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The Bears blew it (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter atcdav
- Start date
buck naked
Footballguy
Good for you. Next.
GroveDiesel
Footballguy
Branch is overated and the Bears seemed to do just fine this past week without him. They don't get to play the Packers every week, but I don't think that the Bears are that badly off.
I still don't understand how a guy that has never had more than 1000 yards receiving or over 5 TDs has garnered so much attention and got such a large contract.
I still don't understand how a guy that has never had more than 1000 yards receiving or over 5 TDs has garnered so much attention and got such a large contract.
TitusIII
Footballguy
He would have been nice, but they already have big money invested in Moose. They are not going be winging to anyone but Moose or Clark, and the occasional deep-ball to one of their burners, and that should be good enough if the run-blocking is there and Grossman improves each week.
sholditch
Footballguy
First of all, the Seachickens were out of their frigging minds trading a 1st for Branch.
Second, you must know nothing about the Bears management or their history. I think Benson's contract is the biggest we've given in decades. Simply put, the Bears do not pay for skill players. And if they money they offered ARE wasn't enough then it damn sure isn't going to be enough for a guy like Branch.
Third, a first round pick should be able to get just about any WR in the nfl in the offseason. Randy Moss was traded for a first round pick.
Fourth, the Bears already have a young Deion Branch prototype in Rashied Davis who is a rook with a very small salary. So they would be paying tons of money to get something that they feel they could have in one year with Davis being a year better.
Fifth, the Bears don't really need to pay huge money for a WR2 to win. Their passing game is bare bones and always has been, and adding Branch would not have significantly increased their chances of winning without seriously reorganizing the playbook, which is a bad idea at this point in the season.
Anything else?
Second, you must know nothing about the Bears management or their history. I think Benson's contract is the biggest we've given in decades. Simply put, the Bears do not pay for skill players. And if they money they offered ARE wasn't enough then it damn sure isn't going to be enough for a guy like Branch.
Third, a first round pick should be able to get just about any WR in the nfl in the offseason. Randy Moss was traded for a first round pick.
Fourth, the Bears already have a young Deion Branch prototype in Rashied Davis who is a rook with a very small salary. So they would be paying tons of money to get something that they feel they could have in one year with Davis being a year better.
Fifth, the Bears don't really need to pay huge money for a WR2 to win. Their passing game is bare bones and always has been, and adding Branch would not have significantly increased their chances of winning without seriously reorganizing the playbook, which is a bad idea at this point in the season.
Anything else?
TheFanatic
Footballguy
Nope. I think you just about covered it. Time to move on to another thread. You pretty much nailed this one down....
Grigs Allmoon
Footballguy
Agreed...(Well, except for the "...they money they offered ARE wasn't..." part.
)I like Rashied Davis. Berrian will not be consistant and Bradley cant stay healthy. Obviously they think they need help they've been looking at receivers, i.e. Gardner, et al. I know they are tight with the money but this could be a small window of opportunity for them if the defense stays healthy and Branch is a proven veteran with great hands. over 60% recpt ptg is pretty respectable, better than Moose last year and provides much needed experienced depth. We'll see as the season goes. There is a huge hole at #2 WR...I hope Davis is ready to fill it.
sholditch
Footballguy
Well, I agree that we needed to make an acquisition in the offseason, and I know what you mean about wasting first round picks, but things look a little different this season:
1. Moose is catching everything thrown his way
2. Davis is already an excellent slot, inside receiver and I think he will only get better
3. Bradley is still trying to recover from a significant injury, and I think will get healthy and be a true WR2
4. Berrian is inconsistent, but look at what he's had to deal with at QB since coming to the Bears. A combo of a washed up Chandler, Kordell, Hutchinson, Krenzel, Quinn, and Orton. Show me a WR who could be successful with that group throwing the ball.
Branch wasn't the answer. Both the contract and asking price were too high.
Also, (and I am a lifelong Bears fan) I'm beginning to think that we might actually be getting to point where we could be a yearly contender. We've got Urlacher locked up until 2010, Grossman actually looked GREAT that game and has a lot of room to improve, and other than Urlacher and Mike Brown, we have a very young and very loaded defense. I think we will need some good LB acquisitions over the next couple of years through the draft, but if we can resign Briggs and keep the DL together, I really think that we have a solid foundation for growth and improvement. I'd rather have the first round pick and the cap room.
ETA: We already have a vicious battle for RB1 that is getting out of hand and signing Branch would immediately create another ego war with him and Moose.
1. Moose is catching everything thrown his way
2. Davis is already an excellent slot, inside receiver and I think he will only get better
3. Bradley is still trying to recover from a significant injury, and I think will get healthy and be a true WR2
4. Berrian is inconsistent, but look at what he's had to deal with at QB since coming to the Bears. A combo of a washed up Chandler, Kordell, Hutchinson, Krenzel, Quinn, and Orton. Show me a WR who could be successful with that group throwing the ball.
Branch wasn't the answer. Both the contract and asking price were too high.
Also, (and I am a lifelong Bears fan) I'm beginning to think that we might actually be getting to point where we could be a yearly contender. We've got Urlacher locked up until 2010, Grossman actually looked GREAT that game and has a lot of room to improve, and other than Urlacher and Mike Brown, we have a very young and very loaded defense. I think we will need some good LB acquisitions over the next couple of years through the draft, but if we can resign Briggs and keep the DL together, I really think that we have a solid foundation for growth and improvement. I'd rather have the first round pick and the cap room.
ETA: We already have a vicious battle for RB1 that is getting out of hand and signing Branch would immediately create another ego war with him and Moose.
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Well God Bless you for being a life-long fan. My first year with the bears was 1985. After watching the St. Louis Cardinals forever. So I was instantly spoiled. Now 21 years later I am ready for instant gratification once again. Call me a fair weather fan. Last year I was skeptical, this year I am hopefully optimistic but impatient. Afterall, the Cardinals are finally showing some potential.
Tough As Nails
Glave Master
Branch for a 1st round pick may be a bargain...but Branch for a first round pick and then having to sign Branch to a huge contract is not a great deal for most teams.
Klecko HOF
Footballguy
Fully agreed.I've followed both the Jets and Bears for over 26 years. I got to watch my share of Branch, as he plays the Jets twice per season. I'll be the first to say that yes, I would have liked for Angelo to trade for Branch, but I'm glad he didn't.One, the asking price was too high. When you have Lance Briggs staring at free agency and the Bears facing the serious possibility of losing him, signing a good, but not great receiver for so large a contract is not worth it, imho.Chicago has also had Nathan Vasher and Thomas Jones request new contracts. I don't like the idea, again, of bringing in a wide receiver for so large a contract, when there are players on the team that are also having contract demands.Two, Branch is good. I think he's very talented, and might have been bogged down in New England's system. The Patriots often use 3/4/5 wide receiver sets so you will not typically find a wide out with huge numbers. Had he been on a team like, say for instance, Buffalo, then I think you'd find numbers more in line with his talent(s). New England's system actually hurts him. I feel Branch would have helped eventually, but he had no training camp and has little knowledge of the system. How quickly he gets into game condition, while learning the system are questions that I would not like to have now. Branch very well might pay off down the line, or his lack of training camp could result in injury.Three, I feel that the #1 pick is too much for him. Now, the success, or lack therof in recent drafts history with first round selections makes me wary, but having one allows you more options. Chicago was able to trade down and get extra picks, which resulted in us fixing some serious holes. I just don't like the idea of trading away a #1 pick, not for Branch. I think he's talented, but not worthy of that selection.
I agree with everything you said. The only problem with the bears is there offensive line is getting a bit old. They need to start drafting offensive linemen in the next couple drafts.
This_Is_Not_VRR
Footballguy
Branch is going to dominate the Bears in a few weeks.
Just a friendly warning...
Just a friendly warning...
Klecko HOF
Footballguy
Agreed. I thought they would actually adress that during this past draft, especially with so many good offensive linemen available. That being said, good linemen can be found all the time. The Bears have addressed the defense pretty well, so I can see them going after a tight end (i.e Greg Olsen) or addressing other offensive areas next season.
sholditch
Footballguy
Branch will get knocked around like a pinball in our secondary.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
ratdog
Footballguy
Not so fast if they feel they will end up making the playoffs then they are giving a late 1st round that is alot different then and early first and without help at WR they feel they needed in last years Bowl then they would have no chance to make it again. they nned to keep def honest IMHO
Bears_Man2
Footballguy
Bears are screwed if Muhammad goes down, but I still wouldn't want to pay a 1st + $$ for Branch if Briggs wanting a new deal and Vasher already making overtures of wanting one.
We can make out fine with Davis, Berrian and Bradley when healthy. It's one game, but Clark had a nice outing too.
We can make out fine with Davis, Berrian and Bradley when healthy. It's one game, but Clark had a nice outing too.
humans_being
Footballguy
Actually, i think he's underrated. On this board anyway. I get a kick out of the "never had a 1,000 yard season" tag too. As if 998 isn't close enough. His numbers were a product of the NE system(spread it around).
TitusIII
Footballguy
900 yards and 5 TD's seems like a good bet....Jackson/Engram/Burleson will not allow Branch to put WR1or2, for that matter, numbers...
pantagrapher
Footballguy
I like Branch, but he was a problem the Bears didn't need for a price they couldn't afford to pay.
I'm glad he went to Seattle.
I'm glad he went to Seattle.
PsychoMan
Footballguy
GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
Briggs will be a Cardinal (he's played college ball in AZ) or Panther (say buh bye to HGH poster boy and concussed Dan Morgan) after this season. He wants Urlacher type money and simply isn't worth it, and won't get it from the Bears.
The Bears should have traded for Donte Stallworth.
The day the Iggles (or Seahawks) eliminate the Bears will be my opportunity to sadly tell Bears fans: I told you so.
The Bears should have traded for Donte Stallworth.
The day the Iggles (or Seahawks) eliminate the Bears will be my opportunity to sadly tell Bears fans: I told you so.
