Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces defensive end Shea McClellin (Boise State) as the 19th overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft  is like the Super Bowl of the off season and in order to get through the time, I have created my own Mock Draft for your reading enjoyment. Please tell me how wrong I am in the comments section below because I don’t watch much college football and I generally only care about one NFL football team, the Chicago Bears.  But here goes my first even mock draft.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

What to do with the #1 pick? With the rookie wage scale in place, a team can choose any position they want with the first pick of the draft. Since Andy Reid lost his job in Philadelphia because he didn’t have any offensive line depth, picking an Offensive Tackle would be the wisest move.

Eric Fisher
OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

All I know is that Jacksonville has a long way to go and has many needs, so they will go with a quarterback for their pick.

Geno Smith
QB, West Virginia

3. Oakland Raiders

Since Luke Joeckel is still on the board when it is Oakland’s turn, they might as well grab him.

Luke Joeckel
OT, Texas A&M

4. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles need Offensive Line help, and both top Tackles are now off the board. What to do with the #4 pick? They could use a young quarterback, but Geno Smith is gone. Is it time to draft a defensive player?  I think it is.

Star Lotulelei
DT, Utah

5. Detroit Lions

Let’s see, will the Lions choose a wide receiver with the #5 pick? No, that was something that they would do when Matt Millen was the General Manager. Detroit has been consistent on bolstering both their defensive and offensive lines in the first round. You need to win the battle up front in the trenches and pressure the quarterback.

Chance Warmack
G, Alabama

6. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is just happy that they are not #1 or #2. They have needs all over the place. Can you draft a new team with the #6 pick? Why not pick a quarterback? That would be funny.

Matt Barkley
QB, USC

7. Arizona Cardinals

Good thing the Cardinals don’t need a quarterback anymore since both of the good ones are gone. Well, that is okay because they need Offensive Line help.

Lane Johnson
OT, Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams was the best free agent signing ever.

Ezekiel Ansah
DE, BYU

9. New York Jets

I am so glad that I am not a New York Jets fan. Enough said.

Jonathan Cooper
G/C, North Carolina

10. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans used to be my favorite AFC team to watch on CBS when the Bears were not playing. Then, they fired Jeff Fisher. Now I watch them when they play the Bears. They need some help. Why not a defensive tackle?

Sharrif Floyd
DT, Floridal

11. San Diego Chargers

What is going on with Philip Rivers? I think they should trade him to a NFC North team so that Jay Cutler and him can get lippy again twice a year. Plus, the Chargers would get some draft picks. Win-Win situation. On a side note, they need a wide receiver.

Tavon Austin
WR, West Virginia

12. Miami Dolphins

Thank you Miami. These guys are the best. Enjoy the 3rd round pick, the Bears are enjoying Brandon Marshall. Maybe they should draft a receiver? Never mind. They bought one in free agency; Cornerback it is.

Xavier Rhodes
CB, Florida State

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What is going on in Tampa Bay? No, really, I don’t pay attention to them. Are they still in the NFC Central? They probably need a cornerback.

DeMarcus Milliner
CB, Alabama

14. Carolina Panthers

I should have voted for Ron Rivera for the Madden cover. Oh well. Carolina will pick a Offensive Tackle.

Menelik Watson
OT, Florida State

15. New Orleans Saints

Can New Orleans draft a defensive coordinator? If not, then how about draft a defensive player? They need some pass rush.

Dion Jordan
OLB, Oregon

16. St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher, do your thing. The Rams are going to pick the best football player available when it comes their turn.

D.J. Fluker
OT/G, Alabama

Aug 8, 2012; Renton, WA, USA; NFL: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens (10) finishes a training camp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

According to David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com, Terrell Owens wants to come play for Marc Trestman and your Chicago Bears.

Owens, who says he is in great shape, is looking to make a return to the NFL after not playing in 2012 and he wants to make that return with the Chicago Bears.

This is what Owens had to say while in Chicago to participate in McLegends charity basketball event that benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

I played my first early years in San Francisco with [Bears head coach Marc Trestman] and shortly after that, he left to do some things,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Marc in a long while. I know he’s gone on and done some things, now he’s back in the NFL. So, I never really thought about it until myself and Napoleon were talking about it earlier, but I would definitely welcome it if they would give it some serious consideration. To think about [Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall] on the other side and me on one side, that’s really dangerous. I’m keeping myself in shape just for any opportunity that may come about.”

Does TO really want to play again or is he just doing lip service for the media. Let’s look at the pros and cons of TO coming to the Bears.

Pros

• Marc Trestman was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco when TO was there. Trestman knows TO and TO knows Marc Trestman’s offense.
• TO would only get the veteran minimum and not hit the salary cap very hard.

