Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Chocolate Milk]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Sounds like everybody wants the Bears to take a QB for the sake of taking a QB. That's not a good idea in the first 4 rounds of the draft. After that, you get a bunch of "projects" and again, the Bears don't have a track record for developing QBs.

 

As for the franchise QB being most important....there are examples both ways. I think you can look at the Giants as a team that drafted their franchise QB and built a team around him. The Steelers did it the opposite way in their SB year a couple years back.

 

To borrow a line from Goony, if the Bears were a QB away from being an elite team, then you most certainly trade up, overpay and/or overdraft just to get a QB. But the Bears weren't in that position. I would have liked the Bears to draft a QB, but Ryan wasn't an option. Flacco would have been an overdraft at 14. Henne has too many questions to pick in the 2nd. Booty probably had too little upside to draft before the 3rd. Every other QB was too much of a project to matter either way. The only question to me was Brohm worth the #44 pick. I don't fault the Bears for determining he wasn't worth it.

 

Brohm has hurt his knee once, maybe twice he's had surgery on it. I don't think he'd be comfortable behind your line and the offensive scheme the Bears run unless they've gone to more of a short pass attack.

 

 

I dont think Ron Turner has any clue as to what kind of passing game he has or wants

[RedFlash]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

 

I could see the PUP for Benson, not because of injuyr, but because no team has signed him after the Bears cut him.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

 

I could see the PUP for Benson, not because of injuyr, but because no team has signed him after the Bears cut him.

 

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea that they will be cutting Benson. Angelo went from talking about Cedric as needing to improve before the draft, to practically dismissing him after they got Forte. They like Peterson on ST and as a backup. They presumably like Wolfe for his change of pace situation. And considering the RB in the system that Forte is most similar to is Benson, I would think Cedric would be a good candidate to be cut. He probably will be given through training camp to prove he deserves more of a chance. But I could definitely see them cut him before even the first preseason game.

[tfarks]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

 

I could see the PUP for Benson, not because of injuyr, but because no team has signed him after the Bears cut him.

 

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea that they will be cutting Benson. Angelo went from talking about Cedric as needing to improve before the draft, to practically dismissing him after they got Forte. They like Peterson on ST and as a backup. They presumably like Wolfe for his change of pace situation. And considering the RB in the system that Forte is most similar to is Benson, I would think Cedric would be a good candidate to be cut. He probably will be given through training camp to prove he deserves more of a chance. But I could definitely see them cut him before even the first preseason game.

 

I wouldn't like that at all. This is a great time to open this camp up with the position wide open and see some competition. I think we might see a new Benson with Forte pushing him. Or perhaps they both work out and we see what we did with Jones/Benson. At the very least you give him one last year here, I don't know how much lower his value can get. If Forte outright wins the position then great, then we send Benson packing. Lets not put all our eggs in one basket again with a new RB, at least not without a little caution.

By the way, what kind of cap issue would we see if Benson was cut?

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

 

I could see the PUP for Benson, not because of injuyr, but because no team has signed him after the Bears cut him.

 

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea that they will be cutting Benson. Angelo went from talking about Cedric as needing to improve before the draft, to practically dismissing him after they got Forte. They like Peterson on ST and as a backup. They presumably like Wolfe for his change of pace situation. And considering the RB in the system that Forte is most similar to is Benson, I would think Cedric would be a good candidate to be cut. He probably will be given through training camp to prove he deserves more of a chance. But I could definitely see them cut him before even the first preseason game.

 

I wouldn't like that at all. This is a great time to open this camp up with the position wide open and see some competition. I think we might see a new Benson with Forte pushing him. Or perhaps they both work out and we see what we did with Jones/Benson. At the very least you give him one last year here, I don't know how much lower his value can get. If Forte outright wins the position then great, then we send Benson packing. Lets not put all our eggs in one basket again with a new RB, at least not without a little caution.

By the way, what kind of cap issue would we see if Benson was cut?

 

I wouldn't like to see him cut either. But I would assume they would at least open camp up to big-time competition. I've heard people say Wolfe may be on the hot seat, but considering Forte and Wolfe aren't similar at all, I would think Benson would be as good a candidate to be cut as anybody. I can't see them keeping 4 guys, and if Forte looks good, and Benson does not, there's no reason not to cut him. But if this does push Benson to improve, that's a different story.

 

Cedric is entering the 4th year of a 5-year contract, I would not think there would be significant salary cap ramifications to cutting him.

[Chocolate Milk]

Found this video on another board and wanted to share:

Forte: Every touch in the Senior Bowl

[Chocolate Milk]

I think it is possible that both Williams (he's probably a lock) and Forte could be game one starters for us.

 

I think it's possible that Ced Ben starts out the year on the PUP list.

 

I could see the PUP for Benson, not because of injuyr, but because no team has signed him after the Bears cut him.

 

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea that they will be cutting Benson. Angelo went from talking about Cedric as needing to improve before the draft, to practically dismissing him after they got Forte. They like Peterson on ST and as a backup. They presumably like Wolfe for his change of pace situation. And considering the RB in the system that Forte is most similar to is Benson, I would think Cedric would be a good candidate to be cut. He probably will be given through training camp to prove he deserves more of a chance. But I could definitely see them cut him before even the first preseason game.

 

I wouldn't like that at all. This is a great time to open this camp up with the position wide open and see some competition. I think we might see a new Benson with Forte pushing him. Or perhaps they both work out and we see what we did with Jones/Benson. At the very least you give him one last year here, I don't know how much lower his value can get. If Forte outright wins the position then great, then we send Benson packing. Lets not put all our eggs in one basket again with a new RB, at least not without a little caution.

By the way, what kind of cap issue would we see if Benson was cut?

 

I wouldn't like to see him cut either. But I would assume they would at least open camp up to big-time competition. I've heard people say Wolfe may be on the hot seat, but considering Forte and Wolfe aren't similar at all, I would think Benson would be as good a candidate to be cut as anybody. I can't see them keeping 4 guys, and if Forte looks good, and Benson does not, there's no reason not to cut him. But if this does push Benson to improve, that's a different story.

 

Cedric is entering the 4th year of a 5-year contract, I would not think there would be significant salary cap ramifications to cutting him.

I was thinking Wolfe at first but I couldn't get around: Angelo mentioning Forte as an "every down back" and not having anything good to say about Cedric. I was thinking PUP list would be the easy way out considering the injury.

[minnesotacubsfan]

they arent going to cut Benson, they got Forte to push him/replace him. if anything, they will trade Benson before they cut him

[RedFlash]

they arent going to cut Benson, they got Forte to push him/replace him. if anything, they will trade Benson before they cut him

 

After hearing what Angelo said about Forte and Benson, I believe Benson has NO GUARANTEE to make the roster. Re: Benson, Angelo seem convinced that Benson is not the RB they thought they were getting a couple of yrs ago. So, IMO, I think Benson will be cut, if he isn't....he's on VERY THIN ICE with the org.

[rawaction]

Found this video on another board and wanted to share:

Forte: Every touch in the Senior Bowl

 

He looked real good there. He looked a lot like a young Marcus Allen. Bigger, but similar speed and running style. Robert Smith comparison still fits, but he looks a lot tougher than the thespian ever was.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Found this video on another board and wanted to share:

Forte: Every touch in the Senior Bowl

 

He looked real good there. He looked a lot like a young Marcus Allen. Bigger, but similar speed and running style. Robert Smith comparison still fits, but he looks a lot tougher than the thespian ever was.

 

I dont think RSmith ever acted much, but I get your idea

[ELCABALLO45]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

[Sammy Sofa]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

It makes plenty of sense. Both have shown they can have success if they have even halfway decent protection. With as weak and porous as the Bears line was, plugging almost any QB would lead to them facing the same damn glaring weakness. Shore up the line, strengthen the running game and Orton and especially Rex can succeed.

[ELCABALLO45]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

It makes plenty of sense. Both have shown they can have success if they have even halfway decent protection. With as weak and porous as the Bears line was, plugging almost any QB would lead to them facing the same damn glaring weakness. Shore up the line, strengthen the running game and Orton and especially Rex can succeed.

 

Rex Grossman and Kyle Ortan are NOT the answer at quarterback. If you want to keep telling yourslef that, then cool.

[Sammy Sofa]

If you think a QB here would succeed with the wreck of a line the team had, go right ahead. I'll be waiting for you in reality.

[Outshined_One]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

It makes plenty of sense. Both have shown they can have success if they have even halfway decent protection. With as weak and porous as the Bears line was, plugging almost any QB would lead to them facing the same damn glaring weakness. Shore up the line, strengthen the running game and Orton and especially Rex can succeed.

 

Rex Grossman and Kyle Ortan are NOT the answer at quarterback. If you want to keep telling yourslef that, then cool.

 

Quite frankly, one of the biggest problems I had with the Bears' draft was that they did not tab Brian Brohm in the second round and they did not draft a project type of QB like Josh Johnson, Kevin O'Connell, or someone else along those lines with one of their late round picks. They might get a passable backup with one of the two guys they tabbed as UDFAs, but there is no heir apparent at starter.

 

I'm glad they passed on Henne and Booty, though.

[ELCABALLO45]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

It makes plenty of sense. Both have shown they can have success if they have even halfway decent protection. With as weak and porous as the Bears line was, plugging almost any QB would lead to them facing the same damn glaring weakness. Shore up the line, strengthen the running game and Orton and especially Rex can succeed.

 

Rex Grossman and Kyle Ortan are NOT the answer at quarterback. If you want to keep telling yourslef that, then cool.

 

Quite frankly, one of the biggest problems I had with the Bears' draft was that they did not tab Brian Brohm in the second round and they did not draft a project type of QB like Josh Johnson, Kevin O'Connell, or someone else along those lines with one of their late round picks. They might get a passable backup with one of the two guys they tabbed as UDFAs, but there is no heir apparent at starter.

 

I'm glad they passed on Henne and Booty, though.

 

Yeah, I would be frustrated as a Bears fan as well. Even when Grossman has time, he is to inconsistent to be a above average in this league. Might as well try to find someone who can be consistent for when the line comes together, and get better WR's. Its like the are keeping Grossman around to get smoked next year.

[RedFlash]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

You want to know why? He's the actual quote made by Jerry Angelo:

 

Said Angelo:

“By our grades, I will agree that I didn’t think it was a great quarterback class. I thought earlier on it was going to be pretty good, but the more we did research and evaluation, we just felt it was going to be very mediocre and I think you saw that on how the players were picked.”

 

In other words....no QB, outside of Ryan, proved to be a significant upgrade over what the team already has. To take a QB, because that is viewed as a "need", when it's really not, would be doing a disservice to the team. Take RB who will play immediately, or a QB who will sit for two yrs, and isn't really an upgrade of Grossman/Orton. Give me, the RB who will play, and provide a upgrade over the current RBs, over a QB, who would be at best a equal QB in terms of talent. Angelo wasn't impressed with any of the QBs, so why force youself to take a QB, when there is a player you want is still available. If there was a QB they wanted who was available, and still didn't take (the closest was JD Booty), I would be dissapointed.

 

So, taking a QB, because everybody is "screaming" for you to is ridiculous. If Angelo listened to the fans, then the Bears would have ended with with a Leonard Pope, Mercedes Lewis, over Greg Olsen. I'm going to trust Angelo on this one.

[Banedon]

Wow...from the Trib:

 

...anybody doubting Jerry Angelo's resolve in the ongoing Brian Urlacher dispute probably didn't hear Angelo answering the question on WMVP-AM: "Is Brian Urlacher holding a gun to your head?" Angelo replied, "If he is, it's filled with water." That's pretty bold for a guy who isn't negotiating through the media.

[tfarks]

Wow...from the Trib:

 

...anybody doubting Jerry Angelo's resolve in the ongoing Brian Urlacher dispute probably didn't hear Angelo answering the question on WMVP-AM: "Is Brian Urlacher holding a gun to your head?" Angelo replied, "If he is, it's filled with water." That's pretty bold for a guy who isn't negotiating through the media.

 

That just strikes me as completely unnecessary.

Although the situation may well be different behind the scenes.

[Derwood]

i know it's ridiculous, but McShea (sp?) already has a 2009 Mock Draft up on espn.com, with the Bears taking Tim Tebow :pukel:

[jersey cubs fan]

I liked the 1st pick for the Bears. But how do you NOT draft a quarterback? Your starter is REX GROSSMAN. And your back up is Kyle Ortan. Makes no sense.

 

It makes plenty of sense. Both have shown they can have success if they have even halfway decent protection. With as weak and porous as the Bears line was, plugging almost any QB would lead to them facing the same damn glaring weakness. Shore up the line, strengthen the running game and Orton and especially Rex can succeed.

 

Rex Grossman and Kyle Ortan are NOT the answer at quarterback. If you want to keep telling yourslef that, then cool.

 

Quite frankly, one of the biggest problems I had with the Bears' draft was that they did not tab Brian Brohm in the second round and they did not draft a project type of QB like Josh Johnson, Kevin O'Connell, or someone else along those lines with one of their late round picks. They might get a passable backup with one of the two guys they tabbed as UDFAs, but there is no heir apparent at starter.

 

I'm glad they passed on Henne and Booty, though.

 

Yeah, I would be frustrated as a Bears fan as well. Even when Grossman has time, he is to inconsistent to be a above average in this league. Might as well try to find someone who can be consistent for when the line comes together, and get better WR's. Its like the are keeping Grossman around to get smoked next year.

 

Rex has already shown he can take a team to the Super Bowl when that team is great on defense and decent at the rest of the offensive positions. He is most likely not the longterm answer at QB, and he's not going to lead a mediocre Bears team to teh promised land. However, he's clearly capable of winning with this team playing at its best.

[Banedon]

i know it's ridiculous, but McShea (sp?) already has a 2009 Mock Draft up on espn.com, with the Bears taking Tim Tebow :pukel:

 

CNNSI has one too...Bears taking Dymetrius Byrd, WR, LSU.

 

It's an exercise in ridiculousness.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wow...from the Trib:

 

...anybody doubting Jerry Angelo's resolve in the ongoing Brian Urlacher dispute probably didn't hear Angelo answering the question on WMVP-AM: "Is Brian Urlacher holding a gun to your head?" Angelo replied, "If he is, it's filled with water." That's pretty bold for a guy who isn't negotiating through the media.

 

That just strikes me as completely unnecessary.

Although the situation may well be different behind the scenes.

 

I would have preferred he just say something like no, I don't feel Brian is holding a gun to my head.