Bears Offseason

[goonys evil twin]

:scratch:

 

I still don't know what to think.

 

I know how I feel, :puker: , but I'm not sure how analyze this draft fairly.

 

I wanted to strengthen the defense in this draft. I was hoping for a LB or DB in the first round. And in generaly, I don't have a problem trading down and acquiring more picks (as long as they aren't just 5th and 6th rounders). But all they got for trading down nearly 20 spots was a 3rd rounder, and then the first guy they drafted probably would have been available later in the 2nd. The next guy doesn't have a position, the next guy is an enormous character risk, and doesn't even make up for it by being great on the field, he's a one trick pony. And what is with drafting a LB who is not only small, but lacks agility? Isn't this team all about speed and quickness?

 

I like that they got some o line help, but a 6th round guard doesn't really stand much of a chance of helping the team.

 

Then again, the football draft is very difficult to judge. My gut feeling is the Bears overpicked, like they did with Columbo, and this is going to be disappointing. But Angelo can find DBacks, and WRs just don't come in and help teams right away. I didn't like all the TE talk going in, so I'm not that upset they didn't get one of these guys. But I would have liked more focus on the offense, and it would have been nice to get at least one guy who can make an immediate impact, and maybe challenge for a starting spot.

[Chocolate Milk]

Yeah, I'm not sure why they went almost all defense. They have managed to cover almost every hole on defense. I trust Jerry's ability to pick defensive players, as he has shown very good competence in the past. I liked the Hester and Manning picks individually but not as much together. I guess I'm wondering, where are all these guys going to play?

 

The draft is pretty hard to judge in terms of who is going to pan out and who isn't. Hopefully we will see improvement on our offense due to the internal development of our players. We'll see.

 

Edit: I'd also like to add that after the second round I felt like Jerry was getting 'cute' because of his past success with small school/diamond in the ruff defensive players.

 

Another thing, our return game, which was pretty awful last year, will be much much improved. That could have a pretty big impact on a defensive team like the Bears.

[goonys evil twin]

I liked the Hester and Manning picks individually but not as much together. I guess I'm wondering, where are all these guys going to play?

 

I think there will be plenty of spots for them to take. First and foremost, one or both will be returning kicks. I think Manning becomes the 3rd safety, primarily backing up Harris at FS (or maybe taking his job, depending on camp). Manning Jr. is going to be the nickelback/3rd CB, and I see Hester competing with Davis as the 4th CB. Dusty slides into the tackle rotation, and with Tank out, this is a big need.

 

Williams will be a backup right away (Bears have 2 great LB, but are questionable on the rest of the depth chart) and should play on a lot of special teams, assuming he makes the team. Anderson is similar, he could be as high as the 3rd D-end if he makes the team, as Haynes is projected into the tackle rotation, and Idonije is hardly a sure thing. My guess is Anderson and Idonije will be competing for a job.

 

The 6th round fullback, Runnels, could actually be the only draftee to start this year. He should be a special teamer, although he could easily not even make the team. And the guard, Reed, will hopefully do enough to make the team, because I really question the depth of this offensive line.

[RynoRules]

I liked the Hester and Manning picks individually but not as much together. I guess I'm wondering, where are all these guys going to play?

 

I think there will be plenty of spots for them to take. First and foremost, one or both will be returning kicks. I think Manning becomes the 3rd safety, primarily backing up Harris at FS (or maybe taking his job, depending on camp). Manning Jr. is going to be the nickelback/3rd CB, and I see Hester competing with Davis as the 4th CB. Dusty slides into the tackle rotation, and with Tank out, this is a big need.

 

Williams will be a backup right away (Bears have 2 great LB, but are questionable on the rest of the depth chart) and should play on a lot of special teams, assuming he makes the team. Anderson is similar, he could be as high as the 3rd D-end if he makes the team, as Haynes is projected into the tackle rotation, and Idonije is hardly a sure thing. My guess is Anderson and Idonije will be competing for a job.

 

The 6th round fullback, Runnels, could actually be the only draftee to start this year. He should be a special teamer, although he could easily not even make the team. And the guard, Reed, will hopefully do enough to make the team, because I really question the depth of this offensive line.

 

Damn, I forgot about that. Good point.

[Banedon]

I'm just disappointed that Angelo found it necessary to bring another Dusty to Chicago... :P

[srbin84]

I'm just disappointed that Angelo found it necessary to bring another Dusty to Chicago... :P

 

And after seeing a picture of him, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he uses the word "dude" even more.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051227/images/dusty140.jpg

[Banedon]

I'm just disappointed that Angelo found it necessary to bring another Dusty to Chicago... :P

 

And after seeing a picture of him, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he uses the word "dude" even more.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051227/images/dusty140.jpg

 

He looks like Craig Wilson, when he still had long hair.

[imb]

Just wait till gameday, he paints his face all up in war paint.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm just disappointed that Angelo found it necessary to bring another Dusty to Chicago... :P

 

Luckily, most football games are played in cold weather.

[Chocolate Milk]

I liked the Hester and Manning picks individually but not as much together. I guess I'm wondering, where are all these guys going to play?

 

I think there will be plenty of spots for them to take. First and foremost, one or both will be returning kicks. I think Manning becomes the 3rd safety, primarily backing up Harris at FS (or maybe taking his job, depending on camp). Manning Jr. is going to be the nickelback/3rd CB, and I see Hester competing with Davis as the 4th CB. Dusty slides into the tackle rotation, and with Tank out, this is a big need.

 

Williams will be a backup right away (Bears have 2 great LB, but are questionable on the rest of the depth chart) and should play on a lot of special teams, assuming he makes the team. Anderson is similar, he could be as high as the 3rd D-end if he makes the team, as Haynes is projected into the tackle rotation, and Idonije is hardly a sure thing. My guess is Anderson and Idonije will be competing for a job.

 

The 6th round fullback, Runnels, could actually be the only draftee to start this year. He should be a special teamer, although he could easily not even make the team. And the guard, Reed, will hopefully do enough to make the team, because I really question the depth of this offensive line.

 

Yeah, I understand where these guys will fit in as backups. I think that Manning will end up seeing a majority of the time at FS by the end of the season. I personally think that Harris is best suited at SS and lacks the speed to play FS.

 

I guess the other CB we signed from the Panthers will be a special teamer only (However, Davis could be cut).

 

Any info on this fullback? FB's getting drafted is kind of a rarity these days so I figured he must be talented. Especially considering how the staff raved about Johnson last year when he returned from injury.

 

My favorite pick was Hester. He adds a dimension of speed. He is raw but the staff has had success developing good DB's. The sky's the limit with him and he will make an immediate impact in the return games. They could even work some ways to get him the ball on offense.

[goonys evil twin]

My favorite pick was Hester. He adds a dimension of speed. He is raw but the staff has had success developing good DB's. The sky's the limit with him and he will make an immediate impact in the return games. They could even work some ways to get him the ball on offense.

 

I would really like the pick if they were creative enough to get him some touches on offense. But I'm not sure how creative the Bears actually are, and if they can find a way to use him appropriately. I still think it was a reach selection, given that he doesn't have a real position. I would have liked one of those slash QBs around the 4th round. Instead of overpaying Randle El in free agency, they could have found a cheap one in the draft.

[srbin84]

My favorite pick was Hester. He adds a dimension of speed. He is raw but the staff has had success developing good DB's. The sky's the limit with him and he will make an immediate impact in the return games. They could even work some ways to get him the ball on offense.

 

I would really like the pick if they were creative enough to get him some touches on offense. But I'm not sure how creative the Bears actually are, and if they can find a way to use him appropriately. I still think it was a reach selection, given that he doesn't have a real position. I would have liked one of those slash QBs around the 4th round. Instead of overpaying Randle El in free agency, they could have found a cheap one in the draft.

 

Smith would have been a good pick for this. He's a better running QB than Vick, IMO. He's like the Gale Sayers of running QB's.

[Chocolate Milk]

I really like the Tim Day signing. He was supposed to be a third to fifth rounder.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

My favorite pick was Hester. He adds a dimension of speed. He is raw but the staff has had success developing good DB's. The sky's the limit with him and he will make an immediate impact in the return games. They could even work some ways to get him the ball on offense.

 

I would really like the pick if they were creative enough to get him some touches on offense. But I'm not sure how creative the Bears actually are, and if they can find a way to use him appropriately. I still think it was a reach selection, given that he doesn't have a real position. I would have liked one of those slash QBs around the 4th round. Instead of overpaying Randle El in free agency, they could have found a cheap one in the draft.

 

Smith would have been a good pick for this. He's a better running QB than Vick, IMO. He's like the Gale Sayers of running QB's.

 

Coming from someone who watched almost every game he played this year, Smith is not as good a running QB as Vick.

[YearofDaCubs]

I gotta say that I'm very dissapointed in our draft. It seems that we got a lot of project picks. We passed up on Chad Jackson and Mercedes Lewis as well as some good corners for project picks.

[goonys evil twin]

I gotta say that I'm very dissapointed in our draft. It seems that we got a lot of project picks. We passed up on Chad Jackson and Mercedes Lewis as well as some good corners for project picks.

 

Every receiver is a project pick in the NFL draft.

[YearofDaCubs]

I gotta say that I'm very dissapointed in our draft. It seems that we got a lot of project picks. We passed up on Chad Jackson and Mercedes Lewis as well as some good corners for project picks.

 

Every receiver is a project pick in the NFL draft.

I would feel much better having Chad Jackson or Mercedes Lewis as a project pick over our picks.

[cubweiser03]

My favorite pick was Hester. He adds a dimension of speed. He is raw but the staff has had success developing good DB's. The sky's the limit with him and he will make an immediate impact in the return games. They could even work some ways to get him the ball on offense.

 

I would really like the pick if they were creative enough to get him some touches on offense. But I'm not sure how creative the Bears actually are, and if they can find a way to use him appropriately. I still think it was a reach selection, given that he doesn't have a real position. I would have liked one of those slash QBs around the 4th round. Instead of overpaying Randle El in free agency, they could have found a cheap one in the draft.

 

FWIW. I heard Carolina was on the phone with Hester as the Bears were selecting him. Carolina has the best front office in the NFL ya know :wink:

 

From the clip of highlights i think Dusty will fit in real well with this defense. I see him making some plays and doing some good stuff in this dline rotation. He can do well in passing situations up the middle. Scott doesnt get much pressure and Tank is a ? going into this year. Boone is not a pass rushing tackle either.

 

Manning seems really interesting. I know he was DII but really, how many safties can return punts or kicks.

 

Since the Bears wont be giving out 1st round money do you over pay for Briggs. Im not saying give him Urlacher money but this might give them more flex.

 

Huston as UDFA could be out Gould.

[Chocolate Milk]

UDFA Signings:

 

OT Mark LeVoir (Notre Dame)

RB P.J. Pope (Bowling Green)

OL Travis Leffew (Louisville)

DE Mike Mendenhall (Temple)

TE Tim Day (Oregon) :D

PK Josh Huston (Ohio State)

P Joel Stelly (Louisiana-Monroe)

OG Tyler McMeans (Miami, FL.)

TE Cooper Wallace (Auburn)

S Dwayne Slay (Texas Tech) (Rumor)

Edited May 2, 2006 by Chocolate Milk

[Mark_R]

Huston should be able to beat out Gould rather easily. Huston's a monster on kickoffs, too.

[goonys evil twin]

http://www.chicagobears.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/JPEOAEOGEJHF/DManningLovie_inside.jpg

 

Lovie looks like a man who knows what he wants and how to get it.

[imb]

UDFA Signings:

 

OT Mark LeVoir (Notre Dame)

RB P.J. Pope (Bowling Green)

OL Travis Leffew (Louisville)

DE Mike Mendenhall (Temple)

TE Tim Day (Oregon) :D

PK Josh Huston (Ohio State)

P Joel Stelly (Louisiana-Monroe)

OG Tyler McMeans (Miami, FL.)

TE Cooper Wallace (Auburn)

WR Dwayne Slay (Texas Tech) (Rumor)

 

He's slow (4.80) but he hits like a freaking truck. If you can speed him up and teach him some coverage skills, he may kill someone on the field.

 

for instance

http://media.putfile.com/Slay-Hit

Edited May 2, 2006 by Bunts Lick Butts

[Jon]

Mark Philmore has signed with the Bears.

 

I am happy.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

The Bears agreed to terms Monday with 13 undrafted rookie free agents.

 

 

Nate Bunce G Miami (OH)

Dion Byrum CB Ohio

Tim Day TE Oregon

Josh Huston K Ohio State

Travis Leffew G Louisville

Mark LeVoir T Notre Dame

Donnie McCleskey S California-Berkeley

Tyler McMeans G Miami (FL)

Mark Philmore WR Northwestern

P.J. Pope RB Bowling Green

Dwayne Slay S Texas Tech

Joel Stelly P Louisiana-Monroe

Cooper Wallace TE Auburn

 

Link: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-060501bearsundraftedfa,1,7482966.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

[Holy Cow]

Its not that I don't like Manning, Hestor or Dusty - I think they all have the potential to be sleeper picks. Its just that I really would have perfered to get at least one of Mercedes Lewis, Pope or Jimmy Williams.