What are the Chicago Bears needs?

by GreaZzy on Jan 10, 2012 10:48 PM CST

GreaZzy from Revenge of the Birds here, and don't worry I come in peace. Since the season is over for us Cards fans(and unfortunately your season is over as well) I have shifted my focus to the upcoming NFL draft. I really like working on mock drafts, and trying to make the most realistic and accurate draft possible. That is where you guys come in.

I'm currently working on a chart which has every teams needs going into this off-season, both major needs and minor needs. I would be so grateful if you Bears fans would help me complete this chart more accurately by providing your insight to the Chicago Bears needs going into the draft. Any information regarding draft strategy of your organization would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance, and better luck next year in your season (except when you play the Cardinals, of course)!

This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

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Here's what I think their needs are:

Offense:
-Tackle (either starting LT or depth)
-#1 WR
-Depth WR
-Backup QB
-Receiving TE (may take care of the depth WR issue)

Defense:
-#2 DE (I love Izzy, but he isn’t getting it done)
-#2 CB
-Depth Safety
-Strongside LB
-Depth LB

"You have a young group and if they start feeling too good about themselves, that’s not a good thing. So it’s my job not to let them. So probably they will hate me. But that’s OK too. My wife hates me and she’s still married to me." - Mike Tice

by badsamaritan on Jan 10, 2012 11:25 PM CST reply actions

WR

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Jan 11, 2012 1:10 AM CST reply actions

Larry Fitzgerald!

Wouldnt it be funny if we had another DE with the last name Salters!

by fortefan09 on Jan 11, 2012 7:32 AM CST reply actions

The top 5 position of needs go as follows:

1) WR

2) OT

3) CB

4) DE

5) LB

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 11, 2012 7:38 AM CST reply actions

The top 5 positions of needs go as follows:

1. GM
2. OT
3. WR
4. CB
5. DE

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG

by Kev H on Jan 11, 2012 7:39 AM CST up reply actions

...we can draft our next GM?

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 11, 2012 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

I think he would draft himself

by MrPants on Jan 11, 2012 3:18 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not going to rank these, but here's where I see potential weakness in the Bears next season...

OL — Specifically, C and T. I think that Carimi becomes an LT next season, where he should have been to start this season. Webb is not a starting NFL tackle, but he’s an above-average Swing. Garza is, unfortunately, old.

WR — This is a steaming pile of hot garbage. We’ve got some keepers in there, but nobody that demands a defense’s attention. Bennett is a #2. Knox and Hester are the same player, and neither is anything other than a deep threat. REW is gone. Sanz is fun, but he’s a #5 at best.

CB — Not because our current guys are bad exactly. But Peanut’s getting older, and we need a replacement for him. And Timmy’s not a #1. He’s an above-average #2.

DE — I love Izzy to death. He’s a perfect backup DL. He can play every position on that line capably. But he’s not taking advantage of having Pep opposite him. We need somebody who can. I’m hoping that Wootton can actually stay healthy for a full season, but that’s unlikely.

LB — More of a “want” than a “need”. Urlacher is superhuman, and Briggs is amazing. But age catches up to everybody in this game. And they’re starting to show it. Plus, Roach is clearly not the answer for this team. At some point, you need to replace your legend, and that’s always a tough thing to do.

by Doshi on Jan 11, 2012 8:33 AM CST reply actions

Major needs: #1WR, #2 CB, #2 DE, LT (though it should be addressed in FA) and linebacker depth

Minor needs: Safety, another WR, DT, backup QB

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Jan 11, 2012 9:15 AM CST via Android app reply actions

LT

not any special guys in FA

by TR MacReady on Jan 11, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think we need a special LT

Just a serviceable vet to challenge Webb. Its a major need because otherwise we’re stuck with Webb and Carimi and no good backups/spot starters.

