Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[BigbadB]

The absolute most important improvements the Bears can make this offseason is the O-Line. Grossman does alright when he has protection. He's not so good when he's hearing imaginary footsteps because he can't trust his line to hold off the rush that he's not so good.

 

I'm a bit concerned about the receiver corps and the running game as well, but there should be plenty of options to improve there as well either through FA or the later rounds of the draft.

[Burtonbell]

The absolute most important improvements the Bears can make this offseason is the O-Line. Grossman does alright when he has protection. He's not so good when he's hearing imaginary footsteps because he can't trust his line to hold off the rush that he's not so good.

 

I'm a bit concerned about the receiver corps and the running game as well, but there should be plenty of options to improve there as well either through FA or the later rounds of the draft.

 

Nothing really to add, but I agree 100%. If the Bears get a true #1 WR, the offense will be leaps and bounds better. That is assuming getting a much better OL first.

[BigbadB]

I'm not all that sold on Berrian. Opposing teams have figured out not to let him get behind the defense, which has turned him into a speedy, but mediocre receiver at best.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'm not all that sold on Berrian. Opposing teams have figured out not to let him get behind the defense, which has turned him into a speedy, but mediocre receiver at best.

 

BB needs more work on his part, but he could be qute abit better then mediocre.

[Guest]

I'm not all that sold on Berrian. Opposing teams have figured out not to let him get behind the defense, which has turned him into a speedy, but mediocre receiver at best.

 

BB needs more work on his part, but he could be qute abit better then mediocre.

 

BB needs to work on his route running a lot.

[BigbadB]

To be fair, the '07 version of the OLine didn't give Grossman much time to wait for Berrian to run a deep pattern.

 

The '06 OLine did give the QB just enough time to complete those same routes enough times to make a significant difference in point accumulation.

[Guest]

Even in 06, BB's route running left a lot to be desired. Running past defenders with ease doesn't make a good route runner...he's sloppy.

 

Great developments on the OL, hopefully Angelo will now start replacing those old, awful linemen.

[Banedon]

Even in 06, BB's route running left a lot to be desired. Running past defenders with ease doesn't make a good route runner...he's sloppy.

 

Great developments on the OL, hopefully Angelo will now start replacing those old, awful linemen.

 

If Hester starts getting a lot of WR playing time, and overall improves at the position, it will help cover a lot of Berrian's route running issues.

 

That's a potentially big "if" though.

[UMFan83]

Wasn't Berrian caught giving up on routes that he wasn't the intended receiver a few times last year too? I seem to remember something like that happening in the Redskins game and he was picked apart by the announcers.

[Guest]

Yes, that's one thing that really bugs me too...sloppy and lazy route running is awful. He's definitely the best WR on the team but in my mind, he's a #2 receiver.

 

I don't think Hester improves much from this season in terms of WR ability.

[UMFan83]

Wasn't Berrian caught giving up on routes that he wasn't the intended receiver a few times last year too? I seem to remember something like that happening in the Redskins game and he was picked apart by the announcers.

[Banedon]

I don't think Hester improves much from this season in terms of WR ability.

 

You might very well be right, but then why are the Bears so convinced he could be a #1 WR at some point?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

All the previous posted opinions on Bernard Berrian are incorrect.

[Soul]

I don't think Hester improves much from this season in terms of WR ability.

 

You might very well be right, but then why are the Bears so convinced he could be a #1 WR at some point?

 

I don't know. IMHO, it takes more than just raw physical ability to be a true #1. It takes a certain amount of mental ability to outsmart the better defenders, wisdom on the nuances of the game, etc. Hester is the most instinctual player I think I've ever seen, but I don't see how he will ever develop those secondary attributes to really be a solid #1.

 

I mean look at a guy like Harrison. He doesn't just beat people with his legs.

[Guest]

I don't think Hester improves much from this season in terms of WR ability.

 

You might very well be right, but then why are the Bears so convinced he could be a #1 WR at some point?

 

He obviously has the physical attributes for it. I don't know that he has the mental ability (yeah yeah, based on watching him play games for 2 years - not the best way to judge a player) to be a #1 WR.

[Guest]

All the previous posted opinions on Bernard Berrian are incorrect.

 

So you think he's a #1 WR, he runs crisp routes and he doesn't slack and give up on plays?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

So you think he's a #1 WR,

With competant QB play, yes.

 

he runs crisp routes and

Yes he does. He just needs to be more consistent with this.

 

 

 

he doesn't slack and

 

give up on plays?

