Thread: Bears Free Agent Focus

We already have two tackles, now we need at least a C and G.

Originally Posted by little bear

We already have two tackles, now we need at least a C and G.

I'm with you LB. We've got two guys we drafted over the past two years to start, a young guy with promise (Horn) coming off the practice squad and Omigod as an experienced backup just in case somebody gets hurt or fails miserably and if all else fails there's still Chris Williams. That's enough OT's.

I'd love to see them sign Harvey Dahl and then bring in an UDFA rookie OC from the five or six rated guys who didn't get drafted. In the meantime we've got Garza and EWill to backup Olin who I know they'll re-sign. Even after getting our own UFA's under contract there should still be plenty of cap room to go WR shopping and my guess is that it will be for somebody like Santana Moss. I just think that Martz prefers the smaller quicker guys and I think they'll go along with him on that so we can probably say goodbye to any chance we may have to sign Sidney Rice.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

2 words. Logan Mankins.

He's forcing an FA move b/c no way the pats eat 10mil for a guard.

I can't see them talking off the franchise tag Ric. He's gonna cost them $10.7 mil for one year and I think they'll do it if they have to and try to get him signed to a longer term deal sometime this year if they can. There is the possibility that the NFL will give him the $10 mil he's asking for in order to drop out of the lawsuit too. Remaining with the Pats for one more year under a franchise tag could be very lucrative for him.

The problem with trading him is that whoever wants him is gonna have to give up some very high picks or pick plus sign him to a record breaking deal. I don't know about you but I don't want him that bad. I'd be a lot happier with one of the UFA like Dahl, Yanda or Joseph who will cost less and we won't have to trade for them.

Originally Posted by soulman

I'm with you LB. We've got two guys we drafted over the past two years to start, a young guy with promise (Horn) coming off the practice squad and Omigod as an experienced backup just in case somebody gets hurt or fails miserably and if all else fails there's still Chris Williams. That's enough OT's.

I'd love to see them sign Harvey Dahl and then bring in an UDFA rookie OC from the five or six rated guys who didn't get drafted. In the meantime we've got Garza and EWill to backup Olin who I know they'll re-sign. Even after getting our own UFA's under contract there should still be plenty of cap room to go WR shopping and my guess is that it will be for somebody like Santana Moss. I just think that Martz prefers the smaller quicker guys and I think they'll go along with him on that so we can probably say goodbye to any chance we may have to sign Sidney Rice.



I can't see them talking off the franchise tag Ric. He's gonna cost them $10.7 mil for one year and I think they'll do it if they have to and try to get him signed to a longer term deal sometime this year if they can. There is the possibility that the NFL will give him the $10 mil he's asking for in order to drop out of the lawsuit too. Remaining with the Pats for one more year under a franchise tag could be very lucrative for him.

The problem with trading him is that whoever wants him is gonna have to give up some very high picks or pick plus sign him to a record breaking deal. I don't know about you but I don't want him that bad. I'd be a lot happier with one of the UFA like Dahl, Yanda or Joseph who will cost less and we won't have to trade for them.

Remember what the NFL did to Reggie White in the White v. NFL case in 1992, when they basically waved all claims of him ever being franchised for the rest of his career? I think that's what happened anyway. I do believe that Mankins will get his wish and will force the NFL to rescind his franchise tag. If that's the case and he's not simply paid off, I could see the Bears going after him.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

Remember what the NFL did to Reggie White in the White v. NFL case in 1992, when they basically waved all claims of him ever being franchised for the rest of his career? I think that's what happened anyway. I do believe that Mankins will get his wish and will force the NFL to rescind his franchise tag. If that's the case and he's not simply paid off, I could see the Bears going after him.

If that's the case the Bears may be interested but they may also feel that one of the other FA's is a better value. Personally I don't see why Mankins wouldn't want to remain franchised if the NFL is willing give him $10 mil to drop out of the lawsuit. Add that to the $10.7 mil he gets from NE as his salary and the guy makes almost $21 mil this year guaranteed. Then he still has the option of becoming an UFA next year when there won't be as many guys available at his position or at least we think there won't. When it comes right down to it he's in a nearly ideal situation if he stays.

Originally Posted by motownbear

we have only one worthwhile T. To me Carimi is the building block the rest need to be replaced one by one

Can't agree with you on this right now mo. At the very least Webb has shown signs of becoming a very good OT. OMG has all the makings of a career backup if he even sticks and we really don't know what Horn can do since we've nver seen him. I'm not saying we shouldn't be looking for OT talent at all but that we shouldn't prioritze them over interior lineman. Since Tice seems to like OT's who can play OG we may find guys out there who can do that but are overlooked because of it. Guys who may be playing out of position with their current teams.

Originally Posted by motownbear

I didnt say anything about priority just said we need 4 new olinemen. I dont think OMG is even sufficient as a backup. One backups shouldnt get 4 year 14 mil contract. Two he was probably one of the worst olinemen in the league last year. Why employ the worst at that cost?

I think Webb is that career backup if he even progresses from his statue form. The rest of the olinemen can go kick rocks. Lance Louis is one I like to see get another shot and if it doesnt work out maybe teach him that role Manu was supposed to play and we can save on Manu's contract.

I think with the amount of oline talent in this FA we should come out with a RT and a G. That will leave only two more pieces to replace next offseason

But you can't put 4 new lineman in there in one year and expect them to play much better to kick off this year than they did last. What makes some of these guys as good as they are is the familiarity they have with one another. I think we'd be more successful with two new lineman than four.

We're aleady gonna add one at OT in Carimi so the other should be at OG, preferably RG to replace Garza. If CWill doesn't cut it at LG then Garza can take over. Like it or not Mo they're gonna work the hell out of both Webb (maybe at LT) and CWill in camp and preseason. Tice wants these guys in the lineup and he'll push them until they succeed or fail, trust me.

For the cost difference I'd part company with OMG before I'd ever cut either Webb or CWill. There's potential in both whereas I think OMG has hit his top. I agree with you on Louis too. I'd love to see them use him in that blocking back role. He was a TE at one time so he should have a grasp on the position and he's both younger and cheaper than Manu. After that I be anxious to see who we add from the rookie UDFA's. There was still some draftable Oline talent left on the board especially at OC so I can see us bringing in at least three guys to compete for OC and OG spots and maybe another one or two at OT.

I'm not gonna get down on any Olineman until Tice has had an entire year to work with the guy at one spot and keeps him there. Olineman can take a while to develop and I don't want to see us doing all the training and then cut the guy only to see him succeed elsewhere.