2011 Bears Offseason thread

[Mark Priors Calves]

Its more important for a center to be a good run blocker than pass blocker.

[cubbyvirus00]

HAHA this is pure comedy. Angelo is an idiot.

[RynoRules]

Its more important for a center to be a good run blocker than pass blocker.

 

It's even more important to have a GM who understands that a good offense is as important as a good.....special team.

[Butterscup1679666578]

#Bears announce 1-year deal for LB Brian Iwuh, who was core special teams performer last season.

[Guest]

Definitely deserved to be brought back.

[Sosa21MVP]

I don't think the Bears FA period has been a disaster. Trading Olsen & letting Kreutz walk/retire/whatever doesn't bother me. Roy isn't the first WR on the market I would have picked but he does have positive history with Martz. Barber should be a nice compliment to Forte. The main thing that bothers me is not getting more OL help. I'd feel a lot better if Angelo had at least been able to sign one decent FA at either the guard or tackle position.

[Soul]

We're going to be screwed/and/or/transitional at OT. I've given that up.

 

Just sign me one more decent OG. I'll take that as "good as we can get" right now.

 

Stellar OTs aren't going to be falling out of the trees at this point. We go to war with Carimi and Webb, come what may.

[sneakypower]

Pro Football Focus says this:

 

Spencer a reasonable upgrade over Olin's poor run blocking but Olin was still a good pass protector. Spencer...ain't

 

LOL. In that case I can't wait to see Spencer vs. Suh twice this year.

AGREED.

 

i am bummed Olin wasn't brought back though, he might have been the worst C in football

[Guest]

JA: "These offensive linemen are tough to find."

 

That's why you should have drafted more of them over the years.

 

Sounds just like Hendry who was also bemoaning the state of the team while glossing over the fact that he's the one who has compiled the team for over a half decade.

[cubbyvirus00]

JA: "These offensive linemen are tough to find."

 

That's why you should have drafted more of them over the years.

 

Sounds just like Hendry who was also bemoaning the state of the team while glossing over the fact that he's the one who has compiled the team for over a half decade.

 

Anyone else think JA was a little too sarcastic and VERY defensive of his "strategy" if you would like to call it that.

[Banedon]

JA: "These offensive linemen are tough to find."

 

That's why you should have drafted more of them over the years.

 

Sounds just like Hendry who was also bemoaning the state of the team while glossing over the fact that he's the one who has compiled the team for over a half decade.

 

Anyone else think JA was a little too sarcastic and VERY defensive of his "strategy" if you would like to call it that.

 

He probably was....but he was also right in a lot of places. Specifically about Kreutz. The media really blew that out of proportion, imo. Old player thinks he's still worth more than he really is. Only thing noteworthy is that he was a guy that had been around forever and tons of people really liked personally.

 

Chris Spencer signed a two-year deal with the #Bears worth $6 million, not including incentives, according to a league source.

[TripJ]

You know...I get why there's a lot of angst over the FA signings this past few days, but I have to admit that I'm feeling better today than maybe I was on Friday.

 

The Bears had a solid draft in April, brought in lots of high-potential depth on the defensive line, got upgrades at TE for their scheme (which calls for the TE to act as a third tackle, if I'm not mistaken), got younger and better at Center and at the #2 RB slot.

 

I think it's clear that they are committed to Carimi, Webb, Williams for the long-haul, or at least the intermediate-haul, and Webb and Williams *did* improve as the year progressed last season. The Bears have gotten younger at 4 slots on the offensive line in the last year - that's something, and if these guys can play, they have 80% of a line for a long time, potentially.

 

I'd still like to see them add another guard, some more depth in the secondary, and a WR, but I don't think I'd call this last week a "failure" (as some have) by any stretch.

[Banedon]

Yeah, I'm with you. They didn't go high profile, but they did get some solid additions. I'd like to see another OL move, but I'm ok with the way this offseason has gone, considering the wildness of it all.

[Prizefight]

Bernstein with a fantastic article on the Olin situation.

 

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/31/bernstein-bears-break-kreutz-addiction/

[Banedon]

Bernstein with a fantastic article on the Olin situation.

 

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/31/bernstein-bears-break-kreutz-addiction/

 

ROFL

 

Toddlers have to give up that favorite stuffed animal sometime.

[Soul]

Bernstein with a fantastic article on the Olin situation.

 

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/31/bernstein-bears-break-kreutz-addiction/

 

ROFL

 

Toddlers have to give up that favorite stuffed animal sometime.

 

It is funny, but sometimes I wish Bernstein would turn down the condescending tone a bit. Let guys like Chris Harris have his couple days of feeling bad about losing a long time teammate. They will get over it. Everyone will.

[jersey cubs fan]

You know...I get why there's a lot of angst over the FA signings this past few days, but I have to admit that I'm feeling better today than maybe I was on Friday.

 

The Bears had a solid draft in April, brought in lots of high-potential depth on the defensive line, got upgrades at TE for their scheme (which calls for the TE to act as a third tackle, if I'm not mistaken), got younger and better at Center and at the #2 RB slot.

 

I think it's clear that they are committed to Carimi, Webb, Williams for the long-haul, or at least the intermediate-haul, and Webb and Williams *did* improve as the year progressed last season. The Bears have gotten younger at 4 slots on the offensive line in the last year - that's something, and if these guys can play, they have 80% of a line for a long time, potentially.

 

I'd still like to see them add another guard, some more depth in the secondary, and a WR, but I don't think I'd call this last week a "failure" (as some have) by any stretch.

 

The fact that they got more scheme friendly TEs is kind of meaningless to me because I don't see Martz or his scheme staying here much longer. Either they have a good year and he gets a better job, or they continue to struggle and they have to strongly consider making changes. Plus, we saw what a scheme friendly TE was last year and they had to cut the guy and waste millions. I've heard the same complaints about the new guy from Steelers fans. Yes, they got younger at center, but not in any meaningful way. They still got an old player with miles on his beat up body who is very doubtful to be any sort of longterm answer.

 

Gholston is a pathetic joke. Barber is kind of worthless. There is some hope that Williams can rekindle some of his Martz-led ability, but he's a huge question mark.

 

I'm very disappointed because they have literally added zero in terms of guaranteed upgrades. The defense is still led by the same aging group that has been on the decline for a few years, and the offense is still going to rely on Jay Cutler covering up for the weaknesses of the rest of the group.

 

I applaud the concept of holding strong on the Kreutz situation. He didn't deserve the $4m, let alone the 4.5m. But when you have the opportunity to save money on a change away from legacy lineman, then you better utilize that savings in the form of actual upgrades elsewhere. The Bears had plenty of money to spend and plenty of spaces to fill, but with the vast majority of real upgrades now off the table, they stuck with the status quo.

[Banedon]

You know...I get why there's a lot of angst over the FA signings this past few days, but I have to admit that I'm feeling better today than maybe I was on Friday.

 

The Bears had a solid draft in April, brought in lots of high-potential depth on the defensive line, got upgrades at TE for their scheme (which calls for the TE to act as a third tackle, if I'm not mistaken), got younger and better at Center and at the #2 RB slot.

 

I think it's clear that they are committed to Carimi, Webb, Williams for the long-haul, or at least the intermediate-haul, and Webb and Williams *did* improve as the year progressed last season. The Bears have gotten younger at 4 slots on the offensive line in the last year - that's something, and if these guys can play, they have 80% of a line for a long time, potentially.

 

I'd still like to see them add another guard, some more depth in the secondary, and a WR, but I don't think I'd call this last week a "failure" (as some have) by any stretch.

 

The fact that they got more scheme friendly TEs is kind of meaningless to me because I don't see Martz or his scheme staying here much longer. Either they have a good year and he gets a better job, or they continue to struggle and they have to strongly consider making changes. Plus, we saw what a scheme friendly TE was last year and they had to cut the guy and waste millions. I've heard the same complaints about the new guy from Steelers fans. Yes, they got younger at center, but not in any meaningful way. They still got an old player with miles on his beat up body who is very doubtful to be any sort of longterm answer.

 

Gholston is a pathetic joke. Barber is kind of worthless. There is some hope that Williams can rekindle some of his Martz-led ability, but he's a huge question mark.

 

I'm very disappointed because they have literally added zero in terms of guaranteed upgrades. The defense is still led by the same aging group that has been on the decline for a few years, and the offense is still going to rely on Jay Cutler covering up for the weaknesses of the rest of the group.

 

I applaud the concept of holding strong on the Kreutz situation. He didn't deserve the $4m, let alone the 4.5m. But when you have the opportunity to save money on a change away from legacy lineman, then you better utilize that savings in the form of actual upgrades elsewhere. The Bears had plenty of money to spend and plenty of spaces to fill, but with the vast majority of real upgrades now off the table, they stuck with the status quo.

 

I'll diagree about Barber being worthless. He'll be a big upgrade over Taylor, and should be good for short yardage and red zone, which is an area that the Bears do struggle with.

 

How are you considering Spencer old? He's 28. Kreutz was 38. I've heard people say that Spencer is better at run blocking, poorer at run protection, and then other people say exactly the opposite. At this point I don't know enough about the guy to be critical of the signing, but it's a center. We saved money and got 10 years younger. Seems like a good move.

 

Ghoulston and Okoye are reasonable low risk high reward chances. Any production from either of those is just bonus.

 

The Bears are still counting on developing draft picks from this year and last, and I understand the disappointment in that regard. Lots of FA's available, and it'd have been nice to get some big names in here.

 

I will say that although they did try to get Colon, which I applaud, my biggest disappointment is that they haven't done anything following that failure to get another OL in here.

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't mind the moves the Bears have made I just wanted them to sign some of the top guys that would be clear cut upgrades over what we had.

[jersey cubs fan]

How are you considering Spencer old? He's 28. Kreutz was 38. I've heard people say that Spencer is better at run blocking, poorer at run protection, and then other people say exactly the opposite. At this point I don't know enough about the guy to be critical of the signing, but it's a center. We saved money and got 10 years younger. Seems like a good move.

 

I have no idea where you are getting that Kreutz is 38. He just turned 34. And what I've read of the other guy it says he's 29. That is not young. That is a minimal gain in youth. But it's still a guy who has probably seen his best years and is a guy who has suffered a significant amount of significant injuries. Of the 2, Kreutz is probably the better bet to start 16 games this season.

 

He's a respectable placeholder, but I can't consider it an actual improvement, and I have big doubts about his ability to stabilize the position for the intermediate term, let alone the longterm. Regardless, the line was bad, and via free agency all they have done is held steady. That is not a good thing. The draft picks are just making up for all those lost years where they routinely ignored the spot, but it is a group that requires 5 starters and an additional 2 useful fill-ins, and they are still lacking.

[Banedon]

How are you considering Spencer old? He's 28. Kreutz was 38. I've heard people say that Spencer is better at run blocking, poorer at run protection, and then other people say exactly the opposite. At this point I don't know enough about the guy to be critical of the signing, but it's a center. We saved money and got 10 years younger. Seems like a good move.

 

I have no idea where you are getting that Kreutz is 38. He just turned 34. And what I've read of the other guy it says he's 29. That is not young. That is a minimal gain in youth. But it's still a guy who has probably seen his best years and is a guy who has suffered a significant amount of significant injuries. Of the 2, Kreutz is probably the better bet to start 16 games this season.

 

He's a respectable placeholder, but I can't consider it an actual improvement, and I have big doubts about his ability to stabilize the position for the intermediate term, let alone the longterm. Regardless, the line was bad, and via free agency all they have done is held steady. That is not a good thing. The draft picks are just making up for all those lost years where they routinely ignored the spot, but it is a group that requires 5 starters and an additional 2 useful fill-ins, and they are still lacking.

 

Hmmm...yeah I'm not sure where I got the Kreutz age either. Brain cramp on my part.

 

I understand your reservations, and I agree that the OL still needs more work. I'm still hoping for another signing there, though the options aren't nearly as exciting as they were a couple days ago.

[Guest]

Goony's right. They improved at C but that's all they did on the OL in free agency and that's just not enough. They shouldn't have ignored the OL when they missed out on Colon.

[Bear Cub]

How much money do the Bears still have to be spent on FA's ?

[UMFan83]

I still don't think the OL will be horrible this year. They won't be great but better than last year.

 

I really think they should have picked up someone, at worst for depth. But the reason I am optimistic for the line this year is because of several assumptions I have made.

 

1) Chris Williams is settling into his G position and while won't be a pro bowl caliber OL, he will be a consistent starter from here on out.

2) I believe Gabe Carimi will be able to start and hold his own from day 1. Not saying he's going to be spectacular on day 1, but he won't have the wild inconsistency issues that Williams had.

3) Webb is a legit prospect, and again, won't be a superstar, but will be improved on last year and eventually a solid piece.

 

I worry about Garza but he seems like he's going the other way, and I don't know what to think of Spencer and the loss of Kreutz. I know no other center but Olin. I wouldnt be surprised if this line ends up in the 15-20 range in FO's run and pass blocking stats.

 

The issues will be if/when there are injuries, because honestly, I have no idea who backs these dudes up. Is Frank Omiyle still on the team? I also recognize if one of those 3 assumptions above don't come true, we could be looking at problems.

[Banedon]

I still don't think the OL will be horrible this year. They won't be great but better than last year.

 

I really think they should have picked up someone, at worst for depth. But the reason I am optimistic for the line this year is because of several assumptions I have made.

 

1) Chris Williams is settling into his G position and while won't be a pro bowl caliber OL, he will be a consistent starter from here on out.

2) I believe Gabe Carimi will be able to start and hold his own from day 1. Not saying he's going to be spectacular on day 1, but he won't have the wild inconsistency issues that Williams had.

3) Webb is a legit prospect, and again, won't be a superstar, but will be improved on last year and eventually a solid piece.

 

I worry about Garza but he seems like he's going the other way, and I don't know what to think of Spencer and the loss of Kreutz. I know no other center but Olin. I wouldnt be surprised if this line ends up in the 15-20 range in FO's run and pass blocking stats.

 

The issues will be if/when there are injuries, because honestly, I have no idea who backs these dudes up. Is Frank Omiyle still on the team? I also recognize if one of those 3 assumptions above don't come true, we could be looking at problems.

 

Yep, still have Omiyale.