2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[WrigleyField 22]

So what are the odds the Bears go with a WR in the 2nd round?

Not that great once we sign Tory Holt.

:beg:

 

Nah you still have to draft a WR, maybe not as high, but still draft one if you sign Torry Holt. At this point in his career, Holt is nearing the end and you can't count on Holt to be anything more then a Bobby Engram type slot/possession reciever. If either a really good WR is still available in the 2nd rd, take him.

Unless we're talking Kenny Britt, I'd rather draft with an eye towards, FS, DT, or DE*

 

*Assuming we were to get Holt. No Holt and WR would definitely be in consideration if it weren't too much of a reach.

 

I'd propose something like this (not sure on the draft slot of guys, but it's just there as an idea anyways)

2- Jarron Gilbert - San Jose St - DL

3- Rashad Johnson - Alabama - S

4- Ramses Barden - Cal Poly - WR

5- Nate Davis - Ball State - QB

5- Michael Bennett - Texas A&M - DE

6- Brandon Hughes -Oregon St - CB

7- Dave Philistin - Maryland- LB

7- Ramon Foster - Tennessee - OL

 

Maybe OL earlier, and QB later. Perhaps another DB over LB. But in general, something along those lines, along with signing Holt would make me content.

 

If we can't get Holt, I'd like something like this:

2- Brian Robiski - Ohio St - WR

3- Rashad Johnson - Alabama - S

4- Chris Baker - Hampton - DT

5- Deon Butler - Penn St - WR

5- Michael Bennett - Texas A&M - DE

6- Brandon Hughes -Oregon St - CB

7- Ramon Foster - Tennessee - OL

7- Best QB

[RedFlash]

So what are the odds the Bears go with a WR in the 2nd round?

Not that great once we sign Tory Holt.

:beg:

 

Nah you still have to draft a WR, maybe not as high, but still draft one if you sign Torry Holt. At this point in his career, Holt is nearing the end and you can't count on Holt to be anything more then a Bobby Engram type slot/possession reciever. If either a really good WR is still available in the 2nd rd, take him.

Unless we're talking Kenny Britt, I'd rather draft with an eye towards, FS, DT, or DE*

 

*Assuming we were to get Holt. No Holt and WR would definitely be in consideration if it weren't too much of a reach.

 

I'd propose something like this (not sure on the draft slot of guys, but it's just there as an idea anyways)

2- Jarron Gilbert - San Jose St - DL

3- Rashad Johnson - Alabama - S

4- Ramses Barden - Cal Poly - WR

5- Nate Davis - Ball State - QB

5- Michael Bennett - Texas A&M - DE

6- Brandon Hughes -Oregon St - CB

7- Dave Philistin - Maryland- LB

7- Ramon Foster - Tennessee - OL

 

Maybe OL earlier, and QB later. Perhaps another DB over LB. But in general, something along those lines, along with signing Holt would make me content.

 

If we can't get Holt, I'd like something like this:

2- Brian Robiski - Ohio St - WR

3- Rashad Johnson - Alabama - S

4- Chris Baker - Hampton - DT

5- Deon Butler - Penn St - WR

5- Michael Bennett - Texas A&M - DE

6- Brandon Hughes -Oregon St - CB

7- Ramon Foster - Tennessee - OL

7- Best QB

 

I don't disagree. But if I had a choice, I would go Rashad Johnson. Not because he's an Alabama boy, but because Shad to me reminds me a lot of Mike Brown, a ballhawking free saftey who is extremely smart and trustworthy player. Johnson and Steltz or Payne would be really good pair of safeties. My only concern with RJ (and trust me, Alabama is going to miss his leadership very much on defense) is his body, is he big enoguh to play 16 games? If he is, who would be one helluva value pick in the 2nd rd. If not RJ, Baker for DT, or Robiske (Holt or no Holt) would be fine with me in the 2nd rd.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yeah if Kenny Britt is there in the 2nd round you have to take him. Even if we get Holt, I say.

[SpongeWorthy]

Hey guys we traded for Jay Cutler 8-)

 

*Still pumping my fist*

[Coach C]

Sounds like the Bears gave up alot for Cutler. At least you got a QB, but as a Chief fan, he's a good QB. However, if he gets really cocky and starts shooting his mouth, then he'll start tossing INT's all over the place.

 

Of course, Chris Williams was the most highly regarded pass blocking LT in the entire draft last year. He didn't get to play last year b/c of neck surgery in the PS. He's so much more talented than Tait, it's not funny. Kreutz is a perennial PB center, they just signed Kevin Shaffer to hold down the right side, Garza is a good guard, Matt Forte is already a great running back, Hester is your deep threat, and Greg Olsen is a very talented TE.

 

IMHO, the Bears is a #1 WR away from being absolutely lethal.

[Coach C]

Kinda wish we had taken that flier on TO now.

 

For a one year deal, I would.

 

For a multi-year, I wouldn't.

[gflore34]

Wow I'm shocked, didn't think Angelo had the brains or balls to pull off such a move! Some may argue the Bears gave up a lot maybe, but, when you consider Angelo' recent 1st round draft history. The importance of the QB position and the fact, that Cutler' superior to any Bear QB in what, the last decade, at least, I don't think it was a lot.

[RynoRules]

If the O Line is good and Forte continues to progress, it may not matter that our receivers aren't great. A guy like Lloyd - big and long-armed - could really benefit from having a guy like Cutler throwing to him. And perhaps Lovie can release the Bennett kid from Guantanomo.

 

EDIT:

 

So the strating O Line is:

 

Pace

Garza

Kruetz

That FA Guard they signed

Williams

That's pretty good assuming that Pace is healthy.

 

Now you really are free to get a WR in the 2nd Rnd. Or better yet, improve on our pass defense by getting a CB or DT to free up Harris on the pass rush.

[gflore34]

If the O Line is good and Forte continues to progress, it may not matter that our receivers aren't great. A guy like Lloyd - big and long-armed - could really benefit from having a guy like Cutler throwing to him. And perhaps Lovie can release the Bennett kid from Guantanomo.

 

EDIT:

 

So the strating O Line is:

 

Pace

Garza

Kruetz

That FA Guard they signed

Williams

That's pretty good assuming that Pace is healthy.

 

Now you really are free to get a WR in the 2nd Rnd. Or better yet, improve on our pass defense by getting a CB or DT to free up Harris on the pass rush.

 

I was thinking DT or DE in the with the 2nd Round pick, the Bears need someone to get after the QB. Cutler may help in that he'll keep the defense off the field but, nevertheless, the Bears have got to consistently pressure the opposing QB.

[Banedon]

I love Dilfer talking about all these holes we needed to fill with the picks we gave up. Don't we still have like 8 draft picks?

 

Jersey is conspicuous in his absence.

[rawaction]

Couple things.

 

I look at Pace like I do Milton Bradley. He'll be really good when he is 100% healthy. The problem is with the Bears, Pace has to stay healthy for the team to be successful. And with the nature of football, if he gets injured, it's probably for a long period of time and would keep him out for the stretch run.

 

I'd imagine Shaffer will compete at RG. If Omiyale can play LG having never played there, I'm sure Shaffer can play RG with no experience. The major problem I see there is that if Pace or Williams get hurt, and neither is a huge stretch, then your 2 best backup OTs are starting guards. That means you may have to rearrange the entire OL for 1 injury (ex: Pace hurt, Williams from RT to LT, Shaffer from RG to RT, Garza to RG).

[rawaction]

I love Dilfer talking about all these holes we needed to fill with the picks we gave up. Don't we still have like 8 draft picks?

 

Jersey is conspicuous in his absence.

 

7 picks. But still, they lost 2 of the top 3 potential guys they could get. I think they continue to bolster the offense in the draft and hope that Marinelli and Lovie can turn around the defense.

[weis21]

As both a Redskins and Chargers fan, I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I am really not confident in Cambell's abilities and would have loved for the Skins to pick him up. On the other hand, I'm glad he's out of the AFC West (though I will miss those Chargers/Broncos shoot-outs).

 

Either way, he's got a lot of talent so congrats. I'm hoping you guys sign Holt too, I think he'd be a great fit.

[biittner77]

I totally missed the Pace signing. Is that a done deal? Did they say he'd be playing LT or is that speculation?

 

To those that are piling on Schlereth, yes he's an idiot but Orton had a decent season last year considering what he had a bad O-line and a suspect O coordinator. Orton should be a good filler until they can draft another QB.

 

This trade reminds me a lot of the Cubs finally filling the glaring hole at 3rd by getting Ramirez. As someone once said, I'm as happy as a very happy person who has a good reason to be happy.

[Mark Priors Calves]

We all knew these articles would begin to come. Rick Morrissey doesn't like the deal. Cutler doesn't have the famed mental "Chicago toughness."

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-03-morrissey-jay-cutler-bears-chapr03,0,4048493.column

 

typical contrarian article to the general public's view of the trade.

 

Or just maybe what he feels.

 

Mike Mulligan thinks the positives outweigh the negatives.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1507812,CST-SPT-mully02.article

 

possible but like someone else said, he's been writing the past few weeks about how they shouldn't trade for cutler. he has to stick to his guns.

 

another trib writer david haugh has been banging the drum very loudly for cutler for weeks. it just makes sense for the trib to have their two featured columnists with opposing points of view on the biggest football story in years. it makes good copy.

[Cynosure]

I totally missed the Pace signing. Is that a done deal? Did they say he'd be playing LT or is that speculation?

 

To those that are piling on Schlereth, yes he's an idiot but Orton had a decent season last year considering what he had a bad O-line and a suspect O coordinator. Orton should be a good filler until they can draft another QB.

 

This trade reminds me a lot of the Cubs finally filling the glaring hole at 3rd by getting Ramirez. As someone once said, I'm as happy as a very happy person who has a good reason to be happy.

 

Yea it's done and he will be playing LT.

[Banedon]

I love Dilfer talking about all these holes we needed to fill with the picks we gave up. Don't we still have like 8 draft picks?

 

Jersey is conspicuous in his absence.

 

7 picks. But still, they lost 2 of the top 3 potential guys they could get. I think they continue to bolster the offense in the draft and hope that Marinelli and Lovie can turn around the defense.

 

Well lets pretend for a second that Cutler is in the draft, and we just spent the #18 pick on him. So really, you're only "losing" one pick this year in my mind...

 

Getting away from that a second though, I wonder...what are the chances now that Rex signs as backup? He's still out there. And there'd be no QB controversy with Cutler there.

[ctcf]

I can't say I've kept up on Torry Holt as of late. What's the general consensus on him?

[Banedon]

To those that are piling on Schlereth, yes he's an idiot but Orton had a decent season last year considering what he had a bad O-line and a suspect O coordinator. Orton should be a good filler until they can draft another QB.

 

I completely agree with you, and if that had been what Schlereth was saying, I'd agree with you. Schlereth outright said this trade makes the Bears a worse team, which is patently ridiculous.

[Cynosure]

I can't say I've kept up on Torry Holt as of late. What's the general consensus on him?

 

Wayyyy too many miles on him.

[Banedon]

Hmmm...Dan Pompei says the Bears have 8 picks...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-03-bears-mock-draft,0,7832468.htmlstory

 

Round 2, 17th pick, 49th overall

Round 3, 35th pick, 99th overall

Round 4, 19th pick, 119th overall

Round 5, 4th pick, 140th overall

Round 5, 18th pick, 154th overall

Round 6, 17th pick, 190th overall

Round 7, 37th pick, 246th overall

Round 7, 42nd pick, 251st overall

[Mark Priors Calves]

Hmmm...Dan Pompei says the Bears have 8 picks...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-03-bears-mock-draft,0,7832468.htmlstory

 

Round 2, 17th pick, 49th overall

Round 3, 35th pick, 99th overall

Round 4, 19th pick, 119th overall

Round 5, 4th pick, 140th overall

Round 5, 18th pick, 154th overall

Round 6, 17th pick, 190th overall

Round 7, 37th pick, 246th overall

Round 7, 42nd pick, 251st overall

Mike Mulligan on the SCORE said the Bears have 8 picks as well.

[XZero771679666304]

To those that are piling on Schlereth, yes he's an idiot but Orton had a decent season last year considering what he had a bad O-line and a suspect O coordinator. Orton should be a good filler until they can draft another QB.

 

I completely agree with you, and if that had been what Schlereth was saying, I'd agree with you. Schlereth outright said this trade makes the Bears a worse team, which is patently ridiculous.

 

Yeah, it's not that he hasn't made some valid points, but he seems to be either unaware or unwilling to recognize that the oline has had some work done.

 

I think the guy is a Broncos fan, has a real beef with Cutler over this whole mess, and is allowing it to skew his analysis.

[tadowdaddy]

All I can get from my buddy that very well connected to the happenings in the NFL (works for a major agent) is that the Bears are currently working on a deal to shore up receiver. He wouldn't give me any specifics, but said to expect something in the next 2-3 weeks. I know I don't post much, but he told me about Pace and Cutler prior to any major media outlets knowing about him, and he is a scout for another NFL team, so I do trust him. We'll see.

 

Here's how the conversation went:

 

My buddy: Cutler will be a Bear. It's a done deal. They will also sign Pace within the next 48 hours.

 

Me: BS. I don't buy it.

 

End of Conversation #1.

 

Looking at ESPN.com about 5 hours later, sure enough, Cutler to the Bears is reported so I call him back.

 

 

Me: Jesus, you were right.

 

Him: Told you so. "This move saved money, the Bears have no 1st round bonus pick money to be paid, and Cutlers contract has 3 left on it and its not much to sniff at. I am hearing they are finally planning on no longer dragging their feet. I think they have vastly improved their relationships and negotiating tactics with the leagues top agents and its starting to pay off."

 

Me: Just need to shore up WR.

 

Him: Thats coming soon too as in the next few weeks. I can guarantee that too.

 

Me: Someone like Holt or are they gonna trade for someone?

 

Him: I cant say right now. If I could I would. Your on the right track though. There will be multiple additions in the coming weeks.

 

 

He's always right, and I have no reason to doubt him. We'll see if he's right. I personally hope so. I give him that he was right about Pace and about Cutler, so we'll see. He's just a hard one to get information out of.

[XZero771679666304]

All I can get from my buddy that very well connected to the happenings in the NFL (works for a major agent) is that the Bears are currently working on a deal to shore up receiver. He wouldn't give me any specifics, but said to expect something in the next 2-3 weeks. I know I don't post much, but he told me about Pace and Cutler prior to any major media outlets knowing about him, and he is a scout for another NFL team, so I do trust him. We'll see.

 

Here's how the conversation went:

 

My buddy: Cutler will be a Bear. It's a done deal. They will also sign Pace within the next 48 hours.

 

Me: BS. I don't buy it.

 

End of Conversation #1.

 

Looking at ESPN.com about 5 hours later, sure enough, Cutler to the Bears is reported so I call him back.

 

 

Me: Jesus, you were right.

 

Him: Told you so. "This move saved money, the Bears have no 1st round bonus pick money to be paid, and Cutlers contract has 3 left on it and its not much to sniff at. I am hearing they are finally planning on no longer dragging their feet. I think they have vastly improved their relationships and negotiating tactics with the leagues top agents and its starting to pay off."

 

Me: Just need to shore up WR.

 

Him: Thats coming soon too as in the next few weeks. I can guarantee that too.

 

Me: Someone like Holt or are they gonna trade for someone?

 

Him: I cant say right now. If I could I would. Your on the right track though. There will be multiple additions in the coming weeks.

 

 

He's always right, and I have no reason to doubt him. We'll see if he's right. I personally hope so. I give him that he was right about Pace and about Cutler, so we'll see. He's just a hard one to get information out of.

 

I'm expecting at least a couple more dominoes to fall. Angelo is clearly (IMHO) making some sort of major "win now" play here, and today's moves aren't enough on their own.