Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

I think you are downplaying the significant difference between the DT position's importance and the FS/SS position's importance.

 

Perhaps that's true.

 

But I'd still prefer to see the Bears upgrade safety over tackle.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I think you are downplaying the significant difference between the DT position's importance and the FS/SS position's importance.

 

Perhaps that's true.

 

But I'd still prefer to see the Bears upgrade safety over tackle.

 

+1 as I think it is easier to find good DT tackle play from mediocre talent then it is for the safety pos, especially with good DE's

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

The Bears today reached agreements with both Rashied Davis and Brandon McGowan, 2 worthless players. For this same money Angelo could have inked DJ Hackett. I"m starting to think Angelo has been hanging out with Jim Hendry.

[Jon]

I'm surprised they re-signed Davis. As limited as his abilities are, he still provides some depth and is a pretty good special teams player.

[Magnetic Curses]

rashied davis, pointless.

[Soul]

rashied davis, pointless.

 

Yeap.

 

I can't wait to see this ragtag OLine and horrible receivers take the field and then hear fellow Bear fans: "Grossman sucks!"

 

:banghead:

[Balsa]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

[jersey cubs fan]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

 

Lovie plans on using Hester less frequently on returns (and more frequently in passing game), so Davis is going to be "needed" there.

[Soul]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

 

Lovie plans on using Hester less frequently on returns (and more frequently in passing game), so Davis is going to be "needed" there.

 

This is another mistake, IMO.

 

This ballclub is tanking before our very eyes.

[Jon]

Some tidbits from Lovie:

Trib[/url]"]He said Benson continues to rehab from a broken leg and should be ready to participate in the off-season program at some point.

.............

Smith called Benson a "hard worker," but indicated he would like to see the former Texas star lose weight in an effort to gain quickness.

.............

"It's probably better getting linemen earlier [in the draft]," Smith said. "More running backs have turned out later in the draft than have offensive linemen or even defensive linemen."

.............

"I think Devin Hester can pretty much be what he wants to be," Smith said. "Can he be a three-down receiver? Definitely."

 

Smith said the plan is to have Hester return fewer kicks, but will use him on special teams on a limited basis.

 

"You have to be realistic to know he can't do it all," Smith said.

 

Smith indicated Danieal Manning could help the Bears on kick returns, and mentioned restricted free-agent receiver Rashied Davis as another possible return man.

 

Yet that doesn't mean we have seen the last of Hester the return man.

 

"We're in a game and we need a play and they're kicking the ball off to us, there is a good chance you are going to see him back there," Smith said. "They're punting the ball to us and we need a big play, no matter what part of the game, there is a good chance you are going to see him back there."

................

There are fewer questions on defense, but Smith said he expects Mike Brown to move to free safety after playing strong safety last season. Brown has played free in the past.

 

The move could have ramifications for Manning, who is considered a better free safety than strong. Smith said he expects Manning to compete at strong safety with Brandon McGowan, Kevin Payne and Adam Archuleta. He also left open the possibility the Bears could add a safety in the coming months.

 

Smith also said defensive lineman Israel Idonije will be given a longer look.

I sure hope the Hester talk is just smoke...

 

By the way, has anyone seen confirmation that Rashied Davis has been re-signed?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

 

Lovie plans on using Hester less frequently on returns (and more frequently in passing game), so Davis is going to be "need" there.

Rashied Davis & "needed" should never be used in the same setence...well maybe "We really need to stop keeping crap like Rashied Davis on the roster. He is nothing special as a return guy. It was a pointless signing, you can find a body to spell Hester using a 5-6th round draft pick, or someone currenlty on the roster like Wolfe.

[Soul]

Smith said the plan is to have Hester return fewer kicks, but will use him on special teams on a limited basis.

 

"You have to be realistic to know he can't do it all," Smith said.

 

I think you have to be realistic to know Hester isn't likely to have the mental capacity to be an every-down receiver. Certainly not a #1. The kid is pure instinct, he's perfect for the kick return game.

 

Lovie is convincing himself otherwise because this ballclub has failed to produce or acquire a good receiver. It's not a good sign. Not good at all.

[jersey cubs fan]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

 

Lovie plans on using Hester less frequently on returns (and more frequently in passing game), so Davis is going to be "needed" there.

 

This is another mistake, IMO.

 

This ballclub is tanking before our very eyes.

 

I don't think it's a mistake. Returning can take it's toll. And let's not forget that Hester is prone to the dumbdumbs on many returns. He's great, no doubt, but I think he can be just as great while taking a few less kicks, and getting more involved in the passing game.

[jersey cubs fan]

Smith said the plan is to have Hester return fewer kicks, but will use him on special teams on a limited basis.

 

"You have to be realistic to know he can't do it all," Smith said.

 

I think you have to be realistic to know Hester isn't likely to have the mental capacity to be an every-down receiver. Certainly not a #1. The kid is pure instinct, he's perfect for the kick return game.

 

Lovie is convincing himself otherwise because this ballclub has failed to produce or acquire a good receiver. It's not a good sign. Not good at all.

 

It doesn't take genius to be an impact receiver. Jerry Rice may have been the most heady guy out there, but physical gifts are more important than anything else out there. Muhsin's greatest asset was his size and his head, but neither Randy Moss nor TO are dominating through thought.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

rashied davis, pointless.

 

Yeap.

 

I can't wait to see this ragtag OLine and horrible receivers take the field and then hear fellow Bear fans: "Grossman sucks!"

 

:banghead:

 

God I remember when I was a younger man, living in Wisconsin, thinking that Packer fans were the mental apes of sports fans. Then I moved, the bears drafted Rex Grossman, and I realized that it was broken logic to assume that rooting for the Bears made you smarter. Clearly morons are in the majority for both franchises. I am starting to hate bear fans almost (I stress almost) as much as packer fans.

