No Favre, no way

It's now being reported that Brett Favre has told the Minnesota Vikings that he will not play next season, after days of speculation that it was all but a foregone conclusion Favre was headed out of retirement and to the Vikes.

Thank god.

Now I'm not quite naive enough to think that's the final word. Good ol' boy has been nothing if not a flip-flopper. 

But I don't get these Bears fans who puff out their chests and say, "Bring on Brett." The man made a career out of just destroying, humiliating, the Bears. We just got him out of the division. And now you want him back?

No thank you. I want no part of Brett Lorenzo Favre in the NFC. If he wants to go screw around out West somewhere, by all means. Be my guest. But if there's a number 4 slinging it around for Minnesota next season, I sure as hell hope it's John David Booty and not Favre. 

And Bear fans would be wise to hope the same.

Feel the draft?

This draft will forever be judged by the Jay Cutler trade. If Cutler is the quarterback Bears fans hope and think, then no matter what else happens this draft will be thought of as a success because it was the main currency by which we acquired him. 

But, that aside—or, perhaps better stated, when put into that context—you can look at the players we were able to land on Sunday and say they look like a group that's going to contribute this year. And, when the smoke clears, there are at least a few potential, down-the road-starters.

The Bears drafted three WRs, and, although everyone would like the receiving corps to instantly feature some bigger names and hotter prospects, they're going to have Jay Cutler throwing them the ball. Jerry Angelo is going to have the chance to prove his thesis: it's the quarterback that makes the receivers, not vice versa. 

And I like the young players they added on defense. Jarron Gilbert (DT/DE) is a real boom or bust type, but he's got Rod Marinelli, one of the best D-Line coaches in the business to help him realize his potential. D.J. Moore (CB) sounds like a potential starter down the road, as does Marcus Freeman (OLB). 

I like this draft. And we got Jay Cutler. 

I like Jay Cutler. 

Seventh pick: Al Afalava (FS)

Here's my safety!

Afalava (5-11 213) has a reputation as a hammer in the secondary ... he was a three year starter at Oregon State. Ran a 4.47 40 at his pro day. Should be a holy terror on special teams and adds much needed depth to the safety position. 

Sixth pick: Marcus Freeman (LB)

Freeman (6-0 239) faced elite competition at Ohio State, and coaches there considered him their most important defender. Compared to Lance Briggs. Has the versatility to play all three linebacker positions, projects at OLB. Ran a respectable (but not spectacular) 4.74 40 at the combine.

Fifth pick: Johnny Knox (WR)

Another WR. Very interesting. Knox (6-0 185) is out of Abilene Christian and runs a 4.34 40 (third fastest at the combine). He has "natural hands" (whatever that means).

There's going to be an interesting battle at WR this year.

Now where's my safety? Come on, Jerry!

Fourth pick: D.J. Moore (CB)

The Bears may have really stolen one here. Moore (5-9 192) doesn't have ideal size or blazing speed (4.56 40) but he's extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands a very versatile athlete, contributing as a return man, tail back, wide receiver, and slot receiver in his three-year Vanderbilt career (what's with all the Commodores?). He's a physical defender and projects to be one of the best zone coverage corners of the draft.

Third pick: Henry Melton (DE)

This guy is pure speed. Melton (6-3 280) posted a 4.64 in the 40. He was recruited to TX as a running back, and converted to DE his sophomore year. He doesn't have the height you usually like to see from a DE, but an interesting prospect. A bit of  a reach here, though, I think.