jason

You realize Kalil was injured all year, right? I guess since he didn't play he was technically worse than Leno. I don't believe in PFF's ratings, and even if Reiff actually did do worse than Massie, he's got a much higher ceiling. Bush is just a throw in, like a free toaster. I still think he's capable of being that shifty guy out of the backfield. Put him on a team like NE and he wins comeback player of the year. Jackson, Woods, meh, the differences are worth debating, but the Bears need a guy who can spread the defense, and Jackson does that well. His familiarity with Cousins is just a bonus.

You're probably right, but my dream scenario is they mostly address offense with all that money. I think the defense has the chance to turn into a young, dominating defense with just one or two more pieces. Add to that the fact that none of the draftable QBs are sure things, and there is currently a sure thing available. I'd love to see something like the following done with that money: Kirk Cousins, QB - $23M - Franchise QB issue resolved, team leader, allows draft flexibility (assuming no franchise tag) Desean Jackson, WR - $7M - Provide the franchise QB with familiarity, and a deep threat Matt Kalil, LT - $7M - Major upgrade at LT, pending a thorough physical examination Riley Reiff, RT - $4M - Upgrade at RT, hoping he turns into the player we all thought he would be Kyle Juszczyk, FB - $2M - Great lead blocker, good check-down option Reggie Bush, RB - $1M - Got royally screwed last year, still a decent threat out of the backfield Then the draft can be defense oriented. 1. Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama 2. Adoree Jackson, CB, USC 3. Budda Baker, FS, Washington (I think he slips because of Hooker, Adams, Peppers, Melifonwu, Evans all being bigger options.) 4. Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia 4. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan 5. Ben Boulware, ILB, Clemson 7. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

Why is this stuff so obvious to us fans, but not the brass? Easy move. Makes sense. Minimal cost. What's not to like? And MadLith will be sure to like the name.

Love this idea. Exactly what I was thinking. Why sign some scrub for big bucks when he is likely to have similar production to Hoyer? I want them to go defense in the first three rounds, then spend one of the fourth round picks on a QB.

Is it possible the Bears keep Houston and McPhee? Before they got injured last year, they both looked pretty good. Houston led the team in sacks in 2015, and there aren't many who think other than McPhee being the best overall defender on the team in 2015. I'm perfectly alright with an OLB rotation of Young, Houston, McPhee, and Floyd. If healthy, that is a bunch that will get consistent pressure and cause problems for opposing offenses.

It's too simplistic to say "hey those guys started when the RB had a good game," so they must be good! Way too simplistic. For having such lauded rushing, the Bears were in the bottom half of the league in rushing TDs, rushing yards, and rushing 1st downs. And the interior of the line was just so dominating, that it's difficult to display the inadequacies of the tackles without breaking down film play-by-play. For instance, did you know (I didn't before researching), that the interior of the Bears' OL only had one negative play all year? Did you know the interior of the Bears' OL was 100% successful in short yardage situations (i.e. 3rd or 4th and 2 or less)? Pretty impressive stuff. And I feel dirty even linking or mentioning it, but PFF unfortunately has the only place I can find a total tally of hurries to backup my previous statement. Make no mistake, both tackles are average at best, and both need to be upgraded. (BTW - Looks like Branden Albert won't be coming to Chicago.)

Cut McPhee?!?! He may be the best player on D!

Interior? Yes. With Kush backing up either guard, Whitehair able to play guard or center, and Grasu coming back, there looks like good upside on the interior. On the exterior? Not so much. Neither Leno nor Massie is good. They gave up a bunch of hurries, sacks, and committed way too many penalties. Mike Adams isn't great either.

HA! I forgot all about Hardin missing the college season! I was stuck on the fact that Kevin White's injury was unknown, and Chris Williams' back was a hot rumor, but somehow he checked out in every stage of the process with the Bears (while actually having a back issue).

What about Lamarr Houston and a late-round pick for Armistead?

1. But John Thierry had all those sacks at Alcorn State! (Also SMC 2. ??? 3. But the Bears totally needed three DBs last year (and 2012), and totally couldn't have used that extra 4th rounder on a QB! 4. But Vontaze Burfict wasn't worth a 6th or 7th rounder! 5. Who cares if he went to San Jose State, HE JUMPED OUT OF THE POOL!!!! (Also SMC 6. But Stephen Paea did all those reps! (Also SMC 7. But Cedric Benson was a great pick, even though Thomas Jones signed a multi-year deal the year before, looked good, and had his two best years right with Chicago after Benson was drafted. 8. Good thing that first rounder was dumped for Mirer.

Looks like he's going to be released. Rightfully so. He dropped off the map the last two years. http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams But maybe there is something there still? In 2016 he had a pesky ankle injury. In 2015 he said he didn't fit the system. This article talks about it some, but I believe mistakenly places blame on his fit as a 5T DE. The real problem appeared to be the switching he was talking about. I believe he has an excellent ability to be a 5T. He may be a little old, but I'd take him over Unrein in a heartbeat. People say he's lazy. I can't honestly say. But his physical talent says he could do wonders if motivated.

The more mocks I do, the more I read about players, the more I see where some are available, the more I like this draft. There are very, very good players available in the 3rd and 4th rounds. With that said, what's your nightmare mock draft? The picks have to be in reasonable rounds (i.e. no kickers in the 1st), but after that all bets are off. Mine: 1 - Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama - I've said from nearly the beginning I wasn't super impressed by him. When I've seen him, he's good but never "the guy." This would be a reach for the hope of a shutdown corner. He should go late 1st round, not early. 2 - Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee - The Bears gamble that one of the top four will be there. None are. They panic and reach. 3 - Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech - Great TE depth and 3rd round is the sweet spot. The Bears grab the only one I don't want. 4 - Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis - Smells and looks like a Lovie-special. 4 - Riley Bullough, ILB, Michigan St - An overall poor pick on a guy who is not big enough, not fast enough, and . He's easily one of my least favorite players in the entire draft. 5 - Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina - The Bears not only waste a pick to find a complimentary RB, but they grab a plodder who doesn't have speed. 7 - Any pick that doesn't involve risk. The 7th round should be used for guys who fell for a variety of reasons (e.g. character concerns, injury possibilities, legal risks), have much better than 7th round college production but are slotted there for a physical attribute (e.g. "short"/"slow" guys who put up hundreds of tackles). About 99% of these guys get cut, so it's no risk to take a big gamble.

BUF- 1.3 for 1.10, 2.44, and Taylor Nope. I'd rather just give Hoyer control and see what he can do now that he has a little more experience. If Hoyer had started the entire year like Taylor did, Hoyer's stats would most likely have been better. NO - 1.3 for 1.11, 3.76, & Cooks I don't like this one. Not enough return. I'd want the 2nd rounder instead of the first, especially for a guy who probably wouldn't return to Chicago after his contract ran out. He's used to a high-powered offense and Drew Brees. It's unlikely he'd want to stay "where WRs go to die." CLE - 1.3 for 1.12, 2.52, & Haden This is the most interesting one to me. Haden would start immediately for the Bears, and remove the immediate need for a CB. All that being said, I'd rather the Bears just ask for more picks than get those players.

The more I think about it, the more I believe it's the #1 priority. With one more dangerous guy on the front 3, that's less time for the opposing QBs. Allows us to have lesser DBs. Slower DBs. Unrein was just not very good last year - it's clear if you look at his stats.

I have to admit, I'd be pissed if the Bears passed on Garrett at #3. Very pissed. But if they pulled off what you have above, I'd be so ecstatic that I wouldn't care.

I'm not a lawyer, and I don't have time to read, decipher, or breakdown a 136 page document for you. If you're inclined (you're obviously not), however, just about everything you're asking for is probably in the link AZ provided. Regarding the bolded/underlined section, if you admit to not knowing about it and being confused about it, why are you so adamantly defending it?

Not to mention the fact that the greater percentage of rookies don't play until 35. So that payout, depending on percentage, would be better than what they had received just regularly playing the game.

You're projecting too much. What's so difficult to understand? http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/break...0203-story.html The article makes it pretty clear. Also, it's not salary envy in the least. They make millions for a reason. But they shouldn't continue to make millions via workers comp well after their career is over. I'm in this for the BEARS. If it hurts the team, I'm generally opposed as long as it's not something morally reprehensible.

All those job changes don't mean anything or change the point I was making. Those professions all work towards about the same age range (i.e. retirement age). You're confusing "number of jobs" with "type of jobs".

Ultimately, it should pay you for the length of time you were conceivably going to be able to do the job. In 99.9% of jobs, that's up until retirement age, if not a bit sooner. In the case of professional athletes, that's not the same.

I just don't like it. Thomas is well behind the other options in my opinion. I'd rather have Garrett (won't be there), Allen, Adams, or Hooker.

Do you think Cousins wants to stay there after they've dicked him around? I think all Washington can do is franchise him, and spending $23M for him might be more than they wish to spend (even if they have the cap space).

It's hard to know how to get an A+ draft unless you play it a million times, because getting Jake Butt in the late-late 4th round would be a superb move.

I don't see anywhere that someone is defending the owners because of their finances. Everyone opposed just appears to think this law, as it currently stands, is ridiculous. Their career never would go to 67. The reason for that age and other professions is because it links up to when theyd stop working. NFL players stop working three decades earlier.