What about the O-Line, WR & Defensive Backs?

[GreatScott82]

We still need to address our offensive line? Who is out there? Use our 3rd round pick on this? Will they trade Olsen for a higher pick to address the O-line?

 

Why didn't they go after Bolden? Is someone else out there? I'm still not confident with our lack of a go-to recieiver. Knox has the highest cieling of them all, i think once defenses figure Aromashadu out, he won't be as good as people think, and Hester should just go back to returning kicks and punts.

 

As far as the addressing the Defensive Back situation- I would LOVE bringing in Sharper. He wont be that expensive and we saw last year how much game he still has left in him.

 

I'm excited, but we still have many holes to address. .

[adam]

WR is probably 3rd or 4th on the list of needs, and I don't see it as a critical need as some of the other areas like O-Line and DB.

 

 

[ChileBear]

WR is probably 3rd or 4th on the list of needs, and I don't see it as a critical need as some of the other areas like O-Line and DB.

I agree. Perhaps some youth via the draft for OG and OT. And, as always, DBs.

[Bears4Ever_34]

I keep hearing about WR, especially from idiot ESPN analysts, but IMO WR is our STRENGTH! You watch, at the end of the year everyone will be praising our WR's and they will shine in Mike Martz's offense, especially Hester and Aromoshadu. I think adding a Brandon Marshall (hypothetically) would be nice but we don't need another receiver. Hester, Aromoshadu, Bennett and Knox are all very talented receivers.

[nfoligno]

Agreed 100%. Remember what Angelo said last year, "its all about the QB." In one year, w/ poor playcalling and no protection, we saw more from out WRs than we have in a long time. Improve playcalling and the protection, and just wait to see what Cutler does with this talented young group of WRs.

 

I keep hearing about WR, especially from idiot ESPN analysts, but IMO WR is our STRENGTH! You watch, at the end of the year everyone will be praising our WR's and they will shine in Mike Martz's offense, especially Hester and Aromoshadu. I think adding a Brandon Marshall (hypothetically) would be nice but we don't need another receiver. Hester, Aromoshadu, Bennett and Knox are all very talented receivers.

 

[azbearsfan]

If Martz is such a genius, let him improve the OL and WR from his magic.

 

 

 

FS remains a need.

 

[nfoligno]

OL - This was a very weak FA for OL, however, OT is considered one of the strongest and deepest positions in the draft. Further, we signed what essentially amounts to a 6th OL in Manu.

 

WR - Opinions on WR vary, but I am with those who like who we have, and believe improvements in protection and playcalling will create the upgrade along WRs that you hope to see. That group of young WRs played well last year, despite lack of expereience, chemistry, no Ol and weak playcalling. I can't wait to see what Cutler does w/ these guys next year. Boldin would be great. Few would question that. But salary cap or no, there is only so much money that will be spread around, and for what Boldin cost, we got Manu, Taylor and may still have enough for a FS. I would argue the upgrade those players provide will effect the team far more than by simply adding Boldin.

 

DB - Again, we got a tad lucky in that the draft this year is considered very strong at need positions like CB and FS. Further, I think we could still be looking at several FS' that are on the market. CB is still a big concern of mine as I have not heard even so much as talk about CB, but it was not a great FA crop and is a good draft group, so I assume this will simply be an area we focus on in the draft.

 

We still need to address our offensive line? Who is out there? Use our 3rd round pick on this? Will they trade Olsen for a higher pick to address the O-line?

 

Why didn't they go after Bolden? Is someone else out there? I'm still not confident with our lack of a go-to recieiver. Knox has the highest cieling of them all, i think once defenses figure Aromashadu out, he won't be as good as people think, and Hester should just go back to returning kicks and punts.

 

As far as the addressing the Defensive Back situation- I would LOVE bringing in Sharper. He wont be that expensive and we saw last year how much game he still has left in him.

 

I'm excited, but we still have many holes to address. .

 

[Bears4Ever_34]

I would sign that Otogwe guy next and fill our FS position so in the draft we can pretty much draft all offensive lineman, haha. Maybe pick up another linebacker and DT in the process. But we really need to strike gold with an offensive lineman in this draft to help Cutler. My fear is the Martz offense usually gets Quarterbacks killed if the lineman don't know what they're doing.

[nfoligno]

LOL. You mean like Marinelli used his magic to fix the DL:)

 

 

 

If Martz is such a genius, let him improve the OL and WR from his magic.

 

 

 

FS remains a need.

 

[azbearsfan]

LOL. You mean like Marinelli used his magic to fix the DL:)

 

 

Yeah. but Martz is a much stronger wizard.

[bowlingtwig]

Yeah. but Martz is a much stronger wizard.

I would like for us to look at resigning Pisa. See what he might cost. If a good price we would be loaded at LB and the Dline will be much improved especially if Peppers and Harris can push each other. I think the move signing Peppers does wonders for a person like Harris. Offenses will be so worried about double teaming Peppers and that will leave single coverage for Harris and Brown.

[Daventry]

I keep hearing about WR, especially from idiot ESPN analysts, but IMO WR is our STRENGTH! You watch, at the end of the year everyone will be praising our WR's and they will shine in Mike Martz's offense, especially Hester and Aromoshadu. I think adding a Brandon Marshall (hypothetically) would be nice but we don't need another receiver. Hester, Aromoshadu, Bennett and Knox are all very talented receivers.

 

 

You might be right, but you also might be VERY wrong....all of those guys are very unproven and could turn out to be nothing at all....it would be nice to have a proven WR, we do not even have one!

[nfoligno]

I thought we already signed Pisa. Seemed like it was a done deal. Shouldn't cost much at all to re-sign him if we have not and want too.

 

I too hope the Peppers signing does something for Harris. I don't expect a ton w/ Alex Brown. He is solid, but regardless who is on the DL, I just don't think he has much upside over what we have seen. Even when Wale and Harris were playing at their best several years ago, it isn't like Brown suddenly broke out. Honestly, not sure how much I expect of our other DTs either. Harris though is the key. Peppers will get a ton of double teams, and someone is going to have to take advantage, and that someone really needs to be Harris.

 

I would like for us to look at resigning Pisa. See what he might cost. If a good price we would be loaded at LB and the Dline will be much improved especially if Peppers and Harris can push each other. I think the move signing Peppers does wonders for a person like Harris. Offenses will be so worried about double teaming Peppers and that will leave single coverage for Harris and Brown.

 

[nfoligno]

No one is arguing that. Sure it would be nice to have a proven stud at WR. Who wouldn't want that. But it is a matter of priorities. Look at FS. Not only do we lack a proven stud, we lack even a player who offers much hope. We saw the OL last year, and while some aspects could help, I doubt many have too great of hope/expectations. CB is looking pretty weak as well, and flat out pathetic in terms of depth.

 

Few would argue a veteran stud would be nice to add to the mix, but even w/ the new free spending mentality of our owners (can't believe I just said that) there is still only so much money to go around. At WR, we lack a proven player, but have several players who have shown solid capability, and further, offer far more potential and hope than we see at other positions.

 

I go back to Dallas. They had TO and Roy Williams last year, and what young players were on the roster were near invisible as there just were not enough balls to go around. No sooner than they get rid of TO, Miles Austin explodes onto the scene in a big way. I am not saying we have Austin on the roster, but I sure would not mind finding out. Last year, the WRs we have were only less experienced. There was no prior playing time, thus chemistry, w/ the QB. We had a pitiful OC calling pathetic plays, and an OL that could not hold a block more than a split second. In theory, the playcalling, pass protection, and chemistry should be better this year. Further, the WRs have an extra year under their belt. And then throw in a player like DA who looked great, but didn't get a chance until late in the year. No, I think we look pretty good at WR. I think last year was the low side of potential, while the upside is pretty great.

 

Hell, imagine if we can actually run the ball too. Last year, we faced consistent nickel defenses, which a run game should shred, but our didn't. No, I love our prospects in the passing game this year. The key, IMHO, is not WR, but the OL.

 

You might be right, but you also might be VERY wrong....all of those guys are very unproven and could turn out to be nothing at all....it would be nice to have a proven WR, we do not even have one!

 

[defiantgiant]

I too hope the Peppers signing does something for Harris. I don't expect a ton w/ Alex Brown. He is solid, but regardless who is on the DL, I just don't think he has much upside over what we have seen.

I think this is spot-on. What you see is what you get with Brown: he's a solid all-around base end. He plays the run pretty well, he applies steady pressure in the pass game, but he doesn't actually get to the QB that often. He always has a fairly high number of pressures and QB hits, but he's only a 6-7 sack per year guy. For a fourth-round pick, he's been excellent value, but I don't expect him to do anything but what we've seen thus far. He may benefit a little from moving to the left side if Peppers plays RE, but I don't think it'll be a big change.

