2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[jersey cubs fan]

If he is talented, that translates into immediate impact IMO. If a player doesn't figure to factor in this year, I'd call that potential, not talent.

 

That makes no sense.

[WrigleyField 22]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

[Guest]

Gilbert has the tools to make an impact this season but you don't often find DTs making a big splash in their rookie season.

 

I think Marcus Harrison is prime to make a big step forward. Admittedly, I'm a big fan of his.

[WrigleyField 22]

Gilbert has the tools to make an impact this season but you don't often find DTs making a big splash in their rookie season.

 

I think Marcus Harrison is prime to make a big step forward. Admittedly, I'm a big fan of his.

He doesn't have to make a huge impact individually for the whole line to benefit though, IMO. He just has to be a solid rotational player, which he is more than able to do.

 

Also I said before, it will also have to do with a combined effort in which Marinelli gets the most out of the guys. So it won't be solely on Gilbert if we improve, but having another talented body out there will help out Marinelli's efforts a lot.

[jersey cubs fan]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

[Soul]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

 

I don't think they will.

 

I'm still angry at Anderson for dropping off a cliff.

[jersey cubs fan]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

 

I don't think they will.

 

I'm still angry at Anderson for dropping off a cliff.

 

You should just choose to be happy he had one fluke good year.

[David]

Don't ever doubt the awesomeness that is Rod Marinelli as a defensive line coach.

[Magnetic Curses]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

 

we addressed the pass rush, i didn't say we completely fixed it or that it will be fixed immediately. what could we have done to fix it completely, really? i think it will be improved, and i'd rather see gilbert at one of the DE spots rather than backing up harris. the pick itself gives us a talented player that can get in the backfield, to me, that means we improved the pass rush. add that to melton, a guy with the type of measurables that lovie and marinelli drool over for better or for worse, and i think they've done enough in their minds to accomplish something.

 

besides, our pass rush couldn't get much worse.

[Soul]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

 

I don't think they will.

 

I'm still angry at Anderson for dropping off a cliff.

 

You should just choose to be happy he had one fluke good year.

 

:D)

Yeah, probably right.

[jersey cubs fan]

we addressed the pass rush, i didn't say we completely fixed it or that it will be fixed immediately. what could we have done to fix it completely, really? i think it will be improved, and i'd rather see gilbert at one of the DE spots rather than backing up harris. the pick itself gives us a talented player that can get in the backfield, to me, that means we improved the pass rush. add that to melton, a guy with the type of measurables that lovie and marinelli drool over for better or for worse, and i think they've done enough in their minds to accomplish something.

 

besides, our pass rush couldn't get much worse.

 

Well, it was addressed, but not in a way that affects 2009. It's probably going to be the same pass rush, minus one year of age related physical ability by every meaningful player involved. I think Gilbert is clearly a Harris insurance policy, while Melton will struggle to see the field on anything but special teams this season.

[Soul]

I disagree. If he has talent, that means he has some specific football related skills that translate onto the field. It goes beyond athleticism and measurables.

 

Sure, he won't come in from day one and completely live up to all his talents, and he still needs to improve his talents, but the talent is there. And if you threw him in a line with some other good players, that talent will show through in his play this year.

 

And that skill/talent won't necessarily have to translate into a significantly improved pass rush.

 

 

Sulley said the Bears addressed the pass rush problem. I don't think they've done much of anything to address it for this year. Wale/Brown/Anderson/Harris are going to have to play better to see an improve pass rush.

 

we addressed the pass rush, i didn't say we completely fixed it or that it will be fixed immediately. what could we have done to fix it completely, really? i think it will be improved, and i'd rather see gilbert at one of the DE spots rather than backing up harris. the pick itself gives us a talented player that can get in the backfield, to me, that means we improved the pass rush. add that to melton, a guy with the type of measurables that lovie and marinelli drool over for better or for worse, and i think they've done enough in their minds to accomplish something.

 

besides, our pass rush couldn't get much worse.

 

It's going to take a stud pass rushing DE and those are hard to find.

[cubweiser03]

Gilbert has the tools to make an impact this season but you don't often find DTs making a big splash in their rookie season.

 

I think Marcus Harrison is prime to make a big step forward. Admittedly, I'm a big fan of his.

I like Harrison too, he and Tommy at DT i think is solid.

Gilbert is also going to get looks at DE according to Angelo. This is Ogun's last year and the Bears dont really have a LDE behind him. Gilberts versatility is another assest.

[Guest]

Gilbert has the tools to make an impact this season but you don't often find DTs making a big splash in their rookie season.

 

I think Marcus Harrison is prime to make a big step forward. Admittedly, I'm a big fan of his.

I like Harrison too, he and Tommy at DT i think is solid.

Gilbert is also going to get looks at DE according to Angelo. This is Ogun's last year and the Bears dont really have a LDE behind him. Gilberts versatility is another assest.

 

Yeah, I think Gilbert is Wale's likely successor.

[RedFlash]

I think we're talking about different Davis's. I mean Kellen. Sounds like you are talking about Rashied. I have no problem letting Rashied go if we replace him with a decent vet.

 

Yep, Rashied. I'm still hoping the Bears bring in Drew Bennett, because he would bring something the Bears don't have with their current WR ad that is height.

[Guest]

Is Matt Jones available? (And what is his suspension situation looking like?)

[SpongeWorthy]

Gilbert doesn't look like a 4-3 DE to me at all. He looks like the classic one-gap penetrator that Lovie likes at DT.

[rawaction]

Is Matt Jones available? (And what is his suspension situation looking like?)

 

He's available. And he was suspended the last 3 games of last year, so I'm not sure that he would be suspended at all this year. If so, it wouldn't be more than 1-2 games.

[SpongeWorthy]

Is Matt Jones available? (And what is his suspension situation looking like?)

 

He's available. And he was suspended the last 3 games of last year, so I'm not sure that he would be suspended at all this year. If so, it wouldn't be more than 1-2 games.

 

His legal situation is far from resolved though isn't it?

[Guest]

Is Matt Jones available? (And what is his suspension situation looking like?)

 

He's available. And he was suspended the last 3 games of last year, so I'm not sure that he would be suspended at all this year. If so, it wouldn't be more than 1-2 games.

 

I'd rather have Matt Jones than Drew Bennett then as long as Jones isn't going to go around and get busted for substance abuse again. But it'd be nice to add either of them to the mix.

[CubColtPacer]

Is Matt Jones available? (And what is his suspension situation looking like?)

 

He's available. And he was suspended the last 3 games of last year, so I'm not sure that he would be suspended at all this year. If so, it wouldn't be more than 1-2 games.

 

His suspension from last year is finished. But he's at least somewhat likely to get suspended again since he violated the terms of his plea agreement during the offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

From ChicagoBears.com:

I saw an interesting video on NFL.com that said the Bears were going to draft safety Michael Mitchell with the 49th pick in the second round if the Raiders hadn’t taken him at No. 47. This was a pick that was highly criticized by all the experts as Mitchell was projected to be a late-round selection. Is there any validity to that assertion?

 

Ankur G.

Schaumburg, Illinois

 

Ohio safety Michael Mitchell was on the Bears’ “hot list” as one of nearly 125 players they were going to consider selecting in the draft. But I can tell you with 100 percent accuracy that there’s no way they would have chosen him as early as the second round.

 

Not sure if anybody puts stock in what Larry Mayer says on the team's website, but I would tend to believe this story. I don't think the Bears were going to take that guy in the 2nd, despite what Mitchell told the Oakland media.

[manbearcub]

Larry Mayer = Carrie Muskat but id tend to believe him here if hes guaranteeing it

[Banedon]

From ChicagoBears.com:

I saw an interesting video on NFL.com that said the Bears were going to draft safety Michael Mitchell with the 49th pick in the second round if the Raiders hadn’t taken him at No. 47. This was a pick that was highly criticized by all the experts as Mitchell was projected to be a late-round selection. Is there any validity to that assertion?

 

Ankur G.

Schaumburg, Illinois

 

Ohio safety Michael Mitchell was on the Bears’ “hot list” as one of nearly 125 players they were going to consider selecting in the draft. But I can tell you with 100 percent accuracy that there’s no way they would have chosen him as early as the second round.

 

Not sure if anybody puts stock in what Larry Mayer says on the team's website, but I would tend to believe this story. I don't think the Bears were going to take that guy in the 2nd, despite what Mitchell told the Oakland media.

 

Yeah, I was never fully buying that story.

[David]

 

If you watch this you'll probably get too excited over a 5th rounder....

 

But wow, it's exciting to think about what Cutler could help him turn into... :shock: