End of the road; Start of another one
For Bears fans, 2007 was just a complete washout, an out-of-gas continuation of 2006, and that means we start a new chapter in 2008. Beating the Packers and the Saints to closed things out on a high note, and I have to admit that I don't feel entirely depressed about our chances next year.
QB
I was convinced that Rex Grossman was gone until injury gave him another chance. I understand that all it takes is one QB hungry team (Carolina?) to take him away as a UFA, but I hope the Bears make a run at him. I'd like to see an open competition for the slot at camp and it would make me happy if Rex progressed and took the job. The more likely situation, however, is that Rex leaves, some other team overpays for Derek Anderson, and we come into camp with Kyle Orton, Brian Griese and someone from the draft. Which means the Bears 2008 season could depend on Orton's progress in the offseason.
I don't like the guys who are listed as 1st round QBs. Joe Flacco, anyone?
RB
Cedric Benson is a bust and Adrian Peterson is a decent backup and special-teams player. Garrett Wolfe has looked OK, but he doesn't jump off the screen at you. In other words, we need a halfback. I'd like to see them target Michael Turner, who looks like a perfect fit for our offense. In fact, I'd pursue two free agents at midnight on the opening of the FA period, and one of them is Turner, a hometown guy.
One more thing. I'm not a fan of Jason McKie. He's a journeyman who is OK as a receiver and runner, but doesn't dominate as a lead blocker. Let's get somebody with some power who can spring someone for some decent gains. Owen Schmidt?
WR
Our wideout didn't really progress this year, and that makes the situation tough to evaluate. Bernard Berrian is our best wideout at the moment, but that isn't saying much. The drops this year were just ridiculous.
So here's my approach: Offer Berrian a good deal, but don't overpay. When he departs, turn to Moose and tell him he's got to renegotiate that contract if he wants to stick around. Look around the free agent market and see if you can get a guy like Patrick Crayton Andre Davis or Jerry Porter. If you can keep Mark Bradley for cheap, do it; if not, say goodbye.
But the key to all of this is Devin Hester. People forget that Steve Smith was originally "just a kick returner." I think Hester can be a three-down player and a starter. He's our best weapon, so why not spend the offseason getting him ready to be the focus of the offense? Coach him up!
TE
This might be our best position group, although Desmond Clark had some inconsistent dropsies. Greg Olsen, on the other hand, is a STUD.
OT
Big John Tait has some tread left on his tires, but he's not a star. Let's say goodbye to Fred Miller, move Tait to right tackle, and get some who can handle the blindside protector position. My preference is to use our first-round pick for a left tackle, but the option is that we go out and acquire Travelle Wharton in free agency. Personally, I'd rather save the money and target a different free agent lineman. John St. Clair is a good backup.
OG
Bye-bye Reuben Brown, Terrance Metcalf and, as far as I'm concerned, Roberto Garza. Brown was the only guard who was worth a damn this year. Maybe Josh Beekman will be something -- he didn't play, so who knows? -- but PLEASE don't let Metcalf get anywhere near Halas Hall in the off-season. We wasted six years on this stiff. CUT HIM! CUT HIM NOW!!!
So how about this: Let's make a big-money run at LG Alan Faneca. Then we'll take our draft picks and be sure to take some guard prospects to challenge Garza's ineffectual ass.
C
Olin Kreutz is smart and tough, but he's not dominant anymore. I figure he's still got some years ahead as a competent player, but he's someone who needs some powerful guard support if he's going to key a dynamic running game.
Can Beekman play center? That might be his best chance with this team: Being versatile, backing up, developing as a center.
DEFENSE
DT
OK, Dusty Dvorchek isn't a household name, but he was supposed to be a big part of our season and we lost him Week 1. I expect Dvorchek, Tommy Harris and a supporting cast to put together a solid 2008 season. We'll be OK in the middle, methinks, with one star and several solid players.
DE
We're over-manned here. Wale Ugunleye and Alex Brown are our best players, and Israel Idonije is a lock to get a roster spot (or should be). You've got to make room for Mark Anderson (who may just be a spot player), plus red-shirt freshman Dan Bauzin. We don't know what he can do. Anyway, short version: Don't draft a DE.
OLB
The guy I really wanted the Bears to draft in 2007 was Patrick Willis, who would have been there had we swapped Briggs for the Redskins' No. 6. But whatever: We'll replace Briggs with Jamar Williams and get a real look at 2007 third-round pick Michael Okwo. Hunter Hillenmeyer is still in the mix, and Brian Urlacher made a statement in December with some huge performances.
