Chicago Bears Offseason 2012

[Cubswin11]

According to Askthecommish, the Bears are 21.1 mill under the cap. 9th best in the NFL. Scary to see the Redskins have 28.6 mill to play with. I'm sure a good chunk will towards Manning or Flynn, but they've definitely got enough left over to grab whatever WR they want.

 

I wonder where they are going to spend their money if the Colts decide to keep Manning and Flynn is franchised.

I don't see that happening, wouldn't he make like $18-20m this year if he was franchised? I am guessing Finley would be the guy they franchise, if they franchise anyone.

[rawaction]

At this point, looking at the cap situation of Green Bay, I don't think franchising Flynn is an option. I did see somewhere(SBNation, I think) that says the new CBA allows you to bring leftover cap money from the previous season over to this one and so on. They say KC has over 62 mill to spend this year. I haven't seen this anywhere else and I know you have to be within a certain percentage of your cap as well. If(and I doubt it's the case) this rule actually is in effect, then the Bears would probably have 35ish to spend instead of 21. On the other hand, the one thing that truly sticks out to me is Pittsburgh's cap situation. Haley coming in, new offense, horrible cap number could very well mean they'll have to let Mike Wallace go for a 1st rounder. Unsure if he can be traded for a 2013 1st or not, but it fits what they'd probably have to have anyway.

 

You're going to see a lot of cuts by the Steelers. Plus, that number is from before they cut 4.5 Mil in salary (McFadden and somone else), restructured Woodley and Big Ben. They also will probably restructed Casey Hampton and cut several veterans including Kemo, Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, and guys like James Harrison, Mendenhall, and Willie Colon better watch their backs. They aren't losing Wallace for any of those guys.

 

As for the Bears, I think the cap number actually includes the current FAs. From my understanding, that 21 under the cap is based on 2011 salaries. Meaning, all 14 of the Bears FAs ARE still accounted for and also doesn't take into consideration that Julius Peppers was paid the last of his bonus money, so his salary/cap number will go down from 13Mil to 8.9Mil next year. It also means that number doesn't take into account any raises that players may get, so some teams may not be as well off as those numbers indicate. When all is said and done, the Bears may have closer to 40-45Mil. Because the Bears only have 39 players under contract for next year. The Bears will have plenty of money to franchise Forte and still probably sign 2 big name FAs if they want (they won't).

[davell]

A guy over at Bearreport did a mock of the Bears offseason and I figured I'd post the highlights, to get some discussion going, because it does seem possible anyway. Forte is franchised, then signed longterm. We cut Barber, Hanie, Omiyale, Adams, Spencer and Roy Williams. We resign Jennings, Okoye, Bell, Steltz, Graham, and McCown. FA sign Stevie Johnson, John Carlson, s James Sanders, OL Quinn Ojinnaka, LB Tim Shaw. Trade pick 50 and 73 for pick 63 and Osi Umenyiora. Draft Floyd at 19, draft OT Matt McCants at 63, DE Cam Johnson in the 3rd and LB Nigel Bradham in the 4th. Thoughts?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Seems skinny on the trade to NY

[jersey cubs fan]

A guy over at Bearreport did a mock of the Bears offseason and I figured I'd post the highlights, to get some discussion going, because it does seem possible anyway. Forte is franchised, then signed longterm. We cut Barber, Hanie, Omiyale, Adams, Spencer and Roy Williams. We resign Jennings, Okoye, Bell, Steltz, Graham, and McCown. FA sign Stevie Johnson, John Carlson, s James Sanders, OL Quinn Ojinnaka, LB Tim Shaw. Trade pick 50 and 73 for pick 63 and Osi Umenyiora. Draft Floyd at 19, draft OT Matt McCants at 63, DE Cam Johnson in the 3rd and LB Nigel Bradham in the 4th. Thoughts?

 

Off the top of my head, I don't see how that Osi trade evens out for the Giants. A 2 and a 3 for a 2 and Osi?

[davell]

He was really in depth with everything. He said the 3rd, plus moving up 13 spots equaled pick 55 on the trade value chart and mentioned that was the type of offers they were getting last year for him. Said it's a year later, so they may take it now. I agree it seems a little light, but the reasoning makes some sense anyway, I suppose.

[jersey cubs fan]

He was really in depth with everything. He said the 3rd, plus moving up 13 spots equaled pick 55 on the trade value chart and mentioned that was the type of offers they were getting last year for him. Said it's a year later, so they may take it now. I agree it seems a little light, but the reasoning makes some sense anyway, I suppose.

 

the trade value chart is like 2 decades old. I doubt anybody relieso on it for anything.

[rawaction]

A guy over at Bearreport did a mock of the Bears offseason and I figured I'd post the highlights, to get some discussion going, because it does seem possible anyway. Forte is franchised, then signed longterm. We cut Barber, Hanie, Omiyale, Adams, Spencer and Roy Williams. We resign Jennings, Okoye, Bell, Steltz, Graham, and McCown. FA sign Stevie Johnson, John Carlson, s James Sanders, OL Quinn Ojinnaka, LB Tim Shaw. Trade pick 50 and 73 for pick 63 and Osi Umenyiora. Draft Floyd at 19, draft OT Matt McCants at 63, DE Cam Johnson in the 3rd and LB Nigel Bradham in the 4th. Thoughts?

 

I did a mock offseason and mine is better than that.

