jason

Out of curiosity, why Freeman and not Trevathan?

Agree. Although, that was a pretty soft hold, and a dive by Julius Peppers. If not for the dive, it likely doesn't get called. Peppers is just a lot more experienced than Paulsen.

I'm not championing any of the three, but I think there is far more to weight into this sort of analysis than you've included. Just off the top of my head: 1) Drops 2) Miscommunication with WRs 3) Offensive gameplan The third one is huge, because it's likely the coaches specifically tailored the gameplans for the backups. Whereas they knew Cutler could make the throws, they might not have been as confident with the other two. That could affect pass protection, drops, and routes, just to start. Having said all that, if we are talking about just the eye test, Barkley looks like a keeper who can compete for the starting job, Hoyer looks like a backup who can fill in when needed, and Cutler looks too expensive for his production and mistakes. Moving forward, none of the three are the answer.

So Freeman, Trevathan, and Kwiatkowski. What can be done? Is our promising rookie going to be languishing on the bench next year? Merely rotational? I'd hate to see Kwiatkowski wasted now that he's shown so much potential. It's a situation we have not had to deal with for a while.

Yeah. The conflict is strong in me. I like keeping draft position, but I hate the packers more than just about anything other than a whore ex-girlfriend. Let's call it a tie.

The thing is, I won't blame Barkley just like I wouldn't blame Cutler. Was a checkdown better on both HHCD INTs? Yes. But did both plays have extenuating circumstances? Absolutely. There was an uncalled hold by the GB D on the first INT. That made the difference in whether or not the WR could get a hand on the ball. On the second INT, Braverman was being guarded by a guy weighing 300 lbs! And then he didn't even look for the pass. On top of that, he flattened his route whenBarkley clearly didn't expect it. Guessing Braverman made that mental mistake.

As I called it, the Packers hold and Rogers gets time to throw. There is no way that was NOT a hold on the play leading into the 2-min warning.

Agreed 100%. He looks like he can make most throws, and make smart decisions. I'm very happy with his performance in this game thus far. Especially after watching the quick out to Bellamy (who destroyed the packer DB).

I hate Rodgers. If he's hobbled the Bears should blitz all game and put a target on him. The Packers' OL gets away with more holding than any other team. This is the only game I actually want to win.

Cut him tonight. Tired of his ass never being on the field.

Oh, if McGlinchey is there in the second, that's a default pick. I'm operating under the assumption he won't be available.

Dak would look like the Bears QB of the future, and we'd be happy about it. But he wouldn't look as good as he does now, because the Bears do not have the Cowboys' OL. As for Jimmy G, I hate the idea. The Patriots are a different animal. They make turds smell good. And giving up a 2nd rounder for a guy who has only thrown a few passes in the NFL? Hell no. The "we've seen NFL film on him"-argument is weak considering his experience and team. And he'd likely end up costing a ton more than a rookie. No.

Obviously. But this is hypothetical.

I think about this every year. Go all out on one side of the ball, and drastically improve the unit. This year, do it on defense and you have a chance of creating the best D in the NFL. But does it help the team enough? Do it on offense, and you could potentially bring up the level enough to complement the impressive D. ALL OFFENSE 1. DeShone Kizer, QB, ND - Presumed franchise QB secured. He starts day 1. 2. Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin - Bookend franchise LT secured. MadLith takes a shot in celebration. 3. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan - I don't see all the TEs (Howard, Njoku, Engram, Leggett, Hodges) going in the 1st three rounds. 4. Isaiah Ford, WR, Va Tech - Potential #1 WR - deep WR class - who can take the top off the defense. 4. Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi - Insurance. Great value. If he hadn't been hurt, he's likely a 1st-2nd rounder. 5. Chad Wheeler, OT, USC - One more LT/RT on the roster. Huge value here for a guy who has character concerns. 7. Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia - Two Isaiah WRs. This one might be the fastest WR in the draft, and brings ST return ability. ALL DEFENSE 1. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama - Shut down corner secured. Opponents need to start throwing the other way. 2. Desmond King, CB, Iowa - Corner #2 secured. Let the "Who's going to start"-games begin. 3. Tanoh Kpassagnon, 3-4DE, Villanova - Scary edge rusher with great measurables. Unrein takes a seat. 4. Orion Stewart, S, Baylor - A lot of talent, great size, legit highlight reel, cool name. 4. Josh Carraway, 3-4OLB, TCU - Speed rush OLB with potential. 5. Lowell Lotulelei, NT, Utah - Star's younger brother. When Goldman is out, the team is not the same. This is insurance. 7. Hardy Nickerson, ILB/OLB, Illinois - Based purely on name and location. Which do you prefer?

