The Bears Offseason Thread

[Butterscup1679666578]

Well, the Jets are probably the AFC team I root for the most, so good luck TJ, hope to see you in the Super Bowl this year. I don't really like the trade though.

[RynoRules]

Thomas was a hard workin' guy with ridiculous ripped arms, and he was very productive.

 

That said, he has had a large workload over the last 3 seasons, is going into his 8th year, and is nearing 30. RBs tend to get a bit rundown at his level, he wanted an extension, and when the Bears (correctly, in my view) would not give one he demanded a trade.

 

I am hoping this is the first in a series of moves, perhaps into the top ten of the first round. At the least, Jerry sees two players he likes (which could also mean that Briggs is a goner for sure). If so, who might we be targeting?

[Mark Priors Calves]

cedric benson, its your time to shine. i've stuck up for your for the past 2 seasons, now its your opporunity to show why you got the big money early.

[cbbryan]

I don't understand this trade at all. I could understand Jones for a second round pick, but how is JOnes AND 2nd round pick, only worth moving up 23 picks?

 

I could have also seen Jones and a 2nd for the Jets 1st.

 

Are you telling me someone would give a second round pick for him?

 

If not, I really don't understand that.

[Mark Priors Calves]

let's be honest, jones didn't really haveas much value as most of us would like to think. he's getting older, has carried the ball a ton lately, and has 1 year left on a deal. i'll always appreciate his work and accomplishments over the past few years (especially the playoff run this year), but i like angelo having an early second round pick to work with.

[Banedon]

It's really tough to gauge the value of what the Bears got here.

 

If the Bears package the first round pick and this pick, could they move up enough to get Landry?

[Guest]

It's really tough to gauge the value of what the Bears got here.

 

If the Bears package the first round pick and this pick, could they move up enough to get Landry?

 

I think there is more value with the 31st and 37th pick, then trading both picks to get to the Top 15 and not getting the player you coveted. Landry is going to be a great player, but the fact is, the Bears need younger help on the OL (possibility of Blaylock/Sears), perhaps they need help at TE (come on Reid and Gilmore were the backups) or even help at LBer (seeing as Briggs is gone by the end of the 2007 season anyways). I think the Bears keep the 31 and 37th picks.

 

Besides when was the last time the Bears traded up to grab a player they coveted? So I doubt, the Bears will trade up.

[Banedon]

It's really tough to gauge the value of what the Bears got here.

 

If the Bears package the first round pick and this pick, could they move up enough to get Landry?

 

I think there is more value with the 31st and 37th pick, then trading both picks to get to the Top 15 and not getting the player you coveted. Landry is going to be a great player, but the fact is, the Bears need younger help on the OL (possibility of Blaylock/Sears), perhaps they need help at TE (come on Reid and Gilmore were the backups) or even help at LBer (seeing as Briggs is gone by the end of the 2007 season anyways). I think the Bears keep the 31 and 37th picks.

 

Besides when was the last time the Bears traded up to grab a player they coveted? So I doubt, the Bears will trade up.

 

Typically the Bears don't trade up at all, so my inclination is that you're right, they'll build with these picks. Trading up with TJ was just because he wanted out so badly.

 

That said, this just feels set up for another trade to me...

[Guest]

It's really tough to gauge the value of what the Bears got here.

 

If the Bears package the first round pick and this pick, could they move up enough to get Landry?

 

I think there is more value with the 31st and 37th pick, then trading both picks to get to the Top 15 and not getting the player you coveted. Landry is going to be a great player, but the fact is, the Bears need younger help on the OL (possibility of Blaylock/Sears), perhaps they need help at TE (come on Reid and Gilmore were the backups) or even help at LBer (seeing as Briggs is gone by the end of the 2007 season anyways). I think the Bears keep the 31 and 37th picks.

 

Besides when was the last time the Bears traded up to grab a player they coveted? So I doubt, the Bears will trade up.

 

Typically the Bears don't trade up at all, so my inclination is that you're right, they'll build with these picks. Trading up with TJ was just because he wanted out so badly.

 

That said, this just feels set up for another trade to me...

 

I don't know. Perhaps a low level trade, perhaps. I don't see Angelo moving the early picks. You can still get value picks at 31 and 37,

[KaiserCesar]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I really hope the Bears give a sincere look at Randy McMichael for TE instead of wasting a pick on one.

[sherwood921]

I love Peterson, I really hope he gets the chance to get the ball more. Does this take him off Special Teams though? IIRC he was a pretty darn good STer this year.

[KaiserCesar]

I love Peterson, I really hope he gets the chance to get the ball more. Does this take him off Special Teams though? IIRC he was a pretty darn good STer this year.

 

Yes, the unit as a whole was unbelievably good. If I was given a choice though, I'd rather take his positive contributions to offense over ST. If he can be as good as he has shown in flashes, his ST role is much more easily replaced.

[Flames24Rulz]

I really hope the Bears give a sincere look at Randy McMichael for TE instead of wasting a pick on one.

 

If the Packers don't sign Randy McMichael, I'm going to be pissed.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

 

Prove it! How is Benson a step up from Jones?

[KaiserCesar]

I really hope the Bears give a sincere look at Randy McMichael for TE instead of wasting a pick on one.

 

McMichael isn't much of a blocker, and the TE is currently used as more of a safety valve. I'd change the scheme for some, but McMichael isn't good enough for it. I'd rather look for a guy who can become a good blocker, someone who can run good routes, get some YAC and has good hands(Zach Miller?).

 

Also, I wouldn't consider something a waste of a pick just because a need might be able to be filled in free agency. Drafting gives you a longer term solution where stop-gaps are the norm.

[KaiserCesar]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

 

Prove it! How is Benson a step up from Jones?

 

Success rates were similar last year, but Benson had higher DVOA. I also think Benson is in the "improving" category while Jones' production may be stagnant or declining.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb.php

 

EDIT: If you have the time, check out Peterson's ridiculous DVOA in 2005 in limited duty

Edited March 6, 2007 by KaiserCesar

[BigSlick]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

 

Prove it! How is Benson a step up from Jones?

 

Success rates were similar last year, but Benson had higher DVOA. I also think Benson is in the "improving" category while Jones' production may be stagnant or declining.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb.php

 

Football sabermetrics for the win!

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm a Dolphins/Bears fan. I do not want McMichael on the Bears. He's a pretty good pass catcher and playmaker, but he is a horrible blocker. He also tends to go in spurts where he'll drop a bunch of passes. He's a good player, but I don't think he fits in well with what the Bears are trying to do. I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of deal with the Bears and Fins. If Quinn is still there at #9, perhaps the Bears will give a few picks to get him. I think that would fit both teams pretty well. The only problem is the Bears top 2 picks is supposedly only valued at around the 15th pick overall so I don't see it really happening. Anyways, should be exciting to see what happens with both my teams in the next couple of months.

[KaiserCesar]

I'm a Dolphins/Bears fan. I do not want McMichael on the Bears. He's a pretty good pass catcher and playmaker, but he is a horrible blocker. He also tends to go in spurts where he'll drop a bunch of passes. He's a good player, but I don't think he fits in well with what the Bears are trying to do. I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of deal with the Bears and Fins. If Quinn is still there at #9, perhaps the Bears will give a few picks to get him. I think that would fit both teams pretty well. The only problem is the Bears top 2 picks is supposedly only valued at around the 15th pick overall so I don't see it really happening. Anyways, should be exciting to see what happens with both my teams in the next couple of months.

 

If the Bears find a way to trade up and get Quinn, no matter what I'm happy.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I'm a Dolphins/Bears fan. I do not want McMichael on the Bears. He's a pretty good pass catcher and playmaker, but he is a horrible blocker. He also tends to go in spurts where he'll drop a bunch of passes. He's a good player, but I don't think he fits in well with what the Bears are trying to do. I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of deal with the Bears and Fins. If Quinn is still there at #9, perhaps the Bears will give a few picks to get him. I think that would fit both teams pretty well. The only problem is the Bears top 2 picks is supposedly only valued at around the 15th pick overall so I don't see it really happening. Anyways, should be exciting to see what happens with both my teams in the next couple of months.

 

If the Bears find a way to trade up and get Quinn, no matter what I'm happy.

 

We have a quarterback. :D

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm a Dolphins/Bears fan. I do not want McMichael on the Bears. He's a pretty good pass catcher and playmaker, but he is a horrible blocker. He also tends to go in spurts where he'll drop a bunch of passes. He's a good player, but I don't think he fits in well with what the Bears are trying to do. I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of deal with the Bears and Fins. If Quinn is still there at #9, perhaps the Bears will give a few picks to get him. I think that would fit both teams pretty well. The only problem is the Bears top 2 picks is supposedly only valued at around the 15th pick overall so I don't see it really happening. Anyways, should be exciting to see what happens with both my teams in the next couple of months.

 

If the Bears find a way to trade up and get Quinn, no matter what I'm happy.

 

I would be too. Both as a Dolphins and a Bears fan. The Dolphins really need to accumumlate as many draft picks as possible and build for the future and the Bears could use a real franchise quarterback. I like Rex, but I don't believe he can do it. With Jones now gone, there's going to be even more pressure on the quarterback to perfom.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, I really don't see the Bears trading up and the only guy I'd really like in the 10-20 range is Laron Landry.

 

Trading TJ to go up in the second round is basically the equivalent of getting a third rounder - I think I'd have preferred the extra pick, actually (especially given JA's track record in the third round), but that's cool.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

 

Prove it! How is Benson a step up from Jones?

 

Success rates were similar last year, but Benson had higher DVOA. I also think Benson is in the "improving" category while Jones' production may be stagnant or declining.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb.php

 

Football sabermetrics for the win!

 

Benson had a higher DVOA then these running backs as well: Larry Johnson, Tiki Barber, Steven Jackson, and Frank Gore. You think Kansas City will trade LJ for Ced Benson. Maybe we can get a pick from them also? DVOA only tells part of the story, albeit a compelling one.

 

BTW I Love them both, and im excited for Benson to get 260 plus carries.

[BigSlick]

My initial thoughts are that the Bears are either eyeballing a certain player or are looking to trade up (according to points they can trade up to around 15 with their first 2 picks). Regarding losing Jones, the step down from Jones to Benson (step up actually) and Adrian Peterson (maybe step up actually) is only an issue in case of injury. The gripe you can have with this deal is that you could have gotten more, but there is not a strong market for running backs and there are/were a lot of quality backs in free agency. The Packers were not an option being in the division and maybe only a Jones/Briggs combo to the Giants would have been feasible if they continue to be unwilling to give up a 1st for Briggs. Overall, the Bears will be better because of this move.

 

Prove it! How is Benson a step up from Jones?

 

Success rates were similar last year, but Benson had higher DVOA. I also think Benson is in the "improving" category while Jones' production may be stagnant or declining.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb.php

 

Football sabermetrics for the win!

 

Benson had a higher DVOA then these running backs as well: Larry Johnson, Tiki Barber, Steven Jackson, and Frank Gore. You think Kansas City will trade LJ for Ced Benson. Maybe we can get a pick from them also? DVOA only tells part of the story, albeit a compelling one.

 

BTW I Love them both, and im excited for Benson to get 260 plus carries.

 

Way to miss the entire point. Albert Pujols is slightly better than Derrek Lee, should we trade for Albert Pujols immediately? Just because someone is marginally better than someone else doesn't mean they need to be replaced immediately.

 

All KaiserCesar was saying was that the loss of Thomas Jones wasn't a big deal because Benson is more than capable of playing just as well, if not better. Benson certainly didn't get as many carries as those other backs, so he might be suffering from "low sample size syndrome" Another recent sufferer is Matt Murton from 2005.