 

Honestly, not sure how much I expect of our other DTs either. Harris though is the key. Peppers will get a ton of double teams, and someone is going to have to take advantage, and that someone really needs to be Harris.

I think Anthony Adams is like Brown on the interior line: does his job, steady player, doesn't really have room to break out. I expect him and Brown to keep on doing what they do, even with the addition of Peppers. I'm not expecting anything from Marcus Harrison until he shows up in shape, and Gilbert/Melton are total unknowns. So I think you're right: it's all on Tommie. Assuming that Peppers will draw a lot of double-teams, Tommie's going to have to prove that he can beat single-blocks on a consistent basis. I think he can do it, but we'll have to wait and see.

[ChileBear]

No one is arguing that. Sure it would be nice to have a proven stud at WR. Who wouldn't want that. But it is a matter of priorities. Look at FS. Not only do we lack a proven stud, we lack even a player who offers much hope. We saw the OL last year, and while some aspects could help, I doubt many have too great of hope/expectations. CB is looking pretty weak as well, and flat out pathetic in terms of depth.

 

Few would argue a veteran stud would be nice to add to the mix, but even w/ the new free spending mentality of our owners (can't believe I just said that) there is still only so much money to go around. At WR, we lack a proven player, but have several players who have shown solid capability, and further, offer far more potential and hope than we see at other positions.

No, I love our prospects in the passing game this year. The key, IMHO, is not WR, but the OL.

And imagine if Peppers' addition brings the D where we want it, then we will have the luxury on O to develop our young WRs under Martz.

[defiantgiant]

I go back to Dallas. They had TO and Roy Williams last year, and what young players were on the roster were near invisible as there just were not enough balls to go around. No sooner than they get rid of TO, Miles Austin explodes onto the scene in a big way. I am not saying we have Austin on the roster, but I sure would not mind finding out.

I think there's another important thing about the Austin comparison. He was always a great size/speed athlete, but what vaulted him from like #5 on the depth chart to #1 was route-running. There was some interview I saw, and the upshot was that Austin spent all of last offseason working incredibly hard on his routes. Then he steps in this season, grabs the starting job, and lights people up. Austin, I think, is kind of a case-study in how much of a difference really good routes can make for a raw, athletic receiver. He went from a return guy to a star receiver in a single offseason, and the big difference was his exceptional routes.

 

With the way Martz preaches precise routes, our receivers are going to have to make the same kind of jump that Austin did. If Hester or Knox or Aromashodu can do it under Martz's coaching, any of them has the athletic ability to be a difference-maker at wideout.

[nfoligno]

I think this is spot-on. What you see is what you get with Brown: he's a solid all-around base end. He plays the run pretty well, he applies steady pressure in the pass game, but he doesn't actually get to the QB that often. He always has a fairly high number of pressures and QB hits, but he's only a 6-7 sack per year guy. For a fourth-round pick, he's been excellent value, but I don't expect him to do anything but what we've seen thus far. He may benefit a little from moving to the left side if Peppers plays RE, but I don't think it'll be a big change.

 

The only thing I disagree on is the comment that Brown gets consistent pressure. I don't see that. IMHO, he seems to blow up a few times a year, racking up multi-sack games w/ numerous other pressures, but otherwise does little to help the pass rush. Brown seems to always take wide angles to the QB. He always "seems" to pressure the QB, but in reality, all the QB needs to do is take a step up in the pocket to make Brown irrelevent. Now, if we start to get better play from the DTs and the QB can't step up in the pocket, those wide rush angles may not appaer so wide.

 

I do have to say, I am curious to see how we use our DEs. Peppers has played both RDE and LDE, and I think did well at either. That I am aware of, Brown has never played LDE. It may not seem like a big deal, but I hear players talk about how difficult it is all the time. Opposite hand on the ground, pushing off w/ the opposite leg, and a totally different angle. It may not seem like much, but the way players talk, it is. I wonder if Brown would stay at RDE while Peppers plays LDE.

 

I think Anthony Adams is like Brown on the interior line: does his job, steady player, doesn't really have room to break out. I expect him and Brown to keep on doing what they do, even with the addition of Peppers. I'm not expecting anything from Marcus Harrison until he shows up in shape, and Gilbert/Melton are total unknowns. So I think you're right: it's all on Tommie. Assuming that Peppers will draw a lot of double-teams, Tommie's going to have to prove that he can beat single-blocks on a consistent basis. I think he can do it, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

In many ways, I think Harris is still the key to our defense. Even if Peppers plays as expected, if he is the only legit pass rusher teams have to worry about, he can be taken out of the game. As Dent used to always say, you need 3 pass rushers. I think one could be Urlacher, and the other is Peppers, but we need yet another, and to me, that is Harris. If Harris flops, as good as Peppers is, he may not be enough to truly change our defense. We need high level play from Peppers AND Harris, and if we get that, it could have an incredible ripple effect.

[defiantgiant]

In many ways, I think Harris is still the key to our defense. Even if Peppers plays as expected, if he is the only legit pass rusher teams have to worry about, he can be taken out of the game. As Dent used to always say, you need 3 pass rushers. I think one could be Urlacher, and the other is Peppers, but we need yet another, and to me, that is Harris. If Harris flops, as good as Peppers is, he may not be enough to truly change our defense. We need high level play from Peppers AND Harris, and if we get that, it could have an incredible ripple effect.

I'm not sure that Urlacher necessarily has to provide much pass-rush. Assuming that Peppers and Harris can consistently beat single-blocks (which is a big assumption,) that other rusher could be just about anybody. If teams really have to double Harris and Peppers, they'll be blocking 6 against a 4-man rush. So any blitzing linebacker would be a free rusher: whether that's Urlacher, Briggs, or Pisa, he's going to be looking at a chip block at the very most, unless the other team goes max-protect. I agree about the ripple effect: if Harris and Peppers both play like they're capable of, then any 5th rusher is going to have an easy time of it getting to the QB. And if they start picking up that blitz for real, they'll have to leave Peppers or Harris singled.

 

I think Harris is the big key, though. The way the Tampa-2 is supposed to negate 3-step drops and quick passes is with pressure up the middle. If you can collapse the middle of the line like Harris used to do, the quarterback's going to be under pressure even if he goes to a short drop. As much as Peppers is a huge help and will take attention off Harris, Harris has to step up and capitalize if Lovie's defense is going to work the way it's supposed to.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

The ESPN talking heads all basically said how the Bears failed to address WR and Oline which were the teams two biggest needs. Well, I think they are sleeping a bit on the wide-out position and at the same time I think us as Bear fans are a little overly optimistic as to our talent.

 

Clearly we could use an elite #1 wideout. Yes, we all hope DA is that but it was just a few games. And clearly the oline needs to get upgraded but those takling heads seriuosly need to shut up.

 

We didn't have anyone out there to go after on the oline that would have been a significant upgrade and our oline did get better as the season went on. Which you would also expect given how many changes there were to our oline last season.

[defiantgiant]

The ESPN talking heads all basically said how the Bears failed to address WR and Oline which were the teams two biggest needs. Well, I think they are sleeping a bit on the wide-out position and at the same time I think us as Bear fans are a little overly optimistic as to our talent.

 

Clearly we could use an elite #1 wideout. Yes, we all hope DA is that but it was just a few games. And clearly the oline needs to get upgraded but those takling heads seriuosly need to shut up.

 

We didn't have anyone out there to go after on the oline that would have been a significant upgrade and our oline did get better as the season went on. Which you would also expect given how many changes there were to our oline last season.

I honestly think the ESPN guys haven't updated their Bears talking points since last offseason. Right before the Peppers signing, Jamie Dukes was saying that the Bears needed to bring in Torry Holt. If he thinks Holt would be an upgrade, he must not have watched any Bears games in 2009, or any Jaguars games either, for that matter.

 

If we could bring in a young, proven Pro-Bowl-caliber wideout, I'd be all about it. But it's not nearly as much of a pressing need as it was a year ago, and it's certainly a distant 3rd behind free safety and offensive line. At a minimum, our young guys have shown enough to deserve the benefit of the doubt going into the offseason.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I honestly think the ESPN guys haven't updated their Bears talking points since last offseason. Right before the Peppers signing, Jamie Dukes was saying that the Bears needed to bring in Torry Holt. If he thinks Holt would be an upgrade, he must not have watched any Bears games in 2009, or any Jaguars games either, for that matter.

 

If we could bring in a young, proven Pro-Bowl-caliber wideout, I'd be all about it. But it's not nearly as much of a pressing need as it was a year ago, and it's certainly a distant 3rd behind free safety and offensive line. At a minimum, our young guys have shown enough to deserve the benefit of the doubt going into the offseason.

One important thing to remember is that the club is adding in two perennial pro-bowlers. Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers. That will make a huge difference to our D or at least I expect that it will.

[GrizzlyBear]

Urlacher will shore up the middle of the field for sure. His range was missed sorely last year. As for Peppers, His prescence will only expose weather Harris is back to his old self. His big deal has always been his durability. If he at all can get back to 75 percent of what he was it will be huge improvement. He flashed that at the end of the season. Also the rotation of DE's with Peppers will extend his playing time. I see him having mucho energy toward the end of the game, which will bode well for more pressure at the end of games with tired lineman across from them.

 

 

Now for Safety its another story. Browns release was way to soon in my opinion. He payed for first time all season I beleive. I maybe wrong on that but he looked good in KC. We have not been able to fix that since he left. This draft is suppose to be heavy in DB, OL. just so happens we need both. unloading Olsen could give us a second rounder to get a quality FS and the rest of draft centerd on OL. Center and guards are in desperate need.

[Stinger226]

We still need to address our offensive line? Who is out there? Use our 3rd round pick on this? Will they trade Olsen for a higher pick to address the O-line?

 

Why didn't they go after Boldin? Is someone else out there? I'm still not confident with our lack of a go-to recieiver. Knox has the highest cieling of them all, i think once defenses figure Aromashadu out, he won't be as good as people think, and Hester should just go back to returning kicks and punts.

 

As far as the addressing the Defensive Back situation- I would LOVE bringing in Sharper. He wont be that expensive and we saw last year how much game he still has left in him.

 

I'm excited, but we still have many holes to address. .

first of all they wont address all needs as a priority. I think they find an OL in the first two picks of the draft. You can get a quality OG with the third pick and move Olimaye to RT. I think we need to draft both a OG and OT moving forward.

 

With what they got for Boldin, I think we would be lucky to get a 3rd and probably a 4th for Olsen. So my idea is to offer a 5th and Olsen to KC for Glen Dorcey, DT. He doesnt fit there defense, and would excel in ours and maybe KC thinks Olsen reminds them of Gonzales.

 

As for FS it wont cost any draft picks so we have to go after Atogwe, as a second option go after Bodden/CB from NE and move Tillman to FS. I think he would play well there and after NE paying Wilford big money wont spend alot on Bodden to retain him.

 

As for WR, Boldin doesnt really fit Martz offense and we have enough upside in our Wideouts to take the risk and stand pat. With Knox, Devin, Devin, Bennett, Iglesius, and we just signed Peterman for two years. If Martz didnt think that would work, we would have went after somebody.

 

In the draft I think we need to get a couple of OLs, still need to draft a FS and CB.

 

 

[nfoligno]

Regarding Urlacher, I say it because that is how I think Lovie would like to use him. Lovie has said he believes Urlacher is a 5 and 5 guy (sack/int). Urlacher's assignment is often the RB, and if that RB stays in to block, that frees Urlacher up more and often he will use that freedom to blitz (delayed). I don't think the WLB or SLB blitz much for us. Briggs has never really been used as a pass rusher, and I have never seen us really utilize our SLB that way. Roach or Hunter will be sent on occasion, but not often.

 

In the end, Harris is simply still a key. Even if Peppers does well, Harris needs to provide that 2nd pass rush. Further, if we have both an inside and outside pass rush, that makes the pocket close fast and QBs will not have an easy time avoiding one rusher if another is coming from a different area.

 

I'm not sure that Urlacher necessarily has to provide much pass-rush. Assuming that Peppers and Harris can consistently beat single-blocks (which is a big assumption,) that other rusher could be just about anybody. If teams really have to double Harris and Peppers, they'll be blocking 6 against a 4-man rush. So any blitzing linebacker would be a free rusher: whether that's Urlacher, Briggs, or Pisa, he's going to be looking at a chip block at the very most, unless the other team goes max-protect. I agree about the ripple effect: if Harris and Peppers both play like they're capable of, then any 5th rusher is going to have an easy time of it getting to the QB. And if they start picking up that blitz for real, they'll have to leave Peppers or Harris singled.

 

I think Harris is the big key, though. The way the Tampa-2 is supposed to negate 3-step drops and quick passes is with pressure up the middle. If you can collapse the middle of the line like Harris used to do, the quarterback's going to be under pressure even if he goes to a short drop. As much as Peppers is a huge help and will take attention off Harris, Harris has to step up and capitalize if Lovie's defense is going to work the way it's supposed to.