rawaction

It seems as if the Bears keep looking to Quarterbacks coaches. Another QB coach who has had success with other NFL QB's. I'm certainly no expert on football, and probably don't know what being a "QB coach" entails. But I sure hope that if they actually bring one of these "QB coaches", he can do more than teach Cutler how to throw a better spiral and have better footwork. I sure hope that he can actually design an offensive play, call it, and coach and offensive line. NFL coaches spend so much time together. A QB coach works very closely with the OC. Just by osmosis a QB coach should be able to design and call plays.

That's true, but who has he had at QB? Warner, Bulger? Both pocket passers and less mobile than Cutler. My bigger concern is whether he can get Cutler out of the pocket and/or running some bootlegs to his right. That's where he's at his best and Turner didn't utilize that strength. Even more troubling if he didn't do his best to get the statues the protection they needed.

I will take Houston and draft them into the playoffs next year.

It is a concern, but they are very different cases. Cutler succeeded in Denver. Warner has had all his success in domed STL and desert/domed Arizona. He struggled in NY, and he's an old man. The Bears can screw up Cutler, there's no doubt, but there's absolutely no reason why they can't make it work. Cutler threw for 3600 yards and 27 TDs this year. He completed over 60% of his passes. Other than the INTs, he had the type of year that a QB who is at risk of getting "screwed up" doesn't have. Cutler is already beyond the point of being screwed up. He is good enough already. The question remains if he can be great with the Bears, because he has everything personally that it takes to be a top 5 QB in the league.....and that's in spite of the INTs, he just needs the help around him. Whether that's offensive coordinator, OLine or WRs.

Yes! I want the Bears to get Bates in some capacity. That article mentions the Tennessee OC as a candidate. I don't know much about him, but I do think I want more experience than Bates as OC. Bates as QB coach would be ideal.

one that produces would be nice, since forte is neither you keep glossing over the fact that forte is a terrible runner. You don't learn rb, you either have it or you don't. Forte may have had it 3 years ago, but he was probably overused in college and his rookie year, and he doesn't have it now. He should be a third down back only. The bears have no money tied into rb, and can easily afford to get one with actual talent. LOL. So, just because you say Forte is a terrible runner makes it fact? I've already stated that I think you are wrong and he is not terrible. In fact, you have even said yourself that he is "barely adequate". So is he horrible or adequate? Or does it change depending on your argument as it has every other post? I know this doesn't mean anything as far as Forte goes, but do you think Brandon Jacobs is a terrible runner? He had a worse year than Forte running the ball with what is regarded as a much better O-line. And again, stop using the no money tied into RB excuse. The Cubs have a ton of money tied into the offense. Does that mean they shouldn't spend on more offense? No, because you have to look at the entire team. You argue that the running game is pointless then want to spend money on a RB. If this is a passing league, why not use that money to make the passing game better?

Its not just about the number of carries. The guys I've suggested for the most part would offer the speed and elusiveness that Forte really hasn't shown. I don't remember who you suggested. But do you want a RB who can produce or one that looks pretty? You can have both, but how much do you want to pay for that? The guys I listed all got $2.5M per. Anyone better than them would obviously cost more. Elusive players at a similar production level will cost the same. I wouldn't want to pay too much more than that for a backup RB who isn't going to see the field on most passing downs, which for the Bears was 64% of the plays last year. Give Bell more of a role for basically free and see what he can do. Draft a guy like Demarco Murray or Ben Tate in the 5th round to help out. If Forte has another crappy year, you go get somebody in 2011, when hopefully you already have a strong passing attack.

I think the Bears have their eyes set on Perry Fewell. I think that could be a good move. Fewell or Mora? Sorry, Fewell. He's probably one of the better Cover-2 coordinators out there, so if that's the scheme you're sticking with (it appears that it is) then he's probably one of the better ones. Yes, I do like Fewell. He was a DBs coach in his past, and it showed this year as the Bills D was 2nd against the pass this year. They had a whopping 28 INTs, including 17 from the safety positions which is what the Bears need. They forced 41 TOs overall. Buffalo dealt with a lot of injuries on D in 2008, but they were 10th in the league in INTs in 2007 also. Edit: Bills did finish 28th against the pass in 07. But they were 7th vs. the pass in '06 and 13th in '08.

I think the Bears have their eyes set on Perry Fewell. I think that could be a good move. Fewell or Mora?

He's better, but he's not an everydown guy, and he's not going to be paid like one. It's not hard to be better than Forte. One person threw-out LT's name and he is not being discussed, plus, you're talking to me and I've never once mentioned him. I don't understand why you are so adamantly opposed to getting some actualy talent at RB, they don't have any on the team. They could use a great WR, but I doubt they get one, and if they don't, I don't see another body at WR offering more value than a RB that can actually run the ball. The offensive line should be the priority, I've said that for 4 years. But there is no reason why they can't spend a little money at RB. They aren't spending any right now, they aren't going to spend any money on draft picks, and they have plenty of cap space. Agreed with everything you said here. I really don't get what rawactions problem with adding talent at RB is. Forte just isn't good enough to justify not looking for available upgrades/compliments. You think Forte isn't that good. I don't think he's that bad. But first, let's start with the going rate for a free agent, veteran RB. I know NFL contracts are different birds from other sports, but Correll Buckhalter got 4 years/10 Mil last offseason. Derrick Ward got 4/$17M. Maurice Morris got 3/$7M. All 3 are average RBs who were brought in to share carries. They all got on average 2.5Mil/year. A guy like Pierre Thomas, who is better than all 3, will get A LOT more. I don't mind adding talent to any position, but I think 2.5Mil or more for a RB to share carries is a misuse of funds with so many other needs. Forte is a good enough receiver that he has to be on the field in most passing downs. Additionally, the Bears called 597 pass plays this year (555 Cutler ATT, 8 Hanie, 35 sacks) to just 333 run plays. *Note: I took out runs by Cutler not knowing if they were QB sneaks or scrambles* So, do you pay a lot of money for a guy to get 150 carries and 20-25 catches? Especially when those catches are coming at the expense of a RB who has been in the top 3 in catches in both his years in the league? I understand the need to take touches away from Forte, I really do. But I don't understand the desire to spend a couple million on a FA or draft one with one of the two top 150 picks the Bears have for a guy to get 175-200 touches. More talent at RB isn't going to make the Bears run game better. More talent at tackle, center, and guard will. Do you think Carolina became a good running team the last couple years because of Williams and Stewart? Sure that helped, but they also drafted, developed, and signed probably the best OL in the league. What about the Jets? Did Thomas Jones make them that good of a running team and it's just coincedence that the Jets became a great run team when they brought in Faneca, D'Brick, and Mangold?

Very true, and a running back that can actually run the ball is probably going to help him more than just another body at WR. You are comparing signing a #1 WR with signing a complimentary RB, the affordability of each is completely different. None of those guys are #1 WRs. Secondly, people aren't suggesting a complimentary back. Pierre Thomas is not a compliment, if you think he's better...he's an upgrade. And people have suggested LT and others. Those are 2.5-4Mil/year RBs. Those WRs would cost slightly more and fill a much bigger need.

Really? This isn't the Yankees. It's the Jets, who are like a worse version of the Mets, and nobody ever overvalued a Met. I don't think there is any "overvaluing" a NY player in the NFL. Maybe the Patriots, with all their organization success, and possibly Indy, since they've always played with a superstar QB in a dome. But not the Jets. Jose Reyes is overvalued as a Met. Several members of the Jets defense are overvalued. Thomas Jones. Alan Faneca.

Forte is only going to make about $500k, so signing almost anybody will require paying more than him. And I see no point in signing a WR unless you are getting an elite one. The Bears have a bunch of 2nd/3rd type WR, they don't need another. If you can get a stud, go ahead, but otherwise why waste? The Bears have a franchise QB. They need to give him all the help he can get. As good as Aromashodu was the last couple weeks, he is still a journeyman WR who has done very little in the NFL. He's also the only WR that has seen the field over 6'. I think if you can get another #2 type WR who has some size, you go for it. Cutler has made it clear he likes big WRs. My new favorite WR target is Malcom Floyd from San Diego. 6'5", 225lbs. 17.3 ypc for 2 straight years, increased role this year. Took over the starting role and made Chris Chambers expendable. If you can get him, a guy like Kevin Walter 6'3", or Antonio Bryant affordably, then it would be foolish to not go after one because they aren't "studs". All would be the Bears best WR.

The Bears don't need help in the return game. Washington would probably be the best returner on the team (Hester included), but not so much better that it would provide incentive to sign him. I also think you underestimate how much he could get paid. Washington was getting 12 carries per game when he got hurt. He averages 4.8 ypc for his career. He's a great returner and great receiver out of the backfield. Add to that he plays in NY so that increases his value. As for Jerious Norwood, when you say he has excelled....you mean 18 months ago. He was pretty horrible this year (3.3 ypc). He missed 6 games and all but 1 play of another, and has missed time in every year but 08. And take out his 3 carry, 56 yd performance out vs. the woeful Rams in the last game of 08, and he has averaged a whopping 3.1 ypc in his last 20 games behind one of the league's best lines.

I see no reason why a Forte Thomas backfield couldn't be 40/60, but who cares about such specifics. Thomas clearly brings more to the table because Matt Forte isn't good. He's not a weapon, he's a body. I have serious doubts about their ability to get all those needs and the last thing this team needs is just a body at WR. Unless you get a really good one, there is no use for another one. They have 5-6 draft picks, and can sign 2-4 FA, I don't see how a RB can't be on that list, considering the one they have is way down the list and makes no money. The offensive line is probably the only place that can be improved by just throwing bodies there, and they aren't getting any significant upgrades at tackle or end. I didn't say RB can't be on the list. I said it shouldn't be high on that list. If its the 4th, 5th or 6th of the draft picks fine, but I see no reason to pay someone more than Forte to come in here. And if you have 6 picks and 4 FAs. I'd like at least 2 of those to be offensive linemen. I'd like OL to be the highest paid FA and the 1st draft pick. If not, 2 FA OL and a 4th/5th pick on OL. From there, I'd sign or draft a FS. Sign a WR (no point in drafting a WR, IMO because he would be just a body in the 3rd round or later). Draft or sign at least 1 DL. Draft a LB. Then I'd worry about RB. FA: OG, WR, FS, OT Draft: 3rd- DL, 4th- OL, then you look at RB, along with DB or LB.

According to Chris Mortensen, the Seahawks want Pete Carroll. And apparently Carroll is interested, and is trying to convince Jeremy Bates to come to Seattle with him.

I didn't saying anything about lesser backs, I was talking about a superior runner like Thomas. Get a guy who can actually do something with the ball in his hands, but who may not be capable of running 20 times a game, and team him with Forte, whose main strength is that he can carry it 25 times a game, and you might have something back there. If you are waiting until the 7th round, I'd fear you are getting very little. If you sign a couple quality lineman and can't afford such a player, fine, but I think they have plenty of room in their cap structure to fit in a back with superior talent than Forte. I might prefer a Brandon Marshall type receiver, but I think an impact WR is going to be much harder to acquire than a complimentary RB who can take half of Forte's carries. I would go for an offensive guard, tackle, defensive tackle, end, Free safety, and WR before RB. You didn't mention lesser backs, but others did. And I don't think Pierre Thomas is that much better a runner than Forte to take 60% of his carries (as you did suggest).

I've actually seen Amano as a bit of a weak link in the Titans' line the last couple of years. It could just be that the Titan line is so good, but as you said Amano has given up 3-4 of 8 total sacks in 2008. I think Amano would be a really nice backup who can play both center and both guard spots, but am not crazy about him as a starter. He likely would be cheap, though, (if the Titans don't resign him, I think Fisher likes him) and might be an improvement over somebody like Omiyale for the Bears. I've wanted Leroy Harris to start at guard for a while now, though he'll likely be the replacement for Mawae at center going into next year. Amano gave up 3-4 in the 2 years (2 in 2008, and either 1 or 2 this year depending on the website). Sorry for the confusion. And yes, Amano is the weak link in the Titans line, but that is more of a factor of a great OL. Everything I've read from Titans fans say, "he's solid, never going to be a pro-bowler though". I think the Titans will re-sign Mawae and let Harris play LG.

I don't think the Saints will let Evans leave. I actually think the Pats will allow Mankins to go. But he will be paid a TON of money. A cheaper option might be Eugene Amano. Starting LG for the Titans the last 2 years. Only 28. Has led the way for the #2 rushing attack for each of the last 2 years, including a 2000 yard back this year. He seems to be a strong run blocker. And if you don't care about run blocking, the Titans gave up just 22 sacks in the last 2 years, including just 8 of the immobile Kerry Collins in 2008. I believe Amano gave up 3-4 of them. I like Gaither a lot at tackle too. He's super young, plays LT, but will probably be moved to RT or benched in favor of "The Blindside" Michael Oher next year. He is restricted though. Do the Bears have to give up compensation if Baltimore doesn't match or make an offer to him? How does that work again?

Forte isn't good. He's barely adequate. I overrated him last year probably based on the fact that he was a good fantasy RB, but he wasn't a good RB. No team should have one primary back unless that guy is great, and Forte doesn't run the ball well enough to deserve the role he has. The line plays a part, but Forte should have never been a 300 rushes guy, and he shouldn't be a 250 guy either. There's no reason why he and a guy like Thomas can't split with 150 each. Forte has no burst speed or moves. The Bears have no quality RB depth. I can't imagine why somebody would have a problem taking carries away from him or trying to get better depth at a position they suck at and get very little from. Money is not an issue as Forte is signed for nothing for 2 more years. I don't want to spend a lot of money adding another RB, though. For one, your consistent point about the fact that this is now a passing league is spot on. It diminishes the importance of a feature back. Second, we'll get improvement in the running game simply by improving the line and investing scarce resources to do that as well as we possibly can. Take what you'd spend on Thomas + an average lineman and spend the combined money on an outstanding one. Third, if the scheme improves significantly, the pass can better set up and improve the effectiveness of the running game, too. Basically, I'm fine with adding additional depth to the position, but not at the expense of allocating resources to what I perceive as greater areas of need on the lines, secondary and possibly receiver. That was the original point of my post, but this thread has turned into Forte bashing. People talk about his lack of speed and moves (though he ran a 4.4 at the combine), but there are plenty of guys in the same boat. Benson had a ton more yards, but is of similar speed and moves of Forte. Goony, again I'm not disputing anything you said in your post. Forte is adequate. But adequate is good enough when you have so many other needs. And you are 100% correct that he shouldn't be getting 250-350 carries if he's not of Peterson, Johnson, Jones-Drew ability. But that doesn't mean he should lose most of his carries to the lesser backs mentioned. I'd like to bring in another RB, simply because AP is a free agent and Wolfe sucks. But I'd be fine with a 5-6th rounder and very little money spent on the position. I think Forte for 180-200 carries, Bell for 100, and Wolfe/rookie for 30-50 would be good enough. The Bears won 7 games with no run game whatsoever and the most TOs in the league. They are 2 OL and a good OC away (IMO) from having a decent run game. That's not reason enough to spend a lot of money on another back. And yes, money IS an issue. Just because Forte makes little means nothing. I'd rather money be spent on a stud OL, good FS, good DL than on another RB.

Wow, last year at this time people (Bears fans on THIS board included) were arguing that Forte was up there with Peterson as the best RBs in the NFC because of his ability to catch the ball and stay on the field on 3rd down. Now, he isn't fit to get more than 50% of the carries with another RB on the team. Is he seriously being knocked down in status because of the line he played behind most of the year? I don't think you people truly understand how bad this line is/was. Especially Orlando Pace. In the last 5 games, WITHOUT Pace in the lineup, Forte ran the ball 93 times for 386 yards. That's not great by any means, but that is 4.15 yards per carry....1/2 yard more than his overall ypc and 3/4 yard more than he was getting with Pace in there. And yes, he played Detroit and St Louis in that stretch, but also faced GB, Min, and Baltimore and had decent games for 2009 Bears standards. Matt Forte is a fine NFL runningback. Replace Omiyale and Kreutz and he will have decent numbers next year. Now, I will wholeheartedly agree that the Bears need someone to help him with carries, but I won't go as far as some have suggested and say the Bears need to spend an early pick on a RB, need to sign a veteran FA, or lose 60% of his carries to Pierre Thomas.

Weis would be interesting. I don't think he's a guy that will ever be and maybe not ever want to be an NFL head coach. Failing at Notre Dame is so public. I don't know if he wants to be a head coach anytime soon, especially for a team so close to South Bend. As for his credentials, you can't really ask for more. He essentially developed Brady. Sixth round pick who he helped send on his way to the Hall of Fame. Claussen went from a shaky QB to a guy that left early and will be a 1st rounder. He also put Brady Quinn in the NFL. So, he has worked with young QBs and helped them take the next step at 2 different levels, in 2 different job capacities. Also, let's not forget the WR talent this guy had. The NE WRs he coached weren't the Moss/Welker combo they have now. Deion Branch and Jabar Gaffney have proven to be mediocre journeymen without Weis. Jeff Samardzija and Maurice Stovall were raw WRs that he got a ton out of at ND. Golden Tate and Floyd were really talented, but flourished under Weis also.

Didn't realize that Lovie has lost at least 2 coaches every year since he's been the coach.

So, I think I like Bates. Unfortunately, the only ties he has to the Bears are thru Cutler. I don't know that the Bears will (or should) give Cutler any chance to make suggestions. In a perfect world, Bates would be the QB coach w/ another OC. But again, I don't see that happening without Shanahan, Kubiak, or somebody that worked with him in Denver coming along with him. But I say bite the bullet, go with Bates as OC and hope he brings Shanahan/Kubiak's playbook with him. Weis could be fun also, but again I see no ties there. Lovie hasn't proved he's a guy that would like to share the spotlight w/ a coach that has experienced success at the NFL level.

Here are my bold predictions before the season. Lets see how I did. 10. Right about Atlanta and Miami. Baltimore squeaked in as 6-seed. 2 outta 3 ain't bad. 9. I should have put at least 8 wins, which was the point because everyone thought they would be bad. 8. OchoCinco was the only one that came thru. LT got the TDs. LJ got benched and traded. Westbrook got his head busted. 1 of 4. ugh! 7. Didn't have a winning record, lost to Min on a miracle play, 6 short of comeback vs. GB. 6. There was only one 1-win team. And they were the only team to finish worse than Detroit 5. Jets did luck into playoffs. 4. Edwards was traded. 1 out of 3. 3. Got 3 of 5. Rice, Austin, and Meachem had great years. Stuckey and Smith...not so much. 2. I was right! None of them finished 2nd either. 1. Way wrong!