Mongo3451

Agreed that it's a horrible idea. (even though I don't believe it's actually Pix's idea) Olsen should catch 85-100 balls this year and go to the pro-bowl. I really look for more 2 TE sets this year. Now that we have Pace, Williams and Shaffer to shore up the bookends, we can actually deploy both TE's in routes to open up the playbook. That with Cutler mobility and cannon will go a long way in offsetting the lack of proven talent at WR.

These power rankings are week to week, so they can upgrade and downgrade as the season progresses. As of now, AZ and Philly are OK, as their respective QB's are not injured. On the other hand, you may be onto something when it comes to Vegas odds for the Super Bowl. Lastly, I love to see we are getting kudos in the press. Hopefully it does not have the same effect as the year following the Super Bowl, as our team seemed to have lost some of the hunger. If I had to bet, it would be that the team will come in motivated for another run at glory. FS, WR and coaching are the only concerns at this time. The team seems stacked otherwise.

I hope LT is lurking with some cap analysis. I would love to re-calibrate this wet dream off-season. The only season I have been more excited was the season after the SB, in which we were supposed to be bulletproof. I'm still praying for a decent FS.

I'm not getting a smokescreen out of this, as Angelo is simply not saying too much while outwardly displaying confidence in our own.

Thanks for the dose of realism Madlith. What's next?: are you going to inform us that Cutler is NOT, Jesus in cleats. Buzzkill!! LOL Honestly, practice squad looks like a pretty good for all of our draft picks that don't make the roster.

If he can compete and has a minumum + incintives contract, I don't see where it would hurt. He would valuable insurance in case of injury and could prove to be a great situational player and un-official sideline coach. If he doesn't have anything left - cut him.

Thanks for the analysis. It seems like he's close on skillset.

I've always thought turning an undersized or speedy offensive lineman into a fullback was an interesting idea, but have rarely seen it done. Anyway, did we get our guy in the 7th round??? Read the writeup. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/lance-louis?id=237676 Thoughts?

Agreed on a great draft! Sorry, to rehash an old post, but I've been on vacation. The only thing I really wanted and didn't get out of this draft was Fiametta. I can't believe he went in the 4th round. I'll give this draft an A- with Cutler factored in. The +'s would be flying with a road grater fullback. Never know, maybe Melton's the guy.

I think we are set at WR. I would have rather had a vet come in, but it looks as if we are standing pat. On the other hand, we still need to address the free safety position. Hopefully, we swing something before training camp.

I bet that changes before the season starts. Vegas is more on top of it than anyone. They also taylor their lines to attract more bets.

I love the trade. The value chart is horsecrap IMO. Now, if Angelo ends up trading down again for 6th and 7th rounders, I won't be happy.

Temendous talent. If we had extra picks, I would take a flyer on him. However, he would require a huge retooling to fit our scheme, as we require our DB's to provide run support. The guy's currently a pu$$y.

If you throw Fiametta in there. I'll take it.

DVR and hopefully prepping a record wild turkey for the taxidermist.

I gotta go against you on this one. Angelo is golden ovr this move. If Cutler doesn't pan out, it's on the coaches. Furthermore, if Orton becomes an all-pro Lovie and Turner will have some explaining to do. Angelo will have some red-ass over hiring incompetant coaches, but Cutler will remain tied to coaching and scheme. We can't rip Angelo for Cutler. We've been crying for this moment for years. He's put us in position more than once. Again, this season and at least next is on the coaches and players.

Agreed. Throw Aikman in, as well, for me. (Just leave Buck at home)

I'll miss Madden. He had the ability to make a stinker of a game interesting to watch. Some may call him a babbling idiot, but he was far from it. The whole favre thing got on my nerves, but if he were talking about Walter that way, would we hate it so much? Madden truly was a great football mind, as he could take complex football situations and easily break it down for the common fan. Who else would telestrate grass in a helmet? I truly like the guy!

Gosslin owns this time of year. I am loving the fact that he has has those guys in the 2nd. Do you have any info on who he picked for us in the 2nd? Also, I would not count out Robiskie being drafted before some of the guys you mentioned. He's actually the most "pro ready" WR in the draft. Great hands, good route runner, prototypical size, good character, top college program, healthy and ran a 4.4. (who else has all of those intangibles?) I actually wouldn't be surprised if he goes in the 1st.

I don't think this is bulletin board material. He was simply sh1t talking for fun. I didn't get any disrespect or malice from it. Seems like he a Cutler are buds.

If Kiper is right... Oher and Britton would have been ours in the 1st All the good WR's are taken and we draft another Mohammed Duke Robinson would have been there for our 3rd Damn Cutler trade! Just kidding. LOL I'm still beside myself and actually can't argue with any of the picks.

Madlith - I'm on Facebook. How do I find the TalkBears group?????

Over the course of his career in Chicago, Lovie Smith has seen about all that there is to see. He started his career with a lowly team that looked to improve as the season progressed. Year two, he saw his Bears, lead by a tenacious defense and special teams, beat the packers and make the playoffs, much to the satisfaction of Bear nation. Year three, the team peaked by winning the division and making it to the Super Bowl using the same formula as the year before and utilizing their new weapon in Devin Hester. Year four, the Bears were proclaimed to be bulletproof by the collective thoughts of some NFL executives. They were regarded as the only team in the NFL that would win despite it’s QB. But the loss of Thomas Jones in conjunction with the lack of motivation in Cedric Benson saw a dramatic change in our offense. Good Rex/ bad Rex was just simply bad Rex as a result. Also, in the Kevlar year we saw multiple injuries to the strength of our team, the Defense. So we went into the off-season arguing about QB, RB, OL, defense and Hester. What we found was the offense with Orton and Forte was a pleasant surprise. Even with a crappy OL and no #1 WR. We also found that the Defense and Hester (in the return game) did not live up to expectations. We also found that D Manning is a beast in the kick return game. Through all this we finished 9-7 in a relatively lackluster season and an abysmal final game, in which we could have made the playoffs against an inferior team. This left many, including myself, calling for Lovie’s head. Now we look at the current off-season and the upgrade of our OL and Cutler. We still have major loot to spend under the cap and a free agent WR upgrade is expected. Marinelli and Lovie now control the D and expectations are again high. Here we are, on the cusp of another season and looking forward to what team Lovie will produce this year. Remember, he started with little and we became a SB team in three years, followed by an injury plagued stinker, followed by a lackluster 9-7. We have seen the best and worst of Lovie. He has taken more control of the team this season to make this year the validation of his tenure. What will the result be?

Yes sir! Those also help promote counter plays and cutback lanes in the run game. Nasty!

I've been thinking about posting thoughts on the effect signing Cutler will have on the Bears. Here are my thoughts: Offense: The effect here is obvious. He has all the tools, mobility included. He'll stretch the field with his arm allowing Turnwer to call any play he wants. Forte and Co. will have more room to run, as a result of a softer box. Lastly, Cutler will have to accounted for when designing pass rushes, as he will dangerous out of the pocket. Defense: Lovie will be able to release the hounds in various ways knowing he has a QB that can put numbers on the board. Also, with an improved running comes greater time of possession, keeping the defense off the field. Talent: With our new additions, free agent talent will be more attracted to come here. Keep your fingers crossed for Holt! JA and Lovie: Did a masterfull job of putting the team on notice this off-season. JA in being critical of players and coaches and Lovie purposly scheduling OTA's during prime vacation time and assuming responsibility for the D. Team motivation: This may be the biggest lift of all. If you are a Bear, you have to be sky high right now. The addition of Cutler, Pace and Marinelli will lead to greater dedication in the off-season. The entire team has been put on notice that the window is back open!