Bears Offseason Thread (Trestman new HC, pg 37)

[Soul]

With the new CBA, I think the one year deal bargains will be out there every year. As for our current direction, it appears(at least I hope) that we're trying to give Jay as much as possible, so we can make a truly informed decision on him next year. He'd have to be pretty horrific for me to decide I don't want him here longterm though.

 

Yeah, but that's no way to build. Roster turnover is usually not a good thing in the NFL. The Bears need to add to the core of the team. Granted they did that with Bushrod and Bennett, but it won't matter if they have to replace Jennings, Tillman, Melton, Wright, 2 LBs, Garza, Webb, and Cutler next year. Not to mention Peppers and Forte are candidates to be cut for cap reasons. That's half your starters, with realistically only help on the horizon from 2 draft picks (top 100 picks).

 

I guess I don't see the urgency to do anything to get guys like Melton, Wright, and the CBs here for the long-term. Restructuring/extending those guys creates cap space and keeps a solid core of players in tact for more than this 1 season.

 

It's key that they start hitting on more of these draft picks. They must draft and develop more consistently, or it's trouble.

[Banedon]

McShay's new mock has the Bears taking Eifert and Kevin Minter in the first two rounds...

 

Tyler Eifert, ND, TE

 

Analysis: The signing of OT Jermon Bushrod has shored up the offensive line, withJ'Marcus Webb holding down the other tackle spot and Gabe Carimi sliding inside to guard. And while the Bears did bring in TE Martellus Bennett through free agency, he's not a consistent commodity. New head coach Marc Trestman knows how to create and exploit mismatches, and Eifert's versatility in the passing game would make a valuable weapon. With his ball skills and ability to stretch the middle of the field, Eifert could help take Chicago's offense to the next level.

 

That's a special kind of weird.

 

EDIT: Full two-round mock, minus explanations: http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?457404-Todd-McShay-Mock-Draft-4-0-Updated-3-28-2013-Bills-Select-Chance-Warmack

[jersey cubs fan]

McShay's new mock has the Bears taking Eifert and Kevin Minter in the first two rounds...

 

Tyler Eifert, ND, TE

 

Analysis: The signing of OT Jermon Bushrod has shored up the offensive line, withJ'Marcus Webb holding down the other tackle spot and Gabe Carimi sliding inside to guard. And while the Bears did bring in TE Martellus Bennett through free agency, he's not a consistent commodity. New head coach Marc Trestman knows how to create and exploit mismatches, and Eifert's versatility in the passing game would make a valuable weapon. With his ball skills and ability to stretch the middle of the field, Eifert could help take Chicago's offense to the next level.

 

That's a special kind of weird.

 

EDIT: Full two-round mock, minus explanations: http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?457404-Todd-McShay-Mock-Draft-4-0-Updated-3-28-2013-Bills-Select-Chance-Warmack

 

Why do you think it is weird? Because of Bennett?

[Guest]

If the draft breaks that way (Austin, Patterson and both guards gone), I'd hope for a trade down.

[Banedon]

McShay's new mock has the Bears taking Eifert and Kevin Minter in the first two rounds...

 

Tyler Eifert, ND, TE

 

Analysis: The signing of OT Jermon Bushrod has shored up the offensive line, withJ'Marcus Webb holding down the other tackle spot and Gabe Carimi sliding inside to guard. And while the Bears did bring in TE Martellus Bennett through free agency, he's not a consistent commodity. New head coach Marc Trestman knows how to create and exploit mismatches, and Eifert's versatility in the passing game would make a valuable weapon. With his ball skills and ability to stretch the middle of the field, Eifert could help take Chicago's offense to the next level.

 

That's a special kind of weird.

 

EDIT: Full two-round mock, minus explanations: http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?457404-Todd-McShay-Mock-Draft-4-0-Updated-3-28-2013-Bills-Select-Chance-Warmack

 

Why do you think it is weird? Because of Bennett?

