Full Court Press

Marty Booker?

So the Bears are basically trading one one over-the-hill receiver for another, less costly one. Angelo must believe that Bears fans are stupid if he thinks that they should be happy with that guy.

Get your Superbowl tickets now Bears fans! # 1 and # 2 receivers are going to be Devin Hester and Marty Booker! Wow, might as well forget about next season and call it a "rebuilding year".

Bottom line, Angelo is a pretty good GM when it comes to building a solid defense, but has no clue as to how to build a successful offense.

I agree with both moves.

Mushin is way past his prime, and even at his best he was mostly a possession reciever; rarely a game breaker.

Brown got jobbed last year, and I'm surprised he didn't stage an all out mutiny. Just like Jones, Brown's play did not warrant his being replaced by an unproven newcomer who had yet to earn his position on the field of play. The Bears paid a price for his second string status last year, and I hope they learned something from it.

Management seems fixated with endowing highly drafted players with starting jobs that they haven't earned. Giving first rounders a chance to compete is understandable; there's serious money invested in their contracts.

Annointing them is another matter.

Can anyone say, "Ryan Leaf"?

Headline: "The Moose is Let Loose"

Great move and it opens the door for Marty Booker's return and gives Mark Bradley a chance to play more and prove his worth.

Next up on the chopping block are:

Fred Miller
Adam Archuleta
Ricky Manning Jr.
Ruben Brown
John Gilmore
Terrence Metcalf
Darwin Walker

Both good moves.
I have watched Muhammad drop one pass after another for three years and then throw his QB under the bus. (Last time I will use that worn out phrase)
That was a lot of money for a so called possession receiver. Especially one that could not hold onto the ball.

Love it
Love it

Dont love Marty Booker coming back...

what about Marshall from Denver? We should trade everything to get that stud!

The first sentence to this post is pretty lame, I apologize.

Also, I may need to do a post on Bradley soon. I always felt like he needed to be on the field more, and apparently a lot of you feel the same way. It's like the dude has never gotten a fair chance. When he's on the field, all he seems to do is catch 50-yard touchdowns.

"When he's on the field, all he seems to do is catch 50-yard touchdowns."

Exactly how many of these does Bradley have?

Ricky responds: In 2006, Bradley had touchdowns of 75, 57, 38 yards in very limited playing. This past season he hardly saw any action.

Ding Dong Fred Miller is Gone!

There is a GOD!

Now, let's sign Carolina's OT Jordan Gross, Pittsburgh's OG John Faneca or OT Max Starks (Ross Browner's son).

After the Bears sign one of them, they should draft a OG (Virginia's Brandon Albert, USC's Chilo Rachal or Drew Radovich) and/or an OT (USC's Sam Baker, Boise State's Ryan Clady, or Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah)

Ricky responds: Clady would be good, but he may be gone at 14. I don't like Baker all that much, he's more of a right tackle then a left tackle. Otah is just a mountain of a man at like 340 lbs, so that's a pretty high risk, high reward selection. He may be the next John Odgen or the next Mike Williams.

Honest to God some of you are on crack if you think Marty Booger is going to add something to the Bears. He's practically Moose the Sequel. It's nice to see Butterfingers Muhammad and Turnstyle Miller gone, but we need more young blood at receiver and should get it the first round if a solid player is on the board. Angelo though, can't evaluate offensive talent no more than tell his butt from a gopher hole. He should have been cut as well.

Alex brown deserves his money and had a solid year.I really didn't see anyone on defense that was outstanding against the run. Anderson has only started 1 year so it is a little premature to call him a bust. there is bound to be a drop off after all of the attention he received the year before. his 2 year totals in sacks surpass any other lineman. players need in game experience to develop, look at how Alex Brown has improved over time.

Good moves all, for a change. Didn't like Moose from day one. Alex Brown proved himself last year when the Bears lit a fire under his but, lets see if he can keep it up. Rasheed Davis and Jason McKie need to go next. We need to upgrade to a 2 tight end offense and dump the fullback, Olsen and Clark make a nice combo. Hester and Bradley should spend all off season being groomed as starters. Hester will be off the charts better than Berrian even in his first year as a full time starter. Berrian wants crazy money, if someone is dumb enough to give it to him, let him go. The Bears should spend their free agent money on Michael Turner first, offensive linemen second. The draft should focus on offensive linemen and wide recievers and safeties.

Very good moves! I liked Booker years ago, but he has done little lately; look for a younger speedster who's also tall. Focus on that offensive line and get whoever is quarterback some time to set up and pass. Opening some holes that even Cedric can find would also help.

First of all..yes.. Mike Brown and Brian Griese... a no brainer

These are the type of veterans you keep...I say draft another Safety into the mix (day one)...and either bring in another veteran QB...or draft O'Connell or Morris (day two)

ABrown fixed one embarrassing screw up...now.. don't resign Rex.. draft Mendenhall.. and cut Benson June 1st

Bradley and Hester are our starting WR's... I wouldn't mind Booker in the mix....but Bradley/Hester/Olson cause serious matchup problems...if I have to explain how and why Bradley is/always has been better than Berrian...I will

The offensive line needs to be re-tooled..I'll admit that...but it's no way in the shape some would like you to believe...the definition of 'some'..=..RexandCed fans

Brown and Miller played hurt longer than they should have...Miller isn't a turnstyle..he was hurt..Rex is a statue...and no, I'm not related to Fred..

a lot more talent in the 3rd to 6th rounds at OT than the "lolexperts" will have you believe... Faneca should be a good signing...I'm not too hip on drafting an OT high..

and bagging the two kids from N. Iowa in the draft would be huge

I'm more concerned about DT...Pat Sims...manOman if he would just drop to us at two...

StickyRickey..hey..you were right..I've watched lots o film of RB's... Mendenhall is the best RB in the draft..."and with the 14th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...." (don't choke, Jerry)

The Brown signing has to be one of my favorites. Alex, along with some defensive coaching "geniuses" know he was one key missing ingredient. Glad to have him back.

We all know the offensive line needs some shoring, but darn if the Super Bowl didn't open some eyes on the importance of the defensive front four. It has to be Paradise for the seven back defenders to have a massive rush like that. Actually it pretty much over balances the weaknesses you might have back there to your favor. Gotta love that! That said, I would love to see one more monster tackle in the mix.

I have mixed emotions about Berrian and Bradley. Berrian is a damn good speed receiver, but he goes down with a WHIFF. Bradley was one of my up-and-coming favorites before he got hurt. Couple that with ending up in the doghouse for some unknown reason and the jury's still out. Still, speed kills.

Don't, and I repeat, don't count Briggs out just yet there young man. Comradery may be a lot stronger in the linebacking corps than you think. If Mike Brown can stay away from bad luck for 20+ weeks, Urlacher gets healthy, we throw our other safety in the sea and pick up someone from the bingo hall, Lance knows they'll be formidable again. If the price is close, he'll stay close to Urlacher and the rest. I can feel it!

Hitman hit it on the head. Mendenhall is the best PRO running back in the bunch. I've hoped since day one we get this kid.

Oh, one more thing. Moose actually dropped less passes this year than last. I may be a horse of a different color but he had some key catches this year. Probably more KEY catches than drops. It's the cash flow that says 'adios ' to this one.

Anyone want to buy my Lance Briggs autograph? It says "To: Julie," but you could just cross that part off. Still very valuable!

Yeah...Keep Griese....cause Hitman invested so much of his heart and time into him.

I say cut the guy loose and let him go pull tubes with Hutchinson like he wants too.

Hitman sez: "The offensive line needs to be re-tooled..I'll admit that...but it's no way in the shape some would like you to believe...the definition of 'some'..=..RexandCed fans

Brown and Miller played hurt longer than they should have...Miller isn't a turnstyle..he was hurt..Rex is a statue...and no, I'm not related to Fred.."

I wasn't impressed with the O-Line play last year, but I have to agree that they were protecting three of the slowest, most imobile QB's in the league, and doing it with a starting RB who can't block at all.

But I still see a serious need to get younger at those positions.

Of Lance Briggs; Anthony sez: "If the price is close, he'll stay close to Urlacher and the rest. I can feel it!"

He'll stay close to Urlacher just long enough to shake his hand and wave goodbye.

I can feel him signing a contract that'll be at least double what the Bears will offer him in terms of his signing bonus, annual salary, and longivity. I doubt that Lance will give the Bears a home team discount worth millions of dollars.

