Thread: The Stephen Hill Mock Offseason

This Offseason is based on the projection by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that the Bears should start the offseason with 28 million in cap space.
Breaking down Bears and the salary cap - chicagotribune.com

Cuts/Restructuring [5.9 million saved]

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

Re-Signing [19 million spent]

RB Matt Forte [5 years 50 million/18 guaranteed] [8/9/9/10/14]

A must resign and the most dynamic playmaker that the Bears have.

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.

TE Kellen Davis [2 years 6 million/3 guaranteed] [2/4]

He is worth another look.

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.

CB Tim Jennings [3 years 9 million/5 guaranteed] [2/3/4]

A heady veteran that competes and can provide depth behind the rookie Gilmore and Tillman.

DT Amobi Okoye [4 years 15 million/6 guaranteed] [3/4/4/4]

A great rotational guy and a guy that provides pass rush, which is essential in the Cover 2.

Free Agency [14 Million Spent]

OG Ben Grubbs [Baltimore] 5 years 32.5/18 guaranteed [6/6/6/7/7.5]

This has been a rumored deal and I thought I would try it on for size. Grubbs is a Pro Bowl OG that makes a huge difference for the Ravens. He receives the same deal as his team mate Yanda last season. If the Bears want to throw the ball downfield and attack deep they need to secure the interior of the pocket and allow Cutler to step up safely. Grubbs has had some injury issues, which keeps him from Carl Nicks type money, but the Bears have very good depth. This move also Chris Williams to compete with Webb at LT while he recovers from his wrist injury.



WR Pierre Garcon [Indianapolis] 5 years 35 million/15 guarantted [6/7/7/7/8]

It really seems that the WR free agent class is slowly disappearing with franchise tags and re-signings and the Bears over pay to get a veteran into the position. If the Bears are going to target Stephen Hill who is very raw they need someone who can step in and start alongside Bennett. Garcon has good size and speed and produced almost 1000 yards with Curtis Painter throwing the ball.



QB David Garrard [Jacksonville] 3 years 6 million/3 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.



Draft


*Trade* The Chicago Bears trade 1[19] to the Denver Broncos for 1[25] and 3[88]. The Broncos select DT Dontari Poe [Memphis]

1[25] WR Stephen Hill [Georgia Tech] 6'4" 215lbs.

The Bears trade down and take a risk with their 1st round pick, which they can with the huge plethora of high picks that they have compiled. Stephen Hill has the most potential of any WR in this draft and with the physical size [6'4" 215lbs] and the physical tools [4.36/40, 38.5" vertical] he reminds many physically of Randy Moss. Because of the offense that he ran in college he is raw as a route runner has under developed hands and has not seen a lot of zone coverage. The things he does not do well can be taught and after having great interviews at the combine and interviewing well he looks like the type of guy that will get the most out of his ability. Hill may only provide a deep threat and a big red zone target while he develops, but even that helps the Bears.



2[50] DE Chandler Jones [Syracuse] 6’5” 265lbs.

The Bears address their last pressing need by adding Jones, who may be a raw player, but has significant upside. Jones has the size, length and speed that the Bears like at DE and when he was healthy this season he showed a great burst to the QB.


*Trade* The Chicago Bears trade 3[80] and 3[88] to the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2[56]. The Steelers need picks to cover holes left by the cap purge.

2[56] CB Stephon Gilmore [South Carolina] 6' 195lbs.

The Bears with their extra picks can become aggressive securing players that could start as rookies. Gilmore is a player that fits the cover 2 defense physically and showed a physical side to his game at South Carolina. Gilmore had 4 interceptions last season and looked very smooth in the combine drills to go with his 4.44 speed.



3[74] LB Nigel Bradham [Florida St] 6'2" 245lbs.

The Bears have age creeping up on their LB core and they also have Briggs contract problems as a constant head ache. Bradham has incredible speed [4.6/40] and athletic ability [37" vertical] that is needed in the Cover 2 defense. Bradham has also lead Florida St in tackles for a couple of seasons and has a nose for the ball.



4. OT Brandon Mosley [Auburn] 6'6" 314lbs.

The Bears invest in the interior OL as the free agent class is much stronger. Mosley has solid physical ability, technique and is a team leader. He can step in and provide the depth that Omiyale could not provide and can protect the Bears if Carimi is still injured or if Chris Williams needs to go back to OG at some point.



5. LB Terrell Manning [NC State] 6’3” 225lbs.

The Bears LB core is aging and needs an infusion of youth. The nice thing about having veterans still playing at a high level is that you do not need to invest high picks right away. A 2nd round LB should be starting for your team. Manning provides the height and speed that the Cover 2 needs and he can be developed for a couple of seasons.


6. S Damien Jackson [Mississippi] 6’2” 198lbs.

The Bears continue to add youth, depth and speed to the secondary. The Bears appear to have their starting safeties in Major Wright and Chris Conte, but both have been injured and Wright has been inconsistent on the field. At a minimum Jackson adds to the special teams unit.


7. WR Junior Hemmngway [Michigan] 6'1" 220lbs.

The Bears continue to add size and depth to the WR core. Where Hemmingway does not stand out in any one way he does a lot of things well. Hemmingway also has the size and speed to be a special teams contributor.



Depth Chart

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

RE: Peppers, Wootton
DT: Melton, Okoye
NT: Toenia, Paea
LE: Idonije/Jones
SLB: Roach, Manning
MLB: Urlacher, Dicico
WLB: Briggs, Bradham
CB: Tillman, Gilmore, Jennings, Moore, J. Moore
FS: Conte, Jackson, Walters
SS: Wright, Steltz