[UMFan83]

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Take the best kick and punt returner of all time, and have him return kicks and punts less! Amazing!

 

The only argument that would make me agree with this move is this:

 

Hester's career path as it is, is clearly laid out. He is going to be a dynamic kick and punt returner. Eventually he is going to take one big hit too many and get injured. If he suffers any sort of injury that effects his speed, he will become just an above average KR/PR.

 

I love the Devin Hester era, but lets be honest, how many years of amazing special teams play do we expect out of him? 2....3 more years?

 

 

And don't be ignorant Bears fans, a fast shifty guy like Hester will get hurt returning kicks, and probably sooner than later. When your a little guy like Hester and your goal is to run full speed past 11 bigger guys 100 times a season, something will eventually give.

Edited April 3, 2008 by UMFan83

[CuseCubFan69]

rashied davis, pointless.

No kidding.

 

Lovie plans on using Hester less frequently on returns (and more frequently in passing game), so Davis is going to be "needed" there.

 

This is another mistake, IMO.

 

This ballclub is tanking before our very eyes.

 

I don't think it's a mistake. Returning can take it's toll. And let's not forget that Hester is prone to the dumbdumbs on many returns. He's great, no doubt, but I think he can be just as great while taking a few less kicks, and getting more involved in the passing game.

 

Do the Bears use the short pass to help him get the ball? With your O line and Hesters skills, it seems to make sense.

[tfarks]

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Take the best kick and punt returner of all time, and have him return kicks and punts less! Amazing!

 

The only argument that would make me agree with this move is this:

 

Hester's career path as it is, is clearly laid out. He is going to be a dynamic kick and punt returner. Eventually he is going to take one big hit too many and get injured. If he suffers any sort of injury that effects his speed, he will become just an above average KR/PR.

 

I love the Devin Hester era, but lets be honest, how many years of amazing special teams play do we expect out of him? 2....3 more years?

 

Players like Eric Metcalf have proven you can have a long successful career as a returner. How elusive Hester is I don't know if we've seen him take a big hit yet. As long as he gets lucky with leg injuries I don't see why he couldn't do what hes doing for another 10 years...I'm sure his TD's will drop periodically, but thats only because if he sustains his numbers he will blow every return record so far out of the water they will start calling kick returns hester bombs. I think the only thing that stops him from being an elite returner is becoming a wide receiver, as it looks Lovie is trying to accomplish that. I don't know you can plug someone in for just "important returns" or whatever Lovie was getting at, you'll lose that instinct that allows you to find your way through a mass of 21 people. Maybe not I dunno, I would personally leave him back there for kick returns, or at the very least punt returns only. Less likely to take a big hit on a punt return.

[jersey cubs fan]

Less likely to take a big hit on a punt return.

 

Is that true? On a KR he's got more time and space to plot his course. Punt coverage can be on you when you catch the ball.

[tfarks]

Less likely to take a big hit on a punt return.

 

Is that true? On a KR he's got more time and space to plot his course. Punt coverage can be on you when you catch the ball.

 

Perhaps, but in my opinion a punt return defense is less aggressive. Kickoff gets more search and destroy while a punt team tends to be a little more conservative. This is subjective obviously, plus he can always fair catch.

[Guest]

Smith said the plan is to have Hester return fewer kicks, but will use him on special teams on a limited basis.

 

"You have to be realistic to know he can't do it all," Smith said.

 

I think you have to be realistic to know Hester isn't likely to have the mental capacity to be an every-down receiver. Certainly not a #1. The kid is pure instinct, he's perfect for the kick return game.

 

Lovie is convincing himself otherwise because this ballclub has failed to produce or acquire a good receiver. It's not a good sign. Not good at all.

 

It doesn't take genius to be an impact receiver. Jerry Rice may have been the most heady guy out there, but physical gifts are more important than anything else out there. Muhsin's greatest asset was his size and his head, but neither Randy Moss nor TO are dominating through thought.

After hearing the Chad Johnson interview on SC last night, I'd like to add his name to the latter category there.

[Banedon]

Less likely to take a big hit on a punt return.

 

Is that true? On a KR he's got more time and space to plot his course. Punt coverage can be on you when you catch the ball.

 

I think the idea though is that you don't have Hester going one way full speed with a defensemen coming full speed the other direction. And he'll fair catch on punts much more often.

[Guest]

When Hester isn't succeeding as an every-down WR, they sure as hell better bring him back to returning every kick and punt in a game. Not a fan of this.

[rawaction]

I understand the thinking behind taking Hester off some returns if he's gonna play WR. Dallas, Atlanta, and SF took Deion off 100% of the returns when he was playing both ways. Steve Smith and Reggie Bush are pretty good returners who don't return 100% of the time. Of course, Hester doesn't play everydown at DB anymore and is not ever gonna be the offensive player that Bush/Smith are.

 

If he never touches another kickoff, he's an asset as a decoy making teams kick short and giving up field position to an offense that will need it. He should definitely be out there on most punts, because there clearly is nobody that has ever been as good at returning punts than he is.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I understand the thinking behind taking Hester off some returns if he's gonna play WR. Dallas, Atlanta, and SF took Deion off 100% of the returns when he was playing both ways. Steve Smith and Reggie Bush are pretty good returners who don't return 100% of the time. Of course, Hester doesn't play everydown at DB anymore and is not ever gonna be the offensive player that Bush/Smith are.

 

.

 

That's it right there..... Guys like Steve Smith and Deion Sanders were taking off return duties because they had all pro value at their respective positions. I don't how anyone can assume Hester will become an all pro wide receiver given how raw he still is. I don't think there is anyway to spin this..it's a dumb move...which is becoming par for the course for this organization ever since they lost the Superbowl in 2007.