2011 Bears Offseason thread

[davell]

In the end, if we somehow come out of the draft/free agency with a starting left tackle, wide receiver, offensive guard, and a 3rd CB, DE, and DT with not losing too much out of the SS spot, we'll have had a damn solid offseason.

[minnesotacubsfan]

anthony santella will be available in free agency. maynard is done. i don't care if he doesn't drop snaps.

 

WHO???

 

http://www.santella.org/anthony/

[cubbyvirus00]

All I want is a 6'5 lanky WR that can outjump a cornerback.

[rawaction]

In the end, if we somehow come out of the draft/free agency with a starting left tackle, wide receiver, offensive guard, and a 3rd CB, DE, and DT with not losing too much out of the SS spot, we'll have had a damn solid offseason.

 

Don't forget LB. Only Urlacher and Briggs are under contract. Even if you bring back one of Roach/Tinoisamoa and bring back Iwuh, you still need at least 1 more guy there, and possibly 2, though Rod Wilson is always on speed dial.

 

I'd move DE down the list, because I think Wootton will be better there and Melton can also play some DE.

[SpongeWorthy]

I'm fine with Maynard. He has a lot of success pinning the opponent deep in their own territory even if he doesn't finish in the top half in punt yardage. Part of what keeps his numbers down, IMO, are the high number of pooch kicks he ends up having because Hester gave the team excellent field position and then we turn it over on downs right away.

 

Maynard doesn't muff snaps, or get punts blocked and he rarely has punts returned for touchdowns on him. I like the guy, personally. Sure, he occasionally shanks one, but they are all capable of that, especially with the field conditions they are constantly dealing with.

 

Maynard sucks man.

[Sammy Sofa]

All I want is a 6'5 lanky WR that can outjump a cornerback.

 

Uh, lanky? That's not a good thing. If anything it's too close to one of the problems that we have the WR the Bears have now, in that they're too small (both in height and build, as well as not being smart as receivers).

[Pushfrog98]

anthony santella will be available in free agency. maynard is done. i don't care if he doesn't drop snaps.

 

WHO???

 

http://www.santella.org/anthony/

My sarcasm detector is off, but http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/santella_anthony00.html

 

I think he'd be a GREAT pickup if he doesn't get drafted

[davell]

Looks like Manning will test FA.

[sneakypower]

I'd like the Bears to take a look at Drew Stanton. He looked good vs. the Bears when they played in Detroit. And he was drafted in Detroit when Martz was the OC there. He spent that year on IR, but I'm sure he picked up some of the offense.

 

Cutler, Stanton, Hanie sounds like a solid group of mobile QBs who you don't have to change the offense for.

there's a very mutual disdain between Stanton & Martz

 

we're in a good situation with Stanton because he's an RFA, we'd like him back but if the price is too high i think we'll just take the draft pick

[rawaction]

Looks like Manning will test FA.

 

S becomes a huge need if he goes. I'd actually like more of a FS type, because I think Harris and Wright can both play SS, and I'd like a true ballhawk at FS.

 

Edit: Also, this is a very weak safety draft.

[Banedon]

Looks like Manning will test FA.

 

S becomes a huge need if he goes. I'd actually like more of a FS type, because I think Harris and Wright can both play SS, and I'd like a true ballhawk at FS.

 

If Manning leaves, and if the Bears go WR early in the draft, I wonder if Hester starts doing kickoff returns again.

[davell]

S does become a big need if we lose Manning and I agree I'd like a ballhawk type as well. Maybe that's a need that can come through FA? If we lose Manning, maybe we can address S, WR, and one OL spot through FA and address OL, DT, DE and CB through the draft with the main picks?

[Guest]

All I want is a 6'5 lanky WR that can outjump a cornerback.

 

Uh, lanky? That's not a good thing. If anything it's too close to one of the problems that we have the WR the Bears have now, in that they're too small (both in height and build, as well as not being smart as receivers).

 

Agreed. A lanky WR is more likely to get pushed around at the line of scrimmage and on jump balls. Height alone isn't good enough.

 

Manning better be re-signed.

[davell]

I'm looking at what's possibly available this offseason from a Safety standpoint. You've got George Wilson from Buffalo, who's supposedly pretty damn good, he's just stuck behind Byrd out there. Gerald Sensabaugh may be available. Not sure if Dallas plans on keeping him or not.

 

You have Michael Huff, who's probably an upgrade from Manning, or at least looks like he'll be paid more. You also have Quinton Mickell and Eric Weddle, who both ARE true upgrades and will paid as such.

 

Anyway, seeing how many guys appear to be available, maybe Manning checks things out and then takes us up on whatever kind of 3 year deal we already had on the table at one point.

[rawaction]

I'm looking at what's possibly available this offseason from a Safety standpoint. You've got George Wilson from Buffalo, who's supposedly pretty damn good, he's just stuck behind Byrd out there. Gerald Sensabaugh may be available. Not sure if Dallas plans on keeping him or not.

 

You have Michael Huff, who's probably an upgrade from Manning, or at least looks like he'll be paid more. You also have Quinton Mickell and Eric Weddle, who both ARE true upgrades and will paid as such.

