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

[IheartGuinness]

I think it's a given that the Bears will win on Sunday. Rodgers has been out too long to be effective. The Packer offense will be out of sync, and the Bears are going to eat their defense alive.

After that, they should have no problem dispatching a Saints team that's looked pretty mediocre lately, or a San Francisco team with a weak offense. I think the Bears win it all this year (and I've been saying it for months) and on Sunday their inevitable victory over the Packers will be the first step in a magical postseason.

 

[flapgreen]

I could be effective against the Bears D. After that pitiful showing last week, I have zero faith in this D to even be just a bad defense. They have to be "historically" bad. Have a little dignity, fellas.

I hope the offense can score 50

 

[RBM]

I don't see our beloved winning this game. I'm looking at Rodgers vs Cutler in a big spot and I just have no faith in Jay. Biggest game of his life though. He wants one of these big qb deals, he can start putting this team on his back in big games. Look what Flacco did last year with an average team.

 

[3nOut]

For some good news, Forte and Marshall made the Pro Bowl.

 

[flapgreen]

Jefferey got robbed

 

[RBM]

Jefferey got robbed

Royally screwed. He deserved it more than Marshall, Dez and Johnson.

 

[RBM]

Funny

http://youtu.be/bNpXPb64rWM

 

[flapgreen]

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

 

[RBM]

Still in a daze. I'll need to process what happened a little more before I get into the specifics.

Hard to believe that play happened. I remember jumping up when it looked like we might get to him...but after that is a blur. Him cocking back, watching that ball in the air...camera pans and Cobb is alone. I was all "WHAT THE ####...this is not going to happen".

Hard to concentrate after that but I was surprised with 2 timeouts and our weapons, we couldn't get past midfield at the end.

 

[Power Monster]

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

Sums up how I feel as well. With the manner in which fantasy football and the rules of the game have impacted "fandom" it is an easier pill to swallow. In a sense, I have a lot of respect for the Packers and not the level of hate I had for them in the 80's. The Farve era was painful but awesome to watch and now Rodgers and McCarthy continue to impress. In the meantime, the Bears organization continues to be outclassed and shoved over by Green Bay. The Packers make for a ratings triumph in the post season. A limp/pathetic Bears defense does not. The Bears organization continues to follow down the path of stupidity and no accountability in ownership and upper management. They hired an offensive coordinator after firing a defensive coordinator. They continue to fail and cannot put a balanced team on the field or a head coach that is balanced enough to control both sides of the ball. The special teams and punting were just horrid this year after being a strength for years. The defense was just tarred and feathered left and right after the bye week. The linebackers and secondary just fell to pieces after Roach and Urlacher were no longer on the roster. Urlacher was done. Roach wanted too much. The Bears were content with piling on the offensive playmakers and now they have to pay Cutler top buck and I can honestly say that they have to pay him and deal with his moodiness and "gun slinger" mentality. The window on Forte is closing and this may be his career year. They blew the pick on that stiff Shane. They blew many many first round picks in the past 6 or 7 years. They nailed Jeffery and they did a good job of sealing up the offensive line. Who knows what they have to do in the off season. 28 years of being an average team in the NFL with so many post season failures. To think that they were the class in 1985 and beat New England and now look at the paths that these organizations have taken since that time. All I know is the special teams sucks donkey dung and the run defense is so bad words cannot describe it. The Bears are again proving to me that they are the Chicago Cubs of the NFL. They sell out games. They sell tradition. They have great fans but they suck. I wish the McCasky chumps would just go away and take that stiff Phillips along. Maybe a start? Who knows. Out classed again and by all accounts, they will fill in a gap or two and open up three more...

 

[Max Power]

Pretty disappointing end to the season, but this was not a very talented team. 8-8 and just missing the playoffs has been my default prediction for the past several years. Really on the money this year. We knew the day would come when the D would turn the corner and we no longer had multiple pro-bowl caliber players. I hope Emery can adjust and address the D this offseason. He did a great job with the offense when that was our biggest issue. Hopefully he can do the same with the D. Tucker needs to go. I refuse to accept him as the DC next season. This is my #1 priority.

