NightLink: Chicago a Perfect Fit for Shaffer?

by Dane Noble on Mar 26, 2009 6:23 PM CDT

I was perusing the Chicago Bears official site, and came across this article about our newest roster addition Kevin Shaffer. It's a pretty good read, but here are some the highlights:

"I think I’m a nasty player," Shaffer said when asked to describe himself. "I love playing in cold weather. I love the dirt. I love the snow. I love the running game. I love to be aggressive..."

Prior to signing, Shaffer spoke with Bears guard Roberto Garza...

"I told him it’s a great locker room with great teammates," Garza said, "especially in the offensive line room, getting an opportunity to play with guys who work extremely hard day-in and day-out."

"It sounds like the type of system I really will enjoy where you run the ball, and when you pass you’re aggressive," he said. "There are going to be times when you have to sit back and throw the ball. But if all goes well it sounds like it’s run the ball, [throw] quick passes and be aggressive in play-action, and that’s the type of football I excel in."

I’m not the type of guy who just wants to throw the ball 60 times a game. I want to be aggressive. The system’s been a little different the last couple years [in Cleveland]. But I’m ready to get the attitude back, the nastiness back, the meanness and toughness and all that good stuff."

It sounds like Shaffer is exited about the opportunity, and acknowleged that last year in Cleveland he might have been a bit out of his element. Maybe our offense will allow him to excel a little more with the way we go about business.

Considering we haven't done much else in free agency, we should all hope that Jerry Angelo and company made the right move by getting Shaffer.

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hell

ya thats what i like to hear some good ol nasty black and blue ground and pond run the ball between the tackle kind of football, great pick pick up on words alone lets just see how he performs…..

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field." Walter Payton

by NOR CAL BEAR on Mar 26, 2009 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

It is a sad commentary on the state of things

that I was absolutely shocked the Bears signed a starting right tackle instead of just winging it come training camp. Wouldn’t it be just crazy time, if JA actually signed a veteran receiver to fill a gap – maybe a guy who once played “under” Lovie at a former job?

by Santos Sorrow on Mar 26, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions

Good sign

Obviously, I love his “can do” attitude and it seems as if Chicago will be a nice home for Sheffler. It would go a long way if he can excel in the running game. He only gave up 4.5 sacks last year to some of the best DEs and OLBs in the league.

Here’s another vote of confidence from the Bears one and only very pro-Bear Larry Mayer.

"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 Mar 26, 2009 6:59 PM CDT reply actions

The more I hear about Shaffer

the more I look forward to seeing him play. As long as he can back up what he says, I think he’ll be a great addition! I think it’s important that a player has that passion, that he wants to be on his team, and that he’s willing to work hard. I’m really excited to see how he does.

"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton

by Ashley Czuba on Mar 26, 2009 7:34 PM CDT reply actions

heck yeah

dont know about you guys but reading that gives me a b**er!- thats what i want to hear ..sounds like Kruetz and Shaffer will get along just fine.

by ZEPH*ROC on Mar 26, 2009 8:10 PM CDT reply actions

Reading that

did not give me a boner

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Mar 27, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions

...just hope he can back it up

by ZEPH*ROC on Mar 26, 2009 8:11 PM CDT reply actions

this guy

manned a falcons team that was best in the league two years running. he was RT for a Browns team that went 10-6, and had a resurgent running game from Jamal Lewis. In addition, he looks like ZZ Top and Paul Bunyans love child. I have no doubt our O-line problems are solved. so, let’s focus our attention on WR and defense shall we?

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on Mar 26, 2009 8:26 PM CDT reply actions

Love the eternal optimism.

"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 Mar 26, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't know if I'd go as far to say

“solved” but between this guy and Olin… at least maybe we can get some nasty back in our running game.

The shortest distance between two points is under construction.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 26, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Look... here's my take on this, after a day to digest.

The Bears, after years of neglect to develop new talent on the O-line, got backed into a corner by Tait’s retirement, and were forced to sign a veteran tackle for experience at he position. Judging the by Shaffer’s age (29), and the size and length of the contract… this is a stop gap solution. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rookie RT, eventually beat out Shaffer for the starting role.

This is the same sort of neglect, that forced them to turn Devin Hester into a full-time WR, because they didn’t have any other receiving options on the roster.

Since the Super Bowl appearance, they have been completely mis-managing the roster, and are desperation mode at 3 positions (O-line, WR, Safety).

Horrible grades for Angelo, for putting the team in this position.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Mar 26, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

Amen

And we’ll be doing the same disservice if we don’t draft a DE high in this years draft. Let me explain. Both Ogunleye and Brown are in contract years and Anderson will be after next year. If we don’t bring in a DE to develop we’ll be looking at the same mess we’re in right now at the positions you mentioned, except this time we’ll be saying “How could they neglect the defensive end position for so long?”

by Just Dave on Mar 26, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions

O-Gun and Anderson are in contract years.

Brown’s locked up.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Mar 27, 2009 5:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Only the 2nd GM in almost 50 years

to get the Bears to the Superbowl. Now he hasn’t done it in the 2 years since and he’s neglectfully imcompetent? First of all, Hester showed uncanny ability to make big plays with the ball in his hands, thats why he became a WR, and he has shown good improvement while learning the position. They did have other receiving options on the roster; but they have moved on, for a variety of reasons. Look for the Bears to add a very talented WR with a high draft pick, and probably add a veteran WR who gets waived. Thats probably not a top10 WR corps next year, but very soon could be for many years.
As for the OLine being neglected, you get no argument from me. Only 3 in the top3 rounds have been drafted, and they havent worked out(Columbo, Metcalf, C.Williams). Hopefully Williams will live up to his potential and provide us with a solid starter for the next decade. I think Williams and SHaffer will do a better job than St. Clair and Tait would have done for us this year. We still have last years starters at G and C(plus Buenning gives us a bigger option) and add Omiyale as a versatile lineman; add another high draft choice this year, and suddenly its not looking so bad.
Safety- The Bears need these guys to play up to their potential. They have youth and good enough physical skills to all be good players. Add a top3 round draftpick, coach them up, and put the best on the field
Draft a top3 round DE this year and next. Problem solved.

by gillrowdy on Mar 27, 2009 1:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Correct about the DE situation

“And we’ll be doing the same disservice if we don’t draft a DE high in this years draft.”

I’m also concerned about the Harris situation: his knees still look to be quite shaky – I don’t know if he even played much at the mini – camp recently, and looked out of shape to boot. If he’s not back at full strength, look out below.

by Waylon on Mar 27, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

I love Shaffer...

already. But he needs to take those words to the field.
I will buy the #77 jersey if I have to. He seems like a Chicago type player, and if he is a nasty player, I like him even more. GO BEARS!

by Bearsguy34 on Mar 27, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions