Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 12:49:55 GMT -6
Chicago Bears 2018 Mock Offseason: The Big Push
by Erik Lambert6 days agoFollow @eriklambert1
Link: nflmocks.com/2017/11/06/chicago-bears-2018-mock-offseason-the-big-push/
As the 2017 season goes on, something is becoming clear. The Chicago Bears are reaching a point where they are one more push away from playoff contention.
For the first time in years they have a young core of players in place who have star power. One more rush of talent should clean up their few remain roster holes. The big question mark is what will they do with the coaching staff. Is John Fox safe or will there be changes there too? Only the next eight games on the schedule will determine that. Well that and the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, whom GM Ryan Pace views as the future of the franchise.
Most see the success Los Angeles and Philadelphia are having. It stands to reason they might try to duplicate those results with a change of their own. Hopefully to somebody who can get Trubisky pointed in the right direction. That and more will be covered in this first complete Bears mock offseason.
Coaching Changes
Head coach: Frank Reich
There is no hotter team in the NFL right now than the Philadelphia Eagles, led by star quarterback Carson Wentz. The man calling the shots for that offense is Frank Reich. Arguably the greatest backup QB of all-time, Reich has built a successful legacy around that position. Philip Rivers had two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons under his watch. Wentz is becoming a star. Reich not only understands how to be successful at quarterback in the NFL, he’s also known for being a motivational speaker. So communication is a strength, and that’s vital for a head coach.
Offensive coordinator: James Urban
Urban is one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL. He’s spent the last seven seasons coaching the wide receivers for the Cincinnati Bengals and doing a stellar job of it. A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, and Marvin Jones are among his big success stories. Prior to that he was quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2010, during which Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick went to Pro Bowls. Word is the Bengals players lobbied the team to make Urban offensive coordinator after Ken Zampese was fired. He’s proven he is ready for that next step.
Defensive coordinator: Chuck Pagano
Nothing is guaranteed yet but it feels like the Indianapolis Colts might be making a change at head coach in 2018. If that’s the case Chuck Pagano won’t be unemployed for long. He has a long, productive career as a defensive assistant coach. His secondaries were all excellent in Cleveland, Oakland and Baltimore from 2001 to 2010. Then in 2011 he coordinator the #3 defense in the NFL for the Ravens. The man is a motivator with an attention to detail and high competitive streak. What he’s been able to get out of what is frankly a weak roster in Indianapolis should be applauded.
Cuts
QB Mike Glennon ($11.5 million saved)
The experiment didn’t work out. Glennon in essence bought the Bears a month to develop Mitch Trubisky further. Now he’s one of the most expensive backups in the NFL. The idea that Chicago will keep a $16 million salary cap hit in 2018 is ludicrous. He may not have been worth the money but that’s the price of doing business. Pace constructed his contract so that he could cut bait quickly. He does so here.
WR Markus Wheaton ($5 million saved)
Another misguided 2017 investment. Chicago had hoped Wheaton could provide their offense with an element of speed to ease pressure on the running game. Thus far the former Steeler has occupied the training room more than the field, suffering one ailment after another. Expectations are the Bears will completely revamp the receiving corps next year. Wheaton has already shown he’s unreliable, so why keep paying him like he is?
ILB Jerrell Freeman ($3.5 million saved)
He’s played well when on the field but Freeman has too many red flags going against him now. He will be 32-years old in 2018. He’s been caught using PEDs for the second-straight year and is also coming off a torn pectoral muscle. Combined with the standout play of Christian Jones in his absence and it feels like the end of the road for Freeman.
S Quintin Demps ($3.66 million saved)
It’s an NFL rule. If you’re an older player, don’t get hurt because there’s a chance a young buck can step up and steal your job. That’s exactly what is happening to Quintin Demps. The 32-year old broke his arm early in the season. With him out Adrian Amos was thrust back into the starting lineup and has played like a star since. If that continues for the next eight games the Bears are almost certainly going to stick with the 24-year old.
