***Official 2013 Chicago Bears Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[The Tick]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

I don't know how accurate Spotrac is on breaking new contract details but the numbers they show corroborate with the previous link I posted.

Yeah, they mentioned that their data didn't agree with them either, but said they trust their source for what it's worth, I guess we'll see over the next couple days as more info comes out.

 

[flapgreen]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

That looks more correct and why franchising is usually avoided because of the cap hit teams take.

 

[whitem0nkey]

My other thought is this. If Trestman is a QB genius, then Cutler should be able to elevate his play beyond anything we have seen in past years. He will have the talent around him to accomplish it. If he continues to make mistakes that holds the team back going forward, then I believe McCown, or any number of other QB could accomplish an 8-8 to 10-6 season with this team.

When you factor in Cutlers durability, what are you really getting for your money. His time in Chicago has already proved that you need a quality backup if you hope to make it through the season.

What's the alternative? Do you think know putting McCown back out there and trying to draft the next great qb is a better alternative? Impossible to predict which qbs will be even a top 20 guy for the long haul. What if they put McCown back out there and we miss on the next pick? Another 5 years down the drain. Do you think McCown has what it takes to take them to a championship? How many years would it take his replacement to get to that level? It's a lot of years to wait on something that may not happen.

one thing I noticed for McCown backers, they use the last season of McCown compared the the whole career of Cutler. but if you want to be objective lets compare the whole career of both.

Josh - 50TD 45 INT - 77.5 QBR - in 11 seasons 8,827 yards - Age 34 - QB record 16-22 - Seasons with more INTs then TD, 5

Jay - 150TD 112 INT - 84.6 QBR - in 8 seasons 23,937 yards - Age 30 - QB record 56-48 - Seasons with more INTs then TD, 0

 

[flapgreen]

Bottom line for me, while definitely thinking we overpaid, I get it. At this point, where our offense is, I did not want to have to start over at QB. But I do have to say that the pressure is on big time now. Anything less than a career year out of Cutler with the weapons and the paycheck, will be extremely disappointing.

And there is part of me that wonders if a guy like Matt Schaub could do just what Cutler will, at half the price.

Cutler's deal averages 18m per year for 7 years, I have little doubt that in 3 to 4 years his contract will be considered below market value as long as he performs as a top 15 QB. As for a career year, Cutler was well on his way to posting career numbers in a new system before injuries sidelined him. I can't help but think more time in the same system will help.And you do realize that Schaub's contract averages 13.2m per year and he was benched multiple games for poor play right? Schaub has a bigger cap hit than Cutler in 2015 (17m) and 2016 (19m), and he still has over 10m in dead money left on his contract if the Texans decide to cut him after this year's utter failure.

Cutler has missed 13 games in the last 4 years. That factors in man.And if Schaub were to get cut we'd be signing him to a NEW deal. His current deal is irrelevant in this conversation. And I wouldn't be so quick to define him by that awful 2-3 game stretch this year. I have a feeling under Trestman there would be no difference between him and Jay.

7 of those games were from a fluke broken thumb on an attempt to tackle a guy, not to mentioned the abuse he took from the years of offensive ineptness when he was hammered continually. I think the injury-prone tag is being overstated. No difference than Schaub and Cutler in this system? Come on man. Do you really believe that? If Trestman has enough skill to make all of those guys play well, he has enough sense to know whether Cutler deserves a contract or not.

 

[flapgreen]

My other thought is this. If Trestman is a QB genius, then Cutler should be able to elevate his play beyond anything we have seen in past years. He will have the talent around him to accomplish it. If he continues to make mistakes that holds the team back going forward, then I believe McCown, or any number of other QB could accomplish an 8-8 to 10-6 season with this team.

When you factor in Cutlers durability, what are you really getting for your money. His time in Chicago has already proved that you need a quality backup if you hope to make it through the season.

What's the alternative? Do you think know putting McCown back out there and trying to draft the next great qb is a better alternative? Impossible to predict which qbs will be even a top 20 guy for the long haul. What if they put McCown back out there and we miss on the next pick? Another 5 years down the drain. Do you think McCown has what it takes to take them to a championship? How many years would it take his replacement to get to that level? It's a lot of years to wait on something that may not happen.

one thing I noticed for McCown backers, they use the last season of McCown compared the the whole career of Cutler. but if you want to be objective lets compare the whole career of both.

Josh - 50TD 45 INT - 77.5 QBR - in 11 seasons 8,827 yards - Age 34 - QB record 16-22 - Seasons with more INTs then TD, 5

Jay - 150TD 112 INT - 84.6 QBR - in 8 seasons 23,937 yards - Age 30 - QB record 56-48 - Seasons with more INTs then TD, 0

I don't get it either.

 

[whitem0nkey]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

That looks more correct and why franchising is usually avoided because of the cap hit teams take.

I saw this tweet 20 min ago - I'm not real sure what the deal is...

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67022m
SOURCE: Cutler's base salary for '14 is just 1 mil, and rises progressively to 8 mil for year 5, jumps to 22 mil in year 6, 23 mil in year 7

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67020m
If source is correct, the Cutler year 1 cap hit would be more than 5 million below the franchise tag. Would make far more sense than 22.5.

I hate how people say SCOURCE, but don't leave you a name.

 

[Quez]

What is the word on Melton? Is he expected to recover from his injury?

 

[The Tick]

Bottom line for me, while definitely thinking we overpaid, I get it. At this point, where our offense is, I did not want to have to start over at QB. But I do have to say that the pressure is on big time now. Anything less than a career year out of Cutler with the weapons and the paycheck, will be extremely disappointing.

And there is part of me that wonders if a guy like Matt Schaub could do just what Cutler will, at half the price.

Cutler's deal averages 18m per year for 7 years, I have little doubt that in 3 to 4 years his contract will be considered below market value as long as he performs as a top 15 QB. As for a career year, Cutler was well on his way to posting career numbers in a new system before injuries sidelined him. I can't help but think more time in the same system will help.And you do realize that Schaub's contract averages 13.2m per year and he was benched multiple games for poor play right? Schaub has a bigger cap hit than Cutler in 2015 (17m) and 2016 (19m), and he still has over 10m in dead money left on his contract if the Texans decide to cut him after this year's utter failure.

Cutler has missed 13 games in the last 4 years. That factors in man.And if Schaub were to get cut we'd be signing him to a NEW deal. His current deal is irrelevant in this conversation. And I wouldn't be so quick to define him by that awful 2-3 game stretch this year. I have a feeling under Trestman there would be no difference between him and Jay.

7 of those games were from a fluke broken thumb on an attempt to tackle a guy, not to mentioned the abuse he took from the years of offensive ineptness when he was hammered continually. I think the injury-prone tag is being overstated.No difference than Schaub and Cutler in this system? Come on man. Do you really believe that? If Trestman has enough skill to make all of those guys play well, he has enough sense to know whether Cutler deserves a contract or not.

This is the key I come to. If this guy can make such a difference and make any QB look good, for some reason HE decided he wants to work with Cutler. I don't think this was forced on him, and if he thinks Cutler, not a chance at a draft pick is what works best, I'm on board.

 

[The Tick]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

That looks more correct and why franchising is usually avoided because of the cap hit teams take.

I saw this tweet 20 min ago - I'm not real sure what the deal is...

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67022m
SOURCE: Cutler's base salary for '14 is just 1 mil, and rises progressively to 8 mil for year 5, jumps to 22 mil in year 6, 23 mil in year 7

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67020m
If source is correct, the Cutler year 1 cap hit would be more than 5 million below the franchise tag. Would make far more sense than 22.5.

I hate how people say SCOURCE, but don't leave you a name.

Yeah, that what he was talking about on air, those were a couple of the blurbs then he went through the year for year cap numbers.

 

[Power Monster]

What is the word on Melton? Is he expected to recover from his injury?

They better hope that he can come back from his injury. This unit will never beef up in the draft with all the missing pieces. The dummies better learn a lesson here and fix this defensive line the way they finally learned for years about fixing the OL. Can Melton come back and be an effective leader? This unit has no defined leader to me. I know someone will get all hot about Briggs but in my book, Briggs was a major disappointment and when you saddle in the injury, he just never got on track. With Peanut going down this unit just lost leadership and it showed. Add in the frustration with Shea and now we see the bitter failure of another first rounder going down the tubes of mediocrity. This organization better get serious about plugging this defensive line or 2014 will be another gutting all year long. Of course, the Bears will see a cap hit with the new contracts in 2014 so to me, Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

 

[whitem0nkey]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

That looks more correct and why franchising is usually avoided because of the cap hit teams take.

I saw this tweet 20 min ago - I'm not real sure what the deal is...

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67022m
SOURCE: Cutler's base salary for '14 is just 1 mil, and rises progressively to 8 mil for year 5, jumps to 22 mil in year 6, 23 mil in year 7

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67020m
If source is correct, the Cutler year 1 cap hit would be more than 5 million below the franchise tag. Would make far more sense than 22.5.

I hate how people say SCOURCE, but don't leave you a name.

Yeah, that what he was talking about on air, those were a couple of the blurbs then he went through the year for year cap numbers.

OOPs

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67021h
It appears my source on the Cutler numbers isn't to be trusted. I did say "if the source is correct," but I take responsibility. Apologies.

 

[DaveL]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

 

[avina1]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Agreed.. lol

 

[RBM]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Roll your eyes all you want....it's a very important draft. I'm not going to say hot seat just yet but the defense he put on the field thus year was pathetic. Depth was laughable.

 

[Power Monster]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Agreed.. lol

Keep laughing - 28 years and counting no Super Bowls and now two years in a row for Emery no playoffs. Why do you think he came out and started selling these signings as a major accomplishment and then fell on his sword for the lame 2013 defense and the mediocre return on Shea? You think he can afford to go out and do patch work on a historically bad defense and then miss the playoffs in 2014? This fan base is going to start to rumble if Emery does not go out and get difference makers in this upcoming draft - BOOK IT!

 

[RBM]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Agreed.. lol

Keep laughing - 28 years and counting no Super Bowls and now two years in a row for Emery no playoffs. Why do you think he came out and started selling these signings as a major accomplishment and then fell on his sword for the lame 2013 defense and the mediocre return on Shea? You think he can afford to go out and do patch work on a historically bad defense and then miss the playoffs in 2014? This fan base is going to start to rumble if Emery does not go out and get difference makers in this upcoming draft - BOOK IT!

What amazes me is that there are fans on this board that seemingly forgot about the embarrassment that was less than a week ago, just by the almighty Emery/Trestman press conference. I think it's the glasses. Dudes in here cream their pants when those two hit the podium.

 

[DaveL]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Roll your eyes all you want....it's a very important draft. I'm not going to say hot seat just yet but the defense he put on the field thus year was pathetic. Depth was laughable.

If he wrote "very important draft", there'd be no eyes being rolled. Hot seat and needs to hit it out of the park? Go to the extreme much?

 

[Power Monster]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Roll your eyes all you want....it's a very important draft. I'm not going to say hot seat just yet but the defense he put on the field thus year was pathetic. Depth was laughable.

If he wrote "very important draft", there'd be no eyes being rolled. Hot seat and needs to hit it out of the park? Go to the extreme much?

Extreme? If you like listening to bull #### from the management and watching other teams go to the playoffs than you can sugar coat it all you want. 28 years no championship from one of the charter organizations in the NFL but we now accept mediocrity as atta boy maybe you can take 5 years to get to the playoffs? OK...

 

[twistd]

This is my biggest concern about Emery and this coming draft. Here are the players Emery has drafted in his first two years on offense:

2013

Kyle Long

Jordan Mills

Marquess Wilson

2012

Alshon Jeffrey

Evan Rodriguez

He has done a terrific job on offensive players. The only bust was Rodriguez. Wilson caught a few passes at the end of the year. Jeffrey should have made the Pro Bowl this year, and both Mills and Long were terrific.

Here are the defensive players he has drafted in his first two drafts:

2013

Bostic

Greene

Cornelius Washington

2012

McClellin

Hardin

Isaiah Frey

Greg McCoy

Unlike his offensive selections his defensive selections have been very poor. Hardin and McCoy are gone. Frey started 6 games, but he can't get on the field over Conte and Wright, who are both awful. We have all seen McClellin. He is a disaster. Bostic and Greene played, but I saw nothing from either that was all that encouraging. They may develop, but so far not much to see. Cornelius Washington is on the team still but didn't get on the field.

His free agent picks ups on defense haven't done much either. DJ Williams and James Anderson were the two biggest. They weren't very good.

So now Emery has to rebuild this defense. His track record so far does not instill confidence. I suspect that they will draft almost all defensive players in this next draft. I certainly hope he does a much better job than he has in his first two drafts.

 

[flapgreen]

Built an offense from nothing and has had to deal with a huge transitional period on an aging defense. I don't see him as the next great GM and he has made some defensive blunders, but I'm willing to give him a little more time. I understand the concern, though. He's missed big on defense so far. I'm a big Trestman guy now. I feel completely comfortable there.

 

[DaveL]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Roll your eyes all you want....it's a very important draft. I'm not going to say hot seat just yet but the defense he put on the field thus year was pathetic. Depth was laughable.

