rawaction

Crap. One problem with Christensen is he is supposedly next in line for Colts OC. Current Colts OC Tom Mora is supposed to retire after this year. So, I don't think Christensen will be available.

Sure, but it's still tough to judge the impact of an Indy coach. This guy is the WR coach. Indy churns out a lot of productive WR, however, how much of that has anything to do with the coach? Would any of these guys be nearly as good on another team? I'm not saying he's clearly a weak coach, but it's just hard to judge. Not only does Peyton call the plays, but any play has a much better chance of working with him as the QB, so the design isn't nearly as important. Ok, I see what you mean. I agree. Maybe he was the choice all along. He has worked w/ Aromashodu who figures to be the Bears top WR next year. And he has to get some credit for Collie and Garcon this year.

I'm not sure why. I can't think of any offensive coaches who are more useless than the Colts' staff. Peyton Manning is their offensive coordinator. He was on the Tampa staff for years with Lovie, and has been in Indy for a while. That would explain the Bears interest. But you are right, it's nearly impossible to judge an Indy offensive coach because of their unique situation with Manning. At least one would hope he's learned from Peyton. I think this whole thing is overblown. Peyton doesn't design the plays, though he does tweak them. Even if the offensive coaches aren't calling the game, I'm pretty sure they give Peyton pointers on what to look for from the defense. I'm sure they go over film with him and tell him what they notice. There's plenty an offensive coach can do besides calling plays, and I'm sure many of those things qualify them as offensive coordinators for another team.

I'm not sure why. I can't think of any offensive coaches who are more useless than the Colts' staff. Peyton Manning is their offensive coordinator. That's not true at all. Even if it was true, Colts coaches would be desirable because they have learned from Peyton. The same way Rex learned from Buddy Ryan. Jeremy Bates learned from Shanahan, and so on.

Well, I know the Bears wanted to talk to one of the Colts assistants. Can't remember the name, but it's probably him or Martz at this point.

Well, the Bears havent' officially offered the job to anyone. I don't know if that's good or bad.

A new offensive staff could work wonders with this team. You still have a potential elite QB, you have young WRs who can develop, a young LT that can develop. A couple lineman, led by Mike Tice and his strong OL reputation and an OC that can open up the passing game while limiting Cutler's INTs can put this team right up there with the top teams in the NFC. The defense as lackluster as it is, was as good it can easily be as good anyone that made the playoffs in the conference.

They were blown out 4 times: 45-10 by the Bengals 41-21 by the Cardinals 36-10 by the Vikings 31-7 by the Ravens So nearly half the time they lost, they got blown off the field. Nobody is saying they are good, but rather it wouldn't be a miracle for them to get better. Exactly. The NFC is pretty crazy. The 1-2 seeds from last year didn't make the playoffs this year. Atlanta did not make it. Tampa went from 11-5 to 3-4 wins. You can turn it around in a hurry in the NFL.

I would rather have Bosh, Wade, Lebron, or Joe Johnson, but this would be a "bird in the hand" type situation. None of the 4 are guaranteed to come to Chicago. Amare would be a nice consulation.

Exactly. Everyone is assuming the OC position is a 1-and-done job. It seems like the possibility that the Bears could be good next year is escaping everyone's minds. It's crazy, but as many holes as this team has....it still went 7-9 with 5 losses by less than 7.

I'm in. And agree. I don't follow baseball very much. I used to be into the minors like crazy, now I couldn't tell you anything outside of what I have read about prospects on this board. I don't believe I went to a game last year. But I have to subject my son to Cubs misery this summer. Poor Kid.

He probably shouldn't turn it over so much then. Verdell can't shoot and can't play the point. He's nothing like Talor Battle. I showed you the stats. If Verdell can't shoot....neither can Battle. Actually, hawkeye showed the stats that are relevant, the ones from this season when all his shooting #s have gotten worse as a result of being the best player on the team (like Battle) Why do you assume his shooting #s as a freshman are his true talent level, yet his ballhandling skills as a sophomore are what matter. So, stats that help your argument are the more relevant? I was comparing the 2 soph to soph. And Jones was the best player on the team last year by a wider margin than he is this year and that's not even including Creek.

He probably shouldn't turn it over so much then. Verdell can't shoot and can't play the point. He's nothing like Talor Battle. I showed you the stats. If Verdell can't shoot....neither can Battle.

That may have been the words he used to describe it, but Cleveland ranked 16th in both pass attempts and rush attempts in 2007, not exactly an overly run happy team. And he was working with a completely unestablished Derek Anderson and a recently signed 28 year old Jamal Lewis. He's also been in San Diego with a pass oriented team. It seems to me that he would be a guy who runs a balanced attack, but when he throws, he throws down the field, and not a bunch of dink and dunk WR screens. I would be leary because I don't know much about him, and I worry about Lovie's "off the bus running" nonsense getting in the way. But it would seem to me this guy could get the most out of Cutler. This, best arm in the league, and the Bears hardly threw deep last year. I don't remember Hester running a single route over 20 yards last year. Braylon Edwards under Chudzinski had a career best 16.1 ypc in 2007. He was still at 15.9 in a crappy 2008. Jackson, Floyd, and Gates all had over 15 ypc this year as SD has consistently been a huge yard per reception team. Of course, all those guys are a lot bigger than any WR the Bears have. So, it would be interesting to see what he would do here.

