If the best defense in Major League Baseball were to lose its starting catcher and center fielder for the season, their defensive ranking would slide further than the world's worst Shoots & Ladders player. This was what the Bears faced in 2006 when they watched perennial All-Pros Mike Brown and Tommie Harris bid their seasons farewell. What saved the Bears? Their depth at both positions.
That depth is gone.
In the past week, backup safeties Todd Johnson and Cameron Worrell have left Chicago behind and left serious question marks in the defensive backfield and special teams coverage units. At the same time, the Bears have shown no interest in retaining the services of Ian Scott or Alfonso Boone, while Johnny Law has decided he wants Tank Johnson behind bars. Tommie Harris might need the other starting defensive tackle to wear a name tag come September.
The Bears actually find themselves in a needier position entering the 2007 draft than they did in 2006 - almost illogical for a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance. With the 31st and 37th picks at the end of April, the Bears can not afford the luxury of taking developmental projects. They need big bodies on both sides of the line and someone to play Mike Brown's position when he goes on IR in November.
Say what you want (and I have) about losing Thomas Jones and pissing off Lance Briggs, at least there are still terrific players at those positions. How can you say the same for safety and d-tackle?
#2 Ted said . . .I was a Johnson fan but he couldn't get Chris Harris off the field so good luck to the Rams. I don't remember Worrell doing diddly shit on D and for every three bone-jarring hits he committed a retarded penalty.
Now, as far as the D-line is concerned, if Tank goes in the tank we've got problems. Dusty is supposed to be your classic "high motor guy," so let's give him a chance. Supposedly Rusty Jones sprinkled his magic fairy dust on him this past season.
Now, just to make sure we all understand, Tommie didn't tear his hamstring, he ruptured the tendon connecting his hamstring to the leg bone (that's the way of the Lord). A much easier rehab by far.
Anyway Jeff, I don't see how the Bears could really do anything different than they've done. The players that left weren't worth what they got from other teams and Miami and S.F. pooped on free agency like the Redskins did last year.
Its only March, we don't even know who we're getting in the draft yet. We've got the 31st and 37th pick, so we should get good, young talent there.
And, in my opinion, the offense will be better with Benson plus Hester minus Jones.
March 10, 2007
#3 Ted said . . .Try as I might, I can't get too upset about the situations thus far. Jones didn't want to be part of a tandem, and Lance has been swigging the Rosenhaus Kool-aid if he thinks that 7.2M is an "insult". They are supposed to have a good one coming up in Jamar Williams, so maybe we won't miss Briggs too much if he does decide to forego 500K a week (like that's gonna happen).
Benson is due for a breakout year, and AP is a slippery devil, much moreso than TJ was. These 2 plus Hester mean a running game at least no worse than we had last season.
Dusty is said (by Tommie H, no less) to be the real deal, as they played together in Okla. Let's not get too worked up by the prospect of doing without Scott and Boone, who have been career 2nd-stringers. Tank spends a few months in the tank, and may come out with the desire to play harder.
We have a couple high draft choices, and Jerry A showed (me, at least ) that he can get good value - even though I was screaming at the TV when he picked D Manning and Hester. A thousand pardons, Jerry. So don't let us not get our shorts in a knot - not just yet, anyway. Sit back and let the brain trust work their wonders.
Lovie says that he now has the coaching staff that he has desired, so how can that be bad? All I have to say is.... GO BEARS!!!
March 10, 2007
#4 Max said . . .Oh, and Todd J and C Worrell were career 2nd stringers and special teamers. I am quite sure that we can find adequate talent to replace them. Rams and Dolphins overpaid for both of them.
March 10, 2007
#5 Megan said . . .Ok first off, Johnson was a decent player, but him and Cameron both got over paid.
That being said, Worrell was a damn good special team player and I am sorry to see him go.
And jdawg I disagree about the whole Benson plus Hester minus Jones makes the offense better. If you are gonna say the offense is better, you have to include A.P. cause we need the thunder and lightening backfield tandum. TJ and Benson complimented each other so well that Turner has to use A.P on some third downs at least to keep the D honest.
(and cause im still praying that they dont use Hester as a RB. itd be a dumb move. I want to see him on the offensive side of the ball maybe 3 to 4 times a game just to keep the other team off balance and guessing. And even then, at the WR position only)Lets see how Dusty does next to Tommy, Tank will be back at somepoint, and Garay has been learning all year so I guess we draft a DT at somepoint, but I dont know if its on our 2 first picks. those go to CB, OL, or best available.
March 11, 2007
#6 Megan said . . .Now I mean this, If Jdawg comes in here and starts talking about Shockey ONE MORE TIME I will personally BITCH SLAP HIM!! Drop it Jdawg, Shockey does not belong in Chicago. Let him keep his whiney-ass-girly-ego in NYC where it belongs. Let him sabotage the Giants and not the Bears! Stats or no, we can do SO much better then with that pain in the ass!
March 11, 2007
#7 jeff said . . .Oh Crap!! Sorry Jdawg, that was mikedbot! oh a thousand pardons to you, I am so sorry... Direct that prior quote to mikedbot!!!!
(Humbly bowing head)
MeganMarch 11, 2007
#8 jdawg said . . .the bears were in the super bowl because of the "special teamers" you guys are really quick to discount. hester to offense is a bad idea. ap more involved in the offense will diminsh his special teams role. cam is gone.
March 11, 2007
#9 Midway Monster said . . .AP will still play on ST coverage units, where he shined, according to Toub. He won't be playing on the return units. But Hester will be playing on the return units, which is what really counts. Plus I believe Peanut was Hester's security blanket, Hester admitted as much. So let's not get too worked up about Johnson and Worrell.
I did mention Shockey, but more as an example than really canvassing for the deal. My point is we need to get a play maker for Briggs, IF we deal him. I doubt we deal him though.
Now, on a different note: Mike Brown. Mike Brown will be back. Yes he was injured, but if you put any player's foot into the vice-like grip that his was in and twist it, bad things are going to happen.
Remember, Lovie wanted Brown out there for the coin toss at the NFC championship game. Brown refused, but this should send a crystal clear message about Brown's stature in Lovie's eyes.
So, lets review. These players will not be on the field at the start of the season:
T Jones
T Johnson
C WorrellThese players will be on the field at the start of the season:
T Harris
M BrownI know this may sound crazy, but I'm thinking we'll be in pretty good shape come September.
March 11, 2007
#10 Al in WI said . . .Am I wrong or have the Spike-heads (aka, Vikings) and Packers been damn quite in making any moves. The Spikes have a hughe cap.
--Midway--
(rehab)March 11, 2007
#11 jdawg said . . .The Vikings have Henry Buris essentially as they're QB, and are going to be lucky to win 5 games this year. The Packers are suprising in that they aren't making in moves, but mabey since Favre came back they're hoping they can entice some other old guys from '96 to come back too. Unless Detriot finally steps up the Division is looking really good for the Bears again this year.
I agree that it's sad to see some of these guys go, but as has been pointed out they're not worth the contracts they're getting.March 11, 2007
#12 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .The Vikes will be a force after the signing of Bobby Wade.
Anyhoo, I think the Packers will be pretty good, expecially on D. Of course the wild card is #4. Whether he goes the Packers will follow.
March 11, 2007
#13 Dave said . . .I feel that I have to weigh in on this one based on the last 3 posts. We have been quiet in free agency, but that is Ted Thompson's MO. He doesn't believe in building through free agency, just the draft, which puts us in a position of being able to develop young players. In 2006, we started 4 rookies consistently, and still managed an 8-8 record. In 2004, the Bears were in the same position, being the youngest team in the league. The development of their young players got them to where they are now. The question in this division in 2007 will be the respective team's ability to develop the young players and be competitive. There has not been a team that has been able to 'buy' a superbowl championship through free agency. We should be better on defense with our returning players, and hopefully a solid addition at safety.
The Pack needs to get some playmakers on the receiving end and running back to be competitive in 2007. Favre has given us a chance every year, even without an outstanding receiver in the past 13 years.
March 12, 2007
So what you're say Al in WI is the Bears will benefit from a weak NFC division again?
Man don't you guys want some competition so you don't get your asses kicked in the SB again?
Face it. Da bears will choke again this year. I don't give a shit what theeir record is, they'll still fall flat on there asses.
But you know, you could go out and get Shockey to improve your offense. Hell he's better then most of the scubs you have on that squad anyway.
March 13, 2007
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