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I don't think they are "dead set" on Hester as the #1 receiver. Although, even if they spend their first pick on a WR, he likely won't be a #1 receiver right away, so Hester becomes #1 by default. The only way we'd have a different #1 is if we did something like sign Tory Holt. And if they're confident that Williams is the LT, and are looking for a RT, they might rather wait until the second round for Loaholt, rather than take someone like Britton at 18. I think the Bears could go multiple directions with the first few picks. Sure they could go multiple directions. But OT always has been, and still is, the most obvious glaring need. Smith talked up Hester emerging and performing as a number 1 late last year. They've shown no interest in what has been a fairly large number of available free agent WR. They could take one in the first, but I seriously doubt it. The offensive line is a place where you need 5 starters and probably at least 2 capable fill-ins. You only need 2 starting receivers and maybe 3 in any game. They need lineman and they need them badly. Smith almost always supports his players, ie- "Rex Grossman is our QB". I would never put too much stock into that. It could just be posturing. Besides Jerry always surprises in drafts. How many years did we clamor for a TE before we got Olsen. He never goes with an obvious need, and he certainly isn't afraid to pick a later pick with the intent that they will be a main contributor or starter. We may still go OT in round 1, but it will depend on whats there. If Maclin falls and Britton is the best OT, does Jerry pass that up? I don't think so, he takes a WR and waits in round two for someone like Loadholt or a Guard. If some really good DE or DT was available I wouldn't put it past Jerry to take him even though its not our most pressing need. Even a DB I could see Jerry picking if the value was right. I think the odds are WR:35%, OT:35%, Other/BPA:30%. As far as your point about needing 5 lineman and 2 WR: We have 1 WR good enough to start. We have 3 lineman who started every game last year, a first rounder, and a guy we gave a pretty decent sized contract to. Which one looks more complete? Finally, I think its much more likely that we find a starting OL in the second vs. a starting WR in the second.

Based on poster's reactions, it seems like he's doing a pretty good job though.

I don't think they are "dead set" on Hester as the #1 receiver. Although, even if they spend their first pick on a WR, he likely won't be a #1 receiver right away, so Hester becomes #1 by default. The only way we'd have a different #1 is if we did something like sign Tory Holt. And if they're confident that Williams is the LT, and are looking for a RT, they might rather wait until the second round for Loaholt, rather than take someone like Britton at 18. I think the Bears could go multiple directions with the first few picks.

I think theres a good chance it will happen with a new owner on board. He wouldn't have the political BS past with Sammy. Plus they may wait until he is in the Hall.

The fact of the matter is that if they wanted to go with veterans they would have matched St. Clair's offer. Now that doesn't mean they'll hand the job away, but it will go to the best player.

Which almost ensures I won't take one with the Titans' pick. Well if you hadn't insisted on taking Barwin for the Fins, I would have left Robiskie for you! :)

I wonder, will they have a joint ceremony or will each player get his separate day?

I like Robiskie a lot more than most seem to. Eh I'm not crazy about him, but he looks like the best WR at this point. If I was really the Ravens I'd actually look for a short term fix at WR with someone like Holt and get some youth on the defense. Since I can't assume that's what they'll do though, I went with WR. Plus as I said Barwin was the guy I had targeted if I went defense.

Well, you made my decision easier. I think the Ravens will really focus on getting younger on defense, and I probably would have gone with Barwin. The other glaring need for the Ravens is WR. So, with the 25th pick in the second round the Baltimore Ravens select Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State http://www.nfldraftdog.com/images/Brian_Robiskie.jpg I PM'ed ELCABALLO

I might stop being a Cub fan that day. Why, Fotenot is awesome dude.

Just wondering why youd want Omilaye at Guard and not tackle? He supposedly has an enormous wing span which Id think you would rather have at a tackle position so he can get his hands on an edge rusher even if he is beaten. Well it depends on what they draft. If they went with a Guard over a tackle, Omilaye obviously has the flexibility to do either. So say we got Loadholt, Omilaye plays G. If we got Duke Robinson, Omilaye plays T. And I see the issue of having two inexperienced players at tackle a non-issue. There is good line depth in this draft so even a second round pick is likely going to be ready. Yea there might be some amount of growing pains, but if they're the best player, you go with them. They'll only get better by playing in game situations.

