Bears offseason

[Derwood]

We are all set, we drafted guys from Ashland, NC A&T and Kutztown (??!!?)

 

Is Jerry Angelo back drafting?

[UMFan83]

Apparently this dude started as a WALK ON at this imaginary Kutztown. Obviously this doesn't mean much but that's kind of crazy...walk on at a fake school to NFL Draft Pick

[LeftCoastCubFan]

Kutztown worked out pretty well for Andre Reed

[davell]

I mean davell, you're under the assumption that everyone on the board at the same position is created equal right now. are there lots of safeties on the board? yes. does that mean that they're created equal or that he's scouted all of them as closely? it doesn't matter if there are a lot of safeties left if Pace only feels that one of them is any good.

 

I understand the point. Personally, unless I'm hoarding extra picks to do just this type of maneuver, then I'm not allowing myself that luxury.

 

Obviously, he likes Jackson. I do too. Maybe it works out. IMO though, if you're taking Trubisky and not getting anything out of a 2nd overall pick in Year 1......You better be getting plenty of production out of your other picks. Shaheen? May or may not be a factor as a rookie.

 

Leaving you with 3 3rd Day guys. I'd prefer to have had more lotto tickets than that today. Very solid chance this draft gives us less production in year 1, than most teams.....

[Proven Veteran]

Apparently this dude started as a WALK ON at this imaginary Kutztown. Obviously this doesn't mean much but that's kind of crazy...walk on at a fake school to NFL Draft Pick

Only played half a season in high school.

[David]

Before the draft, I didn't want Trubisky at all--not that I knew anything or had spent much time looking into him. It just seems like there are QB's every year that are thought of as sure 1st round QB's after their first year starting in college, only to completely fall down the charts after a second year playing in college. I didn't freak out like so many people with what they gave up though. I realize it is only one spot to move up, but the extra picks they gave up seem like a little more than what you give to move up in the second round.

 

The first round trade ups for a QB seem to always require future or multiple firsts. I know it was from 15 to 1 last year, but didn't the rams give up 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds? I believe the RGIII trade required 3 firsts and a second (and people like to laugh at it now, but the rams haven't exactly benefited all that much from the trade while if RGIII had stayed healthy, it would have been a great trade for the redskins. It certainly looked that way after the first year). The bucs gave up a third and fourth to move up to take a kicker in the second round last year. The bears this year got two fourths and a sixth just to move back a few spots in the second round--and nobody nationally freaks out about that.

 

I guess it comes down to if you think the bears played themselves and gave up picks unnecessarily or if you think there is a chance that they could have missed out on the guy they wanted. Also, I hope they truly wanted him and not just because he was their top QB in a year they were near the top of the draft.

 

Anyway, this article below made me feel a bit better about Trubisky as a prospect:

 

http://presnapreads.com/2017/04/12/evaluating-quarterback-prospects-mitchell-trubisky-and-deshaun-watson/

 

Good read, thanks for posting

[Guest]

Apparently this dude started as a WALK ON at this imaginary Kutztown. Obviously this doesn't mean much but that's kind of crazy...walk on at a fake school to NFL Draft Pick

 

Supposedly he was born in a mental institution, and he sleeps only one hour a night. He's a great man.

[Guest]

I mean davell, you're under the assumption that everyone on the board at the same position is created equal right now. are there lots of safeties on the board? yes. does that mean that they're created equal or that he's scouted all of them as closely? it doesn't matter if there are a lot of safeties left if Pace only feels that one of them is any good.

 

I understand the point. Personally, unless I'm hoarding extra picks to do just this type of maneuver, then I'm not allowing myself that luxury.

 

Obviously, he likes Jackson. I do too. Maybe it works out. IMO though, if you're taking Trubisky and not getting anything out of a 2nd overall pick in Year 1......You better be getting plenty of production out of your other picks. Shaheen? May or may not be a factor as a rookie.

 

Leaving you with 3 3rd Day guys. I'd prefer to have had more lotto tickets than that today. Very solid chance this draft gives us less production in year 1, than most teams.....

 

yeah, i'll admit that that's concerning. I like the Trubisky pick and then the rest are totally unknown. But Pace has been good at drafting thus far.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Before the draft, I didn't want Trubisky at all--not that I knew anything or had spent much time looking into him. It just seems like there are QB's every year that are thought of as sure 1st round QB's after their first year starting in college, only to completely fall down the charts after a second year playing in college. I didn't freak out like so many people with what they gave up though. I realize it is only one spot to move up, but the extra picks they gave up seem like a little more than what you give to move up in the second round.

 

The first round trade ups for a QB seem to always require future or multiple firsts. I know it was from 15 to 1 last year, but didn't the rams give up 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds? I believe the RGIII trade required 3 firsts and a second (and people like to laugh at it now, but the rams haven't exactly benefited all that much from the trade while if RGIII had stayed healthy, it would have been a great trade for the redskins. It certainly looked that way after the first year). The bucs gave up a third and fourth to move up to take a kicker in the second round last year. The bears this year got two fourths and a sixth just to move back a few spots in the second round--and nobody nationally freaks out about that.

 

I guess it comes down to if you think the bears played themselves and gave up picks unnecessarily or if you think there is a chance that they could have missed out on the guy they wanted. Also, I hope they truly wanted him and not just because he was their top QB in a year they were near the top of the draft.

 

Anyway, this article below made me feel a bit better about Trubisky as a prospect:

 

http://presnapreads.com/2017/04/12/evaluating-quarterback-prospects-mitchell-trubisky-and-deshaun-watson/

 

Good read, thanks for posting

 

 

Trubisky has always been my fav QB in the draft. I love the fact we got him, and the picks it took don't mean much to me. There may be players who become HOF that we could have taken, but who can honestly predict that?

[davell]

UDFA time......Some nice players left too.

 

WR- KD Cannon, Ish Zamora, Damorea Stringfellow, Travis Dural, Travis Rudolph

 

OL- Eric Magnuson, Chad Wheeler, Avery Gennessy, Dan Skipper, Damien Mama, Javarious Leamon, Storm Norton

 

TE- Cole Hikutini

 

QB- Seth Russell, Cooper Rush, Alex Torgersen, Jarrod Evans

 

DL- Jarron Jones, Charles Walker

 

Edge- Joe Mathis, Carroll Phillips, Garrett Sickles

 

LB- Paul Magloire, Hardy Nickerson

 

CB- Ezra Robinson, Jeremy Cutrer, Channing Stribling, Sojourn Shelton

 

S- Lorenzo Jerome, Jadar Johnson, Fish Smithson

[davell]

 

 

 

Currently only have room for 4 more. Some cuts could be coming soon.

[davell]

 

 

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/AaronLemingNFL/status/858471099138547712

 

Edited April 30, 2017 by davell

[davell]

 

For those not on Twitter......

[Guest]

Before the draft, I didn't want Trubisky at all--not that I knew anything or had spent much time looking into him. It just seems like there are QB's every year that are thought of as sure 1st round QB's after their first year starting in college, only to completely fall down the charts after a second year playing in college. I didn't freak out like so many people with what they gave up though. I realize it is only one spot to move up, but the extra picks they gave up seem like a little more than what you give to move up in the second round.

 

The first round trade ups for a QB seem to always require future or multiple firsts. I know it was from 15 to 1 last year, but didn't the rams give up 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds? I believe the RGIII trade required 3 firsts and a second (and people like to laugh at it now, but the rams haven't exactly benefited all that much from the trade while if RGIII had stayed healthy, it would have been a great trade for the redskins. It certainly looked that way after the first year). The bucs gave up a third and fourth to move up to take a kicker in the second round last year. The bears this year got two fourths and a sixth just to move back a few spots in the second round--and nobody nationally freaks out about that.

 

I guess it comes down to if you think the bears played themselves and gave up picks unnecessarily or if you think there is a chance that they could have missed out on the guy they wanted. Also, I hope they truly wanted him and not just because he was their top QB in a year they were near the top of the draft.

 

Anyway, this article below made me feel a bit better about Trubisky as a prospect:

 

http://presnapreads.com/2017/04/12/evaluating-quarterback-prospects-mitchell-trubisky-and-deshaun-watson/

 

Everyone in this thread needs to read that article and the one on Mahomes (whom i liked a lot before reading that article) and watch those gifs. Look at the "frenetic feet" of Watson and Mahomes, and then the tendency of Trubisky to slide in the pocket and keep his feet underneath him.

 

We have a real QB boys.

[David]

would be so awesome if shaheen ended up being even 3/4 as good as gronk

[David]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[jersey cubs fan]

They are forcing me to love him

[OleMissCub]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/_internal/cimg!0/bjrrx9j43udtbd6v8cs7i6q07mstgiv

 

Buttoning the coat of a three piece suit? Cmon man. The entire purpose of a vest is so you don't have to button your coat.

Edited April 30, 2017 by OleMissCub

[WrigleyField 22]

Seems like a flurry of UDFA already;

 

http://bearswire.usatoday.com/2017/04/29/2017-nfl-draft-bears-undrafted-free-agent-tracker/

 

My depth chart including unofficial reported UDFA

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a481/karstenszr/depth_zpsmr620wcf.png

That's 87 names. Most obvious chance for an UDFA to make it would have to be K. After that, probably DL.

 

I'd count about 42 names that should be fairly safe, of those about 30 are virtual locks. Around 7-10 definite cuts. So looking at nearly 40 guys fighting for 11 roster spots and 10 practice squad spots as the roster bubble. They still have cap room left, so they could still sign late-cut vets, and injuries obviously always end up red-shirting guys and what not before we even get to the season opener.

 

Most interesting roster bubbles to watch

 

Mark Sanchez vs special team contributor. The decision to keep 3 QBs vs keeping a guy who might actually contribute on Sunday afternoons. This could have just as much to do with how Trubisky looks as well - whether they want that additional buffer between Trubisky and NFL snaps.

 

Paul Lasike/Freddie Stevenson v relevance. Especially on a team with as many TEs as the Bears now... they're fighting to even prove the value of their position, on top of against each other.

 

TE Royal Rumble. There's 9 guys and at least 6 are interesting to some degree, but you will likely only keep 3, maybe 4. Zach Miller being cut could end up being the big surprise of camp, and honestly he's one of our best receiving threats, so it would be a shame. Though with his history, he could just as likely not end up on the 53 by way of the IR.

 

Kyle Fuller. With his 5th option year not being picked up, it would seem to be an increased chance he doesn't make the 53 man. He certainly doesn't seem to be a serious threat to the starting job, even nickle.

 

Second safety spot. After Demps, its a whole lot of jumbled guys. You could legitimately end up with guys competing for the opposite starting spot one week and competing for a roster spot the next. Amos has the best shot at claiming that second starting spot early, but if he doesn't lock it down, things could get weird.

[UMFan83]

seems weird that we signed Cunningham and then used one of our 5 draft picks on another change of pace RB. I know Pace is a BPA guy (with a glaring exception) but RB is really not a position I would have expected us to draft especially with just 5 total picks and about 30 holes at other positions. I guess they will probably try to use this guy as a return man as well. Either way at least one of Carey, Langford or Cunningham is gone.

[jersey cubs fan]

seems weird that we signed Cunningham and then used one of our 5 draft picks on another change of pace RB. I know Pace is a BPA guy (with a glaring exception) but RB is really not a position I would have expected us to draft especially with just 5 total picks and about 30 holes at other positions. I guess they will probably try to use this guy as a return man as well. Either way at least one of Carey, Langford or Cunningham is gone.

theres no offensive skill depth in this team, not weird at all to bring in more guys.

[raw]

I've had some time to process not only the draft, but this entire offseason. And while I do like some of the moves (going in a legitimate direction at the QB position), I think overall there's not a ton to like.

 

It just seems like Pace is trying to play both sides of the fence a little too much. Spent more in free agency than any other team, but didn't really add any real building blocks. Showing loyalty to Fox by giving him a veteran QB, but then going all out for the top QB in the draft.

 

I think I'd feel better if the future of this team wasn't ALL on Trubisky's back. Granted,the future of any team is on the QB regardless, but I think the Bears would be in a much better position had at least 1 of the following things happened:

 

- New QB friendly coaching staff, with some history of developing a decent QB. John Fox is not a QB guy, and is too old for my liking. Loggains is nothing more than just "OK" as a QB coach/offensive coordinator. Nothing special. Had an opportunity and justification to get a new staff in here to develop a QB that was clearly going to be brought in thru the draft.

 

- Big splash in Free agency. I know, you build teams thru the draft. But the Bears had a ton of money to spent, actually spent the money, but still don't have much to show for it. Basically a bunch of 1-year deals or guys who could be cut with minimal lost after this year. I would have greatly preferred if the Bears could add at least 1 CB, safety, WR or OL that you could etch in the starting lineup for the next 3 years. And the Bears clearly tried and failed to get Gilmore, Bouye, Jeffery, and others.

 

- A less risky draft. I know every single pick is a risk to some extent. No pick is more likely to pan out than any other. But the Bears not only went from 7 to 5 picks on a team with needs at every position, they used 3 of the picks on guys who have to face a huge jump in competition. After going with an always risky QB pick early, I'd hope they'd follow it up with some more sure things types, if that even exists.

 

I just don't think this is the best situation for Trubisky to succeed. It's a long shot for him to get much help from his draft class. He doesn't have many veteran pieces in place that are going to help him along the way. And he isn't likely to get much help from a coaching staff that isn't likely to be here for the entirety of his rookie contract. The future success on this team is squarely on the shoulders of Trubisky at this point. The only people here that I can see taking pressure off him are Howard, Whitehair, Long, Meredith, Floyd, and Goldman. Everyone else on the roster either hasn't shown much yet or isn't going to be on the roster this time in 2019 (exception is Hicks re-signing and/or Cooper taking a big step forward).

 

Seems like these things don't often work out when a team doesn't full commit to one direction. That being said, if Trubisky is truly a stud....then everything else will fall into place. I just think the odds are more stacked against him than they should be at this point.

[jersey cubs fan]

I've had some time to process not only the draft, but this entire offseason. And while I do like some of the moves (going in a legitimate direction at the QB position), I think overall there's not a ton to like.

 

It just seems like Pace is trying to play both sides of the fence a little too much. Spent more in free agency than any other team, but didn't really add any real building blocks. Showing loyalty to Fox by giving him a veteran QB, but then going all out for the top QB in the draft.

 

I think I'd feel better if the future of this team wasn't ALL on Trubisky's back. Granted,the future of any team is on the QB regardless, but I think the Bears would be in a much better position had at least 1 of the following things happened:

 

- New QB friendly coaching staff, with some history of developing a decent QB. John Fox is not a QB guy, and is too old for my liking. Loggains is nothing more than just "OK" as a QB coach/offensive coordinator. Nothing special. Had an opportunity and justification to get a new staff in here to develop a QB that was clearly going to be brought in thru the draft.

 

- Big splash in Free agency. I know, you build teams thru the draft. But the Bears had a ton of money to spent, actually spent the money, but still don't have much to show for it. Basically a bunch of 1-year deals or guys who could be cut with minimal lost after this year. I would have greatly preferred if the Bears could add at least 1 CB, safety, WR or OL that you could etch in the starting lineup for the next 3 years. And the Bears clearly tried and failed to get Gilmore, Bouye, Jeffery, and others.

 

- A less risky draft. I know every single pick is a risk to some extent. No pick is more likely to pan out than any other. But the Bears not only went from 7 to 5 picks on a team with needs at every position, they used 3 of the picks on guys who have to face a huge jump in competition. After going with an always risky QB pick early, I'd hope they'd follow it up with some more sure things types, if that even exists.

 

I just don't think this is the best situation for Trubisky to succeed. It's a long shot for him to get much help from his draft class. He doesn't have many veteran pieces in place that are going to help him along the way. And he isn't likely to get much help from a coaching staff that isn't likely to be here for the entirety of his rookie contract. The future success on this team is squarely on the shoulders of Trubisky at this point. The only people here that I can see taking pressure off him are Howard, Whitehair, Long, Meredith, Floyd, and Goldman. Everyone else on the roster either hasn't shown much yet or isn't going to be on the roster this time in 2019 (exception is Hicks re-signing and/or Cooper taking a big step forward).

 

Seems like these things don't often work out when a team doesn't full commit to one direction. That being said, if Trubisky is truly a stud....then everything else will fall into place. I just think the odds are more stacked against him than they should be at this point.

his future is in the hands of the offensive line, that must keep Glennon healthy enough while losing 15 games. And then maybe next year they will try to draft actual football players.

[Derwood]

I know they're saying Glennon is the starter, but I doubt they gave up all those picks to move up to draft a backup for next year.

 

Whoever starts has basically no one to throw too, so I'm not sure if it matters much

[davell]

That was one of my points all along. We're just not in a great position to take a QB. We'll be keeping Fox and Co in 2018 now too, since the entire regime now gets a hall pass of some sort in 2017. Continuity is a great thing, we won't have that for Trubisky.

 

Then, you've got to shoehorn your next head coach into Trubisky, when he'd prefer finding his own guy, unless Trubisky has shown enough by then, that's he's the goods.....

 

And how will he? He's got no receivers and the line isn't set at all on the exterior.

 

Moving up and losing picks to get Trubisky didn't bother me. We could recoup picks at that point. Just one trade down to 45 and then reaching on a position that was far from our biggest need, that bothered me.....

 

Free Agency sucked. Its taking a blanket approach. Spreading cash around. Its set up for pure mediocrity at best. No impact at all. Spent tons of money on depth.

 

Which tells me they actually LIKE what's on the roster. And that's scary. Its a bottom 5 roster. They think health is going to propel them. To what? 6 wins?

 

Pace says he's building thru the draft.....In a full fledged rebuild(which this is), using 5 picks in the draft is horsefeathering stupid. That's what teams with GOOD rosters do, in taking a luxury pick.

 

I didn't want Trubisky. I think its 50/50 that he's successful. I don't think this team was in position to take that chance at this point. I'm pulling for him though.

 

But, I'm very worried this just set us back further.