jason

That's exactly my reasoning. And as for the posts about Harrison's demise...your statement about 70% of his skills is totally accurate.

EXACTLY. All the talk of drafting a RB was making me ill. Now if Turner would just get his head out of his ass and actually use Kevin Jones to spell Forte more than one play a game. The downside of this is that the potential of Wolfe will yet again, be a completely unknown quantity because these coaches lack the knowledge and ingenuity to put him into situations where he would tremendously help the team.

Agreed with Noots. I loved Leftwich, but he may be past his prime, injury prone, and a bad fit for this offensive scheme. Not to mention the fact that he might get disabled behind this OL.

If you don't think Chad Johnson is a locker room cancer, and a spotlight hog, and in the same mold as TO...you're crazy. Also, as I mentioned, his "drops" are highly over-publicized. I watched several Dallas games this year, and many of the "drops" he was credited with came as a result of being double covered, and a pass coming in less than a perfect spot. I think we'll all see next year that Romo won't be as good, and Trent Edwards will be better. I was really hoping that the Bears would do something daring for a change, make a splash and attempt at being one of the top offenses in the league. TO would have been a big step towards making that happen. He's still one of the best WRs in the league, arguably top five, and his "demise" is greatly overstated.

This just in: Trent Edwards orgasmed into unconsciousness. Marshawn Lynch plans on having massive holes in Buffalo next year. Lee Evans looks forward to having single-coverage, and catching several 50+ yarders next year.

Overall, I hate it. But if Sanchez turned into a 10-15 year solid pro at QB, I could grow to like it.

ORLY? I think you're just being a TO hater...which is crazy because I am almost always the one who says stuff about TO's attitude when discussing it with my friends. But his numbers and production do not lie. He's better than: Ward - overrated because he loves to block Welker - Gimme a break. Only putting up huge numbers because there is a circle-jerk around TO Housh - No friggin way Chad - Ridiculous. Has the TO attitude and doesn't even have the TO production Evans - Next Royal - HAHA...this was a joke, right?) Roddy - Gimme a year or two before he surpasses TO Steve Smith - The only one on my list that I feel is debateable. He's a beast at times. Jennings - I don't think so. He had good stats, but GB always seems to have one WR put up huge stats. Calvin - See Roddy Colston - See Roddy/Calvin Remember, stats don't tell the whole story. TO gets more coverage and attention than just about any other WR. And the drops are a BS stat as well. I watched several of the Cowboys' games this year, and TO was credited with several passes which certainly were not drops. It's perception. I remember being in the chat room and completely disagreeing with Connor on whether or not a Bear player dropped a pass in single coverage. Change that to double-coverage for TO, and a forced pass, and then we can talk. I know the dude has a propensity for alligator-arms from time to time, but the "led the league in drops" is a BS stat. And, last but not least, his production may have dropped...but look at Witten's. You're telling me that Witten is not benefitting in a huge way because all the attention TO is getting? 3 years with TO: 165 catches, 1831 yards, 21 TDs 3 years without TO: 91 catches, 1251 yards, 10 TDs. TO led the league in TDs just two short seasons ago (and had 15 last season). Teams caught on, starting blanketing him with double and triple coverage. Hence, Witten is wide open. You're kidding yourself if you don't think TO is still one of the most dangerous WRs in the NFL.

Because they weren't boy scouts. It seems that most on this board want boy scouts instead of football players. It's possible that the two come in one package, but the superstars seem to have a chip on their shoulder (especially the WRs). I realize that TO is the far end of the spectrum as far as attitude goes, but the man dominates on the field. Period. So, does it really matter what a player does off the field? As you say, they "partied, but they showed up for work and kicked butt." Looking at TO's production over the last decade, I have to come to that same conclusion in regards to what he brings to a team. I'll take a team full of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens type players. That kind of talent wins football games. There was a point two or three years ago when BOTH players could have been had. I called for it then. And the same thing happened back then: "No way!", "I don't want him!", "Locker room cancer!" Meanwhile, Moss and TO continue to put DBs on roller skates and pile up stats.

DUDE! THAT'S MY POINT!!! I think the coaches don't really have a great track record with drafting and developing offensive talent. So the whole, "build through the draft and fill holes on offense through FA" line of reasoning doesn't really apply that well to this staff. Maybe the Bears need to think outside the box, and just sign proven offensive talent so that there is no debate over whether or not a rookie should get any playing time.

I'm not saying that signing TO and the Bears winning are automatically linked, but nobody can deny the fact that adding him to your team makes your team better on the field. He's one of the top WRs in the NFL, and has been for 10 years. I say that you guys are being too damn picky. You would probably have cut McMichaels, Hampton, and McMahon too. I honestly don't care if a guy is on the team is a locker room cancer as long as he kicks ass on the field. Even a malcontent like TO, at his absolute media-baiting worst, is better than any WR the Bears have had for...well...maybe ever.