Time to let Cutler and Peppers walk and spend some money on a quality safety. I don't think this team is that far off from being a superbowl contender. I'm just not confident the right moves will be made this offseason.

 

[flapgreen]

Hey Mel, I see the Eagles aren't exactly carving up Dallas like they're the greatest offense to ever play the game. What are your thoughts? I'll hang up and listen...

 

[twistd]

I am letting my disgust subside. I was at the game today. The Bears lost as a team today. Their defense was largely putrid. The offense had a number of opportunities in the first half that they just didn't capitalize on. Jeffrey dropped two crucial balls. On the final drive Marshall dropped a crucial ball. The blown coverage on the Cobb TD was inexcusable. Tucker has to go. Today I am embarrassed to be a Bear fan. What the Bears put out there today was an embarrassment to themselves and an embarrassment to the city. And to lose to the Packers in this fashion, someone needs to fired.

The troubling thing, this season, is that for every step forward the offense took the defense took two steps back. Although they had a chance to make the playoffs they finished 8-8. I don't think you fire Trestman, but he should be on notice. They went from 10-6 to 8-8 this season. They had two chances to win the division, last week and this week, and they failed both times. Emery did a good job fixing the offensive line, but did a poor job on the defense. Bostic and Greene were drafted and both have disappointed so far. James Anderson had a good game today, but overall he and Williams were underwhelming. On the whole the defensive moves were very questionable. There is a ton of work to do to try to improve this defense.

Luckily, next week, the Packers will play the Niners. They will get crushed. The Packers are not a good football team. Just like the Eagles aren't all that good but the Bears made them look good. Hopefully the Niners will destroy the Packers and we can enjoy that. And I am hoping I can enjoy hearing the news that Mel Tucker was fired this week. Gotta find our joy where we can.

 

[Max Power]

Looking on the brighter side tonight, because of the loss, the Bears are picking 14th overall this draft. That is going to be a great spot to land an impact Defensive player. I hope the Bears grab someone strong up the middle. Like Nix or Mosley.

 

[flapgreen]

Looking on the brighter side tonight, because of the loss, the Bears are picking 14th overall this draft. That is going to be a great spot to land an impact Defensive player. I hope the Bears grab someone strong up the middle. Like Nix or Mosley.

Sweet. That is a lot better than last year.

 

[flapgreen]

Ended the season on a 3-5 skid with 2 opportunities to win the division and couldn't do it, all while the division winner didn't have their starting qb for almost half the season. Division record 2-4. One of the worst 2 defenses in the league. Safe to say this season was another failure in the long line of many.

 

[-X-]

What a horrible way to lose a game, on a flukey BS play (the fumble, not the Cobb TD, it never should have come down to that). No good safeties worth a high draft pick, hopefully some good free agents are available.

 

[BassNBrew]

Are you guys out from under that Peppers contract after this year?

 

[Statcruncher]

Losing to GB at home again to miss the playoffs is pretty much the typical end to a Bears' season. As much as the loss sucks, at least I can now wash my hands of 2013 and forget football until the draft in May. In my roughly 4 decades of Bears fandom this was one of the toughest seasons to watch, a strange concoction of excellence and incompetence. Emery has his work cut out for him and now that the offseason is here, he's got plenty of time to spend.

Unrestricted Free Agents's who should not be re-signed:

Garza

Costanzo

Rosario

Palmer

Edwards

UFA's who should be re-signed if the price is right:

Cutler

Melton

Tillman

Hester

Anderson

Mannelly

Hayden

Wright

McCown

Steltz

Bowman

Martin

Scott

Cohen

McManis

Edwards

Fiammetta (already re-signed)

UFA's who should be re-signed:

Jennings

Gould (already re-signed)

Williams

Ratliff

Wootton

Britton

Slauson

Players under contract who should be cut:

Peppers

McClellin

Bush

 

[flapgreen]

Garza shouldn't be re-signed? Come on! He played well this season and will be cheap. Have to get him. You left out Conte on the cut list.