LA. Loss to OKlahoma City and Washington.

I hope that our starting RT will come within the first two rounds. Omilaye can compete with Garza and Beekman at G. Williams-Omilaye-Kruetz-Beekman-Loadholt(?) Garza, Buenning, and maybe one other on the bench.

I don't think its been mentioned: Bears scheduled private workout with Hakeem Nicks and Phil Loadholt.

Well they had in the past few years. Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, Muhsin Muhammed. Those players all were kept longer than their "useful life" but helped for at least a year or two. Not sure why they aren't now. My unrealistic theory is that the Bears realize they aren't that close and since the economy is bad anyways they will lay low until the potentially uncapped year in 2010 and then make a big splash. Like I said unrealistic, but I can hope, right? My pet theory is that they've pulled in the reins financially, but Angelo is doing his best to sign a cheap guy here, a mid-level guy there -- so that it doesn't look like they've pulled back. Thats probably a more accurate one. I'll still hope for mine though.

Well they had in the past few years. Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, Muhsin Muhammed. Those players all were kept longer than their "useful life" but helped for at least a year or two. Not sure why they aren't now. My unrealistic theory is that the Bears realize they aren't that close and since the economy is bad anyways they will lay low until the potentially uncapped year in 2010 and then make a big splash. Like I said unrealistic, but I can hope, right?

I like that pick for the Bears. If the first day shaped up like this for the Bears, I'd be pretty pleased (although I am interested in possibly moving down a little from 18, depending on who's there). I don't see Maclin actually being there.

With the 26th Pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens pick: DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/photos/Full60232.jpg

I think this is more accurate.

Well I kind of liked Thabo, but he definitely was going to be blocked with Salmons. Also, this gives us a player who will be cheap in 2010, or another chip for a big trade with all of our expiring deals. Paxson is definitely setting us up for the big home run, whether it be through trade or free agency. Kirk needs to be moved, but if we haven't heard anything now, I don't think it will be until the off season. But thats okay, I'm pretty confident we will still be able to do it then.

Eh, I'll check it out just to give it a chance. Likely I'll be disappointed (well not exactly disappointed since I'm not expecting much, but ya know). It will probably suck.

Worth it, worth it, worth it. This will always be a sport where you do whatever you can to get elite players and worry about the dross later. No. Not at all. The Bulls lineup would have been something like Duhon, Hinrich, Nocioni, Garnett and Othella Harrington. Darius Songalia would have been the next-best player. As said, worth it.

This is days old, and I have no idea if anyone ever responded to it, but he never had a real shot at these guys. The Lakers weren't ever serious about trading Kobe; Memphis only wanted cap relief for Gasol, not talent; Minnesota wanted Chandler, Deng, Gordon and draft choices for Garnett, which would have crippled the Bulls. None of those three non-moves were Paxson's fault. Actually the Bulls did offer that package (or something really similar) It was: Chandler, Deng, maybe Noce, the picks that became Thomas and Noah, for Garnett and the Wolves weren't ready to trade him.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi090218-chicago-bulls-trade-kings-timberwolves,0,3854012.story Why would they reject that??? Hinrich has no place with Rose on this team. He's not worth what he's getting paid to back up Rose and play some 2. Even if he was still our starting PG, he's not worth what he's getting paid. We'd be going into luxury tax level this season, and only save about $2.5M next season. Yea, I'd like to shoot for 2010 as well, but I feel like we could do it more effectively than that. Theres been rumors circulating for a long time about Hinrich to Portland, and they have players who expire this year (LaFrentz) or players who expire by 2010 who could at least contribute next year. Kirk is definitely expandable, especially now that we have Salmons as Gordon insurance, but we can wait it out and acutally get some value for him if we wait it out I'm sure.

What happens to retired players and the salary cap?