Angelo Better Watch Out!

by #23 on Jan 8, 2008 10:47 PM CST Comment 11 comments

Jerry I hope you're reading this. This would be my approach to this year;s off-season. Jerry if your bosses see this they may offer me a job for my clever use of draft picks, free agency moves, and financial decisions. If you use them though, I won't tell.

Here's 10 things I would do to put this team in position to bounce back.

I would sign Grossman to a incentive based deal. If he does well, he see the money, if not he becomes a decent backup QB.
Give Orton a chance to compete for the job. He's not pretty but he doesn't turn the ball over. His pocket presence was decent. Hopefully, he can learn not to lock in on one receiver and improve his accuracy.
Trade Benson for a 3rd round pick or better and/or Moose for a 4th round pick or better.
Acquire Michael Turner! This is so huge I can't even describe how much. This would be the #1 goal. If we can't get Turner, look for a value pick at RB in either the 3rd or 4th round.
Cut Fred Miller and pick up two new good offensive lineman. Definitely pick-up one through free agency and two if possible. If not draft one in the first round. If we pick up two through free agency, then trade the #1 pick for more picks or draft a QB if available, or safety, or RB (I love Mendenhall being an Illinois fan).
Draft a safety day 1, but also make an attempt at Atogwe from St. Louis. The guy is a stud and realistically we probably couldn't get him, but at least I would explore the option.
Sign Bernard if he is being reasonable or else let him go. Honestly, he could be very good, but his inconsistency isn't worth the big bucks.
Sign Briggs if he will give us a hometown discount. I don't see this happening. He obviously care about the Benjamins, but I think it is worth it to offer him a good deal, but not an outstanding deal. If not thank him for his contributions and let him go as well.
Sign Rueben Brown and Brendon Ayenbedajo. Rueben will sign cheap and I believe Brendon wants to stay. He may get a little more than desired, but he is a valuable leader to our special teams. This is the year of saying good bye if anyone tries to break the bank.
Finally, make the smartest move of the off-season and make sure that we sign Hester to a huge contract now. The guy is getting faster every second. I think he hits 88 mph, travels into the future, checks to see where all the players are going to be during the kick-offs, then comes back to the present, and blows our minds. How much do you think he is going to be worth if he gets any better at all as a receiver? He's already priceless, sign him before he takes every dime we own.

Final notes to the sceptics: Realistically we need to prepare for the future at QB and RB, but I really believe that improving the line is more important this year. I think QB's and RB's will perform significantly better with an improved line. It would be nice to get a QB in the draft this year, but I wouldn't be opposed to waiting one more year if the right guy wasn't there.

I think we will be fine at DT with Harris, Dvoracek, Adams, and the guy we got from Cincy's practice squad. I would consider a second day pick at this position and also WR if we loose Berrian.

You can't do everything in one year, but I believe that this would give us the best chance to improve all the areas hurting.

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A couple thoughts

I really like your thoughts on this topic. I am firm believer in Michael Turner being a solid starter & the Devin Hester issue too (very good point). I don't totally agree on getting rid of Moose, at least not right now. Benson, definitely! I really don't think it matters what the line is doing, he really only had a handful of runs where he really looked like he was trying to gain hard yards.
I was curious though, what are your thoughts on drafting a QB. I see your focus is on the line, rightfully so. Yet, even though I like Grossman and Orton, I do feel some new blood could benefit the competition at QB. I think there is a lot of good talent that will be there in the 3rd & 4th rounds, but if Brian Brohm or Matt Ryan falls down to the Bears in Round 1, do you go after them?
One more thing, we were all disappointed in Adam Archuleta even though we already paid him a bulk of his money, do you think its time to cut ties with him?

by sirus19x on Jan 9, 2008 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's my thoughts

I didn't really play out all of the scenarios, but you get rid of Moose if you keep Berrian. We need to get guys like Bradley and Hester more time on the field. If you can't get rid of him, you have to consider cutting him. Maybe you don't, but you have to serious think about it and also how much you are holding back other guys.

On QB, I don't really know the quality of these guys. I know that had good stats in college and I do read about the college game, but I don't watch enough of teams outside of the Illini to know how good they are. So, my answer is this. If we really believe that one of these guys is definite top 10 QB in the league down the road. Go for it. If not, it's a risky pick for round 1 and we could take a shot at a guy in rounds 3-5.

I'm for competition at the QB position but at this point I realize that Grossman and Orton will be better than any guy we draft for the first two seasons of his career. Both of these guys now have starting experience and have been on the team for a 3 years or more. I think both Grossman and Griese are still getting better, too.

Since realistically it is difficult to do everything in one year, I feel the line is the number 1 priority, safety and competition at RB is number 2. We can draft QB, but you have to realize that we'll be waiting 3 years to give the guy time to develop.

With Adam Archaletta, I don't know exactly how his contract is structured. If he is getting 5 million next year in salary, then I would try to get something for him or cut him assuming we feel that we have some depth. basically, right now we have 2 young guys and Brown who I don't even count as a member of the team. I could be very wrong on this move though, because I don't know enough about his deal.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 9, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

good

yea let grossman stay he would be a good back up who knows the offense and let orton compete for the starting job.

and yes trade benson please

by Hester18 on Jan 9, 2008 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jesus Christ

I don't know what the hell you're thinking

I'm sure Grossman will be thrilled to turn down other offers to stay in a city that rides him like a rented mule and has to fight for a starting job and a decent contract
Bears have already said he's in the conversation. Next
You've got to be kidding - no GM will take Benson and his $10M or whatever is left in exchange for a 3rd round pick. Nobody will give a 4th rounder for Moose and his $7.6M in salary (not counting bonuses)
Maybe on Turner, but OL is the issue, not RB
Yes. Sign a T and a G. You're 1 for 5 now
You want a new FS instead of SS? Manning's nothing special but he's not the gaping hole that Archuleta was. I wouldn't oppose an upgrade but that's got to be a lower priority
Berrian will be gone based on what you said
They tried that last year. He's gone too
I would sign Ruben for one more year. He would be cheap. Ayenbedejo has said he wants to be the highest paid special teamer in the NFL. I'd say no thanks to that offer
Hester is under contract for two more years. If he'll sign a reasonable 3-year extension I would do it. A lot could happen in the next two years, no need to dole out cash for nothing. But yeah, resigning Hester would be nice as long as he doesn't hurt his legs

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Jan 9, 2008 6:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

number 9

how much would the highest paid special teamer even make? not sure if its the big a payday or not.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Jan 9, 2008 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Response to your critique

For of all, I didn't say that everything would definitely happen. I did say try.

I think Rex will consider staying although I completely understand your point. He is a competitor and I believe wants to prove our media wrong. He didn't take much of a beating after the benching. At least not what I heard.
The point of two was to explain why we shouldn't panic in the draft to get a QB #1. It is unlikely that a QB would help us this year anyway. So I'm going to say that point is at least neutral and not a negative.
I didn't guarantee this would happen, but it is worth exploring. I do think somebody will blame the line for Benson's error and may give him a shot with a 2 years remaining if they are weak at the position. We could also trade money or a lower pick to help compensate.
I'll take that as an agreement though you didn't give it to me.
Thanks again.
I want help in general at the safety positions because we are thin. If we can loose some salary and then we can also gain a quality young player, yeah I'm for it. I think Manning and McGowan finished strong this year, I know we have Brown for a few games next year and I would like to add a high draft pick to the group. It isn't impossible for a guy if need be to move from FS to SS or vice versa.

7 & 8. They say they like Chicago so I would give them a shot to prove it. Vasher and Tillman signed lesser deals last year. All I'm saying is explore it. Then say good bye if it doesn't work.

A record contract for a special teamer may not be that much. Mannely is a high priced long snapper, but we pay it.
Thanks for the agreement there, too.

Really, I don't think you disagree as much as you say, I just think you won't to find a way to disagree. It isn't wrong to try. The only things I am saying we must do no matter what is sign 2 lineman, try to get Turner, keep Rex, and draft a safety. The other stuff if it happens great. If not, you keep moving forward. There are other draft picks that we try to use as well.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 9, 2008 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

we mildly agree, but

1. "He didn't take much of a beating after the benching."
The media was too busy talking about how much better Orton was. How he didn't make 2-4 turnovers per game

ok
sure, explore trading Benson for a 3rd round pick. It won't work. They may as well explore trading for Tom Brady. Benson's value has never been lower than now. He had a shit season, ended it by getting hurt again, and was matched by his replacement, who was also shitty, but could block and catch a pass. Yes it's worth exploring if you want to waste your time and ruin your reputation. Another problem with this is that in the NFL you can't trade players for cash. There are salary cap implications to trading players and if the money doesn't match for both sides then there's no trade. If you want to make a trade try trading Benson to Arizona for Edge. They want to dump him and the money might match.

5/6. ok

7/8. The Bears offered Briggs $36 million and he said no. Berrian turned down the Bears earlier in the season, saying the two sides were not close. They both want to get paid. Go ahead and try but the front office has to have a priority and the priority has to start with the Offensive Line, then SS, then WR. I think we should overpay Berrian because we've got nobody else. If you want him to take a reduced contract to stay in Chicago you'll never sign him. Berrian doesn't owe the Bears anything.
Briggs won't take a discount either. I'd sign him for a reasonable contract but he wants a top contract. You can try to sign him to a discounted contract but it's unrealistic to expect anything out of it

I don't want any player whose goal is to be the highest paid player at his position. Ayenbedejo said he wants to be the highest paid special teamer. If you think it's ok to pay someone like that I think it's a mistake. We've got special teamers coming out of our ass. The only thing I notice about Ayenbedejo is that he gets in a fight on every coverage opportunity. He's not indispensable. I acknowledge that this is mainly a difference in opinion and signing him wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. It would be the last thing I did during the offseason though.
ok

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Jan 9, 2008 9:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the follow up.

I think you're right on the outcome of most of your counter points, except for a difference in opinion on Ayenbedejo. I love that energy and leadership. Leadership is important, look at Sanders on the Colts D. It's huge.

One thing you can do with Benson to not hurt your reputation is to put him on the trading block and wait for offers. If you get any then you start negotiating. If someone is desperate, they might start close to what you want, then you highball and get them to move closer to the desired trade.

Briggs and Berrian have both been hyping their desire to stay. If there is any truth, then at least give them a chance to prove it with a good contract, not a great contract. Maybe one stays. Berrian's value has dropped because he didn't improve. It also is up because he is likely the top receiver in free agency (once Moss resigns with NE).

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 9, 2008 9:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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Seriously... you can reply to specific comments for a reason.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 9, 2008 10:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

god damnit

You don't need to explain you imaginary trading mechanics or negotiation tactics if you were the GM. I'm sure it isn't remotely close to what happens in the NFL so don't bother

Ayendejo and Bob Sanders are worlds apart. I don't think Ayenbedejo is a leader, I think he's a good speacial teamer and a showboat. The Pro Bowl doesn't mean shit and everyone knows it. If you have some stats that show how mch better he is than the rest of the team then show them. I saw as many tackles by Peterson, Rashied Davis, McBride as I did for Ayenbedejo

Juat take whatever Briggs and Berrian say to the media and set it on fire. It isn't the truth, and it's not supposed to be the truth. They're just saying what they're supposed to say. How about this exchange:
Reporter: Do you want to stay in Chicago Lance?
Briggs says: Of course I do. I love this city I lovve my teammates we just have to make it happen.
Briggs means: Yeah I'll stay so long as they pat me as much or more than anbody else is offerring.

So is Berrian's vaue up or down? I don't know what you're getting at. His numbers don't mean shit because everyone in the league knows he played for the Bears and their lousy passing offense. His value is higher than it ever should have been. The only way it could be higher is if he became a free agent after week 6 of last season

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Jan 10, 2008 4:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right again

There is nothing interesting in talking about hypothetical situations. You are always right. Ayenbedejo is selfish and unnecessary. Don't sign him even if he'll play for free.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 10, 2008 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs