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Chicago Bears 2012 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter benson_will_lead_the_way
- Start date
The Tick
Footballguy
Yeah, it's freighting hearing that the Redskings are looking to "break the bank" on Jackson. I've been thinking that we may get out-bid there. Just better have a back up plan to move on quickly. We need a difference maker some time in FA, so hopefully they are ready to go. Can't wait until Tuesday.
Jackson is going to be paid like a top 2 or 3 WR in the NFL. He's a good player, but not spectacular, but he'll be paid like he is, thus the nature of free agency.
Bears will probably have to re-adjust to this news, and either consider Colston, or re-route their money to Nicks or the defensive side.
Bears will probably have to re-adjust to this news, and either consider Colston, or re-route their money to Nicks or the defensive side.
geoff8695
Footballguy
Don't count out Colston too quickly...
I think he may be a relative bargain when all is said and done. He's such an improvement over anything we currently have rostered, and can step in and be Cutler's legit #1 WR from day one.
Also, signing Colston probably leaves enough cap room flexibility to address other needs.
I think he may be a relative bargain when all is said and done. He's such an improvement over anything we currently have rostered, and can step in and be Cutler's legit #1 WR from day one.
Also, signing Colston probably leaves enough cap room flexibility to address other needs.
The Bears have about $22 million to spend, but that's before they sign any of their own free agents. So, we're probably looking at one significant free agent that will probably count for $6-8 million against the cap next season.As for Colston, he's not going to be a bargain. He's going to be paid like a top NFL WR because the teams that miss out on Jackson could easily turn their attention to him, if they aren't already working on both.There are too many teams with too much money to spend, and that's going to drive the price up on the best free agent's like Colston.
geoff8695
Footballguy
I've heard there's a good chance that teams will be unwilling to spend that kind of money on Colston. He's not the same physical specimen as VJax, nor is he a burner who can stretch the field or create significant separation from defenders. Many teams may view him as an injury risk and as a product of the system in New Orleans.However, he does possess basketball type skills and is a reliable target, and Cutler could rely on Colston much the same way he relied upon Brandon Marshall earlier in his career.So if the Bears can get him in the 7-8 million dollar range it would be money well spent IMO.
RBM
Footballguy
And that takes us to my guy.....Meachem
flapgreen
Footballguy
I'm pretty sure the 20 mil is after they re-sign most of their free agents. Currently, it's around 33. It's interesting that Emery hasn't re-signed any of the free agents yet. It appears he will be testing the market value of the current guys, and waiting to see who the Bears can sign in free agency, also. I like it.Current free agents from BearsOkoyeGrahamIdonijeDavisSteltzMcCownRoyI'm pumped!!!
RBM
Footballguy
Okoye and Davis are the two guys I want back. Maybe Graham for his special teams prowess. I like Israel but he can be replaced pretty easily.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
I'm on board with that...perhaps a CB like Carr too.Then draft a couple of WRs/DE with the first 3 picks.
RBM
Footballguy
I would be fine with Meachem, Carr, and an o lineman like Gaither or Bell or Grubbs.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Resign Kellen Davis, Izzy, Akoye, Tim Jennings...then draft WR's...DE...LB...OL in the draft.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
Neither Garcon or Robinson are the #1 that the Bears desperately need. They need to spend the money on VJax. But, what they need, and what they are willing to do are rarely the same thing.
swidman
Footballguy
Then I would rather they spend the big $$$ on Mario Williams.
swidman
Footballguy
Yep. Not sure I really like this? I don't like the idea of a 29 year old, semi-inspired WR getting huge money. Guess we'll have to wait about 24 hours to find out where he's going?
A lot less competition with the Skins and Cowboys out of the equation. 
The Tick
Footballguy
Man, I was just jumping on the Mario Williams bandwagon. Now it looks like we back in the hunt for Jackson, but I’m not sure I want to jump off Williams. I know how bad we need a WR, but my inner Lovie is coming out and I would really enjoy another freak of nature on the other side of that D-line.
