Chicago Bears 2012 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)

[Statcruncher]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

 

[mlball77]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

Agreed.Having some Martz system experience gave Williams a bit of value last year, but not any longer. I'd hate to see him come back and would feel better about several other lower rung FA WRs. Have any of these guys been signed yet: Mike Sims-Walker, Devin Thomas, Mark Clayton, Legedu Naanee, Derek Hagan?

 

[The Tick]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

I can hear the press conference now [Lovie Voice]"well with Johnny out, we really wanted to get some more depth with our WR group. Roy had a really good year with us last year and was really starting to build a strong relationship with Jay. I think bringing him back will give us some good consistency to build on moving into our new offence." [/Lovie Voice]I'm with you, I hope it doesn't happen, but what do we have at WR right now? Marshall, Bennet, Hester, Weems, and Sanzenbacker? I guess we could live just drafting two guys, but I think we need one more vet to go into camp. Hopefully NOT Williams, but there aren't many left out there.

 

[flapgreen]

:X at that tired line from Lovie.

 

[whitem0nkey]

the Knox thing it not that much news, most people though if he could play this year it would be a pleasant surprise. we all saw the hit last year, its so brutal that i did not want to link it. As soon as the bear signed BM, the value of Bennett fantasy wise was what increased the most. now I see him as a #3 WR with potential of becoming a #2 fantasy WR.

we really don't know to much of how the offence will be used % wise on each player, but with martz gone and Tice running a more offensive line friendly scheme. he also said the the D will dictate what we run, they play pass we run they play run we pass... BM will now get the #1 guy, allowing Bennett to be good option most fantasy weeks. Playing above his ADP, not need to reach for a Bennett.

 

[ZWK]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

Agreed.Having some Martz system experience gave Williams a bit of value last year, but not any longer. I'd hate to see him come back and would feel better about several other lower rung FA WRs. Have any of these guys been signed yet: Mike Sims-Walker, Devin Thomas, Mark Clayton, Legedu Naanee, Derek Hagan?

They're all still available. So are Jerricho Cotchery, Steve Smith, and Lee Evans.

 

[mlball77]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

Agreed.Having some Martz system experience gave Williams a bit of value last year, but not any longer. I'd hate to see him come back and would feel better about several other lower rung FA WRs. Have any of these guys been signed yet: Mike Sims-Walker, Devin Thomas, Mark Clayton, Legedu Naanee, Derek Hagan?

They're all still available. So are Jerricho Cotchery, Steve Smith, and Lee Evans.

Interesting. Thanks. BTW, Evans, at the right price, would definitely interest me.

 

[The Tick]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

Agreed.Having some Martz system experience gave Williams a bit of value last year, but not any longer. I'd hate to see him come back and would feel better about several other lower rung FA WRs. Have any of these guys been signed yet: Mike Sims-Walker, Devin Thomas, Mark Clayton, Legedu Naanee, Derek Hagan?

They're all still available. So are Jerricho Cotchery, Steve Smith, and Lee Evans.

Interesting. Thanks. BTW, Evans, at the right price, would definitely interest me.

Yeah, that is good to hear that there are some guys with talent still out there. Some of those are actually pretty talented to be a number 2/3 with Marshall and Bennett.

 

[JohnnyRobinsonForCanton]

That's really a bummer to hear about Johnny Knox. I really like the news I am hearing out of the Bears' off-season thus far.

 

[ZWK]

Man, with Knox out and us not getting enough FA wr's this year, can't believe we didn't get a second guy there, I think Williams is going to be on the Bears next year. I think they are holding off signing him, but I think they eventually do. Even with the draft we just don't have enough players at the position right now.

Hate it, but hell, we just need some people at the position.

That hurts me, I had already removed RW from the 2012 roster before the season ended last year. If they have to bring him back that is complete and utter fail by the Bears.

Agreed.Having some Martz system experience gave Williams a bit of value last year, but not any longer. I'd hate to see him come back and would feel better about several other lower rung FA WRs. Have any of these guys been signed yet: Mike Sims-Walker, Devin Thomas, Mark Clayton, Legedu Naanee, Derek Hagan?

They're all still available. So are Jerricho Cotchery, Steve Smith, and Lee Evans.

Interesting. Thanks. BTW, Evans, at the right price, would definitely interest me.

Yeah, that is good to hear that there are some guys with talent still out there. Some of those are actually pretty talented to be a number 2/3 with Marshall and Bennett.

Cross Steve Smith off the list. I was hoping they'd get him or Cotchery.

 

[RBM]

Cotchery seems like a clone of Bennett. Def have some interest in Evans though.

 

[flapgreen]

Sign Demetrius Bell. We need some tackles to just fill the damn roster and he's miles ahead of Webb. Do it you morons!!! Of course, he's visiting the Pack today. We like our players. :cough: :cough: :lovie:

 

[The Tick]

Sign Demetrius Bell. We need some tackles to just fill the damn roster and he's miles ahead of Webb. Do it you morons!!! Of course, he's visiting the Pack today. We like our players. :cough: :cough: :lovie:

[Lovie] I think our offensive line had a pretty good year as a group last year. They continued to get better and we really like the guys we have out there. We expect to have Gabe back with us this year and that should help the guys out a lot. [/Lovie]

 

[ditka85]

The more I read about the Stanford Tackle John Martin, the more I hope we pass on him. Sounds too much like Chris Williams, a finesse player.

 

[The Tick]

Interesting article areticle in the sun times that PFT had up:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/03/ceo_ted_phillips_said_bears_ha.html

CEO Ted Phillips said Bears have made "strong offer" to Matt Forte

By Sean Jensen on March 26, 2012 4:52 PM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks

Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips told the Sun-Times Monday evening that the club has made Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte a "strong offer" and the they're hopeful he'll accept it.

"I think not only do we appreciate him and have told him so, but I think the offer we've made him shows that, too. Now, different people can disagree on the ultimate value," Phillips said. "But we feel we've made a strong offer to him, and are still hopeful he accepts it."

Forte expressed his frustration after the club signed Michael Bush to a four-year contract late last week. But, Phillips said the team needs a "complementary" back and reiterated that the Bears have no intention of trading or parting ways with Forte.

"Matt Forte is our No. 1 running back. He's been told that, and he knows that. We all know that. He's going to be a Bear for 2012, at least," Phillips said. "He knows he has a long-term offer on the table, and we hope, at some point and time, he chooses to accept that."

Asked about some trade rumors, Phillips said, "I'm not going to comment on rumors.

"But, they're all just rumors. Matt, who's been a big part of our team, we want him to be a big part of our team this year."

Phillips said Forte has been excellent for the club, both on and off the field.

"If he continues to play the way he has," Phillips said. "I hope he continues to play here a long time."

Not too much information in there, I'd really like to know if the "strong offer" is the same 13-14 mil signing bonus they offered before, or if they have upped it since that point.

 

[flapgreen]

Sign Demetrius Bell. We need some tackles to just fill the damn roster and he's miles ahead of Webb. Do it you morons!!! Of course, he's visiting the Pack today. We like our players. :cough: :cough: :lovie:

[Lovie] I think our offensive line had a pretty good year as a group last year. They continued to get better and we really like the guys we have out there. We expect to have Gabe back with us this year and that should help the guys out a lot. [/Lovie]

:X

 

[The Tick]

Sign Demetrius Bell. We need some tackles to just fill the damn roster and he's miles ahead of Webb. Do it you morons!!! Of course, he's visiting the Pack today. We like our players. :cough: :cough: :lovie:

[Lovie] I think our offensive line had a pretty good year as a group last year. They continued to get better and we really like the guys we have out there. We expect to have Gabe back with us this year and that should help the guys out a lot. [/Lovie]

:X

Man, that's the second time today I've caused flap to lose his lunch. Sorry buddy, I'll try and stop making up Love press conference sound bytes...

 

[flapgreen]

Sign Demetrius Bell. We need some tackles to just fill the damn roster and he's miles ahead of Webb. Do it you morons!!! Of course, he's visiting the Pack today. We like our players. :cough: :cough: :lovie:

[Lovie] I think our offensive line had a pretty good year as a group last year. They continued to get better and we really like the guys we have out there. We expect to have Gabe back with us this year and that should help the guys out a lot. [/Lovie]

:X

Man, that's the second time today I've caused flap to lose his lunch. Sorry buddy, I'll try and stop making up Love press conference sound bytes...

It's sickening because it's going to happen. I can hear Lovie's voice already.

 

[Statcruncher]

Interesting article areticle in the sun times that PFT had up:

http://blogs.suntime...d_bears_ha.html

CEO Ted Phillips said Bears have made "strong offer" to Matt Forte

Not too much information in there, I'd really like to know if the "strong offer" is the same 13-14 mil signing bonus they offered before, or if they have upped it since that point.

I agree. Until I see numbers I don't know who is being the jackass. The fact that they won't release the numbers makes me think it's the Bears, but who knows.

 

[The Tick]

Interesting article areticle in the sun times that PFT had up:

http://blogs.suntime...d_bears_ha.html

CEO Ted Phillips said Bears have made "strong offer" to Matt Forte

Not too much information in there, I'd really like to know if the "strong offer" is the same 13-14 mil signing bonus they offered before, or if they have upped it since that point.

I agree. Until I see numbers I don't know who is being the jackass. The fact that they won't release the numbers makes me think it's the Bears, but who knows.

I don't know if I'd say that. One of the things I actually respect the Bears for is that they have not tended to release numbers to the public to try and play public support against the player. Normally when an offer is released it's been the player doing it when they think it's too low. Some teams do a really bad job of throwing negotiations into the public, and I don't feel the Bears are one of them.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Would you guys be upset if Chicago signed Mike Wallace and gave up #19?

That gives Jay two great weapons and still 2/3/4/5/6/7 picks to address other needs.

 

[Statcruncher]

Yes, I think it would be a bad move. Wallace is effective but signing Wright (if he drops to #19) would be cheaper and IMO Wright is more versatile and has more years ahead of him. Assuming Wright isn't available I still don't think I would sign Wallace. Judging by what free agent WR's are getting in the market this year Wallace will be overpriced.

 

[DoubleG]

Would you guys be upset if Chicago signed Mike Wallace and gave up #19?That gives Jay two great weapons and still 2/3/4/5/6/7 picks to address other needs.

I certainly wouldn't mind this if they did one other thing as a result/in addition to:If you sign Wallace (and pay him a decent chunk) you are DRASTICALLY overpaying Hester given that he would arguably the 4th WR (behind Marshall, Wallace and Bennet) - AND you have Eric Weems - who is also a pro-bowl special teams/return guy. If the Bears traded Hester for Freeney (or a Giants DE), and added Wallace and somewhere in those transactions traded away 19, I'd be extatic.I can't help but think that the signing of Weems makes Hester tradeable - he's paid as a #1 WR, but he aint one (he never was - but he surely isn't now).I would NOT be pleases though if they simply landed Wallace and gave up 19 in the process. That would mean we spent a ton of $ on offense and did nothing to help our aging defense. That's a recipe for disaster in a year or two.

 

[The Tick]

Would you guys be upset if Chicago signed Mike Wallace and gave up #19?That gives Jay two great weapons and still 2/3/4/5/6/7 picks to address other needs.

According to an article from last week posted on PFT, Wallace told the 49ers that he wanted a larger contract then Fitzgerald, so something like 8 years $120 million. If he is even considering numbers like that I wouldn’t even waste my time talking to him.So yes, I would be angry if they got him and had to pay him a TON of money. We need to build our next WR up through the draft and get some good years at a decent price.

 

[RBM]

No thanks on Wallace at that price. If I am paying a wr that kind of money, he better be the whole package.

 

[flapgreen]

Right

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

My theory is that we have a limited window here with Tillman, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher all long in the tooth. Why not overpay for a WR that matches up well opposite Marshall and be loaded for a good run for a few years.

 

[Statcruncher]

Let's be honest, Wallace would be an all-in move which means anything less that a SB victory would be a failure. This team has enough holes there's no guarantee that Wallace would equal a Lombardi, look what happened in Philly after their huge FA acquisitions last year.

Also what would it take to sign him? I've heard reports he's wanting around 15 million a year and will probably wind up getting at least 10 million a year. I like the guy, but that's too big of a slice of the salary cap pie. Last year's 19th pick Prince Amukamara signed a 4 year deal for just over 8 million dollars. I'd rather have Wright at 3 million a year rather than Wallace at 10 million per year.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Let's be honest, Wallace would be an all-in move which means anything less that a SB victory would be a failure. This team has enough holes there's no guarantee that Wallace would equal a Lombardi, look what happened in Philly after their huge FA acquisitions last year.Also what would it take to sign him? I've heard reports he's wanting around 15 million a year and will probably wind up getting at least 10 million a year. I like the guy, but that's too big of a slice of the salary cap pie. Last year's 19th pick Prince Amukamara signed a 4 year deal for just over 8 million dollars. I'd rather have Wright at 3 million a year rather than Wallace at 10 million per year.

I understand that thinking...however what if Wright busts...or takes 3 years to develop. In 3 years Peppers/Briggs/Urlacher/Tillman will all be possibly done. Brandon Marshall will be 31...Forte 29...Michael Bush 31...Garza will be gone...Cutler will be 30.Just thought I'd throw it out there...I'd rather have a proven commodity to beat up on GB/DET.

 

[Statcruncher]

I agree, drafting is by no means a way to get a guaranteed producer. It is the most cap friendly way of acquiring cheap talent assuming you have a team in place that can properly evaluate talent, but it's a gamble.

Getting back to Wallace, IMO it might have been worth it to give up a first and sign him at 10 million a year if they had not already traded for Marshall. While it would have been a steep price to pay, upgrading the #1 WR from Williams to Wallace would have paid huge dividends. With Marshall in the #1 WR slot adding Wallace would be upgrading from Knox/Hester. That is still a big upgrade, but they would be paying #1 WR money for diminishing returns while still having several holes to plug. Having Marshall and Wallace tearing up secondaries would be epic though.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I agree, drafting is by no means a way to get a guaranteed producer. It is the most cap friendly way of acquiring cheap talent assuming you have a team in place that can properly evaluate talent, but it's a gamble.

Getting back to Wallace, IMO it might have been worth it to give up a first and sign him at 10 million a year if they had not already traded for Marshall. While it would have been a steep price to pay, upgrading the #1 WR from Williams to Wallace would have paid huge dividends. With Marshall in the #1 WR slot adding Wallace would be upgrading from Knox/Hester. That is still a big upgrade, but they would be paying #1 WR money for diminishing returns while still having several holes to plug. Having Marshall and Wallace tearing up secondaries would be epic though.

This is my problem...i'm having dreams of Cutler back in Denver with Marshall/Royal...but better

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Would you rather the Bears go DE or CB in round one?

My argument is that with Peppers, Izzy, Wootton...they are at least above average at DE with one young prospect.

At CB Tillman, Jennings are below average with no other CB's to develop. I consider DJ Moore a slot CB only.

 

[mlball77]

I am also in the camp that thinks the Bears are in a "win now" mode... due to an aging D. That said; I still don't know if I can stomach the cost of Wallace. Consider me on the fence. Plus, with Forte wanting to be paid, can we afford to pay Wallace what he is after?

Drafting an early WR and bringing in a vet like Sims-Walker, Evans or even a guy a tier lower (D Thomas or D Hagan) is probably what the team can afford to do. Plus, adding a halfway decent receiving TE would be good. Is Shockey available yet?

 

[Statcruncher]

Bears are comfortable with the offensive line.

I hope they're right.

 

[flapgreen]

No, they're not right. I hope it's lovie speak. It sounds like more of the same old load of crap from Lovie, except now there seems to be a little doubt on Webb at LT. I'll take that for now. His statements have me cautiously optimistic.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

No, they're not right. I hope it's lovie speak. It sounds like more of the same old load of crap from Lovie, except now there seems to be a little doubt on Webb at LT. I'll take that for now. His statements have me cautiously optimistic.

I thought Chris Williams was getting a chance at LT.

 

[The Tick]

Would you rather the Bears go DE or CB in round one?My argument is that with Peppers, Izzy, Wootton...they are at least above average at DE with one young prospect.At CB Tillman, Jennings are below average with no other CB's to develop. I consider DJ Moore a slot CB only.

I say DE. Wooton has done nothing to prove him to be an effective player yet and Izzy is average at best. We have Rodgers and Stafford sitting back there, if we can't make them throw it quickly and under pressure they would complete passes against the best CBs.We need to hit them quickly and need a better pass rushing DE on the other side of Peppers to make that happen. I think we can also get a decent corner prospect in the second round.

 

[flapgreen]

No, they're not right. I hope it's lovie speak. It sounds like more of the same old load of crap from Lovie, except now there seems to be a little doubt on Webb at LT. I'll take that for now. His statements have me cautiously optimistic.

I thought Chris Williams was getting a chance at LT.

Outside of a few internet rumors, I never heard that. The staff or writers never mentioned it, from what I can remember.

 

[The Tick]

No, they're not right. I hope it's lovie speak. It sounds like more of the same old load of crap from Lovie, except now there seems to be a little doubt on Webb at LT. I'll take that for now. His statements have me cautiously optimistic.

I thought Chris Williams was getting a chance at LT.

Outside of a few internet rumors, I never heard that. The staff or writers never mentioned it, from what I can remember.

Also, in the article above, it's not a direct quote, but says that Lovie expects Wiliams to be back at left guard for the year. If that's true, do we actually have a third tackle on the team that's not one of the guards (Williams or Lewis) moving back out to tackle if someone goes down?There is NO WAY they can go into next season like that, you'd think they'd have to get something, don't they????

 

[flapgreen]

You would think.

 

[RBM]

Would you rather the Bears go DE or CB in round one?My argument is that with Peppers, Izzy, Wootton...they are at least above average at DE with one young prospect.At CB Tillman, Jennings are below average with no other CB's to develop. I consider DJ Moore a slot CB only.

I say DE. Wooton has done nothing to prove him to be an effective player yet and Izzy is average at best. We have Rodgers and Stafford sitting back there, if we can't make them throw it quickly and under pressure they would complete passes against the best CBs.We need to hit them quickly and need a better pass rushing DE on the other side of Peppers to make that happen. I think we can also get a decent corner prospect in the second round.

Wooton cant be listed.

 

[RBM]

Devin Thomas....one yr deal

 

[flapgreen]

Hit the road, Roy.

 

[flapgreen]

Btw, I've never heard of this guy.

 

[The Tick]

Wow, this guy is another returner... That's two this off season. Really wonder if anything is going on here, we now have 3 return/wr guys.

Also, this guy doesn't have many receiving stats, mainly a special teamer. Not sure i get this signing as it seems to be pretty similar to Weems.

Am I missing anything here?

 

[flapgreen]

Probably trying to build some depth at the lower end of wr position. Hurd in the screw me in the butt house. Knox won't play for at least the first six games. Roy will probably be on the streets. Not sure about sausagebacon. That's four spots right there. If we can get a wr in the first two rounds, I think we will be in good shape, much better than I could've ever imagined after one offseason.

 

[mlball77]

Thomas was a guy I listed as an option for depth. Decent skill set and decent size (6'2" 220 ish). I'm not sure how they plan on using him, but he'll probably be penciled in as one of the last WRs on the team. However, I think there is a shot he could climb the rungs a little bit. IMO, it was good the team added a WR with some size.

 

[RBM]

Thought he was the top wr going into his draft. Was great at Mich St.

 

[Biabreakable]

All the Bears writers are saying they don't expect any major changes to the O-line. Webb? If that's the case, I hope it gets Lovie and Tice put out on the street and beaten with a pistol. I can't believe any coach un professional sports would ignore something that obvious. For crying out loud, the rest of the league has mocked us about it. Sad sad way to handle things.

Absolute horse#### if that guy is starting in that position come week one. I will have a hard time believing we are serious about winning a title if that happens.

Maybe the Bears just aren't good at evaluating and developing OL talent.

That goes without saying...

Isn't that why you have meathead coaching the offense?I think the Bears line could be pretty solid if they shore up LT some how.

 

[flapgreen]

Lovie prefers tackles that give up a ton of sacks and constantly commit penalties. It's his shtick.