The Bears Offseason Thread

[cubweiser03]

Garcia had a very good year this year; however, he was awful in Cleveland and terrible in Detroit. Leftwich, if he was so good the Jags wouldnt have questions going into this offseason if he is the starter or Garrad is. Garrad isnt great shakes, so why would they themselves have questions on Leftwhich? Lateral move.

 

IF Kris Jenkins is released by Carolina for $ reasons id really like to see the Bears go after him hard. He's a freaking bad ass.

 

Garcia's the type of QB who needs weapons around him to make him really good. He has his limitations as a QB that can be exploited if there aren't the proper pieces-Cleveland and Detroit were not good fits for him, but a team like the Bears would be a much better fit.

 

I agree with this, but im just thinking its not a no brainer. And if they are going to do anything it has to be a no brainer. I dont know how they would make this work, theyd have to get rid of Griese or trade him, i just dont think this acquistion is plausible. It would be totally unconventional.

[cubweiser03]

My comments to the coaching offseason moves:

 

Rivera-Dont really mind if he leaves, hes good but this is Lovie's system, they should be able to plug a Def. Coordinator no problem.

 

Turner-I would be more concerned if he left. I actually liked his game plans in the NFC playoffs game, the Super Bowl was so so. As stated earlier it would be better for Rex if he stayed and was able to use the same offensive system next year. Rex wasnt able to audible much this year, next year i heard Turner will looking into incorporating that more in the offseason.

 

Toub-If he stays, if he goes, whatever. On Gould, I read an article in a local paper about him and he credited the NE Special Teams coach for his improvement not the Bears guy. Changed from 3 step to a 2 step.

[Soriano12]

Turner-I would be more concerned if he left. I actually liked his game plans in the NFC playoffs game, the Super Bowl was so so.

 

So so? That is being generous, more like downright brutal.

[goonys evil twin]

I agree with this, but im just thinking its not a no brainer. And if they are going to do anything it has to be a no brainer. I dont know how they would make this work, theyd have to get rid of Griese or trade him, i just dont think this acquistion is plausible. It would be totally unconventional.

 

I wouldn't mind unconventional, but I do agree with your statement about needing to be a no-brainer. I don't replace Grossman with a guy who has his own questions. I just don't buy the theory that he's hopeless. A lot of people said the Bears could never win in the playoffs with a guy like Grossman. I think what we're forgetting is that the Bears went to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman in his first full year. This isn't a case of the team struggling to win 9/10 games a year while developing a QB. They made the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. That very fact negates any notion that they can't win a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. The defense was not at its best, and they were still within 5 points of winning the Super Bowl late in the game. This post loss apocalyptic talk about absolutely needing to replace Grossman is more emotional than logical. I think it would be very unrealistic to assume his next 28 games won't be better than his first 28 games. I would bet on his 2007 being better than his 2006, barring injury. I guess there's a chance weve seen his best and it's all downhill from here. But I highly doubt that's true, and I really don't see any realistic opportunity for improvement elsewhere.

[Chocolate Milk]

I really don't see any realistic opportunity for improvement elsewhere.

 

Yeah, I don't either.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I agree with this, but im just thinking its not a no brainer. And if they are going to do anything it has to be a no brainer. I dont know how they would make this work, theyd have to get rid of Griese or trade him, i just dont think this acquistion is plausible. It would be totally unconventional.

 

I wouldn't mind unconventional, but I do agree with your statement about needing to be a no-brainer. I don't replace Grossman with a guy who has his own questions. I just don't buy the theory that he's hopeless. A lot of people said the Bears could never win in the playoffs with a guy like Grossman. I think what we're forgetting is that the Bears went to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman in his first full year. This isn't a case of the team struggling to win 9/10 games a year while developing a QB. They made the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. That very fact negates any notion that they can't win a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. The defense was not at its best, and they were still within 5 points of winning the Super Bowl late in the game. This post loss apocalyptic talk about absolutely needing to replace Grossman is more emotional than logical. I think it would be very unrealistic to assume his next 28 games won't be better than his first 28 games. I would bet on his 2007 being better than his 2006, barring injury. I guess there's a chance weve seen his best and it's all downhill from here. But I highly doubt that's true, and I really don't see any realistic opportunity for improvement elsewhere.

