Chicago Bears 2012 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)

[RBM]

Unless they take a DE early this year, which isn't out of the question, I don't know what other options they have, anyway. They're already thin at DE. They shouldn't be, but they are.

I mentioned the pipe dream that is Williams, but I wont be surprised to see us take a run at Robert Mathis. Vet, Dungy guy so he knows our defense, and just cant imagine a rebuilding Colt team will bring him back.

Bottom half of the league in sacks over the last two seasons. I don't understand why we can't get more pressure. What's the problem? No pressure up the middle? Idonije? He's not worth a damn either. I thought Okoye had a very good season, though. Hopefully, they'll bring him back and start him next season. And yes, Williams is a pipe dream. They shelled out big money on Peppers. I don't see how they could pay another end big money in free agency. I think they're stuck with what they have at DE for now.

Look out for Mathis because of the Dungy thing. I think Melton, Okoye, and Paea can all probably generate pressure up the middle but they all play the same position, and if two of them are out there we are ####ed against the run. Idonije is a great effort guy but not a major talent. He would be much better suited rotating in when one of the starters needs a blow. The Giant blueprint is a great one to follow. They build the lines and have big play receivers. Thats the direction Id like to see us go in.

 

[flapgreen]

Exactly. Lovie and Tice are still stuck in the dark ages, though. Stick with Bears football and run first. Take a look around the league instead of staying in a bubble, guys. That's not how it works, guys. Any fool can see that.

 

[The Tick]

I don't think that's a dead method for football, almost half the teams in the playoffs were run-first teams, none of them made it to the superbowl this year, but i don't think it's dead.

Run the ball strong, have a big play receiver to hit some big plays down the field when the defense has started cheating up. SF, Baltimore, and Denver were all playing with that method and I think it can still work. Combine that with strong defense, and it's still a viable way to play.

We are not at that point as we don't have the big play guy, and we are getting weak on defense, but with minor fixes I think we can compete with the league including GB for the foreseeable future.

I don't get your beef with Tice so far, not the best OC, but he has come out and said we need a big play receiver and we need to play to Cutler's strength’s with moving the QB around, letting him change the play, and giving him protection by running the ball and better line play. I think that's what you have asked for in the past when Martz was in charge, Tice seems to want to give that to us, will he, who knows, but if he can't soon, the entire staff will be gone within two years.

 

[swidman]

Todd Haley hired as Steelers OC, again showing why the Steelers are a very successful organization year in and year out. Meanwhile, the Bears promote their OL coach from possibly the worst line in the league over the last two seasons. Great job, Bears! It would be so easy to hire somebody worth a crap, too. The Steelers have always gotten it.

You have to remember Tice is only able to work with who he is given on the roster. He has done the best possible job with the pile of horse crap that Angelo gave to him. Angelo liked project players like Webb, while other teams would have never even thought to keep working with him. As long as Emery can build the lines through the draft with high round picks and not low round pick, then the line should improve. Taking Carimi last year was Angelo finally bowing to the realization their OL was going to get Cutler killed.While Tice is not Todd Haley, Tice will do the things that will make the offense work within it's means. No seven step drops, but utilizing Cutler's strengths, such as rolling out of the pocket. Tice isn't a stubborn jackass like Martz. Tice will let Jay work the offense like he was before the injury.

 

[The Tick]

Sounds like we hired Jeremy Bates as our QB coach, and didn't do the passing coordinator thing. I know Cutler worked with Bates before, so I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad, but at least we finally filed out our coaching staff.

 

[flapgreen]

I thought they declared Bates out of the running? Anyway, he's better than anything that was left. I'm fine with it.

 

[swidman]

Sounds like we hired Jeremy Bates as our QB coach, and didn't do the passing coordinator thing. I know Cutler worked with Bates before, so I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad, but at least we finally filed out our coaching staff.

