Thread: Bears ranked 2nd in FA review

Emery is already getting some credit. Makes the bears look good too.

Originally Posted by nelliewilson

Source: Bears Praised by NFL Network

It didn’t take long for new Bears general manager Phil Emery to make his splash in Chicago.The NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi ranked the Bears second in free agency acquisitions, behind only the Buccaneers.The Bucs managed to sign free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a multi-year deal, while roping in guard Carl Nicks.Still, Lombardi was impressed with the Bears’ moves.“Just before the free-agency period officially began, the Bears made a massive splash by acquiring wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Dolphins,” Lombardi wrote in a column for NFL.com. “Marshall is inconsistent in everything he does, on and off the field, but his reunion with Jay Cutler does give the Bears’ quarterback a big-time receiver — something Cutler has missed in his time in The Windy City. I loved the Eric Weems signing, as he fits philosophically with the Bears’ affection for controlling field position with the return game. Former Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush is another talented player who can make Matt Forte even more effective, particularly in the nickel sets.”

One key to this trade that some talking heads may be missing who are too focused on Marshall's off field issues is the terms under which we got him.

First of all he's been more productive as a WR than the belle of the FA WR ball, VJax and he's costing us about $2 mil per year less with a shorter term deal which has no guarantees. If for any reason he loses his NFL privileges he costs us nothing. There are no guaranteed dollars to eat. It's a very low risk deal and when you compare what he's getting to the deal Megatron just got he's an f'n bargain because there is very little that separates those two when you get right down to it.

The recent news release regarding the delay in Knox's recovery explains why Weems as opposed to bringing Graham back. For about the same money we got a very good KR/PR specialist and a Slot Receiver prospect who is very bit the equivalent of Graham as a ST Gunner. Weems was the 2010 NFC Pro Bowl selection for ST and he adds to the offense in a way Graham could not. Good call by Emery.

If Forte is the best currently unsigned RB then we just got the best FA back who was available. If Forte would just cool his jets he might be able to see clearly enough through that veil of anger he claims he doesn't have to realize that Bush is a career extender for him. He'll have fewer carries, especially of the more punishing type, and probably find himself used more to attack the edge and in the passing game where his skills are best used. He should be looking at Bush as a valuable partner rather than competition which was not the reason we signed him.

Come one Matt. Suck up some of your pride and get a deal done. This will be the best backfield in the NFL if you do.

I couldn't agree more with what you said about Megatron and Marshall. We got a bargain and it'll pay off for the bears. And filling Knox's shoes with Weems makes perfect sense. When you add it all up with Marshall, Weems, Campbell, Bush, and Costanzo you've got to be happy. Cap is a little tight but Emery will do with it what he can.

Originally Posted by nelliewilson

I couldn't agree more with what you said about Megatron and Marshall. We got a bargain and it'll pay off for the bears. And filling Knox's shoes with Weems makes perfect sense. When you add it all up with Marshall, Weems, Campbell, Bush, and Costanzo you've got to be happy. Cap is a little tight but Emery will do with it what he can.

Yeah, we kinda got us a Megatron at half price and without having to lay out one thin dime upfront and his cost won't go up for three years. That should make Ted Phillips happy. Somewhere in that three years we should be able to use him and Cutler to get us to the show.