Re: Bears Offseason Thread

[rawaction]

I'm really starting to like the way the defense is coming together. Whether you think they upgraded enough or not with Peppers and Harris, the thing I like is that the Bears have a nice group of players who have a history of forcing turnovers.

 

Tillman's stripping of the ball is well documented, and he had 4 forced fumbles last year. Chris Harris also brings a nice history for getting the ball out from Carolina. He had 8 FF one year, and 2 last year, to go w/ 3 INTs. Peppers has forced 5 fumbles each of the last 2 years, and has 30 for his career. Major Wright also forced 8 fumbles in UF with 9 INTs. And Bowman has picked off 7 passes in 17 career games. The SS, FS, DEs are also replacing guys that didn't force TOs at all.

 

As bad as the Bears D was vs. Cincy, Arizona and Baltimore, they finished middle of the pack in total defense (17th). Adding 2 healthy all-pro caliber LBs all year will certainly help the 23rd ranked run D, and the TOs will help keep the D off the field hopefully.

[Banedon]

Agreed Raw. This offseason really concerned me, and I still think we have challenges on the offensive side of the ball, but there's a lot of young potential there, and the defense might be able to cover for some of those mistakes, or give the offense a short field to work with.

 

NFL offseason is too long...:P

[Soul]

I don't mind the moves they've made, other than killing their own chances to get something in return for Brown.

[Banedon]

From PFW:

 

We're a little surprised that former All Pro guard Shawn Andrews hasn't received more interest as a free agent, but that's primarily because he's not healthy enough to play football again.

 

The Bears are now the first team we know that have inquired with Andrews' agent to find out a timetable for his return from a back injury, according to Michael C. Wright, now writing for ESPNChicago.

 

Andrews isn't expected to be ready until June or July at the earliest, and it's uncertain what kind of market he could have because of his personal issues.

 

The Bears have also contacted former Saints guard Jamar Nesbit.

[Banedon]

The five-time Pro Bowler sounded more than thrilled to reunite with Harris, who was acquired from Carolina in exchange for linebacker Jamar Williams.

 

"Now I can envision the Chicago Bears as a championship-contending team," Briggs told the Tribune.

 

"Best moves our organization have made since I've been here, collectively. Every addition makes us a better team."

 

Briggs' reference was to the team's decision to sign star free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers, lure running back Chester Taylor from the Vikings and bring Harris back into the fold after trading him to the Panthers in 2007 for a fifth-round pick.

 

Harris, who started for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, had forced 12 fumbles over the last three seasons, second among defensive backs only behind teammate Charles Tillman (14).

 

"You're talking about a ball-hawking playmaker,'' Briggs said of Harris. "We just got better."

[rawaction]

Was just reading that. I also ran across an article on PFT that said Deuce Lutui may be the odd man out in Arizona.

 

They signed Faneca who has always played on the left side. Lutui is their RG, but they like Reggie Wells who could be moved to the right side. They also picked up Rex Hadnot and Jeremy Bridges this offseason, along with drafting Herman Johnson a mammoth OG last year.

 

Lutui has refused to sign his tender and has not shown up to voluntary workouts this offseason. He's 26, 330 and would be a great trade option for the Bears.

[Magnetic Curses]

Was just reading that. I also ran across an article on PFT that said Deuce Lutui may be the odd man out in Arizona.

 

They signed Faneca who has always played on the left side. Lutui is their RG, but they like Reggie Wells who could be moved to the right side. They also picked up Rex Hadnot and Jeremy Bridges this offseason, along with drafting Herman Johnson a mammoth OG last year.

 

Lutui has refused to sign his tender and has not shown up to voluntary workouts this offseason. He's 26, 330 and would be a great trade option for the Bears.

 

what about the tommie harris incident?

[Guest]

I'm really starting to like the way the defense is coming together. Whether you think they upgraded enough or not with Peppers and Harris, the thing I like is that the Bears have a nice group of players who have a history of forcing turnovers.

