Could our big FA be DL?

[nfoligno]

Few points.

 

First, regarding Wale. He signed a 6 year deal? That means he will be entering the final year of his deal, and will be a FA after the 2009 season. Also, you mention a $15m SB, but as I recall, we paid him $5m as a roster bonus, w/ another $10m SB due the following season. I recall pretty well it being a multi-tier bonus, as it created a lot of press. Anyway, the points here are (a) Wale is not likely part of the long term plans ( while we may have paid him a lot, it was a long time ago © If I am close to right on the numbers, we will eat maybe $1.5m or so in bonus, but I would bet we have over $5m in base salary due to him, and thus cutting him would create solid cap space.

 

I believe Wale is one of the players Angelo was calling out (not by name) and is a player/position he is looking to upgrade.

 

Second, You ask how others would feel about our bringing in a FA and paying him more. Again, couple points. (a) after the season (two seasons for that matter) we have had on defense, there is not a player on the squad who deserves the right to complain about another guy making more than him ( we are not talking about giving some spare more money than the rest, but adding one of the league's truly elite pass rushers more. I think the players would be thrilled w/ the potential addition of Peppers as he would go a long way toward the group as a whole doing a lot better. So I just do not think chemistry is such an issue. To me, keeping the status quo when players as begging for change is more likely to affect chemistry.

 

Third, how much would we be willing to give him? I have no clue. It always comes down to money, but I will say this. Several times, Angelo has surprised me (and fans) w/ how much he was willing to give a player. Harris didn't get the massive payday he likely wanted, but he also had the injury red flag. I do recall a few years back fans (including me) saying there was no way we would even look at Kearse, but guess what. We did. We didn't get him, but as I recall, offered as much as $20m bonus to get him, which would have put him over Urlacher, who was in his prime and our defensive leader. So I am not sure I would be so certain we would not fork over the money.

 

I agree money does not necessarily fix a problem. Just signing the best available FA at a position doesn't mean that player deserves the money. At the same time, Peppers is simply an unquestioned stud, and at a position our staff so covet. Throwing money at a position doesn't always fix it (ask Snyder) but that doesn't mean it always bombs either.

 

We may well draft defense in general, and DE specific, in the draft, but don't be so quick to dismiss FA. I think a factor that has to be considered is what areas are deep in FA and what are deep in the draft. If we want a stud to help the team in FA, and Angelo is choosing (for example) between TJ and Peppers, sorry, but I think Angelo is going to take Peppers, and then draft a WR.

 

Lately JA seems to be very concerned about the chemistry of the team, rewarding your own players, and not pissing off the guys already on the roster. Tommie Harris signed a very reasonable deal. Despite the fact he wasn't very good this year, won't he be pissed when we pay a d-lineman a ton more then him? According to Wikepedia, Minny paid Jared Allen 6 years, 72.3 million. This is after trading a ton to get him. Won't Peppers cost AT LEAST that much? This is after Tommie signed a 4 year 40 million extension. Wale's deal was 6 years, 33.4 million (although I have no idea how that breaks down other then the 15 million signing bonus).

 

I would be flabbergasted if we shelled out that much for a position we've already spent a ton of money and draft picks on fixing. To me that would be similar to Dallas trading for Roy Williams. Throwing money at a position doesn't necessarily fix the problem. I'm hoping Loving is simply excited about fixing the problem.

 

Either way, with Wale & Brown getting up their in age, and Mark Anderson stuck in the mud, I fully expect us to draft a DE very early.

[nfoligno]

Hey, time will tell. IMHO, their best chance to keep him will be to tag him. IMHO, if he hits FA, he will be gone. You can write the numbers 20 ways from Sunday, but w/ so many teams $20, $30 and even $40m under the cap, they will have a hard time fighting off the suitors. They can have all the desire to keep him they want, and offer him a great deal, but w/ so much less cap space than others, I just think they will come up short.

 

Their best chance will be to tag him, but I have heard/read little about their planning to do so.

