scs787

I believe it was Biggs who said the Bears are "in the lead" for signing Steve Maneri who's a big 6'6" 280 pound blocking TE. I agree that it's a bit of an odd series of moves.

Any $$ figure out there? Apparently the Bears are looking for a blocking TE again so it'd be interesting to see how cheap Spaeth was and how much cheaper the blocking TE we sign is in comparison.

Except people would have been complaining how much he sucked in year 2 and 3 and would be asking him to be replaced =p As for Kromer being the X Factor, he most certainly is. He knows that Bushrod is gonna need help from the LG on passing plays so he'll look good and all will be well.

With the recent comments from Ted Phillips I believe he'll come back.

Or maybe the correct answer as to what's next is something we all expected...A blocking TE Apparently we are in the lead for 6'6" 280 pound TE Steve Maneri. I assume this would make the Spaeth move all about the $$.

Hopefully a MLB is next. I'd be fine with Smith. Yes he's older but he can still be serviceable for 2-3 years, much like the rest of the defense. A LG would be nice, everyones talking about Brandon Moore for LG but I haven't really heard anyone mention the Jets actual LG, Matt Slaussen who will come cheaper and you don't have to worry about the position change being a factor. He was one of the top rated OGs in the league last year. I'd love to have him and then not have to worry about Warmack or Cooper falling to us.

Can't imagine they use another DP on a TE. I just read they're looking to add a blocking TE (cheaper than Spaeth you have to assume) but you don't get those guys in the draft. Replace the TE in charlies draft with a big DT (Monotori Hughes? Kwame Geathers?) and I'd like his draft.

Beat me to it, just posted it in the Bushrod thread. If his injuries are indeed behind him it could end up being great value for the Rams.

Just for comparison, Jake Long just got 4/36 with the Rams. Bout 2M more a year.

In my opinion he does have some upside he just hasn't had the opportunity to show it. He's way under the radar but I believe he's got the goods to run a read option offense. Extremely productive at San Diego where he learned under Jim Harbaugh who is one of the best in the business. MVP of the East West Shrine game in 08. 4.4 speed while still being very accurate in college (albeit an FCS school). I very well could be wrong but I believe he's got a good upside in a read option system which the bears could turn to next year. If he's not the guy and Cutler fails then like you said you just draft a QB in the 1st and hope they turn out like the guys you mentioned before.

Agreed, it's pretty ridiculous. I can see what the NFL is thinking as leading with your head can go both ways but these are professional athletes they should know not to lead with their head. I learned that the hard way playing rugby, without a helmet. But I am not a professional athlete, just a Misfit.

First of all let me just say that I believe the Bears and Jay Cutler have a good year so the conversation is moot but I'll entertain the idea that we somehow suck and move on from Cutler.... Next years draft should be pretty deep at QBs that can step in right away like the guys you mentioned. Barring a downfall of these guys or them staying in school you got Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Tajh Boyd, and David Fales who should be able to step in right away. If we suck bad enough to not resign Cutler then we'll probably be picking top 15 and one of those guys will be there. I'd like to get a project/high upside guy this year. Someone that under the right tutelage could end up being the guy next year. Josh Johnson will be my pick until he's signed elsewhere.

Meh, I guess, it doesn't help us this year at all but it could end up helping us in the future. Bush's cap number wouldn't count against the cap after this year correct?

Yup, Allen signed a few weeks ago. I can kinda see what you're saying with injuries and all but you can't really plan on going 5 deep (Unga is still on the roster ATM as well) at RB because your feature back has gotten hurt the last 2 years. Bush will be fine next year as well and is a very capable backup. It wouldn't be the worst pick ever but I'd rather grab a WR or a QB over a RB at this point.

Way to go Elway.

It's Bennett, I'm not sure if he had 2 twitter handles or what but that 1987Marty is down now, it was in reference to Bennett though. Jensen had also used that twitter handle in reference to Martellus.

Agreed, they'll get another weapon in the first and if he ends up being any good they become scarier than with just Harvin. Plus they still have another 1st to address another need. If Warmack and Cooper are gone and one of the top WRs are I might be ok with pick a WR just so he doesn't end up in Minny....The draft is deep on WRs though so they'll get some kind of weapon there.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter Vikings are giving Greg Jennings a five-year deal. I saw this coming...Kind of a scary move esp if they can hit big on their 2 1st rounders. They still probably go with another WR in the first. This division will be tough.

Wouldn't mind a CB in the first depending on who's there but the rest is very meh to me. If Cooper, Warmack, and Ogletree are gone I'd entertain the idea of Trufant. Not so sure Armstead is a plug and play type that can come in right away at LG....I would LOVE to see him used the way the Saints used Stinchcomb in the game I watched. Having a guy with his speed and size at FB would be all kinds of awesome. Can't really do that in the 2nd though. Spence wouldn't be a bad pick but I'd rather get another big DT to backup Paea. Spence is another 3 technique just like Collins. Would really love to have that monster Kwame Geathers in the 5th. A RB?? No thank you...Ya he could be a good value pick but RB is the one position we're pretty set at with Forte/Bush/Allen and presumably a FB in an emergency situation, I would like the Braxton Cave pick though.

Grizzly posted the tebow pick i just didn't quote it. I don't think it'd be much of a circus if Jay is playing at a high level. If Jay is struggling, then yes the media will start chirping. But I believe Jay has what he needs to succeed here so the media won't be able to talk. Jay also seems like a guy who wouldn't give a damn if the media want him benched for Tebow so it wouldn't affect his play if the choose to stick with him. There's really no difference at having Klien as your #2 over Tebow....I'd take Tebow over Klien since Tebow is a proven winner, no matter how ugly it may be.

Brandon Marshall ‏@BMarshall @1987Marty Just signed a HUGE deal and he chose to work @fitspeedAP instead of vacationing. Discipline=Success #BearDown I love it.

I think he could be more of a fit now with this staff...But ya I can certainly see him going back to San Fran esp after the success Kaep had. Klein would be intriguing as well. As for the Tebow picture...I said earlier in the off season I'd be all for it. If Jay plays well then it shuts the media up. If Jay doesn't play well despite having all the pieces of the puzzle there for him then it wouldn't hurt to see what Tebow can do since Jay would be a goner at the end of the year anyway.

After reading his wiki page he was there for a little bit, also read he worked out for the bears before week 14 last year. A bit of an odd time since at that point we had 3 QBs. Wonder if they liked what they saw. If Jay goes down I'd to see what this team can do with a running QB.

Since we don't have a catch all thread and this doesn't deserve a new thread.... I wouldn't have minded making this deal. I watched a lot of Illini football when he was there and I thought he'd end up being a big time WR. Woulda made for a good #4.

Thing is In my notes I didn't make note of run plays, I've already said Bushrod is the better run blocker. From watching the games that much is clear. My arguments have been solely based on the pass protection aspect, the thing Webb got ripped for the most. I could go back and make notes on the run blocking I guess but its not really what I'm looking for. How would you rate a block where the LG and LT were locked on 1 guy the whole time?? Thats what happened many a times....There was no pressure from the guy of course but 2 guys were needed. I'll be very intrigued to see your legitimate analysis of the games and encourage others to jump in and as well and do the same. You'll get an idea of how we're gonna protect the QB this year.