adam

You don't think agents will use this as leverage? This guy was basically an unknown who just had knee surgery and he got $50 million with over $18 million in guarantees.

There is a thread about it here: http://www.talkbears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1905

If Tommy Kelly can get $50 million over 7 years, what will Tommie Harris command? Kelly is now the highest paid DT. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AgXL...p&type=lgns

25 minutes. I wonder how many signings will happen overnight.

What makes no sense is if you are going to attempt to trade someone, why announce that you will release him anyway? You lose any leverage you might have.

I thought it would be a good idea to start a FA Tracker thread with the period opening tomorrow (or actually 11pm tonight). Here is one of many Trackers: http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?bcsi_scan_...F/1kQEAAAAGMHAB

Why would a team trade for him when they can just sign him after the Bears release him? To beat other teams to the punch? Is he coveted that much?

Mend - en - hall!

As expected, Moose was signed by Carolina, but they also released Carr. Would we be interested in signing Carr as a backup instead of Griese? Carr played with Berrian at Fresno State and played pretty well together. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq0c...p&type=lgns

I believe it. It's professional sports.

It all depends on upfront money. The Bears still have room.

The only issue I have is if this will take away snaps from Olsen. This is nice insurance, but that seems to be more of a luxury - and can the Bears afford luxuries right now.

So he can throw great without pads in a dome. Amazing. Also, how could he not place among the top QBs in the 40, where he finished 4th, yet he did in the vertical jump when he came in 5th? Can an admin merge all ten Flacco threads as well?

I don't think you can gamble with a first round pick on a guy like this. There are so many more questions than answers. The guy had one great year in 2A.

More split time for Olsen? Always good to have depth. Looks like Clark is content with the situation. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Akcr...t&type=lgns

It's only one year, so it is a pretty good deal for the Bears. Rex has one last shot, and either he lives up to his potential, or moves on after this year.

You can say that about 8 other NFL teams as well. The article also mentions Jerry Porter: http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/vikings/?p=1340

Quarterbacks: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...articleid=29968 1. Anderson 2. Leftwich 3. Culpepper 4. Grossman (Prediction: Bears - $6 million guaranteed) 5. Volek Runningbacks: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...articleid=29957 1. Barber 2. Turner 3. Lewis 4. Jones (Prediction: Bears - $6 million guaranteed) 5. Ward Wide Receivers: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...articleid=29977 1. Hackett 2. Berrian (Prediction: Raiders, $14 million guaranteed) 3. Porter 4. Stallworth 5. Johnson (Prediction: Bears - $8 million guaranteed) Linebackers: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...articleid=29961 1. Briggs (Prediction: Redskins - 7 years, $63 million; $21 million guaranteed) 2. Pace 3. Thomas 4. Mitchell 5. Haggans Defensive Linemen: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...=29961&pg=2 1. Smith 2. Williams 3. Odom 4. Kelly 5. Sopoaga So gain Julius Jones and Bryant Johnson while losing Berrian and Briggs.

ASHKUM BEAR hit the nail on the head.

How about Eli? He has 57 career starts, yet he has never had a QB rating over 78. This year his QB rating was 73.9. Exactly the same as Rex's in 2006. They both also had identical TDs at 23, and INTs at 20. Vince Young, career QB Rating of 69.0, yet he has started two years straight. I am not defending Rex, but there are a numerous QBs who get chance after chance to prove themselves. Harrington and Kerry Collins also fit that mold even though they did it with different teams.

Good point. Why go out of your way to telegraph a draft pick?

Do those teams even have any good WRs? I know Coles wants out of NY.

Chicago is probably the best place he has a chance to start at. If he goes to another team, he brings the same question marks plus the fact that he won't be familiar with the offense or players.

nfo, I agree. In addition to Harris, I can see the Bears doing that with Berrian and Briggs offers as well. If they miss on those deals, then I see them moving to FA deals. Either way, this offseason will be very interesting. The good thing is with the Bears current core, they can easily get back into contention with a few impact acquisitions.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-4...o&type=lgns Damn, that would've been nice to have gotten something for Briggs.