 

[Statcruncher]

I didn't leave Conte out, I just don't think Chicago will be able to fill all the holes defensively and D line and LB are the most urgent. Conte didn't have a great year, but an improved front 7 automatically makes the back 4 better,which means Conte survives one more year. And honestly Garza performed better than I thought he would this year, but he was still the weakest link too often. By the way, anyone know anything about Mills' injury?

 

[flapgreen]

Read Mills was a freak foot injury. Injuries it while running onto field. On crutches after game.

I get what you're saying on Conte but he will be one of the first to go. Too many blown plays, including the long Cobb td. Everyone came to expect him to blow. He can't tackle or cover guys. Expect at least 6 new starters.

 

[flapgreen]

Need Tillman, Hester, McCown, Mannelly, Garza, Ratliff, Jennings, Slauson, Cutler. I don't think cutting Peppers will save much against the cap. No way are they cutting Shea already. Either need to try him at LB or make him permanent backup. He can't stop run and gets stood up anytime he rushes the passer. He sucks but not bad enough to cut him before his 3rd season of his rookie contract.

 

[Ursa M]

Bears appear to have much more cap space than almost anyone except the Raiders

http://www.overthecap.com/nfl-cap-space.php?Year=2014

 

[whitem0nkey]

Need Tillman, Hester, McCown, Mannelly, Garza, Ratliff, Jennings, Slauson, Cutler. I don't think cutting Peppers will save much against the cap. No way are they cutting Shea already. Either need to try him at LB or make him permanent backup. He can't stop run and gets stood up anytime he rushes the passer. He sucks but not bad enough to cut him before his 3rd season of his rookie contract.

hub was on the score a few min ago and said the bears would save 8 million by cutting him. they owe him 18 million, would take a hit of 10 million and would save 8 million with a cut.

 

[whitem0nkey]

Mel Tuckers 6 years as D coordinator and his sacks rankings.

30th, 32nd, 30th, 25th, 32nd and 31st. he can't get pressure on the QB.

I dont mind bringing him back as he was forced to run Lovie's system, and i'm not sure what system would work with the players we had. He did have success in the past.

 

[flapgreen]

Need Tillman, Hester, McCown, Mannelly, Garza, Ratliff, Jennings, Slauson, Cutler. I don't think cutting Peppers will save much against the cap. No way are they cutting Shea already. Either need to try him at LB or make him permanent backup. He can't stop run and gets stood up anytime he rushes the passer. He sucks but not bad enough to cut him before his 3rd season of his rookie contract.

hub was on the score a few min ago and said the bears would save 8 million by cutting him. they owe him 18 million, would take a hit of 10 million and would save 8 million with a cut.

That's a tough one.

 

[The Tick]

Wow, a lot to say here, depressing way to end the season, but I was pretty spot on with the game, figured the pack would put up 35 and we would just have to see if we could manage more, well, they put up 33 and we couldn't. And the fact the final play was as bad as it was, just sums up the season, bad f-ing defense. I don't mind we didn't make the playoffs, we couldn't have done crap had we, just hate blowing it vs the pack yet again.

I don't feel the doom and gloom that some are showing here. I remember 10 years ago screaming at the tv at how inept our offense was. Holding teams to 10-17 points and just not having a chance to win the game. The Bears were putting up almost 28 points per game this year!!! That is something that can be built on. The defense can eventually be fixed (probably 2 years), but this offense can still be intact at that point to look at making an honest run at something.

To start with I'd can the special teams coordinator, even before Tucker, we have like 4 special teams specialists, and for the first time I can remember any time we kicked the ball, I was just hoping they wouldn't get a big return where before that wasn't even a thought.