Cutler was an All-Pro in Denver with Bates as his QB coach. This should have happened two years ago. F'n Angelo

 

[The Tick]

Sounds like we hired Jeremy Bates as our QB coach, and didn't do the passing coordinator thing. I know Cutler worked with Bates before, so I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad, but at least we finally filed out our coaching staff.

Cutler was an All-Pro in Denver with Bates as his QB coach. This should have happened two years ago. F'n Angelo

That is true and i am in no way complaining about it, I just hope he doesn't come in as a "buddy coach" and comes in to work with Cutler and do what he needs to make him better. As good as Cutler is, he really can be better with some more discipline in his throwing mechanics, especially his planting as he throws.

 

[RBM]

Tim Holt new oline coach. Sounds like a big nobody

 

[flapgreen]

Never heard of him. Sounds like Lovie has been all over the recently fired coaching staff in Tampa, though.

 

[flapgreen]

What will the Bears do at the wide receiver position? It's a mess.

It doesn't look like Knox will be back by training camp, maybe ever

Surely they wont re-sign Roy. He dropped a ton of balls in key situations last year, and was pretty much what the rest of the league knew he was, besides the Bears

Hurd is in prison.

How many more years can Lovie possibly push the lie that Hester can be a decent wide receiver? Is he going to take that to his grave?

Sausage Bacon. He's a number 3 at best and more of a guy to put in on certain packages.

Kellen Davis is obviously a joke, but Lovie hyped him up before last season and will probably do so again. A whopping 15 receptions for 206 yards last season. Sure thing, Lovie.

That pretty much leaves Bennett as the only adequate receiving option. I like Earl, but he's definitely not a guy that can take over a game. He's a decent number 2, at least for Chicago.

Emery better make some serious moves at the wide receiver position during the offseason, because this group is pathetic.

Free agents:

Bowe

Desean

Plaxico

Welker

Colston

Wallace

Vjax

Wayne

Stevie

Lloyd

Meachem

Manningham

Robinson

Royal

I realize some of these guys will be re-signed by their own teams(likely Welker), but these are the main free agents. Do they go out and try to get one of the big names on this list, Stevie, Colston, Vjax? Then bring in someone that would be a little cheaper, Wayne, Meachem or Manningham? To have an even somewhat respectable wide receiving core, they have two they at least sign one of these guys and then draft a top wide receiver, or sign two free agents and go with something else in the first round. There are a few teams that have a considerable amount of cap space to throw around this offseason, including the Bears, so the big names won't come cheap. Of all guys, if the Bears can snatch Bowe away from KC, that changes everything.

 

[flapgreen]

OL available in the first round:

Kalil(won't happen)

Reiff. Will go earlier and plays RT. Don't need him.

Jonathan Martin. Maybe worth a shot to move up and get.

DeCastro. Very hyped OG that might be available. Would be nice to know we had a guy in the middle for years to come.

Konz. Only Center slotted for first round.

Cordy Glenn OG

Mike Adams OT

 

[flapgreen]

Wide Receivers most likely available in 1st round:

Blackmon. Not happening.

Wright

Floyd

Jefferey

Choosing from these guys would be tough, but I would pass on Wright. We already have a bunch of smaller receivers.

 

[flapgreen]

DE DT available in 1st:

Coples

Still DT

Ingram

Brockers DT

Who could they possibly take here? I'm hearing rumors of taking DE. Most of these guys are projected to be gone by 19. Surely, they wouldn't reach for a DE at 19. It's going to be a very interesting draft.

 

[RBM]

NO TRADING UP

We need all of our picks

Might as well include Finley as a receiver

My predictions:

Our receivers week one are Floyd, Meachem, and Bennett.

Robert Mathis is brought in to improve the pass rush.

 

[flapgreen]

NO TRADING UPWe need all of our picksMight as well include Finley as a receiverMy predictions:Our receivers week one are Floyd, Meachem, and Bennett.Robert Mathis is brought in to improve the pass rush.

It sounds like the Packers will franchise Finley.

