Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Handlebar McSkullet]

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.

 

Mike Mulligan to be exact.

 

File this whole drama in the "I dont care file." call his bluff.

[Brian]

Rashied Davis signed a 1 year deal with the Bears yesterday.

[rawaction]

I think there's a good chance the Bears DON'T go after a WR in this draft. Booker and Bradley will probably be the starters. Davis and Lloyd are 2 guys that can play the slot and are familiar w/ the offense (Lloyd at U of I). Still have Hester. And maybe they think Hass or Rideau could compete for some PT. I'd like to see a good WR after the catch like Doucet, Bennett, or Caldwell, but I don't see the Bears reaching for any or going after guys like Kelly or Hardy if one slips.

[Wilson A2000]

Haas should have gotten more time at the end of the year. He sure looked good in preseason, but I wish I could have seen him in the regular season.

[RedFlash]

I think there's a good chance the Bears DON'T go after a WR in this draft. Booker and Bradley will probably be the starters. Davis and Lloyd are 2 guys that can play the slot and are familiar w/ the offense (Lloyd at U of I). Still have Hester. And maybe they think Hass or Rideau could compete for some PT. I'd like to see a good WR after the catch like Doucet, Bennett, or Caldwell, but I don't see the Bears reaching for any or going after guys like Kelly or Hardy if one slips.

 

The Bears current recievers should not prevent the Bears from drafting a WR. There is no guarantee that Lloyd, Hass or Rideau even makes the team---even tho I really like Hass. And there is no guarantee that Bradley or Hester (I want them to improve) will standout as a WR. But if a kid like Malcom Kelly drops to the 2nd rd, or a kid like Earl Bennett, Andre Caldwell, or Jordy Nelson is there in the 3rd rd, I could see the Bears taking a WR.

[rawaction]

I think there's a good chance the Bears DON'T go after a WR in this draft. Booker and Bradley will probably be the starters. Davis and Lloyd are 2 guys that can play the slot and are familiar w/ the offense (Lloyd at U of I). Still have Hester. And maybe they think Hass or Rideau could compete for some PT. I'd like to see a good WR after the catch like Doucet, Bennett, or Caldwell, but I don't see the Bears reaching for any or going after guys like Kelly or Hardy if one slips.

 

The Bears current recievers should not prevent the Bears from drafting a WR. There is no guarantee that Lloyd, Hass or Rideau even makes the team---even tho I really like Hass. And there is no guarantee that Bradley or Hester (I want them to improve) will standout as a WR. But if a kid like Malcom Kelly drops to the 2nd rd, or a kid like Earl Bennett, Andre Caldwell, or Jordy Nelson is there in the 3rd rd, I could see the Bears taking a WR.

 

Kinda what I was saying. I don't see them taking a WR in the 2nd. What if all their top targets are gone by the 3rd though?

[RedFlash]

Kinda what I was saying. I don't see them taking a WR in the 2nd. What if all their top targets are gone by the 3rd though?

 

The Bears do have 3 7th rd comp picks. Perhaps a WR the Bears likes drops that far. But if not a guy like Steve Johnson, Kenneth Moore, or Mark Bradford could be a decent pick up in 6/7th rds.

[Wilson A2000]

After listening to Mulligan's show on the radio today, he is adamant that Urlacher's agent, obviously speaking for Urlacher, did float the trade idea to the Bears and the idea that Brian could threaten to retire. When Urlacher says that he never said any of the purported stuff, he is only saying that he himself did not say it. FYI, he also says that his back, while improved form last year, is still giving him problems.

 

It should also be taken into consideration that Urlacher was the only defensive player ever to have his rookie contract shredded in order to get another larger contract. It's not like the Bears haven't been good to him. If Urlacher had been playing out of his mind like he used to, I could see how he should get a new contract. But his skills are declining. Last year, he wasn't even voted in the top 5 NFC linebackers by the other players for the Pro-Bowl. The Bears offered to extend his contract by a year. It seems to me that Urlacher is jealous and greedy and is looking for an extension that he doesn't deserve.

[jersey cubs fan]

After listening to Mulligan's show on the radio today, he is adamant that Urlacher's agent, obviously speaking for Urlacher, did float the trade idea to the Bears and the idea that Brian could threaten to retire. When Urlacher says that he never said any of the purported stuff, he is only saying that he himself did not say it. FYI, he also says that his back, while improved form last year, is still giving him problems.

 

It should also be taken into consideration that Urlacher was the only defensive player ever to have his rookie contract shredded in order to get another larger contract. It's not like the Bears haven't been good to him. If Urlacher had been playing out of his mind like he used to, I could see how he should get a new contract. But his skills are declining. Last year, he wasn't even voted in the top 5 NFC linebackers by the other players for the Pro-Bowl. The Bears offered to extend his contract by a year. It seems to me that Urlacher is jealous and greedy and is looking for an extension that he doesn't deserve.

 

I look at it as the best Bears player of the past decade, by a wide margin, who is still a very good player and likely to remain very good, is looking for a final extension on his contract that will provide him with his last great financial income from his playing career. That extension will not come close to handicapping the Bears against the cap (they have great leverage in the negotiations because of what's left on his contract), and therefore I don't have a problem with him wanting it.

 

I don't see it as greedy. The guy got divorced after his last contract, likely meaning his first wife took a great deal of that money. He's getting married again (idiot) and only has a few years left in his life where he can reasonably expect to make a high income. Say all you want about having more money than any reasonable person can expect in life, he deserves what he can get.

 

As the Bears, I'd rather take care of this now, than 1 or 2 years from now where he has more incentive to sit out, be a troublemaker or otherwise make things difficult. They can pretty much throw him a bone now and be done with it, or wait for him to demand even more if he has a solid 2008.

[Wilson A2000]

So because Urlacher can't keep his pants up, the Bears are obligated to pay him more? Some players demand more because they are good citizens. I don't think you can have it both ways. If he wanted to save money to help pay for his illegitimate kids, he would stop chartering aircraft from the local airport to fly to Vegas. If Urlacher wanted to get more money, assuming that he is going to stay healthy, he would wait a few years for a new contract because the salaries will rise with time. Then he won't be in the situation he is in now. I just wonder if he had kept his rookie contract, he might have made more money because he would have signed his new contract when he was in his prime instead of entering into his prime.

[rawaction]

After listening to Mulligan's show on the radio today, he is adamant that Urlacher's agent, obviously speaking for Urlacher, did float the trade idea to the Bears and the idea that Brian could threaten to retire. When Urlacher says that he never said any of the purported stuff, he is only saying that he himself did not say it. FYI, he also says that his back, while improved form last year, is still giving him problems.

 

It should also be taken into consideration that Urlacher was the only defensive player ever to have his rookie contract shredded in order to get another larger contract. It's not like the Bears haven't been good to him. If Urlacher had been playing out of his mind like he used to, I could see how he should get a new contract. But his skills are declining. Last year, he wasn't even voted in the top 5 NFC linebackers by the other players for the Pro-Bowl. The Bears offered to extend his contract by a year. It seems to me that Urlacher is jealous and greedy and is looking for an extension that he doesn't deserve.

 

I look at it as the best Bears player of the past decade, by a wide margin, who is still a very good player and likely to remain very good, is looking for a final extension on his contract that will provide him with his last great financial income from his playing career. That extension will not come close to handicapping the Bears against the cap (they have great leverage in the negotiations because of what's left on his contract), and therefore I don't have a problem with him wanting it.

 

I don't see it as greedy. The guy got divorced after his last contract, likely meaning his first wife took a great deal of that money. He's getting married again (idiot) and only has a few years left in his life where he can reasonably expect to make a high income. Say all you want about having more money than any reasonable person can expect in life, he deserves what he can get.

 

As the Bears, I'd rather take care of this now, than 1 or 2 years from now where he has more incentive to sit out, be a troublemaker or otherwise make things difficult. They can pretty much throw him a bone now and be done with it, or wait for him to demand even more if he has a solid 2008.

 

Agree. Like it or not, there is a market value established for players of his caliber. As long as he's beneath that, he has a gripe. I think now that his back is giving him problems, Urlacher is probably somewhat afraid of what his future holds. I'm sure he feels he's done enough for this franchise to be given that extra security. I can't blame him. Do it now. Keep your best player happy. He's not being unreasonable in his demands.

[jersey cubs fan]

So because Urlacher can't keep his pants up, the Bears are obligated to pay him more? Some players demand more because they are good citizens. I don't think you can have it both ways. If he wanted to save money to help pay for his illegitimate kids, he would stop chartering aircraft from the local airport to fly to Vegas. If Urlacher wanted to get more money, assuming that he is going to stay healthy, he would wait a few years for a new contract because the salaries will rise with time. Then he won't be in the situation he is in now. I just wonder if he had kept his rookie contract, he might have made more money because he would have signed his new contract when he was in his prime instead of entering into his prime.

 

I'm not saying that at all. The Bears aren't obligated to do anything.

 

If it was just about anybody else, I'd be all for the hardline approach. But, this won't hurt the Bears, he's a true superstar, he probably has a lot left in the tank, and they are in a nice position where they can offer something below what he'll most certainly demand in a year or two.

 

It may seem wrong for a guy with that much time left on his deal to expect a new one. But the fact that so much time is left gives the Bears leverage. An aging superstar with 1 or 2 years left is much more problematic.

[Wilson A2000]

and they are in a nice position where they can offer something below what he'll most certainly demand in a year or two.

 

That's what I find odd: why doesn't he wait a few years so that he can really get paid (but he will be 34 when his contract is out and I doubt that he will get much of anything after that). He already sort of made this mistake once. Would the Bears add on to his present contract or tear apart his present one? If they tear it apart, how much of a signing bonus might he get? I just wonder if Urlacher knows that his skills are declining, he knows his back is really hurting him, and that he is trying to milk to cow once more. If so, the Bears obviously know this which is why they only want to offer him more more year on the four he already has left.

[Soul]

After listening to Mulligan's show on the radio today, he is adamant that Urlacher's agent, obviously speaking for Urlacher, did float the trade idea to the Bears and the idea that Brian could threaten to retire. When Urlacher says that he never said any of the purported stuff, he is only saying that he himself did not say it. FYI, he also says that his back, while improved form last year, is still giving him problems.

 

It should also be taken into consideration that Urlacher was the only defensive player ever to have his rookie contract shredded in order to get another larger contract. It's not like the Bears haven't been good to him. If Urlacher had been playing out of his mind like he used to, I could see how he should get a new contract. But his skills are declining. Last year, he wasn't even voted in the top 5 NFC linebackers by the other players for the Pro-Bowl. The Bears offered to extend his contract by a year. It seems to me that Urlacher is jealous and greedy and is looking for an extension that he doesn't deserve.

 

I look at it as the best Bears player of the past decade, by a wide margin, who is still a very good player and likely to remain very good, is looking for a final extension on his contract that will provide him with his last great financial income from his playing career. That extension will not come close to handicapping the Bears against the cap (they have great leverage in the negotiations because of what's left on his contract), and therefore I don't have a problem with him wanting it.

 

I don't see it as greedy. The guy got divorced after his last contract, likely meaning his first wife took a great deal of that money. He's getting married again (idiot) and only has a few years left in his life where he can reasonably expect to make a high income. Say all you want about having more money than any reasonable person can expect in life, he deserves what he can get.

 

As the Bears, I'd rather take care of this now, than 1 or 2 years from now where he has more incentive to sit out, be a troublemaker or otherwise make things difficult. They can pretty much throw him a bone now and be done with it, or wait for him to demand even more if he has a solid 2008.

 

Agree. Like it or not, there is a market value established for players of his caliber. As long as he's beneath that, he has a gripe. I think now that his back is giving him problems, Urlacher is probably somewhat afraid of what his future holds. I'm sure he feels he's done enough for this franchise to be given that extra security. I can't blame him. Do it now. Keep your best player happy. He's not being unreasonable in his demands.

 

I don't disagree, but there's nothing that says Brian will never make another peep as long as the Bears "take care of him now." We could extend him now, and then 2 years down the line have him come back and ask for more. It wouldn't really be in Urlacher's character (IMO), but still, there's no guarantee.

[Jon]

WFLD outbid WMAQ and WBBM for the Bears' TV partnership. They signed a 5-year deal with the Bears and will replace Channel 5.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears draft talk has really died down of late. Guess a good Cubs team can do that around here. But this is an extremely important draft for the Angelo/Lovie era. If they don't find some significant upgrades in this draft, and the team continues to struggle, they could be out before the next draft class has a chance to contribute.

 

With 4 picks in the first three rounds, 14, 44, 70 and 90, the Bears probably think they can get at least 3 guys who can contribute significantly in 2008, and might think they can find 4. Given his history, Angelo may still be looking to turn one of those picks into 2, giving him 5 top 90 selections.

 

I've been begging for offensive line help for a few years now, and all signs seem to be pointing toward that being the primary target early. However, if they find a BPA at 14 who is not a lineman, will they be able to pass? Odds are you aren't going to find a 2008 starter at tackle past the first round, and that would leave the position a mess for this season.

[Wilson A2000]

WFLD outbid WMAQ and WBBM for the Bears' TV partnership. They signed a 5-year deal with the Bears and will replace Channel 5.

 

Is this for pre-season games?

[Wilson A2000]

Bears draft talk has really died down of late. Guess a good Cubs team can do that around here. But this is an extremely important draft for the Angelo/Lovie era. If they don't find some significant upgrades in this draft, and the team continues to struggle, they could be out before the next draft class has a chance to contribute.

 

With 4 picks in the first three rounds, 14, 44, 70 and 90, the Bears probably think they can get at least 3 guys who can contribute significantly in 2008, and might think they can find 4. Given his history, Angelo may still be looking to turn one of those picks into 2, giving him 5 top 90 selections.

 

I've been begging for offensive line help for a few years now, and all signs seem to be pointing toward that being the primary target early. However, if they find a BPA at 14 who is not a lineman, will they be able to pass? Odds are you aren't going to find a 2008 starter at tackle past the first round, and that would leave the position a mess for this season.

 

Jerry is great when he picks after the first round, but has trouble with the important first round ones. Generally, offensive lineman are safer bets than the skilled players, so I have a little more confidence with him right now. I have heard rumors that the Bears want Matt Ryan and might trade up to get him. I have no idea if these rumors are true. I don't think Ryan is a guy you trade up for. 19 interceptions last year.

[Jon]

WFLD outbid WMAQ and WBBM for the Bears' TV partnership. They signed a 5-year deal with the Bears and will replace Channel 5.

 

Is this for pre-season games?

Preseason games, Bears GDL, and Bears GNL. Everything that used to be on NBC.

[Wilson A2000]

Does that mean no more Ditka for pre-season games (not that he was knowledgeable)?

[Banedon]

WFLD outbid WMAQ and WBBM for the Bears' TV partnership. They signed a 5-year deal with the Bears and will replace Channel 5.

 

Is this for pre-season games?

Preseason games, Bears GDL, and Bears GNL. Everything that used to be on NBC.

 

I hope that they'll still share the preseason game broadcasts with other stations around the state so non-Chicagoans can still see those games?

 

Those of us not in Chicago didn't get GDL and GNL anyway, so no loss there.

[rawaction]

The Bears just can't afford Matt Ryan. They can't afford to trade picks to get up in the draft enough to pick him (i.e. top 7 before the Ravens pick). They can't afford to pay a 1st round QB. And they can't afford to not take and OL in the top 50 (assuming they would give up their 1-2 to get in the top 7).

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears just can't afford Matt Ryan. They can't afford to trade picks to get up in the draft enough to pick him (i.e. top 7 before the Ravens pick). They can't afford to pay a 1st round QB. And they can't afford to not take and OL in the top 50 (assuming they would give up their 1-2 to get in the top 7).

 

Absolutely, and to top it off, I'm still not sold on the guy. Not enough to take at that spot.

[Soul]

I'll be on a plane during the draft, which is probably a good thing.

[Banedon]

Is there any chance at all of Clady falling to the Bears?