DABEARSDABOMB

I think Booker will be Moose's replacement and that the Bears will go for Berrian if they can get him (maybe even give him some sort of tag), otherwise they'll look the trade or FA market.

He was really the first hybrid safety (ie, super quick and super strong). The guy was already on most people's boards as a potential first rounder (he was great at ASU) and than his combine just shot him up even farther.

Kiper was on saying that without a great combine, Brennan is now a 2nd day pick (he has him pegged as a potential 5th rounder) and that Woodson is also a 2nd day picked (the two of them were rated behind a long list of other QB's). He said Flacco is the one guy that could just jump like crazy as more and more teams see his release (which Kiper said was impressive) and just see how the ball just pops out if his hand with velocity. The more I see it, the more I don't think Flacco is there in the 2nd round and if the Bears really want him they'd probably have to take him at 14 (if he has an awesome combine). Of course if he was there at 2 I'd be all over it as I've fallen in love with Joe Flacco.

Fred Miller was a walking turnstyle and has too big of a bonus. Sure the team could restructure, but I just don't see it making sense, unless of course they feel there are more pressing needs than the oline and if that was the case i honestly don't know what team JA and the staff was watching last year.

I am looking more forward to the draft, simply because I'll be working normal hours at that time and will be able to actually read and stay up to date with what is going on. When it comes to FA, I won't have a clue what is going on based on a hectic work schedule. Either way I'm just hopeful that the Bears make the necessary moves to get the franchise back on the path it was headed in just a year ago. The thing I'm not looking forward to is the long gap between the draft and football.

IF he was patient he wouldn't have gotten Moose. Moose was the most saught after guy that year. IIRC, Desmon Mason was also cut around that same period and the Bears opted to go with Moose (Plax was a FA that year too). I can't say for sure about Jones but Moose would have been signed immediately for lots of money by someone else had it not been the Bears. I anticipate if the Bears are interested in Faneca, that we will know right away. If they aren't, maybe JA jumps out on the guy he wants early (while other teams are busy waiting on Faneca to commit). We shall see, but I expect an olineman via the draft and FA, plus a WR (Berrian or a FA/draft pick), a RB to compete with Benson, a QB via the draft (not 1st round), and a safety.

Who the heck is Thomas?

I think the key with Faneca is that he can come in and be next to Kreutz and Tait to give you a real dominate side of the line while the Bears draft a tackle to start working on the other side (and the other guard spot I think they can fill in house with there current options, whether that means Garza or old man Brown). Faneca and a 1st round tackle could have the Bears line as one of the best in football in no time. However, they could also opt to go with Max Starks or someone else that is younger and than take a non tackle in the first round (go with a skill player on offense or someone like Phillips at safety or even a trade down) and than grab one of the best guards in the draft in rd 2.

If the Bears want him as depth than I don't have a problem with it. He isn't very expensive and is a good guy plus I think he'd be a quality special teams guy (maybe would help semi make up for Abandeyjo going elsewhere, which I think will happen).

I don't think the Bears have a player on the roster that they would be willing to deal that could net them a 2nd round pick. The only potential guy that would even come close would be someone like Mark Anderson and I don't think he would get a 2nd rounder nor do I think the Bears would deal him. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears do try to shore up the dline, especially given the fact that there are health issues surrounding the two best tackles, however, they have a good amount of money and talent on that line and my guess is you'll see them sign a veteran who is cut (or just stick with that Oregon guy that they signed late last season that impressed) and go with the rest of the guys they have (aside from Walker, who I think is as good as gone).

SO Anderson is the better fit for the 3-4, correct (since he's more athletic). I'd give up our 2nd, a future 1st, and Anderson. Again, I think it is a pipe dream given the financial rammifications that I assume would happen if Quinn was dealt as opposed to Anderson (not a cap expert but I assume financially it is smarter to keep Quinn and trade the RFA than trading Quinn and than resigning the RFA to a fat deal) but if the Browns wanted to go with the more proven QB I'd gladly take Brady.

If Brady Quinn is truly on the trading block I would give up a 2nd rounder and a future 2nd rounder to get him. I don't have a clue if that would be enough. I'd also give up our future 1st (But we have dire needs on the oline that I wouldn't give up this years first) to get him. Heck, I don't know where the Browns stand on the dline, but if I had to give up a 2nd rounder, a future 2nd, and Alex Brown for Quinn I'd do it. He's better than any of the QB prospects in this years draft and you could get him without losing a first rounder. Plus he's a year into the league which makes him all that much more closer. You would have Kyle/Brady/Griese or Grossman (I don't know) and let them battle it out. Obviously Quinn would be the front-runner given his tools and the fact that the team would have just acquired him but I could see far dumber things to do (Plus he's a good fit for our offense as he would be awesome at finding the TE's, has the arm strenght to throw down field, and is very accurate). Good god of any option I've seen all off-season if the Browns are truly willing to shop Quinn the Bears should be all over it.

I just want to bring up one player who was flying up draft boards after being a total workout warrior. No one knew if he could handle the position shift from safety in college, but now he's widely considered one of the best MLB's to ever play the game. Brian Urlacher!!!!

One thing that should be pointed out is Walker's injury history. I think if you bring him in you either keep Moose or go after a veteran slot type receiver (David Patten or whomever) that way if Walker goes down you still have some options (since Walker does tend to get hurt). I'd love to go after Walker and get him and hopefully have him play motivated cause he would be an awesome addition, when healthy, to the WR corps.

David Patten is a guy I would like to pick up for our #2 WR role (if the team plans on getting rid of Moose). Stick Patten in the two spot, keep Berrian or go after Walker/Bryant Johnson and than let the rest of the guys fight for the 3 spot with the goal of having Hester as your #2 a year from now (and you have the ability to slide Patten into a pure slot spot where he would excel as well).

I don't take much into pro-bowl practice although I do think it is worthy to take notice to his tools. While a lot of the players may be in lackkadasical states and screwing around for the pro-bowl when you have better arm strenght than some of the best at the game it should be noticed. Still, Anderson played behind a stellar oline, had legitimate offensive weapons (Braylan is awesome) and would be comign to a far worse situation in Chicago. I think it is best not to give up two first day picks and cap room when the Bears clearly have more dire needs (ie in the trenches...in this case the offensive line).

Great to have ya aboard

7.8M would be a lot to give BB for one year, but unless the Bears plan on making a serious run at Chad Johnons/Javon Walker or some other legitimate WR, there really isn't any other option than to tag Berrian (the best option would be to resign him to a deal that works for both sides, obviously) to ensure that you have at least another season of Berrian while you work on finding or developing your new #1 WR. I know Berrian isn't a pro-bowler, but he's damn solid and by far the best playmaker the offense has. And when you have young, relatively unproven QB's you better make sure you at least give them weapons (maybe a guy like Peyton or Brady or Favre could get semi away without having weapons and having to deal with a real unproven WR core for a short time, but it isn't wise to stick young QB's in that position).

There were some things in there I agreed with and some that had me shaking my head. Ryan being behind all of those guys was just puzzling to me.

The Bears did hire him at one point correct? Wasn't he our dline coach or something for a season or two when Jauron was here?

Personally I could see the logic in moving him, but it would come down to whether the Bears brass truly believes Hester can become an impact player. I am fully aware that he is the greatest return man to everp play (and this is after just two seasons) but in the return game it truly is relatively easy to keep the ball away. Yes, that is still valuable because it leads to the Bears getting the ball at the 40 more than any other team in the league. Bottom line if the Bears brass feels he can develop into a legit 1000 yard, big play WR, than you don't make the deal, but if he could, you make the trade knowing that the Bears have some capable return men on the roster (ie, Davis/Garret Wolfe/Nathan Vasher). But if I'm talking trade, it would not be a 2 and a 3. The Bears drafted Hester with a 2 and a relatively high one at that so that is not good value for a player (basically trading him for what he is worth)....it would be for a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder. I don't know if a team offers that (or a first this year and a first next year) but that is the only way I'd make that deal and at that point I think it would be worth at least thinking long and hard about making a deal (honestly, is it worth paying a pure return man that much money a year and we are going to have to renegotiate soon enough with him). Still I love watching Hester play and given what he did the past month of the season (he looked to be growing as a WR) the Bears may truly have an offensive weapon.

Actually, the funny thing about Chad Johnson is that his teammates really seem to like him. I know Carson Palmer (or at least it seems like it from the games I've seen) really gets along with him. I'm sure they have there heated moments, but so do most great professional athletes at times (and both Carson/Chad are great football players) but they are also seen joking around an awful lot on the sidelines. I can't really think of Johnson ever throwing his QB under the bus. I'm sure he's said some things about the team having to play better, but he can't even be compared to a Moss or an Owens. Moss is a whiny prick who has had some off the field issues, while Owens is a guy that doesn't think before he opens his mouth (I'd compare him to Frank Thomas) but is actually a good person (ie, Owens hasn't ever had any sort of encounter with the law). Ocho Sinco is a guy who just loves to play the game (he plays hard every game and just likes to celebrate in good spirited nature when he scores).

One problem, I don't think Orton has a big arm. I've seen him make too many throws now that have me concerned about his down the field arm strenght. He definitely has a sissy arm compared with Rex (and obviously a much slower release). But Orton has a much large frame which allows him to see things that Rex may not be able to (since he can see over the lines at all times). Flacco, I would think is a better comparison to Big Ben but even that I think is an unfair comparison because I think Flacco has the tools to be a better pure passer than Ben.

Urlacher definitely played his best the last couple games of the season, but so did the entire team. They seemed to get the monkey off there back and stop playing scared and start just playing the game. It is too bad it didn't happen till the very end of the season though cause there is no reason the Bears couldn't be playing today.

You listed two names I like at the WR position. BOth Blythe and Thomas are guys that I think have the ability to become impact WR's. Blythe was a potential first round pick a little over a year ago who fell off the wagon thanks to horrid QB play at Iowa State. Thomas is a pretty good athlete who is raw and I think could turn into a pretty darn WR. That said, unless the Bears lose Moose & Berrian (without bringing in another WR), I'd be surprised if they ended up drafting two WR's. I think if they lose BB you'll see them take one in the first two rounds. If they tag BB, this again is still a possibility, but if they resign him you'll see WR fall to the 3rd-5th round ranges (which could be where one of Blythe/Thomas fit in and I'd be thrilled with either of them).