Thread: The Vincent Jackson Offseason Plan

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

Upshaw looked completely pedestrian with his hand in the dirt at the Senior Bowl.

I like Osemele.

I do not see Charles lasting that long, but stranger things have happened.

Fletcher not getting invited to the Combine is a hugely disappointing snub.

Bradham had the second best performance at LB at the Senior Bowl behind Bobby Wagner, IMHO.

That area from 4-5 looks to have quite a few WRs I like. Graham is a real speed burner and I'd be happy with him. My favorite in that area is still Gerell Robinson, though, being a Sun Devil. DeVier Posey is my new mid-round favorite at the position, though.

-I am really torn on the 1st round DE in this draft. While Coples is #1 I do nto know who would work best for us between Upshaw, Perry and Mercilus.

-Osemele to me is a high potential guy that Tice can work with, but how do you think he compares to Brandon Washington. I know both can't play OT full time in the NFL.

-Charles is an enigma to me because he has all that athletic ability, but is not that highly ranked. I was seriously thinking about mocking him to us at 50 because I think he could be JerMichael Finlay.

Fletcher in the third round. Or another LB.

Kudos to the OP for putting so much time and effort into this offseason plan...the addition of pictures is definately a huge plus. With that said, my offseason does in fact look different for the most part, player-wise anyways.

Free-agents:

1) WR, Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs), 6'2" 221lbs...This may just be a bit of a pipe dream here (which is probably the case with V-Jax and the guy I really would like to snag, Stevie Johnson as well), but IF the Chiefs don't franchise Bowe, then Emery had better be ready to open up the checkbook a bit and Lovie had better be scheduling a flight to Bowe's home, with fruit-basket in hand!! This guy has gotten it done consistently throughout his short NFL career and with terrible QB situations. He would give Cutler a true #1 target...a guy who can work every spot on the field and is a beast in the redzone!

2) CB, Tracy Porter (Saints), 5'11" 188lbs...The Bears need DB help pretty badly, with Jennings, Bowman and special teams ace Graham all scheduled to become free-agents this offseason. Porter is a good CB overall and is a good tackler...He'd be the type of mid-range CB signing that I would expect from this Lovie-lead defensive unit and my guess is that Porter would do well, but wouldn't be spectacular like many other starting CB's before him. Either way, it would be a good pickup.

3) QB, Jason Campbell (Raiders), 6'5" 230lbs...The Bears obviously need a veteran backup QB and IMHO, Campbell is the best option on the free-agent list. He's mobile, has a strong arm, he's completed 60.8% of his passes through his career and has 75 TD's passes to 50 INT's over his career. I would venture to guess that Campbell could step in off the bench (if needed) and help the Bears win some football games.

4) LB, Chris Chamberlain (Rams), 6'2" 238lbs...A solid special teamer who could step in right away and help out Dave Toub's already strong unit. He would also provide some much needed young depth to the Bears LB corps.

5) OT, Anthony Collins (Bengals), 6'5" 312lbs...This guy, at least in my opinion, could start for several NFL teams right now, including our beloved Bears. He could be the young (26) and talented player who could either push Webb to play up to his potential finally, or the guy to step in and start, while Webb moves to swing tackle, and Frank "OMG, watch out Jay" Omiyale gets sent packing.

6) WR, Lavelle Hawkins (Titans), 5'11" 190lbs...The Bears need to add some more depth to their WR corps and also find a guy who could start opposite Bowe (or Jackson, or Colston, or Stevie Johnson...whoever they MIGHT snag). Hawkins, most-likely would only provide depth, but he is talented enough to get playing time.

Re-sign:

1) RB, Matt Forte...My guess is that he'll get the franchise tag, but he will be back with the Bears this season.

2) DE, Israel Idonije...He's solid against the run, but nothing special when it comes to pressuring the QB. Nonetheless, he's a leader on and off the field, he wants to be back with the Bears and he's a versatile D-lineman.

3) CB, Zachary Bowman...IF this guy could just stay healthy for once, I'm sure he would be the starter opposite Tillman. Out of the three CB's that are going to hit the free-agent market, I believe that Bowman has the best chance to be brought back. Reports were that Jennings ended the season in Lovie's doghouse and I just don't see any way in hell that Graham returns, especially after he proved that when given the chance ON THE FIELD, that he can create turnovers and play well. Not to mention, he's a special-teams stud!!

4) FS/SS, Craig Steltz...He does well on special teams and showed last season that when his number is called, that he can in fact play well.

5) TE, Kellen Davis...Ya know, maybe I'm the only Bears fan out there that IS NOT high on this guy. Sure, he COULD be a good receiving TE, but no one knows that. All I've seen is a guy make a few catches and haul in a few TD's, but he's not done anything to prove to me that he deserves to be brought back and given the starting job. I don't have a problem with bringing him back for one year so that he can prove that he belongs in the NFL, but please don't just hand him the job and say "well, that position is solidified." That was the Angelo/Lovie way for years and frankly, I grew sick of that crap!! I hope Emery has a different plan, because I fear that Lovie's been whispering to him since day 1, "I was real pleased with Kellen Davis last season and I think he can become a real asset to this team. Plus, he's a real nice guy Phil, so we don't need a TE." LOL.

6) RB, Kahlil Bell (RFA)...My guess is that he'll be back with the Bears, unless some team values him enough to give us draft picks for his services. I thought he ran the ball really well last season, but I have to be completely honest here...those fumbles he had REALLY bugged me!

7) DT, Amobi Okoye...He was a solid contributor for the Bears defense last season. I think he'll be back.

DRAFT:

1) TE, Dwayne Allen (Clemson), 6'4" 255lbs...Yup, I'm thinking outside of the box with this pick!! According to numerous draft "experts," Allen is the best TE in this entire draft class. He has a great set of hands, he breaks tackles, he is a matchup nightmare and he also blocks extremely well...it's the complete package if your team is looking for a TE to help the offense. Picking at #19, I truly believe that IF Allen is still available, that he provides the best value for the Chicago Bears because he will most-likely be the best player available and he also fills a definate need. I think he would be the type of TE that Tice and Cutler will be looking for in their new offense. It would provide Cutler with a security blanket so to speak.

2) DE, Chandler Jones (Syracuse), 6'5" 265lbs...The Bears have to get more pressure from the D-line, especially the DE's. Peppers is pretty much double teamed every snap so someone needs to be able to take advantage of those one-on-one matchups. Jones is a big kid with a high motor who I believe would benefit from the teachings of Rod Marinelli.

3) OLB, Travis Lewis (Oklahoma), 6'2" 228lbs...This guy is a tackling machine and has also been a leader of the Sooner defense for the last three seasons. He's got good sideline-to-sideline speed and does extremely well in coverage. He would possibly step in and start on the strong side for right now and could eventually become Briggs' replacement. Either way, he would provide some solid depth to a depth-starved LB corps.

3) WR, Joe Adams (Arkansas), 5'11", 190lbs...By adding Bowe (or one of the other top free-agent WR's), the Bears' need to draft a WR early isn't as great and they can focus on drafting a guy that they can afford to develop. Joe Adams was the star of the Senior Bowl and he's also an accomplished kick/punt returner. Plus, given Lovie's typical "redshirt the rookie WR" approach, I just don't see the point of drafting a WR early if he's not going to see the field. I want to see contributions from the early picks, not rookie diaries on how tough it is to have to watch from the sideline while the other WR's suck! LOL.

4) CB, Shaun Prater (Iowa), 5'10" 185lbs...Almost every scouting report I've read on this kid says that he would excel in a zone based scheme. They even said it during the East-West Shrine Game. All that I know is that Prater was a solid CB in college, who I think can start in the NFL. IF he falls into the 4th round, he'd be a great addition.

