Who drafts the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions, in the third round, only to keep him on the shelf in favor of Rashied Davis and Marty Booker? Who does that? Did Earl Bennett suck that much during practices or are the Bears completely clueless?

Whatever the answer, the Bears need a stud receiver. They have for some time. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see last season if Bennett had the makings, but obviously not. If they don’t trade for Boldin or Houshmandzadeh, the Bears have to go receiver with one of their first two picks in the draft.

• 1. Wide receiver
• 2. Defensive end – The defensive success lives and dies with the pass rush.
• 3. Guard – The offensive line played well in ’09 but depth is a premium.
• 4. Linebacker – Urlacher has lost a step and Sam linebacker is unsettled.
• 5. Cornerback – Competition should push Graham, McBride and Bowman.
• 6. Safety – Secondary was God awful in ’08. Departure of Mike Brown doesn’t help.
• 7. Quarterback – A veteran is needed, but a project might be worth it.
• 8. Defensive tackle – An undersized, quick lineman would be ideal in the later rounds.

Whether you liked him or loathed him, the point is mute.

It took Rex Grossman all but a handful of horrific performances and one memorable Super Bowl dud to play his way out of Chicago. He could surely refine his mechanics, regain his confidence and play well again; it’ll just be for some other team in some other city.

Nate Vasher, on the other hand, would be a surprise departure two years ago. The last two years have been hell for ‘The Interceptor’ as he’s played in only 12 games due to sporadic injuries to his groin, hand, thumb and shoulder.

Vasher, 27, has all the tools to still be a playmaker somewhere else; he’ll just need to stay healthy. His cap number for this year is somewhere around $2.9 million and letting him walk should free up cash to be better spent elsewhere. (more…)

• Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU via ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.
  
• Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland via NFL Draft Countdown’s Scott Wright.
• Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri via Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks.
• Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech via Walter Football.
• Percy Harvin, WR, Florida via FF Toolbox’s Raul Colon.
• Mark Sanchez, QB, USC via About.com’s James Alder.
• Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU via Draft King’s Lou Pickney.
• D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt via NBC Sports’ Steve Silverman. Remember him?
• Brian Cushing, LB, USC via NE Patriot’s Draft.
• Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma via Doc Sports’ Robert Ferringo.
• Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri via FF Jungle’s Austin Ducharme.
• Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina via Football Jabber.
• Mark Sanchez, QB, USC via NFL Draft Scout’s Rob Rang. (more…)

After two months of R & R, we’re ready to get back to the grind; And just in time too.

This is our favorite part of the 12-month long NFL season. Free agency begins on February 27 and the NFL Draft is on April 25-26. In the next three months, a handful of household names – coaches included – will switch teams and 250 or so collegiate players will join the NFL ranks.

Blog Down is committed to transforming itself into a one-stop for everything that will go down in free agency and the draft in 2009, but only as it relates to the Monsters of the Midway.

We’ll bring you the mock drafts of some of our favorite sites, up-to-date news on free agent moves and rumors, and of course, our own valued opinion. Last year, we correctly predicted the Bears’ first two picks. I know, I know. BFD, you say. Well, that’s why we expect to hear a lot from you guys along the way.

So sit back, relax and don’t be afraid to put us try to put us in our place. It’s the offseason, gentleman!