NFL Thoughts: Chicago Bears and Beyond

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 13, 2012 3:00 PM CST in Notes

There's a bit of a dead period in the NFL right now. The next big news worthy date is February 20th when teams can start slapping the franchise tag around. Chicago's Matt Forte, Philly's DeSean Jackson, Washington's Fred Davis, and New England's Wes Welker are all rumored to receive the tag if they can't agree on terms with their respective teams. For a full rundown on the NFL off season click here, and for a few of my NFL Thoughts hit the jump.

1) The Lions are rumored to be interested in aggressive and some say dirty corner back Cortland Finnegan if the Titans don't bring him back. An improved secondary is exactly what Detroit needs, another hot headed defender may not be.

2) My favorite part of the off season is the NFL Combine. In years past, when I actually had the NFL Network (I hate Time Warner Cable), I'd watch it all, but his year I'll be forced to find the event online and catch the highlights. The Combine is nothing more than a job interview/meat market for the more than 300 invitees. Check out the link to see if your favorite college player will be performing at Lucas Oil Stadium.

3) I think Mario Williams would look great lining up opposite Julius Peppers (pipe dream), but if the Texans don't re-sign him the hot rumor has the Patriots interested. If that comes to fruition, it just speaks volumes as to why New England is always in the playoff hunt. Great teams find a way to add great players.

4) I still think the most logical landing spot for Peyton Manning is in Miami.

5) I think the Redskins would be better served trading up to the 2nd spot to grab which ever QB the Colts don't. Most likely Robert Griffin III.

6) Have you heard Randy Moss wants to return to football? Has he heard that the Arena League is a viable option?

7) We're not above doing some off season fluff stuff here at WCG, but Musical Mascots from NFL.com? And in a sideshow no less! I'll save you the trouble of scrolling through looking for Chicago's pick. It's Common.

8) Sports Illustrated has an interesting piece up about free agent WR Vincent Jackson, here's what they say about a possible V-Jax to the Bears marriage:

Another team that should have some money to spend and is in desperate need of a wide receiver. Would Chicago open its checkbook to give Jay Cutler a long searched-for No. 1 threat? The Bears have not really come up on the Jackson radar yet, but he’d be a dynamic piece to drop in that puzzle.

9) Of all the free agent wide receivers set to hit the market, I'd like to see Marques Colston end up in Chicago.

10) I know most mock drafts have the Bears going wide receiver or offensive line in the 1st round, but I think it may make more sense for the Bears to go defense at 19 and fill the offensive needs in free agency.

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Comments

I wouldn't Mind Mario Willaims in

bears uni next year

by chiguy8506 on Feb 13, 2012 3:08 PM CST reply actions

75% of the Free Agents would be an upgrade in some way or another. Ill take most of them!

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

by fortefan09 on Feb 13, 2012 3:15 PM CST reply actions

Are the Lions trying to compete with the Raiders for most penalty yards next season?

Cortland Finnegan would certainly help that cause. But, he’s also a good player, so that too would make sense.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 13, 2012 3:19 PM CST reply actions

He’s looking for the region of $10 million a year. I wonder how they propose to get him and remain under the salary cap, given that Stafford, Suh, Megatron and whoever the other top 10 pick of recent years remaining on the roster is take up nearly half their entire salary cap.

When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.

by Spongie on Feb 13, 2012 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

Correction, the 4th player there is Kyle Vanden Bosch. They also have defensive starters Cliff Avril, Stephen Tulloch and Eric Wright hitting free agency.

When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.

by Spongie on Feb 13, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

There isn't a position on the team that doesn't need an upgrade or a better back up.

So it might make sense to draft best player available each turn for the next few years.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Feb 13, 2012 3:54 PM CST reply actions

Well Ed

I agree completely.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Feb 13, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

agreed

by BearFan611 on Feb 13, 2012 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

Here's a first...

you and I agree 110%!!!

Three Cheers for Ed!

There's a fine line between stupid...and clever!

by LostInSTL on Feb 14, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

1) I nominate the Detroit Lions for the award of Most Personal Fouls for 2012.

2) Meat show and circus. I don’t trust anything to come out of the Combine, cuz they don’t actually test football skills there.

3) Texans will either resign or Franchise him. They’d be insane to not do one of them. Even at $20mil.

4) I’m thinking Washington, but Miami is my close second.

5) Either Washington or Miami will trade for Manning. The other will try for RG3, and will pay a king’s ransom for him. That 2nd overall pick is HOTHOTHOT right now.

6) diaf.

7) diaf.

8) pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

9) I don’t think he will. I think that Brees will end this silliness and that the Saints will Franchise him, leaving their Guard available for poaching.

10) We’ll know more as the offseason unfolds. There are a few FA weeks before the Draft, so we’ll have a better draft idea as it gets close.

by Doshi on Feb 13, 2012 3:57 PM CST reply actions

The best part of the combine is the positional drills

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends. | @wiltfongjr

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 13, 2012 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Don’t forget the 40 yard dash manboobs!

