2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[MPC]

bears have make their first free agent signing.

 

Frank Omiyale o-lineman from the panthers.

[Soul]

Bears signed an OL.

Can't say I've heard of him, but at least he's young:

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/02/bears_strike_in_free_agency_si.html

 

I don't know what this would do for our draft plans. Perhaps it increases the chance that we don't go OT in the first round.

[Banedon]

I can't find it online yet, but just saw on the Mike & Mike show (while channel surfing) that Haynesworth signed with Washington for 7/$100M. :shock:

 

This just a few hours after this tidbit from Rotoworld:

 

Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato told an agent early Friday that Washington is no longer in the running for free agent Albert Haynesworth.

SI.com's Peter King says Cerrato has deemed Haynesworth "too expensive." Instead, Washington will likely try to get Chris Canty under contract pronto.

 

It's on ESPN's front page now.

 

Albert Haynesworth hit the free agent jackpot Friday morning by reaching agreement on a seven-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Redskins that could end up maxing out at $115 million based on his performance, according to sources.

 

$41 million guaranteed

[Soul]

Lots & Lots of dough.

[jersey cubs fan]

bears have make their first free agent signing.

 

Frank Omiyale o-lineman from the panthers.

 

Interesting. Hopefully this means St. Clair is gone more than it means they won't draft a tackle early.

[Soul]

bears have make their first free agent signing.

 

Frank Omiyale o-lineman from the panthers.

 

Interesting. Hopefully this means St. Clair is gone more than it means they won't draft a tackle early.

 

And hopefully he's got some talent that simply wasn't seen because the Panthers had Jordan Gross in front of him.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I feel like they spent alot of money on an unknown in regards to that Carolina tackle. $11-14? gratned, how much is actually gauranteed, but wow.

[jersey cubs fan]

I feel like they spent alot of money on an unknown in regards to that Carolina tackle. $11-14? gratned, how much is actually gauranteed, but wow.

 

I was seeing numbers like $15m for JSC, who is much older, and not any good. I don't think you can find a potential starting tackle for much less than that.

[tfarks]

I feel like they spent alot of money on an unknown in regards to that Carolina tackle. $11-14? gratned, how much is actually gauranteed, but wow.

 

I'm sure the Bears are pretty safe with this contract. You mentioned the guaranteed money, which I'm sure is way lower. Not to mention they aren't giving him any meaningful signing bonus, which means cutting him would be a breeze.

 

It's a great move. Low risk. And if he proves himself to be a starter then Angelo did very well, and paying the incentives will be worth it.

[Soul]

Apparently several other teams were interested in Omiyale, so its not like the Bears were bidding against themselves.

 

It definitely helps to make the line younger. I'll keep an open mind about him.

[rawaction]

10 teams were interested in Omiyale. He was a backup to some pretty good linemen in Carolina at both tackle and guard spots. Played 1 game this year (only game in 4 years) and didn't give up a sack.

 

I can't complain about the Bears giving a 26 year old, who has received some positive feedback , a shot to play. If he's good enough to start, great. If you draft someone that beats him out, he's quality depth that has been quality depth for a strong OL.

 

I'm guessing he's your starting RT though. I wouldn't bring back JSC at this point.

[MPC]

it appears jay cutler wants out of denver and the bears seem to be a possible trade partner.

 

also, the bears have supposedly shown interest in darren sharper.

[Soul]

If people think Mike Brown had begun to slow down, wait until they get a look at Sharper. I would rather go with someone young & hungry.

 

Plus....Darren's one of those jerks I've always wanted to see get decked.

 

As for Cutler, I'd love to have him but I'm finding it hard to believe Denver is actually going to trade away their best shot since Elway to have a franchise QB just because the coach is having trouble getting along with him. You sit them both down in a room and suggest very strongly that they grow up and learn to work with each other.

[cubweiser03]

Angelo said something to Omilaye that he is going to begin work at guard. Another article mentions LG. If he is LG they better move Beekman to RG and bench Garza.

[UMFan83]

it appears jay cutler wants out of denver and the bears seem to be a possible trade partner.

 

also, the bears have supposedly shown interest in darren sharper.

 

I would be so happy for Jay Cutler to become our QB. So happy. And I love Sharper too even though he's quite up there in age.

[minnesotacubsfan]

no to sharper, hellz yes to the pipe dream of cutler

[Soul]

it appears jay cutler wants out of denver and the bears seem to be a possible trade partner.

 

also, the bears have supposedly shown interest in darren sharper.

 

I would be so happy for Jay Cutler to become our QB. So happy. And I love Sharper too even though he's quite up there in age.

 

Do you love Sharper as he was 5 years ago, or now? Do you remember that play this year where one of our slow-ass WRs made him look like he was standing still? 'Cuz that's Sharper now.

[rawaction]

A couple things.

 

Cutler isn't going anywhere. Denver was stupid for going after lesser QB in Cassel. If Cutler does go anywhere, I would trade a 1st and 3rd for him. He's that good. If Cutler does become available, Tampa will give more than the Bears.

 

I'm hearing if Omiyale is the LG, Beekman will be the RG, his natural position.

 

Mike Brown is better than Darren Sharper. If the Bears are interested in Sharper, then why not just bring Mike Brown back, who is younger?

[Soul]

The whole Cutler thing is pretty funny. Denver's acting like it's an easy thing to identify a franchise-level QB, yet they themselves haven't had one since Elway until Cutler came along.

 

Sure, let's just dump him. Doesn't get along well with our new coach.

 

God would I love to fleece them of Cutler. Won't happen though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd be all over the TO situation. There is very little to lose. It's not like they have a lot invested in the QB and will fear crazy Owens ruining the guy. TO had a ton of options the past few years, and probably felt great freedom to act however he wanted. He didn't fit in all that well in Dallas, but a big part of that was he wasn't the big guy, he split that identity with several others. I know the Bears don't have the balls to make such a move, but TO would be the only big time receiver on the field, and the only guy capable of giving space to Hester. Orton can give him the ball early and often without fearing others demanding touches. His presence on the field could probably make Orton, Hester, Forte and Olsen all significantly better players. Teams will not be able to go 8 in the box every play and tee-off on Forte. They have the cap space, and they don't have big money invested anywhere else on offense. TO's career is going to end in a couple years, and he will probably be motivated to make a positive impact on the field. I'd take the gamble on some sort of 3 year deal big signifint upfront guarantees, as well as financial incentives to keep him interested in producing right away to get paid next year.

[biittner77]

Off hand it's hard to see a better fit for TO than the Bears, at least among teams that are any good. Maybe Tampa Bay?

[jersey cubs fan]

Off hand it's hard to see a better fit for TO than the Bears, at least among teams that are any good. Maybe Tampa Bay?

 

I've heard people talking New England, but Moss/TO does not sound like it will work well. Minnesota could work well, depending on the history between TO and Childress. But with all that money invested in Berrian last year, it would seem a bit odd.

 

 

The biggest problem with the Bears is an unstable QB situation and the fact that Lovie pretty much lets these guys do whatever they want. There is no discipline.

 

Angelo has shown a willingness to make big investments in free agency (Tait, Moose) and has traded for other people's holdouts (Adawale). But they seem intent on bringing back the status quo this year. Maybe it was a ploy while awaiting the TO decision. But if there was one thing they needed to get in free agency this year, it was impact WR. This would allow them to take a WR in the 2nd or 3rd instead, and concentrate on line help.

[RynoRules]

Off hand it's hard to see a better fit for TO than the Bears, at least among teams that are any good. Maybe Tampa Bay?

 

I dunno that the Bears are good.

[jersey cubs fan]

Off hand it's hard to see a better fit for TO than the Bears, at least among teams that are any good. Maybe Tampa Bay?

 

I dunno that the Bears are good.

 

As a 9-7 team where a quality WR could make a big difference, I think they qualify as good, and a good fit.

[Banedon]

Angelo has shown a reluctance to even show much interest in "big name" free agents other than his own. I don't see TO happening.