Bears Mock Offseason Dec 5th [Goodbye Playoffs]

WindyCity

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Starting Cap Space: 46 Million

Releases [20.1 million Saved]

DE Julius Peppers [15 million] Post June 1st cuts the cap cost in half.
WR Earl Bennett [2.3 million]
P Adam Podlesh [1 million]
WR Eric Weems [1 million]
RB Michael Bush [800K]

Cap Space: 66.1 million

Re-Signings [40.8 Million Spent]

QB Jay Cutler 4 years 64 million/34 guaranteed [24 million signing bonus/10 million roster bonuses]

If you read the Emery and Trestman thuis is going to happen and I do not blame them for taking a shot with Cutler and if it does not work out you tag the failure on Cutler and buy yourself 3-4 more years with a new QB.

Year 1: 7 million base/6 million signing bonus [13]
Year 2: 7 million base/6 million signing bonus/2 million roster bonus [15]
Year 3: 8 million base/6 million signing bonus/4 million roster bonus [18] [Cost to Cut 12 million/6 saved]
Year 4: 8 million base/6 million signing bonus/4 million roster bonus [18] [Cost to Cut 6 million/12 saved]

-4 year offer because of what are becoming serious health concerns [11 of 44 games].

-16 million average outs him just below guys like Romo who have been healthier and more productive and represents a home town discount.

-The Bears can get out of the contract after 3 years and save close to 12 million if he continues to get injured or does not produce.

-Roster bonuses become guaranteed the 2nd week of the offseason, which would give them time to trade him or make other plans if they have to.

-Cutler would take home 31 million [year 1] and 40 million [year 2] if he is cut early in the contract.

OG Matt Slauson 4 years 14 million/6 guaranteed

He has been a pleasant surprise at LG and brings increased size and physicality to the line. This line should be kept together and allowed to grow together.

Year 1: 2 million base/1 million guaranteed [3]
Year 2: 2 million base/1 million guaranteed [3]
Year 3: 3 million base/1 million guaranteed [4]
Year 4: 3 million base/1 million guaranteed [4]

DT Henry Melton 2 years 12 million/4 guaranteed

A similar deal to the one that Cliff Avril signed coming off of an ACL injury and the franchise tag. The dollar value is there for Melton with reasonable guarantees if he gets cut after 1 season he makes 7 million similar to the tag and the Bears can save 5 million in 2015 if they feel they need to move on.

Year 1: 3 million base/2 million guaranteed [5]
Year 2: 5 million base/2 million guaranteed [7]

CB Tim Jennings 4 years 28 million/12 guaranteed

He is a perfect fit in the defense and has been durable for the Bears while forcing a ton of turnovers. But Jennings is not a #1 CB and he does not fit in a system that runs man coverage so I think his price tag stays reasonable and the Bears can afford to keep him.

Year 1: 2 million base/3 million guaranteed [5]
Year 2: 4 million base/3 million guaranteed [7]
Year 3: 4 million base/3 million guaranteed [7]
Year 4: 6 million base/3 million guaranteed [9] *restructured or cut

DE Corey Wootton 3 years 14 million/6 guaranteed

He is young, verstaile and has stayed healthy and while he is not dominant he can start and provide a nice rotational player while grabbing 7-8 sacks a season.

Year 1: 1 million base/2 million guaranteed [3]
Year 2: 3 million base/2 million guaranteed [5]
Year 3: 4 million base/2 million guaranteed [6] *restructured or cut

K Robbie Gould 3 years 10.5 million/5 guaranteed

He is consistent and can kick at Soldier field which is not easy.

Year 1: 1.5 million base/1 million guaranteed [2.5]
Year 2: 2 million base/2 million guaranteed [4]
Year 3: 2 million base/2 million guaranteed [4]

CB Sherrick McManis 2 years 2.5 million/500k guaranteed

Year 1: 500k base/500k guaranteed [1]
Year 2: 1.5 million base [1.5]

1 Year Deals [8.33 Million Spent]

S Anthony Walters [RFA] 1,323,000
WR Joe Anderson [ERFA] 550K
C Taylor Boggs [ERFA] 480K
LB Jerry Franklin [ERFA] 480K

LB James Anderson [1.5 million]
LB Blake Costanzo [750K million]
OT Eben Britton [1 million]
S Craig Steltz [1 million]
LS Pat Mannely [1 million]
FB Tony Fiametta [750K million]
P Tress Way [500K]

Extensions [2 million saved]

WR Brandon Marshall [1 year 9 million reminaing] 3 years 36 million/20 guaranteed [4 years 45 million/20 guaranteed]

Marshall will want an extension, he deserves an extension and with Cutler on the franchise tag the Bears should avoid the head ache with Marshall. Marshall has 4 good years left with his size and a game not reliant on speed and the Bears can still afford to extend Jeffery in 2 years, by extending Marshall again like they do with Briggs. This dou needs to be together till the wheels fall off of Marshall and I am willing to sacrifice in other areas down the road.

Year 1: 4 million base/5 million guaranteed [9]
Year 2: 5 million base/5 million guaranteed [10]
Year 3: 8 million base/5 million guaranteed [13]
Year 4: 8 million base/5 million guaranteed [13]

LB Lance Briggs [1 year 6.5 million remaining] 2 years 10 million/6 guaranteed [3 years 16.5 million/6 guaranteed]

The Bears guarantee his base salary for 2014 and extend him for 2 years at 6 million a season. Briggs gets a fair deal and more guarantees and he gets to retire a Bear. Briggs is the defender who seems to be holding it together physically.

Year 1: 2.5 million base/2 million guaranteed [4.5]
Year 2: 4 million base/2 million guaranteed [6]
Year 3: 4 million base/2 million guaranteed [6]

Cap Space: 27.22 million

Free Agency [21.75 million Spent]

DE Michael Johnson [Cincinnati] 5 years 55 million/25 guaranteed

My #1 FA priority is DE. My shopping list is Greg Hardy [Re-signed], Brian Orakpo [Franchise], Lamar Houston [Franchise], Michael Johnson, and Michael Bennett. Johnson is having a down year sack wise, but he has a ton of athletic ability, length, and the speed to give the Bears the rush that they need. Johnson can step in and give a more consisent and healthier presence than Peppers.

Year 1: 4 million base/5 million guaranteed [9]
Year 2: 6 million base/5 million guaranteed [11]
Year 3: 6 million base/5 million guaranteed [11]
Year 4: 6 million base/5 million guaranteed [11]
Year 5: 8 million base/5 million guaranteed [13]

johnson130120_645.jpg


DT Linval Joseph [NY Giants] 4 years 22 million/8 guaranteed

The Bears need to get bigges and more physical at the DT position. That starts with the 6'5" 335lbs. Joseph who can come in and porivde a run stuffing presence for the Bears. His size and length give him the ability to protect the young LBs and to make plays against the run.

Year 1: 2 million base/2 million guaranteed [4]
Year 2: 3 million base/2 million guaranteed [5]
Year 3: 4 million base/2 million guaranteed [6]
Year 4: 5 million base/2 million guaranteed [7]

Linval+Joseph+Super+Bowl+XLVI+_LXj_UBFlDal.jpg


S Malcolm Jenkins[New Orleans] 4 years 28 million/12 guaranteed

The Bears safety play has been an abomination this seasn and they need a true centerfielder that can cover a TE and slot WR. Jenkins can cover and tackle, something Wright and Conte seem to have forgotten, and he can be the vocal leader of the Bears secondary.

Year 1: 2 million base/3 million guaranteed [5]
Year 2: 4 million base/3 million guaranteed [7]
Year 3: 5 million base/3 million guaranteed [8]
Year 4: 5 million base/3 million guaranteed [8]

Malcolm+Jenkins+New+Orleans+Saints+v+Carolina+bPSul9or2eYl.jpg


RB Anthony Dixon [San Francisco] 2 years 3 million/2 guaranteed

A big bruising short yardage back, who has also played fullback and is a special teams standout. He comes in at a million less a year and will do more than Bush was capable of.

Year 1: .5 million base/1 million guaranteed [1.5]
Year 2: .5 million base/1 million guaranteed [1.5]

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Fred Davis [Washington] 1 year 750K

He has had major problems in Washington with the Shannahan's, but he is a talented athlete who is finally healthty and can be a huge mismatch as a 2nd TE. The Bears give him a chance to come to a strong locker room and rehab his image for a year.

fred-davis.jpg


Antone Cason [Arizona] 1 year 1.5 million

Zackary Bowman's limited starting role this season has shown me he cannot cover in zone or man and his answer at the goal line is to interfere. The Bears can add 6'1" depth with Cason who has a ton of starting experience.

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Draft

*Trade* The Chicago Bears trade 1[17] to the Cleveland Browns for 1[26] and 3[70]. The Brown have loaded themselves to be aggressive like the 49ers last year and we heard last draft that Emery was looking to move down and get more picks.

1[26] DE Michael Sam [Missouri] 6'2" 262lbs.

The Bears need more pass rush and they need more impact players on defense. Sam is an elite pass rusher who may not possess ideal height, but he has Dwight Freeney type burst off the ball and has more power than you would assume from a smaller DE. He relentlessly pursues to the ball and has rushed from the DE and DT positions for the Tigers. He plays physically enough to be a 3 down DE and he is scheme diverse, which is something Emery values. The Bears can also move down and get an extra pick that can go towards rebuilding the defense. Sam can come in and work situationally with Wootton before eventually taking over. Between Johnson, Wootton, Sam, Bass, Washington, and maybe McClellin the hope is the Bears can overwhelm with a constant stream of rushers rather than 1 superstar. The Seahawks have success with 4-5 players that are going to each get 6-8 sacks and are always fresh.

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2[49] CB Kyle Fuller [Virginia Tech] 6' 195lbs.

A physical CB that will not be bullied by opposing WRs and will physically compete. Fuller has the speed and size to be the man to man CB across from Tim Jennings. Fuller does not have to start right away as the Bears have Cason as a veteran option. Fuller is a high potential player that can continue to develop.

11.21p-fuller.jpg


3[70] S Deone Bucannon [Washington St] 6'2" 215lbs.

The Bears safeties have proven that they are barely average and there needs to be a cleanse at the position. The Bears have signed Malcolm Jenkins to give them a veteran presence in the middle of the field who can direct traffic and cover. Now they add a big, physical safety that can make plays in the run game and intimidate in the middle of the field. Bucannon is 6'2" 215lbs and can run and tackle. He comes down field hard and is a secure tackler. The Bears need a physical player at the safety position that can stop the 6 yard gains from becoming 16 yards.

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3[81] DT Taylor Hart [Oregon] 6'6" 300lbs.

The Bears have increased their interior size with Joseph taking over the NT position, and they have gotten deeper at the UT spot by moving Paea there to rotate with Melton. The Bears need more depth and size and Hart who has the size and the versatility to play anywhere on the DL. A solid hard working athlete that can play 5 technique, 3 technique and in the 0 he can become a super rotation guy and provide more bulk on short yardage. Might not have the highest ceiling, but should play a long time for the Bears.

oregon_taylor_hart.jpg


4. C Tyler Larsen [Utah State] 6'4" 315lbs.

The Bears need to move on from Roberto Garza, who struggles in the run game against bigger more athletic players. Larsen is a lunch pale physical mauler than can come in and compete with Taylor Boggs to compete at C and provide a size and athletic upgrade.

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5. QB Logan Thomas [Virginia Tech] 6'6" 262lbs.

There is a ton of natural ability here, but it has become a total technique and mental mess over the last couple of years. With Jay signed for 4 years the Bears do not urgently need a successor in place and they can take the risk with Thomas, who has Cam Newton type physical ability. Trestman made Tebow a 1st round pick and has Josh McCown into one of the top rated QBs in the NFL, imagine what he can do in 3 years with little pressure with Thomas. Thomas can also be used right away as a short yardage runner and hopefully add a wrinkle to the Bears weakest offensive group.

Logan+Thomas+North+Carolina+v+Virginia+Tech+crhs_bPXU3yl.jpg


6. WR T.J Jones [Notre Dame] 5'11" 180lbs.

Earl Bennett was making too much money to be the 5th option on most passing plays, but the Bears need to add a cheap reliable slot option. Jones just catches the ball when it is thrown his way and will not be needed to do much more than be the 4th WR and play some special teams.

tj-jones-depth.jpg


6. OT Justin Britt [Missouri] 6'6" 315lbs.

The Bears need to continue to add depth and youth on the offensive line and continue to let Aaron Kromer develop guys. Britt has the size that the Bears appear to desire and plays in a passing offense very similar to Long and Mills. Britt can come in and simply work behind the veterans, be inactive on game days and work to develop as a ong term answer at LG, RG when Long goes to LT, or at LT if he can continue to develop his footwork.

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Depth Chart

QB: Cutler, McCown, Thomas
RB: Forte, Dixon, Ford
FB: Fiametta
WR: Marshall, Jeffery, Wilson, Jones, Tolliver
TE: Bennett, Davis, Onubon
LT: Bushrod, Britt
LG: Slauson, Brown
C: Boggs, Larsen
RG: Long
RT: Mills, Britton

RE: Johnson, Bass
DT: Melton, Paea
NT: Joseph, Hart
LE: Wootton/Sam, Washington
SLB: McClellin, Costanzo, Franklin
MLB: Bostic, Anderson
WLB: Briggs, Greene
CB: Jennings, Fuller, Cason, McManis, Frey [NB]
SS: Bucannon, Conte
FS: Jenkins, Steltz. Walter

LS: Pat Mannely
P: Tress Way
K: Robbie Gould
 
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Alterego

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Malcom Jenkins picture is fucking hilarious
 

Alterego

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anyway, in regards to the draft, I can't express enough how much I would want to throw something through my TV if I saw the Bears take Logan Thomas. I watch him every Saturday because I married into a VT family and the man flat out sucks. he plays horrible games week after week but then he'll have a "good" game and he's in everyone's good graces again. shitty decision maker, horrible accuracy and i'm probably going to bet that his football IQ is somewhere in the cellar. he's relied on his athletic ability to get him this far, thus masking the fact that he has no clue what he's doing.
 

Broc

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Windy - previously you were pretty sold on going after Bennett in FA for the DE upgrade.. what prompted you to switch it up to now wanting Johnson? Just curious.
 

OnemanWolfpack

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I have to disagree with at least two of your moves. First off you don't have the Bears re-signing Tillman. I think they should as he likely won't demand a huge base. Tillman is getting up there but could really be an assist if moved to nickle CB. Also the signing of Fred Davis doesn't make since. He doesn't seem to have much left to offer.
 

Slacker

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I really enjoy the effort you put into these threads, especially the way you assign salaries/contracts that are pretty realistic. I always feel more optimistic about the Bears future after reading your Mock threads.
 

Willis1524

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Those FA signings look pretty good to me. Especially Dixon and Fred Davis. Both low risk high reward types.
 

Kazu2324

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Only thing I have a problem is, is that I don't know how comfortable I'd be having Boggs in there at C for the year. Garza's not the best, but Boggs hasn't really show anything that would merit him taking over after? Unless Kromer's able to make him into a helluva player in one year. He did okay in preseason but I don't recall him standing out or doing anything great vs. 2nd/3rd stringers. Just curious on what your take on that is? Our middle is one of the biggest weaknesses in this offense. It's why we can't seem to pick up a yard whenever we really need to.
 

WindyCity

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Windy - previously you were pretty sold on going after Bennett in FA for the DE upgrade.. what prompted you to switch it up to now wanting Johnson? Just curious.

I would be happy with either.

I think Johnson has more potential, his production just seems to go up and down.

I don't think Bennett has as much ceiling as Johnson. At Bennett's top end I do not think he can be a double digit guy.
 

BearsFan51

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I would be happy with either.

I think Johnson has more potential, his production just seems to go up and down.

I don't think Bennett has as much ceiling as Johnson. At Bennett's top end I do not think he can be a double digit guy.

When does Bennett reach top end?
 

Chicago4Life

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Dont see davis TE signing for such little with so many TE needy teams. Davis likely wants to get paid first and foremost as he hasnt secured a big pay day and so i'd expect him to go to the highest bidder. Also instead of slauson i'd hope emery can get asamoah in free agency...hes been playing well as a run blocker and solid in pass protection...nothing against slauson but his run blocking is still suspect.
 

bearmick

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QB Jay Cutler 4 years 64 million/34 guaranteed [24 million signing bonus/10 million roster bonuses]



-The Bears can get out of the contract after 3 years and save close to 12 million if he continues to get injured or does not produce.

I hope you're ready to make three more "mock draft after no playoffs" threads in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
 

dabears253313

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I hope you're ready to make three more "mock draft after no playoffs" threads in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Lol oh yeah because the Bears have such a great record when Cutler doesn't play/gets hurt. Looks like we'll see more of these threads if Cutler isn't brought back because players not named Jay Cutler don't win too many games with the Bears.
 

Treehorn

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Nice post, thanks.
 

Broc

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I would be happy with either.

I think Johnson has more potential, his production just seems to go up and down.

I don't think Bennett has as much ceiling as Johnson. At Bennett's top end I do not think he can be a double digit guy.

Gotcha. It'll be interesting to see if CIncy lets him even leave as I think they are in pretty good shape cap wise and already have Geno locked up. I wouldn't be disappointed with Bennett at all though. Or even Justin Tuck is if NY lets him loose.
 

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