The Bears Offseason Thread

[Soul]

Don Banks might be the fairest football writer on CNNsi, and he still likes to get his Grossman digs in.

 

He's a guy who has said you can't win in the postseason with Grossman, both before and after the Bears won in the postseason with Grossman. He hates Grossman, with a passion. And he's relied heavily on the "terrible offseason" myth.

 

I don't think I've ever seen a QB's good performances get ignored to the extent that Rex Grossman's have.

[Banedon]

Don Banks might be the fairest football writer on CNNsi, and he still likes to get his Grossman digs in.

 

He's a guy who has said you can't win in the postseason with Grossman, both before and after the Bears won in the postseason with Grossman. He hates Grossman, with a passion. And he's relied heavily on the "terrible offseason" myth.

 

Yeah...calling him the "fairest" wasn't a huge compliment...

[David]

Clark Judge actually cuts Rex some slack.

 

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10264987

 

3. Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago: He gained my respect at Super Bowl XLI when he hung tough with reporters who spent a week measuring just how bad he really was. OK, so he didn't play well against Indy. You knew that could happen. But he didn't lose that game. The Bears' defense did. It couldn't stop anyone, with Indianapolis holding the ball a whopping 38 minutes. That wasn't supposed to happen.

 

Chicago didn't go into that game needing Grossman to win it. It needed its defense to make a stop. And it didn't. So the Bears asked Grossman to do something he could not. Now I want to see how he responds to his next challenge. My guess? He'll do just fine.

[jersey cubs fan]

Skip ahead to training camp 2007 and New York has no such worries. With the addition of Thomas Jones, who was pilfered in trade from Chicago, the Jets have a tough, tenacious, 1,200-yard rusher who is well-suited to slug it out in the lousy weather that often dominates the AFC East.

 

This just goes along with Banks' entire storyline about the Bears having a terrible offseason. They trade an average, at best, running back who is already 7 years into a career with very few highlights, and in return they get the equivalent of a 3rd round draft pick, something everybody values quite highly from February to April.

 

Jones will turn 29 during training camp, well past the prime age of NFL running backs, and he's yet to do anything special. He's bottom of the barrel in terms of yards per rush and nowhere near the leaderboard for total yards or TDs. And Yet he's got some serious mileage by now, and it's probably fair to say the Bears used up his best years. But of course, he was pilfered, ie. stolen, or taken without permission.

 

TJones is a nice role player. But he's hardly a feature back. He was a free agent to be and in the way of a better younger running back. The Bears fascilitated a trade for him to get him his contract he so desired, and quite possibly greased the wheels of the agent who eventually got another disgruntled FA to be to show up to camp unexpectedly.

 

But because Banks has to stick to his claim that the Bears are in disarray and coming off a terrible offseason, he was pilferred.

[Soriano12]

I'm going to miss all those Thomas Jones runs were he would tap dance in the hole, then fall down.

[Soul]

I do like TJ, but from what I was watching last year, Benson looked to have the clear edge in power and just better downhill running.

 

I do admit Jones is quicker, though I've always been a bit disappointed with his top-end speed.

[rawaction]

I do like TJ, but from what I was watching last year, Benson looked to have the clear edge in power and just better downhill running.

 

I do admit Jones is quicker, though I've always been a bit disappointed with his top-end speed.

 

Jones negated a lot of his quickness advantage, by dancing. Benson hit the hole much faster.

[Soul]

I do like TJ, but from what I was watching last year, Benson looked to have the clear edge in power and just better downhill running.

 

I do admit Jones is quicker, though I've always been a bit disappointed with his top-end speed.

 

Jones negated a lot of his quickness advantage, by dancing. Benson hit the hole much faster.

 

I don't want to simply trash Jones though, he was a good Bear and always worked real hard. That might be his biggest advantage going over to the Jets -- he keeps himself in fine shape every year. Maybe that will let him perform at a high level longer.

 

Didn't we eventually turn the Jones trade into like 4 picks though? I can't see any way someone who is objective could call that being 'pilfered'

[rawaction]

I do like TJ, but from what I was watching last year, Benson looked to have the clear edge in power and just better downhill running.

 

I do admit Jones is quicker, though I've always been a bit disappointed with his top-end speed.

 

Jones negated a lot of his quickness advantage, by dancing. Benson hit the hole much faster.

 

I don't want to simply trash Jones though, he was a good Bear and always worked real hard. That might be his biggest advantage going over to the Jets -- he keeps himself in fine shape every year. Maybe that will let him perform at a high level longer.

 

Did we eventually turn the Jones trade into like 4 picks though? I can't see any way someone who is objective could call that being 'pilfered'

 

Jones was good with the Bears. Very much above average. He worked hard and turned his career around. But was still at best in the 2nd tier of RBs. He's being replaced by a player who at worst should be in that same tier as he proved in 06.

