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by Adam T on Dec 28, 2007 7:22 AM CST in News

Bernard Berrian did not practice Wednesday, but expects to play. Nathan Vasher is out.

''It might have been a little bit of both,'' Vasher said when asked if he had a setback or was just sore. ''Not being able to play for the past two months and going out there and trying to do exactly what I do, there was probably a minor setback.

''If I had to do it all over again, I would, just to give our team a chance to win and get back out there. It was definitely a meaningful game for me to try to come back to, and I was fortunate that I was able to come back at that time.''

Alex Brown still has issues with the way his benching was handled.

"No, I don't (understand)," Brown said. "Mark had a very special year. The only thing that upset me was the way it was handled.

"Let us go to training camp, and let's have the best man win it. That's how I thought stuff was supposed to be done. But in this case, it wasn't done like that. It was thought that he earned it (last year), and he played well. I'm not going to take anything away from him. But you go to training camp, and that's where you earn your job -- not the season before."

Sunday's game has a major impact on the Bears drafting position.

The Bears will play a "meaningless" game Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, but the outcome could have major ramifications on the future of the franchise. If the Bears lose, they could end up with a first-round draft pick as high as ninth overall. If they win, they could choose as low as 18th.

Even though losing would result in the Bears getting a higher-ranked player, beating the Saints probably is in the Bears' best long-term interests.

That's because most teams don't want anything to do with top-10 draft picks -- and for good reason. The hidden truth is picking in the top 10 can leave teams with more problems than Pro Bowl players.

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Drafting in top-10

That's because most teams don't want anything to do with top-10 draft picks -- and for good reason. The hidden truth is picking in the top 10 can leave teams with more problems than Pro Bowl players.

Well, it does if you're the Bears doing the picking.

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 28, 2007 10:19 AM CST reply actions

the article?

did you read the article?

it isn't just the bears. only one-third of the last 100 top 10 picks have made a pro-bowl.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Dec 28, 2007 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

its the dumbest article ive ever read

throw out all the top 10 picks in the league n what u have?

by Jbasic89 on Dec 28, 2007 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

and obviously

(i hope they aren't doing this) but if you compare the top 10 picks to the rest of the draft, of course you are going to get more pro bowlers out of the rest of the draft 100+ players as opposed to just the top 10.

by lopey986 on Dec 28, 2007 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

Big Low ...

I honestly don't give a shit about the other teams. Of course the Bears should try and get as high of a pick as possible, but our job with our top picks over the years has been f'ing pathetic. Urlacher was in top-10, but otherwise we've picked over the past 20 years greats like David Terrell (8th pick), Curtis Enis (5th pick), and Cedric Benson (4th pick). I know that the jury is still out on Benson, although I can't believe even you, big low, who loves Benson would say he's been worth that high of a pick. And let us NOT FORGET the BEST 1ST ROUND PICK EVAH, with the 12th pick overall in 1999 ... anyone, anyone?

Drafting order means nothing unless you have good judgment. So it's stupid to sit here and 'hope' for a Bears loss or win when we have no idea what will materialize if/when we get a top-10 pick.

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 28, 2007 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Are you sure?

"Of course the Bears should try and get as high of a pick as possible, but our job with our top picks over the years has been f'ing pathetic."

The Bears should try to win every single game they play. They should not try to get a high draft pick. Regardless of how the pick, who they pick - You play to win the game. You don't play to win the draft.

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Dec 30, 2007 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

FWIW

The New England Patriots have drafted in the top 10 once in the last ten years. You don't need high draft picks to win Super Bowls.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 28, 2007 1:45 PM CST reply actions

true

they also got the once in a lifetime 6th round pick.

rather be lucky than good any day.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Dec 28, 2007 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

that is true

but with Brady they are the best team in the league and without him, they are still a good team.

Their offensive line is fantastic and their defense is really good too.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 28, 2007 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

It helps...

...when a team can make every w/o regard to QB. The Bears were a good team w/o a QB in 2005, but they had to address backup QB and gave a lot of money to an over-the-hill QB. If they hadn't paid Griese, could they have gotten another offensive lineman? The Bears have also made unrelated bad moves, but not having to worry about the most important, most expensive and riskiest position on the field makes life easier.

Also, don't forget how good he made Branch and what they turned that into.

by tyger1147 on Dec 29, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

Hey that just proves my point

I am saying that you don't need a great qb to be a good team. Sure it makes things easier and can cover for a lot of deficiencies but not necessary for a good, solid team.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 29, 2007 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

Alex Brown

He should be upset. He's outplayed Anderson this year. He just always seems to make big plays when his in the game.

Of those 1/3 pro bowl top 10 picks, how many were offensive lineman? Anybody know that stat?

GO BEARS!!!!!

by McRipper on Dec 28, 2007 2:27 PM CST reply actions

FWIW

Bob Sanders signed a 5 yr extension with the Colts....

Visit The Cub Reporter (mvn.com/mlb-cubs)

by thecubreporter on Dec 28, 2007 2:58 PM CST reply actions

This story is stupid and ridiculous.

...and illogical and poorly thought out and everything else.

If they get the 9th pick, and they really don't want it, WHY THE FUCK CAN'T THEY JUST TRADE DOWN?!?!

At the very least, if they were that scared of the pick, they could just trade it straight-up for something in the high-teens, but does anyone actually think they couldn't get something for it? I'm sure teams like the Vikings, Redskins, Titans, etc. would gladly do that.

It's never a good thing to be "stuck" w/ a lower pick than a high one. What a crock of shit!

by tyger1147 on Dec 29, 2007 3:25 PM CST reply actions

It should ALSO be mentioned...

...that losing would mean they're drafting lower in EVERY ROUND, not just the first.

The difference in risk and cost between the 9th and 18th picks in the second round is minimal, while the difference in talent could be huge (not necessarily) because high-20's teams usually have fewer holes to fill and so they usually draft on need.

by tyger1147 on Dec 29, 2007 3:36 PM CST up reply actions