DABEARSDABOMB

If the Bears pick up Holt, than they are a superbowl contender and with that I don't think you can risk going through a season with one of Hanie/Basanez as your primary backups. I'm not saying our backup will be there to rescue us and win a superbowl if Cutler goes down for the season, but if we lose Jay for three or for games or just one or two, the backup could find a way to lead the Bears to a key victory or two that is necessary to get the Bears into the playoffs where Cutler comes back and dominates. I'm thinking one year stop-gap and here's my rationale for why it would be a good move for the Bears and the specific player. Leftwich would be a tremendous pickup, but that move won't happen for a while. If Leftwich is smart, he'll wait and see if someone gets hurt or if a QB job opens up where he'll have a pretty good job at competing for a starting spot. If he doesn't, Chicago wouldn't be a bad place for him to be just because he'd have a shot to win, but barring injury he'd have no shot at playing. However, if you couldn't find a spot where you could compete for a spot, Chicago wouldn't be bad because if things go well, they might sit Cutler one week and he'd at least be able to showcase himself at the end of the season. Plus, if Cutler went down for an extended period of time, he'd be on a good team which would help make him look better and hopefully if that did happen, he'd perform, win a few games, make himself more marketable while at the same time keeping the Bears a playoff team. Thats how I'd sell it at least. Than there is Grossman. With Cutler coming in, the Bears are going to have to give him a ton of snaps and reps in mini camps since it will be his first year in the offense and with the playoffs, which might make it a bit harder to bring in another QB who doesn't have a knowledge of the offense (ie, Leftwich might have trouble getting up to speed enough since Cutler would really need so many reps, more so than say a guy like Manning whose been in the same system for years). Grossman is also a very capable backup who doesn't seem to have any starting options and given his comfort with the offense he could be just fine with limited reps. Plus, as a pure backup I think the hate for Grossman would diminish because I believe most of the shots had to deal more with the Bears not having a good QB (ie, Orton/Grossman) than fans really hating Grossman. Grossman might not do it, but he wouldn't have to answer the same questions he did in the past and as a whole I think the players respect the heck out of him and as a classy fan I respect him for the way he's handled anything. I wouldn't blame Rex if he never wanted anything to do with Bear fans or if he just wanted a clean break, but I do think from the Bears perspective he would be a great #2 QB for one more season (giving Hanie a bit more seasoning).

I really think that the Bears hadn't shown much any interest and than after the Cutler move happened they opted to go that route. That move just changed the whole timetable of the organization and now adding a receiver like Holt could be the move that puts the Bears over the top (obviously ignoring the other moves that happened this off-season). Pre Cutler trade, the addition of Holt wouldn't have made the Bears a superbowl contender, imo, now, it might. Plus, realistically the Bears can now really present themselves as the very best option for Holt, although the Giants are another good option as well.

The three most attractive veteran WR options out there are Torry Holt, Plaxico Burress, and Matt Jones. Anyone else available isn't going to make the impact that these three guys can make. However, of the three individuals, Burress has had constant on the field and off the field problems and Jones has had very serious off the field problems. Suspensions are looming for both Jones and Burress and in Plax case you have jail to worry about. Holt is a similar age to Burress and his productivity slipped last year but you can point to a lot of factors that led to the decrease (Rams being horrific being numero 1 through 10). Given the fact that the Bears just made a huge statement, they do have the leeway to go out and get a criminal (ie, Burress/Jones), but they also have a history of staying away from those type of guys (especially those guys that don't have youth as an excuse and both Jones and Plaxico have been around enough that they should have learned by now). So with that said, it's becoming very obvious to me that the Bears guy is Holt. I've been screaming all off-season he'd be the guy and it just made too much sense with Lovie's connection. However, you now have Pace lobbying for him (see quotes below) and apparently the two are rather close and the Bears biggest competition, Tennesse and Jacksonville, don't have the QB's that Chicago has. To make matters even better, Lovie Smith was interviewed yesterday and was very glowing in how he talked about Holt (he was more up-beat than his usual self) and reading between the lines it sounds very clear that the Bears are in pursuit of Holt. I don't think its publicly out there yet, but now that the dust has settled with Cutler, expect the Bears to add another weapon for Jay to throw to and it will be Holt. It just makes too much sense. Also, I don't think this will put an end to the talk of the Bears taking a WR in the 2nd round, but it will at least allow them to consider other options if a better player were to fall or there WR was off the board. http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....cago-bears.html

Beautiful.

