***Offical Chicago Bears 2009 Offseason Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[boubucarow]

Where does LB Marcus Freeman figure to line up when he takes the field, and if he works his way into the starting lineup, at the Will or the Sam?

Briggs is the Will. The only way Freeman will see the starting line up is if he lines up at Sam or if Briggs is hurt. Right now, it seems he is listed as a backup Will.

 

[Biabreakable]

First point - the Bears were actaully a Super Bowl team with virtually the same defensive team a few years ago

This has not been the same defense. Personnel may be close, but they didn't play nearly as well last year and the statistics bear that out.Bears Defense, 2008: Points: 16thTotal yards: 21stPassing yards: 30thRush yards: 5thSacks: 28Turnovers: 32Bears Defense 2007oints:16thTotal yards: 28thPassing yards:27thRush Yards:24thSacks:41Turnovers: 33Bears Defense: 2006oints: 3rdtotal yards: 5thPassing yards: 11thRushing yards: 6thSack: 40Turnovers: 44Whether the squad is just getting older or something else is in play, this defense has been positively average the last couple of seasons. Its hard to justify pushing them into the top 5 again imo, although i do think they should improve if the offense can keep them off the field some. But even in 2006 the time of possession wasn't hugely different than the last two years.Time of possession per game:2008: 28:362007: 28:292006: 30:56Not sure if an extra 2.5 minutes of possession is going to swing this defense back into the elite. Tommy Harris playing like the player he was drafted to be is more likely to be the difference.

Actualy 2.5 minutes/game so the defense has to play 40 more minutes. That is about 1.4 games worth of extra defense they have had to play in each of the past 2 years. That is definitly enough to knock a defense out of the top 10 I think.Most of the Bears WR seem more like big play guys rather than possession recievers. I wonder if Cutler can throw with enough touch and accuracy to help Hester. Someone could really break out from this group but I don't know who. Maybe the ball will be spread between 4 guys and none of them will be clearly ahead of the others. In any case I think Cutler is the best QB the Bears have had since I have been watching them. And better than any QB the Vikings have ever had except maybe Francis.I think Forte could be even better as a reciever this year with Cutler possibly finding him the most relaible guy to throw to. He caught 63 as a rookie.

 

[boubucarow]

According to the Sun Times....

Free Safety - Josh Bullocks looks like the first option. Corey Graham might make the move to the position (according to Lovie). Tillman is staying at corner. Steltz more likely to battle Payne at strong safety Unless Graham is a hidden gem at free, I don't like their options.

Wide Receiver - Hester and Bennett are in line to be the starters. Davis to be in the slot. Bennett impressive in workouts so far. He has to be impressive for this corps to work.

CB - Tillman and Vasher. If Graham makes the move to safety, rookie DJ Moore gets a chance at nickel corner and challenging Vasher.

Bears also looking at free agent Pisa Tinoisamoa to possibly compete at strong side linebacker.

 

[flapgreen]

According to the Sun Times....

Free Safety - Josh Bullocks looks like the first option. Corey Graham might make the move to the position (according to Lovie). Tillman is staying at corner. Steltz more likely to battle Payne at strong safety Unless Graham is a hidden gem at free, I don't like their options.

Wide Receiver - Hester and Bennett are in line to be the starters. Davis to be in the slot. Bennett impressive in workouts so far. He has to be impressive for this corps to work.

CB - Tillman and Vasher. If Graham makes the move to safety, rookie DJ Moore gets a chance at nickel corner and challenging Vasher.

Bears also looking at free agent Pisa Tinoisamoa to possibly compete at strong side linebacker.

This has been confirmed. There are pictures on the Bears website of Tino at the OTA's. He led the Rams in tackling the year Lovie coached him. This would be fantastic. Urlacher, Briggs and Tino at the lb's position. Talk about JA trying to piece this team together. He is handling this team like GM of the year.

Also bringing in Rod Hood at cb

 

[boubucarow]

Sun Times

Looking like Pace at LT with Williams at RT at beginning of team activities while Beekman was first team at LG. Graham is indeed working at free safety but opening assignments seem to have Stetlz at first team free safety. Says Kevin Jones looked fluid and that Tommie Harris, Marcus Harrison, and Tillman did not participate due to injuries.

 

[Bob Lee Swagger]

Big signing day for the Bears' draftees, and it looks like Izzy got a 2-year extension:

Israel Idonije-DL- Bears May. 29 - 12:26 pm et

Bears agreed to terms with DL Israel Idonije on a two-year, $7 million extension with $3 million in guarantees.

