jason

I saw him live in the Oakland game, and he terrorized the Bears OL. He was constantly getting double-teamed, chipped a few times, but generally pushed his side of the OL into the backfield on just about every play. On top of that he had the long INT return on the tipped ball...but got ran down by Lance Louis. From that one game, I'd say it's hard to tell, but that's only because the Bears OL sucked so bad. He did look fast on the rush though.

Sorry I didn't feel like writing a dissertation every time I posted on the forum. Sometimes you have read into posts. I'm not spinning, just using common sense. It's so common that everyone on the board other than you and maybe one other agrees with it. It's so common that even az agrees with me. That doesn't happen often. No matter how many times you reply, you're wrong and the idea is stupid. 1. Weems does not factor into the conversation. His position may as well be ST, and not WR. 1a. Marshall+Weems+Floyd/Hill Marshall+Robinson+Floyd/Hill. 1b. Put another way, WR+ST+1st round WR WR+ST+Later than 4th round WR 1c. Put another way, WR+ST+WR WR+WR+WR 1d. Put another way, #1 WR+ #7WR + #2 WR #1 WR + #2 WR + #2 WR 1e. Put another way, $$$$+¢¢¢+$$$ $$$$+$$$+$$$ And just so you know, if our fictitious teams played each other you'd lose something like 24-14, because my OL would road-grade your depleted DL (because you've spent 1/3 your salary cap on WRs), and your arsenal of tall WRs would barely be on the field because we'd control the TOP by an ample margin. And when your WRs were on the field, they'd see the ball infrequently because Webb is still protecting your QB's blindside, the interior OL would still be weak, your QB would be back-peddaling by the 3rd quarter, and he there's a decent chance he wouldn't be in the game in the 4th quarter because the weak OL and weakened running game (because you invested so much on WRs) would not keep the defense honest.

This was posted on JANUARY 13TH!!! Holy hell, what source does this Shields3L guy have?

The quote: What he had to say to the media. The comment about the draft: The truth, hopefully. The two comments are obviously contradictory, so we can only hope he's not just blowing smoke and he actually intends to put serious emphasis on the OL.

Dude, are you not reading the actual messages in their entirety? Are you just glaring over everything that doesn't jibe with your thougts? Seriously, reread the entire thread and actually grasp what is being discussed. I've highlighted the key point of each of the above comments for you. But feel free to read everything from beginning to end again. Parker, Ashkum, az, and I all said either a FA like Royal, or a high draft pick, makes sense. But not both. Nobody is arguining against another FA and a late round WR prospect. What you are saying: OMG BOTH! This doesn't make sense for a team that actually wants to have pro-level starters at every position.

The strategy is one I don't have a problem with. The timing of it, however, would be bad right now for the reasons you have listed. You just don't throw away the back end of the careers of all-stars, and two future HOFers, for a rebuilding project, when you're only a piece or two away from going back to the big dance and competing for the championship. Before Cutler's injury last year they were 7-2, yet had glaring needs on the OL and at WR. The latter has been addressed. If the OL gets addressed, then the rebuilding project is unwise, because this team can compete with anyone.

When az, Parker, and Ashkum all agree with me, then I know it's a rock solid case I'm arguing. Another mid/top tier FA WR + Draft early round WR = Stupid. Case closed.

Which is precisely why I hate Lovie and his "we should win those meaningless games at the end of the year" because it builds (whatever). This has happened more than one time on his watch. It's tough to pull off the GB strategy being mentioned in this thread when Lovie is so good at coaching a team teams towards mediocrity.

I agree, but that's the ideal situation. The Bears are not in the ideal situation. When you have glaring holes, you have to address glaring holes. If it's between BPA and the #4 or #5 guy in terms of BPA, but that #4/5 guy is at your position of glaring need, you go with the #4/5 guy.

I think you've seen a team have lots of WRs who are good, but you've ignored various other parts of the team that also help the team be good and maximize the opportunities for the WRs to be good. Weems doesn't even factor into the discussion.

And if that's your opinion, it's valid. I happen to disagree, and I'm pretty sure management disagrees considering his salary (7.5M+ cap hit this year), but it's understandable.

What if Briggs gets hurt?! What if Tillman gets hurt?! What if Peppers gets hurt?! We better get a backup for each of those guys who is just about as good and could start on other teams.

No problem with Royal. No problem with a high draft pick WR. Big problem with getting both. That's where it doesn't make sense. That means one WR gets lost in the wash.

I agree. I love this signing. It's minimal and it allows for improvement from a player with potential. It also doesn't cost a lot since the Bears still need to spend elsewhere.

