Brad Childress did say that Berrian remained upstairs at Winter Park and that talks were still ongoing with the receiver. “He’s not here against his will,” Childress joked. “He’s not shackled.” But he could be a very rich man, very soon. Vikings exec Rick Spielman did and would not say if Berrian was going to try to take a visit to Oakland today. At this point, it would not be surprising to get wind of a Berrian news conference later this afternoon or Sunday morning. As for defensive end Justin Smith, who signed with San Francisco and did not visit Minnesota, Spielman did not want to comment. ”He’s signed with the 49ers, so leave it at that,” Spielman said. Updated quote: We just received an e-mail from Smith’s agent, Jim Steiner, asking for a comment on his client’s decision. Honestly, it probably wasn’t that tough of call considering Smith received a six-year deal that includes $20 million guaranteed. “Justin felt San Francisco was the place for him,” Steiner said. “It was very,very close however. He was scheduled to go to Minnesota Saturday [morning] but it just didn’t work out. The Vikes were great, but in the end the player made the call.”

Offense Rex Grossman, Garrett Wolfe Defense Adam Archuleta, Ricky Manning Jr ST Bobby Wade, Patrick Mannelly Draft Some one from ITT-Tech

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks Dolphins strike first February 29, 2008 7:00 AM When the clock struck midnight, the Dolphins were off and running. Miami signed former 49ers guard Justin Smiley to a five-year, $25 million deal, which includes $9 million in guarantees. Smiley started 49 games in his four seasons with San Francisco. He started the first eight games of the 2007 season before suffering a right shoulder injury and undergoing surgery. Smiley will immediately start for the Dolphins, in part, because he has a pulse. I'm sure Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano talked to his friend George Warhop about Smiley before signing him. Warhop is the offensive line coach in San Francisco and he worked with Sparano in Dallas in 2003 and 2004. Bill Parcells is known for fast starts in free agency. He signed Marco Rivera, Jason Ferguson and Anthony Henry on the first day of free agency in 2005. Now, it appears that the Dolphins are attempting to trade for Ferguson, who is coming back from a torn right biceps injury. free agency

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2008...-on-faneca.html Jets close in on Faneca The free-agent signing period opened at midnight, and the Jets were expected the strike quickly. The target: Steelers LG Alan Faneca. The Jets are poised to make Faneca an $8 million-a-year offer and, barring an upset, they will get their man. The official announcement may not happen for a day or two, but those in the know believe it’s a fait accompli. It’s never done until the ink is on the paper, but the Jets are expected to outbid the Rams and 49ers. Faneca, 31, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He would fill a gaping hole at left guard, sliding between LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold. Now look for them to pursue the Lions’ Damien Woody to play right tackle. He has been a guard and center most of his career - he was benched at guard midway through last season - but played the final five games of 2007 at right tackle. And did a pretty good job, I’m told. Clearly, with the Jonathan Vilma, Kris Jenkins and Faneca moves (Jenkins isn’t quite a done deal, I’m told), the Jets intend to be major players this offseason.

Jones is the opposite of Turner in that we know some stuff about him. He been injuried before. He's never been able to carry a load for more then 1080 yards, or something like that. I mean, by watching a Cowboys game, you can see the comparison of a RB with something a little special and a good running back. Jones is good, while Barber has a wow factor to him. Turner has that wow factor imo. The guy has broken off many long runs in his limited time playing. Benson had provided us with hope behind thomas, but never had that gamebreaker look to him that Turner does. We don't know if he could carry the load. The next best option will be a rookie who may not be able to carry the load, and we don't know what they can suceed against NFL defenses. That's one thing Turner has shown.

Sorry, with free agency only 3 hours away I had to say it. So the guy isn't a guarantee, what player ever is. The guy has talent. Look at the loss to Minny last year. Their offense stunk. Well, except for an explosive RB that won that game for them. With the potential WR's and returning qb's, we need a damn good RB. Let's work on the line, get a running game to compliment the D, and build the rest through the draft.