But let's get serious about something for a moment: Neither Williams nor Okwo is going to be Briggs in 2008... but Urlacher might be. Translation: Can we experiment a bit and see what kind of linebacker arrangement puts us in the most productive combination? Because Urlacher is a great weakside linebacker playing in the middle.
I'm not opposed to drafting a middle linebacker this year, but it's not a requirement. Basically, we need Williams to progress, and we need to see if Okwo can play.
CB
This one is simple: We suffered without Nathan Vasher in the lineup and we'll be better when he's healthy for 2008. Vasher and Peanut Tillman are locked up, along with Ricky Manning Jr., and Corey Graham/Trumane McBride provide decent, cheap depth. Leave this alone.
Safeties
Make Mike Brown an offer: Low salary, short term, lots of incentives for playing time. If he takes it, install him at free safety. If he doesn't, let him go with appreciation and class. After that, don't assume that we've got a second starting safety on the roster. Let Danieal Manning and Kevin Payne compete, but don't count on either being more than a backup. Look for safeties in the draft, in free agency.
It would be great if Manning, a second-round pick, stepped up and became a player. It would be great if Payne, who had an impressive camp, proves he was worth getting rid of Chris Harris last summer.
But let's get aggressive about safety. And that starts by cutting Adam Archuleta.
Specialists
Patrick Mannelly is one of the all-time great long-snappers and he looks like he could go forever. Brad Maynard is a veteran kicker. Keep him. And Robbie Gould, despite his spindly leg, is an excellent clutch field goal kicker. Getting a new halfback would move Adrian Peterson back into a meaningful coverage role. Yes, we'll lose Brandon Ayanbedajo. Life sucks like that. Invest in finding his replacement via the draft. Devin Hester is one of our greatest players since Walter Payton.
FREE AGENT PRIORITIES
1. Pursue Michael Turner and Alan Faneca with big-money contracts.
2. Investigate the availability of Derek Anderson, but don't overpay for him.
3. Try to re-sign Rex Grossman and Bernard Berrian, but not at crazy prices.
4. If Berrian leaves, consider signing a veteran free agent WR.
5. If it's unlikely we'll get a quality left tackle at our first-round position in April, then pursue Travelle Wharton.
DRAFT PRIORITIES
Round 1: Offensive left tackle.
Round 2 - 3: Quarterback, guard, safety
Round 4-5: Fullback, linebacker,
Round 6-7: Safety, safety, safety
QB
I was convinced that Rex Grossman was gone until injury gave him another chance. I understand that all it takes is one QB hungry team (Carolina?) to take him away as a UFA, but I hope the Bears make a run at him. I'd like to see an open competition for the slot at camp and it would make me happy if Rex progressed and took the job. The more likely situation, however, is that Rex leaves, some other team overpays for Derek Anderson, and we come into camp with Kyle Orton, Brian Griese and someone from the draft. Which means the Bears 2008 season could depend on Orton's progress in the offseason.
I don't like the guys who are listed as 1st round QBs. Joe Flacco, anyone?
RB
Cedric Benson is a bust and Adrian Peterson is a decent backup and special-teams player. Garrett Wolfe has looked OK, but he doesn't jump off the screen at you. In other words, we need a halfback. I'd like to see them target Michael Turner, who looks like a perfect fit for our offense. In fact, I'd pursue two free agents at midnight on the opening of the FA period, and one of them is Turner, a hometown guy.
One more thing. I'm not a fan of Jason McKie. He's a journeyman who is OK as a receiver and runner, but doesn't dominate as a lead blocker. Let's get somebody with some power who can spring someone for some decent gains. Owen Schmidt?
WR
Our wideout didn't really progress this year, and that makes the situation tough to evaluate. Bernard Berrian is our best wideout at the moment, but that isn't saying much. The drops this year were just ridiculous.
So here's my approach: Offer Berrian a good deal, but don't overpay. When he departs, turn to Moose and tell him he's got to renegotiate that contract if he wants to stick around. Look around the free agent market and see if you can get a guy like Patrick Crayton Andre Davis or Jerry Porter. If you can keep Mark Bradley for cheap, do it; if not, say goodbye.
But the key to all of this is Devin Hester. People forget that Steve Smith was originally "just a kick returner." I think Hester can be a three-down player and a starter. He's our best weapon, so why not spend the offseason getting him ready to be the focus of the offense? Coach him up!
TE
This might be our best position group, although Desmond Clark had some inconsistent dropsies. Greg Olsen, on the other hand, is a STUD.
OT
Big John Tait has some tread left on his tires, but he's not a star. Let's say goodbye to Fred Miller, move Tait to right tackle, and get some who can handle the blindside protector position. My preference is to use our first-round pick for a left tackle, but the option is that we go out and acquire Travelle Wharton in free agency. Personally, I'd rather save the money and target a different free agent lineman. John St. Clair is a good backup.
OG
Bye-bye Reuben Brown, Terrance Metcalf and, as far as I'm concerned, Roberto Garza. Brown was the only guard who was worth a damn this year. Maybe Josh Beekman will be something -- he didn't play, so who knows? -- but PLEASE don't let Metcalf get anywhere near Halas Hall in the off-season. We wasted six years on this stiff. CUT HIM! CUT HIM NOW!!!
So how about this: Let's make a big-money run at LG Alan Faneca. Then we'll take our draft picks and be sure to take some guard prospects to challenge Garza's ineffectual ass.
C
Olin Kreutz is smart and tough, but he's not dominant anymore. I figure he's still got some years ahead as a competent player, but he's someone who needs some powerful guard support if he's going to key a dynamic running game.
Can Beekman play center? That might be his best chance with this team: Being versatile, backing up, developing as a center.
DEFENSE
DT
OK, Dusty Dvorchek isn't a household name, but he was supposed to be a big part of our season and we lost him Week 1. I expect Dvorchek, Tommy Harris and a supporting cast to put together a solid 2008 season. We'll be OK in the middle, methinks, with one star and several solid players.
DE
We're over-manned here. Wale Ugunleye and Alex Brown are our best players, and Israel Idonije is a lock to get a roster spot (or should be). You've got to make room for Mark Anderson (who may just be a spot player), plus red-shirt freshman Dan Bauzin. We don't know what he can do. Anyway, short version: Don't draft a DE.
OLB
The guy I really wanted the Bears to draft in 2007 was Patrick Willis, who would have been there had we swapped Briggs for the Redskins' No. 6. But whatever: We'll replace Briggs with Jamar Williams and get a real look at 2007 third-round pick Michael Okwo. Hunter Hillenmeyer is still in the mix, and Brian Urlacher made a statement in December with some huge performances.
But let's get serious about something for a moment: Neither Williams nor Okwo is going to be Briggs in 2008... but Urlacher might be. Translation: Can we experiment a bit and see what kind of linebacker arrangement puts us in the most productive combination? Because Urlacher is a great weakside linebacker playing in the middle.
I'm not opposed to drafting a middle linebacker this year, but it's not a requirement. Basically, we need Williams to progress, and we need to see if Okwo can play.
CB
This one is simple: We suffered without Nathan Vasher in the lineup and we'll be better when he's healthy for 2008. Vasher and Peanut Tillman are locked up, along with Ricky Manning Jr., and Corey Graham/Trumane McBride provide decent, cheap depth. Leave this alone.
Safeties
Make Mike Brown an offer: Low salary, short term, lots of incentives for playing time. If he takes it, install him at free safety. If he doesn't, let him go with appreciation and class. After that, don't assume that we've got a second starting safety on the roster. Let Danieal Manning and Kevin Payne compete, but don't count on either being more than a backup. Look for safeties in the draft, in free agency.
It would be great if Manning, a second-round pick, stepped up and became a player. It would be great if Payne, who had an impressive camp, proves he was worth getting rid of Chris Harris last summer.
But let's get aggressive about safety. And that starts by cutting Adam Archuleta.
Specialists
Patrick Mannelly is one of the all-time great long-snappers and he looks like he could go forever. Brad Maynard is a veteran kicker. Keep him. And Robbie Gould, despite his spindly leg, is an excellent clutch field goal kicker. Getting a new halfback would move Adrian Peterson back into a meaningful coverage role. Yes, we'll lose Brandon Ayanbedajo. Life sucks like that. Invest in finding his replacement via the draft. Devin Hester is one of our greatest players since Walter Payton.
FREE AGENT PRIORITIES
1. Pursue Michael Turner and Alan Faneca with big-money contracts.
2. Investigate the availability of Derek Anderson, but don't overpay for him.
3. Try to re-sign Rex Grossman and Bernard Berrian, but not at crazy prices.
4. If Berrian leaves, consider signing a veteran free agent WR.
5. If it's unlikely we'll get a quality left tackle at our first-round position in April, then pursue Travelle Wharton.
DRAFT PRIORITIES
Round 1: Offensive left tackle.
Round 2 - 3: Quarterback, guard, safety
Round 4-5: Fullback, linebacker,
Round 6-7: Safety, safety, safety
posted by Daniel at 3:32 PM
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