Steve9347 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 This is a great deal for Da Bears BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Bears on Sunday bolstered their defensive line by acquiring veteran nose tackle Darwin Walker from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for an undisclosed pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Walker appeared in 87 games with 75 starts the past six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, recording 264 tackles, 27½ sacks, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. In 2006, the 6-3, 294-pounder registered 56 tackles, six sacks and his first career interception while starting 15 of 16 games played for the Eagles. Walker then tied a Philadelphia post-season record with two sacks of Drew Brees in a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints. Walker was traded to the Bills March 26, but he never reported to training camp because he was seeking a long-term contract extension. Reportedly there was a stipulation in the trade that stated that Walker would be returned to the Eagles if no deal was completed by Aug. 5. The situation is reminiscent of another trade the Bears made prior to Lovie Smith’s first season in 2004. In that deal, they sent receiver Marty Booker and a conditional draft pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, also a training camp holdout. Acquiring a quality nose tackle in Walker figures to help limit the number of double team blocks that Pro Bowler Tommie Harris typically attracts. Walker is expected to watch practice from the sideline Sunday afternoon and speak with the media Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I'm excited, you're excited. I can't see how da bears are not the team to beat in the nfc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 So much for a problem at DT this year, eh? This defense is gonna be sick. Our SB starting safeties are now backups to Archuleta and Brown, we locked up our pro bowl caliber corners, Gave Alex Brown the motivation he needs to maintain a starting job(if he is better than Mark Anderson, he needs to show it or shut up, thats all there is too it), kept Briggs around for one more year. Angelo is the man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 If ANY year is the Bears' year, this is it. You didn't even mention Greg Olsen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 This just puts all the pressure back onto Rex. Now that Briggs and Walker are in the fold, the only "weakness" is QB. (It's in quotes because it may or may not be a weakness. Pep Hamilton might be the Bears best signing.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Holy schnike. I tottaly forgot about the addition of Archuleta. Now we've got a healthy Mike Brown, Briggs is back, Hester on offense, Walker and Tommie at DT, Peanut and Vasher are locked up, Olsen the pass-catching TE we've needed....wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 08:03 AM) This just puts all the pressure back onto Rex. Now that Briggs and Walker are in the fold, the only "weakness" is QB. (It's in quotes because it may or may not be a weakness. Pep Hamilton might be the Bears best signing.) Well, and Benson needs to stay healthy too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Rex better get his head out of his ass this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 from Roto: Bears acquired DT Darwin Walker from the Bills in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft pick. Buffalo likely got a fifth-round pick or better from Chicago; the Bills would've received a sixth-rounder had Walker continued to hold out of training camp and had his rights revert to the Eagles. Walker will add depth and a proven pass-rushing interior presence behind Tommie Harris in Chicago. Dusty Dvoracek is still the favorite to start. can someone explain why? I like what I have seen from Dusty. But, Darwin is a HUGE upgrade over tank and should not be on the 2nd line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:50 AM) from Roto: Bears acquired DT Darwin Walker from the Bills in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft pick. Buffalo likely got a fifth-round pick or better from Chicago; the Bills would've received a sixth-rounder had Walker continued to hold out of training camp and had his rights revert to the Eagles. Walker will add depth and a proven pass-rushing interior presence behind Tommie Harris in Chicago. Dusty Dvoracek is still the favorite to start. can someone explain why? I like what I have seen from Dusty. But, Darwin is a HUGE upgrade over tank and should not be on the 2nd line. Presumably, that means the Bears think Dusty is just going to be that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:50 AM) from Roto: Bears acquired DT Darwin Walker from the Bills in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft pick. Buffalo likely got a fifth-round pick or better from Chicago; the Bills would've received a sixth-rounder had Walker continued to hold out of training camp and had his rights revert to the Eagles. Walker will add depth and a proven pass-rushing interior presence behind Tommie Harris in Chicago. Dusty Dvoracek is still the favorite to start. can someone explain why? I like what I have seen from Dusty. But, Darwin is a HUGE upgrade over tank and should not be on the 2nd line. For the same reason Thomas Jones and Briggs were "second-stringers" last year. Walker's new and Dusty's been in the system for a year and camp just started. But, by the time the first game rolls around...Walker will be the starting DT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:52 AM) Presumably, that means the Bears think Dusty is just going to be that good. I'm all for the best man gets the job. If Dusty outplays walker, All I can say is wow. The Bears would have 2 above average lineman on the 2nd line in Brown and walker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:50 AM) from Roto: Bears acquired DT Darwin Walker from the Bills in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft pick. Buffalo likely got a fifth-round pick or better from Chicago; the Bills would've received a sixth-rounder had Walker continued to hold out of training camp and had his rights revert to the Eagles. Walker will add depth and a proven pass-rushing interior presence behind Tommie Harris in Chicago. Dusty Dvoracek is still the favorite to start. can someone explain why? I like what I have seen from Dusty. But, Darwin is a HUGE upgrade over tank and should not be on the 2nd line. What