DABEARSDABOMB

It could also be the owner buying time from a media perception (downplay while you have the fresh regime to buy time in case they can't do it as quickly as they hope)? I just feel with modern medicine these days, Smith can rebound and it would be great to add two dynamic players like Smith and Myles Jack or someone else to this LB corp long-term.

McCaskey was on radio (today I think) and indicated based upon his discussions with Pace and Fox that they are still a ways away and this will be an extended process to rebuild the franchise from where it was and was going to take multiple more years. With that in mind, I think it makes it even more likely that you can't write-off the QB position for the Bears. It also points out why the Bears should be targeting as many potential playmakers as they could possibly find and when it comes to FA be picky that whomever you sign, either let it be a guy who is undervalued who you think has more upside than indicated or be someone young enough that fits into your longer term plans. I also think it makes me more willing to move down / accumulate picks, etc. Additionally, if Bears brass truly thinks they are at least a year away from realistically competing for the playoffs, etc, than I think it makes me more willing to take risks on someone like Jaylon Smith (if he truly is there in the 3rd or if you are able to move down lower in the 2nd to get him).

It sounds like none of us should have high expectations in terms of pick (which is why I wouldn't trade him). I'd want a 4th rounder at a minimum or a 5th plus a future 5th.

People are extremely, extremely high on Wentz. I've heard a lot of people just rave about his all around skills. There obviously is the risk / unknown from the small school perspective. I am a believer, if when you pick, there is a QB on the board who you believe will be a perennial all pro type player, than you pick him, the hell with your needs. QB, more than any other position in the league, is what will ultimately allow you to win championships and have extended runs of dominance. Sure, the Broncos won this year with defense and you could say the Seahawks have as well (albeit, Russell is not a bum...yes Manning was a bum by and large for the Broncos this year). Those situation where you have a Dilfer or way past his prime Manning win are few and far between the top notch / all pro type QB's. Basically put, I would never not pass up on an all pro QB (I suppose if I had just taken Andrew Luck the year before, sure, I would, but in general, if the Bears think Wentz is that guy, I'd be pissed if they went any direction but Wentz).

I agree with the posts. I wouldn't pay Mack 8M a year. I'm not sold on Grassu as a lot depends on whether he truly can add the strength. I hate assuming that he'll just add the strength. I do think if he does, he can turn into a pretty good center and I agree he wasn't at all prepared this past year (which is odd for a 3rd round pick).

Arguably the best center in the league and I'd also argue, it is a position of need (depending on how sold you are on Grassu). I also wonder if Grassu could profile at guard at all? http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14884993...opting-contract

One thing to point out, our RB coach is the guy who gets a ton of credit from Elliot for (was OSU's RB coach). Elliot supposedly loves him, so you never know.

I will continue to say, if Wentz is there @ 11 and Pace is as high on him as some insiders have reported, I'm not doing anything but selecting Wentz. I happen to be of the opinion if one of the top QB's is there when we pick, if Pace is high on said player, we will be selecting a QB and I fully expect us to pick a QB within the first 4 rounds. All this said, except for in rare situations, I am always a proponent of a trade down in the 1st round (presuming you get fair value for the trade down). Just like I am fully in favor of moving Alshon (if he didn't want to be here) for 2 1st's or even a 1st and a future 2nd.

I don't think that is a bad thing. I think they need to be calculated in FA. Target one guy they find to be a big time impact player who can help fill a major hole. Berry clearly could have been that guy, but so could Trevathan. Outside of that, I think we look for guys we think we can plug in to be solid players and / or see some upside in. I think we should focus on resigning Long and ensuring we have cap space a year from now when we are ideally closer (that isn't to say we shouldn't go for it now), just that we need to be careful. I see too many franchises that have 6 or 7 wins spend a bunch in free agency thinking it will be a cure and instead of helping it actually puts them in a worse position as they overpaid, jacked up there cap, and clearly didn't have the right talent evaluation.

I'm okay with it. I think we are a ways away from being a good / contending team so I think it would be foolish to blow all of our money prematurely this off-season. I think we need to be focused on finding quality starters and via the draft target impact playmakers. From there, once we are at the right spot, than I think you use FA to help "push" you over the top. I think anything we do now would be a complete an utter waste of resources and have more downside risk than upside risk (if we just went all out on one player). The exception would have been Von Miller. I do note think Trevathan at 7 or 8M is what I call absurd money and I'd see that type of FA being the highest end the team goes (outside of resigning Jeffrey and potentially Long).

He was officially tagged. Reports are it was the non-exclusive tag, meaning he is free to negotiate with other teams and sign deal. If he signs, Bears have opportunity to match contract or let him walk for 2 1st round picks.

A day away from having to tag him. This should put a lot of momentum on two sides to close a deal. Hopefully Bears & AJ can agree long-term in next 24 hours.

Only shot at him was if we did a Jeffrey for Wilkerson switch and than signed him to a long term deal (with Jets signing Jeffrey and reuniting him with BMarsh).

I didn't watch the combine, but the guys recapping the day all said they expected Hackenberg to impress and move up the boards, but instead it was just more of the same from him and that his release, etc, were poor. Guy everyone raved about was Wentz (like utterly raved about). Compared Paxton Lynch to Flacco. People did say very nice thing about Devonte Adams. The Kirk Cousins comp that was handed out (guy that can sit on the bench and become that guy) was Kevin Hogan. Note: These were obesrvations from Daniel Jeremiah and Rece Davis.

Leming, Wiederer, Hoge, others all saying expectation is that a deal will be reached. Aaron Leming ‏@AaronLemingNFL 1h1 hour ago If I had to guess, I'm going to say that #Bears don't need to use the tag on WR Alshon Jeffery. Things moving positively, fast. 9 retweets 11 likes Dan Wiederer ‏@danwiederer 53m53 minutes ago At this point, Jeffery almost certainly will remain a Bear in 2016. And likely beyond. Next big news really will be #s on new contract. Adam Hoge ‏@AdamHoge 1h1 hour ago #Bears & Jeffery’s camp are still negotiating. And yes, they will tag him if a deal isn’t done. In other words, nothing has changed. 6 retweets 6 likes

Also, Hoge is reporting Jeffrey was not tagged yet.

Rumors Jeffrey and Bears extremely close on long-term deal.

When it came to Miller and Shea, it was not that they are actively negotiating with them, but rather they'd sign them if they could get them at the right price. With Shea it sounded more positive, with Miller, there was even reference to him wanting to get his first payday / leveraging the opportunity. I think if they brought Shea in, it would be a depth move, maybe he starts, maybe he doesn't, but it wouldn't be for big bucks.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/monday...orters-sources/ I've just presumed Smith will recover and be a stud, but this makes you think twice (albeit, the dr has not actually reviewed Smith's medical records). It seems that if you take Smith, you should do so knowing there is a high risk that he doesn't play or is really just building himself back in 2016. I am okay with that risk, but it would be really interesting to see what the actual quacks are looking at and see when they review these guys. Makes you further appreciate those "medical" guys who end up just falling down draft boards despite "good" reports of health.

I presume retirement is next. Bushrod worked hard and was a solid signing, but boy did his back get the best of him. Wish him well in what I presume will be retired life.

I'm on board.

I understand the move from the Bears side, but I am still sad. He was a class act all the way and I'll always root for him (yes, even if he signs with the Packers...except than I'll root for him to have a good game in a Packer loss)

Bears absolutely have to get faster. It is critical given how teams are playing offensively. Right now, I look at our LB corps and the reality is Shea is our 2nd most athletic linebacker (which tells you all you need to know). Young and Houston, while productive, are not what I call burners. We need an infusion of speed to this defense and I wish there would be an impactful defender. It seems to me that the two guys who fit that potential bill are LB's coming off significant injuries (Jack & Smith).

Depends...if we get rid of Marty, I think TE becomes a significant area of need. So much so, that I'd be willing to target it as high as the 2nd round.

Well I think it is not surprising he carried more weight this season, given the injuries he had would have limited / hindered his ability to get a lot of workouts in. I hope the Bears and Jeffrey are on board with a very good and aggressive plan of attack to get him back in shape and ultimatley minimize those soft tissue injuries he was experiencing. Dude is a beast when he's healthy.