If he wrote "very important draft", there'd be no eyes being rolled. Hot seat and needs to hit it out of the park? Go to the extreme much?

Extreme? If you like listening to bull #### from the management and watching other teams go to the playoffs than you can sugar coat it all you want. 28 years no championship from one of the charter organizations in the NFL but we now accept mediocrity as atta boy maybe you can take 5 years to get to the playoffs? OK...

so a year ago today, you basically said to yourself. ok, first year head coach, first time head coach in the nfl, superbowl or bust. else, I want everyone's head!

 

[flapgreen]

Oh it hasn't been said in a while. Fire Tucker and go after Horton or Wade. If they keep Tucker, I will start to have more concerns.

 

[twistd]

Built an offense from nothing and has had to deal with a huge transitional period on an aging defense. I don't see him as the next great GM and he has made some defensive blunders, but I'm willing to give him a little more time. I understand the concern, though. He's missed big on defense so far. I'm a big Trestman guy now. I feel completely comfortable there.

He didn't build an offense from nothing. He had Cutler and Forte. That is a pretty good start. The players he has drafted on offense plus the Marshall trade, and the free agents he has signed on offense makes him a pretty good GM already. But he has a much more formidable challenge to rebuild the defense. He has to make at least two good free agent signings, besides the Jennings signing. He has to either renegotiate with Peppers, or launch him. And he has to draft at least two or three good players on defense.

i would agree with you on Trestman. I feel good about him. I, like you, would like to see a strong D coordinator, like Wade Phillips, brought in. A move like that would make me feel better about Emery and Trestman. And I would be a lot more confident that they can improve the defense in to the middle of the pack. But Emery really has to improve on his defensive selections.

 

[flapgreen]

"Nothing" was a little strong. They weren't very good and he rebuilt the OL in one season and brought in 2 great receivers. Agree with you on the defense, though. Despite their record, he walked into a team with aging players and a ton of holes all over. I'm willing to give him some more time. Not sure if Bostic and Green were blown or just bad coaching. Biggest bust is Mcclellin. Huge whiff when a lot of us were calling for Jones.

 

[RBM]

.

i would agree with you on Trestman. I feel good about him. I, like you, would like to see a strong D coordinator, like Wade Phillips, brought in. A move like that would make me feel better about Emery and Trestman. And I would be a lot more confident that they can improve the defense in to the middle of the pack. But Emery really has to improve on his defensive selections.

 

[flapgreen]

And get rid of that turd of a ST coordinator. What hasn't this been mentioned more?

 

[twistd]

And get rid of that turd of a ST coordinator. What hasn't this been mentioned more?

I agree with that. I am actually looking forward to the Bears launching Hester. He is being paid too much for the results he is providing.

 

[Power Monster]

Emery is on the hot seat and NEEDS to hit it out of the park with this next draft.

Roll your eyes all you want....it's a very important draft. I'm not going to say hot seat just yet but the defense he put on the field thus year was pathetic. Depth was laughable.

If he wrote "very important draft", there'd be no eyes being rolled. Hot seat and needs to hit it out of the park? Go to the extreme much?

Extreme? If you like listening to bull #### from the management and watching other teams go to the playoffs than you can sugar coat it all you want. 28 years no championship from one of the charter organizations in the NFL but we now accept mediocrity as atta boy maybe you can take 5 years to get to the playoffs? OK...

so a year ago today, you basically said to yourself. ok, first year head coach, first time head coach in the nfl, superbowl or bust. else, I want everyone's head!

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

 

[ditka311]

Built an offense from nothing and has had to deal with a huge transitional period on an aging defense. I don't see him as the next great GM and he has made some defensive blunders, but I'm willing to give him a little more time. I understand the concern, though. He's missed big on defense so far. I'm a big Trestman guy now. I feel completely comfortable there.

However, IF a healthy DJ Williams, Melton, Hayden, Paea, Ellis actually playing for the team etc were in place then I don't think it would have been such a huge disaster. You would still have Wooten at DE instead of having to slide him into DT and not a full time Shea. I am assuming that they figured they plugged a few holes at D with Williams, Anderson and Ellis and put much more focus on what has been an abomination of an offense. You know the window was closing on the D but that quickly....hard to predict that mess.

