Can anyone talk me off the ledge or should I just jump?

[emperorjones]

Give me anything. Anything. I'm back to focusing on stats like - I hope Anderson can lead the league in sacks and how many INTs for TDs will we toss this year. Any positive thoughts that I can cling to would be greatly appreciated. Or alternatively if you feel you have that statement, observation, fact, or epiphany about this squad that would be my last straw and if you would like one less Bear fan in the world and would enjoy seeing me plummit - Go ahead - let me have it....letter rip!

[dougthonus]

If you are looking for hope this year, it's certainly time to ramp down expectations. At this stage you have to just hope they can compete and get back into wild card position.

Odds of a title right now just seem incredibly long. The future doesn't look too bright, but things can change so fast in the NFL that we could turn it around for sure. However, to me, it looks like we need to revamp basically the entire offense. QBs, WRs, RBs, OL.

[Cliff Levingston]

Just jump; it'll be much less painful that way.

Cliff Levingston is already looking toward next year.

- Draft a stud safety in round 1.
- Draft a OT in round 2.
- Draft a WR and OL in round 3.
- Draft a RB in round 4.
- Draft a LB in round 5.
- Draft OL in rounds 6 and 7.
- Cut Benson.
- Let Briggs walk.
- Sign Michael Turner.
- Offer anything it takes to get Tony Romo to come here.

Then we may have a shot at getting back to the super bowl.

[dougthonus]

I'd look to build my OL through the draft and to build my skill positions through FA. WRs in the draft are such a crapshoot as are QBs and to some extent RBs (though RBs aren't that bad usually the good ones come out of the 1st 2 rounds).

I'd go OL in the first round if we don't have to reach, and maybe again in hte 2nd round if we don't have to reach then fill out our next 1st day pick with a defensive need.

Pick up a QB, WR in FA, and see if you could get a decent FA RB as well, but if not then keep Benson on for another year.

[Cliff Levingston]

I'd go OL in the first round if we don't have to reach, and maybe again in hte 2nd round if we don't have to reach then fill out our next 1st day pick with a defensive need.

You can find good offensive linemen anywhere in the draft. Unless there's a can't pass prospect there, Cliff Levingston advocates getting a stud safety. It's obvious Mike Brown makes a huge impact where he's on the field, but he can't stay on the field. We're solidified everywhere on defense except for safety.

The rest of your asserting are in line with Cliff Levingston's for the most part. Michael Turner will be readily available if you assure him a chance at the #1 RB position. Then we go all out for Tony Romo.

If you can save some money by cutting Benson then go for it, otherwise keep him around as a backup in case of injury and cut him the next year.

Of course before any of these roster moves can really do anything of impact, we need a new offensive coordinator. There's got to be someone without a job right now that we can fire Turner for.

[Shootdabull]

I can't jump - I have to see this through to the end.

When we beat the Pack we will be 2-3 and two games out with tie breaker. The guys have to step up this week as this is a big game for us. Just think the last couple of games we played a decent first half. The coaching staff needs to make some adjustments so we come out firing in the second half, an offensive spark or any thing that looks like a running game would be a big boost. The Pack has to think this will be a cake walk so they get overconfident.

Bears win and 2-3 is only one game from .500. One game over .500 could get us in.

So wait at least one more game before jumping.

[dougthonus]

You can find good offensive linemen anywhere in the draft. Unless there's a can't pass prospect there, Cliff Levingston advocates getting a stud safety. It's obvious Mike Brown makes a huge impact where he's on the field, but he can't stay on the field. We're solidified everywhere on defense except for safety.

You can get a good safety anywhere in the draft much more so than offensive lineman. Offensive linemen are the easiest and safest to project onto the next level historically. They have the lowest bust rate of any position in the draft. I wouldn't reach to grab an offensive lineman in the first, but doing so would be a much better game plan than reaching for a safety. I think you got to follow your board in the 1st round based on talent to a large degree.

Next year we may not be so solid at LB if Briggs leaves. I want to see how our DTs play too, because I wouldn't mind bringing in another DT depending on what we get there.

I'd definitely be on board with both Romo and Turner, though who knows if we could afford Romo or not. I don't know what our cap situation looks like next year or what Dallas's cap situation looks like. It may be hard to pull Romo away from Dallas. Also, who knows how Romo gets tagged, we may have to give up picks to sign him away if they franchise him.

[emperorjones]

he stand...inches closer to the ledge. Peeks over and thinks..." its not that far down. It could be over quick and ICLO this is the best option..."

[Cliff Levingston]

You can get a good safety anywhere in the draft much more so than offensive lineman. Offensive linemen are the easiest and safest to project onto the next level historically. They have the lowest bust rate of any position in the draft. I wouldn't reach to grab an offensive lineman in the first, but doing so would be a much better game plan than reaching for a safety. I think you got to follow your board in the 1st round based on talent to a large degree.

Agreed. At your pick, if you've got your choice between the 3rd best safety and best OT, given that the importance of each position to us is about equal, you take the tackle and look for the safety later. If it works out the other way, then you take the safety. There's always someone who drops; hopefully that guy can be safety we need.

