The Bears Offseason Thread

[Jon]

Trib[/url]"]Several undrafted free agents like New Hampshire receiver David Ball and quarterback Chris Leak have been impressive in their two days. Ball, who broke Jerry Rice's Division I-AA record for touchdown receptions, made repeated highlight-film catches, twice laying out to make diving sideline catches and also grabbing an overthrown ball on a deep post pattern and taking it in for a score.

 

Leak, the most valuable player in Florida's defeat of Ohio State for the BCS championship in January, was overall the most impressive of the camp quarterbacks with his tight spirals, quick decisions and quick releases.

.........

No teams called to pursue a trade for the disgruntled Lance Briggs on draft day, and his contract dispute is expected to go on into training camp or beyond. The Bears are far from waiting around for him though, particularly with what they have seen from third-round draft choice Michael Okwo from Stanford.

 

"That's the prototype we're looking for at the position," Smith said. "Most of the guys are at about 6 feet, they move, they have some defensive back skills as far as hip moves, change of direction, and they have a little bit of strength. He is the prototype that we are looking for, was sideline to sideline in college, and we're hoping he'll do the same for us."

[Guest]

I really like the David Ball signing.

[BigSlick]

Trib[/url]"]Several undrafted free agents like New Hampshire receiver David Ball and quarterback Chris Leak have been impressive in their two days. Ball, who broke Jerry Rice's Division I-AA record for touchdown receptions, made repeated highlight-film catches, twice laying out to make diving sideline catches and also grabbing an overthrown ball on a deep post pattern and taking it in for a score.

 

Leak, the most valuable player in Florida's defeat of Ohio State for the BCS championship in January, was overall the most impressive of the camp quarterbacks with his tight spirals, quick decisions and quick releases.

.........

No teams called to pursue a trade for the disgruntled Lance Briggs on draft day, and his contract dispute is expected to go on into training camp or beyond. The Bears are far from waiting around for him though, particularly with what they have seen from third-round draft choice Michael Okwo from Stanford.

 

"That's the prototype we're looking for at the position," Smith said. "Most of the guys are at about 6 feet, they move, they have some defensive back skills as far as hip moves, change of direction, and they have a little bit of strength. He is the prototype that we are looking for, was sideline to sideline in college, and we're hoping he'll do the same for us."

 

Glad to hear that Okwo is doing well. We're gonna need him soon enough.

 

The news on Leak is interesting. This might be the end of Orton as a Bear.

[Guest]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/alexander_wolff/04/30/not.drafted/index.html

[Chocolate Milk]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

[Banedon]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

Good god is Hester fast.....

 

Devin Hester you are ridiculous!

[cubweiser03]

Ive seen Okwo's highlights on SI. For as small as he is he sure tackles much bigger and stronger than his size would indicate. He's very agressive and appears to wrap up very good.

 

Ball has a fair shot at making this team. Heck, Gage has made this team for a couple years.

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't think that leak is about to supplant orton, but i could be wrong. if he did, you can bet that all of the meatballs would be up in arms.

[Magnetic Curses]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

yes, that will never get old.

[Soul]

I hope they're right about Okwo. He played in a big conference and I can't remember hearing about him even once.

 

It was much the same for Briggs, so I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

If Leak made the team, I wouldn't bat an eyelash at losing Kyle Orton.

[Banedon]

Wow...Leak is 2 inches shorter than Grossman. That doesn't get me uber-excited...

 

Orton's taller than either of them.

[Guest]

I hope they're right about Okwo. He played in a big conference and I can't remember hearing about him even once.

 

But be honest, did you hear anything about Stanford last season? They were just flat out brutal.

[Balsa]

Wow...Leak is 2 inches shorter than Grossman. That doesn't get me uber-excited...

 

Orton's taller than either of them.

But how tall is his HEART?

[Soul]

I hope they're right about Okwo. He played in a big conference and I can't remember hearing about him even once.

 

But be honest, did you hear anything about Stanford last season? They were just flat out brutal.

 

I think I remember hearing.......that they were brutal 8-)

[Soriano12]

Sadly, the legend of Airese Currie, has come to pass

 

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=46&p=2&c=642169

 

:(

[Jon]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596335.jpg

Olsen

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596550.jpg

Wolfe

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596554.jpg

Aaron Brant

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596328.jpg

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596580.jpg

Bazuin

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596589.jpg

Bob Babich

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596591.jpg

Okwo

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596592.jpg

Linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596597.jpg

Kevin Payne

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596602.jpg

Olsen

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596607.jpg

Wolfe

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-05/29596609.jpg

Corey Graham

[Soul]

Sadly, the legend of Airese Currie, has come to pass

 

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=46&p=2&c=642169

 

:(

 

Gotta play if ya wanna stay.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For you Bears fans, our wonderful (dripping with sarcasm) News-Star has an article about him.

 

Link.

 

Payne appealed to the Bears in the draft because the 6-foot, 220-pounder is a physical run defender at the point of attack who also possesses the athleticism to play safety in the cover-two defense.

 

“We felt he gave us a little of both,” said defensive backs coach Steven Wilks. “He’s a guy who can go down in the box and be tough and physical, but even (Friday) you could see him in certain drills where he had that range where you can flip him in the middle of the field.

