Like I've said before, I don't want to start writing off-season columns just yet but apparently every newspaper in Chicago does. So here's a look at what they're saying with some thoughts tossed in.
Da Site isn't big on opinion pieces but when they feature such a glowing rave for Jamar Williams, it makes you wonder where Lance Briggs will be playing next year. Briggs takes a beaten by Bob Legere in Daily Herald, who writes:
"As far as addition by subtraction, let someone else overpay for Lance Briggs, who will find out soon enough that he isn't nearly the same player without Brian Urlacher next to him."
The Chicago Tribune is making a plea to immediately extend Devin Hester and how could you disagree? With Hester being all-but-negated in the return game, his explosiveness on offense is essential to this team's offensive growth. The receiving corps is a three-step process: (1) Sign Berrian, who has been brilliant the last month. (2) Extend Hester. (3) Release Muhsin Muhammad - as they should have done immediately after dropping a fourth down touchdown pass Sunday - and bring in a trusty veteran in the offseason.
That's all for this Wednesday.
#2 jeff said . . .I cannot wait for Moose to be off this team. I can't stand the guy, or the pass he gets from the Chicago media. John Mullin is about the only one who has called him out since he's been here.
He's never lived up to his contract since he's been here. And the fact that we passed up Plaxico Burress to sign still burns me.
That would be bad enough if he hadn't thrown every quarterback here under the bus at every turn. Sick, and a bad teammate. I don't care how smooth he is on TV.
Dump Moose!!!!!
And sign a big physical reciever who can actually catch and isn't fullback slow!December 26, 2007
#3 AfroCelt said . . .the receiver free agents aren't great, which is why berrian switched agents. he could collect more than he's worth in the open market. with berrian here, hester, two tight ends, rash davis, maybe mark bradley...you're right. they need someone with size and hands. an amani toomer-type reliable guy in big spots. moose should be that but he's just be awful.
December 26, 2007
#4 Papa Bear said . . .well the Dolphins were plundered by the Pats as far as wideouts... who else has any left?
I actually like having both Olsen and Dez get hot right now....good TEs get some pressure off the run and deep ball...if we have a quaterback that will survive long enough to throw one...
"Make an O-line" will be my mantra come new years.
December 26, 2007
#5 AfroCelt said . . .I don't think we need to pay for a "big, physical" WR. We already have #82 in a rookie contract. He can line up at TE or WR if we can trust Ron Turner to tweak formations a little bit. We already have size and speed on the field, don't need any more shiny expensive toys to confuse RT.
December 26, 2007
#6 Megan said . . .Question de jour: Did RT save his offseason bacon with the last game?
December 26, 2007
#7 Willie from Chicago said . . .AC,
That would be my guess.
December 26, 2007
#8 jeff said . . .Lets get Chad Johnson (JK) im not even going to go into that after the beating I took in the last blog lol. But isnt funny how none of the papers (that ive read) are talking alot about getting rid of the O-line who have greatly underachieved and caused two QBs to get injured, no one is talking about that, instead there talking about getting rid of a very solid line backer that lives up to most of the money he gets. They also talk about how Rex is a problem. There isnt a QB in the league that would be a good QB behind this O-line.
I say we keep Briggs, scrap the O-line except for a few players, and bring back Rex (because his arm can keep up with hesters speed). I think we also have to bring in a BIG play reciever to go with BB, get rid of Moose, get Hester involved alot more in the offense.
If our Defense gets healthy next year then we can maybe contend for the division but we'll have to wait and see.
I think we should take Kenny Philips as our first round pick at saftey. Then we go for O linemen in FA.
I hope everyone had a safe christmas and will have a happy new year.
December 26, 2007
#9 Shamen said . . .i think the o-line changes are a given. i don't think ruben brown, terrence metcalf or fred miller are coming back. i would think the bears would be at-play for faneca but the money might exceed hutchinson...a lot for a guard. drafting well is the key to offensive line. overpaying big bames rarely works.
December 26, 2007
#10 AfroCelt said . . .O-line, O-line, O-line! I hope we draft at least two O-lineman in the first 5 rounds. Since Jake Long is going to be out of our reach, here are some names to get used to:
Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
Sam Baker OT USC
Eric Young OG TennesseeThese guys all get 5 star ratings from Scout.com. There are also 6 OTs and 3 OGs that are 4 star rated, so there is some depth at O-line in this draft. This draft is weak for centers, but we're doing okay there.
December 26, 2007
#11 Papa Bear said . . .Since I have no experience whatsoever at this level, how hard is it to transition a guard to a tackle? From what I remember you wanted slightly smaller, quicker guards and big (and quick) tackles, but this is from High School... and our coach loved Lombardi-era guard pulls. At this level, don't they all need the quickest feet possible?
December 26, 2007
#12 Mike said . . .Willie, typically for most teams that implement the Tampa 2 that the Bears do (think Colts), they place a premium on pass rush/QB pressure and a middle LB that can run down the field (# 54) and develop the other positions for cheap. Corners and outside LBs are expendable. The BT got strong armed into paying Briggs this past year and will probably let him walk next year.
But it looks like if these last couple games were any indication, Babich is scheming up some more zone blitz with Tommie Harris and Alex Brown dropping back into coverage while HH blitzed from the side. HH was bringing the heat this past Sunday, forced Fav-ruh into a couple bad throws.
December 26, 2007
#13 Mike said . . .Re: Lance Briggs -- The Bears should probably let Briggs walk. Within their salary cap management philosophy an outside linebacker is worth relative less. Paying Briggs the type of money he seeks will result in an out of whack financial equation. Let Jamar Williams take over.
Re: Bernard Berrian -- He is a third or fourth receiver at best on a good football team. His erratic play is maddening and paying him top dollar is not the wise move.
Re: Offseason casualties in my book -- Briggs, Berrian, Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, Terrence Metcalf, Mushin Muhummad, Cedric Benson, Brian Griese, Mike Brown, Adam Archueleta, Ricky Manning Jr., Darwin Walker
Free agent priorities -- Offensive guard, quarterback (the pickings will be slim)
Draft priorities (rounds 1-3) -- Offensive tackle, running back, safety
Draft priorites (rounds 4-7) -- Offensive guard, wide receiver, linebacker, defensive tackle
December 27, 2007
#14 Anytime said . . .I will be absolutely shocked if Lovie Smith and/or the Chicago Bears dismiss Ron Turner. He will be back. Might as well get used to it.
December 27, 2007
Can we at least bounce Babich?
December 27, 2007
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