That said, the defensive picks have been subpar so far. Maybe they have something in Shea if they move him, Bostic (and Greene) if there is a D line to keep the blockers from getting to the second level and they figure out where to go. I didn't see the improvement I was hoping to see throughout the season though and that worries me some. I am hoping Emery doesn't get cute again and just grabs one of the possible defensive studs that should be there and that with the focus on the D those picks might be better. HOPING.

Free agency is obviously going to dictate a lot of the direction of the draft. I like what he did in this area so far. Bringing in Marshall, Bushrod, Williams (can't help the injury), Anderson, Slauson and Ellis (if he played) and already resigning key players like Cutler, Jennings and Slauson. I am fairly confident in his ability here. Should be an interesting offseason and one I am looking forward to.

 

[twistd]

OK, supposedly the Score has the "official" cap hits on cutler's contract, and they don't match up with what PFT talked about. They are acknowledging that, but say this is a good source they have gotten a lot of stuff from before. They say there is signing bonus that pro-rates over the first 5 years and then those last two years are pretty much just options and he could be cut for nothing.

2014: 11.8M

2015: 15.3M

2016: 16.8M

2017: 18.3M

2018: 18.8M

2019: 22M

2020: 23M

That looks more correct and why franchising is usually avoided because of the cap hit teams take.

I saw this tweet 20 min ago - I'm not real sure what the deal is...

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67022m
SOURCE: Cutler's base salary for '14 is just 1 mil, and rises progressively to 8 mil for year 5, jumps to 22 mil in year 6, 23 mil in year 7

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67020m
If source is correct, the Cutler year 1 cap hit would be more than 5 million below the franchise tag. Would make far more sense than 22.5.

I hate how people say SCOURCE, but don't leave you a name.

Yeah, that what he was talking about on air, those were a couple of the blurbs then he went through the year for year cap numbers.

OOPs

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel67021h
It appears my source on the Cutler numbers isn't to be trusted. I did say "if the source is correct," but I take responsibility. Apologies.

So it appears the initial reports about Cutler's contract were true. That Cutler's salary for 2014 is $22.5 million, and his cap hit is also $22.5 million for 2014. The Tim Jennings contract means he is a $7.5 million cap hit in 2014. I can't find details for the Slauson contract. He signed for $815,000 on a one year deal for 2013. Right now, with just the Jennings and the Cutler deals, $30 million of the $40 million in cap space is gone. I'd guess that Slauson is at least a $2 million dollar hit. That would mean that as things stand the Bears might have $8 million of cap space left.

The Bears can open up cap space by renegotiating with Peppers, or cutting him. They could cut Hester. They will probably be making some moves to free up some more space. But there would seem to be a lot of work to do with out much money to do it with. I'd say they are going to have a tough time resigning McCown. I think Tillman is probably out of reach. I will be curious to see what Melton expects, but they franchised him in 2013, and that was around $8 million. Melton probably wants a long term deal with a salary in that neighborhood. If that is the case he is gone.

I like that Emery gets things done quickly. At least by having gotten the Cutler deal done you know where you stand. He didn't hesitate to get the Cutler, Jennings and Slauson deals done. I would assume those were his priorities. He has gotten all the rookies signed before camp going in to the season. I think that is good too. By getting the Cutler deal done you know what he is going to cost you, not only this year, but down the road.

Although the Cutler deal will be costly this year, I like the way Emery structured the deal. Cutler's salary gets much more reasonable after this year. I like that after three years you could cut him with no cap hit. That gives you a little protection if Cutler continues to have injury issues, or doesn't improve. I still would have preferred the tag this season, but as far as a long term deal this is probably the best the Bears could do. There is also something to be said for having a happy player in the fold. Tagging Cutler may have pissed him off, and led to a training camp holdout. This way it is settled and out of the way, and there is no uncertainty about whether Cutler will be there, and he can focus on preparing for next season. Now let's see what else Emery has up his sleeve to try to fix this defense.

 

[flapgreen]

Cutting Peppers and Bush would free up over 10. Hester should free up over 2 as well so that's over 12. Need to at least re-sign Wootton, Ratliff, Mannelly, and McCown. Would also like Tillman and Bowman back. All of those deals should be reasonable. Melton will likely be way too much. I'd rather sign a safety. No idea how that would work out with the cap. Draft a couple DL. I think Collins is under contract for 1 more year.

 

[Power Monster]

Cutting Peppers and Bush would free up over 10. Hester should free up over 2 as well so that's over 12. Need to at least re-sign Wootton, Ratliff, Mannelly, and McCown. Would also like Tillman and Bowman back. All of those deals should be reasonable. Melton will likely be way too much. I'd rather sign a safety. No idea how that would work out with the cap. Draft a couple DL. I think Collins is under contract for 1 more year.

