Well after what seems like an eternity Draft Day 2009 is finally here, though I can't get that excited as we've traded away our 1st and 3rd round picks so we're not going to see a lot from the Bears until the latter part of the draft.
Draft Day at least gives me the opportunity to look back at the Bears off season dealings something I've been a bit remiss with this year.
Quarterback:
Well Jay is our Quarterback and as he is only 25 years old should be for the best part of the next decade. We have 2 young guys as back ups in Hanie and Basanez. I'd feel a lot happier if we had a veteran but there's not a lot out there. JP Losman is probably the best of an average bunch that also features one Rex Grossman. Both will have homes after the draft.
Running Back:
Bringing back Kevin Jones was the right thing to do. He had spent the year rehabbing with the Bears and it would not have made sense to let him go elsewhere after the Bears had brought him back to full fitness.
With Forte the number 1, Jones is a more than capable back up and I'd like to see him get more chances this year. And Forte to have more of a rest.
I'm not convinced about our FB's though and I was hoping the Bears would would make a play for Leonard Weaver. Its a position we need to look at but maybe not in the draft; it makes more sense to see what Free Agents there are which guys go undrafted.
Offensive Line:
I must admit at one point I was worried with Tait retiring, St Clair not re-signing and Metcalf released we looked a little thin. With the additions of Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale and Kevin Shaffer we look to have addressed the tackle position, not just with quantity but quality players. Add in a fully fit Chris Williams and the tackel spot looks secure.
Olin Kruetz and Roberto Garza are the anchors of the line from last year and I expect Dan Buenning to push Josh Beekman for starting job at left guard.
I don't expect the Bears to draft a lineman in the second round, but could see the value from rounds 5 through 7.
Tight End:
Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark. With Kellen Davies in the 3rd spot. A stable position and not a major need in the draft.
Wide Reciever:
In truth the Bears don't have a lot at the reciever spot. Devin Hester is still developing and Earl Bennett struggled adjusting to the professional game last season.
Through the off season there was a lot of criticism aimed at Jerry Angelo for not chasing a wideout in Free Agency. I thought Jerry was right as I thought pickings were slim. TJ Houshmandzadeh was the best out there but he's 32 and wouldn't have the benefit of Chad Johnson/Ochocinco on the other side of the field. Torry Holt would have been a useful addition and would have been a good mentor for Hester.
With that in mind I'm guessing the Bears will using their 2nd round pick on the position. I like Robiskie but he will be long gone by then.
Defensive Line:
The best off season move by the Bears was the addition of Rod Marinelli as line coach. He has a track record of getting the best from players and the Bears do have a lot of talent here. A factor, at the back of the mind though, maybe the contract status of 3 of their ends the Bears could be tempted earlier to bolster the position. For me that would be a wasted pick as we have greater needs. 5th round onwards would make sense.
Secondary:
Despite the addition of Josh Bullocks the Bears are weak at safety. Mike Brown could be still brough back but I think that would be a backward step. I read somewhere (well I think I did) that Zack Bowman could be moved to FS which would be an interesting move. I liked what I saw in the limited action Bowman got and I hope to see more of him this year.
If the Nathan Vasher can re-discover his form, Charles Tillman get past his shoulder problems and Corey Graham continue his development I'd be happy with our Cornerbacks.
Oh and we have Kevin Payne and Craig Steltz for Strong Safety.
Safety should be one of the first picks we have - the other being reciever. And I would like to see reciever first.
Linebacker:
How long can Brian Uralcher play for? Serious question. He was patchy at best last year and if it doesn't happen this year then I can see the Bears making a move to replace him as middle linebacker next year. Now I'm not saying he's going to be leaving - I'd just shunt him sideways to Strong side linebacker as Hillenmeyer and Roach are just adequate.
If the Texans let Demeco Ryans hit the open market next summer then the Bears should do eveything they can to bring him in.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Jay IS Our Quaterback
I'd like to thank Gregster for prompting me to get my backside into gear and pen a few words on Jay Cutler. Gregster posted a comment on the Kyle is Our Quaterback entry to remind he aint any more.
Before I turn to the subject of Cutler I'd like to say a few words on Kyle. I have no doubt that we could have won with Orton this year. In fact I think he's been treated a little shabbily by the Bears in his time in Chicago. Look at his record as a starter - the guy wins games. Remember his first season when he got to the play offs only to lose to Carolina.
Now there a variety for reasons why we lost that game (being unable to cover Steve Smith for a start), but the decision to start a rusty Rex Grossman was also a contributing factor. If I remember rightly he had one completion from his first six passes. I was remember watching the game and thinking what the hell is going on?
Until last year Grossman was always the subject of rampant favourtism, which I put down to the fact he was a first round pick and Orton wasn't. Going with Orton would have meant losing face and admitting that it was potentially wasted pick. Up till last year that is when sticking with Rex would have been the wrong thing to do.
So I'd like to thank Kyle for his efforts and wish him well in Denver.
