Bears 11.0: Free Agency, College Pro days, Draft & beyond

[dice]

so are rodgers and the vikings flirting? following in favre's footsteps?

[Jvaughn]

Has there been any update on Brisker? I assume he's fine for training camp, but still worried about his long-term future. That many concussions in 2 years is troubling.

[Dresden]

That Tyler Warren vibe is going around. You can feel it. It’s understandable if it went down. I wouldn’t hate it. I’m “trusting” Ben’s vision for the long term

I’m heavy on Warren for a few reasons. 1. He’s probably going to be the best available player. It’s unlikely there are 5-10 better players than him in this draft. We also need a TE and kind of suspiciously, it’s been ignore by poles. Lastly, Warren just seems like a Ben Johnson guy. I’ve felt for a while (even before we hired BJ) like if Johnson was going to be our HC then Warren would be the main target in the 1st. I just feel like if they are satisfied with what they’ve done on the lines, then Warren will be the guy. I feel the same way about Henderson at RB. Just feel like his skill sets and strengths fit Johnson’s game plan almost perfectly

I certainly would be excited about a Warren/Henderson draft, but I take issue with the idea that "we need a TE". We have Kmet, who was grossly underutilized last year. How badly do we need a second one?

[Dresden]

No action so far on Teven Jenkins or Keenan Allen, although I read Teven is meeting with Seattle soon. It seems likely that the Bears have moved on from each, or else has told them- "see what you can get on the open market, and if you don't find anything that sounds good, come back and talk to us again".

Teven would be a nice backup to have, and Allen could still be very useful, but with all the spending we've already done, it doesn't feel like the Bears are going to willing to have these guys back except on strictly their terms.

[Dresden]

There's still quite several decent CB's available in FA. I would think the Bears would at least want to bring in some competition for Tyrique. If not thru FA, then maybe in rounds 2 or 3 of the draft.

[Jvaughn]

There's still quite several decent CB's available in FA. I would think the Bears would at least want to bring in some competition for Tyrique. If not thru FA, then maybe in rounds 2 or 3 of the draft.

Definitely wouldn't have an issue with some CB insurance. I do think Tyrique is going to have a monster bounce back season under Allen. He's definitely talented, just had some mental errors this year that definitely caused his play to decline down the line. Wasn't able to get past that mental hurdle after the Washington game.

[patryk7754]

That Tyler Warren vibe is going around. You can feel it. It’s understandable if it went down. I wouldn’t hate it. I’m “trusting” Ben’s vision for the long term

I’m heavy on Warren for a few reasons. 1. He’s probably going to be the best available player. It’s unlikely there are 5-10 better players than him in this draft. We also need a TE and kind of suspiciously, it’s been ignore by poles. Lastly, Warren just seems like a Ben Johnson guy. I’ve felt for a while (even before we hired BJ) like if Johnson was going to be our HC then Warren would be the main target in the 1st. I just feel like if they are satisfied with what they’ve done on the lines, then Warren will be the guy. I feel the same way about Henderson at RB. Just feel like his skill sets and strengths fit Johnson’s game plan almost perfectly

I certainly would be excited about a Warren/Henderson draft, but I take issue with the idea that "we need a TE". We have Kmet, who was grossly underutilized last year. How badly do we need a second one?

We definitely need a te, even if it’s not a first round te. We don’t have a TE2

[Almost Retired]

Has there been any update on Brisker? I assume he's fine for training camp, but still worried about his long-term future. That many concussions in 2 years is troubling.

Brisker's future is certainly in doubt. Once you've had a concussion that was so bad that you miss half a season then the next concussion will come easier and quicker. And with his history would you even give him a 2nd contract as a starter? I would be hesitant. Which is why I am pushing for drafting Emmanwori. He could be a generational safety with his size and athleticism. Keep Brisker as a backup and special teams guy. See if he can get through a season in one piece.

[Almost Retired]

I’m heavy on Warren for a few reasons. 1. He’s probably going to be the best available player. It’s unlikely there are 5-10 better players than him in this draft. We also need a TE and kind of suspiciously, it’s been ignore by poles. Lastly, Warren just seems like a Ben Johnson guy. I’ve felt for a while (even before we hired BJ) like if Johnson was going to be our HC then Warren would be the main target in the 1st. I just feel like if they are satisfied with what they’ve done on the lines, then Warren will be the guy. I feel the same way about Henderson at RB. Just feel like his skill sets and strengths fit Johnson’s game plan almost perfectly

I certainly would be excited about a Warren/Henderson draft, but I take issue with the idea that "we need a TE". We have Kmet, who was grossly underutilized last year. How badly do we need a second one?

We definitely need a te, even if it’s not a first round te. We don’t have a TE2

Ben Johnson could do so much with Warren I'm sure he'd be worth taking even having Kmet. I remember how effective the Gronk plus Aaron Hernandez duo was for the Patriots years ago. It would a lot of pressure on the defense. Warren can line up anywhere, even in the slot. And he can throw it too. He's one of the best players at any position in the draft. You can never have too much talent.

[biggestbullsfan]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about a few bad trades and the Nate Davis signing. But Poles has been ahead of the curve on many contract deals.

[fleet]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about a few bad trades and the Nate Davis signing. But Poles has been ahead of the curve on many contract deals.

He had to pay JJ at the time he did, and it was market value. That doesn’t make you ahead of the curve. If it does, all GMs are ahead of the curve that paid anybody the last few years. The Sweat deal was a more than fair deal for Sweat, but these markets move on with a rising cap. The Edmunds deal was manuro.

[Betta Bulleavit]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about a few bad trades and the Nate Davis signing. But Poles has been ahead of the curve on many contract deals.

He had to pay JJ at the time he did, and it was market value. That doesn’t make you ahead of the curve. If it does, all GMs are ahead of the curve that paid anybody the last few years. The Sweat deal was a more than fair deal for Sweat, but these markets move on with a rising cap. The Edmunds deal was manuro.

You should ask the Bengals about what it means to be ahead of the curve. They are paying 69M a year for two receivers that they failed to get ahead of the curve on. Poles could have franchised JJ instead of signing him long term. But where would that have left us?

[Mindcrime]

Read on Twitter

[panthermark]

Read on Twitter

With the O-line address, I can't say I'm against it. D-line still needs some work...but he would be BPA.

I think BJ would push more than Poles because:

#1. BJ knows what Swift can and can't do being that Swift was traded from the Lions under BJ.
#2. Poles let Monty walk over a guaranteed year, and it was BJ and Lions that scooped him up and drafted Gibbs.
#3. Poles is the one that signed Swift because the prior Monty replacements didn't pan out/were not complete backs....which circles back to #1.


I'll add this. Similar to Brisker, the concussions could be catching up to Rosch. I like Rosch a lot, but this is the second season he's missed multiple games because of a concussion. Swift plays like an old-school 3rd down/scat back instead of an every down grinder. If Rosch can't be the 1st and 2nd down guy, than an elite all-around guy makes a lot of sense.

[molepharmer]

Went through the mock draft at nflmockdraftdatabase and checked the position availability in the range of the Bears picks at 10, 39, 41 and 72. Trying to perhaps gauge what position Bears could focus on best at their picks.

-----------------available/number mocked
position......#1-30...31-50...51-60....#61-80
D-line..........10........6........3........7
O-line...........5........5........1........2
TE...............2........1........0........2 [Warren, Loveland, Taylor, Arroyo, Fanin}
RB...............1........2........1........2 [Jeanty, Hampton, Henderson, Judkins, Johnson, Skattebo]
CB...............3........5........1........0
S.................2........0........1........0
WR..............4........0.........2.......5 [McMillan, Golden, Egbuka, Burden, Harris, Ayomanor]
QB...............2........1........1........1
LB...............1........0.........0.......1

S - pretty much unavailable where the Bears currently pick.
RB - Outside of Jeanty at #10, then maybe Hampton/Henderson at 39/41 or Johnson at #72 (Judkins mocked at #55)
TE - availability like RB; Warren at #10 or Arroyo/Fanin at #72; doubtful Taylor at 39/41.
DL/OL - if not at #10, then depth at 39/41
WR - doubtful McMillan at #10, likely wait until pick #72; surprising no WR mocked #31-50

[fleet]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about a few bad trades and the Nate Davis signing. But Poles has been ahead of the curve on many contract deals.

He had to pay JJ at the time he did, and it was market value. That doesn’t make you ahead of the curve. If it does, all GMs are ahead of the curve that paid anybody the last few years. The Sweat deal was a more than fair deal for Sweat, but these markets move on with a rising cap. The Edmunds deal was manuro.

You should ask the Bengals about what it means to be ahead of the curve. They are paying 69M a year for two receivers that they failed to get ahead of the curve on. Poles could have franchised JJ instead of signing him long term. But where would that have left us?

What earthly reason would there be to franchise JJ?

[nomorezorro]

Read on Twitter

this is not a legitimate reporter or insider. this is just a random guy with a twitter account speculating.

[fleet]

“One thing is evident”

• Looks up the word “evident”. Becomes confused by the comment.

[Dresden]

I’m heavy on Warren for a few reasons. 1. He’s probably going to be the best available player. It’s unlikely there are 5-10 better players than him in this draft. We also need a TE and kind of suspiciously, it’s been ignore by poles. Lastly, Warren just seems like a Ben Johnson guy. I’ve felt for a while (even before we hired BJ) like if Johnson was going to be our HC then Warren would be the main target in the 1st. I just feel like if they are satisfied with what they’ve done on the lines, then Warren will be the guy. I feel the same way about Henderson at RB. Just feel like his skill sets and strengths fit Johnson’s game plan almost perfectly

I certainly would be excited about a Warren/Henderson draft, but I take issue with the idea that "we need a TE". We have Kmet, who was grossly underutilized last year. How badly do we need a second one?

We definitely need a te, even if it’s not a first round te. We don’t have a TE2

Sure, we need a TE2 but how important is that? I think a backup O lineman will see a lot more action and make more of an impact. Especially if we can get somebody that can play 3-4 positions on the line. Look at all the injuries we had last year- Braxton missed half the season, Teven was out a lot, Nate Davis and Bates missed practically the whole year, I think even Wright missed a few games. So there will be plenty of playing opportunity for someone who can fill in all along the line.

OTH, if Warren is really the BPA when we pick, I don't have a big problem with that either. I hope Jeanty would make it to us though, if we're going for a skill position player. But I've been reading the Raiders might take him at 6.

[Dresden]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about a few bad trades and the Nate Davis signing. But Poles has been ahead of the curve on many contract deals.

He had to pay JJ at the time he did, and it was market value. That doesn’t make you ahead of the curve. If it does, all GMs are ahead of the curve that paid anybody the last few years. The Sweat deal was a more than fair deal for Sweat, but these markets move on with a rising cap. The Edmunds deal was manuro.

You should ask the Bengals about what it means to be ahead of the curve. They are paying 69M a year for two receivers that they failed to get ahead of the curve on. Poles could have franchised JJ instead of signing him long term. But where would that have left us?

Some people just aren't going to give Poles credit for anything he does until the Bears win something, esp. if he is not following the way they think a GM should go about things.