[jersey cubs fan]

Kiper's latest mock has the Bears taking an OT from Ohio State, Adams.

[Magnetic Curses]

Kiper's latest mock has the Bears taking an OT from Ohio State, Adams.

 

if we could trade up into the top of the 2nd and get a WR, i'd be satisfied with that.

[rawaction]

Kiper's latest mock has the Bears taking an OT from Ohio State, Adams.

 

Not a bad scenario. Would definitely mean WR in the 2nd or a helluva FA signed before the draft.

[Magnetic Curses]

even though whitney mercilus had his way with him in the illini game.

[rawaction]

even though whitney mercilus had his way with him in the illini game.

 

Wasn't completely one sided. Plus it was Adams' 2nd game back from suspension. He got better as the year went on...for the most part.

[davell]

Kiper's latest mock has the Bears taking an OT from Ohio State, Adams.

 

Not a bad scenario. Would definitely mean WR in the 2nd or a helluva FA signed before the draft.

 

I think we need both. Bigtime FA WR and early(1st or 2nd round) WR or TE.

[jersey cubs fan]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

[davell]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

 

 

When you say "another FA", are you talking one of the guys we've at least discussed, or just a vet like Josh Morgan or Eddie Royal?

[Magnetic Curses]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

 

with carimi and adams as bookends, and williams at LG, the line would have its core for many years.

[ConstableRabbit]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

I'd love to take a chance with Moss. Tribune quoted Cris Carter today (yes, realize he's a moron and I'd likely never refer to him if it didn't benefit my team) as saying he and Tice really get along.

 

Why not sign him to an incentive-laden deal and see what happens?

[Soul]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

 

with carimi and adams as bookends, and williams at LG, the line would have its core for many years.

 

That would be nice. At long last, not worrying about our patchwork line.

[jersey cubs fan]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

 

 

When you say "another FA", are you talking one of the guys we've at least discussed, or just a vet like Josh Morgan or Eddie Royal?

 

a real guy

[davell]

Take a chance on Moss and another free agent, then leave the draft for all the other needs (DE, DB, OL and probably LB). You can take a flyer on a late round WR and RB depth.

 

If you can actually transform the line into a real strength instead of a passable group at best, or an obvious weakness at worst, then WRs are going to get their numbers.

 

 

When you say "another FA", are you talking one of the guys we've at least discussed, or just a vet like Josh Morgan or Eddie Royal?

 

a real guy

 

Yeah, I'd be on board with that. Out of the FA to be WR's, I guess realistically we're looking at V-Jax, Stevie, and Manningham as the top tier guys who actually hit the market, with Wayne, Garcon,Robinson and Meachem as the next group. Anyone think we'll actually see Bowe, Desean, Colston, Lloyd, or Welker hit the market?

[rawaction]

I think the Bears have to develop a WR at some point. Can't just throw money at one and expect all the problems to be solved. It's been a long time since David Terrell. It's been even longer since the Bears had a good QB to pair up with a developing WR.

 

For all the talk about this team's window, the only players that are old are the stars on defense. A good young WR could make this offense good for as long as Cutler is around.

 

I'd still be willing to take a shot with Moss, but the Bears 100% have to draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds (preferably 1st 2). They only have 3 WRs capable of playing football next year, and 2 of them (Hester and Sanzenbacher) should be #5s at best. Bears need to bring in at least 2 WRs better than everyone they have currently. I don't see anyway they can do that thru ONLY free agency and still be able to afford to fill the other holes on this team. Not necessarily for 2012, but in the near future.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think the Bears have to develop a WR at some point. Can't just throw money at one and expect all the problems to be solved. It's been a long time since David Terrell. It's been even longer since the Bears had a good QB to pair up with a developing WR.

 

For all the talk about this team's window, the only players that are old are the stars on defense. A good young WR could make this offense good for as long as Cutler is around.

 

I'd still be willing to take a shot with Moss, but the Bears 100% have to draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds (preferably 1st 2). They only have 3 WRs capable of playing football next year, and 2 of them (Hester and Sanzenbacher) should be #5s at best. Bears need to bring in at least 2 WRs better than everyone they have currently. I don't see anyway they can do that thru ONLY free agency and still be able to afford to fill the other holes on this team. Not necessarily for 2012, but in the near future.

 

Well, if you buy Moss and another guy, then you can spend your draft picks filling the other holes you have on the team. Both lines, DB and LB with the first four picks, then draft a WR in the 4th/5th and depth elsewhere. Moss, Johnson/Jackson, Bennett, Hester is a pretty nice top 4. If you have a top notch offensive line it will make it a lot easier to develop a WR rather than drafting one early and needing him to be productive immediately with a still mediocre line.

[davell]

Does anyone know whether we're able to roll over the cap we didn't use last year to this one? I saw on PFT today that Tampa's got 60 mill to spend somehow. Evidently, the team had to petition the NFL in order to use the extra money, from one article I read. If this is true, why hasn't it gotten more pub? We could be in much, much better shape than what we're in now, which is pretty damn good to begin with.

[Magnetic Curses]

Does anyone know whether we're able to roll over the cap we didn't use last year to this one? I saw on PFT today that Tampa's got 60 mill to spend somehow. Evidently, the team had to petition the NFL in order to use the extra money, from one article I read. If this is true, why hasn't it gotten more pub? We could be in much, much better shape than what we're in now, which is pretty damn good to begin with.

 

yes, we are