As for Cutler, well he probably is the better quarterback, though his win - loss record might not reflect that. With the cost of the trade in my mind he has to produce from the word go or Jerry Angelo will be dragged out of Chicago in chains tied to the wings of a 747.
I still think that the Bears gave up to much for him - a first rounder too much at that. I think a reasonable deal would have been the 1st, 3rd and Kyle. And it was probably the right thing to do in trading Kyle as he was out of contract at the end of the season and he would have walked away with the Bears getting nothing anyway. And it lessens the chances of a QB controversy in Chicago this year if Cutler stinks. Which he wont.
Before I turn to the subject of Cutler I'd like to say a few words on Kyle. I have no doubt that we could have won with Orton this year. In fact I think he's been treated a little shabbily by the Bears in his time in Chicago. Look at his record as a starter - the guy wins games. Remember his first season when he got to the play offs only to lose to Carolina.
Now there a variety for reasons why we lost that game (being unable to cover Steve Smith for a start), but the decision to start a rusty Rex Grossman was also a contributing factor. If I remember rightly he had one completion from his first six passes. I was remember watching the game and thinking what the hell is going on?
Until last year Grossman was always the subject of rampant favourtism, which I put down to the fact he was a first round pick and Orton wasn't. Going with Orton would have meant losing face and admitting that it was potentially wasted pick. Up till last year that is when sticking with Rex would have been the wrong thing to do.
So I'd like to thank Kyle for his efforts and wish him well in Denver.
As for Cutler, well he probably is the better quarterback, though his win - loss record might not reflect that. With the cost of the trade in my mind he has to produce from the word go or Jerry Angelo will be dragged out of Chicago in chains tied to the wings of a 747.
I still think that the Bears gave up to much for him - a first rounder too much at that. I think a reasonable deal would have been the 1st, 3rd and Kyle. And it was probably the right thing to do in trading Kyle as he was out of contract at the end of the season and he would have walked away with the Bears getting nothing anyway. And it lessens the chances of a QB controversy in Chicago this year if Cutler stinks. Which he wont.
Monday, 20 April 2009
A Matter of Life and Death? No, It's Just A Game
It's been some time since I last sat down to pen a few words on the Chicago Bears. Truth be told I've struggled to get motivated this year, and though I've added a number of posts through February my heart hasn't been in it.
At the end of January, well at 5.50pm on the 24th January, my father passed away after battling against lung cancer. He first contracted the disease in 2005 and lost the majority of his right lung. We all thought he'd beaten it but at the tail end of 2008 he was readmitted to hospital as he'd had problems with his mobility.
On the 2nd January he was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer of the left lung and cancer of the adreno glands.
On the 9th January he was diagnosed as having 3 incurable brain tumuors.
His passing was expected, but it was still a shock when he died. On the Thursday my brother and sister had said he was fine, but on the Friday when I got to the hospital he had faded dramatically. I, my mum and my brother spent the rest of the Friday and through the Saturday at his bed side. I think he knew we were there despite the morphine and painkillers the nurses pumped into him and he finally let go when I had taken my mum away to spare her seeing my dad pass away with her in the room.
As much as I love the Bears I love my dad more, and the last 3 months or so have been hard for the family. Especially my mum, the 8th Feb would have been their 51st wedding anniversary.
The Cutler trade, the signing of Pace and the first mini camp have all passed me by. I knew they were happening, but I found it difficult to raise any enthusiasm for writing here or posting on any number of Bears forums I'm member of; it became more of a sense of duty than a real desire.
In the scheme of things football really isn't that important but I know I'll get back into the swing of updating this on a more regular basis as the season gets closer, yet somehow the shine and excitement of it all has faded in the face of bereavement.
At the end of January, well at 5.50pm on the 24th January, my father passed away after battling against lung cancer. He first contracted the disease in 2005 and lost the majority of his right lung. We all thought he'd beaten it but at the tail end of 2008 he was readmitted to hospital as he'd had problems with his mobility.
On the 2nd January he was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer of the left lung and cancer of the adreno glands.
On the 9th January he was diagnosed as having 3 incurable brain tumuors.
His passing was expected, but it was still a shock when he died. On the Thursday my brother and sister had said he was fine, but on the Friday when I got to the hospital he had faded dramatically. I, my mum and my brother spent the rest of the Friday and through the Saturday at his bed side. I think he knew we were there despite the morphine and painkillers the nurses pumped into him and he finally let go when I had taken my mum away to spare her seeing my dad pass away with her in the room.
As much as I love the Bears I love my dad more, and the last 3 months or so have been hard for the family. Especially my mum, the 8th Feb would have been their 51st wedding anniversary.
The Cutler trade, the signing of Pace and the first mini camp have all passed me by. I knew they were happening, but I found it difficult to raise any enthusiasm for writing here or posting on any number of Bears forums I'm member of; it became more of a sense of duty than a real desire.
In the scheme of things football really isn't that important but I know I'll get back into the swing of updating this on a more regular basis as the season gets closer, yet somehow the shine and excitement of it all has faded in the face of bereavement.
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