rawaction

My team is a friggin mess. RB- Rice, Moreno, Spiller, Donald Brown. Pick 2. Rice and Moreno both have been hurting.

In order of post: I'd take my chances for 1 week w/ Gradkowski. Also, Knox and Wallace are a toss up. Neither will catch more than 4-5. Both will get big play opportunities. I'd go w/ Wallace because of his apparent rapport w/ Batch thru 1 game. Start Orton. Could be in a similar situation where he throws for 300 trying to comeback. Also start Orton. Always start Schaub.

I always wondered why we don't have Hester do kickoffs instead of punts. (Presuming they only want him to do punts or kickoffs, and not both.) It seems like kickoffs would give him more room to get his speed going. He's always been a much better punt returner though. 8 TDs on PRs (1 per 19.25 returns). Only 4 on KRs (1 every 25.5 returns). Hester's PR average was among the league leaders his 1st 2 years, while his KOR average was middle of the pack. Manning and Knox have surpassed him as kickoff returners. Edit: Hester average 1 PR TD for every 12.7 returns, which is nuts!

Another positive to come out of Monday night. Giants are apparently going to punt the ball away from Hester. Glad that's back. One game doesn't take away the 2+ years Hester has been ineffective returning punts. Kicking away from him because of what he did vs. GB means more poor punts and better field position. I'd throw him out there on kickoffs too just to see what the other team does.

Yes, I'm aware. He was probably talking to me. I thought he was a FA. But I also interpreted what you said "Ramirez for Beltre swap" as a trade, so I assumed you were right since I haven't even thought about baseball since like May.

I look for the IU/Michigan to be similar to last year. IU will hang tough early, maybe even get a couple score lead. But I think Michigan will be able to outlast them. Unlike last year though, I don't see IU running for 200 yards and 6 ypc. I also don't see holding Robinson to what he and Forcier did rushing last year (21 carries, 39 yards). I really can't see a scenario where IU ever tackles Denard Robinson. Robinson running on his hands is probably faster than every IU defender. But I also don't see Michigan being able to stop Belcher, Turner, and Doss. Michigan can't really rush the passer, but has gotten some INTs. IU can't turn the ball over and have to at least get 1 or 2 from Denard.

Beltre's really good defensively right? Still, the Sox would have to throw in a pretty decent prospect in addition, IMO.

It's not what I think, it's what I know. It's a 5 man group with questions at every single position. That's far more dangerous than the lack of a mythological pass rushing tackle. And as I said, it's a 5-man group with youth at 3 of the 5 positions. Without Harris (which is the scenario that triggered this discussion) the DL doesn't have anyone drafted as highly as Williams. It doesn't have anyone that garnered the interest in free agency that Omiyale did. And other than Harrison who looks like a DL bust and Melton who was a college RB and LB for 3 years, both lines have a bunch of late round picks. So, it's not like the talent is booming on either line. But as a whole, the OL is at least younger than the DL and therefore has more ability to get better in the long run. Both are huge needs. And I haven't said unequivocably that DL is a bigger need that OL. Just saying it's not as clear cut as everyone is making it out to be.

It's not that. It's just that it's one of the youngest positions on the team. Other than Tillman, the Bears have a 22yo, 23 yo, two 25 yo, and a 26 yo. Tillman probably isn't going anywhere unless he completely falls flat on his face over the next 3 months. The only options are to get rid of the 25 and 26 yo (Graham an Jennings) and they are the 4th and 5th CBs at this point, with Joshua Moore probably passing both of them by next training camp. Granted, if you can get potential shutdown guy in the 1st...go for it. But I don't see it as big of a need as DL, OL or LB and safety depth.

I think it's completely irresponsible and illogical to just say he's taken it well so far so no reason to think he can't keep taking it. And it's not just pass protection. They can't run block worth a crap. This team should never go for it on 4th and 1 because they can't get it. The offensive line has been ignored for far too long. The occasional stop gap journeyman does not solve anything. I'm not eliminating the possibility of drafting a tackle early, but it's very clearly not the number 1 priority. And I say it's not very clear that OL is the #1 priority. You can say whatever you want, but it is. You can too, doesn't make you right despite what you think.

