sweetpeteman

Completely lost in the past week was that Tony Fiammetta signed a two year extension back on the 28th (I didn't even realize it when I made my first post). Also, I've updated the depth chart with signing info from that post.

Raanta with his first career shut-out.

I'm not saying that they will go to the 3-4, but somebody at Reddit gave evidence to the theory (I'm still trying to find the post) and it makes sense. Emery came from Atlanta and Kansas City when they were both under 3-4 schemes with Crennel and Mora. I've always thought that Tucker was just a stop-gap. The Bears didn't want to make major changes to both the offense and defense in one offseason, and tried to find somebody that could run Lovie's scheme while they rebuilt the offense. Now with the offense looking good, they will try to rebuild the defense. It also follows why they didn't try to extend a lot of players last offseason, so that they could have flexibility going into this offseason.

A lot of money. The Cardinals are already pretty close to their cap, so they may not be able to bring him back. If you can't spend big at ILB, Smith and Mays may be better options. Smith has experience in the 3-4 Hybrid, Mays is younger and also played in the 3-4.

After looking at some numbers and reviewing, the biggest area of need on defense is linebacker. The Bears were ranked 15th in passing yards per game and 32nd (by a lot) in rushing yards per game. The biggest impact in rush defense is the LB. In my opinion, the most important injury this year on defense was... DJ Williams. The injury forced Bostic, a rookie who wasn't ready, into a very major starting role. Now, I like Bostic, and hopefully he can continue to improve and become a force in the middle, but for next year they need a healthy, impact ILB. Numbers: Pass Rush Cin 277 63 Min 227 123 Pit 379 80 Det 228 159 NO 283 64 NYG 232 123 (DJ Williams injured) WAS 290 209 (Briggs injured) GB 113 199 Det 219 145 Bal 143 174 StL 148 258 Min 250 246 Dal 130 198 Cle 273 93 Phi 225 289 (Briggs returns, makes 1 tackle) GB 313 160 With Briggs: PYG: 273 RYG: 141 Without: PYG: 182 RYG: 188 With Williams: PYG: 271 RYG: 102 Without: PYG: 210 RYG: 197 Giants game: 62 yards before Williams leaves with 4:00 remaining in third, 61 after. Washington game: 130 before Briggs goes out with 5:57 remaining in third, 79 after. Now, if the Bears do go to a 3-4 Hybrid, Bostic would still play a very major role as the second ILB. In fact, this may be the best option as it would allow him to be on the field learning and playing along side a veteran ILB. I do expect them to bring back Williams, hopefully at veterans minimum, but they will need another option that can be counted on to stay healthy. ILB free agent targets: Jon Beason, Karlos Dansby, Daryl Smith, Joe Mays I wouldn't draft an ILB, I think Bostic will be filling that role, he just needs more polish. Draft wise I still target D-Line help in the first round.

Man, I was pulling for neckbeard. That was anti-climatic.

It was both: a bad play call and blown coverage. It was probably a blitz with zone coverage with the safety supposed to stay over the top to prevent the TD throw. Shouldn't have called a blitz, especially not an all-out blitz, in that situation. And Conte failed by biting on the underneath route, allowing Cobb to get away without anybody covering him. That being said, as a coach you need to put your players in the best situation to succeed. Tucker doesn't do that. He left Conte hanging out to dry. Conte isn't that good and counting on him to have solo coverage like that while blitzing a very good QB is moronic at best. Tucker should be fired and Conte, while he may not be cut, shouldn't be starting next year.

On roster for next year: http://www.overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Bears&Year=2014 The site listed above has a nice calculator you can mess around with. Listed by depth chart: (Cap hit) New signings in bold, cuts with amended cap hit struck through. Quarterbacks Jay Cutler $22,500,000 Cutler's contract details Running backs 29 Michael Bush $3,850,000 32 Michael Ford $496,166 22 Matt Forté $7,500,000 43 Tony Fiammetta (FB) $730,000 2 year extension Wide receivers 17 Alshon Jeffery $1,240,317 15 Brandon Marshall $9,300,000 14 Eric Weems $1,600,000 10 Marquess Wilson $506,787 80 Earl Bennett $2,450,000 82 Chris Williams $420,000 Tight ends 83 Martellus Bennett $6,025,000 Offensive linemen 78 James Brown T/G $570,000 74 Jermon Bushrod T $7,300,000 76 Joe Long T $420,000 75 Kyle Long G/T $1,886,580 67 Jordan Mills T/G $536,200 68 Matt Slauson G $2,747,500 4 year extension Defensive linemen 91 David Bass DE $495,000 99 Shea McClellin DE $2,253,654 95 Cheta Ozougwu DE $570,000 92 Stephen Paea DT $1,172,787 90 Julius Peppers DE $18,183,333 94 Cornelius Washington DE $520,947 Linebackers 57 Jon Bostic MLB/OLB $895,636 55 Lance Briggs OLB $6,500,000 53 Jerry Franklin OLB $570,000 59 Khaseem Greene OLB $603,023 Defensive backs 47 Chris Conte FS $788,400 31 Isaiah Frey CB $495,000 26 Tim Jennings $5,250,000 4 year extension Special teams 9 Robbie Gould K $2,600,000 8 Adam Podlesh P $1,825,000 Dead Money: $1,475,671 Total: Cap: $133,242,727 Space: I went with just OtC for cap number.

I petition the NFL to ban the Packers from the playoffs and give it to the Cardinals.

At least we're spared the absolute murder that next week's game would've been. NO or SF would decapitate the bears and [expletive] down their throats. The defense should be made to forfeit their game checks, since they didn't bother playing a full game.

I ain't even mad. There's no point to be angry over a shitty team in the first place.

The defense is looking borderline competent, knock on wood.

I can actually understand Trestman not using the challenge there. He only has one left because, well, the refs suck. They should be able to (and did) score from the one foot line. Now Trestman still has that challenge. I don't understand the time-out.

Oh God, I know what happened: Lovie Smith has kidnapped Trestman and taken his form.

On the last Bears drive, Forte was tackled by the Packers safety, who moved up, wrapped up Forte, and followed through on the tackle. Conte did exactly what I thought a Bears safety would do: Stop, put his hands up, and get juked.

Something I just learned that is even more stupid: Podlesh has a contract through 2015. It will be a cap hit of $1.2mm next year when they cut him. Thanks Jerry.

If you are the Packers it's allowed. If you are anyone else, illegal. The ball can't be advanced by anyone but the runner on 4th down or within 2 minutes, otherwise it's fine.

This is entirely on the coaching staff. The defense is not playing football anymore. Can't tackle, poor play calling, players have no clue what to do. They are watching the game.

Every single player on the defense should have just lost their game check. [expletive] pathetic.

All of the sudden? He's been one of the worst punters in the league the last two years.

Despite the almost fumble, I would like to point out that was a horrible punt.

The one reason I think Conte may be back next year, hopefully with a better SS compliment is that he can make plays in the pass game and regularly grades positively in pass-d.

The tackling is one of the main reasons the entire defensive coaching staff should be dismissed.

Your meatball jackassery is so damn annoying, that safety was on Mills for being a bad starting T. Forte is their best offensive player. Tucker is awful as a DC, I'm willing to give another shot under his scheme but no adjustments and no original plan. I'm not. Tucker has had two shots at being a DC and has failed miserably at both. There is no reason to keep him on.

of course it's been an option, it's always been an option. no team in their right mind would let a QB like Cutler walk away without a better option already in hand. They have a better option. His name is Jeff McCowan. /Facebook