Bears Offseason Plan [Meachem/Trade Up]

**WindyCity** · 02-11-2012, 12:55 PM

This off-season plan is based on the cap space of $20 million that was reported by Sean Jensen in the Chicago Sun Times, the Bears can carry over $8 million in cap space into 2012 and will have around $28 million in total cap space to franchise or re-sign Forte.
Will Bears Have Enough Salary Cap Room To Keep Matt Forte? » Bears Gab
Despite 2011 collapse, Bears don

Cuts/Restructuring [4 million saved]

OT Frank Omiyale [1.6 million]
RB Marion Barber [1.9 million]
DE Chauncey Davis [500K]

Re-Signing [11 million spent]

RB Matt Forte [4 years 32 million/18 guaranteed] [6/8/8/10]
A must resign and the most dynamic playmaker that the Bears have.

TE Kellen Davis [1 year 1 million/1 guaranteed] [1]
Give him another year to show that he has some value, but the Bears need to get more dynamic.

DE Israel Idonije [2 years 5 million/2 guaranteed] [2/3]
Idonije might not be the pass rusher that the Bears need across from Peppers he is a great run stuffer and a perfect rotational player.

S Craig Steltz [2 years 2.5 million/1 guaranteed] [1/1.5]
Steltz has been a consistent contributor and can hold up as a sport starter and a leader on special teams.

RB Khalil Bell [2 years 3 million/1 guaranteed] [1/2]
Bell in my opinion has earned the right to be the primary back up, he runs hard and catches the ball well out of the backfield.

Free Agents [18 million spent]

CB Brandon Carr [Chiefs] 5 years 30 million/15 guaranteed [8/6/6/5/5]

The Bears may want a big name WR, but they may be better served investing the money into a couple of players. Carr brings the size [6’ 207lbs] and physical ability that the Bears need at a starting CB, after Tim Jennings was exposed late in 2011. Carr has made plays in the passing game [4 Ints] and has shown that he can play zone and man. Phil Emery is also coming from KC so he will have more knowledge about his development and play.

Brandon Carr, CB for the Kansas City Chiefs at NFL.com

WR Robert Meachem [Saints] 5 years 27.5 million/12 guaranteed [6/6/6/5/4.5]

The Bears will look at the top level free agent WRs, but they will be over paid and players like Vincent Jackson is 29. Meachem is a high potential player that has not really had the opportunity to show his true potential in the New Orleans spread the wealth system. Meachem has the size [6’2” 210lbs] and the deep speed to get behind the defense and threaten from the #2 WR position. Saints fans and media also talk about how hard Meachem works and his commitment as a run blocker.

Robert Meachem, WR for the New Orleans Saints at NFL.com

WR Eddie Royal [Broncos] 4 years 12 million/6 guaranteed [2/2/3/5]

The Bears are terrible at WR and they need to not only add talent, but bodies to the position that only has Bennett and Hester guaranteed to be around in 2012. Royal has dealt with injuries and a severe dip in production since Tebow took over in Denver, but when he was with Cutler he has very good years. Royal has the speed and route running to provide the Bears with a solid #2 option. Added to his ability to fill the #2 role Royal has a good report with Cutler. The Bears would be providing Cutler with a Pro Bowl deep threat in Jackson and 2 players that he is very comfortable with in Bennett and Royal.

Eddie Royal, WR for the Denver Broncos at NFL.com

QB David Garrard [Jaguars] 3 years 6 million/2 guaranteed [2/2/2]

The Bears were destroyed by their lack of a solid backup QB the last 2 seasons and they remedy that with Garrard. Garrard was holding out for a big money starting gig, but I do not see anyone giving that to him and in Chicago he can re-join Mike Tice and play for a team that really has a chance of winning. It would also provide him with a break for a body that has been beaten up in his career.

David Garrard, QB for the Jacksonville Jaguars at NFL.com

Draft [3 Million Remaining]

1[19] OT Mike Adams [Ohio St] 6’7” 323lbs.

J’Marcus Webb has been inconsistent and despite the support of Mike Tice I see Phil Emery and Lovie Smith wanting to protect their most impressive player. Mike Adams has the size that Mike Tice loves from his OLmen and he has the athletic ability to play on the leftside. Webb’s biggest struggle is that he cannot mirror with the faster DE talent in the NFL and Adams can. Adams dominated at the Senior Bowl against top competition and his issues with technique can be worked out with Tice’s coaching.

Player Bio: Mike Adams - OhioStateBuckeyes.com - The Official Athletic site of The Ohio State University

Mike Adams NFL Draft Analysis - 2010 Season - YouTube

*Trade* The Chicago Bears trade 2[50], 3[74] and 4[2013] to the San Francisco 49ers for 1[29].
Phil Emery gets aggressive to secure better players that can make an impact. In the past the Bears have traded down giving up quality for quantity.

1[29] WR Mohammed Sanu [Rutgers] 6’2” 220lbs.

