2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[burnt out cubbie fan]

This is a couple days old but people around Chicago had been wanting the Bears to trade for Anquan Boldin.

Just as Fitzgerald accepted a four-year, $40 million deal from Arizona last year, when he could have made considerably more on the open market but wanted to leave the Cardinals salary-cap space, Fitzgerald would like to help the team again.

 

Fitzgerald is willing to restructure his contract so the Cardinals can redo Boldin’s and keep him in Arizona long-term. Boldin wants his deal redone and said during the season that he never would re-sign with Arizona again. However, many around the league believe that as long as the Cardinals make a sufficient offer, Boldin will agree to stay.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/27/fitzgerald-willing-to-restructure-to-keep-boldin/

 

and from rotoworld.

"To keep my brother ‘Q’...I’ll definitely help out," Fitzgerald said, adding that the two "have been in the cellar of the NFL for so long" together and "the relationship that we have, neither of us want to see broken up. We realize that we make each other's jobs easier. Anything I can do to help out."

[dew1679666265]

I've seen Bear fans who wanted David Carr to come into Chicago for a shot to backup. That's not happening.

 

The New York Giants re-signed David Carr to back up Eli Manning at quarterback on Monday while cutting three veterans who finished the 2008 season on injured reserve: defensive backs Sam Madison and Sammy Knight, and running back Reuben Droughns.

[tfarks]

Courtesy of NFL Draft Countdown, 74 days away...

 

18 CHICAGO BEARS: LARRY ENGLISH, DE, NORTHERN ILLINOIS

 

Scouting Report

Most assume the Bears will take a wide receiver with this pick and that is certainly a strong possibility but it is far from a sure-thing. Chicago is also intent on upgrading their pass rush after finishing in the bottom third of the league in sacks and they could choose to bring in a local star. A prolific pass rusher who was named the MAC's Most Valuable Player in 2007 and 2008, Larry English compiled 57.0 tackles for a loss and 32.5 sacks during his college career and put himself firmly in the first round mix with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. English does not have the size you look for at 6-2 and 255 pounds and many feel his future at the next level lies at outside linebacker but the Bears have actually had some success with undersized pass rushers and English certainly knows how to get after the quarterback. Chicago definitely needs some more playmakers on offense though and if they did want to go wideout here either Percy Harvin or Darrius Heyward-Bey could be possibilities, although Harvin might be a little too similar to Devin Hester. Despite using their top pick last year on Chris Williams the Bears could still use some more help along the offensive line since John St. Clair is a free agent and John Tait is nearing the end of his career.

[Banedon]

I've seen Bear fans who wanted David Carr to come into Chicago for a shot to backup. That's not happening.

 

The New York Giants re-signed David Carr to back up Eli Manning at quarterback on Monday while cutting three veterans who finished the 2008 season on injured reserve: defensive backs Sam Madison and Sammy Knight, and running back Reuben Droughns.

 

I was one of them, but this doesn't surprise me. There's never been any indication at all that the Bears had an interest in Carr.

 

Anyone else think there's still a chance we keep Grossman another year?

[Southpaw191679666239]

Anyone else think there's still a chance we keep Grossman another year?

 

I'd highly doubt Rex wants to stay on the sidelines another year here. But at the same time, his name hasn't appeared anywhere this off-season. Perhaps once the FA period starts on the 27th, we'll hear more.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Courtesy of NFL Draft Countdown, 74 days away...

 

18 CHICAGO BEARS: LARRY ENGLISH, DE, NORTHERN ILLINOIS

 

That's a bust waiting to happen, I feel.

 

I also feel like I read something where he'd be better suited in a 3-4.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Larry English would be a bad pick @18

[Soul]

Is he even one of the top ranked DEs? I would think @ 18 there will be better players available at that position. Everyone isn't going to draft a DE.

[rawaction]

I really like Larry English. I think he has the type of work ethic and the ability to be a solid pro. The only problem I see is his height. If he does measure at a short 6'2" at a position with a host of talent at a legit 6'4", and taller in Johnson's case, I don't know that he's worth the 18th pick. He has all the pass rush moves, enough speed, great work ethic, but doesn't have the ability to bat balls down at the line at that height. If Everette Brown and Orapko are gone at DE, and Sanchez is gone at QB then this is a great spot to trade down. Could have a team like Detroit wanting to jump TB for Josh Freeman. Could have the Ravens or Titans moving up to take a WR. Could have both top RBs on the board and Arizona thinking about moving up. Dolphins could move to 18 looking to get Maybin or Malauaga if they're still there. I would take my chances of getting English, Michael Johnson, Duke Robinson, or Heyward-Bey in the mid-to-late 20s and picking up another high pick.

 

The perfect scenario may be Detroit, because they have the 1st pick of the 2nd round and we've seen what teams will trade for a QB (see Browns, Quinn; Ravens, Flacco). Miami would be nice too, because they also would have the ability to give the Bears 3 picks in the top 50.