He's a non-option and I liked this guy coming out of the draft.

Describe this Brandon Tate.

No way is Nicks falling to the 2nd round. I'd be exstatic though.

Just purchased my first White Chicago Bears jersey (NFL Shops finally added it). Pretty stoked.

That is exactly what I would do if I couldn't trade down. I hate the #1 pick because so much guaranteed money is handed out with so many unknowns out there (especially when your talking about 1st round QB's, since they have a high fail rate).

I'm just saying who the better pro will be. I also think I mentioned that I would have traded down to take Sanchez but I have Detroit needing a QB and I took the QB that I feel will be best in the NFL.

And Chicago. The Bears are in a large market but the owners don't have large pockets.

Braylan had a bad year and if the Bears could capatalize and aquire him at a value than I'm all for it. I'd hate losing another pick but Edwards is far more talented than any WR you'd get in the 2nd round (if that is what we are targetting) and is still incredibly young and has a lot of upside. However, his lack of production in two of his first three years in the league is a bit disturbing.

Briggs is 100 times more of a leader than Brian, however, Brian is a quiet leader that commands respect. I'd just argue that he's failed the past years to step up and be vocal when it was necessary.

I really like what Hester said. Sounds like he's trying to study and learn from anyone he can and Holt is a good guy to learn from and I hope the Bears bring in an established veteran that could really take Hester under his wing.

About a week ago the consensus was that he'd do a maximum of 1 month or so in prison and than be on probation. However, that was based upon the a potential plea bargain and Plaxico wants to do no time and wasn't willing to agree to a one month sentence. We'll see what happens.

I would be on board. Plaxico is a significant upgrade.

Cool piece Balta. Olsen is actually a guy that I don't mind speaking for the franchise. Lets get the mikes out of Urlachers dumb self and let Briggs, Cutler, Forte, and Olsen do the talking.

I was going to see if Stafford went off the board to the Seahawks, but with Jason as the GM, you had to know he was going to be the next Matt Millen, except with OT's, LOL.

I realize the Patriots two years ago didn't win the superbowl, but they got Welker and Moss and tore off one of the greatest seasons in NFL History. The Eagles traded for Owens and went to the superbowl. You can make a big move or two and do well.

Hub Arkush or whatever is name said that the Bears initially thought they had a deal done with just one first but Washington upped the offer and it sounded as if the Skins and Broncos were going to be the deal but than Angelo came in hard and essentially got the deal done. However, Angelo basically countered what Hub said by stating that it all happened in a matter of thirty minutes and that he came in hard and strong.

Welcome aboard!

Wanted to point out that NFLshops.com has a 15% off promotion and it includes jerseys. I think it would bring the price to the mid 60's on a replica Cutler jersey. I'm going to have to get one soon (want a white one) as I need to back up all the talking I did which indicated I would immediately buy a jersey if the Bears actually acquired Cutler. Coupon Code: NFLcBQG Just go to www.nflshops.com and add the jersey or whatever else into the site and you'll be set.

Mike Mayock said that the Bears had to send a text message to the Broncos to see if the deal was still on and that the Broncos had another deal worked out which broke down and than jumped in and got things done. Angelo indicated it was really quick so I wonder if the Bears made an initial offer and never heard back and once they did everything happened in about 30 minutes.

Yep, thats the rumor, which is why I threw out his name because he should fall due to the rumor (if it is true).

I have NFL network on and Cutler is on right now live. I'll recap this. Cutler talks about how he's relieved and excited and looks forward to the next chapter of his life. Said how he was shocked that it happened yesterday and he never thought it would be a possibility that he would be the Bears QB. They ask Cutler how he's been hard to reach and he takes the high road about not wanting to rehash what happened (the interviewer has numerously said that the Broncos screwed up). He keeps trying to get Cutler to try and let facts out but Cutler is just staying out of it and doesn't want to talk about it (smart, McDaniels threw mud earlier today and Cutler is staying quiet, I like it). Asked whether he needs to remove some of that publicity that came out of the trade talks when he gets into Chicago and he said he absolutely needs to and that is the first thing that needs to happen. He needs to build the trust of his teammates immediately. Said how Urlacher, Olsen, Bennett and others have all called and that the Bears teammates are supporting him.