2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[Banedon]

Not a shocker or anything, but Olsen is officially the starter over Clark.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-04-haugh-on-bears-chicago-aug04,0,4679677.column

 

"Over the course of the last few months I have taken notice of a certain chemistry between Jay Cutler and Greg Olsen and think that it's something good in the making there," Clark wrote on 2009bears.blogspot.com.

 

"I look at Greg as a Pro Bowl-caliber starting tight end in this league, and that made it easier to deal with than if he was a first-rounder and they were just trying to get him in the lineup because of that," Clark said.

 

That was the reaction Bears coach Lovie Smith anticipated after he informed Clark.

 

"It says what type of guy Dez is," Smith said. "Real pros handle it that way, especially when you have a special player in Greg Olsen."

 

dez knows that he's getting older in a young man's game, he knows that the bears gave him the opportunity to start and he repaid them for that chance. he also understands that it's olsen's time and that there is still a place on the team for both of them.

 

If the Bears are smart, they'll use a whole lot of 2 TE sets this year. The Bears 4 best receivers are probably Hester, Olsen, Clark, and Forte...

[jersey cubs fan]

If the Bears are smart, they'll use a whole lot of 2 TE sets this year. The Bears 4 best receivers are probably Hester, Olsen, Clark, and Forte...

 

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat.

[Soul]

Clark's a good dude. I was down on him for a couple years, but he proved me wrong. I still think he's a fine 2nd option after Olsen. I think our TE corps is a real asset.

[cubweiser03]

 

Part of why I say that about Forte is that Chicago also has one of the strongest sets of run-blocking guards in the league. Roberto Garza posted a superb 88.3 percent POA win rate and Josh Beekman wasn’t far behind at 85.7 percent. This duo should be able to open plenty of between-the-tackle holes for Forte.

 

I referenced this a few days ago. I don't know where these stats are coming from though.

Id like to see how he comes up with these numbers. You'd think with these 2 interior lineman along with Kruetz that the Bears would be sweet with short yardage interior runs. All i remember last year is RT calling smashmouth short yardage runs plays and the running back or FB looking at a wall of asses with no where to go. Forte was good if they strung the play out and allowed him to find the hole but relying on the line to make a hole by one on one blocks was futile.

[Magnetic Curses]

 

Part of why I say that about Forte is that Chicago also has one of the strongest sets of run-blocking guards in the league. Roberto Garza posted a superb 88.3 percent POA win rate and Josh Beekman wasn’t far behind at 85.7 percent. This duo should be able to open plenty of between-the-tackle holes for Forte.

 

I referenced this a few days ago. I don't know where these stats are coming from though.

Id like to see how he comes up with these numbers. You'd think with these 2 interior lineman along with Kruetz that the Bears would be sweet with short yardage interior runs. All i remember last year is RT calling smashmouth short yardage runs plays and the running back or FB looking at a wall of asses with no where to go. Forte was good if they strung the play out and allowed him to find the hole but relying on the line to make a hole by one on one blocks was futile.

 

well, perhaps he's accounting for the 11 defensive players in the box.

[Banedon]

The agent for offensive lineman Maurice Miller confirmed that his client was claimed off waivers by the Bears.

 

Miller, who was cut by Tampa Bay, jumped on a plane from Memphis to Chicago at 8:30 a.m., according to Markeeth Taylor.

[rawaction]

If the Bears are smart, they'll use a whole lot of 2 TE sets this year. The Bears 4 best receivers are probably Hester, Olsen, Clark, and Forte...

 

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat.

 

I think a lot of the 2 TE sets you will see, will be Dez at TE and Olsen in the slot. From the sound of things, Olsen isn't going to be doing much blocking, especially with Gaines on the roster.

[jersey cubs fan]

If the Bears are smart, they'll use a whole lot of 2 TE sets this year. The Bears 4 best receivers are probably Hester, Olsen, Clark, and Forte...

 

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat.

 

I think a lot of the 2 TE sets you will see, will be Dez at TE and Olsen in the slot. From the sound of things, Olsen isn't going to be doing much blocking, especially with Gaines on the roster.

 

I would expect that to be the vast majority of 2 TE sets. However, that is more helpful for a lesser QB that needs the fallback option and safety valves than for a potentially elite QB who can and should stretch the field. It's going to happen, a lot, but it should happen a lot less than it would for Orton. Cutler better get 3 WR + Olsen and Forte in several passing packages, not just a whole lot of 2-2-1.

[rawaction]

If the Bears are smart, they'll use a whole lot of 2 TE sets this year. The Bears 4 best receivers are probably Hester, Olsen, Clark, and Forte...

 

Clark has been one of the Bears best receivers for a few years now, but I don't think he's a top 4 receiver on this team now, or at least not for long. I think one of the younger WR is going to be a better option this year, partly because I expect one of them to emerge, and partly because I think Clark is starting to slip. I really like Clark and have been a big supporter of his even when everybody was clammoring for a new TE in the years before Olsen was drafted. But with Cutler at the helm I think too much 2 TE might not be a great idea. They need Jay to test teams deep and help one of those WR to develop into a top 3 receiving threat.

 

I think a lot of the 2 TE sets you will see, will be Dez at TE and Olsen in the slot. From the sound of things, Olsen isn't going to be doing much blocking, especially with Gaines on the roster.

 

I would expect that to be the vast majority of 2 TE sets. However, that is more helpful for a lesser QB that needs the fallback option and safety valves than for a potentially elite QB who can and should stretch the field. It's going to happen, a lot, but it should happen a lot less than it would for Orton. Cutler better get 3 WR + Olsen and Forte in several passing packages, not just a whole lot of 2-2-1.

 

Agreed. Stokley caught 50 as the #3 for Denver and that was with 200 catches between the 1-2. So, despite if you think Olsen can catch 70-80, a 3rd WR is going to have to step up. 3 WR sets means more of Olsen and Forte on LBs and more safeties on WRs.

[RedFlash]

I still have the utmost respect for Clark and he definately can play, but moving Olsen to top of the depth is absolutely the right choice. That's not a slap at Dez and that doesn't mean he won't play, cause the Bears still value his ability to block from the TE spot.

[Soul]

Dez will get plenty of playing time. It will be interesting to see how this might change the packages though, because Olsen isn't going to be a primary blocker (at least I don't think so).

 

I was struck by how many times Olsen was lining up wide, or just in the slot. He's listed as a TE -- but he's lining up as a WR for all intents and purposes in some sets.

 

CBs can't outjump him, and LBs can't catch him. Olsen is a mismatch machine. I'm really excited for the possibilities with Cutler & Olsen this year.

[Banedon]

Cedric Benson is delusional.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/08/benson_bears_know_they_made_a.html#more

 

"I'm sure they know they made a mistake [releasing me]," Benson told me on Monday for the National Football Post, "after the way I finished last season. But I'm not worried about them. It's in the past and I've moved on. I had a career-high in touches and yards in a little more than half a season, more than I ever had in Chicago. That tells you the story right there."

 

There remains no love lost between Benson and ex-Bear Thomas Jones. The pair combined for 1,857 rushing yards during 2006 en route to the Super Bowl, the same season that Jones once slugged Benson in practice. It was Jones who got into an on-field tussle Monday in Jets' camp.

 

"Typical," Benson said. "That's the kind of guy he is. I don't pay attention to what is going on in his world."

 

"I think the only person that wanted me there was Lovie [smith],'' Benson said. "The Bengals sure hit the jackpot.''

[Soul]

LOL, he cares so little that he can't stop talking about it.

[David]

LM: Breaking news ... defensive tackle Marcus Harrison has passed his physical and will be removed from the non-football injury list

[Banedon]

LM: Breaking news ... defensive tackle Marcus Harrison has passed his physical and will be removed from the non-football injury list

 

What'd he do? Just quit eating for 2 days?

[David]

Not sure but I know they've been making him do a LOT of running while the other guys have been practicing.

[Banedon]

Is the Bears version of Adrian Peterson still around? Is he in the RB depth chart? I see the Trib has an article about Wolfe wanting more reps, and they mention Forte and Jones in a blog entry...will we carry 4 RB's, or just relegate Peterson to strictly ST duty?

[rawaction]

Is the Bears version of Adrian Peterson still around? Is he in the RB depth chart? I see the Trib has an article about Wolfe wanting more reps, and they mention Forte and Jones in a blog entry...will we carry 4 RB's, or just relegate Peterson to strictly ST duty?

 

He's still around. I don't think he makes the roster though. He regressed as a special teamer and doesn't do as many things as Wolfe does with the ball in his hands. Add to that, Wolfe stepped up on ST (led the team in ST tackles), and can return kicks. I think they only carried 4 Rbs last year because Jones was iffy. If Jones continues to look good, AP should go.

 

Worst case scenario, 2 RBs get hurt....you put Wolfe or McKie back there and let Cutler throw the ball 40 times. Sign somebody for the practice squad for emergency.

[Magnetic Curses]

Cedric Benson is delusional.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/08/benson_bears_know_they_made_a.html#more

 

"I'm sure they know they made a mistake [releasing me]," Benson told me on Monday for the National Football Post, "after the way I finished last season. But I'm not worried about them. It's in the past and I've moved on. I had a career-high in touches and yards in a little more than half a season, more than I ever had in Chicago. That tells you the story right there."

 

There remains no love lost between Benson and ex-Bear Thomas Jones. The pair combined for 1,857 rushing yards during 2006 en route to the Super Bowl, the same season that Jones once slugged Benson in practice. It was Jones who got into an on-field tussle Monday in Jets' camp.

 

"Typical," Benson said. "That's the kind of guy he is. I don't pay attention to what is going on in his world."

 

"I think the only person that wanted me there was Lovie [smith],'' Benson said. "The Bengals sure hit the jackpot.''

 

the bears released him because of his off-field issues.

[Banedon]

The agent for offensive lineman Maurice Miller confirmed that his client was claimed off waivers by the Bears.

 

Miller, who was cut by Tampa Bay, jumped on a plane from Memphis to Chicago at 8:30 a.m., according to Markeeth Taylor.

 

ESPNChiBears: So much for maurice Miller. Waived. He gone.

 

ZachZaidman: Maurice Miller failed his physical. He won't be a Bear

[cubweiser03]

Dez will get plenty of playing time. It will be interesting to see how this might change the packages though, because Olsen isn't going to be a primary blocker (at least I don't think so).

 

I was struck by how many times Olsen was lining up wide, or just in the slot. He's listed as a TE -- but he's lining up as a WR for all intents and purposes in some sets.

 

CBs can't outjump him, and LBs can't catch him. Olsen is a mismatch machine. I'm really excited for the possibilities with Cutler & Olsen this year.

 

This is why i freaking love Olsen. One player gives the Bears multiple packages without the defense knowing which one it is until the Bears break the huddle and depending on what the Bears see they can adjust. I saw a couple times on video what looked like TE screens they were running with Olsen, thats cool.

[Keener98]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-05-pompei-bears-chicago-aug05,0,3479460.column

 

That article turned me on. Im ready for some football!

[wekse]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-05-pompei-bears-chicago-aug05,0,3479460.column

 

That article turned me on. Im ready for some football!

 

as if i needed another reason to love urlacher

 

"Right now, it's time to get in front of the TV. It's Shark Week on Discovery Channel, he points out."

[Banedon]

Just listened to the Cutler interview podcast from Mully and Hanley. I love this guy. Cocky but diplomatic...smart...and best of all, good. He was talking about how excited Ron Turner is...that he's a guy that likes to go downfield, but "looking at the tape of the last few years, he was hampered by personnel." Ha...nice way to put it, Jay.

[Banedon]

These are not the jedi you're looking for.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-08/48468086.jpg