:blink: Did you really just say that? With the various needs the Bears have with starters, you want to take a high draft pick and have him sit for the year? First round draft picks should be guys that we're ready to plug into the line on Day 1. Second round draft pikcs should be pretty damn close to ready to start on Day 1. Sitting a 1st/2nd round guy the entire year is an incredible mismanagement of personnel.

What if Urlacher gets hurt? We better draft a MLB in the first round!

Tag, you're it. You can try to convince him it's a horrible idea to go out and get Royal and THEN still get a first round WR. One? Sure. Both. Stupid.

Sorry. It's still stupid. The Bears' WRs don't directly match up against the Packers' WRs. Their offenses are different. It's just a pointless comparison. #1-Marshall #2-#6: Bennett, Knox, Hester, Floyd/Hill, Royal That leaves you with a situation where either Marshall doesn't get the touches a #1 should get, or Royal/Bennett/Knox/Hester don't get the touches they need to develop further, or Bennett doesn't get the touches needed for a guy with such great chemistry with the QB, or Knox/Hester/Royal don't get the touches ideal for such explosive players, or a rookie 2st round WR doesn't get the touches required to develop and live up to his draft status. The Bears can't throw the ball to those 6 WRs and maximize their potential. Much less satisfy the players. Unless, of course, you want to never throw to the RB, never throw to the TE, and minimize at least two of the WRs on roster. The ONLY way what you're saying makes sense is if the Bears know Knox is done, and they are completely done with the idea of Hester as a WR. The former we don't know yet, and the latter is obviously not accurate. They will not push Hester to the #5/#6 WR. He is at least the #4. Period. Similarly, they won't spend a first rounder on a WR and push him down the depth chart. That's just straight up stupid. So, please, who in your magical scenario gets dumped down the depth chart? Let's assume Knox is gone (we don't really know), that leaves you with your 5 guys of Hester, Bennett, Royal, Marshall, and Floyd/Hill; what's the depth chart?

Exactly. They have BM. Now if they still feel it's a need, the situation should be either one more FA, OR a draft pick. Both is stupid. For various reasons.

Of course Cutler wants the Bears to pick up his friend, his former teammate, and another WR. He wants to win, but at the same time he wants to put up individual stats. Why? Because it helps him get bigger, better contracts. This is not rocket science.

And it would still be a bad series of moves to get to that. Marshall, Hill/Wright, Bennett, Royal means two FAs and a high draft pick. You guys do realize the Bears have about 40 or so other positions to address, right? I'd love having that stable of WRs too, but it doesn't make sense. Essentially you'd be throwing away Knox, Hester, and Sanzenbacher. The latter I understand, but until the Bears unequivocally know Knox is out, then it is incredibly stupid for an organization to invest that much into one position. Oh, and don't forget that also means you're putting Hester at the #5 or #6 WR. That's probably not very smart either considering how explosive he is. He was on pace for another decent season before the offense went to hell. Again, it's not smart.

We're agreeing more and more lately. With BM as the sure #1, Hester works perfectly as the inside short slant guy, Knox is great as the deep threat, and Bennett is a very good possession guy.

If that's your take on why the Bears offense wasn't good, and why the Bears didn't win anything last year, then you're not watching the entire field, and you're certainly not watching all positions. Just look at the play Cutler was injured on. Pressure up the middle, LG blown up, C has to provide support, quick throw, Knox falls down, INT. When situations arise like that, Cutler needs a go to guy. The Bears got him. There's a reason you don't ever hear anyone say "go to guys." At the same time, other positions are necessary, and if given more time and he might not have to make that throw.

Dude, you're delusional. I'm not eating crow. If they sign a midget and call him a WR, that doesn't mean it's the same as the fantasy football stuff you want. What you were talking about was a #1 (BM), #1A (L. Robinson), and draft a #1 (Floyd). It's stupid. Right now the Bears have a depth chart that begins with Brandon Marshall, fits in Bennett at #2 or #3, lets Knox/Hester put in word after that, and has room for a ST guy like Weems. Maybe Sanz. But it is most certainly not the same as what you were talking about. Signing Weems is the equivalent of me leaving a tip at a restaurant. Signing one of the others is similar to buying another meal even though you've just eaten (BM). It's time to focus on other positions. WR should be done until the draft.

Yep. Ridiculous. It makes no sense to sign a guy who is only semi-productive, is coming off of an injury, and doesn't exactly strike fear in any opposing defense. Guys like Carlson can be had in the 5th round.