The Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

Yeah, that's why I wanted Pittman as Antonio started dropping.

[Guest]

Garrett Wolfe signs a 4-year contract, he's the first draft pick in the league to sign.

 

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]Wolfe became the first 2007 draft choice to sign on Tuesday, with a four-year contract worth approximately $2.3 million that includes a $623,000 signing bonus.

[Magnetic Curses]

I liked the Wolfe pick during the draft (albeit it was way too early), but doesn't putting Hester on the offense make that pick kind of...unnecessary?

 

I don't see Hester lining up at RB ever, so no. Wolfe is a third down back - he might come out to slot or something for a few plays but I can't see him taking away time from Hester.

 

I still wonder what happens if/when Benson gets hurt....like he did as a rookie and in the Superbowl. Benson runs into people too much to make it healthy through at 350 carry season. Can Wolfe be an everydown back? I don't don't Pittman could be, who I wanted the Bears to pick instead.

 

Still, I like Wolfe a lot. I think the Bears take something from everybody this season and we'll see a better offense. Olsen is used like Clark in Indy. Wolfe can be used like Bush in NO, although a very poor man's Bush (hehe). Hester, I'd like to see used like Steve Smith was early in Carolina. Five years later, the WR screen finally has a chance to actually work.

 

Strangely enough, as much as the Bears needed to take pressure off of Grossman, it looks like the Bears have the personnel to actually throw the ball more than they did last year.

 

if hester's routes are half as good as smith's and he gets consistent separation, he'll be on his way to greatness.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

[Soul]

Garrett Wolfe signs a 4-year contract, he's the first draft pick in the league to sign.

 

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]Wolfe became the first 2007 draft choice to sign on Tuesday, with a four-year contract worth approximately $2.3 million that includes a $623,000 signing bonus.

 

Yeah, he made it pretty clear how happy he is that the Bears picked him. Let's hope it translates into good play on the field.

 

I really think if he can stay healthy enough to be available, the Bears will find a way for him to create some offense we didn't have last year. But the key will be durability. It seems clear his ballhandling skills are great, and of course he's very quick.

[Soul]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

If he's out there and remains healthy, I think he can be a star. But it's a little disturbing to me that he hasn't shown the durability that was the hallmark of his days @ Texas.

 

Some have claimed Benson could have continued to play in the Super Bowl, but was simply afraid of being hurt more. I'm not sure how to take that, but it doesn't seem like a real "tough" attitude if it is true.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

If he's out there and remains healthy, I think he can be a star. But it's a little disturbing to me that he hasn't shown the durability that was the hallmark of his days @ Texas.

 

Some have claimed Benson could have continued to play in the Super Bowl, but was simply afraid of being hurt more. I'm not sure how to take that, but it doesn't seem like a real "tough" attitude if it is true.

 

I might be wrong, but I thought the Bears held him out of the rest of the game and he wanted back in?

 

can anyone clarify this?

[jersey cubs fan]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

I'm not saying he can't. But the odds are always stacked against a RB staying healthy. I would not be the least bit surprised if he played in 19 games next season and was among the league leaders. But there's a chance he could go down, and it's more than a slim chance. So I'm concerned about backup plans.

[Soul]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

I'm not saying he can't. But the odds are always stacked against a RB staying healthy. I would not be the least bit surprised if he played in 19 games next season and was among the league leaders. But there's a chance he could go down, and it's more than a slim chance. So I'm concerned about backup plans.

 

Not convinced APete could be "the guy" if he needed to, eh?

 

I'm not either. Certainly Wolfe wouldn't last more than a few games as the primary.

[jersey cubs fan]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

I'm not saying he can't. But the odds are always stacked against a RB staying healthy. I would not be the least bit surprised if he played in 19 games next season and was among the league leaders. But there's a chance he could go down, and it's more than a slim chance. So I'm concerned about backup plans.

 

Not convinced APete could be "the guy" if he needed to, eh?

 

I'm not either. Certainly Wolfe wouldn't last more than a few games as the primary.

 

Yesterday I wrote:

 

I like Wolfe as a 3rd down back, but I don't see him being able to carry more than 10 times in any game without dying. I think Peterson can start a game or two. But if Benson is out for any significant time, this is going to get dicey. I would have preferred a guy who could actually develop into an everydown back with time.