 

I guarantee you there is no way the Panthers let Peppers get away from them. Without him, there basically goes their defense, as besides for Gamble and Beason, they don't have much on D, and Peppers has been their biggest play maker. After cutting the dead wood and such, they'll likely have 15 million in cap this year. Peppers and Gross are there only major free agents, and they'd likely want to keep Kasay as well, but he'd be cheap, 40 year old kickers aren't that expansive. Also, they don't have a first round pick this year because they traded it to the Eagles last year, so they won't have to give a big huge contract to a rookie. They will likely resign him, but if they can't, they have enough money to tag him.

[nfoligno]

I might cut Wale even w/o adding one of those two.

 

In this thread, I have tried to walk the line talking about (a) what I think Angelo will do and ( what I personally want to do.

 

I think the odds of our cutting Wale and using the money to sign Peppers is greater than many would believe. I know you like Suggs, but I simply believe the staff is likely higher on Peppers.

 

Where I want the money spent is OL and WR. I would like to sign TJ Housyourmama and maybe Vernon Carey, who I think would be an instant upgrade to Tait, who may also be on my chopping block. I would also sign St. Clair. IMHO, neither Carey, nor St. Clair will cost "that" much. I would spend the bulk of my money on TJ, and then look at:

 

S - Atogwe - Some think he will be tagged, or simply re-signed. But as of today, he is due to be an UFA, and I think would be a great fit.

 

As for Wale, if we didn't get Peppers, what I would do is wait until after the draft. If I took a DE in round one, I might just cut Wale then.

 

nfo, if we cut Wale, we'd save 4.8 million. Well worth it, especially if we can bring in a DE like Suggs or Peppers via. free agency.

[bradjock]

First, regarding Wale. He signed a 6 year deal? That means he will be entering the final year of his deal, and will be a FA after the 2009 season. Also, you mention a $15m SB, but as I recall, we paid him $5m as a roster bonus, w/ another $10m SB due the following season. I recall pretty well it being a multi-tier bonus, as it created a lot of press. Anyway, the points here are (a) Wale is not likely part of the long term plans ( while we may have paid him a lot, it was a long time ago © If I am close to right on the numbers, we will eat maybe $1.5m or so in bonus, but I would bet we have over $5m in base salary due to him, and thus cutting him would create solid cap space.

 

I pulled that from espn: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sectio...&id=1866081 I can't argue with the details you mention. I couldn't find how much Alex Brown was making, but I feel like he's around 5 million per. So let me ask you this: Who would you rather have of the two? Wale has consistently been the better of the two. Either we need to conclude that Wale sucks, or we need to turn him around.

 

I believe Wale is one of the players Angelo was calling out (not by name) and is a player/position he is looking to upgrade.

 

Maybe, but upgrading him is either said then done.

 

Second, You ask how others would feel about our bringing in a FA and paying him more. Again, couple points. (a) after the season (two seasons for that matter) we have had on defense, there is not a player on the squad who deserves the right to complain about another guy making more than him ( we are not talking about giving some spare more money than the rest, but adding one of the league's truly elite pass rushers more. I think the players would be thrilled w/ the potential addition of Peppers as he would go a long way toward the group as a whole doing a lot better.

 

Disagree. How often to you see teams adding big name players into an already big name group? Usually it has an adverse affect. This would be the Dan Snyder/Jerry Jones factor. Maybe they wouldn't complain publicly, but these types of signings tend to back-fire. Jared Allen is probably the exception to that, but Minnesota had a tremendous need at DE, and he was warmly welcomed by two tremendous DT's.

 

Third, how much would we be willing to give him? I have no clue. It always comes down to money, but I will say this. Several times, Angelo has surprised me (and fans) w/ how much he was willing to give a player. Harris didn't get the massive payday he likely wanted, but he also had the injury red flag. I do recall a few years back fans (including me) saying there was no way we would even look at Kearse, but guess what. We did. We didn't get him, but as I recall, offered as much as $20m bonus to get him, which would have put him over Urlacher, who was in his prime and our defensive leader. So I am not sure I would be so certain we would not fork over the money.

 

While JA has not been afraid to pay a guy, when he did:

1. We were desperate for an upgrade at the position. That's why he paid Tait, Moose, and Wale. While we're not great at DE, we're far from desperate.

2. He never spent "crazy money." You mentioned how so many teams are way under the cap. I'd be shocked if Peppers didn't at the very least match Jared Allen's deal. That's just WAY to much when you're hoping your new d-line coach and new defensive play-caller can fix a lot of the problems.

