davell

Theo sends a heartfelt apology that our 7th-10th starters aren't going to be aces.

Theres so much info out there, who knows what's true? I read Taylor is who the Browns want because they don't see 1st round value in the QB's, based on their picks.

If you'll forgive me being pedantic I think it's probably similarly likely that it's a trade+develop situation, a la Arrieta. Of course given the timing that means the trade+develop has to be Montgomery or someone who is added before opening day so maybe not exactly likely, but I wouldn't undersell the possibility of trading for a guy and fixing them. Oh, I agree with that. I do expect a trade or two for pitching. We may be able to pull off a heist and turn a guy into something really good. But I'm just saying we're not emptying out the farm for the Archer types, based on acquisition cost.

The packages for TOR types have been insane. The Cubs pulling the trigger on a deal for one seems extremely unlikely. Since it'd empty the system and likely cost ML contributors they continually say they're not trading. Our next TOR addition will almost definitely be from FA.

The combo of FA+draft is always interesting. Much more so based on where the Bears are currently, plus their plethora of needs. But, all is far from lost, because of where we draft and how much money we have to spend. Needs QB- Taylor, maybe Romo from FA could improve us from where we are currently. Of course, neither is a FA yet. Garoppolo is a trade option. I don't see THIS coaching staff wanting a rookie starting for them, but at 3, we at least have the ability to take a QB, if we want to. RB- My guess is they'll add SOMEONE. Personally, finding a change of pace guy, that's a threat receiving, could really help IMO. The RB class is very deep in the draft, so I can see a late round pick helping a bunch. I doubt they waste decent cap space at this spot. WR- Such a volatile spot for us. If we keep Jeffery and White stays healthy, those 2 and Meredith are a great trio. I lean towards giving that group a chance to do that. If you let Alshon go, its likely they'll dip into FA, which has a relatively solid group of upside guys that conceivably could grow into solid producers. A later round pick could happen too, but my guess is we only use one pick between RB, WR, and TE. TE- We have a true need here for now. Maybe Pruitt or Braunecker help, but a mid round pick on a Leggett or Butt seems like the best use of a pick on a skills position guy in the draft to me. There's not much help here in FA. O-Line- We're set inside, barring injuries. I still think a tackle is needed, but I don't think the Bears look at this as an area of need. There's very little help in FA, so it'd be nice to at least see a late rounder on the line. I'd be happier with a trade down from 3, where it'd give us the luxury of taking one much earlier than that. Ends- You can turn this into a serious strength with a signing or early pick. Its a very deep position-draft wise and has great upper end talent in FA and also solid depth too. Tackles- Campbell has been mentioned, if we miss on Berry, I could see him being the big money addition. At any rate, an addition makes the front 7 a true strength, same as End does. So, I suspect this will happen. But it could be with a major FA or with our top pick. OLB- Not a true need. But I could still see an addition, depending on how things fall. If Tim Williams drug stuff causes him to fall out of the 1st, is he worth the gamble at 36, even though its not a true need? ILB- I think we sign a depth guy here and go with Kwiatkowski until Trevathan hopefully returns. Seriously doubt we use a pick here. CB- Plenty of depth in the draft, lots of solid options in FA. I definitely expect a major FA addition and I could even see two, if things fall certain ways. But I'd bet on one and a 2nd or 3rd rounder in the draft. S- I think I'd say the exact as I just did for CB's. The good news is the strength of FA is DB's. How well we do there tells us what the draft will bring. WR is interesting currently, but I think we take advantage of a reduced pricetag on Alshon and don't change things up much here. It all comes down to what direction we go at QB though.....I "think" we go into the year with a new FA starter, a mid round pick, and the ability to draft one early in the following draft or two. But, its actually possible we add enough via FA, that you can use the 1st on a QB and hope he's ready midseason. Even if its not what Fox necessarily wants....

Solid look into what's potentially available. I do think how we fare will dictate the draft obviously. It seems as though Pace likes getting thru FA with what looks like a true starting lineup on paper, that he can feel OK with and allows for BPA. As for Hooker or Adams.....I'd gladly take either and hope for a trade down to 6 or so, since 1 should still be there. Side note, I've read a few rumors that Allen could fall due to medical concerns over 3 surgeries. That'd be interesting to see.

2018 1st time ballot guys are Chipper, Thome, Vizquel, Andruw Jones, and Rolen......Chipper is a lock, I'd say Thome is a 1st ballot guy too. Vlad and Hoffman will get in next year and my guess is a class of 4 will be it(plus vet committee?). Edgar will get in on his last ballot. Feel comfortable Bonds and Clemens get in at some point. My question is on A. Jones, Rolen, and Vizquel......Are they HOFers? I'm not asking sabermetrically(yet). Just wonder if you think any of this group gets in? With all ballots published from here on out, I think that will increase the number of check marks. I also think a few more of the old timers start to fade off from voting and the newer guys gaining the voting ability will add even a bit more sabermetric feel to things. Which helps get more of this group in. I am all for 10+ currently eligible guys to get in. But, it is kind of funny watching the sabermetric community literally bully some of these guys ballots. As much as I agree with their thought processes, there is a hell of a lot of smugness with some of them. There's truly not a right or wrong answer to this(outside of Chass for just trying to be a dick). But some of these guys truly do act like their opinion is all that matters.

