Thread: Who are the Bears linebackers?

maybe tucker will utilize the popular 5-1-5?

BU FA, Roach FA visiting Oakland, Geno Hayes signed by the Jags

Briggs, Jerry Franklin
Castanzo DeCiccio
JT Thomas

Shea????

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

BU FA, Roach FA visiting Oakland, Geno Hayes signed by the Jags

Briggs, Jerry Franklin
Castanzo DeCiccio
JT Thomas

Shea????

I sure hope that Emery/Trestman don't do to the D what Angelo/Smith did to the O. The LB corps which traditionally has been one of our strengths looks like it is going to be a weakness next year. And while the OL is better, it is not fixed either. The offseason has just begun so I am far from panic, but I hope there is a plan in place here.

Ya it seems like we sealed a few holes only to let 3-4 more open up. Wonder how the team handles this going forward; although I'm far from panic it's only day 2 and no draft yet.

SLB: ______________, Costanzo, Trahan

MLB: _____________, _______________

WLB: Briggs, J.T Thomas

We'll re-sign Urls soon enough and probably add another vet minimum guy ala Hayes last season along with a draft pick, IMHO. I'm also quite good with seeing what JT can do at SLB provided Urls is back.

Originally Posted by bearsinhouston

I sure hope that Emery/Trestman don't do to the D what Angelo/Smith did to the O. .

I think a plan in place is coming together. Build up the young offense with a few key veterans and look to boost the aging D through youth in the draft. An active rebuilding process on D is needed, and the best way to do that is through the draft. That's not to say we don't address the OL early in the draft with one of 20 or 52, but it is to say that D now definitely garners equal consideration at 20.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I think a plan in place is coming together. Build up the young offense with a few key veterans and look to boost the aging D through youth in the draft. An active rebuilding process on D is needed, and the best way to do that is through the draft. That's not to say we don't address the OL early in the draft with one of 20 or 52, but it is to say that D now definitely garners equal consideration at 20.

Always fun to see how all this shapes up. BTW, we are not done with FA. If we were, they would be addressing our FA's. I think they are still trying to see how much more they need to free up. Emery is showing he is played out, but I think he still has a little gas left in the tank.

The only people he has released are TE's right? He has let others go into the market, but in terms of letting people go, has he done that to anyone other than TE's? Well, there was Toe come to think of it. But that might have been in response to Melton. It seems he fills a hole and only then lets guys go as they relate to that position. Very methodical. He will have to make some additional changes and restructures at the end to clean up and be under cap, but right now, it appears he has been able to pay for everything he has done with present cuts. In other words, he has not had to do any restructuring and move cap into future years. Pretty impressive when you consider that.

I think this may be Peppers last year as a Bear though. Not sure they will keep him with next years cap even if they can move some forward. DE might even be a consideration in the draft. Still plenty of holes and holes that we can see coming in the future.

Emery: Urlacher talks 'an ongoing process'
Chicago Bears press conference Wednesday announcing free agents left tackle Jermon Bushrod and tight end Martellus Bennett. For more, visit NFL.com - Official Site of the National Football League.
By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter
3:19 p.m. CDT, March 13, 2013
Phil Emery isn’t going to engage in public negotiations when it comes to re-signing Brian Urlacher.

But the Chicago Bears general manager essentially admitted that while the team wants Urlacher back for a 14th season, he will have to return at a price that is comfortable for a team that is now “tight against the (salary) cap.”
The Bears struck quickly in free agency Tuesday when they signed left tackle Jermon Bushrod and tight end Martellus Bennett, but they exhausted the majority of their cap space even after tight ends Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth were released.

“We have approached him about coming back,” Emery said of Urlacher. “As far as working it out, that is an ongoing process.”

Bears coach Marc Trestman said when he evaluated tape from 2012 he saw Urlacher as “a very capable player” and added that Urlacher would help the Bears if he returns to play middle linebacker in Mel Tucker’s defense.

The Tribune reported Tuesday that the Bears had yet to respond to a contract offer made by Urlacher’s representatives last Thursday. But the Bears aren’t in a position where they likely will have to bid for the eight-time Pro Bowl performer and former Defensive Player of the Year.

“We understand that after the process is over, two things have happened,” Emery said. “One, either you have the player here or you don’t. The third would be everyone in the NFL knows what the end contract is. Where it’s important to me in terms of running the Chicago Bears is that that process remains private. I think that is where it is done best and I think that is where both parties can talk freely to one another and come to the best conclusion for the player and the team.”

Emery does not believe Urlacher has felt slighted in the process, something he said at the scouting combine last month in Indianapolis would not happen.

“Talks are ongoing so I don’t why anybody would feel slighted,” Emery said. “We haven’t come to conclusion.”

Emery said it will be slow moving now with the team’s own free agents because of the cap situation. The Bears will release defensive tackle Matt Toeaina soon. Combined with the departures of Davis and Spaeth, the Bears created $5.25 million in cap room with the cuts. Emery said no other cuts are immediately planned but the team is constantly evaluating the roster.

“We are up against the cap,” he said. “So, we are going to have to be very slow and methodical and make sure that every decision that we make is going to be in the best interest of our team moving forward in terms of putting the best players on the field to win. It is going to have to be slow because every dollar is going to count against the cap and we are up tight against the cap.”

bmbiggs@tribune.com

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