The Bears offseason

[David]

Figured PFF would be relatively high on us...8th in NFC

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-cardinals-own-top-spot-in-first-nfc-projections-of-2016/

 

8. Chicago Bears (8-8)

After a 6-10 season, the Bears should be one of the most-improved teams, thanks to a completely revamped front-seven. After adding Eddie Goldman and Pernell McPhee a year ago, they completed the renovation with inside linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, defensive ends Akiem Hicks and rookie Johnathan Bullard, and rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. On offense, they have WR Kevin White returning from injury. The downside is that they lost Matt Forte (signed with the Jets), the league’s highest-graded running back from Week 12 and on, as well as long-time tight end Martellus Bennett (now with the Patriots). Kyle Long is the only projected O-line starter who played above a replacement level in 2015. Put that all together, and you might only have baby steps in the right direction, but Chicago is trending upwards.

 

I wouldn't say that 8-8 is relatively high that sounds about right.

 

It is relatively high when we've been placed at the bottom of the league by some.

[Banedon]

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They signed Nate Chandler, OT formerly of the Panthers.

[David]

more pff

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-bears-add-to-evolving-roster-earn-a-offseason-grade-from-pff/

 

i'm honestly not sure if this has been posted (possibly by me) given how old it is, but PFF just RTd it

 

Since taking over last season, general manager Ryan Pace has made plenty of moves to overhaul a depleted Chicago Bears roster and they appear to be moving in the right direction. Last year’s draft netted two players that played significant, quality snaps in FS Adrian Amos and DT Eddie Goldman, while the return of an injured first-round wide receiver Kevin White should make that class look even better.

 

They followed it up with a strong foray into free agency this offseason to go with another strong-looking draft that has netted a good nucleus for the roster going forward. There are still question marks on the roster, but given the lack of talent just two years ago, things are looking upward in Chicago.

 

Offseason Grade: A-

 

More at the link

[David]

Apparently Manny Ramirez retired last night

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-manny-ramirez-retire-spt-20160608-story.html

[WrigleyField 22]

Apparently Manny Ramirez retired last night

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-manny-ramirez-retire-spt-20160608-story.html

Well, I was pretty excited about our interior Oline after the draft. Ramirez was basically the second swing backup then.

 

Now Grasu is an injury away from starting again. Let's hope he had a great offseason.

[David]

Apparently Manny Ramirez retired last night

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-manny-ramirez-retire-spt-20160608-story.html

Well, I was pretty excited about our interior Oline after the draft. Ramirez was basically the second swing backup then.

 

Now Grasu is an injury away from starting again. Let's hope he had a great offseason.

 

it sounds like grasu is seen as the starter at C right now

[raw]

Apparently Manny Ramirez retired last night

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-manny-ramirez-retire-spt-20160608-story.html

Well, I was pretty excited about our interior Oline after the draft. Ramirez was basically the second swing backup then.

 

Now Grasu is an injury away from starting again. Let's hope he had a great offseason.

 

Graus was the starter anyway. He'll be improved this year. He's also apparently up to 310lbs. But yeah, that Slauson cut really sucks at this point.

[jersey cubs fan]

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[UMFan83]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/06/09/bernstein-relationship-is-strained-between-bears-alshon-jeffery/

 

Can't remember which sports Bernstein has legit sources with

 

Fox is privately seething over what he feels is Jeffery’s lack of dedication to being the best he can be for the Bears, sources tell 670 The Score. There are others in the organization who share this view, but the primary conflict is one between a largely unhappy player and an old-school taskmaster of a coach, and it’s an increasingly untenable fit.

 

Jeffery signed his tender offer and is expected to participate in the mandatory practices that begin Tuesday. He and the team can negotiate a multi-year contract up until July 15, but the chances of that appear slimmer than ever, with each side having reasons to sit tight.

[Banedon]

Wasn't that the knock on Jeffrey prior to being drafted too? That he wasn't super dedicated to training?

[jersey cubs fan]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/06/09/bernstein-relationship-is-strained-between-bears-alshon-jeffery/

 

Can't remember which sports Bernstein has legit sources with

 

Fox is privately seething over what he feels is Jeffery’s lack of dedication to being the best he can be for the Bears, sources tell 670 The Score. There are others in the organization who share this view, but the primary conflict is one between a largely unhappy player and an old-school taskmaster of a coach, and it’s an increasingly untenable fit.

 

Jeffery signed his tender offer and is expected to participate in the mandatory practices that begin Tuesday. He and the team can negotiate a multi-year contract up until July 15, but the chances of that appear slimmer than ever, with each side having reasons to sit tight.

 

I'm not sure you need sources to confirm an old school coach is pissed at a player who missed lots of time in his only year with that coach that is now sitting out of practice.

 

 

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[UMFan83]

Yeah he addresses that picture in the article, but says something speculative like 'despite all smiles in the picture, Fox was gritting his teeth and privately seething'

[Chocolate Milk]

Don't most franchise tag players skip voluntary OTAs when they are negotiating for a long term contract? Seems like a weird thing to "seethe" about for someone who has been around as long as Fox.

[WrigleyField 22]

Wasn't that the knock on Jeffrey prior to being drafted too? That he wasn't super dedicated to training?

Yup. Marshall was supposedly a good influence on him after his rookie season.

 

Fox can seethe all he wants. This feels like pretty standard franchise tag drama.

[Guest]

Wasn't that the knock on Jeffrey prior to being drafted too? That he wasn't super dedicated to training?

Yup. Marshall was supposedly a good influence on him after his rookie season.

 

Fox can seethe all he wants. This feels like pretty standard franchise tag drama.

 

yeah, I don't get it. this happens every year. players the caliber of Alshon Jeffery want big contracts all the time and threaten to sit out. usually, something ends up working out. Fox is experienced enough to understand that.

[raw]

Don't most franchise tag players skip voluntary OTAs when they are negotiating for a long term contract? Seems like a weird thing to "seethe" about for someone who has been around as long as Fox.

 

My thoughts as well.

[Old Style]

Former Bears DT Bryan Robinson found dead in a Milwaukee motel room.

[UMFan83]

Well that sucks

 

[jersey cubs fan]

good thing they are incredibly deep at the position...

[raw]

I predicted the 53-man roster after the draft, and I had Wilson missing the roster cut. Jeffery, White and Royal are going to be there. Figure Mariani makes it based on his work in the slot last year, along w/ the little return ability he has. Braverman figures to make it over him based on being a 2016 draft pick. That leaves 1 spot at most for a 6th WR, which includes Josh Bellamy (good special teamer), Deonte Thompson (good in KO returns last year), Cameron Meredith (6'5", showed some promise last year), Kieren Duncan (UDFA, probably fastest player on team, potential KR), along w/ Wilson. Maybe they'll get to keep him around this way with an IR to return or something.

[David]

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[jersey cubs fan]

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What possible "news" could he be hearing other than the players and coaches liking what they are doing right now?

 

That's nice, but it's not news, or informative.

 

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[jersey cubs fan]

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[jersey cubs fan]

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