Bears Offseason

[Chocolate Milk]

To some extent I agree with Goony that we should continue work with the defense. We are overloaded with WR's who have talent but haven't played enough to prove it yet, so drafting another one seems redundant. I still think a quality TE would be a huge addition to the offense. Our TE's are bad, simply put. Our Defense is our key to success, of course, but when you force your team to give up only 13ppg to win, you are living on the edge. There is nothing against having a great defense and an offense that can also move the ball.

 

Using top picks or money to get a linebacker to replace Hunter would be a grossly negligent use of resources. Why would we replace a guy who doesn't see the field on about half to a third of the downs on D? Hunter leaves the field on passing downs and the Bears bring in another DB. Is who ever we are going to bring in going to supplant Briggs or Urlacher? No. Perhaps in the later round for depth but otherwise it would be a huge mistake. Hunter isn't a playmaker, but he is solid, smart, and cheap. Let him and Joe battle it out for next year. If we do end up getting a LB, we better find one who can put his hand in the dirt and put some pressure on the QB (A Bobby Carpenter).

 

Many will disagree with me, but I wouldn't mind finding a DE to put a little heat under Brown's arse. While having games where he absolutely dominates, he has many games where he completely dissappears. Wale has been the better DE by far this year. If we can't get consistant pressure on the QB with our line, the Defense is going to struggle.

 

CB, like I said before, is a huge hole to fill. Likely we aren't going to keep Azumah (Or if we do his ability has diminished due to injury). So who do we put in there? Thompson? What happens if Vasher or Tillman get hurt? We are very thin in this position and I wouldn't mind us taking a guy in the 2nd or 3rd round (Will Blackmoon? Devin Hester?) that we could develop and that could also return kicks/punts.

 

OL Depth is something also to consider in round 2-3 (depending on what has been done in FA and the draft).

 

I would put our needs at:

1)TE

2)CB

3a)OL

3b)DE

[Mark Priors Calves]

Can someone explain the procession of how the schedule is determined? I know the rotation of AFC division matchups, but what about the seemingly random matchups with the Rams and SF?

[bukie]

Can someone explain the procession of how the schedule is determined? I know the rotation of AFC division matchups, but what about the seemingly random matchups with the Rams and SF?

 

Since the league went to 32 teams, the schedule works out very nicely. Here are the games the Bears will play every year:

Home-and-home against division foes (6 games)

Games against an NFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is NFC West

Games against an AFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is AFC East

Games against NFC teams that finished in the same place in their division as you (2 games, 1 home, 1 away) - 2006 is Tampa Bay, NY Giants

 

This past year was NFC South, AFC North, San Francisco and Washington.

[Banedon]

Can someone explain the procession of how the schedule is determined? I know the rotation of AFC division matchups, but what about the seemingly random matchups with the Rams and SF?

 

Since the league went to 32 teams, the schedule works out very nicely. Here are the games the Bears will play every year:

Home-and-home against division foes (6 games)

Games against an NFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is NFC West

Games against an AFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is AFC East

Games against NFC teams that finished in the same place in their division as you (2 games, 1 home, 1 away) - 2006 is Tampa Bay, NY Giants

 

This past year was NFC South, AFC North, San Francisco and Washington.

 

I knew the other parts...forgot about that one...thanks.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

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.

This draft is pretty weak at corner though. There definately won't be two that we can get at our first two picks that would be better than Peanut.

[cubweiser03]

Trib says the Bears probably have $17M in cap space. Last year Jason Campbell the 25th pick had a signing bonus of $5.3M. So i assume (im not a cap expert) the Bears have about $10-$11 to spend on extensions (briggs) and FA's.

[UMFan83]

Can someone explain the procession of how the schedule is determined? I know the rotation of AFC division matchups, but what about the seemingly random matchups with the Rams and SF?

 

Since the league went to 32 teams, the schedule works out very nicely. Here are the games the Bears will play every year:

Home-and-home against division foes (6 games)

Games against an NFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is NFC West

Games against an AFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is AFC East

Games against NFC teams that finished in the same place in their division as you (2 games, 1 home, 1 away) - 2006 is Tampa Bay, NY Giants

 

This past year was NFC South, AFC North, San Francisco and Washington.

 

I knew the other parts...forgot about that one...thanks.

 

OK I got it, thanks for clarifying. I thought the NFL just really liked San Fran/Chicago matchups...

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm going to throw it out there and duck, I guess. :D

 

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of upgrading the QB position.

[WrigleyField 22]

I'm just gonna kinda list some random offseason thoughts I've had

 

-I would like more depth at DE and OLB... a good solution? Find a guy who can effectively back up both. Maybe Leon Joe could fill this role, he has great physical assets. He may not be big enough though, and if he filled this role you would need another LB.

 

-I hate Muhsin, and would cut him if I could, but I know thats not realistic. It would be tough to go draft another WR becaue that would create a logjam of guys ith potential ut who are unknowns. Bradley, Gage ,Berrian ,Draft Pick However if around the 4th round you see a WR who could be a return threat, you could bring along slowly, and he is the BPA, definately go for it, your depth would be Muhsin-Bradley-Gage/Berrian-Rookie.

 

-A good target at TE could go a long ways. Improvements from the QB and WR could make an average guy a lot more servicable, but if you have a chance to get a difference maker (or at least a true starter) in the first go for it. If however you see a huge discrepancy between need at TE and BPA, just go for BPA.

 

-We will need a new 3rd corner/nickel back. I would like to see a guy drafted 2nd or 3rd. The best way to ensure that Tillman and Vasher do good is to make sure they know they have to earn their job-create competition. If I had a choice over the type of guy we drafted, it would be a type that you can mold into and eventual cover-corner, not a bigger 'physical' guy like Tillman.

 

-OL Depth. I love our O-Line, but it is the oldest area on the team. In fact its the only one thats not ultra-young. An OT in rounds 2-4, along with some later pick ups at OG/C in rounds 6-7 would be good for creating depth.

 

-Either in the 7th round or through UDFA, pick up a kicker to go to camp, just to give Gould some competition.

 

-I wouldn't get a QB later in the draft, unless it was a clear BPA who slipped through. Unless you have plans to ditch Orton/Grossman, a rookie at QB would just leave to little experience. Another Jeff Blake type would be fine for 3rd string. As far as UDFA QBs go, absolutely invite a couple to camp. It doesn't really hurt you.

 

-The only positions I didn't mentin were P, S, RB. Maynards good. No need there. RB is set, we are three deep. The FBs we have now or many cheap options you could find in FA would do just fine for how much this position is used. At saftey I like Harris and Brown. Johnson is okay, and I don't like Green. Bring in a late round pick or project guy and let them compete at camp.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm going to throw it out there and duck, I guess. :D

 

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of upgrading the QB position.

 

There's not much of an opportunity to do so. Rex is at the stage of his career where's he's either going to step up and become a good starter, or fade into backup status. Orton is a decent project QB and somebody I'm fine with as the backup next year. I'd like to see them draft a QB later.

 

I have no interest in the usual cast of journeyman characters, and there is no really good veteran available.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Can someone explain the procession of how the schedule is determined? I know the rotation of AFC division matchups, but what about the seemingly random matchups with the Rams and SF?

 

Since the league went to 32 teams, the schedule works out very nicely. Here are the games the Bears will play every year:

Home-and-home against division foes (6 games)

Games against an NFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is NFC West

Games against an AFC division (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) - 2006 is AFC East

Games against NFC teams that finished in the same place in their division as you (2 games, 1 home, 1 away) - 2006 is Tampa Bay, NY Giants

 

This past year was NFC South, AFC North, San Francisco and Washington.

 

Thanks for the explanation, bukie. I thought it worked out as smoothly as that but I wasn't piecing it all together when I saw the 2006 schedule.

[goonys evil twin]

Anybody check out Kiper's mock draft on ESPN insider?

[Chocolate Milk]

Anybody check out Kiper's mock draft on ESPN insider?

 

I can post it if it's allowed. I know posting entire articles is frowned upon.

 

He has the Bears taking the enourmous Pope at TE.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Anybody check out Kiper's mock draft on ESPN insider?

 

I can post it if it's allowed. I know posting entire articles is frowned upon.

 

He has the Bears taking the enourmous Pope at TE.

 

Can you post the top 5 picks?

[goonys evil twin]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

[Chocolate Milk]

1. Houston -- *Reggie Bush, RB, USC

2. New Orleans -- Matt Leinart, QB, USC

3. Tennessee -- *Vince Young, QB, Texas

4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

5. Green Bay -- *Mario Williams, DE, NC State

[YearofDaCubs]

1. Houston -- *Reggie Bush, RB, USC

2. New Orleans -- Matt Leinart, QB, USC

3. Tennessee -- *Vince Young, QB, Texas

4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

5. Green Bay -- *Mario Williams, DE, NC State

That sounds about right.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

1. Houston -- *Reggie Bush, RB, USC

2. New Orleans -- Matt Leinart, QB, USC

3. Tennessee -- *Vince Young, QB, Texas

4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

5. Green Bay -- *Mario Williams, DE, NC State

 

Thanks Bro!

[Magnetic Curses]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

 

last year, i wanted antrel rolle, but was satisfied with benson, somewhat.

[UMFan83]

Seriously, I would not be upset if the Bears traded up and drafted D'Brickashaw Ferguson. I have never wanted a player for him name this much since World B. Free

[BigbadB]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

 

I'd be quite happy with Pope. The Bears need to add another dimension to the offense. Clark was a huge non factor all year.

 

I think the biggest reason he caught that touchdown pass against Carolina was because he was such a non factor all year, Carolina paid him no attention.

 

A good hands TE for those 3rd and longs can sustain more drives rather than turn them into punts. 5 or 6 throws to the TE will also open those receivers up a little more.

 

Now, if the good hands, good blocking TE is available via free agency or via trade, then I could see going after something other than a TE in the draft. Or if the top 2 or 3 TE's are off the board (unlikely) by the time the Bears draft.

[YearofDaCubs]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

 

I'd be quite happy with Pope. The Bears need to add another dimension to the offense. Clark was a huge non factor all year.

 

I think the biggest reason he caught that touchdown pass against Carolina was because he was such a non factor all year, Carolina paid him no attention.

 

A good hands TE for those 3rd and longs can sustain more drives rather than turn them into punts. 5 or 6 throws to the TE will also open those receivers up a little more.

 

Now, if the good hands, good blocking TE is available via free agency or via trade, then I could see going after something other than a TE in the draft. Or if the top 2 or 3 TE's are off the board (unlikely) by the time the Bears draft.

So which other teams do you think might be drafting a TE?

[RynoRules]

Seriously, I would not be upset if the Bears traded up and drafted D'Brickashaw Ferguson. I have never wanted a player for him name this much since World B. Free

 

Cue the music!!! :

 

"He's Da-Brick....Shaw!! He's my-tay-my-tay, and lettin' it all hang out!!"

 

:hsughwiggle:

[RynoRules]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

 

I'd be quite happy with Pope. The Bears need to add another dimension to the offense. Clark was a huge non factor all year.

 

I think the biggest reason he caught that touchdown pass against Carolina was because he was such a non factor all year, Carolina paid him no attention.

 

A good hands TE for those 3rd and longs can sustain more drives rather than turn them into punts. 5 or 6 throws to the TE will also open those receivers up a little more.

 

Now, if the good hands, good blocking TE is available via free agency or via trade, then I could see going after something other than a TE in the draft. Or if the top 2 or 3 TE's are off the board (unlikely) by the time the Bears draft.

So which other teams do you think might be drafting a TE?

 

Kiper thinks St Louis at 11 and the Panthers (somehwhere behind us).

 

Pope:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=133497

 

He is huge.

[goonys evil twin]

Last year at this time everybody had the Bears taking a WR in the first. It looks like everybody has them at TE this offseason. I'm hoping that switches before the actual draft.

 

I'd be quite happy with Pope. The Bears need to add another dimension to the offense. Clark was a huge non factor all year.

 

I think the biggest reason he caught that touchdown pass against Carolina was because he was such a non factor all year, Carolina paid him no attention.

 

A good hands TE for those 3rd and longs can sustain more drives rather than turn them into punts. 5 or 6 throws to the TE will also open those receivers up a little more.

 

Now, if the good hands, good blocking TE is available via free agency or via trade, then I could see going after something other than a TE in the draft. Or if the top 2 or 3 TE's are off the board (unlikely) by the time the Bears draft.

 

A pass catching TE won't make much of a difference on this team. A dominant TE like Gates would help, but I don't think any of these draftees are anything like that. This offence is going to be mediocre with or without a good TE. The current crop of TE's failures have more to do with the offense and the QB's than their lack of ability. A good hands TE isn't going to help out on 3rd and long anymore than a good WR would.

 

Make this defense dominant, and address the depth of both lines. You can plug in about 90% of the TE in the league and get the same result.