 

i WOULD WHOLEY AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS. i AM DISAPPOINTED THAT HE DIDNT GROW FASTER, BUT WHO ELSE WOOULD HAVE? GRIESE? DENVER DUMPED HIM FOR JAKE FRIGGEN PLUMMER. ORTON? THE GUY CANT EVEN TAKE BEING A 3RD STRING QB SERIOUSLY. I DONT LIEK BYRON LEFTWICH, GARCIA, OR ANY OF THE OTHER OPTIONS EITHER. THE ONLY ONE I THINK MIGHT BE POSSIBLE IS KURT WARNER, BUT HE SEMS TO HAVE LOST IT TOO. I THINK THE BEARS HAVE TO BITE THIS BULLET AND STICK WITH REX.

[Soul]

I'm ready to give Grossman some time to grow.

 

I think he's got more upside. I think we need to re-sign Briggs or it won't matter what happens with Grossman.

 

Franchise Lance please.

[jaydee]

the bears need to draft a safety. you can't rely on mike brown being healthy. Rex is as good as any other option, unless the bears are willing to go after Schaub

[BigSlick]

Fire Ron Turner.

 

Definitely.

 

I also think we should take a mid-round waiver on a QB, not because I want him to replace Grossman, but because its a smart thing to do every couple years.

 

I don't want Grossman replaced, but if he is, why is everyone ignoring Brian Griese? He probably has the skillset that all you ninny's want. He's accurate and is a little wussy so he'll limit his picks. He also will never win you a game. Why take JaMarcus Russel when you got this guy on your bench for millions a year?

 

changed

Edited February 5, 2007 by BigSlick

[ctcf]

Fire Ron Turner.

 

Definitely.

 

I also think we should take a mid-round waiver on a QB, not because I want him to replace Grossman, but because its a smart thing to do every couple years.

 

I don't want Grossman replaced, but if he is, why is everyone ignoring Brian Griese? He probably has the skillset that all you ninny's want. He's accurate and is a little [expletive] so he'll limit his picks. He also will never win you a game. Why take JaMarcus Russel when you got this guy on your bench for millions a year?

 

Might wanna watch the language

[BigSlick]

I've been defending Grossman for the whole season, because I thought he was the best option we had. But I can't take the idea that we're wasting an opportunity for championships because we're trying to develop a QB that has such terrible lapses in both judgement and fundamental football skills.

 

The Bears wouldn't have been in the Super Bowl without Grossman this year. He's not ideal by any stretch. But Griese sure as hell isn't a sure thing for glory.

 

I agree Griese wouldn't be better. But I don't think mediocre is ok just because we don't have anything better when we're going into the offseason now, and can try to get something better. I understand our options are limited, but I think Angelo has to look at all of those options and figure out if Rex really is the best option. I'm not sure he is.

 

There's no obvious free agent option. There's no chance of a near-term solution via the draft. The Bears need to put 100% of their QB efforts behind making Rex better. Or at the most, put some of that into drafting a future QB in the middle rounds. But barring any miracle situation where they discover a diamond in the rough off somebody else's bench, Grossman is the QB.

 

Yeah, I guess I just don't like the "there's no other choice" argument.

 

I know there's injury concerns, but if you could get Byron Leftwich for say a 4th or 5th round pick, would you do it?

 

i'd stay away from leftwich...

 

Honestly, Leftwich would be a kinda nice fantasy option in a world without any other worries. He's got a huge arm so he can rifle stuff to Berrian and some of the other speedy guys, is really accurate.

 

Problem is, his mobility is much much worse than Grossman's, fumbles a bit, and probably is more injury prone than Grossman.

[YearofDaCubs]

Fire Ron Turner.

 

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

Agreed. He was truly terrible.

[cubweiser03]

I'm ready to give Grossman some time to grow.

 

I think he's got more upside. I think we need to re-sign Briggs or it won't matter what happens with Grossman.

 

Franchise Lance please.

 

I read over the week Briggs say something about a 'hometown discount'. Maybe this was his face saving way of accepting the deal he turned down last year. Angelos should be committed if he doesnt franchise Briggs after a long term deal falls through

[Milli1306]

Not sure who it was that made a point about Benson fumbling his first carry, but the fact of the matter is, Bob Sanders laid a heck of a hit on him (you could hear the hit on the live broadcast) and his helmet was squarely on the ball. Very few, if any, running backs would have held on to the ball in that situation.

[OleMissCub]

 

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

 

I dunno man. I know I'm a bit bias because I know the guy, and I wouldn't say I'd "absolutely go" with Eli, but I have to think that Eli has much more upside than Rex. Surely Bears fans are alot more fearful of Rex running them out of a game than Giants fans worry about Eli.

[ctcf]

 

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

 

I dunno man. I know I'm a bit bias because I know the guy, and I wouldn't say I'd "absolutely go" with Eli, but I have to think that Eli has much more upside than Rex. Surely Bears fans are alot more fearful of Rex running them out of a game than Giants fans worry about Eli.

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think we have KR/PR all shored up.

[OleMissCub]

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

 

Not a fair assessment because Giants fans hate everybody on their team. Typical New York sports fans. Everybody on that team hates everyone else on the team. That's just a messed up franchise. They desperately need a new Head Coach.

[Chocolate Milk]

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

 

Not a fair assessment because Giants fans hate everybody on their team. Typical New York sports fans. Everybody on that team hates everyone else on the team. That's just a messed up franchise. They desperately need a new Head Coach.

 

Not really. People don't like Eli because he's been not good. Also it seems he is unable to close his mouth and must leave it open or partially open at all times.

[Banedon]

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

 

Not a fair assessment because Giants fans hate everybody on their team. Typical New York sports fans. Everybody on that team hates everyone else on the team. That's just a messed up franchise. They desperately need a new Head Coach.

 

Not really. People don't like Eli because he's been not good. Also it seems he is unable to close his mouth and must leave it open or partially open at all times.

 

:o

[treebird]

for those of you who like advanced football statistics, eli was quite a bit better than rex this year.

 

eli was 17th in dpar and rex was 31st. if you prefer dvoa, the rankings are 22 and 33.

 

Link

[OleMissCub]

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

 

Not a fair assessment because Giants fans hate everybody on their team. Typical New York sports fans. Everybody on that team hates everyone else on the team. That's just a messed up franchise. They desperately need a new Head Coach.

 

Not really. People don't like Eli because he's been not good. Also it seems he is unable to close his mouth and must leave it open or partially open at all times.

 

Ya we used to bust his chops about that. Like, almost literally what you just said. People would mess with him and tell him to close his mouth when on the sidelines.

 

I still maintain his upside is bigger than Rex's. I think what hurts Eli worse than Rex in the public eye is the fact that he was taken so highly in the draft and was expected to do so much. Plus, his last name is Manning.

 

However, they have basically identical numbers this season:

 

Manning: 24td, 18 int, 3244 yds, 57.7 comp, 77 passer rating

 

Grossman: 23td, 20int, 3193 yds, 54.6 comp, 73.9 rating

[goonys evil twin]

 

The Giants fans I know just hate Eli.

 

Not a fair assessment because Giants fans hate everybody on their team. Typical New York sports fans. Everybody on that team hates everyone else on the team. That's just a messed up franchise. They desperately need a new Head Coach.

 

That's not true. NY fans worship at the alter of good players and good teams. Eli just isn't that good. He's got all the bad aspects of Rex without the success of making it to the Super Bowl to soften the blow. He's clearly had better weapons at his disposal but hasn't done anymore with them than Rex has done with the Bears minimal options.

[Mark Priors Calves]

i'm bummed because i'm not excited for next season. after last year's playoff loss to carolina i was bummed that night, but was really looking forward to the off season because the bears seemed to be on the cusp of something very special. i don't have that feeling today, at all, and that sucks. my team just made it to the super bowl but i don't know if they'll get that close again any time soon. i hope they make it back next year and win but something is telling me its not gonna happen.

[goonys evil twin]

i'm bummed because i'm not excited for next season. after last year's playoff loss to carolina i was bummed that night, but was really looking forward to the off season because the bears seemed to be on the cusp of something very special. i don't have that feeling today, at all, and that sucks. my team just made it to the super bowl but i don't know if they'll get that close again any time soon. i hope they make it back next year and win but something is telling me its not gonna happen.

 

I don't get why you'd think that. I think this team is in a better position to sustain success than any super bowl loser in several years. Maybe they won't make it back for a long time, but they've got as good a chance as anybody in the NFC for the time being.