[bradjock]

Hey, time will tell. IMHO, their best chance to keep him will be to tag him. IMHO, if he hits FA, he will be gone. You can write the numbers 20 ways from Sunday, but w/ so many teams $20, $30 and even $40m under the cap, they will have a hard time fighting off the suitors. They can have all the desire to keep him they want, and offer him a great deal, but w/ so much less cap space than others, I just think they will come up short.

 

Their best chance will be to tag him, but I have heard/read little about their planning to do so.

 

So Carolina can't fight off all the suitors yet the Bears will? Even when we have more glaring needs at so many other positions? Not to mention that while our DE's aren't that great, they really aren't that bad.

 

We don't even really know how bad our defensive-line is since either the play-calling or the secondary left things so wide open, the d-line never had time to get to the QB.

 

Assuming Peppers will cost at least as much as Jared Allen, 6 years 73 million, the Bears could get a damn good RT and safety for that amount of money and easily draft a DE in the first round. It just doesn't make sense for this team.

[Pixote]

I do not think we go after DL in FA. Harris will be a stud under Marinelli. Adams, Idonege, Harrison, & Dusty will also thrive under good coaching. Wale, A Brown, and MARK ANDERSON will also step up under Marinelli. We have the personel in place. MAYBE we go DE or even DT in the draft, as Angelo loves to draft these positions.

 

If our DL comes out with the attitude & production I think they will, our LBs will be more effective and our CBs will be fine. Again, maybe in the draft. MAYBE a FA CB if one is available that Angelo likes.

 

Now Safety is a position I do think we need to target in both the draft and FA, as well as OL & WR. I think that is where we will target our FA money along with a QB to replace Rex and a late pick (4th or 5th rd) RB to compliment Forte.

[madlithuanian]

I generally agree...

 

I do not think we go after DL in FA. Harris will be a stud under Marinelli. Adams, Idonege, Harrison, & Dusty will also thrive under good coaching. Wale, A Brown, and MARK ANDERSON will also step up under Marinelli. We have the personel in place. MAYBE we go DE or even DT in the draft, as Angelo loves to draft these positions.

 

If our DL comes out with the attitude & production I think they will, our LBs will be more effective and our CBs will be fine. Again, maybe in the draft. MAYBE a FA CB if one is available that Angelo likes.

 

Now Safety is a position I do think we need to target in both the draft and FA, as well as OL & WR. I think that is where we will target our FA money along with a QB to replace Rex and a late pick (4th or 5th rd) RB to compliment Forte.

[Pixote]

I generally agree...

 

Hey, MADMAN, you GENERALLY agree????? Ok, I have never known you to hold back, be at loss for words, be shy, afraid to express your opinion.

 

Fess up, where do you generally "disagree"? LOL

[madlithuanian]

Ha! It's been a long day for me!

 

I too do not think we go after a DL...at least a top tier one. Depth wouldn't surprise me, but I think we stand pat with our basic starters. If marinelli is worth it, we should see results from our corps. I could see something in the draft as you mention, JA likes to draft the DL...

 

I also agree that if the Dl improves, the other areas should be default. I don't see any FA's for CB or LB, but I do see us drafting a LB. Insurance / baton taker for Urlacher and replace Hilly/Roach maybe... I think if the talent is there in our draft slot, whatever round, I can see JA taking one.

 

I also see S as a draft and FA possibility. We are sorely lacking... I also think you're right that JA will get some vet QB...and I hope one that truly is a back-up to Kyle unless someone comes from out of nowhere. I also see RB...although still wonder WTF we are doing with Wolfe...

 

So overall, we;'re in agreement!

 

Except, I see LB in the mix more... Probably just my desire to get Laurinaitis!

 

Hey, MADMAN, you GENERALLY agree????? Ok, I have never known you to hold back, be at loss for words, be shy, afraid to express your opinion.

 

Fess up, where do you generally "disagree"? LOL

[nfoligno]

So Carolina can't fight off all the suitors yet the Bears will? Even when we have more glaring needs at so many other positions? Not to mention that while our DE's aren't that great, they really aren't that bad.

 

The key point was their lack of cap space. They have only $10m in space right now. It was pointed out they can cut some players to free up maybe as much as another $5m, but frankly, so can we and most teams. The point though is, we have double the space as they do, and many other teams can say the same thing. That is why I said they will have a difficult time fighting off the suitors if he makes it to FA.

 

We don't even really know how bad our defensive-line is since either the play-calling or the secondary left things so wide open, the d-line never had time to get to the QB.

 

Assuming Peppers will cost at least as much as Jared Allen, 6 years 73 million, the Bears could get a damn good RT and safety for that amount of money and easily draft a DE in the first round. It just doesn't make sense for this team.

 

Hey, you are preaching to the choir. I have said all along this is NOT what I would prefer to do. I too would rather devote that cap space to filling holes that we simply know are totally lacking in talent. WR. OT. OG. FS. Hell, I would argue I could sign the top WR and FS, as well as a very good OT. I would throw OG in there too, but the FA crop is really sad.

 

Please understand. I am not arguing what I want, but simply what I think Angelo and Lovie may want, and what they may do. I agree 100% that it is hard to know just how good or bad our DL is after the two crap years of crap coaching, but I simply feel Angelo would love to add Peppers, and further, simply feel it (in Angelo's world) makes sense.

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

I do not think we go after DL in FA. Harris will be a stud under Marinelli. Adams, Idonege, Harrison, & Dusty will also thrive under good coaching. Wale, A Brown, and MARK ANDERSON will also step up under Marinelli. We have the personel in place. MAYBE we go DE or even DT in the draft, as Angelo loves to draft these positions.

 

If our DL comes out with the attitude & production I think they will, our LBs will be more effective and our CBs will be fine. Again, maybe in the draft. MAYBE a FA CB if one is available that Angelo likes.

 

Now Safety is a position I do think we need to target in both the draft and FA, as well as OL & WR. I think that is where we will target our FA money along with a QB to replace Rex and a late pick (4th or 5th rd) RB to compliment Forte.

Who the hell is that?

[nfoligno]

I pulled that from espn: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sectio...&id=1866081 I can't argue with the details you mention. I couldn't find how much Alex Brown was making, but I feel like he's around 5 million per. So let me ask you this: Who would you rather have of the two? Wale has consistently been the better of the two. Either we need to conclude that Wale sucks, or we need to turn him around.

 

You still misunderstand. This thread is not about, and have never been about, what I want, but what or would do, but what I think Angelo wants and will do. I personally think Wale is a better DE, but Brown is most often given more credit. Brown, to me, is too inconsistent in terms of pass rush. He ends a year w/ 6 or 7 sacks, but gets them all in 2 or 3 games, and disappears in the rest (pass rush).

 

Maybe, but upgrading him is eisier said then done.

 

You could make that argument for most any player or position. I agree that getting a stud pass rusher is one of the most difficult holes to fill, which is frankly a greater argument to get Peppers. Most any other position we would be talking about, you can (IMHO) more easily find a good player, but finding an elite pass rusher simply is very difficult. TJ, for example, is the WR I want, but an argument can be made that WRs are easier to find and thus not worth spending the big coin. Elite pass rushing DEs on the other hand are very difficult to find, and thus if one comes available, it makes plenty of sense to go after one.

 

Disagree. How often to you see teams adding big name players into an already big name group? Usually it has an adverse affect. This would be the Dan Snyder/Jerry Jones factor. Maybe they wouldn't complain publicly, but these types of signings tend to back-fire. Jared Allen is probably the exception to that, but Minnesota had a tremendous need at DE, and he was warmly welcomed by two tremendous DT's.

 

Exactly what big names do we have on the DL? Harris, but why would his situation differ from that of Minny's. Brown is not a big name player, and nor is Wale, who frankly would likely not be on the team if we added Peppers anyway. While I think coaching killed our DL, I never agreed w/ the idea they were so great in the first place, and absolutely would not say our DL is loaded w/ big names, unless you mean how long Wale's name is.

 

While JA has not been afraid to pay a guy, when he did:

1. We were desperate for an upgrade at the position. That's why he paid Tait, Moose, and Wale. While we're not great at DE, we're far from desperate.

 

Sorry, but have you listend to our staff? While you and I write off much of the DL woes to coaching, and while I think they believe coaching has been a factor, I also think they (Angelo in particular) feels we have a big hole there too. In fact, to an extent, you must as well as you continue to talk about a DE as high as round one. You don't draft a DE in round one if it is not a need. You aside, I think Angelo views our DL as lacking a DE big time, and maybe a DT as well.

 

2. He never spent "crazy money." You mentioned how so many teams are way under the cap. I'd be shocked if Peppers didn't at the very least match Jared Allen's deal. That's just WAY to much when you're hoping your new d-line coach and new defensive play-caller can fix a lot of the problems.

 

All a matter of perspective. While I am sure the hope is our new coaching improves the DL, at the same time, Angelo very well may want to give his BFF's the best tools possible to succeed. If he believes we have a big hole at LDE, I simply think it is more likely he will do whatever possible to fill that hole and give Marinelli and Lovie a huge playmaker to work w/.

 

As for big money, again, perspective. When he paid Kreutz, he made Kreutz the top paid center in the league. When he paid Urlacher, same, or close. Tait and Wale's deals may not look record shattering today, but $15m signing bonus at the time was about as high as you saw. He offered $20m bonus to Kearse, even if he didn't get him. So while the bar has been set higher, I would argue that Angelo has usually been in a position to meet (or come close) to that bar in he past.

[SoxFan1]

They're not cutting Delhomme, or else Fox is going to lose all credibility he has a coach (he promised Delhomme he'd be the starter next year). They should (they'd save about 7 million), but they won't. They will cut Ken Lucas, but he'd only save them a couple million, if that. And they aren't gonna be able to afford both Gross and Peppers. Peppers is severely more important to them and he will be resigned. They will let Gross go and likely replace him with someone like Troy Kropog or Jamon Meredith with their 2nd round pick.

Wow, you know the Panthers quite well.

[bradjock]

The key point was their lack of cap space. They have only $10m in space right now. It was pointed out they can cut some players to free up maybe as much as another $5m, but frankly, so can we and most teams. The point though is, we have double the space as they do, and many other teams can say the same thing. That is why I said they will have a difficult time fighting off the suitors if he makes it to FA.[

 

The difference is that Carolina should be one helluva a lot more motivated to resign Peppers. They need Peppers more then we do. I wouldn't be surprised if they franchised him.

 

Hey, you are preaching to the choir. I have said all along this is NOT what I would prefer to do. I too would rather devote that cap space to filling holes that we simply know are totally lacking in talent. WR. OT. OG. FS. Hell, I would argue I could sign the top WR and FS, as well as a very good OT. I would throw OG in there too, but the FA crop is really sad.

 

The free agent crop is really sad. If JA thinks Peppers might put us over the top, he might go all out. But I don't see it.

 

Please understand. I am not arguing what I want, but simply what I think Angelo and Lovie may want, and what they may do. I agree 100% that it is hard to know just how good or bad our DL is after the two crap years of crap coaching, but I simply feel Angelo would love to add Peppers, and further, simply feel it (in Angelo's world) makes sense.

 

JA is being interviewed on the SCORE at 9:30. I'm anxious to hear what he has to say. Damn I love snow days.

[nfoligno]

The difference is that Carolina should be one helluva a lot more motivated to resign Peppers. They need Peppers more then we do. I wouldn't be surprised if they franchised him.

 

No argument how motivated Carolina will likely be to re-sign him. At the same time, you can have all the motivation you want, but if another team w/ double or triple the cap space offers a better deal, history has shown us the FA will usually go where the money is.

 

As for the franchise tag, I have said all along that is absolutely a possibility. If nothing else, I would think they slap the tag on him to keep him off the market, but in hopes of re-signing him rather than carrying the price of the tag. I simply have not read much by way of their plans, so only time will tell.

 

The free agent crop is really sad. If JA thinks Peppers might put us over the top, he might go all out. But I don't see it.

 

I simply believe Angelo views a pass rushing DE as our top need heading into the offseason, and in Peppers, you have one of the best in the league. I can easily see him making a big splash here.

 

JA is being interviewed on the SCORE at 9:30. I'm anxious to hear what he has to say. Damn I love snow days.

 

Snow? What's that. Cold as heck here (20s) but nothing resembling this thing you speak of. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Nice golf weather.

[nfoligno]

Who the hell is that?

 

That is the rooke who put up double digit sacks BEFORE we made changes to our DL and DC coaching. While many have simply written him off, I really wonder if the addition of Marinelli and Lovie (taking over playcalling duties) doesn't help Anderson return to a pass rush specialist threat.

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

That is the rooke who put up double digit sacks BEFORE we made changes to our DL and DC coaching. While many have simply written him off, I really wonder if the addition of Marinelli and Lovie (taking over playcalling duties) doesn't help Anderson return to a pass rush specialist threat.

I was just messing with ya. Honestly, I hope Marinelli does his thing with Mark. Anderson only has 1 move so I hope Marinelli can put more in his arsenal.

[bradjock]

I simply believe Angelo views a pass rushing DE as our top need heading into the offseason, and in Peppers, you have one of the best in the league. I can easily see him making a big splash here.

 

I listened to the JA interview, and he didn't really speak about the defensive ends specifically. But he did say that he didn't see any reason why Tommie Harris wouldn't receive his roster bonus, and he reiterated that he's looking forward to seeing Harris return to top form. He also mentioned that had to look closely at whether they could fix the problems they had in house, or if they needed to look outside. We're probably just going to disagree on this, but I interpret that to mean with bringing in Marinelli, they're hoping Wale can return to double digit sacks and that we'll address the DE position in the draft.

 

Snow? What's that. Cold as heck here (20s) but nothing resembling this thing you speak of. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Nice golf weather.

 

It's up to 8 degrees here which is down-right balmy compared to the negative 12 it was when I woke up this morning.

[Lucky Luciano]

Not to mention that while our DE's aren't that great, they really aren't that bad.

 

We don't even really know how bad our defensive-line is since either the play-calling or the secondary left things so wide open, the d-line never had time to get to the QB.

 

i agree with your assessment. although not great by any means if this marinneli hiring is half as good as many on here reports it should improve our defensive line by leaps and bounds. if not then it's going to be the same ole, same ole this season too. IF even part of angelo's brain is working at half speed he will go after that corner in oakland (can't remember his name) and offer some picks this year and next to get him.

 

in my estimation the most improvement on defense would be to get either a killer FS who can cover OR a cover corner who CAN play bump and run. as you stated, a corner who can play tight and shut down these quick release passing attacks WILL give our d-line time to get to the qb and make a world of difference in our overall defense. it also opens up the possibility, with a cb, that one of our current corners can move to the free safety position. this gives us 2 upgrades for one price.

 

i know some have said lovie's scheme dictates the corners play off but i still contend the REASON they do is because they can't play bump and run to get the jam at the LOS without getting toasted. this oakland guy puts that baby to bed.

 

that leaves angie still looking for, at the LEAST, a GOOD #1 wide receiver, who i believe we could still afford to pay, after getting the corner from oakland by using the rollover cap money from last season. then we draft a first day guard and a FS. then let buenning compete for a guard/right tackle spot and give tait the heave-ho.

 

do i have confidence our fearless leader will do this? HELL NO!!!

 

angie probably WILL pay big bucks for another d-lineman to compliment the wasted first day picks and other free agents he has brought in and pick up a second/third tier WR in free agency to become our umteenth #2 or #3 wide out so the wr draft picks he did make can sit on the freakin bench behind the practice squad 6th and 7th round picks he gets this year and keep our 'promising' offensive line as it stands.

[bradjock]

Lucky, I have to disagree with your idea about giong after the corner from Oakland. IMO, it's the same problem we have at d-line: We've spent a lot of draft picks and money on the position, and our corners stunk. So is the problem with the corners, or with the scheme & coaching? It doesn't matter if we have the pair of corners in the league if we continue to have them drop back and not jam the line. Peanut is good, Corey Graham isn't bad, and Zac Bauman looked impressive briefly. Not to mention Vasher's still around. We have much greater needs then the corner position.

 

Now if we can score a to FS like the guy from St. Louis, that's a different story. The difference is that our FS position has been a revolving door for years, while Payne, Steltz, and Mike Brown (if he returns) are all better SS's.

 

If we're going to throw money at a position, we'd better do it on WR's or the o-line. Although with WR, after Housh, there's not much else. And I strongly suspect Housh would become Moose in this offense.

 

Realistically, we're not desperate to upgrade any position at this point except for WR where the cupboard is bare.

 

 

 

i agree with your assessment. although not great by any means if this marinneli hiring is half as good as many on here reports it should improve our defensive line by leaps and bounds. if not then it's going to be the same ole, same ole this season too. IF even part of angelo's brain is working at half speed he will go after that corner in oakland (can't remember his name) and offer some picks this year and next to get him.

 

in my estimation the most improvement on defense would be to get either a killer FS who can cover OR a cover corner who CAN play bump and run. as you stated, a corner who can play tight and shut down these quick release passing attacks WILL give our d-line time to get to the qb and make a world of difference in our overall defense. it also opens up the possibility, with a cb, that one of our current corners can move to the free safety position. this gives us 2 upgrades for one price.

 

i know some have said lovie's scheme dictates the corners play off but i still contend the REASON they do is because they can't play bump and run to get the jam at the LOS without getting toasted. this oakland guy puts that baby to bed.

 

that leaves angie still looking for, at the LEAST, a GOOD #1 wide receiver, who i believe we could still afford to pay, after getting the corner from oakland by using the rollover cap money from last season. then we draft a first day guard and a FS. then let buenning compete for a guard/right tackle spot and give tait the heave-ho.

 

do i have confidence our fearless leader will do this? HELL NO!!!

 

angie probably WILL pay big bucks for another d-lineman to compliment the wasted first day picks and other free agents he has brought in and pick up a second/third tier WR in free agency to become our umteenth #2 or #3 wide out so the wr draft picks he did make can sit on the freakin bench behind the practice squad 6th and 7th round picks he gets this year and keep our 'promising' offensive line as it stands.

[nfoligno]

I listened to the JA interview, and he didn't really speak about the defensive ends specifically. But he did say that he didn't see any reason why Tommie Harris wouldn't receive his roster bonus, and he reiterated that he's looking forward to seeing Harris return to top form. He also mentioned that had to look closely at whether they could fix the problems they had in house, or if they needed to look outside. We're probably just going to disagree on this, but I interpret that to mean with bringing in Marinelli, they're hoping Wale can return to double digit sacks and that we'll address the DE position in the draft.

 

I knew he was taking the position harris would get back to form. As for Wale, I guess we will just have to disagree.

 

You say, "hoping Wale can return to double digit sacks". Do you realize that in the 5 years Wale has been a bear, only ONCE has he been in the double digits for sacks. IMHO, he has never lived up to expectations we (and Angelo) had when we traded for him, and it is only getting worse. I interpret Angelo the opposite of you, which may mean nothing more than we are hearing that which supports our arguments the most

 

It's up to 8 degrees here which is down-right balmy compared to the negative 12 it was when I woke up this morning.

 

Negative 12? Really? The thermometer goes that low? I can't recall the last time I saw 12, much less negative 12.

[nfoligno]

Wow would I disagree w/ your last statement.

 

In Anderson's rookie year, he showed an incredible arsenal of moves. I very specifically recall Richard Dent raving about Anderson, and talking about how Anderson was showing a host of moves you rarely see from a rookie. Dent talked about how rookies often enter the league w/ a very limited number of pass rushing moves, and that over time, they learn more from both veterans and coaches. Dent flat out raved about how many moves Anderson displayed as a rookie.

 

One of the most impressive moves I saw out of Anderson was one to the inside. He lines up on the outside shoulder of the OT, showing edge rush. Due to his speed, the OT often cheats and jumps out that direction out of his stance. But Anderson, after selling the move w/ an initial outside move, then cuts inside w/ a combo swim/head slap move. The OT is already off balance as he was on his heels moting outside, and then has to totally adjust. When Anderson gives him the slap/swim, Anderson goes through the OT as if he were 100 lbs wet. It was a great move, and just one example of what Anderson did as a rookie.

 

Then sophmore year comes along, and Anderson is moved into a starting role, and w/ different DL and DC coaches. From game one, I recall commenting to friends, and on this board, about how Anderson was not using any of the moves he did as a rookie. All he did now was edge rush to the outside, and was taking disgustingly wide angles, just as I always complained Alex Brown did.

 

From an early point last year, I began to argue that our staff killed Anderson. His rookie year, he looked incredible. His 2nd year, Brick and Babich got their hands into Anderson and destroyed him.

 

If Anderson has to learn more moves than one, it is because Brick and Babich hammered all knowledge of additional moves out of Anderson's head, because the best pass rusher in Bear history sure felt he had more than one move.

 

I was just messing with ya. Honestly, I hope Marinelli does his thing with Mark. Anderson only has 1 move so I hope Marinelli can put more in his arsenal.

[bowlingtwig]

The difference is that Carolina should be one helluva a lot more motivated to resign Peppers. They need Peppers more then we do. I wouldn't be surprised if they franchised him.

 

No argument how motivated Carolina will likely be to re-sign him. At the same time, you can have all the motivation you want, but if another team w/ double or triple the cap space offers a better deal, history has shown us the FA will usually go where the money is.

 

As for the franchise tag, I have said all along that is absolutely a possibility. If nothing else, I would think they slap the tag on him to keep him off the market, but in hopes of re-signing him rather than carrying the price of the tag. I simply have not read much by way of their plans, so only time will tell.

 

The free agent crop is really sad. If JA thinks Peppers might put us over the top, he might go all out. But I don't see it.

 

I simply believe Angelo views a pass rushing DE as our top need heading into the offseason, and in Peppers, you have one of the best in the league. I can easily see him making a big splash here.

 

JA is being interviewed on the SCORE at 9:30. I'm anxious to hear what he has to say. Damn I love snow days.

 

Snow? What's that. Cold as heck here (20s) but nothing resembling this thing you speak of. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Nice golf weather.

 

 

Hell 60's is a wet dream for us. At this point I would be happy with just 0 degrees or higher. Anything beats negative. I am just glad I wasn't near Bismarck, ND as it was supposed to get to -44 with out wind chill over night.

[Lucky Luciano]

Lucky, I have to disagree with your idea about giong after the corner from Oakland. IMO, it's the same problem we have at d-line: We've spent a lot of draft picks and money on the position, and our corners stunk. So is the problem with the corners, or with the scheme & coaching? It doesn't matter if we have the pair of corners in the league if we continue to have them drop back and not jam the line. Peanut is good, Corey Graham isn't bad, and Zac Bauman looked impressive briefly. Not to mention Vasher's still around. We have much greater needs then the corner position.

 

i have to disagree with your disagreement. angie hasn't spent a FIRST DAY pick at CB in 5 years!! and that was peanut in 2003 at the #2 spot. prior to that the only first day pick he EVER drafted was roosevelt williams (CB?) in 2002 as a 3rd round pick. let's face it, while peanut and vasher's misguided payday came last year their salaries don't compare to elite CB's in the nfl today.

 

again you and i disagree about why our corners play off the LOS. i actually can say i WATCHED peanut, vasher and all the other CB's play tight on the LOS. they were toasted nearly every play and in the past were crucified in the media for getting beat for long gains or TD's. they were getting juked at the LOS and missing even getting a hand on them resulting in follow up coverage 5+ yds in the trail because they DON'T have the speed to make it up.

 

the only time peanut was effective was early in his career before any serious leg/knee injury when he played moss (with the vikings) tight along with the large receivers in green bay's receiving corp. since that time the nfl has changed and gone more with the s. smith/galloway type receivers which he plain CAN'T play bump and run with. even this last season we played both our corners up at times and had poor, to say the least, results.

 

smith would be nuts to give our corners assignments that they couldn't handle. his best hope is giving up the smaller chunks of yardage to compensate for big gains and HOPE the d-line can pressure the qb. the only problem with that is our line CAN'T and we CONSISTENTLY give up chunks of yardage like this keeping our D on the field for extended periods of time because offenses have it figured out and we have NO counter.

 

a cover corner would make this particular defense a lot harder to play against than another defensive end in my opinion. especially when we could move one corner to FS and have great depth for our nickle packages.

[azbearsfan]

Hell 60's is a wet dream for us. At this point I would be happy with just 0 degrees or higher. Anything beats negative. I am just glad I wasn't near Bismarck, ND as it was supposed to get to -44 with out wind chill over night.

 

 

Its 76 here. ROFL.