Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Handlebar McSkullet]

that ain't happening, partner. berrian is not that good.

 

haha neither is branch!!! the nfl is funny with their contracts.

 

I hope you aren't implying that the NBA and MLB don't have ridiculous contracts for players that aren't that good?

 

nope.

[minnesotacubsfan]

bears are going to trade or release brian griese by tuesday.

 

what makes you think so? (other then what might seem possible or probable?)

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2008/02/piniella-hendry.html

 

awesome

 

 

thanks

[UMFan83]

So what are you Bears fans thinking? We were told that they weren't focusing on other FAs, and they are going to work on retaining their own FAs, specifically Briggs, Berrian and Ayenbadejo. Now it looks like all 3 are gone, there is unlikely to be replacements from the FA market.

 

How do you guys feel as Bears fans? Angry or are you taking a wait and see approach. I am worried about this team quickly devolving into a 4-12 team personally. We've gotten worse at WR, no better at QB or OL or RB and our offense was terrible last year. Obviously there is still the draft which is huge, and there are internal options, but how much to you expect rookie OLineman or WRs to contribute?

 

I think Angelo's plan has to be rebuilding for 2009, taking a year to get strong again and then win the next year. What do you all think? There doesn't seem to be too much backlash from Bears fans here or on other sites.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

[Jon]

I agree that they won't be able to address all of the problems this off-season, but I don't think I'd call a rebuilding mode.

 

Urlacher contract extension talks are heating up:

 

Trib[/url]"]Ongoing contract discussions between the Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher took up a portion of the team's time Thursday, the day before the start of free agency, the Tribune has learned.

 

The extent of the talks with Urlacher for a new deal beyond the current one that is to expire in 2011 is unknown.

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

But Urlacher says his back condition was overblown and his recovery from minor neck surgery has gone smoothly. He injured one disc in his neck while sleeping on a plane during an off-season trip to the Bahamas.

 

Urlacher, who is training in Arizona, has been cleared to lift weights but is not allowed to run for another two weeks.

 

Publicly, the Bears have said they are not concerned with Urlacher's health and have expressed belief that he would be ready for training camp. The Bears will need him with the strong possibility linebacker Lance Briggs will head elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.

 

Urlacher has emphasized he wants to remain a Bear for life and doesn't need to be the team's highest-paid player. He has been outspoken about Briggs deserving a lucrative contract and lauded the Bears for giving Alex Brown a contract extension, which has a $5 million bonus.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree that they won't be able to address all of the problems this off-season, but I don't think I'd call a rebuilding mode.

 

Urlacher contract extension talks are heating up:

 

Trib[/url]"]Ongoing contract discussions between the Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher took up a portion of the team's time Thursday, the day before the start of free agency, the Tribune has learned.

 

The extent of the talks with Urlacher for a new deal beyond the current one that is to expire in 2011 is unknown.

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

But Urlacher says his back condition was overblown and his recovery from minor neck surgery has gone smoothly. He injured one disc in his neck while sleeping on a plane during an off-season trip to the Bahamas.

 

Urlacher, who is training in Arizona, has been cleared to lift weights but is not allowed to run for another two weeks.

 

Publicly, the Bears have said they are not concerned with Urlacher's health and have expressed belief that he would be ready for training camp. The Bears will need him with the strong possibility linebacker Lance Briggs will head elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.

 

Urlacher has emphasized he wants to remain a Bear for life and doesn't need to be the team's highest-paid player. He has been outspoken about Briggs deserving a lucrative contract and lauded the Bears for giving Alex Brown a contract extension, which has a $5 million bonus.

 

It's amazing how many beat writers insist he deserves more, and use his annual salary in comparison to others as the reason. Annual salary is meaningless in the NFL. It's the guaranteed money that matters. Hopefully this is a team friendly extension, because Brian Urlacher post-2011 isn't going to be able to sniff the jock of Brian Urlacher pre-2008.

[UMFan83]

Yeah but the Bears aren't going to cut or release Urlacher unless he gets a significant injury that jeopardizes his career. So in this place it applies.

[Magnetic Curses]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

 

i don't buy that. if they can stay healthy at key positions, they can win the north.

 

every team has holes, every team has injuries. this bear team has enough talent to compete. i'd like to see them re-sign briggs and move that line around a bit, but i'm not writing next season off by any means.

[ctcf]

We should totally trade for Brady Quinn...

[wolf stansson]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

 

i don't buy that. if they can stay healthy at key positions, they can win the north.

 

every team has holes, every team has injuries. this bear team has enough talent to compete. i'd like to see them re-sign briggs and move that line around a bit, but i'm not writing next season off by any means.

I agree. They aren't that different from the 06 team.

[Jon]

It's amazing how many beat writers insist he deserves more, and use his annual salary in comparison to others as the reason. Annual salary is meaningless in the NFL. It's the guaranteed money that matters. Hopefully this is a team friendly extension, because Brian Urlacher post-2011 isn't going to be able to sniff the jock of Brian Urlacher pre-2008.

They're reflecting how the Bears are approaching these kinds of situations now, though. Angelo is rewarding players and wants to keep the veterans happy.

 

By the way, also from that article, Ayanbadejo won't start his FA visits until Monday.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

 

i don't buy that. if they can stay healthy at key positions, they can win the north.

 

every team has holes, every team has injuries. this bear team has enough talent to compete. i'd like to see them re-sign briggs and move that line around a bit, but i'm not writing next season off by any means.

I agree. They aren't that different from the 06 team.

 

In 2006 we had a dominant D.

We don't anymore

In 2006 we had a serviable oline

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

In 2006 we had a running game

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

 

i don't buy that. if they can stay healthy at key positions, they can win the north.

 

every team has holes, every team has injuries. this bear team has enough talent to compete. i'd like to see them re-sign briggs and move that line around a bit, but i'm not writing next season off by any means.

I agree. They aren't that different from the 06 team.

Me either, I still believe that if both Mike and Ruben Brown do not get hurt it would have been a slightly different team. or if berrian would have caught that sure touchdown at the end of the first half against dallas or id hester would have caught that sure touchdown against the giants....... :banghead:

[Southpaw191679666239]

Most teams who lose the SB rebound 2 years following. However, this Bears squad currently only has 2 WRs and one of whom isn't really a WR. Until they do something either via FA or the Draft to address this gaping hole in the offense, I won't be holding my breath on winning a division, much less anything else.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Hmm... just like the Cubs in most off-seasons, the Bears "targets" aren't going to wait around too long.....

 

 

Michael Turner is visiting the Falcons Friday.

 

Atlanta, looking for a power rusher, is the most logical landing spot for Turner. We wouldn't be surprised if he signs Friday. The Lions, Bears and Saints are also said to be actively pursuing the running back.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Boers and Berstein on the Score yesterday seemed to indicate they believe the Bears know they are in rebuilding mode, but managment doesn't want to admit it because it will piss off all the meathead fans out there. I understand their point. This is no doubt a rebuilding year. The holes on this team can't be plugged in 1 season, so you just try to add the most talent to the roster, meaning, if Mendenhall is on the board @14 you draft him, and worry about an olineman later.

 

i don't buy that. if they can stay healthy at key positions, they can win the north.

 

every team has holes, every team has injuries. this bear team has enough talent to compete. i'd like to see them re-sign briggs and move that line around a bit, but i'm not writing next season off by any means.

I agree. They aren't that different from the 06 team.

 

In 2006 we had a dominant D.

We don't anymore

In 2006 we had a serviable oline

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

In 2006 we had a running game

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

 

After Brown and Harris were injured, our D was far from dominant in 2006

The second one is correct and the third one is dependent on the second one.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

[Southpaw191679666239]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

 

100% valid point... it's the Prior/Wood syndrome.

[UMFan83]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

 

100% valid point... it's the Prior/Wood syndrome.

 

Trading Chris Harris and talking about our secondary depth is proof that they were definitely counting on Mike Brown last year. Such a shame...

[jersey cubs fan]

In 2006 we had a dominant D.

We don't anymore

In 2006 we had a serviable oline

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

In 2006 we had a running game

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

 

That last point is a myth. They didn't have a running game in 2006. Sub 4 yards per attempt. Pathetic.

 

The D can be dominant. Contrary to Peter King's absurd opinion, they were devestated by injury in 2007. He wouldn't take much to vault them back up to dominant status. Likewise, while they currently don't have an offensive line, there's no reason why by September 2008 they can't have a decent one, and that is going to be the most important aspect affecting your third point.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

 

It's not just Brown. They lost people at every level of the defense. The loss to Dallas killed them physically and ruined the season.

[David]

It really sucks even more because Brown was hurt in the way he was. Didn't some douche from SD horse-collar him or something after a play was over (or something like that)?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

In 2006 we had a dominant D.

We don't anymore

In 2006 we had a serviable oline

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

In 2006 we had a running game

Now it is amoung the worst in the NFL

 

That last point is a myth. They didn't have a running game in 2006. Sub 4 yards per attempt. Pathetic.

 

The D can be dominant. Contrary to Peter King's absurd opinion, they were devestated by injury in 2007. He wouldn't take much to vault them back up to dominant status. Likewise, while they currently don't have an offensive line, there's no reason why by September 2008 they can't have a decent one, and that is going to be the most important aspect affecting your third point.

 

The running game might not have been great in 2006, but it was still somewhat existent. Enough to make teams somewhat respect the PA pass. Also considering the fact that the Bears don't figure to be major players for any top FA lineman, and todays commment by Angelo in the paper that he prefers veteran olineman(basically indicating that if an Olineman is drafted high, he won't start), I think a capable Oline by next season is a pipe dream.

[Magnetic Curses]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

 

his injuries have been totally different, and none of them have been very pretty---i wouldn't say he's fragile. he's been very unlucky

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I don't think the "Mike Brown hurt" excuse is valid, not anymore. This team should have been "Mike Brown" proofed along time ago.

 

It's not just Brown. They lost people at every level of the defense. The loss to Dallas killed them physically and ruined the season.

 

SD- Lost Dusty D and Mike Brown... BTW the best rb in the nfl ran 17 times for 25 yards.

Dallas- Lost Vasher, Tommie Harris hurt is knee, and Rube Brown lost an arm and an ankle.

So then against Det- We blame grossman, play Griese who then throws 3 ints, and Kitna burns a secondary starting 3 new players, oh and btw... Kevin Payne breaks his arm...

 

I can continue.