Poll of the Day: Receiver Turnover

by Steven Schweickert on Feb 18, 2012 7:00 PM CST in Poll

Simple question (and a bit of a series introduction) today, and yes, a poll that isn't part of TJ's Febearuary Fever. I know it's been a little receiver-intensive today, but it's probably the best spot to start with, given the receiver situation and the fanbase's clamoring.

So, the question is... How many new faces will break the 53-man roster at the receiver position? Last year the Bears had Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Sam Hurd, Roy Williams, Earl Bennett, Dane Sanzenbacher, and Max Komar all at receiver. One of those slots (Komar) was a practice squad player, and one of them (Hurd) got, shall we say, snowed in and couldn't stay with the team any longer.

Poll

How many new faces will be on the Bears 53-man roster at Wide Receiver in 2012?

5

27 votes

4

47 votes

3

196 votes

2

68 votes

1

2 votes

0

0 votes

340 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I'm thinking at least 2 new faces will be featured in the receiving corps next season

Roy Williams is pretty much gone, and Johnny Knox is a serious question mark in terms of availability next season. A ton of money must be spent to overhaul the weaponry for Jay Cutler this next season.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 18, 2012 7:07 PM CST reply actions

it's not like you to be a pessimist

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

by ed_brown on Feb 18, 2012 8:01 PM CST up reply actions

Well there really isn't anything to be optimistic about with the receiving corps in its current state, is there?

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 19, 2012 8:03 AM CST up reply actions

bring back Bennett and replace the rest is pretty much my thoughts

but then I am well known as a grumpy old man.

There are many who think having a couple of pass catching TE’s should be a priority. It is amazing watching Brady set up behind his solid offensive line and throw deep passes scoring TD’s etc. Unfortunately we are short a Brady and a solid offensive line not to mention a Welker a Branch or a Chad.

then again others think that play action, moving pockets and roll outs will make everything all right.

I think to build an offense you start with the offensive line then add the playmakers. Our offensive line was ranked 24th for its rush blocking and 31st for its pass and the really sad part of that is it is an improvement over the previous year. Granted there were injuries but the offensive line has to be priority number one if you want your shiny new WR or TE to excel.

but the work that needs to be done with this team is legion, We have 3 CB’s under contract Tillman, and D.J. and Josh Moore. but I digress you are correct sir! The current state of the receiving corp leaves me in a state of dismay.

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

by ed_brown on Feb 19, 2012 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

you confuse pessimism and realism

saying the team needs two new WRs is being realistic, stating the obvious actually. And that was true even before we heard about the extent of Knox’s injury.

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 Feb 19, 2012 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

Don't forget about Sam Hurd being gone as well ........

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Feb 18, 2012 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

But of course

However, there is no guarantee the Bears will have 6 receivers on the roster like they did last year.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 19, 2012 8:02 AM CST up reply actions

With the mighty Martz gone..

My bet is on 5 receivers..bring back Bennett, Sanzenbacher, and Hester(whether he will still be a “full time” receiver is another story) and they bring in two new guys. Hopefully one via high draft pick and the other in FA.

by Pretender85 on Feb 19, 2012 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

He could become the next Michael Vick!

Quick lock up his rights!

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Feb 19, 2012 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

Lock up ........ thats funny ......

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Feb 19, 2012 10:00 PM CST up reply actions

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Roy come back

as a fourth receiver. He’s not completely washed up, he’s just not a number 1 receiver. If we don’t try to pretend he is, he can definitely add a lot of great depth. I don’t think Knox will be back. I think a FA pick up and a draft pick coupled with Bennett, Williams, Hester, and Sanzenbacher could be a pretty tough receiving unit, especially with a full off-season to work with Cutler.

by bassist33 on Feb 19, 2012 1:59 AM CST up reply actions

I'm thinking

at least 2. Plus we probably need another pass catching tight end.

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

by Just Dave on Feb 18, 2012 7:18 PM CST reply actions

how about that guy that caught 5 TD passes... snap,snap ...you know whatshisname.