 

Anyway, seeing how many guys appear to be available, maybe Manning checks things out and then takes us up on whatever kind of 3 year deal we already had on the table at one point.

 

Dawan Landry is a FA also. I'd be interested in him too. Mikell and Weddle are probably not going anywhere. Huff will be overpaid for what he brings to the table.

[Guest]

Looks like Manning will test FA.

 

S becomes a huge need if he goes. I'd actually like more of a FS type, because I think Harris and Wright can both play SS, and I'd like a true ballhawk at FS.

 

If Manning leaves, and if the Bears go WR early in the draft, I wonder if Hester starts doing kickoff returns again.

 

I'd already move Hester down the list of potential targets, maybe even 4th or 5th on the depth chart. He had 40 catches, and a significant amount of those were hike and throw slant routes that are effective for 5-10 yard gains, but not much more. He's not getting the separation from defensive backs to command the playing time over a Vincent Jackson type, Earl Bennett or Johnny Knox.

[minnesotacubsfan]

anthony santella will be available in free agency. maynard is done. i don't care if he doesn't drop snaps.

 

WHO???

 

http://www.santella.org/anthony/

My sarcasm detector is off, but http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/santella_anthony00.html

 

I think he'd be a GREAT pickup if he doesn't get drafted

 

 

I'm just unfairly picking on Lo Pan and his Illini fetish

[Pushfrog98]

anthony santella will be available in free agency. maynard is done. i don't care if he doesn't drop snaps.

 

WHO???

 

http://www.santella.org/anthony/

My sarcasm detector is off, but http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/santella_anthony00.html

 

I think he'd be a GREAT pickup if he doesn't get drafted

 

 

I'm just unfairly picking on Lo Pan and his Illini fetish

Fair enough. Santella IS a good punter though!

[Banedon]

Hmm...Plaxico Burress is supposed to be out of jail in late summer. The Bears have a history of being pretty intolerant of off-the-field issues, so they probably won't go for it...and who knows how well he'll play anyway. But after seeing Vick come out of jail and be resurgent, you have to think that some team is gonna take a chance. Maybe he could be that big target the Bears need?

 

Probably not worth tons of discussion till we see what the draft and FA bring.

[UMFan83]

I know CB is not super important in Lovie's defensive system, but there are 3 decent to pretty good CB's that should be FAs this offseason. Asomugha is obviously the best of the bunch and not someone we need to set our sights on. But there's also Champ Baily and Antonio Cromartie that are available. The Packers picked on Jennings the entire game and I think I read gained yardage on 9 of the 13 times they threw his way in the NFC title game. He's obviously not the long term answer. I know the Bears are big on Joshua Moore, but if we could get one of those 2-3 guys, it could be quite beneficial for us, and quite the insurance if Peanut retires/leaves/is injured.

[Banedon]

I know CB is not super important in Lovie's defensive system, but there are 3 decent to pretty good CB's that should be FAs this offseason. Asomugha is obviously the best of the bunch and not someone we need to set our sights on. But there's also Champ Baily and Antonio Cromartie that are available. The Packers picked on Jennings the entire game and I think I read gained yardage on 9 of the 13 times they threw his way in the NFC title game. He's obviously not the long term answer. I know the Bears are big on Joshua Moore, but if we could get one of those 2-3 guys, it could be quite beneficial for us, and quite the insurance if Peanut retires/leaves/is injured.

 

Brad Biggs pointed out on the Score this morning that there's an inordinate number of FA's that will be available this offseason thanks to the labor stuff. Something about the number of years needed to be a UFA increased by one year when the CBA ran out and this year was played as uncapped. So it's left a lot larger pool of FA's this year.

[rawaction]

Bailey is old. Cromartie will probably get paid close to the amount Asomugha will get. Not worth it. Plus, I think putting him in a Cover 2 takes away Cromartie's ability (though, the Bears could always call less cover 2).

 

Based on the strengths of the draft and free agency this year, I'd look to shore up the middle of the OL, get a stud DT, and try to find a #1 WR (or at least a 2 to go with a team of 3s and 4s) this offseason. Then in the 2012 draft, focus on getting a shutdown CB and franchise LT. Both should be relatively deep positions next year.

 

Obviously, if you can take care of all the needs, you do it...but it's not very likely. I think you can get away 1 more year without a CB if necessary, and you get another pass rusher up front. I think the Bears can go just as far next year with the same combo of CBs, and hope they get a resurgent year out of Bowman or a good sophomore year out of Josh Moore like they got out of recent "redshirts" like DJ Moore, Bennett, and Melton.

[JonJayCutler]

1. OL

2. WR

3. S

4. DT

5. LB

6. DE

[SpongeWorthy]

Without putting too much thought into how the CBA affects everything, I still think V. Jackson and S. Rice are two guys that would listen to a short, incentive laden deal so they can rebuild their value after missing most of last year.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I think Jones is more likely. The Vikings will press hard for Rice, and San Diego may do the same for Jackson. Granted, if they dont, then there is an opportunity for da Bears.

 

but lets say da Bears sign Jackson, won't the media have fun with Cutler and him?