2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[dew1679666265]

Does anyone know if there's anything to the character concerns that have been raised about Britt?

 

He ran a 4.4 at his pro day, and he's got size. Physically he looks very gifted as a receiver who can do more than just try to run deep routes down the sideline. We've already got Hester for that, so in terms of skillset, Britt looks like a nice fit.

 

I've read that he has somewhat iffy hands and tends to be a bit cocky with a questionable work ethic. I tend to think he's pretty securely a late 1st, early 2nd type pick.

 

He could shift up to the Bears area, however.

[Guest]

I think people who think Hester is just a fly route WR are mistaken. Obviously, he's only played WR for 2 years, and one of those years he was strictly a fly route type. But I thought at the end of last year, he showed he can run the entire route tree. I don't think the Bears did a good enough job of getting him the ball on crossing routes and slants, but I think you will see more of that in 09.

 

When I think of Hester's routes the first thing I think of are all those short slants they throw him all the time.

 

Which should also remind you of Justin Gage.

[Soul]

I think people who think Hester is just a fly route WR are mistaken. Obviously, he's only played WR for 2 years, and one of those years he was strictly a fly route type. But I thought at the end of last year, he showed he can run the entire route tree. I don't think the Bears did a good enough job of getting him the ball on crossing routes and slants, but I think you will see more of that in 09.

 

When I think of Hester's routes the first thing I think of are all those short slants they throw him all the time.

 

Which should also remind you of Justin Gage.

 

I think more of Hester's deep routes, as his quick slants haven't seemed to work all that much. He's scored some nice TDs on deep balls.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think people who think Hester is just a fly route WR are mistaken. Obviously, he's only played WR for 2 years, and one of those years he was strictly a fly route type. But I thought at the end of last year, he showed he can run the entire route tree. I don't think the Bears did a good enough job of getting him the ball on crossing routes and slants, but I think you will see more of that in 09.

 

When I think of Hester's routes the first thing I think of are all those short slants they throw him all the time.

 

Which should also remind you of Justin Gage.

 

The only thing that reminds me of Justin Gage is the Bears not playing a guy, Earl Bennett.

[Guest]

The only play call I can remember that went to Gage was a short slant, and it never amounted to much.

[Wilson A2000]

The only play call I can remember that went to Gage was a short slant, and it never amounted to much.

 

He scored a TD on that very play vs. the Bears this year!

[rawaction]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

[Soul]

So we're swapping T's with the Browns. I wonder why Shaffer's performance declined last year. He's still young enough to have something left in the tank.

[tfarks]

So this is what they are looking to start the season with:

 

LT LG C RG RT

 

Williams Omiyale Kreutz Beekman Shaffer

 

With Buenning backing up the G positions...

 

It looks like we will see a late pick, 6th/7th for some o-line depth.

[WrigleyField 22]

With this move and draft talk focusing on WR I think we're pretty firmly looking at WR in the first. Also, I think it may signal that after that, the Bears will go BPA. Unless the Bears cut someone (I wouldn't mind Garza depending on the cap hit) Angelo probably doesn't see OL as an immediate need.

 

Who might they think is the BPA in the second round?

 

Pat White. I feel more and more by the day that this is going to happen.

 

Current Depth:

QB- Orton-Hanie-Basanez (if you draft White, set w/ Hanie/Basanez battle)

RB- Forte-Jones-Wolfe-Peterson (Set)

FB- Davis (Set)

WR- Rd1-Hester-Bennett-Davis-Rideau?

TE- Olsen-Clark-Davis (Set)

OT- Williams, Shaffer, Omilaye

OG-Garza, Beekman, Buenning

C- Kruetz

(Line could carry 8, but they've gone with 7 before)

 

DE- Brown, Ogunleye, Anderson, Idonije

DT- Harris, Harrison, Dvoracek, Adams

OLB- Briggs, Roach, Hillenmeyer, Williams, LaRocque

MLB- Urlacher

CB- Tillman, Vasher, Graham, McBride, Hamilton

S- Payne, Stetlz, Manning, Bullocks, Bowman

K- Gould

P- Maynard

LS- Mannelly

 

Thats 50, with competition open at OL, DL, LB, DB, WR. What I see is an aging and declining defense that could get most of the attention rounds 3-7.

[Soul]

If we go WR in the first, I'm convinced a playmaker will be available @ 18. I know some have criticized the WR class, but I think there's good players there. Personally I don't like the idea of drafting WRs as your "franchise" guy (see: Lions), 18th in the first round seems about right to nab one. We'll see if teams around the league agree with that. I could even see Maclin falling to us.

 

If not, then Angelo could always bolster the Dline with a pick. I still think we need a better speed rusher. Believe it or not, I'm also thinking it might be time to invest in LB again.

[Guest]

Thats 50, with competition open at OL, DL, LB, DB, WR. What I see is an aging and declining defense that could get most of the attention rounds 3-7.

 

I can't see Angelo ignoring defense on day 1 for a second straight season.

[jersey cubs fan]

Pat White is a bigger candidate for huge reach in the 2nd than BPA.

 

 

This tackle signing isn't horrible, but I don't like what it signals. The Bears are going to go with patchwork line again. They will go into 2010 still needing to draft young linemen.

[Soul]

Thats 50, with competition open at OL, DL, LB, DB, WR. What I see is an aging and declining defense that could get most of the attention rounds 3-7.

 

I can't see Angelo ignoring defense on day 1 for a second straight season.

 

Which might very well be part of his reasoning for addressing RT before the draft.

[Guest]

Pat White is a bigger candidate for huge reach in the 2nd than BPA.

 

 

This tackle signing isn't horrible, but I don't like what it signals. The Bears are going to go with patchwork line again. They will go into 2010 still needing to draft young linemen.

 

Agreed. I'm hoping a quality OL falls and is BPA to force the Bears' hand (preferably in the 2nd round).

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

 

The Tait signing was supposed to be them signing a franchise tackle. They overpaid him in order to force KC not to sign the offer sheet. This seems much more stopgap to me.

[Soul]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

 

The Tait signing was supposed to be them signing a franchise tackle. They overpaid him in order to force KC not to sign the offer sheet. This seems much more stopgap to me.

 

No chance Shaffer's actually good?

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

 

The Tait signing was supposed to be them signing a franchise tackle. They overpaid him in order to force KC not to sign the offer sheet. This seems much more stopgap to me.

 

No chance Shaffer's actually good?

 

I wouldn't say that. I'm just saying the Tait signing was much more of an aggressive franchise affecting move, while this guy is some sort of combo fallback/stopgap player. Plus, he's not young, he won't be around for very long.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Omiyale actually backed up Shafer in Atlanta

 

now it looks like their roles have reversed

 

life is fun.

[Soul]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

 

The Tait signing was supposed to be them signing a franchise tackle. They overpaid him in order to force KC not to sign the offer sheet. This seems much more stopgap to me.

 

No chance Shaffer's actually good?

 

I wouldn't say that. I'm just saying the Tait signing was much more of an aggressive franchise affecting move, while this guy is some sort of combo fallback/stopgap player. Plus, he's not young, he won't be around for very long.

 

Yeah, I have to agree.

 

Here's to praying Williams is actually good. I'd hate to be stuck with a bust LT and a stopgap RT at the same time. If Williams pans out, we're probably OK for the time being.

[rawaction]

Bears just signed OT- Kevin Shaffer formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

 

A very solid pickup. Similar to the Tait signing a few years ago. He's 29. Started all but 1 game in the last 3 years for the Browns. Was the LT before Joe Thomas was drafted and then moved to the right side. He was great in 2007 his first year at RT, but struggled some last year. Even still gave up just 3.5 sacks in 2008.

 

Cleveland released him because he was due a 2.5M roster bonus and they didn't want to pay him after a decline in performance. They signed John St Clair

 

The Tait signing was supposed to be them signing a franchise tackle. They overpaid him in order to force KC not to sign the offer sheet. This seems much more stopgap to me.

 

No chance Shaffer's actually good?

 

I wouldn't say that. I'm just saying the Tait signing was much more of an aggressive franchise affecting move, while this guy is some sort of combo fallback/stopgap player. Plus, he's not young, he won't be around for very long.

 

Versatility is not a bad thing. If Shaffer fails, Omiyale is only 26 and can move back outside to RT. And he's not getting paid enough to where the Bears can't justify using an early pick on an OT. I think this increases the chances the Bears go after an OG in the draft rather than an OT. Guard could also use some youth. If Beekman is the C of the future, you're looking at Garza (who's over 30) and Buenning (28, and couldn't get on the field last year) as the RGs. Neither are long term solutions. Shaffer allows the Bears to NOT start inexperience on both edges of the OL. It allows them to rebuild the line to potentially Williams, Omiyale, Beekman, 2009 draft pick G along w/ him as soon as 2010. Shaffer may not be a long-term solution, but even if he's only around for 3 years (til he's 32, about as long as Tait was effective), the Bears will hopefully have a good, experienced Williams on the left side and be able to bring in a young tackle down the road. Hopefully this time it will be before the last possible moment.

[Wilson A2000]

Does this mean the Bears are not going to draft a tackle in the first round? Maybe a receiver instead?

[WrigleyField 22]

Does this mean the Bears are not going to draft a tackle in the first round? Maybe a receiver instead?

I think its was most likely the case already, but now I think its almost certain unless someone really good at T falls and there isn't a worthy WR. Even then I wouldn't be surprised with a trade down.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I really hope we're looking WR now. In order I'd love to see: Maclin, Britt, Nicks.

[WrigleyField 22]

WR makes the most sense, but no one is really likely to make an immediate impact, so its really a pick for the future. Hester will enter as the #1.

 

Oh and did anyone see what Kiper had to say about the Bears and WR.

 

Seems to think Percy Harvin is their guy. WTF?