- Joined:
- Dec 12, 2011
- Posts:
- 30,816
- Liked Posts:
- 35,721
Released
DE Julius Peppers
He was a good player for the Bears, but with a astronomical cap number and declining production it was an easy move to save almost 10 million. Peppers had the least dynamic 7.5 sacks season ever with only another 6 QB hits, and barely 20 pressures.
RB Michael Bush
A high priced power and short yardage back with little power and ineffective short yardage results Bush was an easy cut.
P Adam Podlesh
Making 2 million dollars and being the worst punter in the NFL do not equal out to a player that is worth keeping. Terrible Podlesh punts really hurt the Bears in some big games last season.
WR Earl Bennett
He just made too much money and had too promising of a young player behind him for him to realisticly make the team.
Re-signings
QB Jay Cutler 7 years 126 million/54 guaranteed
CB Tim Jennings 4 years 22 million/12 guaranteed
OG Matt Slauson 4 years 14 million/4 guaranteed
K Robbie Gould 4 years 15 million/5 guaranteed
FB Tony Fiammetta 1 year 780k
LB D.J Williams 1 year 1.5 million/100k guaranteed
A really good veteran re-signing Williams when healthy provides the Bears with a veteran MLB that is strong against the run and not terrible in the passing game. He allows the Bears to not be reliant on the young players, and his contract is small enough that he can be a backup if a young player plays well.
DT Jeremiah Ratliff 2 years 4 million/600k guaranteed
One of the best moves of the offseason was bringing Ratliff back on an incredibly team friendly deal. Ratliff was the Bears best DLmen at the end of the season and he brings the size and power that the Bears lack to the defense. Added to his physical contributions is he will be counted on as a leader of a very young DL.
DT Nate Collins 1 year 780K
A good depth signing and a player that has flashed enough in his career to come to camp and compete. I do not think the Bears want to bring Melton back and Collins can be the poor man's Henry Melton. Collins is not a starter, and the Bears still need a starting 3 technique, but he gives them depth for no money.
QB Jordan Palmer 1 year 780k
The Bears could never afford to keep McCown, Palmer seems to be a player that Trestman likes and I think with Trestman's tutelage he could be a respectable back up.
C Roberto Garza 1 year 1.5 million
A veteran bridge who can come in and lead the group for 1 more season, while they develop his replacement. His physical skills have eroded, but his leadership and work with Long and Mills make him a very useful veteran.
CB Kelvin Hayden 1 year 840K
A veteran with a ton of starting experience, while he cannot be counted on to stay healthy, he can be counted on to start in a pinch. He can also compete at NB with Frey who was solid last season, but not good enough to be given the job this season.
C Taylor Boggs 1 year 645K
Boggs was kept on the active roster all of last season for a reason. I think the Bears may view him as the C of the future and want to continue to develop him. He was very good in the pre season last year.
S Derrick Martin 1 year 855K
A veteran safety that was solid on special teams late in the 2013 season. I do not see him as a starter, but we are going to have an open competition so for vet min money he is welcome to come in and compete.
TE Dante Rosario 1 year 850k
He was much better last season than I thought he would be. He blocked fairly well and aged decently on special teams and he has proven that he can be a receiver if Bennett goes down.
CB Charles Tillman 1 year 3.5 million
The Bears still had a huge need at CB across from Jennings and they answered it by bringing back Tillman. This gives the Bears a good CB tandem and allows the Bears another year to develop his replacement.
S Craig Steltz 1 year
A steady veteran who can play some reps in an emergency and can captain the special teams. He is good depth because he makes nothing and never complains.
Free Agents
DE Lamarr Houston [Oakland] 5 years 35 million/15 guaranteed
The Bears are clearly looking for a versatile pass rusher that can line up at end and rush from the interior on occasions. After missing on Michael Bennett the Bears have moved on to Houston who has a similar skill set and is an incredible athlete for a 6'3" 300lbs. player. Houston can play the base end and immediately help against the run and provide a rush from LE and DT.
With 6 sacks, 41 hurries, and 16 qb hits, Houston's sack stats do not tell the entire story. He graded out by PFF 9th in hurries [41], and was a top 5 run defender. He had an overall grade for the season of 11.4.
DE Willie Young [Detroit] 3 years 9 million/3.5 guaranteed
With Houston playing the base end the Bears need a long rangy pass rusher that can pressure from the other side. Young at 6'5" 260lbs. has the size that Emery is looking for and has shown a great motor and intensity while playing for Detroit. Young can simply rush the passer. Like Houston, Young is a player that is still developing and who's best football is probably in front of him.
S Ryan Mundy [NYG] 2 years 3 million/650k guaranteed
The Bears spend on the DL, but they need someone who can come in and play at SS and that will bring improved tackling to the position. Mundy is not an elite player, and he is a bridge starter until the Bears can develop a draft pick to replace him. There simply is not the budget to ass a no questions starter to the secondary.
S M.D Jennings [Green Bay] 1 year 780k
A depth safety who is young with starts under his belt he can come in and compete at FS and provide special teams depth. It was clear that the Bears were not going to spend big money at the safety position in free agency and they need bodies to compete and give options.
WR/KR Domenik Hixon [Carolina] 1 year
Another special teams addition and a player that can compete on special teams and as a kick returner. Hixon would seem like a replacement for Weems, but I think he will take Earl Bennett's roster spot if Marquess Wilson takes the #3 job from him. Your #4 WR should be playing on special teams.
LB Jordan Senn [Carolina] 1 year 795K
A special teams captain in Carolina and a productive special teams player and part time starter. Senn will come in and anchor the special teams unit and replace Blake Costanzo.
DE Austen Lane [Kansas City] 1 year 730K
A big, powerful DE that has experience with Tucker in Jacksonville. He has not done a lot as a pass rusher, but he is a strong run defender. I do not see Lane making the team with the addition of Houston and Young. I think the back ups will be more pass rush specialists. at 6'6" 280lbs. he has the size that the Bears are looking for at DE.
DE Trevor Scott [Tampa Bay] 1 years 730K
Scott was a high potential player for the Raiders, but he has been derailed by injuries the last couple of years. Scott is a dynamic player that can get to the QB and play the run, he has the size at 6'5" that Emery has spoken of, and he has the potential to be a rotational end and pass rusher.
DE Israel Idonije [Detroit] 1 year 955,000
A great depth signing and a player that can come in and play multiple positions and be strong against the run. The Bears missed Izzy last season and could have used his steady play. He will thrive in a role where he can play early downs in rotation and play on special teams where he was a monster for the Bears.
S Danny McCray [Dallas] 1 year
More depth and special teams for the Bears he has played some reps for the Cowboys without embarrassing himself. It appears that the Bears are throwing a ton of bodies at the safety position and hoping that a couple of player step up.
Depth Chart
QB: Cutler, Palmer
RB: Forte, Ford
FB: Fiammetta
WR: Marshall, Jeffery, Wilson, Hixon, Weems, Tolliver
TE: Bennett, Rosario, Onubon
LT: Bushrod
LG: Slauson, Brown
C: Garza, Boggs
RG: Long
RT: Mills
RE: Young, Bass, Scott
DT: Collins
NT: Ratliff, Paea
LE: Houston, Idonidje, Washington, Lane
SLB: McClellin/Bostic, Senn
MLB: Williams
WLB: Briggs, Greene
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Hayden, Frey, Wilson
FS: Conte, Jennings, McCray
SS: Mundy, Martin, Steltz
P: Butler/Way
K: Gould
LS: Mannelly
DE Julius Peppers
He was a good player for the Bears, but with a astronomical cap number and declining production it was an easy move to save almost 10 million. Peppers had the least dynamic 7.5 sacks season ever with only another 6 QB hits, and barely 20 pressures.
RB Michael Bush
A high priced power and short yardage back with little power and ineffective short yardage results Bush was an easy cut.
P Adam Podlesh
Making 2 million dollars and being the worst punter in the NFL do not equal out to a player that is worth keeping. Terrible Podlesh punts really hurt the Bears in some big games last season.
WR Earl Bennett
He just made too much money and had too promising of a young player behind him for him to realisticly make the team.
Re-signings
QB Jay Cutler 7 years 126 million/54 guaranteed
CB Tim Jennings 4 years 22 million/12 guaranteed
OG Matt Slauson 4 years 14 million/4 guaranteed
K Robbie Gould 4 years 15 million/5 guaranteed
FB Tony Fiammetta 1 year 780k
LB D.J Williams 1 year 1.5 million/100k guaranteed
A really good veteran re-signing Williams when healthy provides the Bears with a veteran MLB that is strong against the run and not terrible in the passing game. He allows the Bears to not be reliant on the young players, and his contract is small enough that he can be a backup if a young player plays well.
DT Jeremiah Ratliff 2 years 4 million/600k guaranteed
One of the best moves of the offseason was bringing Ratliff back on an incredibly team friendly deal. Ratliff was the Bears best DLmen at the end of the season and he brings the size and power that the Bears lack to the defense. Added to his physical contributions is he will be counted on as a leader of a very young DL.
DT Nate Collins 1 year 780K
A good depth signing and a player that has flashed enough in his career to come to camp and compete. I do not think the Bears want to bring Melton back and Collins can be the poor man's Henry Melton. Collins is not a starter, and the Bears still need a starting 3 technique, but he gives them depth for no money.
QB Jordan Palmer 1 year 780k
The Bears could never afford to keep McCown, Palmer seems to be a player that Trestman likes and I think with Trestman's tutelage he could be a respectable back up.
C Roberto Garza 1 year 1.5 million
A veteran bridge who can come in and lead the group for 1 more season, while they develop his replacement. His physical skills have eroded, but his leadership and work with Long and Mills make him a very useful veteran.
CB Kelvin Hayden 1 year 840K
A veteran with a ton of starting experience, while he cannot be counted on to stay healthy, he can be counted on to start in a pinch. He can also compete at NB with Frey who was solid last season, but not good enough to be given the job this season.
