AZ54

I think your estimates are some of them are reasonable from what we've seen so far but you are too high on the deal Mundy will get. He seems to be a backup player and special teamer. In other words, competition for Conte. Mitchell is starter material and could end up with a bit more than 3yr $10mil. I know we jump in the ring going after the first tier of FAs like all teams do but hearing about our interest in guys like Mundy makes me think Emery is very targeted with his initial FA contacts. It feels as if he IDs 2nd tier and some 3rd tier guys he really wants, knows the market value, and goes after them aggressively from day one willing to give them top dollar for the range they are expecting to sign for. It seems a lot of other teams wait to see what the market will be for the 2nd tier and especially the 3rd tier. We do some of that as well, as we should. However, I think some teams look at it as: Ok we have these 3 players ranked similarly get me 1 of the 3 for the lowest price of the 3 players. Emery seems to be more clear in his first 2-4 FA targets and for those he knows which 1 among that group of FAs he wants and goes quickly to sign them even if it means he ends up paying the most of the group. We don't have a big data sample yet but so far in the last two off seasons this appears to be his M.O. IIRC we went after Bushrod and Martellus Bennett very quickly when bigger names were available. We waited for the market to drop but it seems clear now that Slauson was targeted early on in FA last year. He hit on all 3 of those signings last year IMO.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...mel-tucker.html Lane gives some insight into how Tucker ran the D in Jacksonville. He is right, I can't name 5 players from that defense that ranked #6. In fact I can't name two (one name only because of Lane). Sounds like we are going to see a lot of different looks from our defense this year. Can't say results will be different but after a decade watching the Lovie 2 if nothing else at least it will have me wondering what we're going to do next.

I watched this video on the Chicago Bears website and have even more appreciation for what Ratliff will mean for our new Dline. Shots of him coaching guys like Wootton on how to play the position are great to see. Add in his experience playing at a Pro Bowl level (even if he doesn't get back to that) will benefit those around him. http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/vid...ca-d5495e3b057d

Two items caught my eye yesterday: Chad Henne signed a two year deal for $8mil Matt Cassell signed a two year deal for $10mil If that's the market for backup and/or care-taker QBs while rookies learn the ropes, goodbye Josh McCown. He did a great job for us and if he can now get a similar contract to those above then that's great for him and his family. It's just not a deal the Bears can do given all the needs on defense.

I'm interested in Sproles but I'm not sure what he has left in the tank. He's over 30 and we all know what that means for RBs. I have a feeling the Sproles I want on the team is the one I saw 3 years ago and that's not the same guy who is available in FA. I actually prefer that we draft a good backup RB to get some youth at the position (I don't count Ford because I don't think he brings much to the table). This is the year where FA talent is loaded on the defensive side of the ball. That drives prices down and it's exactly what we need. I think the draft will focus on D but we can fill a lot of slots via FA and use a couple picks to solidify depth at RB and C.

Giving Bailey money to play a position he's never played is a big gamble. That's a gamble I'm not willing to take given that both of our safety positions need help. I may be wrong but I don't think the market is going to come calling his name very quickly.

When Urlacher was complaining about his contract, the one he signed, it was because it was all business and in his business mind he deserved more money. No loyalty at that time was needed on his part. The disloyal Bears gave him a pay raise in the middle of the contract. He needs to start growing up. Has any KR/PR ever made more money than Hester did on his last contract? I don't know the answer but I'm willing to bet on it. Hester has shown class and appreciation for his time here. I think the club is looking for a returner who can contribute in other ways, either as WR, RB, or DB. On a side note related to that: I still can't figure out why the league won't change the stupid game day roster rules and just allow all 53 to be active. Makes no sense in today's game.

You only get to do that when your QB is making less than $1mil. They got lucky last year in FA the way the market ended up. Reality is headed their way.

That's about what I was hoping for. Good deal by Emery and puts some strong leadership in the locker room at a position we will need it with so many new players.

I think Paea is quality depth. He's had too many injuries in his short career to be relied on otherwise. He can play at a decent starters level when he's out there. I liked him in the past, still do, and thought he'd turn into a good starter for us but at this point he is what his stats say he is. I would like Melton back but I'd also like Donald better in his place. Can't teach that elite athleticism, and he hustles too. IMO, if we draft Jernigan or Donald and pair either up with Ratliff we're in a much better situation at DT than we were at the start of last season. In either scenario, Paea is our backup. We should be likely bring back another DT from among our own FAs. I wouldn't rule out seeing Turk McBride (depending on how they felt about him before his injury) or Collins return to. Add in one more 2nd tier DT and we're done. On top of that Emery will toss in one more late round pick, or 3rd tier DT to compete. One thing is for sure, he is not going to training camp short on DTs this year. If the money isn't right on Melton's demands I'm probably moving on fairly quickly to get the next best talent.

No tipping of the hand please.

I vote for trench warfare too.

I supported him after 2012! I agree in 2013 when all hell broke loose on D he had no clue which direction to go. He will have significant competition this year.

I doubt Wootton gets any where close to 2.5mil/yr coming off hip surgery. He has never had a great year and last year playing on our bottom ranked defense did not help him at all. He will get attention from teams because they will see his versatility but will largely be viewed as either backup DE or if signs as a starter, he's keeping a seat warm until they draft their DE.

