DABEARSDABOMB

Hopefully I can find a recap somewhere and post it shortly, but just an FYI.

I think WR and FS are the next two things the Bears address. And given how much they talk about oline, I still expect them to pick up an olineman or two that they like as long-term projects later in the draft. Maybe they draft a guy like Loadholt in the 3rd or 4th who projects to be a potential RT or guard that should steam-roll guys but might not be immediately ready to contribute. I think we'll see the Bears recollect shortly and than get on the horns to see what they could do before the draft. I fully expect another move or two to be made.

Personally I'd prefer for Briggs or Tillman to lead the defense. I like the way they speak and they seem more vocal and willing to rip things when it needs to be done. if I'm the Bears, I'm working the phones to see if there is anyway to work out a Boldin for Urlacher and parts deal. I doubt its possible, but given all the positive PR the Bears have, now would be the perfect time to make such a move and than you slide Briggs to the middle with Jamar working outside (or you draft a guy like Cushing from USC).

I liked what Lovie said to try and temper expectations and at the same time just said I'm asking him to be one of the teammates. That should work well in getting Jay to fit in real well. Can't wait till monday when the players get to see first hand what Cutler is capable of. Angelo is freakin impressing me today in the press conference. Did you guys see his grin when talking about Pace? I also think that the Bears brass is shocked by how vocal the Bears fan base really is and that they might have awoke a sleeping giant. I know we had our superbowl run that was the talk of town but even than you had all the negativity surrounding Grossman during the 2nd half of the season where as now all you have is 10000% positivity.

I dug this up from an ESPN article regarding his release. My guess is he'll do a minimal amount of jail time and if he can reach some sort of plea you could get him signed and get him in by July or so than you'd be in business. I guess the one problem with Plax is there is so much questions that no one is going to sign him anytime soon unless he can reach a plea deal of sorts. Because of that he probably won't be a goo dfit for the Bears, so they'll draft a WR now if they don't sign someone by the draft, but could always go out and pick up Burress later in the year since they have the cap room and really have a sick WR corps.

A dream come true to Jay Cutler and a dream come true to Bears fans. Could there have been a better guy to become our franchise QB, I think not. The guy sounds humble, classy, and smart and he has a freakin rocketship of an arm. Only one of 4 QB's in the last two years with over 8000 passing yards and 40 TD's and that was in his first two full seasons. Beautiful.

Also, if anyone thinks the Bears gave up too much, think of it this way. Stafford is the top QB in this draft and is supposed to have similar tools to that of Cutler. Cutler has proven it in the NFL, Stafford hasn't, yet the package the Bears gave up wouldn't be enough (per the draft value chart) to get the #1 overall pick. On top of it, Stafford would be making more money than Cutler currently is and even though the Bears will have to extend Cutler, he'll at least have proven something before you sink in 60+ mill (probably closer to 100M).

Ya, I put him and Urlacher in the same range in terms of smarts, but Hester comes off as a nice guy and for that you got to love him. Urlacher comes off more as a jerk for whatever reason.

Anyone know if NFL Network will cover it? I'd like to see there take over ESPN's.

4 minutes till the press conference. What a great week to have off from work, lol. New job starts on Monday.

Interesting, Bears almost had the deal done with just one 1st rounder, but the Redskins came in and offered two and at that point the Bears had to step up there offer.

Interesting, Bears almost had the deal done with just one 1st rounder, but the Redskins came in and offered two and at that point the Bears had to step up there offer.

We all know Urlachers comments, now lets look at Hesters, which are exactly what I expect to hear:

How about having a dominant offense and defense....can you say....superbowl champs!!!

I'm not quite certain how with a good attorney, shooting yourself in the foot is going to give you a ton of jail time.

You know Jay and Bennett are close when Cutler actually called Bennett to inform him he's going to be a Bear.

Barring the signing of a WR like Holt/Jones/Plax (or a trade for one of those WR's), it is pretty evident that the Bears will be taking a WR in the 2nd round. I also wouldn't be shocked to see the Bears move down in the draft and maybe trade down in the 2nd round or even to the 3rd to gain an extra 3rd round pick or something along those lines. WR and FS will be the first two picks if they don't sign a WR, if they do, than I think your talking RT or OG and FS (DE is a possibility if one you really like is on the board).

If Cutler continues his progression, he's a hall of fame QB and that alone will let me hand JA a lifetime contract, LOL. I was always one of JA's biggest supporters but I was quite upset with the way the off-season was going and all has changed. I still question Lovie but as a whole like Lovie and hope he can do it. I also know if he doesn't, having Cutler and the other players on this team will make the Bears the most attractive coaching destination out there and with Gruden/Shanny/Cowher all out there I know the Bears can get one of those guys (My top guy would probably be Gruden because he could come in and be the coach for 10 years but Shanny would be very close given his relationship with Cutler). In fact I think a Shanny/JA combo would work phenomanly, no one knows offense like Shanny and Angelo clearly has an eye for defensive talent so the overall combination would be tremendous. Plus Shanny is such a big name you could bring in whomever to control the D and would never have any major issues with the head coach being scared for his job because you have a big name DC.

For those out of towners, ESPN News will be broadcasting the press conference as well. I'll be tuned in.

I won't say breakout year, but I think you'll see Bennett have a 600-750 yard season which is very freaking good for a 2nd year player. I think you'll see 700-800 out of Olsen depending on his useage and about 800 yards out of Hester. The key is if they get a guy like Holt, I think your also looking at another 900 yards or so.

Waiting to get pictures of Cutler daunting Bears gear...and I am waiting for jerseys to go on sale. On a sidenote, I'm starting to think that the Bears are going to take Murphy from Florida unless they ink a WR prior to the draft. Been hearing that the orgs #1 focus is finding a WR and they are apparently going to be trying the FA front. No idea if they'll consider Plax or Jones but they have apparently been in contact with Holt.

Who is this Armoashodu guy? I've been out of town for most of the past two weeks, have I completely missed the boat on this guy?

I've heard that in Chicago there is a growing consensus that Urlacher hasn't exactly been overly excited about the move. Apparently on WSCR, Urlacher has been getting blasted for comments he made today. I've heard the comments he made on ESPN Radio and he definately didn't sound overly optmistic but he also didn't sound negative. Does anyone think this is going to be an issue? I know I've been pretty open on the fact that I'm 1000% behind Cutler. I'd give him a 100M extension right now if I had to. The guy is badass, I wanted him in the draft that year and I love his gunslinging attitude, overall abilities and his stats (including how freaking good he's been in the 4th quarter). The guys stats in his first three years are on par with every great NFL QB too. I hope we find out quickly because the last thing I want to see is Urlacher getting but-hurt as he is a leader whose opinion has a lot of weight with the team. I think Cutler should be welcomed with open arms and I would expect our defensive players to be freakin thrilled that the potential is there for the Bears to have a top of the line offense.

The question is why not if your Holt. You know you don't have any major competition so you could revive your career, you know you have a great Qb, and a great RB, and you will have some people familiar with you (Pace/Lovie). I'm thinking Holt doesn't want to play for a cold weather team and feels that overall for his career there might be better places for him to play and produce. That or he has some pretty fat offers (similar to what Housh got and that would surprise me) out there and the Bears aren't going to do that. If the Bears are going to give big money to a WR, than it should be Plaxico.

It sounds like the other team that had an offer similar to the Bears were Washington and Cleveland. Apparently the one QB the Broncos liked more than Orton was Quinn and he was available, but that Cutler's agent had a bad taste about the way Mangini handles QB's and that those close to the situation felt there would be a problem if he was traded to Cleveland (not necessarily with Cutler, rather that the idea was there and neither team wanted to deal with it). Apparently Favre had serious issues with Mangini and Cutlers agent is Favre's agent so there was already bad blood.