 

[flapgreen]

Before anything else is done, they need to get rid of Webb. If I hear one more reason why he needs a third season to turn from the worst LT in the league to a good LT, I'm going to hunt him down and run over him with my car. Get rid of this guy already. The idiocy that goes on pertaining to this bum is mind blowing. Cut him you fools!

 

[RBM]

Before anything else is done, they need to get rid of Webb. If I hear one more reason why he needs a third season to turn from the worst LT in the league to a good LT, I'm going to hunt him down and run over him with my car. Get rid of this guy already. The idiocy that goes on pertaining to this bum is mind blowing. Cut him you fools!

Chargers may be cutting ties with Marcus McNeil? Sign me up for that!

 

[flapgreen]

Before anything else is done, they need to get rid of Webb. If I hear one more reason why he needs a third season to turn from the worst LT in the league to a good LT, I'm going to hunt him down and run over him with my car. Get rid of this guy already. The idiocy that goes on pertaining to this bum is mind blowing. Cut him you fools!

Chargers may be cutting ties with Marcus McNeil? Sign me up for that!

I was pleading for Gaither last year when he was a FA, but the Bears didn't feel the need and the Chargers grabbed. If the Bears can make a move for McNeil and he can stay healthy, which is a huge question mark, they can redeem themselves. The Pats beat them to Waters too, which was disappointing because he was available for a while. I'm hoping they at least sign three offensive lineman, if for no other reason than to have a little depth. If they cut Webb, he would be a backup tackle at best for another team, and even that would be a stretch.

 

[flapgreen]

JT Thomas. Oof

 

[Eminence]

Age is catching up with us...

 

[Chadstroma]

Age is catching up with us...

Agreed. The team is not too far away from being an elite team that can make it to the playoffs but that window is closing. Key players on the D are getting old and the D has obviously declined in the last couple of years. Singing Peppers helped keep the window open longer. Getting rid of Angelo was a good move. It has been obvious that the Bears had to get some offensive lineman and one real WR. Otherwise having Cutler on the team is a waste because he has no one to throw to and will not make it through the season. No longer having Martz as OC will help keep Cutler alive but you still need to get help to that OL. There will be a lot of WR's on the market this time around and it is a must to grab one. Ideally it would be best to force Lovie to make stop with the ridiculous experiment of making the greatest all time return man into an average at best receiver. But, I don't see that change being made as long as Lovie is making the calls. Really, if you re-sign Forte, sign 2 very good linemen and one bona fide #1 WR then the team can compete to win the division- and if you can get past Green Bay then you have a dang good chance to make it to the Super Bowl.

 

[yoman]

Singing Peppers helped keep the window open longer.

I didn't know Julius could carry a tune or did you mean they sing about him . We're Julius Peppers lonely hearts club band. Unfortunately a lot of key players are getting up there in age and I personally think linebacker is right behind WR, OL and DL in terms of draft/free agent needs. I would love to get a quality TE as well but the Bears will probably either try to bring in a cheap veteran or just go with Davis. In a few years the Bears offense might have to carry the defense while the defense rebuilds. The safeties are still young but the jury is still out on them as to how good they are going to be.

 

[RBM]

Have a funny feeling Moss is going to playing home games in Chicago next year, probably because of the Tice connection.

 

[higgins]

Have a funny feeling Moss is going to playing home games in Chicago next year, probably because of the Tice connection.

Mike & Mike would agree with you.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Have a funny feeling Moss is going to playing home games in Chicago next year, probably because of the Tice connection.

I'd take him

 

[RBM]

Have a funny feeling Moss is going to playing home games in Chicago next year, probably because of the Tice connection.

I'd take him

If it prevents us from going after one of the young, FA wrs then I am not in favor. Knowing this organization, thats what I could see happening.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Have a funny feeling Moss is going to playing home games in Chicago next year, probably because of the Tice connection.

I'd take him

If it prevents us from going after one of the young, FA wrs then I am not in favor. Knowing this organization, thats what I could see happening.

I agree, but anything over our current crop of WR's is an upgrade.

 

[3nOut]

I just heard on ESPN that Albert Haynesworth was released by the Bucs. Worth for the Bears to take as flier on him?

 

[RBM]

I just heard on ESPN that Albert Haynesworth was released by the Bucs. Worth for the Bears to take as flier on him?

No interest. If Belicheck couldnt get anything out of him I cant imagine ours could.

 

[flapgreen]

I figured he would, but it's sounding more and more like Bowe will be franchised. The main free agent would be Vjax, Stevie Johnson, Wayne, Colston(prob stay with Saints), Royal, Manningham, Garcon, and maybe a couple of other guys. The only ones out of that group that would make a huge impact would be Vjax, Colston, and possibly Johnson. Jackson would be awesome but there will be a ton of teams vying for his services, along with Colston. Stevie would be a great addition but would be more than he is worth. It sounds like the Bills and Stevie are far apart on a contract talk, and that he won't be franchised. Here's hoping for Vincent or Colston.

 

[RBM]

I figured he would, but it's sounding more and more like Bowe will be franchised. The main free agent would be Vjax, Stevie Johnson, Wayne, Colston(prob stay with Saints), Royal, Manningham, Garcon, and maybe a couple of other guys. The only ones out of that group that would make a huge impact would be Vjax, Colston, and possibly Johnson. Jackson would be awesome but there will be a ton of teams vying for his services, along with Colston. Stevie would be a great addition but would be more than he is worth. It sounds like the Bills and Stevie are far apart on a contract talk, and that he won't be franchised. Here's hoping for Vincent or Colston.

Whats your problem with Meachem? Thats our guy I think, and I like it. Good size, good speed, can obviously get deep. I love that he has been in that great offense.

 

[flapgreen]

I figured he would, ut it's sounding more and more like Bowe will be franchised. The main free agent would be Vjax, Stevie Johnson, Wayne, Colston(prob stay with Saints), Royal, Manningham, Garcon, and maybe a couple of other guys. The only ones out of that group that would make a huge impact would be Vjax, Colston, and possibly Johnson. Jackson would be awesome but there will be a ton of teams vying for his services, along with Colston. Stevie would be a great addition but would be more than he is worth. It sounds like the Bills and Stevie are far apart on a contract talk, and that he won't be franchised. Here's hoping for Vincent or Colston.

Whats your problem with Meachem? Thats our guy I think, and I like it. Good size, good speed, can obviously get deep. I love that he has been in that great offense.

I don't have a problem with him, not sure if I would want him as our number one. He's always been inconsistent, even back in his UT days. He would definitely be better than anything we have currently, though.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.

Dream Scenario:

Franchise Matt Forte

Sign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.

Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.

Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.

Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.

CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.

Draft

round 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkins

round 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

 

[flapgreen]

A little ambitious there, don't you think? That would be pretty great, though. Vincent has reached 1000 yards in three of his last four seasons, most likely would've been four straight if he had played the entire season two years ago. He's the best free agent wide receiver that's been available in years. That's why he will cost a ton. Honestly, I don't think the Bears will be in the running. With that said, Stevie has finshed over 1000 yards the past two seasons. I'd be happy with either. We are going to need a few receivers to fill out the roster.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

A little ambitious there, don't you think? That would be pretty great, though. Vincent has reached 1000 yards in three of his last four seasons, most likely would've been four straight if he had played the entire season two years ago. He's the best free agent wide receiver that's been available in years. That's why he will cost a ton. Honestly, I don't think the Bears will be in the running. With that said, Stevie has finshed over 1000 yards the past two seasons. I'd be happy with either. We are going to need a few receivers to fill out the roster.

Going over 1000 yards being the #1 with Phillip Rivers as the QB shouldn't be a difficult task. I don't think he's good enough to command the $$$ he wants. Plus he's already 30.Ambitious? I think that every player I listed is reasonable, not like signing Bowe, Carl Nicks, Mario Williams, etc.I feel that the Bears window is closing(Urlacher, Briggs, Peppers) and they need to make a splash. Plus they have the cap space.They need to give Cutler weapons...this feels like the Packers with Favre throwing to Bill Schroeder, Driver, and Freeman. Give him some options.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree, but there are quite a few teams with a lot of cap space, quite a few more than the Bears. I would love it if they could get those guys, but I don't see it as much of a possibilty. Rookie contracts are smaller now, which means veteran contracts will be more.

 

[ditka85]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

If I'm not mistaken, franchising Forte would eat up about 7 million and roughly another 4 million will go to this draft class. Not sure all those players you list could be signed. How much to you think Grubbs would command? 4-6 mil per year?I really like VJax. He just turned 29 in January and would give us a true WR1 Cutler desperately needs. While very talented, Stevie is too much of a tool IMO. I wouldn't mind them signing Wayne on the cheap though. He's past his prime but could still log 80 catches.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

If I'm not mistaken, franchising Forte would eat up about 7 million and roughly another 4 million will go to this draft class. Not sure all those players you list could be signed. How much to you think Grubbs would command? 4-6 mil per year?I really like VJax. He just turned 29 in January and would give us a true WR1 Cutler desperately needs. While very talented, Stevie is too much of a tool IMO. I wouldn't mind them signing Wayne on the cheap though. He's past his prime but could still log 80 catches.

You may be correct. I'm just guessing by Roy Williams, MBIII, Merriwhether off of the books equals about 8-10 million.VJax isn't a tool for holding out most of a season, but Stevie is?

 

[flapgreen]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

If I'm not mistaken, franchising Forte would eat up about 7 million and roughly another 4 million will go to this draft class. Not sure all those players you list could be signed. How much to you think Grubbs would command? 4-6 mil per year?I really like VJax. He just turned 29 in January and would give us a true WR1 Cutler desperately needs. While very talented, Stevie is too much of a tool IMO. I wouldn't mind them signing Wayne on the cheap though. He's past his prime but could still log 80 catches.

You may be correct. I'm just guessing by Roy Williams, MBIII, Merriwhether off of the books equals about 8-10 million.VJax isn't a tool for holding out most of a season, but Stevie is?

Outside of a couple excessive celebration penalties last season, I've never heard anything negative about Stevie. If he's considerably cheaper than VJ, the Bears should sign him. He's younger and has fewer character issues when compared to VJ. Reports are Stevie and Buffalo aren't close in their contract negotiations. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

 

[ditka85]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

If I'm not mistaken, franchising Forte would eat up about 7 million and roughly another 4 million will go to this draft class. Not sure all those players you list could be signed. How much to you think Grubbs would command? 4-6 mil per year?I really like VJax. He just turned 29 in January and would give us a true WR1 Cutler desperately needs. While very talented, Stevie is too much of a tool IMO. I wouldn't mind them signing Wayne on the cheap though. He's past his prime but could still log 80 catches.

You may be correct. I'm just guessing by Roy Williams, MBIII, Merriwhether off of the books equals about 8-10 million.VJax isn't a tool for holding out most of a season, but Stevie is?

I don't fault a player for holding out. His time is limited in the league so he has to get paid when he can. Johnson just comes across as an attention whore to me. No thanx.I'm really warming up to Kendall Wright. If the Bears snagged Vjax and Wright, we would be in great shape.

 

[RBM]

I dont want Steve Johnson. Hes a tool and he isnt a huge talent. Hes a possesion guy, basically a glorified Earl Bennett. We need someone with size and speed to win some battles downfield. A guy like Vincent Jackson would be a dream scenario but highly unlikely.

 

[flapgreen]

I dont want Steve Johnson. Hes a tool and he isnt a huge talent. Hes a possesion guy, basically a glorified Earl Bennett. We need someone with size and speed to win some battles downfield. A guy like Vincent Jackson would be a dream scenario but highly unlikely.

