http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/15/two-offers-were-made-for-boldin/

According to PFT, the Cardinals recieved two trade offers for Mr. Anquan Boldin. The first came from the Eagles, but the second came from the suddenly emboldened Jerry Angelo of our Chicago Bears. The report states that Angelo offered our second round pick for the disgruntled wide reciever.

With the Cardinals looks for at least a first and a third, this clearly didn't get the job done. But I love the fact that Angelo is making such an effort to get this team a Super Bowl championship. Either that or I love that fact that his efforts are more public, which gives me more confidence in the methods to his madness.

So with all this hooplah about our starting QB, and understandably so, has anyone heard anything about our third QB slot? Nick Hill and Caleb Hanie went undrafted for a reason, this is understood. With that said, so was Tony Romo and he turned out ok. Does anyone have any updates about that? Personally, I think it'd be fun to take one of them in Madden and make them great.

[filler filler filler filler]

This is awesome. We have just two picks left to sign. I'm really excited about this draft class!

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4838

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Tuesday signed third-round defensive tackle Marcus Harrison and agreed to terms with third-round receiver Earl Bennett and fifth-round cornerback Zackary Bowman, all to four-year contracts.

Harrison is a first-round talent who dropped in the draft because of durability and character concerns. The 6-3, 310-pounder tore his left ACL last spring, but rebounded to register 76 tackles, 6½ tackles-for-loss and 1½ sacks while starting 10 games at Arkansas. He also batted down 10 passes and forced one fumble.

"He’s got some talent and some ability and some strength,” said defensive line coach Brick Haley. “There are a lot of things that we like about him.”

Highly competitive and productive, Bennett finished as the SEC’s all-time leading receiver with 236 catches despite playing only three seasons at Vanderbilt. The 6-foot, 209-pounder is the only player in conference history with at least 75 receptions in multiple seasons.

Playing with current Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, Bennett caught 79 passes for 876 yards and 9 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2005. Bennett continued to prosper after Cutler left Vanderbilt for the NFL, catching 82 passes for 1,146 yards and 6 TDs as a sophomore and 75 passes for 830 yards and 5 TDs last season as a junior.

“From Day 1 to now, he’s improved tremendously,” said wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. “He’s just an outstanding young man. He has a great deal of ability. He’s very deceptive with his speed. We just need to continue to work him and bring him along. I’ve been impressed with him as a person—his work ethic and his ability to pick things up.”

Bowman showed promise in 2005 at Nebraska, recording 27 tackles, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions while starting five of 11 games played. But the 6-1, 197-pounder tore his left ACL in spring practice and missed the entire 2006 season.

Bowman then tore his patellar tendon in his right knee in spring practice in 2007, but returned to record 29 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception while starting four of 11 games played.

The Bears have now signed or agreed to terms with 10 of their 12 players chosen in this year’s draft, the most in the NFL. To date, 67 picks from the 2008 NFL draft have signed or agreed to terms with their respective teams.

Bennett (70th overall), Harrison (90th) and Bowman (142nd) join fourth-round choice Craig Steltz (120th), fifth-round selection Kellen Davis (158th) and seventh-round picks Ervin Baldwin (208th), Chester Adams (222nd), Joey LaRocque (243rd), Kirk Barton (247th) and Marcus Monk (248th) as Chicago’s draft picks who have signed or agreed to terms. 

The Bears’ two picks yet to sign are first-round choice Chris Williams (14th) and second-round selection Matt Forté (44th).

So here's my question:

Who are the starting linebackers for this team and what type of expectations should be attached to their play?

I remember hearing about the release of Takeo Spikes and several people said the Eagles' linebackers actually got more athletic with this move. I haven't followed the Eagles a great deal but I'm trying to get caught up. I've been looking around, trying to find out just exactly who is going to be starting for the Eagles but I don't have any clue. The most helpful website I've found is ESPN.com and they have Gaither starting twice. Hah. What are your thoughts?

Chicago Tribune

This is some observations about the first day of the Bears' rookie camp. It appears Forte is ready to push Benson (out of the way?) right now and Hanie has taken a slight lead in the race with Hill for the third string QB slot. The article says he showed off the big arm  and was more accurate than Hill. Game on. Go Hanie go!

NOTE: you may have to go to the wide view to get the whole url.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080407-chicago-bears-rashard-menden hall,1,1561354.story

Apparently the Bears aren't expected to draft Mendenhall, like so many mock drafts have us doing, but they're talking to him anyways. I still think we need to take a tackle/trade down for Albert with our pick. It's our biggest need. However, if we did end up selecting him, I wouldn't be upset. I think he's gonna have a great career but if it starts in Chicago, the first year or two will be rough.

Garrett Wolfe v2

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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8VCQ8NO0.html

This is getting rough. It really seems like the Bears aren't trying that hard right now. I assume Angelo has a plan. I'm just hoping we're all surprised by how good it is. With Chris Brown and Julius Jones gone, the two best options after Turner are gone. Does this mean the Bears are set on Mendenhall in the first? We'll find out.

I would love to take Mendenhall. I really think he's gonna be solid. However, we have more pressing needs at QB and offensive line. If we're going to take Mendenhall, we clearly have to be making some sort of move to get a QB or an offensive lineman outside the draft. Henne, Flacco, and Brohm will not drop to the third nor will the OT that we need.

Mendenhall is the sexy name, but he's not the most pressing need. I imagine the Bears will draft someone like Forte in the 3rd rather than be a player in the FA market.

Here's a few names to toss around:
Xavier Omon
James Davis
Mike Hart
Matt Forte
Ryan Torain

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