The Bears move aggressively to secure a compliment to Robert Meacham and add more talent to the WR core. Sanu does not have the deep speed that Meachem brings to the table, but he is bigger and more physical than any of the Bears WRs. Sanu plays like Anquan Boldin and simply beats up on opposing defensive backs. By bringing in Sanu the Bears can allow either Sanu or Meachem to develop into the #1 target. There is a larger disparity between the late 1st round WRs like Sanu and Randle and the 2nd round players like Dwight Jones and Marvin McNutt.

Mohamed Sanu vs Connecticut 2011 - YouTube

3[80] DE Cam Johnson [Virginia] 6’3” 275lbs.

The Bears bring back Idonije because he is still solid and elite against the run, but they need to add some rotational pass rush behind him. Johnson has a great Senior Bowl week and has impressive speed to attack off the edge. Johnson has played LB and DE for Virginia and rushed from a number of spots. Johnson also has solid pass rush moves and should be able to contribute in some way.

Cameron Johnson biography - University of Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site - VirginiaSports.com

No. 56 Cam Johnson 43 RDE Virginia vs Miami 2011 - YouTube

4. LB Nigel Bradham [Florida St] 6’2” 235lbs.

With Lance Briggs age and his constant complaints about the contract that he signed the Bears draft a player to develop as the long term answer at WLB. Bradham may be more physical ability than talent right now but he can be developed into a starter at WLB for a season or two. Bradham has the speed and coverage ability to thrive in the Cover 2 defense that can protect his lack of physicality.

Player Bio: Nigel Bradham
FSU LB Nigel Bradham Senior Season Highlights - YouTube

5. CB Robert Blanton [Notre Dame] 6’1” 195lbs.

The Bears add a front line starter in Brandon Carr, but they still need to add developmental depth with the size to start in the NFL. Blanton might not be a burner, but he has the size and tackling ability to provide quality depth and develop into an eventual starter.

Player Bio: Robert Blanton - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site
Robert Blanton vs Stanford 2011 - YouTube

6. S Blake Gideon [Texas] 6’1” 205lbs.

The Bears seem to have found their safety tandem of the future in Conte and Wright, but both had moments of inconsistency and injuries in 2011. The Bears need to add depth to the safety core as well as special teams stand outs to replace the departure of Corey Graham. Gideon may not be the greatest athlete, but he is solid in coverage and tackles well.

MackBrown-TexasFootball.com - Official website of the Texas Longhorns - Texas Football
Gideon chases down Griffin - YouTube

7. LB Nathan Stupar [Penn State] 6’1” 240lbs.
The Bears continue to add depth to the LB core and special teams unit with the selection of Stupar. Stupar might not offer a ton as an athlete and he may ever factor in as a Cover 2 starter. But his work ethic, technique and toughness could be an asset to special teams and as a spot starter down the road.

Player Bio: Nathan Stupar - Penn State University Official Athletic Site
Nathan Stupar - Penn State - Outside Linebacker #34 (2011 Highlights/Special Teams) - YouTube

Depth Chart

QB: Cutler, Garrard, Enderle
RB: Forte, Bell, Allen, Clutts
WR: Meachem, Sanu, Bennett, Royal, Knox [Inj], Hester
TE: Davis, Spaeth, Adams
LT: Adams, Webb
LG: Louis/C. Williams
C: Garza, E. Williams
RG: Spencer
RT: Carimi

RE: Peppers, Wootton
DT: Melton, Paea
NT: Toenia, Adams
LE: Idonije/Johnson
SLB: Roach, Traham
MLB: Urlacher, Dicico, Stupar
WLB: Briggs, Bradham
CB: Tillman, Carr, Blanton, Moore, J. Moore
FS: Conte, Gideon, Walters
SS: Wright, Steltz

**GermansbombedPH** · 02-11-2012, 01:28 PM

not sure if this is enough to trade up

**MPBears68** · 02-11-2012, 01:48 PM

I dont know if Sanu is worth trading up for (rather than just keeping the picks and getting McNutt + a better CB in the 2nd - 4th), but this is a pretty darn good scenario all in all.

Meacham + Royal + Carr makes a lot of sense to me economically in FA.

**BearJim** · 02-11-2012, 02:03 PM

I really like it WC. Very solid. If the 1st 4 rds went this way I was be estatic dude. I'm not sure about the last three picks but only because I haven't studied them yet. But again excellent plan.

**Riczaj01** · 02-11-2012, 02:11 PM

I'm not in favor of trading up, we need all the hits/draft picks we can get. I don't see anyone at the #10 draft pick that is any more sure fire then what we can get at 19(even if it's at a different position). And then we can keep our 2nd and 3rd's.

I like the FA moves. Garrard is safe w/the ball, is big and mobile(like Cutler) so you could run a very similar O if Cutler were to get hurt again. I'm not a huge fan of Royal's, but he had his best years w/Cutler so why not, it won't cost us a ton to get him either.

**short faced bear** · 02-11-2012, 03:00 PM

What we do in FA is going to be the decision tree of what is accomplished in the draft. It's fun to see what to pick but you can pretty much bet we're not getting LT Adams if Tice believes Webb is good and Emery wants impact players.

FA: DE, CB, WR

Draft: WR, OG, LB, S

I think would be as good or as practical as you can ask. I'd love to see them do something else but we need the picks.

**MPBears68** · 02-11-2012, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

I'm not in favor of trading up, we need all the hits/draft picks we can get. I don't see anyone at the #10 draft pick that is any more sure fire then what we can get at 19(even if it's at a different position). And then we can keep our 2nd and 3rd's.

I like the FA moves. Garrard is safe w/the ball, is big and mobile(like Cutler) so you could run a very similar O if Cutler were to get hurt again. I'm not a huge fan of Royal's, but he had his best years w/Cutler so why not, it won't cost us a ton to get him either.

I do like the FA moves as well. We definitely need a WR, a CB, and a backup QB out of FA and, money permitting, either a DE or 2nd vet WR would be next up to consider. I'd put depth at S and LB much farther down the FA shopping list. It all depends on who we get and how efficient we are with available cap space in doing so.

As far as the draft goes, Windy's mock didn't mention anything about "trading up to #10". He was proposing trading our 2nd, 3rd, and next year's 4th for a late 1st. That I am a bit skeptical of. I don't see Sanu being worth all that or being much of a 1st year impact player. I do like the idea of getting Mike Adams at #19 (in fact, I'd consider trading ONE of our 3rds to move up to ~ #15 to get him if he's not expected to fall further) because I do think a legit starting LT of now-and-the-future will make a huge impact over Webb who can than push Omiyale down off the roster as the backup swing tackle.

There is probably only one player I would realistically consider trading up for to ~ #10 and that is if Reilly Reiff somehow falls that far. We would then have 2 young stud Big-10 OTs to anchor the OL for the next decade hopefully. It would cost our 2nd to get close to there so we would have to had signed 2 FA WRs + a FA CB minimum to make it feasible. You'd then use the 3 picks in the 3rd-4th to add a DE, WR, and LB or CB prospects. But I doubt RR as the 2nd best OT on the board right now is going to make it out of the top 7-8 so this is just spitballing.

**MPBears68** · 02-11-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

What we do in FA is going to be the decision tree of what is accomplished in the draft. It's fun to see what to pick but you can pretty much bet we're not getting LT Adams if Tice believes Webb is good and Emery wants impact players.

FA: DE, CB, WR

Draft: WR, OG, LB, S

I think would be as good or as practical as you can ask. I'd love to see them do something else but we need the picks.

I don't know if Tice's comments about Webb are purely public consumption/reassurance/misdirection or if they are his genuine assesment. If the latter, that's pretty hard to justify as Webb graded out as the worst starting LT in the NFL this year. And since we all know Omiyale can't play the position, it's pretty obvious that OT help is among our biggest needs this offseason. I gotta believe Emery knows that. Heck, anyone that saw the 2nd Minnesota game, the 1st Detroit game, and several others along the way, knows that for sure. No secret there.

**short faced bear** · 02-11-2012, 03:18 PM

If the Outland trophy winner (Carimi) isn't going to play LT nor is Cwill there is little chance of drafting yet another LT redraft. Tice doesn't want his experiment to fail and believes Martz gone will solve some of the problems. Tice himself said Webb graded out solid (to his not the media's) and has his path laid out well ahead in terms of chip-blocking and masking his abilities.

Now a inside out move like drafting OG DeCastro as many of us have discussed would push Webb back to either the bench or RT. I'd love to see a new LT in the draft but I really wouldn't bet on it.

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 02-11-2012, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

What we do in FA is going to be the decision tree of what is accomplished in the draft. It's fun to see what to pick but you can pretty much bet we're not getting LT Adams if Tice believes Webb is good and Emery wants impact players.

FA: DE, CB, WR

Draft: WR, OG, LB, S

I think would be as good or as practical as you can ask. I'd love to see them do something else but we need the picks.

S is as much a "must grab in FA" position as any for us. Time for veteran stability at a hugely important position for us, and luckily this FA class there is stacked. If we don't, I will personally be extremely disappointing. Of course I would sacrifice that for a JVax and Mario Williams, but if there's one position we need a solid vet at on D, it's there. Adding the position to both columns would not be a bad thing, and the same goes for CB (hell, even DE could benefit from that in conjunction with a vet stud).

I agree completely on the rest, though. As I've said for the past couple months the OG class is stacked and seeing both Chris' are FAs after this year and Garza is at ropes end, it just makes too much sense to pad our options. I really like this OLB class. WR is deep enough where we can get some complement talent later. It would be nice to find our LT prospect somewhere along the line, but I'm not holding my breath over that outside of Mike Adams in the first.

More importantly than trying to categorize where we get our need, is the fact that we should aim for immediate impact players at four of them between FA and the draft. I think that number is a conservative measure of our new GM's capabilities. You can't do everything in your first year, but given our resources in both (cap room and a bonus third-rounder), I think it is a highly attainable figure.

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