Stinger226

We need to look at why we should be optimistic. With Marshall, Jeffery, Weems, Thomas, we now have the best WRs we have probably every had here. With Gates, he will know how to use Cutler to the best of his ability. With Tice, he will play to the strengths of his players and not to a system. Rodreguz and Davis come thru and make an impact at TE. Forte signs and with Bush we have a legit 2 rb tandem that leads the league in rushing. The faith in the line comes thru and Webb improves, Carmi stays healthy and Garza doesnt have a dropoff due to age. We now have a pass rush with McClenllin, and Paea and Melton take a step forward. The LBs stay healthy and Hayes improves the Sam LB spot. With a healthy pass rush, the DBs keep their head above water, and Conte and Hardin make the S positon a strong one. Our STs remain a stength,. Gould remains in top form. We avoid injurys that wrecks the positives we have going for us. Next up the reasons to look at the glass half empty. With most things going right we finish 12-4, maybe 13-3 and we have a SB berth.(and lose to the Bengals 34-13 with a Cutler injury) just kidding.

I can see both sides of the arguement on Forte, but I just dont understand how they cant meet somewhere in the middle. I do believe the Bears have upped there offer when Emery took over, I would assume not enough to make a difference thou.

If he needs that to motivate him after the way he played the last two years, he is a lost cause.I think best case situation is he is our #4 OT with Williams starting or the swing tackle. I think he needs some coaching and to gain stength and he may be able to play competitive in the NFL.

the more options the better.

I hope he turns out to be a good player, but Lovie paints (rose gardens) with every player, and they only have shorts on roaming the field with non contract players. Curb your enthusiasm.

You list Jeffery in the mix but leave out Broyles, when he falls in the same situation. I dont think you can have it both ways. You have to either leave out rookies or add all of them in. Broyles is in just a good a situation as Jefferys is with us. We dont know how it pans out.

I dont think we can take small samples and project anything. We played well in the middle of the season, but we dont know how things would have went with Cutler and Forte around. Injuries affect every year and have different results, I always hope for the best, but with caution.

We dont have a choice, I think the way the draft fell, they didnt bring in anybody in the draft, and we werent going to go high dollar at the position with the Marshall signing, so this is the only route.

Were looking in the bottom of the barrel, but hopefully, we can find a rotation guy.

I would think we will be better, since we only have up to go, but is it going to still be a problem? I think the LT spot is the only one we continue to be concerned about, the middlle will be ok, and Carmi, if healthy will be a upgrade.

Here is the Bears current depth chart according to Our Lads website Pos No Player 1 No Player 2 No Player 3 No Player 4 No Player 5 Offense LWR 15 Marshall, Brandon T/Mia 17 Jeffery, Alshon 12/2 13 Knox, Johnny 09/5 14 Weems, Eric U/Atl 81 Crump, Terriun CF12 82 Golden, Brittan CF12 RWR 23 Hester, Devin 06/2 80 Bennett, Earl 08/3 11 Thomas, Devin U/NYG 18 Sanzenbacher, Dane CF11 83 Summers, Chris CF12 LT 73 Webb, J'Marcus 10/7 78 Brown, James CF12 75 Greene, AJ CF12 LG 74 Williams, Chris 08/1 70 Williams, Edwin W/Was 64 Henry, Ricky CF11 C 63 GARZA, ROBERTO U/Atl 67 SPENCER, CHRIS U/Sea 68 Stephens, Reggie SF11 RG 60 Louis, Lance 09/7 62 Rachal, Chilo U/SF 76 Wrotto, Mansfield SF11 RT 72 Carimi, Gabe 11/1 79 Horn, Levi CF10 TE 87 Davis, Kellen 08/5 89 Spaeth, Matt U/Pit 85 Smith, Andre CF11 86 Adams, Kyle CF11 84 Ross, Draylen CF11 QB 6 Cutler, Jay T/Den 2 CAMPBELL, JASON U/Oak 12 MCCOWN, JOSH SF11 10 Enderle, Nathan 11/5 FB 44 Clutts, Tyler P/Cle 88 Rodriguez, Evan 12/4 RB 22 Forte, Matt FP 29 Bush, Michael U/Oak 32 Bell, Kahlil SF09 25 Allen, Armando SF11 45 Unga, Harvey 10S/7 38 Alexander, Alvester CF12 Defense LDE 99 McClellin, Shea 12/1 71 IDONIJE, ISREAL SF03 94 Davis, Chauncey SF11 LDT 69 Melton, Henry 09/4 96 Miller, Jordan CF11 79 Cameron, Ronnie CF12 NT 75 Toeaina, Matt P/Cin 92 Paea, Stephen 11/2 RDE 90 PEPPERS, JULIUS U/Car 98 Wootton, Corey 10/4 93 Gibson, Thaddeus SF11 SLB 53 Roach, Nick P/SD 91 Hayes, Geno U/TB 57 Williams, Jabara W/SL MLB 54 URLACHER, BRIAN 00/1 52 Costanzo, Blake U/SF 58 DeCicco, Dom CF11 95 Cole, Adrien CF12 WLB 55 BRIGGS, LANCE 03/3 97 Thomas, JT 11/6 59 Trahan, Patrick SF10 62 Thornton, Ronnie CF12 LCB 26 Jennings, Tim SF10 30 Moore, DJ 09/4 27 Wilhite, Jonathan U/Den 39 McCoy, Greg 12/7 SS 21 Wright, Major 10/3 20 Steltz, Craig 08/4 35 Hardin, Brandon 12/3 43 Coston, Trevor CF12 FS 47 Conte, Chris 11/3 37 Walters, Anthony CF11 46 Jones, Jeremy CF12 RCB 33 TILLMAN, CHARLES 03/2 24 Hayden, Kelvin U/Atl 31 Frey, Isaiah 12/6 36 Warren, Donovan SF12 Special Teams P 8 Podlesh, Adam U/Jax PK 9 GOULD, ROBBIE SF05 LS 65 MANNELLY, PATRICK 98/6 PR 23 Hester, Devin 06/2 14 Weems, Eric U/Atl KR 23 Hester, Devin 06/2 14 Weems, Eric U/Atl Free Agents / Cap Casualties UFA 45 MASSEY, CHRIS LS 11 WILLIAMS, ROY WR CC 95 ADAMS, ANTHONY DT Some observations about this list; I think Jefferys starts at the flanker position opposite Marshall and Bennett fills the slot spot. They have Brown listed in the second spot behind Webb, of which I think Williams challenges for the LT starter spot. I think Idonije moves inside to the DT rotation and McClellin and Davis take over the DLE spot. I think Hardin starts at some point this year over Wright(not very good and injury concern) I think K. Hayden ends up starting over Jennings at the other CB spot opposite Peanut. I think Rodreguiz plays a lot as a HB/TE as we play a lot of two TE sets. Weems is our KR starter going in. Any thoughts of your own.

Rotoworld has us ranked 29th among Oline going into 2012. Profootbalfocus has us ranked 31st amony Olines going into 2012. Football Outsiders has us ranked 24th. At least I see the national ranking follow our expectations on this website. I can see us being better, but the LT spot will still be a problem. I think we run a lot of 2 TE formation to help on the line blocking, and quick patterns, but I still remain worried the Oline can have a major negative effect on our Offensive production.

Its nice to think a national writer has us ranked that high. Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has us ranked 5th. I think that might be a little high, even with the amount of Kool aid I drink every year.

I think if they move anybody inside, it will be Ildonije, ;he has played there before. There will be another round of vets. dropped at the start of training camp with all the new players on the teams and hopefully we can grab a vet to fill the DT rotation. They talked about Paea playing both DT positions, so maybe they bring back Adams. Just a thought.

I agree with you on going with the young ones, since were dreaming thou, I would have to take Rodgers and Calvin Johnson. just grab the best at there positions.

Actually there are WRs the problem is there not very good at it.

I would say they move Idonije inside when McClellin is on the field, maybe as a possible option.

I think he is a full of himself, but why do you say he doesnt have any sources? Being PFW, that is a decent publication, dont always agree with articles but find in a good source of info. They are tied to all teams and Nolan is not as sharp as Joel B. use to be, but has interesting info.There are many times they reported information before any one else, and that includes PFT. I am not saying it is the best source but it is talking about football, and the Bears and I find valve in that, no matter whether I agree with info or not. Sources are just contacts and they have many, to say they make stuff up, isnt a true statement. Rumors are rumors, they all have them.

If we can find other options, I am all for it, but where? Are we better off going with a young guy? Miller?

Pompei wrote an article in the trib stating about bringing back Harris as a rotation guy.Since we are short at the position, someone to give you 10 to 15 snaps a game, may not be a bad idea. He had 10 hurries and 3 sacks in a part time role.

I listen to the SCORE a lot and all these guys are on there, and they all have good and bad points, but I do think Biggs does a good job, he doesnt color anything and does ask the tough questions. I dont hate any of them. Zac Z. is quite the suck up.

I wasnt saying that he will compare to them, I was using them as an example of the rookies that actually had an impact and saying it will be hard for Jeffery to get to those type of numbers. Green had over a 1000 yards and Jones almost 900.

Your right we cant use TEs and RBs as comparing to WRS, but teams that throw a lot to TEs and RBs affect the effectiveness of WRs. So breaking down WRs is a incomplete comparision. Det. #1 Johnson #50 Burleson #97 Young GB #9 Nelson #25 Jennings #63 Jones #105 Driver #127 Cobb Min #21 Harvin #97Armonishado #99 Jenkins Chi #10 Marshall (was with Miami) #51Knox (injury will cause him to not see the field this year) #89 Williams (no longer with team and already forgotten) #124 Bennett ( our presently #2 WR) #129 Hester (currently our #4 WR) Jeffery ( rookie and according to PFW the 7th ranked WR prospect) # 159 Sanzi (will be cut in training camp) #261 Weems (new player) #335 Thomas (new player) If we look at this from a stats point of view, we have the 2nd worst group of WRs in the conf. Only two rookies last year had an impact A.J.Green and J. Jones, and those two were considered the best prospects to come out in several years.Green was there #1 WR in Cincy and Jones was #2 in Atlanta. So it will be hard to project how Jeffery will have any kind of impact his first year. I am a glass half full person, so going forward we have a run first type offense this year. We will get top 12 numbers from Marshall. I think Bennett is second on the team with with between 50 to 60 rec.-700 to750 and 4 TDS. I see Jeffery getting around 50 rec.-650 yards and 8 TDs. Forte and Davis, Rodreguz would have to come into play, but cant look at them. So from a WR point of view, I would say we are third in the league, if things are going good.

If we look at receiving yards last year from teams in our division #1 Johnson #10 Marshall (now a Bear) #24 Harvin #25 Jennings #45 Pettigrew(TE) #47 Finley(TE) #50 Burleson Out of the top 50 last year Detroit has more going forward. TEs have to be considered because it is part of the passing game. Also 2 of top 5 QBs last year were in our division with Rodgers and Stafford.(yards) So going forward we only have a chance of having the best WRs in the league. Probably not, unless a lot of things go right. Granted we have a RB that catches alot over those teams which puts us closer to the other groups, but are we going to throw for 5000 yards with a some what run first mentality, I doubt it.

The website is Spotrac and it lists all contract info. In his contract for 2012 his salary is 1.65 and roster bonus is 5 mil, 2013 his salary is 1.85 and roster bonus is 5 mil. So that is 13.5 with .5 in workout bonuses , and you have to pay him 14 over the next two years, no matter what incentive bonuses dont kick in. I think for a punt returner, and 4th WR that is a little rich. Marshall is going to make 20 mill over the next two years as a #1. The average of his salary over the length of the contract lists him as the 4th highest paid WR in the league. Has that been worth his ST TDS? and his WR contribution. If you go by his cap hit for this year, he is ranked 11th, so basically do the Bears find that to be a worth it valve? I think they redo his contract, with all the additions to KRers and WRers.