2011 Bears Offseason thread

[rawaction]

This is going to be a 2-year deal for the Bears. For an 11-5 team that was 7 points away from a Superbowl this year, they have a ton of flaws. Also, have a ton of free agents.

 

While Webb, Omiyale, and Williams fighting for 2 tackle spots is not ideal, you can only do so much in 1 offseason with limited resources. If I'm the Bears, I'd focus on the interior OL with two 30-somethings and a T playing out of position. If you can improve 2 of those positions drastically, and Webb greatly improves, then you have a solid OL.

 

I'd focus the draft and free agency on C, LG, WR, and DT....while also getting some depth and youth at LB, CB, RB, and Safety. And hopefully, this time in 2012, the Bears are looking at a team just needing a stud at OT and a CB.

[UMFan83]

Here ya go, Maynard-haters...

 

Richmond McGee will sign a reserve/futures contract this week, according to an NFL source

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/02/source-bears-will-sign-punter-richmond-mcgee.html

 

Weird, I would have waited until after teh draft to bring in competition for Maynard, to have a chance to get someone fresh out of college, not necessarily in the draft, but in the FA market afterwards. But then again I'm guessing no one knows when FAs will be able to be signed after teh draft.

[rawaction]

I'd like to see Richmond McGee and undrafted free agent, Anthony Santella battle it out.

[Guest]

This is going to be a 2-year deal for the Bears. For an 11-5 team that was 7 points away from a Superbowl this year, they have a ton of flaws. Also, have a ton of free agents.

 

While Webb, Omiyale, and Williams fighting for 2 tackle spots is not ideal, you can only do so much in 1 offseason with limited resources. If I'm the Bears, I'd focus on the interior OL with two 30-somethings and a T playing out of position. If you can improve 2 of those positions drastically, and Webb greatly improves, then you have a solid OL.

 

I'd focus the draft and free agency on C, LG, WR, and DT....while also getting some depth and youth at LB, CB, RB, and Safety. And hopefully, this time in 2012, the Bears are looking at a team just needing a stud at OT and a CB.

 

I don't understand the LT discussion in regards to Webb. He clearly didn't have the footspeed to handle RT, and now we want him over on the other side against most of the premier DE's in the league? I think he'd be better suited at either of the guard spots if he has any shot of being an NFL starter at all. Granted, he won't be the speediest guy to pull to the right or left on running plays, and he won't exactly create the best of holes up the middle, but his inability to keep his defender from getting around him is going to kill Cutler, especially if he's playing Cutler's blind side. I don't like that idea at all.

[rawaction]

This is going to be a 2-year deal for the Bears. For an 11-5 team that was 7 points away from a Superbowl this year, they have a ton of flaws. Also, have a ton of free agents.

 

While Webb, Omiyale, and Williams fighting for 2 tackle spots is not ideal, you can only do so much in 1 offseason with limited resources. If I'm the Bears, I'd focus on the interior OL with two 30-somethings and a T playing out of position. If you can improve 2 of those positions drastically, and Webb greatly improves, then you have a solid OL.

 

I'd focus the draft and free agency on C, LG, WR, and DT....while also getting some depth and youth at LB, CB, RB, and Safety. And hopefully, this time in 2012, the Bears are looking at a team just needing a stud at OT and a CB.

 

I don't understand the LT discussion in regards to Webb. He clearly didn't have the footspeed to handle RT, and now we want him over on the other side against most of the premier DE's in the league? I think he'd be better suited at either of the guard spots if he has any shot of being an NFL starter at all. Granted, he won't be the speediest guy to pull to the right or left on running plays, and he won't exactly create the best of holes up the middle, but his inability to keep his defender from getting around him is going to kill Cutler, especially if he's playing Cutler's blind side. I don't like that idea at all.

 

Strangely enough, he may be better suited for LT with the Bears because the schedule dictates the RT has the tougher matchups vs. speed. Jared Allen isn't as speedy as Edwards in Minnesota. Same thing in Detroit w/ KVB at RDE and speed rusher, Cliff Avril at LDE. Matthews is over the RT in GB. That's 6 games where the RT will get the better speed rusher.

