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The Bears offseason

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I say this every year, but I really don't think the bears are that far away.
David GOAT

David

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I say this every year, but I really don't think the bears are that far away.

 

I really don't either. Especially if the draft is solid.

 

I think we could have two above average units next year if things fall right. And two above average units = a pretty good team.

WrigleyField 22 Knoxville Smokies

WrigleyField 22

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I say this every year, but I really don't think the bears are that far away.

 

I really don't either. Especially if the draft is solid.

 

I think we could have two above average units next year if things fall right. And two above average units = a pretty good team.

This defense still needs some help. And you don't want to rely only on the draft for additional D resources.

 

Still really want Hicks, a S, and maybe another minor DL piece in FA.

 

Freeman deal is a steal though. For Fox's shortcomings I think we have a place guys want to come play for now.

David GOAT

David

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I say this every year, but I really don't think the bears are that far away.

 

I really don't either. Especially if the draft is solid.

 

I think we could have two above average units next year if things fall right. And two above average units = a pretty good team.

This defense still needs some help. And you don't want to rely only on the draft for additional D resources.

 

Still really want Hicks, a S, and maybe another minor DL piece in FA.

 

Freeman deal is a steal though. For Fox's shortcomings I think we have a place guys want to come play for now.

 

Still working on Hicks, so it's not like that's off the table.

 

I wish we were hearing of at least kicking the tires on Weddle...wonder what he's gonna cost. At least we have one good safety now, though.

David GOAT

David

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Sounds like Hicks is still in Chicago. If he leaves, I imagine he couldn't close the deal. Hopefully a deal is done tomorrow.

 

Hicks is done...2 year deal

David GOAT

David

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Is Hicks worth it?

 

Probably, but I'm a little surprised they didn't just bring Jenkins back, who was solid last year and cheaper.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/29/pro-6-best-free-agent-bargains/

 

3. Akiem Hicks, DT (Patriots)

Despite the Patriots’ capacity for generating production from limited talent on the defensive line, Akiem Hicks’ year stands out as genuinely impressive. A 76.3 overall grade is not particularly compelling, but his 14th spot in our defensive tackle rankings illustrates Hicks’ production in limited reps in New England. He proved to be an absolute bargain after being traded for TE Michael Hoomanawanui early in the season. It took five consecutive negatively-graded games for the light to go on, but Hicks’ impressive form saw him record a +15.9 cumulative grade in his next 13 outings. Hicks amassed 18 combined pressures on just 167 rushes, giving him a pass-rush productivity of 8.5 (seventh-best among DTs/NTs). Far from selling out to get to the quarterback, Hicks added 11 stops in 116 snaps, snagging a top-20 ranking in run-stop percentage. There are a number of explosive interior defensive lineman set to hit free agency, but Hicks provides the best value for money.

UMFan83 GOAT

UMFan83

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PFF also named the Bears one of their 5 winners of FA so far (only 3 of the 5 are actually teams)

 

4. Chicago Bears

The Bears have been quietly adding some impressive pieces to their team without breaking the bank. Linebacker has been a big issue for this team for awhile now, and they double-dipped in free agency, adding both Danny Trevathan from Denver and Jerrell Freeman from Indianapolis. That pair represents two of the top 11 off-the-ball linebackers at PFF last season, while the highest-ranked Chicago Bear in 2015 was 58th. To go along with that, the team added a nice depth-player to the D-line in the shape of Akiem Hicks. Hicks has a positive PFF grade in every season of his career, and has now been quietly productive for two different teams. He may not be an every-down starter for Chicago, but as a rotation-player for the line, he should be a significantly positive addition.

David GOAT

David

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Barnwell:

 

Jerrell Freeman (Bears): B

 

One of the credos of any sort of "Moneyball" philosophy is to try and create arbitrage by placing an emphasis on concepts other teams don't value appropriately. Ryan Pace doesn't want us thinking he's some Moneyball GM, but he's unwittingly seeking out such a proposition by going after his second talented inside linebacker in a week. The rangy Freeman, signed to a three-year, $12-million deal with $6 million guaranteed, will join up with Danny Trevathan to make up arguably the best pair of inside linebackers within a 3-4 defense in football.

 

No team has made a bigger upgrade at one position than the Bears have at inside linebacker this offseason, and with oodles of cap space available, Pace has wisely placed large roster bonuses in each player's 2016 compensation to retain flexibility in future years. If Freeman doesn't look like the guy who called the shots for Indy, they can move on with just $2 million in dead money next year. The Bears will have $12.1 million committed on their cap to inside linebackers this year, the fifth-highest total in the NFL at the moment. It doesn't top the Steelers, who have an otherworldly $19.6 million devoted to inside linebackers, thanks to the $15.1 million owed Lawrence Timmons after years of restructures.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14932572/grading-big-free-agent-deals-nfl

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