Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

A Tim-approved thread.

[Outshined_One]

If this turns into a Joe Flacco love-fest, I might have to stop talking to other Bears fans.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So, will the Bears franchise Berrian or let him hit the market?

[BDWeav71]

Hes gonna hit the open market, I assume.

 

The way I look at it, the biggest needs for this team go as follow, IMO: OL, WR, RB, QB, FS/SS, DT. Granted, that is a lot of holes to fill in one offseason, but they are all positions that we need to address in some capacity.

 

February 29th is the start of the FA period, I believe, so lets see who the Bears target. I'd love to be going after some of the solid OL Free agents available, but I don't see us getting in a bidding war for Faneca, Travelle Wharton and Max Starks are intriguing options. I definitely expect the Bears to use one of their first 3 picks in the draft at the offensive line position, and wouldn't at all be surprised to see us go after a player like Ryan Clady from Boise State with the 14th pick.

 

As for WR, I am assuming Berrian is gone. He is going to get a lot of looks from other teams as the best receiver (not including Moss) available through FA this season. Some team is going to overpay for his services, and I don't expect the Bears to be that team. Moose is aging, Davis is bad, Bradley is injury prone and has underperformed during his career, and Hester does not belong at WR for any significant amount of plays next season. So what do they do? Hopefully go after Chad Johnson, although that is not a move any Bears team in the past has ever made. I hope they address this position at some point in the offseason either through FA, trade, or the draft.

 

Another solid running back is a need for this team, even if A.P. ran well at the end of last season. Bringing some solid competition back to this position will only help motivate the seemingly unmotivatable (if thats a real word) Cedric Benson. Michael Turner is available, and is going to demand a pretty big contract. He would look real good in a Bears uniform, and with an improved OL, could put up some big numbers. The draft is always beaming with talent, hidden gems (Bradshaw round 7 last year), and players you can take risks on. I assume the Bears bypass FA when it comes to RB, and they draft a running back of their choosing in the middle to late rounds that they feel will compete with Benson, Peterson, and Wolfe for playing time.

 

I'll leave QB alone for the most part. Lots of interesting options through the draft, and some through trade and FA. Mcnabb would be nice. Lots of rumors of the Bears cutting ties with Griese, not sure if there is any validity to this or not. I am going into this offseason assuming that the Bears are going to sign Grossman to a shorter term deal, and try and find a QB of their choosing through the draft to replace Griese as one of the backups.

 

Safety is an interesting position. Mike Brown is probably going to be back again, and hopefully he can stay healthy for once in his life. Archuleta has to go, no question about it. Daniel Manning is ok, and Kenny Payne will hopefully remain healthy enough to provide another option out there when/if injuries happen. I assume at some point a mediocre FA signing of a Mike Doss or someone along those lines will happen to "fix" the Safety position. If Mike Brown is healthy, this almost becomes a position of strength, without him its a ticking time bomb that will inevitably lose us a game.

 

When healthy, Tommie Harris is one of the best in the game. His health makes our defense better immediately. Darwin Walker is going to be cut. After that, the depth at this position is very thin. Dvorchek will get his downs in if he can stay healthy. Idonijie played well in the inside, although out of position. I assume we start next season with two additions through draft/FA/trade to help sure up some depth. I don't know enough about prospects in the later rounds through draft, but it wouldnt surprise me to see us use a 4/5th round pick to draft a DT.

 

Thats just my opinion on the issues that need to be addressed this offseason, feel free to critique/rip apart my beliefs, im fine with that!

[RedFlash]

So, will the Bears franchise Berrian or let him hit the market?

 

They are going to let him go. No need to pay a SECOND #2 WR, #1 WR money. And pray that Bradley and/or Davis and/or Hester steps up and breaksout, along with hoping to grab a nice WR prospect in the draft, sans DJ Hall of Alabama. (Think David Terrell, when thinking about DJ Hall).

[Jon]

I know Urlacher is expected to be able to participate in offseason workouts, but I'm getting worried about the linebacker corps.

[MPC]

I know Urlacher is expected to be able to participate in offseason workouts, but I'm getting worried about the linebacker corps.

as am i, neck surgery makes me very uneasy, especially when he's already turning 30.

