2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[Butterscup1679666578]

Interesting. I'm not against it.

[dew1679666265]

Here's another QB option:

 

With regards to Michael Vick, we've decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club," Dimitroff said in a Q & A with AtlantaFalcons.com.

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't know if it was posted but Booker has been released.

[brinoch]

Glad to see Booker released... he had nothing in the tank.

 

And, thanks, but no thanks on Vick.

[dew1679666265]

Glad to see Booker released... he had nothing in the tank.

 

And, thanks, but no thanks on Vick.

 

At $9 mil a year, I think every team but the Raiders will agree with you.

[Outshined_One]

Frankly, I wouldn't be opposed to picking up Holt and drafting a WR in the first round at this point. The Bears' WR corps is absolutely abominable and needs all the help it can get.

[rawaction]

Looks like John Tait is gonna call it quits.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1430703,CST-SPT-bear14.article

 

This would be interesting. I think the Bears were leaning toward letting him start at RT again next year and letting JSC go. If both happen, the only tackle on the active roster would be Chris Williams with no experience outside of goalline offense. That would mean the Bears would need to bring in 2 tackles and at least one practice squad guy. In order to put together a serviceable line, you are probably looking at having to sign a FA RT, draft a guy in the top 3 rounds, and draft another in the final 3 rounds. This is in addition to possibly needing another guard somewhere in the middle rounds.

 

Does this change the draft strategy to draft an OT in the 1st? Do the Bears want to essentially start 2 rookie tackles? Do they now look to bring St Clair back?

 

I would bring back JSC and draft a 1st or 2nd rounder to compete for a starting spot this year and force JSC to a backup spot by midseason.

[Soul]

Looks like John Tait is gonna call it quits.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1430703,CST-SPT-bear14.article

 

This would be interesting. I think the Bears were leaning toward letting him start at RT again next year and letting JSC go. If both happen, the only tackle on the active roster would be Chris Williams with no experience outside of goalline offense. That would mean the Bears would need to bring in 2 tackles and at least one practice squad guy. In order to put together a serviceable line, you are probably looking at having to sign a FA RT, draft a guy in the top 3 rounds, and draft another in the final 3 rounds. This is in addition to possibly needing another guard somewhere in the middle rounds.

 

Does this change the draft strategy to draft an OT in the 1st? Do the Bears want to essentially start 2 rookie tackles? Do they now look to bring St Clair back?

 

I would bring back JSC and draft a 1st or 2nd rounder to compete for a starting spot this year and force JSC to a backup spot by midseason.

 

No, I don't think you draft a 1st round OT unless you were planning to anyway. Tait's production last year was below average, IMO. His veteran leadership might be missed, but the level of his physical play was low and therefore shouldn't need a 1st rounder to replace.

[Guest]

Wow, I didn't expect Tait would consider retiring.

 

I wanted to draft an offensive lineman with Tait retiring or not. JSC should not be starting at tackle. Ever.

[Soul]

Any midline RTs coming on the market this offseason? Could just pick up one of those. It would probably give you Tait-esque performance, maybe a bit better.

[dew1679666265]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

[Banedon]

Fred Taylor was released from the Jags. Any interest in him to back up Forte?

[dew1679666265]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

 

I've never understood the struggles Garcia has had sticking with a team consistently. He's not a great QB, but he's been successful everywhere he's gone and he's got a career 61.6 completion % and a 2 to 1 career TD:INT ratio.

[dew1679666265]

Fred Taylor was released from the Jags. Any interest in him to back up Forte?

 

I thought about him for the Bears, but he may want to go somewhere that he'll get more carries - and he may cost too much to be a backup to Forte.

 

Taylor apparently wants to pass Jim Brown's career rushing total before he retires - and he's still almost 1,100 yards short of it.

[YearofDaCubs]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

 

I've never understood the struggles Garcia has had sticking with a team consistently. He's not a great QB, but he's been successful everywhere he's gone and he's got a career 61.6 completion % and a 2 to 1 career TD:INT ratio.

He wasn't successful with the Browns or Detroit and let's face it he's getting old. I think he would be a better fit for the Vikings.

[dew1679666265]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

 

I've never understood the struggles Garcia has had sticking with a team consistently. He's not a great QB, but he's been successful everywhere he's gone and he's got a career 61.6 completion % and a 2 to 1 career TD:INT ratio.

He wasn't successful with the Browns or Detroit and let's face it he's getting old. I think he would be a better fit for the Vikings.

 

You are correct and I should have said pretty much everywhere he's been. But then, who would be successful in Cleveland and Detroit lately?

 

He'd be a great fit for the Vikings, but I think he would do pretty well in Chicago as well. If nothing else, I think he'd be an upgrade over Orton while ya'll looked for a QB of the future.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wow, I didn't expect Tait would consider retiring.

 

I wanted to draft an offensive lineman with Tait retiring or not. JSC should not be starting at tackle. Ever.

 

I find it funny that writers are talking about this as a blow to the team. On the contrary, this could be a great benefit. I'd rather have that cap space allotted to an asset that can help the team, rather than some nearly washed up old guy who is merely holding a spot. The Bears absolutely should not view this as something that will force them to resign JSC. He's nothing more than filler. If they can get him at an agreeable price, fine, but he's not worth getting into a bididng war over. I'm hoping this increases the odds that they go and sign an impact free agent, then either draft OT early, or fill that spot with equally qualified (to Tait) players that don't make nearly as much money.

[mul21]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

 

I've never understood the struggles Garcia has had sticking with a team consistently. He's not a great QB, but he's been successful everywhere he's gone and he's got a career 61.6 completion % and a 2 to 1 career TD:INT ratio.

 

He's never had success outside of the West Coast offense. That kind of limits the teams he can go to and be good. I think he's got what you referred to earlier as a problem as well-he's viewed as a short term option.

[dew1679666265]

A couple of guys who were just cut may interest Bear fans a bit.

 

Jeff Garcia is not returning to the Bucs this year - he's be a definite upgrade at QB, though it'd be a short term move - and Dewayne Robertson might provide some depth at DT, though he would be best in a 3-4 scheme.

 

yes please to both, thank you

 

I've never understood the struggles Garcia has had sticking with a team consistently. He's not a great QB, but he's been successful everywhere he's gone and he's got a career 61.6 completion % and a 2 to 1 career TD:INT ratio.

 

He's never had success outside of the West Coast offense. That kind of limits the teams he can go to and be good. I think he's got what you referred to earlier as a problem as well-he's viewed as a short term option.

 

Yeah, I'd still think a West Coast offense would latch onto him and keep him, though. He's just not exciting, though, and franchise QBs tend to need to excite the fan base.

[WrigleyField 22]

What happens to retired players and the salary cap?

[BDWeav71]

Any midline RTs coming on the market this offseason? Could just pick up one of those. It would probably give you Tait-esque performance, maybe a bit better.

 

Yes, John St. Clair.

 

To be fair, he won't put up the kind of performance that Tait would give but hes probably what we are going to have to settle with.

[MPC]

here's a post at nationalfootball from mike lombardi about the tackles available in free agency.

 

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/02/notes-from-lombardi-free-agent-tackles/

 

some highlights:

 

Jordan Gross, 28; 6-4, 300; 5.11; Ethan Locke — The prize of the UFA market. Not often do you see a young left tackle make it to the market, and I’m not sure he does. Once the Panthers realize they cannot get Peppers signed, they will turn their attention to franchising Gross.

 

Khalif Barnes, 26; 6-5, 320; 5.12; Ken Zuckerman — Barnes is a good player, but not a great player, and his contract level will be the most interesting nugget of the UFA market. He can play left tackle but is limited in power and the ability to handle the edge all the time. Part of the key to free agency is to not overpay for this kind of player.

 

Vernon Carey, 27; 6-4, 333; 5.33; Ben Dogra — Moved back to his natural position, and if he doesn’t get signed in the next few days, I expect the Dolphins to place the Franchise Tag on him. They cannot afford to lose a young starting OT.

 

Max Starks, 26; 6-7, 337; 5.59; Eugene Parker — I know he played left tackle, but watch the tape; the Steelers never left him on an island. He might be able to play left tackle, but the play caller must make sure he is always helped in protection.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Gross is likely to sign with Carolina soon (fanball) so he's out.

 

I like Starks for a RT. the other 2, Carey is probably back in Miami and Barnes is ..meh..

[rawaction]

Gross is likely to sign with Carolina soon (fanball) so he's out.

 

I like Starks for a RT. the other 2, Carey is probably back in Miami and Barnes is ..meh..

 

Barnes would be great, IMO. He was great as a rookie, and then fell off for whatever reason. He's the youngest FA of the group, and I think would be helped moving to the right side of the formation. If the Bears coaches think they can "fix" him, he could wind up a Pro Bowler. Starks is Ok. People are more awed at his size and potential than anything. He's never really put it all together to me and I doubt he will. Even at just 26, he has a LOT of experience. 5 years in the league, 3 as a starter. Has about 10 games of playoff experience. Ray Willis of Seattle is probably the best fit of the bunch though. He is also young at 27. He has the mean streak that the other 2 don't have. Is a run-first blocker, but only gave up 1.5 sacks last year for a crappy team.