Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

Marion Barber III, Lawrence Maroney, Larry Johnson...should I continue?

 

If we went RB in the first rd, I'd prefer Jonathon Stweart or Felix Jones. But if went Big Ten RB, I much rather WAIT till the 2nd rd. I am NOT convince that Meddenhall is 1st rd material. This is a guy who went from 845 yrds and 5 TDs combine between his Frosh/Sopho yrs, to 1681 yrds and 17 tds. So, colour me unconvinced about Meddenhall. Give me Felix Jones. In his frosh yr he had 626 yrds with 3 TDs. Soph/Junior yrs, he combine for 2330 yrds and 17 TDs. All the while in a PLATOON situation with Darren McFadden. So, IMO, Jones in a better back then Meddenhall. So, why rush for a RB with only one great yr of college, when you can get a better RB, like Stewart or Jones.

 

Mendenhall's great improvement had more to do with the fact that there was abslutely zero in terms of other skill people or lineman to block for him on that Illinois team his 1st 2 years. Those young guys that Zook recruited and were playing when they should have been red shirted or riding the bench because they weren't strong enough got bigger and stronger and better last year and that had more to do with Illinois and Mendenhallbeing successful than anything (also the maturation of Juice).

 

Big benefit of a RB with limited playing time is the limited wear and tear on him already. (Not that I'm advocating taking Mendenhall; heck, I'd prefer Stewart but I'd rather not get a RB at all.)

[Magnetic Curses]

Marion Barber III, Lawrence Maroney, Larry Johnson...should I continue?

 

If we went RB in the first rd, I'd prefer Jonathon Stweart or Felix Jones. But if went Big Ten RB, I much rather WAIT till the 2nd rd. I am NOT convince that Meddenhall is 1st rd material. This is a guy who went from 845 yrds and 5 TDs combine between his Frosh/Sopho yrs, to 1681 yrds and 17 tds. So, colour me unconvinced about Meddenhall. Give me Felix Jones. In his frosh yr he had 626 yrds with 3 TDs. Soph/Junior yrs, he combine for 2330 yrds and 17 TDs. All the while in a PLATOON situation with Darren McFadden. So, IMO, Jones in a better back then Meddenhall. So, why rush for a RB with only one great yr of college, when you can get a better RB, like Stewart or Jones.

 

Mendenhall's great improvement had more to do with the fact that there was abslutely zero in terms of other skill people or lineman to block for him on that Illinois team his 1st 2 years. Those young guys that Zook recruited and were playing when they should have been red shirted or riding the bench because they weren't strong enough got bigger and stronger and better last year and that had more to do with Illinois and Mendenhallbeing successful than anything (also the maturation of Juice).

 

Big benefit of a RB with limited playing time is the limited wear and tear on him already. (Not that I'm advocating taking Mendenhall; heck, I'd prefer Stewart but I'd rather not get a RB at all.)

 

how shocking, raisin prefers the west coast guy. :lol:

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Mendenhall >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Stewart.

[Magnetic Curses]

the packers are vastly superior to the bears, and are a young team with a lot of talent that is likely to improve. unless rodgers is unspeakably atrocious - like ryan leaf bad - the bears are very unlikely to be as good as the packers next year, regardless of what moves they make in the next few months.

 

 

This is a very stupid post displaying an extreme lack of knowledge regarding NFL.

 

this is a very stupid post. i know teams in the nfl can flop places quickly. but most of the meaningful free agents are already signed, and it was a thin free agent crop to begin with. given what the bears have done, or more accurately haven't done, how can you say that the bears are going to make up the gap on the packers in the next six months? please, enlighten us with another stupid post.

 

without favre, the bears and packers are very similar teams. on defense, they have the same strengths--linebacker, cornerbacks, and each have a pro-bowler on their line. i would argue that

 

tillman and vasher>woodson and harris

 

urlacher and briggs>bennett and hawk

 

kampman is better than either of the bears' ends but tommie harris is better than anything the packers have inside, and may be the best in the league when absolutely healthy.

 

on offense, the packers have a much better receiving corp headed by driver. the respective lines are virtually a wash and i think the bears have a better qb pool with grossman and orton. orton outplayed favre late in the year in the arctic wind and i still believe benson to be a good back, no matter what his perfomrance was last year. however, the running backs are a wash.

 

the bears huge edge is their special teams.