Idonije was due to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, but the Bears value his versatility as a rotational lineman as well as his special teams work. He's expected to play more defensive end this season after slimming down.

D.J. Moore-DB- Bears May. 29 - 12:34 pm et

Bears signed fourth-round CB D.J. Moore to a four-year contract.

Moore is expected to battle Nate Vasher for the starting right corner job. Though on the small side with subpar speed, Moore showed tremendous ball skills at Vanderbilt and is a good fit for the Bears' zone scheme.

Johnny Knox-WR- Bears May. 29 - 12:37 pm et

Bears signed fifth-round WR Johnny Knox to a four-year contract.

The Chicago Tribune expects the speedster to get a shot at slot receiver duties, but fellow rookie Juaquin Iglesias remains the prohibitive favorite. Knox is more likely to enter the season as the fifth receiver.

Marcus Freeman-LB- Bears May. 29 - 12:41 pm et

Bears signed fifth-round LB Marcus Freeman to a four-year contract.

Freeman started all 26 games the past two seasons for Ohio State, racking 9 1/2 tackles for loss in each season. Freeman is a bit on the small side, but he's an above average athlete with excellent special teams skills.

Al Afalava-DB- Bears May. 29 - 12:45 pm et

Bears signed sixth-round S Al Afalava to a four-year contract.

Afalava (5'11/213) was a three-year starter at Oregon State, offering good size and instincts but struggling in coverage. He's likely slated for special teams duty if he makes the final roster.

Lance Louis-G- Bears May. 29 - 12:48 pm et

Bears signed seventh-round OL Lance Louis to a four-year contract.

Louis showed versatility and athleticism at San Diego State, playing tight end, guard and tackle. His size limitations will make him a guard at the NFL level if he can stick with the Bears.

Derek Kinder-WR- Bears May. 29 - 12:53 pm et

Bears signed seventh-round WR Derek Kinder to a four-year contract.

Kinder showed tremendous ability as a sophomore at Pitt in 2006, but missed all of 2007 with a torn ACL. His 2008 numbers were unimpressive, but Pitt was a run-first team with quarterback issues. Kinder has deep threat potential, but he'll need a strong summer to make the final roster.

All quotes per Rotoworld. Only draftees left unsigned are the two third-rounders, Gilbert and Iglesias, and the fourth-rounder Henry Melton.

 

[flapgreen]

Also, welcome Pisa.

I'm in disbelief at how this offseason has unfolded. Never, ever thought I would see something like this. Didn't think ol' JA had it in him. Boy was I wrong.

 

[DoubleG]

Also, welcome Pisa.

We Chicagoans love our Pisa!

 

[Max Power]

Bears land free-agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 5/29/2009 9:36 PM

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Even after signing defensive lineman Israel Idonije to a two-year contract extension and agreeing to terms with seven draft picks Friday, the Bears weren’t done.

The personnel department capped one of the busiest and most active days in franchise history by agreeing to terms with free-agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa on a one-year contract.

Pisa Tinoisamoa (right) chats with Bears assistant coach Gill Byrd last week during a visit to Halas Hall.

Tinoisamoa spent his first six NFL seasons with the Rams after being selected by St. Louis in the second round of the 2003 draft, eight spots after the Bears chose cornerback Charles Tillman.

Playing for Lovie Smith and Bob Babich in St. Louis in 2003, Tinoisamoa became the first rookie to lead the Rams in tackles with 121. He also had four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

The 6-1, 240-pounder again topped the Rams with 135 tackles last season, but he was released May 8 presumably because he didn’t fit into new St. Louis head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme. The Bears, on the other hand, like quick, undersized linebackers.

Tiniosamoa visited the Bears May 20, speaking with coaches, touring Halas Hall and watching the team’s OTA practice. The 27-year-old reportedly also was being pursued by the Bills as well as the Patriots before New England signed linebacker Paris Lenon on Wednesday.

 

[RBM]

to the LB depth after the draft and the Pisa signing

 

[Routilla]

Bears DEF/ST is looking better. Can they be considered a sleeper?

 

[whitem0nkey]

Bears DEF/ST is looking better. Can they be considered a sleeper?

no, a sleeper is not a team that is the fav to win the division. peter kings has them as 4th. they are not enough under the radar.

 

[boubucarow]

Bears DEF/ST is looking better. Can they be considered a sleeper?

no, a sleeper is not a team that is the fav to win the division. peter kings has them as 4th. they are not enough under the radar.

Agreed. But it is kind of interesting to me that I have had a word fight with many people on this boards about the fact that the Bears were an overall top 10 defense last year without a doubt and can bounce back to a upper echelon defense this year. However, most fantasy drafters still think the Bears will provide high scores in fantasy.

 

[whitem0nkey]

Matt Forte left the field with a member of the training staff with what was termed as “leg stiffness” by Bears officials.

does not sound serious, but worth a mention.

 

[supermark_28]

Matt Forte left the field with a member of the training staff with what was termed as “leg stiffness” by Bears officials. does not sound serious, but worth a mention.

Any updates on Forte? Rotoworld was reporting he was supposed to have an MRI today but no new info.

 

[3nOut]

Per kffl:

Bears | Hester to be used in Wildcat formation?Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:08:47 -0700Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester could be used in a variety of ways within the team's offense this season. He could line up as a running back or in some sort of Wildcat formation.

So given this information, who is the Bears receiver to own this year in FF? WHo will have the better FF numbers? Hester, Bennett, or one of the rookies (which may surprise)? Right now, I'd say the slight edge goes to Hester.ETA: Training camp opens in 29 days!

 

[whitem0nkey]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

 

[mlball77]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

I think this was probably the right move, obviously dependent upon whom CHI gets to replace Turner. But I feel they can definitely do better, as in my view, Turner was a well below average OC.

 

[whitem0nkey]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

I think this was probably the right move, obviously dependent upon whom CHI gets to replace Turner. But I feel they can definitely do better, as in my view, Turner was a well below average OC.

Jay Cutler will now be working under 4th different offensive coordinator in 4 years

 

[RBM]

Hmm, def coordinator was a bigger problem than off coordinator this year.

Im not a big Turner fan and dont really care about this firing, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth keeping Lovie. His defense SUCKS

 

[destro]

Well, maybe this will help:

The Chicago Tribune reports that Rod Marinelli will be promoted to Bears defensive coordinator.Head coach Lovie Smith is getting those duties stripped from him and it's a good move by the Bears' front office. Even though Marinelli coached the Lions to a 0-16 season in 2008, his repuation as a defensive guru is legit. He will beneift from getting Brian Urlacher (wrist) back next season.Probably can't be worse than last year.And assuming the Bears replace Turner with someone legit, I think Cutler will be a great value in drafts next season. Forte could, as well, since he apparently played the entire season with an MCL strain (and a terrible OL/OC).

 

[maxwelledison]

Typical Bears nonsense.

 

[The Tick]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

I think this was probably the right move, obviously dependent upon whom CHI gets to replace Turner. But I feel they can definitely do better, as in my view, Turner was a well below average OC.

Jay Cutler will now be working under 4th different offensive coordinator in 4 years

And going for 5 the year after next when we loose again and clean house of the GM and coach...I don't even think i'm supportive of this, what good OC will want to come into a trainwreck of a coaching situation that is likely on the way out next year, they will want to try to go to the teams like buffalo and Washington that are building full staffs under reputable head coaches that will likely be around for more then a year or two at the most.

 

[The Tick]

Well, maybe this will help:

The Chicago Tribune reports that Rod Marinelli will be promoted to Bears defensive coordinator.Head coach Lovie Smith is getting those duties stripped from him and it's a good move by the Bears' front office. Even though Marinelli coached the Lions to a 0-16 season in 2008, his repuation as a defensive guru is legit. He will beneift from getting Brian Urlacher (wrist) back next season.

Probably can't be worse than last year.And assuming the Bears replace Turner with someone legit, I think Cutler will be a great value in drafts next season. Forte could, as well, since he apparently played the entire season with an MCL strain (and a terrible OL/OC).

Supposedly that Lions guy that pulled into the Wendy's drive through naked is at hallas hall today. That would be a hallarious signing.

 

[whitem0nkey]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

I think this was probably the right move, obviously dependent upon whom CHI gets to replace Turner. But I feel they can definitely do better, as in my view, Turner was a well below average OC.

Jay Cutler will now be working under 4th different offensive coordinator in 4 years

And going for 5 the year after next when we loose again and clean house of the GM and coach...

I don't even think i'm supportive of this, what good OC will want to come into a trainwreck of a coaching situation that is likely on the way out next year, they will want to try to go to the teams like buffalo and Washington that are building full staffs under reputable head coaches that will likely be around for more then a year or two at the most.

that's highly speculatory on your part.its possible someone like martz gets the OC job and then gets promoted to head coach next year. thus keeping the same OC.

 

[The Tick]

im not sure if were making a new thread for this offseason or are we just continuing this one.

per Zach Zaidman

Just confirmed that Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner

I think this was probably the right move, obviously dependent upon whom CHI gets to replace Turner. But I feel they can definitely do better, as in my view, Turner was a well below average OC.

Jay Cutler will now be working under 4th different offensive coordinator in 4 years

And going for 5 the year after next when we loose again and clean house of the GM and coach...

I don't even think i'm supportive of this, what good OC will want to come into a trainwreck of a coaching situation that is likely on the way out next year, they will want to try to go to the teams like buffalo and Washington that are building full staffs under reputable head coaches that will likely be around for more then a year or two at the most.

that's highly speculatory on your part.its possible someone like martz gets the OC job and then gets promoted to head coach next year. thus keeping the same OC.

Well they are gone in two years, and that's for sure, they are not getting an extension.I'm also not a big fan of getting the OC they hope can be a coach in a couple years, that leaves you in situations like they have in Dallas where they keep the medicore coach around because they think they have their "guy of the future" on staff but aren't ready to promote him to head coach yet.

And i don't think there is a name out there i like worse then martzt to come into the team.

 

[whitem0nkey]

Mike Martz & Jeremy Bates are the two names that keep popping up most in talking to various sources about potential Turner replacement

Jeremy Bates was Jay Cutler's offensive coordinator last year In Denver. This year he led USC's underwhelming offense. Trojans had frosh QB

Lovie Smith was defensive coordinator in St. Louis when Mike Martz was the head coach of the Rams

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Mike Martz to be OC???

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Mike Martz to be OC???

Hopin more for Weiss.

 

[mlball77]

Mike Martz to be OC???

Hopin more for Weiss.

Me too. I don't think Martz in the answer... And I don't know enough about Bates at the moment. Regardless, the o-line has to be better in order for that O to be more successful. (it seems like Chris Williams was doing decent at LT to finish the year and I really hope he continues to improve)

 

[whitem0nkey]

Bears also officially announce Jerry Angelo & Lovie Smith are returning. They will join president Ted Phillips at 2PM CT news conference.

the final damage, 6 coaches. Ron Turner, Harry Hiestand, Rob Boras, Pep Hamilton, Luke Butkus & Charles London released.

 

[cphk96]

 

[whitem0nkey]

some tweets from the press conference.

Angelo says moving Hester to WR was not a mistakeAngelo says looking back he wouldn't have changed how he put last year's team together, but things didn't workJerry: We have 62 players under contract. That is a positive.Angelo says there's a good nucleus in placeAngelo: "I didn't do as good a job evaluating our team."Jerry: I am not going to get into the nitty grittys of all the things we talked about.Angelo says Smith will decide on the staffAngelo says the Bears don't have as many dominant players as they used to on defenseJerry: If you were held accountable for some of the decisions you made, you would have a Crayon in your hand.Angelo: "In the end we might not be good enough"Jerry: We are putting together a list of coaches as we speakLovie: First of all, I am excited to remain in my positionSmith says the Bears defensive scheme can be successful. He says as long as he's here he will be running some form of itLovie: Says the defensive scheme is not going to change, folksLovie: We're going to do whatever we need to do to win

 

[destro]

Look for another mediocre season and Cowher as Bears HC in 2011.

 

[jagbag]

Angelo says moving Hester to WR was not a mistake

IMOHe needs to be a return man.Receivers with his ability are a dime a dozen.Return men with his talent , not many.He was a game changer as a return man.

 

[Rounders]

From the Trib article:

Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.

"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.

So I ask you what the hell are we good at? Pretty much summed up every single part of the team.

 

[whitem0nkey]

From the Trib article:

Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.

"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.

So I ask you what the hell are we good at? Pretty much summed up every single part of the team.

the only reason that lovie and angelo are still here is money. because if you listen to that conference its contradictions, one after another.

 

[Rounders]

From the Trib article:

Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.

"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.

So I ask you what the hell are we good at? Pretty much summed up every single part of the team.

the only reason that lovie and angelo are still here is money. because if you listen to that conference its contradictions, one after another.

Agreed 100%. Now only thing I'm pulling for is another season of no playoffs AND Cowher does not accept any coaching job this year AND then he accepts the terribly low offer the Bears will give him.

 

[whitem0nkey]

From the Trib article:

Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.

"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.

So I ask you what the hell are we good at? Pretty much summed up every single part of the team.

the only reason that lovie and angelo are still here is money. because if you listen to that conference its contradictions, one after another.

