Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[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.

 

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.

 

We're talking about 2 different things here though. Rice is very smart, vs. a guy like Moss who is average intelligence, maybe slightly below, but still enough to get by.

 

Then there's Hester. I love the kid, but he's far, far below average intelligence. Who really cares? The kid's a star and loving life. But handling defenses, learning the finer details of beating defenders? I just don't see it. He didn't even know the plays last year, after a full offseason of being a receiver.

 

There's an important difference here. A very important one.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

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.

 

I am kind of on the fence. The bottom line is, if the wr corp wasnt so awful, then this would not be an issue. Hester would be returning full time.

[Soul]

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.

 

I am kind of on the fence. The bottom line is, if the wr corp wasnt so awful, then this would not be an issue. Hester would be returning full time.

 

Which makes it even more frustrating. When you see a coach begin to make these compensations because the players just aren't there, and clearly aren't going to be there, it throws up all kinds of red flags for me.

 

I think Angelo's starting to drop the ball. Especially on offense; it's getting very, very bad.

[Jon]

Preseason schedule:

 

vs. Kansas City - August 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11

@ Seattle - August 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18

vs. San Francisco - August 21, national game on FOX at 7 PM

@ Cleveland - August 28 or 29

[Chocolate Milk]

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.

 

We're talking about 2 different things here though. Rice is very smart, vs. a guy like Moss who is average intelligence, maybe slightly below, but still enough to get by.

 

Then there's Hester. I love the kid, but he's far, far below average intelligence. Who really cares? The kid's a star and loving life. But handling defenses, learning the finer details of beating defenders? I just don't see it. He didn't even know the plays last year, after a full offseason of being a receiver.

 

There's an important difference here. A very important one.

 

I don't think he's this dumb, man. He's running in lines. It doesn't get a lot easier than this.

[Banedon]

Urlacher is mad at the Bears, presumably over contract extention negotiations, and will skip the first voluntary offseason workout.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080406-brian-urlacher-chicago-bears,1,3486170.story

[Jon]

The article also says that Rashied Davis has not been signed.

[apete6]

Urlacher is mad at the Bears, presumably over contract extention negotiations, and will skip the first voluntary offseason workout.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080406-brian-urlacher-chicago-bears,1,3486170.story

 

I don't think they should negotiate. Yeah, he's their franchise player, but he isn't as good as a few years ago and they have him locked into a team-friendly contract until 2011. I can't see him being worth any more money in 4 more years. He made his bed, now he has to lay in it.

 

I also can't see him being the type of guy that would actually sit out any meaningful action (training camp, preseason, regular season, etc).

[Soul]

Urlacher is mad at the Bears, presumably over contract extention negotiations, and will skip the first voluntary offseason workout.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080406-brian-urlacher-chicago-bears,1,3486170.story

 

I don't think they should negotiate. Yeah, he's their franchise player, but he isn't as good as a few years ago and they have him locked into a team-friendly contract until 2011. I can't see him being worth any more money in 4 more years. He made his bed, now he has to lay in it.

 

I also can't see him being the type of guy that would actually sit out any meaningful action (training camp, preseason, regular season, etc).

 

Wouldn't the Bears want to see how Urlacher's back is going to hold up, and how he comes back from neck surgery, before committing even more years to him? It's not like his contract is up, he's signed for 3 more seasons.

 

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but what do I know.

[jersey cubs fan]

David Haugh, predictably, says give the guy his money. Which is what he's said about everybody.

 

There are two ways of looking at this. One, he's signed for a while longer and questionable as for his health and ability going forward.

 

On the other hand, he's relatively cheap, and because he's still got three years to go, the Bears could "extend" him at a reasonable rate. It would be better than both pissing him off, and then being forced to talk extension closer to the time of this contract expiring.

 

If you assume Urlacher plays well for another 2 years, at that point there will be no getting around the problem. And you will probably be forced to pay even more.

 

As long as an extension isn't franchise crippling, I say you think long and hard about it. He may never play at the level he's played at so far, but he's still going to be a pretty darn good linebacker.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

profootballtalk says that tommie harris talks have broken off. the bears offered more than what tommy kelly got. i agree with harris on this, if tommy kelly gets 16 mil guaranteed then harris is worth 40 mil. in all seriousness, harris is so much better than any of the dt's that got big money this offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

profootballtalk says that tommie harris talks have broken off. the bears offered more than what tommy kelly got. i agree with harris on this, if tommy kelly gets 16 mil guaranteed then harris is worth 40 mil. in all seriousness, harris is so much better than any of the dt's that got big money this offseason.

 

And yet, the injury remains an issue. The Bears offering him a boatload would be taking a major risk.

[Soul]

Harris is another guy who I love, but can't get the injury concerns out of my head. Last year really changed things; he never recovered from that hammy and I don't see any assurances that he ever really will.

[Banedon]

profootballtalk says that tommie harris talks have broken off. the bears offered more than what tommy kelly got. i agree with harris on this, if tommy kelly gets 16 mil guaranteed then harris is worth 40 mil. in all seriousness, harris is so much better than any of the dt's that got big money this offseason.

 

This is in the Trib. It's nothing to be concerned about, it's just that negotiations with players that are still under contract can take time. Sounds like he's gonna make some serious cash.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Harris is another guy who I love, but can't get the injury concerns out of my head. Last year really changed things; he never recovered from that hammy and I don't see any assurances that he ever really will.

 

8 sacks

 

 

Harris is fine..he's worth what he will likely get

[Banedon]

Man...the draft is sneaking up on me.

[minnesotacubsfan]

so now the list of RB's the bears have invited to chicago:

 

" recently having University of Texas' Jammal Charles, Tulane's Matt Forte, and University of Arkansas' Felix Jones in town for visits. It now appears the the Bears are spreading the pond, having met with University of Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall on Thursday and University of Central Florida's Kevin Smith this weekend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times."

- fanball

 

 

what is Angelo up to?

[RedFlash]

so now the list of RB's the bears have invited to chicago:

 

" recently having University of Texas' Jammal Charles, Tulane's Matt Forte, and University of Arkansas' Felix Jones in town for visits. It now appears the the Bears are spreading the pond, having met with University of Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall on Thursday and University of Central Florida's Kevin Smith this weekend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times."

- fanball

 

 

what is Angelo up to?

 

Prolly the same thing that the Colts (Bill Polian) is doing with bringing in guys like Early Doucet and Mario Manningham. It's due diligence.

[RynoRules]

Has he brought in the Stewart kid from Oregon yet? I hope so. There's a chance he will be there in the 2nd Rnd. If they grab Williams in the first, Stewart would be great value there.

[rawaction]

Has he brought in the Stewart kid from Oregon yet? I hope so. There's a chance he will be there in the 2nd Rnd. If they grab Williams in the first, Stewart would be great value there.

 

No, there's not much chance, if at all, Stewart will be there in the 2nd.

[Jon]

All schedules will be released at 1 PM tomorrow on the NFLN. I'd imagine that it will leak out before that, though.

[Chocolate Milk]

Harris is another guy who I love, but can't get the injury concerns out of my head. Last year really changed things; he never recovered from that hammy and I don't see any assurances that he ever really will.

Some people see the glass half full, some people see it half empty, Soul sees it as rancid milk, with maggots crawling out of the glass, and a giant turd floating in it.

 

Seriously man, the bolded is about a pessimistic as one could possibly be about anything. He came off hamstring surgery, played through an injured knee for most of the season, and recorded 8 sacks. I don't see how you could possibly say that he gave you no indication that he'll ever be the same. What exactly are you looking for out of a defensive tackle?

Edited April 14, 2008 by Chocolate Milk

[imb]

i never saw him take flight, for one.

[Chocolate Milk]

so now the list of RB's the bears have invited to chicago:

 

" recently having University of Texas' Jammal Charles, Tulane's Matt Forte, and University of Arkansas' Felix Jones in town for visits. It now appears the the Bears are spreading the pond, having met with University of Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall on Thursday and University of Central Florida's Kevin Smith this weekend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times."

Big fan of Charles.

[Soul]

Harris is another guy who I love, but can't get the injury concerns out of my head. Last year really changed things; he never recovered from that hammy and I don't see any assurances that he ever really will.

Some people see the glass half full, some people see it half empty, Soul sees it as rancid milk, with maggots crawling out of the glass, and a giant turd floating in it.

 

Seriously man, the bolded is about a pessimistic as one could possibly be about anything. He came off hamstring surgery, played through an injured knee for most of the season, and recorded 8 sacks. I don't see how you could possibly say that he gave you no indication that he'll ever be the same. What exactly are you looking for out of a defensive tackle?

 

Is it true that his hammy didn't fully heal all year long? Yes.

Is an injury that doesn't heal during an entire calendar year a concern? Yes.

 

End of story.