Bears Mock Offseason [No Mankins]

Free Agents

OT Jared Gaither [Ravens] 4 years 30 million/10 guaranteed

I know that there are question marks about Gaither and they have to do with his health and his attitude, but there is no denying that at 6’9” 330lbs he is an impressive LT. The Bears are desperate to find pass protection so that they can keep Jay Cutler healthy and run Mike Martz’s offense. The Bears need to take the risk and get someone that can fill the Orlando Pace roll in the Martz offense. The Bears will have to protect themselves with the contract, but they cannot go into another season with the Omiyale or Williams combo at LT. It is so rare that a 24 year old LT with this guy’s ability will hit the market and the Bears need to take advantage of a weird situation.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writ...ed-gaither.jpg

WR Braylon Edwards [NY Jets] 5 years 30 million/12 guaranteed

Again the Bears take a risk on an inconsistent player that has a ton of talent. Players like Vincent Jackson and Sidney Rice would be the perfect situation, but both will cost over 10 million a season and both may be tagged. Edwards career has been up and down, but he has the size 6’3” and the ability to be a dominant WR. He showed in the playoffs what he can do when he has good QB play and is involved in the offense. Edwards is the best option available that gives the Bears something that they do not have.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/20...on_edwards.jpg

S Brandon McGowan [Patriots] 2 years 3.5 million/1 guaranteed

I am fully expecting someone to over pay for Daniel Manning this offseason and for what he brings to the Bears he is not worth the cost. McGowan knows the system and has shown in New England that he can start in the NFL. Injuries have slowed McGowan’s development, but the Bears do not need him to start they need him to provide depth and contribute on special teams.
http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/N...QU4vsJv3um.jpg

Draft

1[29] OG Marcus Cannon [TCU] 6’5” 340lbs.

Cannon is a monstrous OT/OG that should be right up Mike Tice’s ally and his love for bigger OLmen. Cannon has exceptional feet and athletic ability for his size and can add some size and punch to the Bears OL. Cannon can step in and play LG and help to stop the B.J Rajis and Kong Suhs of the world. The Bears struggled this year to protect and run against bigger more physical DLs and they need to fix the fact that they cannot score from the 1 yard line. There have been questions about Cannon’s desire to play football so the combine could be huge for him.
http://images.onset.freedom.com/odes...iegostate3.jpg

2[61] CB Curtis Brown [Texas] 6’ 190lbs.

The Bears need to add CB depth behind an aging Charles Tillman and a struggling Tim Jennings. Brown had a nice week at the Senior Bowl and showed that he can be physical in coverage. Brown has the size that our current CBs do not have. Brown has the luxury of developing for a season before he needs to be ready.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/8browncu.jpg

3[93] DT Lawrence Guy [Arizona St] 6’5” 300lbs.

The Bears need to start searching for a player that can replace Tommie Harris. Guy has everything that you look for physically with size, weight room strength and speed to develop into the interior pass rusher that we need.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FNUO5qLbf3...s1600/lguy.jpg

4. C John Moffitt [Wisconsin] 6’4” 315lbs.

Moffitt has limitations athletically and will be a 25 year old rookie, but he is a versatile scrapper that can contribute to the OL. Moffitt who played center early in his Wisconsin career can be developed behind Kreutz to take over in 2012.
http://www.nhregister.com/content/ar...tt_feature.jpg

5. WR Greg Little [UNC] 6’2” 220lbs.

Coming off a 1 year NCAA suspension Little’s stock is very much so in the air. A former RB Little is a run after the catch WR that is physical and attacks the ball. The Bears need to get bigger and more physical at WR,
http://media.scout.com/media/image/58/587321.jpg

6. RB Allen Bradford [USC] 6’ 230lbs.

If the Bears really want to cut Chester Taylor they need to find a replacement and Bradford would be a savings of close to 1 million dollars. The Bears are not good in short yardage situations and Matt Forte is not a power back. Bradford is a 230lbs. downhill monster that can be used on the goal line.
http://www.trojannyc.com/images/2007.../bradford2.jpg

Depth Chart

Offense

QB: Cutler, Hanie, UDFA
RB: Forte, Bradford, Bell
FB: Unga
TE: Olsen, Manamluana, Davis
WR: Edwards, Bennett, Knox, Hester, Little, Davis
LT: Gaither, Williams
LG: Cannon, Louis
C: Kreutz, Moffitt
RG: Garza
RT: Webb, Omiyale

Defence

RE: Peppers, Wooton
DT: Toenia, Guy
NT: Adams, Harrison
LE: Idonidje, Melton
SLB: Tinaisamoa, Roach
MLB : Urlacher, Wilson
WLB: Briggs, Iwuh
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Brown, Moore, Moore, Graham
FS: Wright, McGowan
SS: Harris, Steltz

That's a real ball buster that Logan Mankins is not going to be available in free agency unless we seek a trade for a draft pick.

As I've said in the past, I'm not a fan of Cannon in the first. Also, you're overrating his athleticism quite a bit. His lateral agility is a weak spot for him, and though that is neutralized greatly at OG, he also hasn't flashed a lot of off the ball explosion that you typically see in a power guard (though, I admit it is not asked very often of a OT to do so in college). For me, it's top 5 OT, Pouncey, top 3 CB, top 4 DT, or you move right on to BPA outside of QB/TE because everything else is just a reach for need which has proven to be an awful strategy.

What do you think of the Jared Gaither signing?

Sign Asomugha and Rodgers has to throw at Tillman.

Peanut goes to the Pro-Bowl and Asomugha is secure in being Conrad Dobler.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WindyCity

What do you think of the Jared Gaither signing?

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Back problem+lazy+$30 million=risk as large as the man.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

Back problem+lazy+$30 million=risk as large as the man.

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I think he might be worth the risk because when he plays he is very good.

The back problem and the attitude stuff is tough to figure out because it all started to crop up after his contract dispute started. I think the lazy thing is tied up with the contract.

The back problem is difficult to assess and will have to be vetted during the free agency process.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

As I've said in the past, I'm not a fan of Cannon in the first. Also, you're overrating his athleticism quite a bit. His lateral agility is a weak spot for him, and though that is neutralized greatly at OG, he also hasn't flashed a lot of off the ball explosion that you typically see in a power guard (though, I admit it is not asked very often of a OT to do so in college). For me, it's top 5 OT, Pouncey, top 3 CB, top 4 DT, or you move right on to BPA outside of QB/TE because everything else is just a reach for need which has proven to be an awful strategy.

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It is very tough to assess the run blocking ability of OTs because it is a different style of run blocking.

At OT it is difficult to explode out into a run block because the opponent is further away and they are quicker while at OG the DT are sitting there waiting for you to drive into them.

I watched the Rose Bowl again and I walked away thinking the guy does not play LT in the NFL but J.J Watt could not get through this guy.

I like your 2nd round pick.

I'm eager to see what comes out of this offseason. I personally would draft a prime time WR with the 30th pick in the first round and then get a G in the second.