RBM
Footballguy
Yeah fearing that too. Holding out hope for the brother lure on Bennett.
I definitely see Johnson with Lovie.
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****Official 2014 Chicago Bears Thread **** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter 3nOut
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I definitely see Johnson with Lovie.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
Michael Bennett - DL - Seahawks
According to the Chicago Tribune, DE Michael Bennett has emerged as the Bears' "top target" in free agency.
The Bears are in "strong pursuit" of Martellus' brother, and reportedly hope to replace Julius Peppers with Michael at right defensive end. Two club officials told the Tribune they expect Bennett to sign with Chicago "after free agency opens at 3 p.m. (CT) Tuesday." Bears GM Phil Emery has a strong working relationship with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who reps Bennett. It sounds like it's just a matter of time before Bennett is rushing quarterbacks in the Windy City.
Related: Bears
Source: Chicago Tribune Mar 9 - 11:09 PM
According to the Chicago Tribune, DE Michael Bennett has emerged as the Bears' "top target" in free agency.
The Bears are in "strong pursuit" of Martellus' brother, and reportedly hope to replace Julius Peppers with Michael at right defensive end. Two club officials told the Tribune they expect Bennett to sign with Chicago "after free agency opens at 3 p.m. (CT) Tuesday." Bears GM Phil Emery has a strong working relationship with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who reps Bennett. It sounds like it's just a matter of time before Bennett is rushing quarterbacks in the Windy City.
Related: Bears
Source: Chicago Tribune Mar 9 - 11:09 PM
Gustavo Fring
Footballguy
The Tick
Footballguy
Also, from the stat I see, we were 13th in the league for starting field position, averaging at the 27 yard line. this isn't back in the day where it seemed like we started at the 40 yard line almost every drive.Devin Hester was 5th in kickoff return average, not 2nd and he didn't even qualify(ESPN's cutoff appears to be 20) for punt returns due to only 18 on the season. He only makes a difference whenever he returns a kickoff, with the new rule it makes kickoff returning near obsolete.Defensive opportunities had nothing to do with it. He was 2nd in avg on kickoff returns and 1st on punt returns, not to mention how he affects every kickoff and punt return with his presence alone. If I'm not mistaken, the Bears led the league again in starting field position. You really think TDs is the only way he affects games? He gives us the best starting field position in the league every year. The proof is right there.
Who's saying he wants millions? It sounds like he just wanted to play for the Bears. Not sure where that's coming from, probably the same place that said Urlacher would be playing somewhere if he got an offer. No one knows if he got an offer from another team or just didn't want to play for someone other than the Bears. Hester was never contacted by the Bears. He said it himself.
Hester is a factor in maybe 4 plays a game. Add in Kicker, Punter, Long snapper, FB or 3rd TE, backup QB, etc and it severely limits choices on a 53 man roster and on game day.
For 4 plays a game...give me Eric Weems who plays every ST unit and is an above average returner himself + extra roster spot + save money.
It's simple....you seem to think about Devin Hester from 2008. Players change, times change....change is okay I promise you.
I also never saw hester as a team leader, when he was in the game not on ST, he was lost at best.
It's time for him to go, I think for or the guy they signed from Canada may be a dropoff, but likely not too much and hopefully whoever it is won't run backwards so much.
flapgreen
Footballguy
I was slightly off on punt return avg but right on kickoffs and total yards. He was a couple yards avg off first in punt returns. It doesn't change his importance to the team. Man I have no idea why you waste your time responding to me. Why spend any time responding to someone you don't like or agree with when they don't respond back to your constant insults. Put me on ignore or whatever. I'm not going to come back at you the same way you come at me here or the ffa. Just forget I exist.
flapgreen
Footballguy
You're right on the punt return avg. I was a few yards off there. He was 5th. First in total yards on returns and 2nd avg on punt returns. The total yards is slightly misleading, though. You're right on one side of it. Although, he showed he could remain in the top 5 with far more returns than anyone else, which also speaks to his importance. You have to be aware of how much teams punt away from Hester. That's the one of the reasons he had fewer attempts on punts, along with the poor defense. Also, the most returned tds by one player last year was two so that Stat means little. Weems is a very average returner. No one is scared of him and no one is punting away from him. I don't think we're talking about 2008 Hester. That was the greatest run of any kick returner in history. No one can maintain that pace forever. Again, I don't think he would command much, but whatever reasonable amount it is, it would be worth it. He wanted to stay in Chicago. I do understand where you're coming from. I just disagree. I'll leave it at that.Devin Hester was 5th in kickoff return average, not 2nd and he didn't even qualify(ESPN's cutoff appears to be 20) for punt returns due to only 18 on the season. He only makes a difference whenever he returns a kickoff, with the new rule it makes kickoff returning near obsolete.Defensive opportunities had nothing to do with it. He was 2nd in avg on kickoff returns and 1st on punt returns, not to mention how he affects every kickoff and punt return with his presence alone. If I'm not mistaken, the Bears led the league again in starting field position. You really think TDs is the only way he affects games? He gives us the best starting field position in the league every year. The proof is right there.
Who's saying he wants millions? It sounds like he just wanted to play for the Bears. Not sure where that's coming from, probably the same place that said Urlacher would be playing somewhere if he got an offer. No one knows if he got an offer from another team or just didn't want to play for someone other than the Bears. Hester was never contacted by the Bears. He said it himself.
Hester is a factor in maybe 4 plays a game. Add in Kicker, Punter, Long snapper, FB or 3rd TE, backup QB, etc and it severely limits choices on a 53 man roster and on game day.
For 4 plays a game...give me Eric Weems who plays every ST unit and is an above average returner himself + extra roster spot + save money.
It's simple....you seem to think about Devin Hester from 2008. Players change, times change....change is okay I promise you.
flapgreen
Footballguy
I'm not as impressed with Bennett as some, but I think it could be a good signing if it's a reasonable price.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Collins re-signed. I think this could be a great move, especially if Melton isn't back. We need a couple more DTs. Ratliff and Collins are two good players in the defensive rotation, maybe one could step into the starting role. Paea is terrible and will probably be hurt anyway. I'm really leaning toward building up the DL extensively in free agency in the draft. We need another couple more DEs as well. I'd love to see Wootton back on the outside. I've payed very little attention to college guys, except for what I've read recently.
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
It is not going to be reasonable. Otherwise Seattle would have re-signed him. Seattle cut Red Bryant and Sidney Rice just to get cap space to sign this dude and they still could not do it despite having a SB winning team; great home field advantage for defensive players (especially DEs - sack #s go up in Sea just because the crowd helps with so many offensive offside penalties that teams tend to be 2nd and long and 3rd and long a lot).flapgreen said:
I think we have to break the bank on one DL and it will be Bennett. After that, we get the best DT (either Jernigan or Donald) in the draft that fits our scheme/our coaches and scouts like etc and get a CB and Safety in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. The draft is deep at CB so we should get a solid CB in 2nd or 3rd rounds. The safety position worries me because I do not think the draft is that deep at S. I also think Emery will re-sign Tillman at some point.
KCitons
Footballguy
RBM
Footballguy
Yup agree with everyone else, we're going to pay for this guy. But just by adding him and a first round DT, we are on the right track to a nice rebuild. I still prefer Jernigan to Donald but everyone is drooling over Donald after his workouts. I cringe at having a DT under 290 though.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
Draft is supposed to be rather deep at DT.
Assuming they land Bennett, they need to go safety, Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor. Address DT in 2nd or 3rd
Assuming they land Bennett, they need to go safety, Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor. Address DT in 2nd or 3rd
The Tick
Footballguy
Well looks like Bennett is off the market.... now I guess Johnson becomes the big name in free agency. Wish he had at least made it another 24 hours or so to get teams bidding on him so maybe we could go hit the number 2 guy and get him locked in while teams fought over Bennett.
This is not looking good... There may be a bidding war over Michael Johnson and we may be out there too.
This is not looking good... There may be a bidding war over Michael Johnson and we may be out there too.
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
I think we dodged a bullet here. I am always nervous signing guys that produce in their 1 year deal before FA. This dude was not wanted last year in FA. Playing with a lot of talent around him (especially at DB) definitely made him look better this past year. Rather have Sea over pay him.
RBM
Footballguy
He's a good player, not great. I was confused he wasn't wanted more last year coming off a 9 sack season. So he's not a one year wonder.
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
I hope the Bears get Jared Allen or even Demarcus Ware (if cut) at a cheap price (2yrs 5M or so) and get the young DT with 14 and a young DE with 2nd rounder
Pair Allen or Ware with Peppers and rookie DT with Ratliff Paea and rookie DE rotating in as depth
Then get a 3rd round CB and a S as depth in FA
Pair Allen or Ware with Peppers and rookie DT with Ratliff Paea and rookie DE rotating in as depth
Then get a 3rd round CB and a S as depth in FA
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The Tick
Footballguy
Still need a starting SS in there somewhere.
But I do agree there may be a vet rusher we can get a little later in FA to give some pass rush help.
The Tick
Footballguy
ImTheScientist
Footballguy
KCitons
Footballguy
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=chicago-bears&id=4690913
I hope we get Whitner
I hope we get Whitner
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flapgreen
Footballguy
I see the Bears being mentioned as interested in every free agent out there. Who knows at this point? I guess Mundy or Whitner if they offer any value. But both are older and have multiple teams after them. How about re-signing Melton and getting Houston? That would leave us with Melton, Ratliff, Collins and Houston. Paea sucks. Then taking a safety in the first round, or McDonald in the first, and then a safety in the 2nd. If McDonald is there, I think we have to take him from what I've read. Seems to be the consensus #1 DT. Would love to put that DL together. Lots of scenarios right now. I'm not big on spending money on an older safety unless the price is right, which it probably won't be. 
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McDonald. No Mc
ImTheScientist
Footballguy
He has produced more than one year. Look at his PFF rating. You discounted the Hawks all year......kiss the ring!
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
When you're carelessly throwing around false information, don't get all moist when you get called out on it.