[Chocolate Milk]

Jones was ok. He's nothing special. He was special in the postseason though. I think his regular season numbers would probably be equaled by the average NFL running back if he had the carries.

 

Reading stuff in the offseason, you'd think the Bears traded away Gale Payton. Jones is now probably one of the more overrated players in the league at this point. I don't think he's going to have a lot of success with the Jets.

[da bears]

I always liked TJ. If nothing else he was consistent. We always pretty much knew what to expect from him.

 

Benson is obviously more unknown, but I really think he can be really good. I just hope he stays healthy, cause if not, the Bears could be in big trouble. I do like Peterson a lot, but I dont think he could be a number one back if the Bears needed him to be.

[Soriano12]

Another Bears season, an another year of that blowhart Hub Arkush. I heard some of the dumbest crap out of his mouth tonight

 

1) Claims the Bears have the worst WR in the NFC.

2) Even the Bears are 26-10 the last 2 seasons, claims the Bears make dumb un-orthadox moves

 

Just general Bear bashing, know it all attitude.

[Keener98]

Simeon Rice was released today, and Chris Mortensen saying the Lions, Bears, and Vikings will be interested.

 

Any thoughts?

[Chocolate Milk]

Simeon Rice was released today, and Chris Mortensen saying the Lions, Bears, and Vikings will be interested.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Without researching this for a single second, I'll go ahead and say sure.

 

Edit: I just read up on Simion Rice and I'd give him a shot for a decent price.

[brinoch]

Simeon Rice was released today, and Chris Mortensen saying the Lions, Bears, and Vikings will be interested.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Without researching this for a single second, I'll go ahead and say sure.

 

Edit: I just read up on Simion Rice and I'd give him a shot for a decent price.

 

Rice is getting up there in years. Still, I suspect this is more about the contract cost than the injury, and D-Line depth is always useful, so sure.

[Brian]

They showed the Bears NFC Championship rings (that Moose helped design) on SportsNite. Those things look niiice, if you didn't know any better you'd think they were Super Bowl championship rings. The top outside circle sticks up in the shape of Soldier Field. Edited July 27, 2007 by Brian

[Mark_R]

He would be PERFECT in Green Bay opposite Kampman.

 

Make it happen, Ted.

[MidoreX]

Simeon Rice was released today, and Chris Mortensen saying the Lions, Bears, and Vikings will be interested.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Without researching this for a single second, I'll go ahead and say sure.

 

He missed a lot of playing time last year due to problems with his shoulder, he was cut after failing a physical upon arriving to TC, and he is no spring chicken. I'd probably pass.

[Chocolate Milk]

The bottom line is that the Bears needed better play from their starting ends than they got last year. Bears management doesn't seem satisfied with the ends. I can see them interested in Rice and I can see Rice being interested in the Bears. Ultimately will depend on the money, as always.

[Keener98]

The bottom line is that the Bears needed better play from their starting ends than they got last year. Bears management doesn't seem satisfied with the ends. I can see them interested in Rice and I can see Rice being interested in the Bears. Ultimately will depend on the money, as always.

 

From what Ive heard, he wont be ready for the start of the season, so I dont(mortenson didnt either) suspect money will be an issue. Him being from Illinois, and knowing the talent that is on this D could be a big sell for him. Also like you said it would add depth and also open up the possibility of trading ALex Brown once you see if Rice is healthy. Imagine Rice and Mark Anderson rushing the QB on 3rd down, and also imagine the things Rice could teach Anderson. Im all for it.

[Magnetic Curses]

the lovie connection would certainly intrigue simeon. if we want him, i'm sure he'd be ours.

[Keener98]

the lovie connection would certainly intrigue simeon. if we want him, i'm sure he'd be ours.

 

I was thinking there was a connection with Lovie also, but wasnt positive. Lovie was in TB while Rice was there? I wasnt sure if Rice was still in Arizona or not.

[CubColtPacer]

the lovie connection would certainly intrigue simeon. if we want him, i'm sure he'd be ours.

 

As far as I know, there is no connection between Lovie and Simeon. Lovie was the linebackers coach in TB from 1996-2000 before he left for St. Louis, and Simeon didn't arrive in TB until 2001.

[UMFan83]

He would be PERFECT in Green Bay opposite Kampman.

 

Make it happen, Ted.

 

You did notice Bears, Lions and Vikings right ;)

 

Enjoy your 6-10 season!

[David]

They showed the Bears NFC Championship rings (that Moose helped design) on SportsNite. Those things look niiice, if you didn't know any better you'd think they were Super Bowl championship rings. The top outside circle sticks up in the shape of Soldier Field.

 

http://assets.chicagobears.com/UserFiles/Image/story_photos/ring1_inside072607.jpg

 

http://assets.chicagobears.com/UserFiles/Image/story_photos/Ring2_inside072607.jpg