If Bridgewater is there @ 14, do you take him?

[JoeyTourettes]

I'm going with...Um Nah... and here's why.

1. He's there at #14 for a reason... Teams picking before the bears that need a QB- Minny, Browns, Texans, among others- if they picked a different QB... that tells me something is wrong with Teddy. If they picked a different position. Hoping to get their QB in the second round... Here's where you can find that trade partner. But you don't pick him.

2. I know money for 1st round players isn't as big as it once was- BUT you need to think about $ allocated for ONE position. (in this case QB...are you going to add a player that is going to add to an already taxed position?)

3. Would not contribute...at all... (unless worst case- Jay hurt) Where as just about any other position would or could have the potential to play day one- start.... Safety... rotational Dline, even if they drafted the TOP TE or RB or WR...(very unlikely) they would still have the potential to play special teams and contribute in year ONE. Teddy doesn't give you that.

4. Jay's Contract- he's here for at least 4 more years. That's not going to change. I really don't like the idea of drafting and paying a FIRST ROUND guy his entire rookie contract to sit on the bench, play some PREseason games and a few games/mop up duty a year. Not smart business.
Vs
drafting a DL/safety who starts day ONE... plays cheap for 4-5 years. Giving us a much needed piece.

5. One less draft pick. I trust Trestman with qb's... I'm ok with Palmer and an undrafted rookie. I'm also hoping that Jay stays healthy and this is a moot point. We need that pick on the field. (and to produce)
And a FIRST round pick?? that's a starter. That's a potential game changer. (Kyle Long???? Did he not step in and help an Oline that everyone agreed needed an overhall?)

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I'm going with...Um Nah... and here's why.

1. He's there at #14 for a reason...
2. I know money for 1st round players isn't as big as it once was- BUT you need to think about $ allocated for ONE position.....
3. Would not contribute...at all...
4. Jay's Contract- he's here for at least 4 more years....
5. One less draft pick. ...

1. True, but this is precisely why this is a hypothetical exercise. There is no way he falls to 14. None.
2. That's not an issue in this case. If we don't draft a quality QB in the draft who can make the roster, we have to sign another free agent. Even the bad free agent QBs out there will be more expensive than any draft pick.
3. Unless of course Cutler gets hurt. Which of course Cutler frequently does.
4. See above. Also, Cutler's contract in no way precludes the organization's need for solid backup QB (see Green Bay last year), nor does it preclude him from being a developmental QB for trade value to the franchise.
5. In 2014, yes. But if he becomes a successful developmental QB, he becomes more draft picks than he cost. Which is kind of the whole point.

 

[beardown07]

Ima be pissed if we take a fucking QB with the 14th pick.

 

[JoeyTourettes]

1. True, but this is precisely why this is a hypothetical exercise. There is no way he falls to 14. None.
2. That's not an issue in this case. If we don't draft a quality QB in the draft who can make the roster, we have to sign another free agent. Even the bad free agent QBs out there will be more expensive than any draft pick.
3. Unless of course Cutler gets hurt. Which of course Cutler frequently does.
4. See above. Also, Cutler's contract in no way precludes the organization's need for solid backup QB (see Green Bay last year), nor does it preclude him from being a developmental QB for trade value to the franchise.
5. In 2014, yes. But if he becomes a successful developmental QB, he becomes more draft picks than he cost. Which is kind of the whole point.

yeah um...you're just dismissing everything.
This whole "what if" question is just that- I know this is a hypothetical... and get that.
- a first round player that doesn't play in his first year is a wasted pick- IMO
- Trestman and company has proven that he can get a backup ready (I'm all for Palmer)

And if Cutler stays healthy all year- becomes a probowler and leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns...but we lose in the Playoffs because we have the same crappy safety's- a safety that could have been filled with a first round pick.
Back-up QB is a need....but it's way down the list IMO.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

- a first round player that doesn't play in his first year is a wasted pick- IMO

Now THAT'S pure nonsense. Do I really have to list all of the great players who didn't play in their first years? My goodness. Was Aaron Rodgers a "wasted pick"? Tom Brady? Drew Brees? The majority of great NFL QBs didn't play in their first year except a handful of snaps. And that's not just true of quarterbacks, many great players haven't. It's just that QBs make the easiest examples to refute the "didn't play year one = wasted pick" nonsense.

Listen, I'm really not trying to advocate we use 14 on a QB. Of course the Bears defense needs the pick, no shit. But if for some insane reason a likely franchise QB falls to you at 14, you absolutely, definitely, must take it. From where I am sitting, that list includes Bridgewater and Bortles and no one else. Quarterback is the one position in the NFL that overrides everything else, especially the least important position on the defense (safety). The value of a great quarterback is vastly higher than any other position on the field.

 

[LvilleSooner]

"if for some insane reason a likely franchise QB falls to you at 14, you absolutely, definitely, must take it. From where I am sitting, that list includes Bridgewater and Bortles and no one else. Quarterback is the one position in the NFL that overrides everything else, especially the least important position on the defense (safety)"

Have to go along with Cubzzzz here - simply as an NFL standard of Draft Day logic. Having said that, however, I do believe that Teddy needs to beef up and sit behind Cutler, should we happen to nab him. Teddy has a major upside due to his pocket presence and ability to stretch the length of a play - and everyone knows his passing accuracy. Hell, as a Bears / Louisville fan - I'd rather see us draft Calvin Pryor or Marcus Smith.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

actually, in thinking about this, I realize this is a useful discussion to have because it brings up something I think we've lost sight of after years of Jerry Angelo. The NFL draft is not supposed to be used to supply significant team needs in the first year of the draftees' career as though that's the way to the Super Bowl. It isn't. Even though you obviously want your guys to be first year starters in a perfect world, that's primarily because they need to develop. Practically every first year player (yes, there are a very few exceptions) does not immediately become a Top 5 player at his position in their first year. The best thing, in a perfect world, is for them to get some experience...maybe starting when a starter gets hurt, or getting snaps as a rotational player...in their first year.

Now when you have a thin roster, with holes at starting positions, and you don't have cap space, the pressure on rookies increases so that you have to rely on them more than is ideal. But that's not the right way to build the roster. They get hurt, pick up bad habits, and lose confidence. The right way is to develop your players and bring them along patiently.

So even leaving this franchise QB stuff aside, your expectations for #14 on the D side should NOT be that this is the guy that puts us in the Super Bowl. In 2014. Yes, we want them to play. We want them to learn. We want them to help. We want them to make a difference. But this year's draft has more to do with the rosters from 2016-2024 than it does the 2014 roster and even to some extent 2015.

The draft is about the future of the team. Not the present.

This is one great reason for drafting a cornerback. Our cornerbacks are old, and it's a good draft class, and 14 is a great spot to get an elite CB. Yes, there are other options. But just looking blind at the situation, ignoring how the draft may actually unfold, you have to think CB is as likely a spot as any. And that's not about 2014. It's about the decade to come.

 

[JoeyTourettes]

Oh, boy... Well I have much to say about this... I have to go to a meeting, but I WILL BE BACK! LOL... your logic is flawed in today's NFL. I'll explain in an hour or so. Go Bears.

 

[anotheridiot]

Uh… so when Josh loses two straight to two sub .500 teams in the midst of extremely pedestrian offensive performances... it's the defenses fault. However, when Jay plays a great football game and the defense loses the game on a 4th down blown coverage with 30 seconds remaining… it's Jay's fault.

Gotcha.

Jay has had two significant injuries that caused him to miss time in his career, he's started 101 out of 114 games, and mostly behind an offensive line that was up until recently duct taped together with cast-offs and rookie busts. What big games was he awful in? First career playoff game vs Seattle… spotless showing. Every big late season game in 2010 down the stretch… best football he's played as a Bear probably. Put up 38 points in a great performance against the #1 ranked Jets D in order to clinch a first round bye. In the Green Bay game, we all know he got hurt, but again… how many freaking times was the guy hit per drop back? Then you take on a pass rush like the Pack had in 2010, what the fuck do you want dude? You can only avoid disaster for so long. He's a human being… when human beings get the shit beat out of them for years, they tend to get hurt.

I just… I don't get what the hell you want. You want to sign and keep around veteran cast-offs? That's what your plan is?

If you want to play "cheapskate" with the QB position in the NFL, than I really don't know what the hell sport you're watching. Jay wasn't paid like the best QB in football. He was paid like a top ten QB, and he played like one last year. Wilson, Kaep, Luck, etc… all of these guys upcoming contracts will surpass Jay's. Guarantee it.

Is Cutler a Peyton Manning, Rodgers, or a Tom Brady? No. No one is suggesting that he is. He wasn't paid like the best QB in football either. Jesus...

Sorry Rich, but this season Jay Cutler IS the highest paid QB in the NFL and he is not Manning, Rodgers or Brady.

If Cutler was still under contract, my gut feeling is there was no way he came back early. He is signed for 54 million guaranteed over the next three seasons, if he gets the booboo on this thumb this year, he is gonna sit til he is 100%. He came back early from the groin to get this contract.Hobbled Jay did not do well, did not help the team win. No way he comes back hobbling, thats 2016 when the one year contracts kick in.

Palmer is nobody. The bears will scrape together a few cents and get a veteran quarterback that cutler will ignore on the sidelines again. Theres that team in green bay that drafted a quarterback high when they didnt need him, he sat and watched for three years and now is one of the best in the game. You have a team ready to make a yearly run for the playoffs, you might not pick higher than 22 for the next three seasons. This could be the last year we get to choose this high, a QB this good is not gonna be around that late. That DT and CB you look for at 14 will just be as good as one you get in the second or third round.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

If Jay gets hurt then drafting a QB in the first is brilliant. If he stays healthy then it's stupid. Take BPA and let the chips fall as they will.

 

[wood20ks]

I'm going with...Um Nah... and here's why.

1. He's there at #14 for a reason... Teams picking before the bears that need a QB- Minny, Browns, Texans, among others- if they picked a different QB... that tells me something is wrong with Teddy. If they picked a different position. Hoping to get their QB in the second round... Here's where you can find that trade partner. But you don't pick him.

2. I know money for 1st round players isn't as big as it once was- BUT you need to think about $ allocated for ONE position. (in this case QB...are you going to add a player that is going to add to an already taxed position?)

3. Would not contribute...at all... (unless worst case- Jay hurt) Where as just about any other position would or could have the potential to play day one- start.... Safety... rotational Dline, even if they drafted the TOP TE or RB or WR...(very unlikely) they would still have the potential to play special teams and contribute in year ONE. Teddy doesn't give you that.

4. Jay's Contract- he's here for at least 4 more years. That's not going to change. I really don't like the idea of drafting and paying a FIRST ROUND guy his entire rookie contract to sit on the bench, play some PREseason games and a few games/mop up duty a year. Not smart business.
Vs
drafting a DL/safety who starts day ONE... plays cheap for 4-5 years. Giving us a much needed piece.

5. One less draft pick. I trust Trestman with qb's... I'm ok with Palmer and an undrafted rookie. I'm also hoping that Jay stays healthy and this is a moot point. We need that pick on the field. (and to produce)
And a FIRST round pick?? that's a starter. That's a potential game changer. (Kyle Long???? Did he not step in and help an Oline that everyone agreed needed an overhall?)

And how many qbs were taken before brady..........it happens.There is no sure thing when drafting players.its a chamce you take.
And I would be willing to chance if for some ODD reason he was still there.

 

[wood20ks]

1. True, but this is precisely why this is a hypothetical exercise. There is no way he falls to 14. None.
2. That's not an issue in this case. If we don't draft a quality QB in the draft who can make the roster, we have to sign another free agent. Even the bad free agent QBs out there will be more expensive than any draft pick.
3. Unless of course Cutler gets hurt. Which of course Cutler frequently does.
4. See above. Also, Cutler's contract in no way precludes the organization's need for solid backup QB (see Green Bay last year), nor does it preclude him from being a developmental QB for trade value to the franchise.
5. In 2014, yes. But if he becomes a successful developmental QB, he becomes more draft picks than he cost. Which is kind of the whole point.

1. gotta agree...........

3.oh god no............don`t let Rich see this.He thinks its only twice.

 

[wood20ks]

Now THAT'S pure nonsense. Do I really have to list all of the great players who didn't play in their first years? My goodness. Was Aaron Rodgers a "wasted pick"? Tom Brady? Drew Brees? The majority of great NFL QBs didn't play in their first year except a handful of snaps. And that's not just true of quarterbacks, many great players haven't. It's just that QBs make the easiest examples to refute the "didn't play year one = wasted pick" nonsense.

Listen, I'm really not trying to advocate we use 14 on a QB. Of course the Bears defense needs the pick, no shit. But if for some insane reason a likely franchise QB falls to you at 14, you absolutely, definitely, must take it. From where I am sitting, that list includes Bridgewater and Bortles and no one else. Quarterback is the one position in the NFL that overrides everything else, especially the least important position on the defense (safety). The value of a great quarterback is vastly higher than any other position on the field.

I really like this post.........says a lot but,

No love for Manziel?

I`d include him in on the list.

 

[wood20ks]

Sorry Rich, but this season Jay Cutler IS the highest paid QB in the NFL and he is not Manning, Rodgers or Brady.

If Cutler was still under contract, my gut feeling is there was no way he came back early. He is signed for 54 million guaranteed over the next three seasons, if he gets the booboo on this thumb this year, he is gonna sit til he is 100%. He came back early from the groin to get this contract.Hobbled Jay did not do well, did not help the team win. No way he comes back hobbling, thats 2016 when the one year contracts kick in.

