A Bears Fan Posted This Summary Elsewhere and I Thought it was Excellent...

Each 2011-2012 Bears Off-season Signing's Purpose:

COACHING / ADMINISTRATION
GM - Emery: was signed to better the draft selections in the first three rounds and sign cost-effective, productive players

OC - Tice: was promoted to eliminate 7-10 step drops / single blocking schemes & tailor offense to personnel

STC - Toub: was resigned to maintain a perennial NFL top 10 special teams unit he created

QBC - Bates: was signed to offset yet another offensive scheme's changes to Cutler's growth and keep him happy

OLC - Holt: was signed to ensure cohesion with Tice's vision of a good OL and has a track record of developing strong linemen

FREE AGENTS / TRADING BLOCK
QB - Campbell: was signed to prevent the debacles of 2010 and 2011 at this position; McCown: was resigned because they do not trust Enderle if Jay or Jason both go down

RB - Bell: was tendered with the League minimum, because Chicago liked his skill set, but don't want to overpay a RFA; Forte: was franchise tagged to prevent his leaving the team via free agency while they negotiate a long-term deal; Bush: was signed primarily to be a solid complement to a modern, 2-back NFL system and act as insurance against a Forte holdout or sub-par Bell production

WR - Bennett: was deservedly resigned by the previous GM, for being this team's most consistent receiver during the pre-Brandon era; Marshall: was traded for the sole purpose of being Chicago's #1 wide receiver and passing option, a role filled by committee for too long; Weems was signed to fill the void left behind by Graham's departure and Knox's injury on special teams at both gunner and kickoff returner; Thomas is also replacing a special teams player's roster spot, that of Sam Hurd

TE - Davis: was resigned by Da Bears because Carlson wanted too much money for a traveled veteran coming off a semi-serious injury and Halas Hall was at least familiar with Kellen, especially what with 2012's weak tight end depth in FA or the draft

OL - Williams: Edwin was resigned by Angelo prior to his firing, so he technically doesn't even count as a Bears move with Emery at the helm nowadays (Tice / Smith think their OL wasn't set up for success last season and with the 'additions' of new blocking schemes / G. Carimi / Chris W., they will have a stronger line)

DL - Idonije: was resigned because he is an inexpensive, proven commodity in the wake of Jacksonville stealing away Emery's top DE target, Jeremy Mincey, and this draft's DL depth

LB - Costanzo: was targeted for his special teams effectiveness and versatility, but Da Bears hope they can find a successor or two for this aging corps in late April

DB - Jennings: was resigned to make sure at least one of Chi-town's unrestricted free agent corners remained on the team, so they chose the one that fit the system; Steltz: was resigned to act as insurance for a starting safety being injured and needing a capable, system familiar substitute

I picked this up off another website and I wanted to share it here. This in one hell of a good and accurate summary of most of what has transpired this offseason and the rationale behind it. As we can all see the Bears have been very active in the offseason in any number of ways but until it's all laid out like this it's hard to remember just how far we've come since seasons end and the firing of Jerry Angelo.

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Originally Posted by soulman

I picked this up off another website and I wanted to share it here. This in one hell of a good and accurate summary of most of what has transpired this offseason and the rationale behind it. As we can all see the Bears have been very active in the offseason in any number of ways but until it's all laid out like this it's hard to remember just how far we've come since seasons end and the firing of Jerry Angelo.

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Pretty much spot on IMHO !
:smile:

March 28, 2012 Bears drawing rave reviews for offseason moves

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 3/28/2012 8:02 AM


National football analysts have been impressed with the moves the Bears have made to bolster their roster since the free agent signing period began March 13.


Describing the additions of receiver Brandon Marshall and running back Michael Bush as “huge,” NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison lists the Bears fifth in his first offseason power rankings behind only the Super Bowl champion Giants (9-7 last season), Patriots (13-3), 49ers (13-3) and Packers (15-1).

http://www.chicagobears.com/userfile...side032612.jpg Receiver Brandon Marshall and quarterback Jay Cutler helped each other develop into Pro Bowlers as teammates with the Denver Broncos from 2006-08.

ESPN.com puts the Bears 10th in its latest power rankings behind the Giants, Patriots, Packers, 49ers, Ravens (12-4), Texans (10-6), Lions (10-6), Broncos (8-8) and Steelers (12-4). Analyst John Clayton writes that “the Jay Cutler-Brandon Marshall combo will be hard for defenses to stop.”

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks makes the boldest statement, predicting that the Bears will have the most explosive offense in the NFC North in 2012. (Jeezus when have we ever heard this comment about a Bears offense)


That would be quite an achievement given that the Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Lions' Matthew Stafford both passed for more than 5,000 yards last season, something that had only been accomplished twice in NFL history prior to 2011.


“I know that statement will appear to be a knee-jerk response to the blockbuster trade that netted three-time Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall," Brooks writes, "but I believe the Bears have quietly assembled an offensive lineup that will create problems for their opponents at every level."

Brooks supports his position by pointing to 1) The reunion between Marshall and Jay Cutler; (2) Matt Forte’s presence giving the Bears offense more balance than their division rivals; and (3) New coordinator Mike Tice emerging as an “offensive mastermind” with talent at his disposal.


In addition to landing Marshall and Bush, the Bears have also inked backup quarterback Jason Campbell (Raiders) and special teams standouts Blake Costanzo (49ers) and Eric Weems (Falcons); and re-signed tight end Kellen Davis, defensive end Israel Idonije, cornerback Tim Jennings, quarterback Josh McCown and safety Craig Steltz.

OK, so owing the above is it alright if we spend some time filling some defensive holes now, LOL.

I'm not sure how to handle all that love after years of disrespect from the media on all levels. Guess we are no longer "under the radar" .

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Originally Posted by omc1969

I'm not sure how to handle all that love after years of disrespect from the media on all levels. Guess we are no longer "under the radar" .

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I hope that isn't the kiss of death. Urlacher always seems to be at his most fierce when we're constantly being dissed. When even ESPN rates us in the top ten we must be making some good kind of noise somewhere.

That's why I posted that summary. All of this has taken place under our noses and maybe we haven't taken a moment to step back and see where we were and where we are now comparatively speaking.

I mean look at that pic of Cutler and Marshall together. I've never even seen him smile like that when he's been with his bride to be. That's one happy camper there now that he's got his "aircraft carrier" to land passes on.

But someone has to get Marshall a wardrobe consultant. That tie with that shirt and that suit makes me think he got dressed in the dark before this interview. Whoooo. That's bad!

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Originally Posted by soulman

I hope that isn't the kiss of death. Urlacher always seems to be at his most fierce when we're constantly being dissed. When even ESPN rates us in the top ten we must be making some good kind of noise somewhere.

That's why I posted that summary. All of this has taken place under our noses and maybe we haven't taken a moment to step back and see where we were and where we are now comparatively speaking.

I mean look at that pic of Cutler and Marshall together. I've never even seen him smile like that when he's been with his bride to be. That's one happy camper there now that he's got his "aircraft carrier" to land passes on.

But someone has to get Marshall a wardrobe consultant. That tie with that shirt and that suit makes me think he got dressed in the dark before this interview. Whoooo. That's bad!

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You know I didn't even notice his wardrobe until you mentioned it. He looks like he just came back from the annual "Tacky Party".
:lol-032:

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Originally Posted by omc1969

You know I didn't even notice his wardrobe until you mentioned it. He looks like he just came back from the annual "Tacky Party".
:lol-032:

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Never gonna get invited to appear on Oprah looking like that. :4_13_4[1]: