Re: Bears Offseason Thread

[dew1679666265]

In case anybody cares:

 

Former Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner used his Bears ties to find another job. Turner on Thursday was hired by Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to be an assistant coach for the Cardinal.

Harbaugh made the announcement at a recruiting reception but did not specify Turner's role. It is believed he will be offensive coordinator.

[Soul]

That's probably a good place for him. I don't hate the man, I just needed to not see him calling the Bears offense anymore.

[davell]

Some dude named Shane Day is our new QB Coach. Not sure how much he'll do, as I'm sure Martz will have final say so on anything Cutler is doing anyway. The guy was evidently a quality control assistant for the 49ers last year and was hand picked by Martz.

[SpongeWorthy]

I stomached a little of that Bears/Colts replay last night. The first drive of the 2nd half, Indy controls the ball for ~8 minutes and kicks a field goal to go up 19-14. They pooch kick to around the 33 on the kickoff. Bears get a first down and then a 9 yard gain to Moose to set themselves up with a 2nd and 1 inside Indy territory.

 

Next play is an 11 yard sack where Garza literally is rooted in place while the DT makes a spin move around him and then Rex takes another 10+ yard sack after a bobbled snap with Kreutz. I turned it off after that.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/bears-name-marinelli-defensive-coordinator.html

 

It wasn't hard to do, but I think I predicted at one point that Martz and Marinelli would get the coordinator jobs, and that's where we are now that the coaching search is apparently over.

Edited February 5, 2010 by jersey cubs fan

[minnesotacubsfan]

I guess he is as good as any other straw man

[Soul]

Yeah, it became obvious that Marinelli was the choice once Fewell declined and then the search.......just stopped.

[DivineBovine]

In case anybody cares:

 

Former Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner used his Bears ties to find another job. Turner on Thursday was hired by Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to be an assistant coach for the Cardinal.

Harbaugh made the announcement at a recruiting reception but did not specify Turner's role. It is believed he will be offensive coordinator.

 

 

USC and Cal fans should rejoice. The man who sold out his team saying they needed time to learn his offense is about to coach college kids who have to go to class and have 4 years max. It's not like he's ever been successful at any level, doubt this will change now. If Harbaugh gives him any control, they are in trouble.

[Wilson A2000]

Hester was a guest on "The Waddle and Silvy Show" on ESPN Radio in Chicago Thursday and told the hosts that while he was happy to do whatever the coaching staff asked of him, he'd like to resume his role as the team's lead kickoff returner.

 

"I know what I'm best at," Hester said. "The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on my receiving and go back to returning, that's something I would love to do."

 

I want Hester to return pretty much every punt and kickoff. At the very least, he gives the Bears good field position. But Devin, you were crying two years ago about wanting more money and you said you deserved it because you thought you could be a number one receiver. Well you aren't and won't ever be, but you got your money, and now you want to go back to the old days. Angelo should never have capitulated with Hester or Urlacher.

 

Should the Bears trade for Osi Umenyora if he becomes available?

[rawaction]

Hester was a guest on "The Waddle and Silvy Show" on ESPN Radio in Chicago Thursday and told the hosts that while he was happy to do whatever the coaching staff asked of him, he'd like to resume his role as the team's lead kickoff returner.

 

"I know what I'm best at," Hester said. "The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on my receiving and go back to returning, that's something I would love to do."

 

I want Hester to return pretty much every punt and kickoff. At the very least, he gives the Bears good field position. But Devin, you were crying two years ago about wanting more money and you said you deserved it because you thought you could be a number one receiver. Well you aren't and won't ever be, but you got your money, and now you want to go back to the old days. Angelo should never have capitulated with Hester or Urlacher.

 

Should the Bears trade for Osi Umenyora if he becomes available?

 

I don't even know that Hester is a better returner than Knox, Manning or Bennett anymore. Manning was a better KO returner in 2008. Both Manning and Knox were better this year. Bennett returned punts much better this year. I know Hester says he wasn't focused on returning kicks, but how hard is it to focus an extra 2-3 times a game to run back a punt? I hope Hester still has it, but they better not throw him out there just because of his history.

[Magnetic Curses]

yeah, i don't think hester is as good as he used to be in terms of returning kicks.

[Soul]

I was going to say the same. They can put Hester back in that role if they want, but I'm not convinced he would be anywhere near what he was when he first came into the league.

[davell]

There was an article today that mentioned the Bears could bring in Torry Holt as a mentor to the young WR's, especially given his knowledge of Martz' offense. I would be all for this personally. I'd even go as far as to say I'd shop Hester and if we could get a 2nd for him, I'd go ahead and trade him. A WR corp of Aromashadu/Knox/Bennett/Iglesias/Holt would be fine with me, if we can get a 2nd for Hester.

[David]

Any interest in Antonio Bryant if he doesn't wind up costing something absurd?

 

The one year in his career in which he had a decent QB throwing to him (Garcia) he blew up. If you look at the rest of his career, it's a more depressing list than the Bears QBs.

[rawaction]

Any interest in Antonio Bryant if he doesn't wind up costing something absurd?

 

The one year in his career in which he had a decent QB throwing to him (Garcia) he blew up. If you look at the rest of his career, it's a more depressing list than the Bears QBs.

 

I'm a big fan of Antonio Bryant for some reason. I really don't think WR is a priority, but Bryant would be a really good fit for a Martz offense. He's a good WR after the catch and a solid route runner. But any WR brought in would have to mean a trade of a WR. The only one with any trade value, though, is Hester. Trade Hester and I'd be all for Bryant.

[SpongeWorthy]

WR isn't a priority?

[davell]

WR isn't a priority?

 

 

As much as I'm in favor of getting a bigtime WR, I really don't think it is. I think it falls beneath OL, DL, and DB help.

 

As far as Antonio Bryant is concerned, I think he's a much better player than Torry Holt at this point, but I'm not sure he's a better fit for us than Holt honestly. Holt's a consumate professional and I think he could really help our young receivers longterm. I don't think Bryant would be of much help to them and between Knox, Aromashadu, and possibly Hester, I think we've got our longterm number 1 guy already on the team. I don't think Bryant would be as inclined as Holt to show them the ropes, as he probably sees himself as a number 1 himself at this point still......

[SpongeWorthy]

You really think there is a potential #1 on the roster? Based on what? I mean there's one by default but that's about it. The receiver play was horrible this year.

 

WR needs to be a big priority. You can't just plug and play with any guy off the scrap heap...you need true difference makers not average WRs who only put numbers up because hell, someone has to catch the ball.

[davell]

I'm almost at odds with myself for debating this point, because I am a big proponent of having a true 1 wideout. That said, to me anyway, there aren't that many of those guys around. You have Fitzgerald, Moss, Megatron, Andre Johnson, and Brandon Marshall. To me, that's your list of true 1's. Guys that make defense's plan differently and guys that make other receivers better around them. You have your next group of guys who are damn good, but I don't call them elite, for different reasons. Miles Austin hasn't done it long enough yet, but he's got a shot. Same with DeSean Jsckson and even Roddy White, although I'm not sure I see White as a guy who opponents will have a separate gameplan for. I think he benefitted largely from TG being there this past year personally. Sidney Rice has a ton of weapons around him, so it's not like he's getting doubled or anything, plus he needs to do it longer. Reggie Wayne is the guy that I COULD be talked into, as far as being a true 1, but damn.....Peyton makes it easy for someone to accumulate serious stats in that offense. But, Wayne is solid as hell.

 

As for your question about who I think is our 1? First of all, I obviously don't see us as having an elite guy. Secondly, our WR play was extremely inconsistent in 2009. But, I see flashes in each of Knox, Aromashadu, and Hester, for that matter. None of them had much experience, if any, prior to this past year and none of them had ever worked with Cutler before either obviously. WR's very rarely "get it" immediately as it is. If I had to guess, I'm going to say that either Knox or Aromashadu is our leading receiver next year. Does this mean that one or the other will be a 1000 yard guy? Not necessarily, but I think that we will have one next year personally. But, that doesn't constitute being a true 1 either. Aromashadu seems to me like a guy who just needs a shot. He had 22 catches for 282 yards and 4 scores over the last 4 games, once he got a chance. Cutler seems to really like him too. Knox is unrefined and caused some INT's this past year for sure, but coming from a tiny school and having never faced any real comp before, he did a very solid job for us, if you ask me. I expect a big jump from him in 2010. Hester isn't a very smart player, but hasn't played WR long enough yet either, for us to make any real judgments on him. But, I'd put the upside of Aromashadu and Knox higher than Hester at this point and time. I'm not even bringing up Bennett or Iglesias into this discussion, by the way, because Bennett is a possession guy and will never be more than that for us or anyone else and Iglesias hasn't touched the field yet, although I think he was basically on the same plan as Bennett was and probably could have contributed in 2009 some anyway. At any rate, I see him as another possession guy, so he doesn't need to be included here either.

 

Bottom line, the wideout spot IS a question mark for us, heading into 2010. But, I feel much better about WR, than I do with our O-Line, of which we need at the bare minimum, a starting RT and at least one starting OG. I also feel much better about WR than I do our D-Line, which needs at least one starting end and possibly a starting DT as well. Plus, our DB is in need of help moreso than our WR's as well.

