Looks like we got Michael Bennett

[DrGonzo]

Am I the only guy who isn't really excited about this pickup? Don't get me wrong, Bennett is a good player and he played a really big part in Seattle's run to the Superbowl but this isn't like when we first signed Julius, he just doesn't make the same impact and I think we are going to overpay for a guy to be our #1 pass rusher who has never registered a double digit sack season in his 6 year career. Bennett isn't exactly a young guy either as he will be turning 29 this upcoming season. I don't think he is exactly "proven" either. He had one good season in TB and then came back to Seattle where he had another good season but on a pretty stout defense and he was actually a situational type player playing in only 57% of the teams snaps....In comparison, Julius Peppers played 80% of the snaps for the Bears this season...

I like the pickup but I am not ecstatic. Would have much rather had the younger, better physical specimen in Michael Johnson who was a legitimate starter (played 84% of snaps). Hopefully the media has it wrong and it's Michael Johnson they are really after.

I would assume Bennett would be the cheaper of the two so hopefully there are some solid, underrated signings to go along with this one. Either way, I like the guy and will cheer for him no matter what.

Pretty much sums up how I feel about it. The market is what it is. And when the DL drafting has been bad and injuries have decimated the line we are likely to wind up overpaying for a guy who won't turn the league on its head but is still the best option out there. I heard a snippet of an interview with Bennett on sirius nfl and they asked him if being on the same team with his brother would sway him to come to Chicago. His response, in so many words, was that it would be nice but he wasn't going to leave money on the table somewhere else. The guy already has a superbowl ring, now the only career goal left is to max out getting paid.

 

[beckdawg]

The homerism on the board is absurd sometimes. You really think we would win @Seattle last year or even vs. SF? Win 4 playoff games in a row with Cutler at QB? :smh::smh::smh::smh:

Bears yards per game last season - 381.8
Seattle - 339.0
SF - 323.8

Bears points per game last season - 27.8
Seattle - 26.1
SF - 25.4

Bears passing yards per game last season - 267.6
Seattle - 202.2
SF - 186.2

Bears rushing yards per game last season - 114.2
Seattle - 136.8
SF - 137.6

Bears rushing attempts per game last season - 25.2
Seattle - 31.8
SF - 31.6

Bears rushing yards per attempt average last season - 4.5
Seattle - 4.3
SF - 4.4

Bears 3rd down conversion last season - 42%
Seattle - 37%
SF - 36%

Again my statement was the bears had a championship caliber offense last season. I'd love to hear you refute this. The reason the bears were an 8-8 team was because of their defense and to a lessor degree their special teams. Also, where did I suggest they would beat either the 49ers or Seattle? In fact my entire point was that Peppers would know that the defense is what let the team down last season and what parts of the defense need fixing because he was on that defense.

 

[cbo0485]

Martellus and Michael Bennett are appearing on nfl am today live not sure exactly what time but hey, figured id post it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[Midway Fields]

Always take this stuff with a grain of salt. I'm not saying that it won't happen, just that you should temper your expectations a bit.

Don't hate.

 

[JoshMcCownFTW]

Bears yards per game last season - 381.8
Seattle - 339.0
SF - 323.8

Bears points per game last season - 27.8
Seattle - 26.1
SF - 25.4

Bears passing yards per game last season - 267.6
Seattle - 202.2
SF - 186.2

Bears rushing yards per game last season - 114.2
Seattle - 136.8
SF - 137.6

Bears rushing attempts per game last season - 25.2
Seattle - 31.8
SF - 31.6

Bears rushing yards per attempt average last season - 4.5
Seattle - 4.3
SF - 4.4

Bears 3rd down conversion last season - 42%
Seattle - 37%
SF - 36%

Again my statement was the bears had a championship caliber offense last season. I'd love to hear you refute this. The reason the bears were an 8-8 team was because of their defense and to a lessor degree their special teams. Also, where did I suggest they would beat either the 49ers or Seattle? In fact my entire point was that Peppers would know that the defense is what let the team down last season and what parts of the defense need fixing because he was on that defense.

All of those stats are inflated by playing in a terrible division. And our turnover problems with Cutler would continue in the playoffs (if we made it) no doubt. Denver's "championship quality" offense that turned the ball over 4 times in the Super Bowl was sure super.

 

[nobull]

i think he's a bit overrated

I do too

 

[Space Invader]

Beef block!

 

[Bearly]

I want Bennett, Pep, and Melton all together. lol... would be great.

Bennet at RE with Peppers at LE would be tremendous. The current Peppers is a much better fit on the other side and that strength would give Shea some space on an overload.

 

[Aquineas]

Michael Bennett - DL - Seahawks
According to the Chicago Tribune, DE Michael Bennett has emerged as the Bears' "top target" in free agency.
The Bears are in "strong pursuit" of Martellus' brother, and reportedly hope to replace Julius Peppers with Michael at right defensive end. Two club officials told the Tribune they expect Bennett to sign with Chicago "after free agency opens at 3 p.m. (CT) Tuesday." Bears GM Phil Emery has a strong working relationship with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who reps Bennett. It sounds like it's just a matter of time before Bennett is rushing quarterbacks in the Windy City.

If youre a tribune subscriber the full link is here (if anyone could post it that'd be cool)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...ael-bennett-spt-0310-20140310,0,3800565.story

Kinda curious why they'd tip their hand that way so early.

 

[pseudonym]

at least the Bears are making moves. we can argue about who is the best, and who will stay or go, and what the price will be, but man, at least i'm hearing THE BEARS mentioned a lot. so many years with Lovie there was little talk, very few moves, and we didn't correct the issues. i feel like we're trying to fix the defense, and that we're going after FAs and preparing for the draft in a really smart way. i've been very impressed with Emery and Trestman. i think part of the conversation with Peppers is going to be about tweaking his contract, shifting some money around, maybe moving more to incentives and bonuses instead of salary, and trying to convince him that we can take a run at it RIGHT NOW. with our offense clicking last year, i think we're capable of putting together a GOOD (not elite) defense this year, which means we have a legit shot at the division and beyond.

 

[fatbeard]

Bennet at RE with Peppers at LE would be tremendous. The current Peppers is a much better fit on the other side and that strength would give Shea some space on an overload.

I would not describe leaving the LE situation in the hands of a 34-year old player who shows up once a month as "tremendous."

 

[Pegger]

Don't hate.

No hate at all. Every team in the NFL has a rumored FA signing that goes sideways in the 12th hour. For me being an Eagle fan it was LeCharles Bentley. Eagles were hurting at the center spot. Bentley was coming off an all pro season with the Saints. The deal was supposed to be a 100% lock and some of the contract terms were being released. In the last possible moment he took a slightly lesser deal from his hometown Browns.

Anyway it was a real down day for Eagles fans and ideally you guys wouldn't have to go through it. Essentially it's like running downstairs on Christmas Day to see a tree with nothing beneath it.

I will add this, every minute after 4:00 EST tomorrow that the deal hasn't been announced will seen like an hour.

 

[Aquineas]

No hate at all. Every team in the NFL has a rumored FA signing that goes sideways in the 12th hour. For me being an Eagle fan it was LeCharles Bentley. Eagles were hurting at the center spot. Bentley was coming off an all pro season with the Saints. The deal was supposed to be a 100% lock and some of the contract terms were being released. In the last possible moment he took a slightly lesser deal from his hometown Browns.

Anyway it was a real down day for Eagles fans and ideally you guys wouldn't have to go through it. Essentially it's like running downstairs on Christmas Day to see a tree with nothing beneath it.

I will add this, every minute after 4:00 EST tomorrow that the deal hasn't been announced will seen like an hour.

Bet he's re-thought that decision quite a few times since!

 

[Pegger]

Bet he's re-thought that decision quite a few times since!

Yeah, things didn't work out for him or Philly. You can imagine how the Eagles fans reacted when he tore his patella tendon in the first 11-on-11 drill in training camp. Sometimes it's so tough for a fan base to just stay classy. Anyway, after that the staph infection(s) just ruined what once was a very bright career.

Sad story, but one I learned something about. Until you see the player wearing a jersey or a hat at a podium it's all just speculation.

 

[WCL]

 

[NCChiFan]

Would it be so bad to have Peppers on the Left and Bennett on the right? Peppers would give many RT's sleepless nights in this league even with his current limit of age. This wouldn't be a bad combinations forgetting for a second what we are paying Peppers. Peppers > Wooten at an End spot today, tomorrow an next year.

 

[botfly10]

Schefter is sayin on the radio that he is hearing Seattle is not out of the running yet and now it looks like between Seattle and the Bears. He is saying around 8 mil/year too.

 

[Colonel_Buendia]

Schefter is sayin on the radio that he is hearing Seattle is not out of the running yet and now it looks like between Seattle and the Bears. He is saying around 8 mil/year too.

if I were him I'd stay... :shrug:
8mil/year isn't bad for him, though. that would be pretty ideal.

 

[Mitchapalooza]

Schefter is sayin on the radio that he is hearing Seattle is not out of the running yet and now it looks like between Seattle and the Bears. He is saying around 8 mil/year too.

shh.

 

[Pegger]

Schefter is sayin on the radio that he is hearing Seattle is not out of the running yet and now it looks like between Seattle and the Bears. He is saying around 8 mil/year too.

I guess that's the problem with these 'tampering' days. Essentially the Bears are in the lead because Bennett's agent has communicated that they are the top bidder. in saying that no doubt he's sent over the specfic terms to each of the other teams that are interested. If another team drops a call at 3:59 EST tomorrow either offering more guaranteed or more money overall it can throw things for a loop.

I will say that Emery is playing it smart by keeping Peppers on the roster. The buddy move would be to cut him and have teams line up to bid on him when their pockets are full of cap room cash. Emery is waiting to see what he can get and then if nothing substantial comes to the surface he can go back to Peppers/his agent and offer less money when comparing to a free agency market where much of the $ is long gone.