The Bears Offseason Thread

[Soriano12]

Gosselin's final mock has the Bears taking Jarrett. The link is in the draft thread.

 

:pukes:

[Soriano12]

So the first day

 

Greg Olsen,

Dan Bazuin,

Garrett Wolfe

Michael Okwo

 

Outside of Olsen, don't know what to say. JA knows D, so I'll hold judgement on Bazuin and Okwo, but Wofe? I highly doubt he would have been taken any higher than round 6, don't know what to say. Really mad about no oline selections. I really think our Oline is on the decline and any injuries could accelerate that.

[jersey cubs fan]

right now I'm pissed.

 

wolf was practically undrafted free agent caliber. the others seem like complete reaches and ego picks. this is the type of draft that could make or break angelo's reputation.

[Chocolate Milk]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

[NCCubFan]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

But the Bears took him at 31, not 32. Huge difference. :D

[Chocolate Milk]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

But the Bears took him at 31, not 32. Huge difference. :D

 

I'm drunk.

[texascub]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

But the Bears took him at 31, not 32. Huge difference. :D

 

I'm drunk.

 

I'm sure chair shopping can do that to you...how did it go?

[Chocolate Milk]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

But the Bears took him at 31, not 32. Huge difference. :D

 

I'm drunk.

 

I'm sure chair shopping can do that to you...how did it go?

 

I don't want to talk about it.

[texascub]

I like the first two, don't know about the second two. I have to defer to Angelo, at this point. I have never seen the Standford LB play and I don't know how he's going to use Wolfe.

 

There have been a lot of WTF picks over the last 3 years and a lot of them worked out. So at this point... :?:

 

Also, there is no way Olsen was a reach. He was a solid value at 32, imo.

But the Bears took him at 31, not 32. Huge difference. :D

 

I'm drunk.

 

I'm sure chair shopping can do that to you...how did it go?

 

I don't want to talk about it.

 

I'm sure it was [all of your] money well spent :lol:

[Jon]

I don't have any major problems with how the first day unfolded, but we need OL help today.

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]“It was his all-around game,” said Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel. “He’s a change-of-pace back for us; we were looking for that. He was the guy we really aimed at going into today. We were just hoping he’d be there for us in this round because that’s what we had planned to do.”

 

Impressed with Wolfe’s overall production and his performance against top competition, the Bears targeted the former Northern Illinois star in the third round after he wowed them during a workout a few of weeks ago at Halas Hall.

 

“He had an outstanding workout,” Gabriel said. “He caught everything. (Running backs coach Tim Spencer) was throwing the balls, and he doesn’t throw great passes, but the ball never touched the ground. It was a great, great workout.”

 

“The workout went very well,” Wolfe said. “I was able to do a multitude of things. I was able to play a little of the slot wide receiver as well as running back. They just wanted to see how quick I was firsthand and see how well I could catch the ball and move around. I just tried to show them to the best of my ability what I could do.”

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]“He’s a good player,” said director of college scouting Greg Gabriel. “We were looking to get another ‘Will’ linebacker in the system. There are not a lot of guys who can play this system the way we want and he was one of the few that we thought could.”

 

Starting nine of 10 games last season, Okwo registered 95 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks. He had 12 tackles against Notre Dame, a game that Gabriel attended.

 

“He kind of jumps out at you when you’re watching Stanford play,” Gabriel said. “He’s very athletic. He’s intense. He’s not the tallest guy, but he runs well. He’s very strong and explosive. He has great instincts and makes a lot of plays.”

 

Okwo excelled on special teams early in his college career and likely will fill a similar role with the Bears.

 

“I came (to Stanford) as a special teams player and I am definitely willing to do those things and work hard for my position wherever it will be,” Okwo said. “I am coming out there with bright eyes, ready to do whatever is necessary to help this team.”

 

Okwo compares favorably with 2006 fourth-round pick Jamar Williams and gives the Bears two promising outside linebackers who could be the heir apparent to the disgruntled Lance Briggs.

 

“(Okwo) is similar. Maybe (he has) a little quicker twitch,” Gabriel said. “Similar instincts, about the same speed. There’s not a big difference in their size as far as height. He gives us flexibility. It’s two good young players in the system.”

 

Okwo doesn’t see himself as the type of linebacker who would have to come out of the game in passing situations.

