adam

Per AdamSchefter:

Yeah, I just thought the timing of that type of life changing event pretty interesting.

Pretty cool, to each is own, just thought the timing was interesting based off recent events: https://instagram.com/p/z6lQ-ZJ4dX/

With all these notifications going out from the organization, I assume the same will be happening for external contact with prospective free agents very soon. Hopefully we get some juicy leaks.

No shocker, but confirmed nonetheless. https://twitter.com/JenLada/status/574238157841039361

So Marshall obviously knew about it when he tweeted "When you check your blood type - make sure it is not BE NEGATIVE." Still anxious to see some gains this offseason. Right now we are down x1 starting WR, which may be addition by subtraction, but eventually the hole will be too deep to get out of if you continue to subtract without adding. We also need our resident insider to chime in along with following AaronLeming all weekend.

Something to consider on the compensation in the Marshall trade. When I was looking at the Forte projected compensatory pick value, I realized that the teams may have used that as a measuring stick. Marshall's salary for 2015 is $7.5 and his average remaining is $7.9, both would fall into the 4th/5th compensatory category (late 4th) which is only 6 picks before the Jets pick that we received.

This is the last offseason to get anything for Forte, unless we extend his contract. Since compensatory picks are based on the average salary he signs, his next contract would have to average over $8.2 mil for a 3rd/4th pick, and over $5.7 mil for a 4th/5th. With the devaluing of the position, I could easily see him not hitting either of those thresholds which would only net us a 5th/6th pick.

It can't be, and I don't think it will be with this new staff. We will bring in at least 1 FA Safety.

I guess it depends on how the coaching staff values the safety position. If it is valued, then you go after McCourty, if it is not a priority focus of the defense, you upgrade with solid acquisitions like Moore and Searcy.

and if we got a few more picks from the other trades to either use or move up.

Rumors should start flying today in a few hours with the 3-day window opens prior to Free Agency.

Bears were 23-22 when Marshall played, and 0-3 when he didn't over the last 3 years.

This is Gase wanting more speed on offense. He must've watched tape of every game and saw 8 in the box on every play. We will sign Cobb, Smith, or draft a speedster.

Mad, You're all over it, I was going to say the same thing. We have seen a very common theme every offseason until now. Firing a coach after 2 yrs, GM after 3, jettisoning a highly productive player in his prime mainly due to off field concerns. This is not our normal Bears at work, which is actually refreshing. If Cutler goes, I am all in on this plan. Forte I will be mixed on, but would understand it from a business standpoint, but he seemed to have lost a step last year.

I would love Cobb, but I think he priced himself out of our market. Smith should come cheaper

Smith is only a year older than Alshon. That would be a pretty solid 1-2 for a good 4-5 years.

Most beat writers in favor of the trade: http://sportsmockery.com/2015/03/brandon-m...ons-on-twitter/

I wasn't trying to be an ass about the age, but one year is a pretty big deal after 30 in football. I agree that he is probably one of the top 5 WR's in the last decade and his production will be missed, but injuries have started to pile up and will eventually impact performance. His style of play makes me think he will be more susceptible to injury going forward (he rarely goes out of bounds and makes a lot of contested catches). Also, with his off the field interests growing, I can see him leaving the game sooner than later (like Barber).

I didn't even think about this changing our 1st pick, but that would be crazy if we picked up a top flight WR at #7.

Yeah, Gase was the WR coach when Marshall was traded. I am sure he had some insight into the decision. As a football coach, I can't see Fox wanted to get rid of talent over something that happened off the field when he wasn't there (knowing the environment that existed). However, it seems that the organization is willing to take a cap hit of over $5 mil to not have Marshall on the team. That says a lot. Marshall really seems like a guy destined for a role in the media (reminds me of Tiki Barber). It would not shock me if he is out of football in 2-3 years.

I thought he was a possible stop gap option at ILB, but it seems like the Jets overpaid to retain him. They just used up about $15 million on Marshall and Harris.

Just turned 30? He turns 31 in 17 days. You think he can play at a high level until 36 or 37? Based on others, he could fall off anytime between now and 34. I figure he has 2 good years and 2 average years left. G. Jennings - last good season at 28 L. Fitzgerald - last good season at 28 M. Colston - last good season at 30 R. White - last good season at 31 W. Welker - last good season at 31 S. Moss - last good season at 31 A. Johnson - last good season at 32 Wayne (1 good season after 32), Boldin (2 good seasons after 30), and S. Smith (3 good after 30) are the only 3 active players to have good seasons into their mid 30's. I don't necessarily like this trade in a vacuum, but I have to see who we sign with the $3.9 and who we draft in the 5th.

I don't care what Marshall does on the Jets, but I don't see him breaking 1000 yards. He will have Geno Smith or a rookie at QB. I don't like the lack of savings this year, but we have some ridiculous cap space coming in 2016 (which will help extend Alshon and Long). With the talks of Wayne not returning in Indy, I am surprised Indy didnt make a run at Marshall.

There is no way you do that without a plan in place. Cap space is nothing unless you use it to replace the production. I fully expect some big deals within the next week. According to Overthecap, we only save $3.95 and take on $5.625 in dead money due pro-rated bonuses accelerating to this year. So we would be lucky to get Hartline for that price. Not as warm to this deal than I was originally with everyone talking about $7.5 in savings.