The Bears Offseason Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Might as well create it since that's what the Super Bowl thread has become and I hate that thread already.

 

What do you want to see the Bears do, whether it's in free agency or the draft?

 

- Gotta re-attain Briggs unless it will hurt the Bears in re-signing Tommie Harris down the road. Also re-sign Ian Scott.

- Figure out the TJ/Benson situation. How bad is Cedric's injury?

- Figure out what to do with the safety position/Mike Brown (re-structure Brown and add another safety to the competition, preferably...hopefully D. Manning can progress to adequate)

- I'd also look into moving Wale.

- Address OL, S, LB if Briggs is gone, RB if TJ is gone in the draft and free agency.

 

Rex is at the age and experience where QBs normally show what they will be at their prime. He's had a full season of experience - he needs to progress next season to show he can be a starter in his prime - limit his mistakes and the damage in his bad games, etc.

[Banedon]

I'm struggling to not overreact here. I agree with you about Rex and how this is the time that he would need to show something, but I think he's already shown us some signs that he's just not mentally capable of being a successful NFL QB.

 

1) The bad snaps. The number of bad snaps he's had throughout the year is just ridiculous. How many has he had? 12 or so? That's just not something that should happen at the NFL level...certainly not that often.

 

2) I'd like to say it's bad decision making, but I'm not sure guessing qualifies as decision making. I don't think Rex understands how to read defenses. Rex plays football like I play Madden. I usually end up throwing to my primary receiver because I'm just not good at going through my reads. The bomb is the one type of throw that he does well, and last night he couldn't even throw that. Sorry, I'm trying to keep this in perspective, not just about last night.

 

3) He just doesn't look comfortable or confident out there. Yeah, I know he's all cocky and whatnot when he's at a microphone, but I think part of the reason for the bad snaps is that he's trying to get out from under center so fast because he's afraid of the defense. I don't think he's confident in what he's doing out there.

 

4) Ron Turner. I don't think he knows how to use Rex, or what to do with him any longer.

 

 

Ok, away from the QB, the other points you made, I completely agree. I think I'd put the safety need ahead of the OL need, but it depends on the talent there, and as far as that goes, I have faith in Angelo to get the right guys.

 

I think we're going to hear a lot that the Bears should look at Troy Smith though...

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm struggling to not overreact here. I agree with you about Rex and how this is the time that he would need to show something, but I think he's already shown us some signs that he's just not mentally capable of being a successful NFL QB.

 

1) The bad snaps. The number of bad snaps he's had throughout the year is just ridiculous. How many has he had? 12 or so? That's just not something that should happen at the NFL level...certainly not that often.

 

2) I'd like to say it's bad decision making, but I'm not sure guessing qualifies as decision making. I don't think Rex understands how to read defenses. Rex plays football like I play Madden. I usually end up throwing to my primary receiver because I'm just not good at going through my reads. The bomb is the one type of throw that he does well, and last night he couldn't even throw that. Sorry, I'm trying to keep this in perspective, not just about last night.

 

3) He just doesn't look comfortable or confident out there. Yeah, I know he's all cocky and whatnot when he's at a microphone, but I think part of the reason for the bad snaps is that he's trying to get out from under center so fast because he's afraid of the defense. I don't think he's confident in what he's doing out there.

 

4) Ron Turner. I don't think he knows how to use Rex, or what to do with him any longer.

 

I have to agree with you. You nailed a lot of points that I wanted to make. I'm starting to have serious doubts about the long term prospects of Grossman.

 

I'm trying to have some persepctive here. If I wasn't a Bears fan, what would I think of Grossman? Honestly, I wouldn't think much. I'm really not in the mood to do a full write up with all the problems I'm seeing, but I'm pretty sure we all know what I'm talking about.

 

As much as it makes me sick to think about going through another QB search, I starting to feel like that's what the Bears need to do.

[Soriano12]

Fire Ron Turner.

[Chocolate Milk]

Fire Ron Turner.

 

Boy did he screw the pooch last night. Awful coaching job.

[goonys evil twin]

They need to do a lot, but clearly have a solid core to maintain their dominance of the division at the very least.

 

I think they should go into next season with the same three QBs. Rex should remain the starter, but with the understanding that a lack of improvement will lead to Griese or Orton getting the job.

