Something I didn't know

[Wesson44]

One veteran lineman definitely won't be back as guard Terrence Metcalf requested and was granted his release. A third-round pick in 2002, Metcalf made 25 starts for the Bears. He signed a six-year, $12.2 million contract in 2006 and was expected to start at left guard last season before arthroscopic knee surgery in training camp opened the door for Josh Beekman.

 

Newly signed free agent Frank Omiyale is expected to take over at left guard. The Bears had hoped to carry Metcalf at least through training camp and the preseason, but they have more depth with veteran Dan Buenning and starting right guard Roberto Garza, so they allowed Metcalf to depart now to find a new team.

[Connorbear]

One veteran lineman definitely won't be back as guard Terrence Metcalf requested and was granted his release. A third-round pick in 2002, Metcalf made 25 starts for the Bears. He signed a six-year, $12.2 million contract in 2006 and was expected to start at left guard last season before arthroscopic knee surgery in training camp opened the door for Josh Beekman.

 

Newly signed free agent Frank Omiyale is expected to take over at left guard. The Bears had hoped to carry Metcalf at least through training camp and the preseason, but they have more depth with veteran Dan Buenning and starting right guard Roberto Garza, so they allowed Metcalf to depart now to find a new team.

Nice that Angelo let him go now. It's good for employee/management relations going forward. Does anyone know what his cap hit will be?

 

Peace

[defiantgiant]

One veteran lineman definitely won't be back as guard Terrence Metcalf requested and was granted his release. A third-round pick in 2002, Metcalf made 25 starts for the Bears. He signed a six-year, $12.2 million contract in 2006 and was expected to start at left guard last season before arthroscopic knee surgery in training camp opened the door for Josh Beekman.

 

Newly signed free agent Frank Omiyale is expected to take over at left guard. The Bears had hoped to carry Metcalf at least through training camp and the preseason, but they have more depth with veteran Dan Buenning and starting right guard Roberto Garza, so they allowed Metcalf to depart now to find a new team.

 

Man, I'm glad he's gone. He's been a dead roster spot for the past couple of seasons. Josh Beekman was a major upgrade over Metcalf, and the staff apparently thinks Omiyale will be an upgrade over Beekman, so I can't imagine why they'd bring him back. Hopefully letting Metcalf go means that the Bears pick up more than one lineman in the draft.

[Wesson44]

But did you notice what was said? Omiyale at left guard? Huuummm That would mean Williams at LT, Omiyale at LG, Krutez at C Garza/Buenning at GR.......then who will play RT? ST.Clair or a draft pick. Looks like we will be drafting a RT in the first

[nfoligno]

I have wondered for some time about everyone's assumption Omiyale would replace Garza.

 

The staff never wanted Beekman to play OG. They felt he didn't have the size. While he may have played above expectations last year, I never felt they viewed him as more than a backup OG and potential future center. I think Garza flat out sucks, but simply have always felt it was Beekman who the staff 1st wanted to replace.

 

Many on this board continue to factor Buenning, but I just am not so sure how much he is in the plans. From what I read, from either Angelo or Smith (can't recall which) he was brought in for 2008, not 2009 as some have said, and was considered a disappointment. Further, when I have heard out staff talk about our OL and the future look, I have never once heard them mention Buenning as being in the mix. I am not saying he can't enter camp, look great, and step in, or maybe an injury could give him a chance, but at the same time, I do not think the staff is expecting much from him.

 

But did you notice what was said? Omiyale at left guard? Huuummm That would mean Williams at LT, Omiyale at LG, Krutez at C Garza/Buenning at GR.......then who will play RT? ST.Clair or a draft pick. Looks like we will be drafting a RT in the first

[ChileBear]

I have wondered for some time about everyone's assumption Omiyale would replace Garza.

 

The staff never wanted Beekman to play OG. They felt he didn't have the size. While he may have played above expectations last year, I never felt they viewed him as more than a backup OG and potential future center. I think Garza flat out sucks, but simply have always felt it was Beekman who the staff 1st wanted to replace.

 

Many on this board continue to factor Buenning, but I just am not so sure how much he is in the plans. From what I read, from either Angelo or Smith (can't recall which) he was brought in for 2008, not 2009 as some have said, and was considered a disappointment. Further, when I have heard out staff talk about our OL and the future look, I have never once heard them mention Buenning as being in the mix. I am not saying he can't enter camp, look great, and step in, or maybe an injury could give him a chance, but at the same time, I do not think the staff is expecting much from him.

Buennung is a conundrum. He's a vet with experience, so you'd think he would have been given a shot since we all know how the OL played last season. Maybe the guy was not 100%. But you are right, they act as if he isn't even on the roster. <_>

[Lucky Luciano]

metcalf should have been shown the door over 3 years ago. he was a waste of roster space and salary cap. if he initiated the release he also must suffer from brain damage.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I think it would have been pretty tough to get Buenning involved since he was new to the system, wasn't truly 100%, and the Bears were winning and getting respectable play out of the guards (although I think we'd all say Garza sucked). This is the off-season where he will have a chance, imo.

[nfoligno]

That is all well and good, but when have you heard/read our staff even talking about him? IMHO, it is pretty telling when the staff seems to forget about a player. You just have to wonder what sort of a chance he will have in camp if the staff can not even remember his name when talking about our future of the OL.

 

I think it would have been pretty tough to get Buenning involved since he was new to the system, wasn't truly 100%, and the Bears were winning and getting respectable play out of the guards (although I think we'd all say Garza sucked). This is the off-season where he will have a chance, imo.

[AZ54]

We can take that one of two ways. Maybe letting Metcalf go is a sign Beunning is finally ready to play, if only as a backup, but maybe even as a starter. It's pre-draft time and I'm ok with the front office keeping things close to the vest. I"m not saying he has improved to that level but why do we need to show our cards now? As a fan I would certainly like to know if he can start but I'll wait. to find out.

[Wesson44]

We can take that one of two ways. Maybe letting Metcalf go is a sign Beunning is finally ready to play, if only as a backup, but maybe even as a starter. It's pre-draft time and I'm ok with the front office keeping things close to the vest. I"m not saying he has improved to that level but why do we need to show our cards now? As a fan I would certainly like to know if he can start but I'll wait. to find out.

 

IMHO I think that Beunning just like K. Jones was not 100% last year. Jones got a contract with the promise that he will be more involved in the offense this year, and letting Metcalf go means that Beunning will have more reps and also given a better chance to play and show what he can do since he will be healthy this year. He is a vast improvemet over Garza.

[nfoligno]

I don't know. Right now, I think you all are reading a bit much into this, at least w/ regard to Beunning.

 

I think Beunning has become one of those depth chart fan favorites like Rideau. To me, this is like after we released Booker, if a fan was to say we did it to give Rideau more reps or a greater opportunity. Yea right.

 

It would be one thing if Angelo were to have said, "We liked Metcalf, but w/ Beunning, we felt Metcalf's chances were slim and thus granted his request for release". However, I have yet to hear/read Angelo say jack about Beunning. After we signed Omiyale, when Angelo discussed the competition at OG he expected, I do not recall once reading/hearing Beunning's name.

 

Until I hear Angelo or Lovie so much as mention the name Beunning, it is a bit hard to assume we are making moves in the offseason w/ him a key part of our plans.

 

Beunning = Rideau. Fan favorites on the depth chart. Fans wonder why they don't get more opportunities. Yet despite what fans think, staff sure seems to think different.

 

IMHO I think that Beunning just like K. Jones was not 100% last year. Jones got a contract with the promise that he will be more involved in the offense this year, and letting Metcalf go means that Beunning will have more reps and also given a better chance to play and show what he can do since he will be healthy this year. He is a vast improvemet over Garza.

[AZ54]

I'm simply not reading anything much, neither positive nor negative except for the fact he's still here and Metcalf is gone. Therefore can we all agree he's better than Metcalf? That's a start to making our depth better, how much is unknown.