Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 22:37:54 GMT -6
i for one do not feel good about FA this year. Yes, I like the lower risk contracts, but don't like not getting real difference makers. Then defenders of FA said we did not spend as much. We let other teams overspend while we spent less. Then an article comes out saying we spent more than all other teams. SO now, in order to provide the same storyline, the defense moved to the contracts being front end loaded so although we outspent the other teams that were stupid and outspent (but got impact players for it), we outspent only this year. ok... while true and while I like the types of contracts we are handing out, it still smacks of morphing the story to fit beliefs.
But at least we did not overspend for lesser talents and only did short term contracts as opposed to those other long term contracts.
Well, after this article, I know there will still be a reason that FA was great, but I am looking forward to how that story will shape itself.
Bears pay Markus Wheaton more than Brandon Marshall, Torrey Smith
Mar 14, 2017
Jeff DickersonESPN Staff Writer
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Wide receiver Markus Wheaton, 26, appeared in only four games last year because of a torn labrum.
In four NFL seasons, Wheaton has 107 career receptions and eight touchdowns.
Those modest numbers didn’t stop the Bears from signing Wheaton ($6 million) for more guaranteed money in 2017 than the New York Giants gave six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall ($5 million) -- Marshall can earn an extra $500,000 in roster bonuses if he’s active for all 16 games.
With $6 million in guaranteed money for 2017, the Bears will expect Markus Wheaton to have an immediate impact. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Marshall, 32, is a much older player, but he’s just one season removed from 109 catches, 1,502 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jets.
The Philadelphia Eagles also signed free agent Torrey Smith, 28, for $5 million guaranteed this year. Smith’s career totals are 266 receptions, 4,521 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns.
Wheaton, Marshall and Smith have zero guaranteed money on their respective deals beyond 2017.
For that kind of upfront money, the Bears expect Wheaton to make an immediate impact.
“I see myself as a deep threat that can make plays down the field,” Wheaton said. “You can label it how you want to label it, but I’m here to make plays. I want to score touchdowns. I want to win games. I’ll leave that to you.
“I played a lot of slot in Pittsburgh. I was also on the outside a lot. Being here, I wouldn’t want to put myself in a box and say that I’m a slot guy or outside guy. I want to do it all. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity here to move around a lot. I want to make plays. I want to finish down the field. Whether you count that as a 1, 2 or 3, that’s up to you.”
It’s no secret Chicago needs receivers to stretch the field. Opposing defenses will no doubt stack the box to stop running back Jordan Howard; forcing new quarterback Mike Glennon to make big throws down the field. Last year, Alshon Jeffery averaged 15.8 yards per catch, but he just left for the Eagles -- Jeffery’s deal is worth $8.75 million guaranteed. Cameron Meredith, who led the Bears with 66 catches in 2016, managed 13.5 yards per reception. Tight end Zach Miller averaged 10.3 yards per catch before he suffered a season-ending injury.
Wheaton averaged 17 yards per catch for Pittsburgh in 2015, including a 72-yard touchdown.
“Markus is a deep threat receiver,” general manager Ryan Pace said. “In 2015, he was top 10 in reception average. I really like his makeup and his toughness going all the way back to Oregon State, but he's a guy who can really run and gives us that element in our offense that I think that we need, speed. Unfortunately he had a shoulder injury last year that happened kind of early in the season and then eventually needed surgery on it. But he's fully cleared now and we feel good about that now.”
The Bears must feel really good about Wheaton. The contract says it all.
So basically, we paid Wheaton more than Marshall and Smith. We did not pay him more because we front end loaded it while other teams provided longer terms contracts. All of the contracts had no guaranteed money after this year. I can't wait to see the rationalizing happening, but there is no way I can look at that as anything but overspending on specific talent..... which was the cover being provided as to why we were not willing to sign the top talent. Apparently we WILL overspend but only for less than top talent, lol. When Pace sets his lines int he sand on player value, how accurate are they?
But at least we did not overspend for lesser talents and only did short term contracts as opposed to those other long term contracts.
Well, after this article, I know there will still be a reason that FA was great, but I am looking forward to how that story will shape itself.
Bears pay Markus Wheaton more than Brandon Marshall, Torrey Smith
Mar 14, 2017
Jeff DickersonESPN Staff Writer
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Wide receiver Markus Wheaton, 26, appeared in only four games last year because of a torn labrum.
In four NFL seasons, Wheaton has 107 career receptions and eight touchdowns.
Those modest numbers didn’t stop the Bears from signing Wheaton ($6 million) for more guaranteed money in 2017 than the New York Giants gave six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall ($5 million) -- Marshall can earn an extra $500,000 in roster bonuses if he’s active for all 16 games.
With $6 million in guaranteed money for 2017, the Bears will expect Markus Wheaton to have an immediate impact. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Marshall, 32, is a much older player, but he’s just one season removed from 109 catches, 1,502 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jets.
The Philadelphia Eagles also signed free agent Torrey Smith, 28, for $5 million guaranteed this year. Smith’s career totals are 266 receptions, 4,521 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns.
Wheaton, Marshall and Smith have zero guaranteed money on their respective deals beyond 2017.
For that kind of upfront money, the Bears expect Wheaton to make an immediate impact.
“I see myself as a deep threat that can make plays down the field,” Wheaton said. “You can label it how you want to label it, but I’m here to make plays. I want to score touchdowns. I want to win games. I’ll leave that to you.
“I played a lot of slot in Pittsburgh. I was also on the outside a lot. Being here, I wouldn’t want to put myself in a box and say that I’m a slot guy or outside guy. I want to do it all. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity here to move around a lot. I want to make plays. I want to finish down the field. Whether you count that as a 1, 2 or 3, that’s up to you.”
It’s no secret Chicago needs receivers to stretch the field. Opposing defenses will no doubt stack the box to stop running back Jordan Howard; forcing new quarterback Mike Glennon to make big throws down the field. Last year, Alshon Jeffery averaged 15.8 yards per catch, but he just left for the Eagles -- Jeffery’s deal is worth $8.75 million guaranteed. Cameron Meredith, who led the Bears with 66 catches in 2016, managed 13.5 yards per reception. Tight end Zach Miller averaged 10.3 yards per catch before he suffered a season-ending injury.
Wheaton averaged 17 yards per catch for Pittsburgh in 2015, including a 72-yard touchdown.
“Markus is a deep threat receiver,” general manager Ryan Pace said. “In 2015, he was top 10 in reception average. I really like his makeup and his toughness going all the way back to Oregon State, but he's a guy who can really run and gives us that element in our offense that I think that we need, speed. Unfortunately he had a shoulder injury last year that happened kind of early in the season and then eventually needed surgery on it. But he's fully cleared now and we feel good about that now.”
The Bears must feel really good about Wheaton. The contract says it all.
So basically, we paid Wheaton more than Marshall and Smith. We did not pay him more because we front end loaded it while other teams provided longer terms contracts. All of the contracts had no guaranteed money after this year. I can't wait to see the rationalizing happening, but there is no way I can look at that as anything but overspending on specific talent..... which was the cover being provided as to why we were not willing to sign the top talent. Apparently we WILL overspend but only for less than top talent, lol. When Pace sets his lines int he sand on player value, how accurate are they?
LOL