None of those moves really surprized me. Moose needed to go. He was becoming more of a cancer than anything else. If you're as slow as he is then you shouldn't be dropping as many passes as he did. Would it have been any worse to play Bradley on at least half of the snaps they gave Moose? If the Bears signs Marty Booker, I will slap my Mama! They may as well keep Moose. Although Berrian has some issues (lazy routes, Gator arming throws, not willing to fight for balls), he does have world class speed and with him, Hester, and Bradley on the field could mean a lot of big plays for our offense. So the Bears need to re-sign him. Fred Miller needed to go also. He needed to go last year in mid-season. You mean to tell me the bears didn't anyone who could block any better than that? Against the Giants (a game the bears should've won) Miller was getting his **$ handed to him!And it was like that almost every game...and every snap. If he played hurt the Bears could've picked someone off the sreet to play better than that.
I liked the Brown signing though. Glad to see they saw the mistake they made with starting anderson. Anderson has great potential. But he has to learn how to stop the run. And it seemed as the year went on Anderson slowly started to lose his confidence.

Hey Mark, wuzzup. You mean Lance isn't going to be mailing postcards to Urlacher from Europe?

culzie..just how much time should I invest in a 2nd string QB?..

Certainly not five years...right?

goodbye Rex

Mark..I wanna draft a big RT...We are paying Tait to play LT and I don't have a problem with the way he's doing it..

A big RT can be gotten later in the draft....I really want Brandon Keith and Chad Rinehart

Alan Faneca in FA needs to get done...Max Starks wouldn't suck, either...I'd prefer Starks

Drafting Mendenhall at 14 ...priceless

Ricky responds: If Boise State junior Ryan Clady is there at 14, it's a no-brainer. Slide Tait to right and immediatly get better at two positions. I like Mendenhall alot too, but it's just the Bears have so many other needs and this RB class is insanely deep. Take a RB with one of the third round picks, someone like Tashard Choice or Steve Slaton will be there.

lol..no way, Rickey...I'd rather raid Pittsburgh's cabinet...Faneca and Starks are UFA's and Trai Essex is a RFA..

Mendenhall is my pick..and there's a pretty good drop off from him to the others at RB from what I saw..

what Hitman says!

Granted, we need to shore up the offensive line, but if Mendenhall's there at 14 I would be hard pressed to pass him up. One of MAYBE three(3) backs to have an immediate impact on ANY team. This FIRE HYDRANT WITH LEGS makes his own holes! Tough toss up. Choice and Slaton? Are you kidding? Choice is gonna find the goin' rough on the next level and though Slaton may be fast, he's also a product of a college system and open field plays due to phenominal trifecta backfield. Did you see what he did against Pitt without White warranting his usual speed coverage? There's one Chris Johnson who's going to be the surprise third or fourth rounder.

I think free agency is the safest way to an offensive line here, and three thru seven will pick you a sleeper lineman before a running back.

Keep Rashard where he belongs, at home in Soldier Field.

I say trade for Rocky Wirtz, then we'll get someone at the top of the Bears organization who will make things happen.

If that doesn't work, we need to kidnap Angelo on his way to the draft day proceedings. HE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO DRAFT FOR THE BEARS. We will insert Hitman and Julie B. as the Bears' representatives, along with BCulz, Stuck, Chuck & WRD as consultants. Keylan and RogersPark Kris will be kept in a separate room for moments of levity. Anthony Navarro and Jermaine will have mobile voting sensors to weigh in on proposed drafts and/or trades.

No Bears coaches will be allowed into the "war room" to screw up draft decisions (especially not Turner).

I will be plugged into the war room on closed circuit TV, with a hotline to the Chicago Police Department/Riot Squad in case Hitman, Julie B., BCulz, et al start a melee over draft day decisions. Since you'll be in NY, don't expect too much help from the CPD.

I see David Haugh of the Trib is still a Rex believer. He thinks the Bears should slap the franchise tag on Bernard Berrian and re-sign Rex so they maintain their "Rex and Bernard" dynamic duo.

I believe Ron Turner must have fed him that story line.

Okay, so David Haugh also gets prevented from entering the Bears draft day war room.

Okay Mr. Ricky, you can't have your name under the heading of the blog entry, but later have Roman's name at the end of the column as though he is the one posting it! That is how you got me with your tom-foolery the other day...lol

Yeah Mushin, you needed to be let go. I liked you, but don't understand how your skills went into the dumpster so readily when signing with the Bears. Three years left on your contract, maybe you need to come back at a VERY LOW rate. I still like you, but if you drop passes in the first three games, CUT HIM FOR LIFE!!

No we don't need Marty Booker.

Alex Brown should not have been a problem to sign no matter what!

Did Fred Miller looked bad because of the inept play of our quarterbacks or is he really that terrible? Just asking.

