Bears Offseason

[goonys evil twin]

According to ESPN, the Bears signed free agent RB Tony Hollings to a two-year contract. No terms were mentioned. I see this as a sign that they are trying to trade Jones; they wouldn't need Hollings if they already have Jones, Benson, and Peterson.

 

Are they trying to trade him or expecting a training camp holdout (or both)?

[Soul]

I know I watched Huston a lot (since I watched a lot of Ohio State) but I don't remember much. I can only hope he's better than Gould. If they want to improve special teams, they should improve the part that actually scores points. Gould was awful.

 

There was nothing wrong with Gould. He was automatic within 40 and a lot of his misses (40-49) came in EXTREMELY crappy weahter conditions (as was the case with the SF kick).

 

Gould had the 29th most points from kickers last year. He was 23rd in FG%. He was 3/8 from 40-49 and his longest was 45. He didn't even attempt a 50+ because the coaches knew he didn't have any business kicking in the NFL. He got the job by default when the veteran melted down. And he was very bad at kickoffs. They need to replace him.

 

Agreed. I'm glad the kid came in and held down the fort (somewhat) when Brien turned out to be a dud, but the fact is he's not an NFL-calibre kicker. We can do better. Not only that, but we will have better kickers than Gould in training camp. I would think it very tough for Robbie to make the team this year.

[Soul]

Interesting thing I just learned:

 

Dusty Dvoracek had the highest Wonderlic score of anyone at the combine.

 

You are indeed correct sir:

 

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=FBN-DVORACEK-04-28-06

[anemic offense]

I know I watched Huston a lot (since I watched a lot of Ohio State) but I don't remember much. I can only hope he's better than Gould. If they want to improve special teams, they should improve the part that actually scores points. Gould was awful.

 

There was nothing wrong with Gould. He was automatic within 40 and a lot of his misses (40-49) came in EXTREMELY crappy weahter conditions (as was the case with the SF kick).

 

Gould had the 29th most points from kickers last year. He was 23rd in FG%. He was 3/8 from 40-49 and his longest was 45. He didn't even attempt a 50+ because the coaches knew he didn't have any business kicking in the NFL. He got the job by default when the veteran melted down. And he was very bad at kickoffs. They need to replace him.

 

 

Look, I'm not saying Gould is an All-Star caliber kicker for he's not. I'm also not going to say the Bears shouldn't try to upgrade at the position (I agree Gould wasn't great on kickoffs) for they should. But to say Gould was awful isn't very accurate. He was automatic under 40 (which is more than you can say for most kickers), and the 3-8 in the 40-49 yard range is somewhat misleading. Not to mention he DOES play in Soldier Field (a tough place to kick).

 

It should also be noted good kickers (let alone great ones) may be the HARDEST commodity to come by in the NFL. Kickers are routinely cut, signed, cut again, and re-signed over the course of just 1-2 seasons. The really good ones, like the Kasey's, Vinatieri's, the Hansen's, the Vanderjagt's, and the like are a rarity. The other 80% of the teams generally aren't in any better shape than the Bears. In fact, a lot of the time they're worse.

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't know what they'd have to give up to get a shot at davis, but i'd give our next two first rounders, as well as this one, to get him--i'd also give up thomas jones if it would suit anyone in that position.

 

I wouldn't give 3 first rounders for Davis. That's absolutely insane.

 

technically, it would only be 2, this year's first round pick would just be improved.

 

considering our track record with 1st rounders, we're bound to miss on the next two years anyway, why not make this year worth something? especially with a tight-end that gives you so many different options.

 

2 first rounders for a potentially great player is an easy deal to make. barring injury, vernon davis is a virtual lock to be a perrenial pro-bowler in the NFC.

 

Wow, a little overhype there, no? I heard the same about Bubba Franks.

 

to be fair, bubba franks is a multiple pro-bowler himself.

[Magnetic Curses]

Interesting thing I just learned:

 

Dusty Dvoracek had the highest Wonderlic score of anyone at the combine.

 

ian scott is supposed to be one of the smartest players in the NFL. if they can't get to the QB, maybe they could work on a cure for cancer or something.

[goonys evil twin]

i don't know what they'd have to give up to get a shot at davis, but i'd give our next two first rounders, as well as this one, to get him--i'd also give up thomas jones if it would suit anyone in that position.

 

I wouldn't give 3 first rounders for Davis. That's absolutely insane.

 

technically, it would only be 2, this year's first round pick would just be improved.

 

considering our track record with 1st rounders, we're bound to miss on the next two years anyway, why not make this year worth something? especially with a tight-end that gives you so many different options.

 

2 first rounders for a potentially great player is an easy deal to make. barring injury, vernon davis is a virtual lock to be a perrenial pro-bowler in the NFC.

 

Wow, a little overhype there, no? I heard the same about Bubba Franks.

 

to be fair, bubba franks is a multiple pro-bowler himself.

 

And that shows you something about the quality of TEs in the game, not to mention the supposed "need" to have a great one. Franks isn't any better than most second-tier tight ends. But he was hyped up a lot before being drafted, and averages just about 300 yards per season and 4.5 TDs. And he did it playing in a great offense with the best QB in the game.

[BigbadB]

to be fair, bubba franks is a multiple pro-bowler himself.

 

Personally, I could care less how well he bowls. :D

[rjchapma]

that would be nice if he was a multi pro bowler

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't know what they'd have to give up to get a shot at davis, but i'd give our next two first rounders, as well as this one, to get him--i'd also give up thomas jones if it would suit anyone in that position.

 

I wouldn't give 3 first rounders for Davis. That's absolutely insane.

 

technically, it would only be 2, this year's first round pick would just be improved.

 

considering our track record with 1st rounders, we're bound to miss on the next two years anyway, why not make this year worth something? especially with a tight-end that gives you so many different options.

 

2 first rounders for a potentially great player is an easy deal to make. barring injury, vernon davis is a virtual lock to be a perrenial pro-bowler in the NFC.

 

Wow, a little overhype there, no? I heard the same about Bubba Franks.

 

to be fair, bubba franks is a multiple pro-bowler himself.

 

And that shows you something about the quality of TEs in the game, not to mention the supposed "need" to have a great one. Franks isn't any better than most second-tier tight ends. But he was hyped up a lot before being drafted, and averages just about 300 yards per season and 4.5 TDs. And he did it playing in a great offense with the best QB in the game.

 

go up and read the bolded part of my post.

 

bubba's a better blocker than a pass catcher, tho.

[Chocolate Milk]

I just saw Jerry Angelo. He looked pretty happy.

[Jon]

AP[/url]"]Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and two former UCLA football players were charged with assault Thursday for allegedly taking part in an early morning fight at a restaurant last month.

 

Manning was charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, Deputy District Attorney Karen Murcia said.

.............

 

Manning, a former UCLA star, was arrested April 23, along with former Bruins Tyler Ebell and Maurice Drew, after they allegedly attacked a man at a restaurant near the UCLA campus in Westwood.

..............

 

Manning, 25, signed with the Bears last month after the Carolina Panthers declined to match the Bears' offer sheet. He is on probation for an assault in April 2002. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.

[Butterscup1679666578]

AP[/url]"]Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and two former UCLA football players were charged with assault Thursday for allegedly taking part in an early morning fight at a restaurant last month.

 

Manning was charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, Deputy District Attorney Karen Murcia said.

.............

 

Manning, a former UCLA star, was arrested April 23, along with former Bruins Tyler Ebell and Maurice Drew, after they allegedly attacked a man at a restaurant near the UCLA campus in Westwood.

..............

 

Manning, 25, signed with the Bears last month after the Carolina Panthers declined to match the Bears' offer sheet. He is on probation for an assault in April 2002. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.

 

He's an athlete. Slap on the wrist will be all, I'm sure.

[Mark_R]

He's an athlete. Slap on the wrist will be all, I'm sure.

 

Exactly

[NCCubFan]

It will be interesting to see if he's disciplined by the NFL (e.g. fine, suspension).

[Chocolate Milk]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=15635

 

Briggs and Thomas Jones were no shows.

 

Despite this being mostly propoganda, the Currie information about Currie's play is good to hear.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Briggs and Jones better show up soon. I like seeing Gould hitting a 58 yarder. Hopefully he can figure it all out this year. Consistency from the K position is a must this season.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think Thomas Jones will show up. He really doesn't have any leverage. Briggs on the otherhand, is a little worrisome...

[Chocolate Milk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2466154

 

Article on Benson.

[Banedon]

Jones and Briggs both showed upat minicamp.

[Chocolate Milk]

Jones and Briggs both showed upat minicamp.

 

Excellent news!

[rawaction]

I want a Bears white replica jersey. Anybody know where I can find a variety of different #'s to choose from? Also, anybody have any non-Urlacher suggestions of what jersey I should get?

[goonys evil twin]

I want a Bears white replica jersey. Anybody know where I can find a variety of different #'s to choose from? Also, anybody have any non-Urlacher suggestions of what jersey I should get?

 

Briggs would be great if he wasn't a threat to be gone in a year. Tommie Harris would be a good one, if you're looking for a guy who might be a star and stay around for a long time.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I want a Bears white replica jersey. Anybody know where I can find a variety of different #'s to choose from? Also, anybody have any non-Urlacher suggestions of what jersey I should get?

 

How 'bout a vintage #34?

[rawaction]

I want a Bears white replica jersey. Anybody know where I can find a variety of different #'s to choose from? Also, anybody have any non-Urlacher suggestions of what jersey I should get?

 

How 'bout a vintage #34?

 

Those usually run close to $100 for even a replica. I'm looking to pay 60ish.