2011 Bears Offseason thread

[davell]

I don't think Jackson will be available if there is a franchise tag next year. If there isn't, I'm also pretty sure he won't be coming cheap, by any stretch. He showed enough in that one game last year to show what kind of talent he is.

 

Rice may have to sign some semblance of a "prove it" contract, but I still think he'd get very solid money too, because there are plenty of teams out there that need receiver help in a major way.

[rawaction]

I don't think Jackson will be available if there is a franchise tag next year. If there isn't, I'm also pretty sure he won't be coming cheap, by any stretch. He showed enough in that one game last year to show what kind of talent he is.

 

Rice may have to sign some semblance of a "prove it" contract, but I still think he'd get very solid money too, because there are plenty of teams out there that need receiver help in a major way.

 

Rice has still only had 1 good year. His 1st 2 years were busts. His career year came with Favre playing like Jesus. You can say he was hurt last year and his QB play was terrible which led to his down year, but when he came back he still only averaged 3 catches for 47 yards per game. Guys like Calvin Johnson and Fitzgerald didn't have per game numbers that low and had QB carosels on their teams.

 

I'd be hesistant to give him anything more than a short, incentive based deal.

[davell]

Oh, I'm not sold on Rice myself. I just figure someone will panic and cough up the cash for what they hope he's going to be.

 

I think I've decided that I want either Edwards or Holmes from the Jets, whichever one they let go. I actually think I prefer Braylon in an odd way too(don't think he's better than Holmes) because I think he'd be much cheaper and still provide us with someone who's definitely our best receiver as soon as he stepped onto the field.

[rawaction]

Other than Torry Holt, I don't think there has ever been a WR that has been a better fit for the Mike Martz offense than Santonio Holmes.

 

The crossing routes, the RAC potential, the precision route running. Holmes is the perfect fit. But I think he's a pipe dream and a longshot due to the money he will command and his off-field history.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Edwards just gives me nightmares of David Terrell, although more success. I dont think he is a big improvement over knox. knox nearly had 1000 receiving yards this season, Edwards has only done that once in his career.

[rawaction]

Edwards just gives me nightmares of David Terrell, although more success. I dont think he is a big improvement over knox. knox nearly had 1000 receiving yards this season, Edwards has only done that once in his career.

 

Mark Sanchez, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye, Trent Dilfer. Those have been Braylon Edwards' QBs in the NFL. Only twice has he been on an offense that passed for more than 3000 yards. One of those was his near 1300 yard season. The other was this year and he had 904 yards with a very up and down QB.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Edwards just gives me nightmares of David Terrell, although more success. I dont think he is a big improvement over knox. knox nearly had 1000 receiving yards this season, Edwards has only done that once in his career.

 

Mark Sanchez, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye, Trent Dilfer. Those have been Braylon Edwards' QBs in the NFL. Only twice has he been on an offense that passed for more than 3000 yards. One of those was his near 1300 yard season. The other was this year and he had 904 yards with a very up and down QB.

 

same could be said for Terrell

[Banedon]

Other than Torry Holt, I don't think there has ever been a WR that has been a better fit for the Mike Martz offense than Santonio Holmes.

 

The crossing routes, the RAC potential, the precision route running. Holmes is the perfect fit. But I think he's a pipe dream and a longshot due to the money he will command and his off-field history.

 

Oh man, I didn't realize Holmes was a UFA. I'd love to have him.

[davell]

I'd figure in order, this is how I'd rank the contracts for these guys, in order from most money to lowest: V-Jax, Holmes, Rice, and Edwards.

[cubweiser03]

First Offseason move....Replace grass with field turf.

Oline-FA guard and draft multiple guys, G and Tackles.

WR-FA and draft. If they get Holmes, late round wr

S-Draft

 

Those are my 3 positional priorities.

[USSoccer]

First Offseason move....Replace grass with field turf.

Oline-FA guard and draft multiple guys, G and Tackles.

WR-FA and draft. If they get Holmes, late round wr

S-Draft

 

Those are my 3 positional priorities.

 

Soldier Field will never get field turf. The park district value the 3 season revenue international soccer brings.

[minnesotacubsfan]

screw soccer. they can play in Grant Park.

[Splendid Splinter]

I've been hearing that Mankins, while is open to returning to the Patriots, is most likely a FA unless Pats will franchise him and try to trade him. What do you guys think he'll be worth in the FA? Is he gonna get like 10 mil/yr? Is he worth trading for if he is franchised by the Pats (for like the 2nd and 3rd round picks for example)??? Just curious if Bears should go after him even though he would probably be the only big signing (most likely wouldn't be able to sign a big WR either), but he would upgrade our OL BIG time and move to Chris Williams to RG I imagine (Williams/Webb on the right side would be an interesting combo IMO)... If you got Mankins, you can focus on OT more than a OG and other needs at the draft. Or would you rather sign a lesser known, but an upgrade anyway OG or OT and sign a James Jones type WR then focus on CB/FS/OL (not in any order) in the draft???