 

i think the bears can win the north and, imo, are the favorites at this point.

[Rex Buckingham]

Marion Barber III, Lawrence Maroney, Larry Johnson...should I continue?

 

If we went RB in the first rd, I'd prefer Jonathon Stweart or Felix Jones. But if went Big Ten RB, I much rather WAIT till the 2nd rd. I am NOT convince that Meddenhall is 1st rd material. This is a guy who went from 845 yrds and 5 TDs combine between his Frosh/Sopho yrs, to 1681 yrds and 17 tds. So, colour me unconvinced about Meddenhall. Give me Felix Jones. In his frosh yr he had 626 yrds with 3 TDs. Soph/Junior yrs, he combine for 2330 yrds and 17 TDs. All the while in a PLATOON situation with Darren McFadden. So, IMO, Jones in a better back then Meddenhall. So, why rush for a RB with only one great yr of college, when you can get a better RB, like Stewart or Jones.

 

Mendenhall's great improvement had more to do with the fact that there was abslutely zero in terms of other skill people or lineman to block for him on that Illinois team his 1st 2 years. Those young guys that Zook recruited and were playing when they should have been red shirted or riding the bench because they weren't strong enough got bigger and stronger and better last year and that had more to do with Illinois and Mendenhall being successful than anything (also the maturation of Juice).

 

A good effort, but still not correct. Mendenhall's Junior year success did not happen because of an increase in talent, but rather incresased opportunity.

 

His Freshman year he was behind Pierre Thomas (664 yds, 5.2 ypc) and EB Halsey (349, 4.2) but averaged 4.5 ypc in limited work (48 carries, 218 yds)

 

His Sophomore year he was still behind Thomas (755 yds, 5.8 ypc), but carried 78 times for 640 yards...that's right, 8.2 ypc...and remember, Illinois wasn't winning much, so those were legitimate carries

 

His Junior year he obviously took off and had a great year with the increased workload... a 6.4 ypc being pretty much right in the middle of his previous two years

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/stats?teamId=356&year=2007

 

edited to add link

[Guest]

Marion Barber III, Lawrence Maroney, Larry Johnson...should I continue?

 

If we went RB in the first rd, I'd prefer Jonathon Stweart or Felix Jones. But if went Big Ten RB, I much rather WAIT till the 2nd rd. I am NOT convince that Meddenhall is 1st rd material. This is a guy who went from 845 yrds and 5 TDs combine between his Frosh/Sopho yrs, to 1681 yrds and 17 tds. So, colour me unconvinced about Meddenhall. Give me Felix Jones. In his frosh yr he had 626 yrds with 3 TDs. Soph/Junior yrs, he combine for 2330 yrds and 17 TDs. All the while in a PLATOON situation with Darren McFadden. So, IMO, Jones in a better back then Meddenhall. So, why rush for a RB with only one great yr of college, when you can get a better RB, like Stewart or Jones.

 

Mendenhall's great improvement had more to do with the fact that there was abslutely zero in terms of other skill people or lineman to block for him on that Illinois team his 1st 2 years. Those young guys that Zook recruited and were playing when they should have been red shirted or riding the bench because they weren't strong enough got bigger and stronger and better last year and that had more to do with Illinois and Mendenhallbeing successful than anything (also the maturation of Juice).

 

Big benefit of a RB with limited playing time is the limited wear and tear on him already. (Not that I'm advocating taking Mendenhall; heck, I'd prefer Stewart but I'd rather not get a RB at all.)

 

how shocking, raisin prefers the west coast guy. :lol:

 

Well I prefer Stewart partly because his pass receiving ability is top notch (an aspect that Juice Williams' struggles probably don't help Mendenhall a lot with). It is true I've seen double the games of Stewart than Mendenhall. I do believe the two are close and should both be taken in the teens.

[Soul]

the packers are vastly superior to the bears, and are a young team with a lot of talent that is likely to improve. unless rodgers is unspeakably atrocious - like ryan leaf bad - the bears are very unlikely to be as good as the packers next year, regardless of what moves they make in the next few months.

 

 

This is a very stupid post displaying an extreme lack of knowledge regarding NFL.

 

this is a very stupid post. i know teams in the nfl can flop places quickly. but most of the meaningful free agents are already signed, and it was a thin free agent crop to begin with. given what the bears have done, or more accurately haven't done, how can you say that the bears are going to make up the gap on the packers in the next six months? please, enlighten us with another stupid post.

