2011 Offseason Moves

but they’re still at $120 million or 10th most in the league in 2010 – not sure about 2011 projections, but considering a 53 man roster there’s only so much money to spread around to important positions… This is the biggest deal though – finding good players without overpaying. This is also why poor drafts have hurt us – FA’s are expensive. That’s why we can’t just sign the best player at each position off the FA market – we’d have to pay them. Just upgrading the bears to high-elite level at 4 positions would cost them $20-$40 million in additional payroll that they either don’t have or won’t be able to spend under next year’s Cap. The BOTTOM five payrolls in 2010? The Kansas city Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, the Indianapolis Colts, the New England Patriots, and.. the Green Bay Packers.

You don’t win via free agency, you revert to it when poor drafting and player development leaves you desperate.

I think in around the 5th round we should find a big reciever like you said. 1st round needs to be G/T. I think John Clay may be falling to round 2. If would could pick him up to change the pace up in the backfield, that would be extremely nice. maybe 3rd round go with a C. I feel like Kreutz may start to really decline next year, even though I feel like he’s been taking small steps back for 3 years now. We should also target a backup running back sometime.
Like the guy said above me… It’s ALL about drafting. A solid FA here and there is always a necessary bonus, but drafting is what builds a championship team.

Does anyone know if in the draft if we are #29 or #30?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfn3oxSbJ6A

Say what you will of the Tampa-2, but if we had faster closing speed in our corners and safeties, those 14 points don’t happen.

If you noticed during the first Packers’ series the Bears were inexplicably playing the run instead of the pass. Which opened a ton of space in the middle for Jennings to run those inside patterns. Check out our LBs especially Briggs; he was caught peering into the backfield a few times. I don’t believe it had anything to do with our CBs. They prevented the big play all year long.

I’m not sure how Garza rated out in his metrics this year, but he’s been steady for the Bears. Either way, I agree they need to look inside first. Center and LG depending on what they plan on doing with CW.

but I am not sold on our tackles.

DB blitzes and pass-rushing LBs stormed our castle all year long because our Tackles don’t have the speed to get out to the edge rushers/blitzers.

Omiyale surrendered 13 sacks this season and Webb 10.5 (in 12 starts).

That almost makes me miss our 2008 O line.

I think the draft should be a combo of these… (Angelo could also take a DE in any round)
1: OT/OG or possibly DT?
2: DT or best available OG/OT/C?
3: OT/OG/C or possibly WR if they have someone in mind
4: WR/C

For those who feel we should draft a RB, remember that we have Forte, Taylor (still has a lot on his contract), Unga (who we gave up the 7th rounder for) and Bell. Unga was stuck on IR this year and is a big 237 lb. back.

We do need a WR with some size as I believe Aromashodu will not be a Bear next year. I don’t expect them to draft a WR in the first three rounds. They will most likely draft someone later and then bring in some UFAs for tryouts in the spring.

I have to believe that they will take a DT in the first three rounds as Harris may not be with the team next year and if he still is, he isn’t the player we hoped he would be. Toenia and Adams are good backups/subs. Melton may end up a starter. We need someone who will dominate and thats why they may take a DT in the first if Angelo has his way.

I’m sure Angelo will also insist on a DE somewhere since it just seems to be Peppers/Idonije and Wooton.

Lastly, they need to take a corner somewhere in the first 4 rounds since Tillman will be a year older and Jennings/Bowman aren’t the longterm answer. I would prefer they got someone with a little more height because Tim Jennings against Calvin Johnson will give me a heart attack every time.

They could also pick up a QB somewhere late as a project/3rd stringer if there aren’t any FAs that seem appealing.

They will probably look at a few punters after the draft to give Maynard some healthy competition. Maynard has been great but he has lost some leg.

Cant wait for the draft.

WR and LT are out major needs. Period.
Earl Bennett is a good route running possession guy. Other than that, we have NO ONE that can or will fight for a ball. Johnny Knox has REPEATEDLY shown that he prefers to either catch the ball with his stomach or pads in traffic, and cannot or will not create separation with his body. He actually showed some positive signs of a being a legitimate #1 against the Jets, and then reverted to form for the rest of the year. And I love Devin Hester, but he and Knox are the same player…short, extremely fast in space, but best served as a #3 option. Personally, I think drafting WR’s in the 1st round is risky. I would rather go get someone in FA that hasn’t exactly risen to stardom, but has proven that they can run routes while providing a bigger target than what we have.

Next, Frank Omiyale gave up around 17-19 sacks this year. That is NOT tolerable. Frank Omiyale, while performing admirably after being thrust into a tough spot, is NOT our LT of the future. We NEED to take advantage of a draft that has a good stock (3-4 first rounders) of talented LT’s. Anthony Costonzo from BC sticks out as a guy that might be around late in the 1st. If he is there, I think we have to take him first.