Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Soul]

Next year is going to be another ugly one, isn't it.

 

I doubt it. They will probably be pretty good, assuming they make (some of) the necessary improvements. I doubt they're picking as high as 14 next year, barring a trade. 10 wins is a reasonable expectation.

 

I don't expect the Green Bay Favres to be as good, the Vikings will be OK and the Lions will be the Lions. The Bears ought to be able to do better against the NFC north and win the division assuming they address O line and safety.

 

I really need to see how the draft shakes out + the June 1 cuts to start to form an opinion on the subject. I do agree the NFCN remains largely a blessing.

[minnesotacubsfan]

on the bottom line ticker on ESPN, they scrolled something about the Bears being upset with the 49'ers for contacting Briggs too soon. did anyone else see that?

[BDWeav71]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-49ersinvestigated022108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

 

Here ya go, Minnesota.

[BigSlick]

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:

Neither have I, Soul. Something about last year sucked a bit of my interest in the team. I think it was because I knew that they needed to make changes on the O-line and they just flat out refused to do anything about it. I'm never trusting this front office again. :(

 

Oh well, we can get back in it, we proved this past year that Green Bay was a bit of a paper tiger, and the rest of the division is fairly mediocre, theres no reason we can't contend in this division.

 

EDIT: I picked 10 wins last year, and if it wasn't for stupid meltdown B.S. like the first Lions game, both Minnesota games and the Giants game, we probably would have been right there, despite all the problems we had.

 

It was pretty ugly last year, but we never really got blown out, other than perhaps the second half of the Dallas game. It shouldn't be that hard to get us back on track, despite the need for an entire offensive overhaul.

[cubweiser03]

Sun Times says Berrian is seeking over $20M in the 1st three years of the contract.

 

DeSean Jackson just measured in at 5'9 169 at the combine. He was previously listed at 6'.

[Guest]

Sun Times says Berrian is seeking over $20M in the 1st three years of the contract.

 

DeSean Jackson just measured in at 5'9 169 at the combine. He was previously listed at 6'.

 

Wow, I figured rawaction would at least be 5'10. The 169 isn't surprising. Dude can't seem to put muscle on. I want no part of him in the first round...would prefer Malcolm Kelly if the Bears go WR.

[minnesotacubsfan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-49ersinvestigated022108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

 

Here ya go, Minnesota.

 

 

thanks

[Handlebar McSkullet]

:evil: OMG the new america's game episode for the colts. :evil:

[BDWeav71]

I'd really like the Bears to go after Javon Walker. Apparently he is going to be traded by the Broncos or cut before March 4th, and if his knee is healthy he'd look great in a Bears uniform.

[MPC]

I'd really like the Bears to go after Javon Walker. Apparently he is going to be traded by the Broncos or cut before March 4th, and if his knee is healthy he'd look great in a Bears uniform.

if he's cut, i'd be all over him. if berrian is gone, there's a black hole at receiver. i really don't want to have to draft a receiver early, so finding at least one, maybe two in the free agent market is a must.

[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:

Neither have I, Soul. Something about last year sucked a bit of my interest in the team. I think it was because I knew that they needed to make changes on the O-line and they just flat out refused to do anything about it. I'm never trusting this front office again. :(

 

Oh well, we can get back in it, we proved this past year that Green Bay was a bit of a paper tiger, and the rest of the division is fairly mediocre, theres no reason we can't contend in this division.

 

EDIT: I picked 10 wins last year, and if it wasn't for stupid meltdown B.S. like the first Lions game, both Minnesota games and the Giants game, we probably would have been right there, despite all the problems we had.

 

It was pretty ugly last year, but we never really got blown out, other than perhaps the second half of the Dallas game. It shouldn't be that hard to get us back on track, despite the need for an entire offensive overhaul.

 

Losing Briggs & Berrian will not make the team better though. I'm wondering if Angelo is going to approach this thing as a 2-year rebuild. That would mean '08 is dedicated to drafting the right replacements, training them up. Make the run again in '09. Maybe you get lucky and hit the Wild Card in '08, but '09 becomes the goal.

[RynoRules]

If they fix the O-Line, this team will win 9 or 10 games. If they also get a safety and a DT they should absolutely win 10 games, perhaps 11.

 

Not that I buy into this stuff, but people like to point out that the Superbowl loser doesn't make the playoffs the year after. But nobody ever points out that those teams are usually back in the playoffs the year after that. The last 3 SB losers (which is as far back as I checked) from the NFC (not including Seattle who made the playoffs the year after) that have missed the playoffs in the year after, have made the playoffs the very next season. Carolina even went to the conference championship in 05.

 

Not sure I buy into all of that, but I get what you are saying. The way this team is structured, the O and D-Lines must be outstanding at all times. Some teams have skill players who can take pressure off their lines; we do not. Its easier to re-build lines, IMO, then it is to aquire outstanding skill players.

[David]

Apparently, on top of (obviously) getting an offer he feels is financially fair, Berrian wants to hear if the Bears have retained Rex or not before he feels completely comfortable in deciding whether or not to stay.

 

The first, of course, would be the team coming back with what he believes is a fair-market offer. But there is another part to the equation: Rex Grossman.

 

Berrian wants to see what happens with his quarterback before he decides anything. The organization has established that signing Grossman is a priority, and Angelo even has said the Bears' offer is Grossman's best option.

 

"How important is Rex for me? He's very important," Berrian said. "The [Grossman signing] would affect me in a positive way.

 

"Rex and I definitely have a chemistry. We've been there for a while together. We understand each other."

 

EDIT - Forgot the link. My bad.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080221-bernard-berrian-chicago-bears,1,7932166.story

 

Also, heard on the Score earlier that the Bears were meeting with Grossman's agent today.

Edited February 22, 2008 by David

[jersey cubs fan]

If they fix the O-Line, this team will win 9 or 10 games. If they also get a safety and a DT they should absolutely win 10 games, perhaps 11.

 

Not that I buy into this stuff, but people like to point out that the Superbowl loser doesn't make the playoffs the year after. But nobody ever points out that those teams are usually back in the playoffs the year after that. The last 3 SB losers (which is as far back as I checked) from the NFC (not including Seattle who made the playoffs the year after) that have missed the playoffs in the year after, have made the playoffs the very next season. Carolina even went to the conference championship in 05.

 

Not sure I buy into all of that, but I get what you are saying. The way this team is structured, the O and D-Lines must be outstanding at all times. Some teams have skill players who can take pressure off their lines; we do not. Its easier to re-build lines, IMO, then it is to aquire outstanding skill players.

 

While I don't necessarily believe in the trend itself, I think what it tells you is those teams that lose the Super Bowl were really talented to begin with, and didn't need a ridiculous turnaround to get back to playoff caliber 2 years later.

 

The Bears weren't good this past year. But injuries played a large part in that. So did stupid coaching arrogance. If they learned their lesson, and return to some form of health, there's no reason they can't get right back to playoff caliber.

 

Also, the offensive line was never outstanding, and they still won. They were decent, and overly praised because A) Chicago loves their lineman, and B) They played every game together. The line was stable, but it was not very good. Eventually they just stunk.

[Soul]

Apparently, on top of (obviously) getting an offer he feels is financially fair, Berrian wants to hear if the Bears have retained Rex or not before he feels completely comfortable in deciding whether or not to stay.

 

The first, of course, would be the team coming back with what he believes is a fair-market offer. But there is another part to the equation: Rex Grossman.

 

Berrian wants to see what happens with his quarterback before he decides anything. The organization has established that signing Grossman is a priority, and Angelo even has said the Bears' offer is Grossman's best option.

 

"How important is Rex for me? He's very important," Berrian said. "The [Grossman signing] would affect me in a positive way.

 

"Rex and I definitely have a chemistry. We've been there for a while together. We understand each other."

 

EDIT - Forgot the link. My bad.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080221-bernard-berrian-chicago-bears,1,7932166.story

 

Also, heard on the Score earlier that the Bears were meeting with Grossman's agent today.

 

Rex does throw a very nice deep ball when given the time...

 

Hope they get something done with the kid. I don't want to watch him succeed somewhere else, and I think in the right situation he could.

[RedFlash]

I'd really like the Bears to go after Javon Walker. Apparently he is going to be traded by the Broncos or cut before March 4th, and if his knee is healthy he'd look great in a Bears uniform.

 

I want no part of Walker. He has a huge contract, plus he's had what two surgeries on his knees, which means, if he does see the field again, he's most likely a poss. reciever. I much rather target a game changer, or at least have the potential to be said game changer, instead of taken a huge gamble.

[Soul]

I'd really like the Bears to go after Javon Walker. Apparently he is going to be traded by the Broncos or cut before March 4th, and if his knee is healthy he'd look great in a Bears uniform.

 

I want no part of Walker. He has a huge contract, plus he's had what two surgeries on his knees, which means, if he does see the field again, he's most likely a poss. reciever. I much rather target a game changer, or at least have the potential to be said game changer, instead of taken a huge gamble.

 

He whined and cried for the big money, put the Packers in a horrible position, and then proceeded to become useless. He's garbage, I don't want him anywhere near Halas Hall.

 

Walker = Cancer.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Bears should target DJ Hackett. I read he is looking for around 4-5 mil/per. That would be a solid signing.

[Magnetic Curses]

i like how rex came back griese's injury last year. he looked like a different quarterback, even if his stats weren't necessarily outstanding. he looked comfortable in the pocket, the game looked like it had slowed down for him a bit, which is important if he's ever going to remain a starting qb in the league. kid has the arm.

[Magnetic Curses]

Bears should target DJ Hackett. I read he is looking for around 4-5 mil/per. That would be a solid signing.

 

that's an interesting name, but i'm wondering if i like him because of the bear-killer factor.

[Balsa]

Bears should target DJ Hackett. I read he is looking for around 4-5 mil/per. That would be a solid signing.

 

that's an interesting name, but i'm wondering if i like him because of the bear-killer factor.

Rotoworld ranked him the #1 FA WR

1. D.J. Hackett, Seahawks - He doesn't have the production of players below, but Hackett is the only potential "number one" receiver available. In seven full games in 2007, he topped 100 yards three times with four touchdowns. He'll come cheaply and fits well in a West Coast offense. He can go deep and be a physical receiver over the middle; the main concern is durability.

 

And if you think I'm letting my man-love for Hackett blind me, Scout.com also calls him and Bernard Berrian the top two free agent wideouts. So there! Any West Coast team like the Vikings, Eagles, and Redskins should go hard after him. Seattle will also do their best to keep him.

[David]

Rex has re-signed to a one year deal.

 

Guess he wants a fresh shot at that contract drive with a new & revamped o-line.

 

 

We'll see if he has any receivers (other than TEs) to throw to.

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4400

[MPC]

Rex has re-signed to a one year deal.

 

Guess he wants a fresh shot at that contract drive with a new & revamped o-line.

 

 

We'll see if he has any receivers (other than TEs) to throw to.

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4400

i like it. this team is many, much bigger holes to worry about than qb.

 

with a one year deal for rex, i won't be surprised to see the bears take a qb on the first day of the draft. i'm speculating griese will be cut, grossman and orton will "battle" for the starting job and the rookie will be the 3rd qb.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Rex has re-signed to a one year deal.

 

Guess he wants a fresh shot at that contract drive with a new & revamped o-line.

 

 

We'll see if he has any receivers (other than TEs) to throw to.

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4400

i like it. this team is many, much bigger holes to worry about than qb.

 

with a one year deal for rex, i won't be surprised to see the bears take a qb on the first day of the draft. i'm speculating griese will be cut, grossman and orton will "battle" for the starting job and the rookie will be the 3rd qb.

\:D/ \:D/ :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: =D> =D>

 

AWESOME... JA is working the WCFB playbook to a T.

[NCCubFan]

Good move for both parties. The Bears get Grossman back without being tied to him long-term in case he doesn't have a good year next year, and Grossman has an opportunity to earn a big payday beginning in 2009 (whether it's with the Bears or elsewhere). A win-win situation.