 

Lovie should be resigned. I could care less if Rivera stays or goes. I wouldn't miss Turner either, but if he stays, at least it offers a chance for consistency from the offense.

 

Going into this season I thought the team had a good chance of going to the super bowl on the back of a dominating defense and an okay offense. I believe the offense did it's part, but the defense was not as dominant as it could have been. I'd like to see them keep Brown around, perhaps at a renegotiated price given all his injuries. I just don't see anybody who would be likely to be better than him next season. And even if he only plays 8 games, that's 8 games of better safety play than they would get with the other guys. The Bears are going to need to bring it early and often next year, with a challenging schedule. Away games at Philly, San Diego and Seattle are going to be as tough as the NYG/NYJ/NEP trip this year. I'm not that concerned about the Cowboys, Giants, Broncos, Chiefs and Saints home games though.

 

If they can keep Briggs fine, but I don't really think he's a must. I've been disappointed in a few too many of his games this years. If they lose him, then they absolutely must get a LB early in the draft. But the return of Harris and Dusty should go a long way toward boosting the d line.

 

Offensive line is a must, either through the draft or free agency (or both). They need to get younger there, and more effective.

 

The big question is Jones. Maybe it's a bit reactionary, but my opinion of Jones has changed since the playoffs began. I respect his game more now than ever. But I'm not interested in breaking the bank to keep him. If Rosenhaus plays hardball with him, and has him holding out come summer camp, then they should trade him. If they get 2007 draft picks for him, I'd be fine. But Benson's no-show in the Super Bowl really bugs me. I feel a lot less comfortable giving him the full-time job than I did before. A mid-round RB might be necessary.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm trying to have some persepctive here. If I wasn't a Bears fan, what would I think of Grossman? Honestly, I wouldn't think much.

 

I find it absolutely hysterical the absurd stance guys like Mike and Mike were taking this morning, saying they would absolutely go with Eli Manning over Grossman at this point. These guys are all about wins over stats, and they would always take the guy who has won more when stats are close. Eli and Grossman have similar numbers, but Grossman led his team to the NFC title. He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws. He's nowhere near a lock to be great, but there is absolutely no justification for throwing aside his positives. I'm pretty confident in saying that the Bears would not have gone as far as they did without Grossman this year.

 

He is not at the "mature stable QB" age yet, either in numerical years and especially not in starts made. Prior to his breakout season, Drew Brees ammassed 28 games of mediocrity. Rex has now gone through the learning time of his career. Next year is when we should expect stable productivity. 24 regular season games, 4 playoff games (2-2 record in those games). I think he's got his base for becoming a solid veteran, this offseason will be extremely important.

[Soriano12]

They need to do a lot, but clearly have a solid core to maintain their dominance of the division at the very least.

 

I think they should go into next season with the same three QBs. Rex should remain the starter, but with the understanding that a lack of improvement will lead to Griese or Orton getting the job.

 

Lovie should be resigned. I could care less if Rivera stays or goes. I wouldn't miss Turner either, but if he stays, at least it offers a chance for consistency from the offense.

 

Going into this season I thought the team had a good chance of going to the super bowl on the back of a dominating defense and an okay offense. I believe the offense did it's part, but the defense was not as dominant as it could have been. I'd like to see them keep Brown around, perhaps at a renegotiated price given all his injuries. I just don't see anybody who would be likely to be better than him next season. And even if he only plays 8 games, that's 8 games of better safety play than they would get with the other guys. The Bears are going to need to bring it early and often next year, with a challenging schedule. Away games at Philly, San Diego and Seattle are going to be as tough as the NYG/NYJ/NEP trip this year. I'm not that concerned about the Cowboys, Giants, Broncos, Chiefs and Saints home games though.

 

If they can keep Briggs fine, but I don't really think he's a must. I've been disappointed in a few too many of his games this years. If they lose him, then they absolutely must get a LB early in the draft. But the return of Harris and Dusty should go a long way toward boosting the d line.

 

Offensive line is a must, either through the draft or free agency (or both). They need to get younger there, and more effective.

 

The big question is Jones. Maybe it's a bit reactionary, but my opinion of Jones has changed since the playoffs began. I respect his game more now than ever. But I'm not interested in breaking the bank to keep him. If Rosenhaus plays hardball with him, and has him holding out come summer camp, then they should trade him. If they get 2007 draft picks for him, I'd be fine. But Benson's no-show in the Super Bowl really bugs me. I feel a lot less comfortable giving him the full-time job than I did before. A mid-round RB might be necessary.

 

Good post. I agree 100%.

[cubweiser03]

Ahhh the Super Bowl diversion thread. I believe the cap is going to $110M from $90+. That should enable the Bears to resign players without mortgaging the future.

-Briggs. Franchise him or long term him.

-Vasher and Berrian sign extensions. 2007 is their last year before FA. Maybe even sign Rashied Davis to an extension.

-Sign Scott unless he gets starter money someplace else. (Im not optimisitc about that)

-Brown. Im not sure he will take a pay decrease. He is a Pro Bowl safety when healthy, someone will give him $2.5M, especially with the cap expanding. Id take a $2.5M risk that he will be healthy, that contract is not a franchise backbreaker.

Leonard Davis. The big FA splash. Is it too much to ask? They would move Tait to RT and release Miller. I like Tait at LT and Miller at RT but i like Davis at LT and Tait at RT better.

-Draft OL, DT (Boone and Scott maybe gone), LB, TE.

-I know there has been much discussion on S. Im not sold on spending a 1st or 2nd round pick on that, anything other than that isnt going to make an impact more than Harris/Todd/Brandon. I think Manning did well this year, im not giving up on him yet. Deon Grant is an UFA so he would be on my list if they went the FA route to replace Brown.

-Pretty boring list, but this is young Super Bowl team. Some tweaking but an overhaul is not in order

[RynoRules]

IMO, an O-Line makeover is priority no. 1. Its tough to hit the open receiver from your backside. Watch how much better Grossman will look when we get two tackles and at least one guard (Garza was horrible) who can actually pass block.

 

I also advocate increased depth on the D-Line. Ian Scott is a nice 3rd or 4th tackle, but with Harris' injury and Johnson's uncertain future, we need at least one more DT. I am also very disappointed in our DEs, though that may be function of how bad the tackles were without Harris. I would at least consider releasing Adewale and signing and drafting help at that position. Assuming that Cedric is healthy, Jones could be traded for help in this dept.

 

I really believe that these are the two priorities. Our corners are solid and we have depth at the position. I'd love greater depth at LB and at the safety position (depending on Brown's health), but to me these are secondary to being dominant on the O and D lines.

[goonys evil twin]

I also advocate increased depth on the D-Line. Ian Scott is a nice 3rd or 4th tackle, but with Harris' injury and Johnson's uncertain future, we need at least one more DT.

 

The returns of Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek should negate any need for additional tackles next season.

[Chocolate Milk]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

My real concerns stem from his trendline over the course of the season. While he was both up and down, generally speaking, he got worse as the season wore on. Frankly he looks awful back there. Fumbling snaps, throwing off his back foot (Did he step into a single throw last night?), making one read and hucking the ball down field, etc. It doesn't paint a picture of a QB that has much of a clue what is going on. He was bad against the Saints and even worse in the Superbowl.

 

I sincerely hope that he progresses next season. I really do. But for the first time, I'm having some real doubts as to his long term prospects.

[RynoRules]

I also advocate increased depth on the D-Line. Ian Scott is a nice 3rd or 4th tackle, but with Harris' injury and Johnson's uncertain future, we need at least one more DT.

 

The returns of Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek should negate any need for additional tackles next season.

 

If they are healthy. But that's a pretty big matzoh ball we are leaving out there if our starting tackles are Tank and Boone. I'd get one more to be sure.

 

Oh, and let's get the Fire Ron Turner bandwagon rolling please.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I pretty much agree with the above, but a CB should be on our shopping list. Tillman is great at stripping the ball, and super poor in coverage. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to have a little depth in case of injury.

 

It's a little late to start a QB search. Grossman is the man come hell or high water. This team doesn't have a huge window for success. We're not going to be able to draft a QB and waste a season developing him. The vet QB (Griese or other) may be the way to go.

[goonys evil twin]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

[goonys evil twin]

I also advocate increased depth on the D-Line. Ian Scott is a nice 3rd or 4th tackle, but with Harris' injury and Johnson's uncertain future, we need at least one more DT.

 

The returns of Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek should negate any need for additional tackles next season.

 

If they are healthy. But that's a pretty big matzoh ball we are leaving out there if our starting tackles are Tank and Boone. I'd get one more to be sure.

 

Dusty is healthy. And I think Harris is a very good bet to be healthy by next season. We aren't talking about pitchers with shoulder injuries here.

 

It's a little late to start a QB search. Grossman is the man come hell or high water. This team doesn't have a huge window for success. We're not going to be able to draft a QB and waste a season developing him. The vet QB (Griese or other) may be the way to go.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a QB drafted mid-draft this year, somebody to push Orton for the 3rd spot and possibly make Griese expendable (assuming Orton improves enough to be #3). Griese should be given a chance to take the job from Grossman, but only if Grossman fails to improve. I think Rex will get better over the offseason. He definitely did enough this year to provide hope for improvement.

[Chocolate Milk]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

 

It is true. He wasn't good last night. Up until the last drive, when the outcome of the game was no longer in question, he was 16/24 119 yards 1TD 2 INT's(One returned for a TD) 2 fumbled snaps(one lost, and one recovered for a 12 yard loss). That's a terrible performance.

 

There were also other throws that could, or should have been intercepted.

Edited February 5, 2007 by Chocolate Milk

[Soriano12]

Here is my list:

 

1) Retain Briggs

2) Shop around either Alex Brown or Ogun too see what you can get in terms of draft picks

3) Attempt to trade up for Reggie Nelson, or Laron Landry in the draft

4) Draft an OT, and OG with the next picks

5) Round off the draft with

- a fast TE/WR hybrid type(aka..Vicent Jackson from a few years back)

-a raw mobile QB

-corner/DT/LB

5) Send Ron Turner to a coaching clinic so he can learn the shotgun formation and some other plays.(I agree with the sentiment that even though his play calling irritates me, changing coordinators might not be the best thing for Grossman)

[RichHillIsABeast]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

 

3 turnovers. how many 1st down passes? Completion percentages and QB ratings don't mean a whole lot when your throws don't move the chains.

[RichHillIsABeast]

5) Send Ron Turner to a coaching clinic so he can learn the shotgun formation and some other plays.(I agree with the sentiment that even though his play calling irritates me, changing coordinators might not be the best thing for Grossman)

 

Is it Kruetz or Turner that doesn't want the shotgun?

[Soriano12]

5) Send Ron Turner to a coaching clinic so he can learn the shotgun formation and some other plays.(I agree with the sentiment that even though his play calling irritates me, changing coordinators might not be the best thing for Grossman)

 

Is it Kruetz or Turner that doesn't want the shotgun?

 

I don't know at this point. It makes me want to bang my head into the wall!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

 

Benson didn't show up? He got hurt on his second carry.

[goonys evil twin]

This team doesn't have a huge window for success.

 

I guess that's true, but it's at least as big as any other team's window. They are very young, and very talented. Nobody in the division has a better near or moderate-term future. There aren't many teams in the NFC with a better window. Maybe the Saints. But look at a lot of the other NFC teams (and you might as well take into account the AFC). The Bears are in solid salary cap shape, better than most. The Giants have a young QB, but their stars are all old, and some are already out the door. Seattle's once dominant O-line is no longer, their best offensive player is a soon to be 30 year old RB with a lot of milage on his tires and injury issues.

 

If the Bears have a successful offseason, drafting solid contributors that can help keep the defense elite and improve an already decent offense, there's no reason why they can't be contenders for the next 4 years. I think their current window aligns with the length of time that we can expect Brian Urlacher to be a pro bowl caliber middle linebacker. Maybe they go 10-6 and go one and done in the playoffs. Or maybe they don't even make the playoffs next year. But they've got as good a chance as any NFC team to be the representative in the Super Bowl for the foreseeable future.

[goonys evil twin]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

 

It is true. He wasn't good last night.

 

I know he wasn't good. But that's different from being god-awful, very very bad and taking a crap on the field.

[goonys evil twin]

He was not god-awful in the super bowl, although he did make some bad throws.

 

He was very very bad last night.

 

That's just simply not true. He played well enough to win if the rest of the team wasn't so intent on turning the ball over and if the defense did anything. The defense was ho-hum, Benson didn't show up. No, Rex didn't have a good game, I'd call it below average. But he wasn't very very bad. I know people will push that as the official story, but it's just not the case.

 

Benson didn't show up? He got hurt on his second carry.

 

And he fumbled on his first.