5) RB, Vick Ballard (Mississippi State), 5'11" 220lbs...Let's not forget what Tice and Lovie want to do with this offense; they ARE going to run the football. I have a gut feeling that we've seen the last of Marion Barber is a Bears uniform, so they will be needing a short-yardage, run between the tackles type of RB to help the running game. Ballard could provide that one-cut, run it right at you type of back that would also provide the offense with a change of pace from time to time.

6) SS, Matt Daniels (Duke), 5'11" 208lbs...The Bears need depth at the safety position pretty badly, because neither of the 50 million combos we have tried over the last oh.....10 years, have worked because of injury or whatever. Daniels was a track star in high school, so maybe that athleticism will translate to the field, because chances are that he'll get his opportunity to start.

7) C, William Vlachos (Alabama), 6'1" 305lbs...I know, I know, I can't believe myself that I didn't draft an offensive linemen earlier than this. BUT, I have a bad feeling that the Bears are and were happy with their current group of offensive linemen. My HOPE is that Emery sees that group as complete crap (which it pretty much is IMHO), but he will still be getting is info from the HC, who stated that he was very happy with the Bears OL production last season. Bringing in a young tackle like Collins does in fact, help the situation though. As for Vlachos, the Bears need to find an eventual replacement for the Center position. Garza isn't getting any younger, and even though he did get the new contract, he may not have that much more left in the tank. Vlachos is a good prospect who I think is very willing to learn, which is never a bad thing.

Originally Posted by bearsfan247

Kudos to the OP for putting so much time and effort into this offseason plan...the addition of pictures is definately a huge plus. With that said, my offseason does in fact look different for the most part, player-wise anyways.

Free-agents:

1) WR, Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs), 6'2" 221lbs...This may just be a bit of a pipe dream here (which is probably the case with V-Jax and the guy I really would like to snag, Stevie Johnson as well), but IF the Chiefs don't franchise Bowe, then Emery had better be ready to open up the checkbook a bit and Lovie had better be scheduling a flight to Bowe's home, with fruit-basket in hand!! This guy has gotten it done consistently throughout his short NFL career and with terrible QB situations. He would give Cutler a true #1 target...a guy who can work every spot on the field and is a beast in the redzone!

2) CB, Tracy Porter (Saints), 5'11" 188lbs...The Bears need DB help pretty badly, with Jennings, Bowman and special teams ace Graham all scheduled to become free-agents this offseason. Porter is a good CB overall and is a good tackler...He'd be the type of mid-range CB signing that I would expect from this Lovie-lead defensive unit and my guess is that Porter would do well, but wouldn't be spectacular like many other starting CB's before him. Either way, it would be a good pickup.

3) QB, Jason Campbell (Raiders), 6'5" 230lbs...The Bears obviously need a veteran backup QB and IMHO, Campbell is the best option on the free-agent list. He's mobile, has a strong arm, he's completed 60.8% of his passes through his career and has 75 TD's passes to 50 INT's over his career. I would venture to guess that Campbell could step in off the bench (if needed) and help the Bears win some football games.

4) LB, Chris Chamberlain (Rams), 6'2" 238lbs...A solid special teamer who could step in right away and help out Dave Toub's already strong unit. He would also provide some much needed young depth to the Bears LB corps.

5) OT, Anthony Collins (Bengals), 6'5" 312lbs...This guy, at least in my opinion, could start for several NFL teams right now, including our beloved Bears. He could be the young (26) and talented player who could either push Webb to play up to his potential finally, or the guy to step in and start, while Webb moves to swing tackle, and Frank "OMG, watch out Jay" Omiyale gets sent packing.

6) WR, Lavelle Hawkins (Titans), 5'11" 190lbs...The Bears need to add some more depth to their WR corps and also find a guy who could start opposite Bowe (or Jackson, or Colston, or Stevie Johnson...whoever they MIGHT snag). Hawkins, most-likely would only provide depth, but he is talented enough to get playing time.

Re-sign:

1) RB, Matt Forte...My guess is that he'll get the franchise tag, but he will be back with the Bears this season.

2) DE, Israel Idonije...He's solid against the run, but nothing special when it comes to pressuring the QB. Nonetheless, he's a leader on and off the field, he wants to be back with the Bears and he's a versatile D-lineman.

3) CB, Zachary Bowman...IF this guy could just stay healthy for once, I'm sure he would be the starter opposite Tillman. Out of the three CB's that are going to hit the free-agent market, I believe that Bowman has the best chance to be brought back. Reports were that Jennings ended the season in Lovie's doghouse and I just don't see any way in hell that Graham returns, especially after he proved that when given the chance ON THE FIELD, that he can create turnovers and play well. Not to mention, he's a special-teams stud!!

4) FS/SS, Craig Steltz...He does well on special teams and showed last season that when his number is called, that he can in fact play well.

5) TE, Kellen Davis...Ya know, maybe I'm the only Bears fan out there that IS NOT high on this guy. Sure, he COULD be a good receiving TE, but no one knows that. All I've seen is a guy make a few catches and haul in a few TD's, but he's not done anything to prove to me that he deserves to be brought back and given the starting job. I don't have a problem with bringing him back for one year so that he can prove that he belongs in the NFL, but please don't just hand him the job and say "well, that position is solidified." That was the Angelo/Lovie way for years and frankly, I grew sick of that crap!! I hope Emery has a different plan, because I fear that Lovie's been whispering to him since day 1, "I was real pleased with Kellen Davis last season and I think he can become a real asset to this team. Plus, he's a real nice guy Phil, so we don't need a TE." LOL.

6) RB, Kahlil Bell (RFA)...My guess is that he'll be back with the Bears, unless some team values him enough to give us draft picks for his services. I thought he ran the ball really well last season, but I have to be completely honest here...those fumbles he had REALLY bugged me!

7) DT, Amobi Okoye...He was a solid contributor for the Bears defense last season. I think he'll be back.

DRAFT:

1) TE, Dwayne Allen (Clemson), 6'4" 255lbs...Yup, I'm thinking outside of the box with this pick!! According to numerous draft "experts," Allen is the best TE in this entire draft class. He has a great set of hands, he breaks tackles, he is a matchup nightmare and he also blocks extremely well...it's the complete package if your team is looking for a TE to help the offense. Picking at #19, I truly believe that IF Allen is still available, that he provides the best value for the Chicago Bears because he will most-likely be the best player available and he also fills a definate need. I think he would be the type of TE that Tice and Cutler will be looking for in their new offense. It would provide Cutler with a security blanket so to speak.

2) DE, Chandler Jones (Syracuse), 6'5" 265lbs...The Bears have to get more pressure from the D-line, especially the DE's. Peppers is pretty much double teamed every snap so someone needs to be able to take advantage of those one-on-one matchups. Jones is a big kid with a high motor who I believe would benefit from the teachings of Rod Marinelli.

3) OLB, Travis Lewis (Oklahoma), 6'2" 228lbs...This guy is a tackling machine and has also been a leader of the Sooner defense for the last three seasons. He's got good sideline-to-sideline speed and does extremely well in coverage. He would possibly step in and start on the strong side for right now and could eventually become Briggs' replacement. Either way, he would provide some solid depth to a depth-starved LB corps.

3) WR, Joe Adams (Arkansas), 5'11", 190lbs...By adding Bowe (or one of the other top free-agent WR's), the Bears' need to draft a WR early isn't as great and they can focus on drafting a guy that they can afford to develop. Joe Adams was the star of the Senior Bowl and he's also an accomplished kick/punt returner. Plus, given Lovie's typical "redshirt the rookie WR" approach, I just don't see the point of drafting a WR early if he's not going to see the field. I want to see contributions from the early picks, not rookie diaries on how tough it is to have to watch from the sideline while the other WR's suck! LOL.

4) CB, Shaun Prater (Iowa), 5'10" 185lbs...Almost every scouting report I've read on this kid says that he would excel in a zone based scheme. They even said it during the East-West Shrine Game. All that I know is that Prater was a solid CB in college, who I think can start in the NFL. IF he falls into the 4th round, he'd be a great addition.

5) RB, Vick Ballard (Mississippi State), 5'11" 220lbs...Let's not forget what Tice and Lovie want to do with this offense; they ARE going to run the football. I have a gut feeling that we've seen the last of Marion Barber is a Bears uniform, so they will be needing a short-yardage, run between the tackles type of RB to help the running game. Ballard could provide that one-cut, run it right at you type of back that would also provide the offense with a change of pace from time to time.

6) SS, Matt Daniels (Duke), 5'11" 208lbs...The Bears need depth at the safety position pretty badly, because neither of the 50 million combos we have tried over the last oh.....10 years, have worked because of injury or whatever. Daniels was a track star in high school, so maybe that athleticism will translate to the field, because chances are that he'll get his opportunity to start.

7) C, William Vlachos (Alabama), 6'1" 305lbs...I know, I know, I can't believe myself that I didn't draft an offensive linemen earlier than this. BUT, I have a bad feeling that the Bears are and were happy with their current group of offensive linemen. My HOPE is that Emery sees that group as complete crap (which it pretty much is IMHO), but he will still be getting is info from the HC, who stated that he was very happy with the Bears OL production last season. Bringing in a young tackle like Collins does in fact, help the situation though. As for Vlachos, the Bears need to find an eventual replacement for the Center position. Garza isn't getting any younger, and even though he did get the new contract, he may not have that much more left in the tank. Vlachos is a good prospect who I think is very willing to learn, which is never a bad thing.

1. Free Agents

There is a lot of talk that Bowe and Johnson will get franchise tagged, which make sense considering their age and production.

I have started to think more and more about 2nd tier guys like Robert Meachem and Laurent Robinson and adding a 1st round WR giving us,

1. Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright
2. Robert Meachem
3. Earl Bennett

2. The Draft

I love adding a 1st or 2nd round TE and Dwayne Allen and Orson Charles are my top targets, Fleener looks like Olsen.

Davis has not shown us a ton and we need someone who is a mismatch in the seem and slot.

I get the feeling we would sorely regret signing Vincent Jackson, at least in the long run. This guy is large, injury plagued with a Me First mentality. Be careful what you wish for fellow Bears fans.

I'd rather see a long-term answer at the WR1 spot VIA THE DRAFT, supplimented by a Reggie Wayne & 1 other draftee.

Let's be honest here people... do you really see Vincent Jackson holding up 4 more solid years?

I'd personally rather see a big-possesion type with more reliable hands, who's not such a 1 trick pony.

This is Brian Urlacher & the aging Defense's team... so everyone is so quick to think of a Win Now mentality.

I say we need to plan for the future and Vincent Jackson is simply not a type that's going to last.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

A one trick pony with 60 catches and over 1000 yards? Yes please

And who torched our pro-Bowl CB with ease? Yes please, I'll take that.

Originally Posted by codykoch

I get the feeling we would sorely regret signing Vincent Jackson, at least in the long run. This guy is large, injury plagued with a Me First mentality. Be careful what you wish for fellow Bears fans.

I'd rather see a long-term answer at the WR1 spot VIA THE DRAFT, supplimented by a Reggie Wayne & 1 other draftee.

Let's be honest here people... do you really see Vincent Jackson holding up 4 more solid years?

I'd personally rather see a big-possesion type with more reliable hands, who's not such a 1 trick pony.

This is Brian Urlacher & the aging Defense's team... so everyone is so quick to think of a Win Now mentality.

I say we need to plan for the future and Vincent Jackson is simply not a type that's going to last.

I do not think that Jackson is going to be as big a disappointment as you do.

He might not be the saviour, but the Bears have always played it safe with the WR position and we have been left behind by the rest of the NFL.

We need a #1 WR and a TE that can threaten the opposing team deep.