About three months ago, I wrote a blog entitled How can the Bears fix their glitches? I did my best to tell the Bears what they can do to make themselves a better team in 2008 and beyond (in my completely unprofessional opinion, of course). Well the draft is done and the teams have had their rookie mini-camps, so I thought I'd take a look at how the Bears are doing according to... ME! ;)
Below you'll find my original blog text in italics, with new comments thrown in between the different points. In this first section, I cropped the original text for the sake of the gentle readers' sanity.
1. Draft offensive linemen and develop them. Specifically, try to snag one of those highly touted LTs coming out this year and move John Tait back to RT. Fred Miller needs to retire or something...
The Bears procured four rookie offensive lineman, and added a number of young guards to their roster outside of the draft. It looks like the Bears are forgoing the quick fix of free agency and are looking to add youth to their roster on the O-line.
2. Draft a RB in the middle rounds and develop him. Dump Cedric Benson, and procure a free agent RB to compete for the starting job next season...
The Bears drafted Matt Forte in the 2nd round, and they've obviously had enough of Cedric "not only am I a joke on the field, but now I'm going to be a distraction off the field too" Benson. With that big fat price tag, they're looking to move on without him.
3. Draft or procure a possession WR, and let Berrian get overpaid somewhere else... In addition, the Bears have been paying entirely too much money to Mushin Muhammed, who has never produced at the level the Bears hoped he would. It's time to renegotiate with Moose...
Wide receivers drafted or signed: Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, Earl Bennett, Marcus Monk, Curtis Hamilton. Berrian is gone, Muhammad is gone.
4. Let Rex go...
Griese is gone. Grossman is still in Chicago. Ah well, it sounds like the Bears had good reasons to trade Griese back to Tampa Bay.
5. Bolster the safety positions...
The Bears drafted Craig Steltz. I'm guessing with the release of Adam Archuleta, they'll be signing someone else too.
6. Dump Darwin Walker or renegotiate his contract... Invite those late season additions at DT back to training camp next year...
Darwin Walker is gone, and it looks like there will be a group of younger players vying for the nose tackle position in training camp.
Score: 5 for 6. This section was tough to grade, but the only obvious difference is Grossman sticking around for one more year, so I gave the Bears a break! ;)
Sneaky Pete's generic drafts for the Bears
Round 1: The best LT available. Actual pick: Chris Williams, LT, Vanderbilt.
Round 2: QB or RB. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane.
Round 3: QB or RB. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt.
Round 3: WR. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas.
Round 4: SS. Craig Steltz, S, LSU.
Round 5: Best OL available. Zack Bowman, CB, Nebraska. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State.
Round 6: LB. No pick in round 6.
Round 7: CB. Five picks in round 7, no CBs... :(
Score: 3 for 6. We'll just toss the sixth round out... ;)
Sneaky Pete's generic free-agent acquisitions for the Bears
Tailback - Cedric Benson is a joke. As of 5/8/08: No free agents have been signed yet.
Offensive Guard - Ruben Brown is getting very old... As of 5/8/08: The Bears added a bunch of OGs to their roster outside of the draft.
Free Safety/Strong Safety - Mike Brown can't be relied on to stay on the field for the entire season. As of 5/8/08: No free agents have been signed yet.
Defensive Tackle - The Bears need depth and experience at this position. A moderately priced veteran would be nice. The Bears added Babatunde Oshinowo from the Browns practice squad to their roster. Not what I expected or wanted, but he is a DT...
Score: 2 for 4, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears picked up another safety via free agency before the season starts. As for a running back, I wouldn't expect the Bears to sign another one barring a season-ending injury to Forte, Peterson, or Wolfe.
Sneaky Pete's cuts/free agent departures
Adam Archuleta - He can't play the game any more. As of 5/8/08: Released.
Cedric Benson - He obviously has no real desire to play football, so the Bears should grant him his wish. Who else would want this fool anyway? As of 5/8/08: As they said on WSCR 670 AM, "He's got one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel."
Bernard Berrian - He will command a ton of cash since he's the best FA receiver this offseason. He's a good receiver, but he's not worth the cash he's going to get somewhere else. With so many needs at other offensive positions, the Bears should (begrudgingly) let him go make his money with another team. As of 5/8/08: Berrian left via free agency to the Vikings.
