2012 offseason wishlist

[emperorjones]

Yes I doubt the Sun Times as a source ever since they stopped paying their sports reporters to write stories and started paying them to plagiarize from the net.

But that said, I do think they are forgetting about that CBA provision. But I don't know what we were expected to be in 2012, so I can't be sure about the total cap space.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Matt Forte said he would be fine with the Chicago Bears using the franchise tag on him as long as it leads to a long-term deal and is not simply a tactic to keep him off the free-agent market for another season.

"It depends on the motive of (the franchise tag)," Forte said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "If they are doing the franchise tag just to get more time in order to negotiate a long-term deal then I would be OK with it. But if it's just to hold me another year and just 'Let's throw some money at him right now to keep him quiet,' that's not going to solve anything."

Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips told "Waddle & Silvy" on Tuesday that the team has no intention of letting Forte become a free agent.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... leads-deal

[Cliff Levingston]

At the minimum:

1. A #1 receiver. Cliff Levingston doesn't care if it's through the draft or free agency, just get a guy who Jay can depend on. That alone will make Johnny Knox (if he's ok) a nice deep threat and Earl Bennett that much better working the middle.

2. A good offensive lineman. Again, don't care if it's through free agency or the draft. ICLO, we're fine with Chris Williams, Roberto Garza and Gabe Carimi where they are, and we can even get by with a platoon of Spencer, Louis or E. Williams at RG. We need a really good LT. If not getting one then maybe we pick up a really good guard and slide Chris Williams back to LT, which is what we drafted him to become. Webb becomes a decent backup swing tackle in that instance.

3. Retain Kellen Davis and give him a shot to be our do-it-all guy at tight end. He won't cost a lot, is big, athletic and pretty good. Not one of the best in the league but could be a really nice contributor.

4. Another good DE that can get some pressure. Cliff Avril is the first guy that comes to mind. Help make Julius Peppers even better. Cliff Levingston would still like to retain Idonije as he'd be a great 3rd DE at a reasonable price.

5. A good safety to throw into the mix. We might really have something in Conte but that's not enough.

6. Re-sign Amobi Okoye. Him and Melton in the middle to get pressure is critical.

7. Get a corner that can play. If it means drafting a guy with the intention of giving him the starting job next year and re-signing Tim Jennings for a year, fine. We just need to add more talent at that position period considering our competition in the North.

8. Some depth at LB. Urlacher and Briggs' age is overblown; look at Lewis. Still need some good depth there and guys we can groom to eventually take over.

9. Backup RB. Someone who's in a similar mold to Forte.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

@ Cliff. Get in on our superbowl game.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Bears News:

Matt Forte News:

INDIANAPOLIS -- While the Chicago Bears could still decide to slap the franchise tag on free-agent running back Matt Forte before the March 5 deadline, coach Lovie Smith believes the two sides will ultimately agree to a long-term contract extension.

"Matt is going to play his football for the Chicago Bears, you start with that," Smith said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. "In time, hopefully we can get an agreement in place that suits Matt and we feel comfortable with. I think it's just a matter of time. That will happen eventually."

Lance Briggs News:

In addition to Forte's situation, the Bears must deal with perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, who went public last year with demands for a new contract or to be traded. Briggs currently has two seasons left on a six-year contract he signed on March 7, 2008.

Smith said he spoke with Briggs last week at the funeral services held for the wife of ex-Bears defensive lineman Tommie Harris and is hopeful the situation with the weak-side linebacker will improve.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... ultimately

I figured that this thread was the best location for ongoing news .

I have a feeling that a long-term deal will be completed with Forte before the regular season begins, but I'm torn between wanting him long-term. I guess it depends on how much money they're gonna give him. I'm still underwhelmed by Forte's lack of breakaway speed.

Regarding Briggs, I don't see him winning this fight. The last time he threatened to leave, he had to come crawling back to the Bears original offer once he realized that no other team was willing to give him a BIG money contract. I don't understand why he believes that that scenario will change, especially considering he's an older player with more wear & tear now.