Tucker gone is next on my list. Even with injuries that defense was embarrassing... no two ways about it, people may think I'm crazy, but I think I'd be on the phone with Frazier today. I really think he could go back to being a good DC for 3-5 years while building up to another HC job. They had defense issues also this year, but I'd have more faith in him then Tucker at this point.

As far as players, I think i'll just respond to the list above with my thoughts.

 

[DaveL]

Mel Tuckers 6 years as D coordinator and his sacks rankings.

30th, 32nd, 30th, 25th, 32nd and 31st. he can't get pressure on the QB.

I dont mind bringing him back as he was forced to run Lovie's system, and i'm not sure what system would work with the players we had. He did have success in the past.

Chicago brought him in because he basically ran Lovie's system. It wasn't a force, it was a fit. Mel has to go.

I'd look into Leslie Frazier, to see if he's going to take the normal "year off from coaching after being fired". I'm sure there are some bright minds out there coaching defenses, and, while I can't name them, I'm sure Phil will find one. I don't fault anyone in the oraganization for Tucker, he was a stop-gap. It was a safe assumption that the defense wouldn't fall off nearly as much as it did (losing Melton, Tillman, and Briggs obviously didn't help)

 

[The Tick]

Need Tillman, Hester, McCown, Mannelly, Garza, Ratliff, Jennings, Slauson, Cutler. I don't think cutting Peppers will save much against the cap. No way are they cutting Shea already. Either need to try him at LB or make him permanent backup. He can't stop run and gets stood up anytime he rushes the passer. He sucks but not bad enough to cut him before his 3rd season of his rookie contract.

hub was on the score a few min ago and said the bears would save 8 million by cutting him. they owe him 18 million, would take a hit of 10 million and would save 8 million with a cut.

That's a tough one.

If he's willing to take a pay cut down to 4mil over what he'd cost us if we cut him, I'd look at keeping him 14mil still too expensive, but we need players somewhere and I'm not sure we could give a player 4mil and have him be that much better. Otherwise, GONE. We could use that 8mil in a lot of ways.

 

[The Tick]

Mel Tuckers 6 years as D coordinator and his sacks rankings.

30th, 32nd, 30th, 25th, 32nd and 31st. he can't get pressure on the QB.

I dont mind bringing him back as he was forced to run Lovie's system, and i'm not sure what system would work with the players we had. He did have success in the past.

Chicago brought him in because he basically ran Lovie's system. It wasn't a force, it was a fit. Mel has to go.

I'd look into Leslie Frazier, to see if he's going to take the normal "year off from coaching after being fired". I'm sure there are some bright minds out there coaching defenses, and, while I can't name them, I'm sure Phil will find one. I don't fault anyone in the oraganization for Tucker, he was a stop-gap. It was a safe assumption that the defense wouldn't fall off nearly as much as it did (losing Melton, Tillman, and Briggs obviously didn't help)

Mel had been running a 3-4 the last couple years, so I think it kinda was a force fit for him, but either way I'd expect a coach to be able to put something better than that on the field.

Kind of reminds me of the University of Illinois defense a couple years back after they lost their coordinator, they just stopped playing with some pretty good talent. Wonder if some of this is the same.

 

[DaveL]

Mel Tuckers 6 years as D coordinator and his sacks rankings.

30th, 32nd, 30th, 25th, 32nd and 31st. he can't get pressure on the QB.

I dont mind bringing him back as he was forced to run Lovie's system, and i'm not sure what system would work with the players we had. He did have success in the past.

Chicago brought him in because he basically ran Lovie's system. It wasn't a force, it was a fit. Mel has to go.

I'd look into Leslie Frazier, to see if he's going to take the normal "year off from coaching after being fired". I'm sure there are some bright minds out there coaching defenses, and, while I can't name them, I'm sure Phil will find one. I don't fault anyone in the oraganization for Tucker, he was a stop-gap. It was a safe assumption that the defense wouldn't fall off nearly as much as it did (losing Melton, Tillman, and Briggs obviously didn't help)

Mel had been running a 3-4 the last couple years, so I think it kinda was a force fit for him, but either way I'd expect a coach to be able to put something better than that on the field.

Kind of reminds me of the University of Illinois defense a couple years back after they lost their coordinator, they just stopped playing with some pretty good talent. Wonder if some of this is the same.

wow, this whole season I thought Tucker was a cover-2 guy. Not sure why... anyway, I'm wrong (still has to go)

 

[The Tick]

Unrestricted Free Agents's who should not be re-signed:

Garza - Strongly disagree here, I think he played ok this year, and I think a year of continuity with this line together will help make our rookie right side better professionals and help prevent a downslide. I don't want to waste money on a great vet, and I don't want to waste a 2nd or 3rd round pick to plug in a rookie. Hopefully he learns the Krutz lesson and that the market for an aging center isn't all that good. Take what we offer.

Costanzo - hell yes

Rosario

Palmer

Edwards

UFA's who should be re-signed if the price is right:

Cutler

Melton

Tillman - I have the gut feeling we offer tillman a low contract and he goes elsewhere. I'll be really sad to see him go, one of my favorite bears players, I just hope it plays out better than the urlacher situation if it happens.

Hester - I think I'm ready for Hester to go. It was great, but it's time to let Ford or Weems to return and maybe in a year or so we can try to get a fast WR like Tavon Austin or someone like that to try to get some spark back in our returns. Vets just get expensive especially when production is good but not great.

Anderson

Mannelly

Hayden

Wright

McCown

Steltz

Bowman

Martin

Scott

Cohen

McManis

Edwards

Fiammetta (already re-signed)

UFA's who should be re-signed:

Jennings - Would love to, but I kinda think we get outpriced on him in the FA market.

Gould (already re-signed)

Williams

Ratliff

Wootton

Britton

Slauson

Players under contract who should be cut:

Peppers

McClellin - HAHAHAHA, only in our dreams, hope to go they try him at LB, seemed to work ok in seattle when they did the same thing we did and tried to fit a 3-4 LB into a 4-3 DE. Can't remember the guys name but after he got his first int as a linebacker he was talking about how thankful he was to the coaches for doing this as he just wasn't fitting at DE and his career wouldn't have been a success without this move.

Bush - I don't know if we save enough to bother cutting him. I'm more angry with how we use him, I swear 9 out of 10 plays he goes in the game we try to run up the center for short yardage, it's not a surprise, they stack the line and normally stop him. I'd like to see him get some full series run the same plays Forte does and actually be a second RB. I think he's a good player.

 

[flapgreen]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

 

[The Tick]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

I just think he's a good RB, if they would send him in with a full playbook to rest Forte, he may not destroy worlds, but I think he'd be a good back. Just stop sending him out on x and 2 letting the D put 15 in the box and then trying to run it up the center! We should be able to get some productive plays for a series out of a second back.

Besides that, I think I'd be done spending money on our number 2 RB and trying some rookies that can come in a run hard after his contract is up or he gets cut in the next couple years.

 

[DaveL]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

I just think he's a good RB, if they would send him in with a full playbook to rest Forte, he may not destroy worlds, but I think he'd be a good back. Just stop sending him out on x and 2 letting the D put 15 in the box and then trying to run it up the center! We should be able to get some productive plays for a series out of a second back.

Besides that, I think I'd be done spending money on our number 2 RB and trying some rookies that can come in a run hard after his contract is up or he gets cut in the next couple years.

Or give Michael Ford a run

 

[ditka311]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

I just think he's a good RB, if they would send him in with a full playbook to rest Forte, he may not destroy worlds, but I think he'd be a good back. Just stop sending him out on x and 2 letting the D put 15 in the box and then trying to run it up the center! We should be able to get some productive plays for a series out of a second back.

Besides that, I think I'd be done spending money on our number 2 RB and trying some rookies that can come in a run hard after his contract is up or he gets cut in the next couple years.

Or give Michael Ford a run

I like the idea of giving Ford a shot.

 

[RBM]

I'd like to see what Ford can do as well.

 

[Max Power]

One of the rumors being floated around is that Martellus is recruiting his brother (DE Michael Bennett) to come play in Chicago next season. He'd be a nice addition to the DL.

I really hope the Bears go all out of Jarius Byrd. I'm not a fan of Clinton-dix and I'll lose my mind if the bears draft a safety in rd 3 again.

 

[flapgreen]

Doubt it. They're not way under the cap as it is. Byrd would be nice, though. I doubt they go after any high priced free agents this season.

 

[whitem0nkey]

from Feb 17th to march 3rd is the window to tag Cutler if they go that route.

this season they gave up 500 yards more then any other season in bears history. and they have not held an opponent below 20 points. its been real odd for us to watch such a bad defense.

Cutler acknowledged today that he'd receive more on the open market but said he wants to stay & mentioned "home town discount"

who can the bears get with the 14th pick? I don't watch college, I just took to defensive players that the bleacher report predicted to go in the 1st round. they believe 5 QB will go before the bears can pick and some defensive guys will fall.

LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

DE Kony Ealy, Missouri

CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

DE Khalil Mack, Buffalo

DE Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State

FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama (love his name)

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

One of the rumors being floated around is that Martellus is recruiting his brother (DE Michael Bennett) to come play in Chicago next season.

The hosts on 670 today asked him to recruit Michael, bit of a stretch to make that into a rumor.

 

[whitem0nkey]

One of the rumors being floated around is that Martellus is recruiting his brother (DE Michael Bennett) to come play in Chicago next season.

The hosts on 670 today asked him to recruit Michael, bit of a stretch to make that into a rumor.

this was from like December 11th

“Next year I am trying to get him to come here because he will be a free agent again. So I am selling him already,” Bennett said Tuesday on his weekly segment of the “Boers & Bernstein Show” on WSCR-AM 670.

“Hey, our kids (can) grow up together, we’re right around the corner from each other … We’re extremely close … like we talk every day all day.”

 

[Ursa M]

Doubt it. They're not way under the cap as it is. Byrd would be nice, though. I doubt they go after any high priced free agents this season.

According to this, they have the second most cap space of anyone.

http://www.overthecap.com/nfl-cap-space.php?Year=2014

 

[twistd]

I didn't leave Conte out, I just don't think Chicago will be able to fill all the holes defensively and D line and LB are the most urgent. Conte didn't have a great year, but an improved front 7 automatically makes the back 4 better,which means Conte survives one more year. And honestly Garza performed better than I thought he would this year, but he was still the weakest link too often. By the way, anyone know anything about Mills' injury?

Conte is so bad that you could sign almost anyone and improve. Conte and Wright are gone. PFF has Conte rated 168 out of 171 at safety, while Major Wright is 171 out of 171. It shouldn't be hard to improve on that.

 

[twistd]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receive

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

I just think he's a good RB, if they would send him in with a full playbook to rest Forte, he may not destroy worlds, but I think he'd be a good back. Just stop sending him out on x and 2 letting the D put 15 in the box and then trying to run it up the center! We should be able to get some productive plays for a series out of a second back.

Besides that, I think I'd be done spending money on our number 2 RB and trying some rookies that can come in a run hard after his contract is up or he gets cut in the next couple years.

I think Bush is done. He was a solid back in Oakland in 2011 when he spent that season starting for McFadden. He was a fairly good receiver, but he didn't gain 1000 yards that season. He didn't average 4 yards a carry. That was his best season by far. Trestman isn't the only one who didn't use Bush's receiving ability. He only had 9 catches in 2012 under Lovie. Bush looked very sluggish this season. His rushing yards average has dropped every season since 2009. His average this season is only 3.1. There are free agents, or late round rookies that can do what Bush has done for a lot less money.

 

[Max Power]

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receive

It is pitiful how they have used Bush. I don't understand Trestman there. He was always a good receiver.

I just think he's a good RB, if they would send him in with a full playbook to rest Forte, he may not destroy worlds, but I think he'd be a good back. Just stop sending him out on x and 2 letting the D put 15 in the box and then trying to run it up the center! We should be able to get some productive plays for a series out of a second back.

Besides that, I think I'd be done spending money on our number 2 RB and trying some rookies that can come in a run hard after his contract is up or he gets cut in the next couple years.

I think Bush is done. He was a solid back in Oakland in 2011 when he spent that season starting for McFadden. He was a fairly good receiver, but he didn't gain 1000 yards that season. He didn't average 4 yards a carry. That was his best season by far. Trestman isn't the only one who didn't use Bush's receiving ability. He only had 9 catches in 2012 under Lovie. Bush looked very sluggish this season. His rushing yards average has dropped every season since 2009. His average this season is only 3.1. There are free agents, or late round rookies that can do what Bush has done for a lot less money.

Bears backup RB Michael Bush is owed a $2.8 million base salary and $50,000 workout bonus in 2014.

Chicago will need salary cap space if it has designs on franchise tagging Jay Cutler. After averaging under five offensive touches per game in 2013, Bush is shaping up as a no-brainer offseason release candidate. The Bears could stay in-house with Michael Ford serving as Matt Forte's backup next season. Bush is running out of gas going on age 30. He averaged 3.1 YPC this year.

 

[Sweetness_34]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1906095-2014-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-complete-7-round-projections/page/16

Mosley would be awesome....with Minny, Texans; Browns; Raiders; Jax all taking Qbs early, I love our spot at 14 to get a really good DE/DT/LB/CB.....get the stud Emery irrespective of position.

 

[twistd]

In the Chicago Tribune today David Haugh wrote an article about what the Bears need to do to rebuild the defense. First of all, they need to launch Mel Tucker. He failed at every level. He has a reputation as a good teacher, but is anyone on this defense better after this season than they were at the start of the season? I would say no. Just the fact that you had such a historically bad season on defense means you have to launch him.

So his suggestions were resign Tim Jennings. Launch Conte and Wright. Let Tillman go. If Peppers won't renegotiate, let him go. Resign Wooten. Draft and sign a defensive tackle. Get a pass rusher. Try McClellin at OLB. Pursue a playmaking defensive free agent with the ample salary-cap space you should have after signing Cutler to a long term deal.

But first of all make the right decision about the defensive coordinator.

I would agree with almost all of this except I don't think moving McClellin to OLB is going to make any difference. I would say cut your losses and move on. He is a bust and if you can open up some cap space by sending him packing then do it.

 

[twistd]

This is out of Bleacher report their first mock draft and who they see the Bears taking.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1906095-2014-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-complete-7-round-projections

The Pick: LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

Alabama's C.J. Mosley ranks as one of the best overall players in the 2014 draft, but the number of quarterbacks selected early on makes him available for the Chicago Bears with pick No. 14. That's a steal for a team in need of a young, fast outside linebacker.

General manager Phil Emery addressed two of the team's three linebacker positions in the 2013 draft when he selected Jon Bostic (ILB) and Khaseem Greene (WLB), but there is still a need for a future at the strongside linebacker position. That's where Mosley comes in.

The Bears would instantly have one of the league's brightest young linebacker corps with this lineup and could return the team to the days of dominant linebacker play.

I find that last line baffling. I don't know anything about Mosley, I'm not a big college guy, and perhaps he is amazing, but I don't think this guy watched Bostic and Greene play at all this year. I saw absolutely nothing from either to indicate that could be even average NFL starters. Granted, they were rookies, and they could improve in the next couple of years, but normally if a player is going to really be solid they flash a little early. I saw nothing like that. They looked lost and overwhelmed every time they were on the field. So for this guy to say that they could be part of 'one of the league's brightest young linebacker corps' is a head scratcher to me.