Sign Offense/Draft Defense 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 [16 Million Spent]
WR Vincent Jackson [San Diego] 5 years 50 million/22 guaranteed [8/9/10/11/12]
The Bears have a window to win with Jay Cutler and an aging defense and they cannot afford to wait for a rookie to be there #1 WR. The Bears have ignored the WR position for a long time and now they need to spend to fix the problem. Vincent Jackson brings 6’5” 230lbs. sound and the speed to get deep that Mike Tice wants. If we drafted Stephen Hill we would be hoping that he turns into Vincent Jackson, now we do not need to hope.
http://www.thesamlivecast.com/wp-con...e-jackson1.jpg
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.
http://ravensblackout.files.wordpres...play_image.jpg
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.
http://atssportsblog.com/wp-content/...d-garrard1.jpg
Draft
1[19] DE Nick Perry [USC] 6’3” 272lbs. [4.64/40, 35/225, 38” vert]
The Bears have spent big money in free agency to fix an offense that has held the back for a number of years. This allows them to focus on adding youth and talent to the defense in an important position. The WR/OG class in free agency are really good, but the FA DE class is weak. Perry gives them a physical freak that can rush the passer. By resigning Idonije, Perry does not need to play the run in year 1 and can focus on developing as a double digit sack guy.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...4XdD8/439x.jpg
2[50] WR Mohammed Sanu [Rutgers] 6'2" 211lbs [4.67/40, 19/225, 36" vert]
Sanu might not have the speed to separate and to be a #1 WR, but he has the size and physicality to be a #2 and compliment Vincent Jackson. Sanu can step in and provide another physical move the chains presence while Jackson threatens deep.
http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/20...uinterview.jpg
3[74] LB Lavonte David [Nebraska] 6’1” 233lbs [4.65/40, 19/225, 36.5” vert]
The Bears continue to add youth and speed to their defense with the selection of Lavonte David gives them a player who can develop to take over for Briggs. David has a lot of speed on the field and makes plays all over the field. David has the nose for the ball that has made Lance Briggs an impact player for the Bears.
http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp...onte-david.jpg
3[80] CB Casey Hayward 5’11” 185lbs. [4.47/40, 19/225, 34” vert]
The Bears have resigned Tim Jennings to give the quality depth and they draft Hayward to compete for the starting position. Hayward has solid physical skills, went to Vanderbilt and most importantly for Lovie he causes a lot of turnovers.
http://www.giantsgab.com/wp-content/...seyHayward.jpg
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.
http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/A...nrsRQd2JFl.jpg
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.
http://m.fayobserver.com/photos/2011...4897456-p0.jpg
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.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...-110917018.jpg
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.
http://nbcsportsmedia1.msnbc.com/j/M...-story-612.jpg
Depth Chart
QB: Cutler, Garrard, Enderle
RB: Forte, Bell, Allen, Clutts
WR: Jackson, Bennett, Sanu, 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/Perry
SLB: Roach, Manning
MLB: Urlacher, Dicico
WLB: Briggs, David
CB: Tillman, Hayward, Jennings, Moore, J. Moore
FS: Conte, Jackson, Walters
SS: Wright, Steltz