Projected cap after cuts: $65.08 million
Re-Signings
CB Kyle Fuller
WR Cameron Meredith
ILB Christian Jones
CB Prince Amukamara
OG Tom Compton
CB Bryce Callahan
CB Sherrick McManis
P Pat O’Donnell
ILB John Timu
WR Tre McBride
Pace will have a ton of work to do in the re-signing department as several key players are currently on the last year of their respective deals. Easily the two most important are Fuller and Meredith. Fuller has played outstanding since his return from a knee injury. His tackling and coverage are top notch and it’s clear he’s gaining confidence each week. Meredith was poised for a breakout season this year before tearing his ACL in the preseason. It’s worth bringing him back to see if he can correct that unfinished business.
Jones has played at a level where he’s making a case to become a full-time starter. He’ll be 27-years old next year so there’s every reason to bring him back. Amukamara isn’t a star but he’s shown he can play efficient within the Bears’ system. Compton has done a tremendous job as a backup guard, filling in ably for Kyle Long and Josh Sitton where needed. Callahan is a solid slot corner. McManis is their special teams captain.
O’Donnell isn’t the best punter in the league but he’s at least improved enough to keep his job until somebody better comes along. Timu is a solid backup who has shown he can step up when asked. McBride has begun to show flashes that he can make plays. Enough to where it warrants keeping him around.
Free Agency
WR Paul Richardson 6'/183lbs
Remember who is running the show here. Ryan Pace has established his identity when it comes to free agency. He’s not going to throw all his money at one player. He prefers to spread the wealth, seeking out young players who are ascending in their careers rather than established big names. Richardson fits this bill perfectly. The former 1st round pick got off to a slow start in his career but is coming along big in 2017. He’s on track for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns up in Seattle. He’s got speed and hands, two things the Bears desperately need more of.
OLB Jeremiah Attaochu 6'3"/252lbs
He might be one of the more curious cases of the upcoming free agent class. Attaochu had a ton of promise as a 2nd round pick in 2014. A year later he produced six sacks and appeared poised for a breakout in 2016. Then the Chargers drafted Joey Bosa. Combined with ankle and foot injuries he regressed. Then the coaching staff changed, switching the defensive scheme to a 4-3. This forced Attaochu to become a defensive end, a position he’s not built for. He is a natural 3-4 outside linebacker. He turns 25 in January. This is the sort of calculated gamble worth taking.
RB Orleans Darkwa 5'11"/219lbs
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen make for a strong 1-2 punch but the Bears could really use a running back who can take at least one drive away from Howard. Why? Simple preservation. They want to keep him healthy and a great way to do that is finding a way to limit his carries without losing production. Orleans Darkwa has been a revelation in New York. Scooping him up to team with Howard would allow Cohen to operate more like a versatile weapon.
2-Round Mock Draft
1st Round: WR Calvin Ridley (Alabama) 6'1"/190lbs
Retaining Meredith and signing Richardson gave the Bears two quality weapons at receiver but they still don’t have that X-factor. Somebody who can bring it all together. That is Ridley. He has been the Alabama passing offense throughout 2016 and 2017. It’s basically him and his backup dancers. Teams know the ball is going his way but he makes the catches anyway. He’s got speed, quickness and route running skill along with a strong pair of hands. To top it off? He is a Bears fan.
2nd Round: OLB Marquis Haynes (Ole Miss) 6'3"/230lbs
Leonard Floyd is emerging into the sack specialist people envisioned him being when the Bears took him 9th overall in 2016. That said the mark of a great pass rush is having more than one guy who can get to the QB from the edge. Pernell McPhee is decent but also unreliable. They need another young body who can team with Floyd. Haynes has exploded after a slow start in 2017. He’s athletic, fast, agile, and strong that he seems at first glance. His explosion off the snap is similar to Floyd, which is why the two could make a devastating combination.
by Erik Lambert6 days agoFollow @eriklambert1
Link: nflmocks.com/2017/11/06/chicago-bears-2018-mock-offseason-the-big-push/
As the 2017 season goes on, something is becoming clear. The Chicago Bears are reaching a point where they are one more push away from playoff contention.
For the first time in years they have a young core of players in place who have star power. One more rush of talent should clean up their few remain roster holes. The big question mark is what will they do with the coaching staff. Is John Fox safe or will there be changes there too? Only the next eight games on the schedule will determine that. Well that and the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, whom GM Ryan Pace views as the future of the franchise.
Most see the success Los Angeles and Philadelphia are having. It stands to reason they might try to duplicate those results with a change of their own. Hopefully to somebody who can get Trubisky pointed in the right direction. That and more will be covered in this first complete Bears mock offseason.
Coaching Changes
Head coach: Frank Reich
There is no hotter team in the NFL right now than the Philadelphia Eagles, led by star quarterback Carson Wentz. The man calling the shots for that offense is Frank Reich. Arguably the greatest backup QB of all-time, Reich has built a successful legacy around that position. Philip Rivers had two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons under his watch. Wentz is becoming a star. Reich not only understands how to be successful at quarterback in the NFL, he’s also known for being a motivational speaker. So communication is a strength, and that’s vital for a head coach.
Offensive coordinator: James Urban
Urban is one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL. He’s spent the last seven seasons coaching the wide receivers for the Cincinnati Bengals and doing a stellar job of it. A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, and Marvin Jones are among his big success stories. Prior to that he was quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2010, during which Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick went to Pro Bowls. Word is the Bengals players lobbied the team to make Urban offensive coordinator after Ken Zampese was fired. He’s proven he is ready for that next step.
Defensive coordinator: Chuck Pagano
Nothing is guaranteed yet but it feels like the Indianapolis Colts might be making a change at head coach in 2018. If that’s the case Chuck Pagano won’t be unemployed for long. He has a long, productive career as a defensive assistant coach. His secondaries were all excellent in Cleveland, Oakland and Baltimore from 2001 to 2010. Then in 2011 he coordinator the #3 defense in the NFL for the Ravens. The man is a motivator with an attention to detail and high competitive streak. What he’s been able to get out of what is frankly a weak roster in Indianapolis should be applauded.
Cuts
QB Mike Glennon ($11.5 million saved)
The experiment didn’t work out. Glennon in essence bought the Bears a month to develop Mitch Trubisky further. Now he’s one of the most expensive backups in the NFL. The idea that Chicago will keep a $16 million salary cap hit in 2018 is ludicrous. He may not have been worth the money but that’s the price of doing business. Pace constructed his contract so that he could cut bait quickly. He does so here.
WR Markus Wheaton ($5 million saved)
Another misguided 2017 investment. Chicago had hoped Wheaton could provide their offense with an element of speed to ease pressure on the running game. Thus far the former Steeler has occupied the training room more than the field, suffering one ailment after another. Expectations are the Bears will completely revamp the receiving corps next year. Wheaton has already shown he’s unreliable, so why keep paying him like he is?
ILB Jerrell Freeman ($3.5 million saved)
He’s played well when on the field but Freeman has too many red flags going against him now. He will be 32-years old in 2018. He’s been caught using PEDs for the second-straight year and is also coming off a torn pectoral muscle. Combined with the standout play of Christian Jones in his absence and it feels like the end of the road for Freeman.
S Quintin Demps ($3.66 million saved)
It’s an NFL rule. If you’re an older player, don’t get hurt because there’s a chance a young buck can step up and steal your job. That’s exactly what is happening to Quintin Demps. The 32-year old broke his arm early in the season. With him out Adrian Amos was thrust back into the starting lineup and has played like a star since. If that continues for the next eight games the Bears are almost certainly going to stick with the 24-year old.
Projected cap after cuts: $65.08 million
Re-Signings
CB Kyle Fuller
WR Cameron Meredith
ILB Christian Jones
CB Prince Amukamara
OG Tom Compton
CB Bryce Callahan
CB Sherrick McManis
P Pat O’Donnell
ILB John Timu
WR Tre McBride
Pace will have a ton of work to do in the re-signing department as several key players are currently on the last year of their respective deals. Easily the two most important are Fuller and Meredith. Fuller has played outstanding since his return from a knee injury. His tackling and coverage are top notch and it’s clear he’s gaining confidence each week. Meredith was poised for a breakout season this year before tearing his ACL in the preseason. It’s worth bringing him back to see if he can correct that unfinished business.
Jones has played at a level where he’s making a case to become a full-time starter. He’ll be 27-years old next year so there’s every reason to bring him back. Amukamara isn’t a star but he’s shown he can play efficient within the Bears’ system. Compton has done a tremendous job as a backup guard, filling in ably for Kyle Long and Josh Sitton where needed. Callahan is a solid slot corner. McManis is their special teams captain.
O’Donnell isn’t the best punter in the league but he’s at least improved enough to keep his job until somebody better comes along. Timu is a solid backup who has shown he can step up when asked. McBride has begun to show flashes that he can make plays. Enough to where it warrants keeping him around.
Free Agency
WR Paul Richardson 6'/183lbs
Remember who is running the show here. Ryan Pace has established his identity when it comes to free agency. He’s not going to throw all his money at one player. He prefers to spread the wealth, seeking out young players who are ascending in their careers rather than established big names. Richardson fits this bill perfectly. The former 1st round pick got off to a slow start in his career but is coming along big in 2017. He’s on track for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns up in Seattle. He’s got speed and hands, two things the Bears desperately need more of.
OLB Jeremiah Attaochu 6'3"/252lbs
He might be one of the more curious cases of the upcoming free agent class. Attaochu had a ton of promise as a 2nd round pick in 2014. A year later he produced six sacks and appeared poised for a breakout in 2016. Then the Chargers drafted Joey Bosa. Combined with ankle and foot injuries he regressed. Then the coaching staff changed, switching the defensive scheme to a 4-3. This forced Attaochu to become a defensive end, a position he’s not built for. He is a natural 3-4 outside linebacker. He turns 25 in January. This is the sort of calculated gamble worth taking.
RB Orleans Darkwa 5'11"/219lbs
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen make for a strong 1-2 punch but the Bears could really use a running back who can take at least one drive away from Howard. Why? Simple preservation. They want to keep him healthy and a great way to do that is finding a way to limit his carries without losing production. Orleans Darkwa has been a revelation in New York. Scooping him up to team with Howard would allow Cohen to operate more like a versatile weapon.
2-Round Mock Draft
1st Round: WR Calvin Ridley (Alabama) 6'1"/190lbs
Retaining Meredith and signing Richardson gave the Bears two quality weapons at receiver but they still don’t have that X-factor. Somebody who can bring it all together. That is Ridley. He has been the Alabama passing offense throughout 2016 and 2017. It’s basically him and his backup dancers. Teams know the ball is going his way but he makes the catches anyway. He’s got speed, quickness and route running skill along with a strong pair of hands. To top it off? He is a Bears fan.
2nd Round: OLB Marquis Haynes (Ole Miss) 6'3"/230lbs
Leonard Floyd is emerging into the sack specialist people envisioned him being when the Bears took him 9th overall in 2016. That said the mark of a great pass rush is having more than one guy who can get to the QB from the edge. Pernell McPhee is decent but also unreliable. They need another young body who can team with Floyd. Haynes has exploded after a slow start in 2017. He’s athletic, fast, agile, and strong that he seems at first glance. His explosion off the snap is similar to Floyd, which is why the two could make a devastating combination.
