2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

Not having to tear my hair out again over the OLine this offseason is going to be nice. That alone is a good reason to be thankful Jerry is history.

 

Don't kid yourself into thinking it doesn't need a lot of work. This offense was handcuffed quite a bit this year with the need to play 6 lineman at a time.

[davell]

As annoying as Mike McCaskey was, the plethora of [expletive] organizations in this league really makes me appreciate the Bears for not being a disaster.

I was thinking the same thing. There are some teams that it'd legitimately be hard to continuously pull for over time. I've complained about being cheap at times, but that may have been Angelo moreso than McCaskey.

 

Says the guy on a Cubs message board.

 

I think it's fair to say the Cubs are legitimately hard to continuously pull for over time. Just because we're Cubs fans don't mean we aren't glad we don't have the same situation with the Bears.

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I was kidding. The Cubs haven't been a complete disaster for the most part. They've been well run for most of the last 105 years, just incredibly unlucky.

 

Not true.

[jersey cubs fan]

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

 

Putting Philly on that list is absurd.

[davell]

Not having to tear my hair out again over the OLine this offseason is going to be nice. That alone is a good reason to be thankful Jerry is history.

 

Don't kid yourself into thinking it doesn't need a lot of work. This offense was handcuffed quite a bit this year with the need to play 6 lineman at a time.

I'd like Britton back. If we keep Garza, it wouldn't kill me, since we have so many holes on D and may not have a 2nd or 3rd to spare on drafting a guy we'd feel comfortable with starting.

[Banedon]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

[davell]

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

 

Putting Philly on that list is absurd.

It's Amaro. If I was a fan of them, I'd be hating things right now, but from a fairness standpoint, I guess their current situation kind of mirrors ours from a few years back.

[WrigleyField 22]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

I wouldn't go LB best available unless it's a outside rusher and we switch to a 3-4. I'd pause at a S too, but that basically comes down to what you think of Clinton-Dix.

[UMFan83]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/30/baffoe-lets-mock-people-blaming-jay-cutler/

 

Gold.

 

My favorite:

 

marc strombeck @MarcStrombeck

 

Mark Trustman sucks should've pulled Cutler out of the game

 

“Coach, Jay had a 148.3 quarterback rating at one point in the fourth quarter. Why’d you pull him?”

“Well, I consulted that guy on Twitter that doesn’t know my name, so…”

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

 

No need to prioritize position beyond the typical prioritization that ranks pass rushers ahead of most other positions. I'd lean defense in the first but wouldn't hesitate to a take a higher rated offensive player.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'd draft DL or trade the pick and draft DL/LB/SS or whatever I could get for top value

[jersey cubs fan]

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

 

Putting Philly on that list is absurd.

It's Amaro. If I was a fan of them, I'd be hating things right now, but from a fairness standpoint, I guess their current situation kind of mirrors ours from a few years back.

 

Their first sub .500 season since 2002, a couple years removed from a 100 win season, several 90 win seasons, five straight playoff appearances, 2 NL pennants and a World Series title? That's quite a mirror.

[Banedon]

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

 

Putting Philly on that list is absurd.

It's Amaro. If I was a fan of them, I'd be hating things right now, but from a fairness standpoint, I guess their current situation kind of mirrors ours from a few years back.

 

Their first sub .500 season since 2002, a couple years removed from a 100 win season, several 90 win seasons, five straight playoff appearances, 2 NL pennants and a World Series title? That's quite a mirror.

 

It's that Harry Potter mirror where you see what you want to see.

[davell]

Ha. It's not easy, but I agree with the direction, which is quite a bit of the battle for me. For MLB- the Phillies, Orioles, Mariners, and Marlins would be the four that if I had grown up a fan of, I'd be having a hard time with. Phils at least won a title to ease the pain for them though.

 

Putting Philly on that list is absurd.

It's Amaro. If I was a fan of them, I'd be hating things right now, but from a fairness standpoint, I guess their current situation kind of mirrors ours from a few years back.

 

Their first sub .500 season since 2002, a couple years removed from a 100 win season, several 90 win seasons, five straight playoff appearances, 2 NL pennants and a World Series title? That's quite a mirror.

Do you know what the word "current" means? Do you see them being good again soon? No? Oh.

[jersey cubs fan]

Do you know what the word "current" means? Do you see them being good again soon? No? Oh.

 

Do you know what the word perspective means?

 

You said their situation mirrors the Cubs. It does not. You said you grew up rooting for the Phillies you'd hate it. Well, you'd be one of the few.

 

If you were the least bit honest you would have loved to have been a Phillies fan the past decade and knowing their financial strength probably have a lot of confidence in an ability to turn things around. Amaro sucks, but that does not compare with the discussion about shitshow organizations that started this entire discussion. The Phillies don't belong the list.

[d_money]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

I wouldn't go LB best available unless it's a outside rusher and we switch to a 3-4. I'd pause at a S too, but that basically comes down to what you think of Clinton-Dix.

Yes to This approach

[minnesotacubsfan]

Potash makes the suggestion of McClellin at LB:

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/24669335-419/10-observations-on-offseason-priorities-for-the-chicago-bears.html

 

If I recall, didnt Bostic play mainly as MLB? why cant we work him as one of the other LB positions?

[Splendid Splinter]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

 

If Nix III is there at the 14th, I'm having a hard time thinking who I would pick over him.

 

If you went by that mock offseason in page 2 in this thread, HaHa or a CB (who is the #1 CB in this draft anyway??) probably would make more sense since that mock has Bears re-signing Melton/Ratliff/Wootton and signing Michael Johnson and Arthur Jones where you could wait on a DT or DE until the 2nd/3rd round if you wanted to.

[davell]

Do you know what the word "current" means? Do you see them being good again soon? No? Oh.

 

Do you know what the word perspective means?

 

You said their situation mirrors the Cubs. It does not. You said you grew up rooting for the Phillies you'd hate it. Well, you'd be one of the few.

 

If you were the least bit honest you would have loved to have been a Phillies fan the past decade and knowing their financial strength probably have a lot of confidence in an ability to turn things around. Amaro sucks, but that does not compare with the discussion about [expletive] organizations that started this entire discussion. The Phillies don't belong the list.

Again, I prefaced their title. I don't see their financial situation helping MUCH moving forward, although it could, if they get rid of Amaro, I suppose.My inclusion of them WAS a mistake since I mentioned during my lifetime. The statement originally spawned from thinking of train wreck organizations though and I stand behind that, they are one currently and could be for a while.

[sweetpeteman]

After looking at some numbers and reviewing, the biggest area of need on defense is linebacker. The Bears were ranked 15th in passing yards per game and 32nd (by a lot) in rushing yards per game. The biggest impact in rush defense is the LB.

 

 

In my opinion, the most important injury this year on defense was... DJ Williams.

 

The injury forced Bostic, a rookie who wasn't ready, into a very major starting role. Now, I like Bostic, and hopefully he can continue to improve and become a force in the middle, but for next year they need a healthy, impact ILB.

 

Numbers:

 

		Pass	Rush


Cin		277	63  
Min		227	123
Pit		379	80
Det		228	159
NO		283	64
NYG		232	123	(DJ Williams injured)
WAS		290	209	(Briggs injured)
GB		113	199
Det		219	145
Bal		143	174
StL		148	258
Min		250	246
Dal		130	198
Cle		273	93
Phi		225	289	(Briggs returns, makes 1 tackle)
GB		313	160	

 

 

 

 

With Briggs:

 

PYG: 273

RYG: 141

 

Without:

 

PYG: 182

RYG: 188

 

With Williams:

 

PYG: 271

RYG: 102

 

Without:

 

PYG: 210

RYG: 197

 

 

Giants game:

 

62 yards before Williams leaves with 4:00 remaining in third, 61 after.

 

Washington game:

 

130 before Briggs goes out with 5:57 remaining in third, 79 after.

 

 

 

 

Now, if the Bears do go to a 3-4 Hybrid, Bostic would still play a very major role as the second ILB. In fact, this may be the best option as it would allow him to be on the field learning and playing along side a veteran ILB. I do expect them to bring back Williams, hopefully at veterans minimum, but they will need another option that can be counted on to stay healthy.

 

 

ILB free agent targets:

 

Jon Beason, Karlos Dansby, Daryl Smith, Joe Mays

 

 

I wouldn't draft an ILB, I think Bostic will be filling that role, he just needs more polish. Draft wise I still target D-Line help in the first round.

[minnesotacubsfan]

what would it take to get Dansby? god, him, Briggs, and Melton would turn this D around in one offseason

[Rex Buckingham]

I'm having trouble prioritizing defensive need for the Bears. They need players at just about every position. Best defensive player available for the first round?

 

If Nix III is there at the 14th, I'm having a hard time thinking who I would pick over him.

 

If you went by that mock offseason in page 2 in this thread, HaHa or a CB (who is the #1 CB in this draft anyway??)

 

I think it's probably Justin Gilbert from Ok State.

 

Would love to see Nix on the Bears. That guy is a monster. HaHa would be interesting. I feel like we've seen what big time safeties can do recently with Vaccaro, Berry, Earl Thomas, etc. going early and being impact players... not saying HaHa is anywhere near Berry or Thomas, but he's a well-regarded safety along the likes of Vaccaro (different positions though, right?) who helped the Saints D tremendously

[Guest]

Do you know what the word "current" means? Do you see them being good again soon? No? Oh.

 

Do you know what the word perspective means?

 

You said their situation mirrors the Cubs. It does not. You said you grew up rooting for the Phillies you'd hate it. Well, you'd be one of the few.

 

If you were the least bit honest you would have loved to have been a Phillies fan the past decade and knowing their financial strength probably have a lot of confidence in an ability to turn things around. Amaro sucks, but that does not compare with the discussion about [expletive] organizations that started this entire discussion. The Phillies don't belong the list.

Again, I prefaced their title. I don't see their financial situation helping MUCH moving forward, although it could, if they get rid of Amaro, I suppose.My inclusion of them WAS a mistake since I mentioned during my lifetime. The statement originally spawned from thinking of train wreck organizations though and I stand behind that, they are one currently and could be for a while.

 

That doesn't matter at all when goony picks the part he wants to respond to and deletes everything else. Duh.

 

EDIT - I realize he didn't do that here. I'm just being a smart ass.

Edited December 30, 2013 by David

[Rex Buckingham]

what would it take to get Dansby? god, him, Briggs, and Melton would turn this D around in one offseason

 

I feel like God owuld turn around most defenses :wink: But in all seriousness, is there much difference really between a 3-4 ILB and 4-3 MLB? I think Dansby has played mostly in 3-4 defenses in his career.

[jersey cubs fan]

thinking of train wreck organizations though and I stand behind that, they are one currently and could be fora while.

 

I find that statement to be preposterous. They are nothing like a train wreck. We're talking about NFL teams hiring and firing coaches within a year, meddling owners, nutjob head coaches running QBs out of town and guys coming down with diseases. Philly just came off a long run of terrific success and is not even close to being in disarray. The Cubs of the past 15 years are so much more of a train wreck than Philly. Their ownership situation is questionable at best right now and in some way shape or form are being held back by financial issues.

 

Philly doesn't belong on the list.

Edited December 30, 2013 by jersey cubs fan