Bears Offseason

[UMFan83]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

[rawaction]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

 

Not inefficient when all 3 were not all healthy or prepared at the same time (Benson hold out). Where would the Bears have been when TJ missed the same week that Benson hurt his knee?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

 

Not inefficient when all 3 were not all healthy or prepared at the same time (Benson hold out). Where would the Bears have been when TJ missed the same week that Benson hurt his knee?

 

Yes. The Bears absolutely must keep TJ and Benson. Two RBs are a must.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

 

Not inefficient when all 3 were not all healthy or prepared at the same time (Benson hold out). Where would the Bears have been when TJ missed the same week that Benson hurt his knee?

 

Yes. The Bears absolutely must keep TJ and Benson. Two RBs are a must.

 

The Packers like to keep 6. Good rule of thumb when you plan on going 4-12.

[UK1679666180]

I would have no problem if take Pope in the 1st round, if Davis and Lewis are gone.

 

I think they can get a future LT in the second rd., something that is very rare.

 

Which LTs do you see slipping to round 2?

 

Whitworth or Colledge, there will be a good T when the Bears draft in the 2nd.

[Jon]

Not Bears-related, but the Packers are going to need a new defensive coordinator after they let Bates go.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Not Bears-related, but the Packers are going to need a new defensive coordinator after they let Bates go.

 

I would have rather seen Bates get the Head job and hire a OC. I still can't understand why we hired Mcwhatshisname.

 

Man, sad days to be a Packer fan!

[YearofDaCubs]

Which teams ahead of us do you see drafting a TE? I hear Vernon Davis won't will that far but from what I read he is the best TE in this draft. I think we can look to draft a CB in the 3rd round or 4th maybe similar to what we did with Vasher. Drafting a OT would be agood considering we have age on the line right now. Azumah won't be back. These are the WRs we have on our roster:

 

Bradley

Moose

Berrian

Gage

Airesse Currie

Berlin

 

I don't think we will be drafting another WR unless it is very low round or FA pickup for KR and PR duties. At the same time Gould hasn't been bad but getting a kicker with more leg for kickoffs wouldn't be a bad ida.

[UK1679666180]

Which teams ahead of us do you see drafting a TE? I hear Vernon Davis won't will that far but from what I read he is the best TE in this draft. I think we can look to draft a CB in the 3rd round or 4th maybe similar to what we did with Vasher. Drafting a OT would be agood considering we have age on the line right now. Azumah won't be back. These are the WRs we have on our roster:

 

Bradley

Moose

Berrian

Gage

Airesse Currie

Berlin

 

I don't think we will be drafting another WR unless it is very low round or FA pickup for KR and PR duties. At the same time Gould hasn't been bad but getting a kicker with more leg for kickoffs wouldn't be a bad ida.

 

I think Bradley, Mushin, and Berrian are worth keeping. Berlin, Currier and Gage are all expendable and all are similar except for Berlin who is a pure possession WR.

 

If they need a CB, I think they should go after him in the 4th.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

We will be fine cap-wise. We are 10-15ish mil under the cap. As long as we don't sign 2-3 big name free agents we will be fine carrying all three of the running backs.

[UMFan83]

Has anyone seen the schedule next year?

 

HOME AWAY

49ers Cardinals

Seahawks Rams

Bills Patriots

Dolphins Jets

Packers Packers

Vikings Vikings

Lions Lions

 

Couple of oddities:

 

Somehow it seems like we play the Buccaneers every year since they left for the NFC South. Is there a reason for that?

 

And a HUGE oddity. Somehow we are slated to face the 49ers at home for the third consecutive year. We also played the Niners in 2003 in SF to start the season and in 2001 at home, making this the 5th time in 6 years we play our NFC West "rival", and the 4th in 6 at home...

[BigbadB]

Only 14 games next year? If we play the Bucs, where and when? You don't have them listed.

[goonys evil twin]

Count me as one who thinks the need for a TE is vastly overhyped. I certainly don't want to see that be the primary target in the offseason.

 

I'm going to go back to something I thought earlier in the season, focus on the defense this offseason. The D-line, while huge at times in the season, still struggles to create a consistent pass rush with just 4 guys. Hillenmeyer is a weak point in the linebacking crew, and the defensive backfield has holes.

