2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[WrigleyField 22]

Yea it does seem early, but within a month of the draft, theres always a few guys who shoot up really quickly or fall really quickly. Maybe he is one of those guys.

[dew1679666265]

Yea it does seem early, but within a month of the draft, theres always a few guys who shoot up really quickly or fall really quickly. Maybe he is one of those guys.

 

Gilbert already shot up the board to the 2nd round. I just don't see him as having enough momentum to get - and stay - that high.

[WrigleyField 22]

Can't wait to see what the Bears will do.

 

I could see something like:

Rd1- Harvin, other WR

Rd- Gilbert

 

or

 

Rd1- Jerry

Rd2- Best WR

 

Obviously theres a lot more directions than that, but if they are looking at DT an WR, those are basically the two scenarios. Which would you guys prefer?

 

If they went with a WR in round 1, trading down would seem like a big possibility, would I would definitely be interested in depending on the offer. If they wanted DT in round one I would think they would have to snatch up Jerry at their spot and not risk him falling.

[Soul]

With 4 picks in the first 3 rounds, the Bears could be poised to really improve the team. Provided Jerry plays his cards right, of course.

 

I'll be happy provided we get good value with our picks, and address a few needs along the way.

[rawaction]

With 4 picks in the first 3 rounds, the Bears could be poised to really improve the team. Provided Jerry plays his cards right, of course.

 

I'll be happy provided we get good value with our picks, and address a few needs along the way.

 

If I had a guess I would think the first 4 picks would be (in some order): WR, DL (DE or DT, not both), OL (OG or OT), DB (CB or FS). I wouldn't mind a SLB or QB in there though.

[dew1679666265]

Orlando Pace is apparently visiting the Bears today.

 

Free-agent offensive lineman Orlando Pace was scheduled to visit Chicago on Monday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. He primarily played left tackle during his career with the Rams but most NFL teams are projecting him as a right tackle for 2009.

 

Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the past three seasons because of various injuries. The Bears could simply be checking up on his health, or they could have genuine interest.

[Soul]

I'll say this for Jerry:

 

He ignored OL for years, but he's certainly not ignoring it any longer.

[Guest]

I'll say this for Jerry:

 

He ignored OL for years, but he's certainly not ignoring it any longer.

 

True, but you have to show your AARP card just to get an interview.

[cubweiser03]

Pace is probably the best LT i have ever seen. He was as can't miss as can't miss LT prospect coming out of college and he came out as jr. before that was in vogue. Maybe he's not 'Orlando Pace' good anymore but he is still very good. If the Bears sign him that sure makes the oline shuffle very interesting. I am all for this signing.

[Magnetic Curses]

Orlando Pace is apparently visiting the Bears today.

 

Free-agent offensive lineman Orlando Pace was scheduled to visit Chicago on Monday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. He primarily played left tackle during his career with the Rams but most NFL teams are projecting him as a right tackle for 2009.

 

Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the past three seasons because of various injuries. The Bears could simply be checking up on his health, or they could have genuine interest.

 

i think i mentioned that i got excited when the rams released him. he was good last year.

[dew1679666265]

Orlando Pace is apparently visiting the Bears today.

 

Free-agent offensive lineman Orlando Pace was scheduled to visit Chicago on Monday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. He primarily played left tackle during his career with the Rams but most NFL teams are projecting him as a right tackle for 2009.

 

Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the past three seasons because of various injuries. The Bears could simply be checking up on his health, or they could have genuine interest.

 

i think i mentioned that i got excited when the rams released him. he was good last year.

 

I think it'd be a good move. Pace isn't a franchise tackle anymore, but he could certainly provide some depth. If he started, that would leave Shaffer to back up both tackle spots (and would further alleviate the desperate need for a tackle in this draft). Or, if he was fine with being a backup and they felt Shaffer's youth would be better starting at RT, then that'd be a pretty solid backup.

 

Pace is old, but an old Pace is still better than a lot of tackles.

[Magnetic Curses]

Orlando Pace is apparently visiting the Bears today.

 

Free-agent offensive lineman Orlando Pace was scheduled to visit Chicago on Monday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. He primarily played left tackle during his career with the Rams but most NFL teams are projecting him as a right tackle for 2009.

 

Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the past three seasons because of various injuries. The Bears could simply be checking up on his health, or they could have genuine interest.

 

i think i mentioned that i got excited when the rams released him. he was good last year.

 

I think it'd be a good move. Pace isn't a franchise tackle anymore, but he could certainly provide some depth. If he started, that would leave Shaffer to back up both tackle spots (and would further alleviate the desperate need for a tackle in this draft). Or, if he was fine with being a backup and they felt Shaffer's youth would be better starting at RT, then that'd be a pretty solid backup.

 

Pace is old, but an old Pace is still better than a lot of tackles.

 

signing him would give us unbelievable flexibility up front.

[minnesotacubsfan]

signing him would certainly point at WR in the 1st

[rawaction]

Ken Lucas also visited with the Bears today. Lucas is pretty meh. Best known for putting his face against Steve Smith's hand and making him get suspended for 2 weeks and slip down fantasy draft boards.

 

There are 2 positions where bringing in a veteran over 28 is pointless. CB and OLB. Both are loaded in the draft from year to year. Both require little adjustment to the NFL game from college. Lucas is pointless to even bring in. Pace on the other hand......that's interesting. I don't see it happening, but I'm all for Pace.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Pace and that other guy we signed (name slips me) would make me very happy. Then, we could maybe go WR-LB/S in rounds 1 and 2 and get an OL or two on day two.

[Soul]

Lucas' best years appear to have been in '02, '04, and '05.

 

However, I'm really souring on Vasher. I wonder if the Bears are, too. It wouldn't surprise me. Every time Vash goes down with another injury it's a depth guy who has to fill in. That hurts.

[WrigleyField 22]

I don't quite see the need for Pace with Shaffer around. Depends on the cost and Pace's willingness to take a RT job and possibly less pay.

 

If we're looking more in FA, I'd much rather it be Holt, but whatever.

[RedFlash]

I don't quite see the need for Pace with Shaffer around. Depends on the cost and Pace's willingness to take a RT job and possibly less pay.

 

If we're looking more in FA, I'd much rather it be Holt, but whatever.

 

I agree. At this point, I much rather have Chris Williams at LT, and if Pace is open to playing RT, I would love to have him in Chicago. At RT, I think Pace would have a good 2 yrs left in him. As for the two other OL signings, Omiyale and Shaffer, both to me seem more like players brought in for competion for playing time moreso then guarantee starting. Both players should compete for spots, but not guarantee a starting spot, which means if the Bears want to bring in Pace so be it.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't quite see the need for Pace with Shaffer around. Depends on the cost and Pace's willingness to take a RT job and possibly less pay.

 

Shaffer just isn't that good, and he isn't young either. He's a placeholder who probably works best as a backup. Omiyale is a backup and is probably slated for guard duty. And remember, we still don't know much of anything about Williams. Pace would give the Bears 3 tackles, protection in case Williams falters, and time to deal with replenishing the rest of the line. The Bears don't have an exceptionally high paid player on offense, which means they can afford to pay a little more for role players. This would do very little to affect the longterm viability of the line, they'd still have to draft guys this year and/or next. But it would be a solid short-term solution to what has been a huge problem the last couple years.

[Magnetic Curses]

signing him would certainly point at WR in the 1st

 

nope, we're trading our 1st, our 3rd, and orton for a franchise qb.

[Magnetic Curses]

I don't quite see the need for Pace with Shaffer around. Depends on the cost and Pace's willingness to take a RT job and possibly less pay.

 

Shaffer just isn't that good, and he isn't young either. He's a placeholder who probably works best as a backup. Omiyale is a backup and is probably slated for guard duty. And remember, we still don't know much of anything about Williams. Pace would give the Bears 3 tackles, protection in case Williams falters, and time to deal with replenishing the rest of the line. The Bears don't have an exceptionally high paid player on offense, which means they can afford to pay a little more for role players. This would do very little to affect the longterm viability of the line, they'd still have to draft guys this year and/or next. But it would be a solid short-term solution to what has been a huge problem the last couple years.

 

shaffer is a very good run blocker but bad in pass blocking, whom i think would work better at guard.

 

lt- williams

lg- omiyale

c- kreutz

rg -shaffer

rt - pace

 

we also have beekman and beunning and then whoever we draft to fill in if injury or poor play happen. this would make our line impervious, which i really like.

[dew1679666265]

signing him would certainly point at WR in the 1st

 

nope, we're trading our 1st, our 3rd, and orton for Jay Cutler.

 

This is what you really meant, isn't it? :wink:

[pitchcs]

Lucas' best years appear to have been in '02, '04, and '05.

 

However, I'm really souring on Vasher. I wonder if the Bears are, too. It wouldn't surprise me. Every time Vash goes down with another injury it's a depth guy who has to fill in. That hurts.

 

The Bears are definitely souring on Vasher. It sounds as though they are not comfortable with him as a starting CB at this point.

[Soul]

I don't quite see the need for Pace with Shaffer around. Depends on the cost and Pace's willingness to take a RT job and possibly less pay.

 

Shaffer just isn't that good, and he isn't young either. He's a placeholder who probably works best as a backup. Omiyale is a backup and is probably slated for guard duty. And remember, we still don't know much of anything about Williams. Pace would give the Bears 3 tackles, protection in case Williams falters, and time to deal with replenishing the rest of the line. The Bears don't have an exceptionally high paid player on offense, which means they can afford to pay a little more for role players. This would do very little to affect the longterm viability of the line, they'd still have to draft guys this year and/or next. But it would be a solid short-term solution to what has been a huge problem the last couple years.

 

shaffer is a very good run blocker but bad in pass blocking, whom i think would work better at guard.

 

lt- williams

lg- omiyale

c- kreutz

rg -shaffer

rt - pace

 

we also have beekman and beunning and then whoever we draft to fill in if injury or poor play happen. this would make our line impervious, which i really like.

 

I'm just really liking the fact that OL is being addressed, and being addressed wholeheartedly. If we did bring in Pace, we could do so many things with guys like Omiyale & Shaffer that would play more to their strengths. Also, we could begin in earnest the process of getting junk like Garza off the roster.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm just really liking the fact that OL is being addressed, and being addressed wholeheartedly.

 

I would describe it more as addressing it halfheartedly (which is still better than completely ignoring it). The Bears preach building from the draft, yet the one spot they have most ignored via the draft, and have routinely brought in outside help, is the offensive line. Signing these stopgaps isn't really addressing the longterm question on the line. It's the same thing they did in 2004/05, when they acquired a couple guys who helped for a couple years. Kreutz isn't going to be around forever, and none of the people acquired this offseason are likely to be longterm stable solutions at right tackle.

 

If I remember correctly, Angelo's Tampa teams routinely struggled with finding the right fit on the offensive line. Maybe he just don't know how to draft/develop them, and can only sign others' castoffs.