Marquis Wilson, Josh Bellamy, Meredith - Keep one. I don't really care which. Royal - Gone. He's never on the field anyway. Alshon - Despite what we've said, he likely stays. No way the Bears could move forward with zero viable WRs on the roster. Logan Paulson - Who? Larsen / Kush - Meh. Keep one. Start neither. Cutler - Obviously gone. Hoyer - He can leave too. Leno - Stay, but he's a backup. I'm sure there are several LTs in the draft better than him. Massie - Tough to say both OTs are gone in one offseason, but I also agree he's not worth the $6M hit. A FA should be his replacement. I'd prefer Matt Kalil or Riley Reiff. Mike Adams - Stay. He'll be cheap and he's a good backup. Houston - See ya. Injuries, and he was never as good as McPhee. When healthy, McPhee and Floyd should start at OLB.

In stronger drafts, I might agree. But in a draft that appears to be fairly weak, particularly on the OL, I think the overwhelming #1 LT prospect in the draft is worthy of lofty ranking.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1827138...er-devin-hester One day. Let him retire as a Bear.

That draft would hurt me. Jonathan Allen goes one pick before the Bears in the 1st, Watson goes one pick before the Bears in the 2nd, then Kaaya goes one pick before the Bears in the third. If the draft played out in that order, I'd go: 1. Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama 2. Budda Baker, S, Washington 3. Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson 4. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova 4. Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi 5. Chad Wheeler, OT, USC 7. Josh Augusta, NT, Missouri

Overall I like that draft, but I'm not sold on Humphrey as a top 5 guy. I officiated more than one game of his in HS, and he never really dominated or stood out tremendously. I'd expect a first round guy, much less a top 5 guy, to leave a serious impression. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see Chad Kelly last until the 5th.

1. I'm soured on "Slash" players ever since Kordell came to Chicago. 2. I'm soured on players named Peppers ever since Julius (despite the fact that he stayed about career average while in town). 3. Half of Jabril Peppers' highlights are either on offense or ST. 4. He is definitely more of a SS than a FS. I'm not sure he's ever even lined up at FS. 5. I'm not sure Peppers is a top 5 guy. 6. If the Bears draft a safety in the 1st, it should probably be Jamal Adams from LSU.

That's kind of what I want. I'd like to see Deshaun Watson in round 2 and Chad Kelly late, assuming he lasts due to the knee injury.

The majority are first rounders, but there are enough that aren't that makes a 2nd or 3rd rounder acceptable. Not to mention the fact that there are many 1st round bust QBs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_start...Football_League

I was just pointing out the string of good/great Alabama players that I've touted for the Bears. I like Whitehair as well, but Ragland would have been a huge pickup in the 2nd. Then they wouldn't have had to spend on a pricey FA ILB, and could have gone elsewhere. Especially considering the fact that Slausson could have remained and filled that OG hole.

Slow your roll. Don't try to lump Barkley's pedestrian numbers, his performance that indicates a career backup, and his just "good enough to stay in the NFL"-skills, into the same discussion as Howard. Barkley does not look like a season-long starter. Absolutely not. Even yesterday his passes lacked zip, and there probably should have been 1 or 2 interceptions by the Lions. If you put Barkley in an entire season, there is a certainty that he will regress into what he really is. And let's be honest, his performance hasn't been that good. Also, the thing that never seems to sink in - or does and you simply don't agree - is that adding to the line(s) only makes the team better. Sure, there have been decent performances behind the current OL, and Howard has looked great at times, but imagine how much better they'd look behind an actually great OL?