2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[RynoRules]

Melton may be fighting a perception that he doesn't work hard enough. That surely makes life more difficult when you are coming off a major injury.

[Mark Priors Calves]

John Kass...that's the [expletive] who harassed Bartman immediately right?

 

And yeah, it totally looks like him. Holy [expletive], Butler.

 

I thought it was somebody from the Sun-times that outed Bartman. All I know about Kass is he had a video on the tribune about making beer can chicken, which is very good, and he sounds like a couple of my uncles.

 

Somebody from the Sun Times did out his name, I'm pretty sure, but Kass was the one who immediately went up to him (he was seated in the same area) and said, "Do you realize what you've just done, man??!" or something like that

Wait late on this, but yes that was Kass. He's a [expletive] hack.

[rawaction]

Just guessing that the Bears are waiting on Tillman OR Melton, as the last major move. First one willing to come back at their price, gets a deal.

 

If Tillman re-signs, I'd imagine they'd go after a Pat Sims type. Someone not getting a ton of interest, and could sign a cheap 1-2 year deal.

 

If Melton re-signs, I'd imagine guys like Tarrell Brown, Terrell Thomas, or Cortland Finnegan would be targeted on a cheap 1-year deal...maybe not even guaranteed money with the last 2.

 

Then, the Bears go into the draft looking for the best defensive player available. DT, CB, S, LB, DE could all be in play, as all could still use 1 more body even with 2 signings from the above mentioned.

[Guest]

 

Pete Damilatis ‏@PFF_Pete 28m

.@PFF's lowest-graded safeties in 2013. M.D. Jennings won't need to be great to be an upgrade. #Bears pic.twitter.com/ZhNcnyMusY

[RynoRules]

 

Pete Damilatis ‏@PFF_Pete 28m

.@PFF's lowest-graded safeties in 2013. M.D. Jennings won't need to be great to be an upgrade. #Bears pic.twitter.com/ZhNcnyMusY

 

Just made me think how dumb it is for people to be killing Emery. He had to upgrade almost an entire offense and he did. Now he has to do the same with almost an entire defense and some folks (earlier in this thread) are preemptively crapping on him.

 

You want to say that he's only batting .500 in the draft after two years, well ok (and please go show me a GM who hits better than, say, .633). But the vast majority of his veteran signees have been good and he absolutely stole Long and Jeffrey from the rest of football.

 

And remember that almost none of this was his doing. When he got here we had no receivers, no tight ends, one O-Lineman, and a defense that most observers understood was aging quickly and nearing the end of the line, or simply were system players (Conte and Wright).

 

In two years he has acquired Marshall, Jeffrey, Martellus, Long, Slauson, Bushrod, and Mills. To be clear, that's 4/5 of an O-line and arguably the best receiving trio in football.

 

Now he has to re-make the D. Does Shea probably suck? Yeah. But based on how he re-made the O, I think he deserves our faith.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have really liked what he's done in free agency in back to back seasons, specifically the way he has addressed the obvious needs so as to not force the team into drafting a specific position. The previous regime got stuck drafting Williams and Carimi specifically because of how desperate they were for the position without addressing it through other means previously. Emery seems to see his weak spots very well and has a plan of attack to upgrade those weak spots. I think the Hardin pick in inexcusable and the McClellin pick is disappointing, but all things considered I have liked a lot of what he's done.

[Guest]

Chicago is doing pretty well in the management department these days...GarPax might be the worst in town and that's really not bad at all.

[sneakypower]

he absolutely stole Long and Jeffrey from the rest of football.

this characterization (for Long) is a little bit over the top

 

the expectation for a 1st round OG should be to play at an average/above-average level

[UMFan83]

he absolutely stole Long and Jeffrey from the rest of football.

this characterization (for Long) is a little bit over the top

 

the expectation for a 1st round OG should be to play at an average/above-average level

 

you'll have to excuse us for not having a frame of reference as our last 3 offensive lineman drafted in the 1st round were Gabe Carimi, Chris Williams and Marc Columbo. The fact that Long was passable as a rookie means he is the second coming in the eyes of Bears fans.

[Guest]

Just guessing that the Bears are waiting on Tillman OR Melton, as the last major move. First one willing to come back at their price, gets a deal.

 

If Tillman re-signs, I'd imagine they'd go after a Pat Sims type. Someone not getting a ton of interest, and could sign a cheap 1-2 year deal.

 

If Melton re-signs, I'd imagine guys like Tarrell Brown, Terrell Thomas, or Cortland Finnegan would be targeted on a cheap 1-year deal...maybe not even guaranteed money with the last 2.

 

Then, the Bears go into the draft looking for the best defensive player available. DT, CB, S, LB, DE could all be in play, as all could still use 1 more body even with 2 signings from the above mentioned.

 

If that's the case, I hope Tillman comes back. I'd rather be forced to go DT in round 1 than CB.

[CubsInNC]

Just guessing that the Bears are waiting on Tillman OR Melton, as the last major move. First one willing to come back at their price, gets a deal.

 

If Tillman re-signs, I'd imagine they'd go after a Pat Sims type. Someone not getting a ton of interest, and could sign a cheap 1-2 year deal.

 

If Melton re-signs, I'd imagine guys like Tarrell Brown, Terrell Thomas, or Cortland Finnegan would be targeted on a cheap 1-year deal...maybe not even guaranteed money with the last 2.

 

Then, the Bears go into the draft looking for the best defensive player available. DT, CB, S, LB, DE could all be in play, as all could still use 1 more body even with 2 signings from the above mentioned.

 

If that's the case, I hope Tillman comes back. I'd rather be forced to go DT in round 1 than CB.

 

 

In my opinion, CB is a position that you don't use a 1st round pick on unless you're getting a near-generational talent. I might be inclined to use a 1st at the very backend of the round on a CB, but that's my limit. I don't see one of those special CBs in this draft. It's pretty rare that you don't have to develop a CB, regardless of the round, so I'm more inclined to use lower round picks. I'd be ok with a 2nd, and even a late round pick, both being used on a CB, assuming we address a need with the 1st.

[ctcf]

Tillman is back!

 

Greg Gabriel @greggabe

Report: Charles Tillman back to Bears

[Guest]

I'll wait to hear terms but that's good news probably

 

Especially since it means we probably won't be using a 1st on a DB.

[UMFan83]

Peanut!!

[Old Style]

Very glad Peanut is coming back.

[Guest]

One year deal

[UMFan83]

One year deal

 

Odd for a 33 year old to sign. He must have really wanted to return to Chicago, the Bucs had to have offered him more.

[ctcf]

Bears re-signed CB Charles Tillman to a one-year contract.

Tillman visited the Bucs and former Bears coach Lovie Smith in free agency, but otherwise received zero interest. Peanut was one of the league's top corners in 2012, but was ineffective as he played through injury last season. A born playmaker, Tillman is open to moving to safety. The Bears have holes at both safety and cornerback, but going on 33, safety could make the most sense for Tillman in 2014.

[Guest]

Wait, he's open to moving to safety now?

 

Weeks ago he was saying he'd retire before moving to safety.

[ctcf]

Consider me pretty happy with Emery's offseason so far.

 

Also wow, this will be Tillman's 12th year with the Bears.

[Guest]

Jeff Dickerson ‏@ESPNChiBears 1m

ESPN NFL Insider @caplannfl reports Tillman's 1-year deal worth a little under $3.5 million.

[Smack]

Sweet!

[Guest]

Just guessing that the Bears are waiting on Tillman OR Melton, as the last major move. First one willing to come back at their price, gets a deal.

 

If Tillman re-signs, I'd imagine they'd go after a Pat Sims type. Someone not getting a ton of interest, and could sign a cheap 1-2 year deal.

 

If Melton re-signs, I'd imagine guys like Tarrell Brown, Terrell Thomas, or Cortland Finnegan would be targeted on a cheap 1-year deal...maybe not even guaranteed money with the last 2.

 

Then, the Bears go into the draft looking for the best defensive player available. DT, CB, S, LB, DE could all be in play, as all could still use 1 more body even with 2 signings from the above mentioned.

 

If that's the case, I hope Tillman comes back. I'd rather be forced to go DT in round 1 than CB.

 

 

In my opinion, CB is a position that you don't use a 1st round pick on unless you're getting a near-generational talent. I might be inclined to use a 1st at the very backend of the round on a CB, but that's my limit. I don't see one of those special CBs in this draft. It's pretty rare that you don't have to develop a CB, regardless of the round, so I'm more inclined to use lower round picks. I'd be ok with a 2nd, and even a late round pick, both being used on a CB, assuming we address a need with the 1st.

 

Completely agree, especially considering how deep this draft is at CB. You should be able to find a starter in the second or third round.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Emery you magnificent bastard

[Guest]

1 year/just under $3.5 million