2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Guest]

This is what an NFL linebacker looks like...

 

http://www.oneresult.com/sites/default/files/u3/Patrick%20Willis%20Fat%20Loss.png

 

(OMC actually knew (of) this guy in college)

Or this

http://ronyeany.files.wordpress.com/2006/12/urlacher-2.jpg?w=580

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/wynnlasvegas/44342/images/44342-hi-Brian_Urlacher1.jpg

Edited April 22, 2014 by David

[RynoRules]

Willis is an absolute freak of nature.

 

Urlacher looks fit as hell there. His core and upper body look very strong (even though has no six-pack). Calves look a bit underdeveloped, but that's just his body type. To me, he always looked like a distance runner from the waist-down.

Edited April 22, 2014 by RynoRules

[jersey cubs fan]

It's great that he's getting in shape...about damn time. But it's still a whole new position he'll be learning. Still plenty of room for doubt.

 

But hey...first things first, and this is definitely a step in the right direction.

You basically have to go in treating this like his rookie season.

 

Uhhhh, no you don't.

[dcvalpo]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

[Guest]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

 

Outside of Shea sucks, which is probably true, you have no idea what you're talking about.

[rawaction]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

 

It might not help. But he's going from playing DE and facing 305lb OTs to playing LB and potentially covering 205lb RBs.

 

Plus, he's not getting skinnier just to get skinnier, he's just not trying to maintain 265 to take the wear and tear of being blocked by a 305lb man.

[dcvalpo]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

 

Outside of Shea sucks, which is probably true, you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

Urlacher does look bigger and stronger...look at the two pictures.

 

And if Shea sucks, do you really think being skinnier is going to help?

[dcvalpo]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

 

It might not help. But he's going from playing DE and facing 305lb OTs to playing LB and potentially covering 205lb RBs.

 

Plus, he's not getting skinnier just to get skinnier, he's just not trying to maintain 265 to take the wear and tear of being blocked by a 305lb man.

 

My primary point is that Shea sucks. Position switch, body change, etc, he will still suck.

[jersey cubs fan]

Urlacher still looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than Shea does.

 

Shea sucks and getting skinnier isn't going to help.

 

Outside of Shea sucks, which is probably true, you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

Urlacher does look bigger and stronger...look at the two pictures.

 

And if Shea sucks, do you really think being skinnier is going to help?

 

it is completely disingenuous to describe the change as simply getting skinnier. Getting skinnier isn't going to help. That isn't what he is doing though. He's getting more muscular and less fat. It very well could help, but I'm not sure it will offset his already poor play and the disadvantage of having to play a position he is not used to playing.

[WrigleyField 22]

It's great that he's getting in shape...about damn time. But it's still a whole new position he'll be learning. Still plenty of room for doubt.

 

But hey...first things first, and this is definitely a step in the right direction.

You basically have to go in treating this like his rookie season.

 

Uhhhh, no you don't.

Expectation wise sure. Not saying his clock completely restarts, but we can't rush his development if we want to maximize his chances of contributing to this team. Just let him show progress. He doesn't need to get the customary two year leeway first round picks get, but we shouldn't expect third year LB play out of him. Or rather can't count on that production. We need to plan on him not being that good because of reality. If he exceed expectations, that's just gravy.

 

Now maybe if you were the GM you wouldn't be willing to develop him, so the move should have been to cut him. Obviously Emery (for whatever reason) did not want to cut him. There's no logic to a position change then carry sink or swim type expectations. If he plays like a good rookie LB, I'd say we would keep him, whereas most third year first round picks, you'd be thinking about cutting them.

[Guest]

First round picks should not be getting two years of leeway.

[jersey cubs fan]

Expectation wise sure. Not saying his clock completely restarts, but we can't rush his development if we want to maximize his chances of contributing to this team. Just let him show progress.

 

This isn't baseball. He's not developing. He's going to be a 25 year old three year pro this season. He's either going to perform or he is not.

[Guest]

Expectation wise sure. Not saying his clock completely restarts, but we can't rush his development if we want to maximize his chances of contributing to this team. Just let him show progress.

 

This isn't baseball. He's not developing. He's going to be a 25 year old three year pro this season. He's either going to perform or he is not.

Yeah, he needs to contribute immediately.

[Guest]

Willis is an absolute freak of nature.

 

Urlacher looks fit as hell there. His core and upper body look very strong (even though has no six-pack). Calves look a bit underdeveloped, but that's just his body type. To me, he always looked like a distance runner from the waist-down.

 

I'm not saying he looks out of shape. I'm just saying they don't need to look like Patrick Willis or Vernon Davis.

[rawaction]

It's great that he's getting in shape...about damn time. But it's still a whole new position he'll be learning. Still plenty of room for doubt.

 

But hey...first things first, and this is definitely a step in the right direction.

You basically have to go in treating this like his rookie season.

 

Uhhhh, no you don't.

Expectation wise sure. Not saying his clock completely restarts, but we can't rush his development if we want to maximize his chances of contributing to this team. Just let him show progress. He doesn't need to get the customary two year leeway first round picks get, but we shouldn't expect third year LB play out of him. Or rather can't count on that production. We need to plan on him not being that good because of reality. If he exceed expectations, that's just gravy.

