2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

My point is simply that we have a top 5ish offense that (assuming health) can easily get better with the emergence of Wilson and with another year in the system for everyone, and we had maybe the worst defense in the league. It's obvious where there's more room to get better.

[cubbyvirus00]

No matter what cubbievirus might think about Emery's drafting abilities, he's shown he can do some things in free agency.

 

Absolutely. He's done a good job in FA. I'm excited to see what we do in the draft since half our D is still old

[jersey cubs fan]

My point is simply that we have a top 5ish offense that (assuming health) can easily get better with the emergence of Wilson and with another year in the system for everyone, and we had maybe the worst defense in the league. It's obvious where there's more room to get better.

 

And if they are in a spot where a defensive playmaker is available to them, by all means take him. But it would be foolish to get into a Williams/Carimi situation where you feel you have to take a defender. There is plenty of room for improvement at multiple spots on the offense.

[Guest]

My point is simply that we have a top 5ish offense that (assuming health) can easily get better with the emergence of Wilson and with another year in the system for everyone, and we had maybe the worst defense in the league. It's obvious where there's more room to get better.

 

And if they are in a spot where a defensive playmaker is available to them, by all means take him. But it would be foolish to get into a Williams/Carimi situation where you feel you have to take a defender. There is plenty of room for improvement at multiple spots on the offense.

 

I agree.

[UMFan83]

 

Wonder how much this has to do with most of Allen's dome games being home games.

[WrigleyField 22]

I still am geared towards BDPA in round 1 but part of that is the offensive guys that project to be there. It seems there's way more defensive potential in that range. At this point though you can really go to BPA in Rd2, especially if that Rd1 guy is a DT where it looks like a couple of available guys can be starters right away in that 14 range. Other than QB in Rd2 I think if be okay going any position if they guy was a clear favorite.

 

Taking the long view on our offense OL depth is still a must, and we should start planning for life after Forte. A viable third WR and viable 2nd TE would be nice too. We got so lucky with injuries last year on O, that's the thing that really scares me for 2014. While the top 11 looks great, there's plenty of justification for offensive needs that are just as important as D needs now that we've made most of our FA acquisitions.

[davell]

I think Emery would disagree with 14 being a prime spot for a defensive player. He's on record talking about how great the offensive talent is in this draft and how he'd consider moving down if a team wanted to move up and take advantage of the offense available.

[Guest]

I still am geared towards BDPA in round 1 but part of that is the offensive guys that project to be there. It seems there's way more defensive potential in that range. At this point though you can really go to BPA in Rd2, especially if that Rd1 guy is a DT where it looks like a couple of available guys can be starters right away in that 14 range. Other than QB in Rd2 I think if be okay going any position if they guy was a clear favorite.

 

Taking the long view on our offense OL depth is still a must, and we should start planning for life after Forte. A viable third WR and viable 2nd TE would be nice too. We got so lucky with injuries last year on O, that's the thing that really scares me for 2014. While the top 11 looks great, there's plenty of justification for offensive needs that are just as important as D needs now that we've made most of our FA acquisitions.

 

There's that and the fact that the coaching staff is heavily geared towards the offense. That's what makes me really like what they've done defensively through free agency. They've spent most of their resources stocking up on defense to the point they could open the season with the guys they picked up. And if they want to, and what they probably prefer to do, is to make sure Cutler has enough weapons and protection to keep the offense a well oiled and running machine. If nothing looks enticing on offense, grab the BDPA and move on.

 

I didn't see it posted anywhere, but I read that Kevin Butler's son is trying out for the Bears punting job.

[jersey cubs fan]

I didn't see it posted anywhere, but I read that Kevin Butler's son is trying out for the Bears punting job.

 

I think that was mentioned right after the end of the season.

[cubbyvirus00]

I think Emery would disagree with 14 being a prime spot for a defensive player. He's on record talking about how great the offensive talent is in this draft and how he'd consider moving down if a team wanted to move up and take advantage of the offense available.

