Bears will need to move fast when lockout end

**dabears54** · 06-12-2011, 06:22 AM

Bears will need to move fast when lockout ends

By Brad Biggs Tribune Reporter 11:25 a.m. CDT, June 11, 2011

If growing optimism is a sign of progress an agreement between NFL owners and players will be in place in the near future, the Bears may report to training camp on time after all.

Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal reported Saturday morning via Twitter that the “expectation is for a framework agreement in about two weeks.” Owners and players had a clandestine meeting in St. Charles, Ill., last week and the sides came together again this week in New York. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported that since the most recent meeting, the sides have also had talks over the phone.

There’s a sense building that a deal could be brokered sooner rather than later that would give the league enough time for a player acquisition period that would include free agency for veterans as well as undrafted college free agents. As the Tribune reported earlier this week, the Bears currently have only 54 players on their 80-man roster, leaving plenty of work to be done before reporting to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.

If all goes as planned, the Bears will report the day before the first scheduled practice July 23. The Bears and Rams both can open camps a week early because they meet in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio, a fifth exhibition game that could be an advantage with the three-month lockout wiping out offseason programs. But for practice to begin on time, a collective bargaining agreement must be in place sometime around July 4.

There isn’t any wiggle room for the Bears to extend their stay at Olivet Nazarene past the typical departure date of Aug. 19. While the school’s online calendar says freshman orientation does not begin until Aug. 27, the Bears’ leaving date has been a contractual sticking point in the past because the school needs time to prepare for the students’ arrival. If owners and players don’t strike a timely deal, it could lead to a truncated stay in Bourbonnais or no trip there at all.

It remains to be seen if the NFL will make an allowance for the teams that changed coaches since last season. Typically, those clubs have been given an extra minicamp.

Eight of the 32 teams changed coaches, and some believe the league will permit them to open camp early so they won’t have too much of a competitive disadvantage.

But that’s just one of the many details that needs to be sorted out soon if the sides truly are nearing an accord that ensures the season will be a complete one. Missing even one week of training camp would cost both sides in the deal revenue, and money is what this is all about.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

**dabears54** · 06-12-2011, 08:01 AM

I'd bet Cliff stein and angelo have gone over all the scenrios many times over( like we have here..lol).. and have their 'final list" and like last year with peppers, will jump quick and fast after their desired F/A picks, not on;y to get done quickly before another team grabs them, but also to get into the fold right away

**OBTheAnimal** · 06-12-2011, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by dabears54

I'd bet Cliff stein and angelo have gone over all the scenrios many times over( like we have here..lol).. and have their 'final list" and like last year with peppers, will jump quick and fast after their desired F/A picks, not on;y to get done quickly before another team grabs them, but also to get into the fold right away

frankly DB, if what I've read all offseason is correct, and knowing Angelo and Stein, I would be a little surprised if there isn't already "unofficial" deals in place with many players... I'd look for an absolute flurry of signings in the first few days as all those contracts are formally signed and announced

**dabears54** · 06-12-2011, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by OBTheAnimal

frankly DB, if what I've read all offseason is correct, and knowing Angelo and Stein, I would be a little surprised if there isn't already "unofficial" deals in place with many players... I'd look for an absolute flurry of signings in the first few days as all those contracts are formally signed and announced

Oh no doubt OB!... No one will ever admit it publically, but do expect esp for teams with relationships and other players under contract with teams, to have had informal 'dipping of toes" talks already or before the lockout happened that will happen fast in the first 24-48 hours after a new CBA is signed and F/A opens.. specifically on bears bet Anthony adams resigns rght away, roach and iwuh at LB and manning will look,but of no better offers come, he will also resign.. and expect as said a WR and OG to be signed quickly

**thekmann** · 06-12-2011, 11:44 AM

I guess they would have to have two wish list boards as they don't know what the cutoff for FA in terms of years of service will be yet. Will it be 4,5 or 6 years, this will have a huge effect on who they will target if indeed they are targeting anyone at all. Angelo has said numerous times that the team is happy with the young OL it currently has and wishes to further develop them. Is this a smokescreen as many on here hope and believe or is it the truth, only time will tell.

**dabears54** · 06-12-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by thekmann

I guess they would have to have two wish list boards as they don't know what the cutoff for FA in terms of years of service will be yet. Will it be 4,5 or 6 years, this will have a huge effect on who they will target if indeed they are targeting anyone at all. Angelo has said numerous times that the team is happy with the young OL it currently has and wishes to further develop them. Is this a smokescreen as many on here hope and believe or is it the truth, only time will tell.

yeah K-man.. probably have a a large "flow chart" and players to get depending on the F/a( i'd expect either 4 or 5), and Def a "smokescreen" about the Oline.. Last year angelo also said liked our DE's and denied going after Peppers.. so like a good poker player, never show hand early : )

**thekmann** · 06-12-2011, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by dabears54

yeah K-man.. probably have a a large "flow chart" and players to get depending on the F/a( i'd expect either 4 or 5), and Def a "smokescreen" about the Oline.. Last year angelo also said liked our DE's and denied going after Peppers.. so like a good poker player, never show hand early : )

Yeah DB I tend to agree that they would very much like to go after one of the Atlanta OG's depending again on their availability. I just wonder what their plans are for Chris Williams and Omiyale if they do go that route. I think Garza definitely has a couple more years in him so he will either start or be the backup as he can play both positions and I guess he has been mentioned as a backup center as well. I am pretty positive they will jump all over Olin Kreutz and sign him to a 2 year extension/contract at least that would be the smart play on their part IMHO. To me the OL is a fascinating quagmire for the Bears right now. They have two OT's in Williams and Omiyale who've they tried to convert into OG's with marginal results from both. They have also let both play at right and left tackle again with so so results. I guess I can say the only person I feel will not be back on the team would be Kevin Schaffer other than that they have lots of options depending on what they do in FA and hoping Carimi can come in and get the job done as a rookie. Will be fun to watch it all pan out if they get through this CBA thing in the next 2-3 weeks.

**dabears54** · 06-13-2011, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by thekmann

Yeah DB I tend to agree that they would very much like to go after one of the Atlanta OG's depending again on their availability. I just wonder what their plans are for Chris Williams and Omiyale if they do go that route. I think Garza definitely has a couple more years in him so he will either start or be the backup as he can play both positions and I guess he has been mentioned as a backup center as well. I am pretty positive they will jump all over Olin Kreutz and sign him to a 2 year extension/contract at least that would be the smart play on their part IMHO. To me the OL is a fascinating quagmire for the Bears right now. They have two OT's in Williams and Omiyale who've they tried to convert into OG's with marginal results from both. They have also let both play at right and left tackle again with so so results. I guess I can say the only person I feel will not be back on the team would be Kevin Schaffer other than that they have lots of options depending on what they do in FA and hoping Carimi can come in and get the job done as a rookie. Will be fun to watch it all pan out if they get through this CBA thing in the next 2-3 weeks.

becuse of their lower contracts and ability to back up at multiple positions- c williams making only $1 million and omiyale $1.6 mill in 2011, "at worst", even if get a F/A guard they stay on for depth and back up's imo, which you need. neither is making big money and any replacement will cost you more- and schaffer's contract is up, really doubt they resign him now

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