Alaskan Grizzly

If they are doing a criminal investigation, they aren't doing a great job at not 'polluting the well'. Granted in today's world of cyber speed it is getting more and more difficult to do investigations like this without someone knowing...something. But, it sounds as thought Te'o knew this would be going public sometime in early December, from who I don't know. But if there were other charges stemming from this whole mess, me thinks there would have been something said about it by now. I could be wrong, been there before. But at this point the strongest case (IMHO) would be in a civil court, probably not criminal.

I dunno I think that Barrett Jones could definitely be worthy of a #1 pick (Jason will be so proud that I made that comment). Imagine the next time Cutler decided to do a "Webb shove" on someone like Jones? Talk about comedy.

Forgot about "the Purple People eater" Wooton. And I assume that most consider Paea a servicable DT? So, if the team were to someday convert to a 3-4 defense wouldn't they then need to look at another top rate LB? Especially with Urlacher uncertain this year let alone nearing the end of his shelf life?

I like this list and see good potential out of it. From what I read one of the only redeeming qualities new OC Kromer brings to the team is his connection to Bushrod while at New Orleans, so maybe that could be enough for an enticement? And I totally agree on the past of drafting in the first for LT.

There is no doubt you and I have a discord on this and oddly enough I agree moreso with TT on his outlook (although earlier he forgot the other potential bust in Carimi). You make valid points on what you outlined above (Pros and Cons) but like we have discussed before the risk for picking that "decades long bookend LT" is just that, a risk. I still think that the first round should always be a skill set player or value pick. If one of the top three rated Tackles is still available at 20 when the Bears pick then that, I would consider, is a value pick. And in case you're wondering no I don't think the Bears are in a desperate enough situation to trade up to a higher pick to get that top three talent. Conversely, if a highly touted FA is available (like there apparently will be this year) you dump as much money as you can to get that player. Again the reason being here is that the player is "proven" instead of unknown.

It appears we were both right.. http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle...TCLID=205558428 he was considered more a two way player. But regardless, my thoughts of his "career" still stand.

"Ruined his career"? You know Hester was actually a CB in college right? If he'd been drafted on that, and only that, we'd be asking 'Hester who?' Instead the dude is probably going to be in the Hall of Fame someday for his record setting returns. Not a bad career if you ask me.

Interesting how this post started about the hire of Cavanaugh but seems more focused on Tebow. When it's all said and done the likelihood of Tebow coming to Chicago is not so. But I wouldn't be surprised a QB of similar skill sets (say round 5-7) isnt looked at in the upcoming draft. That being the case, I'm not all that enthused by this hire of Cavanaugh. He doesn't have all that great a track record. And quite frankly am scratching my head why they didn't just keep Bates on to continue working with Cutler.

x2, x3, x4, x5 (for me and each of my family members). Although I am glad to see a Bear alum "represent".

My daughter thinks the Bears should use this as part of their new offensive scheme. She says she could see Jay Cutler doing this. Think Trestman would give it a try?

And Jason is exactly right in the point he's making. Some would argue (I sorta did) that Singletary did not completely fail in SF. But I believe he is smart enough to know that if given another chance, he would only get better. The comparison I made to him and Belichick and Carroll is that if they hadn't been given a second chance (based on their respective products in Cleveland and NE), where would they be now? And I'm not necessarily advocating that Singletary should / could be a great HC, but I'm pretty darn sure he could be a great DC. Hence why I compared him to Ray Lewis. You can't tell me that you as a fan wouldn't go crazy happy with a coach on the sidelines that had the passion that Ray Lewis does..especially with his knowledege of Defense? So it wouldn't be wasted energy when the player came off the sideline (like the illustration I read recently of Idonije) when the coach rips that player a new one enough to motivate him to play better now rather than after a week of practice? Or heck, send him to the locker room early like Singletary has done before?

Gotta agree Jason. I keep hearing the way of the future is this new "Pistol Offense" which I believe I even heard Trestman talk about a little. And if we look at the concept of how SF had the incumbent, this case Alex Smith, who really wasn't all that bad but obviously Kaepernick, who has a different skill set, is getting them to where they are. In the Bears' case, you could have Cutler, who I think some will argue could be limited in his skill set..mostly due to his decision factor, might actually benefit in having a Tebow on the bench. Maybe to motivate him to play better and make better decisions despite what Trestman might be able to do.

I think in Denver it was more Elway not seeing Tebow as the "solution" and instead putting his eggs in the basket known as Manning. And, if I'm not mistaken, it was Josh Daniels' pick...not Fox'. Probably not really Tebow's fault. And in Jets its purely the circus atmosphere that is Jets football run by Rex Ryan. That place is a mess and still is. They made a mistake in getting rid of their GM only, should've gone a step further. Again though, in regards to Tebow, not his fault.

2 for 2?

Nor did Belichick's performance in Cleveland and Pete Carroll's performance in NE impress me.... "Way over the top" is what you want, especially coming from a Hall of Famer who played Defense....isn't that how Ray Lewis "appears"?

What? In 2009, Singletary's start as HC: Michael Crabtree drafted #10 Round 1, (coincidently the 49ers traded their 2nd and 4th round picks for Carolina's 1st round in 2010) where they selected Mike Iupati and before that, in the same round, picked Anthony Davis. But getting back to '09; although Singletary didn't draft him Dalshon Goldsen (sp?) started to come on strong and five players made the pro bowl. Finishing the earlier comment on 2010, Singletary was still head coach when they drafted Navarro Bowman in round 3 and made a trade for Ted Ginn Jr in later rounds. (All of this was found on Wikipedia by the way...don't tell Brian). And who could forget: "Cannot play with them. Cannot coach with them. Cannot do it. I want winners." after he sent Vernon Davis to the locker room during the middle of a game against Seattle.

Good question.

Funny how this article leaves out some interesting information that Graham talks about in his experience with Baltimore. I found this by way of BleacherReport....(I know, heaven forbid). Don't worry Brian, it was linked to this USA Today article... http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2...graham/1840227/ Some excerpts: "Ayanbadeio started three games late this season at inside linebacker with injuries to Ray Lewis, Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe. He recently ceded his starting job to Lewis, back on the field after right triceps surgery." "Graham says he knew he would get that opportunity even before practicing with the Ravens. He could tell from conversations with coach John Harbaugh, despite the Ravens having a surplus of capable corners in front of him. It took injuries to Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith and Chris Johnson to make it happen." So even with the Ravens, Graham (and Ayanbadejo) wasn't projected to be a starter. He's just (as some have pointed out here) being stupid because its an opportunity to pile on. He'd be in the same boat had the three other corners not been injured. Make the most of Corey while you can...now's your chance at the Hall of Fame.

Right but it does fly in the face of most of the other articles you read where the Trestman/Cutler link could be amazing. It just causes one to pause a minute and not get swept up in all hoopla. And one way it does that is drawing comparisons to the Josh McDaniels debacle back in Denver, who by the way was supposed to be a great offensive mind.

I know Brian, you've made that abundantly clear before. That you don't consider Bleacher Report legit. Nevertheless, its a source. And although you can "write whatever you want" into Wikipedia, most entries are backed by citations.

Interesting point you make... http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1487484...h-trestman-hire

I'm not media but obviously I wasnt a fan of the Lovie release. (water under the bridge). But I have taken what Mad Lith suggested and a semi open mind to the changes. Am I excited? A little. Admittedly I was anxious to see who they hired. Now that's it's done, the real work begins. To the credit of detractors, Trestman must first prove himself. These first few moves are telling but really we won't be able to judge until the season starts anew next September. And as far as Chip Kelly and the Eagles "stealing the limelight". They can have it. It's better to work without the media spotlight in your face anyhow.

Actually I'd have to say that the offseason in '06 (who knew the team wouldn't make another run at the SB? right away?), '09 (when Cutler was traded) and '10 (when Peppers signed on to the team) were all higher on the list....but that's just me. But like you, I'm welcoming it with my "glass half empty".

Howdy 'neighbor': Thanks for the great insight. Looking forward to what is in store from Coach Trestman. Funny how some of the original thoughts you mentioned above are similar charactersistics we saw in Lovie ("player coach", no "exciting press conferences", little emotion) - which coincidently are a lot of traits that people listed they didn't like about Lovie. But I also thought, like you noted, he reminds me somewhat of Belichick as well..not just the sweatshirt but the cereberal unassuming approach that I've heard referred to. And I thought of this (along with the bolded above). I know you meant players as "his guys" but could be concerned with the role Trestman sees himself in if Emery is driving the boat and bringing in the coaches he wants to work with Trestman, instead of what Trestman wants. I would be curious to see what the conversation was between the two when/if the discussion came up about "who do you want as your DC, OC etc?" I recall Emery saying something to the effect of hoping to keep Marinelli and part of the Defensive coaching staff because they were the consistently strong part of the team, but that it wouldn't be required of the new HC. What I didn't hear was the Offensive side...did Trestman suggest Kromer and DeCamillis as his assistants or was this Emery's call? I have to think with Trestman being out of the NFL for awhile it probably was Emery's call...after all they weren't in Canada. Not that that is totally bad, as you pointed out, Trestman has been out of the NFL for awhile so it would be good to have someone(s) working with him that are in tuned to the idiosyncrocises of the NFL. My point and concern is, I hope that it doesn't turn into a dramatic mess just as the season is beginning to kick off because the similar philosophies weren't there.