2011 Bears Offseason thread

[DivineBovine]

Brad Maynard has been notified the Bears aren't interested in re- signing him

 

 

Good riddance Brad Maynard and your 30 yard punts.

[Splendid Splinter]

Interesting tidbit... I think someone already said something about UDFA, but this has more...

 

From ESPNChicago,

 

The Chicago Bears worked to build their class of undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, agreeing to a deal that will bring former Oregon State center Alex Linnenkohl to training camp, according to a league source.

 

Sources said the club will also bring in former Virginia Tech tight end Andre Smith, former Pittsburgh safety Dom DeCicco, ex-Northwestern defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, a former standout at Morgan Park, and former Troy outside linebacker Mario Addison.

 

 

I'm really glad to see they made a deal with Linnenkohl (although there are other Cs like Kirkpatrick/O'Dowd/Barnes as I think they are UDFA as well) as Bears needed to get a young C that can either start or most likely learn under Olin for a year (or whatever his contract will be- hopefully Olin will be ok with being a backup after this year if it's a multi year deal).... I don't know about the other guys so I couldn't tell you anything. Just thought I would throw this out there for you guys.

[Banedon]

It wouldn't be a Bears offseason without making a safety switch positions.

[Banedon]

Interesting tidbit... I think someone already said something about UDFA, but this has more...

 

From ESPNChicago,

 

The Chicago Bears worked to build their class of undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, agreeing to a deal that will bring former Oregon State center Alex Linnenkohl to training camp, according to a league source.

 

Sources said the club will also bring in former Virginia Tech tight end Andre Smith, former Pittsburgh safety Dom DeCicco, ex-Northwestern defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, a former standout at Morgan Park, and former Troy outside linebacker Mario Addison.

 

 

I'm really glad to see they made a deal with Linnenkohl (although there are other Cs like Kirkpatrick/O'Dowd/Barnes as I think they are UDFA as well) as Bears needed to get a young C that can either start or most likely learn under Olin for a year (or whatever his contract will be- hopefully Olin will be ok with being a backup after this year if it's a multi year deal).... I don't know about the other guys so I couldn't tell you anything. Just thought I would throw this out there for you guys.

 

According to a variety of sources, the Bears have reached agreements with defensive backs Winston Venable (Boise State), Anthony Walters (Delaware) and Mike Holmes (Syracuse), center J.C. Brignone (Mississippi State), guard Ricky Henry (Nebraska) and defensive tackle Corbin Bryant (Northwestern).

 

ESPN Chicago reports the Bears also have reached terms with center Alex Linnenkohl (Oregon State), tight end Andre Smith (Virginia Tech), safety Dom DeCicco (Pitt) and linebacker Mario Addison (Troy).

 

So there's a couple of centers in there.

[UMFan83]

Bears are targeting Jason Babin in FA.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-spt-bears-babin,0,5687009.story

 

I hate this idea. Players coming off career years right before FA really scare me.

 

17.5 Sacks in his career prior to last year (7 seasons and 66 games). 12.5 sacks last year at age 30. 2 forced fumbles prior to last year, 2 FF last year

 

I dunno, he just screams 'huge bust' to me.

[Banedon]

Bears are targeting Jason Babin in FA.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-spt-bears-babin,0,5687009.story

 

I hate this idea. Players coming off career years right before FA really scare me.

 

17.5 Sacks in his career prior to last year (7 seasons and 66 games). 12.5 sacks last year at age 30. 2 forced fumbles prior to last year, 2 FF last year

 

I dunno, he just screams 'huge bust' to me.

 

He'll probably go to the Eagles anyway.

[Banedon]

While the Bears didn’t draft a cornerback in April, they have made the position a priority with undrafted free agents and two talented corners are on their way to Halas Hall on Tuesday to sign contracts. Baylor’s Antareis Bryan and Northwest Missouri State’s Ryan Jones have made verbal agreements, according to sources.

 

Jones also has good size at 5-11, 198 pounds, and he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the Missouri pro day. He was on many snub lists right after the draft and agent Greg Linton said they chose the Bears from nine offers.

[Banedon]

According to a source, the Bears already have reached out about unrestricted free agent Justin Durant from the Jaguars and the signing of Durant "could happen." The Bears are looking for another option alongside Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, with Nick Roach an unrestricted free agent set to test the market and Pisa Tinoisamoa, also a free agent, coming off major knee surgery. Tinoisamoa would be limited in training camp if re-signed by the Bears.

[Guest]

I would have taken Linnenkohl in the 4th or 5th round. Nice signing.

[UMFan83]

Interesting. I wouldn't have guessed the Bears would be targeting a LB in FA, considering the 2 FA options the Bears already are familiar with (Roach and Pisa). Maybe its just used as leverage in negotiations with Roach or something.

[Banedon]

Interesting. I wouldn't have guessed the Bears would be targeting a LB in FA, considering the 2 FA options the Bears already are familiar with (Roach and Pisa). Maybe its just used as leverage in negotiations with Roach or something.

 

Pisa is coming off surgery and would be unable to participate in training camp immediately.

[Banedon]

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Kreutz has four teams “legitimately interested” in him, a list that includes the Bears. The team is expected to discuss his status Tuesday.

[dew1679666265]

I hate this idea. Players coming off career years right before FA really scare me.

 

17.5 Sacks in his career prior to last year (7 seasons and 66 games). 12.5 sacks last year at age 30. 2 forced fumbles prior to last year, 2 FF last year

 

I dunno, he just screams 'huge bust' to me.

 

I tend to agree with you and don't necessarily disagree here. Babin did break out under Jim Washburn's tutelage, though, and he's the same guy who fixed Vanden Bosch off the scrap heap and he wasn't a flash in the pan (with Titans and Lions now). Washburn might have been able to fix Babin permanently.

[Banedon]

The Chicago Bears landed one of the prizes of the undrafted free agent class Tuesday morning when Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher agreed to terms with the team.

 

Sanzenbacher was one of the most pursued undrafted free agents. His agent Joe Flanagan said Sanzenbacher had been sought by 25 of the 32 NFL teams, and he received phone calls from team owners and quarterbacks offering sales pitches to his client.

 

Flanagan said Sanzenbacher turned down a $20,000 signing bonus from one team and accepted much less from the Bears because he thought they offered a good opportunity to make the team and he considered himself a good fit for Mike Martz’ offense.

[Old Style]

He was so prized that he went undrafted. YIPPEE!!!!!!

[Sammy Sofa]

It says he was a "prize of the undrafted class." Context, man.

[UMFan83]

No need to target any FA WR's now, we just got the 225th best NFL prospect from the class of 2011.

[erik316wttn]

"Best of the Undrafted Free Agent Class" is like being King of Turd Mountain.

[Banedon]

"Best of the Undrafted Free Agent Class" is like being King of Turd Mountain.

 

lol...yea there's no undrafted success stories out there...like Kurt Warner, or Warren Moon, or Antonio Gates, or Priest Holmes, or Tony Romo, or Jeff Saturday, or Adam Vinateri, or .

[erik316wttn]

"Best of the Undrafted Free Agent Class" is like being King of Turd Mountain.

 

lol...yea there's no undrafted success stories out there...like Kurt Warner, or Warren Moon, or Antonio Gates, or Priest Holmes, or Tony Romo, or Jeff Saturday, or Adam Vinateri, or .

 

I never said there wasn't. There's always diamonds in the rough. But as of right now they don't have much value and you can't be certain they'll even develop into useful players.

[Banedon]

"Best of the Undrafted Free Agent Class" is like being King of Turd Mountain.

 

lol...yea there's no undrafted success stories out there...like Kurt Warner, or Warren Moon, or Antonio Gates, or Priest Holmes, or Tony Romo, or Jeff Saturday, or Adam Vinateri, or .

 

I never said there wasn't. There's always diamonds in the rough. But as of right now they don't have much value and you can't be certain they'll even develop into useful players.

 

lol...ok. I guess I failed to see the "diamonds in the rough" exception regarding your description of "turd mountain".

[Old Style]

It says he was a "prize of the undrafted class." Context, man.

My bad. I will now sing "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" at the top of my lungs with extra emphasis on the "You're the pride & joy of Illinois" part in celebration of this move that will undoubtedly put us over the top.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I forgot how much football brings out the meatheads.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Meatballs?

[sneakypower]

i'm glad that i can still hate that guy with a fiery passion