Flap - do you think Peanut has anything left in the tank?

 

[flapgreen]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

 

[twistd]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

Cutting Peppers and Bush would free up over 10. Hester should free up over 2 as well so that's over 12. Need to at least re-sign Wootton, Ratliff, Mannelly, and McCown. Would also like Tillman and Bowman back. All of those deals should be reasonable. Melton will likely be way too much. I'd rather sign a safety. No idea how that would work out with the cap. Draft a couple DL. I think Collins is under contract for 1 more year.

I think they may be able to renegotiate with Peppers, but if you can't come to terms on a more reasonable deal I have no problem letting him go. I agree about Wooten. I'd like to see what Ratliff is expecting in a contract. I think McCown may be able to get a contract of $2 million or more. I don't know if the Bears can afford him if his demands are that high. I think you are right that Melton is going to ask for a lot. They definitely need to sign a safety. They don't have to go after the top safety out there, but just about anyone available will be better than what the Bears have now. I'd like to see a couple of playmakers, either out of the draft or in free agency.

 

[RBM]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

Guarantee Tillman could be a pro bowl safety for a couple of seasons

 

[twistd]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

Guarantee Tillman could be a pro bowl safety for a couple of seasons

He has insisted he won't play safety. He wants to continue playing corner.

 

[RBM]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

Guarantee Tillman could be a pro bowl safety for a couple of seasons

He has insisted he won't play safety. He wants to continue playing corner.

Very frustrating to hear that

 

[Power Monster]

I think he does. He's nowhere near what he once was but he's better than anything else we have and he's a leader of our defense. Similar things were said about Urlacher and you see where that left us. We need him and he shouldn't be expensive at his age. Let's hope Phil learned his lesson there.

Guarantee Tillman could be a pro bowl safety for a couple of seasons

He has insisted he won't play safety. He wants to continue playing corner.

Very frustrating to hear that

I did not hear all of Emery's pressie but I did hear some replays on ESPN and WSCR and he alluded to the fact that quite a few of the defensive players were playing out of position perhaps due to injury backfill. In reading thru the tea leaves, is this an indication that Tucker may be looking for a different defensive strategy in 2014 or is this GM spin to sell the fans on the belief that the team has the majority of players and need to reinforce in the draft and get some vets healthy? I would think that OL help and a RB are some key offensive players that will need to be addressed in this upcoming draft.

 

[3nOut]

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

It sounds as if you don't like anything about this organization. Maybe you should just stop being a fan and find a different team to follow. What would be your solution? Get rid of ownership? That ain't going to happen. You don't like Emery. Maybe you don't like Trestman. Maybe get rid of them? Aren't you washing and rinsing and repeating again if you do that? Propose something. Don't just complain. It serves no purpose.

 

[Power Monster]

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

It sounds as if you don't like anything about this organization. Maybe you should just stop being a fan and find a different team to follow.What would be your solution? Get rid of ownership? That ain't going to happen. You don't like Emery. Maybe you don't like Trestman. Maybe get rid of them? Aren't you washing and rinsing and repeating again if you do that? Propose something. Don't just complain. It serves no purpose.

So a fan of the team cannot expect anything better than 28 years of futility? Fans cannot demand accountability for failures? I like plenty about the players that have given more than they had to for playing a game. I liked Ditka. Did not care for Wannie. I liked Jauron and Lovie until it was apperent that he was bull ####ting the fans at pressies. I like Trestman. I like Forte, Tillman, Briggs, Peppers. Marshall, CB and AJ. Emery picked some of these guys. Angelo picked others. I like Gould and Long. I think they have great uniforms and the best damn fans in the world that deserve better than this ####. I have been watching the Bears for 40 plus years and in all that time I know when an organization's brain trust is bull ####ting the fans. Maybe the McCasky family should go and take the lame fans that accept mediocrity with them. I guess that fans cannot even voice an opinion on a football related message board. I would think that the whole point in coming up here is to voice opinions about a game. Every fan that I have spoken with has the same opinion. They simply do not have any trust that the McCasky family has it in them to build a championship team. So instead of just jumping on someone else's bandwagon I will rip the idiots to no end and when a championship does show up I will give them zero credit. They treat a lot of former players like crap. This is why they had a major rift with Ditka and then they kiss his ### to appease the fans. Propose something? Do something in the damn draft to build a TEAM and not just a dominant unit like all defense and no offense and now all offense and no defense. My posts for the last 6 years have raked these idiots for dropping the ball with their limp drafting. You don't draft well you don't win and do not win championships. Wash rinse and repeat.

 

[Limp Ditka]

More Power Monster

Less flapgreen

 

[Power Monster]

More Power Monster

Less flapgreen

Nice profile pic! Sums it up well.

 

[flapgreen]

More Power Monster

Less flapgreen

What's up bro?

 

[flapgreen]

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

It sounds as if you don't like anything about this organization. Maybe you should just stop being a fan and find a different team to follow.What would be your solution? Get rid of ownership? That ain't going to happen. You don't like Emery. Maybe you don't like Trestman. Maybe get rid of them? Aren't you washing and rinsing and repeating again if you do that? Propose something. Don't just complain. It serves no purpose.

So a fan of the team cannot expect anything better than 28 years of futility? Fans cannot demand accountability for failures? I like plenty about the players that have given more than they had to for playing a game. I liked Ditka. Did not care for Wannie. I liked Jauron and Lovie until it was apperent that he was bull ####ting the fans at pressies. I like Trestman. I like Forte, Tillman, Briggs, Peppers. Marshall, CB and AJ. Emery picked some of these guys. Angelo picked others. I like Gould and Long. I think they have great uniforms and the best damn fans in the world that deserve better than this ####. I have been watching the Bears for 40 plus years and in all that time I know when an organization's brain trust is bull ####ting the fans. Maybe the McCasky family should go and take the lame fans that accept mediocrity with them. I guess that fans cannot even voice an opinion on a football related message board. I would think that the whole point in coming up here is to voice opinions about a game. Every fan that I have spoken with has the same opinion. They simply do not have any trust that the McCasky family has it in them to build a championship team. So instead of just jumping on someone else's bandwagon I will rip the idiots to no end and when a championship does show up I will give them zero credit. They treat a lot of former players like crap. This is why they had a major rift with Ditka and then they kiss his ### to appease the fans. Propose something? Do something in the damn draft to build a TEAM and not just a dominant unit like all defense and no offense and now all offense and no defense. My posts for the last 6 years have raked these idiots for dropping the ball with their limp drafting. You don't draft well you don't win and do not win championships. Wash rinse and repeat.

yep

 

[Limp Ditka]

More Power Monster

Less flapgreen

What's up bro?

your post count in this thread since this post


First time I can remember not caring what they do during the off season. Just get embarrassed again. Pitiful franchise

 

[flapgreen]

More Power Monster

Less flapgreen

What's up bro?

your post count in this thread since this post



First time I can remember not caring what they do during the off season. Just get embarrassed again. Pitiful franchise

Thanks for reminding me.

 

[3nOut]

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

It sounds as if you don't like anything about this organization. Maybe you should just stop being a fan and find a different team to follow.What would be your solution? Get rid of ownership? That ain't going to happen. You don't like Emery. Maybe you don't like Trestman. Maybe get rid of them? Aren't you washing and rinsing and repeating again if you do that? Propose something. Don't just complain. It serves no purpose.

So a fan of the team cannot expect anything better than 28 years of futility? Fans cannot demand accountability for failures? I like plenty about the players that have given more than they had to for playing a game. I liked Ditka. Did not care for Wannie. I liked Jauron and Lovie until it was apperent that he was bull ####ting the fans at pressies. I like Trestman. I like Forte, Tillman, Briggs, Peppers. Marshall, CB and AJ. Emery picked some of these guys. Angelo picked others. I like Gould and Long. I think they have great uniforms and the best damn fans in the world that deserve better than this ####. I have been watching the Bears for 40 plus years and in all that time I know when an organization's brain trust is bull ####ting the fans. Maybe the McCasky family should go and take the lame fans that accept mediocrity with them. I guess that fans cannot even voice an opinion on a football related message board. I would think that the whole point in coming up here is to voice opinions about a game. Every fan that I have spoken with has the same opinion. They simply do not have any trust that the McCasky family has it in them to build a championship team. So instead of just jumping on someone else's bandwagon I will rip the idiots to no end and when a championship does show up I will give them zero credit. They treat a lot of former players like crap. This is why they had a major rift with Ditka and then they kiss his ### to appease the fans. Propose something? Do something in the damn draft to build a TEAM and not just a dominant unit like all defense and no offense and now all offense and no defense. My posts for the last 6 years have raked these idiots for dropping the ball with their limp drafting. You don't draft well you don't win and do not win championships. Wash rinse and repeat.

Sure we should expect better. But again, how do you think this can be accomplished?

 

[RBM]

No more like for 28 years it has been one excuse after another- another head coach, another OC another DC another QB another QB coach another 1st round bust. Wash rinse and repeat. The rhetoric of giving the ole GM or HC or QB more time to remediate the gaps from the past or improve is getting beyond old and tired. Another point to consider is the head coaches and the GMs are always on the hot seat in this organization. I am a firm believer that the "brain trust" likes to be involved in one way or another and when their bumblings create a rift with the fans, someone else gets the blame. This is why the brought in Lovie and now Trestman. First time head coaches. Sort of like the blue chip organization that seems to avoid coaches with NFL experience. Just line up their yes men and teach 'em how to BS the fans at the podium and then fill the roster with just enough to make it interesting. After all, they seem to prosper with the cash flow and have a dedicated fan base. They milk tradition and Papa Bear to no end and then they get you thinking that the next guy needs time to "do his thing". Horse hockey my friend. These idiots will fire Emery if they have another crummy draft and a limp defense next year. Missing the playoffs three years in a row is not going to cut it and making the playoffs and getting rocked in the first round in not going to cut it. They fix two holes then open up 4 more all the time.

It sounds as if you don't like anything about this organization. Maybe you should just stop being a fan and find a different team to follow.What would be your solution? Get rid of ownership? That ain't going to happen. You don't like Emery. Maybe you don't like Trestman. Maybe get rid of them? Aren't you washing and rinsing and repeating again if you do that? Propose something. Don't just complain. It serves no purpose.

So a fan of the team cannot expect anything better than 28 years of futility? Fans cannot demand accountability for failures? I like plenty about the players that have given more than they had to for playing a game. I liked Ditka. Did not care for Wannie. I liked Jauron and Lovie until it was apperent that he was bull ####ting the fans at pressies. I like Trestman. I like Forte, Tillman, Briggs, Peppers. Marshall, CB and AJ. Emery picked some of these guys. Angelo picked others. I like Gould and Long. I think they have great uniforms and the best damn fans in the world that deserve better than this ####. I have been watching the Bears for 40 plus years and in all that time I know when an organization's brain trust is bull ####ting the fans. Maybe the McCasky family should go and take the lame fans that accept mediocrity with them. I guess that fans cannot even voice an opinion on a football related message board. I would think that the whole point in coming up here is to voice opinions about a game. Every fan that I have spoken with has the same opinion. They simply do not have any trust that the McCasky family has it in them to build a championship team. So instead of just jumping on someone else's bandwagon I will rip the idiots to no end and when a championship does show up I will give them zero credit. They treat a lot of former players like crap. This is why they had a major rift with Ditka and then they kiss his ### to appease the fans. Propose something? Do something in the damn draft to build a TEAM and not just a dominant unit like all defense and no offense and now all offense and no defense. My posts for the last 6 years have raked these idiots for dropping the ball with their limp drafting. You don't draft well you don't win and do not win championships. Wash rinse and repeat.

Awesome post.

 

[Statcruncher]

Power Monster you're a complete idiot. Drop the whiny complaining about decades of futility, that has zero to do with current day Emery and Trestman. I love how you gloss over how the offense has made a dramatic improvement in a few short years yet when the defense falls off an unforseen cliff due to age, injuries, Tucker, etc., you immediately rail on it. What has Emery showed you that makes you think he's not 100% fully committed to his goal of attaining a championship? Because not all of his picks have worked out? "Fans" like you are more annoying than Packers and Cowboys fans.

 

[RBM]

Power Monster you're a complete idiot. Drop the whiny complaining about decades of futility, that has zero to do with current day Emery and Trestman. I love how you gloss over how the offense has made a dramatic improvement in a few short years yet when the defense falls off an unforseen cliff due to age, injuries, Tucker, etc., you immediately rail on it. What has Emery showed you that makes you think he's not 100% fully committed to his goal of attaining a championship? Because not all of his picks have worked out? "Fans" like you are more annoying than Packers and Cowboys fans.

WTF....who gives a #### if he's committed....Angelo was committed too. It's completely fair and reasonable to question whether he's capable. And if this TEAM does not improve for a 3rd straight year, it will be fair to doubt that he is.

Fans that are sick of horse#### from the top offices to on field play are annoying? No fans like you that are ok with it are annoying. Fans like you that are won over at the podium are annoying.