AZ54

I always felt that, given the heavy guaranteed money, Cutler's deal was $1-2 mil too high. Lower the guaranteed money and it fit better because the club could have had a way out. Emery didn't seem to get that point plus he kept over-selling his QB as a franchise guy when there still remained some questions. There's no reason to negotiate against yourself.

I think Forte falls into the category where it's better to get rid of a player one year too early than one year too late.

So far we know that if Pace gives you a big multi-year contract there is about a 75% probability, or more, that you are 26 years old.

Not quite all of us. Although I wasn't certain he'd make the roster either, I just said he's a tough competitor and we shouldn't count him out.

Given the crazy CB FA market this is decent value. I'm not that enamored with Porter but he's ok as a starter. There will be a good rookie added to the mix soon.

I feel like that contract is good value in this market. I expected we'd pay $8mil/yr.

A few weeks back Pace said he'd go best available (in his price range of course) and pickup Oline help at either RG or RT. He said the decision on who they picked up (FA RG or RT) would likely permanently decide where Kyle Long will be. While they were happy with Kyle's performance at RT, he didn't want to keep moving Long around to different spots every year. If Long goes back to RG that's his home. Doesn't mean he won't be our emergency RT in a game or even get kicked out there if we get serious injury issues across the Oline but his main focus from now on should be at RG. Massie struggled a lot early in his career but I think his play improved quite a bit. Not enough though because the Cardinals drafted a RT DJ Humphries in the 1st Rd last year. A quick look back at draft profiles indicates Humphries is probably the better pass protector and Massie the better run blocker. Guess we know what each team's priorities are.

I think roster bonuses (or something like that) count only in the year they are given. Teams do it because they have huge cap space and prefer to a) get their player and save cap space for a year or two down the road. In the right situation for a rebuilding team I think it's smart because you can get a a few key players and you are leaving room for when you want to re-sign your own players to 2nd contracts a year or two down the road. If the veteran FA doesn't pan out you cut your losses in a couple years and don't have a lot of dead cap space.

and sign who?

Gotta stay away from that.

Ian Williams gone. Goldman can certainly stay at NT but if the team in intent on moving him to DE this could change what we're looking for in the draft at DT. Especially if we sign Hicks. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000064...ing-with-niners

I also think pairing Ragland with Trevathan would give us a very solid ILB group. Ragland would also be the blitz LB, something Trevathan reportedly isn't that good at. I watched more video of Darron Lee tonight and he's just not stout at the point of attack. He might grow into that but I like the idea of having one physical ILB on the field. When Timu was out there late in the season he stood out for that reason. Drafting Ragland is no sure thing and after him options gets a little murkier. I think SMC could be lured back with a 1 year deal, probably for much higher than anyone here would pay him. That would give him time to get more comfortable in the role and then seek his big deal. Gives us two chances (this year and next) to find a rookie in the early rounds to develop. Last year SMC had nobody with 3-4 ILB experience to help him on the field. With Trevathan out there it could help him to steady his performance. If SMC turns into what we want then we have plenty of cap space to sign him to a long term deal next year.

This is more likely posturing on the part of Trevathan to get a little more out of Chicago before he signs. I wouldn't expect anything less from his agent because that's what he's paid to do for Trevathan.

I'm sure Atlanta would be thrilled with that deal. I don't think Pace would be, at least I hope he gets much more than a 6th Rd pick. There are few alternatives in FA and as of right now we haven't signed any of them, nor do we reportedly even have a deal in place.

There is too much going on in FA so I doubt the Bears would complete a deal for Bennett tomorrow afternoon. After things settle down a bit and teams know what they have in FA and what their likely draft needs are then I could see a trade happening. If we don't get good value just keep him around. He still has to play for his next contract so he can't be too much of a malcontent.

I still like Amos and I think he out-produced a guy like Bruton. Adding Bruton, and likely giving him every chance to earn a starting role next to Amos would be a good move. We will still add a rookie to the mix but Bruton should feel confident he can win a job over a rookie. It will be telling if we sign Bruton and then cut Rolle but I don't see that happening until after the draft, unless we need his cap space.

I wanted Osemele but not at $11mil/yr.

Complete agreement.

Wow. I wanted to stay away when the Broncos offered him $10mil/yr.

I still don't see this widely reported but if true I'm glad to see this deal was done and for a little less than I thought. i'll assume the guaranteed money is better than expected.

We are well into the negotiating period for FA and I haven't found any rumors about Trevathan. I scanned all the usual suspects nfl.com, si.com, cbssports, and Walterfootball and there is nothing out there. That is odd for a player who figures to be the top ILB available in FA, especially considering the media circus surrounding the Superbowl winner's free agents. I did find this: http://beargoggleson.com/2016/03/07/signs-...-chicago-bears/ The silence doesn't add up for such a high profile FA and the quick change of direction by other potential suitors indicates something was said behind the scenes. Tomorrow the media circus, distracted by Manning's retirement on Monday, will wake up and realize there has to be something going on. Certainly Trevathan's agent isn't going to sit by quietly while all the big money deals are negotiated in the first few days of FA. Many teams like to be in the news about their pursuits but at least one, Chicago, doesn't. Agents usually want the rumors out there as well to show there is real interest in their clients. Have we already come to a deal with Trevathan? Did we make him an offer he can't refuse such that he isn't even interested in visiting other teams? He said he liked playing for John Fox so if the money is right it could make sense that he's content to call it a day and go play for Fox and Fangio without talking to any other teams.

Bears are basically in touch with all the 2nd tier FA OG.

I hope the Bears are in the Jackson market solely to add to the frenzy and drive up the price while behind the bright lights they quietly close the deal with their main target, Trevathan. ILB is the one spot I don't mind over-paying because our need is very high and options are few.

I agree. Murray would have been the RB I kept around. The Eagles have also overpaid quite a few of their players this offseason.

This likely means the Colts are moving on from Fleener. I just can't see them paying both players a huge contract but we'll see. If the TE market gets this crazy and we can get a 3rd Rd pick for Bennett then I'm all in.