Post by GrizzlyBear on Jun 20, 2018 15:05:19 GMT -6
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Growing Trade Possibility Could Ease Bears Biggest Roster Problem
By Erik Lambert - June 20, 2018
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has done almost everything he could to gives his team a chance at competing in 2018. He hired a young, energetic and intelligent new head coach in Matt Nagy who brings a proven offense with him from Kansas City. He’ll be a huge help to developing Mitch Trubisky in the quarterback most fans believe he can be.
Joining the fun are a bevy of new wide receivers including former All-Pro Allen Robinson, deep threat Taylor Gabriel and electric rookie Anthony Miller. The offensive line saw reinforcements with rookie James Daniels. If that weren’t enough, the defense got a big upgrade at inside linebacker with first round pick Roquan Smith.
If there was one thing Pace failed to accomplish over the past few months, it was one thing. That was failing to adequately supplement the pass rush. In place of the departed Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston he was only able to add Aaron Lynch and rookie sixth rounder Kylie Fitts. As of now, Leonard Floyd is their only proven pass rusher and he’s coming off a season-ending knee injury.
It’s almost impossible to find help this time of year. Not unless Pace were able to find an affordable trade possibility. As it turns out, such an opportunity may be arising in the east.
If there was one thing Pace failed to accomplish over the past few months, it was one thing. That was failing to adequately supplement the pass rush. In place of the departed Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston he was only able to add Aaron Lynch and rookie sixth rounder Kylie Fitts. As of now, Leonard Floyd is their only proven pass rusher and he’s coming off a season-ending knee injury.
It’s almost impossible to find help this time of year. Not unless Pace were able to find an affordable trade possibility. As it turns out, such an opportunity may be arising in the east.
Ryan Pace could call on Buffalo to send him some pass rush help
An interesting development is happening over in Buffalo. Head coach Sean McDermott and the front office continue to purge the roster steadily of players adding during the previous regime. Tyrod Taylor was already traded along with others in the past calendar year. Now ESPN Bills beat writer Mike Rodak believes former first round pick Shaq Lawson could be next.
“The Bills’ first-round pick in 2016 has thus far failed to emerge in the defensive schemes of either former coach Rex Ryan or current coach Sean McDermott. Comments from both Lawson and his coaches this offseason has made it clear he is at a crossroads with the team, which has prompted Lawson to shed extra weight and take a more disciplined approach to his game.
The problem for Lawson is the Bills stocked up on defensive ends this offseason, signing former Redskins pass-rusher Trent Murphy to a three-year, $22.5 million deal while also bringing aboard Terrence Fede and Owa Odighizuwa. Once Murphy fully returns from a knee injury that kept him limited in practices this spring, Lawson will be competing for a rotational role, if not for his 53-man roster spot entirely.
It also seems possible the Bills could trade Lawson after they dealt several draft choices by the Bills’ former management — including Marcell Dareus, Sammy Watkins and Reggie Ragland — last year.”
An interesting development is happening over in Buffalo. Head coach Sean McDermott and the front office continue to purge the roster steadily of players adding during the previous regime. Tyrod Taylor was already traded along with others in the past calendar year. Now ESPN Bills beat writer Mike Rodak believes former first round pick Shaq Lawson could be next.
“The Bills’ first-round pick in 2016 has thus far failed to emerge in the defensive schemes of either former coach Rex Ryan or current coach Sean McDermott. Comments from both Lawson and his coaches this offseason has made it clear he is at a crossroads with the team, which has prompted Lawson to shed extra weight and take a more disciplined approach to his game.
The problem for Lawson is the Bills stocked up on defensive ends this offseason, signing former Redskins pass-rusher Trent Murphy to a three-year, $22.5 million deal while also bringing aboard Terrence Fede and Owa Odighizuwa. Once Murphy fully returns from a knee injury that kept him limited in practices this spring, Lawson will be competing for a rotational role, if not for his 53-man roster spot entirely.
It also seems possible the Bills could trade Lawson after they dealt several draft choices by the Bills’ former management — including Marcell Dareus, Sammy Watkins and Reggie Ragland — last year.”
Lawson has encountered a number of issues.
He was drafted to play in a 3-4 defense under Rex Ryan. One year after being drafted though Ryan was fired. McDermott came in with his 4-3 scheme and everything changed. Add in some nagging health issues and his development has slowed somewhat. That said he did show modest improvement, going from two sacks as a rookie to four last year. The Bills just might not think he’s a fit for what they do.
Hence the trade speculation. If that’s the case, the odds are they won’t drive up the price to be rid of him. It sounds like the perfect situation for a bargain hunter like Pace. Lawson comes with some risk, but also still plenty of upside. He just turned 24-years old and is better suited to a 3-4 system, which the Bears employ under Vic Fangio.
It wouldn’t be the first time they took a gifted, young pass rusher from another team and turned him into a success.
He was drafted to play in a 3-4 defense under Rex Ryan. One year after being drafted though Ryan was fired. McDermott came in with his 4-3 scheme and everything changed. Add in some nagging health issues and his development has slowed somewhat. That said he did show modest improvement, going from two sacks as a rookie to four last year. The Bills just might not think he’s a fit for what they do.
Hence the trade speculation. If that’s the case, the odds are they won’t drive up the price to be rid of him. It sounds like the perfect situation for a bargain hunter like Pace. Lawson comes with some risk, but also still plenty of upside. He just turned 24-years old and is better suited to a 3-4 system, which the Bears employ under Vic Fangio.
It wouldn’t be the first time they took a gifted, young pass rusher from another team and turned him into a success.
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