It may seem laughable, but the team needs offensive play makers. If the report earlier was true on Benson, then we are stuck with a Broken Benson, AP, and Wolfe at RB. No matter how good your line is, those players won't help you win games. A fix will be needed this year, either through FA or the draft. The seriousness of Benson's injury will dictate the type of fix needed. Turner loves Mendenhall, and if Benson is done, he may want him as a replacement. Grossman had a good line in 2006. After a good first month, he almost played himself out of the job that year. That eventually lead to him getting pulled after 3 games this year. His career QB rating is 70.9. I'm not trying to start the next Rex debate, just saying depending on him being the future is irresponsible. They have shown this in offering only a one year deal. Orton hasn't did anything to thrust himself into the role of future QB. If this is truelly the make or break year for Grossman, a quarter back will be needed for the year after this. It usually takes a couple years for a QB to be ready to start, so now would be the time to draft that QB. Historically the first round has produced the most "franchise" quarterbacks, so I think that's a viable option. The release of Moose and possible loss of Berrian leaves the Bears super thin at WR. They are left with Bradley, Hester and Hass. Davis is a free agent himself. Bradley was burried for most of last season in the depth chart due to Hester moving to WR. He has a history of injuries and has not really done anything outside of a few plays early in his career. Hester, while an explosive kick returner, had problems with the transition to WR last season. There would be times when you would see people shouting at him to line up in the right spot. WR needs addressed in FA and the draft bad. OL needs fixing. You know that. I know that. I won't talk about it much, other then saying JA has made decent budget FA signings to fill the line and it worked. He has never drafted a good OL, and hasn't drafted one in the first day since Columbo to the best of my knowledge. Draftee OL'men won't fix the line the first year. That is unless they play out of their minds. It has happened, and may happen more then the other positions mentioned other then RB, but it's still not likely. There's not going to be a fix for the offense next year. I don't see what they could do to break the first half of the league honestly. When you need a QB, a couple starting WR's, a starting rb, and some linemen, you're in a bad situation for a couple years atleast. The best position on the offense is TE, and neither are probowl caliber at this point in their respective careers. That's still ignoring defense that's losing Briggs, needs a couple starting safeties, and do we have someone beside Harris?

Im disappointed with this offseason as a whole. Turner is still here. No position coaches were fired. People were cut that should have been, but I think others should have too (ie. Arch and Manning Jr.). People were extended that we have replacements waiting for. Berrian wasn't tagged. Rex is back . and Orton is supposedly looking to extend for near the same money as Rex is getting. All of which should limit the FA spending.

I don't see any reason to want him back, but I could see him wanting back. He comes back, and the Bears are stuck with the same 3 QB's from last year. In that, he gets to start thanks to the coaches man love for him. He goes some where else, and will have to fight for a chance to start for the first time in his professional career. Plus, there's moving and all that other jazz. I won't watch a single Bears game next year that he starts. I can't through another year of him holding the team hostage, on what would be the 6th year in a row, and no advancement towards solidifying the hole that's held this team back since the advent of the Super Bowl. Never in the history of the NFL has a player been given that many chances to succeed at his position, only to fail time after time. It's sickening.

If the Patriots ask a player for a visit, that player usually signs. Dropping moose had me excited cuz I thought Booker would be coming in, guess I was wrong.

the New England Patriots. WR Booker will meet with Patriots http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors;_ylt=Al...WETQsZCsZlDubYF Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 8:16 am EST Marty Booker Getty Images The New England Patriots are setting their sights on another former Miami Dolphin, as receiver Marty Booker is scheduled to meet with team officials at Gillette Stadium Tuesday the Boston Globe reported. Much like the Patriots' decision to pursue Wes Welker last year, Booker's success against New England might be a significant factor in the level of interest he's received from Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli and head coach Bill Belichick. In eight games against the Patriots over the last four seasons, the 6-foot-, 210-pound Booker had three 100-yard receiving games. He played a major role in the Dolphins' last two wins against New England - catching eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a 21-0 win Dec. 10, 2006, and seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in a 28-26 victory Jan. 1, 2006. The 31-year-old Booker enters his 10th NFL season in 2008, after playing for the Bears (1999-2003) and Dolphins (2004-2007). He was released by the Dolphins on Feb. 11 Source: Boston Globe Related: New England Patriots

I don't think Chad Johnson will even be an option. I think he won't want to come here given the quarterback situation since forever, despite what he said on the radio. I think he just wants out for no apparent reason. I don't like the idea of Walker, this is the second team he's caused troubles with. I just don't see him happy here either. Booker on the other hand, the guy is solid. He might not be great, but I think he's an upgrade as a receiver over anyone signed on this team. I think Berrian(unsigned) could be better, but isn't better yet. The guy owns Bears receiving records, and I always hated that he had to go. Will he want to come back? Probably not, he was burnt pretty bad by the whole deal. He has great value, so I would love to see them try. I think his demand will be small, and so will the contract he signs for. His number dropped playing beside Chambers(while he was there) and the horrible QB's they had in Miami. I honestly have a feeling he will go to minny tho. They seem to go after about every WR that used to be a Bear. Wade, Robinson, and bates a few years ago, and whoever else.