2011 Bears Offseason thread

[Butterscup1679666578]

garza or williams probably

[cubbyvirus00]

Stupid Bears. PAY HIM 500k

 

 

And as I posted a day ago, wtf is up with all these D-line signings. We need O-line in the worst way...

[JonJayCutler]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

[WrigleyField 22]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

Davis isn't the starter. Spaeth is. Davis will be an after thought in the offense.

[Splendid Splinter]

Just throwing this out there....

 

ClaytonESPN:

Trust me, the Bears are looking at OL to sign. They have to sign some knowing Kreutz is gone. They have to sign some.

 

 

then a few minutes later...

 

ClaytonESPN:

Heard things were a little messy at center with snaps will Chris Williams and Garza for the Bears, but remember, Mike Tice is great OL coach.

[UK1679666180]

Not too disappointed about Olsen, he didn't fit the Martz system despite being Cutler's go to guy in most run for your life dropbacks. 3rd rd pick is pretty high value for him, IMO.

 

Have no idea what they would do if they missed out with Kruetz, yes is he declining but he is still their best O-Lineman and one of the captains.

 

There was that thread earlier where a poster wanted the Cubs to go after busts at undervalue and Angelo has read it.

 

The scary part about this whole off-season is that the season is based more on GM's abilities more than ever and I've never been an Angelo fan.

[rawaction]

The way John Clayton is talking on Twitter, Kreutz is a goner.

So... what are the alternatives?

 

Jonathan Goodwin from the Saints. Chris Spencer from Seahawks. Samson Satele from Oakland. I think all are better than Kreutz, but the leadership thing will come into play. Goodwin at least has a ring. Spencer was drafted by Bears assistant GM.

[Soul]

Not too disappointed about Olsen, he didn't fit the Martz system despite being Cutler's go to guy in most run for your life dropbacks. 3rd rd pick is pretty high value for him, IMO.

 

Have no idea what they would do if they missed out with Kruetz, yes is he declining but he is still their best O-Lineman and one of the captains.

 

There was that thread earlier where a poster wanted the Cubs to go after busts at undervalue and Angelo has read it.

 

The scary part about this whole off-season is that the season is based more on GM's abilities more than ever and I've never been an Angelo fan.

 

I don't really mind going after reclamation projects as long they aren't going to cost us if they fail.

 

We just really need to sign OL, that's what is making me most nervous. Well, that and I'm disappointed we haven't gone after DB help.

[Banedon]

Judging by the quotes from Patrick Mannelly, one of Kreutz's options, if he doesn't re-sign with the Bears, is retirement.

[rawaction]

Read the Bears are still about 14.5 Mil under the cap, give or take a few mil depending on how the multi-year contracts are structured (Podlesh, Adams, Roach).

 

If they bring back Kreutz, that's probably going to take it down to 10Mil. If not, probably around 11Mil.

 

I still think they could bring in a big dollar player, a Center, and a Guard depending how the contracts are structured (backloaded, signing bonus heavy). Either Justin Blalock or Braylon Edwards along with getting a C in here. If Edwards, they can do so getting a C and a cheaper G. But at this point, I don't expect them to make a big money signing.

 

One interesting bargain at OG is Mike Brisiel of the Houston Texans. The Texans were the 3rd best rushing team in the NFL last year (in yards per carry). And NFL.com has cool stat showing Houston was #1 in the league in % of converting short yardage situations when running up the middle. FYI, the Bears were dead last at 33%. Nobody else in the league was less than 50%. He is just 28. Only problem, he is very injury prone, having only gone thru 1 of 5 seasons without an injury.

 

Derrick Dockery is also interesting. Benched in Washington this year because he wasn't a fit to Shanahan, but had a good 2009. He's 30, but was a highly sought after FA just a few years ago, receiving a huge contract from Buffalo. But he was kicked out for not fitting their scheme also. At 6'6'", 326lbs won't have that problem here with Tice loving big linemen who like to maul.

 

Jacob Bell just cut from the Rams is a really good pass blocker, but not great as a run blocker. Would be an upgrade also.

 

Other than that it's either Leonard Davis or Brian Waters. I don't know that either of them will be cheap, but both are pretty decent and would be Ruben Brown like signings from 5 years ago.

 

Ideal: Blalock, Kreutz, Hayden or Edwards, Kreutz, Waters

[Butterscup1679666578]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News tweeted this last night:

 

Interest in Braylon Edwards from #Vikings, #Titans, #Bears and #Redskins.

[RynoRules]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News tweeted this last night:

 

Interest in Braylon Edwards from #Vikings, #Titans, #Bears and #Redskins.

 

Bet the Vikes nab him.

[rawaction]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News tweeted this last night:

 

Interest in Braylon Edwards from #Vikings, #Titans, #Bears and #Redskins.

 

Bet the Vikes nab him.

 

Vikings did just sign Michael Jenkins from Atlanta. They were pushing the cap as is. I think they are out.

[Cubbies622]

I'd have to imagine he will go to the Titans most likely. I couldn't imagine us telling Hester we weren't signing a big name receiver and then signing both Roy Williams and Edwards. Not that I think they are outstanding receivers but I would put them as our top 2 receivers pushing Hester to the bench.

[Guest]

I'd rather have Spencer than Kreutz anyway.