Next year we may not be so solid at LB if Briggs leaves. I want to see how our DTs play too, because I wouldn't mind bringing in another DT depending on what we get there.

Jamar Williams will be a capable replacement for Briggs. It's never easy to fill a hole left by a pro-bowler but we can't tie up so much money in one position unless we feel that Urlacher won't last much longer. We could take a linebacker in the later rounds but we've also Mike Okwo whom we drafted last year for depth.

As for DT, Dusty Dvoracek looked good before he got hurt. Provided we have him, Tommie, Walker and Adams, we're looking pretty good there. Can't see any reason to put DT above OL in priority.

I'd definitely be on board with both Romo and Turner, though who knows if we could afford Romo or not. I don't know what our cap situation looks like next year or what Dallas's cap situation looks like. It may be hard to pull Romo away from Dallas. Also, who knows how Romo gets tagged, we may have to give up picks to sign him away if they franchise him.

Obviously getting Romo would be a tall order unlikely to happen but it's the best chance we've got at being a superbowl contender next season. Not only would it (presumably) vault us to the top of the NFC, it would weaken one of our prime competitors. If we don't get Romo then, we drive up the price for the Cowboys to keep him and make it harder for them to balance their roster.

Turner should be pretty attainable though. He's looking for a number 1 back position and a nice pay day; two things that we can offer next offseason should we choose to. He has all of Benson's power but twice the quickness and speed of Benson.

[dougthonus]

Agreed. At your pick, if you've got your choice between the 3rd best safety and best OT, given that the importance of each position to us is about equal, you take the tackle and look for the safety later. If it works out the other way, then you take the safety. There's always someone who drops; hopefully that guy can be safety we need.

If the best player on our board was a safety and the 3rd best was an OT, unless there was a big drop off I would take the OT. I just feel it's easy to fill in the safety spot via FA or late round picks. A stud offensive lineman has a much bigger impact than a stud safety IMO. Especially considering how bad our offensive skill players are. A good offensive line would make a world of difference. Even getting a good half line, so we could always run to one side would make a huge difference (similar to what Seattle does running primarily behind Walter Jones).

Of course if there is a big drop off then I'd go value, but if it's close I'd definitely cheat towards the line.

Jamar Williams will be a capable replacement for Briggs.

Maybe.. However, I think that's real far from a given.

It's never easy to fill a hole left by a pro-bowler but we can't tie up so much money in one position unless we feel that Urlacher won't last much longer. We could take a linebacker in the later rounds but we've also Mike Okwo whom we drafted last year for depth.

I don't think drafting someone in the 2nd or 3rd round ties up that much money.

As for DT, Dusty Dvoracek looked good before he got hurt. Provided we have him, Tommie, Walker and Adams, we're looking pretty good there. Can't see any reason to put DT above OL in priority.

Dusty looked good for a game? I mean big deal, you going to count on a guy who had a season ending injury in game 1 to come back and be your starter next year? Anthony Adams is probably ok. Darwin Walker is going to be 31 at the start of next season, I wouldn't be counting on him to be a starting caliber guy.

Granted, I'm not saying I'd jump all over a DT, but I'd consider a DT. I believe the most important positions are the offensive and defensive lines though. They make the job so much easier for everyone else.

[dougthonus]

Obviously getting Romo would be a tall order unlikely to happen but it's the best chance we've got at being a superbowl contender next season. Not only would it (presumably) vault us to the top of the NFC, it would weaken one of our prime competitors. If we don't get Romo then, we drive up the price for the Cowboys to keep him and make it harder for them to balance their roster.

I like the idea of chasing Romo. I just don't think it would be an easy thing to accomplish. I think we'd have to vastly overpay to get him. Romo may not look quite so special with our WR group either. Our guys have the droppsies and aren't good at creating separation.

Turner should be pretty attainable though. He's looking for a number 1 back position and a nice pay day; two things that we can offer next offseason should we choose to. He has all of Benson's power but twice the quickness and speed of Benson.

I agree, I like Turner though I wouldn't be shocked if SD transition tagged him or something to make us give up a pick. I like Turner a lot from what I've seen out of him in SD, but he's played largely against worn out defenses in garbage time. He's still been impressive though.

[emperorjones]

I'd love to say I stepped away from the edge. But unfortunately I to CLA (Cliff Levingston's advice) and jumped at halftime. Please celebrate in my absence!

[Cliff Levingston]

We still have many holes on this team. The need for a revamping of the offensive line was pretty evident last night. Tait and Kruetz are the only two guys you have to keep on that line for the next few years, otherwise we could stand to upgrade the rest of the offensive line next season and thereafter.

Also, our safeties are pretty awful without Mike Brown. Archuleta can't cover for sh*t and D. Manning has no idea what he's doing out there. Those should be the two highest priorities next season other than the QB (for the long term).

[emperorjones]

^^ Amen on the safeties. My preseason worries about AA were unfortunately warranted. He is over the hill in a big way. He seems to be trailing 2-3 yards behind every play. And #38 (currently hasn't made enough plays to be mentioned by name) has shown that he should be on special teams only thus far. Very dissapointed back there.