You raise an interesting question. Peter King at Sports Illustrated often argues that teams shouldn’t like selecting toward the top of the draft because it’s much more expensive than mid-first rounders even – best player value is mid to late first round and early second. I like your thought of Detroit just picking another guy who isn’t expected to go as high and trying to negotiate with him. Detroit actually has from now until the draft to work something out with a player, so if they don’t have their minds set on anyone in particular, I actually don’t think your idea is a bad one.

As far as Harrell – I just don’t know. I also maintain a small bit of hope that he could at least a body we can rotate in/out, but I’m very doubtful at this point.

What I was wondering if you’d consider addressing this in a future blog, since what happens in our division affect all of us… what are your thoughts about what stops Detroit a) if they really don’t feel that Stafford, etc. represent “true” first player taken in the draft type of talent, and then warrants a consequentially HUGE guaranteed payday and b) they don’t want to foolishly let the “clock” run out, what’s stops them from approaching a quality mid-first round prospect, like a percy harvin or brian cushing, a guy who could be between very solid to excellent on the field, a good player, but not good enough to go first, by consensus, and offer them the fame of going first, and work out a contract before the draft, paying them a little more than what spot they’d, more of less by consensus, likely would fall to, maybe pay them a couple extra million, as a little reward for playing by some new rules. In my opinion, Detroit would be making a mistake not going after one of those Tackles- who woudn’t want to solidify that position for a decade? – or maybe Curry. But what do you think? Why isn’t this option discussed? It seems like a reasonable solution to the issue for them.

I hope we get Raji, then swing Harrell – if he’s ever healthy- to DE and then boom, I think we’d suddenly have a DLine, let Kampman rush over Harrell’s shoulder while JH consumes a couple OL. That might be a total fantasy but Harrell’s got to have something to offer.

Oh and hey, I wrote that Tarvaris post just for you Josh…

two years ago (when he helped them win a superbowl), he was playing for a contract. i don’t know if he was in a contract year, but he got one before last season. he proceeded to be a non-factor all season until he shot himself in the foot and didn’t play another down.

yes, i know he might still give harris trouble – but i think for whatever reason, he is harris’ kryptonite. swing woodson over and we’ll be fine.

pairing burress with cutler could prove destructive to either the bears OR their opponents. i think cutler is confident (arrogant) enough that he’d probably have the balls to tell plax to go %#& himself if he got out of hand. burress in minnesota with two unproven qb’s, throwing balls over his head — the makings of a classic viking tragedy. and i don’t think the lions exist yet.