[Magnetic Curses]

I'd like to see Richmond McGee and undrafted free agent, Anthony Santella battle it out.

 

anthony santella, absolutely.

[Magnetic Curses]

This is going to be a 2-year deal for the Bears. For an 11-5 team that was 7 points away from a Superbowl this year, they have a ton of flaws. Also, have a ton of free agents.

 

While Webb, Omiyale, and Williams fighting for 2 tackle spots is not ideal, you can only do so much in 1 offseason with limited resources. If I'm the Bears, I'd focus on the interior OL with two 30-somethings and a T playing out of position. If you can improve 2 of those positions drastically, and Webb greatly improves, then you have a solid OL.

 

I'd focus the draft and free agency on C, LG, WR, and DT....while also getting some depth and youth at LB, CB, RB, and Safety. And hopefully, this time in 2012, the Bears are looking at a team just needing a stud at OT and a CB.

 

I don't understand the LT discussion in regards to Webb. He clearly didn't have the footspeed to handle RT, and now we want him over on the other side against most of the premier DE's in the league? I think he'd be better suited at either of the guard spots if he has any shot of being an NFL starter at all. Granted, he won't be the speediest guy to pull to the right or left on running plays, and he won't exactly create the best of holes up the middle, but his inability to keep his defender from getting around him is going to kill Cutler, especially if he's playing Cutler's blind side. I don't like that idea at all.

 

Strangely enough, he may be better suited for LT with the Bears because the schedule dictates the RT has the tougher matchups vs. speed. Jared Allen isn't as speedy as Edwards in Minnesota. Same thing in Detroit w/ KVB at RDE and speed rusher, Cliff Avril at LDE. Matthews is over the RT in GB. That's 6 games where the RT will get the better speed rusher.

 

but cutler has the quickness and elusiveness to get away from many of the speed rushers if he can see them coming. we need someone to watch his back.

[sneakypower]

honestly, Cutler is pretty unique in that he keeps his shoulders parallel to the LOS, i don't think there's a big difference of importance for either T position in respect to pass protection for the Bears

[minnesotacubsfan]

honestly, Cutler is pretty unique in that he keeps his shoulders parallel to the LOS, i don't think there's a big difference of importance for either T position in respect to pass protection for the Bears

 

O COMON! NOW YOU WANT TO TRASH CUTLER????!!!

[UMFan83]

honestly, Cutler is pretty unique in that he keeps his shoulders parallel to the LOS, i don't think there's a big difference of importance for either T position in respect to pass protection for the Bears

 

I never thought about that but you are absolutely right, at least when he's taking 7 step drops. I have seen him been blindsided plenty of times when protecting breaks down and he's moving around in the pocket.

[Magnetic Curses]

honestly, Cutler is pretty unique in that he keeps his shoulders parallel to the LOS, i don't think there's a big difference of importance for either T position in respect to pass protection for the Bears

 

i've heard people complain about that and point to it as an example of his bad footwork, as if backpedaling is much different than grapevining or whatever. that said, he obviously gets into position before throwing and he's been hit pretty hard from the blind side since joining the bears.

[Soul]

This is certainly not good news about The Fridge:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6091766

[Sammy Sofa]

That's really sad stuff that's been coming out. It sounded like Ditka and the NFL veterans support networks had helped him turn things around before that reunion special.

[sneakypower]

honestly, Cutler is pretty unique in that he keeps his shoulders parallel to the LOS, i don't think there's a big difference of importance for either T position in respect to pass protection for the Bears

 

i've heard people complain about that and point to it as an example of his bad footwork, as if backpedaling is much different than grapevining or whatever. that said, he obviously gets into position before throwing and he's been hit pretty hard from the blind side since joining the bears.

his footwork probably gives him a huge advantage in avoiding the rush, here's a good point made about it:

 

Clady allowed a league-high 37 pressures in 2008. That he didn’t allow a sack is a bit of a miracle that speaks directly to Jay Cutler‘s abilities in that area — Bears tackle Orlando Pace only allowed one sack of Cutler despite playing like a matador in 2009. Clady gave up eight sacks with the less tricky Kyle Orton back there in 2009, and it’s safe to say he’s not elite.

[Magnetic Curses]

charlie murphy should do something on the fridge.

[Guest]

This is certainly not good news about The Fridge:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6091766

 

Simply amazing he is still alive with all these other ailments besides Guillan-Barre. If that rare and crippling disease by itself wasn't a wake up call, nothing is going to save him. Very sad.

[chuckywang]

This is certainly not good news about The Fridge:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6091766

 

I posted this earlier.

[minnesotacubsfan]

This is certainly not good news about The Fridge:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6091766

 

I posted this earlier.

 

YOU DONT COUNT.

[Soul]

This is certainly not good news about The Fridge:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6091766

 

I posted this earlier.

 

YOU DONT COUNT.

 

Sorry chucky. I had looked back a little and didn't see it.

[Banedon]

"In this offense if you run a slant and a defender is coming down on you then you have to cross his face," he said Tuesday on "Chicago Tribune Live."

 

"But every time I see Johnny Knox run a slant he goes behind the defender and you see an interception go the other way and everyone looks at Jay Cutler and says, 'How did he throw that pass?' That is going to be a mistake no matter who the quarterback is."

 

On Cutler: "People in Chicago expect Jay to be Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. I think he is more like Ben Roethlisberger. Guys who win but sometimes that winning is going to look ugly."

 

Couldn't agree more on the Knox stuff. Knox has made had some flashes, but he's disappointed me a whole lot.

[Formerly Snayke]

That's some enlightening information about Knox and Cutler.

[Soul]

It's just confirming for me what I've been suspecting about Knox's route running all along.

 

Cutler's the guy who will receive blame because he's the QB. But when you look deeper, you see the failures of our OLine that he needs to compensate for, and a WR corps that really, honestly, does not help him out at all.

 

The quote mentions Ben Roethlisburger. What I wouldn't give for a group of WRs that works with a scrambling QB like the Steelers have.

[rawaction]

Couldn't agree more on the Knox stuff. Knox has made had some flashes, but he's disappointed me a whole lot.

 

I understand being disappointed with specific plays. But I don't know how anyone can be disappointed with the season a 2nd year, 5th round draft pick, out of Abilene Christian who had 51 catches, for 960 yards, 5 TDs, and a league's 5th best 18.8 yards per reception.

 

Just like Hester before him, Knox is a victim of being thrust into the wrong situation as the #1 WR. Get a legit WR and watch him get better.

[davell]

Couldn't agree more on the Knox stuff. Knox has made had some flashes, but he's disappointed me a whole lot.

 

I understand being disappointed with specific plays. But I don't know how anyone can be disappointed with the season a 2nd year, 5th round draft pick, out of Abilene Christian who had 51 catches, for 960 yards, 5 TDs, and a league's 5th best 18.8 yards per reception.

 

Just like Hester before him, Knox is a victim of being thrust into the wrong situation as the #1 WR. Get a legit WR and watch him get better.

 

 

Yeah, that's my feeling on Knox as well. Much better than I would have thought, just put in a role he's clearly not ready for now. To me, a WR is the number 1 priority through FA.

[Guest]

Couldn't agree more on the Knox stuff. Knox has made had some flashes, but he's disappointed me a whole lot.

 

I understand being disappointed with specific plays. But I don't know how anyone can be disappointed with the season a 2nd year, 5th round draft pick, out of Abilene Christian who had 51 catches, for 960 yards, 5 TDs, and a league's 5th best 18.8 yards per reception.

 

Just like Hester before him, Knox is a victim of being thrust into the wrong situation as the #1 WR. Get a legit WR and watch him get better.

 

 

Yeah, that's my feeling on Knox as well. Much better than I would have thought, just put in a role he's clearly not ready for now. To me, a WR is the number 1 priority through FA.

 

Yep. Actually, I'd grab two if the money is there to do it. One stud and another reliable go to guy or project like Burress. The line and the receiver corps are the highest of priorities.