2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[cubweiser03]

I'm of the opinion that outside of the truly elite receivers, like a Randy Moss or a TO (in his prime), and a few pretty good ones just a cut below, they're all pretty much the same. Most of them are mediocre and are as good as their QB's make them. That's not to say that some aren't better than others, but I just feel that the QB is the much bigger part of the equation.

 

Going into 06, people were clamoring for the Bears to get Ashley Lelie or Joey Porter. Then Rex Grossman made Bernard Berrian a name and figured out that Des Clark could still run somewhere and catch the ball. I just don't think it matters all that much. They're in the NFL for a reason.

 

The only other in the prime 'All Pro' qb traded/FA signing i can think of is Drew Brees. And he didnt have a lot of talent at the WR positon either. Colston was a rookie that year and Horn could be mentioned as a #1 but he only played 10 games. The 4-5 years Trent Green played really well in KC he had his #1 WR, Eddie Kennison, Eddie was terrible for the Bears but put together some solid seasons with Green, Johnie Morton (oooh) was his #2. Green had Gonzalez but Cutler has Clark AND Olsen. Brady had Branch, Givens, Brown and Caldwell was his #1 the year before Moss came to town, none of those guys are #1s you just have to have lining up wide. MCNabb never has had any true #1s either except for TO for 1.5 years.

 

IMO If the Bears offense doesnt improve this year its because of Turner and not the 'weapons'. The national media also forgots Forte as being a weapon. Dude caught 61 passes last year. This might be a little hopeful on my part but with Cutler in town the Bears can really spread the field out. Forte is a great back to have as he releases and gets open out the backfield really well, you dont just need wrs and qb to spread teams out, a pass catching RB is important too.

[rawaction]

Here's what I think. Cutler threw 616 times last year and completed 62.3% of the throws. The Bears threw 528 times last year. Gotta figure Cutler throws more than Orton/Grossman did last year, but less than he did in Denver. If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year. Somebody has to catch them!

 

Last year Denver got 104 and 91 receptions from its top 2 WRs. 49 from the #3 WR. 40 and 32 from the 2 TEs. And 43 from the plethora of RBs they played. The 4-6 WRs caught 27.

 

The Bears won't have anyone catch as many as the WRs, but the TEs and RBs (Forte) should catch a lot more than their Bronco counterparts. Hard to predict Forte to catch more than the 63 he did last year. But Hester and Olsen, who both caught 50+ last year, could easily catch 70 balls. Putting the ball in Hester's hands 70 times, plus reverses, plus punt returns gives the Bears a lot of legit chances to score. But even if you have 70-60-60 from those 3, there's still 150 passes to go around. Clark doesn't have great ability anymore and much more than the 41 he caught last year would be a surprise. The big improvement should be in the other WRs. If Iglesias and Bennett have good camps, there could be nearly 100 balls split between them.

[Tyrant]

If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year. Somebody has to catch them!

 

Rashied Davis disagrees.

[Guest]

True. But, Rashied doesn't have to disagree in a Bears uniform. He can disagree in the unemployment line, in someone else's uniform, while mopping the clubhouse or numerous other places.

 

The pressure will be on him to prove he belongs on the roster.

[Banedon]

Thomas Jones...disgruntled RB...again. Seems like this guy is never happy. He made $13 million in the last 2 years, and now he's upset that he's only scheduled to make $900k this year. This was part of the contract he signed when he got traded from the Bears, but now he's upset about it now that we've gotten to the cheap part of the contract.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4160553

[jersey cubs fan]

Here's what I think. Cutler threw 616 times last year and completed 62.3% of the throws. The Bears threw 528 times last year. Gotta figure Cutler throws more than Orton/Grossman did last year, but less than he did in Denver. If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year.

 

I'm not even 100% convinced he'll throw that much more than the Bears did last year. If you figure in what should be a better defense, preventing them from getting in the crazy shootouts, and a more dependable running game, Cutler shouldn't have to throw a ton. If you factor in what should be an increased completion percentage and increased yards per attempt, the number of attempts doesn't necessariliy have to go up all that much. 550 certainly isn't out of the question, but I think that might be the upper end of the range.

[jersey cubs fan]

Thomas Jones...disgruntled RB...again. Seems like this guy is never happy. He made $13 million in the last 2 years, and now he's upset that he's only scheduled to make $900k this year. This was part of the contract he signed when he got traded from the Bears, but now he's upset about it now that we've gotten to the cheap part of the contract.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4160553

 

This is why they were looking for a RB in the third and ended up trading for Greene. Jones has probably overplayed his contract ever since he joined the Bears. But that came after he underperformed his rookie deal. He's probably just about on his last legs, so it makes a lot of sense financially to get whatever he can this year, because he'll probably never get another chance to sign a big deal.

