Re: Bears Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

c. No one in the league would have paid Brandon Manumaleuna $3 million to play football in 2010 -- except the Bears, who paid him $6.1 million: $2 million to sign, $3 million in a roster bonus, and $1.055 million in salary.

 

d. If I were Greg Olsen, I'd want to be traded, too.

This just in, Peter King is a moron. Film at 11.

 

But what does that have to do with this note?

 

The Bears paid an obscene amount for what is from all accounts a mediocre blocking tight end, and they aren't going to be using Greg Olsen this season. He has only 2 seasons to set his free agency price, so he should want out ASAP.

 

King is right.

[bukie]

c. No one in the league would have paid Brandon Manumaleuna $3 million to play football in 2010 -- except the Bears, who paid him $6.1 million: $2 million to sign, $3 million in a roster bonus, and $1.055 million in salary.

 

d. If I were Greg Olsen, I'd want to be traded, too.

This just in, Peter King is a moron. Film at 11.

 

But what does that have to do with this note?

 

The Bears paid an obscene amount for what is from all accounts a mediocre blocking tight end, and they aren't going to be using Greg Olsen this season. He has only 2 seasons to set his free agency price, so he should want out ASAP.

 

King is right.

Technically, his salary is just 1 million, but due to special circumstances in salary cap structure this year teams can afford to frontload a ton of money.

 

If I were Olsen, I'd probably wish I worked harder at catching the ball and being at least a serviceable blocker.

[Soul]

c. No one in the league would have paid Brandon Manumaleuna $3 million to play football in 2010 -- except the Bears, who paid him $6.1 million: $2 million to sign, $3 million in a roster bonus, and $1.055 million in salary.

 

d. If I were Greg Olsen, I'd want to be traded, too.

This just in, Peter King is a moron. Film at 11.

 

But what does that have to do with this note?

 

The Bears paid an obscene amount for what is from all accounts a mediocre blocking tight end, and they aren't going to be using Greg Olsen this season. He has only 2 seasons to set his free agency price, so he should want out ASAP.

 

King is right.

Technically, his salary is just 1 million, but due to special circumstances in salary cap structure this year teams can afford to frontload a ton of money.

 

If I were Olsen, I'd probably wish I worked harder at catching the ball and being at least a serviceable blocker.

 

Yeah, but it's still an awful lot of money for a blocking TE, regardless of the cap situation. Manumaleuna has to be feeling bewildered that he got that much.

 

I don't think those statements constitute King being a moron. There are some other things he's said that made me wonder, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

Technically, his salary is just 1 million, but due to special circumstances in salary cap structure this year teams can afford to frontload a ton of money.

 

It's not just special circumstances. They paid an obscene amount of money for a marginal, at best, player. Even if you argue that the cap means all bets are off, there's still a budget, which this contract affects, and if there is a season in 2011 there will be a cap, which this contract will affect. These signings have been praised in Chicago, and largely ridiculed elsewhere. I think the proper response is more in between. The TE signing was not good. Peppers was a huge risk, but at least it's for a guy they desperately needed and somebody who can have a significant impact on the game. I'm not all that excited about Taylor, but at least he's decent. The TE though is troubling.

 

If I were Olsen, I'd probably wish I worked harder at catching the ball and being at least a serviceable blocker.

 

No you wouldn't, you'd want to be on a team that could help you achieve your goals over the next two years so you can sign what may end up being your last chance at making significant money for the rest of your life. And you'd probably realize Chicago is not close to the best option for that to happen.

[Soul]

It's just a buttload of money for a guy who will likely have a limited impact on the team's success in 2010. I'm sure he'll help, but not to the tune of that kind of cash.

 

What bothers me about it most is that it makes me wonder about how/why some of these deals are made.

 

But then again, looking at the Peppers contract, it looks like a lot of work was done to protect the Bears. So I don't know.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Jason McKie was cut today.

[jersey cubs fan]

And they are looking at some CB from the Colts.

[RedFlash]

And they are looking at some CB from the Colts.

 

Yep, they signed Tim Jennings to a 2 year deal.

[SpongeWorthy]

3rd CB after Peanut and Bowman?

[RedFlash]

3rd CB after Peanut and Bowman?

 

Sounds like he will have to earn his spot.

[JonJayCutler]

I would really like to see Peanut moved to safety.

[tfarks]

They should have cut vasher

[UMFan83]

Who is going to play FB? Kellen Davis?

[Soul]

They should have cut vasher

 

They still could.......and should.

[CubColtPacer]

And they are looking at some CB from the Colts.

 

Yep, they signed Tim Jennings to a 2 year deal.