 

“I did a lot of coverage in college,” he said. “I definitely got a chance to hone my skills in the coverage aspect of the defense. So I think that I would be able to stay out there on third down.”

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]The Bears chose the 6-3, 266-pounder with the 62nd pick in the second round of the draft. A productive four-year starter, Bazuin gives outstanding effort and plays with toughness, instincts and intelligence.

 

Dan Bazuin registered 26.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Central Michigan.

 

“He has a great motor, fits our scheme and is a good run player,” said general manager Jerry Angelo. “The production on third down as a pass rusher speaks for itself.

 

“Hopefully he’s a very good combination player and a good three-down player. The value of that pick was the reason that we made it. We didn’t really see it as a need.”

 

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

 

“We just like the football player,” Angelo said. “We got another defensive lineman in the mix. You know how we covet defensive linemen, so we’ll let it shake out.

 

“It creates good competition, best man wins so-to-speak, and we play a lot of defensive linemen on game day. That will all sort itself out. It was just really the value of the player.”

 

When asked about the possibility of the Bears trading one of their defensive ends, Angelo didn’t dismiss the idea.

 

“Anything could happen,” he said. “I’m not going to rule anything out. That gives us the latitude if we choose to do that. We’ll see. I’m not going to get into that. We took (Bazuin) with the understanding that he was the best player and that’s why we did what we did.”

 

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

 

Angelo said that Bazuin will initially line up at left defensive end.

 

“I think the Bears are looking for a certain type of defensive player who is going to work hard and who’s going to play hard each and every down and come to practice ready and prepared to give it their all,” Bazuin said. “That’s what I’ve got to offer and I think that’s what they see in me.”

Edited April 29, 2007 by Jon

[Soul]

I don't have any major problems with how the first day unfolded, but we need OL help today.

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]“It was his all-around game,” said Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel. “He’s a change-of-pace back for us; we were looking for that. He was the guy we really aimed at going into today. We were just hoping he’d be there for us in this round because that’s what we had planned to do.”

 

Impressed with Wolfe’s overall production and his performance against top competition, the Bears targeted the former Northern Illinois star in the third round after he wowed them during a workout a few of weeks ago at Halas Hall.

 

“He had an outstanding workout,” Gabriel said. “He caught everything. (Running backs coach Tim Spencer) was throwing the balls, and he doesn’t throw great passes, but the ball never touched the ground. It was a great, great workout.”

 

“The workout went very well,” Wolfe said. “I was able to do a multitude of things. I was able to play a little of the slot wide receiver as well as running back. They just wanted to see how quick I was firsthand and see how well I could catch the ball and move around. I just tried to show them to the best of my ability what I could do.”

 

There's just no question Wolfe is a massive reach. The point is he would have been there on the 2nd day -- heck he might have been there to sign as a free agent after the draft was over. Sounds like the Bears might have become a little over-enamored with him based on a personal workout, which, as I said with Russell, is many times a bad way to go. I hope he works out. Question: what happens when a nasty 250lb linebacker lays into him?

 

Bazuin -- this guy looks like he was actually pretty good in college. NFL draft countdown called him a probable starter and had him as a day one pick, so I'll defer to Jerry on that one.

 

Okwo -- I don't know this guy at all, but I also remember more than a few people saying "Briggs? WTF?" so I guess we'll just have to see what he looks like in camp and beyond.

 

Olsen -- great pick, excellent value @ 31.

[UK1679666180]

If I was the Bears drafting...

 

 

My draft would've looked like this so far...

 

1.Greg Olsen-TE Miami

2.Jason Hill-WR Wash. ST.

3.Doug Free-OT NIU

4.Josh Beekman-OG Boston College

[Chocolate Milk]

I like creating the competition at DE. Ogun and Brown need to step it up because they weren't good enough last year.

 

Wolfe was a reach but I believe he would have been drafted. I knew there was no way that the Bears take a guy like Pittman or Bush. They were really looking for a change of pace guy. I thought we might see Rufus Alexander in the third there, but I guess not.

 

Overall, I'm not upset. I think Olsen was a very good pick. Sure the Bears reached on Wolfe, but they have a history of grabbing guys they covet a little early. Tillman, Bradley, Manning, and now Wolfe. All of those guys perhaps could have been had later in the draft. If the Bears like a guy, they are going to take him.

 

It's nice to actually be able to trust the front office in their dealings. The Anti-Cubs.

[cubs121]

am i the only one who would rather have Micheal Bush than Wolfe?

[Magnetic Curses]

am i the only one who would rather have Micheal Bush than Wolfe?

 

oh jeez, you beat me to it.

[Chocolate Milk]

OL help.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Beekman.... this should make some of you happy.

[cubs121]

i like this pick. :shock:

[hawkcub]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

[CP_414]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

 

Agreed. The Bears got the best TE in the draft, a playmaking DE with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, a All-American guard, and a speedy RB. If nothing else, Wolfe can make teams pay even when they kick away from Hester on kickoffs.

[Chocolate Milk]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

 

Agreed. The Bears got the best TE in the draft, a playmaking DE with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, a All-American guard, and a speedy RB. If nothing else, Wolfe can make teams pay even when they kick away from Hester on kickoffs.

 

Wolfe will be a good option on passing downs. Catching the ball isn't exactly Benson's strong suit. He adds a dimension that the Bears didn't have.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

 

Agreed. The Bears got the best TE in the draft, a playmaking DE with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, a All-American guard, and a speedy RB. If nothing else, Wolfe can make teams pay even when they kick away from Hester on kickoffs.

 

Wolfe will be a good option on passing downs. Catching the ball isn't exactly Benson's strong suit. He adds a dimension that the Bears didn't have.

 

He's a great change-of-pace/third down running back...and Booker and Irons were gone at the time. Bush wasn't an option in this situation - Pittman should have been since he's got a different style from Benson (and he's a great value there), but I can see why they didn't go that way.

 

Wolfe wasn't going undrafted but I think the Bears could have gotten him in the 4th or 5th.

[Soul]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

 

Agreed. The Bears got the best TE in the draft, a playmaking DE with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, a All-American guard, and a speedy RB. If nothing else, Wolfe can make teams pay even when they kick away from Hester on kickoffs.

 

Wolfe will be a good option on passing downs. Catching the ball isn't exactly Benson's strong suit. He adds a dimension that the Bears didn't have.

 

He's a great change-of-pace/third down running back...and Booker and Irons were gone at the time. Bush wasn't an option in this situation - Pittman should have been since he's got a different style from Benson (and he's a great value there), but I can see why they didn't go that way.

 

Wolfe wasn't going undrafted but I think the Bears could have gotten him in the 4th or 5th.

 

They say his workout was the best they've ever seen in terms of a pass-catching RB.

 

Alright, I'll go with it but I'm always leery about drafting a guy on the first day because of a workout in shorts and a t-shirt. They'll need to use Wolfe sparingly because the actual history says he's a midget and will wear down quickly with too much playtime.

[BigSlick]

When you are the 2nd best team in the NFL you aren't going to be getting the cream of the crop. That being said I like the picks. Unlike most I really like Wolfe. He led the nation in YPG and played pretty well against the big boys. It's not like he's going to be the Bears starter anyways.

 

Agreed. The Bears got the best TE in the draft, a playmaking DE with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, a All-American guard, and a speedy RB. If nothing else, Wolfe can make teams pay even when they kick away from Hester on kickoffs.

 

Wolfe will be a good option on passing downs. Catching the ball isn't exactly Benson's strong suit. He adds a dimension that the Bears didn't have.

 

He's a great change-of-pace/third down running back...and Booker and Irons were gone at the time. Bush wasn't an option in this situation - Pittman should have been since he's got a different style from Benson (and he's a great value there), but I can see why they didn't go that way.

 

Wolfe wasn't going undrafted but I think the Bears could have gotten him in the 4th or 5th.

 

The Bears have never been concerned with getting the guy "when he should have been picked." I don't call them reaches, but they are just "getting their own guy".

 

We could have gotten Mark Bradley in the 3rd round of the 2005 Draft. We could have gotten Danieal Manning, no doubt, in the 3rd or 4th round in the 2006 draft. But the Bears didn't want anyone else available. Its just the way they are. They don't go out of their way to get value.

 

Bazuin and Wolfe are both "reaches" but they got who they wanted, so they are happy. Then they came back and made some quality picks later on. All the DB picks get me head scratching, but oh well.

[killthegoat06]

What is your opinion on Greg Olsen? I don't follow college football.