If the Mathews or Robinson are there then it's a no brainer…draft them. LT2 once said you only get elite LT one way and that is you draft them. Can't pass on one at #14. Watkins I'd take as well and put him in the slot for now. His quickness and acceleration is unreal and he can go up and get the ball wherever it is. Cover him with your NB while your safeties are worried over the top about Jeffrey or Marshall, or leave them in single coverage on the outside. Either way is fine by me. Evans I'm not as high on and I'd probably take Donald over him. Barr or Mack….I think here again I prefer the inside presence of Donald or Jernigan. Mack is much more fluid rushing the passer than SMC but he's still not a 4-3 DE and that's a problem.

I agree, if that's the contract we'd have to give MBennett I pass. He's very good but he's not elite and the last couple years of that deal are too high. I prefer we try to get him with more guaranteed yet lower numbers overall. Curious to see what money he ends up getting. I think the same about your proposed extension to Brandon Marshall's contract…3rd year at $15mil seems too high especially at a time when we'll have to put big money into Jeffrey's contract. Overall I like the effort and your point is valid, we should be able to improve the D significantly via FA.

Having eaten a skunk as part of my Air Force survival training it actually doesn't stink nearly as bad as how Conte played last season. I hope Conte's play elevates to the proverbial "tastes-like-chicken" level of my meal that day.

1) Listen up Jerry Angelo: Nobody can ever state they should or will trade down. We have no idea of the value proposition that will be presented to us. This draft class presents us with an unusual opportunity in that at #14 we can possibly get a blue chip player that would normally be gone in the top 10 picks. I will say this, let's assume Jerry Jones is in love with Donald and thinks we'll be taking him. IF we have Donald, Nix, and Jernigan rated very similarly I'd probably make the trade. I've seen all 3 listed as the first DT taken and although they are each different in their style of play all three project to have very good careers. IF all three are on the board when we're on the clock and Dallas calls I would listen carefully to what Jerry is willing to offer. That's a lot of "ifs". Right now Donald is at the top of my wish list because I think he'll provide the most negative plays among the 3 DTs. Negative plays are what gives you the best chance of getting off the field on 3rd down. If we're asked to drop way back into the 20s then I'm asking for a ton in return because IMO we can't miss on the top DTs. 2) Melton's return is more likely. That just comes down to money and age. Melton is also more likley to accept a 1yr prove it deal so he can get back into the big $$ sooner. Tillman knows this is his last chance at any significant guaranteed $$. 3) Draft a QB in the middle rounds. I prefer to grab our backup via FA, McCown or someone else. If that does not happen then we may be forced to do something sooner but I'd say 4th Rd or later. 3rd is too high given the needs we have. 4) SMC will be a much better LB than DE. Fact but the bar is low.

We are actually 100% in agreement on the role for the little guys. I'd take the FB carrying the ball at the goal line as a replacement for Bush's carries there but I don't have expectations the results will be much different.

I think the money for Byrd or Ward is too much for us to shell out for that position. We need to add veterans to the mix at safety but not for top dollar.

I agree, we should cut Michael Bush and if we do we must sign another RB to take carries off Forte but that can't be one of these little guys. If we grab Thomas or Archer they can't block blitzers so they are purely a speed element on the outside. In other words they'd replace Ford, or just hold down Hester's spot on the roster and Ford is inactive most games. Either way we need someone bigger to share the load the load with Forte. I'd be very happy to see Ka'Deem Carey fall to us in the 4th. I don't care that he ran a 4.7 forty at the combine I've seen enough to know what he can do on the field, including enough speed to break long runs, and he is not easy to tackle. http://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/2013...ideo-highlights

I think the Bears will do a deal 2yrs @ $4mil for McCown. Start trying to get beyond that and I see us moving on. I agree that in the event McCown goes elsewhere we would likely see Jordan Palmer back. If McCown is gone I think we will draft a young prospect early on day 3 unless someone falls they really value. The guy I'm curious about is Matt Schaub. It's not clear what his market will be after that horrendous season but I don't view him any differently than McCown, except McCown already knows the system. While we have needs all over the place I think we're going to get a lot more help for the defense via FA than the draft. That doesn't mean the defense won't be our focus in the draft, it will be, but after relying on two rookie LBs and others last year I doubt Emery wants to go into the draft knowing he has to rely on defensive rookies again to make the difference. He will want competition at all positions among rookies and vets.

I did some digging on this one. He didn't play in 2013 due to a contract dispute. Essentially he wanted to play in the NFL. After a court battle he won his freedom and signed with the Saints in Oct. He wasn't expected to play at all in 2013 because he hadn't been working out and was not in shape. They put him on their practice squad. Emery jumped in during the last week of the season and offered him a contract for our active roster. Thus he put the Saints in a bind where they had to promote him to their active roster, and thus keep him on the active roster for the playoffs, or let him go. Emery basically stole him from the Saints. George Halas had to smile at that move. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Williams_(wide_receiver)

Perfect no-risk signing. Reportedly he was healthy by the end of the season so he will have a full offseason to workout and learn the new defense.

It appears he has exactly what I would like to see us add to our offense and can do the special teams returner role as well. I hope he's in the weight room because he needs to get a lot stronger for the NFL. Despite that he did make a few contested catches in the highlight video. At a minimum it shows the Bears are looking to add a speed element to the offense. I wouldn't mind giving a tryout to the defender who ran him over at the goal line when he was running backwards. I've always liked guys who a) don't quit on plays and make arrogant showoffs pay for their stunts.