General Discussion: Bears 2016/17

[City of Trees]

Why didn't he play? Missing a season at his age is usually a sign he's done.

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[fleet]

Terrible route runner

[patryk7754]

Even though nothing's been announced, from all the things I've watched and read from insiders, it sounds like the general feeling is that cutler will be gone. Clearly the first move is to try to trade him. Maybe the niners, browns, jets, bills, and even the Rams will be interested

[City of Trees]

Even though nothing's been announced, from all the things I've watched and read from insiders, it sounds like the general feeling is that cutler will be gone. Clearly the first move is to try to trade him. Maybe the niners, browns, jets, bills, and even the Rams will be interested

I'd be thrilled if the Bears can get anything for Cutler. 4th rnd pick would be awesome.

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[chitownsports4ever]

NFL.com top free agents of 2017 (there still maybe a big name or two released as well .

The Bears have money to spend woohooo!!!!

1) Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers running back: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Steelers will use the franchise tag on Bell, the author of an entirely unique style of running. A one-year deal is ideal for the Steelers, considering Bell's previous suspensions and injuries, but it could lead to offseason friction between the running back and team.

2) Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs safety: Berry checks every conceivable box. He's a superstar at a scarce position (practically every team is looking for a safety). He's a locker-room leader and squarely in his prime at 28 years old. Retained with a franchise tag that created acrimony before the 2016 season, it's time for the Chiefs to pay up.

3) Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins quarterback: In his "prove it" season, Cousins proved he's a mid-level starting quarterback. That's worth a lot in today's NFL. The Redskins would likely use the franchise tag on Cousins for a second consecutive season if they can't reach a long-term deal.

4) Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle: General manager Dave Gettleman unceremoniously booted cornerback Josh Norman last offseason, in theory because the team needed room to retain Short. Now it's time to pay up.

5) Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker: After being traded to Arizona, Jones did a better job than his former teammate Patriots Jamie Collins of proving he can thrive in any defensive system. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians already declared the team will retain Jones with the franchise tag if it can't sign him long-term.


6) Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears wide receiver: Jeffery could wind up No. 1 on this list by March 9 because he's the most likely player ranked in the top eight to hit free agency. Injuries marred his 2015 campaign, and his suspension in 2016 is a concern, but there's no denying his ball skills or production. True No. 1 receivers don't become available too often.

7) Melvin Ingram, Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker: Don't just look at the sack total. Ingram slowly evolved into one of football's most disruptive, complete outside linebackers in 2016. His profile isn't so different from that of Olivier Vernon, who scored big in free agency last season.

8) Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals defensive end: There's no other player quite like Campbell, as thoughtful and savvy as he is physically overwhelming at 6-foot-8, 282 pounds. He would make a great "get over the hump" piece for a team looking for a title.

9) Brandon Williams, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle: Williams is a one-man solution to your favorite team's run-stopping problems. Damon Harrison paved the way last season for nose tackles to get paid like pass rushers.


10) Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants defensive end: Before his recent sports hernia surgery, Pierre-Paul's incredible stamina and snap-to-snap effort was a calling card. He proved this season he can still finish plays despite having an amputated index finger. Just don't offer him a one-year contract.

11) Jamie Collins, Cleveland Browns outside linebacker: The hardest free agent to rank on the list. The Browns will be highly motivated to retain Collins after dealing a compensatory third-round pick for him. His time in Cleveland was unremarkable, and New England's willingness to trade him is a red flag for interested teams. While his production does not match his skill set or reputation, Collins should not fear. He may not get top-tier money as hoped, but any player this versatile will get paid somewhere.

12) Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati Bengals guard: After earning second-team honors on Pro Football Focus' 2016 All-Pro team at 26 years old, Zeitler is set to make a lot more money than many players with a lot more name-brand value.

13) Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills cornerback: He has weeks, even months, on film where he looks like a true No. 1 cornerback. He had other weeks in 2016 where he looked lost, perhaps fearful of getting hurt in a contract year. If he makes it to the open market, some team will believe it can make him a star because of his skill set, although I suspect the Bills will use the franchise tag on him.

14) A.J. Bouye, Houston Texans cornerback: No player has made himself more money this season. While there is undeniable risk in signing a player with only 19 career starts, Bouye has played like a borderline Pro Bowler in his first full season as a starter. He looks the part of a former first-round pick, not a former undrafted player.

15) Dont'a Hightower, New England Patriots linebacker: After Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins were traded, the conventional wisdom in New England held that Hightower would be re-signed. Bill Belichick has talked up Hightower's leadership in the past, but Belichick rarely does what fans and writers expect.

16) Dontari Poe, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle: The Chiefs may have to choose between Poe and Berry, resulting in Poe hitting the market. Though he's a solid starter, his career hasn't taken off as I expected after his terrific rookie season in 2012.


17) Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots tight end: He'd worn out his welcome with three different organizations before finding a home in New England. Bill Belichick should do what he can to retain the best Gronk insurance possible.

18) DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins receiver: There is some risk that Jackson's explosive but limited skill set will erode now that he's 30, but it's hard to detect on the field. Few players can take the top off a defense better, and teams know to pay Jackson as a great puzzle piece, not a No. 1 threat.

19) Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns receiver: Well, here's a ranking that would have looked ridiculous at this time a year ago. Maturity questions linger, but Pryor's 1,000-yard season hinted at an even higher ceiling ahead for the converted quarterback.

20) T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers guard: A "criminally underrated" starter may have to leave Green Bay at age 29 to get his fair market value.

21) Nick Perry, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker: General manager Ted Thompson brought Perry back on a one-year, $5 million contract last offseason after a boffo playoff run. Perry will cost a lot more after collecting a team-high 11 sacks.

22) Trumaine Johnson, Los Angeles Rams cornerback: Given the franchise tag last season, Johnson turned in a relatively unremarkable campaign as a starter in coordinator Gregg Williams' system. Don't be surprised if Williams' new team, the Browns, go after Johnson.

23) Tony Jefferson, Arizona Cardinals safety: Was he a product of the Cardinals' aggressive system? Jefferson can make plays all over the field if he finds a coach who knows how to deploy him.

24) Ricky Wagner, Baltimore Ravens tackle: Consistent, quality play from a starting right tackle could be worth north of $10 million per season in this market.


25) Barry Church, Dallas Cowboys safety: As Conor Orr mentioned in his great piece this week, Church can up his value with a big playoff run. Church is a steady, tough, run-stopping constant in a Dallas secondary that overachieved this season. He's a glue guy.

Notable omissions: Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers; Riley Reiff, T, Detroit Lions; Kenny Britt, WR, Los Angeles Rams; Johnathan Hankins, DT, New York Giants; Mike Glennon, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals; Chris Baker, DE, Washington Redskins; Larry Warford, G, Detroit Lions; DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Denver Broncos; Jabaal Sheard, DE, New England Patriots; LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots; T.J. McDonald, SS, Los Angeles Rams.

[chitownsports4ever]

Right now my free agency would be

Resign Alshon

but besides that

1a and 1b

Eric Berry S
Kirk Cousin QB

Im watching the situations of these two players heading into that midnight start like




but if opportunity doesnt look like its going to be there Im on to

2a and 2b
Stephon Gilmore DB Bills
A.J. Bouye DB Texans

4a and 4b

Tony jefferson S Cardinals and Ricky Wagner OT- Ravens


5 Riley Reiff OT LIons - started on the left and moved to the right last year

6 Trumaine Johnson DB Rams - was a bigtime potential free agent lat year that got franchised and had a lackluster year

[patryk7754]

I'm pretty sure Johnson tore his acl

[patryk7754]

I think one way we should build our team is by building one that can beat the packers. It would be pointless to try to do so defensively since chances are there isn't a defense that can be legitimately better than Rogers. So we should build a team that can keep up with them offensively.

One of the biggest weaknesses of the packers are teams that can run and pass the ball with multiple TEs at a time. So I think we should add a couple of TEs in free agency and the draft. Their LBs have trouble covering pass catching TEs

Dion Sims just had his best season. It wasn't great but still ok. He'd make an excellent backup. Then in the draft there's a chance O.J. Howard drops to the third. If so, we should draft him. I think the more likely one is jake Butt. I believe he torn his acl in his bowl game so he should be there in the 4th or 5th.

If we can roll out with two or three very good pass catching and blocking TEs we won't really be limited in play calling. Plus that group plays to our strength, running the ball.

Plus that would let us do something the patriots do (why no one else does really baffles me and kinda pisses me off since it's so easy and effective). When inside the 5 about to score the Patriots lineup bunched and then motion out Gronk getting him one on one with a LB. they score on the majority of those plays.

[patryk7754]

I have high hopes for this free agency. Eric Berry is one of my favorite players and a lot of time when one of my favorite players are available we get them. Two examples, Peppers and Marshall.

[heir_jordan22]

Bears signed former Giant WR Reuben Randle to a low risk deal... Hes still only 25yrs old ?

The Chicago Bears signed former New York Giants wide receiver and second-round pick Rueben Randle to a reserve/futures contract on Tuesday, the team announced.

In 64 appearances (33 starts) for the Giants from 2012-15, Randle caught 188 passes for 2,644 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Randle signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles last March, but was released near the end of the preseason. Randle did not play for anyone in the 2016 regular season.

I loved Reuben Randle coming out. Really good signing by Pace. He should be able to push Bellamy out of the WR rotation and could compete for more

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[heir_jordan22]

QB: Cousins or Garoppolo
CB: Gilmore, Johnson, Bouye
Saftey: Berry or Jefferson
OT: Whitworth, Barclay, Wagner
DE: Short, Campbell, Hankins

Hopefully we fill our biggest needs with at least two of the players above. Jeffery needs to be signed too.

QB is the only need we can really fill with a starter in the first two rounds of this draft. There are plenty of top players at CB, S, DE and OT in the draft.

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[heir_jordan22]

Cousins, Jefferson, Barclay and Jeffery in FA. Jonathan Allen and top CB (maybe Adoree Jackson who is also a top returner) in the draft. Sounds feasible to me. That would be 6 great additions to the team.

Plenty of money to spend after cutting Cutler, Houston, Porter, Royal.

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[patryk7754]

Ryan Pace likes to sign under the radar guys so I would guess that two likely guys we go after hard are Tony Jefferson and Logan Ryan

[patryk7754]

Despite the loss, Eric Berry played great against the steelers, just like he has in his past playoff games. My favorite play was when he smacked Bell behind the line.

[patryk7754]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap3000000775892/Rapoport-Chris-Hogan-should-be-good-to-go-vs-Steelers

Video discussing Berry's future. Basically the guy thinks that it's likely that Berry gets tagged again

[heir_jordan22]

Top needs
QB, WR, DE, FS, CB, OT

Re-sign Jeffery.
Sign Berry/Jefferson.

Trade 2nd and 4th this year, plus 2nd next year for Garoppolo.

Sign one of the top 5 CBs or top 5 OTs.

Draft
Acquiring the QB the Browns wanted, Garoppolo, forces the Browns to reach. They take a QB #1.
If Cousins sign with SF, they draft Garrett. If they do not acquire Cousins, they probably still draft Garrett, but may reach even further than the Browns and take a second QB.

That leaves us Allen. As long as we make sure that at least the Browns needs a QB and don't get Garoppolo. In this scenario, mission accomplished.

#3 Allen
3rd round CB/OT


That fills every major need. Jefferson is a much more realistic option than Berry. But if Berry is listening then you do anything you can to get him here.

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[heir_jordan22]

If we don't sign a starting caliber DE and don't sign Kirk Cousins, I think we will see the Bears take Allen and use the 2nd pick on a QB. Hopefully that second pick is used for a trade for Garoppolo instead of a project like one of the guys that will be available in the second round

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[patryk7754]

I think Berry gets tagged again or resigns. He was too good this season for the Chiefs to let him go. If he doesn't get tagged I'd say the Falcons are the favorites to land him. I also have strong doubts we land Cousins. Gilmore is most likely going to get tagged.

I think most of the top guys are going to get tagged or resign with their team but that doesn't mean we won't be left with great guys to go after.

[patryk7754]

Resign
Jeffery
Hoyer
Washington
Jones
Callahan
Ted Larsen

Free Agency
Calais Campbell, DE
Andrew Witworth, LT
Rick Wagner, RT
Dion Clay, TE
Logan Ryan, CB
Akeem Ayers, OLB
Phil Dawson, K
Trades
2017 4th and 2018 5th for Tony Romo
3rd overall to jets for 6th overall, 2nd rounder and future pick

Draft
RD 1: Malik Hooker, S
RD 2: Jalen Tabor, CB
RD 2: Juju Smith, WR
RD 3: Montravius Adams, NT
RD 4: Davis Webb, QB
RD 5: Jake Butt, TE
RD 6: Bo Scarborough
RD 7: Nyeem Wartman-White, ILB

[chitownsports4ever]

I think Berry gets tagged again or resigns. He was too good this season for the Chiefs to let him go. If he doesn't get tagged I'd say the Falcons are the favorites to land him. I also have strong doubts we land Cousins. Gilmore is most likely going to get tagged.

I think most of the top guys are going to get tagged or resign with their team but that doesn't mean we won't be left with great guys to go after.

Chiefs have Dontari Poe to sign and so they will have to choose because they have already tagged Berry once . The falcons have Keanu and Allen both under 25 years old at safety and they are really good and cheap .I doubt they go after berry simply because the have so many roster spots to fill this offseason .

Its a long shot but if I was gm I would be patiently waiting to see what the Chiefs do and if they slip up and dont have him signed by the first day of free agency I put a offer on table that would make berry the highest paid safety in football.Hes that big of a get imo and would make everyone on the defense better with his leadership and work ethic. Getting Berry also opens up so much flexibility in terms of what we could do in the draft its ridiculous.

Cousins is another chance to capitalize if the opportunity presents itself . There is no guarantee but we are finally in position to have money and picks to take advantage of other organizations front office mistakes .

If we somehow got Berry we could trade back into the middle of the first still get a top young safety to pair with him berry.

We could arguably trade back and end up with an extra 2nd ,3rd ,and 4th rd pick

We offer 2nd this year and next for Jimmy G

we then could take BPA in 2nd rd and use the extra 3rd and 4th to chase potential steals .TE,OT,WR,DB .

so many possibilities