Grade the Offseason

CBears019 · Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 14773 Location: Iowa City, IA

Now that it's all said and done, how do you feel about the offseason as a whole?

To recap:

- JA fired; Emery hired
- Toub is retained after interviewing for Dolphins HC job
- Martz is out, Tice/Bates to run the offense
- Adams, Omiyale, and Taylor cut
- Traded for Brandon Marshall (two thirds)
- Signed: Campbell, Hayes, Bush, Hayden, Wilhite, Rachal and Weems (I feel like I'm missing someone)
- Draft: McClellen, Jeffery, Hardin, Rodriguez, Frey, and McCoy
- Forte still unsigned

Overall, I would say this offseason gets a A-. What have we been clamoring for YEARS here? To fire JA, fire Martz, and get a #1 receiver. Who would have thought that all of that happened in a matter of two months? How long have some people wanted Jeremy Bates on the coaching staff? Ever since we got Cutler, and now here he is. Just about everything we have ever wanted in the past three years happened this winter/spring.

After last season we saw three main areas of need: WR, depth as a whole, and a pass rusher opposite of Peppers. We got our receiver in Brandon Marshall, but didn't stop there and picked up Alshon Jeffery in the second round.

As for depth, they added Jason Campbell to back up Cutler. Campbell could be a starter in this league still, but decided to sign with the Bears on the first day of FA. They added Hayden to the secondary, Weems and Costanzo to STs, and Hayes to the LB corps.

As for a pass rusher, they picked up Shea in the first round to play opposite of Peppers. He isn't exactly who anyone here wanted, but I am confident that he is going to turn into a damn good player for this team. I'm real excited to see how he fits into this defense.

The only negatives I see are Forte still being unsigned and not too much attention was paid to the OL in FA or the draft. There is very little to come away with unhappy in this offseason.
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chisoxguy7 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 1245 Location: Chicago

The WR you're missing is Devin Thomas.
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VeniceBearsFan · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 1818 Location: Venice, Florida

I'll say B. The only bad part is Forte still isn't signed a long term deal.

Obviously I wish we would have upgraded the offensive line but the free agency didn't offer us many options and I think the draft this year was aimed towards adding youth on the defense which I can understand.

Overall B
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jspiel24 · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 6744

I voted B solely on the fact that Forte is still unsigned. If he were to have signed by now, it's an A.
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Mudderfudder77 · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303

Whoever voted an 'F' is delusional.

The only team I can think of that would deserve an 'F' is the Saints.
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CBears019 · Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 14773 Location: Iowa City, IA

MonserinNC · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject:

I went B because we got worse at DT at didnt do much at DB.

Im not too concerned about DB because really good secondary players are hard to come across anyway, but the DT position I feel like we should have addressed.
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Madmike90 · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 18577 Location: Scotland

IronMike84 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 5918

B. Emery has already done things Angelo never could and has made it look effortless.

ShaggyBear · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 556

You are also missing costanzo... i gave it a b. Why do we have so many cbs?
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Badger75 · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 5918

This off season is a B+. FA was an A-, the draft was a B+.

Check this site:

http://drafthistory.com/teams/bears.html

Every team drafts well in streaks and hits fallow periods.

Note where Ditka is drafted ('61) and how barren those early drafts were. Note where Walter Payton was drafted ('75). Same Story. The 1965 draft was a franchise record. The early '80's had some of the best minds in football fighting for turf. Thats rare.

All of these silly mock drafts and ESPN analysis are so much hot air.

Someone will make All Pro, ROY, Canton....go back and find all the nonsense said.

What if the Bears #2 WR in the draft is the player that wears the uniform all the way to Canton? Wink

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DaMike · Joined: 21 Nov 2010 Posts: 3349

I went with an A. We got a lot better. Starters and depth.

TexasBearsFan · Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 1142 Location: Waco, TX

We got a stud wide-out, added good depth at numerous positions of need, filled holes, added valuable players in the draft, got a new GM who makes our old one look like a toddler and added a new OC, which even I will admit we needed.

If this offseason isn't an A, I'm not sure what we'd have to do to get to an A.
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VeniceBearsFan · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 1818 Location: Venice, Florida

Badger75 · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 5918

Notice expert opinion leading the pack.... Wink

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