[Guest]

Orton usually required the use of all 3 downs to pass his way to a first down. Hopefully, Cutler can cut that percentage in half.

[Banedon]

Orton usually required the use of all 3 downs to pass his way to a first down. Hopefully, Cutler can cut that percentage in half.

 

Wasn't there a crazy stat about Orton not having hit a 40yd+ pass at all last season or something?

[Guest]

Here's what I think. Cutler threw 616 times last year and completed 62.3% of the throws. The Bears threw 528 times last year. Gotta figure Cutler throws more than Orton/Grossman did last year, but less than he did in Denver. If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year.

 

I'm not even 100% convinced he'll throw that much more than the Bears did last year. If you figure in what should be a better defense, preventing them from getting in the crazy shootouts, and a more dependable running game, Cutler shouldn't have to throw a ton. If you factor in what should be an increased completion percentage and increased yards per attempt, the number of attempts doesn't necessariliy have to go up all that much. 550 certainly isn't out of the question, but I think that might be the upper end of the range.

On the other hand, being able to sustain a drive will give him additional opportunities to pass, too.

[dew1679666265]

Orton usually required the use of all 3 downs to pass his way to a first down. Hopefully, Cutler can cut that percentage in half.

 

Wasn't there a crazy stat about Orton not having hit a 40yd+ pass at all last season or something?

 

ESPN has his longest pass last year as 65 yards.

 

He only threw the ball 40 times in a game twice last year, though.

[Guest]

Orton usually required the use of all 3 downs to pass his way to a first down. Hopefully, Cutler can cut that percentage in half.

 

Wasn't there a crazy stat about Orton not having hit a 40yd+ pass at all last season or something?

 

ESPN has his longest pass last year as 65 yards.

 

He only threw the ball 40 times in a game twice last year, though.

 

That's a catch and run pass, though, which could be different than an actual pass thrown beyond 40 yards.

[cubweiser03]

Here's what I think. Cutler threw 616 times last year and completed 62.3% of the throws. The Bears threw 528 times last year. Gotta figure Cutler throws more than Orton/Grossman did last year, but less than he did in Denver. If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year.

 

I'm not even 100% convinced he'll throw that much more than the Bears did last year. If you figure in what should be a better defense, preventing them from getting in the crazy shootouts, and a more dependable running game, Cutler shouldn't have to throw a ton. If you factor in what should be an increased completion percentage and increased yards per attempt, the number of attempts doesn't necessariliy have to go up all that much. 550 certainly isn't out of the question, but I think that might be the upper end of the range.

On the other hand, being able to sustain a drive will give him additional opportunities to pass, too.

 

Third and long will no longer = DEATH.

Heres another thing im looking forward to...

Cutler=611 Attempts: 11 sacks

Orton=465 Attempts: 27 sacks

Cutler doesnt have the line Denver has but there will be improvement in the sacks department with Cutler running the show.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5817

 

Bears just signed Michael Gaines.

 

They really seem to be talking about him as a non-catching fullback/tight end combo.

 

General manager Jerry Angelo admitted the Bears discussed using Gaines as a blocking fullback as well. Angelo also said bringing in another tight end does not necessarily signify the end for second-year player Kellen Davis, last year's third tight end behind Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen.

 

"We're looking for a blocker, and Michael fits the bill," Angelo said Saturday before the Bears Care gala. "He's been released several times, but he does have a role. He is a good blocker, and we are a running football team.

 

"I don't know if it means anything for [Davis]. We like Kellen. If Kellen takes care of his business, everything will take care of itself."

[Tyrant]

They really seem to be talking about him as a non-catching [expletive]/tight end combo.

 

How dare you talk about Michael Gaines like that.

[jersey cubs fan]

They really seem to be talking about him as a non-catching [expletive]/tight end combo.

 

How dare you talk about Michael Gaines like that.

 

That one consistently gets me.

[Guest]

Yeah, fullback is reserved for Jason McKie.

[tfarks]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5817

 

Bears just signed Michael Gaines.

 

They really seem to be talking about him as a non-catching [expletive]/tight end combo.

 

General manager Jerry Angelo admitted the Bears discussed using Gaines as a blocking [expletive] as well. Angelo also said bringing in another tight end does not necessarily signify the end for second-year player Kellen Davis, last year's third tight end behind Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen.

