Chicago Bears Offseason 2012

[davell]

In order, I'll put my wish list as far as needs go like this: #1 WR, O-Lineman, 2/3 WR, DE, TE, Backup QB, CB, O-Lineman. Preferrably, I'd address #1 WR, Backup QB, TE, and CB thru FA.

[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.

 

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

 

Jackson would cost the same as Wallace to re-sign, maybe more since you'd have 32 teams vying for him vs. the handful willing to give up a 1st round pick for Wallace. Jackson is also 29 years old. He's looking for 5 years/50Mil. Even if you take 10Mil off of that, you're still talking about paying a guy at a speed position 8-10 Mil in his 30s. Wallace would be just 30 when his 5-year deal is up. Nevermind the fact that Wallace is actually a better player than Jackson, who has never had a year with the 72 catches Wallace had in 2011, the 1193 yards Wallace had in 2011, or the 10 TDs Wallace had in 2010.

 

So, Wallace is the younger player and the more productive player. The only issue is the 1st round pick. You can still have that same draft, minus Adams in the 1st. And I would go after one of the inevitable cuts at LT, like Jason Smith from St. Louis, Marcus McNeill from San Diego, or Levi Brown for Arizona. Granted, you're hoping for lightning in the bottle from a guy that's been cut...but it's not much different from throwing a 1st round pick in there as a rookie.

[Banedon]

I'm with you completely, Raw. I know this is a new GM and all, but the Bears have been so poor at the WR position, that I would love to get the "sure thing" in hand. Lets get someone in here that we know for sure can play, and succeed, at the position.

[Magnetic Curses]

that first round pick is huge, and i don't think they'll do it. the question is, are adams and jackson more valuable than wallace by himself? jackson has proven himself to be a sure thing and i'd imagine has about 3 really productive years at least left in him.

 

wallace may be a great player, but i just don't agree with giving up a first rounder for him in addition to the money.

[Banedon]

the question is, are adams and jackson more valuable than wallace by himself?

 

Actually, that's not the question. The question is "Can we get Adams and Jackson?" There's going to be a lot of teams after VJ. And there's no guarantee that Adams would be available in the draft.

[jersey cubs fan]

I would be shocked if the Bears traded their 1st for a veteran free agent. They are going to build through the draft. We can only hope they supplement that building with acquiring free agents as well, but I highly doubt they give up a 1st and premier FA money for one guy in an offseason where they need multiple receivers, help on both lines and fresh blood throughout the defense.

[ctcf]

Sounds like Jackson will be franchised :(

[rawaction]

I would be shocked if the Bears traded their 1st for a veteran free agent. They are going to build through the draft. We can only hope they supplement that building with acquiring free agents as well, but I highly doubt they give up a 1st and premier FA money for one guy in an offseason where they need multiple receivers, help on both lines and fresh blood throughout the defense.

 

I know the Bears have a new GM, but you're also talking about an organization that has been in denial for the better part of the last 15 years that they need help on the offensive line.

 

I think people are severely overestimating the Bears desire to help the OL. Tice himself has come out and said that he doesn't see the Bears going after an OT in the first unless someone slips. The coaching staff feels that getting rid of Martz and his leaving a TE to 1-on-1 block a speed rusher, leaving Webb on an island vs. Jared Allen in pursuit of a sack record, and repeated 7 step drops will automatically make the OL improve enough. They have a point, but they're still wrong. Problem is, they don't think they are wrong. You're talking about a team that gave up their 2nd round pick for Gaines Adams, when they needed tons of help on offense and didn't have 1st round pick.

 

For Mike Wallace, this is the guy that the Bears called him Day 2 of the draft and told him he would be their pick and then traded down. Again, new GM, but I think if the coaching staff has any influence, they'll make a push or this move to happen.

[rawaction]

Sounds like Jackson will be franchised :(

 

Which Jackson?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Sounds like Jackson will be franchised :(

 

Which Jackson?

[rawaction]

Sounds like Jackson will be franchised :(

 

Which Jackson?

 

Oh, that one!

 

Seriously, I don't know what's going on here.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I was just quoting you because I have the same question.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I mean, DeSean or Vincent?

[jersey cubs fan]

if you google desean the first story is a rotoworld blurb about the GM being excited about keeping him and an indication that he will get tagged.

 

if you google vincent the first story says "the San Diego Chargers will have little choice but to apply the Franchise Tag to wide receiver Vincent Jackson for a second straight year "

[minnesotacubsfan]

...so both??

[Guest]

Mike Wallace, come on down.......

[Splendid Splinter]

Still hoping Stevie Johnson doesn't get tagged, but he'll still get paid since it looks like Colston is the only one who won't be tagged and someove will overpay for 2nd best WR in FA cuz they missed out on Colston...

[ctcf]

Sorry, meant Vincent. Didn't think of DeSean as he hasn't come up in a while.

 

In summary: womp womp

[cubbyvirus00]

The Chargers are so [expletive]. They pay Malcolm Floyd, Gates and now VJ?

[davell]

I'd be OK with Manningham and Wright as a combo. My head tells me we wind up adding Wayne or Meachem and a 3rd round TE and think we're strong receiver-wise.

[Magnetic Curses]

i still don't understand how the chargers have enough money to tag him a 2nd time

[Guest]

he takeaway moment Thursday at the NFL scouting combine came when Smith stepped off the podium and started extolling the virtues of big wide receivers. The question related to stopping Calvin Johnson but, interestingly, Smith expanded his answer to detail how athletic, physical receivers in Johnson's mold "goes along with what teams are doing now.''

 

Teams other than the Bears, that is.

 

"A quarterback doesn't have to have that ball right in the perfect spot every time if you have a big body to throw to,'' Smith said. "Most guys would tell you they would like to have big receivers, but as much as anything you would like to have good receivers that can do something with the ball."

 

Smith might not have spoken to reporters for seven weeks, but it appears he talked — or listened — to Jay Cutler.

 

If the Chargers allow 6-foot-5 wide receiver Vincent Jackson to enter free agency — reports Thursday indicated they still are considering the franchise tag — somebody will overpay for the 29-year-old difference-maker. As Smith implied in his enthusiastic analysis of big wide receivers, the Bears with roughly $25 million of salary-cap space have as good of a reason as any team.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0224-haugh-chicago--20120224,0,145831.column

[minnesotacubsfan]

oh dont go get my hopes up

[RynoRules]

That's awesome, Lovie, but does Phil agree? And where was this enthusiasm for big WR's the last three seasons? Did Jerry say "no"?

 

Color me skeptical.

[jersey cubs fan]

That's awesome, Lovie, but does Phil agree? And where was this enthusiasm for big WR's the last three seasons? Did Jerry say "no"?

 

Color me skeptical.

 

Lovie deferred to Martz when it came to receivers and he never put a premium on height. For the record, you hardly need "big" receivers to be successful. Calvin Johnson is great and all but it's not like Detroit is some juggernaut, while the Giants just won the Super Bowl with nothing more than some ho-hum 6 footers. It took Lovie years to realize he needed actual NFL coaches on his staff, specifically on offense. They have been very slow to adapt to the necessary changes but I do believe Lovie actually wants a high powered passing offense. It's more a question of if they know how to do than if they are willing or have an enthusiasm.