I'm sure we'll see Dex plenty once he's retired. He's a lifetime Cub.

https://twitter.com/RyanQDavis/status/820683885700911105 https://twitter.com/BleacherNation/status/820672907806437377

The Cardinals have brought a slinky to a gun fight with Theo. We will continue to just play with them until we grow tired and break them or throw them away.

Yeah, its Dempster. But its also Theo and Jed. Who are rather awesome.

Theo said tonight they're still in the market for a SP. I'm really hopeful for a Wisler type of addition over a Travis Wood, but I'm expecting the latter.

You're a few wins worse in CF. 2017 Heyward over 2016 Heyward can literally cancel that out. Should see continued improvement on all the young guys. You've got Schwarber back. Montgomery versus Hammel is a wash. The rest of the rotation should basically stay in the same range, as a whole. The pen looks to be improved, with Davis and Chapman a wash, plus the addition of Koji. I think we're probably a bit better altogether myself.

Hammel hates us so much he said he'll always consider himself a Cub, after he was a FA.

Hope everyone's ready for the Travis Wood reunion.

Fine. Does the fact this years QB class sucks change your mind? Not sure I agree with that assessment yet. Not if hes really awesone in years 2 and beyond. How many guys in next year class will be in their first year of draft eligibility? Well see what happens with Taylor or other vet options. I don't see any as true long term options. Taylor could be a medium-term option. But there isn't a guy, Taylor included that should preclude you from still drafting a long term QB if theres one you identify as a good pick. I'd ask the same question as above. QBs very frequently go back to school if they eligibility remaining, even when they look like top picks. And some of these guys have less than a season under their belt right now. A ton can change. I can't argue with the logic of any of this. I just think once it DOES shake out, it winds up being the best option. Meaning holding off on the early QB pick. And flawed or not, I do think placating Fox plays into our 2017 pick. Not advocating it, but do think its real.

Hot Take time.....Can't wait to see how wrong I end up. 1 QB goes in the top 10 of this draft. Watson. Trubisky goes 12 to Cleveland. Kizer 13 to Arizona. Watson goes 2.

I keep looking for teams that seem like they'd want to trade up. I'm having a hard time finding them. Allen being available at 3? I don't see what teams want to trade up to take him? Would someone trade up for a QB? I kind of doubt they'd move to 3 for that. Maybe 2? I just don't see a team moving up. Fournette? Maybe this is the guy teams move up for? I'm fine with any of Allen, Adams, or Hooker at 3. But I think we'll really address S in FA too. Pairing Amos with a top notch guy is probably enough to consider it a strength, in my mind. So, Allen seems more of a fit from a draft standpoint. But, I'd move down to the 10ish range and take Solomon Thomas, if I could find a team to trade with..... Cincy at 9, New Orleans at 11, Baltimore at 16. Those are the 3 teams I could see moving up for defense. But, who knows.....Maybe Fournette is the hot play at 3 for someone.

Fine. Does the fact this years QB class sucks change your mind? The objective is to make the playoffs. Using the 3rd pick on a guy who's going to sit or suck in year 1 is a silly use of the pick. The class next year certainly gives you the ability to pass on one now. As does Taylor, who's an upgrade over our current group and still capable of being a long term answer himself. If he's not? You can take one next year, in what looks to be a far, far superior group.

Obviously, things can change. But next years QB class looks like an all-timer......Fox is on the hot seat now. Pace COULD be, but likely has another coaching hire and a top pick of a QB to burn, before he's given the ax. Give Fox his impact defensive player this year. Allen, Adams, Hooker, whoever BPA is at 3 or wherever we wind up at drafting. This kind of hinges on grabbing Taylor at QB, or finding some other vet that's definitively not a downgrade from Jay. With an impact D pick at 3, a couple big FA additions to the secondary.....The D could easily become elite, with Fangio having that much talent. If you keep Alshon, Howard has an encore performance.....Playoffs look realistic. If things fall apart, you're still looking at a top half of the 1st pick, with Darnold, Rosen, Jackson, Allen, and Browning all looking like 1st round talent QB's..... Free Agency signings QB Tyrod Taylor WR Alshon Jeffery CB Stephen Gilmore S Tony Jefferson Cut- QB Cutler, OLB Houston, WR Royal(saves another 24 mill) Using WF last mock as a guide..... 3) Allen, 36)Jackson, 67) Westbrook, 100) Mills, 106)Webb QB Taylor, Hoyer or Barkley, Webb RB Howard, Langford, Carey WR Jeffery, White, Meredith, Westbrook, 5th WR TE Miller, Braunecker, Pruitt OT Leno, Massie, depth signings OG Long, Sitton, depth signings C Whitehair, Grasu DE Allen, Hicks, Bullard, Ferguson DT Goldman, Unrein OLB Floyd, McPhee, Young ILB Freeman, Trevathan, Kwiatkowski, depth guy CB Gilmore, Porter, Fuller, Hall, Leblanc, Jackson S Jefferson, Amos, Quartey, Bush, Mills That's good enough to contend in this division. I even think its doable, don't see it being unreasonable, given our cap space....

Josh Allen is staying in school. So, its Watson, Kizer, Trubisky, and Mahomes that are top 2 round guys.....

WF's mock today for the Bears.....Says he expects Pace and Fox to trade for Romo or sign Taylor, due to the fact they've got a veteran coach and front office. (Ie- job scared, IMO) 3) De/DT Jonathan Allen 36) KR/CB Adoree Jackson 67) WR Dede Westbrook 100) S Donnie Miles 106) QB Davis Webb I'm done. Sign me up now.