So complicated. Less than 24 hours to go...
So complicated. Less than 24 hours to go...
mlball77
Footballguy
I don't know what the answers are necessarily, but CHI needs to make some 'win now' moves, particularly to address a couple of areas like WR and o-line. I'm not all that high on V Jackson, personally, but landing him or Colston, along with adding another WR early in the draft or in FA seems necessary to ramp up the offense. Big strides have to be made on this front in short order, since the core of the defense is getting older. The team might have to overpay to make these 'win now' moves; it may be a necessary evil.
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Statcruncher
Footballguy
I'm a defense first guy but I still can't get behind Mario Williams as a Bear. Don't the Bears have about 24 million cap available and wouldn't Williams eat about 14 - 15 million of that? With that much cap space eaten Chicago might be able to add Meachem or Robinson, but they're not true #1 WR's so I don't think it would be a huge upgraded. All other remaining holes would have to be drafted and developed.
IMO Vincent Jackson would give Chicago as much or more of a chance at a Superbowl as Williams. A legitimate threat at WR has a trickle down effect that makes all the other WR's on the field more effective as well. Also an offense that puts points on the board is a defense's best friend. Give the Bears defense a chance to play with a lead and a long field and watch the good things happen.
That being said I don't completely trust Jackson and if he's going to pull 11+ million I think that's too much. I don't think there's another impact WR out there that's worth pursuing (IMO we've seen Colston's ceiling and he wouldn't repeat outside of NO) so the draft might actually be the best place for Chicago to find a true #1. For all the talk of an abundant crop of FA WR's this year there really isn't much left to pick through.
IMO Vincent Jackson would give Chicago as much or more of a chance at a Superbowl as Williams. A legitimate threat at WR has a trickle down effect that makes all the other WR's on the field more effective as well. Also an offense that puts points on the board is a defense's best friend. Give the Bears defense a chance to play with a lead and a long field and watch the good things happen.
That being said I don't completely trust Jackson and if he's going to pull 11+ million I think that's too much. I don't think there's another impact WR out there that's worth pursuing (IMO we've seen Colston's ceiling and he wouldn't repeat outside of NO) so the draft might actually be the best place for Chicago to find a true #1. For all the talk of an abundant crop of FA WR's this year there really isn't much left to pick through.
KCitons
Footballguy
I look at the Bears situations a couple of different ways.
If we add Williams, then it will lessen the impact of a questionable secondary and you would also be adding a player that will produce right away and into the future, when a good part of the current defense is put out to pasture.
With signing VJax, I see the opportunity to win now. However it comes at a price both now (with the high price of VJax) and later (with the fact that VJax is 29 years old)
Two completely different approaches. Will VJax provide enough impact offense to outscore opponents? Will Williams provide enough impact on defense to keep opponents within reach of our offense that may have trouble putting up points without a proven #1 WR ? (especially if one is not found in the draft)
If we add Williams, then it will lessen the impact of a questionable secondary and you would also be adding a player that will produce right away and into the future, when a good part of the current defense is put out to pasture.
With signing VJax, I see the opportunity to win now. However it comes at a price both now (with the high price of VJax) and later (with the fact that VJax is 29 years old)
Two completely different approaches. Will VJax provide enough impact offense to outscore opponents? Will Williams provide enough impact on defense to keep opponents within reach of our offense that may have trouble putting up points without a proven #1 WR ? (especially if one is not found in the draft)
Statcruncher
Footballguy
I think you're right, I'm guessing he gets around 14 million from someone. My comment was that I wouldn't offer more than 11 million for him due to his off the field issues and possible attitude.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
That's valid thinking, but isn't VJ only about 2 years older than MW? And I'm guessing WR's typically have longer careers than defensive lineman so it wouldn't shock me to see VJ contributing longer than MW despite being older.
RBM
Footballguy
Ok kids...time to put up or shut up. You are the new Bears gm and there is a gun to your head.....state your ONE dream scenario.
