Graham in, Vasher out

by ChiFan13 on Oct 21, 2008 10:50 PM CDT Comment 32 comments

According to the Sun Times, Graham has "quietly" taken Vasher's role as the starting cornerback. This is not due to injury, but performance. Remember back earlier in the year when Graham started and Vasher was relegated to back-up duty? Looks like even before Vasher's illness, there's been some questions about his performance.

If Graham is indeed the starter for the rest of the season, the Bears have a few options to deal with this situation. They could a) keep him and his high salary in a reserve role or b) trade him to a team with a need for DB.

I really can't see the Bears keeping Vasher if he is a reserve the rest of the year. I don't know how you could justify keeping that much money in a player that would sit a majority of the time. I'm somewhat intrigued at the trade prospect. We could easily trade for a WR (Boldin, for example), OL, or whatever else we wanted. Let's say we tried trading for Boldin. The Cardinals, if they had any sense, wouldn't trade Vasher for Boldin straight up. We would have to give up a draft pick most likely, but it would be a much lower pick than if we wanted to pick up Boldin and not trade anyone away.

EDITED: What I meant to say (and I didn't make clear) was that this trade scenario would take place in the offseason. If Vasher does not reclaim the starting role before the end of the season, what would you want to happen?

Poll

If Vasher sits the rest of the season, what would you want the Bears to do?

Keep him; he's a good DB

114 votes

Trade him away for a 'need' position player or a draft pick

103 votes

217 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Vasher

made his contract off of a highlight filled first two years. In the end he is faster than both Tillman and Graham, but he lacks size and with receivers getting taller every year, it is hard to keep a guy around 5’ 9" guarding them.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Oct 21, 2008 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why would you want to?

He plays a position that is the most depleted with injuries and you say trade him? There’s no way the Bears could survive if another CB got seriously hurt. I understand Bowman was on the practice squad, but a team can’t have enough depth at CB. Vasher can be very useful as the nickel back, relegating Manning to a backup role. This is not a bad scenario considering he’s looked very good returning this year.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Oct 22, 2008 12:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But,

It’s depleted NOW. It sure as hell wasn’t depleted during training camp. If we start carrying 15 DB’s, that’s gonna hurt our depth other places too; part of it’s just how the cookie crumbles.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say this

and I dont know the true reasoning why his position on the team hasnt been more involved..and dont get me wrong I freakin LOVE Nate Vasher…but its sad to say that I think we need to trade him for some kind of need position, maybe a WR or Oline player. But I guess we’ll wait and see.

by DaNate23 on Oct 22, 2008 1:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

I hafta say I critisized the Bears for picking up CB’s when we needed other positions…BUT I hafta say that they did the right move and Im glad it played out the way it did so far.

by DaNate23 on Oct 22, 2008 1:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

trade him for boldin?

yeah right, like they are gonna take on a gigantic contract of a guy who is getting benched for a no-namer like graham.

where do we stand on defensive backs right now anyway? tillman is banged up, vasher is out of favor with the staff, bowman is done for the year (right?), hamilton is horrible from what i’ve seen, manning is hurt.

this is turning into a crappy situation for the bears, i hope vasher turns it around quickly because i really enjoyed his first 2 years with the bears and hope to see a return to form.

by lopey986 on Oct 22, 2008 1:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How would you trade him anyway?

The deadlines past so we’ve gotta hang on to him until the off season… and who’s gonna pay the price for a 3rd CB if he’s really washed up?

"Next year" sucks.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 22, 2008 1:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

exactly

and i thought i was the only one around these sites at 2 am, sheesh, don’t you have a job to go to in the morning or something ;-)

by lopey986 on Oct 22, 2008 1:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes those here at 2AM are at work.

Not everyone works an 8-5 job.

by BigGeorgeTX on Oct 22, 2008 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nor do i

i work 3-11 so by the time i get home and fiddle around its 1 or 2 before i get to get online. good point though…i feel pity for anyone working 3rd shift, that stuff is rough. did it for a year and i hope i never have to do it again.

by lopey986 on Oct 22, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yay insomnia!

so much fun.

"Next year" sucks.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 22, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thus why I said wait until the offseason :)

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

CBs have down years

and get benched.

Besides, the trading deadline is over so the idea of a trade is moot.

Vasher is a solid player having a down year, or just hasn’t progressed his skills.

But a) we need him now, even if we weren’t injury-depleted he is a top 3 corner ON THIS TEAM, and b) next year is a new year, and the NFL is a prove it to me now league. Vasher can rebound, even in a few weeks.

by ethan a on Oct 22, 2008 7:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade him?

The trade deadline has come and gone…

Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Oct 22, 2008 8:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Offseason, didn't clarify.

If Vasher is a reserve for the rest of the year, something is obviously wrong. Even if we could, I wouldn’t want to do it now.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Trade for Boldin"

Seems to be the most commonly thrown around phrase at this site. Anytime a guy is struggling, someone wants to package him for Boldin. Besides the fact that the trade deadline has passed, I for one am kind of liking the random production from the rag-tag group of receivers, where someone new seems to step up each week. Not to mention how much Boldin would cost. I’ll keep Vasher, who is a good player at the most depleted position on the roster.

by Ando on Oct 22, 2008 8:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is something I really have never understood.

The Bears extended their cornerbacks and then… drafted a bunch of cornerbacks. They drafted linebackers and defensive tackles, then extended or re-signed their LB’s and DT’s.

On the other hand, they didn’t extend their WR and their o-line got old and they hardly put any emphasis on drafting either.

by tyger1147 on Oct 22, 2008 9:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And then most of our corners go down...

…and everyone complains we don’t have enough on the roster. Can’t win.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah right... LOL.

You can never have enough CBs in this league. That’s why the Bears always draft them. The rules of the league have changed somewhat in recent years to favor more high scoring… and as a result, you’re seeing teams employ more 3 and 4 WR sets. The more WRs there are on the field, the more CBs you need to cover them. Not to mention the horrible injury luck we have at the position.

Also, in case the peeps around here haven’t noticed, and judging by the comments they haven’t… CB is among the highest paid positions in football. Teams spend big $ on LT and CB… to lock up game changers at those positions because they make such a big impact. A top CB can shut down half of a field, and I don’t need to elaborate on the importance of a top LT.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 23, 2008 4:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

CB and LB

seem to be good positions to draft, because they seem to also work well on special teams. As opposed to an offensive player who might not be great at tackling, so you always have use for those two positions.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Oct 23, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they like Graham so much then keep him

I myself like Vasher but if its better in the coaches views then I guess I can’t argue with that. Trade him, someone will take him for a 3rd rounder or something.

Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!

by GallopingGhost on Oct 22, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i was talking to a family member

of mine who is a doctor and she was telling me that in regards to nathan vasher, anytime you have too stick a pin in your hand it means bone has been fragmented and the pin has too hold it together. She also said without knowing the extent of the injury it is in most cases at least a 2 month healing process.The area ive heard is between the thumb and wrist and she said that area has to be in a cast for it too heal. Given how much vasher has to use his hands, she said there is no way any doctor would clear him too play as early as a couple weeks.

this sounds like nathan vasher 2007 all over again. after hearing this, i can understand why corey graham is being talked up. hes gonna be in their for awhile.

by rahulsriram on Oct 22, 2008 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's injured

The wrist/thumb thing is obviously hurting him. We are losing DB’s left and right. Vasher would play if he was physically able to. Vasher will probably be inserted as the nickel back if/when he comes back. Graham has proven to be a competent DB. Tillman is a bonafide star corner (when healthy). Vasher’s size makes him better suited to nickel back. Can we afford to keep him on as a VERY expensive nickel back? Will Vasher accept that role? When he comes back and shines as a nickel. Makes a few picks and passes defensed, then the offseason market for his services will materialize. If he doesn’t come back at all, or plays poorly, then we will be stuck with him.

by MuleTrain on Oct 22, 2008 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if Vasher would accept it

But Angelo got rid of Ricky Manning Jr., and he wasn’t making that much this year (next year is a different story). If that’s his MO, I don’t see Vasher stickin around.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have no choice

But to utilize him in a reserve role at this point. He isn’t going to be traded so he will be used as depth for now. Even filter him in to gave both corners a blow. The money thing isn’t even a consideration until the offseason. I don’t think his skills are really that diminished I just think they like Graham better for his size and he is better at run support. I think the trade option is viable in the offseason and hsould garner some attention. That is why I think he will filter in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the year.

by tfrabotta on Oct 22, 2008 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade

If we could trade Vasher and a 3rd round pick for Boldin, I’d do it in a heartbeat. All of a sudden, our offense would be really scary.

by tacologic on Oct 22, 2008 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

too bad the deadline is past

and i’m a little weary of investing anything into boldin right now since 8 plates and a wire in the face will make a guy think twice about catching a pass that could get him laid out.

by lopey986 on Oct 22, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey

the deadline has passed

thought i be the 30th person to say it eventhough it was said hours before me.

by mike b on Oct 22, 2008 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 22, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if graham is better than vasher

you absolutely should trade vasher, a pro-bowl caliber CB, in the offseason. CBs are highly valuable. the real question is, is this about graham or vasher? if vasher is a back-up the rest of the season because he’s injured, or because graham plays better, that’s one thing. if he’s a back-up because he’s not as good as he used to be, we won’t get as great value for him. i think its a case of the former…vasher, when healthy, has been a very good CB for us. you could get another starter at another key position in a trade for him. you can’t pay a back-up that kind of money, particularly if he’s a back-up because the other guy is just outplaying him as opposed to him declining.

by guy incognito on Oct 22, 2008 8:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You also have the money factor

One guy (Vasher) already got his contract. The other guy (Graham) is playing hard to get his. We gave out a ton of money on defense in the past two years to reward our own guys. And a lot of those guys are underperforming now.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 23, 2008 4:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs