WrigleyField 22

That's a pretty serious injury... you want that at 36? That's basically going to be a red shirt for him, right?

Also Christian Jones resigned today to a one year deal. They probably are done with the ILB group unless there is just a great draft value. Proabbly just will bring in some UDFA and Training Camp fodder).

More of an inside/nickel I think. They're clearly still active on DBs which is interesting considering the draft depth and our current depth. Wonder if Porter could be cut (~3m savings). Perhaps a Fuller trade for a late pick too. They seem to like LeBlanc amd Callahan even though both project as nickel/ST guys. And McManis has been a favorite for a long time as a ST contributor.

http://bearswire.usatoday.com/2017/03/10/cardinals-free-agent-cornerback-marcus-cooper-visiting-with-bears/ Marcus Cooper (ARI) visiting with the Bears. 23 starts and pro-bowl alternate in 2016. 6'2". PFF not a fan (101 ranked CB) http://bearswire.usatoday.com/2017/03/10/bears-expected-to-add-swing-tackle-tom-compton-to-offensive-line/ Tom Compton (ATL), backup RT, expected to sign

So apparently the Alshon Jeffery contract is only 9.5 guaranteed. The other 4.5 is incentives. I'm pretty stunned honestly. Even if he was dead set on leaving Bears, that seems like a low offer. His old WR coach, Groh is there. And maybe he's banking on that + Wentz getting his biggest payday?

huhAnyone else remember that classic early Madden (video game) commentary?

Interesting that there arent any details of the Wheaton contract yet. I dont even think years... ?

I can't say I would have been happy (all things considered). Wonder how much extra value NO would consider that 5th year option on pick number 32... Good point. The pick a year later hurts the value, but I have no idea how THATs truly valued either. But, the 4th the Saints are sending back, could be kept by them too. Its probably extremely close value. Which would weight it towards the Pats, based on the extra year, the more I think about it. I'm just wanting a damn move or two tonight. Realistically things are gonna extend into the middle and end of next weekend. Any other big movers other than Pryor tonight?

I can't say I would have been happy (all things considered). Wonder how much extra value NO would consider that 5th year option on pick number 32...

Poor metric to measure velocity IMO. You have to inspect the receivers handa for cross impressions to truely know how hard he threw it.

No sane receivers would take a prove it contract to play with this garbage offense. Agree on that. But, I can't imagine he'd have turned his nose up at 3/36 or so. 3/36 would have been a lot, but I did quote that as my high end this morning. We need two more weapons at least and then try to get by largely based on deception and spreading the ball around. A true pass catching TE in the draft and a RB who can share the field with Howard by lining up in the slot and the backfield (alomg with Langford filling a similar role). Add another WR as competiton as well.

To help make us feel better?

Barth back. Hopefully there is a legit camp leg brought in to compete too.

Pryor left WAS without deal, but I'm not seeing many Bears rumblings either... just one source from yesterday I think, some guy Erik Lambert, no idea if hes legit; writes for Sports Mockery.

They're probably in a pretty good spot, pending details of all the deals, but Pryor alone could make the rest of the deals a lot tighter. Remember their draft class is going to cost them almost 10M, and a 3-5M reserve is probably a realistic expectation. All those guys they can cut only make sense at this point if signing direct replacements, IMO.

Totally good with this contract Yea structure is fine as expected. I know that some people scoffed since other teams backed out at 8-10M, but the higher AAV was almost certain to come with added team flexibility that probably wouldn't have existed on a smaller AAV deal.

Ah missed that. Re: Patterson, I think he'll get suitors and if we presumably just gave a bunch to Prince. Unless we strike out on all the other possible upgrades, may not make sense resource wise.

Not sure Wright is worth it after Wheaton. A little duplicative unless those guys can be ST standouts... Wheaton has had some KR experience... depends on cost/guarantee, if its a prove it deal, sure. Patterson could be a better Thompson at least. Byrd, again probably depnds on cost. Dont want a ton of money tied up in a aging S duo. Broken record, but cost matters on the DL guys too. With Poe theres back issues, and with any of them they are potentially just part time rotation guys. Definitely need depth, but to replace Cornwash we also need to replace ST snaps. I'd add Reiff to Beachum, and I think we have been rumored to be interested.

Its probably a more technical thing. I dont think he'd be scheduled to be healthy anyways. As is, dont think he even has guarantees for injury. Huh, on Patterson. He had a big rebound year, no?

Would Pryor take a Alshon deal? I'm guessing the multi year deals wont give him the AAV he wants. Worth a gamble?

1 year deal. I'm gonna guess its 9M.

Fangio's defense can work well if the CB's are there, the defense could potentially carry the Bears. Even with the issues at WR, the Bears have enough talent to score points. Do they have a lot of holes? Yes, but with strength up front, they can get by with deficiencies elsewhere. if you get Lattimore and potentially another CB that can start on the outside - Claiborne is still out there - then you're dangerous. I don't see where they have the talent to score points. Howard and Kyle Long if healthy are their only above average players on offense, with Whitehair and Kevin White the only 2 with the potential to grow into above average players. The talent on offense sucks right now and a decent line will only make it average at best. Well Whitehair already is above average, as is Sitton, but yea the point stands that a offense built around a one dimensional RB and the three interior line spots, likely will have trouble scoring points, especially since last years version of the O had the same issue. Serious White growth/health, Glennon being average, and a repeat Meredith performance are all needed. Maybe Langford turning into a utility guy too (needs to catch the ball).

Day two wish list. Cap - After seeing the Sims number I'm also bumping up my Wheaton estimate and saying 34M in cap remaining, with about 10 due for draft pool. So 24M (could find another 10 by waiving Royal and/or Houston at about 5M savings a piece) 1. Pryor. He may end up being flash in the pan, with only one year of production to his name, but as long as the guaranteed and length is set up right, I want to see them take that chance. Either a one year prove it contract ala Jeffery or a 3/30-36 with up front roster bonuses. Est. Cap $11M. Cut Eddie Royal. 2. Either Amukamara or Claiborne. I'd give them either 1-2 yr deals with a high AAV or a longer deal in the 7-8M range. I'll set aside 10 as a conservative estimate. 3. DL depth. Names to consider, Lawrence Guy, BAL. CJ Wilson CHI. Jarvis Jenkins, KC. Stephen Paea, CLE. If there is a Cornelius Washington double out there who doubles as ST, that too. 4. Swing OT/RT This is probably either Reiff or Beachum. At too high of a cost you could make an argument to just stick with Mike Adams. Massie could also be cut for $5M savings if you felt one was just a pure upgrade and required that cap space. 5. Position to watch -OLB. Still some young, intriguing names, and with the formentioned $5M savings from Houston available you could effectively swap out for the same cap hit at the right price. Not a market that has shaken out totally yet.

Anyone have access to PFF scores. Reading some commentary, it sounds like its the blocking scores that are making up Sims poor PFF scores, but I cant find the raw broken out scores. If thats the case I really hope PFF is missing something and this guy can actually block, at least.

Lattimore could obviously make his own argument as BPA, but I really don't think Pace has the luxury of a need pick. He just needs to bring in the best guy at each slot, and he'll have a chance to make an impact (unless its a RB who can't split out into the slot- thats the one position a guy will end up buried). Fangio's defense can work well if the CB's are there, the defense could potentially carry the Bears. Even with the issues at WR, the Bears have enough talent to score points. Do they have a lot of holes? Yes, but with strength up front, they can get by with deficiencies elsewhere. if you get Lattimore and potentially another CB that can start on the outside - Claiborne is still out there - then you're dangerous. You could also probably get a CB as late as round 3 in this draft and find a starter. So Lattimore is probably one of a half dozen guys at #3 for me, with not a lot of separation, yet. If one guy can separate himself a bit more we still have upgrades needed all over.