Hub Arkush was on Boers and Bernstein (sp?) today and mentioned that he thought there is a 50% chance the Bears will cut or try to trade (he guesses for a 4th rounder) Thomas Jones. His reasoning is that they need to do more than tweak the team and could use extra cap space and that you don't waste the #4 on a rookie who is going to sit his first 2 years. The Bears also resigned Adrian Peterson, whom they like very much.
Edit to add: While he thought Thomas Jones had a good season, it was a good season for Thomas Jones, not one you would expect from a top flight back. Arkush believes that it is becoming the norm for backs to get 1700 ru yds and 16+ TD's. Not 1300 and 6.
I didn't get to listen to the rest of the show as I had to go back to work. Did anybody else catch the rest of this discussion?
FYI, Hub Arkush was a former announcer for the Bears and I believe is an editor for Pro Football Weekly.
I listened to the show, and he only mentioned this as a possibilty to load up and go on money for a big move.According to various sites, the Bears have 17 million in cap space so it doesn't sound as if they are hurting for room.
I only listened to the beginning as I can't stand B and B and I was going back to work. Thanks for clarifying. You too Dr J. I think he said the Bears do not have 17 million in cap space, closer to 10mil if i remember correctly. I was under the impression it was 17mil before that too. Therefore, if they want to make a move for a premium player they will need to drop a few guys.
Haynes will be gone, that's for sure.
Finally, I personally think the Bears need to re-up on Briggs. That should be their #1 priority. Then, see how the offseason unwinds from there.
It is nearly impossible to get an accurate accessment of where a team is at from a cap standpoint - one articile says 17 million, Hub says not that much...Haynes will be gone, but I think that's going to cost the Bears something a 2.6 million in a cap hit.
Briggs should be the #1 priority - I hope they are working on it now, or at least very soon. Let's get this taken care of before free agency.
After that, I think they just try to improve the overall depth in free agency...I know there are some TO rumors out there, but I don't believe it. Angelo is way too conservative to bring him in.
They could use another CB with Azumah most likely gone, another veteran WR, some OL depth if Metcalf leaves - they are ok for next season, but will need to look at drafting a lineman for the future....LBing depth is also needed. Hillenmayer is better suited as a MLB, but I wasn't displeased with his play.
Another spot I'd like to see addressed, but probably won't is the pass rush - I believe they were in the bottom half of the league in sacks per pass attempt....Ogunleye had double digit sacks, but I can't say there was one other person going into a game who I knew could cause the QB problems....Alex Brown is solid, but he only had 5.5 sacks, 4 in one game. Urlacher and Harris can get back there as well, but if they do replace Hillenmayer, I wouldn't mind a pass rushing OLB who they can use in passing situations.
Mike Green won't be on the team next season either....Todd Johnson can play both positions (notice I didn't say well!)....
Also, what about kicker ? Gould played great inside 40, but his kickoffs were rather short, and he sucked outside of 40. Do they bring in veteran competition ? I'm thinking he's their guy.