Um...I think the phrase "#1 posession type guy" is almost a contradiction, maybe closer to an oxymoron. But if it's not, then who in the hell in the NFL is closer to being a #1 possession type guy than Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt? The only name I can think of that fits that bill accurately is Hines Ward, and he's not available. You can't hold out for that which is not there. As for holding out to develop their own guys...which player are you referring to? Bennett? Great to see how he was treated last year. Are you referring to another draft pick that will almost inevitably sit on the bench because the coaches like "their guy"? I agree that the way to do things is to build through the draft, but since this coaching staff has been proven to distrust rookies, maybe picking up a FA is the way to go?

Specifically, I'm having the pipe dream of Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt. What if the Bears signed them both? That makes the WRs: Harrison, Holt, Hester, Bennett, and whoever else That thought makes Jason happy.

The last part sounds more like a problem with the Bears' coaching staff than it does with Lloyd. Same thing goes for Muhammed in the past, and TO in the unlikely future. If the WRs criticize the offense, the OC, the OL, and the QB...it's probably because they deserve it. When's the last time the Bears had a competent OC or a good QB?

TO may have called Garcia a fag, and railed on McNabb...but correct me if I'm wrong...didn't he cry in SUPPORT of Romo? I'm not saying that it's an action indicative of all his media interactions, but he seemed to be on Romo's side more often than not. Also, let's not forget that everywhere he's been, the QB there has looked better. There is no mystery in that statement.

Or, conversely... YES, YES, and HELL YES. Anyone on this board who says they want to win, and want to see the Bears have a respectable offense, should say the exact same thing. ================== Personally, I'm all for signing a few character guys if it means they are going to kick ass on the field. People that are unknowns like Benson are one thing, but guys like Owens who have ripped the league a new a-hole for the last decade are another. Sign him now, and he immediately makes Hester more dangerous on deep routes, the running game stronger, and the tight ends more open. As I've said for years now, I would rather have a few guys people hate and win the Super Bowl than a team full of boy scouts who finish around .500 every year. I swear; half of the guys on the 85 roster would have been "NO NO NO" guys to half the people on this board.

Actually, I disagree. I think the Bears ARE close. I think that coaches and coaching philosophy have held them back. Hell, they barely missed the playoffs last year, and that's with coaching that is widely regarded on this board as insufficient - I think it's worse than that still. So, if they missed the playoffs with horrible coaching, it's safe to say they would have made it with competent coaching. Add in the fact that there were a few injuries, and the Bears got nearly NO good breaks as far as turnovers are concerned, and it's not difficult to see them taking another step forward and being a solid team with deep playoff aspirations.

If I'm forced to take a WR, it has to be Maclin. Anyone who would choose another WR over Crabtree or Maclin simply hasn't been watching college football. With that said, I might just choose Duke Robinson.

Great find daa84. It's just too bad this coaching staff doesn't realize the potential languishing on the bench.

I just am far too pessimistic, and a Bears fan for far too long, to think that adding a FA WR will create aerial greatness. I'd be happy that the team attempted to address the weaknesses, but I am completely convinced that this staff would waste, either through negligence, stubborness, or utter incomptence, any WR talent brought to this team. As for Bennett deserving minutes...we sure don't know since he never saw the field. But it's hard to imagine him being worse than the performances given by the WRs who were on the field last year. And that doesn't speak well for the Bears' coaches.

Before listing my picks, I hate the idea of picking up a RB in the first three rounds. Hate it. I wish it weren't even listed. As for my picks, I don't see how Maclin (or Crabtree) could be passed if he fell to the Bears. 1. Maclin - Tough to pass 2. Herman Johnson - Absolute must shore up OL now that not addressed in 1st 3. Fenuki Tupou - See Johnson pick 3b. Byrd CB/S - Awesome player I also like the idea of following my mock draft very closely, but it doesn't seem like as much bang for the buck as what was otherwise available: 1. Robinson 2. Loadholt 3. Byrd 3b. Have a look at which WR is available (not listed)

The more I think about it, I'm not sure it matters who the Bears sign or draft at WR. The guys they sign will have to fight for minutes with people who don't deserve minutes. The guys they draft will sit on the bench behind the guys fighting for minutes, and the guys who don't deserve minutes.

No. Because, just like the 2001 season, it's possible for the players to look good, and the team to get wins, despite the fact that the coaching is horrendous. I believe this staff is borderline incompetent, they mismanage talent, they evaluate like they're blind, and they make game changes slower than Keanu Reeves attempting to recite the Architect's speech from the Matrix.

HAHA. Fair enough. Hell, you've almost convinced ME with points 3-7.

DING DING DING!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!! Aside from hoping he does well because he was a classy guy, I hope he does well so the Bears current staff looks utterly incompetent, which I'm convinced they are very close to becoming.