Bears Mock Offseason [Defensive Focus]
Free Agents
WR Marques Colston [New Orleans] 5 years 45 million/ 20 guaranteed
The Bears need a legit #1 WR with the size to be a red zone factor and to run the slant. Colston is in a unique situation as a 64 225lbs WR who will turn 29 before the season and may not be resigned by his current team. The Saints need to resign Carl Nicks and Brew Brees, which might leave Colston available. Colston is exactly what the Bears need as they dont have the time to develop a rookie WR.
http://images.paraorkut.com/img/foot...olston-422.jpg
CB Terrell Thomas [NY Giants] 2 years 6 million/3 guaranteed
Thomas is coming off an ACL injury and the Bears should be able to pick him up on the cheap and allow him to prove that he is healthy. Thomas has the size and speed the Bears need to eventually be a starter and provide valuable depth.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/68...ell_thomas.jpg
S Chris Hope [Tennessee] 3 years 7.5 million/4 guaranteed
The Bears have an exceptionally young S core and they need a veteran that can come in and support the youth. Hope has been a solid NFL starter and while his best years are behind him be provides more discipline off the bench while Conte, Wright and Allen develop.
http://www.d1sportstraining.com/trai...ris%20Hope.jpg
Re-signings
RB Matt Forte [5 years 42.5 Million/21 guaranteed]
WR Earl Bennett [4 years 14 million/6 guaranteed]
CB D.J Moore [4 years 10 million/4 guaranteed]
DT Amobi Okoye [3 years 12 million/ 4 guaranteed]
DE Israel Idonije [2 years 5 million/ 3 guaranteed]
TE Kellen Davis [2 years 3 million/ 1 guaranteed]
CB Tim Jennings [4 years 12 million/ 4 guaranteed]
Release/Not Resigned
DT Anthony Adams
WR Roy Williams
S Brandon Merriweather
OT Frank Omiyale
Draft
1[25] DE Whitney Mercilus [Illinois] 64 265lbs.
The Bears have addressed the need at WR with Colston and I doubt they will look at OG as a possible 1st round option unless DeCastro falls to this pick. The Bears address an aging defence and the most important position on the defence. The Cover 2 is built on pass rush from the down lineman and the Bears starters are both over 30. Mercilus combines good size with solid speed and a motor to chase down plays. He reminds me of John Abraham as a sneaky athlete that does not waste movement on his way to the QB. Mercilus gets to learn from Julius Peppers and Rod Marinelli and move directly into the rotation before replacing Idonije down the road.
http://thexlog.com/wp-content/upload...eyMercilus.jpg
2[57] OG Brandon Washington [Miami] 64 320lbs.
The Bears need to continue to add young depth to the OL, which has become even more apparent with Carimi and Chris Williams hitting the I.R. Washington has played multiple positions for the Hurricanes and can spend his 1st year as a valuable back up. Washington is a big physical mauler similar to Davin Joseph of the Bucs and is athletic enough to be a pulling OG in the Bears run game. If Carimi is slow in coming back Washington can move into RG while Louis moves to RT.
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg...3dzlo1_500.jpg
3[71] S Antonio Allen [South Carolina] 62 202lbs.
The Bears have 0 depth at the safety position and Major Wright has not proven himself at the SS position. Allen will provide depth behind Conte and Wright and challenge to start at SS. At a minimum Allen provides special teams with another valuable player and waits till Major Wright gets hurt again.
http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/A...xfuZzRDlkl.jpg
3[89] LB Keenan Robinson [Texas] 62 240lbs
The Bears need to start planning for the future at LB and add depth that can learn from players like Urlacher and Briggs. Robinson has the speed and the pursuit that the Bears need at LB and has the size to stay on the outside or move into the middle. You know how much Lovie loves his guys from Texas.
http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/ap_photo/2...l/l4871301.jpg
4. OT Matt McCants [UAB] 6'7" 310lbs.
It appears that J'Marcus Webb is going to develop into the starting LT that the Bears have sold him as, but the Bears have little depth at OT with Carimi coming off an injury and Webb being inconsistent. This pick also allows the Bears to develop a talented young back up instead of having Frank Omiyale waste a roster sport for another year.
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/albr/gr...cCants_UT1.jpg
5. TE George Bryan [NC State] 65 265lbs.
Kellen Davis has underachieved and struggled to pass block and Matt Spaeth is a glorified OT. Ryan adds competition behind both men. Ryan also has the size to be an effective blocker, which is what this system calls for. Ryan also can bring a big body to the special teams.
http://acc.blogs.starnewsonline.com/...0/04/bryan.jpg
6. CB Tashaun Gipson [Wyoming] 6' 190lbs.
A developmental CB with the size to start and lost of time to develop. Gipson has the physica style that the Bears need to develop behind Charles Tillman who is over 30.
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/T...q1q3xY0xsl.jpg
7. WR Damarlo Belcher [Indiana] 6'5" 215lbs.
The Bears add a big, physical WR to the mix who will probably not make the team, but can develop on the practice roster while giving the defense a big target look for when they prepare for the Lions or other teams with big physical WRs.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/58...elcher1115.jpg
Depth Chart
QB: Cutler, Hanie, Enderle
RB: Forte, Barber, Bell, Clutts
WR: Colston, Hester, Bennett, Knox, Hurd, Sanzenbacher
TE: Davis, Spaeth, Bryan
LT: Webb, McCants
LG: Williams, Washington
C: Garza, Spencer
RG: Louis
RT: Carimi, Horn
RE: Peppers, Mercilus
DT: Melton, Okoye
NT: Toenia, Paea
LE: Idonije, Wootton
SLB: Roach, Iwuh
MLB: Urlacher, Dicico,
WLB: Briggs, Robinson
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Thomas, Moore, Gipson, Graham
FS: Conte, Allen, Walters
SS: Wright, Hope