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***2013 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter benson_will_lead_the_way
- Start date
3nOut
Footballguy
Theres no question the OL needw to be addressed, but the question is whats the best way to do that? The biggest need, IMO, is at LT. There are three high-quality LTs in this years draft from what I've read and a couple that are raw but have talent and could eventually becone very solid starters. The most recent mock drafts have the top three LTs being gone by the time the Bears pick at 20. I don't think the Bears at that point should reach from another LT just because there is a need. The other option is to go all-in on one or more of the available LTs through free agency. This will allow them to have more options during the draft in case one of the top 3 LTs dont drop to them. They can then select one of the top 2 TEs available to be used as an additional weapon for Cutler, or a LB to eventually replace an aging Urlacher.I guess the best scenario would be for the Bears to sign one LT and one TE in FA then select the best available LB in round one. Failing to secure a LT during FA will force the Bears to trade up in the draft to ensure we get one of the top 3. Who could we trade with and what can we offer? Do we have enough ammo to do that?
Statcruncher
Footballguy
It looks weird to type it, but I don't know if LT is the Bears biggest need right now. Webb was actually serviceable last year and has improved every year, plus he's making a paltry 1.5 million in 2013. I'd love to go out and get a FA LT, but in order to get a significant upgrade Chicago would have to pay through the nose. Chicago could do that, but it's not like they have tons of room under the cap to play with. (Melton is due for a huge payday via contract or franchise tag, Cutler and Marshall will soon need new contracts, and Peppers' contract basically guarantees he's going to be a cap casualty in a year or two). When taking into account Trestman's new offensive scheme which will probably result in a shorter, quicker, passing attack Webb might not be the O-line weak link in 2013.In a quick passing attack the outside rushers will have a tough time getting to the QB unless the tackles completely whiff or an instant push up the middle drives the QB out of the pocket. With a quick hitting offense you could argue that a solid pocket spearheaded by the guards and center are actually the key O-line positions. While there are some good FA options out there, there are several nice G/C prospects in the draft that should drop to Chicago. Building the line from the inside out would give Cutler a pocket in the middle to step up into. Not saying it would work, but theoretically that coupled with another year of Webb improvement might not be so bad. I honestly don't know what to do at RT though, I'm hoping Carimi played poorly due to lack of strength in his legs which he can correct this offseason, but the pessimist in me is concerned he just might not be an NFL caliber RT. Getting back to the line, all things being equal I'd like to see starters come from the draft, but I know that's not always possible. Chicago is in win now mode, so I can see them working the cap to bring in one impact player if they think they're close. I think Emery knows the key to long term success in the NFL is drafting a steady stream of quality players, but he's savvy enough to know you can't fill every need in the draft. He would probably be the first to tell you that if he's constantly bringing in high dollar FA's as starters the Bears are in trouble.
Chicago Hooligan
Footballguy
You're not necessarily wrong, but this also highlights why so many people remain angry regarding the OL. Every year, everyone just hopes that the players in place will improve, or that changes to scheme (Cutler in a quick read/short pass offense? if you say so) will mitigate protection issues.
They traded for a franchise QB and WR1 when they couldn't draft/develop one. They have a very good RB. Yet the offense is bad, year after year.
Now, it isn't the front office's responsibility to disclose their plan to the fans, as much as reporters want to pry info out of them at the Combine. But for several years running, from the outside looking in, there has appeared to be no plan, simply a hope that a modestly talented OL would improve, and a hope that tweaks to the scheme/OC could protect Cutler.
Those hopes have
. There is A New Hope in the form of a new coach, but if there are no changes to OL personnel, it's going to be a tough to prove that they have an actual plan until opening day.
They traded for a franchise QB and WR1 when they couldn't draft/develop one. They have a very good RB. Yet the offense is bad, year after year.
Now, it isn't the front office's responsibility to disclose their plan to the fans, as much as reporters want to pry info out of them at the Combine. But for several years running, from the outside looking in, there has appeared to be no plan, simply a hope that a modestly talented OL would improve, and a hope that tweaks to the scheme/OC could protect Cutler.
Those hopes have
. There is A New Hope in the form of a new coach, but if there are no changes to OL personnel, it's going to be a tough to prove that they have an actual plan until opening day.
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RBM
Footballguy
Same crap every year. But now we have Trestman/Kromer so this time sticking with the same #### is going to work.Year after year we see posts like the one above yours. I mean for cryin out loud, we have a Bear fan who is happy with Webb as our starting LT.
flapgreen
Footballguy
From the way it sounds, the Bears are going to have to pay the piper soon on the Peppers deal, better now than later imo. You can't push it back forever. 10mil in dead cap money if they cut him, that's not happening. Re-sign Urlacher for cheaper. Unless they figure out a way to get a long-term deal done on Melton, they will have to let him walk as well. Very little cap room to work with at this point. Davis and Toe are as good as gone. I'm not sure how many other cuts they could make, but there aren't many that will make that much of a difference. It seems unlikely they will be making much of a splash in free agency this year, could just be losing our best defensive lineman. Failed drafts and big money deals are rearing their ugly heads this season. At this point, last year's draft appears mediocre at best, maybe closer to a flop. Passing on taking an offensive lineman in last year's draft has turned out like most knew it would, a huge mistake. It may be more of a rebuilding year than a playoff contending year this season.
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Statcruncher
Footballguy
You posted this, did you even read it?'RBM said:
Year after year we see posts like the one above yours. I mean for cryin out loud, we have a Bear fan who is happy with Webb as our starting LT.
I'm not saying he can make the same impact here, but at least there is a history that shows in the past Trestman has improved an offense without adding any linemen. I'm saying give the guy a chance and see what happens before being a whiny ##### again. There will be plenty of time to crucify folks later if things don't work out.And where did I say I was happy with Webb? I simply stated he might not be the weakest link. I would love to see Chicago pull in high priced FA o-linemen and draft a couple as well. Realistically you need to evaluate the needs of the franchise and their ability to fill those needs. I would love to see Webb upgraded, but to go that route in FA is going to be expensive, and with the current salary cap position I can understand standing pat. Given their draft slot I don't see them drafting a LT that can instantly come in and outperform Webb either. That being said this might be the year to leave Webb at LT and go after other positions of need. Regardless, neither free agency nor the draft have started yet and you guys already have your panties in a bunch because of a reporter's opinion. It's gonna be a long year.
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RBM
Footballguy
No. He has not done anything to earn that chance with me. I basically have zero faith in Emery and Trestman. Hope I'm wrong but doubt I will be.You can understand staying with Webb? I can also. But the difference is I realize it will lead to more of the same #### we've seen the past 4 yrs.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
RBM
Footballguy
Ugh....idiot. Anyone know if this was his first offense?
KCitons
Footballguy
OK, that's it for me. I was barely on the Webb bandwagon, but that last bump we hit, I just got knocked off and the wagon his heading down the road without me. Webb has to know, he and the entire OL is under a giant microscope this off season. This show's a total lack of respect for your team and your profession. I know some people will point to the fact that it was just marijuana, and that it is legal in some places. Bottom line, it's not legal in the eyes of the NFL and will have negative impact on your career. Nice knowing you Mr Webb, you're dead to me now.
flapgreen
Footballguy
They will have to make some serious cuts to get Albert, and I'm not sure where they would get it from.
Chicago Hooligan
Footballguy
So Webb was holding some green that didn't have number 52 on it?Oh well, that's the best I could do.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
It will be interesting to see what happens here. Will the Bears or the NFL discipline him even if he's not prosecuted? Also, unless there was a clear mistake made by the police department (unlawful search, procedural error, it wasn't pot) why wouldn't they press charges? This situation is bizarre.
RBM
Footballguy
No chance. We would have to give our first for next year with 20 to get into the top ten.I see 5 elite linemen that I'd be thrilled to get in the first, but right now it doesn't seem like any will be there at 20. I say best available defender at that point.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Going by the current mock drafts, it looks like Fluker will still be there. Of course that doesn't mean much right now, but the current mock drafts are all we have to go on. I thought I had it figured out last year, then they took Shea, which is about the time I lost it.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
You guys are apparently looking hard at Te'o. Does he feel like a "Bear" to y'all?I can definitely see him getting after it in Chicago. As long as your tackles keep him clean, he should be fine.
RBM
Footballguy
Hell no. Slow and fruity....no thanks.
RBM
Footballguy
Not a Fluker fan. See him as strictly a RT and I think between Gabe and Webb we should have that covered.'flapgreen said:Going by the current mock drafts, it looks like Fluker will still be there. Of course that doesn't mean much right now, but the current mock drafts are all we have to go on. I thought I had it figured out last year, then they took Shea, which is about the time I lost it.'RBM said:
RBM
Footballguy
You're thru with Carimi?
flapgreen
Footballguy
No, but I figure just take best OL available? Would love to get a guard.
KCitons
Footballguy
For what it's worth, I found this article from NFL.com. If you read all the way down to the bottom, he lists some of the teams that could need WR help. He thinks that the Bears would be a logical team for Wes Welker 
As much as it would be cool to see Welker lining up with Marshall and Jeffery, there is better way to spend cap space.