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Jan 11, 2012 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

ok ok

by TR MacReady on Jan 12, 2012 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

I’m ranking these on priority…
’
OT – Not just a guard. We’re flush with decent guards, it’s the tackles though that need to step up the game. Being loaded with tackles is never an unenviable position. If Mike Tice gets an expanded voice in drafting for OT’s, this piece can go many different directions…

DE – Isreal Idonije is good, but, the pickings behind the 3 DE’s is limited to… Chauncey Davis? Yeah. There’s not enough upside here to justify skipping this. If at 19, there’s a good OT and a better DE, they won’t reach on the OT…

WR – Yeah. It’s bad. It’s a deep draft. There’s going to be some guy to fall a bit, and the Bears’ll probably trade up to draft them in the second. This is really dependent though on who’s acquired in FA. IF no one is… I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mike Floyd (gag) be a choice.

CB, S, QB & LB – These are our replacement BPA-esque developmental choices throughout the rest of the draft. DB’s are something the bears can not get enough of to eventually hit on one who plays the system well. It’s pretty deep insofar as CB’s and Safeties are a bit lighter. LB’s, while in a ‘good place’ right now, is looking for depth to replace briggs (4th round), and maybe supplant Nick Roach as starting SLB. QB? If Enderle isn’t in the plans, I volunteer Kellen Moore of Boise State.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 11, 2012 9:45 AM CST reply actions

Depends on a couple factors but...

…as the team stands now my personal opinion in order of importance:

LT
WR
DE
CB
Veteran Backup QB
SLB
S
OC

Personally I’d like to see them try Carimi at LT and Webb at RT, hopefully improving if not wholly solving the OT issue. I think the Williams boys, plus Garza, plus Louis, plus Spencer can somehow form a league-average interior line… but that might be wishful thinking. I’d put Carl Nicks high on my target list.

If we get a premier free agent WR we probably still need a #2 as well.

We definitely need another pass rushing DE to pair with Peppers, regardless of what happens with out own free agents at the position… Avril likely being a pipe dream.

I’d like a SLB upgrade who could eventually take over at MLB as well.

Veteran backup QB as well… I’m fairly certain we get Orton unless someone wants to grossly overpay him.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 11, 2012 10:12 AM CST reply actions

Orton?

Nice wish.
What are the chances he goes “brain numb” and agrees to be Jay’s caddy when he’s got several shots as a starter else where?

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Jan 18, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Back up QB??

I don’t think McCown or Hanie are it. I know Gerrard is coming back from a back injury and surgery, and he kinda flamed out in Jacksonville, but I like his grit and determination. If they’d throw him a bone – say 3 games in a season- he’d be a great fit.

by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 11, 2012 1:22 PM CST reply actions

My List

OT
OG/C
CB
WR
TE
DE

I we should pick up a WR in FA and draft an OT or that TE from Stanford in the 1st. While some people have mentioned SLB, its a position that isn’t that important in our defense and leaves the game every time we go nickle.

by MrPants on Jan 11, 2012 3:55 PM CST reply actions

You don't think CWill and Louis make a decent enough starting pair at G?

With Spencer being the likely C?

by oripunk3485 on Jan 11, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

I think the interior of our line actually pretty set...

Garza wasn’t as bad at center as PFF rates him.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 11, 2012 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

but is Garza the team's best option?

Spencer in the middle flanked by CWilliams and Louis or EWilliams probably would be better

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jan 12, 2012 7:49 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed...

I think Spencer or EWill are better OC candidates. Though not one of CWill/EWill/Louis/Garza/Spencer doesn’t come without major question marks and/or health concerns. That group is slightly below average at best.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 12, 2012 8:19 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Eh.

The big thing is ‘we dont’ know’. We haven’t seen Spencer in at center, we don’t know exactly how he fits in with the long term plans of the organization

I’m almost inclined to think that we might go C. Will, E. Will, Garza… Maybe this year will be the transition for Edwin to be the center of the future, and Garza, Spencer, and Louis will fight it out for the RG spot.

And Omiyale gets cut (finally), we’ll have two guards who can sorta-swing-tackle (in louis and cwill), Mansfield Wrotto may also see the street again (as another G, sorta swing Tackle). You’ll have Those 5 + Levi Horn (who’s NFL time is coming shortly)… J’marcus Webb, Gabe Carimi + another OT…

Yeah, we still need a LT if Gabe Carimi isn’t playing LT. Because if Carimi moves to LT, I think Levi Horn will start at Right. Webb will backup Carimi, and Louis will back up Horn… Or maybe Webb will step up his game again this year. Who knows.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 12, 2012 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

Assuming the same OL personnel...