 

Tillman's stripping of the ball is well documented, and he had 4 forced fumbles last year. Chris Harris also brings a nice history for getting the ball out from Carolina. He had 8 FF one year, and 2 last year, to go w/ 3 INTs. Peppers has forced 5 fumbles each of the last 2 years, and has 30 for his career. Major Wright also forced 8 fumbles in UF with 9 INTs. And Bowman has picked off 7 passes in 17 career games. The SS, FS, DEs are also replacing guys that didn't force TOs at all.

 

As bad as the Bears D was vs. Cincy, Arizona and Baltimore, they finished middle of the pack in total defense (17th). Adding 2 healthy all-pro caliber LBs all year will certainly help the 23rd ranked run D, and the TOs will help keep the D off the field hopefully.

 

Yeah, I really like Payne and Afalava along with Wright and Harris. That can go from a serious need to well stocked with those two additions. I think the safety position had it more rough last year compensating for our weaknesses at LB due to the two injuries. It's really hard to give an accurate assessment of how good Payne and/or Afalava might have been with 3 pro bowl caliber LB's playing nearly every down. Those guys can make the rest of the defense look better.

 

I wish we could have kept Alex Brown, but other than that, I'm pretty thrilled with what they've accomplished so far this offseason. Get that G from AZ without giving up too much and call it an offseason.

[rawaction]

Was just reading that. I also ran across an article on PFT that said Deuce Lutui may be the odd man out in Arizona.

 

They signed Faneca who has always played on the left side. Lutui is their RG, but they like Reggie Wells who could be moved to the right side. They also picked up Rex Hadnot and Jeremy Bridges this offseason, along with drafting Herman Johnson a mammoth OG last year.

 

Lutui has refused to sign his tender and has not shown up to voluntary workouts this offseason. He's 26, 330 and would be a great trade option for the Bears.

 

what about the tommie harris incident?

 

They'll get over it. Plus if he's playing LG, he won't have to deal w/ Tommie directly in practice....I don't know.

[Soul]

Was just reading that. I also ran across an article on PFT that said Deuce Lutui may be the odd man out in Arizona.

 

They signed Faneca who has always played on the left side. Lutui is their RG, but they like Reggie Wells who could be moved to the right side. They also picked up Rex Hadnot and Jeremy Bridges this offseason, along with drafting Herman Johnson a mammoth OG last year.

 

Lutui has refused to sign his tender and has not shown up to voluntary workouts this offseason. He's 26, 330 and would be a great trade option for the Bears.

 

what about the tommie harris incident?

 

They'll get over it. Plus if he's playing LG, he won't have to deal w/ Tommie directly in practice....I don't know.

 

Hayes blogged that Justin Smiley might be another possibility:

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/04/bears_have_other_options_at_gu.html

[cubbyvirus00]

The Bears just traded safety Kevin Payne to the Rams for an undisclosed draft pick in 2011.

[UMFan83]

I'm assuming that pick will be a 6th or 7th rounder, considering the fact that they were about to release him.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm really confused about the direction the Bears seem to be taking. They continue to ignore the offensive line in the draft, they add a good player on defense then get rid of two. They trade a linebacker for a defensive back, which makes some sense, but get back a guy who isn't particularly good, then trade away another young safety as a result. They seem to me to be running on a treadmill with the defense while at the same time doing nothing with the offense (other than the Taylor signing - but again, he's an old backup RB not exactly a superstar acquisition). This isn't as bad as the Cubs running in place offseasons of the past 2 years, but it has a similar feel and they started out in a much worse position. For a sub .500 team that didn't have a draft pick it was obvious they were going to spend some money on free agents. But so far I'm just seeing a lot of action with no real impact.

[WrigleyField 22]

Well if we were likely to release him anyways, I'll take any pick, even a 7th rounder.