When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.

by Spongie on Feb 13, 2012 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

combine is awesome

i still think its kinda weird how teams fall in love with guys at the combine even if their play on the field doesnt warrant it.

but watching the combine highlights is sweeet. such freak athletes.

by TR MacReady on Feb 13, 2012 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

Hmmmm

1. Boourns!
2. I’m with you….. **** YOU TIME WARNER!!!!!!!
3. Yep
4. I agree actually!
5. I think Shanny is desperate for a guy like RGIII so I agree that he’ll trade up. Now if the Browns want him, they have more ammo to move up and screw over the Skins.
6. If it’s good enough for T.O
7. Nice! I love me some Common and unlike Kanye West, he was actually born in Chicago.
8. Love for it to happen
9. I actually think that Bowe will end up in Chicago but then again I thought that a Fluffer was a type of fish…. Go figure it’s not!
10. I agree actually! If they can land a beastly receiver than I think they should go BPA and that will most likely be defense.

by frenchbears113 on Feb 13, 2012 4:07 PM CST reply actions

Personally, I think they need to go receiver in the draft

Even if they get a clear #1 receiver in FA, that still doesn’t quite solve the WR problem. I think they should aim for at least 2 new receivers who are clear upgrades. Bennett is a good receiver, and definitely has chemistry with Cutler. Knox certainly has made some good plays, but has a few too many drops. Hester should never be on the field except when a player on the other team is going to be striking the ball violently with his foot. Sanzenbacher has potential, but still needs to work on his hands. Couple 2 new good receivers with Bennett and Knox, and I think we’ll be set.

by pastor2b on Feb 13, 2012 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

1) If that’s true and it happens, can’t wait for Shcmucks with his “well, we don’t sign players with questionable behviour on purpose” press conference.

2) Dunno, I tried to watch it once, and it was somewhat boring. It’s one of those things I must know who to watch.

3) This. And yes.

4) I’d love to see him on the Jets. No shame in being in the lesser team of the big apple, since he’s already trailing the kid in SB wins.

5) They could also go for Manning.

6) He could have a case for the HoF, but trying to return will just delay it to the point his stats will be challenged by other players, and his case losing much strength (see: Carter, Cris)

7) Wow. I barely know most of those names. But: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuujExs03A

8) Hope so.

9) I’m OK with that, too.

10) Depends on what’s projected to be available at the second round. Unless for some reason we get two very decent receivers on FA, then yeah. But ideally we need both a top FA pick and a good prospect. The only upside of having this many needs is that we can afford looking at other options if the urgent needs can’t be addressed at the time.

by lmfsilva on Feb 13, 2012 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Well Lester

At least this year you poor schmo’s don’t have to try and think of stuff to write throughout the entire spring and well into summer. Thank God for no lockout!! Oh, and nice article.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Feb 13, 2012 6:15 PM CST reply actions

that is true... the lockout was tough!

And thanks

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends. | @wiltfongjr

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 13, 2012 7:37 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

That lockout was brutal and I only contributed once a week...

So, who’s got an interesting Bear’s related story? Anyone? Heard an unsubstantiated rumor? Anyone have a recent tweet from someone in the organization?

Those were lean times.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Feb 13, 2012 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

Lions won't spend that much on Finnegan, I wouldn't think.

Peyton needs to take a full year off and let his nerves regenerate.

I’m with Grobstein on Colston, I think he’s more a product of the system and Drew Brees than he is that great undiscovered seventh round receiver.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Feb 13, 2012 7:56 PM CST reply actions

Why can't he become a product of the system

and Jay Cutler in Chicago? Because we’re the Bears and we’re afraid to think we might be good? Jay Cutler’s no Drew Brees but what if he had one of Brees’ favorite targets? Food for thought.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Feb 13, 2012 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

It all depends on whether or not Colston receives the tag.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 14, 2012 7:27 AM CST up reply actions

The system in NO has more targets, for one.

Also has a better offensive line, which makes for an easier day for the QB.

He’ll still be plenty good, sure. But will he be worth elite money to come from the turf to Soldier Field’s grass with knee injuries in his past? I don’t think I’d gamble on him. Bowe would be better.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Feb 14, 2012 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

i didnt think the "grass" caused a lot of knee injuries

by TR MacReady on Feb 14, 2012 10:56 PM CST up reply actions

What I see in Soldier Field most of the year

can only be called ‘grass’ with a VERY charitable definition.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Feb 15, 2012 8:21 AM CST up reply actions

But we don't get a ton of knee injuries here... do we?

Ankles, maybe more so, but, Knees? not as much.

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

by awfullyquiet on Feb 15, 2012 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

I'll ask Carimi about that, get back to you.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Feb 16, 2012 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

I'm witchu on Colston...

he’s a hard working guy who’s tough and consistent. V Jackson is just not worth the risk and he has FA bust written all over him. I’m still a bit leery of Bowe, but he’s a decent 2nd option to Colston. I hope the Bears get 2 WRs (one FA one drafted) and spend most of the FA money on offense; perhaps a linemen or 2. and get a TE in the draft. Then the rest should be focused on getting better/younger defensively with a BPA mentality. There are enough holes to fill that BPA will be just fine.

There's a fine line between stupid...and clever!

by LostInSTL on Feb 14, 2012 1:12 PM CST reply actions