Thread: Offensive line a priority for Bears

Originally Posted by WindyCity

If we draft a DT, and FA does not happen as we hope it does then what do we do to fix the OL?

If we draft Sherrod and cannot sign the free agent OG that what do we do at OG?

I like the Cannon pick because it gives us flexibility. Lets say our best FA option is Gaither, Cannon plays RG. Lets say our best option is an OG like Blalock, we put Cannon in the OT competition with Webb and Williams.

Option 1

LT: Gaither
LG: Williams
C: Garza
RG: Cannon
RT: Webb

Option 2

LT: Williams/Webb
LG: Blalock
C: Kreutz
RG:Garza
RT: Cannon

free agency WILL happen windy, the players available may change and the "when" is undecided ,but it will happen- and especially at OG there is enough talent( better than anyone in draft) no matter HOW its finally figured that we cn grab a guard of the many there

Originally Posted by dabears54

free agency WILL happen windy, the players available may change and the "when" is undecided ,but it will happen- and especially at OG there is enough talent( better than anyone in draft) no matter HOW its finally figured that we cn grab a guard of the many there

My fear is that if the OT talent is gone at 29 and we have signed an OG what do we do?

Will free angecy start with the April 6 court ruling or is there still a good chance it happens after the draft?

Originally Posted by WindyCity

My fear is that if the OT talent is gone at 29 and we have signed an OG what do we do?

Will free angecy start with the April 6 court ruling or is there still a good chance it happens after the draft?

we would then sign a OT in F/A( maybe even gaither who you like),, much rather get the better player at a different position than "settle" in draft for less.

We have the money for 2-3 Free agents, esp in the $6-8 mill range which on the o-line is what you are talking.. not $12-15 mill guys like peppers last year.

Originally Posted by WindyCity

My fear is that if the OT talent is gone at 29 and we have signed an OG what do we do?

Will free angecy start with the April 6 court ruling or is there still a good chance it happens after the draft?

We don't know exactly when FA will happen but it will happen and probably long before July but not necessarily before the draft. When it does there will be an abundance of young starting caliber OG talent. There are also a few OT's who may interest us including you boy Gaither. What's lacking are DT's who can play a 3t postion well. That's where the draft comes in because their are quite a few there.

I don't want to see us reach for an Olineman, even a LT like Sherrod, who may not be of any help this year. A good DT can step into that 3t spot much easier than a rookie LT prospect. JA also points out that the both Oline and Dline prospects are plentiful this year so that alone tells me that we can fill both spots in this draft. We just need to be choosy and not reach.

Originally Posted by soulman

We don't know exactly when FA will happen but it will happen and probably long before July but not necessarily before the draft. When it does there will be an abundance of young starting caliber OG talent. There are also a few OT's who may interest us including you boy Gaither. What's lacking are DT's who can play a 3t postion well. That's where the draft comes in because their are quite a few there.

I don't want to see us reach for an Olineman, even a LT like Sherrod, who may not be of any help this year. A good DT can step into that 3t spot much easier than a rookie LT prospect. JA also points out that the both Oline and Dline prospects are plentiful this year so that alone tells me that we can fill both spots in this draft. We just need to be choosy and not reach.

It would be nice if the judge opened free agnecy and we could start to see our team and draft strategy take shape.

If we sign OG Justin Blalock and C Lyle Sendelin we could the aggressivly pursue our favorite OT prospect, whether that means a trade up or not. Without free agency we are left with a number of needs and probably cannot be as aggressive getting our guys.

Originally Posted by WindyCity

It would be nice if the judge opened free agnecy and we could start to see our team and draft strategy take shape.

If we sign OG Justin Blalock and C Lyle Sendelin we could the aggressivly pursue our favorite OT prospect, whether that means a trade up or not. Without free agency we are left with a number of needs and probably cannot be as aggressive getting our guys.

That's what everyone, including JA, has been saying all along but no matter how much it screws up draft planning it does it equally for every team, not just the Bears. By this time JA and Ruskell have a pretty good handle on who the definite UFA's will be and who may still be RFA's if 2010 rules are used. So you line up the guys who are a certainty at the top of your list and then make a second list of the questionable ones. Once FA starts you make your most aggessive approach to those guys and let the chips fall where they may.

To me the draft is simple. We need a UT and LT in the first two rounds so you do all you can to get your guys. They have an idea of who's in front of them in both rounds and how players will fall. They're far less in the dark than we are.

Why in the world is Gaither's name still being mentioned? Dude has a bum back and a bum attitude. I would struggle with handing that guy league minimum. Give me Yanda for our interior via FA and our OL is upgraded significantly without even drafting. Put him at RG and he boosts Olin and Webb's game a great deal with all the things he does. Hell, he may give Olin another year for us, I honestly like Yanda's game that much. Then all you need is one starter for the left side in the draft.

Everyone likes to dog Tommie Harris for his attitude but Gaither gets a free pass I dont get that either. At least Harris was present even if not mentally all the time. Gaither disapeared at times and the Ravens had to look for him.