Thread: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities reports the Bears' interest in free agent RT Phil

Originally Posted by NostraHistoria

Phil Loadholt - Minnesota Vikings - 2013 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities reports the Bears' interest in free agent RT Phil Loadholt is "legitimate" and they are offering more money than the Vikings.
Per Vikings beat writer Tom Pelissero, Minnesota doesn't intend to offer Loadholt more than $5 million a year. The $5 million figure would be solid for a right tackle, but by no means one of the bigger contracts in the league at that position. A day after dealing Percy Harvin, the Vikings appear to be at risk of losing another integral offensive piece. Loadholt is a 27-year-old mauler in the run game. Mar 12 - 10:30 AM

...and he re-signed with Minny. Next.

No worries, Jimmors. Loadholt's strongest attribute is his ability to run block. His pass blocking is adequate at best. The Bears were probably never interested in him because the Bears shouldn't be that big a rushing team next season.

Plus, 2 more things.

1) Forte is at his best catching balls rather than getting the handoff from Cutler.

2) Cutler's strength is flinging the ball around the field like Favre. Loadholt doesn't fill the pass blocking need.

I mean... I am happy the Vikings resigned him but the Vikings run the ball as evidenced by Peterson's MVP season. I just wonder if the Bears were ever really interested.

Originally Posted by purplejokr

No worries, Jimmors. Loadholt's strongest attribute is his ability to run block. His pass blocking is adequate at best. The Bears were probably never interested in him because the Bears shouldn't be that big a rushing team next season.

Plus, 2 more things.

1) Forte is at his best catching balls rather than getting the handoff from Cutler.

2) Cutler's strength is flinging the ball around the field like Favre. Loadholt doesn't fill the pass blocking need.

I mean... I am happy the Vikings resigned him but the Vikings run the ball as evidenced by Peterson's MVP season. I just wonder if the Bears were ever really interested.

Maybe as a passing thought jokr but I think he was a fall back. My thinking is they wanted a LT and over the weekend Long's agent priced him out of the Bears range so they went after Bushrod again and this time they scored. Now they can shift Webb back to RT where his run blocking will be more valued and his pass blocking not quite so exposed. With Webb and Carimi vying for that spot I expect the play at both OT spots to be much improved this year.

If we couldn't sign a LT then Webb stays put and we look to sign a RT to compete with Carimi or maybe the plan all along has been to move hm to OG. If that was the case then Loadholt was probably the most affordable RT we could hope to land and what probably stoked the rumors of an interest. It makes sense and it could have come down to that.

How are you all feeling about the Harvin trade up there? Tough to lose him but also tough to keep a guy if he isn't happy where he is. AP doesn't seem to pleased by the trade.

Im sure the Bears WERE interested, Emery seems to be doing his thing in FA, got us Bennett and Bushrod, so im sure he pursued Loadholt as well.