Matt Slauson

[Diehardfan]

That report is hilarious. ", but the Bears recently signed OG Ted Larsen and gave him a $350K signing bonus"

More sloth-ass Chicago sports reporting. Reminds me of Zach Zaidman once reporting that Jermon Bushrod was 'seen in a walking boot', but Zaidman had no information as to whether or not Bushrod was injured. Good stuff. If this were New York, reporters would be digging up so much dirt on Slauson they'd eventually find out what the real reason is behind this. Its not Ted Larsen's $350K signing bonus. Gimme a break.

You put the names Dickerson, Zaidman, moron and idiot in a hat. Anything you draw out will be roughly the same.

 

[didshereallysaythat]

Thought irrelevant was the right word. The Bears were never "3-13 bad", and Lovie could usually coax a 7-9 season out of even the most dire situation...but no one outside of Chicago really cared about the Bears. They were rarely on national TV, they would usually fail miserably in the playoffs in the off chance they made the postseason (remember when the last Bears QB to win a playoff game was Steve Walsh?), Urlacher was the only Bears player in the last 20 years with any 'star power'.

I'm not sure how I am "confusing" the terms competitive and irrelevant. Your explanation that a team will never be "irrelevant' because somehow the local fanbase drives the national media is diametrically opposed to common sense.

No one that is not Patriots fans "care" about the Patriots. You are misusing the word but it is fine.

You mentioned the Bears were rarely on National TV. That is actually not true. From 2006 through 2012, the Bears had more nationally televised games that almost anyone in the NFL. I think they are top 5.

 

[Bear Pride]

Read this article about cap space. It's from Aaron Leming so depending on your opinion of him you may not trust it. But I thought it was good.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/bears/story/1660164-bears-true-cap-space-dwindling

Aaron's doing a good job of reporting some stuff, but a cap specialist he is not. The Bears still many different ways to clear up money without dumping Slausen's modest salary. As far as trading Slausen, did we not remember how beat up our OL was last year?

I don't understand why we can't just take Fox at his word of just building depth. Why can't we just have decent backups for a change?

 

[didshereallysaythat]

REALLY???? I thought many casual fans hated the Patriots and Belichick. But you are right...most Americans couldn't pick Tom Brady out of a police lineup. They would probably confuse him with Eddie Goldman.

And again, I'm not sure how I am "confusing" the terms competitive and irrelevant. Do tell.

Now you are confusing well known with relevant.

The simplest way to describe the word relevant is to say that it is pertinent to the matter at hand. Literally speaking, every team in every league is relevant.

Btw, the Bears played in 4 PT games in 2006, 4 in 2007, 5 in 2008, 5 in 2009, 4 in 2010, 4 in 2011, 5 in 2012, 5 in 2013, 6 in 2014, 2 in 2015, 4 this year.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Aaron's doing a good job of reporting some stuff, but a cap specialist he is not. The Bears still many different ways to clear up money without dumping Slausen's modest salary. As far as trading Slausen, did we not remember how beat up our OL was last year?

I don't understand why we can't just take Fox at his word of just building depth. Why can't we just have decent backups for a change?

Did you read the article? It doesn't mention Slauson once. Was simply posting it as an example that while they do have a significant amount of cap space, it is not the 20+ million figure thrown around when you take some other expenses into account.

 

[didshereallysaythat]

Since 2006, the Bears have played more prime time games than New England and Green Bay.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Since 2006, the Bears have played more prime time games than New England and Green Bay.

Irrelevant....

 

[Bear Pride]

Did you read the article? It doesn't mention Slauson once. Was simply posting it as an example that while they do have a significant amount of cap space, it is not the 20+ million figure thrown around when you take some other expenses into account.

I did, and I wasn't suggesting Aaron said anything about Slausen. However, the thread is about Slausen, right? And like I said, I wouldn't listen to Aaron's cap numbers. Yes, the $22 includes the rookie pool, etc, but one simple way to cover that would be to sign Jefferey to a long term deal.

Heck, we could save $4 mil just by bringing in a new K. Another $3 mil if we bail on Rolle. There are other option yet is the point. NOT what Aaron says! Get it? Heck, re signing Jeffery and Dumping Gould could save $10 mil alone in cap money.

The point..... the Bears are still in pretty good shape after everything is done, and YES, they could sign Mo if they wanted!

 

[Tjodalv]

Heck, we could save $4 mil just by bringing in a new K. Another $3 mil if we bail on Rolle. There are other option yet is the point. NOT what Aaron says! Get it? Heck, re signing Jeffery and Dumping Gould could save $10 mil alone in cap money.

If you're going to talk about ways to save cap money at least get the numbers right. Just because Gould's cap number is 4.1 mil doesn't mean you save that much by cutting him -- any cut or trade of Robbie would free up between 2.4 and 3 mil (depending on if it's a pre- or post- June 1st cut, or a trade). Cutting Rolle is worth about 2.7. Then you have to replace them which reduces the savings further. Get it?

 

[Josh2J]

Dickerson is just dumpster diving here.....move along

 

[CHICAGOMIDWAYMONSTERS]

Slauson deal has to do with Wilkerson imo

 

[Matt Suhey]

Slausen must be a key piece of the Wilkerson trade. Back to the team that drafted him!

This is the only speculation that has an ounce of common sense. Slauson has played great but if he helps get Wilkerson then that is the only justification to lose him to another team.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I did, and I wasn't suggesting Aaron said anything about Slausen. However, the thread is about Slausen, right? And like I said, I wouldn't listen to Aaron's cap numbers. Yes, the $22 includes the rookie pool, etc, but one simple way to cover that would be to sign Jefferey to a long term deal.

