adam

Rumors should start flying today in a few hours with the 3-day window opens prior to Free Agency.

Bears were 23-22 when Marshall played, and 0-3 when he didn't over the last 3 years.

This is Gase wanting more speed on offense. He must've watched tape of every game and saw 8 in the box on every play. We will sign Cobb, Smith, or draft a speedster.

Mad, You're all over it, I was going to say the same thing. We have seen a very common theme every offseason until now. Firing a coach after 2 yrs, GM after 3, jettisoning a highly productive player in his prime mainly due to off field concerns. This is not our normal Bears at work, which is actually refreshing. If Cutler goes, I am all in on this plan. Forte I will be mixed on, but would understand it from a business standpoint, but he seemed to have lost a step last year.

I would love Cobb, but I think he priced himself out of our market. Smith should come cheaper

Smith is only a year older than Alshon. That would be a pretty solid 1-2 for a good 4-5 years.

Most beat writers in favor of the trade: http://sportsmockery.com/2015/03/brandon-m...ons-on-twitter/

I wasn't trying to be an ass about the age, but one year is a pretty big deal after 30 in football. I agree that he is probably one of the top 5 WR's in the last decade and his production will be missed, but injuries have started to pile up and will eventually impact performance. His style of play makes me think he will be more susceptible to injury going forward (he rarely goes out of bounds and makes a lot of contested catches). Also, with his off the field interests growing, I can see him leaving the game sooner than later (like Barber).

I didn't even think about this changing our 1st pick, but that would be crazy if we picked up a top flight WR at #7.

Yeah, Gase was the WR coach when Marshall was traded. I am sure he had some insight into the decision. As a football coach, I can't see Fox wanted to get rid of talent over something that happened off the field when he wasn't there (knowing the environment that existed). However, it seems that the organization is willing to take a cap hit of over $5 mil to not have Marshall on the team. That says a lot. Marshall really seems like a guy destined for a role in the media (reminds me of Tiki Barber). It would not shock me if he is out of football in 2-3 years.

I thought he was a possible stop gap option at ILB, but it seems like the Jets overpaid to retain him. They just used up about $15 million on Marshall and Harris.

Just turned 30? He turns 31 in 17 days. You think he can play at a high level until 36 or 37? Based on others, he could fall off anytime between now and 34. I figure he has 2 good years and 2 average years left. G. Jennings - last good season at 28 L. Fitzgerald - last good season at 28 M. Colston - last good season at 30 R. White - last good season at 31 W. Welker - last good season at 31 S. Moss - last good season at 31 A. Johnson - last good season at 32 Wayne (1 good season after 32), Boldin (2 good seasons after 30), and S. Smith (3 good after 30) are the only 3 active players to have good seasons into their mid 30's. I don't necessarily like this trade in a vacuum, but I have to see who we sign with the $3.9 and who we draft in the 5th.

I don't care what Marshall does on the Jets, but I don't see him breaking 1000 yards. He will have Geno Smith or a rookie at QB. I don't like the lack of savings this year, but we have some ridiculous cap space coming in 2016 (which will help extend Alshon and Long). With the talks of Wayne not returning in Indy, I am surprised Indy didnt make a run at Marshall.

There is no way you do that without a plan in place. Cap space is nothing unless you use it to replace the production. I fully expect some big deals within the next week. According to Overthecap, we only save $3.95 and take on $5.625 in dead money due pro-rated bonuses accelerating to this year. So we would be lucky to get Hartline for that price. Not as warm to this deal than I was originally with everyone talking about $7.5 in savings.

Logan Mankins went from Super Bowl champ to team with #1 pick. People thought NE was crazy. We never do this, so it is somewhat refreshing. Clearly Marshall was far worse than media was making him out to be.

Sure, it could be Hartline/Rookie+cap space for Marshall. I am just not seeing the 4th round pick anywhere. I believe it is only a 5th (#134). We didn't have a 5th rounder, and now pick 1 spot before our original spot.

If it is a 4th and 5th, then this is decent. Would you say Hartline/Royal/4th/5th for Marshall is a good deal? You have to take the cap savings into consideration with a trade like this. Jason, where did you see the mention of a 4th rounder? Some whisperings that Cutler could actually follow Marshall to NYJ, lol.

Decent backup, but I don't want him starting.

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/source-lan...turn-bears-2015 They just made it official. Now I am waiting for Briggs response. He really fell off the last two years and was part of the declining defense.

If there was a trade partner, and one looking for equitable cap hits, this seems like the most logical destination. Other teams would have to trade draft picks and take on a large cap hit which I think is the biggest drawback.

Same age as Forte, can't believe how fast MJD fell off the map. Has 30 more carries than Forte.

2012 Stats Bradford - 82.6 QB Rating, 59.5 Comp%, 3702 Yards, 21 TD, 13 INT Cutler - 81.3 QB Rating, 58.8 Comp%, 3033 Yards, 19 TD, 14 INT 2015 Cap Hit: Bradford - $16,580,000 ($3,595,000 dead money) Cutler - $16,500,000 ($19,500,000 dead money) Would you even consider something like this? We get a serviceable QB that at least showed signs of putting it together, except for the injuries. We would get cap flexibility since it is the last year of his contract. We always could cut him later and only take a $3.5 cap hit. If he looks legit, extend his contract and cut the cap hit in half.

Yeah, essentially the Bears could get an extra 3rd or 4th round pick, sign Hartline and Royal, and still have some cap space left. Jeffery/Hartline/Royal would be a pretty good 1-2-3.

Signing Hartline would make it a lot easier to move Marshall (if that was the plan). Just clearing Marshall's $9.5, we could easily sign Hartline and probably someone like Royal for the slot, and still have cap space left.

They have essentially 4x ILB's with Borland, Willis, Bowman, and Wilhoite. Though depth is good, that is a waste. Borland is almost a lock for one of the spots, and one of the vets will get the other. Leaving 2 candidates to move. I would do it for a 6th or 7th.