Alaskan Grizzly

I'm with you Pix. I've made no secret in my support of Lovie but to think that Emery would pick a guy so that eventually, maybe he could play a role they (whoever "they" are) see him better fitting is ludicrous. I've seen that thought echoed here a few times and chuckle. You hit the nail on the head that if Lovie fails, by associatiation so does Emery. What I think people need to get a grasp of is that Lovie is an effective "COACH" and that his players appreciate playing for him. Our perception of him does not matter, good bad or indifferent. Recent moves not withstanding it should be noted of the players on the team a few have recently signed extensions with the hope of "being a Bear for life". A few years ago it was Urlacher this year it was Briggs. And this despite him saying how displeased he was the previous two years.

Isn't the similar course Dave Duerson followed a few years back? And he was thought to hav lingering effect from concussions. My hope is the NFL will look into this for the health and safety of past, current and future players. Sorry for the Seau family. RIP Junior.

I think there is something to this Brown. I'm intrigued to see how he does. I read one of his "selling points" was that he has fiery disposition. I think he'll be an upgrade to Webb...maybe even Williams (if he goes back to Tackle). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...ames-brown.html

Until Cutler and Forte were both injured the Bears were on a five game winning streak (7-3?). And they have added better players (Marshall and Bush) so I'm not sure how they couldn't be better. Top 10? Perhaps. At least top 16.

I stand corrected. I was just on my way to passing out on my hammock when I wrote that. And Rosie Williams didn't sound right.

Sadly enough 3 of the top 4 of Jerry's first group didn't do all that bad; Colombo, Colvin and Brown. Unfortunately the top two did well elsewhere.

Born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. (Went back 17 1/2 years later for boot camp). Family all over the Mid West (Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana). In Illinois my family still is around Chicago, Woodstock, Mount Vernon and De Kalb. I've been in Alaska since 1977 (hence the handle). Loved the Bears as long as I can remember. White Sox in baseball (mostly because of the "Big Hurt" and Ozzie). Can remember a time once when I was younger that my Grandpa was talking about taking us to see the Bulls play because "there was this new kid named Michael something that is supposed to be pretty good". Man was he right.

Wait wait wait! He played for a "small school"! Ha ha... I'm sorry, I couldnt resist. In all seriousness, looks like a decent "bargain player" for the 6th round.

Well it looks like your "missing thread"was found. Anyhow, no I probably would not have picked a FB in the fourth round, unless I knew WHY he was picked. Was there other intangibles that other teams saw in him? (sounds like NE might have seen something). Perhaps all the other "higher rated" and more heavily scouted players could have had bad info (injuries, personality etc) the team disliked. Perhaps Emery is using his skills as a scout and looking for true bargain players. So far he's made a lot of bargain moves (save Campbell) so why not continue that? Think about it, these higher touted and more popular players could cost a bundle during contract negotiations. Maybe Emery wants money to see what falls out after the draft is over, when other teams have to get rid of players they can't afford so they can sign their picks? Emery can come along with his saved money and pick up a decent veteran player for position of need. Maybe this is totally "outside the box thinking" but I have no history on Emery yet other than what I've seen so far. And so far he's done pretty good. As far as me thinking that JA was a savior, not sure I really ever said that. In fact I was one that thought, late last year, that he and Martz needed to go... And they did. The one tha I get ceiticized regularly for siding with is Lovie. But that's fine, I'm still sticking by him.

I saw the one he is talking about but it isnt there anymore. Did it merge with Bradjock's about the same subject?

Well played sir. "Keep calm and Chive on!"

You're sick! Ha ha ha! I can't wait to see Terra, Jason, Bear 4evrr, or Lucky see that post. Brilliant!

Really Terra? Since when have you NOT been known to be a "Johnny Raincloud"? Or whatever you called it. This is the first draft that Emery has done and already many are willing to consider it the worst yet? We haven't seen any of these guys play yet so how could it be decided already?

