2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[SpongeWorthy]

Yeah. Unfortunately it also seems very out of character for Angelo to engage in that kind of "throw the house at him" trade negotiations.

 

Well, maybe not unfortunately. Depends on what the price would actually be.

 

When your last franchise QB is Sid Luckman you'd think a different tack might be in order.

[Soul]

Yeah. Unfortunately it also seems very out of character for Angelo to engage in that kind of "throw the house at him" trade negotiations.

 

Well, maybe not unfortunately. Depends on what the price would actually be.

 

When your last franchise QB is Sid Luckman you'd think a different tack might be in order.

 

One would think we'd at least give something like this a try. Throw the house at a franchise calibre QB, just once. See what happens.

 

But. It never goes down like that around here. Instead it's more of the "we need to fix the QB position" rhetoric from the GM, followed by the signing of Basanez-type junk.

[RedFlash]

Yeah. Unfortunately it also seems very out of character for Angelo to engage in that kind of "throw the house at him" trade negotiations.

 

Well, maybe not unfortunately. Depends on what the price would actually be.

 

When your last franchise QB is Sid Luckman you'd think a different tack might be in order.

 

One would think we'd at least give something like this a try. Throw the house at a franchise calibre QB, just once. See what happens.

 

But. It never goes down like that around here. Instead it's more of the "we need to fix the QB position" rhetoric from the GM, followed by the signing of Basanez-type junk.

 

I agree. The lack of aggression on trying to improve this team at it's MOST IMPORTANT POSITION is quite disturbing. I get that Angelo wants to reward the players in-house, I get it, for the most part I agree with it. You should reward you own good players before going outside the org for players, but when you know for a fact that a QB upgrade is potentially available, I can't see how you let it pass, especially when you have guys like Kyle Orton and Basanez. If Cutler goes to another team for a package the Bears can beat, I would be pissed off.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah. Unfortunately it also seems very out of character for Angelo to engage in that kind of "throw the house at him" trade negotiations.

 

Well, maybe not unfortunately. Depends on what the price would actually be.

 

When your last franchise QB is Sid Luckman you'd think a different tack might be in order.

 

One would think we'd at least give something like this a try. Throw the house at a franchise calibre QB, just once. See what happens.

 

But. It never goes down like that around here. Instead it's more of the "we need to fix the QB position" rhetoric from the GM, followed by the signing of Basanez-type junk.

 

I agree. The lack of aggression on trying to improve this team at it's MOST IMPORTANT POSITION is quite disturbing. I get that Angelo wants to reward the players in-house, I get it, for the most part I agree with it. You should reward you own good players before going outside the org for players, but when you know for a fact that a QB upgrade is potentially available, I can't see how you let it pass, especially when you have guys like Kyle Orton and Basanez. If Cutler goes to another team for a package the Bears can beat, I would be pissed off.

 

To be fair, this Cutler thing has more or less come out of nowhere, and it's quite recent. There was little to be gained by making offers for him all offseason. That being said, if Angelo isn't in on this, in an offseason where he ignored easy upgrades at receiver, and virtually ignored the offensive line, it will be incredibly disappointing.

[Soul]

I get the feeling that Angelo isn't really trying as hard as he used to. He used to do things like sign Tait, pull off a trade for Ogun -- he used to hit more often in his drafts, especially in the 2nd-5th rounds. Signed Thomas Jones.

 

I wonder if the McCaskeys have put the whammy on spending because of the recession.

[Derwood]

Running and Defense doesn't require a franchise QB

[rawaction]

Some possibly minor news out of Bears camp, from what I understand.

 

Earl Bennett worked as the #2 WR.

Zach Bowman (the 1-game wonder from the Min game last year) has been moved to FS and will compete with Bullocks.

Apparently John St Clair was offered 3 years for about 1.5 per year a couple weeks ago. Cleveland has shown interest and the Bears have shown interest in their RT from last year, Kevin Shaffer.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Some possibly minor news out of Bears camp, from what I understand.

 

Earl Bennett worked as the #2 WR.

Zach Bowman (the 1-game wonder from the Min game last year) has been moved to FS and will compete with Bullocks.

Apparently John St Clair was offered 3 years for about 1.5 per year a couple weeks ago. Cleveland has shown interest and the Bears have shown interest in their RT from last year, Kevin Shaffer.

 

If Bowman didnt get hurt when he sneezed, he would be a steal.

[Wilson A2000]

I get the feeling that Angelo isn't really trying as hard as he used to. He used to do things like sign Tait, pull off a trade for Ogun -- he used to hit more often in his drafts, especially in the 2nd-5th rounds. Signed Thomas Jones.

 

I wonder if the McCaskeys have put the whammy on spending because of the recession.

 

He's saving money for Lebron in 2010.

 

I remember when ESPN ran the finances of the NFL owners. The Bears have the single biggest market in the NFL, but weren't even in the top 5 in revenue. What are they doing wrong? But the problem isn't spending. The Bears are always right around the cap limit. They just spend unwisely.

Edited March 17, 2009 by Wilson A2000

[Wilson A2000]

Some possibly minor news out of Bears camp, from what I understand.

 

Earl Bennett worked as the #2 WR.

 

He should have seen much more playing time in the regular season. I don't trust those who say the Bears must not have thought he was ready because I don't trust Lovie to be a talent evaluator.

 

Urlacher for Cutler!

[rawaction]

With Cassel going for a 2nd and Peppers rumored to be going for the same, albeit a very high, 2nd round pick. Does that mean that's the price tag on Cutler? What about Boldin? Granted the Bears don't have the 2nd pick of the 2nd round to trade, but would throwing in a 4th or a current player help?

 

The Cassel situation is unique because he was a backup to possibly the league's #1 QB. But Peppers, Boldin, and Cutler's situation seem to be similar. All 3 are upset at their current teams. Peppers for not being able to test free agency. Boldin for not getting paid like Fitz. Cutler for not being loved. I think Cutler and Cassel are at least similar in that both have flashed franchise QB ability.

 

I'd still offer a 1st and 3rd (or a player) for Cutler. But getting Boldin for a 2nd and 4th/5th might be a nice fallback option.

[biittner77]

Yeah, the real issue is that Denver will need a QB. So I think Orton would have to be in any deal. Orton, Urlacher and a 2nd for Cutler sounds like something I could live with.

 

i'd give them a 1st rounder and orton. maybe another 1st rounder.

 

I agree and I believe that if Angelo were willing to do that the Broncos should accept. Among the teams that need a QB none have one as good as Orton that they could send back. The Broncos play in a weak division and could make the playoffs with Orton at QB. They could still draft Sanchez and having Orton around would allow them time to not throw him to the wolves.

 

I doubt that they would want Urlacher as part of any package as they would probably rather use the picks from the Bears to take the best defensive player available.

[Magnetic Curses]

Yeah, the real issue is that Denver will need a QB. So I think Orton would have to be in any deal. Orton, Urlacher and a 2nd for Cutler sounds like something I could live with.

 

i'd give them a 1st rounder and orton. maybe another 1st rounder.

 

I agree and I believe that if Angelo were willing to do that the Broncos should accept. Among the teams that need a QB none have one as good as Orton that they could send back. The Broncos play in a weak division and could make the playoffs with Orton at QB. They could still draft Sanchez and having Orton around would allow them time to not throw him to the wolves.

 

I doubt that they would want Urlacher as part of any package as they would probably rather use the picks from the Bears to take the best defensive player available.

 

yeah, the urlacher inclusion doesn't make a lot of sense for either team.

[Wilson A2000]

I'd still offer a 1st and 3rd (or a player) for Cutler. But getting Boldin for a 2nd and 4th/5th might be a nice fallback option.

 

I've heard that the Broncos don't want draft picks. Is that true?

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd still offer a 1st and 3rd (or a player) for Cutler. But getting Boldin for a 2nd and 4th/5th might be a nice fallback option.

 

I've heard that the Broncos don't want draft picks. Is that true?

 

I think they want an actual NFL quarterback, but they'd also want picks to try and even out the trade. What I don't think they want is to essentially trade Cutler for Sanchez or Stafford.

[Wilson A2000]

The bigger and bigger this story gets, the more I realize that Cutler is a baby.

[Soul]

I'd still offer a 1st and 3rd (or a player) for Cutler. But getting Boldin for a 2nd and 4th/5th might be a nice fallback option.

 

I've heard that the Broncos don't want draft picks. Is that true?

 

I heard Mort say that the person he spoke to claimed the Broncos would not trade Cutler for picks. Whether that means no picks at all, or if picks + a player could be realistic -- I do not know.

[rawaction]

Would anyone give up Briggs for Cutler?

[jersey cubs fan]

Would anyone give up Briggs for Cutler?

 

Probably, but given the salary cap ramifications one year into his deal, I'm not sure it would work.

[Wilson A2000]

Would anyone give up Briggs for Cutler?

 

Probably, but given the salary cap ramifications one year into his deal, I'm not sure it would work.

 

The Bears gave Lance a sizable signing bonus. How far into his deal is Cutler? I am not sure the Bears would want to give up a good player, lose the signing bonus, and have to pay another to Cutler is he only had a few years left.

[jersey cubs fan]

Would anyone give up Briggs for Cutler?

 

Probably, but given the salary cap ramifications one year into his deal, I'm not sure it would work.

 

The Bears gave Lance a sizable signing bonus. How far into his deal is Cutler? I am not sure the Bears would want to give up a good player, lose the signing bonus, and have to pay another to Cutler is he only had a few years left.

 

Seems like he's played 3 years of a 6-year deal. Don't think they'd need to extend him until 2010 at the earliest.

 

7/27/2006: Signed a six-year, $47.86 million contract. The deal contains $11 million guaranteed, including a $1.7 million signing bonus. 2009: $1.035 million (+ $100,000 workout bonus), 2010: $1.4225 million (+ $4 million roster bonus), 2011: $1.81 million (+ $12 million roster bonus) 2012: Free Agent. 45% of the deal's max value is performance incentives. Among them is a $1.95 million escalator for any year of 2006-2010 that he finishes in the top five in any of the NFL's major passing categories, as well as a $4 million bonus for taking 70% of the snaps in 2009. There also is a $500,000 bonus available 2006-2010 for taking 70% of the snaps and either taking 70% of the snaps in a Super Bowl or winning a Super Bowl.

[Wilson A2000]

What about Briggs, how much was his signing bonus? Cutler only got a $1.7 million upfront, but those roster bonuses are killer ($16 million!). Can the Bears afford that without dumping one of their sizable contracts?

[jersey cubs fan]

What about Briggs, how much was his signing bonus? Cutler only got a $1.7 million upfront, but those roster bonuses are killer ($16 million!). Can the Bears afford that without dumping one of their sizable contracts?

 

3/1/2008: Signed a six-year, $36 million contract. The deal contains $13 million guaranteed, including a $4 million signing bonus, a $3.75 million roster bonus in the first year, and annual $250,000 workout bonuses. 2009: $1.1 million (+ $4.75 million roster bonus due in March), 2010: $3.145 million (+ $3.3 million roster bonus due 6/10), 2011: $3.65 million, 2012: $3.75 million, 2013: $6.25 million, 2014: Free Agent. Cap charges: $6,766,667 (2009), $7,361,667 (2010), $4,566,667 (2011), $4,666,667 (2012), $7,166,667 (2013).

 

I think the Bears could easiliy fit Cutler's contract under their cap. They have no money tied into offensive players as is, and are way under the cap right now. If they traded Briggs, I think his 2009 cap number would skyrocket though.

[Wilson A2000]

If it works, I wouldn't mind it at all. But I haven't heard any rumors that the Bears are interested. What would Minnesota be willing to give up? If they landed Cutler, mail in the next 5 years.

[cubbyvirus00]

I dont get it. Why cant the bears just sign Holt/Harrison or some other solid vet to mentor the youngins for one or two years? Why cant they put solid players on their roster with proven experience?

 

 

Cheapass owners....