Week 7 - Bears (4-2) @ Humanskins (1-3) 12 pm CT FOX

[davell]

To clarify, I meant no tanking next year. Someone mentioned blowing it up. This year? If Jay is out for the year, we're definitely not playoff bound. Honestly, I think we WILL get a top 10 pick at this point. But outside of Clowney or Barr, I'd trade back into the late teen to mid twenty range.

[Soul]

Nobody's tanking, stop with that.

[Guest]

Could bring in a guy whose HC aspirations are dead, like Crennel.

[Wilson A2000]

Cutler has all the leverage even if he is out for the season. Great QB rating and weapons under Trestman. He's going to get franchised or $17 million a year for 5 years. Now would Cutler force the Bears into a long-term deal by saying he wouldn't play if franchised?

 

If the Bears go to a 3-4, dump Peppers. No reason to pay him if he is old, bad, and out of position.

[Guest]

To clarify, I meant no tanking next year. Someone mentioned blowing it up. This year? If Jay is out for the year, we're definitely not playoff bound. Honestly, I think we WILL get a top 10 pick at this point. But outside of Clowney or Barr, I'd trade back into the late teen to mid twenty range.

 

My bad. Agreed about not tanking next year.

 

I wouldn't trade down though.

[WrigleyField 22]

You can pretty much bank on us drafting or acquiring a big beefaroni butt nose tackle in the offseason.

 

I want to switch to the 3-4.

It would extend Briggs' career, fit Greene better, and give Shea one last chance

So what do the current Bears look like in a 3-4

 

Melton and Wotton at DE. Peppers and McClellin at OLB, with Peppers probably also going in at DE some. Bostic and Briggs in the middle. Might as well just let go of Anderson and Williams since their contracts are up . Paea is stuck not fitting really anywhere but could probably situationally play NT or DE depending on situation. Definitely need some additional OLB and a true NT.

 

The good news is our offense doesn't stand to lose a lot next year with I believe Slauson and Garza being the only FA question marks, and the biggest missing piece probably being a speedy slot receiver, so you should really be able to commit some resources to revamping the D (even if we stay in a 4-3). Obvious you have to lock up Jay too but I'm taking that as a given.

 

Paea should work as a 3-4 DE, rotating to NT when the NT needs a rest.

 

I think you have to bring back one of the free agent LBs because one of the reasons you consider switching to the 3-4 is the depth at LB.

But are any of them really OLB in the 3-4? Williams has 3-4 experience and I believe played inside when he did. Briggs, Bostic, Anderson and Greene all seem like ILB to me. Bostic and Greene are maybe athletic enough to get by on the outside, but aren't really prototypical 3-4 OLB. So I see a lot of 4-3 LB depth.

 

As far as Tucker goes, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The big thing I liked about him was he talked about wanting to keep up the turnover creation, and thus far we've mostly lived up to it. His track record isn't great, but he also has never had great players really. He does have 3-4 experience too, so we could experiment with a mixed defense with him, and based on our personnel could probably handle it with just a couple additions. I'd give him another year with a couple new young faces to help the defense and evaluate again. If he doesn't improve the defense enough next year, I don't think you've lost a ton in that one year, as long as this off season you are putting the commitment into bringing in new players.

 

Its a shame Marenelli didn't want to stick around, although maybe he saw the ship sinking and correctly jumped ship when he could.

[WrigleyField 22]

Can we also talk about Treastman and his use of the end around? I'm astonished he keeps getting relatively strong results out of it (especially since its always to Jeffrey), when I feel like coordinators of old who used to try it always ended up in a 3 yard loss. What the heck is different?

[Banedon]

Can we also talk about Treastman and his use of the end around? I'm astonished he keeps getting relatively strong results out of it (especially since its always to Jeffrey), when I feel like coordinators of old who used to try it always ended up in a 3 yard loss. What the heck is different?

 

I think it's the result of a better coached, and more talented O-line blocking it up better.

[Guest]

There is far too much symmetry in my misfortune

[XZero771679666304]

There is far too much symmetry in my misfortune

 

Oh, shut up with that [expletive]. At least you can bring yourself to like hockey, so you have that.

[davell]

Which FA do you keep next year? For me....

 

Jay-Absolutely

Garza- if he's cheap on a one year deal, might as well.

Slauson- Certainly try to, but he's in his prime. I'd try very hard though.

Melton- If he wants to come back, then sure, he'd be on a "prove it" deal again.

Anderson- Yep. Solid inexpensive vet.

DJ- Bad luck, circumstances dictate him being gone though.

