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OK - just read in the Trib that Bryant Johnson, afer visiting the Bills, has only one other visit to make before he makes up his mind and IT ISN'T THE BEARS - it's with the Redskins. What's the deal here ?? The second we knew Berrian was gonzo (and I don't blame them for not matching that deal), we should've had Johnson, Hackett, and Javon Walker on the phone and instead we're playing the waiting game with a position that we're dangerously thin at and has precious little commodities in the free agency pool. Here's what we're looking at currently :

Devin Hester: Looked confused during his try out at WR. Would've helped if Turner wasn't so predictable with the WR screen calls. He didn't stand a chance. Still, he should be given every opportunity to win a starting spot - his skills (after the catch) are too special to ignore. Biggest knock is he's "fumbly".

Rashied Davis : Is he even under contract? 5'9" smurf better used as a 4th wideout. Like him but in limited doses.

Mark Bradley: Sure looked like the real deal after he was drafted. Dangerous moves after the catch. Hasn't been the same after injuries slowed him down. Has never started in his 3 years in the league and caught less than 10 balls last yr. Big question mark and probably not someone you want to count on to start.

Mike Hass: Everyone's favorite in the '07 preseason. Probably the best hands on the team but I'm guessing it's his lack of speed that kept him off the field. I do want to see more of this guy. Waddle wanna-be.

Brandon Rideau: Who ? Has never played in a regular season game. But, hey, he's 6'3".

And there you have it. And Bryant Johnson isn't even going to visit us? REALLY ?

Soooo....unless we can outbid the supposed 10 teams for Javon Walker's services (unlikely) or get the oft-injured UFA DJ Hackett in here (my hope), we're looking at a lot of inexperience and question marks going into the draft. No free agent pickups secures a WR pick somewhere in the first two rounds in my mind. But that's just more inexperience, isn't it ? Great plan, Bears !!!

Its a huge hole. Arguably the biggest hole on the team along with the offensive line.

If Bradley can continue what he was doing pre injury and Hester can start becoming what he can become at WR, we'll be fine. But the chances of that happening this season are slim, very slim. We really need some veteran help.

We. Need. WRs. Bad.

If we're not getting Javon Walker, there better be a contingency plan or a card up the sleeve that no one will expect for 2008.

But seeing as though Lovie & Angelo aren't that bright, I'm guessing they're going to look to the draft to get a WR (or two).

The Bears better pray that a bunch of WR and OL are released after the draft.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Angelo pick up Mendenhall, if hes on the board.

I don't agree with it, but wouldn't be surprised one bit.

Cliff Levingston thinks we only need one more WR to start opposite Hester, be it through free agency or the draft. Another one would be nice but not crucial. Reason being: play the tight ends! We've got the best 1-2 TE punch in the NFL so Cliff Levingston expects them to be on the field at all times other than 3rd and long. Both guys can get out and catch while Greg Olsen has average WR speed. You'll also want them on the field for their blocking abilities in our run game.

ICLO, this is why we're not aggressive for another WR in free agency.

Cliff Levingston wrote:Cliff Levingston thinks we only need one more WR to start opposite Hester, be it through free agency or the draft. Another one would be nice but not crucial. Reason being: play the tight ends! We've got the best 1-2 TE punch in the NFL so Cliff Levingston expects them to be on the field at all times other than 3rd and long. Both guys can get out and catch while Greg Olsen has average WR speed. You'll also want them on the field for their blocking abilities in our run game.

ICLO, this is why we're not aggressive for another WR in free agency.

I really don't see what benefit Hester can be as our #1 or #2 WR. Well... Ok I got it. If we play Hester at WR, he'll have his struggles and at the end of the season his value will be that of a poor WR, instead of a game changing playmaker.

Total McCaskey move.

Also Cliffy, I'd take Antonio Gate and Brandon Manumaluena 100 times out of 100 over Olsen and Clark.

Plan?

Cliff Levingston wrote:Cliff Levingston thinks we only need one more WR to start opposite Hester, be it through free agency or the draft. Another one would be nice but not crucial. Reason being: play the tight ends! We've got the best 1-2 TE punch in the NFL so Cliff Levingston expects them to be on the field at all times other than 3rd and long. Both guys can get out and catch while Greg Olsen has average WR speed. You'll also want them on the field for their blocking abilities in our run game.

