Chisoxfn

Didn't Noah and Tyrus Thomas actually start to play good right around the time that there were rumors of the Bulls acquiring Amare and prior to the Miller trade? Luckily after the Miller trade they just kept playing well.

Balta, don't you have to give credit to VDN for actually giving Tyrus/Noah/etc the opportunity to play and develop though. In fact, he actually encouraged Tyrus and Noah both to work on there offensive games.

Plus he still had just over 800 receiving yards, which isn't too shabby, imo, given the poor offense the Rams had and the fact that every team was double teaming him.

First week and I have nothing to do. I don't have access to the systems I need yet and my training hasn't really started.

You got to admire the boldness. My guess is any move up would be to acquire a WR or tackle. Pompei later speculates how the Bears are very interested in Robisnkie. Robinskie definately would be a nice fit along with Bennett and Hester. My guess is that if they trade up, its to target a 1st round tackle that slides or to grab a WR like Robinskie/Nicks. Otherwise I could very well see them trading down if Britts/Robinski/Nicks are off the board (this would be easier to do if the Bears sign Holt cause they'd have even less pressure to grab a WR super early and could make adjustments of what they picked based upon the way the draft unfolds).

I'll send an email to Charlotte and Bham tonight if I remember.

Be Danksy!!!

With the 1st round pick, the Chicago Bears select...a real NFL starting QB...WOOO.

Leftwich would be a tremendous pickup, but that move won't happen for a while. If Leftwich is smart, he'll wait and see if someone gets hurt or if a QB job opens up where he'll have a pretty good job at competing for a starting spot. If he doesn't, Chicago wouldn't be a bad place for him to be just because he'd have a shot to win, but barring injury he'd have no shot at playing. However, if you couldn't find a spot where you could compete for a spot, Chicago wouldn't be bad because if things go well, they might sit Cutler one week and he'd at least be able to showcase himself at the end of the season. Plus, if Cutler went down for an extended period of time, he'd be on a good team which would help make him look better and hopefully if that did happen, he'd perform, win a few games, make himself more marketable while at the same time keeping the Bears a playoff team. Thats how I'd sell it at least. Than there is Grossman. With Cutler coming in, the Bears are going to have to give him a ton of snaps and reps in mini camps since it will be his first year in the offense and with the playoffs, which might make it a bit harder to bring in another QB who doesn't have a knowledge of the offense (ie, Leftwich might have trouble getting up to speed enough since Cutler would really need so many reps, more so than say a guy like Manning whose been in the same system for years). Grossman is also a very capable backup who doesn't seem to have any starting options and given his comfort with the offense he could be just fine with limited reps. Plus, as a pure backup I think the hate for Grossman would diminish because I believe most of the shots had to deal more with the Bears not having a good QB (ie, Orton/Grossman) than fans really hating Grossman. Grossman might not do it, but he wouldn't have to answer the same questions he did in the past and as a whole I think the players respect the heck out of him and as a classy fan I respect him for the way he's handled anything. I wouldn't blame Rex if he never wanted anything to do with Bear fans or if he just wanted a clean break, but I do think from the Bears perspective he would be a great #2 QB for one more season (giving Hanie a bit more seasoning).

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 08:09 AM) I don't think the Bears should stop with Holt. I think the Bears should add another veteran like Toomer or Jurevicious(sp?) and move Hester to the slot. From the Z position you can basically just let him run "go" routes and pray that he catches the ball -- because nobody is going to be able to cover him. The offense is starting to look nice on paper, but their performance will be directly tied to how the OL performs with people moving around and coming in. Even with the addition of Holt, the Bears will be targetting a young WR. WR's usually take 1-2 years to truly develop into the league, with the third year typically being there breakout year. In a perfect world, the addition of Holt means that both Hester and Bennett should emerge this year and potentially breakout a year from now (Hester is closer than Bennett) and than your new draft pick is able to ease in this season, gain more time next season and than burst out two years from now. Basically put, Holt is the perfect stop-gap over a 2-3 year period. This year he's your best WR, next year he takes a step back, but is still very good and adds respect (not to mention he's a great mentor) and in year three he's more of a 3rd WR (if one of Bennett/Hester/Pick busts) or a 4th WR (and I think he sticks around because he's older at that point in his career and ideally the Bears have won a superbowl or are at least consistently competing for one so he sticks around to get the ring). Plus if you look at it, essentially the Bears have to spend zero picks on the WR or TE spot in the next couple years with really the only offensive positions you have to worry about being the oline (they can go heavy there) and RB (you'll want to make sure you have someone brought in that can step in if Forte goes down, imo, and given the importance of the RB position and the short life span, it wouldn't be a bad idea a year or two from now to take a back in the 2nd round again). So essentially, you go WR early this draft, than turn the attention the next 2-3 years to the defense, oline, and one RB pick (and maybe a WR or two later in the draft). Now someone will tell me that Clark is getting older, but I'll respond with our 3rd string TE being a freaking beast. The guy is a tremendous athlete, projects to be a great blocker, and has offensive ability and will be a great compliment to Clark (who I think will be gone after this season, unless he is willing to take a very reduced role). Bottom line, in one fell swoop, the Bears are instantly a player or two away from an elite offense (not just for one year, but a number of years).

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 12:09 AM) I agree, they really aren't comparable at all. Jacobs is a big time bruiser who's goal is to run you over. Forte is an every down back who also excels as a receiver out of the backfield. Either way, Holt would be a huge addition to this team. I'd imagine the offense would look something like this: QB Cutler/Hanie/Basanez RB Forte/Peterson/Wolfe FB McKie LT Pace/Shaffer LG Omiyale/Beekman C Kreutz RG Garza/Buenning RT Williams/Shaffer WR Holt/Bennet WR Hester/Davis TE Olsen/Clark/Davis If the Bears pick up Holt, than they are a superbowl contender and with that I don't think you can risk going through a season with one of Hanie/Basanez as your primary backups. I'm not saying our backup will be there to rescue us and win a superbowl if Cutler goes down for the season, but if we lose Jay for three or for games or just one or two, the backup could find a way to lead the Bears to a key victory or two that is necessary to get the Bears into the playoffs where Cutler comes back and dominates. I'm thinking one year stop-gap.

The show is still awesome. Some of you have ridiculous expectations, imo. I'm loving it.

Sweeney is leading off and playing CF for the A's.

Now that he's down in the lineup, I'll continue to say he's not the long term option but as a whole I like the kid and he's in a tough spot, I hope he rallies and comes up with some big hits for the Sox!!!!

Smart move.

Wow, the kid finally got his shot due to injuries and looked a lot better last night. Horrific news, RIP Nick, Rip Nick.

Well I don't know who exactly was the genius behind things, but Steve Stone is the biggest f***ing upgrade in the history of upgrades. I loved DJ more than most and am glad he's still broadcasting, but Stone is the best analyst in the business and its such a joy hearing him. I'd probably have made this thread sooner, but I was at work for yesterdays game and DVR'd todays so I just got through it now and I'm speachless at how good it is to hear Stoney. Thanks Sox!!!

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 07:45 PM) There was talk on the Afternoon Saloon that supposedly Holt didn't want to come to the Bears.... but that may have been b4 the Cutler trade. Ya, that report came out just after the trade but I really think it was a quote from Holt's agent prior to the trade. I really believe if the Bears offer fair money (ie, they don't expect some serious discount) and Lovie, Pace, and Cutler put out a welcome committee than he's Chicagos. I really hope so at least. I also know Hester is campaigning for Holt.

sorry guys, I'm putting a kabosh to this right now. Its just not classy bringing this out. I don't mind the Wise thread because its pointing more so at the fact that the organization has completely ignored the top of the order and center field for a couple years now. Walker did his job last year, depsite how much people want to complain. Now if we get shut out the rest of the week, post away, but after one game, hell naw.

I'm at work, but I got this bad boy DVR'd and rest assured I can't wait to see me some White Sox baseball.

Evidently John Clayton reported yesterday that Holt is waiting for offers from the Bears and Giants (already has them from Tenn and Jacksonville) before he signs.

Aj shouldn't be on there. Teamates don't hate him (aside from a couple people in San Fran).

QUOTE (Reddy @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 03:20 PM) after one game. though actually i agree with you. i think he's in for a down year. I was basing it on an entire spring training. I know you don't look at spring necessarily and say wow this guys going to suck, but as a whole, I looked at him in spring and for the most part he looked really bad at the plate. Just physically he didn't look right. Very slow swing which looked significantly longer than last years where he seemed to just be short and quick to the ball and that enabled him to drive the s*** out of it.

Is this the poster former known as soxfan420?

I saw Nunez pitch and he had very little in the shape of a breaking ball and that meant that he got hammered in the minor league game I saw him pitch in. His velocity looked good, but as a whole wasn't a fan of his delivery or secondary stuff. Small sample size though. But a package involving Santeliz or Omogrosso plus the other guys you mention is too much for a guy that has no shot at a starting job in Anaheim and is considered an older minor leaguer in general with limited tools.