[Guest]

I'd have to imagine he will go to the Titans most likely. I couldn't imagine us telling Hester we weren't signing a big name receiver and then signing both Roy Williams and Edwards. Not that I think they are outstanding receivers but I would put them as our top 2 receivers pushing Hester to the bench.

 

 

I don't expect Hester to be one of the top two WRs as it stands even now.

 

 

I anticipate Knox starting opposite Williams.

[Guest]

I'd have to imagine he will go to the Titans most likely. I couldn't imagine us telling Hester we weren't signing a big name receiver and then signing both Roy Williams and Edwards. Not that I think they are outstanding receivers but I would put them as our top 2 receivers pushing Hester to the bench.

 

Because of the offensive line woes over the past few years, we really don't know what kind of value Hester could provide as the #2 in this offense, and I don't think the time is now to gamble that he is good enough to skip out on a guy like Edwards. The same can be said for Knox and Bennett. Those 5 together, however, would cause fits for any team that doesn't have much depth at db.

 

Hopefully there is still enough in the coffer to sign an OL, C and Edwards. I'd be thrilled with that receiver corps.

[JonJayCutler]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

Davis isn't the starter. Spaeth is. Davis will be an after thought in the offense.

 

I'm almost positive I read Lovie say Davis will now be the starter.

[Guest]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

Davis isn't the starter. Spaeth is. Davis will be an after thought in the offense.

 

I'm almost positive I read Lovie say Davis will now be the starter.

 

Since it appears that blocking is the main focus of the Bears TE, it wouldn't surprise me if Davis is the starter. The Bears are looking at the potential of 1 year of NFL service total from the two tackle positions (Carimi/Webb), which makes the TE valuable at providing extra help on either side, depending on where the stud DE is lining up. I guess the extra protection is more valuable to the Bears than a TE that can run routes. I see the TE being more of a safety valve and maybe even an extra blocker if Forte is seeing more catches this year. I wasn't a fan of getting rid of Olsen, but I do want Cutler to have more time to throw this year.

[BigSlick]

The Bears need to shake their typical conservative ways (although they show flashes of courage here and there, the Cutler trade, the Peppers signing) and go after another couple big name players. Braylon Edwards would be nice. And while I'm confident they will sign another interior lineman of notoriety, he should be like, good, and not a retread.

[rawaction]

I actually really like the TE prospects that the Bears signed as UDFAs. Andre Smith looked like a 5th rounder to me. He's a mammoth TE at 6'5", 272. Blocking TE first in what was a run first offense at VA Tech. Showed he could be a decent receiver as a senior and became a force in the redzone. Kinda in the Kellen Davis mold, but shouldn't be as raw as Davis was a few years ago. Kyle Adams is more of a developmental guy. Doesn't do anything great, isn't a great athlete, isn't a great or very experienced blocker, isn't a downfield threat. But he's a guy that could benefit from some NFL coaching and be a 3rd TE in this league.

 

I think both give you more today than Manumaleuna did last year. Can't understate how terrible he was last year. Smith looks decent enough to make the team as the #3 TE. But with the way Martz likes to use his TEs and the lack of OL depth, I could see the Bears carrying 4 TEs as they did last year. There are a lot of NFL caliber backups available for peanuts that can be brought in before the season starts.

[YearofDaCubs]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

Calling Barber a great goal line back is a huge stretch. He was terrible all around last year including goal line carries.

[WrigleyField 22]

I've actually been okay with all the signings we've made thus far. Barber is a great goal-line back, something Forte struggles with. This has to mean Taylor is gone. Still not thrilled about the Olsen deal only because Kellen Davis isn't a starting TE. Bring someone decent in and I'll feel better about it.

 

It's obviously time to start addressing offensive line, which is the glaring need and should have been taken care of before the other positions. If Kreutz goes we'll need at least two signings there, or maybe one signing and a trade. Maybe bring in a linebacker too for depth and that should be it. It's definitely been a quantity over quality type of free agency for the Bears, but we're signing a lot of guys who have the talent and are still young enough to turn their careers around (Gholston, Okoye, Roy Williams, etc.).

Davis isn't the starter. Spaeth is. Davis will be an after thought in the offense.

 

I'm almost positive I read Lovie say Davis will now be the starter.

Well I don't think Lovie will have the final say, so I'll be surprised if it stays that way. He's the only returning TE so he gets it now by default, but I'm sure it won't be long before we get articles about Martz raving how Spaeth is the TE his system needs.

[Keener98]

The Chicago Tribune expects the Bears to at least inquire about free agent CB Kelvin Hayden.

The Tribune points out that the Colts and Bears' defensive schemes are virtually the same, and Hayden was Chicago's No. 1-rated free agent in 2009 before he signed a four-year contract to stay in Indianapolis. Hayden has been injury prone in recent seasons, but he recently passed a physical and played college ball at Illinois. He'd be a big upgrade on incumbent Tim Jennings

 

From Rotoworld

[minnesotacubsfan]

we're bound for the Super Bowl, all these ex-Gophers will push us over the top!!!! BARBER, SPAETH!! HELL YEA!! the last time we had this much Gopher Blood in us, his name was BRONKO NAGURSKI! TO THE MOOON!!!!!!

 

 

(slight exaggeration maybe)