…which isn’t likely because I’m guessing we bring in at least one probably starter via FA or the draft… I’d like to see…

LT – Carimi
LG – CWill
C – Spencer
RG – EWill
RT – Webb

Webb’s best spot was RT and Carimi is just better than Webb period. Carimi may be better suited to RT long-term, but I bet he outperforms Webb at LT by mid-season if healthy. CWill showed flashes at LG of being at least decent, Spencer’s natural position is OC, EWill showed me more potential than Louis in my opinion.

Louis can back up the OT spots, Garza the OG/OC spots when we inevitably lose 2-3 OL during the year.

Any way you slice it, I think our OL as it stands now is still solidly below average without nearly as much upside as some people see.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 12, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

Not optimistic about Carimi at LT in 2012

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jan 13, 2012 7:55 AM CST up reply actions

Neither am I.

But, I’m not overly worried about Webb at LT either. I’m cautiously optimistic, and that always means, find more talent.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 13, 2012 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Webb has given you plenty of reason to be cautious about his abilities

go get a LT

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jan 14, 2012 8:42 AM CST up reply actions

Nope

Our O-line is in the bottom 1/3 of the league, I think we need 2 new OL to have a chance at a top 1/3 offensive line. I think Webb is a nice swing tackle and nothing more and should be replaced. Inside, i believe we need to improve one of the positions. I think Garza was ok at center, but I liked him more at guard. If we put Garza at guard and Spencer at center and drafted another guard, that would be fine.

I don’t think CWill is a starting NFL player. He has had maybe 6 good games in his career? i liked Lance Louis more at RT than at Guard (where I thought Spencer outplayed him). I would rather have Louis and Carimi at Tackle than have Webb start. I think, in general, we have a lot of good back up players on our line.

Also, Cutler is a very mobile QB, so is Hanie. Despite their mobility our offensive line was bad. This suggests that the line is worse that we think and that the QBs mobility covered for some of the deficiencies.

by MrPants on Jan 13, 2012 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Is having a top 1/3rd o-line necessary right now?

Or can we just got to the middle 1/3rd?

Where are you going to get a starting NFL left tackle? Is he better than what you can replace him with? Do you know if Spencer is better at center than Garza? Or even Edwin Williams? What makes you think that CWill isn’t a fine guard? He’s not the most spectacular physical mauler in the run game, i’ll grant you that, but he’s a good pass protector who still has what it takes to kick out in a pinch…

I agree with you that Spencer outplayed Louis at guard, without a doubt… But I think part of it is Louis still needs some time to develop into something… half decent. His time on the RT was extraordinarily inconsistent, and he wore down as the season progressed tremendously. He was really solid in the run blocking after Carimi went down…

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 13, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Williams has had only

a handful of good games at 3 different positions and is always injured. Based on his injury history alone, I would uncomfortable depending on him. Once you add in that he has had only moderate success in about 6 games, not amazing success, but showing a minimum level of competence, i see little reason to guarantee him a roster spot.

i don’t know if Spencer is better a guard than Garza, but Garza is a better guard than center and center is Spencer’s natural position.

i have nothing against Edwin, and I thought he should have been starting over Chris coming into this season, but if you can’t secure a starting position in 2 seasons with one of the worst lines in the NFl, then either you are not talented or have a personality trait that makes the coaching staff hate you. Either way he isn’t starting.

I like Louis alot. I think his success at tackle makes sense considering he was a TE in college and the footwork is more similar that it is from TO to G. I would prefer Louis and Carimi to Webb and Carimi.

i don’t understand how so many people defend this Oline when they have been horrendous for two years. While many of the players would make fine backups, they are, and have been, below average starters

In an ideal world, I would take that TE from Standford in the 1st and an OT like McCants in the 2nd. I would then go and sign a FA guard like Nicks or Grubbs and one of the WR like Marques Colston. I would cut Chris Williams and Omiyale. I would keep Webb as a swing tackle, Louis as a backup guard, and Edwin Williams as a backup center.

by MrPants on Jan 13, 2012 7:30 PM CST up reply actions