rushdogg

Sapp is a free agent this off-season and it looks like the Bucs will let him
go. Anyone here like him? I'm a big fan of his and while his stats aren't
always great, he is someone the offense must plan for. He has ties to
Angelo and it would look nice with him in front of Urlacher.

go.bears

I'm not particularly found of his 'racial' shenanigans over the past
couple years, but I do think he would be a help to our LB's. Just the
fact that the Packer fans hate him would be good enough reason to have
him sign up as a Bear.

TCB

crackerdog

If he's reasonably cheap and will sign for 2 years, sure. Take his fat ass
and put him up front to free Urlacher to do what he does best. If he's
still anywhere near the level of talent he's shown over the years, he'll
help our Ends get a better pass rush off the edge by pushing the pocket
back. If he's lost a few steps, which he probably has, he probably isn't
worth what I'm sure his ego will be asking.

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scottsdale guy

He is an over-rated piece of racist shit and I hope the Bears don't try to
get him. We can do alot better than Sapp.

go.bears

Well, if we can do alot better than Sapp, that would be fantastic.
Have anyone in mind?

Personally, and since it looks like the majority of the other
positions on the team are solid, I'm all for using our first 4 draft
picks on both the offensive and defensive lines.....in that order.

But, with that said, I can't argue the value of having experienced
DT's, even ones that seem to be a little long on the tooth. Trailor
is still doing a bang-up job for us, while Washington has come back
from his earlier injury to anchor a DL for what many now consider to
be one of the best defenses in the league, and certainly one of the
better ones vs the run. In that light, TB has been shutting down the
run lately, and I have to think Sapp's played a hand in that. Combine
Sapp and Traylor next year, with Brown and Haynes on the ends, and
Daniels Boone and B-rob alternating in, and I could see the Bears
defense really turning it up a few more notches.

But like Dog says, we shouldn't break the bank getting him.

Also, has anyone seen enough of the two rookie DT's to say if there's
enough potential there to allow the Bears to turn their drafting
attention elswhere? I know I haven't.

TCB

crackerdog

We also need to address a good third down scat back in the draft. Someone
to fill the Dennis Gentry role. I think Peterson is OK as a backup but I
haven't seen him catch any passes. We need that guy and a coaching staff to
play an offense that knows how to use a back in the passing game. Ragid
Adulla BLOWS although he did pick up a first down yesterday.

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go.bears

Probably wouldn't hurt, but do I think it's a necessity for a
successful Bears team next year? No, not really. What I believe our
running game three things:

1) A competent passing game to 'honest-up' the opposing defense.
2) An above average O-line that has 'gelled' with each other,
including a blue-chipper or two draftees and solid depth. (O-line is
our biggest problem area, can we agree?)
3) Pertaining to Thomas, a dedication to let him wear down the
defenses as the game wears on, as well and *trying* to get him the
ball via the pass (which we *never* do.

Those three things will go a long way, IMO, to get the rushing game
back in gear. And maybe, in lieu for a scat-back, how bout getting a
blocking back in the game on a consistent basis? I look at other
backs that are successful, and rarely do I see a 3rd down back being
part of it. Priest, Lewis, Green, Tomlinson(sp?), Williams, etc....
Some of these guys that cone in to spell them, but rarely do they have
any come in as part of the game plan to be more effective than them.
IMHO.


TCB

crackerdog

I like a good third down back who can split out to either side and take
advantage of a defense's formation. We haven't had that in a long time.
I'm not sure if A Train can be that guy or not because the current Bears
coaching staff simply doesn't believe a RB should be part of the passing
game. Look at what Tomlinson and Green have accomplished in that part of
the game Shoop!

So, maybe you're right about us not needing that guy but I don't know for
sure. The coaches may just know Thomas can't do it well so they avoid it.

I agree with you on the O line. We have some hope of Colombo returning next
year so maybe the need isn't that dramatic.

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rushdogg

I agree that the A-Train needs to be the focus. He has to have 25 to 30
carries a game to be effective. He is a runner like Bettis who wears down
the defense. I would like to see more passes out of the backfield to him,
but I don't know how well his pass catching skills are. It would be nice to
see what Azumah could do back there. He has done great on kick returns and
was a great RB in college. Of course he couldn't play both ways. I think
with Grossman's arm though that defenses won't be able to put 8 in the box,
which has really hurt Thomas.

steve

I don't have a lot of faith in Colombo. He hasn't stayed healthy since
we drafted him. Sure would not put hope in him a third season (?) just
to have him get hurt early for the year again.