 

"He has that range that you like. I’m not saying the range of Danieal Manning, but he can give you that ability back there in the open field.”

[Chocolate Milk]

Olsen looks like he has some room to get a little bit bigger. Go get him, Rusty!

[Banedon]

Anyone else find the names on the helmets hilarious? It's like wearing name tags in kindergarten or something....:lol:

[Butterscup1679666578]

Anyone else find the names on the helmets hilarious? It's like wearing name tags in kindergarten or something....:lol:

 

Ahhh, I remember having to do that in high school summer camps. Good memories, haha.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

Good god is Hester fast.....

Devin Hester you are ridiculous!

 

Joniak is becoming an amazing play by play guy.

 

On a side note, my buddy dvr'd the bears first pick and what the espn guys were saying about the bears and the pick, and drew r. celebrating a pick early. I almost threw something at the tv, listening to Steve Young criticizing the bears and grossman, and saying they should pick a qb. What a joke!!!! This coming from a guy who was known as a bust for his first 8 seasons, and was terrible in his first couple years as a starter(as a buc of course).

 

Steve Young, Second Year with the Buccaneers(4th season as a pro), first full season as a starter.

195 363 53.7 2282 6.3 8 13 |

 

Rex Grossman, Fourth Year with the Bears, first full season as a starter

262 480 54.6 3193 6.7 23 20

[CubColtPacer]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

Good god is Hester fast.....

Devin Hester you are ridiculous!

 

Joniak is becoming an amazing play by play guy.

 

On a side note, my buddy dvr'd the bears first pick and what the espn guys were saying about the bears and the pick, and drew r. celebrating a pick early. I almost threw something at the tv, listening to Steve Young criticizing the bears and grossman, and saying they should pick a qb. What a joke!!!! This coming from a guy who was known as a bust for his first 8 seasons, and was terrible in his first couple years as a starter(as a buc of course).

 

Steve Young, Second Year with the Buccaneers(4th season as a pro), first full season as a starter.

195 363 53.7 2282 6.3 8 13 |

 

Rex Grossman, Fourth Year with the Bears, first full season as a starter

262 480 54.6 3193 6.7 23 20

 

I definitely still get your point, but that was only Young's 3rd season in the league. By his 4th year he was in SF. Also, you failed to mention that Young put up 425 yards rushing with 5 TD's, compared to Grossman's 2 yards rushing and 0 TD's.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

Good god is Hester fast.....

Devin Hester you are ridiculous!

 

Joniak is becoming an amazing play by play guy.

 

On a side note, my buddy dvr'd the bears first pick and what the espn guys were saying about the bears and the pick, and drew r. celebrating a pick early. I almost threw something at the tv, listening to Steve Young criticizing the bears and grossman, and saying they should pick a qb. What a joke!!!! This coming from a guy who was known as a bust for his first 8 seasons, and was terrible in his first couple years as a starter(as a buc of course).

 

Steve Young, Second Year with the Buccaneers(4th season as a pro), first full season as a starter.

195 363 53.7 2282 6.3 8 13 |

 

Rex Grossman, Fourth Year with the Bears, first full season as a starter

262 480 54.6 3193 6.7 23 20

 

I definitely still get your point, but that was only Young's 3rd season in the league. By his 4th year he was in SF. Also, you failed to mention that Young put up 425 yards rushing with 5 TD's, compared to Grossman's 2 yards rushing and 0 TD's.

 

Actually it was only his second in the NFL. He played two years in the USFL. He was montana's backup for four years.

 

What does running statistic have to do with how well a quarterback performed? And before you answer, ask yourself whether before this question was posted you thought Mike Vick is a good quarterback or not?

[KaiserCesar]

I also created a new page for the video highlights here.

 

God bless you.

 

Good god is Hester fast.....

Devin Hester you are ridiculous!

 

Joniak is becoming an amazing play by play guy.

 

On a side note, my buddy dvr'd the bears first pick and what the espn guys were saying about the bears and the pick, and drew r. celebrating a pick early. I almost threw something at the tv, listening to Steve Young criticizing the bears and grossman, and saying they should pick a qb. What a joke!!!! This coming from a guy who was known as a bust for his first 8 seasons, and was terrible in his first couple years as a starter(as a buc of course).

 

Steve Young, Second Year with the Buccaneers(4th season as a pro), first full season as a starter.

195 363 53.7 2282 6.3 8 13 |

 

Rex Grossman, Fourth Year with the Bears, first full season as a starter

262 480 54.6 3193 6.7 23 20

 

I definitely still get your point, but that was only Young's 3rd season in the league. By his 4th year he was in SF. Also, you failed to mention that Young put up 425 yards rushing with 5 TD's, compared to Grossman's 2 yards rushing and 0 TD's.

 

Actually it was only his second in the NFL. He played two years in the USFL. He was montana's backup for four years.

 

What does running statistic have to do with how well a quarterback performed? And before you answer, ask yourself whether before this question was posted you thought Mike Vick is a good quarterback or not?

 

I think a rate stat - YPC - would better tell the story. It just tells the story overall effectiveness of being able to move the ball. His 5.74 YPC in his 2nd year prove to be a decent alternative to his passing, but nothing special.