 

If the Bears are going to win next year, it's not going to be becasue they found a TE, or because the offense got better. If the Bears are going to win, it's because the defense will be elite. I think the offense will be fine if Grossman stays healthy and Orton improves a bit. Jones is fine, Benson and Peterson provide great depth. The receiver corps is not nearly as bad as some contend. And while they aren't great, a TE isn't going to change everything. I want to see more depth brought into the O line, a QB drafted late and some receiving help in the middle rounds. But I want a defensive playmaker in the 1st round if they can find one.

 

The offense, as it stands right now, with a healthy Rex and slight improvements elsewhere, could be a 20 point a game unit. They'll never be elite offensively, or close to it, at least with the current regime. So they might as well make the defense as good as humanly possible.

 

My ideal draft would be:

1) defensive playmaker - LB, CB

2) pass catcher - WR or TE

3) offensive line

4) other defensive help you didn't address in the 1st

5) QB

 

And then just get let Angelo find a project at the end of the draft.

In free agency I'd like to see them address depth on both sides of the line, and possibly a receiver like Randle El, or similar.

 

And I'd like to see the kicking game addressed. Gould is not good, and Maynard was awful at times this year, including the playoff loss.

[goonys evil twin]

Only 14 games next year? If we play the Bucs, where and when? You don't have them listed.

 

I like this site for future NFL schedule information.

 

The Bears, as the NFC North Champ this year, play the NFC South champ at home and the NFC East Champ on the road (Tampa and NYG).

 

That's 2 trips to the Meadowlands for me to attend. As well as a possible warm weather trip to Arizona.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not sure how the salaries look, but its rediculously ineffecient for an NFL team to carry 3 competent RBs on their team. Benson will stay and most likely Peterson is a career backup, so it looks like TJ is the odd man out. Trade him for a TE or a second round pick. It sucks to lose him, but thats what happens when the Bears drafted a RB in the first round last year...

We will be fine cap-wise. We are 10-15ish mil under the cap. As long as we don't sign 2-3 big name free agents we will be fine carrying all three of the running backs.

 

It's also not that efficient when you remember that Jones signed a very team friendly deal for a starter. I didn't want to draft a RB, and wish they looked elsewhere last year, long before Benson wasted his rookie season. I'd be fine trading Jones for a solid draft choice or some other impact player, but they don't have to trade him. The rest of the offensive salary structure allows for this kind of money to be spent on RB, it's not like the QBs are making much.

 

But if you do trade Jones you have to address RB in the draft. Depth is a must at that position, and Benson/Peterson isn't nearly enough to be comfortable with going into 2006.

[Magnetic Curses]

Count me as one who thinks the need for a TE is vastly overhyped. I certainly don't want to see that be the primary target in the offseason.

 

I'm going to go back to something I thought earlier in the season, focus on the defense this offseason. The D-line, while huge at times in the season, still struggles to create a consistent pass rush with just 4 guys. Hillenmeyer is a weak point in the linebacking crew, and the defensive backfield has holes.

 

If the Bears are going to win next year, it's not going to be becasue they found a TE, or because the offense got better. If the Bears are going to win, it's because the defense will be elite. I think the offense will be fine if Grossman stays healthy and Orton improves a bit. Jones is fine, Benson and Peterson provide great depth. The receiver corps is not nearly as bad as some contend. And while they aren't great, a TE isn't going to change everything. I want to see more depth brought into the O line, a QB drafted late and some receiving help in the middle rounds. But I want a defensive playmaker in the 1st round if they can find one.

 

The offense, as it stands right now, with a healthy Rex and slight improvements elsewhere, could be a 20 point a game unit. They'll never be elite offensively, or close to it, at least with the current regime. So they might as well make the defense as good as humanly possible.

 

My ideal draft would be:

1) defensive playmaker - LB, CB

2) pass catcher - WR or TE

3) offensive line

4) other defensive help you didn't address in the 1st

5) QB

 

And then just get let Angelo find a project at the end of the draft.

In free agency I'd like to see them address depth on both sides of the line, and possibly a receiver like Randle El, or similar.

 

And I'd like to see the kicking game addressed. Gould is not good, and Maynard was awful at times this year, including the playoff loss.

 

i was saying this last year, too. though i'm sure lovie will draft offense--he views his defense as being set. tillman is a pretty good CB, much better than he played on sunday. it's just that super-quick receivers like smith are very bad matchups for him. he does better when he's matched up against a bigger, less quick receiver with good downfield speed. i'm not sure that there's any CB that matches up with smith very well anyway.

 

i thought it was vicious what lovie did to tillman against the panthers, almost shamefully stupid. but, like i've said before, this is not a great coaching staff. they rely on the intelligence and reaction speed of their players, not necessarily throwing a lot of schemes out there to confuse the offense. nor do they make adjustments during the game. if anyone could have made an adjustment, it would have been urlacher, but he seemed content chasing people around the field.

 

man, i wish the bears could just once get a player like smith.

[rawaction]

Count me as one who thinks the need for a TE is vastly overhyped. I certainly don't want to see that be the primary target in the offseason.

 

I'm going to go back to something I thought earlier in the season, focus on the defense this offseason. The D-line, while huge at times in the season, still struggles to create a consistent pass rush with just 4 guys. Hillenmeyer is a weak point in the linebacking crew, and the defensive backfield has holes.

 

If the Bears are going to win next year, it's not going to be becasue they found a TE, or because the offense got better. If the Bears are going to win, it's because the defense will be elite. I think the offense will be fine if Grossman stays healthy and Orton improves a bit. Jones is fine, Benson and Peterson provide great depth. The receiver corps is not nearly as bad as some contend. And while they aren't great, a TE isn't going to change everything. I want to see more depth brought into the O line, a QB drafted late and some receiving help in the middle rounds. But I want a defensive playmaker in the 1st round if they can find one.

 

The offense, as it stands right now, with a healthy Rex and slight improvements elsewhere, could be a 20 point a game unit. They'll never be elite offensively, or close to it, at least with the current regime. So they might as well make the defense as good as humanly possible.

 

My ideal draft would be:

1) defensive playmaker - LB, CB

2) pass catcher - WR or TE

3) offensive line

4) other defensive help you didn't address in the 1st

5) QB

 

And then just get let Angelo find a project at the end of the draft.

In free agency I'd like to see them address depth on both sides of the line, and possibly a receiver like Randle El, or similar.

 

And I'd like to see the kicking game addressed. Gould is not good, and Maynard was awful at times this year, including the playoff loss.

 

You make good points. And on the surface, I agree with you. But that's kind of a generic blueprint. You have to look at how the draft is shaking out. Normally, I say go with a LB in the 1st round, because they typically have the best success rates. At pick 26, you aren't gonna get a good LB or CB, unless you overdraft.

 

Normally, a TE isn't a difference maker unless you are getting a guy with the talent of Gates or Gonzalez. The Bears may have their pick of 2 guys with that type of difference making talent at the TE position.

[illiniguy]

Count me as one who thinks the need for a TE is vastly overhyped. I certainly don't want to see that be the primary target in the offseason.

 

I'm going to go back to something I thought earlier in the season, focus on the defense this offseason. The D-line, while huge at times in the season, still struggles to create a consistent pass rush with just 4 guys. Hillenmeyer is a weak point in the linebacking crew, and the defensive backfield has holes.

 

If the Bears are going to win next year, it's not going to be becasue they found a TE, or because the offense got better. If the Bears are going to win, it's because the defense will be elite. I think the offense will be fine if Grossman stays healthy and Orton improves a bit. Jones is fine, Benson and Peterson provide great depth. The receiver corps is not nearly as bad as some contend. And while they aren't great, a TE isn't going to change everything. I want to see more depth brought into the O line, a QB drafted late and some receiving help in the middle rounds. But I want a defensive playmaker in the 1st round if they can find one.

 

The offense, as it stands right now, with a healthy Rex and slight improvements elsewhere, could be a 20 point a game unit. They'll never be elite offensively, or close to it, at least with the current regime. So they might as well make the defense as good as humanly possible.

 

My ideal draft would be:

1) defensive playmaker - LB, CB

2) pass catcher - WR or TE

3) offensive line

4) other defensive help you didn't address in the 1st

5) QB

 

And then just get let Angelo find a project at the end of the draft.

In free agency I'd like to see them address depth on both sides of the line, and possibly a receiver like Randle El, or similar.

 

And I'd like to see the kicking game addressed. Gould is not good, and Maynard was awful at times this year, including the playoff loss.

 

i was saying this last year, too. though i'm sure lovie will draft offense--he views his defense as being set. tillman is a pretty good CB, much better than he played on sunday. it's just that super-quick receivers like smith are very bad matchups for him. he does better when he's matched up against a bigger, less quick receiver with good downfield speed. i'm not sure that there's any CB that matches up with smith very well anyway.

