Wesson44 Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 FREE AGENT UPDATE: WLB Lance Briggs is history, even though he's a productive player, he's not getting Brian Urlacher money from the Bears, and his off-the-field problems with driving and paternity haven't helped endear him to the organization. WR Bernard Berrian had a problem with drops in the first half of the season, but he put up impressive numbers considering the QB situation. Chicago would like to have him back, but the feeling may not be mutual, and the Bears will not get into a bidding war for him. QB Rex Grossman may want a fresh start after the intense scrutiny he's had to deal with for the past two years. If the price is right, the Bears will keep him since they were impressed with the improvement he displayed in his second go-round this year after an early-season benching. LB Brendon Ayanbadejo wants to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league (about $2 million a year), but he certainly won't get that kind of money from the Bears, who have too many other excellent special-teamers to overpay for a 31-year-old who will never see the field on defense. S Brandon McGowan finally stayed relatively healthy and showed that he could compete for a starting position and be an intimidating presence. TE John Gilmore has a solid niche as the No. 3 guy and the blocking TE, but he may want more than that with Greg Olsen emerging as the future at the position and veteran Desmond Clark still playing very well. WR Rashied Davis is ideally a No. 4 receiver but is content to be a role player, and he flourished late in the season on special teams. He won't attract much attention elsewhere, so he could be back. OG Ruben Brown, a 13-year veteran, is expected to retire but said he would like to play another year for the Bears. FEELING A DRAFT: The Bears draft 14th and must upgrade the offensive line, although they need to provide competition for disappointing and injury-prone RB Cedric Benson, and they will be without a No. 1 wide receiver if Bernard Berrian flees. Safety is also a concern if they decide they can't count on or afford always-injured Mike Brown. TEAM NEEDS Offensive tackle: Fred Miller's production didn't come close to matching his paycheck, and the 12-year veteran could be released. LT John Tait would be better off at right tackle. Guard: Ruben Brown will probably decide that 13 years are enough, and Terrence Metcalf, the apparent heir, was a bust after Brown needed shoulder surgery. Young backup Anthony Oakley and 2006 fourth-round pick Josh Beekman never even got a chance after Metcalf flopped, an indication that they aren't ready to play. Quarterback: To get back to the Super Bowl, the Bears need a difference-maker at quarterback. Rex Grossman didn't make any strides this season, and they can't count on Kyle Orton being any better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfoligno Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 FREE AGENT UPDATE: WLB Lance Briggs is history, even though he's a productive player, he's not getting Brian Urlacher money from the Bears, and his off-the-field problems with driving and paternity haven't helped endear him to the organization. He gone. WR Bernard Berrian had a problem with drops in the first half of the season, but he put up impressive numbers considering the QB situation. Chicago would like to have him back, but the feeling may not be mutual, and the Bears will not get into a bidding war for him. He tagged. I just can not see us signing him long term, nor can I see us simply letting him walk. QB Rex Grossman may want a fresh start after the intense scrutiny he's had to deal with for the past two years. If the price is right, the Bears will keep him since they were impressed with the improvement he displayed in his second go-round this year after an early-season benching. He gone. I think Angelo would actually really like to keep him one more year, but while we are offering one year, incentive laiden deals, I think other teams will offer more. If you look at the QBs who will be on the market, it is pretty ugly. I think the lack of options/choices will simply make Rex look better than he is, and he will get a multi-year offer. LB Brendon Ayanbadejo wants to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league (about $2 million a year), but he certainly won't get that kind of money from the Bears, who have too many other excellent special-teamers to overpay for a 31-year-old who will never see the field on defense. He gone. I would love to keep him, but we have traditionally allowed special teams specialists to walk, and we have several other special teams studs. Also, w/ WLB an open position and some questions about Urlacher's health, Angelo may want all backup LB capable of playing LB. S Brandon McGowan finally stayed relatively healthy and showed that he could compete for a starting position and be an intimidating presence. He stays. He is a RFA, and will likely get (IMHO) the 2nd highest tender, meaning a 2nd round pick compensation. While I think we like him, I also think we would take a 2nd round pick for him. TE John Gilmore has a solid niche as the No. 3 guy and the blocking TE, but he may want more than that with Greg Olsen emerging as the future at the position and veteran Desmond Clark still playing very well. He gone. WR Rashied Davis is ideally a No. 4 receiver but is content to be a role player, and he flourished late in the season on special teams. He won't attract much attention elsewhere, so he could be back. May be retained. Should not be expensive, and we simply do not have the depth. Also, Davis is a good special teams player. OG Ruben Brown, a 13-year veteran, is expected to retire but said he would like to play another year for the Bears. He gone. FEELING A DRAFT: The Bears draft 14th and must upgrade the offensive line, although they need to provide competition for disappointing and injury-prone RB Cedric Benson, and they will be without a No. 1 wide receiver if Bernard Berrian flees. Safety is also a concern if they decide they can't count on or afford always-injured Mike Brown. OT in the 1st, RB/OL/S in the 2nd and 3rd (not necessarily in that order). TEAM NEEDS Offensive tackle: Fred Miller's production didn't come close to matching his paycheck, and the 12-year veteran could be released. LT John Tait would be better off at right tackle. Guard: Ruben Brown will probably decide that 13 years are enough, and Terrence Metcalf, the apparent heir, was a bust after Brown needed shoulder surgery. Young backup Anthony Oakley and 2006 fourth-round pick Josh Beekman never even got a chance after Metcalf flopped, an indication that they aren't ready to play. Quarterback: To get back to the Super Bowl, the Bears need a difference-maker at quarterback. Rex Grossman didn't make any strides this season, and they can't count on Kyle Orton being any better. I would add to the needs list: RB, WR, FB, S, w/ LB and DT in there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Small note...the original post in this thread seems like it was pulled from somewhere. Can you make an effort to include the link if it isn't all your own material? That's one of those things that some businesses will have problems with if they see a site doing it repeatedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bears/home.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Gracias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Bears 88 Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 If what i just read happens, then 08 will be the same as 07. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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