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A Hedge Against Louis Having a Slow Recovery?....
Offensive tackle isn’t only need for Bears in offseason
BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com March 7, 2013 10:02PM
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 and teammate Brandon Moore #65 of the New York Jets looks up at the video board after Sanchez fumbled and the New England Patriots returned it for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on November 22, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 49-19. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
TOP FREE-AGENT GUARDS
Andy Levitre
Has started every game since the Bills drafted him in the second round in 2009, and he could have a breakout season in 2013.
Brandon Moore
He’s not listed first because he’s 32. But the 2011 Pro Bowl selection is the top-rated free-agent interior lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.
Louis Vasquez
Timing is everything, right? Started all 16 games for the first time in 2012 and had a solid season.
Donald Thomas
Buried on the Patriots’ bench, but he performed well in his seven starts last season. Only 27, he’s viewed as a capable starter.
Geoff Schwartz
He didn’t start last season for the Vikings, but PFF rates him as the third-best interior lineman available based on his snaps last season. The 26-year-old has 19 career starts.
Updated: March 7, 2013 10:04PM
The Bears’ No. 1 offseason need was widely perceived to be offensive tackle, which they can address in free agency and/or the draft. But the Bears’ woeful offensive line needs more than one new player, and they might find a bargain at guard via free agency.
The hot name is Andy Levitre, 26, a 2009 second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills who has started every game since entering the league. He’s expected to sign a lucrative deal, and a handful of teams already have been linked with him.
Louis Vasquez, 25, is another trendy pick. But the bargain — and potentially best — option is Brandon Moore. At least for the short term.
He won’t command a huge contract because he turns 33 in June and could be a tremendous addition to an offensive line for at least a couple more seasons.
Consider his durability and performance: He has started 137 consecutive games dating to November 2004. For the 2012 season, Pro Football Focus rated him the fourth-best guard behind Evan Mathis, Marshal Yanda and Alex Boone. According to PFF, he’s the top-rated guard or center available in free agency.
“Don’t let one of the league’s most infamous fumbles, which happened to involve Moore’s buttocks, distort your view. He was one of the best interior linemen in the league and part of a New York Jets offensive line that surprisingly ranked near the top of the league.”
PFF also noted that he finished the season strong with nine consecutive positive grades, according to their analysis. His pass-blocking is above-average, and his run-blocking is exceptional. Moore received an overall grade of plus-21.3, four points higher than Levitre and 8.5 points higher than Vasquez.
And if they make a competitive offer, the Bears might have some built-in advantages. Moore is from Gary, he played at Illinois and he’d probably be drawn to the strength of the Bears’ roster. It’s widely noted that some of the team’s best players are in their 30s, so Moore could join them in trying to capitalize on the win-now mind-set.
He is, after all, fresh off that disastrous season with the Jets. Not only did the Jets finish 6-10, but they had one of the NFL’s worst offenses as well as a media-circus atmosphere. Bears general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman have highlighted the character of their players, and Moore is highly thought of by Jets coaches and players.
He was the 2011 Ed Block Courage Award winner. “It’s impossible not to respect Brandon Moore,” Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters last fall. “Obviously, you respect good players, but with him, this is a self-made player.
“He is smart, tough, dependable and durable. And ever since I got here, I have said he is the best guard in football, the best right guard in football, and really nobody listened until the stats came out.”
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I believe Moore's name may have come up around here before. Anyway this is what I call a "this is more like it kind of signing".
He could be an inexpensive hedge against a slow recovery by Louis or possibly replace either Louis or Garza this season and give the line a little veteran stability. This looks to me like a Ruben Brown kind of opportunity it's just too bad Moore doesn't play LG.
But despite that he may be just the kind of guy we thought we might be getting in Chris Spencer but didn't. It would certainly appear that Moore has the talent to start somewhere but even if he doesn't he make on hell of a vet backup on the inside if the price is right.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I'll get hated on for even mentioning the thought, but I expect one Rachal-type signing for our interior. Donald Thomas was someone I wanted back in the '08 draft, and his game is similar to Lance's in that it's all about gaining an edge through athleticism, but I bet he gets quite a bit more than value money. Antoine Caldwell is one OG/C name in that respect that I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on.
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox 
I'll get hated on for even mentioning the thought, but I expect one Rachal-type signing for our interior. Donald Thomas was someone I wanted back in the '08 draft, and his game is similar to Lance's in that it's all about gaining an edge through athleticism, but I bet he gets quite a bit more than value money. Antoine Caldwell is one OG/C name in that respect that I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on.
What are you're thoughts on a guy like Moore? It sounds like he may have an edge on Louis right now and it gives Louis more time to gain his football strength back if we have a guy who could take his place at least to begin the year.
The other questions I have are can Moore play OC and could he play far better at LG if needed than the insane clown posse we had playing there last year? In other words just how flexible can this guy be as far as filling needs inside?
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman What are you're thoughts on a guy like Moore? It sounds like he may have an edge on Louis right now and it gives Louis more time to gain his football strength back if we have a guy who could take his place at least to begin the year.
The other questions I have are can Moore play OC and could he play far better at LG if needed than the insane clown posse we had playing there last year? In other words just how flexible can this guy be as far as filling needs inside?
Moore is solely a guard. I wouldn't mind him at all, and maybe his age means he'll be a bargain -- I just don't expect it. I think he'll get a retirement contract from some stupid team like the Skins or Cowboys who toss around big money like candy. He would be a Ruben Brown-esque signing.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox Moore is solely a guard. I wouldn't mind him at all, and maybe his age means he'll be a bargain -- I just don't expect it. I think he'll get a retirement contract from some stupid team like the Skins or Cowboys who toss around big money like candy. He would be a Ruben Brown-esque signing.
That kind of what I had in mind. The price has to be right but the Gary/U of I connection and going to a playoff caliber team might be enough to swing him this way. He's probably one worth watching.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I wanted Moore when he was a fa but JA decided to pay more money to omyale at the time. This could be a move they make. Or they could be looking for a c to replace garza and shift garza back to rg. Or they have plans for carimi there
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Member
If Moore wasnt 32 I'd be all for it but he sure would help for a couple of years. When you look at the makeup of this roster, its clear that Trestman has "that sense of urgency" he refers to and they are going for it now. They are probably going to extend urlacher (35) and izzy(32-33) to multi year contracts and hope to seek immediate Offense help in rounds 1 and 2 and rely on the wco and kromers OL coaching ability for improvement..
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Moore would be nice because of his age because you don't need to commit to him for 5 years.
Sign Moore for 2 years and draft and hope Brown or a draft pick are ready in a year or two.
I would love Donald Thomas he is a quality starter in Miami, got hurt, and went to New England and have them some good starts.
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Originally Posted by
soulman That kind of what I had in mind. The price has to be right but the Gary/U of I connection and going to a playoff caliber team might be enough to swing him this way. He's probably one worth watching.
Signing Ruben Brown was one of the positive aspects of Jerry Angelo's tenure. I want more quality yet cheap signings like Ruben Brown on this team.
I am all for bringing Brandon Moore to the Bears. He'd be perfect for what our questions are at RG with Louis in the short term without compromising Louis's long term value.
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