exactly have you seen from Dusty? He hasn't played at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:52 AM) For the same reason Thomas Jones and Briggs were "second-stringers" last year. Walker's new and Dusty's been in the system for a year and camp just started. But, by the time the first game rolls around...Walker will be the starting DT. That's true. Make him earn the Job. Damn, I love how the bears operate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:58 AM) What exactly have you seen from Dusty? He hasn't played at all. Ive seen plenty of footage from his OU days. The man has a non-stop motor, He just keeps on trucking. He has a chance to be pretty decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:59 AM) Ive seen plenty of footage from his OU days. The man has a non-stop motor, He just keeps on trucking. He has a chance to be pretty decent. College footage is moot at this point. No one knows how he's done, or how he will do, against the pros. He's essentially a 2nd year rookie. Basically it's like handing him a starting spot as a rookie out of the draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 (edited) QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:38 AM) If ANY year is the Bears' year, this is it. You didn't even mention Greg Olsen! Thats because i was talking about the defense. Edited July 30, 2007 by kyyle23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:09 PM) College footage is moot at this point. No one knows how he's done, or how he will do, against the pros. He's essentially a 2nd year rookie. Basically it's like handing him a starting spot as a rookie out of the draft. Well, you asked me what I've seen and I answered you. College footage is not moot, if you take that argument in the equation, then, Reggie Bush(last year) or any NFL draft pick should have never be put into projections or predictions. I trust JA's judgement on late rd picks and from what I saw on Dusty's college footage, I feel good about it. I never said he should start, I said, may the best man win. Don't put words in my post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juddling Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 02:18 PM) So much for a problem at DT this year, eh? This defense is gonna be sick. Our SB starting safeties are now backups to Archuleta and Brown, we locked up our pro bowl caliber corners, Anyone want to take bets on which game knocks Mike Brown out for the year?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(juddling @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:23 PM) Anyone want to take bets on which game knocks Mike Brown out for the year?????? Yeah, I know he is injury prone. He is also playing for a last big payday, and knows he needs to stay on the field. Im also happy knowing that Danieal Manning and Chris Harris had plenty of opportunity to start and get that time under their belts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 (edited) Dvoracek and Walker will be in competition about the same that Anderson and Erstad were. Walker will be the starter, but I think the rotation will be such that Adams, Dvoracek, Idonije and Walker will all pretty much get equal snaps over the course of the year. Harris will be the one that carries the load. Either way the line is SOLID...inside and out. Even to the point that if a big time DE goes down with an injury in camp, the Bears are in a good position to deal Brown or Ogun. Although Ogun's contract will be a tough sell. I am surprised the Bills couldn't get something worked out with Walker. They signed Idonije to an offer sheet last year too, but the Bears matched it. It's pretty clear they wanted some vet leadership at the position. Oh well...good for the Bears, Edited July 30, 2007 by Controlled Chaos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 (edited) QUOTE(juddling @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:23 PM) Anyone want to take bets on which game knocks Mike Brown out for the year?????? I'm hoping Mike will be just fine. He is the leader of that D on and off the field. Just a great teammate and an extrodinary talent. He was one to never miss a snap as he never missed a game his first 4 years as a pro. The last 3 years he played only 20 of 48 games and I know no one feels more bad about it than him. He wants to be on the field more than anyone and that attitude is why the bears brought him back. A lot of pros would have hung it up after going through the injuries Brown has gone through. Coaches are quoted as saying he's back as strong as ever. I love the heart in Brown. Edited July 30, 2007 by rangercal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:50 PM) I'm hoping Mike will be just fine. He is the leader of that D on and off the field. Just a great teammate and an extrodinary talent. He was one to never miss a snap as he never missed a game his first 4 years as a pro. The last 3 years he played only 20 of 48 games and I know no one feels more bad about it than him. He wants to be on the field more than anyone and that attitude is why the bears brought him back. A lot of pros would have hung it up after going through the injuries Brown has gone through. Coaches are quoted as saying he's back as strong as ever. I love the heart in Brown. Ditto that. He has had an incredible string of bad luck. He is the kind of player you want on the field at all times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:16 PM) Well, you asked me what I've seen and I answered you. College footage is not moot, if you take that argument in the equation, then, Reggie Bush(last year) or any NFL draft pick should have never be put into projections or predictions. I trust JA's judgement on late rd picks and from what I saw on Dusty's college footage, I feel good about it. I never said he should start, I said, may the best man win. Don't put words in my post. Wanna calm down and quit crying? I didn't "put words in your post." And the Reggie Bush comparison is just stupid. Hmm, 2nd overall, or 3rd rounder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Dvoracek played next to Harris in college so they are comfortable there already. Due to the rotation system I think four guys all end up with about the same amount of time on the field at the DT position. I think this happens at DE as well but I could be mistaken. I thought that the Cover 2 relied so heavily on the D-Line to get pressure and stay fresh that 8 guys were used quite often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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