He's not quite the QB developer Sean Payton was, but he could be a similar hire to Payton, and the most capable of taking over for Lovie if he's canned, or at least sticking around if they make a move next year. Luckily, he isn't working w/ a QB he has to mold from scratch. At this point, I am just worried about an OC that can get Cutler to gel with what he has around him.

No. No kidding. WTF Raw? Jones can't shoot 3's (22%) and is shooting 44% from 2 and 66% from the FT line. As a sophomore, Battle shot 34% from 3, 48% from 2 and 70% from the FT line. Plus his assist rate was 5 points higher, his turnover rate was 3 points lower and he grabbed 4% more of his team's boards. Maybe if Verdell just starts jacking up shots every possession he can score points, but he's not even close to what Battle was last year. That was just the statistical stuff. When I watch him I don't see that many similarities nor do I have the "wow, they're extremely limited offensively but he makes everything happen" reaction. IU is limited but he's one of their more inefficient guys. Jones was 33% from 3, 49% from 2, and 71% from the FT line as a freshman last year. Almost the exact same numbers as Battle as a Soph. So, he's shown he can shoot better than he is this year. Also, Jones doesn't handle the ball (this year) as much as Battle does, so his assists are going to be lower. Don't let the fact that he wasn't a big time recruit and is the best player on a bad team fool you. That's same recipe Battle used to success. As inefficient as he is, he has still scored 20 points in 4 of the 6 conf. games so far.

No. Jones III is 14th in the conference in scoring now at 13.4, but is getting almost 17 ppg in conference play, which is good enough for 8th. Of the top 13, at least 6 of them will be gone.

Huge win for the program. I know Penn St is 0-6 in the conference now, but they are a solid team. I really liked what I saw tonight. Took care of the ball for the most part. Overcame foul trouble by a couple of starters. Verdell Jones III is turning into the next Talor Battle. Next year, I can see him being a top 5 scorer in the league. Watford is going to continue to get better. 9-9, 3-3 in conference. If not for 2 blown double digit leads (Illinois, Boston U), a game in which they didn't play until they got down 25 (Loyola), and some clutch FT shooting down the stretch (George Mason), this team could have a pretty decent record. Honestly, I expected them to be about 11-7 at this point, with 1 win in Puerto Rico and the Loyola win. Hopefully, they can hold serve at home and beat a lesser Iowa team. If so, maybe that will give them some momentum to get an upset or two over the tough stretch coming up.

Some current sophomores I would also look at: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech WR AJ Green, Georgia WR Julio Jones, Alabama WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame OT Nate Potter, Boise State C Mike Brewster, Ohio State DL Jared Crick, Nebraska DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina DT Jurrell Casey, USC LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA CB Patrick Peterson, LSU - I really like him a lot SS Will Hill, Florida FS Rahim Moore, UCLA SS Robert Sands, West Virginia WRs are loaded. The 4 juniors up there are all big and fast. Plus there's Posey from Ohio St and Terrance Toliver who Kiper has at #1. Yeah, that freshman class from a couple years ago of WRs is absolutely loaded. And don't forget about my personal favorite, who is another big year away from throwing his hat in that field....IU's Tandon Doss.

Eh, I don't know. Everytime I think they are making progress, they take a step backwards. They did just lose by 24 a few days ago. Before that, they blew a double digit lead at home and lost. If they can continue to get this type of effort at home and steal a couple of road wins, I'd be satisfied with this season. For that to happen, IU has to take care of the ball more consistently, rebound like they did today, and make some damn free throws. After Iowa next weekend, IU's home schedule is Purdue, Michigan St, Ohio St, Wisconsin and Northwestern. I'd like to win at least 6-8 conference games, which means at least 4 more from somewhere. If we can get both vs. Iowa and keep Penn St down this weekend, then I'd like our chances to take at least 1 of those home games. Of course, a win at PSU and home win vs. Iowa would mean 4-3 in conference and 3 straight, which would be a huge boost. In that case, just 2 more wins could be a sign that things aren't going as well as they need to be.

I agree, the Bears needed DL help either way. The DT class is strong at the top, which means nothing to the Bears. The DE class is pretty strong in the middle. And with the ability of Idonije and Gilbert to play everywhere, it was a toss up for biggest need on the DL. I was leaning toward DE based on where the Bears pick in the draft. And the Bears were still in a position with 2 DEs who hadn't done much in 2-3 years (Anderson, Adams), a rookie who missed all of 09 (Melton), and a veteran on his last legs (Brown), along with the 2 guys mentioned earlier. With Adams gone, it definitely affects the Bears offseason plans. In my mock, I had the Bears picking a DE first (2nd rounder from Hester trade). Now without a former #4 overall pick to hope to turn around, the Bears need some serious talent there, enough to possibly make this the #1 need in the draft, assuming they get some OL help thru free agency.

This is crazy. I don't know how to feel. It's ironic that my teams have been on the other side of this a few times. Darryl Kile and Kyle McClelland have died for the Cards when they were playing the CUbs. Bears played the Redskins right around the death of Sean Taylor. I feel bad for the Adams family. And because he was traded this year, it affects 2 different organizations.

I really think you are overstating their bargain shopper reputation. They just signed a $5m/year OT last offseason (plus 2 more guys to substantial money), and that is hardly a bargain. They traded 2 1s for a franchise QB and extended him in the same offseason. They traded for Ogunleye when he was a holdout for more money and signed him. They overpaid big for Tait, paid Miller a lot, gave Muhsin a big contract, etc. They aren't the Redskins, but they aren't bargain shoppers. New England and Philly are big bottom shoppers than the Bears. Chicago doesn't even let their guys go as often as most other teams. Yeah, I was being nice. They don't go after big time difference makers....kinda like the Cubs.

I hope to god they are only considering him for OL coach Actually I hope he's more of an assistant TE coach. I think this team needs a real OL coach, and Tice isn't even really that. Tice was an outstanding OL coach for the Vikings before being named head coach. I don't know that he'd be successful as an OC, but he would let Cutler air it out downfield. Yeah, he is widely regarded as being a strong OL coach. I would not mind him added in that capacity, but would kill somebody if he is given any more responsibility than that.

My first mock offseason....assuming no CBA and the weak FA class. I would trade Devin Hester. One trade that might make sense is to the Jets for their 2nd rounder. Jets could use another WR, and don't have any other major needs other than DE/OLB, which they can get in the 1st round. They might need a return man if FA Leon Washington leaves. Hester broker all the kick return records his 1st 2 years and has over 100 receptions the last 2 years as a WR. Hester is expendable for the Bears because Johnny Knox is a Hester clone at this point, but more raw. If you get a 3rd for Hester, the players I picked could still be on the board....depending on combine/Senior bowl results. As for free agents, I would love for the Bears to make a splash and sign Logan Mankins from NE. But I know they are bargain shoppers so I wont' even pretend that's going to happen. So, I say sign: OG- Eugene Amano - Tennessee- helped pave the way for a 2000 yd RB. Tenn only gave up 22 sacks in the last 2 years, most of those games w/ the statue Kerry Collins as the QB. WR- Malcom Floyd- SD- restricted FA if no CBA. But even uncapped SD can't keep him, VJackson, LT, Sproles and Merriman who are all restricted. Came on late this year is 6'5" would give Cutler a big target (and the reason I made Hester expendable). FS- Eric Smith- NYJ. Not a starter for the Jets, but I think he can start in the league. I like anyone that has been coached by Rex Ryan. Smith's claim to fame is knocking out Anquan Boldin in the end zone last year and breaking his jaw. Cut: Clark, Kreutz, Kevin Jones and Dvoracek (are they still on the roster?), Vasher, Pace, Bullocks Re-sign (RFA): Anderson, Jamar Williams, Manning Not re-signed: Peterson, Tinoisamoa, Ogunleye As for the draft, the Bears HAVE to pick at least 1 offensive lineman, at least 1 defensive back, and I would like depth at RB and LB. I don't care the order with a few exceptions...one of the first 2 picks has to be OL and the other has to be defense. If they sign a OG and FS, then I want them to pick OT and CB. 2nd (from Jets #50 or so)- Brandon Lang, DE - Troy. Big tackle for loss numbers at a small school, but they have played some legit competition the last couple years. Same school that produced Osi Umenyori and Demarcus Ware. Maybe a reach, but the Bears tend to do that. 3rd (#75)- Kyle Calloway OT- Iowa.... really like him. He can compete at RT right away. 4th- Myron Lewis- CB, Vandy. Bears love their Vandy players. Of 6 in the NFL, they have 5 of them. Teamed w/ Bears rookie DJ Moore to be the best CB tandem in the SEC in 08. Good size at 6'2", 205, not the fastest CB and could slip due to huge CB class. May also be able to play FS. 5th- Ben Tate- RB, Auburn....was highly regarded but had a terrible year vs. good teams like the rest of his teammates. 6th- Rico McCoy LB, Tennessee....again w/ SEC. 2nd team all conf. Undersized, but decent speed. Good fit as cover-2 LB, needs work on run D but can play in an NFL pass defense right away. Have plenty of time to develop run D skills as he will be backing up Lance Briggs. 7th- Jim Dray- TE, Stanford. Could use a TE, as I would like them to cut Desmond Clark. Good blocking TE. Might be a FA signing as he was not invited to the Senior bowl due to injury that caused him to miss a lot of this year.