[Soul]

I realize benson has been hurt twice now, and I understand the concern, but who's to say he couldnt become the legit pro-bowl star of the offense?

 

I'm not saying he can't. But the odds are always stacked against a RB staying healthy. I would not be the least bit surprised if he played in 19 games next season and was among the league leaders. But there's a chance he could go down, and it's more than a slim chance. So I'm concerned about backup plans.

 

Not convinced APete could be "the guy" if he needed to, eh?

 

I'm not either. Certainly Wolfe wouldn't last more than a few games as the primary.

 

Yesterday I wrote:

 

I like Wolfe as a 3rd down back, but I don't see him being able to carry more than 10 times in any game without dying. I think Peterson can start a game or two. But if Benson is out for any significant time, this is going to get dicey. I would have preferred a guy who could actually develop into an everydown back with time.

 

Benson all along wanted to be the guy, complained that he wasn't the guy, seemed to be miffed at the coaches for not making him the guy. He was a reasonably good solider but it was clear all along he wasn't happy about it.

 

Now he's the guy. Nobody else on the team can really challenge him. So, he's got to put up or shut up now.

 

If he goes down, I think you're right, it will get pretty dicey back there. That's when I wonder if Turner will get pass happy and Rex will start tossing INTs at an incredible rate.

[Chocolate Milk]

Is this the third year in a row the Bears have been the first team to sign a drafted player? I know Bradley was the first draftee signed when he was drafted, just not sure if it happened last year as well. Dusty?

[rawaction]

Is this the third year in a row the Bears have been the first team to sign a drafted player? I know Bradley was the first draftee signed when he was drafted, just not sure if it happened last year as well. Dusty?

 

I know they were the first team to sign ALL their draft picks last year, but I don't know if they signed the first.

[Guest]

Tank has a date with the commisioner today.

[CubColtPacer]

Bears get their second guy into the fold today-5th round pick Kevin Payne. 4 years, 1.815 million with possibility of incentives:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2872414

[Magnetic Curses]

alex brown is asking for a trade.

 

can i do the divorce lawyer/village monkey man dance on top of my desk now?

 

\:D/ \:D/ \:D/

[Jon]

I don't know. It depends what they can get for him. I'd prefer that he stay through this season.

[Guest]

Wish it was Ogun instead of AB, both will be needed in the rotation this season.

[rawaction]

I don't like that the key to this team (the defense) has a bunch of unhappy people. I think you gotta worry about the unit as a whole if Briggs doesn't play, Urlacher is upset over the way Briggs has been treated, Alex wants out, Vasher wants paid, Tank and Dusty are coming off injuries.

[Guest]

I don't like that the key to this team (the defense) has a bunch of unhappy people. I think you gotta worry about the unit as a whole if Briggs doesn't play, Urlacher is upset over the way Briggs has been treated, Alex wants out, Vasher wants paid, Tank and Dusty are coming off injuries.

 

While you're right, I think it's fair to think that Briggs, AB and Vasher (and Tillman) would play just fine once the games start since their gripes are about money and they aren't getting paid as much if they struggle. I think you meant Tommie, not Tank...Tank has his own problems.

[Soul]

I don't like that the key to this team (the defense) has a bunch of unhappy people. I think you gotta worry about the unit as a whole if Briggs doesn't play, Urlacher is upset over the way Briggs has been treated, Alex wants out, Vasher wants paid, Tank and Dusty are coming off injuries.

 

Yeah, the level of discontent is starting to concern me a little bit.

[Banedon]

This looks like Alex isn't really mad at the Bears...just seeing if there's another situation that fits better. He says he'd like to spend the rest of his career with the Bears, but it sounds like the Bears don't want to promise that right now...

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=208794

[Soriano12]

Is Alex Brown under the impression that he is a great player?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This looks like Alex isn't really mad at the Bears...just seeing if there's another situation that fits better. He says he'd like to spend the rest of his career with the Bears, but it sounds like the Bears don't want to promise that right now...

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=208794

 

I'm sure they would if he agrees his career will only last 1 more season.

[Magnetic Curses]

This looks like Alex isn't really mad at the Bears...just seeing if there's another situation that fits better. He says he'd like to spend the rest of his career with the Bears, but it sounds like the Bears don't want to promise that right now...

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=208794

 

i don't care. the bears overpaid him in the first place based on 2 or 3 games. he should feel lucky that he's starting, i doubt anyone would give us anything for him.