Question: When is the best time to be a Bears fan? Answer: The Offseason. Unlike the regular season, there’s no chance the Bears are going disappoint you and lose. You don’t have to see Lovie Smith and his deer in headlights expressions. And of course, once the free agent period begins and the draft approaches, we have hope. Let’s look at the Bears offseason list and priorities. 1. Do we need to change the coaches/GM? I-Truth and I discussed this over lunch. Is Angelo or Lovie Smith more to blame for the Bears demise? We went around in circles arguing: “Of course its Angelo, don’t you recall Dan Badzuin, Okwo, Cedric Benson or Michael Haynes”? “Yeah, but Lovie can’t teach and evaluate the young players. Look at Justin Gage, Marc Columbo, or even Cedric Benson prospering on other teams. Angelo drafts players that fit Lovie’s system and tastes.” “True, but doesn’t that mean that Angelo let’s Lovie have too much say in draft day decisions?” As you could tell it’s a cyclical pattern. Basically, they both suck. But unless I miraculously obtain 1Billion to buy the Bears, they are both staying. Let’s just move on.
2. Can Kyle Orton be our franchise QB? Yes and No. Orton can be our QB, if he had TJ Housh, Anquan Bolden and Devin Hester as wide receiver options. Absent that dream WR corps, Orton’s going to be just another average Bears QB. Even though Lovie and Turner already blessed him with their seal of approval (which is ridiculous b/c he was awful the last few weeks and its f’n December 08 for goodness sakes). Anyway, I’m fine with Orton for one or two more years provided (a) we go out and get a legit #1 WR option (TJ Housh) and (b) the Bears get a project QB in the draft or free agency to take over the reins in the long-term.
3. What is our most pressing need? The Bears have no option but to go out and sign Anquan Bolden, TJ Housh or perform some miracle to trade for a top WR talent. They will probably draft near 18 and won’t likely find a premier WR in the draft. Plus, do you really want Angelo to be drafting offensive skill position players? If the Bears can’t get a top WR in the free agency market, next season is a wash and we will be sitting right here again at near .500.
So let’s assume they manage to get their WR in the free agent market. The Bears have obvious needs on the OL, but again, I don’t want Angelo drafting offensive players. Thus, let’s focus on that aging defense. If the Bears are going to stick with the Cover 2, they got to get a better pass rusher. Alex Brown is okay. But Adewale “oops I think I hurt my pinky” Ogunleye has got to go. He’s over paid and under-performs.
Secondly, the Bears have to go after an elite safety in the draft. I love Mike Brown, but you can’t rely on him. There is no way we can go another season thinking that Kevin Payne or Danieal Manning can play safety. Whether it’s the draft or free agency, we need a legit safety other than Mike Brown.
4. Okay, you’ve covered DE and safety, what else? I’d love to see them get a guard for the offensive line. They need to pick-up a starter in free agency. In addition, they could use more depth at the corner position. Charles Tillman is overrated and has trouble playing man-to-man coverage. I actually like Vasher and Graham, but we need more depth.
5. If you could assemble a realistic Bears 2009 Bears team, what players would it consist of?
Offense:
QB: Orton, with a rookie or free agent in waiting groomed to take over in 2010 or 2011.
RB: Easy- Forte
TE: Olsen, Clark
LT- Williams/Tait
G- Free Agent Guard and possibly John St. Clair. (I’d like to see Garza on the bench backing up these guys).
C- Kreutz with Beekman backing him up
WR1: TJ Hoosh (I’d even take Anquan Bolden)
WR2: Devin Hester
WR3: Earl Bennet/Free Agent/ or 4th rounder in draft.
Defense:
RE: Alex Brown
DT-Marcus Harrison
DT- Tommie Harris
DE- First pick in Draft (Or getting a guy like Terrell Suggs in free agency) and trade away or cut Ogunleye.
OLB: Briggs and Roach
MLB : Urlacher (although, it’s probably time to find his replacement)
DB1: Corey Graham
DB2: Vasher (with 2nd or 3rd rounder in draft waiting in wings)
Nickel: D. Manning/2nd or 3rd rounder
FS: Tillman/Mike Brown
SS: First pick in draft or through free agency.
I realize there are some redundancies in the list, but you get the picture. Obtain a WR in the free agent market. Shore up your OL with a starting caliber guard in free agency. Draft a DE/Safety # 1 or 2, and add depth at corner through the draft. If possible, look for QB of future in draft or through free agency.
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2 comments:
no rookie qb first off because we have hanie, we will most likely get a FA unless by some stupid chance they say their werent that good a choices in the FA so they keep rex... i agree with all other of what you said other than vasher starting with a 2nd/3rd rounder behing him, we have bowman and he will be first to backup if not start, and i like the tillman at FS.
what do you think they should do with payne if he isnt SS? i like payne he is a beast and we would be stupid to let him go to a diffrent team
I am not as big on Hanie as you. Mainly because he has never taken a regular reason snap. Although, rumors are that the Bears like the guy. I still think it's a little too much of making a coal out of a diamond.
With regards to Payne, I just don't see the "beast" in him. He is not fast and isn't built. I see him more of a bench/special teams player. Although, he could be a starter if we had an Ed Reed type player starting next to him.
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