Though I love Lance Briggs, change of scenery might do both him and the Bears some good, especially if the team is not going to pay him. I really understand this player's dilemma. He played two years without a lengthy contract, still produced and did not get hurt. He deserves the big payday or at least the large signing bonus that would come with such a contract. The Bears need to pay up!

Dang Moose, how did you become butter fingers when you signed with the Chicago Bears? Was it lack of concentration? Think about it people, there were plays he made which had all of us jumping up and down, but it was the open drop balls that angered us mostly.

Roman responds: The tag line with my name is automatic.

It's 'almost' like naming your NASCAR team Rex...you know you're gonna freaking die behind the wheel...

and 'freaking exactly' like naming a Sun-Times Poll "Vote for Rex"....It...like Rex... hasn't worked right from day one...I voted NO

73 times....and you're welcome

When the web site's ginched.....Do ya call the Coders Rex?

Ill have my rubber bullet shield and anti-heat ray crowd disperser device!

Cannot believe lovie actually said he wants to keep Adam A.? Wow!!! He must be living in LaLa land.

Seedy,

Why do you hate Rex so much? Some of you guys are drinking so much of your Rextacide or hator-rexade that its becoming a bit compulsive. I don't consider myself a Rex apologist I just try to be fair about my opinions w/o following up on the hype. I also think the Bears need to re-sign Rex and let him and Kyle battle it out during training camp. I think with the right people around any of those guys, they both would do well. The main difference between the two is Rex has the better arm, But kyle has better pocket presence/movement. But I get the huntch that Rex won't be coming back (dispite what he says). You have to ask yourself, why in the world he would want to come back anyway? With all the hate that he's endured with the press and some fans, Wouldn't San Fran be a better fit for him? A chance to start over,good weather year 'round, probably a better O line, and Mike Martz. With Rex love for the long ball, and Mike martz Aggressive play calling, If I was Rex I'd bolt Chicago and play for the 49ers. But thats just my opinion.
Now as far as Kyle is concerned, without a better Oline, We would be in the same situation as last year. We will need a running game for this kid to shine. I used to be concerned about Kyle ortons accuracy with throws beyond 20 yards. Sometimes the ball would sail on him. Howevever, he didn't really have that problem too much when he played the last few games. He looked pretty good. So we'll see what happens.

With so many teams like the Redskins and Dolphins looking for a coach, I feel like a fool for campaigning so adamantly on Lovie's behalf. There are so many opportunites out there now; we should've let him go.

Hitman:

"Bradley and Hester are our starting WR's"

Hester is not an WR. I'd like to see Bradley in for the bygone Muhsin.

"First of all..yes.. Mike Brown and Brian Griese... a no brainer"

These are the types of veterans that you cut. Have you seen Mike Brown's highlight reel from last season: 3 plays; one pick; fall down; don't get back up.

"Miller isn't a turnstyle..he was hurt"

Everybody is hurt when they're a turnstyle.

Roman Modrowski:

"It seems Moose's replacement could be Marty Booker, who the Dolphins recently cut. Jerry Angelo has a certain affinity Booker, and though he isn't particularly exciting, Booker can still be dependable."

And this is the extent of Jerry Angelo's drafting prowess: re-fried potatoes. Frightening.

(Dramatization)

Jerry Angelo: Wow, this guy just got cut from the worst team in the league! He sure looks desperate. Let's give him a call.

Other guy: But didn't we already trade him away once?

Jerry Angelo: Probably.

Chuck....welcome to my world...

a world where people literally piss on your leg and tell you its raining!

Jermaine:

It's not that I hate Rex so much as he's had his chance and it's time for the Bears to move on. Sure, resign him. But I think it would be better for Rex and the Bears organization to let him drift into the wind.

Same with Bernard Berrian. He's not a top level receiver but wants that kind of moola. I say let him go. The Bears can either draft or get other receivers via FA. Who knows, maybe they already have someone on the team with similar gifts to Berrian. Problem is, our coaching staff seems to be poor evaluators of talent (Mark Anderson, Archuleta, et al).

Thank God somebody came to their senses and paid and kept Alex Brown
Mark Anderson need more time to develop he reminds me of Tyrus Thomas.
Lovie is too loyal to former players and coaches..Adam Archulatta
Babich,and some others can not improve this team.
Lovie the whispers are getting louder.
You have to take responsibility for this mess alone with Angelo.
You have a nice Draft and free agency to make some progress.Dont bring Marty Booker back! Get young and get smart.
Go in a new direction.