Alaskan Grizzly

They're going to try him out at OG.

Oh brother. Thanks Ashkum for trying....

http://whodatdish.com/2011/08/02/new-orlea...gns-with-bears/ There is a disclaimer at the bottom regarding the "rumor". Even I have to ask...WTF???

I totally agree. This was just a good story to see how he has been doing especially with all the events of the last year; injury in playoffs and accusations, recent break up with fiancee and his buddy Olsen leaving. Seems that he is doing just fine and perhaps a little more "enlightened". Whatever happens I hope that he never loses that brashness and competitive edge that he carries to each game. Looking forward to camp and the season. Good luck Jay and the rest of the team.

In a word: No I know Jason and I will agree on this.

Jason, I know you enjoy contradiction but I'll make this brief. I agree that the Bears need to upgrade OL. I agree that the Bears have not, in the past, done great in addressing that problem. I disagree that they had to do it now. Each team has something like 90 players right no and will have to eventually cut down to 53 (that's still the number right?) so another FA is bound to shake loose. I also disagree that JA "skirted" the issue at all. He said that it wasn't as simple as picking a player and signing him up. He admitted to targeting Colon early on and it didn't work out. You yourself said there were only 2 decent FA guards to begin with. And of them, how many returned to their team? So like before, give it time. And what the heck is the analogy of "leaving a fire and hanging ou to make breakfast?" Don't get it.

Uhm..... I think they DID address the OL once or twice: see Spencer and Carimi with the #1 pick this year. I don't think anywhere in my post did I close the door on the possibility of signing another OL man. In fact, I left it open for the possibility that even after a few weeks of preseason games there could very well be another FA pop here or there. Just because the Bears haven't signed every top star they could (see Redskins) doesn't mean they're done....not by a long shot. In the meantime, what I did say is that I have faith (not the Jesus kind) that coaches like Tice know what they are doing. And I think he wants to work with what he's got FOR NOW. Hell, they've only practiced together for one or two days. Relax, get a grip...don't get sick or vomit or whatever, just yet.

I would agree with 99% of what you wrote except for the "bolded" part. I think Briggs might have something to say contrary (at least back in '07). Although he eventually saw the light and decided to stick around, despite saying otherwise.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...,0,779552.story Could be a viable partnering. If on the cheap. Having a deep CB pool is something of high value. Especially with someone like "Peanut" at the sunset of his career.

I think being "sick" over the status quo is a bit extreme. Most here will agree that Mike Tice knows what he's doing and if he wants to try and work with what they have, because they have potential. Well that's fine by me. There are four pre-season games upcoming that will help in that grading. There will be more FA's to be had, should the Bears need them. All hope is not lost. And besides that JA has a take on what is going on with the line. It reads as sound deliberation: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0,3581055.story

I wonder if JA is handling this situation like he did last year with Olsen. According to this article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0,5068685.story But from what I'm hearing, Forte has since decided that he will join the team and leave any negotiations (if any) up to JA and his agent. Forte's a smart kid and has been working hard off season to improve himself.

Awesome!!! I really appreciate being able to read perspectives like this from a "real" person. As being someone that has never, nor probably will ever, go to one of these deals it is good stuff. Thanks. A few remarks/observations: 1. I have heard this about Moore. Good to know there are a few players out there that appreciate where they are and who helped them get there. 3. I have noticed that Williams resembles Calvin Johnson. I am ok with Burress going to NYJ and have a feeling that Roy will have a stellar year. 4. Spaeth came by way of Pittsburgh and played against the likes of Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Ed Reed and practiced against James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Larey Foote. We know that Olsen couldn't block, something tells me Spaeth will hold his own. 6. Had just read an article about Cutler looking leaner. Good for him. That will help him overall. 7. Who is this second "Bennett" you refer to or did you mean Hester? 8. Good to hear the Defense is having fun. Perhaps a by product of Marinelli and what we hear about how guys like playing for him? Were none of the other recent FA's there? I know they couldn't practice but figured that Williams being there may have been a few others. Thanks again.

I like what we have but maybe a change is good too. Maybe something nostalgic like Payton, Butkus, Halas, Sayers or something. Or a string like Butkus, Singletary, Urlacher.

The original point about "cost" and "need" are, if I'm not mistaken, is that Totupu is wanting a large contract. Hence why Seattle is parting ways. Why would the Bears want to spend that much on a player where the "need" isn't as much say on the OL? What happened to that being more the "need"? And since when did MLB become an issue? As far as Urlachers replacement (or stand in) isn't that what Roach is for?

Probably not because of two words: "cost" and "need".

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...,4080152.column I like what I am reading. I was wondering how he would outwardly deal with all the "goings on" in his life as of late. It looks like we have an idea and perhaps, an answer.

Sorry to nit pick but I think Harris is a Safety actually.

This is another wise signing. Although it is on the wrong line but still, should work out one way or the other. Something to read is this article regarding Okoye when he was being "shopped" by Houston. The interesting line is about the fact he is 24 and won't be 25 until next June. Getting Okoye is almost like a free draft pick. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...mobi-okoye.html And since Kreutz was mentioned I will weigh in on that. I like the guy, love his tradition with the Bears and leadership qualities, but if he hasn't signed ANY offer (or even considered it) then I'm sorry. Time for him to go. His actual worth isn't what he hoped it would be. If he is on FA status right now and he was worth more, he would have been gone. That being said, give him one last chance to sign the deal and move on. Enough of this time wasting.

What's really wrong with that? As some have pointed out earlier, if half of the current FA's pan out then the Bears are that much better for it. That doesn't even count the draftees. I, for one, am a HUGE fan of Barber's. Admittedly, he has slowed down as of recent but I think he has enough left to be a spectacular short-yardage (and goal line) back. That is in tune with another poster who insists that Martz needs to remember that Chicago affords an enviornment where running is paramount. Especially in those situations. And contrary to another poster, Barber and Taylor are not alike. Taylor proved his inabilty last year in gaining short yardage. Barber is relentless...hence his slowing down in recent years. If anything Taylor and Forte are more similar, especially with the belief both catch well out of the backfield. Not really sure what the alternative to not spending cheap but all the Bears would have ended up doing is getting one maybe two players that cost more as opposed to what they are doing. Don't have to look far to see a player that was paid a lot with little production...his name, Haynesworth. Heck Taylor got $7 Mil of his $12.5 Mil last year and see what he did for them? And I even like the guy.

I think that is the whole point of why it is a good signing. That and he is familar with Martz. Something that COULD go a long way in a short time.

Sims-Walker to St Louis is fine by me. Having players like Williams and Hurd now available for Cutler and Martz to utilize is pretty sweet. I like the Williams move because, as has been pointed out many times, he is familiar with Martz' system. Which appears to be difficult to digest and comprehend. What's more is that he might be interested in mentoring newer guys especially given his chance at redemption. Not knowing a lot about Sims-Walker makes me believe that there really isn't anything spectacular about him. Has he made a pro bowl? I know Williams has. As far as Hurd, I'm even slightly familiar with him and his abilities. In that he is pretty good for a guy that will probably be #5 or 4 on the rotation and on ST. The bottom line is the Bears made some bargain basement deals for a couple decent (not spectacular) WR's. They furthered that with the addition of Gholston. The fact they are saving money leads me to guess they are saving for something more valuable. Could it be an OLman? Time will tell.

I second both notions.

Reading more of the Rotoworld link: "In his new book "Play Like You Mean It," Rex Ryan reveals that he advised his friend Eric Mangini not to draft Vernon Gholston in 2008. "I didn't like the kid coming out of college," Ryan said, "... thought he was a phony." Ryan insists he was in Gholston's corner once he became "one of my guys," but he was never able to turn the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 into a contributor. Apr 26, 3:11 PM" I trust Ryans analyisis but perhaps the previous article was right in saying that Gholston is better suited to a 4-3. This will test Marinelli's mettle and influence. Good luck coach.

I would have to second all of this. Another that seems to be pretty decent, after starting as an unknown: Wootton. Let alone the DLmen you have players like Urlacher and Briggs who like working for Marinelli. That means something.

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