Agreed 100%. Now only thing I'm pulling for is another season of no playoffs AND Cowher does not accept any coaching job this year AND then he accepts the terribly low offer the Bears will give him.

Obviously im angry with the decision. but from a business point of view this was the right move. (man, it hurts to type this)with the lock out coming in March combined with the American needle court case, this leaves an extreme amount of uncertainty. a miscalculation or bad gamble could have cost the bears $30-$40+ million for people not doing anything.

 

[jagbag]

Per Hub Arkush ,Marinelli will not be the "D" coordinator.

Smith says the Bears defensive scheme can be successful. He says as long as he's here he will be running some form of itLovie: Says the defensive scheme is not going to change, folks

Lovie going to get a puppet for a "D" coordinator. ?What an effing mess.

 

[crewmember]

Angelo says moving Hester to WR was not a mistake

IMOHe needs to be a return man.Receivers with his ability are a dime a dozen.Return men with his talent , not many.He was a game changer as a return man.

He is still improving hopefully and will develop a chemistry with Jay. Not sure about his salary but you can only spend so much on kick off returner. I think expectations of him as a kick returner are way of base. Just because a guy has a couple years with some tds I don't think you can pencil him in for that the next year. I remember Dante Hall tearing it up but that didn't last. Also Daniel Manning has done a pretty decent job and now you have Johnny Knox. It seems like a waste to limit someone with Hesters talent to special teams. And atfer all it's not like they can't put Hester back on kickoffs if they find themselves in playoff contention or some other recievers step up. I think you had to find out if it could work(the upside was too much) and I'm sure they will put and end to it if its really hurting the team, but right now they got much bigger problems.

 

[ditka311]

I wonder who the new QB coach will be. It was obvious that Cutler had absolutely no respect for Pep Hamilton and he will likely have a lot of input as to the hiring of his replacement.

 

[flapgreen]

Hmm, def coordinator was a bigger problem than off coordinator this year.Im not a big Turner fan and dont really care about this firing, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth keeping Lovie. His defense SUCKS

Saves them money. They don't care about the other stuff, like really winning

 

[flapgreen]

Mike Martz to be OC???

Hopin more for Weiss.

they won't pay for a top coach

 

[flapgreen]

Look for another mediocre season decade and Cowher another low paid coordinator as Bears HC in 2011.

fixed

 

[flapgreen]

Angelo says moving Hester to WR was not a mistake

IMOHe needs to be a return man.

Receivers with his ability are a dime a dozen.

Return men with his talent , not many.

He was a game changer as a return man.

He is still improving hopefully and will develop a chemistry with Jay. Not sure about his salary but you can only spend so much on kick off returner. I think expectations of him as a kick returner are way of base. Just because a guy has a couple years with some tds I don't think you can pencil him in for that the next year. I remember Dante Hall tearing it up but that didn't last. Also Daniel Manning has done a pretty decent job and now you have Johnny Knox. It seems like a waste to limit someone with Hesters talent to special teams. And atfer all it's not like they can't put Hester back on kickoffs if they find themselves in playoff contention or some other recievers step up. I think you had to find out if it could work(the upside was too much) and I'm sure they will put and end to it if its really hurting the team, but right now they got much bigger problems.

I would like this phrase eliminated from the English language

 

[JJP]

So Lovie and Angelo get to collect a paycheck for one more year. And when they miss the playoffs for the 4th straight year, they will get booted. In the meantime, it will be another year with between 6 to 9 wins...yawn.

And don't look for Cowher to come here. The Bears have NEVER hired a coach with previous NFL head coaching experience (not counting Halas, who had several different stints and was self-hired).

 

[RBM]

Disgusted more after sleeping on this whole thing. Those 3 fools stand up there and act as if they are going to fix everything, what a slap in the face to every Bear fan

 

[Rounders]

Disgusted more after sleeping on this whole thing. Those 3 fools stand up there and act as if they are going to fix everything, what a slap in the face to every Bear fan

 

[whitem0nkey]

In last job with SF, Mike Martz elevated 49ers offense from last in NFL to 23rd. They were 13th in passing & 27th in rushing.

ETA: Under Martz in 2008, Shaun Hill was 12th ranked QB in NFL, ahead of guys like E. Manning, McNabb, Delhomme, Favre, Roethlisberger & Cutler

In 2008, Denver's offense (w/Cutler & Bates) ranked 2nd in NFL. Passing game was ranked 3rd. Despite injuries, rushing attack was 12th.

Tribune's Dan Pompei calls Jeremy Bates the leading candidate to become the Bears next offensive coordinator.