Jackson has been known to disappear for games at a time, and then blow up with a huge game. Stevie is usually consistent game to game and has put up big numbers with Fitzpatrick throwing to him, and really no other decent receivers around him. VJ has had big players around him and Rivers throwing him the ball for his entire career. I'm not getting the hate for Stevie. A glorified Earl Bennett? Come on! They are nothing alike. He has two inches on Earl, and he catches a lot of touchdowns.He would be much cheaper. VJ has multiple arrests on his record and is one dirty drug test away from being suspended for an entire season. Outside of possibly being a little arrogant, which most of the great wide receivers are, I don't see the problem with Stevie. Signing him instead of VJ would allow us to make some other moves, too. Either way, I'd be pleased.

 

[RBM]

Jackson is a game changer, Johnson isnt. Jackson scares the crap out of defenses because of his unique combo of size and speed and ability to get downfield and take over a game. You cant say that about Johnson. We need explosiveness for once.

 

[flapgreen]

Jackson is a game changer, Johnson isnt. Jackson scares the crap out of defenses because of his unique combo of size and speed and ability to get downfield and take over a game. You cant say that about Johnson. We need explosiveness for once.

I couldn't agree more, but Stevie would still bring a huge lift to our receiving core. Of course I would rather have VJ, but is he worth the large price difference? We need so many things. The cupboard is bare at the wide receiver position right now. Bennett, Sausagebacon, and Hester? :X . No decent tight end. I'm just saying I'd rather have Stevie and another good receiver, than VJ and another below average wide receiver. At this point, there are a million scenarios of what could play out for the team as a whole, though. I know we have a decent amount of cap space but so do a few other teams. The market is going to be expensive this season because a lot of teams saved it last season. I'm not sure how many of these guys we can get, but I'd definitely put WR and OL at the top again. Of course Tice is saying the same old thing about how the OL has a lot of potential. If they don't address OL, specifically LT, we're in for another long season. I think if Mike Adams or Jonathan Martin are available at 19, they have to take one. I'd rather have a LT that can start for years to come than a first round wide receiver. Cutler can't take another season with Webb at LT.

 

[Chadstroma]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

I think even the computer will reject those offers.

 

[ditka85]

Jackson is a game changer, Johnson isnt. Jackson scares the crap out of defenses because of his unique combo of size and speed and ability to get downfield and take over a game. You cant say that about Johnson. We need explosiveness for once.

flap, I'm not so sure Johnson will come significantly cheaper than VJax. Isn't his camp asking for 9+ mil a year?If you are going to pay a premium, it should go to a true difference maker.

 

[flapgreen]

If he isn't much cheaper, then Vince is the obvious choice.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I'd rather have Stevie Johnson over Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. Colston has had so many knee surgeries and Vincent Jackson has never had a huge statistical season...plus they're both a few years older than Johnson.Dream Scenario:Franchise Matt ForteSign Stevie Johnson. He will cost a chunk, but we need a guy like him.Sign a lesser WR such as-Reggie Wayne, Meachem, Manningham. This won't cost as much.Sign Ben Grubbs or Scott Wells. Won't cost a ton like Carl Nicks...but Grubbs is an above average OG that knows how to win. Wells was the best OL on the Packers and it would be nice to make their team worse, while making ours better.Sign Robert Mathies. Already 30 and fits in Lovie's scheme, won't cost as much as you think.CB-resign Jennings and Tracy Porter.Draftround 1- Michael Floyd/David DeCastro/Janoris Jenkinsround 2- WR/OL/CB whichever position wasn't used in the first round

I think even the computer will reject those offers.

Huh? If anything, i've been the most conservative Bears FBG. I'm not one to go over the top. However, most of these guys are Tier 2 Free Agents.I've also done some work on Janoris Jenkins and like him a lot.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Vincent Jackson is 29 years old.

His 3 best seasons:

59 receptions 1098 yards 7 TD

68 receptions 1167 yards 9 TD

60 receptions 1106 yards 9 TD

Steve Johnson is 25 years old.

His 2 best seasons(not much playing time his first 2 years):

82 receptions 1073 yards 10 TD

76 receptions 1004 yards 7 TD

Is it really that big of a difference?