Mario Williams
Robert Meachem
Levi Brown
That should leave us around 10 mil to re-sign some of our own. Davis and Okoye are top two priorities. Graham is three.
GO......
Mario Williams
Robert Meachem
Levi Brown
That should leave us around 10 mil to re-sign some of our own. Davis and Okoye are top two priorities. Graham is three.
GO......
RBM
Footballguy
Shocked. But pretty sure he can only play the right side.Texans released Winston.Sign him!!!
3nOut
Footballguy
Wasn't really paying attention to who said it, but two analysts on NFL Network say that Williams will end up in Chicago as well. Made some good points. Said Mario would help the secondary out a lot and that at one point the Bears may need to redo Peppers' contract or lose him. If they lose him they already have MW. In the meantime they have both for at least a couple of years. I'm sold.
KCitons
Footballguy
The more I think about it, I am all in on Mario Williams. When you break it all down, Williams is the one player that is pretty close to a sure thing with very few question marks. He has youth on his side and fills an obvious need. Even though VJax is a great talent, I don't see him as an elite player. He is simply the best FA available at his position right now.
I also believe it will be much harder to find a MW talent in this draft. The WR depth is much deeper in both FA and the Draft.
I say:
1st - M Williams
2nd - Wait on the WR FA's and find a bargain after VJax is gone and Manning signs. (could be a possibility for a trade)
3rd - Also wait on FA OL's, set a price that works for the Bears and don't get sucked into a bidding war.
4th - Add WR, OL, and CB through the draft.
I also believe it will be much harder to find a MW talent in this draft. The WR depth is much deeper in both FA and the Draft.
I say:
1st - M Williams
2nd - Wait on the WR FA's and find a bargain after VJax is gone and Manning signs. (could be a possibility for a trade)
3rd - Also wait on FA OL's, set a price that works for the Bears and don't get sucked into a bidding war.
4th - Add WR, OL, and CB through the draft.
3nOut
Footballguy
Agreed.Martellus Bennett or Jacob Tamme would be nice pickups as well.
geoff8695
Footballguy
+1and I hope they don't resign Kellen Davis (addition by subtraction IMO). His catch % is atrocious, while Bennet's is outstanding...
ditka85
Footballguy
I completely agree and think this is the best plan of attack. When you face Rodgers and Stafford twice each year, you need a pass rush. Williams makes the most sense, although his recent injury history causes some concern for me.
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flapgreen
Footballguy
With Carimi coming off of a serious knee injury and our LT being a pos, we need him. Webb and Carimi are the only tackles on the roster right now. That's mind blowing and beyond awful. At this point, I think Winston should be one of our top priorities, but I doubt he will be. Tice is dumb as a rock and won't concede that the current offensive linemen suck, imo.Shocked. But pretty sure he can only play the right side.Texans released Winston.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Davis is a complete bum,in my opinion, but he's cheap and Lovie believes in him. He will be re-signed. If we get Mario, I doubt Okoye will be brought back. Paea, Toe and Melton are all scheduled to make under 1 mil, and Okoye will likely get over 3. Sadly, I don't see him coming back. Graham wants to start on defense and someone will give him a chance. I think he's been gone for a while.Levi is another early first round bust from another team. That's never worked. He's been horrible.Meachem would be good, if affordable, but he's far from a number one.
flapgreen
Footballguy
I don't like Kellen Davis either but Bennet is no better, imo. He's barely played and thinks he's better than he actually is.
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flapgreen
Footballguy
I think Mario will contribute far longer than Jackson will. Mario could be a top defensive end for 5 more years. I don't think Jackson will be an elite guy for longer than 2-3.
flapgreen
Footballguy
With all of the Mario and Jackson talk, the OL appears to be getting lost in the shuffle. I hope Lovie and Tice get their heads out of their asses and doesn't ignore the OL again. Protecting Jay is the most important thing on this team. Lovie is a fool if they don't do something. Signing Winston and Gaither would be huge. I doubt it happens, though. Putting together a great OL has been long forgotten on this team.
