2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[CubColtPacer]

That list is including QBs as part of the backfield, and ranks the Colts 10th.

 

Fail.

 

The fact that they were the worst running team in the game but still ranked 10th indicates they are giving a lot of credit to Manning (who probably isn't as good as he was at his peak).

 

There is no reason why they should be the worst running team in the game again this year. They have two talented first round RB's and an offensive line that has much more experience than at many points last year. All the rookies they drafted last year got significant playing time, and one of their starting guards is coming back after missing all of last year.

 

And Manning's decision making is better than ever, which helps make up for the fact that his arm has slipped slightly from his peak.

[Guest]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/05/chicago-bears-likely-closer-to-tinoisamoa-after-patriots-sign-other-linebacker.html

Chicago Bears likely closer to Tinoisamoa after Pats grab other linebacker

According to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe, the Patriots have come to terms with linebacker Paris Lenon. That means Pisa Tinoisamoa, a player New England also entertained as an option, is likely out of the mix.

 

That's good news for the Bears as they attempt to bring Tinoisamoa to Chicago.

[ctcf]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

I'd be pretty skeptical seeing as Angelo has been pretty adamant about going with the WR we have now. Then again, he said that about the QB as well...

[jersey cubs fan]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

I'd be pretty skeptical seeing as Angelo has been pretty adamant about going with the WR we have now. Then again, he said that about the QB as well...

 

Well, his first statement was that it starts with the QB. He backed off that one, but ended up going with his first feeling anyway. I think he felt all along it was about the QB and not the WR. He dabbled in free agent veterans last year and felt he got burned. Plus, you add in the drug thing and there's a good reason to believe he won't even look at cokeboy.

[Banedon]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

I'd be pretty skeptical seeing as Angelo has been pretty adamant about going with the WR we have now. Then again, he said that about the QB as well...

 

Well, his first statement was that it starts with the QB. He backed off that one, but ended up going with his first feeling anyway. I think he felt all along it was about the QB and not the WR. He dabbled in free agent veterans last year and felt he got burned. Plus, you add in the drug thing and there's a good reason to believe he won't even look at cokeboy.

 

What WR's has Angelo gotten through the draft or FA? Not counting Hester since that's not what he was drafted as...

 

Drafted

 

Bobby Wade

Justin Gage

Bernard Berrian

Mark Bradley

Airese Curry

Juaquin Iglesias

Derek Kinder

Knox

Bennett

 

FA

Muhsin

Rashied Davis

Booker

Lloyd

 

Those are off the top of my head, there has to be more. But outside of Berrian, there's not a lot of success there (so far...Knox, Kinder, Iglesias, and Bennett could still possibly pan out.)

 

My point being, Angelo hasn't had a great WR track record. Maybe he feels like improving QB enough can make up for his failures with WR.

[Banedon]

Sportsline.com:

 

Jay Cutler, quarterback, Chicago: Let's get this out of the way right now: I don't think Cutler is a good fit for the Bears, and I don't think the Bears' receivers (Hello? Someone? Anyone?) are a good fit for Cutler. But that doesn't diminish the importance of the move. Chicago missed the playoffs by a game last year, and a common complaint was the quarterbacking. The Bears rushed out to get Cutler because they believe he can push them over the top, but I don't believe you win in Chicago in November and December with Jay Cutler. I believe you win with an effective rushing attack and formidable defense. Cutler didn't win at Vanderbilt and he didn't win Denver. How does he in Chicago with Devin Hester as his best receiver and Orlando Pace as his left tackle? Cutler was sacked 11 times last season -- now he could be sacked 11 times by Minnesota. The Bears won nine games last year yet Cutler hasn't won more than eight in any season. Chicago is -- or at least has been -- all about tough guys doing what it takes to win. Cutler hasn't won anything, and he started looking for an exit at the first mention of a trade. Jerry Angelo, I hope you know what you're doing.

 

Guys...he won't win in Chicago, because he couldn't win in Vandy...can't you see that? :P

[Soul]

Sportsline.com:

 

Jay Cutler, quarterback, Chicago: Let's get this out of the way right now: I don't think Cutler is a good fit for the Bears, and I don't think the Bears' receivers (Hello? Someone? Anyone?) are a good fit for Cutler. But that doesn't diminish the importance of the move. Chicago missed the playoffs by a game last year, and a common complaint was the quarterbacking. The Bears rushed out to get Cutler because they believe he can push them over the top, but I don't believe you win in Chicago in November and December with Jay Cutler. I believe you win with an effective rushing attack and formidable defense. Cutler didn't win at Vanderbilt and he didn't win Denver. How does he in Chicago with Devin Hester as his best receiver and Orlando Pace as his left tackle? Cutler was sacked 11 times last season -- now he could be sacked 11 times by Minnesota. The Bears won nine games last year yet Cutler hasn't won more than eight in any season. Chicago is -- or at least has been -- all about tough guys doing what it takes to win. Cutler hasn't won anything, and he started looking for an exit at the first mention of a trade. Jerry Angelo, I hope you know what you're doing.

 

Guys...he won't win in Chicago, because he couldn't win in Vandy...can't you see that? :P

 

Is it his contention that Cutler makes it impossible to be good on defense? 'Cuz that's what it sounds like to me.

[Banedon]

Is it his contention that Cutler makes it impossible to be good on defense? 'Cuz that's what it sounds like to me.

 

Also makes it impossible to have an effective running game apparently.

[Soul]

Is it his contention that Cutler makes it impossible to be good on defense? 'Cuz that's what it sounds like to me.

 

Also makes it impossible to have an effective running game apparently.

 

Apparently in order for a QB to inspire great running and defense, he needs to have produced a winning football team on his own, in his former cities. :blink:

[ctcf]

Rotoworld seems to think the Bears could be looking at Plax seriously:

 

Drew Rosenhaus claims on his Twitter page that an unidentified third NFL team "has just expressed serious interest" in his client, Plaxico Burress.

The Jets and Bucs were the first two. It's hard to say who the new team might be -- assuming there is one -- but it's not expected to be St. Louis or Miami. It could be the Bears, whose receivers struggled with drops at minicamps.

[jersey cubs fan]

Rotoworld seems to think the Bears could be looking at Plax seriously:

 

Drew Rosenhaus claims on his Twitter page that an unidentified third NFL team "has just expressed serious interest" in his client, Plaxico Burress.

The Jets and Bucs were the first two. It's hard to say who the new team might be -- assuming there is one -- but it's not expected to be St. Louis or Miami. It could be the Bears, whose receivers struggled with drops at minicamps.

 

I'm not sure your label is all that accurate, they are just throwing out names of teams who might fit what is probably an agent-fueled false rumor.

[Magnetic Curses]

Is it his contention that Cutler makes it impossible to be good on defense? 'Cuz that's what it sounds like to me.

 

Also makes it impossible to have an effective running game apparently.

 

Apparently in order for a QB to inspire great running and defense, he needs to have produced a winning football team on his own, in his former cities. :blink:

 

teams with very good quarterbacks also tend to be more consistent, as they have capable players at the most important position in sports. teams that tend to rely on rushing and defense alone rely a lot more on health and are more prone to falling off the face of the earth all of the sudden.

[Banedon]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

Prepare to be disappointed.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/05/dont-expect-the-chicago-bears-to-pursue-freeagent-receiver-matt-jones.html

 

When asked about Jones during a community visit in Waukegan Wednesday afternoon, Angelo seemed to have reservations about adding the former Jacksonville Jaguar.

 

"He was a first-round draft pick and he is a very talented player," Angelo said, "but it's case by case. We're not quick to move on any player."

 

"Guys make mistakes, move on, and become better people," Angelo said. "Some guys have patterns of bad behavior and continue to have those patterns. I'm not saying that about Matt Jones. What I'm saying is we have to do our homework. And then you have to look at what value that person brings to your football team irrelevant of his off-the-field issues."

[Soul]

And then you have to look at what value that person brings to your football team irrelevant of his off-the-field issues."

 

I'm usually not a grammar cop, but man that's horrible.

[jersey cubs fan]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

Prepare to be disappointed.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/05/dont-expect-the-chicago-bears-to-pursue-freeagent-receiver-matt-jones.html

 

When asked about Jones during a community visit in Waukegan Wednesday afternoon, Angelo seemed to have reservations about adding the former Jacksonville Jaguar.

 

"He was a first-round draft pick and he is a very talented player," Angelo said, "but it's case by case. We're not quick to move on any player."

 

"Guys make mistakes, move on, and become better people," Angelo said. "Some guys have patterns of bad behavior and continue to have those patterns. I'm not saying that about Matt Jones. What I'm saying is we have to do our homework. And then you have to look at what value that person brings to your football team irrelevant of his off-the-field issues."

 

Call me crazy, but that sounds like he's leaving open the possibility of at least looking at the guy.

 

He's very talented. We won't move quickly. We have to do our homework. You have to look what he brings to the team on the field.

[Banedon]

Matt Jones, my favorite remaining FA WR target, is NOT going to be suspended any additional time in 2009.

 

6'6", 220 lbs, 4.37 40-yd, 39.5 vert, 65 catches, 700+ yards in 2009. Would be a low risk, high reward type of signing.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping they're all over this.

 

Prepare to be disappointed.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/05/dont-expect-the-chicago-bears-to-pursue-freeagent-receiver-matt-jones.html

 

When asked about Jones during a community visit in Waukegan Wednesday afternoon, Angelo seemed to have reservations about adding the former Jacksonville Jaguar.

 

"He was a first-round draft pick and he is a very talented player," Angelo said, "but it's case by case. We're not quick to move on any player."

 

"Guys make mistakes, move on, and become better people," Angelo said. "Some guys have patterns of bad behavior and continue to have those patterns. I'm not saying that about Matt Jones. What I'm saying is we have to do our homework. And then you have to look at what value that person brings to your football team irrelevant of his off-the-field issues."

 

Call me crazy, but that sounds like he's leaving open the possibility of at least looking at the guy.

 

He's very talented. We won't move quickly. We have to do our homework. You have to look what he brings to the team on the field.

 

After I started pasting the quotes, I thought about changing my lead-in sentence, cuz it didn't sound like as much of a rejection as the Trib seemed to think it was.

[jersey cubs fan]

After I started pasting the quotes, I thought about changing my lead-in sentence, cuz it didn't sound like as much of a rejection as the Trib seemed to think it was.

 

If he ends up signing the guy after doing his homework they will run a story saying he reversed his stance on Jones.

[rawaction]

I don't expect anyone to move on Jones quickly. There's obviously a lot of homework to be done.

 

1. Is he over his drug issues?

2. How big of a risk is he to do something else?

3. How good is he or can he be on the field?

4. Is that risk worth what he can be expected to bring to the field?

 

Personally, I don't know the answer to #1. I don't think he is as big a risk as most of getting in trouble again. I think he could be great on the field, but even if he's not, he could still be a redzone asset and another big target for Cutler. And I think the answer to #4 is yes.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't expect anyone to move on Jones quickly. There's obviously a lot of homework to be done.

 

1. Is he over his drug issues?

2. How big of a risk is he to do something else?

3. How good is he or can he be on the field?

4. Is that risk worth what he can be expected to bring to the field?

 

Personally, I don't know the answer to #1. I don't think he is as big a risk as most of getting in trouble again. I think he could be great on the field, but even if he's not, he could still be a redzone asset and another big target for Cutler. And I think the answer to #4 is yes.

 

I think that all hinges on what kind of deal you can sign him to. A minimal 2009 guaranteed salary means none of those other risks really matter. Sure there's a PR aspect to it, but if he gets busted for drugs again, you cut him and lose very little. Maybe he's going to hold out for a better deal, but I would think he'd like to go to a place where he can be a featured WR and play with a quality QB, thus giving him a chance to build up his contract demands for next offseason.

[rawaction]

I don't expect anyone to move on Jones quickly. There's obviously a lot of homework to be done.

 

1. Is he over his drug issues?

2. How big of a risk is he to do something else?

3. How good is he or can he be on the field?

4. Is that risk worth what he can be expected to bring to the field?

 

Personally, I don't know the answer to #1. I don't think he is as big a risk as most of getting in trouble again. I think he could be great on the field, but even if he's not, he could still be a redzone asset and another big target for Cutler. And I think the answer to #4 is yes.

 

I think that all hinges on what kind of deal you can sign him to. A minimal 2009 guaranteed salary means none of those other risks really matter. Sure there's a PR aspect to it, but if he gets busted for drugs again, you cut him and lose very little. Maybe he's going to hold out for a better deal, but I would think he'd like to go to a place where he can be a featured WR and play with a quality QB, thus giving him a chance to build up his contract demands for next offseason.

 

Yeah, I am assuming he would sign a very cheap 1-year deal. At this point, training camps open w/in 60 days. He probably won't be signed for another 20-30 days either way. Beggers can't be choosers. I doubt you would see much more than a minimal deal that late into things with the off-field and lack of production issues he has had since drafted.

[Soul]

I'm currently musing over heading down to Bourbonnais for TC.

 

I really want to go, but man I'll bet it's going to be a mob scene down there this year.

[Magnetic Curses]

I'm currently musing over heading down to Bourbonnais for TC.

 

I really want to go, but man I'll bet it's going to be a mob scene down there this year.

 

i was thinking the same thing. it'll be a zoo.

[Banedon]

I'm wondering if I bring my 2yo son over to TC, if maybe I can manage to end up with a Cutler autograph...:)

[Soul]

I'm wondering if I bring my 2yo son over to TC, if maybe I can manage to end up with a Cutler autograph...:)

 

See? You and 10,000,000 other people are thinking the same thing.

 

He might not make it through the fenced area to the practice fields. I'll bet after a few days he'll be taking the cart around the back to avoid the insanity.