2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

how?

[JonJayCutler]

It's really amazing just how dumb most people are.

 

Is there a dumber collective group in the American sports world than Chicago sports fans and media? New York is also terrible, but Chicago seems like it's on it's own level of stupidity.

 

I mean, it's possible it just feels that way because it's the teams I follow, but sometimes I really think it's that bad.

 

Personally I think the NFL has more dumb fans/pundits in general than any other sport, which I suppose would come with the territory of being #1 in popularity. I've seen plenty of meatballery in baseball, especially with regard to the Cubs, but it doesn't seem to compare to what I see in the NFL. Maybe it just seems that way because the season is still fresh in my head.

[Guest]

This just seems like a pretty flimsy theory seemingly being pushed just because of the bold part.

 

I don't think I'm really saying anything all that outlandish here. "Some guys are more prone to injuries, maybe consider if the guy with 3+ injuries in 3 years is one of them when evaluating his huge new contract". The rest is a bunch of "uh huh" and "nuh uh" about whether Cutler is one of those guys. I'm not even saying "yes he is", but there's a lot who are really convinced "no he is not"

[Sammy Sofa]

This just seems like a pretty flimsy theory seemingly being pushed just because of the bold part.

 

I don't think I'm really saying anything all that outlandish here. "Some guys are more prone to injuries, maybe consider if the guy with 3+ injuries in 3 years is one of them when evaluating his huge new contract". The rest is a bunch of "uh huh" and "nuh uh" about whether Cutler is one of those guys.

 

I just think saying someone is prone to injuries while glossing over the details is a tad...simplistic.

[Guest]

This just seems like a pretty flimsy theory seemingly being pushed just because of the bold part.

 

I don't think I'm really saying anything all that outlandish here. "Some guys are more prone to injuries, maybe consider if the guy with 3+ injuries in 3 years is one of them when evaluating his huge new contract". The rest is a bunch of "uh huh" and "nuh uh" about whether Cutler is one of those guys. I'm not even saying "yes he is", but there's a lot who are really convinced "no he is not"

 

i think you're right from a superficial and willfully myopic point of view. i mean, if you absolutely refuse to look any deeper than "player A or Player B was injured", then you may think you're making a point. i disagree with you.

[CubColtPacer]

Even discounting the thumb, a player with a MCL tear, a groin injury, an ankle injury, and a moderate history of concussions in the last 3+ years is a decently greater injury risk than most NFL QB's. I don't think it hurts his value too much, but it is a factor. He was very healthy before that which definitely helps, but he didn't take the pounding he has in Chicago either.

 

Exact structure will still mean quite a bit, but I don't have a problem with this contract as far as it relates to the other QB's around the league. Cutler is a borderline top 10 QB and is getting paid like one. My skepticism earlier is that the salaries for those particular QB's have skyrocketed over the last few years, and we're already seeing signs that those teams are suffering for it. Those teams for the most part might be locking themselves into cycles of mediocrity.

[Guest]

This just seems like a pretty flimsy theory seemingly being pushed just because of the bold part.

 

I don't think I'm really saying anything all that outlandish here. "Some guys are more prone to injuries, maybe consider if the guy with 3+ injuries in 3 years is one of them when evaluating his huge new contract". The rest is a bunch of "uh huh" and "nuh uh" about whether Cutler is one of those guys.

 

I just think saying someone is prone to injuries while glossing over the details is a tad...simplistic.

 

Sure, there's a spectrum here. If Cutler had 5 different leg injuries, we can be more certain of his injury prone-ness than what's actually transpired. That doesn't mean to write off all disparate injuries as irrelevant as they add up though.

[cubbyvirus00]

Even discounting the thumb, a player with a MCL tear, a groin injury, an ankle injury, and a moderate history of concussions in the last 3+ years is a decently greater injury risk than most NFL QB's. I don't think it hurts his value too much, but it is a factor. He was very healthy before that which definitely helps, but he didn't take the pounding he has in Chicago either.

 

Exact structure will still mean quite a bit, but I don't have a problem with this contract as far as it relates to the other QB's around the league. Cutler is a borderline top 10 QB and is getting paid like one. My skepticism earlier is that the salaries for those particular QB's have skyrocketed over the last few years, and we're already seeing signs that those teams are suffering for it. Those teams for the most part might be locking themselves into cycles of mediocrity.

 

 

Great post. I'm pretty 'meh' on the Cutler deal. It's not like we had a top 8 pick or a backup worthy of starting over him. The Bears offense looks to be locked in and we need more talent on the defense. So it makes sense to re-sign Jay and devote attention to the D-Line.

[Guest]

This just seems like a pretty flimsy theory seemingly being pushed just because of the bold part.

 

I don't think I'm really saying anything all that outlandish here. "Some guys are more prone to injuries, maybe consider if the guy with 3+ injuries in 3 years is one of them when evaluating his huge new contract". The rest is a bunch of "uh huh" and "nuh uh" about whether Cutler is one of those guys.

 

I just think saying someone is prone to injuries while glossing over the details is a tad...simplistic.

 

Sure, there's a spectrum here. If Cutler had 5 different leg injuries, we can be more certain of his injury prone-ness than what's actually transpired. That doesn't mean to write off all disparate injuries as irrelevant as they add up though.

 

Jay has been unfortunate when it comes to trauma. he's had one lower-extremity injury.

[XZero771679666304]

 

Personally I think the NFL has more dumb fans/pundits in general than any other sport, which I suppose would come with the territory of being #1 in popularity.

 

I don't think there can be any doubt about that, unless you consider NASCAR a sport. But I think one informs the other; the pundits write dumb meatball-ish crap because most of the fans/readers/listeners are dumb meatballs.

[rawaction]

For the record, I agree work TT and its the point I was kinda of half assed making earlier today when talking about franchising Jay for 2014. I don't know if the chances of Cutler getting hurt are more or less than anyone else. But it would definitely be less of a shock if Cutler got hurt again vs say Eli Manning getting hurt and missing games for the first time ever. Stafford seems to have beaten the injury big and I hope Cutler does too. I think training with Marshall could help a ton (did with Jeffery who not only improved but didnt get hurt like he did multiple times last year).

[Sammy Sofa]

Why would one more injury-free season allay recurring injury fears?

[UK1679666180]

I dont think given the amount they overpaid him that you overlook and not factor into his new contract the full deason's worth of games he has.missed since coming to Chicago. Its great he had great health in Denver, now that he's older and has had a much worse o-line, he hasnt been as lucky.

 

They overpaid for him, similar to what Dallas or Balt did (Flacco has been much better in the post-season) .

[sweetpeteman]

Completely lost in the past week was that Tony Fiammetta signed a two year extension back on the 28th (I didn't even realize it when I made my first post). Also, I've updated the depth chart with signing info from that post.

[davell]

The best thing about today is if we were only going to bring back 3 FA out of our entire group, we got the exact 3 already in my mind.

[Sammy Sofa]

I dont think given the amount they overpaid him that you overlook and not factor into his new contract the full deason's worth of games he has.missed since coming to Chicago. Its great he had great health in Denver, now that he's older and has had a much worse o-line, he hasnt been as lucky.

 

They overpaid for him, similar to what Dallas or Balt did (Flacco has been much better in the post-season) .

 

I'd rather the Bears protect their asset as opposed to putting their current offensive collection effectively on hold while they try to build up a replacement or trade for/sign someone who isn't there. I think that he's only missed as much time as he has despite having the [expletive] kicked out of him is an argument in his favor as opposed to to him being fragile or increasingly injury-prone.

[Guest]

I think that he's only missed as much time as he has despite having the [expletive] kicked out of him is an argument in his favor as opposed to to him being fragile or increasingly injury-prone.

 

This. We've watched him take the hit time and again to get those few extra yards. We've watched him take hit after hit waiting for a man to get open. That he hasn't missed more time is definitely an argument in his favor as much as any injury is an argument against.

