So what DE will we target?

[bradjock]

We obviously aren't happy with our DE play, and plan A was to use our top draft pick early to develop a guy we hoped could be the answer . . . not only did Adams die, but our season went in the crapper making it a really high 2nd round pick. Ugh.

 

So how do we fix our #1 priority? Since it's an uncapped year I'm guessing some team will go nuts and give Peppers way more then he deserves. Kampman's name comes up a lot but he's more of a situational pass-rusher like Mark Anderson. The only other name I've heard mentioned if Kyle Vanden Bosh who's had 7.5 sacks over the last two years (and we thought Wale's 6.5 last season was pathetic.)

 

I'm guessing if we thought Henry Melton, Jarron Gilbert, or Mark Anderson was the answer, we'd never have traded for Adams.

 

So how the hell do we fix this mess? Do we resign Wale?

[defiantgiant]

We obviously aren't happy with our DE play, and plan A was to use our top draft pick early to develop a guy we hoped could be the answer . . . not only did Adams die, but our season went in the crapper making it a really high 2nd round pick. Ugh.

 

So how do we fix our #1 priority? Since it's an uncapped year I'm guessing some team will go nuts and give Peppers way more then he deserves. Kampman's name comes up a lot but he's more of a situational pass-rusher like Mark Anderson. The only other name I've heard mentioned if Kyle Vanden Bosh who's had 7.5 sacks over the last two years (and we thought Wale's 6.5 last season was pathetic.)

 

I'm guessing if we thought Henry Melton, Jarron Gilbert, or Mark Anderson was the answer, we'd never have traded for Adams.

 

So how the hell do we fix this mess? Do we resign Wale?

I don't think Kampman's really a situational guy. He's not a liability against the run like Anderson. Maybe he's not a total run-stuffer, but I think he's definitely an every-down DE in our system. I think it's got to be either him or Peppers, unless somebody gets released. I'm not real high on the rest of the market this year: it seems like there are a lot of guys pretty comparable to Wale. Vanden Bosch, Leonard Little, Tyler Brayton, Phillip Daniels...it's a lot of guys on the wrong side of 30 who haven't been productive pass rushers in a while.

 

Also, I've been hearing that BOTH Melton and Gilbert are being tried inside at DT. I don't know if that means that the team's planning to leave both of them there, or if the better of the two stays at DT, but either one or both might be out of the mix at DE.

[bradjock]

I don't think Kampman's really a situational guy. He's not a liability against the run like Anderson. Maybe he's not a total run-stuffer, but I think he's definitely an every-down DE in our system. I think it's got to be either him or Peppers, unless somebody gets released. I'm not real high on the rest of the market this year: it seems like there are a lot of guys pretty comparable to Wale. Vanden Bosch, Leonard Little, Tyler Brayton, Phillip Daniels...it's a lot of guys on the wrong side of 30 who haven't been productive pass rushers in a while.

 

They're saying Kampman might not be ready until mid-season. Is Kampman better then Wale at this point? Just wondering. In 2007 Peppers had 2.5 sacks. How the hell does that happen? I just don't see us paying Peppers what he'll be asking. Too many red-flags.

 

Also, I've been hearing that BOTH Melton and Gilbert are being tried inside at DT. I don't know if that means that the team's planning to leave both of them there, or if the better of the two stays at DT, but either one or both might be out of the mix at DE.

 

We're trying them both at DE AND DT . . . which indicates they're not good at either one. Not encouraging.

[Guest TerraTor]

I don't think Kampman's really a situational guy. He's not a liability against the run like Anderson. Maybe he's not a total run-stuffer, but I think he's definitely an every-down DE in our system. I think it's got to be either him or Peppers, unless somebody gets released. I'm not real high on the rest of the market this year: it seems like there are a lot of guys pretty comparable to Wale. Vanden Bosch, Leonard Little, Tyler Brayton, Phillip Daniels...it's a lot of guys on the wrong side of 30 who haven't been productive pass rushers in a while.

 

They're saying Kampman might not be ready until mid-season. Is Kampman better then Wale at this point? Just wondering. In 2007 Peppers had 2.5 sacks. How the hell does that happen? I just don't see us paying Peppers what he'll be asking. Too many red-flags.

 

Also, I've been hearing that BOTH Melton and Gilbert are being tried inside at DT. I don't know if that means that the team's planning to leave both of them there, or if the better of the two stays at DT, but either one or both might be out of the mix at DE.

 

We're trying them both at DE AND DT . . . which indicates they're not good at either one. Not encouraging.

 

 

I think Peppers is our answer and honestly Kampman wont help us. We dont need any more injury past guys.

[nfoligno]

We're trying them both at DE AND DT . . . which indicates they're not good at either one. Not encouraging.

 

I really would not expect much from Melton. I admit to being biased. I thought he was a bad pick, and just don't care for him. We are talking about a kid who was a RB at Texas, then moved to defense and played DE for (I think) about a season and a half. Coming to the Bears, he was really raw, and from what I read, prior to the injury, it showed in camp. Now, after he spent time trying to learn the DE position, and we have a dire need at DE, we are talking about him at DT. That really says a lot.

 

Gilbert has more potential, IMHO, but I really think we are skrewing him up the way we did DM's development. He was drafted, and IMHO, most talked about him at DT, and that just seemed what his most natural fit would be in our system when looking at his body style and such. Then we talk about him at DE, as I think most felt he would replace Wale. Then we add Adams in trade, and again, Gilbert is talked about at DT. Adams dies and I have heard more of Gilbert at DE. Point is, what position he is best suited to play seems like an after-thought to our need.

 

I get the idea of filling a need, but question the idea of moving players back and forth so much. That is fine for a backup role player like Idonije, but I had hoped we had higher expectations for our 3rd round pick.