Peanut and Jennings- Tough calls. Would love to keep both, doubt we'll have cap space to do it. If its just one? I'm keeping Timmy, but will hate seeing Peanut play anywhere else.

Wright-See ya. We can do better via FA or draft.

 

Even at a 8-10 mill cap hit, I'm prepared to let Julius go too. Again, not happy about it, but it looks like he's done to me.

 

With what we've got under contract for 2014, the only starters I'm willing to pencil in are Paea, Wootton, Briggs, and hopefully Bostic. Tons of work to do is an understatement.

[WrigleyField 22]

Which FA do you keep next year? For me....

 

Jay-Absolutely

Garza- if he's cheap on a one year deal, might as well.

Slauson- Certainly try to, but he's in his prime. I'd try very hard though.

Melton- If he wants to come back, then sure, he'd be on a "prove it" deal again.

Anderson- Yep. Solid inexpensive vet.

DJ- Bad luck, circumstances dictate him being gone though.

Peanut and Jennings- Tough calls. Would love to keep both, doubt we'll have cap space to do it. If its just one? I'm keeping Timmy, but will hate seeing Peanut play anywhere else.

Wright-See ya. We can do better via FA or draft.

 

Even at a 8-10 mill cap hit, I'm prepared to let Julius go too. Again, not happy about it, but it looks like he's done to me.

 

With what we've got under contract for 2014, the only starters I'm willing to pencil in are Paea, Wootton, Briggs, and hopefully Bostic. Tons of work to do is an understatement.

 

Jay-Absolutely

Garza- Maybe, but they kept Boggs to basically do nothing, so they must see something in him and he could be a replacement at cheap'"

Slauson- As long as its teams friendly. Could get by with "another Slauson" next year if the price is too high

Melton- I'm not even sure a prove it deal is worthwhile. As we hit the defense the question really becomes, is Tucker back and/or are we a 4-3 Cover 2 defense?

Anderson- See above re: 4-3/cover 2, but he is a good LB, but LB is also the defensive position I least want to put money into

DJ- I think you put it well.

Peanut and Jennings- I don't even want to think about it, but I really want to keep Peanut and as he ages I have visions in my head of him making a Charles Woodson-like transition to a top notch safety in a few years.

Wright- Even if we can do better in FA or draft, is he gonna get enough elsewhere that we couldn't bring him back as a 3rd safety? Despite his weaknesses I'm not totally buying into PF's ranking of him as the worst regular safety in football. A better pash rush would make our defensive backs looks much better. Without looking up the rest of the league's stats, we have to have the worst pass rush in the league, right?

[Guest]

Which FA do you keep next year? For me....

 

Jay-Absolutely

Garza- if he's cheap on a one year deal, might as well.

Slauson- Certainly try to, but he's in his prime. I'd try very hard though.

Melton- If he wants to come back, then sure, he'd be on a "prove it" deal again.

Anderson- Yep. Solid inexpensive vet.

DJ- Bad luck, circumstances dictate him being gone though.

Peanut and Jennings- Tough calls. Would love to keep both, doubt we'll have cap space to do it. If its just one? I'm keeping Timmy, but will hate seeing Peanut play anywhere else.

Wright-See ya. We can do better via FA or draft.

 

Even at a 8-10 mill cap hit, I'm prepared to let Julius go too. Again, not happy about it, but it looks like he's done to me.

 

With what we've got under contract for 2014, the only starters I'm willing to pencil in are Paea, Wootton, Briggs, and hopefully Bostic. Tons of work to do is an understatement.

 

Jay-Absolutely

Garza- Maybe, but they kept Boggs to basically do nothing, so they must see something in him and he could be a replacement at cheap'"

Slauson- As long as its teams friendly. Could get by with "another Slauson" next year if the price is too high

Melton- I'm not even sure a prove it deal is worthwhile. As we hit the defense the question really becomes, is Tucker back and/or are we a 4-3 Cover 2 defense?

Anderson- See above re: 4-3/cover 2, but he is a good LB, but LB is also the defensive position I least want to put money into

DJ- I think you put it well.

Peanut and Jennings- I don't even want to think about it, but I really want to keep Peanut and as he ages I have visions in my head of him making a Charles Woodson-like transition to a top notch safety in a few years.

Wright- Even if we can do better in FA or draft, is he gonna get enough elsewhere that we couldn't bring him back as a 3rd safety? Despite his weaknesses I'm not totally buying into PF's ranking of him as the worst regular safety in football. A better pash rush would make our defensive backs looks much better. Without looking up the rest of the league's stats, we have to have the worst pass rush in the league, right?

 

Gotta bring back Cutler because there's no need to re-set the offense too.

I want to replace Garza and Slauson hasn't impressed. I'm sure you can replace one via Brown/Boggs/midround pick and the other through FA.

If you can bring back Melton on a team-friendly deal, I would.

I think you have to bring back one of Anderson or DJ. DJ brings better pressure from up the middle but Bostic should be entrenched there (if it's a 4-3). I like Anderson's pass coverage no matter the D.

You have to bring back one of the CBs back and I'd prefer Tillman.

I'm sure you can get Wright back cheap. I'm more interested in replacing Conte; he was just awful today and has less of a good history than Wright.

[RynoRules]

Whatever we do on D, let's do it without Tucker.

I'm not sure if Tucker is the problem. It's just Emery and mostly Angelo left us with an aging defense that hit it's peak already.

 

Yeah, I'm not seeing the connection between the performance and the scheme. The D-Line is on roller skates and the DB's have made bad decisions and are generally poor tacklers. Age is catching up, and the tackling issue has been around for a while.

[Banedon]

The only question about bringing back Cutler is price. I don't think either side is gonna hesitate on actually getting a deal done. I do wonder if it'll be a shorter deal now though.

[UMFan83]

Marshall also had X-rays done immediately after Sunday’s game and emerged examining his left wrist.

 

Asked specifically about the wrist, Marshall said, “Everything hurts.”

 

I swear this is revenge for 2010's injury free season.

[UK1679666180]

The only question about bringing back Cutler is price. I don't think either side is gonna hesitate on actually getting a deal done. I do wonder if it'll be a shorter deal now though.

 

 

It should be, given the inability for him to stay healthy. This is probably a fluke injury as well as him being battered by awful O-Lines in the past but the injuries are still regardless of circumstance.

 

To me, this next year will likely be Emery's defining offseason with what is needed to be done defensively. Luckily, there's a higher turnover ratio where the defense can get good quickly but if it takes 2 years, we'll be in the same position just the opposite with an aging offense.

[UMFan83]

Also kudos to this board for not even one jokingly mentioning signing an available QB whose initials are TT

[Banedon]

Also kudos to this board for not even one jokingly mentioning signing an available QB whose initials are TT

 

I already did that on twitter a few minutes after the injury.

 

Sorry.

[UK1679666180]

Gotta bring back Cutler because there's no need to re-set the offense too.

I want to replace Garza and Slauson hasn't impressed. I'm sure you can replace one via Brown/Boggs/midround pick and the other through FA.

If you can bring back Melton on a team-friendly deal, I would.

I think you have to bring back one of Anderson or DJ. DJ brings better pressure from up the middle but Bostic should be entrenched there (if it's a 4-3). I like Anderson's pass coverage no matter the D.

You have to bring back one of the CBs back and I'd prefer Tillman.

I'm sure you can get Wright back cheap. I'm more interested in replacing Conte; he was just awful today and has less of a good history than Wright.

 

Cutler is a must, I'd rather see them go younger on the rest compared to Garza/Slauson.

 

I think you have to bring both LBs back, unless Greene takes huge strides. It's telling when he's behind Costanzo. Everyone not named Bostic has missed reps to due injuries, you don;t bring back one of the 4 and there's nothing there.

 

Agreed on at least one coming back. Given age, I'd prefer Jennings but everything rides on Frey stepping up and being the #2.

 

I don't care if either safety is on this squad, but Conte is hurting them more right now with his inability to play deep.

[UMFan83]

@BobLeGere: #Bears say they will know extent of Jay Cutler's groin injury this afternoon and it's not looking good. GM Phil Emery to talk at 1:30.

 

At this point I think everyone expects this to be a season ender. Anything less would be a shock.

[UK1679666180]

For those who torture themselves, let me know how many on sports talk radio think McCown should be the long-term starter.

[UMFan83]

For those who torture themselves, let me know how many on sports talk radio think McCown should be the long-term starter.

 

Probably not what you are looking for but I heard a couple of calls on my ride to work today where people were suggesting that there wasn't going to be much of a drop off from Cutler to McCown.

[Thed Hoyerstein]

Pretty bummed about the Cutler injury, but given the state of the defense, I can't imagine that this team has a high ceiling anyhow. Tell me if I'm being overly dramatic, but the bears really needed that win yesterday, and I think that loss pretty much dinged any hopes for a playoff berth.

[davell]

Direct quote from McCown on differences between him and Jay, asked just yesterday. "Uh, have you seen him throw?"