burnt out cubbie fan

Overrated? :-s seriously? People were saying something to that effect earlier in the year. Saying that he isn't as good as he looked last year because he doesn't have Deron anymore. Also, I wonder how the Sun-Times feels now about their saying that the Illini would finish 5th in the big ten.

Overrated? :-s

No, please don't. Free Jamar Smith.

ILL!

Warren Carter. Pruitt does stuff and is only a sophomore.

(1) Therein lies the problem... one man does not make an offensive line. You need 5 good players or at least 4 who can cover for the weak link, and right now the Texans' offensive line is basically trash. So, you're going to count on Ferguson and two other first-year offensive linemen to turn around a unit that has been atrocious? Sorry, first year players just don't have that kind of an impact, especially at a position like offensive line. They need to learn blocking schemes and adapt to the added strength, speed and complexity of the pro game. (2) They aren't going to get 3-4 extra high draft picks for that pick. Who is going to make that deal? The Saints? No, they don't need a RB, and they sure have enough holes to make it a bad move for them to deal away all kinds of draft picks. Tennessee? They could use the RB, but they just traded for Travis Henry and have Chris Brown, plus they too have a very low talent level and need numerous picks. The Jets talent level sucks, and they probably need a QB more than a RB. They go any lower than 4th, they lose Ferguson. In any case, I think that a trade with the Jets is probably the most plausible scenario, but even so, the Jets can't just magically invent first round picks. The Texans would be getting second, third, fourth rounders... good picks yes, but certainly with higher bust potential. Anyway, the Texans will be picking Reggie Bush, so this whole debate is pretty moot. You have to start somewhere. They aren't going to get a good line if they keep avoiding it like they have been since the team was founded. The fact remains that they already have a very good running back, why would they want to draft another when they have much larger needs elsewhere. One might say that they should just draft Bush and trade Dom. However, they are going to get much better if they value if they trade the pick down a couple of spots. The difference in abilities between Dom and Reggie isn't enough to justify giving away that many draft picks. And despite what you say, that first overall is going to be one of the most coveted in a while. They will get very good value for it. They will probably be able to get a top 5 this year, a 2nd rounder this year, a first rounder next year, and another pick. That will give them a top 5 pick, two top five picks in the 2nd round, and the 1st and 2nd picks in the third round (they got the 2nd pick in a previous trade). They can turn around their team in a hurry if they put those picks to good use. They could actually be a team that would be dangerous in a year or two. Also, you must have some really good insider info since you can tell me without doubt that the Texans are not going to trade that pick. They haven't given any sort of indication was to what they are going to do. They only thing that I have heard is draft psychos such as Mel Kiper Jr. spew nonsense.

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing? I think they do. They just resigned Davis to an extension, and they have a lot of years/cash invested in Carr. I say they trade down to 3 or 4, pick up a 2nd and a 3rd, or a future first, and draft D'Brickashaw. Regardless of whether one thinks they should do what you're saying above - and I don't - it's never going to happen. There's more for the Texans front office to consider than just what they think will work out best for the team on the field. They also have to worry about fan perception. This is a team that has been either mediocre or downright awful through the entire existence of the franchise. The fans need someone to rally around, and Reggie Bush is that guy. I guarantee you that his jersey will be one of the top ten sellers next year. The McNabb pick over Ricky Williams was unpopular in Philly, but trading down and drafting an obscure offensive lineman (doubt many Texans fans know who Ferguson is) over a dynamic superstar Heisman winner would alienate many fans. The only guy other possible move for them would be to pick Young if he comes out, because while it would probably be a foolish pick, he's a hometown hero and would be accepted by the fan base. They already have that sort of player. His name is Andre Johnson. The problem is that the line is so horrible that the QB hasn't had time for him to get the ball. They also already have a really good running back named Domanick Davis. Last year he had close to 1800 rushing and receiving yards. And that is with that horrible line. If they were to pick up Ferguson and another couple of linemen in the draft, that offense would be very, very dangerous. If they don't do that, it will be one of the biggest mistakes that they can make. They aren't in the position where they can give up 3-4 extra high draft picks to improve a position where they are already above average.

I look at it from another perspective. Say he's projected pre combine (which probably won't help him because he's not a "speed" back) to be in the top 15-20. The guaranteed money for that spot is roughly 10 million dollars. Also bearing in mind that there's 3 possibly 4 RB's who will be taken ahead of him: Bush, Williams, Maroney, and possibly Calhoun. He could come back for his senior season and be THE focal point of that offense and put up incredible numbers possibly boosting himself into the top 5 (AD is coming out next year, so he'd probably be the second back taken), which comes with nearly 30 million in guaranteed money. Its a very fine line. Perhaps its just the contrarian in me that thinks of this scenario. One thing White has going for him is that he has a pretty low amount of carries on his wheels and that could be a VERY attractive attribute for a team. Another thing that he, and all draft eligible players, will consider is that the NFL will most likely be putting in a draft slotting system after this year that is similar to the one used in the NBA. This will mean that the amount of bonus and overall money given to draft picks will be reduced by a significant amount.

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing? I think they do. They just resigned Davis to an extension, and they have a lot of years/cash invested in Carr. I say they trade down to 3 or 4, pick up a 2nd and a 3rd, or a future first, and draft D'Brickashaw. If they trade down they will get all of those picks. That first overall is going to be one of the most coveted in a while.

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing? Umm...they would be getting a lot more than nothing if they were to trade the first pick. If they don't trade that pick it will haunt them for many years down the road. Oh, and I highly doubt they threw any games.

For those of you that have espnu, they are replaying the game at 2am tonight and tomorrow at 3pm.

Don't complain. :P edit: nevermind, just went through the rest of the thread.

PSLs and all that go with it suck, but why would you get season tickets but not be "excited about going to a game in mid January?" I'd have a tough time feeling sorry for somebody who went through the effort of getting the PSLs but chose not to buy playoff tickets because it's too cold in January. probably largely due to Sunday night game against Atlanta. It was cold and nephew said that the restrooms were packed but no one was using them. Again, if you're buying Bears seasons tickets, you have to be aware of the chance you'll be attending a cold game. If they host a playoff game, you've got to go. Thinking about not attending because it's too cold is one of the weakest excuses I could imagine. If you're financial situation, health or child's health was in dire straits, then you make them available to a friend or family member, or maybe scalp them. Other than that there is no excuse. I'll gladly take the tickets off their hands. :D

I like the idea of signing guys early before they get a chance to get big money, but $4m up front for a backup guard? I know Chelios showed that a star athlete can play well without an ACL. But he was in great shape. How will a fat offensive lineman with the comfort of guaranteed money hold up? The offensive line depth is a real concern for me. They are extremely thin and old at the tackle spots, and need to look for help in the draft. Maybe he isn't going to be a backup guard. Perhaps they are going to let Metcalf go and start Garza at right guard.

Just a reminder to everyone, playoff tickets go on sale tomorrow morning.

He is running 3rd right now. Tommie is in first right now and is followed by Peanut. And like I said before, Tommie is the safer bet since he's signed through 2008. But it's hard to argue against Briggs. It is. I want to go with Peanut cause I like him so much, though. Personality-wise, he is my favorite current Bear.

He is running 3rd right now. Tommie is in first right now and is followed by Peanut.

Also, I'm going to get a Bears jersey in a couple of days as an early birthday present. What do you think, Tommie Harris, Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, or Lance Briggs?

Second.. NONONONONONONONONO chad johnson is amazing, and everytime they tone him down, theyre making a mistake If it means getting rid of the bad dances and copy cats and well as the clown acts like TO and Horn have demonstrated over the past few years, I can live w/out Johnson. Although, I enjoy his. Watching Driver of GB pretty much sealed the deal. 4-12 and he acting like he's king of the world b/c he caught a 7yd slant pattern for a 1st down. How about all players except Chad get a penalty if they celebrate? Chad gets free reign as long as they are funny.

You know, Hester declared for the draft today. :) That said, I would go with TE CB OG OT K OLB DE (speed rusher) I put the DE up there cause I don't see much out of Haynes and I would like to see them get another speed rusher that can spell Ogunleye/Brown. UK, why do you think we need another FB? I think that Johnson and McKie have done a pretty good job this year when they haven't been injured. I just don't think that is something we should waste a draft pick on.

That is true. Another thing I like about him is that he is supposed to be a really good guy and does a lot of things in the community. I know he won some sort of award a year or two ago for that.

I agree that it was a good move. The thing I wonder about is the fact that it is a 6 year deal. Hopefully they didn't give him too much per year. There were very serious injury concerns about him coming into this year. Something about him not having some sort of tendon in his knee.

Sweet. Iowa is getting blow out.

I don't say it often but I will in this case.