 

Most Colts fans are very, very happy about this. He was the favorite whipping boy last season and there were a lot of people that were scared the Colts would re-sign him if he stayed on the market all summer. He of course is very small (his 5-8 listing for height might be generous). Most times with the Colts he played in a different zip code than the receiver. He'd line up 12-14 yards off and teams would complete 7-8 yard outs all day against him. They would also pick on him because of his size on the goal line. At the same time, the Colts made pretty bad mistakes by lining him up against players like Brandon Marshall in the red zone.

 

When he did play occasionally play close to the receiver he was better and can make some athletic plays. He seemed very scared of getting burnt. And he is a pretty good special teams player. I would say overall in Indy he was a little unfairly maligned but he can be a very frustrating player to watch.

[Guest]

And they are looking at some CB from the Colts.

 

Yep, they signed Tim Jennings to a 2 year deal.

 

Most Colts fans are very, very happy about this. He was the favorite whipping boy last season and there were a lot of people that were scared the Colts would re-sign him if he stayed on the market all summer. He of course is very small (his 5-8 listing for height might be generous). Most times with the Colts he played in a different zip code than the receiver. He'd line up 12-14 yards off and teams would complete 7-8 yard outs all day against him. They would also pick on him because of his size on the goal line. At the same time, the Colts made pretty bad mistakes by lining him up against players like Brandon Marshall in the red zone.

 

When he did play occasionally play close to the receiver he was better and can make some athletic plays. He seemed very scared of getting burnt. And he is a pretty good special teams player. I would say overall in Indy he was a little unfairly maligned but he can be a very frustrating player to watch.

 

You could probably say that about every CB that isn't a pro bowler. Without quality draft picks, we gotta just hope we catch some lightning in a bottle somewhere.

[RedFlash]

Who is going to play FB? Kellen Davis?

 

Eddie Williams, who they signed a few days ago.

[RedFlash]

The player rep for free agent Terrell Owens is reportedly asking for a minimum of $5 million per season to sign.

 

Good luck. T.O. landed a $6.5 million contract from a Bills team desperate to make a splash last season, but he's now another year older and coming off his worst season in 10 years. FoxSports' John Czarnecki suggests the Bears could be interested even if he doesn't fit Mike Martz's system because they're in clear win-now mode with jobs on the line.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/czar-trade-market-to-warm-up-031610

[UMFan83]

Who is going to play FB? Kellen Davis?

 

Eddie Williams, who they signed a few days ago.

 

Whoops, took a week off from following the Bears

[Guest]

Who is going to play FB? Kellen Davis?

 

Eddie Williams, who they signed a few days ago.

 

Whoops, took a week off from following the Bears

 

We do have a surplus of tight ends.

[JonJayCutler]

The player rep for free agent Terrell Owens is reportedly asking for a minimum of $5 million per season to sign.

 

Good luck. T.O. landed a $6.5 million contract from a Bills team desperate to make a splash last season, but he's now another year older and coming off his worst season in 10 years. FoxSports' John Czarnecki suggests the Bears could be interested even if he doesn't fit Mike Martz's system because they're in clear win-now mode with jobs on the line.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/czar-trade-market-to-warm-up-031610

 

A year ago I would have said no, but T.O. has been pretty quiet lately media-wise. I am afraid, however, that with a bigger market and a better QB that he might revert back to the T.O. we saw in Philly and Dallas, although that would be a good thing on the field. He is pretty old though.

[UMFan83]

TO is a shell of his former self. I don't think its worth taking playing time away from Devin A. to get him on board.

[RedFlash]

TO is a shell of his former self. I don't think its worth taking playing time away from Devin A. to get him on board.

 

I agree. But Lovie and to a lesser degree Angelo knows this season they have to make the playoffs and/or go deep in the playoffs, thus they could see TO as a guy that can help them in the way. The ONLY way I would do it, is if the contract is much less then what he has been telling teams. He is declining every year, and thus should not be paid as if he was still and improving WR. If the deal is like 1 yr 2-3 mill with incentives to take it to 5 mill, the Bears could do worse. But TO would have to know he won't be "the guy" in this offense, unless he earns it. I could definately see the Bears reaching out for TO, much to most people displeasure.

[Banedon]

If you're gonna sign a veteran WR, bring in someone that the young guys on the team can learn from and use as a resource for their development.

 

TO is not that guy.

 

 

 

In other news, Danieal Manning wants a new contract, and will skip offseason workouts.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0317-bears-chicago--20100316-7,0,3055776.story

[jersey cubs fan]

A year ago I would have said no, but T.O. has been pretty quiet lately media-wise.

 

A year ago I may have said yes. When Orton was the QB, they needed something like TO to add to the passing game, and there wasn't much concern about ruining whatever limited future Orton had. But with Cutler here, I have no interest in TO. He's as cancerous as any player in sports. And he's not good anymore. TO is in full "prepare for his career after the NFL mode" which means it's all going to be about media attention, publicity and keeping his name out there. Screw that.