Palmer is nobody. The bears will scrape together a few cents and get a veteran quarterback that cutler will ignore on the sidelines again. Theres that team in green bay that drafted a quarterback high when they didnt need him, he sat and watched for three years and now is one of the best in the game. You have a team ready to make a yearly run for the playoffs, you might not pick higher than 22 for the next three seasons. This could be the last year we get to choose this high, a QB this good is not gonna be around that late. That DT and CB you look for at 14 will just be as good as one you get in the second or third round.

Oh c`mon he did too......Did you see what he did vs the Eagles? Holy shit he tore it up.

 

[NCChiFan]

actually, in thinking about this, I realize this is a useful discussion to have because it brings up something I think we've lost sight of after years of Jerry Angelo. The NFL draft is not supposed to be used to supply significant team needs in the first year of the draftees' career as though that's the way to the Super Bowl. It isn't. Even though you obviously want your guys to be first year starters in a perfect world, that's primarily because they need to develop. Practically every first year player (yes, there are a very few exceptions) does not immediately become a Top 5 player at his position in their first year. The best thing, in a perfect world, is for them to get some experience...maybe starting when a starter gets hurt, or getting snaps as a rotational player...in their first year.

Now when you have a thin roster, with holes at starting positions, and you don't have cap space, the pressure on rookies increases so that you have to rely on them more than is ideal. But that's not the right way to build the roster. They get hurt, pick up bad habits, and lose confidence. The right way is to develop your players and bring them along patiently.

So even leaving this franchise QB stuff aside, your expectations for #14 on the D side should NOT be that this is the guy that puts us in the Super Bowl. In 2014. Yes, we want them to play. We want them to learn. We want them to help. We want them to make a difference. But this year's draft has more to do with the rosters from 2016-2024 than it does the 2014 roster and even to some extent 2015.

The draft is about the future of the team. Not the present.

This is one great reason for drafting a cornerback. Our cornerbacks are old, and it's a good draft class, and 14 is a great spot to get an elite CB. Yes, there are other options. But just looking blind at the situation, ignoring how the draft may actually unfold, you have to think CB is as likely a spot as any. And that's not about 2014. It's about the decade to come.

I will agree that it is rare that a draft pick can step in and play every down right out of the start, which makes what Mills and Long did last season really amazing. But you have to see signs of a legitimate starter like Alshon Jeffery two years ago and unlike Bostic last season except for that pre season stick.

To me, the other Caveat is when you have a really bad player in a position where a rookie can come in and just flat out beat the bad player out, like a Conte or a Wright. I would be surprised if Donald "starts" at 3 tech if we drafted him, but would expect him to be a solid rotational guy (I'm leaning more and more toward a S or CB in the first). I wouldn't expect a Dennard to start but you would probably see him cover slot or rotate in on Tillman or Jennings. I would expect a HaHa to start in place of a Conte or a _______ Safety we have playing on the other side, probably a Pryor as well, maybe even a Buchanan.

 

[leomaz]

just plain stupid

Oh c`mon he did too......Did you see what he did vs the Eagles? Holy shit he tore it up.

Yeah I seen the whole team tear it up against the Eagles. That was a bad game for everybody on the team. EVERYBODY

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I really like this post.........says a lot but,

No love for Manziel?

I`d include him in on the list.

I don't know. Maybe he belongs there. He seems like a wildcard. Could be great, could bust. Let's put it this way....if you were pretty damn sure the QB would be an NFL-starting grade guy, at least Top 20 in the league, you go ahead and draft him even with Cutler on your team and a defense that needs that pick. But to gamble on it? Not me. You'd need more nerves than I have to pull that kind of trigger.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I will agree that it is rare that a draft pick can step in and play every down right out of the start, which makes what Mills and Long did last season really amazing. But you have to see signs of a legitimate starter like Alshon Jeffery two years ago and unlike Bostic last season except for that pre season stick.

To me, the other Caveat is when you have a really bad player in a position where a rookie can come in and just flat out beat the bad player out, like a Conte or a Wright. I would be surprised if Donald "starts" at 3 tech if we drafted him, but would expect him to be a solid rotational guy (I'm leaning more and more toward a S or CB in the first). I wouldn't expect a Dennard to start but you would probably see him cover slot or rotate in on Tillman or Jennings. I would expect a HaHa to start in place of a Conte or a _______ Safety we have playing on the other side, probably a Pryor as well, maybe even a Buchanan.

I agree basically with all of this. You know, Bostic, and Greene, I mean they had to step in and play, but in a better world they would have had more time to develop before having that kind of action. I just hope they come back stronger and don't have their heads all fucked up.

 

[NCChiFan]

I agree basically with all of this. You know, Bostic, and Greene, I mean they had to step in and play, but in a better world they would have had more time to develop before having that kind of action. I just hope they come back stronger and don't have their heads all fucked up.

New LB Coach! New LB Coach! New LB Coach!

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

heh, yep!