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

by ed_brown on Feb 18, 2012 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

Another pass catching TE.

Like Gronkowski who caught waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than 5. (enough a’s for ya?) Guess what NFL? TE’s can do more than just chip block and get the occasional grab for 5-10 yds. You’d think the NFL’s oldest franchise wouldn’t be the last one’s to recognize that. Oh, and I said ANOTHER pass catching TE. Bout time we have more than one threat from that position. But we definitely need more at receiver. A solid FA plus a high draft pick at the minimum.

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

by Just Dave on Feb 18, 2012 10:50 PM CST up reply actions

the Cardinals are the oldest franchise

but they got started right here in Chicago.

yeah your right, everyone knows that if you want to build a passing game you have to start with a Gronkowski.

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

by ed_brown on Feb 19, 2012 12:30 AM CST up reply actions

we had a pass catching TE

We traded him for chris harris. Jay and olsen had good chemistry.

by SuperBowlXX on Feb 19, 2012 5:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

That is incorrect

We traded him for the Panthers 3rd rounder in this year’s draft.

by thepreacher on Feb 19, 2012 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

We had a pass catching TE prospect

unfortunately he wasn’t very good at pass catching.

by YaoPau on Feb 19, 2012 7:42 AM CST up reply actions

We had a pass catching TE

Who isn’t any good as a blocker, and is softer than charmin. Kellen Davis has more promise as a better all-round player tbh.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 19, 2012 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

Olsen's ceiling is a 3rd string receiver

since he can’t run block OR pass block

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Feb 19, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

You mean Grabowski.

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

by Just Dave on Feb 19, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

2 is almost for granted

Depending on Knox, could rise to three. And this excluding practice team/scrubs.

by lmfsilva on Feb 18, 2012 7:30 PM CST reply actions

Three sounds about right...

by The Old Mack From Way Back on Feb 18, 2012 8:01 PM CST reply actions

I voted 3 too

Probably one or two in the draft and at least a significant contributor from FA, one of the three will most likely be a ST guy.

by chicagocity on Feb 18, 2012 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

at least 2. hoping for 3 tho

by beartopia on Feb 19, 2012 1:37 AM CST via mobile reply actions

We need 3 guys knox will probly never play again..I hate that but nuttin we can do

Lets look at our roster we have only 1 guy (bennett) i dont think hester will be catching to many passes this yr also.

by tazz34 on Feb 19, 2012 1:52 AM CST reply actions

Bears Needs At Least 2 WRs in Free Agency

One top stud WR who will be given mucho dinero and one middle of the road guy, an older vet with sure hands who can accept a minimum contract. Keep Earl Bennet obviously and make Sanzenbacher fight for it in training camp. Plus draft a 1st or second rounder.

That would be my choices if I was Emery.

by Gaak on Feb 19, 2012 2:02 AM CST reply actions

Agreed on 2 FA recievers

Vincent Jackson with his 6’3" frame and another who won’t break the bank. I’m open to reuniting Tice and Moss. He played well for him in minnesota.

by SuperBowlXX on Feb 19, 2012 5:34 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Vincent Jackson is 6'5"

And “Randy Moss” actually translates to “Major Headache”, so I’ll still pass unless he takes just the absolute minimum and is not designated as the top receiver, which I still doubt he would agree to such a deal.

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

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 19, 2012 8:08 AM CST up reply actions

Still thinking they need to start with a WR Coach

Then add 3 WR. One really good WR can elevate the whole group.
1 great FA, 1 high draft pick, 1 draft or average FA, Bennett, Knox will probably be IR or limited, Hester, Sanzenbacher. Better grab a PS guy too looks like

by TheMan1 on Feb 19, 2012 6:06 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I wonder if Knox could have actually evolved into a really good #2 threat if he was coached by anyone but Daryl Drake.

How the hell he wasn’t flooded away during Hurricane Angelo or Hurricane Martz baffles me.

by lmfsilva on Feb 19, 2012 11:01 PM CST up reply actions

He has pictures of Lovie's wife naked.

Or (people will argue) he hasn’t been given any talent to deal with. I think the entire organization could argue that one.

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

by Just Dave on Feb 19, 2012 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

Or both

Not the pics part (although that’s still on the table), but while it’s true he might have been given less than stellar talent, I have my doubts he could actually do something with it… at least he failed to polish any of the scrubs (or as Jerry saw them, “projects”) he got.

by lmfsilva on Feb 19, 2012 11:55 PM CST up reply actions

Of the ones mentioned, I don't think that 4 of them will be seeing many snaps at WR with this team, if any at all

Hester should be sticking with kick returns and the occasional snap at wide receiver.
Knox may or may not be back for the season. If he’s back later in the season, I could see Hester filling in for him at the beginning of the season.
The only football Hurd will be playing is prison rules next year.
REW needs to “get outta town.”

We need at least 3 more WR: Get a top free agent, and maybe get 2 with our first two picks in the draft.

by pastor2b on Feb 19, 2012 8:05 AM CST reply actions

we cannot use 2 picks on receivers

no. way.
get one big-name FA/1st couple of picks
Afterwards, go for the lower tier of guys, perhaps vets who can show these guys some tricks of the trade
cause Daryl Drake, bless his heart, surely cannot

by BOBdaBEAR on Feb 19, 2012 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

vets who can show these guys some tricks of the trade

“,,,and that, guys, is what you do when there’s a big brown thing headed at you.”

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 19, 2012 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

I vote that we not let REW anywhere near our WR draft pick!

by pastor2b on Feb 19, 2012 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

Not the first 2 picks but

I think that the Bears will probably use 2 picks on WR’s just not the first 2 maybe one in the first and then maybe another in the lower rounds just because the depth sucks so bad right now. We need alot more EXP and that’s understating the whole mess so FA should be thoroughly rummaged through for a number one and another for depth which the Bears never really had at the position.

by chicagocity on Feb 19, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

Considering the problems we've had with receivers this year, I think we could certainly use 3 new top WRs

You may be right that it would be better to use one of those picks on a receiver and one on a different position, and then fill the rest of our need via free agency or UDFAs. If that’s the case, I would want us to take Mohamed Sanu in the draft, but that’s just because I’ve been following Rutgers for a couple years, and would be a definite upgrade over our current corps.

by pastor2b on Feb 19, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

I say 4...

Leaving:

1. Hurd (already gone)
2. Williams (will not be re-signed)
3. Knox (will go on injured reserved for 2012)
4. Hester (will receive a new roster position designation as PR/KR instead of WR. Heck, he can take sweeps out of the backfield for all I care)

Coming:

1. A Top Level FA WR such as Bowe, Jackson or Colston
2. A 1st or 2nd Round WR such as Michael Floyd or Stephen Hill
3. A mid level FA WR such as Manningham, Laurent Robinson, Harry Douglas or Steve Smith (Phi).
4. A mid level draftee WR such as Nick Toon, Brian Quick or Dwight Jones

I expect a complete overhaul at the position this year because it should not take 2-3 off-seasons to complete. Here is what we could be looking at in 2012:

1. Vincent Jackson
2. Michael Floyd
3. Steve Smith
4. Earl Bennett
5. Brian Quick
6. Dane Sanzenbacher

by Paydirt75 on Feb 20, 2012 7:44 AM CST reply actions

Roy Williams was a disappointment.

I actually thought he’d be better. But I thought that of Archuleta and Pace as well. Even Merriweather. So basically, I suck at evaluating veteran castoffs – just like the Bears. Any FA we bring in better be both proven and not washed up. Let’s not be glass-half-full guys with FAs. Get prime talent – like we did with Peppers. As far as drafting, same thing: get guys who have shown they can play football, not jump out of swimming pools or dunk basketballs.

Often Wrong, Never In Doubt.

by Gromowicz on Feb 20, 2012 10:18 AM CST reply actions