 

"We're looking for a blocker, and Michael fits the bill," Angelo said Saturday before the Bears Care gala. "He's been released several times, but he does have a role. He is a good blocker, and we are a running football team.

 

"I don't know if it means anything for [Davis]. We like Kellen. If Kellen takes care of his business, everything will take care of itself."

 

I thought this was going to be Lance Louis' role. Looks like they are undoubtedly making him an OG.

[UMFan83]

Thomas Jones...disgruntled RB...again. Seems like this guy is never happy. He made $13 million in the last 2 years, and now he's upset that he's only scheduled to make $900k this year. This was part of the contract he signed when he got traded from the Bears, but now he's upset about it now that we've gotten to the cheap part of the contract.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4160553

 

Wait...he really signed a contract that would give him an average of 6.5 million the first 2 years and then drops to 900k in the third year? Why the hell would a team offer him that contract, knowing that this would surely happen when the drop in salary came? You know Thomas Jones planned to do this the second he signed his contract unless he sucked or was injured.

[jersey cubs fan]

Thomas Jones...disgruntled RB...again. Seems like this guy is never happy. He made $13 million in the last 2 years, and now he's upset that he's only scheduled to make $900k this year. This was part of the contract he signed when he got traded from the Bears, but now he's upset about it now that we've gotten to the cheap part of the contract.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4160553

 

Wait...he really signed a contract that would give him an average of 6.5 million the first 2 years and then drops to 900k in the third year? Why the hell would a team offer him that contract, knowing that this would surely happen when the drop in salary came? You know Thomas Jones planned to do this the second he signed his contract unless he sucked or was injured.

 

They probably did it because they were desperate for RB help and willing to pay market rate for a decent starter who they thought may have only a couple years left in the tank. He could sit out if he wanted, but he doesn't have a ton of leverage. Sitting out at 30 as a RB isn't particularly smart.

[rawaction]

Here's what I think. Cutler threw 616 times last year and completed 62.3% of the throws. The Bears threw 528 times last year. Gotta figure Cutler throws more than Orton/Grossman did last year, but less than he did in Denver. If you figure about 550 throws, that's about 346 completions, 42 more than the Bears had last year.

 

I'm not even 100% convinced he'll throw that much more than the Bears did last year. If you figure in what should be a better defense, preventing them from getting in the crazy shootouts, and a more dependable running game, Cutler shouldn't have to throw a ton. If you factor in what should be an increased completion percentage and increased yards per attempt, the number of attempts doesn't necessariliy have to go up all that much. 550 certainly isn't out of the question, but I think that might be the upper end of the range.

 

That's a good point. I think I was basing that number more on my perception that the Bears never threw on 3rd and 4 to 6 yards. I am probably very wrong though.

[rawaction]

I like Kellen Davis a lot, based on potential. I would hope he would prove worthy to be kept around. Though, I really don't see the point in 4 TEs in the roster, even if one plays FB a couple plays per game.

[dew1679666265]

Orton usually required the use of all 3 downs to pass his way to a first down. Hopefully, Cutler can cut that percentage in half.

 

Wasn't there a crazy stat about Orton not having hit a 40yd+ pass at all last season or something?

 

ESPN has his longest pass last year as 65 yards.

 

He only threw the ball 40 times in a game twice last year, though.

 

That's a catch and run pass, though, which could be different than an actual pass thrown beyond 40 yards.

 

That's entirely possible.

[dew1679666265]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5817

 

Bears just signed Michael Gaines.

 

They really seem to be talking about him as a non-catching [expletive]/tight end combo.

 

General manager Jerry Angelo admitted the Bears discussed using Gaines as a blocking [expletive] as well. Angelo also said bringing in another tight end does not necessarily signify the end for second-year player Kellen Davis, last year's third tight end behind Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen.

 

"We're looking for a blocker, and Michael fits the bill," Angelo said Saturday before the Bears Care gala. "He's been released several times, but he does have a role. He is a good blocker, and we are a running football team.

 

"I don't know if it means anything for [Davis]. We like Kellen. If Kellen takes care of his business, everything will take care of itself."

 

I thought this was going to be Lance Louis' role. Looks like they are undoubtedly making him an OG.

 

That may be the role they want him in, but want him to develop first behind Gaines.

[jersey cubs fan]

I like Kellen Davis a lot, based on potential. I would hope he would prove worthy to be kept around. Though, I really don't see the point in 4 TEs in the roster, even if one plays FB a couple plays per game.

 

I still wonder if Clark could be on the chopping block.