EQUIPO ESPECIALES?
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News is apparently some kind of special teams guru and yesterday he released his rankings of the best special teams units in the NFL, placing the Chicago Bears a not-so-surprising first. I've said before and I'll say it again: Bears special teams is what put this team in the Super Bowl a year ago and is what kept a dead team alive throughout most of 2007. Can you remember another team that forces opponents to gameplan for their kick returner before they turn on the offensive and defensive game films?
But Devin Hester is primed for a Drew Rosenhaus-driven record contract. Brandon Ayanbadejo currently faces free agency with the reputation of the best special teamer in the game. Rashied Davis and Adrian Peterson - two of the most assured tacklers on coverage units - both could be in different uniforms come next season. Like everything else in Bearsland, special teams success is fragile a fifty year-old vase.
BERRIAN GOOD AS GONE?
NFL Network and Drew Rosenhaus don't believe the Bears will use the franchise tag on Bernard Berrian, making it difficult to see Jerry locking him up for the long term. I'm in the minority here but I would absolutely franchise BB. Yes you'd be overpaying him for one season but if he has the type of breakout year he's capable of having, you'd simply be investing in your future number one receiver. If he plods along with 65 catches and 700 yards, you cut the string,
THIS MADE ME LAUGH
To celebrate the Westminster Dog Show, the Trib staff compiled a list of Chicago athletes who dogged it. Here's the best entry:
Cade McNown, Bears
Talent was the least of Cade McNown's problems. He put in so little prep time into a late-2000 game that teammates contemplated an outbreak of tweaked hamstrings if coaches started him the next week. At one point, mild-mannered center Casey Wiegmann whirled around and screamed at McNown for the non-existent audibles he was concocting. At least dogs have loyalty going for them; McNown was not so encumbered.
#2 Spanish Bear said . . ."she's got a scarf on her head, huh".
February 11, 2008
#3 AfroCelt said . . .Hi Jeff, you´d made a mistake in the title. In spanish we say "equipos especiales". By the way, why did you use spanish there?
Hope we work well now in FA and the draft, i´ve got good vibrations towards next season.
February 11, 2008
#4 willie from chicago said . . .now that Mike's been pushed back it's my time to become Doubt-A-Bear. WARNING: having a y day and feel free to skip the negatives here. I'm not normally like this, but I need some of this out.
I'm scared of this next season. I feel like there's simply too long a list of needs to have them all be fixed. We need:
- at least 2 OL
- A safety
-Re-sign/Find a #1 WR
-Re-sign/Find a #1 QB
-Re-sign half the Special Teams studs
-Re-sign/Find a bigger RB/complement to AP and Wolfe
-re-sign/find a replacement for Briggs
-find more depth at DT
-find out of Babich can make a solid D and if Turner is past vegetable stateOnce again I see an offense that needs rebuilding.
I'm also scared that a Bears trip to the superbowl is a once in a generation thing.
PS: maybe if we rebuild the OL and re-sign most of the Offense, they'll be better? one can hope. I look at the defense and still think that they have less to fix than the offense, though.
February 11, 2008
#5 Phil from SATX said . . .Jeff, another great post dude!!!
Devin Hester is arguably the best player in the league (thats not a QB), so he deserves any amount of money he wants. We have to keep BB just in case we dont get a superstar in FA. I know he has had some catching issues last year but when he wants to play he's a beast!
I desperately want Chad Johnson next year, he will open our offense up alot. Look at our WRs next year if we have Chad Johnson:
Chad Johnson
BB
Devin Hester
Moose
Rasheed Davis
Mark BradleyThis would probably give us the best recieving corp in the league, Rex would be licking his chops coming out of the tunnel and going onto the field with these targets. We would be able to score on any given play.
February 11, 2008
#6 Shady said . . .Afro, you have generalized anxiety, well-expressed, which is completely understandable given that laundry list.
However, all that means is it's going to be a busy offseason for Jerry. I still think he's capable of handling all the moving parts. Because there are (by definition) limited resources and many needs, choices will be made that we don't like. Choices have ALREADY been made that I don't like - Ron Turner apparently pays no price for his very important role in the horrible season.
However, since we're talking about either re-signing or letting people go, I'm okay with seeing all free agents go except Rex and Brandon. I see those two as must-sign. I would love to keep Briggs, but I've reconciled myself to losing him. Berrian can leave - that money is better spent elsewhere.
I am confident that BT understands the needs and the priority of those needs. I believe strongly that Oline will be the first pick in the draft (because I think K Phillips will be gone). I believe there will be a high profile Olineman signing, pretty soon now (FA starts in a few weeks?). I KNOW they will be bringing in another back, they've promised as much. We'll either have Berrian or someone else new.
We can get away without deepening the D line depth, relying on injured players to heal. We can rely on either Briggs or Williams/Okwo at LB. We have the corners we need. We only NEED a safety.
We need to re-sign Ayan. Otherwise we can stand pat on Specials with the #1 unit in the league.
Yes, there are a lot of moving parts, but that's what GM's are for, and Angelo is experienced and, I still think, talented. He can
GET 'ER DUN.Chin up, Afro! Bear down!
February 11, 2008
#7 Al in WI said . . .Willie, outside of Randy Moss, there are no superstar WRs in FA. Chad Johnson to the Bears isn't going to happen because the Bears don't go after players like 'Ocho-Cinco'. And if Berrian does decide to take a hometown Rexy discount, then Moose will become expendable accoring to sources close to Halas Hall. Berrian and Rosenmoney have all the leverage: The Bears need BB more than BB needs the Bears. Don't think for a second those two won't exploit that fact and try to take advantage of the situation. The Bears will probably pick up an Andre Johnson in FA and draft another WR to become a #1: Malcolm Kelly, Mario Manningham or James Hardy.
February 11, 2008
#8 Phil from SATX said . . .Afro-well said. I'm starting to feel that way too, especially when you add in the fact that our best 3 players on defense are recovering from surgery right now. (Urlacher, T Harris, and M Brown)
I have to whole heartedly agree with Jeff on the Berrian situation. If we lose him, I don't like the chances of fielding a good offense in '08. I think too many people are wrapped up in debating weather or not he has produced at a Chad Johnson/TO level to justify the money. The fact his he has gotten better each season in terms of production, and ability. And last season was our best offensive threat.
February 11, 2008
#9 Pissed Off said . . .Al, he climbed up in the 2nd half. He sunk down in the first half of 2007 from 2006. That is not a good sign. He excels at outrunning competition on fly routes and can catch passes that are accurately placed, as long as there's no one challenging him for the ball. He is NOT good at outfighting a determined defender, and there are plenty of times this year when he looked like he was quitting on plays.
Greg Olsen would have easily beaten his yardage this year if they had called his number anywhere near the number of times El Stupido should have this year. (going with the Spanish theme, welcome Spanish Bear!)
I understand Jeff's reasoning with Berrian, I just think you shouldn't purposely overpay a guy by at least $4MM because those dollars could go for a more sure thing. I wonder about Berrian's character because his work ethic and toughness were in question to me for most of this past season. I won't be overly upset if they do it, I just think it's the wrong decision and smacks of desperation. BTW, the Briggs decision was an easy one - he had already proven himself. No, I'll go further - you were franchising one of the very best in the league. Berrian's not there, not that guy. Not even close. Could be great, good be more of what we saw in 2007. Not proven, and just as expensive as someone as esteemed as Lance Briggs. No.
February 11, 2008
#10 North Dakota Fag said . . .I've been lurking but not much to say. Some crazy comments some good.
February 11, 2008
#11 AfroCelt said . . .The Tuna whacked Marty Booker in Miami today. May I present to you the newest member of the Chicago Bears.
Bernard Berrian is a goner according to my sources.
February 11, 2008
#12 Jimbo said . . .I hereby coin a new internet term: GBA,
GBA (Generalized Bears Anxiety) manifests itself when the Chicago bears do not win a superbowl. Common symptoms include nailbiting, sleeplessness, paranoia, limited tourette's, and a general dislike of national sports news media.
Should we name it after Phil?
I'm feeling a bit better now that cooler heads have weighed in. I still see a ton of work, but it may be possible to do. "Hope yet remains" to quote the Lord of the Rings.
February 11, 2008
#13 Jimbo said . . .Shady, are you talking about Andre Davis in post #6?
February 12, 2008
#14 Shady said . . ."In the Dolphins' first major player purge since Parcells took charge of Miami's football operations, the team parted ways with Green, wide receiver Marty Booker and seven other players Monday -- ushering in the start of what's expected to be a massive offseason roster shakeup by the rebuilding franchise."
--TIM REYNOLDS
February 12, 2008
#15 Rancid said . . .Well, I guess I mean either of these guys:
Andre' Davis UFA Houston Texans
The Virginia Tech product hasn’t had the chance to play a whole lot during his career until an early season injury to Andre Johnson opened the door to more playing time. Davis responded with several solid performances, including a 117-yard effort with a score in week four against Atlanta. He currently has 563 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season, and although Johnson’s return will cut into his opportunities greatly, Davis has still been able to impress as a return man on special teams. His 734 kickoff return yards with a score will encourage the Texans to keep Davis in Houston.Bryant Johnson, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson flew under the radar once again this season, but those in the know consider him fairly talented. He’s overshadowed by star receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, but Johnson runs great routes, has good hands, and at 6’3� his size makes him an appealing option. He’s caught at least 35 passes in each of his four seasons, including 49 receptions in 2004, and has a touchdown scored in each season, with four coming in ’06. Although he has had a drop-off in production this season, Johnson will likely find a bigger role in another offense in ’08.February 12, 2008
#16 Breaking news said . . .We should transition tag BB
February 12, 2008
#17 Shady said . . .The Bears are set to announce on Tuesday that Ruben Brown, Fred Miller, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Darwin Walker and Mike Brown have been released.
February 12, 2008
#18 Phil from SATX said . . .Is that some kind of joke?
Anyway, in case you missed the Pro Bowl Hester highlights...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X9vz0-Ll9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikck0dQaiFI
Notice 2 things:
1. Hester came up gimpy on the punt rerurn, but apparently he's ok - go ahead and exhale.
2. Hester passed the ball right in the face of trash talking Josh Cribbs on that kickoff return. In your FACE Cribbs!
Hester can throw the ball too? Hmmm.....
February 12, 2008
#19 Pissed Off said . . .Now I'm getting excited. How much would a Marty Booker cost? That was one of the free agent releasings that I really regretted at the time. Many years later, of course... Bryant Johnson sounds very intriguing as well.
The fact that we have two speedsters on the roster in Hester and Bradley has to impact the Bears' view of how much it's worth to keep Berrian. What we need is a better Moose replacement - does Johnson sound like Moose Replacement? Johnson signs for at most half of Berrian, right? Then pick up a promising receiver in later rounds?
But Marty Booker is a real man, a proven commodity, a former and formerly great Bear - the question is how much has he lost. He's not a real tall or fast one - 6' 212 - but we know he has hands. Can he get open? Is he a slot receiver only? He'll be 32 in July.
Makes me think even more, please don't consider a WR for that first pick. (not that they will)
GBA Syndrome - I like it Afro! There is a homeopathic remedy for that - lots of alcohol and the Wiener's Circle at about 2 in the morning. Oh, for the glory days of yore...
February 12, 2008
#20 Phil from SATX said . . .Hey North Dakota fag...er Mike, since you're a fag your sources are probably gay too....and wrong cuz generally gay people dont have any interest or knowledge about football.
February 12, 2008
Rancid, you just figured something out - the transition tag salary is less than half the franchise tag salary, at $3.6MM in 2007 - figure $4MM in 2008. That sounds like what Berrian should be worth to us.
The problem with the transition tag is there's a glaring hole in the rule - and it has to do with the Bears' ability to match another club's offer. Two times now, they've put in clauses that only favor them, resulting in the tagging team being unable to match the offer.
The Steve Hutchinson deal was very sneaky and clever. Vikings presented an offer to Hutchinson for $49MM, $16MM guaranteed. A clause was included to say the entire $49MM was guaranteed if Hutchison was not the highest paid lineman on the team he signed with. Seahawks, who were the tagging team, already had Walter Jones on their roster, so automatically their matching contract would have resulted in the guaranteed $49MM. Vikings didn't have anyone more expensive, so the guarantee would only be $16MM to them. Bottom line - Seahawks couldn't match. They sued and lost.
Turnabout was fair play when Seahawks went after Minnesota's transition tagged player, Nate Burleson. They did something even more direct - fully guaranteed contract if he played 5 or more games in the state of Minnesota, which of course he would if he stayed a Viking. Remember they can put whatever they want in a contract, and the matching rules means it has to be matched EXACTLY.
It's a really bad rule and it will get changed but it hasn't yet, so the promise of keeping Berrian for a much more reasonable $4MM gets killed by clever contract creation. So good idea, but it fails in reality.
February 12, 2008
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