Chicago Bears Offseason 2012

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't know why he's projected as a 5th or 6th rounder. i have to believe that when he runs a 4.4 at the combine that he'll stock will rise significantly.

 

i'm also very intrigued by this sean spence from miami. he's small, which will cause teams to shy away from him, but he's so fast and great in coverage. right up lovie's alley.

[davell]

I think a team with more cap room than us or a team with extremely few holes will wind up with Wallace. Tender him a contract with tons of upfront cash, to where the Steelers can't match.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-breaking-down-bears-and-the-salary-cap-20120221,0,6124288.story

 

The NFL shopping season begins three weeks from Tuesday when free agency opens on March 13.

 

The Chicago Bears will have the room to be as aggressive as they want in the marketplace but it remains to be seen how new general manager Phil Emery wants to handle business in what will be the first defining moves of his tenure.

 

The bottom line is Emery is inherited an advantageous position from a cap standpoint. It’s the cap equivalent of a clean slate and he can do with it as he wants.

[Banedon]

I thought we were in pretty good cap position.

[rawaction]

I think a team with more cap room than us or a team with extremely few holes will wind up with Wallace. Tender him a contract with tons of upfront cash, to where the Steelers can't match.

 

Like who? The teams with few holes tend to have a lot of money toward the cap already. Baltimore and Cincy have been mentioned, but the Steelers aren't going to let that happen. Teams like TB and the Rams aren't going to give up top 10 picks. The Eagles don't have the need if they franchise Jackson. Patriots are a team that could get in on Wallace, but I don't know that they do. They have Brandon Lloyd basically begging to play for them. Have to re-sign Welker. And I think the Steelers would be just as anxious to try to stop this as they would him going to a division team.

 

I know the Steelers don't have much leverage, but if those AFC teams are showing interest, I think they'll start cutting vets. And if the Bears come in with the highest draft pick to offer, they'll get him.

[RynoRules]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-breaking-down-bears-and-the-salary-cap-20120221,0,6124288.story

 

The NFL shopping season begins three weeks from Tuesday when free agency opens on March 13.

 

The Chicago Bears will have the room to be as aggressive as they want in the marketplace but it remains to be seen how new general manager Phil Emery wants to handle business in what will be the first defining moves of his tenure.

 

The bottom line is Emery is inherited an advantageous position from a cap standpoint. It’s the cap equivalent of a clean slate and he can do with it as he wants.

 

I have a sinking feeling that Emery will sign crappy players and that our offense will be no better off. I hope that I am wrong.

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-breaking-down-bears-and-the-salary-cap-20120221,0,6124288.story

 

The NFL shopping season begins three weeks from Tuesday when free agency opens on March 13.

 

The Chicago Bears will have the room to be as aggressive as they want in the marketplace but it remains to be seen how new general manager Phil Emery wants to handle business in what will be the first defining moves of his tenure.

 

The bottom line is Emery is inherited an advantageous position from a cap standpoint. It’s the cap equivalent of a clean slate and he can do with it as he wants.

 

I have a sinking feeling that Emery will sign crappy players and that our offense will be no better off. I hope that I am wrong.

 

What are you basing that feeling on?

[davell]

As far as the Bears cap situation goes, it's cool to be 25-28 mill under. I wonder how much they'd save if they cut Barber, Spaeth, Adams, and Spencer? Their numbers show close to 11.5, if most of that could be saved, I'd get rid of them.

[davell]

WalterFootball's current mock has us taking Floyd, Orson Charles, Brandon Washington, Sean Spence, and Shaun Porter in the 1st 4 rounds. I'll be happy as hell with that draft.

[Splendid Splinter]

WalterFootball's current mock has us taking Floyd, Orson Charles, Brandon Washington, Sean Spence, and Shaun Porter in the 1st 4 rounds. I'll be happy as hell with that draft.

 

Charlie Campbell's mock has Bears taking Michael Floyd, Coby Fleener, Philip Blake, Brandon Taylor, Keenan Robinson in his 4 rounds...

[rawaction]

WalterFootball's current mock has us taking Floyd, Orson Charles, Brandon Washington, Sean Spence, and Shaun Porter in the 1st 4 rounds. I'll be happy as hell with that draft.

 

Charlie Campbell's mock has Bears taking Michael Floyd, Coby Fleener, Philip Blake, Brandon Taylor, Keenan Robinson in his 4 rounds...

 

I like Walter's mock more than Campbell's. However, either way, I don't like taking TE so early and CB so late (or not at all in 1 case). Campbell's mock actually has Charles still on the board after the Bears pick in the 3rd.

 

Based on who's available in both mocks, I'd go with (without knowing FAs):

 

Walter: Michael Floyd, Cam Johnson, Kevin Zeitler, Casey Hayward, Bruce Irvin (I guess)

Campbell: Floyd, Johnson, Orson Charles, Josh Norman (CB Coastal Carolina), James Brown (OT Troy) or Nigel Bradham

 

Walter's mock should be updated by the morning. Hit post, then refreshed and it appears I was actually looking at the updated version. Original post mock is tomorrow's update.

[ctcf]

Glad I'm not the only one somewhat irrationally fearing the Bears still sucking at signing offensive FAs

[jersey cubs fan]

I have a sinking feeling that Emery will sign crappy players and that our offense will be no better off. I hope that I am wrong.

 

What are you basing that feeling on?

 

Well, there's really nothing in his history to suggest Emery should be good at identifying and signing quality offensive players. There's nothing on his resume that suggests he's a quality "big picture management" type of guy. The Bears have sucked at acquiring non-Cutler NFL offensive players and almost 100% of the management system that has sucked at it is still in place (coaches, scouts, etc). So, I think there's a lot out there to give Bears fans doubts about the team's ability to acquire the right guys.

[ctcf]

I have a sinking feeling that Emery will sign crappy players and that our offense will be no better off. I hope that I am wrong.

 

What are you basing that feeling on?

 

Well, there's really nothing in his history to suggest Emery should be good at identifying and signing quality offensive players. There's nothing on his resume that suggests he's a quality "big picture management" type of guy. The Bears have sucked at acquiring non-Cutler NFL offensive players and almost 100% of the management system that has sucked at it is still in place (coaches, scouts, etc). So, I think there's a lot out there to give Bears fans doubts about the team's ability to acquire the right guys.

 

That and his statements about focusing on the draft.

[Soul]

If you suck at something, delegate it to someone who doesn't. I don't know if Emery can ID & sign good offensive FA's or not, but if he can't, he can do his career a favor by just finding someone to help in that area. Something Angelo never did...

[davell]

With the cap space we have and the aging defense, our window is closing, in a way. So, it amkes sense to load up as much as possible offensively this offseason. Both for now and for the future as well, since it's likely the defense could begin taking steps backward in the future. I think any talk of NOT spending is a smokescreen personally. I expect us to go get a solid WR and a few other spots filled as well through FA.

[cubbyvirus00]

All I want is a WR. One of Michael Floyd, VJ, Colston, Bowe or Mike Wallace and I'll be completely happy.

[Magnetic Curses]

the good news is we have a QB that will get us through the next several years and keep us competitive while we restocking the d

[Guest]

All I want is a WR. One of Michael Floyd, VJ, Colston, Bowe or Mike Wallace and I'll be completely happy.

 

To be fair, you should want more than 1 WR. 1 vet combined with 1 rookie.

[rawaction]

With the cap space we have and the aging defense, our window is closing, in a way. So, it amkes sense to load up as much as possible offensively this offseason. Both for now and for the future as well, since it's likely the defense could begin taking steps backward in the future. I think any talk of NOT spending is a smokescreen personally. I expect us to go get a solid WR and a few other spots filled as well through FA.

 

I think if the Bears approach the whole, "defenses window is closing thing" the wrong way, it can set the team back a long time. If they decide they have to try to win a ring in the next 2 years, they are going to mess up what could be a huge window of opening. The best way to deal with a closing window of a defense is to get the offense to the point where it can overcome the defense taking a step backward, while at the same time, re-tooling the team defense with young talent.

 

That being said, I don't buy the "window is closing" stuff. It is strange that the best 4 players on the defense are the oldest (Peppers, Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman). But the rest of the D is pretty young. Idonije is the only other old guy on the D, and he can be replaced pretty easily in the draft this year. Draft a CB too, and you have 3 solid, young DTs (if you bring back Okoye), young safeties, a young SLB, and now a young DE and CB from the draft. Also of note, the defense isn't all that great in the first place. The offense needed to win games the last few years, and will continue to need to do so for the Bears to be contenders. The offense though, is also pretty young. Other than Garza, nobody else on the offense is over 30. Chris Spencer, who should be a backup next season would be the 2nd oldest player. With 28yo Cutler as the old man probably as soon as 2013. This offense is really a couple WRs and a LT away from having a legitimate level of YOUNG talent on the offensive side of the ball. Legit young talent on offense = legit offense.

[rawaction]

FWIW, my thoughts on the Mike Wallace situation.

 

On one hand, the Bears could get a FA WR and draft a WR in the 1st round for the price of Mike Wallace alone (will pay #1 WR money and lose a #1 pick to get Wallace). But on the other hand, Wallace would probably be safer than having both. Mike Wallace is the proverbial "bird in the hand". What if NO finds a way to keep Colston? What if the Rams or Bucs, with more money to spend, back up the truck for Vincent Jackson? What if Stevie Johnson's antics aren't something the team wants to deal with? What if Michael Floyd is off the board by 19? What if Kendall Wright is off the board? What if the Bears feel Alshon Jeffrey can't separate well enough to be successful. What happens if the Bears fully plan on going after a big name WR in free agency and drafting one early, but cannot do either? Mike Wallace takes all the "what ifs" out of the picture. He's 25. Don't have to worry about what happens if you give a 28-29 year old WR (Colston and Jackson, respectively) a $40-50Mil contract. Don't have to worry about Floyd's drinking, Wright's size, or Jeffery's ability to get open. Sure Wallace could develop a meth addiction or tear his ACL and never run as fast again, but you know as of today what Mike Wallace is capable of doing currently and for the next 3-5 years.

 

To me, this is Jay Cutler all over again. That offseason, the Bears could have gone after Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel or "gasp" Brett Favre and/or they could have gone after someone like Josh Freeman in the draft. But just like 26 year old QBs don't come into reach very often....26-year old stud WRs aren't often in reach. Wallace is a true #1. Almost 2500 yards in the last 2 years, still with potential to get better. This is the same point in his career, that the Bears got Cutler. To me this would be a similarly bold move, and I think it will work out just as well.

[minnesotacubsfan]

[

 

That being said, I don't buy the "window is closing" stuff. It is strange that the best 4 players on the defense are the oldest (Peppers, Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman). But the rest of the D is pretty young. Idonije is the only other old guy on the D, and he can be replaced pretty easily in the draft this year. Draft a CB too, and you have 3 solid, young DTs (if you bring back Okoye), young safeties, a young SLB, and now a young DE and CB from the draft. Also of note, the defense isn't all that great in the first place. The offense needed to win games the last few years, and will continue to need to do so for the Bears to be contenders. The offense though, is also pretty young. Other than Garza, nobody else on the offense is over 30. Chris Spencer, who should be a backup next season would be the 2nd oldest player. With 28yo Cutler as the old man probably as soon as 2013. This offense is really a couple WRs and a LT away from having a legitimate level of YOUNG talent on the offensive side of the ball. Legit young talent on offense = legit offense.

 

and two of those guys (Urlacher and Briggs) are relatively easy to replace. Well, easier then finding the next Jay Cutler.

[Butterscup1679666578]

FWIW, my thoughts on the Mike Wallace situation.

 

On one hand, the Bears could get a FA WR and draft a WR in the 1st round for the price of Mike Wallace alone (will pay #1 WR money and lose a #1 pick to get Wallace). But on the other hand, Wallace would probably be safer than having both. Mike Wallace is the proverbial "bird in the hand". What if NO finds a way to keep Colston? What if the Rams or Bucs, with more money to spend, back up the truck for Vincent Jackson? What if Stevie Johnson's antics aren't something the team wants to deal with? What if Michael Floyd is off the board by 19? What if Kendall Wright is off the board? What if the Bears feel Alshon Jeffrey can't separate well enough to be successful. What happens if the Bears fully plan on going after a big name WR in free agency and drafting one early, but cannot do either? Mike Wallace takes all the "what ifs" out of the picture. He's 25. Don't have to worry about what happens if you give a 28-29 year old WR (Colston and Jackson, respectively) a $40-50Mil contract. Don't have to worry about Floyd's drinking, Wright's size, or Jeffery's ability to get open. Sure Wallace could develop a meth addiction or tear his ACL and never run as fast again, but you know as of today what Mike Wallace is capable of doing currently and for the next 3-5 years.

 

To me, this is Jay Cutler all over again. That offseason, the Bears could have gone after Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel or "gasp" Brett Favre and/or they could have gone after someone like Josh Freeman in the draft. But just like 26 year old QBs don't come into reach very often....26-year old stud WRs aren't often in reach. Wallace is a true #1. Almost 2500 yards in the last 2 years, still with potential to get better. This is the same point in his career, that the Bears got Cutler. To me this would be a similarly bold move, and I think it will work out just as well.

 

Yes. Yes.

[davell]

Finley got 2/15 to stay in GB. I guess we knew he wouldn't hit FA under almost any circumstance, but maybe Fred Davis' pricetag fits us? He's solid and certainly has baggage, so if the Redskins don't franchise him, he's a solid buy low candidate, in my opinion.

[Magnetic Curses]

FWIW, my thoughts on the Mike Wallace situation.

 

On one hand, the Bears could get a FA WR and draft a WR in the 1st round for the price of Mike Wallace alone (will pay #1 WR money and lose a #1 pick to get Wallace). But on the other hand, Wallace would probably be safer than having both. Mike Wallace is the proverbial "bird in the hand". What if NO finds a way to keep Colston? What if the Rams or Bucs, with more money to spend, back up the truck for Vincent Jackson? What if Stevie Johnson's antics aren't something the team wants to deal with? What if Michael Floyd is off the board by 19? What if Kendall Wright is off the board? What if the Bears feel Alshon Jeffrey can't separate well enough to be successful. What happens if the Bears fully plan on going after a big name WR in free agency and drafting one early, but cannot do either? Mike Wallace takes all the "what ifs" out of the picture. He's 25. Don't have to worry about what happens if you give a 28-29 year old WR (Colston and Jackson, respectively) a $40-50Mil contract. Don't have to worry about Floyd's drinking, Wright's size, or Jeffery's ability to get open. Sure Wallace could develop a meth addiction or tear his ACL and never run as fast again, but you know as of today what Mike Wallace is capable of doing currently and for the next 3-5 years.

 

To me, this is Jay Cutler all over again. That offseason, the Bears could have gone after Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel or "gasp" Brett Favre and/or they could have gone after someone like Josh Freeman in the draft. But just like 26 year old QBs don't come into reach very often....26-year old stud WRs aren't often in reach. Wallace is a true #1. Almost 2500 yards in the last 2 years, still with potential to get better. This is the same point in his career, that the Bears got Cutler. To me this would be a similarly bold move, and I think it will work out just as well.

 

that's a huge price to pay for wallace, no thanks. let's diversify.

 

like i said, a draft consisting of adams, cam johnson, zeitler, spence, prater, and aj jenkins, coupled with a big free agent signing like vincent jackson will absolutely solidify the team on both sides of the ball in one offseason