jersey cubs fan

They had a decent spring, didn't they?

Speaking of Mort. It's become clearer and clearer that he is getting lapped by the younger guys in the business. He had nothing to add to the draft discussion.

Haugh makes the claim that it was #49: But I've seen Haugh on some of the sports shows, and my take on him is that he's quite prone to overreaches and hyperbole in his opinions. So I don't necessarily believe he's getting it correct. David Haugh is one of the guys that insisted the Bears absolutely had to do whatever possible to resign St. Clair. I question his judgement. The kid could have thought he was going to the Bears at some point in the draft, not necessarily in the 2nd. Or, he could have thought he was going at 49, even if Angelo never told him that he was going to take him at 49. Or, Angelo could have hinted he was looking at the kid at 49 to try and get somebody else to jump up and take him, leaving the guys he actually wanted available for the taking.

So rawaction, are you happy with the undrafted free agent FB, or was there somebody you wanted earlier?

If you drafted a guy in the 3rd/4th, Garza doesn't have to be a lock. The only reason he is essentially a lock is because they have no more depth beyond him.

vitters' numbers scream "second coming of howie kendrick" which might be nice for a middle infielder, but not so much for a 3B. So you'd rather "judge" 361 AB's over 3 years for a 19 year-old rather than scouting reports concerning his upside? Interesting. He's been at worst moderately impressive in his limited action. Go ahead and doubt his defense if you'd like, but there is absolutely no reason to be pessimistic to his upside at this point of his career. Upside is just upside, not reality. Scouting reports about upside are more often than not far more glowing than what happens in a players career. What matters is what the stat book says at the end of the day.

With a DUI on his record and some uneven play in college. Somebody compared him to Mike Brown, which is laughable. Mike Brown was a steady force at a big time college program, very smart and dependable. This guy is a wild card. If all goes well, he might come close to what Brown did in the NFL. But odds are he'll be lucky to be half the player Mike was for 1/3rd of the time he lasted.

Williams is a question due to unknown NFL ability as well as chronic back problems. But my point is that outside the first couple guys taken, NFL lineman can take a year or two to develop into starters. The Bears treatment of the line in the post-Columbo through 2007 drafts left them susceptible in the 2007/2008 seasons to a complete lack of quality depth. They had to go into overdrive starting last year to make up for that lack of depth, but you cannot sustain quality line play by signing other people's free agents. You draft a guy in the second or third this year to start in 2011. You don't want to be in the position like they were in 2008 when they had no choice but to draft a LT in the first round. The Bears don't have a single established quality NFL lineman who is a near lock to start the 2010 season. Kreutz is the closest thing, but they need to prepare to replace him sooner or later. Williams might be, but he hasn't played at all, and has a bad back. The guards are either mediocre or unknown. They've improved the line for this year, but that's largely because it would have been difficult not to improve on a line that started John St. Clair at left tackle. Who knows how long Pace lasts this season, or if the Carolina backup actually does turn into a 16 game starter. The line is full of unknowns, much more than most quality teams. Yeah, Wale is a dark horse to get cut, but without him, they are really thin at the end position this year.

I thought that might be the case, but Haugh's source was Mitchell, who said Angelo had called him and said the Bears were going to take him. So unless he's not telling the truth, it looks like Angelo was ready to use that pick on Mitchell. Going to take him, but when? These players aren't very smart people, and they are in a fog on draft day. It's like the game phone tree, where Angelo telling him he might be interested in taking him in the draft being interpreted as Angelo is going to draft me with his first pick. They have an interest in defending their own dignity, none of them want to be the guy that nobody had interest in drafting. Most of them insist they should have been taken earlier. It's certainly possible, given Angelo's history. He's overdrafted before, but generally speaking he takes guys a round or two earlier than most gurus had them going. He doesn't take guys in the second that most people didn't think would be drafted.

Indeed, and I wouldnt be surprised if Louid beats out Davis for the 3rd tight end. A converted RT back to TE at 300 lbs and runs a 4.6. Wow. Clark is getting old, I wouldn't be surprised if he's the casualty at that position. But yeah, Hunter is done. Clark better not be the casualty. He's getting old, but he can still play. Hillenmeyer on the other hand.... He can still play, but does he play up to his cap number, and is he considerably better than Davis and the new guy? Odds are it's between the last two to prove they are worthy of being the project the team keeps around, although it may be just as likely that the new guy is a practice team target right away.