More specifically. I think OG and OC are much bigger needs than OT. Williams is still young, only has 5 games played at the position he was drafted to play. Omiyale is still young (early prime), has 3 more years on his deal, and has only played 3 game at OT. Shaffer has played well as the veteran presence. And you still have Webb as a project at OT. Think this group gets 1 more year. On the other hand, Kreutz and Garza should be done after this year. I don't agree with you at all on DBs and WR. I would probably never draft a WR in the first unless you have a Calvin, Andre, or Moss sitting there. The Bears in no way, shape or form need a stud WR. They are one of the best passing teams in the league right now without one. They just need a guy that can run routes, get open and make plays. A 2nd or 3rd rounder (especially in a deep draft this year) should do the trick. DBs are fine. Tillman looks pretty good out there. Bowman still has talent. DJ Moore has played well. Joshua Moore has upside. Then you still have Major Wright and Manning who are both young and looked decent this year. If anything I think you can bring in a veteran CB to replace Jennings, though if he plays like he did Monday he stays. And you get a 3rd or 4th safety in the 2nd half of the draft, assuming Manning/Wright can start next year. I would rate team needs right now: DT OG OC LB S OT DE WR CB

I think it's completely irresponsible and illogical to just say he's taken it well so far so no reason to think he can't keep taking it. And it's not just pass protection. They can't run block worth a crap. This team should never go for it on 4th and 1 because they can't get it. The offensive line has been ignored for far too long. The occasional stop gap journeyman does not solve anything. I'm not eliminating the possibility of drafting a tackle early, but it's very clearly not the number 1 priority. And I say it's not very clear that OL is the #1 priority.

I understand the concern w/ the pass D. But I don't really see it as inhibiting this team's ability to win. I may be looking at it as the glass half full, but Detroit was able to pass vs. the prevent. Dallas and GB were able to throw by spreading out the defense and using short slant passes. Even when all those teams were able to throw, they were only able to average 4.4, 7.3, and 7.0 yards per attempt. And GBs numbers are skewed by a handful of big plays to an All-Pro TE. The Bears have basically shut WRs down for the most part.

Everyone keeps saying Cutler can't survive if he keeps getting hit. Obviously, you don't want Cutler to get hit, but has it ever crossed anyone's mind that he can take it? He hasn't missed a game since he became a starting QB. Can't say for sure in Denver, but he has only missed 1 play as a Bear due to injury. Nobody says Aaron Rodgers can't keep taking hits, and he took 51 sacks last year. Roethlisberger took 50. Vick has taken by far more than anyone this year, and is a runner so that just multiplies the hits he takes. Again, you don't want Cutler getting hit. But the OL has and will get better. Its the only position in the league where you need time together to work as a unit. The DL is probably playing at its highest point right now due to fresh legs early in the season. By the end of the year, I think the lack of talent on the DL is going to show unless someone really steps up.

I think it could be argued that DL is a bigger need than OL. The Bears are showing they can win without a strong OL. They are also showing they can win without a great pass rushing DL. But they aren't getting a ton out of the 3 positions outside of Peppers, except for effort out of Toeina and Adams. Without Tommie, you are looking at a DL (again outside of Peppers) with an aging Adams, Harrison who has done nothing, a 4th round pick changing positions, a 6th round pick who has done nothing in 4 years, and 2 undrafted FAs. Serious lack of premier talent on the DL. Plus, you have to factor in that interior OL can be found in rounds 2-4 in the draft and are rarely 1st round talents. And you can find cheap servicable FAs on the OL easier than DL.

