Offseason Predictions

[bradjock]

I figured I'd throw out what I think we'll happen. It's pretty damn boring right now. Other then rooting for the Patriots to lose, there's not much to look forward to until free agency begins around the first of March, and then then draft which begins April 26th. :

#1: Angelo will do exactly what he said (which is about like interpretting the Bible at times, but that being said . . . )

#2: He will try to sign all our free agents: IMO JA has a set $$ amount, & when guys like Rex & Briggs get better offers--they gone.

#3: RB will be priority #1--He seems pissed about our RB's. He'll break the bank for Turner. If not him, Jones or Fargas.

#4: Orton will be our #1 QB--If you listen to JA he's all about defense & running the ball. Orton doesn't get sacked or throw picks.

#5: Our first 4 picks (in any order) will be o-line, safety, WR, & QB

#6: We tag Berrian--Teams have Monopoly money & he's the #1 WR.

#7: We resign Ayanbadejo--(Remember that closed door meeting JA had with Rosenass back in November. Things got done.)

#8: Along with Briggs & Rex, Ruben Brown, Arch, Gilmore, & Metcalf are gone.

#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return.

#10: Other then RB, no major free agent signings.

[brletich]

I figured I'd throw out what I think we'll happen. It's pretty damn boring right now. Other then rooting for the Patriots to lose, there's not much to look forward to until free agency begins around the first of March, and then then draft which begins April 26th. :

#1: Angelo will do exactly what he said (which is about like interpretting the Bible at times, but that being said . . . )

- I think I will leave that alone...

 

 

#2: He will try to sign all our free agents: IMO JA has a set $$ amount, & when guys like Rex & Briggs get better offers--they gone.

Agree there. I don't see either being back, but Rex is possible if there is no interest. I just think Rex doesn't WANT to be back if anyone else wants him.

 

#3: RB will be priority #1--He seems pissed about our RB's. He'll break the bank for Turner. If not him, Jones or Fargas.

I think Jones/Fargas are more likely. I hope Turner, but dang he is gonna break the bank vault wide open.

 

#4: Orton will be our #1 QB--If you listen to JA he's all about defense & running the ball. Orton doesn't get sacked or throw picks.

While I am Orton Homer #1, I don't think he is guaranteed #1 status, nor should he be. If Rex is back (doubtful) it needs to be an open competition. If not, then someone else needs to be brought in to compete with him for the job. I personally think he is up to the task and will be a good/very good QB for us, but he needs to earn it during a TC competition.

 

#5: Our first 4 picks (in any order) will be o-line, safety, WR, & QB

Agreed, unless we get a vet WR, Safety, or QB in FA. The it needs to be OL, OL, and anything else we may need in any order (preferrably a nice OT prospect in rd 1)

 

#6: We tag Berrian--Teams have Monopoly money & he's the #1 WR.

Not disagreeing, but dang is it ever sad that we are considering the tag for him...our WR's are just sad...

 

#7: We resign Ayanbadejo--(Remember that closed door meeting JA had with Rosenass back in November. Things got done.)

Absolutely. The guy is a great ST'er and we need our ST's to win games.

 

#8: Along with Briggs & Rex, Ruben Brown, Arch, Gilmore, & Metcalf are gone.

#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return.

Agreed, except I might bring Brown back. He was better with 1 arm than anything else we had...

#10: Other then RB, no major free agent signings.

Here is where I disagree. We absolutely need at least RB and OL in FA, if not a vet WR and a QB. Maybe even 2 OL. We need help on OL and I think we need the draft and FA to get it fix sooner rather than later.

[Connorbear]

"#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return."

 

I can see Griese (if Rex is gone) and Ced back (one more chance) but Walker and Miller are gone unless they renegotiate. Way, way too much money for either of them considering their levels of performance this yr.

 

Peace

[adam]

"#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return."