I'm happy with the draft picks, ecstatic when you include Cutler as part of the draft. What a difference a month makes. It seems like some people are critical of Gilbert in direct response to that youtube video, as if that was the only thing that made him draft worthy. But this isn't a workout warrior who hasn't played well, he was a good player, regardless of the level of competition. He definitely fits the Bears mold. I'm glad they waited on WR instead of taking a guy in the 2nd just because they felt they had to have one. They brought in a lot of bodies to help improve the athleticism on defense. They may end up with only 2 guys who eventually start for them, but it helps the depth, not to mention special teams. I've been harping on this going on 4 years now, but I'm a little disappointed how little attention they paid to the offensive line again in the draft. Yes, they spent the first month of the offseason acquiring guys, and made a big improvement from JSC to Orlando Pace. But the Chicago Bears version of Pace isn't the Pro Bowl player from STL. Williams remains a question at right tackle, the guard positions aren't nailed down by anybody, and Kreutz is at the age and cap size when many teams cut ties with a guy because he's just not worth it. The 2010 draft is probably going to have to be a line heavy draft again. Hopefully QB/RB and maybe even WR will be settled by then. But they will probably need significant offensive line help. Pace could be 1 and done in Chicago, due to health and/or deterioration. And at least 1 interior position may need to be filled by then. And they will still probably need dline bodies, a LB and DB help.

Indeed, and I wouldnt be surprised if Louid beats out Davis for the 3rd tight end. A converted RT back to TE at 300 lbs and runs a 4.6. Wow. Clark is getting old, I wouldn't be surprised if he's the casualty at that position. But yeah, Hunter is done.

While I wouldn't be surprised if Angelo was the GM who was going to overdraft that safety, because overdrafting defensive players is what he specializes in, I don't think it's true. About 5 or 6 picks before the Bears selected there were 3-4 names I thought they'd take, and when each of them went, trading down was fully expected. I think it was Robiskie and the defensive ends, but I don't think it was that safety.

I like what the Eagles did in this draft. With all the picks, I wasn't that impressed with New England's haul. The Jets got the guy they were looking for, and they took the RB I thought they would try and take in the 3rd. What I don't get is why they traded up for Greene. They are a pretty decent team, whose QB screwed them big time last year. If they got their franchise QB, and a RB who can contribute for the next 5 years, then I think they live with the lack of depth picks and prepare to contend for the division in 2010.

If Arizona is TRULY willing to take a 2nd round offer plus considerations for Bolden, I don't understand why the Bears don't jump in. Bolden is clearly better then anybody the Bears could draft at 49 anyways. I don't expect the Bears to take a shot at Bolden, but I wish they would. But if not Chicago, then Tennessee would be a nice fit for Bolden. It could well be cost for them. Both Cutler and Boldin are likely to be paid significantly more than a draft pick will be - do the Bears have the cap room for him and the rest of their picks/needs? Most likely. Cutler isn't taking up much room at all, I'm pretty sure less than whatever the 1st pick would have been. If they spend no money on a 1st or 2nd, they will easily have room to sign the 3-7s. Also, with Cutler and Boldin, their other needs would disappear.

I say we give Denver Fili Moala.

He's been caught stealing twice. Every game? I think he's talking to Lou, not just Theriot. Players are running into outs just about every game. They have 7 CS on 14 attempts, and they've made numerous other baserunnings gaffes.

bump it to 3-4 hour limits? After that anybody can make the selection.

Papers are desperate to create stories.

Not cause I hatecha?

If Jose Macias can do it, Miles can do it.

I would consider drafting a QB late. If not, then they definitely should next year. I'm a firm believer in constantly bringing in fresh arms to the QB battle, and not just undrafted free agents and roster cuts either. Also, I don't really care much about the FB position. It's just not that vital. Find a body who can throw the occasional block and contribute on special teams. Agreed. I would definitely draft a QB next year. Basanez isn't much and another guy to compete for the #2 spot would be nice, but my thinking is bring in a guy that can learn from Cutler next year as opposed to learning the offense WITH Cutler this camp. I don't care much about FB either, neither does anyone else that's why they all go in or after the 6th. I just look at it as a cheap way to get another contributor, whereas drafting any other position that late isn't likely to contribute, ever. And anything to get McKie off the roster helps! You hate that dude don't you. I don't know, I think some 6th and 7th round players have contributed, at least to special teams. Of course, I can't think of any names there.

I would consider drafting a QB late. If not, then they definitely should next year. I'm a firm believer in constantly bringing in fresh arms to the QB battle, and not just undrafted free agents and roster cuts either. Also, I don't really care much about the FB position. It's just not that vital. Find a body who can throw the occasional block and contribute on special teams.

But he is pretty damn crazy.

How did an old draft thread die for over a month?