[Magnetic Curses]

I'm really confused about the direction the Bears seem to be taking. They continue to ignore the offensive line in the draft, they add a good player on defense then get rid of two. They trade a linebacker for a defensive back, which makes some sense, but get back a guy who isn't particularly good, then trade away another young safety as a result. They seem to me to be running on a treadmill with the defense while at the same time doing nothing with the offense (other than the Taylor signing - but again, he's an old backup RB not exactly a superstar acquisition). This isn't as bad as the Cubs running in place offseasons of the past 2 years, but it has a similar feel and they started out in a much worse position. For a sub .500 team that didn't have a draft pick it was obvious they were going to spend some money on free agents. But so far I'm just seeing a lot of action with no real impact.

 

they think omiyale at RT is going to be enough, apparently.

[RedFlash]

I'm assuming that pick will be a 6th or 7th rounder, considering the fact that they were about to release him.

 

It's only a 7th rder IF Payne makes the 2010 roster, which I pretty sure he will.

[Soul]

I'm really confused about the direction the Bears seem to be taking. They continue to ignore the offensive line in the draft, they add a good player on defense then get rid of two. They trade a linebacker for a defensive back, which makes some sense, but get back a guy who isn't particularly good, then trade away another young safety as a result. They seem to me to be running on a treadmill with the defense while at the same time doing nothing with the offense (other than the Taylor signing - but again, he's an old backup RB not exactly a superstar acquisition). This isn't as bad as the Cubs running in place offseasons of the past 2 years, but it has a similar feel and they started out in a much worse position. For a sub .500 team that didn't have a draft pick it was obvious they were going to spend some money on free agents. But so far I'm just seeing a lot of action with no real impact.

I see what you're saying, but Peppers>Brown, and Harris>Payne IMO.

 

I wouldn't describe it as a treadmill. They need an actual OL acquisition this year, not a group of retirees and/or depth guys that they sell us on the idea they might be more than junk.

[SpongeWorthy]

Who were the two good players we got rid of on defense? I'll give you Brown but am I missing someone else?

 

Kevin Payne is not good enough to start. Harris is much better. I agree with the offensive line part but the safety play was so bad last year that I can see taking BPA between those positions in the draft with your high pick.

[SpongeWorthy]

I'll say that I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears had the best defense in the division next year but pretty stunned if they had the best offense, especially if Favre comes back. Even so, I would expect the Packers offense to blow ours out of the water even if we did get some decent linemen.

[minnesotacubsfan]

interesting trade. Chris Harris >> Payne. Not to mention Williams, who was never going to get a shot in Chicago over Briggs. I wonder if Manning will sign his tender, tho?

[Formerly Snayke]

What do you guys think of Payne? We're thinking at TST that he's being brought in as depth.

[David]

I'm really confused about the direction the Bears seem to be taking. They continue to ignore the offensive line in the draft, they add a good player on defense then get rid of two. They trade a linebacker for a defensive back, which makes some sense, but get back a guy who isn't particularly good, then trade away another young safety as a result. They seem to me to be running on a treadmill with the defense while at the same time doing nothing with the offense (other than the Taylor signing - but again, he's an old backup RB not exactly a superstar acquisition). This isn't as bad as the Cubs running in place offseasons of the past 2 years, but it has a similar feel and they started out in a much worse position. For a sub .500 team that didn't have a draft pick it was obvious they were going to spend some money on free agents. But so far I'm just seeing a lot of action with no real impact.

 

they think omiyale at RT is going to be enough, apparently.

 

 

it's easy to overlook the fact that we made a huge improvement at the most important position on the line last year by going from historically bad performance with pace to solid and young production out of williams... that's significant

 

so is the improvement at RT that came with it, as williams rarely looked comfortable on that side

[minnesotacubsfan]

Bears could have drafter more OL, but Shafer/Om shoudl be a decent RT

 

snayke, Payne can hit, but i doubt he will ever be a good starter. he is a good option for depth, however.

[Banedon]

What do you guys think of Payne? We're thinking at TST that he's being brought in as depth.

 

Payne's problem is that he doesn't have great instincts.

[Soul]

What do you guys think of Payne? We're thinking at TST that he's being brought in as depth.

 

Payne's problem is that he doesn't have great instincts.

 

He's good depth, I agree with that.