2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[Soul]

That's not how Lovie's staff has operated at OL. They've gone with the more veteran players at pretty much every turn.

[Mark Priors Calves]

the clamoring for jsc by some fans and media outlets is one of the weirder things to happen this offseason. he's a journey man tackle/guard that filled in for an injury player last year and was pretty bad while doing it. players like st. clair are a dime a dozen especially when you can find one at a much lower cost and a much younger age.

[jersey cubs fan]

Even if they do draft a tackle early, I just don't see them starting Williams (essentially a rookie), and a fresh draft pick at the same time.

 

I'm thinking they put Omiyale in at RT regardless, until they can evaluate whoever they have drafted. Then they'll just hope Williams is up to the task.

 

Williams isn't essentially a rookie. He was on the team last year. He practiced and played, and he's with the team now in mini-camp. He is inexperienced as a starting NFL player, but he's been around veteran players for a good amount of time and knows the ropes by now. I don't really see an issue with starting him and a rookie at RT. I would be a little surprised if they started two rookies on the same side of the ball, RG/RT, LG/LT, but each will be next to an NFL veteran and playing their respective natural positions.

 

At this point, the only reasonable option is to start Williams at LT and a rookie at RT. Nobody else on the roster should be the starting RT, and no free agent is worthy of the position. If they draft somebody in the first, or maybe the second, he is most likely going to be the best option for the position, and the guy they choose to start.

[jersey cubs fan]

the clamoring for jsc by some fans and media outlets is one of the weirder things to happen this offseason. he's a journey man tackle/guard that filled in for an injury player last year and was pretty bad while doing it. players like st. clair are a dime a dozen especially when you can find one at a much lower cost and a much younger age.

 

I don't know about the fans, but I didn't get the media's aduration. They were practically begging the Bears to resign this guy after Tait's retirement rumors started, insisting it was the only option.

 

People have an infatuation with continuity on the offensive line. But that's what got this team in trouble in the first place. Instead of trying to improve the line that showed signs of decline in the super bowl season, they stuck with the same 5 guys, when more than one were ripe for replacement. Continuity of mediocrity should not be a priority. They need to play the five best lineman.

[jersey cubs fan]

That's not how Lovie's staff has operated at OL. They've gone with the more veteran players at pretty much every turn.

 

They haven't had any other option than going with vets, because Angelo ignored the line for 5 years. There hasn't been a single young talented guy kept from playing because of seniority.

[Soul]

That's not how Lovie's staff has operated at OL. They've gone with the more veteran players at pretty much every turn.

 

They haven't had any other option than going with vets, because Angelo ignored the line for 5 years. There hasn't been a single young talented guy kept from playing because of seniority.

 

Then why did JSC continue to play when Williams was healthy in weeks 10-16?

[jersey cubs fan]

That's not how Lovie's staff has operated at OL. They've gone with the more veteran players at pretty much every turn.

 

They haven't had any other option than going with vets, because Angelo ignored the line for 5 years. There hasn't been a single young talented guy kept from playing because of seniority.

 

Then why did JSC continue to play when Williams was healthy in weeks 10-16?

 

Because Williams hadn't practiced yet. They were all set to give that job to Williams before he went down on day one. I have doubts he was really ready to start late. But midseason switches are rare. The point is they haven't kept young guys from taking line positions, because they haven't had young guys around to take those positions.

[WrigleyField 22]

The fact of the matter is that if they wanted to go with veterans they would have matched St. Clair's offer. Now that doesn't mean they'll hand the job away, but it will go to the best player.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://rumorsandrants.com/2009/03/jay-cutler-wants-to-be-a-bear-he-just-doesnt-know-it-yet.html

[YearofDaCubs]

Let's face it, what a slap in the face to Bears fans this offseason has been in my opinion. I can understand that there were only a handful of good free agents available but with so many glaring holes on this team the best we can do is sign the worst safety in the past couple of years who might start and an offensive line player who only started 1-2 games in the NFL? I would've felt better if we signed one of the better safeties available. I know the draft hasn't taken place yet but with so many holes on this team the draft won't be enough.

[bukie]

The best things that have happened to the Bears this offseason has been addition by subtraction. JSC signing elsewhere, Tait retiring, Booker released, etc.

[YearofDaCubs]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

[jersey cubs fan]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

 

It's not like they gave him much money.

[YearofDaCubs]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

 

It's not like they gave him much money.

He's getting paid 6.3 million this season so yeah they did give him a good amount of money.

[jersey cubs fan]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

 

It's not like they gave him much money.

He's getting paid 6.3 million this season so yeah they did give him a good amount of money.

 

He got a 4/11 deal right? With escalators to 14. There would seem to be incentive not to start him, assuming those incentives involve playing time. That's not a lot of money.

[YearofDaCubs]

Most of the money in the deal is in the first year of the contract.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03/dollars_and_sense_the_frank_om.html

[jersey cubs fan]

Most of the money in the deal is in the first year of the contract.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03/dollars_and_sense_the_frank_om.html

 

Right, but it's still not a huge, "this guy has to start at tackle to justify that money" contract.

[jersey cubs fan]

Can Samarri Rolle help the Bears?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Can Samarri Rolle help the Bears?

 

doubt it, but Samari Rolle might. I think I'd rather stick with Peanut/Cory tho

[bukie]

Can Samarri Rolle help the Bears?

I'm not convinced he'd be any better than Vasher. Take that as you will.

[Wilson A2000]

The reason Earl Bennett did not see playing time last year: he says he didn't know the plays until week 6 or 7. He must have Devin Hester disease.

 

.http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-19-bears-bits-chicago-mar19,0,3686415.story

[Mark Priors Calves]

The reason Earl Bennett did not see playing time last year: he says he didn't know the plays until week 6 or 7. He must have Devin Hester disease.

 

.http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-19-bears-bits-chicago-mar19,0,3686415.story

 

another reason we shouldn't have cut moose, he could have told both hester and bennett where to line up.

[Soul]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

 

It's not like they gave him much money.

He's getting paid 6.3 million this season so yeah they did give him a good amount of money.

 

He got a 4/11 deal right? With escalators to 14. There would seem to be incentive not to start him, assuming those incentives involve playing time. That's not a lot of money.

 

It's because Omiyale is an experienced OL, but I know you don't want to hear that. So I'm saying it anyway :P

 

I suppose they could still draft a RT high and make Omiyale more of a swing man.

[jersey cubs fan]

The reason Earl Bennett did not see playing time last year: he says he didn't know the plays until week 6 or 7. He must have Devin Hester disease.

 

.http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-19-bears-bits-chicago-mar19,0,3686415.story

 

another reason we shouldn't have cut moose, he could have told both hester and bennett where to line up.

 

There were absolutely zero reasons not to cut Moose.

[jersey cubs fan]

Looks like Omiyale has moved in as the starting RT for us already. No surprise there with the amount of money they gave him.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/03/frank-omiyale-now-at-right-tackle.html

 

It's not like they gave him much money.

He's getting paid 6.3 million this season so yeah they did give him a good amount of money.

 

He got a 4/11 deal right? With escalators to 14. There would seem to be incentive not to start him, assuming those incentives involve playing time. That's not a lot of money.

 

It's because Omiyale is an experienced OL, but I know you don't want to hear that. So I'm saying it anyway :P

 

I suppose they could still draft a RT high and make Omiyale more of a swing man.

 

I think they've set themselves up where they absolutely have to take a tackle in the first round. They are dead set on Hester being the #1 receiver. The defensive line improvements are supposedly coming from better coaching. They've outright said Omiyale is the RT "for now". Had they really planned on starting him at RT, don't you think he would have started mini-camp at RT while JSC was still an unsigned free agent? They are going to draft a guy, then have Omiyale try to win a guard spot.