 

Well yeah, why would the Bears spend a first round draft pick on a position they just filled by free agency? They have a lot of other holes to fill.

[WrigleyField 22]

If the draft breaks that way (Austin, Patterson and both guards gone), I'd hope for a trade down.

I'd actually be okay with Trufant there, but trade down might be a better bet. In the second, I'd take Larry Warfiord who looks like drops out of thevsecond there.

 

 

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[jersey cubs fan]

Well yeah, why would the Bears spend a first round draft pick on a position they just filled by free agency? They have a lot of other holes to fill.

 

Well, they filled a lot of holes in free agency precisely so they could draft BPA in the first and not force themselves into a Chris Williams situation. Bennett isn't exactly Marshall when it comes to filling the position they signed him for. If they see the value in a guy and he drops to them, it wouldn't be weird at all. That is especially true with an offensive minded head coach implementing a pass heavy system with a need for as many weapons as possible. Plenty of teams utilizes 2 TE weapons at once. You don't have to have one pass catcher, one blocker and one guy who is okay at both. If you subscribe to the theory that it's best to become dominant at something and then dictate the game that way, then that could be an excellent selection.

 

Bennett isn't exactly a guy they are going to depend on to lock down the position for 4 years by himself. His contract actually makes it reasonable to cut him after year 1, since that is when his actual salary escalates. You keep the pressure on him to perform and it he does fine, but if you can get better production out of a guy in his first contract, who cannot negotiate a raise for another year, why not? If the value is there, take it.

 

It would be weird to take a RB or QB in the first round. Or to do something stupid like trade up for a linebacker. But drafting a TE doesn't seem weird to me at all. Not my first choice, but an acceptable option.

[WrigleyField 22]

Well yeah, why would the Bears spend a first round draft pick on a position they just filled by free agency? They have a lot of other holes to fill.

 

Well, they filled a lot of holes in free agency precisely so they could draft BPA in the first and not force themselves into a Chris Williams situation. Bennett isn't exactly Marshall when it comes to filling the position they signed him for. If they see the value in a guy and he drops to them, it wouldn't be weird at all. That is especially true with an offensive minded head coach implementing a pass heavy system with a need for as many weapons as possible. Plenty of teams utilizes 2 TE weapons at once. You don't have to have one pass catcher, one blocker and one guy who is okay at both. If you subscribe to the theory that it's best to become dominant at something and then dictate the game that way, then that could be an excellent selection.

 

Bennett isn't exactly a guy they are going to depend on to lock down the position for 4 years by himself. His contract actually makes it reasonable to cut him after year 1, since that when his actual salary escalates. You keep the pressure on him to perform and it he does fine, but if you can get better production out of a guy in his first contract, who cannot negotiate a raise for another year, why not? If the value is there, take it.

 

It would be weird to take a RB or QB in the first round. Or to do something stupid like trade up for a linebacker. But drafting a TE doesn't seem weird to me at all. Not my first choice, but an acceptable option.

From a strict BPA view I definitely would agree, as well as your assesment of Bennett. And if they really feel he's a clear cut BPA there I'm okay with decisions like that.

 

For me though it comes down to how much better is he actually than a guy like Ertz? Or just the typical Rd2 TEs you usually see each year. I'm not sure its significant. Although if he drops past us, he'll probably go to Green Bay and be a thorn in our side for years.

 

 

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[jersey cubs fan]

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman 3m

#Bears have agreed to terms with former Jets guard Matt Slauson on a one-year contract.

[davell]

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman 3m

#Bears have agreed to terms with former Jets guard Matt Slauson on a one-year contract.

I really like this. Surprised he had to settle for a one year deal. Thats at least a slight upgrade from Louis, correct?

[jersey cubs fan]

seems like a very suitable starter

 

9. Matt Slauson

 

2012 Grade: +2.5

2012 Snaps: 834

 

Summary: Drafted in the sixth round in 2009, Slauson is one of the Jets’ few recent picks to actually overachieve his draft position. He held his own on one of the league’s top pass blocking units, and graded at +5.1 as a pass blocker after surrendering only 14 pressures on his 436 pass block attempts. However, he comes in ninth on this list due to a sub-par year in the running game that saw him grade at -4.2 for the season. Still, he’s graded in the green in all three years as a starter and he represents a respectable option the Jets would love to keep in town as he continues his development.

[Guest]

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman 3m

#Bears have agreed to terms with former Jets guard Matt Slauson on a one-year contract.

I really like this. Surprised he had to settle for a one year deal. Thats at least a slight upgrade from Louis, correct?

 

Definitely.

 

Only 27, good pass blocker, mediocre in the run game.

 

Bushrod / Slauson / Garza / Carimi / Webb

 

I'd still draft an interior lineman in the first two rounds to give Garza and/or Carimi competition.

[davell]

Gooney, it seemed like you weren't all that pleased with Emery during his first offseason, but I'm sensing you're coming around somewhat?

[jersey cubs fan]

Gooney, it seemed like you weren't all that pleased with Emery during his first offseason, but I'm sensing you're coming around somewhat?

 

I loved what he did before the draft last year and I've liked what he's done before the draft this year (right moves, although he did overpay for some serious mediocrity).

 

I still dislike last year's draft, am very skeptical about his coaching hire (and the subsequent staff hired by Trestmann) and hope to hell he hits a grand slam a month from now.

[davell]

The draft last year was iffy, at best. I probably tend to give it a better grade than I should necause of Jeffery. Trestman? Boom or bust type hire. I'm glad we went with an offense guy, at least. Total BPA draft, I'm guessing, since we basically have starter caliber guys at every spot now. Nice, but scary spot to be in. Based on last years picks.

[cubbyvirus00]

Yeah the biggest strike on Emery was his first draft. In the first 4 picks, we have 1 starter in Jeffrey. He's done well these last 2 offseasons.

 

 

The only knock I have on Trestman is he doesn't seem to have the meatballish social behavior that can normally rally a locker room. I don't doubt his offensive acumen, but I doubt his ability to lead men.

[Banedon]

I really have no idea what way Emery will go in the draft now. I still don't think it will be Eifert though.

[Old Style]

Is this the Butt Fumble guy?

 

EDIT: Just double checked. It's not him.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Old Style

[Banedon]

Is this the Butt Fumble guy?

 

No, that's Brandon Moore.

 

Slauson is the guy that injured Cushing.

[ctcf]

Man does Emery know how to manage an offseason. Now if he could just get a bit better at the draft...

[brinoch]

Yep, the draft will be really telling. If Emery can draft well, combined with his offseason moves, we'll actually have a front office that is doing the right things. With respect to Trestman, I'm willing to give him a fair shake -- not that I have a choice, of course. It would be really nice to have an excellent offensive mind here.

[Guest]

SI suggests the Bears might be a team that could trade up on draft day:

 

Chicago Bears (No. 20)

Target Player: G Jonathan Cooper

Where He’s Expected to Go: Top 20

 

The Bears hold the final selection in the top 20, so one of the draft’s two elite guards — Chance Warmack or Cooper — could fall into their laps. However, for a team that’s badly in need of an upgrade on the O-line, there will be some nervous moments should one of those two (likely Warmack) hear his name called early.

 

Chicago doesn’t figure to put all its chips on the table to move up a few spots, but a swap with, say, Miami at 12 or Carolina at 14 could be mutually beneficial.

[Soul]

Nobody knows what the Bears will do in the draft now, and I've got to think that fact is an advantage in itself.

[cubbyvirus00]

They just inked QB McCown to a 1 year deal.

[Guest]

I'm thrilled with the offseason so far. If they don't have to trade up to get one of those two guards, it could be the start of a good draft, also.