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Chicago Bears 2012 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter benson_will_lead_the_way
- Start date
The Tick
Footballguy
Looks like we have traded a 2013 draft pick for DT Brian Price from the Bucs. Don't know much about this guy, but we were kinda thin at DT so could be a good move.Thoughts?(Hope it works out better the last DL we got from them
)
KCitons
Footballguy
I've been reading some of the camp reports from the first day. Of course everything seems to be going well and there is praise all around for the new players that have been added during the off season.
So, I was thinking. Now that most of the pieces are in place, does this years success or failure fall squarely on the shoulders of Lovie? More than any other season, he has to game plan to use the talents of each player to his best ability, depending on that weeks opponent.
I know we now have some WR's to be excited about, and we have Bush in the backfield with Forte. But, the coaching staff has to know when to pound and when to finesse.
So, I was thinking. Now that most of the pieces are in place, does this years success or failure fall squarely on the shoulders of Lovie? More than any other season, he has to game plan to use the talents of each player to his best ability, depending on that weeks opponent.
I know we now have some WR's to be excited about, and we have Bush in the backfield with Forte. But, the coaching staff has to know when to pound and when to finesse.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Sounds like the guy has been injury plagued and just went through some incredibly difficult personal issues. Seems he has no problem playing through pain and can put up decent numbers when on the field. Worst case scenario his head never gets straight, his hamstring is never the same, and he gets cut before the season starts. Best case scenario the change of location gives him a fresh start, he heals up, and posts 50 tackles with 8 sacks for less than $500,000 this year. Another move typical of Emery, very low risk and financial investment with huge upside. I like it.Looks like we have traded a 2013 draft pick for DT Brian Price from the Bucs. Don't know much about this guy, but we were kinda thin at DT so could be a good move.Thoughts?(Hope it works out better the last DL we got from them
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
There are obviously a number of risks, but Bloom described Price as "unblockable" when healthy. I'll take the flyer on him for a future 7th rounder any day. If it doesn't work out it costs them almost nothing 
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Heard McClellin was struggling today.
Bishop
Footballguy
He's a small guy, so he gets eaten up by the tackles. He looks more like a OLB than a DE.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
The Chicago Bears reserve offensive lineman are so good they can contain a first round defensive end!
repeat
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
Never been there
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Corey Wootton has been looking good in camp. I've held out hope for him in the past and it's been disregarded. Hopefully he can continue to impress.
flapgreen
Footballguy
First round picks are guys you want to come in and play immediately, not get dominated by players in camp that might not even make the team. He will be on the bench behind Izzy.
RBM
Footballguy
Seriously...what the hell did we expect? Taking an OLB and play him at DE. Friggin idiots.First round picks are guys you want to come in and play immediately, not get dominated by players in camp that might not even make the team. He will be on the bench behind Izzy.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Lets be honest for a moment.McClellin was never drafted to be a day 1 starter for every down on defense. He was drafted to get after the QB, passing downs. It's disappointing to see him struggle, but it's still early. Marinelli still has been praising McClellin for his athleticism.Seriously...what the hell did we expect? Taking an OLB and play him at DE. Friggin idiots.First round picks are guys you want to come in and play immediately, not get dominated by players in camp that might not even make the team. He will be on the bench behind Izzy.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Training Camp Highlights Day 4
Jeffery has 3 TD catches in this highlight, including two jump balls in the end zone. I think that's where he will shine in year 1.
Jeffery has 3 TD catches in this highlight, including two jump balls in the end zone. I think that's where he will shine in year 1.
Mister Martie
Footballguy
Seriously...what the hell did we expect? Taking an OLB and play him at DE. Friggin idiots.First round picks are guys you want to come in and play immediately, not get dominated by players in camp that might not even make the team. He will be on the bench behind Izzy.
IT'S OVER, SHEA! PACK UP THE CLEATS.
saintfool
Dead sexy
i hoped he could surpass idonije last year but it didn't happen. with shea's limitations very clear, i think there is a slim chance for him to get the starting gig opposite peppers. slim is better than none, i guess.