 

 

 

So one option would be signing one stud at a need position (OL/WR/FS/CB) and try to get the rest in the draft although might not get all of them? Or sign a couple quality starters (ranging from average to good, but not a stud) and focus only on the needs or maybe just best available player in the draft (regardless of positions beside like QB and LB)????

[rawaction]

Jahri Evans got 7 years, 56Mil last year. So, I'd guess Mankins gets a little above that and becomes the new highest paid guard in the league.

[Magnetic Curses]

Jahri Evans got 7 years, 56Mil last year. So, I'd guess Mankins gets a little above that and becomes the new highest paid guard in the league.

 

the guard play was actually pretty good at the end of the year. this team needs a competent LT.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Jahri Evans got 7 years, 56Mil last year. So, I'd guess Mankins gets a little above that and becomes the new highest paid guard in the league.

 

the guard play was actually pretty good at the end of the year. this team needs a competent LT.

 

it needs mankins to replace Garza

[Splendid Splinter]

Jahri Evans got 7 years, 56Mil last year. So, I'd guess Mankins gets a little above that and becomes the new highest paid guard in the league.

 

the guard play was actually pretty good at the end of the year. this team needs a competent LT.

 

it needs mankins to replace Garza

 

 

I was more thinking of Mankins being LG, moved Williams to RG, and drafting a LT in the 1st round (if there's one left when Bears pick). Or you could just draft a LT, leave Williams at LG, and sign an above average RG (probably would cost less due to being lesser known than Mankins)...

 

Is there any good LTs this year in the FA???

[Butterscup1679666578]

I still want a WR in the first three rounds even if they sign Holmes.

[BigSlick]

as much as it would be a luxury it would be pretty swell to have Corey Liugett come to this team, obviously if all things fair I'd go offense with every pick in the draft but pairing a good pass rushing DT with Peppers would mean we could still put replacement level players in the secondary and be fine.

 

Still need two starter quality players on the O-line.

[rawaction]

The thing to remember about DT though is that you have Harris due a 2.5Mil roster bonus, Harrison was inactive most of the season because the team knows he's not good enough, and Adams is a free agent.

 

That leaves Matt Toeina- undrafted and Henry Melton- 4th round coverted LB, RB, DE. The Bears need some serious talent at DT even if they bring back Adams and one of Harris/Harrison.

[minnesotacubsfan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0128-around-town--20110127,0,64332.column

[cubweiser03]

The thing to remember about DT though is that you have Harris due a 2.5Mil roster bonus, Harrison was inactive most of the season because the team knows he's not good enough, and Adams is a free agent.

 

That leaves Matt Toeina- undrafted and Henry Melton- 4th round coverted LB, RB, DE. The Bears need some serious talent at DT even if they bring back Adams and one of Harris/Harrison.

 

Toeina i thought was pretty solid this year, who cares if he was a Cincy 6th rounder. They should resign Adams, which im guessing they do unless he gets an awesome offer. Restructure Harris, which i think is very possible. They will need to add another DT through FA or the draft but i wouldnt have it as a high priority in the draft like spending a 1st or 2nd or maybe even a 3rd on one. I don't really think DT is a weakness of this team than requires urgency to upgrade.

[Soul]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0128-around-town--20110127,0,64332.column

 

I'm kind of hoping it will die down now, but it is interesting that Paul Hornung -- of all people -- kind of "gets it" when it comes to what Cutler must endure trying to be the first really successful QB in this town since Luckman.

[davell]

John Madden really came to Cutler's defense as well. I think it's basically a dead issue at this point. About all we got out of it, is we found out MJD is a joke. Even going as far as to try and turn the tables and make himself out as the victim, after saying he's receiving death threats and all. Yet no calls to the police from his side of things whatsoever.

 

However, now that this HAS taken it's course, we have a much more important issue that's been glossed over BECAUSE of the Cutler thing. And that's the fact that Lovie coached horribly in the championship game AGAIN.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0128-mcneil-dan-chicago--20110127,0,2423442.column

 

The first part of this article can be passed right by, as the Cutler stuff is old. But, Lovie HAS NOT earned a new contract, if you ask me. He does deserve to finish out his previous one, but that's it. Let him earn it from there.

 

With Cowher, Fisher, and Gruden(probably forgetting some others too) all out there next year for the taking, locking Lovie up longterm isn't a smart move at all, no matter how much the players seem to like him.

[minnesotacubsfan]

HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE URLACHER:

 

• Did he think he was going to score after intercepting that Aaron Rodgers pass?

 

"I did. You know what I should've done is just run right at Aaron Rodgers.

 

• Urlacher is not rooting for the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl:

 

"Hell no I'm not rooting for the Packers in the Super Bowl. They're in our division, I want them to lose."

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/brian-urlacher-still-upset-over-jay-cutler-criticism.html