[TruffleShuffle]

no way berrian gets franchised, they'd have to pay him the average of the top 5 receivers in the game. he's not even close to being good enough for that. he doesn't merit a transition tag either, but given the nonsense that the seahawks/vikings got away with in the hutchinson and burleson contracts, that tag is very ineffective until there are changes in the CBA.

[Soul]

Yeah, it pains me to admit it but I think there's a solid chance this team stays below .500 for a good while. It's amazing how quickly a Super Bowl team developed needs up & down the roster.

[minnesotacubsfan]

does this thread spell the end of WCFB??

[MPC]

does this thread spell the end of WCFB??

let's hope so. keep the football talk here.

[mcgoobs]

Hes gonna hit the open market, I assume.

 

The way I look at it, the biggest needs for this team go as follow, IMO: OL, WR, RB, QB, FS/SS, DT. Granted, that is a lot of holes to fill in one offseason, but they are all positions that we need to address in some capacity.

 

Offensive line is definitely the biggest hole to fill right now. If that gets solved some of the issues at RB will be taken care of as well, although Benson clearly belongs in a platoon. The FS/SS and DT issues in my opinion are more health related: If Mike Brown stays healthy (clearly a huge if), and if Harris and Dvoracek can come back healthy, the defense should be in good shape. Last year's defense was too decmiated by injuries to Harris, Dvoracek, Vasher, Brown, Urlacher, etc.

 

Anybody heard what's the latest story on Briggs? I know during the season he had mentioned he would consider resigning with the team, although I'd imagine he'll get more money in the free agent market.

[minnesotacubsfan]

does this thread spell the end of WCFB??

let's hope so. keep the football talk here.

 

:(

 

for once in my life I had the second highest post count on a msg board

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm really pleased with our* draft position. There will be quite a few impact players available there that will fit obvious holes. It addition, it is easier to trade down from 14 then to trade down from, let's say, a top 7 pick.

 

* DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT PLAY FOR THE BEARS.

[rawaction]

Offense

 

My rankings of order of needs: OT, OG, WR, QB, RB.

 

QB- Cut Griese. Re-sign Grossman. Let him and Orton battle it out. Draft a QB, probably not before round 3, unless there is a huge steal on the board. Ainge is probably my #1 target, assuming Ryan or Brohm is gone by pick # 45.

 

RB- I don't see it as a huge need. Get an OL and see what happens. Granted Benson, Peterson and Wolfe are not franchise backs, but I think the Bears can wait a year to address this position. AP has shown to be a valuable option out of the backfield receiving. Wolfe can be a change of pace ala Sproles in SD. Benson has to be given another year.

 

WR- Berrian probably gone. Moose should be gone. I've heard some positive whispers about Bradley this offseason so maybe he can contribute big time next year. No #1 options in FA, but I think guys like Patrick Crayton, Bryant Johnson, and DJ Hackett could be nice additions. Probably gonna need to draft a guy day 1 here. A trade down could get the Bears Malcolm Kelly in the 1st or they could go after a guy like Doucet in the 2nd. Don't see Ocho as a good option considering the QB situation. It would be a waste of money to pay him and not have a stable QB.

 

OL- Simple formula to fix here. Look at the other team that plays games on one of the great lakes. Cleveland signed a FA guard. Drafted a LT and went from one of the worst OLs to one of the best in 1 offseason. Both Colts Gs, Faneca, and Womack would be solid pickups. I'd probably spend big on Faneca. The Colts guys may be staying or products of a great system. Womack is probably gonna be similar to what the Bears got from 3 years of Ruben Brown as he ages.

 

TE- No need. Clark and Olsen are a solid tandem. Gilmore is a FA and should be allowed to go. If anything, the Bears get a lesser FA or undrafted FA goaline TE for blocking purposes.

 

FB- No need.

[Soul]

Anyone interested in Joe Flacco @ QB?

 

He played for Delaware -- I picked up on him when they played against the Salukis in the playoffs. He murdered them on seemingly every play with incredible throws. He's tall 6'6" I believe, has a rocket arm, which he proved in a recent college QB competition (I believe he threw it the longest). He seems to possess good improvisational ability from what I've seen.

 

I'm not big on spending a top pick for QB because we need OL. Looking for a possible bargain pickup here. A Romo kind of guy who can sit for a couple years and see what happens.

[Flames24Rulz]

Offense

 

My rankings of order of needs: OT, OG, WR, QB, RB.

 

WR- Berrian probably gone. Moose should be gone. I've heard some positive whispers about Bradley this offseason so maybe he can contribute big time next year. No #1 options in FA, but I think guys like Patrick Crayton, Bryant Johnson, and DJ Hackett could be nice additions. Probably gonna need to draft a guy day 1 here. A trade down could get the Bears Malcolm Kelly in the 1st or they could go after a guy like Doucet in the 2nd. Don't see Ocho as a good option considering the QB situation. It would be a waste of money to pay him and not have a stable QB.

 

Crayton just got a big payday to stay in Dallas for the next 5 years.

 

I do agree with you that a RB should not be a high priority for the Bears. Benson got a ton of flack this year, but give him a season with a revamped offensive line and see how he does then. I don't think it's fair to him to judge him on one season where he played behind, arguably, the worst line in the NFL. Grossman needs to be given another chance as well.

[rawaction]

Defense.

 

Order of need: playmaker at any position, DT, S, LB, CB

 

DE- Not much of a need just yet. Brown, Wale, Anderson (assuming he has a better 08) is a good 3 man rotation. Idonje also gave them a few flashes. Drafted Bazuin in the 2nd last year, gotta see what he can do. This group could need a major overhaul by 2009, though.

 

DT- This is an area where I could see a high (2nd round) pick going. Walker is as good as cut. Most success still depends on Tommie Harris getting healthy. But Dvoracek is also a huge injury issue now and the Bears spent the entire season mixing and matching people in the middle. Anthony Adams and Antonio Garay showed flashes. But none of the 3 non-Harris DTs are more than complimentary. Guys like Pressley, Moore, Balmer would be great picks at 45.

 

LB- This area all depends on Briggs. On one hand, if you re-sign him, you lose a lot of resources to improve a team that suddenly needs a ton of help. But on the other, he emerged as the team's top LB. I feel that Jamar Williams can fill his spot admirably, but I think it gets interesting if you re-sign Briggs. If the Bears re-signed Briggs, I'd look to move him to the middle. Urlacher to the outside. And most surprisingly, I'd look to trade Hillenmeyer for a 4th or 5th round pick. I think the combo of Williams/Okwo could do well at SLB and I think you get something for Hunter before he declines further.

 

CB- Could always use help here. A healthy Vasher will again make the 1-2 great at CB. They also got some good experience and flashes of solid play from McBride and Graham. Ricky Manning had a bad year, and may be expendable, but I think you bring him back simply because you have too many other needs to worry about drafting a CB again.

 

S- I don't think this is as big a need as most think. D Manning and McGowan are decent and young. Payne showed flashes. Mike Brown will hopefully contribute. Archuleta probably needs to go, but I can see them bringing him back. I'd look to bring in a cheap veteran SS as Mike Brown insurance. However, my #1 need for defense is a playmaker, regardless of position. If Kenny Phillips falls to 14, I think he'd have to be the clear choice for the Bears.

[rawaction]

Offense

 

My rankings of order of needs: OT, OG, WR, QB, RB.

 

WR- Berrian probably gone. Moose should be gone. I've heard some positive whispers about Bradley this offseason so maybe he can contribute big time next year. No #1 options in FA, but I think guys like Patrick Crayton, Bryant Johnson, and DJ Hackett could be nice additions. Probably gonna need to draft a guy day 1 here. A trade down could get the Bears Malcolm Kelly in the 1st or they could go after a guy like Doucet in the 2nd. Don't see Ocho as a good option considering the QB situation. It would be a waste of money to pay him and not have a stable QB.

 

Crayton just got a big payday to stay in Dallas for the next 5 years.

 

I do agree with you that a RB should not be a high priority for the Bears. Benson got a ton of flack this year, but give him a season with a revamped offensive line and see how he does then. I don't think it's fair to him to judge him on one season where he played behind, arguably, the worst line in the NFL. Grossman needs to be given another chance as well.

 

Crap. I forgot about Crayton signing. I wonder if a trade for Roy Williams would be of interest for the Bears.

[Chocolate Milk]

[Good analysis...]

If Kenny Phillips falls to 14, I think he'd have to be the clear choice for the Bears.

Agreed.

[Chocolate Milk]

I do agree with you that a RB should not be a high priority for the Bears. Benson got a ton of flack this year, but give him a season with a revamped offensive line and see how he does then. I don't think it's fair to him to judge him on one season where he played behind, arguably, the worst line in the NFL. Grossman needs to be given another chance as well.

I agree and disagree here. While the line was brutal (I've banged that drum all year) I think that Benson has shown that his ceiling is pretty low. That fact combined with: Peterson being pedestrian as a fill in, Wolfe clearly being a situational scat back, and the unbeleiveable depth at RB in this draft, I can easily see the Bears taking a RB in the 3rd.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I love WCFB... I like giving opinions in a place where everyone agree with me. Also, the highest concentration of intelligent bear fans on the world wide web.

[rawaction]

I do agree with you that a RB should not be a high priority for the Bears. Benson got a ton of flack this year, but give him a season with a revamped offensive line and see how he does then. I don't think it's fair to him to judge him on one season where he played behind, arguably, the worst line in the NFL. Grossman needs to be given another chance as well.

I agree and disagree here. While the line was brutal (I've banged that drum all year) I think that Benson has shown that his ceiling is pretty low. That fact combined with: Peterson being pedestrian as a fill in, Wolfe clearly being a situational scat back, and the unbeleiveable depth at RB in this draft, I can easily see the Bears taking a RB in the 3rd.

 

The Benson/Peterson combo is no worse than the Jones/Benson combo that took the Bears to the Superbowl in terms of production or upside.

[Chocolate Milk]

I do agree with you that a RB should not be a high priority for the Bears. Benson got a ton of flack this year, but give him a season with a revamped offensive line and see how he does then. I don't think it's fair to him to judge him on one season where he played behind, arguably, the worst line in the NFL. Grossman needs to be given another chance as well.

I agree and disagree here. While the line was brutal (I've banged that drum all year) I think that Benson has shown that his ceiling is pretty low. That fact combined with: Peterson being pedestrian as a fill in, Wolfe clearly being a situational scat back, and the unbeleiveable depth at RB in this draft, I can easily see the Bears taking a RB in the 3rd.

 

The Benson/Peterson combo is no worse than the Jones/Benson combo that took the Bears to the Superbowl in terms of production or upside.

 

Jesus, I've written this post three times and lost it due to internet issues.

 

I have to disagree. The Bears ranked 32nd in the NFL last year in rushing efficiency (according to DVOA). The line was terrible, I'll concede, but the backs were also very poor by any measure.

 

I'm no Jones fan, but I don't see how you can say that Jones and Peterson are interchangeable. Jones is at least a step better than Peterson and I don't see any upside to mention with Benson/Peterson. What dynamic do they bring? In any event, the Bears lost that Superbowl. That combo may have been good enough to get there but I don't think we should be using them as the standard for how good that position needs to be in the future.

 

Just because of the depth at RB in this draft and the absolute futility of the running game last year, I see the Bears taking a hard look at the available running backs with one of their third round picks. I understand that there are a lot of holes to fill so not everyone is going to agree with me. That's just the way I see things at the moment. If the Bears have any chance at having a reasonably good, er non-doormat, offense next year, they need to have a dominant running game. I think, at least I hope, the Bears brass understands this.

[Chocolate Milk]

Let's take a look at some random iGuy's top 15 running backs:

 

1. Darren McFadden- Arkansas

2. Jonathan Stewart- Oregon

3. Felix Jones- Arkansas

4. Rashard Mendenhall- Illinois

5. Jamaal Charles- Texas

6. Ray Rice- Rutgers

7. Chris Johnson- East Carolina

8. Kevin Smith- Central Florida

9. Tashard Choice- Georgia Tech

10. Steve Slaton- West Virginia

11. Matt Forte- Tulane

12. Mike Hart- Michigan

13. Allen Patrick- Oklahoma

14. Dantrell Savage- Oklahoma State

15. Rafael Little- Kentucky

 

Incredible depth and a lot of dudes who bring a dimension that the Bears currently don't have.