Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Soul]

How does a team that was in the Super Bowl have the easiest schedule in the league?

 

The same reason they had such an easy ride to 16-0, they play in the pathetic AFC East.

 

When the Bears went to the Super Bowl in 2006, they had the easiest schedule in the league that year I believe even though they had the first or second best record in the NFC the year before. The NFC Central/North was just plain terrible. But remember, although the Patriots have the easiest schedule based on last season's record, many teams improve from season to season which could mean they have a much tough schedule than was originally thought.

 

Yeah, this just makes me that much more glad that the Giants stuck it to them though. Just doesn't seem right that a Super Bowl club should have such an easy ride the next season. Bears really didn't -- the schedule was tougher last year for us, with the resulting extra losses.

[NCCubFan]

Sun. 14 @ Panthers

I definitely plan to go to that game. I already have the day single-game Panthers' tickets go on sale on my calendar.

[minnesotacubsfan]

so now Johnson is saying trade me by the draft:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3349761

 

 

yum. what would it take?

[Soul]

so now Johnson is saying trade me by the draft:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3349761

 

 

yum. what would it take?

 

What if it took Hester, for example?

[Flames24Rulz]

I still don't think the Bengals will trade him. If they trade him now, they're not going to get full value for Chad because other teams know that they can put a lesser offer out there and it could get accepted because he's forcing their hand. I know Chad's real unhappy with Bengals' management, but unless they can get a stud defensive player or two for him, I don't see him being traded.

[UMFan83]

I still don't think the Bengals will trade him. If they trade him now, they're not going to get full value for Chad because other teams know that they can put a lesser offer out there and it could get accepted because he's forcing their hand. I know Chad's real unhappy with Bengals' management, but unless they can get a stud defensive player or two for him, I don't see him being traded.

 

It will only get worse if they call his bluff and he actually sits out of these practices. Chad's crazy enough to sit out and not get paid in order to get what he wants.

 

That said, sadly acquiring Chad Johnson is not a Bears-type move.

[Soul]

I still don't think the Bengals will trade him. If they trade him now, they're not going to get full value for Chad because other teams know that they can put a lesser offer out there and it could get accepted because he's forcing their hand. I know Chad's real unhappy with Bengals' management, but unless they can get a stud defensive player or two for him, I don't see him being traded.

 

It will only get worse if they call his bluff and he actually sits out of these practices. Chad's crazy enough to sit out and not get paid in order to get what he wants.

 

That said, sadly acquiring Chad Johnson is not a Bears-type move.

 

It would seem to be out of character for Angelo, agreed.

[rawaction]

I'd rather trade up to draft McFadden over trading for Chad Johnson. Getting a star RB with a crap OL is better than getting a star WR with a crap QB. Barry Sanders made a crappy line look good in Detroit, Payton made a crap line look good for most of his career. There's not been a WR that has made a below average QB look good. I put more weight on this opinion when you consider the type of person Chad is and the fact that a guy like McFadden would be around still when the Bears are able to get/develop a good OL and QB.

[Wilson A2000]

I'd rather trade up to draft McFadden over trading for Chad Johnson. Getting a star RB with a crap OL is better than getting a star WR with a crap QB. Barry Sanders made a crappy line look good in Detroit, Payton made a crap line look good for most of his career. There's not been a WR that has made a below average QB look good. I put more weight on this opinion when you consider the type of person Chad is and the fact that a guy like McFadden would be around still when the Bears are able to get/develop a good OL and QB.

 

What would the Bears have to give up to get McFadden? What about trading Urlacher? Briggs can play middle and Jamar Williams could be the other linebacker. Urlacher's best days are behind him, especially considering his back.

 

What about drafting Mendenhal from Illinois. He won't make it to the second round will he if the Beras take an offensive lineman in the first? Man Benson was a bust, but I was one who wnated Mike Williams. That was even more of a bust.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'd rather trade up to draft McFadden over trading for Chad Johnson. Getting a star RB with a crap OL is better than getting a star WR with a crap QB. Barry Sanders made a crappy line look good in Detroit, Payton made a crap line look good for most of his career. There's not been a WR that has made a below average QB look good. I put more weight on this opinion when you consider the type of person Chad is and the fact that a guy like McFadden would be around still when the Bears are able to get/develop a good OL and QB.

 

I'm not sold on McFadden, at least trading up for him. I say let Johnson sit, and as it gets worse, he becomes more viable to trade for. Hester? ok. Johnson still outproduces him. crap QB or not, fix the oline and a ok QB (crap QB with good OL) can do just fine with Johnson.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Housh making his move to be #1 in Cincy??:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3351518&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[Flames24Rulz]

Urlacher's actually threatening to retire if the Bears don't re-work his deal.

 

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=115083

[Butterscup1679666578]

Urlacher's actually threatening to retire if the Bears don't re-work his deal.

 

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=115083

 

Briggs is unhappy too? How? I'm starting to hate this team.

[Wilson A2000]

Urlacher's actually threatening to retire if the Bears don't re-work his deal.

 

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=115083

 

Once the checks stop coming, it is weird how people change their mind. Ask Briggs and "I'll never play for the Bears again and I'll hold out..." Urlacher would also have to pay back a good portion of his signing bonus if he retires. But what a malcontent. You signed the contract Brian. You were getting paid more than anyone else at the time. Now it is uneven the other way. But who cares. If he knew how to sell a product he could have made even more. Blame yourself you big winer. Lovie said that he doesn't play hurt people and Urlacher agreed so Brian will have a hard time with the injury excuse. How in the world does Briggs not like his new deal?

[RedFlash]

Are Urlacher and Briggs "special" friends? Because I know Urlacher had been compaigning to get Briggs re-signed for over a yr, even at the expense of his own finiancial security. Now that Briggs is "secure" he is now whining about his deal? Not to be left out Briggs once his new deal, redone---before even playing a down in 2008---because he doesn't like the numbers?

 

Omigod.....let Urlacher retired. Let Briggs go pout in the corner, and be fined every day, and lose money. Let's see what Michael Okwo and Jamar Williams can do.

 

And I wonder will the situations with Urlacher/Briggs cause the Bears to redue their draft evaluations. I mean, what if Keith Rivers is available? Or do you take perhaps a guy like Meyo in the 2nd rd?

[rawaction]

I wasn't advocating trading up for McFadden. I wouldn't do that either. I just really don't want to give up anything of substance for Ocho Cinco. However, if he came for a 4th or 5th rounder only ala Moss, I'd gladly give that up. But I'm not giving up a first 3 rounds pick for a headcase when you still need someone to throw the ball to him and block for long enough to allow said person to throw.

[Soul]

This is starting to irk me, as well. It's likely just posturing, but Jesus.

 

I'm not in the mood to countenance any of these guys after an extremely lackluster, 7-9, non-playoff season. They just weren't all that great. More money? How about a better performance first?

[jersey cubs fan]

Urlacher's actually threatening to retire if the Bears don't re-work his deal.

 

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=115083

 

Briggs is unhappy too? How? I'm starting to hate this team.

 

Considering Briggs got a lot less than he thought he could get, I could see making the assumption he's unhappy. He doesn't have a leg to stand on in that argument however, and neither does Urlacher. None of this talk matters though.

[Jon]

Yeah, I wouldn't pay much attention to the talk right now. Besides, RotoWorld is only speculating that Briggs is sitting out because he's unhappy. He could very well be sitting out for another reason.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-brian-urlacher-chicago-bears-080418,1,2933032.story

 

PHOENIX - Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher disputed a report that he threatened to retire if the Bears don't reward him with more guaranteed money.

 

``I never said that I was going to quit,'' Urlacher told the Tribune early Friday morning. ``That's just a gossip column. Reports like that is why I choose not to speak to the media.''

 

``They've offered me a one-year extension,'' Urlacher said. ``My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can.''

 

Urlacher said he understands the Bears' hesitance to make a bigger commitment is directly related to concerns about his health. He is coming off minor neck surgery in January and continues to battle arthritis in his lower back.

 

``But in my mind, my neck is rehabbed and back to normal,'' Urlacher said. ``My back is better now than it was at any point last season.''

``Everybody knows I want to be in Chicago,'' he said. ``I've said that from Day 1. I can't imagine playing anywhere else. I want to be with my teammates.

 

``Could I see a scenario where I wouldn't be here? It would be if they traded me. But we all know that's not going to happen.''

[UMFan83]

 

``They've offered me a one-year extension,'' Urlacher said. ``My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can.''

 

Urlacher said he understands the Bears' hesitance to make a bigger commitment is directly related to concerns about his health. He is coming off minor neck surgery in January and continues to battle arthritis in his lower back.

 

``But in my mind, my neck is rehabbed and back to normal,'' Urlacher said. ``My back is better now than it was at any point last season.''

 

THEN SHOW UP TO VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS AND PROVE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY YOU IDIOT.

[Soul]

That's a relief.

[Guest]

 

``They've offered me a one-year extension,'' Urlacher said. ``My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can.''

 

Urlacher said he understands the Bears' hesitance to make a bigger commitment is directly related to concerns about his health. He is coming off minor neck surgery in January and continues to battle arthritis in his lower back.

 

``But in my mind, my neck is rehabbed and back to normal,'' Urlacher said. ``My back is better now than it was at any point last season.''

 

THEN SHOW UP TO VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS AND PROVE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY YOU IDIOT.

 

I'd rather he not.

 

Not exactly a surprise that it was contract talk posturing and RotoWorld guessing about stuff.

[Soul]

 

``They've offered me a one-year extension,'' Urlacher said. ``My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can.''

 

Urlacher said he understands the Bears' hesitance to make a bigger commitment is directly related to concerns about his health. He is coming off minor neck surgery in January and continues to battle arthritis in his lower back.

 

``But in my mind, my neck is rehabbed and back to normal,'' Urlacher said. ``My back is better now than it was at any point last season.''

 

THEN SHOW UP TO VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS AND PROVE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY YOU IDIOT.

 

I'd rather he not.

 

Not exactly a surprise that it was contract talk posturing and RotoWorld guessing about stuff.

 

I was going to say....rotoworld should probably start checking their sources better.

[David]

Their "source" on that report was the friggin Chicago Sun-Times.

 

All Rotoworld really does is take what the papers and big sites are saying and put them all in one little neat place.