Damned with faint praise. Every time a guy can't play on this defense, its his athleticism the coaches love (see Manning, Daniel). I'll take talent at executing the position above athleticism any day. Look- if McClellin was a 3rd round pick we wouldn't be having this discussion, but look at the guys the Bears passed on to get him- Mercilus is supposed to be tearing it up in Houston, Chandler Jones might have won a starting spot already in NE. Havent heard much about Nick Perry in GB yet. Here's the thing- there were several guys pretty similar to McCellin and they went to teams where they could bounce between DE and OLB in a 3-4. I have no idea why the Bears want a guy like that in their 4-3, and I said that from the moment they picked him. Mercilus would have been a better pick as a pass rush specialist with upside. I get that every pick is a gamble, but when you reach down you open yourself up to criticism if they guys you pass over out produce. I just don't think McClellin is right for this defense and honestly im sick of 'high motor' guys that outproduce their talent, at least if you're going to draft them that high. I want talented guys that regular produce their talent.Lets be honest for a moment.McClellin was never drafted to be a day 1 starter for every down on defense. He was drafted to get after the QB, passing downs. It's disappointing to see him struggle, but it's still early. Marinelli still has been praising McClellin for his athleticism.Seriously...what the hell did we expect? Taking an OLB and play him at DE. Friggin idiots.First round picks are guys you want to come in and play immediately, not get dominated by players in camp that might not even make the team. He will be on the bench behind Izzy.
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Vector
Footballguy
I'm willing to wait awhile before declaring McClellin a bust guys. The Bears need to scheme for him. If you watch the Boise State film you will see that he was always working off stunts and using his quickness to dart through to the QB.
The DC must know this and be developing some strategy to take advantage of his best qualities. Give it some time guys, the kid is a football player, he just is not a power DE and he can't be used that way.
The DC must know this and be developing some strategy to take advantage of his best qualities. Give it some time guys, the kid is a football player, he just is not a power DE and he can't be used that way.
I agree with that, i'm not saying his definitively a bust, just that i dont think he fits the system and initial reports are certainly not encouraging. But we will see. Marinelli does like his stunts, so you could be right that he wanted McClellin for his proficiency at it. I happen to think this d-line front is antiquated and without a dominant tackle you end up having to blitz a lot, which the Bears aren't very good at. And their blitzing schemes are equally antiquated, they dont run the overload blitzes that the hot defenses today run where somebody is gonna run free. This defense is predicated on the front 4 getting through 5, 6, or 7 blockers... while of course keeping containment of a mobile QB like Rodgers. Its just a very tall order and you need extraordinary talent to make it work. The Bears d-line has exactly 1 extraordinary or even above average player. Other teams can take a less talented player and shape him into a specific role with success, I don't know that the Bears system has the flexibility to do that. I hope they prove me wrong.'Vector said:
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benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Went to Bears camp today, here are my thoughts.
QB: Cutler looks good. A few throws were off, but otherwise pretty solid. It was nice to see him look off the safety and then hit Marshall up the seam for a TD. Jason Campbell looks pretty good as well. It's very reassuring to see a quality backup QB, he can help develop those young weapons.
RB: Forte looks cut and a little bigger, however just as athletic. Could be in the best shape of his career. Michael Bush is big...he goes into the line and can move the pile. He's also much more athletic than i've seen and could envision lots of receptions for him as well. Kahil Bell looks solid and will make a good 3rd RB. Lorenzo Booker/Armando Allen have little chance to make the team.
TE: Wow how things have changed in a year. The TE's are being used and often. Kellen Davis is big and athletic, he was lost in Martz's offense but not in this one. He displayed good hands, has a large catch radius, and good after the catch. Evan Rodriguez was surprising as well. He got many looks and is athletic...really reminds me of a poor mans Aaron Hernandez. Quicker twitch TE with good hands. Spaeth is still a solid blocker and Kyle Adams has an outside chance of making the team.
WR: It's just so different to have a WR like this in Chicago. Marshall is literally never covered. The one thing that impressed me about Marshall is that he's not only good, but he's a hard worker. He went 100% all the time, I wasn't expecting that type of work ethic. Devin Hester lined up as the other starter and he looks quick/smooth/fast/athletic as well...did have an easy drop in Skelly though. Alshon Jeffery disappointed me today, I had high expectations and perhaps they were too high. He just didn't seem to put in a ton of effort. He doesn't look heavy or slow...I just didn't see high effort(maybe it's because Marshall puts in so much effort). Earl Bennett looks pretty good and healthy. Devin Thomas impressed me...athletic kid. Eric Weems didn't practice. Dane Sanzenbacher does everything right and looks smooth, but he's just small and not elite.
OL: After watching practice today, i'm not worried about the OL...seriously. Gabe Carimi looked like a stud in the 1 on 1 drills and looked solid throughout all of practice. He's our starting RT despite Chris Williams getting some time over there today. Webb looked good at LT...I was shocked. I only saw one play all day where he got beat and it was by Julius Peppers(then again Peppers is one of the best DE's in the NFL). RG Lance Louis looks huge...listed at 320. Spencer played better than I thought at LG...i'm cheering for Chilo Rachel/Edwin Williams to break into the starting lineup. Chris Williams got beat bad two plays in a row at RT...then again it was his first day at RT all camp. James Brown looked solid at RT and should make the roster...great UFA pickup. Overall, I feel much better about the OL than I thought entering today.
DL: Peppers is a huge human being and shouldn't be that athletic. The one play he made Webb look bad, he literally tossed him like a rag doll. Izzy looked very average and thinner than in years past. Shea McClellin has a high motor and flashed some athletic ability...however he looks very raw and doesn't look like a first round pick right now. I was very very very impressed with Corey Wootton today. He looks fully recovered from the knee injuries(in fact I asked him after practice and he said he feels great) and appears bigger than Julius Peppers. He is quick off the edge and strong against the run. He made Chris Williams look like a rookie in 1 on 1's. I honestly wouldn't be shocked if he ended up a starter opposite Peppers. Stephen Paea looks like a whole new person on the field, super quick and strong. One play I saw him toss an OL, another I saw him burn by him with his quickness. Henry Melton is very quick in person as well...he might've gained a little weight in the offseason. Matt Toenia is a run stuff and offers nothing in terms of pass rush. Brian Price didn't look great today, hopefully he can get in the flow soon.
LB: Urlacher didn't practice so Roach played MLB. I didn't really focus on the LB's so I can't comment.
DB: Tim Jennings looks much improved from last season...better shape and possibly stronger. Seems confident as well. Didn't see Tillman a whole lot. The CB that really impressed me was Kelvin Hayden. He looks healthy and made plays. Larger size and was making plays today. Rookie Greg McCoy looked athletic as well. Didn't see much from the Safety position, but Brandon Hardin looks legit. He is very athletic and huge. He made a couple of interceptions and could contribute this season on defense.
Overall, I think this is a playoff team because it's much improved. I also came away today thinking the team has more depth than in past seasons, which gives a sense of comfort in case injuries pop up.
QB: Cutler looks good. A few throws were off, but otherwise pretty solid. It was nice to see him look off the safety and then hit Marshall up the seam for a TD. Jason Campbell looks pretty good as well. It's very reassuring to see a quality backup QB, he can help develop those young weapons.
RB: Forte looks cut and a little bigger, however just as athletic. Could be in the best shape of his career. Michael Bush is big...he goes into the line and can move the pile. He's also much more athletic than i've seen and could envision lots of receptions for him as well. Kahil Bell looks solid and will make a good 3rd RB. Lorenzo Booker/Armando Allen have little chance to make the team.
TE: Wow how things have changed in a year. The TE's are being used and often. Kellen Davis is big and athletic, he was lost in Martz's offense but not in this one. He displayed good hands, has a large catch radius, and good after the catch. Evan Rodriguez was surprising as well. He got many looks and is athletic...really reminds me of a poor mans Aaron Hernandez. Quicker twitch TE with good hands. Spaeth is still a solid blocker and Kyle Adams has an outside chance of making the team.
WR: It's just so different to have a WR like this in Chicago. Marshall is literally never covered. The one thing that impressed me about Marshall is that he's not only good, but he's a hard worker. He went 100% all the time, I wasn't expecting that type of work ethic. Devin Hester lined up as the other starter and he looks quick/smooth/fast/athletic as well...did have an easy drop in Skelly though. Alshon Jeffery disappointed me today, I had high expectations and perhaps they were too high. He just didn't seem to put in a ton of effort. He doesn't look heavy or slow...I just didn't see high effort(maybe it's because Marshall puts in so much effort). Earl Bennett looks pretty good and healthy. Devin Thomas impressed me...athletic kid. Eric Weems didn't practice. Dane Sanzenbacher does everything right and looks smooth, but he's just small and not elite.
OL: After watching practice today, i'm not worried about the OL...seriously. Gabe Carimi looked like a stud in the 1 on 1 drills and looked solid throughout all of practice. He's our starting RT despite Chris Williams getting some time over there today. Webb looked good at LT...I was shocked. I only saw one play all day where he got beat and it was by Julius Peppers(then again Peppers is one of the best DE's in the NFL). RG Lance Louis looks huge...listed at 320. Spencer played better than I thought at LG...i'm cheering for Chilo Rachel/Edwin Williams to break into the starting lineup. Chris Williams got beat bad two plays in a row at RT...then again it was his first day at RT all camp. James Brown looked solid at RT and should make the roster...great UFA pickup. Overall, I feel much better about the OL than I thought entering today.
DL: Peppers is a huge human being and shouldn't be that athletic. The one play he made Webb look bad, he literally tossed him like a rag doll. Izzy looked very average and thinner than in years past. Shea McClellin has a high motor and flashed some athletic ability...however he looks very raw and doesn't look like a first round pick right now. I was very very very impressed with Corey Wootton today. He looks fully recovered from the knee injuries(in fact I asked him after practice and he said he feels great) and appears bigger than Julius Peppers. He is quick off the edge and strong against the run. He made Chris Williams look like a rookie in 1 on 1's. I honestly wouldn't be shocked if he ended up a starter opposite Peppers. Stephen Paea looks like a whole new person on the field, super quick and strong. One play I saw him toss an OL, another I saw him burn by him with his quickness. Henry Melton is very quick in person as well...he might've gained a little weight in the offseason. Matt Toenia is a run stuff and offers nothing in terms of pass rush. Brian Price didn't look great today, hopefully he can get in the flow soon.
LB: Urlacher didn't practice so Roach played MLB. I didn't really focus on the LB's so I can't comment.
DB: Tim Jennings looks much improved from last season...better shape and possibly stronger. Seems confident as well. Didn't see Tillman a whole lot. The CB that really impressed me was Kelvin Hayden. He looks healthy and made plays. Larger size and was making plays today. Rookie Greg McCoy looked athletic as well. Didn't see much from the Safety position, but Brandon Hardin looks legit. He is very athletic and huge. He made a couple of interceptions and could contribute this season on defense.
Overall, I think this is a playoff team because it's much improved. I also came away today thinking the team has more depth than in past seasons, which gives a sense of comfort in case injuries pop up.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Thanks for the write-up Benson.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Cutler didn't look great, just good.Top two rookies(McClellin/Jeffery) didn't fulfill my expectations.Johnny Knox is probably never playing football again. He is very very skinny and is limping around...it's a shame.Garza is Garza...nothing great going on there.Chris Williams got beat twice and didn't see many great things there.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
One thing I didn't discuss in my write up is I was already thinking about camp cuts. I wouldn't be shocked if Chicago only keeps 2 Quarterbacks on the roster: Cutler/Campbell. Then practice squad Matt Blanchard QB from UW-Whitewater.
Cutler might be a little rusty during camp. After all he needs to relearn how to play the position after a few years of robotically stepping back seven steps and chucking the ball to a spot his alleged wide receivers aren't going to get to (this assumes he's still vertical). Seriously, he's got to get back to reading defenses, calling audibles, adjusting his fudgemeter for professional NFL caliber recievers that will actually fight for the ball and finish their routes (not to mention can catch imperfectly placed passes), etc
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
Great write up Benson, thanks for sharing
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
I agree with this and a bonus for Cutler/the whole offense is Tice is allowing him to audible at the LOS. I saw it first hand yesterday.
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mlball77
Footballguy
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
From beat writer Brad Biggs
McClellin apparently also had a great INT on a Jason Campbell throw
maxwelledison
Footballguy
If the line can keep Cutler upright this team is going to score points. Should be fun to watch. Good news on Shea- I'm very skeptical but it's a start.
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
I'm skeptical too-I was definitely not a fan of the pick. I wanted Chandler Jones, DeCastro or Wright (in that order). Then I remembered that I don't know what I'm talking about 
I need to have faith in Emery and not make knee jerk reactions.
I need to have faith in Emery and not make knee jerk reactions.
RBM
Footballguy
Love this. Thanks man.
Monsters of the Midway
Footballguy
"McClellin makes eye opening plays at Bears practice"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-mcclellin-makes-eyeopening-plays-at-bears-practice-20120802,0,4607155.story
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-mcclellin-makes-eyeopening-plays-at-bears-practice-20120802,0,4607155.story
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
The new Nike uniforms have the numbers on the shoulders instead of the sleeves. Looks terrible. 
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
It's all about Nike. Never mind tradition. You can't see the SWOOSH as clearly with numbers on the sleeves.
Sweetness would be rolling over in his grave.
Sweetness would be rolling over in his grave.
Marvin
Footballguy
Aren't the raiders losing somewhere right now?It's all about Nike. Never mind tradition. You can't see the SWOOSH as clearly with numbers on the sleeves.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Marvin
Footballguy
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
A picture is one thing. They look ungood in action.I'm just trying to protect tradition. Almost every uniform change over the past 10-15 years has been for the worse.
With the exception of Tampa Bay and Buffalo.
Mister Martie
Footballguy
[meatball]But he looked bad his first practice. Obvious bust.[/meatball]
Marvin
Footballguy
I'm not listening to fashion advice from a guy that thinks it looks cool do dress up like Darth Vader had a cameo in The Road Warrior.A picture is one thing. They look ungood in action.I'm just trying to protect tradition. Almost every uniform change over the past 10-15 years has been for the worse.
With the exception of Tampa Bay and Buffalo.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
For those unaware, NFLN is replaying the entire Broncos/Bears game at midnight EST.