ICLO, this is why we're not aggressive for another WR in free agency.

While I do like our TE options and see them (esp. Olsen) being used a lot more to make up for the WR deficiencies, I shudder at the thought of Hester being the "vet" out there. He doesn't have Moose telling him where to line up anymore...

Chewie wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



While I do like our TE options and see them (esp. Olsen) being used a lot more to make up for the WR deficiencies, I shudder at the thought of Hester being the "vet" out there. He doesn't have Moose telling him where to line up anymore...

tru-dat.

Chewie wrote:While I do like our TE options and see them (esp. Olsen) being used a lot more to make up for the WR deficiencies, I shudder at the thought of Hester being the "vet" out there. He doesn't have Moose telling him where to line up anymore...

He'll also have another full training camp under his belt at the position.

It's not perfect, but how do you expect him to ever become a great WR? Do as the Bulls do and NOT give him playing time there?

BULL even PAX wrote:Also Cliffy, I'd take Antonio Gate and Brandon Manumaluena 100 times out of 100 over Olsen and Clark.

Because Gates is the best in the league, but either Clark or Olsen are significantly better than Manumaleuna as the second, hence the best "1-2" punch... not "great 1 with a decent 2" punch.

Cliff Levingston wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


Because Gates is the best in the league, but either Clark or Olsen are significantly better than Manumaleuna as the second, hence the best "1-2" punch... not "great 1 with a decent 2" punch.

I know its easy to say that, espcially with Manumaleuna's stats, but he is a legit #1 TE option.

Hes a better blocker than Clark and Olsen, alot better, and if it wasn't for his legit threat at catching the ball Gates' wouldn't have so many looks. I know LT has an effect on that as well, but Manu is really under appreciatted and forgettne.

Cliff Levingston wrote:He'll also have another full training camp under his belt at the position.

It's not perfect, but how do you expect him to ever become a great WR? Do as the Bulls do and NOT give him playing time there?

Not at all - I did say give Hester every opportunity in camp, after all. I just think we need a single vet who's been there. Too many question marks. I agree IF Bradley can return to form and IF Hester can figure out the position we'll be in a great position. IF not, we're DOA. Some insurance over and above relying on the draft would be nice.

Chewie wrote:Not at all - I did say give Hester every opportunity in camp, after all. I just think we need a single vet who's been there. Too many question marks. I agree IF Bradley can return to form and IF Hester can figure out the position we'll be in a great position. IF not, we're DOA. Some insurance over and above relying on the draft would be nice.

Agreed. Cliff Levingston wouldn't mind seeing us sign D.J. Hackett and being done with the position until next year after seeing what we've got in Bradley and Hester, provided we do use the tight ends as they should.

It's quite possible that they view Olsen as a bit of a slot receiver. As the Giants often do with Shockey, you can split him off the line pretty easily. He's got the speed to burn linebackers and the size to burn DB's. He's (pretty much) the only reason why Cliff Levingston isn't deathly afraid of our WR position right now.

Draft. Draft. Draft.

We can probably find a way to get like Limas Sweed, Andre Caldwell and Dexter Jackson. (2nd-4th) and still get some OL talent. I don't know how comfortable you guys are with going in with the season with our most seasoned WR being Bradley, bu I'm enamored by the WRs in the draft this year.

Maybe we're planning on revolutionizing the NFL offense like we once did with the T-Formation. And this revolutionary offense doesn't require WRs.

Awesome.

Friend_Of_Haley wrote:Maybe we're planning on revolutionizing the NFL offense like we once did with the T-Formation. And this revolutionary offense doesn't require WRs.

Awesome.

I hope it doesn't require a QB or a OL either becuase it dones't like we have those.

(We'll call it the Devin Hester has the ball every time formation!)

What the Bears should do have Maynard be our QB. Then line up Hester 30 yards back and have Maynard punt it to him.

I say we pick whoever can block and throw far and have that person play QB and just toss the ball back to Devin.

Everytime I think about WR, I think how (Please Use More Appropriate Word) it was for the Bears not to franchise BB, so whoever we pick up in the draft can grow for at least one yar.

I'm liking these creative ideas to use Hester.