Omiyale played well except for a play where he just let a guy cross his face because he knew it was Garza's assignment. And not to slight him by any means, he didn't face Clay Matthews very much. Matthews was across from the RT most of the game. As for the other decisions yesterday, very interesting stuff. First, no Tommie Harris. I think the Bears will give him every shot to earn his PT back, but I think they are done with him at the end of the year. My mock draft from Week 1 (yeah, I'm one of those people) had them taking a DT in the 1st round regardless of Harris. Now, it may be the team's biggest need by the offseason. Secondly, I didn't see much talk about Bowman getting benched. He missed a few tackles early, was lazy in coverage, and did not play after the 1st quarter....and he was not hurt. Tim Jennings (who I don't think is a good player) played very well in his absense. Made tackles, covered well. Wonder who's out there Sunday night? Third, the OL has definitely looked better w/ Omiyale at LT and Shaffer at RT. Chris Williams better step it up when he's able to get back on the field or he will be watching a lot this season. I also thought it was a great idea to get J'Marcus Webb in a couple series to see what he had. Shaffer was not hurt, but Webb came in at RT....though he did look overmatched and not NFL ready.

Hunter Hillenmeyer is technically still on the roster too.

A lot actually. I would guess 16-18

My team sucks. With Knowshon Moreno out this week. I am forced to choose one of these RBs to start next to Ray Rice: Donald Brown vs. Den CJ Spiller vs. NE And I have to decide between these WRs: Pierre Garcon vs. Den Mario Manningham vs. Ten Legadu Naanee vs. Sea Louis Murphy vs. Ari

I don't agree that the Bears "owe" any fan anything. But I also don't agree that we shouldn't get explanations on personnel decisions. Aromashodu didn't play for 12 games for the league's worst WR corps last year, and then when he did, he was one of the best WRs in the league over the last 4 games. If they aren't playing him, after again leading the team in receiving Week 1, I think there should be some sort of explanation. I'm not going to harp on it though as it's not like they are just sitting on Randy Moss or something. He's still just a journeyman WR who isn't young anymore and hasn't done anything of note outside of 4 games last year.

I'm hearing stuff about his toughness. They didn't like how he reacted to a couple of hits in Week 1 and then had a couple drops. I think Aromashodu's a better WR than Bennett at this point, but that's not saying much. Neither are likely to be long-term solutions to the WR issues on this team. Still would like to bring in at least 1 guy (eventually, but no rush) with a legit pedigree. A high draft pick with a lot of talent, but not completely raw like Hester and Knox are/were.

Stinks. Hopefully not a lost year for him. Missed all but 1 half of a preseason game. Played some Week 1. Covered a punt week 2, now won't see him again til Seattle at the earliest. Hopefully after the BYE week he can get in there and get a bunch of reps.

Looks like we are going to get rookie, Bryan Bulaga starting at LT across from Julius Peppers. Doesn't matter though as I'm sure he'll be helped on nearly every play. The other DE has to really do something. Tommie showing up would help also. The Packers haven't really done much offensively yet. Strange to say considering they've put up 30 ppg, but they are way off their yardage totals from last year. I actually think our DBs matchup well vs. their WRs. Driver has looked like a possession WR not a guy who put up over 15 ypc last year. Jennings continues to put up all or nothing type games. The one mismatch could be with Nelson and Jones, but Moore has played well at the nickel. The big issue is going to be Jermichael Finley. I'd take my chances of Tillman taking out Driver by himself, which would allow the Bears to focus their attention on Finley and Jennings. The Bears have done a good job of preventing the big play so far, and GB likes the big play.

Andrew Luck and Nick Foles are going to make a couple NFL teams extremely happy this time next year or this time in 2012. I'm in love with them as prospects.

I was thinking the same thing. I can't stand Cutler but I think he has the best pure arm strength in the league. I think Rex can throw for distance w/ anybody in the league. He doesn't have the velocity of Cutler though, who also can throw the ball a mile. Rodgers has a gun too. Favre has the velocity, not distance. Strange to say, but I think Peyton Manning is probably bottom 10 in starting QBs of pure arm strength, including trailing his brother. Vick's arm is legit too.