C Taylor Boggs 1 year 645K
Boggs was kept on the active roster all of last season for a reason. I think the Bears may view him as the C of the future and want to continue to develop him. He was very good in the pre season last year.
S Derrick Martin 1 year 855K
A veteran safety that was solid on special teams late in the 2013 season. I do not see him as a starter, but we are going to have an open competition so for vet min money he is welcome to come in and compete.
TE Dante Rosario 1 year 850k
He was much better last season than I thought he would be. He blocked fairly well and aged decently on special teams and he has proven that he can be a receiver if Bennett goes down.
CB Charles Tillman 1 year 3.5 million
The Bears still had a huge need at CB across from Jennings and they answered it by bringing back Tillman. This gives the Bears a good CB tandem and allows the Bears another year to develop his replacement.
S Craig Steltz 1 year
A steady veteran who can play some reps in an emergency and can captain the special teams. He is good depth because he makes nothing and never complains.
Free Agents
DE Lamarr Houston [Oakland] 5 years 35 million/15 guaranteed
The Bears are clearly looking for a versatile pass rusher that can line up at end and rush from the interior on occasions. After missing on Michael Bennett the Bears have moved on to Houston who has a similar skill set and is an incredible athlete for a 6'3" 300lbs. player. Houston can play the base end and immediately help against the run and provide a rush from LE and DT.
With 6 sacks, 41 hurries, and 16 qb hits, Houston's sack stats do not tell the entire story. He graded out by PFF 9th in hurries [41], and was a top 5 run defender. He had an overall grade for the season of 11.4.
DE Willie Young [Detroit] 3 years 9 million/3.5 guaranteed
With Houston playing the base end the Bears need a long rangy pass rusher that can pressure from the other side. Young at 6'5" 260lbs. has the size that Emery is looking for and has shown a great motor and intensity while playing for Detroit. Young can simply rush the passer. Like Houston, Young is a player that is still developing and who's best football is probably in front of him.
S Ryan Mundy [NYG] 2 years 3 million/650k guaranteed
The Bears spend on the DL, but they need someone who can come in and play at SS and that will bring improved tackling to the position. Mundy is not an elite player, and he is a bridge starter until the Bears can develop a draft pick to replace him. There simply is not the budget to ass a no questions starter to the secondary.
S M.D Jennings [Green Bay] 1 year 780k
A depth safety who is young with starts under his belt he can come in and compete at FS and provide special teams depth. It was clear that the Bears were not going to spend big money at the safety position in free agency and they need bodies to compete and give options.
WR/KR Domenik Hixon [Carolina] 1 year
Another special teams addition and a player that can compete on special teams and as a kick returner. Hixon would seem like a replacement for Weems, but I think he will take Earl Bennett's roster spot if Marquess Wilson takes the #3 job from him. Your #4 WR should be playing on special teams.
LB Jordan Senn [Carolina] 1 year 795K
A special teams captain in Carolina and a productive special teams player and part time starter. Senn will come in and anchor the special teams unit and replace Blake Costanzo.
DE Austen Lane [Kansas City] 1 year 730K
A big, powerful DE that has experience with Tucker in Jacksonville. He has not done a lot as a pass rusher, but he is a strong run defender. I do not see Lane making the team with the addition of Houston and Young. I think the back ups will be more pass rush specialists. at 6'6" 280lbs. he has the size that the Bears are looking for at DE.
DE Trevor Scott [Tampa Bay] 1 years 730K
Scott was a high potential player for the Raiders, but he has been derailed by injuries the last couple of years. Scott is a dynamic player that can get to the QB and play the run, he has the size at 6'5" that Emery has spoken of, and he has the potential to be a rotational end and pass rusher.
DE Israel Idonije [Detroit] 1 year 955,000
A great depth signing and a player that can come in and play multiple positions and be strong against the run. The Bears missed Izzy last season and could have used his steady play. He will thrive in a role where he can play early downs in rotation and play on special teams where he was a monster for the Bears.
S Danny McCray [Dallas] 1 year
More depth and special teams for the Bears he has played some reps for the Cowboys without embarrassing himself. It appears that the Bears are throwing a ton of bodies at the safety position and hoping that a couple of player step up.
Depth Chart
QB: Cutler, Palmer
RB: Forte, Ford
FB: Fiammetta
WR: Marshall, Jeffery, Wilson, Hixon, Weems, Tolliver
TE: Bennett, Rosario, Onubon
LT: Bushrod
LG: Slauson, Brown
C: Garza, Boggs
RG: Long
RT: Mills
RE: Young, Bass, Scott
DT: Collins
NT: Ratliff, Paea
LE: Houston, Idonidje, Washington, Lane
SLB: McClellin/Bostic, Senn
MLB: Williams
WLB: Briggs, Greene
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Hayden, Frey, Wilson
FS: Conte, Jennings, McCray
SS: Mundy, Martin, Steltz
P: Butler/Way
K: Gould
LS: Mannelly
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