 

I can see Griese (if Rex is gone) and Ced back (one more chance) but Walker and Miller are gone unless they renegotiate. Way, way too much money for either of them considering their levels of performance this yr.

 

Peace

Walker and Miller cost too much vs their production. The ONLY way they are on the Bears next year is with a new contract. Also, I think Walker has a huge roster bonus coming up in March. We will know what happens to him by then.

 

Also, we will know before the draft whether tags get applied.

[Clenched_CLAW]

While I am Orton Homer #1, I don't think he is guaranteed #1 status, nor should he be. If Rex is back (doubtful) it needs to be an open competition. If not, then someone else needs to be brought in to compete with him for the job. I personally think he is up to the task and will be a good/very good QB for us, but he needs to earn it during a TC competition.

As a Rex Homer, I'd like to see Orton competing with Griese for the number #1 QB, in typical Lovie-wink style where Kyle will win in a close contest.

 

The actual competition should come from a promising rookie who will be preparing to take the reigns in 2009 or 2008 if Kyle gets hurt OR

the possibility of Orton and rook BOTH being NFL QBs,

as if for da Bears, but, this is off-season fun.

 

Agreed, unless we get a vet WR, Safety, or QB in FA. The it needs to be OL, OL, and anything else we may need in any order (preferrably a nice OT prospect in rd 1)

LOT is a huge need and should be addressed in Round 1 rather than overpay for a mid-grade stop-gap FA.

 

Not disagreeing, but dang is it ever sad that we are considering the tag for him...our WR's are just sad...

Nothing to add other than this one is for you JA:

 

Agreed, except I might bring Brown back. He was better with 1 arm than anything else we had...

Here is where I disagree. We absolutely need at least RB and OL in FA, if not a vet WR and a QB. Maybe even 2 OL. We need help on OL and I think we need the draft and FA to get it fix sooner rather than later.

 

Agreed on Rueben Brown, but disagree on FA RB, especially with P.J. Pope getting healthy for 2008.

The key will be to strengthen the O-Line and then da Bears will have a better idea about the RB talent and Benson will either shine or it will be time to move on.

 

A FA WR in a market where BB is considered amongst the top...

 

Pick up a FA OG from Colts or try something like Dallas did with Leonard Davis and pick up Kwame Harris and move him to guard.

[BearSox]

Miller is gone no matter what. But Walker I can see being back if he agrees to renegotiate. No way will he ever see the 5 million dollar bonus.

[nfoligno]

Okay, your wait is over. I know you have been waiting for my experct opinion to your expert predictions:)

 

#1: Angelo will do exactly what he said (which is about like interpretting the Bible at times, but that being said . . . )

 

Like the bible of the constitution. Two people can read the exact same sentence, and come away w/ two VERY different meanings.

 

#2: He will try to sign all our free agents: IMO JA has a set $$ amount, & when guys like Rex & Briggs get better offers--they gone.

 

I agree he will make an attempt. I don't think anyone would argue this point. What will be curious is how seriuos of an attempt he makes. For example, if we offered Briggs equal or less than our last offer (a year ago), then I would not say we made a very serious offer.

 

#3: RB will be priority #1--He seems pissed about our RB's. He'll break the bank for Turner. If not him, Jones or Fargas.

 

Disagree. Again, like reading the bible/constitution. When he says "competition", I do not believe Turner would be that. We are going to pay Turner too much for him to be even potentially a backup. Turner would not mean competition, but replacement, and I do not believe Angelo is looking to simply replace Benson (yet). I can see us looking at Jones, who I think would be a good fit, and potentially at a reasonable price, but I fear his brother will stear him away, far away, from Chicago. I have liked Fargas since the year he was in the draft. I would love to get him. I simply do not know what the market for him will be, or how aggressively Oakland will try to keep him. He would however provide solid competition, and regardless who won the job, he and Benson would compliment each other very well.

 

The FA group is not great, but this appears to be a good draft for RBs, which could lessen the cost of those in FA (minus Turner). I still think Chris Brown will be a target of Angelos.

 

#4: Orton will be our #1 QB--If you listen to JA he's all about defense & running the ball. Orton doesn't get sacked or throw picks.

 

Unfortunately, I agree.

 

#5: Our first 4 picks (in any order) will be o-line, safety, WR, & QB

 

I can very easily see this. The only position that may not happen day one, from this group, might be WR. This is a weak year for WRs in the draft. While there is no question it is a day one need, a weak class means less liklihood good WRs fall. More likely, teams will reach for mediocre talent, and I can see us waiting until day two for some project WRs. Especially if we tag Berrian (point 6), I think we pass on WRs day one. Instead of WR, I would throw in OG or a center.

 

#6: We tag Berrian--Teams have Monopoly money & he's the #1 WR.

 

Agreed. We are very thin at WR. Both the FA market and draft class this year are weak at WR. We simply can not afford to lose our best WR. The cost of tagging him bites, but I am not sure we can afford to do otherwise, and do not think we want to lock him up at the price he will be seeking. What will be curious however is, after tagging him, if he gets any interest from the likes of Wash and others. If Angelo is offered a 2nd rounder this year, would he take it?

 

#7: We resign Ayanbadejo--(Remember that closed door meeting JA had with Rosenass back in November. Things got done.)

 

I think we lose him. I really want to keep him, but he is seeking to be the highest paid special teams specialist, and wants around $2m. I think he is worth it, but I fear that (a) due to numerous other needs, ( having numerous other very good special teams players and © having one of the top special teams coaches, will all lead to our viewing Ayanbedajo as expendible. I disagree, but have seen Angelo let numerous other special teams aces leave in the past.

 

#8: Along with Briggs & Rex, Ruben Brown, Arch, Gilmore, & Metcalf are gone.

 

Not sure about Metcalf. We just re-signed him. His cap hit for this year is $1.5m, which is not cheap but not horrible, while at the same time we would eat around $400k if we cut him. I am not sure we would cut him if it forces us to eat cap dollars, especially when we are at the same time letting Brown walk.

 

#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return.

 

I can not see Walker returning. He did little to nothing this past year, and is due a $5.5 roster bonus, and is set to count nearly $7m against the cap. Cutting him would free up better than $6m. If he were willing to significantly restructure, maybe, but I just do not see it. He essentially had a one year try out w/ the team and did nothing to prove worthy.

 

Miller is another I have a hard time seeing on the team next year. He is due a smaller roster bonus as well, and is set to count $5.8m against the cap. While that is not awful for a good RT, he was not good this past year. I think Angelo thanks him for his service w/ the bears, and sends him packing. We free up $3.4m by releasing him. When St.Clair starting in his place, I am not sure we saw any dropoff, and w/ the expectation to draft an OT day one, if not round one, I think Miller goes bye bye. I have read he played a lot this year w/ injury, and that hurt him. I would not mind having him on the team, particularly as a backup/depth, but (a) I am not sure he would want to return as a backup and ( he is FAR too expensive for what he brings to the table. We have too many needs this year, and especially if we intend to tag Berrian, can not afford the costs of Walker and Miller, who simply do not provide play equal to their value.

 

#10: Other then RB, no major free agent signings.

 

I do not believe RB will be a major signing. I expect something far more like when we signed TJ. Decent money for a pretty good player, but not breaking the bank. Further, I think we will see at least one big time signing, and think it most likely will be on the OL. I think we will show heavy interest in Faneca, and if not him, another OG.

[BigDaddy]

I figured I'd throw out what I think we'll happen. It's pretty damn boring right now. Other then rooting for the Patriots to lose, there's not much to look forward to until free agency begins around the first of March, and then then draft which begins April 26th. :

#1: Angelo will do exactly what he said (which is about like interpretting the Bible at times, but that being said . . . )

#2: He will try to sign all our free agents: IMO JA has a set $$ amount, & when guys like Rex & Briggs get better offers--they gone.

 

Agreed. I think he will do his best I think has his mind made up where the top dollar is in EVERY scenario and he simply won't go beyond it.

 

#3: RB will be priority #1--He seems pissed about our RB's. He'll break the bank for Turner. If not him, Jones or Fargas.

 

I hope so but I'm not sure he is ready to replace Benson just yet and there is no way he brings in a guy like Turner for a chance of pace. That would be too much of an investment.

 

#4: Orton will be our #1 QB--If you listen to JA he's all about defense & running the ball. Orton doesn't get sacked or throw picks.

 

Agreed. I don't think that there is another option in FA at QB so Angelo may draft one but will try and keep his guys here and Orton might get more play because of the emergence of guys like QAnderson, Romo and Collins who have been riding the pine for a few years.

#5: Our first 4 picks (in any order) will be o-line, safety, WR, & QB

 

From your mouth to Gods ear.

#6: We tag Berrian--Teams have Monopoly money & he's the #1 WR.

 

Absolutely agree. No way we don't protect ourself here. If a team wants him that bad, let them give us our picks and NO, not a second rounder either. Yeah, we might overpay but if we can get this line issue solved, let's see what Berrian can do with a QB whose actually given enough time to find an open guy downfield. If Berrian doesn't put up the numbers then, we let him walk.

#7: We resign Ayanbadejo--(Remember that closed door meeting JA had with Rosenass back in November. Things got done.)

 

I agree. He is asking for the moon but he is a ST stud. But surely we could get him PT somewhere else than ST.

#8: Along with Briggs & Rex, Ruben Brown, Arch, Gilmore, & Metcalf are gone.

 

Agree with all but Rex. I don't think he goes. I think he might even be the first FA deal to get done.

#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return.

 

Disagree. All except Benson and Griese are gone. Griese returns if we don't sign Rex. I think we need one new QB in the mix and if Rex stays, Griese is odd man out. Especially with his cap hit.

#10: Other then RB, no major free agent signings.

 

Disagree. We will sign either 2 O linemen or 1 o lineman and 1 safety.

[bradjock]

 

"#3: RB will be priority #1--He seems pissed about our RB's. He'll break the bank for Turner. If not him, Jones or Fargas."

 

Disagree. Again, like reading the bible/constitution. When he says "competition", I do not believe Turner would be that. We are going to pay Turner too much for him to be even potentially a backup. Turner would not mean competition, but replacement, and I do not believe Angelo is looking to simply replace Benson (yet)."

 

In Cedric you disagree with my opinion that he's a worthless piece of crap. I see Cedric having a David Terrell future--going from our #1, to quickly being damn near out of the NFL. With David Terrell AND Michael Haynes, JA gave them a chance to succeed. When they failed, he didn't jack around with competition, but brought in pro-bowlers (Moose & Wale.)

 

If JA is willing to publicly state he's bringing in competition while impling our RB's suck, he ain't going to mess around. If JA believes Turner's as great as everyone thinks he is, he'll make a run at him. IMO Cedric doesn't make it past the September 1st cuts after training camp.

 

"I can see us looking at Jones, who I think would be a good fit, and potentially at a reasonable price, but I fear his brother will stear him away, far away, from Chicago."

 

I doubt TJ would stear his brother away. There were always "rumors" that JA made a deal with TJ before the 2006 season that if he reported to camp and was a "good soldier" JA would do everything possible to help him get paid. By trading our #1 offensive weapon away, TJ received a nice pay-rise, and therefore has no reason to be upset with this organization. The fans loved him and he eventually thrived in Turner's system.

 

"I have liked Fargas since the year he was in the draft. I would love to get him. I simply do not know what the market for him will be, or how aggressively Oakland will try to keep him. He would however provide solid competition, and regardless who won the job, he and Benson would compliment each other very well."

