2008 Free Agents list
by jrm78 on Dec 20, 2007 8:29 AM CST
9 comments
Pro Football Weekly compiled a list of all 2008 Free Agents by position back in November. I really haven't looked over it too much, except maybe at the list of Offensive linemen. My problem was how can you tell if an o-lineman is any good or not? Sack numbers? Yards-per-rush? Both of those variables aren't entirely dependent on the play of the o-line, but can be influenced by an elusive QB or explosive RB... but I digress.
Anyways, here's the link to the list.
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Offensive line.
To one of your questions... there are only two ways, rely on the people who make lists like these, or watch at least 40-50 plays over a couple of different games of one specific guy. you could at least get a good idea then. Since the latter is harder, I just defer to the "experts" (the problem with that, of course, is that they don't watch many games and are probably wrong).
For at least a general idea, I'd pretty much go for any guy who will be 27 or younger and has at least 30 games started to his credit. The better the offensive team, presumably the better the o-lineman. This certainly is by no means "scientific", but it's at least a start.
by tyger1147 on Dec 20, 2007 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think
While a RB or safety can often step in their rookie year and make an impact (which is why I'd like to see the Bears draft the Miami safety with their first pick), offensive tackles and WRs take several years to become effective, and by that time (see Berrian, Bernard) they are ready for a new contract.
I'd like to see the Bears go after Max Starks to play RT and sign one of Bryant Johnson/DJ Hackett to play WR. Another guard could potentially be in order, depending on what they see in Beekman (if he ever sees the field enough to evaluate him. If they aren't going to draft the Miami safety in round one, that is another position to address in free agency.
Whether to resign Berrian depends on his demands. If they can get him for something close to what Crayton signed for, then absolutely, but I would be cautious giving premiere money to an imperfect receiver. Moose and his bloated contract are prime examples of why not to do this.
by tomas21 on Dec 29, 2007 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm, a couple names that jump out at me.
Marion Barber...it seems likely the Cowboys will give him a long term deal but if they just tender him an offer should we give him a big deal and give up a 1st and 3rd for him? I still think fixing the o-line will do more for our running game than a guy like Barber would, but maybe everyone doesn't agree and they think Benson just sucks. I dunno. Barber is intriguing though.
Michael Turner. It seems kind of likely he'll be available, i can't see the Chargers spending the money on him they'd need to keep him. Still, i think we need to spend our money on the line and i think Benson/Peterson could be a decent enough combo behind a good o-line.
Berrian/Crayton/DJ Hackett. I think we need one of these guys. I'd like the one to be Berrian, but i think any of them would be a good signing. We definately need one, because i would not like wideouts of Moose/Bradley/Hester. We need a better guy in there.
Briggs. Get him, don't care what it takes.
Gibril Wilson. I'd like him to replace Mike Brown. Wouldnt' mind us signing Brown dirt cheap if at all possible, incentive laden contract comes to mind.
by lopey986 on Dec 21, 2007 4:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
agree
Barber is a hell of a runner, but I think his price tag may be too high because of the possibility of draft picks. I think the Bears should make a strong push for Michael Turner. He won't come cheap, but I can't see him wanting to stay in San Diego behind LaDanian no matter what kind of money they throw at him.
As far as receiver, everybody wants a receiver with Moss' production, but he'll cost an arm and a leg and also would he want to leave the Patriots to join the Bears? Berrian has done well for the Bears when not dropping passes, but he's at best a #2 receiver. Crayton and Hackett could also be good pick ups, but they've had injury troubles this year; Hackett more so than Crayton.
I'd like to see Briggs stay, but in reality he'll cost too much when the Bears really should put that money towards fixing the many holes on offense. I think for Mike Brown, they'd have to cut him in order to restructure his contract. I'd like to have him around, but he would have to have an incentive heavy contract due to his many problems staying healthy.
As for the O-line, I still believe the Bears should upgrade it through the draft due to the depth there. Though they should also look at other free-agents at the position. Alan Faneca comes to mind, but he won't be cheap.
by jrm78 on Dec 21, 2007 7:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Looking at Safeties
I haven't looked through the names in depth; just only skimmed the stats (typically tackles, passes defensed, and interceptions). So if there's a name with injury concerns #cough#Bob Sanders#cough#, or near-retirement that I included, that's why.
Oh, and to angry up the blood this morning, that extra safety the Bears got rid of in training camp currently leads the league in tackles by a DB, as well as forcing an unbelieveable 8 fumbles. Of course, I'm talking about Chris Harris. Think about that the next time you see Archuleta bounce off of a ball carrier or miss a tackle badly. Do you think we could've used those 8 forced fumbles in our defense that depends on turnovers?
by jrm78 on Dec 21, 2007 8:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Harris
Gibril Wilson and Bob Sanders are the best free agent safeties, i'm not impressed by Hamlin. Wilson was usually pretty healthy, but he has been nagged all year by injury.
by lopey986 on Dec 21, 2007 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Harris
Anyways can't cry over spilt milk at this point. Hopefully Payne can turn out to be a half decent player and we can address this position adequately in the offseason.
by twaddle on Dec 21, 2007 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Draft Pick
by allhailmark on Dec 21, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Starting WR
This article says that Hester should be in the mix to be a starter next season. Maybe the FO is greasing the media wheels to start making excuses in advance for not signing Berrian.
I would re-sign him, even if overpaying, but there are so many attractive options for him in the rest of the NFL. Chargers, Cowboys, Broncos, Vikings all teams that could use a solid #2 (off the top of my head) and might be more attractive than Chicago. Rex coming back could be a factor, as seemingly 50% of his targets go to Berrian.
Hester could be a dangerous receiver, he shows good hands to go with his incredible speed. I don't feel good about him and Muhammed. I only feel half okay about him and Berrian...
by allhailmark on Dec 21, 2007 5:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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