 

i thought it was vicious what lovie did to tillman against the panthers, almost shamefully stupid. but, like i've said before, this is not a great coaching staff. they rely on the intelligence and reaction speed of their players, not necessarily throwing a lot of schemes out there to confuse the offense. nor do they make adjustments during the game. if anyone could have made an adjustment, it would have been urlacher, but he seemed content chasing people around the field.

 

man, i wish the bears could just once get a player like smith.

We did have Walter Payton who was better than Steve Smith will ever dream of being.

[UK1679666180]

Is Hillenmeyer a weak player b/c he's not that good or b/c Briggs and Urlcaher are that much better? I think he's an avg. OLB surrounded by very good to great LBs.

 

If you believe that Lewis, Pope, or Davis are among the top 25 players overall, you draft them. The reason why you draft them over another position b/c I believe it is a great area of need and still likely the best player avail., all the drafting reports are Lewis, Davis, and Pope to be between the top 15-25 players in this draft. Now, if that TE from ND was the best TE in the draft, I'd agree, but the BPA fits a position of need, take it.

 

They need to lock Briggs before thinking about any FAs. I don't see them as a FA player, not when Metcalf is the only one that might not come back next year among the 22.

Edited January 17, 2006 by UK

[Banedon]

I thought this was an interesting comment about Tillman possibly having potential as a safety from Mulligan in the Sun-Times:

 

Help at cornerback is also essential. Not only is the position among the most battered in the NFL, the Bears have some serious concerns with Azumah's situation. Every team needs at least three starting cornerbacks and the Bears can't be sure they have two after Charles Tillman's long afternoon against Carolina. Tillman's long-term future might be at safety, where former defensive coordinator Greg Blache predicted he could make the Pro Bowl if things didn't work out at cornerback. Getting a legitimate shutdown cornerback could add another dimension to the defense.

 

Yeah, that was Blache that made the comment, but Tillman would be nice to have as a backup safety if Brown goes down.

[UK1679666180]

I thought Tillman had a very good year with bad game against the best WR in the NFL, put on an island in the process.

 

They need a 3rd CB as it is, why have 3 staring safeties, and one starting CB?

 

That would be very disappointing.

[rawaction]

I thought Tillman had a very good year with bad game against the best WR in the NFL, put on an island in the process.

 

They need a 3rd CB as it is, why have 3 staring safeties, and one starting CB?

 

That would be very disappointing.

 

Exactly. Tillman was very solid this season. No reason to make a change there, unless the Bears have 2 CBs better than Peanut (Vasher isn't even quite there yet).

 

I'd really like it if the CB from Boston College, Blackwell was still around when the Bears pick in the 2nd round. He's a good 1-on-1 cover corner. Would be near the top of the board as a CB, if he had played there more. Was BC's leading WR this year, after being a 2-year starter (2nd team all conference in 04) at CB. He's a good kick returner, and has good size at 6'1" 200 Lbs.

[Banedon]

I thought Tillman had a very good year with bad game against the best WR in the NFL, put on an island in the process.

 

They need a 3rd CB as it is, why have 3 staring safeties, and one starting CB?

 

That would be very disappointing.

 

The idea would be to draft a couple CB's so you would have 2 or 3 starting CB's. But they'd have to be ready to start....

[rawaction]

I thought Tillman had a very good year with bad game against the best WR in the NFL, put on an island in the process.

 

They need a 3rd CB as it is, why have 3 staring safeties, and one starting CB?

 

That would be very disappointing.

 

The idea would be to draft a couple CB's so you would have 2 or 3 starting CB's. But they'd have to be ready to start....

 

I don't see anyway to draft 2 CBs that are gonna be better than Tillman in the next year or two. I don't see enough justification to move Tillman to safety with Brown and Harris there.

[Banedon]

I thought Tillman had a very good year with bad game against the best WR in the NFL, put on an island in the process.

 

They need a 3rd CB as it is, why have 3 staring safeties, and one starting CB?

 

That would be very disappointing.

 

The idea would be to draft a couple CB's so you would have 2 or 3 starting CB's. But they'd have to be ready to start....

 

I don't see anyway to draft 2 CBs that are gonna be better than Tillman in the next year or two. I don't see enough justification to move Tillman to safety with Brown and Harris there.

 

I think the justification would be the amount of time that Brown missed there the past few years. It's like Kerry Wood....if the guy is gonna go down for a significant chunk of time almost every year, you need to have a starting pitcher/starting safety there to fill in.

 

I'm playing a little devil's advocate, as this was Mulligan's idea, not mine.