 

It scares me Fargas didn't do a damn thing with Oakland for 4 years. He's bad enough that they bring in Dominic Rhodes AND LaMont Jordan. Then in a contract year he plays great even with a bad o-line & bad QB's. If this year was no fluke I'd love to have him.

 

"The FA group is not great, but this appears to be a good draft for RBs, which could lessen the cost of those in FA (minus Turner). I still think Chris Brown will be a target of Angelos."

 

While Chris Brown is technically competition, he's no upgrade over CB/AP. As I said, JA will target the best FA. While the FA group is not great, how good is Michael Turner? He was a 5th round pick who looks great in garbage time. Hell, Darren Sproles had a game in garbage time where he ran for 122--2 TD's.

 

"#4: Orton will be our #1 QB--If you listen to JA he's all about defense & running the ball. Orton doesn't get sacked or throw picks.

 

Unfortunately, I agree."

 

I've bashed Orton repeatedly, but it was nice to have a QB who isn't repeatedly sacked & having his passes batted down. I'm going to resist the urge to talk about "ceilings and floors. Either way, yikes we have low standards.

 

"#6: We tag Berrian--Teams have Monopoly money & he's the #1 WR.

 

Agreed. We are very thin at WR. Both the FA market and draft class this year are weak at WR. We simply can not afford to lose our best WR. The cost of tagging him bites, but I am not sure we can afford to do otherwise, and do not think we want to lock him up at the price he will be seeking. What will be curious however is, after tagging him, if he gets any interest from the likes of Wash and others. If Angelo is offered a 2nd rounder this year, would he take it?"

 

JA must love the idea of tagging our #1 and having the possibility of trading him. IMO, he'd have taken a 2nd rounder for Briggs last year except Washington didn't have one. I doubt he wanted to pay the price for any of the guys who'd have been available at #6.

 

"#7: We resign Ayanbadejo--(Remember that closed door meeting JA had with Rosenass back in November. Things got done.)

 

I think we lose him. I really want to keep him, but he is seeking to be the highest paid special teams specialist, and wants around $2m. I think he is worth it, but I fear that (a) due to numerous other needs, ( having numerous other very good special teams players and © having one of the top special teams coaches, will all lead to our viewing Ayanbedajo as expendible. I disagree, but have seen Angelo let numerous other special teams aces leave in the past."

 

Maybe, but I genuinely feel like JA has some agreement with Rosenass in place that we'll see shortly. If not with Ayanbadejo, then with someone else.

 

"#8: Along with Briggs & Rex, Ruben Brown, Arch, Gilmore, & Metcalf are gone.

 

Not sure about Metcalf. We just re-signed him. His cap hit for this year is $1.5m, which is not cheap but not horrible, while at the same time we would eat around $400k if we cut him. I am not sure we would cut him if it forces us to eat cap dollars, especially when we are at the same time letting Brown walk."

 

Metcalf was so bad he sat the bench in favor of a guy with one arm and our back-up tackle. It won't be until training camp, but he gone.

 

#9: Griese, Darwin Walker, Fred Miller, and Cedric return.

 

I can not see Walker returning. He did little to nothing this past year, and is due a $5.5 roster bonus, and is set to count nearly $7m against the cap. Cutting him would free up better than $6m. If he were willing to significantly restructure, maybe, but I just do not see it. He essentially had a one year try out w/ the team and did nothing to prove worthy."

 

I'm in the minority with with this, but I think Walker's performance was injury based. We have too much uncertainty at tackle to let him go.

[Connorbear]

I'm in the minority with with this, but I think Walker's performance was injury based. We have too much uncertainty at tackle to let him go.

 

I agree that his performance was affected by injury. Then again, Tommie Harris had 8 sacks on 1 leg this yr. The real issue is the money. The 5.5 million dollar bonus ties us into Walker for the next 4 yrs. Walker is already over 30. Haris is 24. I think the Bears will choose to give the money to Harris.

 

Peace