 

TE Ebron or one of the top 3 Tackles (Matthews, Lewan, Robinson) would be the only offensive players that might be there worth taking at 14 IMO. A 2 TE set would be fun to watch with Ebron.

[rawaction]

 

Wonder how much this has to do with most of Allen's dome games being home games.

 

Probably everything. Crowd noise, facing an OT that can't hear the snap count, and everyone usually performs better at home in every sport.

[rawaction]

I still am geared towards BDPA in round 1 but part of that is the offensive guys that project to be there. It seems there's way more defensive potential in that range. At this point though you can really go to BPA in Rd2, especially if that Rd1 guy is a DT where it looks like a couple of available guys can be starters right away in that 14 range. Other than QB in Rd2 I think if be okay going any position if they guy was a clear favorite.

 

Taking the long view on our offense OL depth is still a must, and we should start planning for life after Forte. A viable third WR and viable 2nd TE would be nice too. We got so lucky with injuries last year on O, that's the thing that really scares me for 2014. While the top 11 looks great, there's plenty of justification for offensive needs that are just as important as D needs now that we've made most of our FA acquisitions.

 

I don't think the offensive needs are just as important, simply because of age. The offense is relatively young. Garza is the only player 31 or older on the offense (Cutler and Marshall are 30). The defense has 6 projected starters who are older than Cutler. Plus, every defensive position (other than maybe LB) sees a lot of rotation. Gotta get younger depth on defense.

[davell]

With the Allen signing, I think it's fairly likely we draft a QB in the middle rounds. Especially if they still add a S before the draft.(which may be wishful thinking)

 

Biggest Needs currently in my mind.

 

DT

CB

S

Backup QB

O-Line depth

TE

Either WR or OLB

[ctcf]

Can it be draft time now?

[UMFan83]

Freshly inked in his new green and puke yellow colors, the Green Bay Packers tweeted that Julius Peppers would be playing linebacker in their 3-4 defense.

[RynoRules]

That's bizarre.

[Banedon]

Freshly inked in his new green and puke yellow colors, the Green Bay Packers tweeted that Julius Peppers would be playing linebacker in their 3-4 defense.

 

I suppose that's one way to go......

[Banedon]

“He’ll be a multiple-position player,” McCarthy said. “Elephant is a term used for a multiple-position player. Julius will be part of that group.”

 

That could mean many roles for Peppers. He could be used as a hand-on-the-ground defensive end in 3-4 and 4-3 alignments, or as a linebacker, much as Mike Neal was used last season.

[ctcf]

Wow. Did not see that coming and not sure what to make of it.

[Guest]

You guys didn't see a 4-3 DE moving to a 3-4 being used as a linebacker at times?

[Banedon]

So apparently Oakland offered Jared Allen a contract worth $9m/yr, and he turned it down for the Bears, because he didn't like Oakland's QB situation, liked the idea of staying in the NFC North, and liked the Bears offseason moves.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Similarly, Rapaport tweeted this earlier:

 

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 1h ago

 

Make no mistake, part of Jared Allen’s reason for choosing the #Bears was his faith in Jay Cutler as a QB who can win titles.

[UMFan83]

Similarly, Rapaport tweeted this earlier:

 

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 1h ago

 

Make no mistake, part of Jared Allen’s reason for choosing the #Bears was his faith in Jay Cutler as a QB who can win titles.

 

Doesn't mean much if you know he is comparing Cutler to whatever QB will start for the Raiders.

 

But in all seriousness, I'm sure Emery did he 45 minute explanation of the Bears offseason why all his moves fit perfectly with what the Bears are trying to do, etc. I bet there was advanced stats in there too.

[RynoRules]

Bold stuff by Emery. They really, really need to address DB through the draft. I still say the better of Dix - Dennard - Gilbert at 14, and DT in 2nd Rnd.

[Butterscup1679666578]

DB is an easy fix when your line is good (someone said for the 800th time in this thread). gimmie Aaron Donald at 14 and let's go from there.