[This rant turned out to be a LOT longer than I originally planned. If your eyes glaze over somewhere in the middle, feel free to skip to the end for Sneaky Pete's No B.S. State of the Bears!]
Random thoughts on the Bears' off season:
Departures: Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, Mushin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Brian Griese.
Miller was a disaster last year, and at his age (33 or 34 years old) it's not likely that he's going to improve much.
I was a little surprised at Brown being let go. I thought he had another year or two left in the tank, and he seems to be a classy guy. But, as he said during an interview with Mike North on WSCR in Chicago, "The Bears aren't going to pay [big money] for an old guy like me!" He wasn't bitter about being cut loose, he told North that it was just business and the Bears have to invest in their future. I can't really argue with that logic. I'm left wondering if Brown's shoulder injury isn't worse than advertised, though.
Mushin Muhammad had been getting #1 WR money for #3 WR performance the past two seasons. He really rubbed me the wrong way after the season was over and he started chirping about the Bears "Getting a bargain" in terms of his pay. It makes me wonder if the Bears didn't try to renegotiate his contract. Anyway, he's gone now and he won't be more than a #3 receiver on another team. Too bad, the Bears could use a #3 receiver like him. Just not at the price he was demanding!
It was a shame that the Bears couldn't keep Berrian for at least one more year. I think his arrow is still pointing up, even though he took a step backward last season. But, I think the Bears were right in not paying an exorbitant amount of money for an inconsistent performer. He simply dropped too many key passes last year. (Although not as many as Muhammad did!) I just wish Berrian had landed somewhere other than Minnesota! Speaking of the Vikings, I'm not sure how many catches he thinks he's going to reel in up there considering the QB situation in Minnesota might actually be WORSE than the QB situation in Chicago! Ah well, it's not the Bears' problem any more.
Ayanbadejo? I think it was really stupid of him to take his case to the media saying he had two Pro Bowl appearances in the past two years and should be getting paid appropriately. He's a full-time special teamer and he doesn't return punts or kicks! A lot of people were lamenting his departure to me. Give me a break. I like Ayanbadejo's fire, but he's not even a viable option as a back-up linebacker! Guess what Brendon? Jamar Williams or Michael Okwo will fill your spot nicely on special teams in 2008, AND they can back up the starters if needed! Good luck with the Ravens.
Griese's departure was a bit of a surprise to me when I first heard about it, but I keep hearing about division in the locker room last season, and I keep hearing about how it centered on Griese. He's been tagged as a locker room cancer before, so I tend to believe what I'm hearing. Remember those images on TV of Orton and Griese huddling together on the sidelines while Grossman was listening to his iPod on the bench? Remember how we were all thinking Grossman was a jerk for not being interested in the game after being benched? Well I want to go on record as saying maybe we were wrong when we piled on Grossman. Maybe he was simply reacting to something Griese said or did off camera. Who knows?
Retained: Lance Briggs & Rex Grossman.
I think the Bears made the right choice on both counts. Briggs is an impact player on defense. He is a "proven commodity." I wouldn't have been too worried if he left, because I think Jamar Williams has great potential, but Williams is still relatively unproven. He's only played in a handful games.
Grossman? Well if Griese was being a problem in the clubhouse and Orton is still unproven, it only makes sense to sign Grossman for another year. This offseason is very... Um... Barren in terms of available talent at the QB position. There was no reason for the Bears to pay another mediocre free agent too much money just because they unexpectedly entered "rebuilding mode" on offense. And make no mistake; the Bears are in rebuilding mode on offense.
New arrivals: Marty Booker & Brandon Lloyd.
I don't think there's anything to get really excited about here. Booker was probably added to get a veteran presence in the locker room. Unless the O-line improves drastically, I think he'll be lucky if he hauls in more than 40-50 catches this year. And that's only if the Bears get a serious threat to line up at the other WR position. At least the Bears didn't over-pay him. Don't get me wrong; I think the Booker signing is the Bears' most exciting move thus far. Why am I excited? It's certainly not because of his broken (and tied) team records from his first stint with the Bears; he's a different (read: much older) receiver now. But if Booker takes the same number he had before (86), I can wear one more jersey next season! I've already grabbed it from the basement! (See my profile pics!) If Booker takes a different number, I'll just be that much cooler, according to Josh's rules of jersey wearing!
Lloyd showed some potential with the 49ers, but was buried on the Redskins depth chart last season. As we've seen with Adam Archuleta, that's not a good sign! My projected starters at WR next season are Hester and Bradley with Booker spelling Hester early and often. Bears fans should keep their fingers crossed in hopes that Mark Bradley and Greg Olsen do some serious developing during the offseason!
We need O-linemen!
I've read that this years' draft is weak when it comes to guards, so the Bears will need to find a free agent or transform one of the five guards on their current roster into a starter. There are no more big name free agents out there in terms of OG, but look for the Bears to make a "Roberto Garza-esque" move. Garza wasn't highly touted, but he's played well for the Bears.
Sneaky Pete's generic draft picks, based on needs (in order): OT, WR, QB, RB, SS, DT.
More thoughts on the draft:
I'm not sure the Bears will draft Rashard Mendenhall even if he's still available. Why? Mike Mayock (NFL.com) compares Mendenhall to... (drum roll please) Cedric Benson. Ouch. I'm summarizing, but Mayock says that Mendenhall has a lot to learn about following his blockers, is not shifty enough, and doesn't possess breakaway speed. Furthermore, Mayock says Mendenhall is careless with the football. So, if *I* were in charge of personnel for the Bears, I'd stay away from him. Don't get me wrong, I like the kid. He seems like a decent guy. Maybe Mendenhall has more character, and maybe that makes all the difference. But, I would be gunshy after the disaster that was CB last season.
I also wouldn't be surprised if the Bears trade down in the first round to get an extra draft pick. They could use the extra picks to rebuild the offense.
Free agent acquisitions?
The Bears need depth at DT, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them sign a moderately priced, solid but not spectacular DT. Are there any available? I haven't even looked recently. Before they run out and sign a free agent, they should take a look at those guys who filled in at the end of last season. Kennedy is already gone to the Jags. I would love to see Toeina get a shot next season. I thought he had a great motor. Anthony Adams played fairly well too. The Bears still have Israel Idonije, who I like as a guy who can spell the starters. But the Bears need another solid starter!
Dusty Dvoracek? I'll get excited when he finishes an entire season, playing the way the Bears say he can.
Addendum: Hey! Good news! I just checked the Bears website and it seems the Bears have signed Babatunde Oshinowo from the Browns practice squad! Whew! It looks like the DT problem has been solved! Are you picking up the sarcasm? Good, because I'm laying it on pretty darn thick...
Now that former free agent RB Michael Turner is out of the picture, don't be surprised if the Bears sign a relatively unknown RB for microbucks. And don't be surprised if said RB is starting by midseason!
Sneaky Pete's State of the Bears
Devin Hester will still be the most dangerous scoring threat for the Bears as a kick and punt returner. I will be very surprised if he's very effective on a consistent basis in the passing game. Why? Because I don't believe he has the capacity to read defensive coverage, let alone make the same read as the QB. I think he's going to be more of a "run really fast that way and I'll just throw it up" type receiver. And that isn't going to work very well if the Bears can't protect the "flavor of the week" QB next season.
Overall, it's looking pretty bad for the Bears' offense unless the front office makes some brilliant moves. I think the defense will be solid next year, provided Dusty Dvoracek stays healthy and proves to be as good as the Bears think he can be. They also need to address the SS position, but there's a chance Kevin Payne will work out there. There's no real reason to believe special teams will be worse.
IMHO, if the season started today, Bears fans would be going through the same stuff we've been going through for the past decade (or two or three): Good defense, good special teams, cr@ppy offense. Is there any reason to think anything else? I didn't think so.
Daniella Sarahyba
Ashley Allen
Celebrity picks to win the Daytona 500
Winter Olympics on the SI Cover
Comments (26) Add A Comment
Great, as always, with your critique of "da Bears". I could tell you about Brandon Lloyd...but, WHY??? lol
Hadn't read you in awhile, Pete. I'll admit it, I missed you.
DC Sports Nut: Nats,…
Total Comments (2547)
The Vikings always seem to take players from the Packers and Bears. What's up with that?? I'm guessing they've come to terms with the fact that their sole purpose in the universe is as a counterpoint to all that is good, decent and admirable.
...the lOOOOve boat...soon we'll be making another run! heheh
Curly Lambeau
Total Comments (5171)
DC: Thanks, man. I haven't been around much. Reality's been interfering with my on-line life! ;)
Curly: And here I thought *I* was the only one who saw the Vikings were PURE EVIL... ;)
Sneaky Pete
Rochelle, IL
Total Comments (1056)
The Bears just seem to have been stuck in a time warp. They aren't moving in the right direction or in any direction at all. Stuck in nuetral.
1Hawkeye1 wants Vida
Clear Lake , IA
Total Comments (1916)
Im glad we got rid of Miller and Brown. We're signin a lineman in the first round (hoping he doesnt turn out like Mark Columbo) and if we're going to remodel the O like we so desperately need we need to start with this aging offensive line. Letting go of Miller and Brown was a start.
Stauff Nation
Chicago, IL
Total Comments (1778)
Good blog, I definitely agreed with most of it. Especially the parts about Ayanbadejo and Berrian. I loved watching both of them play, but neither are worth the big paychecks. I also think signing Grossman was a good idea. He may have his bad games, but so did Griese and Orton, and he gives them the best chance to win this season while they (hopefully) develop a young guy under him. And I still think keeping Lance Briggs is the most importan signing they got this offseason. As long as they keep the defense healthy and the offense stops turning the ball over, they'll improve.
Harris.
Mankato, MN
Total Comments (875)
I disagree one some assessments. It is no longer so clear cut that we will be taking an OT in the First Round. There are other teams with needs at the position, and many of them are higher up than we are. Falcons (3,) Panthers (13,) Ravens (8,) and Broncos (12,) are all teams with needs at linemen. There are other teams, such as the Texans and Jaguars, that are in need of linemen as well. But they go after us. Even so, we have 4 teams with needs at linemen higher up in the Draft than we are. That does not mean that they will take tackles in the First Round. But tackles such as Long and Clady would be very hard to pass up. The top tackles will most likely be gone. And we may not want to reach for tackle who is a second day Draft pick. Not only that, but people who make mock Drafts plug our tackle (should we go tackle in Round One) at RT. We don't need an RT. We desperately need a LT. Tait is far too old for my comfort to stay at LT, and he's not as athletic as he once was. He should be slid back to RT, then we need to pick up an LT.
With that said, there is now a good chance that we may go the route of RB in the First Round. Many people are very high on Mendenhall, and some even had us picking him up at 14. Yes, even people on nfl.com.
That aside, there was a mock 2 Round Draft posted on another site that I like. It had us taking Mendenhall in Round One, then Anthony Collins in Round Two. Collins is a big tackle (6'5, 317) who did a great job of blocking for Kansas. He is strong (26 reps on the 225 bench press,) has good blocking ability, played on a 12-1 Kansas team that won the Orange Bowl, and most importantly, he can play LT. He is a great talent, and is projected to go in Round Two. We can improve both the running game and blocking significantly by taking those two in turn out to be a pleasant surprise.
I also won't miss Berrian one bit. He is and overrated, soft, and quite bold, #2 receiver at best. Minnesota can have him. They grossly overpaid him, and that, I think, will come back to bite them in the ass. They will see that he can make some exciting plays. But they will also see that drops pass after pass after pass. And he'll be catching passes from the 2 QBs who are arguably even worse than Grossman-Frerotte and Jackson. But hey. If they want to shoot themselves in the foot, and keep signing overrated players, I won't stop them. The more money they waste on those guys is money they can't spend on solid players, and that only helps us out. So thank you, Minnesota.
cubs/bears
Total Comments (1291)
*I disagree ON some of your assessments.* When I looked back at the sentence, it did not make any sense. Sorry.
cubs/bears
Total Comments (1291)
Nice blog. As a skins fan, good luck with Brandon Lloyd =|
Squeeb
Fairfax, VA
Total Comments (1057)
Pete, Pete , Pete, missed you man! I agree and disagree with you on some of your points, first off you are right on about Ayanbadejo and Berrian. Cant wait to see all the under-thrown passes in Minnesota this year because they got a reciever thats going to out-run his QB's arm strength, and if the QB gets it to him he'll drop half the passes. Ayanbadejo said he should be "the highest paid special teamer in the league" are you kidding me? He shouldnt of been the highest paid special teamer on this TEAM!
I have to disagree with you on puting the RB pos. 4th on the list. Benson is a bust and Im prepared to say hes done, especially after hearing "Mr. Positivity" Lovie Smith kind of beat him up in public this week. I agree our most glaring need is a LT but in terms of this draft crop an equally talented tackle can be taken in the 2nd or 3rd round, a RB with equal talent to a Mendenhaull or the other kid from Arkansas can not. In this draft with our passing game in the state it is going to be in next year, I think RB is our most glaring need.
I didnt see Mayocks column, I usually like him pretty much, but I dont understand what hes really talking about! I watched almost all Illinois' games last year, never seen a problem with Mendenhaull following his blockers, and all you had to do was watch the Rose Bowl to see his "shiftiness" and break-away speed. Many believed USC to be the best team in the country at that time and he ran very well against them including an 80 -some yard TD run.
Great blog Pete, good to have you back!
Z_Aug:Bow to your…
Somewhere, IL
Total Comments (166)
Good Blog. Not many disagreements. About the only thing I really disagree with is everybodys Negative toward Rex. The kid has been hurt, this is the NFL, it happens. He hasn't gotten his full time in but he has played hard for us. And I really hated hearing fans boo him at Soldiers Field last year. He's our guy when he's wearing the uniform. For better or worse.
Iron Mike Ditka always had a ball buster OL. His thoughts were, have a great OL and an ave RB with desire,(like one T.Jones) and we're good to go.
With that said, I would love to see an OTdrafted, preferably C.Williams they say he's a good pass blocker and athletic. They could get a good working RB in round 2. My pick would be K.Smith form C.Fla. He's is good. Runs like an Eric Dickerson. I doubt if he's on the Bears radar. And if they could get guard John Greco from Toledo who plays tough with a good fighting attitude, I think we would really be going in the right direction.
However those are my thoughts and the coaches certainly know more about what they need being closer to the action than we are. And I am going to continue to support Grossman. I think this guy can do the job. And remember there's 2guys involved in the snap between QB and th Center. Are all those fumbled snaps Rex's fault. Rex has just finished his 2nd full season and is really still young at the position. Kyle Orton isn't a bad option for us either and I have to ask, If Greise was so good, how come 3 other teams passed on him before we got him. He was hot and cold just like the other 2.
We'v got a god ball club that's not as bad as people think it's going to be.. It's a given that injuries will bring a team down faster than anything. We had that last year. Hope it doesn't take us out again this year.
One more thing I would like to add, I would hope Mr. Turners play calling this coming season will be a little less predictable for the Defense. His system isn't bad but everybody on the defense always seemed to know where the ball was going. Need a little more imagination on the play calling. When I'm watching the game on TV and can tell when its going to be a run or pass, thats bad. Would love to see Rex calling plays. But thats not going to happen either. Cheers Everybody
dude44
Hattiesburg , MS
Total Comments (17)
There is two guys involved in the snap, but the other guy is snapping to all the other QB's and they aren't fumbling snaps, just my thought on it.
Z_Aug:Bow to your…
Somewhere, IL
Total Comments (166)
Sorry I'm late to the party Pete. Once again, this is a very good analysis. There is no doubt that you really know your team. My questions are, why is Benson still a bear? Can you tell Urlacher to **** and play. Why do players suddenly feel the need to biitch about the contracts they sign? But what do I know?
iB4e…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (8601)
hey curly lambeau, the reason the Vikes take all the bears & packer players is because the players realize who the REAL team in the north is. And that love boat thing is such old news already it's not even funny anymore & obviosly you Packer fans know a thing or two about holding on to old things,Opps I just remembered yours retired,Hows life without Farve been lately? Are you grown men done crying over another man yet? Now THATS funny!!!
jtes21
Zion , IL
Total Comments (40)
Hey..., glad you're back! I agree with pretty much everything and Booker returning doesn't really give me a lot of anxiousness for this upcoming season. Would've preferred to see Grossman go and Griese staying but, I am not the GM! Benson hasn't lived up to anything in Chitown and this year..., maybe..., Orton will be the starter before Thanksgiving. I've been a fan of this guy for a while and Grossman's coming off a horrid year. QB, RB and WR are my main concerns with this team..., thank goodness they resigned Briggs!
Kev316
Peterborough, ON
Total Comments (679)
cubs/bears: I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears switch up and take a QB or RB in the first round if all the big name OTs are gone. I was just thinking that *I'd* be gunshy about picking a RB in the first round when other teams are having better luck in the middle rounds.
Z: You're not going to get an argument about Benson from me. ;) I think he showed us what he's *really* of last season. I liked Mendenhall in the Rose Bowl too. He looked good, but I wonder if the Bears won't pass on him anyway. There are far too many teams finding gems in the later rounds of the draft. If they can get their hands on a good LT, they're going to do it.
Dude: Thanks for reading! I *still* think Rex needs to get his head out of his butt. I was just saying the Bears don't have any better options this year. I think they're going to draft a project QB this year. I think Coach Turner's play calling had a lot to do with a team that went to H3ll in a handbasket in one season. Either that, or he's just losing it... ;)
i: Yeah, it's not the Bears fault Urlacher was foolish enough to sign a 9-year (or whatever) deal. Geez, that's what *I* do when I want to lock in (read: screw) a star player when I'm running franchise in Madden! I think Urlacher needs to stop playing online and try franchise mode once in a while... ;)
jtes: Play nice, please.
Kev316: You left out the O-line. Yup. Offense is the Bears' problem. Again. And thanks, it's nice to be back! ;)
Sneaky Pete
Rochelle, IL
Total Comments (1056)
Sorry, guys. Didn't mean to leave you out...
Hawkeye: You hit the nail on the head! See the first blog I posted here for my take on your thoughts...
Stauff: I don't disagree with the Bears cutting Ruben Brown. I was just surprised because there aren't a lot of prospects out there for inside linemen this year.
Harris: I agree. THANKS FOR READING! :)
Squeeb: Gee thanks. What are the odds he catches more than two passes for the Bears?
Sneaky Pete
Rochelle, IL
Total Comments (1056)
good to see you back bro...
ZaZ
Total Comments (283)
Good blog. I agree with most of it. I think Grossman can rebound, but Wolfe should get more touches at RB.
Paddy26
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (2359)
Wouldn't know where to start on the O-line!
Kev316
Peterborough, ON
Total Comments (679)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.