 

And with a more protective line and quality talent to throw to, I think we will see fewer injuries going forward. He doesn't have to gamble his health nearly as much as he used to with this current offense.

[Sammy Sofa]

I think that he's only missed as much time as he has despite having the [expletive] kicked out of him is an argument in his favor as opposed to to him being fragile or increasingly injury-prone.

 

This. We've watched him take the hit time and again to get those few extra yards. We've watched him take hit after hit waiting for a man to get open. That he hasn't missed more time is definitely an argument in his favor as much as any injury is an argument against.

 

And with a more protective line and quality talent to throw to, I think we will see fewer injuries going forward. He doesn't have to gamble his health nearly as much as he used to with this current offense.

 

Right. The line was definitely improved this year, and hopefully will keep trending in the right direction. Between that and the weapons he has I'm not going to lose sleep over him suffering something random.

[rawaction]

Why would one more injury-free season allay recurring injury fears?

Cause it would be the most recent season. Further gets away from injury the more confident you have to feel about him staying that way.

[rawaction]

I dont think given the amount they overpaid him that you overlook and not factor into his new contract the full deason's worth of games he has.missed since coming to Chicago. Its great he had great health in Denver, now that he's older and has had a much worse o-line, he hasnt been as lucky.

 

They overpaid for him, similar to what Dallas or Balt did (Flacco has been much better in the post-season) .

 

I'd rather the Bears protect their asset as opposed to putting their current offensive collection effectively on hold while they try to build up a replacement or trade for/sign someone who isn't there. I think that he's only missed as much time as he has despite having the [expletive] kicked out of him is an argument in his favor as opposed to to him being fragile or increasingly injury-prone.

 

Isn't that what they basically did this year, with the added issue of it being a new offense? I know UK mentioned replacing him, but that was always my worst case scenario.

[Sammy Sofa]

Why would one more injury-free season allay recurring injury fears?

Cause it would be the most recent season. Further gets away from injury the more confident you have to feel about him staying that way.

 

I don't know; if someone is arguing that there's potentially a multi-year trend a single season wouldn't much to dissuade me of that.

[Sammy Sofa]

I dont think given the amount they overpaid him that you overlook and not factor into his new contract the full deason's worth of games he has.missed since coming to Chicago. Its great he had great health in Denver, now that he's older and has had a much worse o-line, he hasnt been as lucky.

 

They overpaid for him, similar to what Dallas or Balt did (Flacco has been much better in the post-season) .

 

I'd rather the Bears protect their asset as opposed to putting their current offensive collection effectively on hold while they try to build up a replacement or trade for/sign someone who isn't there. I think that he's only missed as much time as he has despite having the [expletive] kicked out of him is an argument in his favor as opposed to to him being fragile or increasingly injury-prone.

 

Isn't that what they basically did this year, with the added issue of it being a new offense? I know UK mentioned replacing him, but that was always my worst case scenario.

 

Right; as everyone becomes even more accustomed to the new system and the line continues to improve (and it has plenty of room to do so) I'm not that worried. I think they're trending in the right direction offensively.

[Guest]

Lost in the McClellin talk, sounds like Emery suggested Bostic is headed to OLB sooner than later.

[rawaction]

Seems like weakside would be best for Bostic, though. Strong side still gets him having to fight off blockers. The best player on the D plays WLB right now.

[Soul]

Why would one more injury-free season allay recurring injury fears?

Cause it would be the most recent season. Further gets away from injury the more confident you have to feel about him staying that way.

 

I don't know - I think this is all pretty nonsensical and manufactured. I view Cutler as a tough, durable player as far as QBs go. He's been in danger of injury most of the time he's been here because the Bears didn't provide any kind of reasonable way for him to win football games and still be protected. That's changing now and there's been measurable, substantial progress in that direction. Obviously there's always an injury concern with any big money player, but that's not my primary factor in liking or disliking this deal.

 

But I'm not going to argue with you guys over it all offseason. The deal is done.