2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[cubweiser03]

Im more concerned with the play of the DE's Brown and Ogun than i am with the WR's. I'll also throw in the safeties before the Wr's. So as position its not at the top of my list because of the addition of Cutler, plus i like Hester.

[rawaction]

And count me as one who thinks we will be fine without adding a WR (although I would obviously love to get a #1 and move everyone else down a slot).

 

Olsen is going to be Cutler's best friend. Plenty of very good offenses have relied heavily on their TE as their primary target and Olsen is going to beast it this year.

 

I understand and see the Bears group of WR as being talented, but unproven. I get that. Getting a WR a good QB is half the battle, I get that. But with the current WR on the roster (admittedly, some may not be on the team come the season), doesn't really inspire me as a fan:

 

Devin Aromashodu (6 games, 7 rec)

Earl Bennett (zero games)

John Broussard *8 games 4 rec)

Rashied Davis

Deven Hester

Juaquin Iglesias*

Johnny Knox*

Eric Peterman*

Brandon Rideau (2 games)

Derek Kinder*

 

So you have 4 rookies (Knox/Iggy/Kinder/Peterman), a 2nd yr WR with no game experience (Bennett), 3 WR who seem destined for the practice squad one of which is a rookie (Broussard, Aromashodu and Peterman), a still developing WR (Hester), an organization player (Rideau) and a bottom of the depth chart WR (Davis). To me potential is great, and having a great QB is key, but to expect Cutler to help developed all of these WR's is not overly smart. Not to mention if the Bears hierarchy (ie Angelo and Smith) really like what they have at WR then why not come out and flat out deny they have interests in available WR? Angelo going for Boldin at the draft, then flip flopping on Plax, tells me that while they do like what they have, but would love to bring in a vet WR with skill the Bears do not currently have.

 

I get Olsen could/should have a big year this yr, and I get Forte should see prolly a slight uptick in recieving numbers this yr, but the Bears do need a WR who can take pressure off Hester. It's as simple as that. And there isn't a WR on the roster that can do that.

 

A couple things. Bennett actually did see the field last year, he had a couple thrown his way, but I don't think any were close. Also, it's hard to imagine Forte with another 50 catch season. He caught a lot of those passes simply because the Bears didn't have the QB to go downfield consistently. If Forte catches fewer balls this year, it could be because the ball is going to the WRs more often.

[Soul]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

I still think we're going to be looking at larger defensive holes this year than what most people are talking about. When I look at last year, we had bunk for receivers, a horrible offensive line, and Kyle Orton. Yet if I had to make one claim on what sunk our playoff hopes, it wouldn't be the offense. It would be the 3 or 4 horrible, 4th quarter defensive breakdowns that we had, which snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. As it turns out, if just one of those doesn't happen, we're in the playoffs.

 

So let's not pin the success or failure of this team on the Wide Receivers. They weren't the reason we lost last year, and we didn't even have Jay Cutler.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

But Angelo and Lovie might be. I think a big reason for the trade was Angelo felt he had to do something to significantly improve the 2009 team.

[RedFlash]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

But Angelo and Lovie might be. I think a big reason for the trade was Angelo felt he had to do something to significantly improve the 2009 team.

 

Exactly. Which is why they haven't close the book on acquiring a WR like Marshall or Plax. I thought that was abundantly clear when Angelo was trying to acquire Boldin during the draft.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

But Angelo and Lovie might be. I think a big reason for the trade was Angelo felt he had to do something to significantly improve the 2009 team.

 

Exactly. Which is why they haven't close the book on acquiring a WR like Marshall or Plax. I thought that was abundantly clear when Angelo was trying to acquire Boldin during the draft.

 

Yeah, that's what I was alluding to, not sure why I didn't finish the thought. I don't know if they will get a WR, but I get the impression that Angelo is not in the "well let's get one of these this year and one of those next year and possibly one of those the year after" modes. He went after lots of line help and the franchise QB, plus brought in LB despite depth at that position. He sounds like a guy who would really like to get a WR.

[Soul]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

But Angelo and Lovie might be. I think a big reason for the trade was Angelo felt he had to do something to significantly improve the 2009 team.

 

Exactly. Which is why they haven't close the book on acquiring a WR like Marshall or Plax. I thought that was abundantly clear when Angelo was trying to acquire Boldin during the draft.

 

Yeah, that's what I was alluding to, not sure why I didn't finish the thought. I don't know if they will get a WR, but I get the impression that Angelo is not in the "well let's get one of these this year and one of those next year and possibly one of those the year after" modes. He went after lots of line help and the franchise QB, plus brought in LB despite depth at that position. He sounds like a guy who would really like to get a WR.

 

Lovie may be in trouble, but Angelo? I'm not sure I buy that.

 

I definitely agree he looks like a guy who would like to acquire a WR. But not at any cost. Not "my job depends on it."

[David]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

I still think we're going to be looking at larger defensive holes this year than what most people are talking about. When I look at last year, we had bunk for receivers, a horrible offensive line, and Kyle Orton. Yet if I had to make one claim on what sunk our playoff hopes, it wouldn't be the offense. It would be the 3 or 4 horrible, 4th quarter defensive breakdowns that we had, which snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. As it turns out, if just one of those doesn't happen, we're in the playoffs.

 

So let's not pin the success or failure of this team on the Wide Receivers. They weren't the reason we lost last year, and we didn't even have Jay Cutler.

 

 

FWIW, the Bears were 5th in the league in yards per play last year. Unfortunately, there were lots of plays, and thus, they gave up a lot of total yards. I believe they may have had the most or second most time on the field. All the short possessions by the offense did not help that at all. They were also 10th in turnover rate. They were very bad, however, in sack rate. Something like 30th.

 

Simply having a better offense will help that a good amount. If we can get improved play out of the line, we're in really good shape.

[Soul]

I'd like to sign someone experienced like Plax. But it could be that this season we've done what we're going to do, and next season we go after the bigger WR weapon.

 

Cutler isn't here for only one season.

 

I still think we're going to be looking at larger defensive holes this year than what most people are talking about. When I look at last year, we had bunk for receivers, a horrible offensive line, and Kyle Orton. Yet if I had to make one claim on what sunk our playoff hopes, it wouldn't be the offense. It would be the 3 or 4 horrible, 4th quarter defensive breakdowns that we had, which snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. As it turns out, if just one of those doesn't happen, we're in the playoffs.

 

So let's not pin the success or failure of this team on the Wide Receivers. They weren't the reason we lost last year, and we didn't even have Jay Cutler.

 

 

FWIW, the Bears were 5th in the league in yards per play last year. Unfortunately, there were lots of plays, and thus, they gave up a lot of total yards. I believe they may have had the most or second most time on the field. All the short possessions by the offense did not help that at all. They were also 10th in turnover rate. They were very bad, however, in sack rate. Something like 30th.

 

Simply having a better offense will help that a good amount. If we can get improved play out of the line, we're in really good shape.

 

If Marinellis' really *that* good, then I'll be happy to bow down.

[RedFlash]

Lovie may be in trouble, but Angelo? I'm not sure I buy that.

 

I definitely agree he looks like a guy who would like to acquire a WR. But not at any cost. Not "my job depends on it."

 

Which is more then proves the point. If Lovie knows he's on the hotseat, he should be (at least I know I would be) trying to convince my boss to give me the best team possible. If I (or in this case Smith) can't coach up the talent then the coach should be fired. But it also goes to show that if Angelo has to fired Smith, then logically speaking Angelo would then be on the hotseat. Which means it is in the best interests of both guys to put the best team possible out on the field, for job security.

[jersey cubs fan]

Lovie may be in trouble, but Angelo? I'm not sure I buy that.

 

I definitely agree he looks like a guy who would like to acquire a WR. But not at any cost. Not "my job depends on it."

 

Which is more then proves the point. If Lovie knows he's on the hotseat, he should be (at least I know I would be) trying to convince my boss to give me the best team possible. If I (or in this case Smith) can't coach up the talent then the coach should be fired. But it also goes to show that if Angelo has to fired Smith, then logically speaking Angelo would then be on the hotseat. Which means it is in the best interests of both guys to put the best team possible out on the field, for job security.

 

Angelo had a chance to fire a coach and hire his guy already. I'm not sure he'd get a chance to do it again.

[Soul]

Lovie may be in trouble, but Angelo? I'm not sure I buy that.

 

I definitely agree he looks like a guy who would like to acquire a WR. But not at any cost. Not "my job depends on it."

 

Which is more then proves the point. If Lovie knows he's on the hotseat, he should be (at least I know I would be) trying to convince my boss to give me the best team possible. If I (or in this case Smith) can't coach up the talent then the coach should be fired. But it also goes to show that if Angelo has to fired Smith, then logically speaking Angelo would then be on the hotseat. Which means it is in the best interests of both guys to put the best team possible out on the field, for job security.

 

Angelo had a chance to fire a coach and hire his guy already. I'm not sure he'd get a chance to do it again.

 

I just don't sense this is make-or-break for Angelo.

 

If I'm wrong, so be it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Lovie may be in trouble, but Angelo? I'm not sure I buy that.

 

I definitely agree he looks like a guy who would like to acquire a WR. But not at any cost. Not "my job depends on it."

 

Which is more then proves the point. If Lovie knows he's on the hotseat, he should be (at least I know I would be) trying to convince my boss to give me the best team possible. If I (or in this case Smith) can't coach up the talent then the coach should be fired. But it also goes to show that if Angelo has to fired Smith, then logically speaking Angelo would then be on the hotseat. Which means it is in the best interests of both guys to put the best team possible out on the field, for job security.

 

Angelo had a chance to fire a coach and hire his guy already. I'm not sure he'd get a chance to do it again.

 

I just don't sense this is make-or-break for Angelo.

 

If I'm wrong, so be it.

 

I don't think it's make or break necessarily. A 9/10 win season probably doesn't effect either guy. A sub .500 could put them both on the hot seat, while a disaster season could end their stay. A big 12+ win season with a playoff victory would, however, put both of them it fantastic position to be able to get whatever they want. Angelo could justify extending Lovie again. I get the feeling that Angelo senses they have an opportunity to take over the division for a couple years. Without a 1st round pick this year or next, they also have to get their players elsewhere, and don't have to budget for big money picks.

[Mark Priors Calves]

40 days until training camp starts. i'm so excited for the bears season, i feel like moses wandering through the desert or something waiting for training camp.

[RedFlash]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

[Soul]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

That's like the 5th story exactly like that I've seen. Perhaps they should just re-print it every month, you never know some Bear fan could be on a 6 month sabbatical in Zimbabwe.

[David]

It's not just Marinelli on the coaching staff that could make a difference to the defense. It can't hurt to get rid of that "mug" defense crap with the linebackers and not have Babich calling the plays anymore.

 

Plus, there's obviously a few additions/upgrades player-wise (Pisa, Gilbert...) and other guys (Tommie, Urlacher) who will hopefully be healthier/stronger.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

No. Cutler is the biggest acquisition in recent memory and easily the most important pickup in the offseason.

[Magnetic Curses]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

No. Cutler is the biggest acquisition in recent memory and easily the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

cutler is easily the biggest acquisition in bears history.

[Banedon]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

No. Cutler is the biggest acquisition in recent memory and easily the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

cutler is easily the biggest acquisition in bears history.

 

My brother in law was over yesterday and said he wasn't all that excited about the Bears this year. I said "What? We got freaking Cutler!"

 

He said "Who's Cutler?"

[Soul]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

No. Cutler is the biggest acquisition in recent memory and easily the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

cutler is easily the biggest acquisition in bears history.

 

My brother in law was over yesterday and said he wasn't all that excited about the Bears this year. I said "What? We got freaking Cutler!"

 

He said "Who's Cutler?"

 

You might suggest to him that agoraphobia is a treatable disorder.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-bears-marinelli-chicago-jun22,0,649843.story

 

I know and realize it's a fluff piece, but with so many ex-players signing the praises of Rod I have this gut feeling that while Cutler might be the biggest offseason acquisition in recent memory, Coach Rod might be the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

No. Cutler is the biggest acquisition in recent memory and easily the most important pickup in the offseason.

 

cutler is easily the biggest acquisition in bears history.

 

My brother in law was over yesterday and said he wasn't all that excited about the Bears this year. I said "What? We got freaking Cutler!"

 

He said "Who's Cutler?"

 

Wife's brother or sister's husband? Either way, punch him.

 

If you include draft picks I think Walter is still the bigger acquisition at this point. But Cutler is probably the biggest trade/signing.

[Banedon]

My brother in law was over yesterday and said he wasn't all that excited about the Bears this year. I said "What? We got freaking Cutler!"

 

He said "Who's Cutler?"

 

Wife's brother or sister's husband? Either way, punch him.

 

If you include draft picks I think Walter is still the bigger acquisition at this point. But Cutler is probably the biggest trade/signing.

 

Wife's bro. And yeah, he's pretty much the kind of sports fan I hate...and a Cardinal fan to boot. Great guy, horrible to discuss sports with.

[David]

It amazes me that someone under the age of 50 could live in the area and not have heard of Jay Cutler or of the acquisition while at the same time thinking he knows enough about the Bears to say he's not that excited about them this year.

 

WTF?

[Soul]

Hopefully there's a good many more out there like him so I don't have to wait in a mile long line come training camp.

 

That's right everyone. The Bears did nothing this offseason. Nothing to see here. Go to Navy Pier this year, avoid Bourbonnais, it's going to be boring :)