 

without favre, the bears and packers are very similar teams. on defense, they have the same strengths--linebacker, cornerbacks, and each have a pro-bowler on their line. i would argue that

 

tillman and vasher>woodson and harris

 

urlacher and briggs>bennett and hawk

 

kampman is better than either of the bears' ends but tommie harris is better than anything the packers have inside, and may be the best in the league when absolutely healthy.

 

on offense, the packers have a much better receiving corp headed by driver. the respective lines are virtually a wash and i think the bears have a better qb pool with grossman and orton. orton outplayed favre late in the year in the arctic wind and i still believe benson to be a good back, no matter what his perfomrance was last year. however, the running backs are a wash.

 

the bears huge edge is their special teams.

 

i think the bears can win the north and, imo, are the favorites at this point.

 

Packers' Oline is significantly better than ours, unfortunately. I do agree our ST will still be an advantage though. QBs -- I don't even know, you can't take the Dallas game where Rodgers came in with the Cowboys having seen zero tape of him and use that as a basis for anything. It's completely up in the air whether Rodgers is even going to make it. He could be anything from very good to terrible.

 

With our Oline and no receivers though, it's a pretty good bet that Grossman and Orton will struggle.

[Guest]

Yeah, next year will be hell again unless there's some rapid offensive line improvement.

[Soul]

That's my whole deal, really. What the hell are we going to do on OLine with limited draft picks that can make an impact and so many other holes now?

 

It seems like such a mess.

 

Wouldn't it be grand to draft Mendenhall, watch him average 3.1 yard/carry because there isn't a hole to be found, and then watch Chicago turn on him and call him a bust? That's entertainment folks!

 

:banghead:

[CuseCubFan69]

That's my whole deal, really. What the hell are we going to do on OLine with limited draft picks that can make an impact and so many other holes now?

 

It seems like such a mess.

 

Wouldn't it be grand to draft Mendenhall, watch him average 3.1 yard/carry because there isn't a hole to be found, and then watch Chicago turn on him and call him a bust? That's entertainment folks!

 

:banghead:

 

Any way you boys can just keep the cap room clear for 2009 so you reload big time? What free agents are available in 2009?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Wouldn't it be grand to draft Mendenhall, watch him average 3.1 yard/carry because there isn't a hole to be found, and then watch Chicago turn on him and call him a bust? That's entertainment folks!

 

:banghead:

Well Mendenhall can do other things such as

1) Catch the ball out of the backfield

2) Block

3) Not be a jackass.

 

Yeah, #3 is subjective, but IMO Benson's attitude was a big part of the problem this past season.

[Jon]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

[Derwood]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

[Soul]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

 

I'm coming to Zip City to raise hell if they do :D

[Jon]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

I should also add that I'll be pretty surprised. I haven't seen any strong, valid indications that Angelo is looking at a RB with that pick.

[David]

I'm not even sure anymore. I've heard in a couple of places now that Benson might permanently be even slower since his last injury. I was on the 'fix the line and watch everything else get better' bandwagon before, but now I'm pretty worried about RB and WR, too.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

I should also add that I'll be pretty surprised. I haven't seen any strong, valid indications that Angelo is looking at a RB with that pick.

 

there are strong indications that i will take a trip to lake forrest and hit him over the head with a ball pin hammer.

LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE

OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!!

[Guest]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

I should also add that I'll be pretty surprised. I haven't seen any strong, valid indications that Angelo is looking at a RB with that pick.

 

Yeah, I'd be pretty surprised (and pissed).

 

Do people want a RB if Mendenhall is gone (i.e. Stewart instead)? Because I gather that a lot of the folks who want RB are also Illinois fans who would love nothing but to see Mendenhall on the Bears.

[bukie]

If Otah is on the board at 14, I'd much prefer the Bears take him than a RB.

 

And who is this "Stewart"? I was under the impression there were only 2 RBs in this draft. ;)

[Magnetic Curses]

the packers are vastly superior to the bears, and are a young team with a lot of talent that is likely to improve. unless rodgers is unspeakably atrocious - like ryan leaf bad - the bears are very unlikely to be as good as the packers next year, regardless of what moves they make in the next few months.

 

 

This is a very stupid post displaying an extreme lack of knowledge regarding NFL.

 

this is a very stupid post. i know teams in the nfl can flop places quickly. but most of the meaningful free agents are already signed, and it was a thin free agent crop to begin with. given what the bears have done, or more accurately haven't done, how can you say that the bears are going to make up the gap on the packers in the next six months? please, enlighten us with another stupid post.

 

without favre, the bears and packers are very similar teams. on defense, they have the same strengths--linebacker, cornerbacks, and each have a pro-bowler on their line. i would argue that

 

tillman and vasher>woodson and harris

 

urlacher and briggs>bennett and hawk

 

kampman is better than either of the bears' ends but tommie harris is better than anything the packers have inside, and may be the best in the league when absolutely healthy.

 

on offense, the packers have a much better receiving corp headed by driver. the respective lines are virtually a wash and i think the bears have a better qb pool with grossman and orton. orton outplayed favre late in the year in the arctic wind and i still believe benson to be a good back, no matter what his perfomrance was last year. however, the running backs are a wash.

 

the bears huge edge is their special teams.

 

i think the bears can win the north and, imo, are the favorites at this point.

 

Packers' Oline is significantly better than ours, unfortunately. I do agree our ST will still be an advantage though. QBs -- I don't even know, you can't take the Dallas game where Rodgers came in with the Cowboys having seen zero tape of him and use that as a basis for anything. It's completely up in the air whether Rodgers is even going to make it. He could be anything from very good to terrible.

 

With our Oline and no receivers though, it's a pretty good bet that Grossman and Orton will struggle.

 

i wouldn't say their o-line is significantly better than anyone's. it has definitely been a problem for them and will continue to be. clifton is better than anyone we have, but after that, tauscher is better than fred miller, who will be replaced by tait, who's better than tauscher--and everyone else is really the same except for center, where the bears have an advantage.

 

and before anyone goes off on how kreutz is on the backside of his career, he is, but he's still almost better than anyone else at the position in the league.

[Magnetic Curses]

If Otah is on the board at 14, I'd much prefer the Bears take him than a RB.

 

And who is this "Stewart"? I was under the impression there were only 2 RBs in this draft. ;)

 

some guy from the west coast, an insignificant and rather silly place. :P

[RynoRules]

I'd be surprised if we went RB in the 1st Rnd. I am guessing OT, and am hoping its Williams from Vandy or the kid from Boise St.

[Magnetic Curses]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

I should also add that I'll be pretty surprised. I haven't seen any strong, valid indications that Angelo is looking at a RB with that pick.

 

Yeah, I'd be pretty surprised (and pissed).

 

Do people want a RB if Mendenhall is gone (i.e. Stewart instead)? Because I gather that a lot of the folks who want RB are also Illinois fans who would love nothing but to see Mendenhall on the Bears.

 

we've seen mendenhall run. believe me, we wouldn't want mendenhall if he weren't worth it.

 

like i said, powerful enough to run over linebackers and fast enough to run away from defensive backs. he has it all, lateral speed, pass catching ability, above average blocking, and he's a dart to the hole.

 

every touch against wisconsin:

 

check out the first highlight, missouri fans know it well:

[YearofDaCubs]

I will not be happy if the Bears use the 14th pick on a RB.

 

well get the tissues ready, because some tears are in your future

I should also add that I'll be pretty surprised. I haven't seen any strong, valid indications that Angelo is looking at a RB with that pick.

 

Yeah, I'd be pretty surprised (and pissed).

 

Do people want a RB if Mendenhall is gone (i.e. Stewart instead)? Because I gather that a lot of the folks who want RB are also Illinois fans who would love nothing but to see Mendenhall on the Bears.

 

we've seen mendenhall run. believe me, we wouldn't want mendenhall if he weren't worth it.

 

like i said, powerful enough to run over linebackers and fast enough to run away from defensive backs. he has it all, lateral speed, pass catching ability, above average blocking, and he's a dart to the hole.

 

every touch against wisconsin:

 

check out the first highlight, missouri fans know it well:

I don't know if it's the video but damn does he look fast.

[brinoch]

He's definitely fast, but in the NFL the defenders are much, much faster than Wisconsin's (or anyone else's in the Big Ten). What I want to see in a college back is both speed and elusiveness. Mendenhall runs very upright and doesn't really make people miss. He runs straight ahead as fast as he can. That's great in college, but just doesn't work well in the NFL.