Cons

• TO is old. Why would the Bears sign a 39 year old receiver when you can draft someone you can groom out of college.
• TO is a distraction. The guy needs way too much attention.
• TO is not a leader.

If the Bears were unwilling to bring back Brian Urlacher, why would they ever consider signing Terrell Owens? Owens is a disease and would only poison the locker room. The Bears need to sign a stretch the field receiver and TO is a “pout if I don’t get the ball” type of receiver. It would be a move that would keep me scratching my head for a long time. Phil Emery, just say “No” to TO.

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (96), cornerback Jonte Green (36) and outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the game at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears remain active during free agency adding three more players to the roster. According to chicagobears.com the Bears have signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, defensive end Kyle Moore and center Taylor Boggs.

Here is what Larry Mayer had to say about the three players:

Fluellen, 28, has appeared in 56 games with six starts over five seasons with the Lions (2008-12) and Dolphins (2012), recording 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The 6-2, 302-pounder was selected by Detroit in the third round of the 2008 draft out of Florida State.

Last season Fluellen appeared in five games with one start with the Lions and Dolphins, registering six tackles.

 Moore, 26, has appeared in 31 games with 14 starts over four seasons with the Buccaneers (2009-10) and Bills (2011-12), compiling 57 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. The 6-6, 263-pounder was selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of USC.

Last season Moore played in 12 games with seven starts, recording a career-high 24 tackles and three sacks.

 Boggs, 26, entered the NFL in 2011 as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets out of Humboldt State, but he has not appeared in a regular season game.

 

Free Agency is never over and the Bears are staying active signing depth to positions of need before the NFL Draft. With the recent signings of defensive ends Kyle Moore and Turk McBride, I think the Bears have moved on from trying to sign Israel Idonije for another year. The question is did the Bears ever intend on bringing Izzy back?

Who else will the Bears sign before the draft? Do these signings give the Bears more flexibility in the draft? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Bears!

Feb 4, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tiffanie Brncich holds a number 1 jersey of the Chicago Bears at the NFL Draft set at the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Why draft a Quarterback so high when you have other pressing needs? Let’s take a look at what the Bears’ current needs are:

• Backup Quarterback
• Cornerback
• Guard/Center
• Linebacker
• Defensive Tackle
• Stretch the Field Wide Receiver

Backup quarterback is a pressing need here in Chicago. Not having a viable backup quarterback is what caused Jerry Angelo to lose his job as the General Manager of the Bears. Phil Emery thought he handled the backup quarterback position last year by signing Jason Campbell to a one year contract. Now Jason Campbell is playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Bears have Josh McCown as their backup. Josh McCown is known as  journeyman quarterback. He has played for more teams than I have fingers on one hand -  eight to be specific. The Bears need a backup who can be a starter one day. (more…)

Nov 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears fans celebrate their team scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. Chicago defeated Tennessee 51-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears fans are experiencing a range of emotions seeing Brian Urlacher’s departure.  Bear Goggles On’s Public Service Announcement for those who have started grieving.  Here are the 5 stages of the grieving process.  Figure out which stage you’re in and try to move through as quickly as possible.

Denial

‘Lach won’t be back? What? Who is reporting this? There is no way that the Chicago Bears would every cut ties with the face of their franchise. They make so much money off of jersey sales. He is a leader. The quarterback of the defense. There is nobody to replace #54 on the roster. I don’t believe it. It is just not possible.

— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) March 21, 2013

— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) March 21, 2013

Okay, so everyone is reporting it, including Brian Urlacher himself. It is true. The Urlacher era with the Bears has ended.

(more…)

Aug 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Steve Maneri (87) is tackled by Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandian Ross (39) and defensive back Sean Richardson (28) after catching a pass during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears announce that they sign Tight End Steve Maneri to a two year contract.

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 21, 2013

— Steve Maneri (@stevemaneri) March 21, 2013

The Bears needed a blocking Tight End after parting ways with both Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth.

It was unclear how the Bears were going to use tight end Evan Rodriguez until yesterday when head coach Marc Trestman said that they see him as a fullback.

Adam Jahns ‏@adamjahns
#Bears coach Marc Trestman said he sees Evan Rodriguez as a fullback right now. But he’s encouraged that he’s working with Brandon Marshall

Now it is even more unclear with the news that Evan Rodriguez has been arrested.

Aug 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Turk McBride (90) knocks the ball out of the arm of Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (13) during second half of their preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Texans 34-27. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, the Bears have agreed to a one year deal with defensive end Turk McBride.

— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) March 20, 2013

McBride spent the last 2 seasons with the New Orleans Saints as a backup at defensive end. He has recorded a total of 9.5 career sacks and brings another veteran presence along the defensive line.

The question is now that the Bears have signed McBride, will they still try and bring back Israel Idonije?

I think that bringing Izzy back would be a smart move, especially because he is a swing tackle. Having a player who can play defensive end and defensive tackle is very valuable for the 53 man roster. But, the Bears have salary cap restraints and he might be asking for more than the Bears are willing to pay. What do think Bears Fans?

Oct 23, 2011; London, ENGLAND; General view of Wembley Stadium during the opening kickoff of the NFL International Series game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

News on the wire is that the NFL Competition Committee is starting to propose the annual rule changes to make the game of football “better”. The theme of this year seems to be player safety, and honestly it is not a bad thing when they want to protect the players.

March 18, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference at the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Back in December 2012, the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was interviewed by Time Magazine.

One idea that Goodell predicts will get more consideration: eliminating kickoffs. Fans may object to this rule change, since kickoffs produce thrilling returns. TIME sat in on meeting between Goodell and Rich McKay, head of the NFL’s powerful competition committee. Goodell brought up a proposal promoted by Greg Schiano, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: after a touchdown or field goal, instead of kicking off, a team would get the ball on its own 30-yard line, where it’s fourth and 15. The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession, or punt. If you go for it and fall short, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, punts would replace kickoffs, and punts are less susceptible to violent collisions than kickoffs. “The fact is,” Goodell says. “It’s a much different end of the play…It’s an off-the-wall idea. It’s different and makes you think differently. It did me.”

Now getting rid of the kickoff is one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard. The kickoff is an important part of the game of football. It gives both teams the chance to battle for where possession of the ball will be. Just giving possession at the 30-yard line would change the dynamic of the game, especially late in games when teams are down by a field goal or a touchdown. It changes the strategy and honestly makes the game boring.

That being said, it doesn’t seem like the NFL is going that route yet. Here are the proposed rule changes that the Competition Committee will be voting on courtesy of nflevolution.com:

PROPOSED RULE: A ban on a ball carrier initiating contact with the crown of his helmet in the open field or by a defender while making a tackle.

What the proposal would change: A 15-yard penalty would be called if a runner or a tackler initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players clearly are outside the tackle box (an area extending from tackle-to-tackle and from three yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line). Incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or a tackler against an opponent would not be deemed a foul.

We have already heard from Matt Forte via Twitter about his opinions about this rule. Here is my opinion. It is nice to see that the Competition Committee trying to protect the defensive players, but this is really not the way. I agree with Matt Forte on this one. Matt tweeted:

In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It’s a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles

Remember that the runner is the one being tackled. They do have to protect themselves. I think that this one is not about player safety as much as it is about the defensive players complaining that the offense can duck their head and they can’t.

PROPOSED RULE: A ban of “peel-back” blocks inside the tackle-box area.

What the proposal would change: A 15-yard penalty will be called on a player who is aligned in the tackle box when the ball is snapped, then moves to a position outside the box and initiates contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if: (a) the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and (b) he approaches the opponent from behind or from the side.

Now this is a rule I can stand behind. This rule will immediately protect the defensive players. I never understood the “peel-back” blocks or “chop” blocks that occur. I think that any block below the waist should be banned, not only to prevent knee injuries, but to keep lineman and tight-ends honest. If you miss your block, take it like a man. Don’t dive for the guys legs because you couldn’t do your job. You already failed, don’t take the chance of hurting the other player or making yourself look even more stupid when you are lying on the ground after you missed the low block as well.

PROPOSED RULE: A ban on teams overloading one side of the defensive line on point-after and field-goal attempts.

What the proposal would change: “During a field-goal attempt or a Try Kick: (1) No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap; Penalty: For illegal formation by the defense, loss of 5 yards from the previous spot. (2) Team B players not on the line of scrimmage at the snap cannot push players on the line of scrimmage into the offensive formation. Penalty: For unnecessary roughness, loss of 15 yards from the previous spot.”

I don’t know about this rule. What is wrong with loading up one side or the other trying to block a kick? The NFL Committee is saying that after reviewing tape that there were lots of injuries. Okay, if they say there are a lot of injuries, I will believe them. I just think it is making kicking field goals and extra points too easy.

Out of these three rules, the one that makes the most sense to me has to be eliminating the chop blocks. If you are not allowed to dive at a quarterbacks legs, then you shouldn’t be able to dive at anybodies legs.

What do you think as an NFL fan? Do you like the proposed rule changes for players safety? What kind of rule changes would you like to see?