[kujay]

Sorry if someone else posted this and I missed it, but Torry Holt, anyone?

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/nfl

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

umm..no. It isn't 2003 anymore.

[kujay]

umm..no. It isn't 2003 anymore.

 

I wouldn't mind him as a #2 option.

 

But that would imply that we had a #1 option.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Larry English is a 3-4 DE/OLB in the making

 

 

Holt wouldnt be too bad if 1) we had a #1 WR and 2) we got him cheeply

[tfarks]

I'm all for the infusion of talent at the WR position. Two #2's are better than 1 (Hester) so bring him in. The Rams would probably give him up for a 2nd day pick for the cap relief, and we know the Bears can't draft at the position. He's still got some solid years ahead of him as a #2, and will do wonders to this offense as we see less of Booker and Davis. Lloyd and Bennett make the wide receiver core somewhat formidable, I can see why Angelo is looking into this. Then he can focus on what he does best, drafting defense. Angelo being Angelo, he won't draft an o-lineman high. He will look at DE, S, then Oline. So take the offensive upgrade anyway you can, Orton will thank you.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

[tfarks]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

 

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

 

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg.

 

You might as well take a shot at Maclin or someone in the draft then. In 2-3 years he'll be more of a #1 than Holt would be.

[Guest]

Larry English is a 3-4 DE/OLB in the making

 

 

Holt wouldnt be too bad if 1) we had a #1 WR and 2) we got him cheeply

 

That's the problem with the best DEs in the draft. Orakpo, Brown and Maybin are all as likely to be 3-4 guys as 4-3 ends.

[tfarks]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

 

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg.

 

You might as well take a shot at Maclin or someone in the draft then. In 2-3 years he'll be more of a #1 than Holt would be.

 

Yeah I would like to see Maclin drafted. But when was the last time the Bears drafted a WR in the 1st? I'm just assuming what Angelo will do based on his past. I think he would rather take the 'proven' Holt over drafting someone, and focus on reinforcing his defense. If he can't make the move for Holt, I would still be shocked to see him grab a WR in the 1st. He doesn't place a high priority in the receiver positions. I have no confidence in him going offense oriented, and with the way the D played last year he actually has a point. He's either going to bring in a declining vet (Holt) or look for a receiver on the 2nd day. I don't see him passing on DE in the 1st with the pass rush the way it is currently.

[SpongeWorthy]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

 

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg.

 

You might as well take a shot at Maclin or someone in the draft then. In 2-3 years he'll be more of a #1 than Holt would be.

 

Yeah I would like to see Maclin drafted. But when was the last time the Bears drafted a WR in the 1st?

 

The immortal David Terrell.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Larry English is a 3-4 DE/OLB in the making

 

 

Holt wouldnt be too bad if 1) we had a #1 WR and 2) we got him cheeply

 

That's the problem with the best DEs in the draft. Orakpo, Brown and Maybin are all as likely to be 3-4 guys as 4-3 ends.

 

absolutely, and I guess thats why I prefer Jackson (LSU) over English

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why would we go after Holt when Boldin, TO, Chad Johnson and Housh are all possibly available

 

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg.

 

You might as well take a shot at Maclin or someone in the draft then. In 2-3 years he'll be more of a #1 than Holt would be.

 

Yeah I would like to see Maclin drafted. But when was the last time the Bears drafted a WR in the 1st? I'm just assuming what Angelo will do based on his past. I think he would rather take the 'proven' Holt over drafting someone, and focus on reinforcing his defense. If he can't make the move for Holt, I would still be shocked to see him grab a WR in the 1st. He doesn't place a high priority in the receiver positions. I have no confidence in him going offense oriented, and with the way the D played last year he actually has a point. He's either going to bring in a declining vet (Holt) or look for a receiver on the 2nd day. I don't see him passing on DE in the 1st with the pass rush the way it is currently.

 

I see your point. I just hope Angelo realizes that while the D needs upgrading, he shouldn't completely ignore the offense (like he did for years when he stocked up our D). We need a WR, we need OL help, we need DL help, we could use an LB and we need a Safety. If Larry [expletive] English is the best DE available, I hope he looks at another position. I also hope he doesn't get Holt just because he used to be good and he's a big name. He already tried that once with Muhsin Muhammad.

[minnesotacubsfan]

no to a LB in the 1st

 

if Jackson isnt available, I would love to see a value pick @ OT, S, or WR

[dew1679666265]

umm..no. It isn't 2003 anymore.

 

I wouldn't mind him as a #2 option.

 

But that would imply that we had a #1 option.

 

That's actually the first thought I had when I heard the Titans might have some interest. A third round pick might not be a terrible amount to give for Holt, though.

[dew1679666265]

If the Titans don't bring him back, it appears the Bears may have some interest in Chris Simms.

 

There have been reports that several teams, including the Chicago Bears, have Simms on their wish list this offseason.