You can check out the article HERE
As much as it would be cool to see Welker lining up with Marshall and Jeffery, there is better way to spend cap space.
You can check out the article HERE
Statcruncher
Footballguy
This seems more like one reporter's opions more than anything, but Bears expected to make offer to Jared Cook. Would be great to see him in a Bear uniform, but that would probably be the extent of the Chicago FA splash signings. Unless there are some contract restructures that IMO would be a mistake by kicking the can down the road. That means the O-line has to get fixed via the draft. Without trading picks a viable starting tackle is probably out, which means at best a G and C are probably the best Cutler can hope for.
Gustavo Fring
Footballguy
Signing Cook would be a huge upgrade to our offense, and would help free up space for Marshall next year with his athletic/catch passing ability that was vastly underutilized in Tennessee. I really hope this happens, and then we can concentrate on the OL through the upcoming draft.
flapgreen
Footballguy
I don't think we could move up one spot with trading Hester. He's on the downside if his career as a kick returner and he sucks at wr. We would be lucky to get a late round pick. It would take pretty much our entire draft to even sniff the top 10. There's a lot of depth in the first round this year. It wouldn't help us much moving up.
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flapgreen
Footballguy
Really? Wonder why.'flapgreen said:Eric Winston released.
Very weird. They don't save much by cutting him. He did have a bad season, but so what. They just signed him. He isn't seriously injured that I've heard, and he's a straight up guy. I don't get it. I'd gladly take him here, obviously. Was big on him last year. Maybe we can get him for cheap.
RBM
Footballguy
Strange. Maybe they are really high on Joeckel but then why franchise Albert?Really? Wonder why.'flapgreen said:Eric Winston released.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Without restructuring players or working out Melton's tag I'm guessing Chicago can spend about 5 million a year in FA. Basically one impact player or a couple solid players. I really think this FA will be ho-hum with a focus on the draft. If Trestman's offensive scheme can improve QB/offense performance in the first year as half as well as it did up north we could be in for a treat.
Chicago has some clear and definite needs, but I'd hate to see them restructure/overcommit for 2013 at the expense of 2014 and beyond. They are not 1 or 2 players away right now, but if they draft correctly they could be next year. If any team is going to be consistently competitive year after year in the NFL it will need to do it by drafting and developing young cheap talent. The more dead money franchises have by trying to manipulate the cap for a specific year the more magnified the effects are in the future years. After many dark years of Angelo's guessing and Chicago's inability to properly use/develop talent the light is coming. Emery will draft talent and Trestman/Komar will develop it and put it in the best situation to succeed.
Chicago has some clear and definite needs, but I'd hate to see them restructure/overcommit for 2013 at the expense of 2014 and beyond. They are not 1 or 2 players away right now, but if they draft correctly they could be next year. If any team is going to be consistently competitive year after year in the NFL it will need to do it by drafting and developing young cheap talent. The more dead money franchises have by trying to manipulate the cap for a specific year the more magnified the effects are in the future years. After many dark years of Angelo's guessing and Chicago's inability to properly use/develop talent the light is coming. Emery will draft talent and Trestman/Komar will develop it and put it in the best situation to succeed.
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RBM
Footballguy
Chicago Bears reportedly interested in Brandon Moore
By Kareem Copeland
Around the League Writer
Published: March 8, 2013 at 11:47 a.m. Updated: March 8, 2013 at 01:31 p.m.
Brandon Moore has been a nine-year starter at guard with the New York Jets, but will turn 33 years old in June. Reportedly, there hasn't been much contact with the organization.
The Chicago Bears could make a play for Moore in free agency, a source told ESPN Chicago's Michael C. Wright. The Bears' offensive line issues have been well-documented, and Moore was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011. He hasn't missed a game since 2003.
Around the League's Chris Wesseling ranks Moore as the third-most talented guard available in free agency. The only concern is his age.
That might not be an issue for the Bears, who are built to win now.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
By Kareem Copeland
Around the League Writer
Published: March 8, 2013 at 11:47 a.m. Updated: March 8, 2013 at 01:31 p.m.
Brandon Moore has been a nine-year starter at guard with the New York Jets, but will turn 33 years old in June. Reportedly, there hasn't been much contact with the organization.
The Chicago Bears could make a play for Moore in free agency, a source told ESPN Chicago's Michael C. Wright. The Bears' offensive line issues have been well-documented, and Moore was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011. He hasn't missed a game since 2003.
Around the League's Chris Wesseling ranks Moore as the third-most talented guard available in free agency. The only concern is his age.
That might not be an issue for the Bears, who are built to win now.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
