Gains Adams headed to Bears

[slaterbug]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/n ... id=4567083

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded defensive end Gaines Adams to the Chicago Bears for a 2010 draft pick, the team announced Friday night.

Adams, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, had been a disappointment in his first two seasons under coach Jon Gruden. He was supposed to get a fresh start under coach Raheem Morris. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates spent much of the offseason working on pass-rush moves with the defensive end.

But Adams had one sack and 10 tackles in Tampa Bay's first three games. That apparently caused the Bucs to give up on Adams as they go through a rebuilding process. Adams had six sacks as a rookie and 6 1/2 last year.

Adding the draft pick from Chicago puts the Bucs back in next year's second round. They gave up their own second-round pick in a trade with Cleveland for tight end Kellen Winslow.

See you later bust!

[Icness]

I heard the Bears were looking for DL help, but this move makes little sense to me. Adams is a LDE, and not a very good one. They need a 3-technique, not a #4 DE. I get the long-term aspect of the deal, but now they're stuck paying a #4 overall deal to what is essentially their 2nd round pick next year. With the bulk of the bonus amortized already it's not huge, but it's gotta be at least $12M guaranteed still left on their books over the next two years.

This is where insititutional arrogance steps in. Tampa clearly stinks and needs all the young talent they can get. They're willing to give up on a 3rd year player who was picked so high, there's a darn good reason why. It's not like Adams is a disruptive guy or anything (a la Braylon), he just plays with no passion and can't get off a block to save his life. I'm not singling out the Bears on this because it happens all the time, but way too often these coaches and teams beleive that they can be the man to light the fire and get rewarded. But it almost never works out well. Now the Bears don't have a 1st or a 2nd, and they're stuck with Adams' contract...and no pick to potentially replace him or plug another hole.

If I'm a Bears fan I don't fault Jerry Angelo for taking a swing here, but I do question the need to make this move right now. Unless he's replacing Tommie Harris, Adams doesn't fit in their rotation up front, one that is playing pretty darn well. Let Tampa play him more and let his value keep dropping, then you get him in March for a 4th and a future conditional 4th-7th.

As for Tampa, this is a message from Raheem Morris and their new mgt. that they don't care who you are or where you were picked, if you're not playing hard, you're gone. They need that at some level but at what cost? Adams has not been good this year but his rookie year he wasn't a bad all-around end. He's not a pass rusher but he's adequate against the run (though he's not shown that the past couple of games).

[HMFFL]

This trade would happen before they face Atlanta. I feel a 2nd pick is a bit high, but it could turn out to be a very solid investment.

(I had to edit my post because I guess it was very late when I originally responded.)

[sunshinekids99]

I actually disagree with Icness. I think this is a great move for the Bears. Adams obviously has a boat load of talent, maybe that change of scenery will get him back to where he needs to be to prove he was worth a high first round pick. I'd take the gamble.

[Icness]

The one thing I kind of overlooked is that Adams was drafted to play Kiffin-style Tampa 2, and that's Rod Marinelli in Chicago. So I see why they probably see more inherent value and a better chance to get him right. I still would have waited though, unless I knew already that Ogunleye and maybe Alex Brown are gone after the season. That's reading between some lines but the wonks on 670 AM in Chicago are already drawing those conclusions so I will too.

[ChronicKerr]

Wale and possibly Anderson are gone next year. Brown and Adams will be the 2010 starters. They could still resign Anderson for cheap as a 3DE but with how well Wale is playing this year they'll use that FA money to spend elsewhere as they won't be paying a 1st or 2nd rounder next year either and are already waaay under the cap.

Time for Marinelli to shine and prove the Bucs wrong on Adams, but I can't fault a miserable team for rebuilding around draft picks. This, I believe, is a cheap 3 year deal the Bears are acquiring for Adams but I'd be interested in seeing what the actual numbers end up looking like. You made a good point on the scheme he's coming into and some of the parallels he's worked well in, in the past.

The only fault I can find is that DE isn't a huge need RIGHT NOW. DE was probably the most solidified position on the defense for the Bears this season and they could have used the 2nd round pick on a real need going into next year, but DE will be an issue AFTER this season which is where the longer term value comes in as well. They also have the luxury of not having to plug in Adams as a starter with big expectations right away - kind of ease him into the starter's role for 2010. Wale is still playing for a contract next year so his performance shouldn't be affected, if anything it should make him play even harder. Had the Bears had a 1st rounder still I think most would be saying this is as a low risk steal with potential huge upside - I am anyways.

[Munchlaxatives]

I know two guys in Florida, and they both offer different opinions; one claims he's a bust, pure an simple. The other claims it's the system; he's meant to play in Kiffin's system and can't succeed in what the Bucs run now.

[ChronicKerr]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL ... eball.html

The contract

Adams is in the third year of one of these rookie contracts at the top of the draft that draw so much attention as financial anomalies that need to be addressed in the next CBA. The Bucs have already paid him $16 million in the following payments:

Signing bonus: $13M
2007 roster bonus: $2.1M
2007 salary: $285,000
2008 salary: $370,000
2009 salary: $265,000


Adams will be paid the balance of his 2009 salary ($635,000) by the Bears this year. They also assume the remaining salaries of $1.08M in 2010, $1.1M in 2011, and $1.15M in 2012. The salaries for this year, 2010 and 2011 are guaranteed for injury only. These are extremely reasonable numbers for even a mediocre defensive end.