Lance Briggs - Jamar Williams is ready to fill Briggs' role as a starter. It would be a shame to let Briggs go, but the Bears need to save their pennies to bolster the offense. As of 5/8/08: Briggs has been re-signed.
Rex Grossman - He needs a fresh start, and so do the Bears. As of 5/8/08: The Bears dumped Brian Griese instead. Interesting move, but I heard Griese was a locker room cancer and Grossman is not, by all accounts.
Ricky Manning Jr. - He's making a bit too much money for not being able to step into the back-up CB role. He was NO help when Nate Vasher went down last season. As of 5/8/08: Manning is still on the roster, but I don't think he will last with the competition he'll get in training camp unless they try to move him to safety.
Fred Miller - Watching this guy play RT was like watching a one-legged cat bury turds on a frozen pond. In the dictionary under "futility" it reads, "See Fred Miller in pass protection." As of 5/8/08: Released.
Terrance Metcalf - Another OL draft bust for the Bears. As of 5/8/08: Metcalf will be released if he doesn't win the starting job in training camp, trust me. He is getting paid WAY too much money to sit on the bench for as long as he has.
Score: 3 for 8, but the polls haven't closed yet. I fully expect the Bears to go 6 for 8 in this category, as Benson, Manning Jr., and Metcalf will be cut or released in the name of the almighty salary cap...
Current overall score: 13 for 24 = 54%.
I think the Bears will hit 70% by the start of the 2008 season. What has impressed me is that Jerry Angelo seems to be building for the future as well as the present. He's doing the best with what he has, and he's been smart about who's been available in the draft and free-agency. Angelo seems to have learned that building the entire O-line (besides the center) via free agency is BAD. I think he knows Grossman isn't the QB of the future, but he also knows there is NO ONE BETTER OUT THERE RIGHT NOW and has decided to be patient. I think that's a smart move.
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Lovely blog Pete. You sir, should be the Bears GM.
I also think that keeping Grossman was not a bad thing, and probably the best thing for the time being. It is exciting to see the management realizing the importants of building a team for today AND tomorrow. Certainly not something we've seen very often in Chicago.
The Bears did good in the draft, not as good as they could have, but, they didn't hurt the team and the guys they drafted will help. Except, whats with drafting ANOTHER TE? Are they counting out Clark? I just don't see it as a wise pick and would have liked to see a saftey or LB with that pick.
Nice work.
Lilwound
Total Comments (6388)
Lovely blog Pete. You sir, should be the Bears GM.
Lilwound | 05/08/08, 10:59 AM
THANKS! :)
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The Bears did good in the draft, not as good as they could have, but, they didn't hurt the team and the guys they drafted will help. Except, whats with drafting ANOTHER TE? Are they counting out Clark? I just don't see it as a wise pick and would have liked to see a saftey or LB with that pick.
Lilwound | 05/08/08, 10:59 AM
The Bears only true blocking TE (John Gilmore who was also a backup fullback) left via free agency & the Bears like to keep THREE TEs for some reason. I would've liked to have seen another safety drafted there too.
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
Babatunde Oshinowo was cut as was an OG yesterday. What do you think about them picking up the RB from U of Mass. Looking on YouTube and Stats he looks good and really could be worth a risk as the saints did with Pierre Thomas. If you give a guy with some drive a chance who knows what could happen. Hopefully, due to cap considerations I think they keep Benson this year, Unless he really did shoot himself in the foot reagrding this Boat thing. If thats the case don't be surprised if the Bears cut Benson and go after a waiver wire Vetern to fill the Backup role as Peterson is desperatly need on ST now and Wolfe could not carry the weight by himself.
MikeG118
Chicago, IL
Total Comments (19)
Dang it. I knew I shoulda checked the Bears website this morning... ;)
Mike Jones was the guard who was cut, I searched and couldn't find any info on the UMass RB that was signed... But, it doesn't matter. I think the more competition the Bears have at RB, the better.
I don't think Benson shot himself in the foot with his aquatic episode last, weekend, he's shot himself in the foot with his on-field performance! He ran like garbage, he can't pick up a blitz, and he doesn't catch the ball consistently well out of the backfield. And remember he's already been hurt 3 or 4 times in his career, so I think durability is an issue too.
Peterson was adequate as the starter last season when Benson went down. Not great, but I'm pretty sure he led the Bears in receptions last season. I think he'll be fine in spot duty. I think Wolfe will be a solid third down running back, but you're right about not wanting him to carry the load.
So yeah, throwing another RB into the mix in camp is a great idea in my completely unprofessional opinion...
Thanks for reading... ;)
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
Know what I really like about your blogs? That the "opinion" gets cutoff in the name of the blog due to space limitations. And on my monitor it reads :
"Sneaky Pete's Completely Unprofessional"
And I think, yeah, that about sums it up ;>)
Ok, I'll go back and read it now.
i B4 e:FN blows…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6340)
Thank you, thank you. It's nice to have fans... :P
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
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I think the bears have done well this off season unfortunately.
Grossman needs to go but the Bears can't just replace him anyone which is why he is stuck for at least another year. There really wasn't anyone in the draft. The next QB has to be able to at least hold the job down, or at least get the snap from center.
Youth is the way to go for the O-line. FA lineman disappoint more than they workout. I question whether or not Forte can be the same at this level. Looked great at Tulane but that is Tulane. Also most of his highlights had him running free through huge gapping holes. I don't know his play that well but I would like to see more footage of him breaking tackles.
buckybadger
Denver , CO
Total Comments (4154)
"Watching this guy play RT was like watching a one-legged cat bury turds on a frozen pond"
That one cracked me up. I'm gonna search youtube now for one-legged cats on a frozen pond trying to bury a turd.
I must say that you are an excellent prognosticator and well versed in what your team truly needs. I would rather complain after that fact about the stupid moves my team made.
i B4 e:FN blows…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6340)
Are they not giving Wolfe a chance?
buckybadger
Denver , CO
Total Comments (4154)
One nit pick there Pete..Randy Moss was the best free agent WR..then Berrian..but then everyone knew Moss wasn't going anywhere so yup..it would be Berrian.Good blog.
Harry Callahan
Total Comments (8393)
I must say that you are an excellent prognosticator and well versed in what your team truly needs. I would rather complain after that fact about the stupid moves my team made.
i B4 e: Responsibility Shirker | 05/08/08, 01:58 PM
Yeah me too. This "prognostication" thing is new to me... ;)
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Are they not giving Wolfe a chance?
buckybadger | 05/08/08, 01:58 PM
Oh I think they will, but I don't know that he can be an every down back.
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One nit pick there Pete..Randy Moss was the best free agent WR..then Berrian..but then everyone knew Moss wasn't going anywhere so yup..it would be Berrian.Good blog.
Harry Callahan | 05/08/08, 02:03 PM
You are technically correct, sir. But yeah, that's what I meant! ;)
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THANKS FOR READING, EVERYONE! :)
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
Hey..you called me sir..i feel all important now..i am above you all now..Sir Harry.
Harry Callahan
Total Comments (8393)
I searched and couldn't find any info on the UMass RB that was signed...
That's because you were most likely looking for a whole article on it. It was just a small blurb in an article whose main focus is Williams:
Roster addition: Williams apparently wasn't the only player who impressed coaches over the weekend. On Monday, the Bears signed Massachusetts running back Matt Lawrence, a 6-1, 210-pounder who participated in the rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4666
It's about halfway down the page.
cubs/bears
Total Comments (929)
That's because you were most likely looking for a whole article on it. It was just a small blurb in an article whose main focus is Williams:
[SNIP]
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4666
It's about halfway down the page.
cubs/bears | 05/08/08, 02:15 PM
Aha! Mystery solved! That's what I get for blogging when I'm too busy to read through everything... It makes sense that the Bears wouldn't devote an entire article to an undrafted free agent.
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
You also forgot to mention something: Muhammad is no longer a Bear. He is back home with the Panthers.
At first, I was pissed during the Draft. I wanted Mendenhall on the Bears badly. And I was also none too pleased when we passed over QBs such as Johnson. But we signed two UFAs in Caleb Hanie and Nick Hill. Only time will tell how these two will turn out, although Kiper is really high on Hanie, going as far as to call him a steal. In fact, he said that we improved more than any other team in the Draft. Those comments raised an eyebrow. I hope he is right about Hanie though, as frankly I don't want Grossman to stay. Yes, the blocking sucked on multiple levels. But that goes only so far. Grossman gets rattled far too easily, and makes the same mistakes time and time again. It is almost as if he IS a mental midget. I know he is intelligent, but I just don't think he's cut out to be a starting QB in the NFL.
Nice blog!
cubs/bears
Total Comments (929)
whats up sneaky? I think the bears did quite well this off-season,for what they had to work with.I cant wait to see some of these picks get on the field & play! I am glad we didnt reach & over spend in free agency.there were no franchise q.b.'s this year,other than ryan.free agency was bad too,maybe next year.with protection & time i have no doubt rex can win,until we get our young guy,for the future.the bears got their biggest need filled.by signing a pure top L-tackle in williams.he will start,he didnt get beat often & does not give up sacks.he only gave up two sacks!! now tait can go back to his natural R-side.he will play much better there.two upgrades on the o-line,with that pick.Forte will start for us,the bears filled their 2nd biggest need here.he was 2nd in the nation in yds.t.d.'s & points scored.he had 2127 yds.23 t.d.'s & 282 yds receiving on 32 catches.I cant wait to get him on the field.bennett at W.R. another need pick.bennett was tops in s.e.c. history in receptions in only 3 years.only player to have multiple 75+ catch seasons! he catches everything,doesnt mind contact,unlike berrian.Harrison is a 1st rd,starting d-lineman.he will upgrade us big-time.its like having another tommie harris.if he stays out of trouble.steltz fills a huge problem at safety.he can play both spots,well.if brown stays healthy,we will have the two best safety tandem in the nfl.late rd scores in the draft like,monk,davis,bowman,chester adams.the defense will be healthy this year!! so i am excited to see this bears team this year.we need to get tommie harris & robbie gould extended deals.we will do better than people think.too many people forget how bad our injuries really were last year.we have a great defense.we will be even better this season.GO BEARS!!
#1bearfan
Salt Lake City , UT
Total Comments (83)
You also forgot to mention something: Muhammad is no longer a Bear. He is back home with the Panthers.
cubs/bears | 05/08/08, 02:26 PM
No I didn't, see #3 above... ;)
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[snip]
Grossman gets rattled far too easily, and makes the same mistakes time and time again. It is almost as if he IS a mental midget. I know he is intelligent, but I just don't think he's cut out to be a starting QB in the NFL.
Nice blog!
cubs/bears | 05/08/08, 02:26 PM
I heard someone say that Grossman would be great if he could just keep that red practice jersey for games! ;)
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
so i am excited to see this bears team this year.we need to get tommie harris & robbie gould extended deals.we will do better than people think.too many people forget how bad our injuries really were last year.we have a great defense.we will be even better this season.GO BEARS!!
#1bearfan | 05/08/08, 02:45 PM
I am curious to see what this draft class can do for the Bears. Remember, it doesn't mean anything until they step on the field and start the season! ;)
THANKS FOR READING!
Sneaky Pete
Not Here, IL
Total Comments (1080)
Hey cubs/bears. you could have stopped at Kiper is really high and pretty much summed up what most people think of his draft analysis.
i B4 e:FN blows…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6340)
Ah, you did get Muhammad. I don't know how I could have missed that.
i B4, I don't think Kiper's analysis was bad at all. A lot of the "experts" are giving the Bears bad grades solely because we didn't get a QB in the Draft. Kiper seems to be the only one who has actually paid attention to happenings after the Draft. And this QB class was weak. There were very few worth picking. And although I am still a little perplexed as to why we didn't take Johnson or Henne, I think Angelo did a great job this year. He went into the Draft thinking offense, and got a lot of players who have the potential to make some very big plays in the NFL.
And let's not forget that Forte was one of the best backs in the nation, finishing at #2 with 2,127 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. So to get one of the premier backs in the nation and Draft in the Second Round is quite exciting.
Overall, if the defense returns 100% healthy, and the offense plays to its newfound potential, then there is absolutely NO reason why we shouldn't get a postseason berth. This should be an exciting season.
cubs/bears
Total Comments (929)
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