I think a lot of this type of posting is those that are just waiting for an excuse to bad mouth the organization. So the team drafts a fullback (although a confusing choice) they pile on. I think it would be better to hold off on the judgement until we have an opportunity to see how this and the rest of the players pan out. After all the last I checked, none of us are in the "war room" when these choices are beig made, nor during the time leading up to it.

What's to say McClellin won't be a "freak of nature"? I think it a bit premature to assume a lot about he and the school he came from. And just for reference: Richard Dent - Tennessee State (by the way Ed "Too Tall" Jones played there too); "Mean Joe" Green - North Texas; Osi Umenyiora - Troy and Israel Idonije - Manitoba (that's in Canada). Ok maybe the last one isnt necessarily a "freak" but most would say he's a pretty decent player. And has made an adjustment to the NFL despite not having that high calibe college pedigree.

Uhm, actually I was making the comparison to the opinion of schools that were regarded as stronger (Big 10) vs those that weren't (MWC?). Of those in the "weaker" conference, New Mexico was listed (as was Boise State). Urlacher played at New Mexico and regardless of how "inferior" that conference was/is, he has had a pretty good career. As far as comparing McClellin to Urlacher specifically. I'll reserve judgement for now. Just like in 2000 if I would have compared Urlacher to either Singletary or Butkus, I would have been considered crazy.

Didn't Urlacher play at New Mexico?

Yep that's the game I was talking about. Nice work and compilation. It shows him being a pain in the arse to opposing coverage. He's going to be perfect in Chicago. The only concern I have with him is the talk about his weight starting off 2011. Apparently he came to camp heavy but was noted to be a sleek 215(?) during the Combine. Sounds like he ended the previous year injured so that could be a part of why he was heavier... either way I'm not OVERLY worried. Still a great pick!

One name comes to mind: Danieal Manning. Granted he was not a "1st round pick" but he was the Bears "first pick" in 2006. His niche' was Special Teams (listed as a DB). Didn't do bad as a ST'er in Chicago. Although it wasn't until he got to Houston before his other "talents" started to show. Anyhow, I agree in principle that the 1st round pick shouldn't be for a ST player. What's to say that when Emery said that he actually meant that the player might see action on Special Teams in addition to learning his eventual permanent role? Don't want to show your hand too early.

I like this new "glass half full" way of thinking you are showing. Now let's talk about this Lovie Smith guy.

I didn't say anything about a "hybrid defense" just hybrid players. And just because they haven't, doesn't mean they won't. Like I pointed out before, the Giants have tinkered with the idea of faster players on the front line and they have been pretty successful. What if they did try Peppers out at standing up, just to see how much quicker he could be? It's not past the point of probable.

Brian Bear, You're way too hung up on this "OLB" and "3-4" vs "4-3" scheme. A lot of teams are looking for players that can fit that OLB/DE hybrid. Take NY Giants as an example. They have a 4-3 basic defense with a front four combination of DE/OLB crashing the opposing line. Mathias Kiwanuka was drafted by the Giants as a DE but is now considered an OLB. Heck even last year in Chicago, Peppers played interior line a few times here and there. I think it is a great idea at looking to bring in a player with "LB speed" to help in the front four rush. After all, the effectiveness of the Cover 2 is predicated by the front four pressure.

This is a HUGE reason why I can't stand mock drafts. It is so much hype and opinion that proves out to be "much ado about nothing". That being said, I don't think it fair to judge without really knowing much about the guy. I think some might have been skeptical when this guy was picked, after all he was a Safety for a large part of his College career: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dspro...&genpos=olb And just for comparison: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1274370 Most places I have read say that this guy was going to get picked somewhere in the 1st round. Some say high mid, some say low mid first round. He's now a Bear and there's no doubt he will contribute to a team looking to get back to the Super Bowl.

I know it's a bit off the wall but what if??? Saw today that Mike Wallace does not intend to sign his tender with Pittsburgh. How about a trade with Forte? The Steelers need an RB and the Bears need another "flashy" WR opposite Marshall and me thinks Wallace would fit the bill. Just sayin.