Heck, we could save $4 mil just by bringing in a new K. Another $3 mil if we bail on Rolle. There are other option yet is the point. NOT what Aaron says! Get it? Heck, re signing Jeffery and Dumping Gould could save $10 mil alone in cap money.

The point..... the Bears are still in pretty good shape after everything is done, and YES, they could sign Mo if they wanted!

He does mention cutting Rolle and Gould as options in the article. What did Aaron say that you disagree with? Why should I not listen to him as you state? He mentions specifically that cap numbers are fluid as you suggest. And he says the cap is in good shape as you also say. So please tell me what you disagree with?

 

[Bear Pride]

If you're going to talk about ways to save cap money at least get the numbers right. Just because Gould's cap number is 4.1 mil doesn't mean you save that much by cutting him -- any cut or trade of Robbie would free up between 2.4 and 3 mil (depending on if it's a pre- or post- June 1st cut, or a trade). Cutting Rolle is worth about 2.7. Then you have to replace them which reduces the savings further. Get it?

OK, you're right. I was making a quick point. Gould would save $3 mil after taking out his signing Bonus as we see here:

Year		Age	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Roster Bonus	Workout Bonus	Cap Hit	Dead Cap
2014		32	$1,900,000	$600,000	-	$100,000	$2,600,000	$4,400,000
2015		33	$2,900,000	$600,000	-	$100,000	$3,600,000	$4,800,000
2016		34	$3,000,000	$600,000	$500,000	-	$4,100,000	$1,200,000
2017		35	$3,000,000	$600,000	$500,000	-	$4,100,000	$600,000
2018		36	UFA

As far as Rolle, we could find out that Boldin can fill his spot at no further cost. If we draft Joseph in the 3rd, how much do you think that will cost? I'm fully aware how the cap works, and AGAIN, the point is there are a lot of other options, right?

The point is that we do have enough money to sign Mo if we wanted to. Aaron Lemming's number are NOT finality! If Pace could work out a deal for Mo that meant we would have to get rid of Gould (another beloved Bear) and Rolle, are you saying you wouldn't do that?

 

[The Hawk]

Here's a guy who volunteered to play center when they needed someone to take the position over and did very well at the position. A quality offensive lineman and true team player. Makes sense that they would want to dump such a guy. Fits their operating model of getting rid of good player and create another hole for themselves.

 

[CHICAGOMIDWAYMONSTERS]

How old is Slauson? I also remember reading that he played better this past year than usual. Maybe the Bears are selling high on him. Massie an Larson played on 1 of the best teams together in Arizona. They might have some good chemistry.

 

[Tjodalv]

As far as Rolle, we could find out that Boldin can fill his spot at no further cost. If we draft Joseph in the 3rd, how much do you think that will cost? I'm fully aware how the cap works, and AGAIN, the point is there are a lot of other options, right?

The point is that we do have enough money to sign Mo if we wanted to. Aaron Lemming's number are NOT finality! If Pace could work out a deal for Mo that meant we would have to get rid of Gould (another beloved Bear) and Rolle, are you saying you wouldn't do that?

Sure, there's plenty they can do to finagle with cap space that doesn't have to do with getting rid of a real asset (one of our top 2 linemen).

How old is Slauson? I also remember reading that he played better this past year than usual. Maybe the Bears are selling high on him. Massie an Larson played on 1 of the best teams together in Arizona. They might have some good chemistry.

He's 30. But, no, this last season wasn't some outlier, he's been playing at a boarder-line pro-bowl level since coming here. Also, Massie and Larson will likely be playing on opposite sides of the line (if they do see the field at the same time and unless, for some reason, they move Long again or he's injured), so the chemistry question really isn't in play.

 

[Bear Pride]

Here's a guy who volunteered to play center when they needed someone to take the position over and did very well at the position. A quality offensive lineman and true team player. Makes sense that they would want to dump such a guy. Fits their operating model of getting rid of good player and create another hole for themselves.

Back to topic... I agree a little bit. It fits the bill of getting younger if they did trade Slaus. But it doesn't seem likely due to his play vs his frugal contract for the next two years. However, if the Bears draft Stanley, maybe Leno plats G, who knows. But ino, Fox is getting the best depth together he can on the OL and letting it play out.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

OK, you're right. I was making a quick point. Gould would save $3 mil after taking out his signing Bonus as we see here:

Year		Age	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Roster Bonus	Workout Bonus	Cap Hit	Dead Cap
2014		32	$1,900,000	$600,000	-	$100,000	$2,600,000	$4,400,000
2015		33	$2,900,000	$600,000	-	$100,000	$3,600,000	$4,800,000
2016		34	$3,000,000	$600,000	$500,000	-	$4,100,000	$1,200,000
2017		35	$3,000,000	$600,000	$500,000	-	$4,100,000	$600,000
2018		36	UFA

As far as Rolle, we could find out that Boldin can fill his spot at no further cost. If we draft Joseph in the 3rd, how much do you think that will cost? I'm fully aware how the cap works, and AGAIN, the point is there are a lot of other options, right?

The point is that we do have enough money to sign Mo if we wanted to. Aaron Lemming's number are NOT finality! If Pace could work out a deal for Mo that meant we would have to get rid of Gould (another beloved Bear) and Rolle, are you saying you wouldn't do that?

You either...

A. Didn't read the article.
B. Didn't understand it.

 

[Bear Pride]

Sure, there's plenty they can do to finagle with cap space that doesn't have to do with getting rid of a real asset (one of our top 2 linemen).



He's 30. But, no, this last season wasn't some outlier, he's been playing at a boarder-line pro-bowl level since coming here. Also, Massie and Larson will likely be playing on opposite sides of the line, so the chemistry question really isn't in play.

Right, and that was my original point. :shrug: