Angelo Falls Off His Rocker. Signs Brandon Lloyd

by WCG on Mar 7, 2008 3:58 PM CST in News Comment 38 comments

So you have a team who has lost its top two receivers and might lose another. What is the best way to fix the solution? Maybe try to trade for Chad Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald? Maybe make a run at Randy Moss? Go after a big name free agent, like Bryant Johnson or D.J. Hackett?

Not if you are Bears GM Jerry Angelo. He sees things a different way. He saves money by signing a former player and a random cast away from every team he has been on.

The Bears signed ex-Redskins reject Brandon Lloyd to a one-year deal. Lloyd had 2 receptions for 14 yards in 8 games with the Redskins and in a year that Santana Moss was banged up for most of it.

Lloyd played for OC Ron Turner back in his University of Illinois days.

Listen, I am for signing a guy, we need a guy, but what exactly about this guy makes him a good pickup aside from the fact that we probably got him cheap and for only one year?

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Didn't Angelo say he's big on character guys?

guess he thinks Turner knows how to reach him...

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by thecubreporter on Mar 7, 2008 4:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I imagine this is moot now

w/ the signing of Lloyd but...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/03/homecoming_for_another_receive.html

something about Bears being interested in Justin McCareins...

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by thecubreporter on Mar 7, 2008 4:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

why?!

i mean are players like Mike Hass ever gonna get the chance to start?, I mean this guy hasnt done crap, he's a name, but thats it....I really doubt the bears had this guy in mind when they let berrian go, so obviously they dont know what theyre doing, but Ill wait and see if Im right

by DaNate23 on Mar 7, 2008 4:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He had a good

year in San Fran, parlayed it into a big contract and commenced to not care.

Maybe they thing he will change his attitude.

by WCG on Mar 7, 2008 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lloyd?

Smells like desperation to me.

GO BEARS!!!!!

by McRipper on Mar 7, 2008 4:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

haas

Hold on guys, I'm sure that the Bears are just bringing in as many people as possible for their "position competition".
We'll see if the Bears actually put the best one out there or if they jsut put the veterns out (i.e. the ones that they pay more money to).

-$uchM@N!

by suchman on Mar 7, 2008 4:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

i can't imagine this was very costly and really it's just bringing in bodies to compete and see who wins the jobs. from that standpoint it's nice to have another guy in the mix. however, if he is just handed the job then this is bad news.

by Ando on Mar 7, 2008 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know

I am not as down on this as you guys. Lloyd has some hands, yeah sometimes he can have a tendency to have alligator arms, but he is another guy we can bring into compete. And if it doesn't work we can cut him, no skin off our teeth.

-leopoldjones

by leopoldjones on Mar 7, 2008 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lloyd has hands?

Try convincing his QBs of that. He has never caught even 50% of the passes thrown his way, not once in his CAREER.

Anyone here who enjoyed Moose's drops last year is going to LOVE this guy.

Cowher in 2009!

by garsky on Mar 8, 2008 11:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree leopoldjones

we do need guys to compete, but i mean do u think that angelo thinks the same way?, I mean I have a gut feeling that even if hass or whoever does better than lloyd, theyll still start lloyd b/c they spent money on him, I cant wait to see what happens.

by DaNate23 on Mar 7, 2008 5:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I know what you mean, bradley must have slept with someone's wife or daughter cause he couldnt buy possessions last season. 16 catches is ridiculous.

-leopoldjones

by leopoldjones on Mar 7, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they didn't

"spend money" on Lloyd. They paid him the league minimum.

by mikebdot on Mar 8, 2008 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh the dispair

I'm sweating uncontrolably. My whole body is numb. My world is crashing down around me. Who's next for the Bears to sign? Maybe the Fridge can help our OL or David Terrell will be our next WR. Oh the agony of rooting for the Bears. Please God, have Mark Cuban buy the Bears before I loose my mind!

"You play to win the game!"

by #23 on Mar 7, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm all in favor of this move myself

Lloyd has a ton of talent, sounds like his head is just messed up.

We do need to sign at least one more guy or draft one in the top 3 rounds.

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by thecubreporter on Mar 7, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem with this

I don't think anyone feels that he is the long term answer but rather a guy who can play football at a professional level until the Bears can develop someone else.

I would take Brandon Lloyd over Mike Haas any day.

by Chad on Mar 7, 2008 5:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

ok

you remember what Chad said, and u remember what I say, Im not saying he's wrong, nor am I right, but in a few years and given playing time Mike Hass will put up better numbers than Lloyd ever has, Lloyd barely got over 1,000 Alltogether over his career in the NFL, Im just saying watch out for Hass

by DaNate23 on Mar 7, 2008 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

White guys can't receive

White guys will never be more than gritty tough guys who go over the middle and get the tough yards. They are not game breakers and they are not good at the wide receiver position.

Notice that there are ZERO white running backs in the league? You know why? Cause teams only use one in on offensive set. If the NFL only used 1 WR in there every down offensive set, there would be no white wide receivers.

They are not good.

by Chad on Mar 7, 2008 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not that i completely disagree

but saying altogether that no white receivers are worth having is a bit ridiculous. maybe there are no white receivers who are superstars, but steve largent is in the hall of fame. and maybe guys like drew bennett, tim dwight and wes welker will never be superstar #1 receivers, it doesn't mean they don't have a place in the nfl. and this may be a reach, but it seems like you are saying that brandon lloyd will have a better career than mike haas just because he is black and haas is white. lloyd has all the talent in the world and i loved him at u of i, but all he has shown me is that he is out for the money with his rap album nonsense and reluctancy to work for anything during his stay in washington once he cashed in on a big contract.

i guess there isn't much point in arguing this however, since you reiterate that wes welker is not good whatsoever and was only good because he played alongside randy moss and tom brady was throwing him the ball.

by lopey986 on Mar 8, 2008 12:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

let's get something straight

There is a place for the Tim Dwights and the Wes Welkers in the NFL. Teams need gritty guys who are willing to go across the middle and make tough first downs.

But that isn't my point. My point is that the the ceiling is MUCH MUCH MUCH higher with Brandon Lloyd than Mike Haas. With Hass, you know what you will get. Lloyd is a question mark, but if both players played as well as they could, Lloyd leaves Haas in the dust.

by Chad on Mar 8, 2008 3:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Therein lies the rub

"if both players played as well as they could"

If Lloyd's coaches in SF and Wash haven't managed to make this happen, what makes you think Lovie & staff can? Has their experience getting Benson & Grossman to play as well as they can given you confidence?

Cowher in 2009!

by garsky on Mar 8, 2008 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i mean com;on

your judging Hass just b/c he's white, thats not fair at all, he hasnt been given the chance and you can see by stats what Lloyd has done his career. I mean Hass had the chance to break an NCAA receiving and catching record, but he ended his college career short and entered the draft his Junior year, I mean Im not predicting a HOF career from this guy, but he deserves a chance to prove something.

by DaNate23 on Mar 8, 2008 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ok

I agree there are no white running backs, and no spectacular receivers, but whats wrong w/ a gritty, tough receiver who gets you those stubborn yards?....ex. Chrebet, Jurevicious, Waddle, Stokely, Anthony Gonzalez, McCaffrey, Hutson, Alworth...I dunno bout you guys, but I would think Hass' name being added to that list being that he plays well, would be an honor being added to that list and would prob make him one the best Bear's wideouts.

by DaNate23 on Mar 7, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll tell you what the problem is...

The Bears have possession receivers to spare. They need a true #1. And even as we speak, ESPN is talking about the Cardinals trading Larry Fitzgerald. That is the type of guy the Bears need.

And for the record, I have no interest in Devin Hester getting regular snaps as a 2nd or 3rd WR. I like getting him in the game and mixing it up a bit. But I like him right where he is. A devastating game changing return man who can pop into a play and burn a team deep.

If the Bears had a Larry Fitzgerald type then he would be the #1, Booker #2 and the rest could fight it out for #3.

by Chad on Mar 7, 2008 6:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree

I heard that the eagles only would hafta give up Lito Sheppard and a 2nd or 3rd round....I realize we dont have a McNabb at QB, but why couldnt we execute a trade for Fitz?, I totally agree that Hester could be a 3rd WR that could cause a distraction but why take him away from what he's amazing at?, He's gonna get injured and bam! there goes our only real threat besides the defense

by DaNate23 on Mar 7, 2008 6:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

keep in mind fitzgerald's contract demands

he's going to want to get paid ridiculous amounts of money. and considering how much non-elite receivers (porter, berrian) or potentially elite but injury hazzards receivers (walker) have gotten, a team might wreck its budget to sign fitzgerald.

by guy incognito on Mar 7, 2008 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And?

At some point we have to pay somebody. We either give a guy like Fitzgerald the money he wants or we continue to bring in a string of also rans or never wases and pay them little to nothing just to get rid of them later and move on to more.

I'd rather pay a guy I know is big time and keep him for 6 years than continue this carousel of scared, desperate, non committal, worthless signings.

by WCG on Mar 7, 2008 8:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not saying that we should get fitz

I am saying that we need a guy like Fitz and that there are/were people available.

by Chad on Mar 7, 2008 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

If Fitz is available, then go get him. If the guy we want is Chad Johnson then go get him. Find the guy you want and just go get him.

by WCG on Mar 7, 2008 8:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if only it were that simple

in the salary cap era you have to be smarter than that. come 2010 when the cba runs out and they continue to bitch and moan over percentages on the dollar and they being play with no salary cap, we'll all have a lot of fun watching the cowboys sign every big name player.

and if the rumor regarding fitz is true...lito sheppard and a 2nd and 3rd...we'd have to part ways with a young defender (tommie harris, nathan vasher) and 2 picks. no way i'd want to see that happen, we have far too many holes to give up a 2nd and 3rd pick.

by lopey986 on Mar 8, 2008 12:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Missing my point

The guy they might have wanted was Bryant Johnson or Hackett. There is no way going into free agency the only receiver they wanted is Lloyd.

We need pieces and they are barely attempting to fill them. Our line was horrible last year and we haven't even brought a guy in?

Yes, getting Fitzgerald or Johnson may be difficult, but if you wanted him would it hurt to give them a call? Through out some numbers and an offer. If they say no, they say no, at least you are making th effort.

by WCG on Mar 8, 2008 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe they have

inquired into getting fitz and johnson (chad or bryant)...not everything gets leaked into the press.

by lopey986 on Mar 8, 2008 2:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

this is a great pickup

i wouldnt take his history too seriously. san fran and washington suck and there is no leadership or identity on either teams. losing can bring out the worst in alot of players.

He looks like he's ready for a change in scenery and will be hungry too play well given his latest injury and connection to turner.

by rahulsriram on Mar 7, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

woops

Looks like the truth slipped out. Only for turner to come in for the rescue

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/03/lloyd_stirs_up_qb_controversy.html#more

by rahulsriram on Mar 7, 2008 7:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This could work

It's easy to point out his horrible 06 and 07 years, but he had a decent 05 year, and he was a stud in college.

I'm sure he came cheap, it won't hurt if we have to cut him at Week 1, he's a decent size, he's not too old, he may challenge some of our other WRs.

Is it a great move? No. Should we go after Johnson or Hackett? Yes (if they don't cost too much). Does it really hurt us? Nope! And I think that is the most important thing.

Finally, and I know it has little to do with all this, but salaries are RIDICULOUS this year. Javon Walker? Even Faneca? It's all just nuts, and I think teams are hurting themselves because:

a)they're pissing off their players that don't have those contracts; and
b)they're giving all the present and future free agents/almost free agents room to argue for insane contracts in the future

[/end soapbox}

by myronaiii on Mar 7, 2008 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

so...

I just read that the Seahawks just signed Julius Jones and Duckett. Where does this leave Alexander? Maybe a trade?

by npachols on Mar 7, 2008 9:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

alexander is much worse than benson

if anyone thought benson didn't hit the holes with burst they will be pulling there hair out when alexander gets the ball. he is washed up, far too many miles on his legs and our line has actually gotten worse thus far.

by lopey986 on Mar 8, 2008 12:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Look at it this way

The Redskins, a team that went over half the season without a WR scoring a TD, decided that when Santana Moss got hurt it would be better to bring Keenan McCardell out of retirement than to play Brandon Lloyd.

I'm not saying; I'm just saying.

--Torch

by torch on Mar 7, 2008 9:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Logical move

His not coming in guaranteed a starting spot. All this move means is that the Bears don't see Bryant Johnson or DJ Hackett as a long-term solution, which I can't blame them. Both of them are career underachievers who are going to command a lot more $$ and years than Llyod got. Is Llyod and ideal player? No, but for one year he'll provide some positional depth if Bradley or Hester struggle next year.

Seriously people are still freaking out about how the Bears "haven't done anything". Seriously we are just over a week into a 5 month off-season. There is plenty of time for the Bears to find the players that they need.

They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. *That's* the *Chicago* way!

by 2ndcitydiehard on Mar 8, 2008 1:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs