Alaskan Grizzly

Isn't "Sweet' Willie Young a DE? Or are they thinking he'll be more an OLB? With both he and Houston hurting their knees last year something tells me that one or both may not make the season. Hard to bounce back from knee injuries and Achilles ruptures in their positions. And what about Dave Bass? He seems to still have potential and has played DE. I know that Allen is a DE but they are projecting him as an OLB.

I would lean that way too. I think once FA gets underway and the Bears make some moves we'll have a better idea where they will draft. I still think it would be a waste for Shelton, but that's me.

Dolphins shopping Wallace. Sounds like it would be too much hassle to trade him but maybe he comes available later as a cut. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000047...-miami-dolphins And Jacoby Jones who adds another dimension as a returner. Of the two I'd much rather see Jones. Better character. http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=123...le.com%2F%22%7D

Funny how warped minds think a like. LOL

I'd agree with most of this. I'd like them to get a solid veteran LB to run the defense. Someone like Patrick Willis or the "other" Brandon Marshall. Someone familar with the style of D we're going to see. Don't know that Bostic, Greene, Jones or SMC are ready for that yet. 1st round should be CB or Safety. Unless our Brandon Marshall or Forte go away then look at drafting a starting WR or RB.

Another intriguing situation. Is he a casualty of bringing Peppers over? I know they didn't play the same position but Peppers did flourish in the new scheme. Not that Hawk would too but its still a question to ask... My gut says 'no' but only because he's got GB cooties on him.

Intriguing for sure. Isn't Bowman coming back from that horrible knee injury year before last? I could see money for money and age for age being equaling factors and that we are hurting at LB just as they are hurting at WR. And the fact that Fangio would have someone competent in his style defense to call the plays, makes a lot of sense. I personally can't really come up with a negative. The only thing that concerns me is losing BM. I'm not convinced he's as much a problem as many 'outside the locker room' perceive him to be. I actually see him in the opposite light. I see him more as a potential leader of the group and players like AJ, Cutler and others might regress. Throw that in with the potential loss of Forte could send a bad vibe through the team. Think Urlacher from a few years ago but two fold. This time on the offense.

So what are the thoughts on Randy Gregory? Being a Nebraska guy I've seen that he's making some noise lately and has had a pretty solid career as a Cornhusker. And since were talking combine, why don't they make them do the drills in pads? Seems all the tests would be more accurate if they were.

So i did. I saw that you opened with a four year comparison on Raji and missed the segue. At any rate id have to be suspicious of those numbers. Is Krazydaze onto something with the questionable sacks (if that was where his question was aimed)? And as lemon pointed out for a guy who lit it up last season, he sure didn't blow anyone away with his combine performance. Having 90 tackles in one season is pretty noteworthy, but I'd be more impressed if he averaged it over a two or more year span.

And since we're on the subject. Raji stats since being drafted Round 1 for GB in 2009: 129 tackles 10.5 sacks. Paea drafted round 2 in 2011: 94 tackles and 12 sacks.

Well considering that Sutton played for ASU it would be similar to Shelton being that its PAC12. (so too did Paea - Oregon State - for that matter). And Ferguson played SEC (at LSU) so there is that.... Unless you meant Raji who played at Boston College (ACC).

I like all of your suggestions that are bolded. Glad to see that Thompson is getting his due diligence although that makes it less likely he'll get picked by Chicago. If he does come in as a Safety, presumably picked by Chicago, he'd be great as a SS. Imagine along with Jones, Bostic, Harris(?) SMC(?) as LB's that would be pretty sweet.

And Will Sutton managed 95 solo (160 total) tackles with 20 1/2 sacks. So how many young DLmen does one team need? And just for reference; Ego Ferguson had 85 total tackles with 5 sacks in his college career. Steven Paea? 56 solo with 14 sacks. And what's more, we already sorta know how these guys will perform. And that was after Mel Tucker was their DC.

Yeah me too. Still have a hard time spending 1st round on an 'other than skill player' position. Whether it be OL or DL. When you have players like Beasly, Waynes, or even (my favorite) S. Thompson maybe in the Safety position you can't pass on that for a lineman. Heck even a relative unknown in L. Williams measured up pretty well and might be had in later rounds.

'I know Peyton Manning, and he sir is no Peyton Manning." A couple things to consider before you fall too much in love. Manziel was doing the same last year (as the article pointed out) and if he was so sure in his observations, why didn't the person making the quotes about Winston get named? Or did he prefer to stay anonymous?

This would be a great solid veteran move. Harris has been a strong and consistent player. 120+ tackles in the last three seasons.

Could he be the next Dante Culpepper, Joe Flacco or Steve McNair? Huge kid! He must be noteworthy if he's invited to combine.

I wouldnt go that far. Have to remember he was stricken with pneumonia early on and obviously suffered because of it. And like the rest of the D suffered under the ineptitude of Tucker. Even as an older player he's got a motor and he's got leadership potential. With all the possible changes on D, losses of Briggs and Peanut and additions of more youth and FAs that will be a big factor. At least he's not promoting his restaurant or blowing out his ACL while celebrating.

This of course considering the team is "rebuilding" which I wholeheartedly disagree with.

Said it once, and I'll say it again. To rid the team of an OFFENSIVE TALENT right now doesn't make a lot of sense. Sure last year was tough but I think it fair to say it wasn't just Forte that stunk it up. We have a new coach and GM because of the mess that became our team, not because Forte was "non-productive" last year (or not as much as he is normally). With the new offensive philosophy going forward and that being it will probably involve zone blocking, who's to say that Forte couldn't suddenly have a resurgence? And going back to my original thought of ridding ourselves of one of the offensive talents on the team for an unknown through the draft? When we should be focusing more on the defense?

Frankly I'd like to see the discussion on either Mariotta and Winston to die off. IMHO, neither should be anywhere on our radar not at #1 especially. Not at what it would cost. With Winston I really don't need to say much other than Manziel 2.0. And before you suggest he "looks the part" I'd remind you so too did J'Marcus Russell. With Mariotta, the more I hear it was more the system than it was Mariotta I start to wonder if that's not true. If the championship game wasn't indicative of that possibility then maybe there's something to it. And the fact he skipped out on both the Senior Bowl and Shrine game makes me wonder why? Here's some more insight to Mariota and his translation to being NFL ready: http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/23707...and-he-knows-it No thanks. Look for a better skill player, preferably on D before you consider one of these two.

Yes and yes.

My money is that he stays with the team. Some of what I hear in discussions about the 'new-look D' will involve hybrid 3-4 formations. Which tells me you base your Defense on that scheme but use the players you have (and eventually add) to the best of their skill. In Jared's particular situation I could see them having him try to be a stand-up 3-4 OLB with the occasional hand in the dirt 3 pt stance. I'd be willing to bet after he tries the new way more he would find he likes it better. Some have commented that Peppers discovered new life in GB last year with that transition. Besides that I have no question that Jared is a team player. And they'll need some veteran leadership on this side of the ball and he'd be one that I'd be looking towards.

I don't know that's such a great idea. When you hear folks talk about the team most all will agree that the offense is 'loaded with talent'. I'll confess to some degree that does include Cutler. Especially when you consider a) his contract b ) other potential FA QB's c) the draft class this year for QB and d) his contract. Essentially what you suggest could mean the team would need to 're-build' its offense along with its defense. Most will agree that this year the team needs to focus more on fixing the defense. Especially now that they look to be going to a new scheme. I don't see how taking two of the primary cogs (if you will) away from the offense will help in accomplishing that.

Just to be fair and in judging him in recent history you have to consider what he's had around him. Last year was a bit of a challenge for him being that the original OC went down for the count and was essentially lost for the season. As a backup they promoted the QB (?) coach to run the offense. Coincidently that person has since moved on. (is it the "Lovie curse" on offense? - possibly). The year before last, under a pretty effective OC (who played the part of HC) he did well. When he was previously with Carolina (2008-09) he was in a true backup role and towards thr later tenure in Fox' reign in Carolina. I have to believe that as much as a fan of McCowns I am I still think he's worthy of a roster spot. Not necessarily as a starter mind you but more as a mentor. Could it be that Jay maintain the role as starter and McCown compete for the job (considering they again have a competent OC in Gase?)? Or will be relegate to a true backup role and considering Cutler cannot or will not, mentor whomever the next QB of the teams future may be?