 

So, while it'd be great if we could find a true 1, the other holes on our team will prevent us from even entertaining the possibility, if you ask me. Especially since the WR's we have, at least show some true upside. The Bears have to pick and choose where the holes are the worst at, and while there is a hole at WR, there's worse ones in other places. Hence, one of the reasons, we're really not all that good at the moment.

[rawaction]

WR isn't a priority?

 

Not when compared to offensive guard, tackle, backup RB, defensive line, safety and corner. Not when faced with a weak FA class and a shortage of draft picks. At this point, there's no harm in letting what we have play for another year. It's not completely known if it was the WRs that led to the issues in the passing game. Maybe it was the offensive line not giving Cutler time. Maybe it was the lack of a run game that allowed teams to play more defenders in coverage. Maybe it was Ron Turner's offensive scheme. Maybe it was Aromashodu not getting a chance before the last 4 weeks, or Hester being played out of position as the #1 WR, or having a talented WR like Iglesias sit the bench.

 

I just think that with your 2 biggest, and arguably most talented WRs, not getting much of a chance and the clear upgrade in offensive coordinators; you have to see if the young guys developed unless you get a true stud for next to nothing. The Bears can't trade for anyone. They aren't going to draft a stud WR with no picks in the top 70. Might as well see what you have in your group of WRs with less than 1 year field experience than use valuable resources on a WR.

[SpongeWorthy]

WR isn't a priority?

 

Not when compared to offensive guard, tackle, backup RB, defensive line, safety and corner. Not when faced with a weak FA class and a shortage of draft picks. At this point, there's no harm in letting what we have play for another year. It's not completely known if it was the WRs that led to the issues in the passing game. Maybe it was the offensive line not giving Cutler time. Maybe it was the lack of a run game that allowed teams to play more defenders in coverage. Maybe it was Ron Turner's offensive scheme. Maybe it was Aromashodu not getting a chance before the last 4 weeks, or Hester being played out of position as the #1 WR, or having a talented WR like Iglesias sit the bench.

 

I just think that with your 2 biggest, and arguably most talented WRs, not getting much of a chance and the clear upgrade in offensive coordinators; you have to see if the young guys developed unless you get a true stud for next to nothing. The Bears can't trade for anyone. They aren't going to draft a stud WR with no picks in the top 70. Might as well see what you have in your group of WRs with less than 1 year field experience than use valuable resources on a WR.

 

I'll grant you offensive line. I still think the WRs were [expletive] brutal last year (unquestionably worse than Cutler's pass protection) but yes, a huge area of concern. Backup RB is never more important than the WR corps. Defensive line I'm not as down on. I actually do think Marinelli improved things there. When Harris shows up, they're a decent unit and we still have some youth there.

 

Secondary is the biggest concern on defense but I wouldn't put it over WRs. And I'm not disputing that there really isn't much alternative to hoping the young guys develop at WR but they MUST. We simply can't expect to be a good offense with terrible WR play. If there's a real talent to add there it needs to be done.

 

Also, Earl Bennett isn't good. I wouldn't expect much him to turn into much.

[RedFlash]

I'll grant you offensive line. I still think the WRs were [expletive] brutal last year (unquestionably worse than Cutler's pass protection) but yes, a huge area of concern. Backup RB is never more important than the WR corps. Defensive line I'm not as down on. I actually do think Marinelli improved things there. When Harris shows up, they're a decent unit and we still have some youth there.

 

Secondary is the biggest concern on defense but I wouldn't put it over WRs. And I'm not disputing that there really isn't much alternative to hoping the young guys develop at WR but they MUST. We simply can't expect to be a good offense with terrible WR play. If there's a real talent to add there it needs to be done.

 

Also, Earl Bennett isn't good. I wouldn't expect much him to turn into much.

 

You complain about the lack of a #1 WR on the Bears, but how do you propose the Bears acquire such player?

Edited February 7, 2010 by RedFlash

[David]

And I'm not disputing that there really isn't much alternative to hoping the young guys develop at WR but they MUST.

[rawaction]

Apparently there is a rumor going around that the Giants will open their new stadium on the opening Sunday night vs. our Chicago Bears.

 

Also, rumored is Steelers at New Orleans for the Thursday night opener.

 

It would be the 6th straight year the Bears opened on the road and 3rd straight on Sunday night.

[jersey cubs fan]

Apparently there is a rumor going around that the Giants will open their new stadium on the opening Sunday night vs. our Chicago Bears.

 

Also, rumored is Steelers at New Orleans for the Thursday night opener.

 

It would be the 6th straight year the Bears opened on the road and 3rd straight on Sunday night.

 

I hate opening up at night, and that sucks since I would otherwise absolutely go to that game, but tickets will be impossible now.