UPDATE: Bears Sign 29 Year Old RT Shaffer

[The Goat]

Surprised but not surprised... this just confirms that FOs around the league plan on walking away from the draft w/ franchise talent at OT. J Smith, Monroe and Oher all go in the top 10 now, mark it. What surprises me is the Browns did this so early... maybe they like the guy quite a bit and wanted to give him the best shot of signing a good contract elsewhere because after the draft he's likely to be competing w/ the likes of Levi Jones, etc.

... this has big draft implications for us IMO. A Smith will be the only top talent OT available at 13. I don't want the risk for such a high pick. Also I think it's looking less likely we get good value trading back, in which case we really give up on some top talent at another position. Regardless of whether we sign Shaffer I think we need to get an OT, preferably the best who comes available, in FA. That leaves us the ability to basically draft the BPA at 13 if we can't get shit trading down... YEAH FOR REY!!!

... btw Vinny and the FO are getting smart IMO!!! We didn't go after Willis that hard and just sat on Barnes and now we're seeing better talent come available.