Now and then he does, but he has also show the ablitity to make some amazing plays as well. Like the play to win the game vs Denver. Berrian has also shown the commitment in the offseason to becoming a stronger more complete receviever. I should have stated the above opinions on Bernard are exaggerated.

[YearofDaCubs]

Bears cut Reuben Brown. Archuleta and Mike brown will probably be back. No word on berrian yet.

[Soul]

So far then, Freddy Miller & Ruben Brown are gone. Is that it, or did we give Garza his walking papers too?

 

I haven't been following all that closely :blush:

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I realize this is like comparing the tallest midget, but Garza was one of our more consistent lineman this past season.

[Guest]

Bears cut Reuben Brown. Archuleta and Mike brown will probably be back. No word on berrian yet.

 

I would like to see Archuleta cut.

[bukie]

Bears cut Reuben Brown. Archuleta and Mike brown will probably be back. No word on berrian yet.

 

I would like to see Archuleta cut.

 

Isn't Arch a huge cap hit though if he's cut? Maybe the Bears think it'd be more worth it to keep him on since they'd need the cap room more than the roster spot. He could play some on special teams, or something.

[Jon]

Trib[/url]"]Ayanbadejo said Wednesday he will be an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29 when free agency begins. The Bears had extended an offer to the special teams standout during the regular season that fell short of his expectations.

 

The Bears also have attempted to keep receiver Bernard Berrian and linebacker Lance Briggs off the open market with offers. Berrian could address the media Thursday, possibly to discuss the offer or talk about being designated as the team's franchise player. Briggs is headed to the market.

 

Ayanbadejo believes the Bears understand his value to a degree, just not when it comes to playing linebacker.

 

"When anybody got hurt at linebacker, everybody else was in line in front of me," the five-year veteran said by phone Wednesday. "That really bothered me.

 

"I want to go to a place where if the starter goes down, I at least get a chance -- like I did in 2006. That's when Hunter [Hillenmeyer] went down and I was able to play. [Coach] Lovie Smith came to me and didn't say I was a special teams player. He said I was a linebacker."

 

Ayanbadejo made it clear he wants to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league. David Tyree of the Giants is believed to have that distinction after signing a five-year, $7.5 million deal before last season, including a $1.5 million signing bonus.

 

The bottom line is Ayanbadejo wants to get paid much more than his 2007 base of $595,000. Plus he wants the opportunity to play defense.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Trib[/url]"]Ayanbadejo said Wednesday he will be an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29 when free agency begins. The Bears had extended an offer to the special teams standout during the regular season that fell short of his expectations.

 

The Bears also have attempted to keep receiver Bernard Berrian and linebacker Lance Briggs off the open market with offers. Berrian could address the media Thursday, possibly to discuss the offer or talk about being designated as the team's franchise player. Briggs is headed to the market.

 

Ayanbadejo believes the Bears understand his value to a degree, just not when it comes to playing linebacker.

 

"When anybody got hurt at linebacker, everybody else was in line in front of me," the five-year veteran said by phone Wednesday. "That really bothered me.

 

"I want to go to a place where if the starter goes down, I at least get a chance -- like I did in 2006. That's when Hunter [Hillenmeyer] went down and I was able to play. [Coach] Lovie Smith came to me and didn't say I was a special teams player. He said I was a linebacker."

 

Ayanbadejo made it clear he wants to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league. David Tyree of the Giants is believed to have that distinction after signing a five-year, $7.5 million deal before last season, including a $1.5 million signing bonus.

 

The bottom line is Ayanbadejo wants to get paid much more than his 2007 base of $595,000. Plus he wants the opportunity to play defense.

 

well, that sucks about briggs. dont know what to say about BB. and BA? go find your money then. you really arent a starting LB.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

So you think he's a #1 WR,

With competant QB play, yes.

 

he runs crisp routes and

Yes he does. He just needs to be more consistent with this.

 

 

 

he doesn't slack and

 

give up on plays?

Now and then he does, but he has also show the ablitity to make some amazing plays as well. Like the play to win the game vs Denver. Berrian has also shown the commitment in the offseason to becoming a stronger more complete receviever. I should have stated the above opinions on Bernard are exaggerated.

 

None of these answers are rebuttals.. you essentially agree that berrian isnt a no.1 reciever, he doesnt consistent run crisp routes, and he does give up on plays. for every bronco game there was a sd game or a dallas game to bookend how he cost the team with his mental lapses.

 

he isnt a no.1 reciever. for that money, either your a no.1 reciever or your not. i am a big berrian fan, but not for the money he will get.