Re: The Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Soul]

Wow, did the Vikings ever overpay for Berrian.

 

Still, it leaves us with a horrible WR corps, which means our offense is likely to suck next year. We still need to draft OLine, we can't fill 2 OLine positions + WR + RB all for the '08 season.

 

It all spells.....2 year rebuild plan.

 

Plus, got to remember -- now we're starting to talk about Urlacher getting older, less healthy. It's starting to get very dicey around here.

 

Still, $23mil over 3 years for a #2 receiver? That's ridiculous.

 

 

I culd be convinced of Bryant Johnson. he has had some good games, when he gets in. same for Bradley really. and hester can burn anyone

 

...that lack of confidence I sense in your response surely must be bourne on the wings of a realization that none of those guys are actual good NFL wide receivers.

[Soul]

Berrian is not worth the money he received. This team has deep threat receivers, what they need is consistent possession receivers who can catch the ball in traffic. Moose couldn't get open and Berrian didn't consistently catch the ball.

 

the #'s the news up here reported were 6 yrs, $20 mil garanteed. thats not far from Angelo offered. If they were that close, what stopped the Bears? the garanteed money? seems like BB got a resonable deal.

 

Angelo offered 8 million in guaranteed money. If Berrian really received 20 million guaranteed, the two sides weren't even close to the same ballpark.

 

He got $16M guaranteed. Was he overpaid? Yeah, but he was the top WR on the market outside of Moss so he was going to get paid in that neighborhood. We were desperate for a WR like him. I don't think it's a terrible deal.

 

Oh, not saying it's the wrong move. Not at all. It's just way more than he's really worth. Berrian really hit the market at the absolute perfect time. Obviously nobody in Minneapolis wants to hear the name "Moss"

[minnesotacubsfan]

Wow, did the Vikings ever overpay for Berrian.

 

Still, it leaves us with a horrible WR corps, which means our offense is likely to suck next year. We still need to draft OLine, we can't fill 2 OLine positions + WR + RB all for the '08 season.

 

It all spells.....2 year rebuild plan.

 

Plus, got to remember -- now we're starting to talk about Urlacher getting older, less healthy. It's starting to get very dicey around here.

 

Still, $23mil over 3 years for a #2 receiver? That's ridiculous.

 

 

I culd be convinced of Bryant Johnson. he has had some good games, when he gets in. same for Bradley really. and hester can burn anyone

 

...that lack of confidence I sense in your response surely must be bourne on the wings of a realization that none of those guys are actual good NFL wide receivers.

 

am I being too obvious?

 

so, how willl Turner adjust the offensive scheme to a two TE set? does he have the mental capacity to do so?

[Magnetic Curses]

Wow, did the Vikings ever overpay for Berrian.

 

Still, it leaves us with a horrible WR corps, which means our offense is likely to suck next year. We still need to draft OLine, we can't fill 2 OLine positions + WR + RB all for the '08 season.

 

It all spells.....2 year rebuild plan.

 

Plus, got to remember -- now we're starting to talk about Urlacher getting older, less healthy. It's starting to get very dicey around here.

 

Still, $23mil over 3 years for a #2 receiver? That's ridiculous.

 

 

I culd be convinced of Bryant Johnson. he has had some good games, when he gets in. same for Bradley really. and hester can burn anyone

 

...that lack of confidence I sense in your response surely must be bourne on the wings of a realization that none of those guys are actual good NFL wide receivers.

 

everyone should have a lack of confidence then, because every single team in the nfl has holes.

 

why are we taking the bears out of the context of the nfl and acting like it's just them that can't have any weaknesses? it's not the having of the weaknesses that worries me, it's the ability to cover them up. but actually, if the bears can stay healthy defensively, there isn't much weakness that that won't cover up, offensively.

 

they just re-signed a perrenial pro-bowl player, this is what good teams do, they keep their exceptional players and continue and continue and continue to re-tool around those guys. i'm hopeful for the return of dvoracek, payne, and bazuin. i'm optimistic at the propsect of having both tillman and vasher healthy for a majority of the season, and intrigued at the possibility of mike brown reclaiming his starting job.

 

can injuries happen? sure. but stating that a team with a defense including urlacher, briggs, and tommie harris, three players that are probably top 3 in the league at their respective positions, is on a "2-year rebuild plan", is just so much utter nonsense.

 

teams don't even have 2 year rebuilding plans anymore, either you can rebuild your team in a year or you're a bad gm, your coach sucks, and ownership has lost interest. there are no such thing as "2 year rebuild plans", that just sounds like passive-aggressive pseudo-skepticism to me.

[rawaction]

I was starting to get against the idea of bringing Briggs back. Can't be disappointed though. He's a very good player, and did not get overpaid. If the Bears could have paid market value though, I'd rather have Berrian and Ayanbadejo. I really like Williams, maybe he can overtake Hillenmeyer this year.

[Banedon]

Berrian said the Bears made a very competitive offer...it sounds like they tried to get him back. Given that that didn't happen, I'm thrilled with Briggs being back.

 

Now sign Moss and Turner and I'll be happy.... :D

[nilodnayr]

I was starting to get against the idea of bringing Briggs back. Can't be disappointed though. He's a very good player, and did not get overpaid. If the Bears could have paid market value though, I'd rather have Berrian and Ayanbadejo. I really like Williams, maybe he can overtake Hillenmeyer this year.

 

I agree with this, the marginal drop off losing Berrian is more than Briggs. Briggs is good, but his impact in 2007 was nothing comared to his 2006 (although you can say that for just about every bears player). I think the Bears felt them had to do it though because of Urlachers back.

[rawaction]

I was starting to get against the idea of bringing Briggs back. Can't be disappointed though. He's a very good player, and did not get overpaid. If the Bears could have paid market value though, I'd rather have Berrian and Ayanbadejo. I really like Williams, maybe he can overtake Hillenmeyer this year.

 

I agree with this, the marginal drop off losing Berrian is more than Briggs. Briggs is good, but his impact in 2007 was nothing comared to his 2006 (although you can say that for just about every bears player). I think the Bears felt them had to do it though because of Urlachers back.

 

Yeah, hopefully they use this signing to get a little more aggressive on defense. At least switch it up with Briggs in the middle and Urlacher on the outside. Briggs is better at shedding blockers, Urlacher is better at rushing the passer from the outside. Not much dropoff in pass coverage either way.

[nilodnayr]

I was starting to get against the idea of bringing Briggs back. Can't be disappointed though. He's a very good player, and did not get overpaid. If the Bears could have paid market value though, I'd rather have Berrian and Ayanbadejo. I really like Williams, maybe he can overtake Hillenmeyer this year.

 

I agree with this, the marginal drop off losing Berrian is more than Briggs. Briggs is good, but his impact in 2007 was nothing comared to his 2006 (although you can say that for just about every bears player). I think the Bears felt them had to do it though because of Urlachers back.

 

Yeah, hopefully they use this signing to get a little more aggressive on defense. At least switch it up with Briggs in the middle and Urlacher on the outside. Briggs is better at shedding blockers, Urlacher is better at rushing the passer from the outside. Not much dropoff in pass coverage either way.

 

Jeez, I never really thought about it, but you are right, Urlacher makes all the sense in the world moving to an outside position. Hes really nothing more than an above average middle when we have a crap D-line that allows guys to get out to Urlacher and block him. Although moving to an outside means more lateral movement which probably isn't good for his back.

[Soul]

Wow, did the Vikings ever overpay for Berrian.

 

Still, it leaves us with a horrible WR corps, which means our offense is likely to suck next year. We still need to draft OLine, we can't fill 2 OLine positions + WR + RB all for the '08 season.

 

It all spells.....2 year rebuild plan.

 

Plus, got to remember -- now we're starting to talk about Urlacher getting older, less healthy. It's starting to get very dicey around here.

 

Still, $23mil over 3 years for a #2 receiver? That's ridiculous.

 

 

I culd be convinced of Bryant Johnson. he has had some good games, when he gets in. same for Bradley really. and hester can burn anyone

 

...that lack of confidence I sense in your response surely must be bourne on the wings of a realization that none of those guys are actual good NFL wide receivers.

 

everyone should have a lack of confidence then, because every single team in the nfl has holes.

 

why are we taking the bears out of the context of the nfl and acting like it's just them that can't have any weaknesses? it's not the having of the weaknesses that worries me, it's the ability to cover them up. but actually, if the bears can stay healthy defensively, there isn't much weakness that that won't cover up, offensively.

 

they just re-signed a perrenial pro-bowl player, this is what good teams do, they keep their exceptional players and continue and continue and continue to re-tool around those guys. i'm hopeful for the return of dvoracek, payne, and bazuin. i'm optimistic at the propsect of having both tillman and vasher healthy for a majority of the season, and intrigued at the possibility of mike brown reclaiming his starting job.

 

can injuries happen? sure. but stating that a team with a defense including urlacher, briggs, and tommie harris, three players that are probably top 3 in the league at their respective positions, is on a "2-year rebuild plan", is just so much utter nonsense.

 

teams don't even have 2 year rebuilding plans anymore, either you can rebuild your team in a year or you're a bad gm, your coach sucks, and ownership has lost interest. there are no such thing as "2 year rebuild plans", that just sounds like passive-aggressive pseudo-skepticism to me.

 

A multi year re-building plan is exactly how we got to the Super Bowl, and countless other teams as well. How can you possibly claim that a team sucks if they can't go from, say 3-13 to a Super Bowl in just one season? That's completely ridiculous and you know it.

 

Hell the Giants have been building for 5 years and they finally made it. Do they "suck" too?

 

As for my comment about the WR, I was only speaking about the WR situation, which is clearly crappy. It had nothing to do with whether every team has a weakness or not, which obviously every team does.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Turner is off the board.

 

Falcons agreed to terms with RB Michael Turner on a six-year contract. The deal includes $15 million guaranteed and is worth $34.5 million.

 

Detroit and Chicago reportedly had interest, but Atlanta didn't let Turner leave town. The 26-year-old is a 5'10/237-pound back who fits OC Mike Mularkey's power scheme perfectly. He has a career YPC of 5.5 and has fumbled just twice on 228 carries. Turner will start in Atlanta. Warrick Dunn seems likely to get cut, with Jerious Norwood filling a change of pace role. The Falcons are highly unlikely to draft Darren McFadden at No. 3 overall now and are the favorites for Matt Ryan. Atlanta's offense has a lot of question marks, but look for Turner to get drafted as in the second or third round as a RB2.

 

Anyone want to add Warrick Dunn?

[cbbryan]

I wouldn't normally advocate a RB at #14 for the Bears, but if Mendenhall is available there I would support them drafting him.

 

I don't know that they can get anything for Benson, though?!?!? Maybe another pick that they could use for OL help.

[Soul]

I wouldn't normally advocate a RB at #14 for the Bears, but if Mendenhall is available there I would support them drafting him.

 

I don't know that they can get anything for Benson, though?!?!? Maybe another pick that they could use for OL help.

 

Because he sucks, and he has a poor attitude on top of it. And with no possibility of dealing him, Angelo's not going to sink more mega-cash into the position on a guy like Turner. He might go RB in the draft, but I would still lean towards OT @ 14. A lot depends on how the draft breaks too -- sometimes a totally unexpected player falls to you, as Tommie Harris did to us a few years ago.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I wouldn't normally advocate a RB at #14 for the Bears, but if Mendenhall is available there I would support them drafting him.

 

I don't know that they can get anything for Benson, though?!?!? Maybe another pick that they could use for OL help.

 

Because he sucks, and he has a poor attitude on top of it. And with no possibility of dealing him, Angelo's not going to sink more mega-cash into the position on a guy like Turner. He might go RB in the draft, but I would still lean towards OT @ 14. A lot depends on how the draft breaks too -- sometimes a totally unexpected player falls to you, as Tommie Harris did to us a few years ago.

 

 

if Otah and Clady were gone and Mendenhall still there @14, I would support them taking him

[Vanilla Ice]

Turner is off the board.

 

Falcons agreed to terms with RB Michael Turner on a six-year contract. The deal includes $15 million guaranteed and is worth $34.5 million.

 

Detroit and Chicago reportedly had interest, but Atlanta didn't let Turner leave town. The 26-year-old is a 5'10/237-pound back who fits OC Mike Mularkey's power scheme perfectly. He has a career YPC of 5.5 and has fumbled just twice on 228 carries. Turner will start in Atlanta. Warrick Dunn seems likely to get cut, with Jerious Norwood filling a change of pace role. The Falcons are highly unlikely to draft Darren McFadden at No. 3 overall now and are the favorites for Matt Ryan. Atlanta's offense has a lot of question marks, but look for Turner to get drafted as in the second or third round as a RB2.

 

Anyone want to add Warrick Dunn?

 

Washed up

[Balsa]

if Otah and Clady were gone and Mendenhall still there @14, I would support them taking him

Ditto, and I think Ron Turner is gonna have a say in this too. Remember, he's the one that originally recruited Shard to U of I.

[Banedon]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

[cubweiser03]

Its being reported the Bills have reached a tentative agreement with Bryant Johnson. Jesus Christ, who is left for the Bears to sign, Tim Dwight? Drew Carter and DJ Hackett seem like the best available i guess.

[cbbryan]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

 

I didn't like the Salaam or Benson picks at the time they where made. Enis was really the only one that disappointed me.

[Guest]

Its being reported the Bills have reached a tentative agreement with Bryant Johnson. Jesus Christ, who is left for the Bears to sign, Tim Dwight? Drew Carter and DJ Hackett seem like the best available i guess.

 

I'd prefer Hackett to Johnson anyways.

[Banedon]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

 

I didn't like the Salaam or Benson picks at the time they where made. Enis was really the only one that disappointed me.

 

My point merely was that it's a position the Bears aren't so good at drafting in recent years.

[cbbryan]

Its being reported the Bills have reached a tentative agreement with Bryant Johnson. Jesus Christ, who is left for the Bears to sign, Tim Dwight? Drew Carter and DJ Hackett seem like the best available i guess.

 

I'd prefer Hackett to Johnson anyways.

 

 

Brandon Lloyd is available!

[Outshined_One]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

 

I'd maintain the last good RB the Bears drafted was Neal Anderson back in 1986. I also maintain he is one of the most underrated RBs in recent NFL history.

[cbbryan]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

 

I'd maintain the last good RB the Bears drafted was Neal Anderson back in 1986. I also maintain he is one of the most underrated RBs in recent NFL history.

 

I loved Neal Anderson.

 

http://www.mariontractor.com/index_files/image4291.jpg

 

I believe he's still the 2nd leading rusher of all-time for the Bears.

[mcgoobs]

The Bears drafting running back scares me. A lot. I have zero confidence that whatever decision that make with that position will be the correct one. Rashan Salaam, Curtis Enis, Cedric Benson...stop the madness!

 

 

LaDanian Tomlinson could be available and the Bears still shouldn't make that pick. With the passing game eroding and the offensive line coming off a relatively weak 2007 performance, defenses will be keying in on the Bears running game. The team should focus on solidifying the offensive line before any other offensive moves.