 

Now maybe if you were the GM you wouldn't be willing to develop him, so the move should have been to cut him. Obviously Emery (for whatever reason) did not want to cut him. There's no logic to a position change then carry sink or swim type expectations. If he plays like a good rookie LB, I'd say we would keep him, whereas most third year first round picks, you'd be thinking about cutting them.

 

No reason to cut him because his salary doesn't prohibit the team from doing anything. Best case scenario, he's a solid starting LB. Worst case, he's a below average edge rusher that doesn't have to play as many snaps as he has the last 2 years.

 

Its not necessarily "sink or swim" at LB for him this year, but it's also not "let's see some development". It's purely about salavaging something for a 19th overall pick before he goes into his contract year.

[Guest]

Willis is an absolute freak of nature.

 

Urlacher looks fit as hell there. His core and upper body look very strong (even though has no six-pack). Calves look a bit underdeveloped, but that's just his body type. To me, he always looked like a distance runner from the waist-down.

 

calves, like you said, aren't really a function of fitness. i know fat guys who must be descended from a long line of plowmen because their calves are huge, which is, incidentally, why some fat guys wear shorts in the winter.

[WrigleyField 22]

I want to see the type of production you get out of a good rookie. If you think he should produce like a third year player, I can already know you you're gonna be disappointed. Worse, if you're counting on him to produce like a veteran we're screwed. Now you can say, "of course I wouldn't count on this unproven LB to contribute" which is what we say about rookies.

 

So, yes it's basically his rookie year again. If you felt he had to produce this year, you'd cut him, but Emery is obviously okay restarting his pro development since he kept him and changed his position.

[WrigleyField 22]

First round picks should not be getting two years of leeway.

They shouldn't but they pretty much do, even from really well run organizations.

[jersey cubs fan]

I want to see the type of production you get out of a good rookie. If you think he should produce like a third year player, I can already know you you're gonna be disappointed. Worse, if you're counting on him to produce like a veteran we're screwed. Now you can say, "of course I wouldn't count on this unproven LB to contribute" which is what we say about rookies.

 

So, yes it's basically his rookie year again. If you felt he had to produce this year, you'd cut him, but Emery is obviously okay restarting his pro development since he kept him and changed his position.

 

This is such circular nonsensical logic.

 

This is not a failed catcher moving to pitcher. This is not a defensive back moving to receiver. He's moving positions but his job will essentially be the same. It is not basically his rookie year, not even close.

[WrigleyField 22]

Expectation wise sure. Not saying his clock completely restarts, but we can't rush his development if we want to maximize his chances of contributing to this team. Just let him show progress.

 

This isn't baseball. He's not developing. He's going to be a 25 year old three year pro this season. He's either going to perform or he is not.

Yeah, he needs to contribute immediately.

Honestly who cares about his age at this point?

 

And what does it mean he NEEDS to contribute anyways. Has to produce like a 25 year old third year pro "should"? Has to just be a net positive from PFF? He needs to be a net positive while also playing a certain number of snaps?

 

And if he doesn't meet whatever those expectations are what does mean? Does he need to be cut then? Is his career over at 26?

[WrigleyField 22]

I want to see the type of production you get out of a good rookie. If you think he should produce like a third year player, I can already know you you're gonna be disappointed. Worse, if you're counting on him to produce like a veteran we're screwed. Now you can say, "of course I wouldn't count on this unproven LB to contribute" which is what we say about rookies.

 

So, yes it's basically his rookie year again. If you felt he had to produce this year, you'd cut him, but Emery is obviously okay restarting his pro development since he kept him and changed his position.

 

This is such circular nonsensical logic.

 

This is not a failed catcher moving to pitcher. This is not a defensive back moving to receiver. He's moving positions but his job will essentially be the same. It is not basically his rookie year, not even close.

While he does have the same essential role, there's a whole slew of extra responsibilities he has that he could easily fail at because he will be a first time LB. If he rushes the passer well, but fails at those, it reasons that he may need time like other inexperienced LBs, but that his play has room for progress rather than "this third year LB still can't cover decently". If it was no big deal for a DE to switch from LB, let the NFL evaluators know because there's a whole lot of small college d lineman who are gonna drop.

[WrigleyField 22]

Unless of course you think they'll be really strict about his role where he is exclusively a third down rush guy who never has a coverage assignments which is also the type of role usually handed out to rookies, so either way, I'm gonna plan on the Bears D as if Shea was a rookie.

[WrigleyField 22]

And before anyone says veterans get narrow roles like that all the time, they're called specialists, of which Shea currently has no proven or usable specialty.

[cubbyvirus00]

Willis is an absolute freak of nature.

 

Urlacher looks fit as hell there. His core and upper body look very strong (even though has no six-pack). Calves look a bit underdeveloped, but that's just his body type. To me, he always looked like a distance runner from the waist-down.

 

All NFL players are strong for their size. Strength at this scale can't be properly determined by looking at photos. To have clear cut definition and a 'six pack' requires primarily above all a proper diet regimen which most players coming out of college fail to learn about and have. Every individual and body shape is different, but to see Shea still not have that in place after being a first round pick and having played already is confusing to me.

[Soul]

 

And if he doesn't meet whatever those expectations are what does mean? Does he need to be cut then? Is his career over at 26?

 

It means the little experiment is over, and yes - his career with the Bears is over.

 

He's lucky he is even still here. I think he knows that given that he's trying really hard to change his physical profile. Will it be enough? Don't know, but I suspect he will struggle.