So, what do you draft?

[NCChiFan]

with the first two picks?

DE?

DT?

CB?

S?

Best available? We've been having this discussion on another board. The more folks analyze the Bear roster and F/A that are out there, it has posed this question. What do the Bears do?

DE F/A class looks like a few guys that will make high dollars(Hardy will get franchised by Carolina leaving Orakpo who will be paid big bucks, Peppers type money, Bears can't afford), so cutting Peppers to bring another high dollar guy is unlikely. Then you have a bunch of mediocre production guy, like Bennett or Johnson, who probably want big pay days but are only 8 sack guys. You still have to sign Wooten and Wooten is still Wooten, mediocre at best but will he take mediocre money? After that we have Bass? Washington who couldn't even stay dressed with ALL the injuries.

DT isn't any better, we have Paea and that's basically it, everyone else of note is a F/A and most are questionable coming off of knee work. Melton has talent and may not settle for a, lets see how you do for a year, contract. Collins I could see resigning. Ratliff came on at the end of the year, but with as many Pro Bowls behind his name will he settle for a basic type salary?

So, what do you do? After Clowney there is Ealy. After Ealy there is a major drop off in DE talent with a lot of small type OLB/DE guys, like a Bass or a Shea, with questions.

DT has a much much deeper class.

What say you?

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

No opinion yet on who to draft. Too much will happen in free agency (one way or the other) for me to come to any kind of conclusion. Certainly if I had to lay a bet I'd think it would be on the d line.

You are probably the only person in America who doesn't think Peppers is getting cut (or renegotiated). You need to get this through your skull: there is no way the Chicago Bears will pay Peppers $18+ million next year. It is a zero percent chance.

And you do not have to resign Wootton. There are plenty of other mid-grade d linemen like him floating around. Maybe they resign him, maybe they don't, but there's nothing really compelling either way about that. The $4 million or so they could spend on him, they could also spend on someone else, or maybe some other team will be dumb and pay too much for him. Who knows, we will have to see.

Clearly, one way or another, they will be bringing people in. I'm sure the draft will include some D linemen. But first things first.

 

[NCChiFan]

Actually, I do see Peppers being renegotiated or cut. My bet is renegotiated, from what I understand, it is a paper thing, that actually lowering the Cap hit does nothing to his take home pay. He isn't making 18 million this year, that is his cap hit. His take home is much lower.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

right true. His salary is $14. We were actually discussing this subject the other day, which is what he would fetch on the open market (which is presumably affecting what the Bears would offer him in a renegotiation). Basically, if he knows he can get $8 million from someone else, the Bears probably have to beat that number by some amount or with more up front cash this year than next.

So opinions varied quite a but. One guy thinks he is only worth about $4.5 million. Personally I think this is pretty low, I think he's probably worth somewhere around $7.5. One guy thinks he is still worth $12 or so.

So what do you think? How much of a cut does Peppers stick around for?

 

[richig07]

Best defensive player available.

And I'd straight up cut Peppers, personally. I still think he has another year left of solid production, but even with a pay cut. I just don't see it being worth it. Bring on the youth movement.

Even if we traded Briggs tomorrow, I wouldn't be upset about it. If we blow this whole damn defense up and start over, I'm fine with it. It can't get worse than last season.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

Until I see what we do in FA, there is no way to guess the 2 biggest needs. We need the top C in the draft. Then all Dline.

 

[63bears40]

Until I see what we do in FA, there is no way to guess the 2 biggest needs. We need the top C in the draft. Then all Dline.

Garza is FA. Hope they keep it that way.
But Phil is going to be busy again this yr. With all the FAs and a D mess.
it's a little too early to speculate on the draft.
Phil hasn't been shy about filling holes through (cheap) FA. I see that trend continuing.
Just don't know how much cap space he has to work with.
About the only D starters I see returning are Briggs, Jennings , and Paea.
He said we are going to get younger on D. That tells me Pep & Tillman are gone.
It's going to be an interesting off season.

 

[anotheridiot]

right true. His salary is $14. We were actually discussing this subject the other day, which is what he would fetch on the open market (which is presumably affecting what the Bears would offer him in a renegotiation). Basically, if he knows he can get $8 million from someone else, the Bears probably have to beat that number by some amount or with more up front cash this year than next.

So opinions varied quite a but. One guy thinks he is only worth about $4.5 million. Personally I think this is pretty low, I think he's probably worth somewhere around $7.5. One guy thinks he is still worth $12 or so.

So what do you think? How much of a cut does Peppers stick around for?

But the dead money cap hit for Peppers is over 8 million anyway, that is whether he is here or not. This is from constant restructuring, the same hole they are gonna go down with cutlers, jennings and slausens contracts. All allow constant restructuring for the cap but eventually you get to the point you are at with peppers. You cut him its 8 million from the cap, you pay him 4.5 it just builds that 8 million number up. So the too low money still costs 12.5 from the cap. That is what you convince peppers he is worth. He restructured again before last season and had a terrible season. He is still getting the money eventually, but eventually you gotta just pay the reaper and get out from under this.

You need to build this defense again, you need to get rid of the cap problems. You need to draft better so the team has players to move up. I would say draft, cut peppers absorb the 8 million hit, dont mess with cutlers contract, accept the 22 million dollar hit this year so you have room next year.

 

[NCChiFan]

But the dead money cap hit for Peppers is over 8 million anyway, that is whether he is here or not. This is from constant restructuring, the same hole they are gonna go down with cutlers, jennings and slausens contracts. All allow constant restructuring for the cap but eventually you get to the point you are at with peppers. You cut him its 8 million from the cap, you pay him 4.5 it just builds that 8 million number up. So the too low money still costs 12.5 from the cap. That is what you convince peppers he is worth. He restructured again before last season and had a terrible season. He is still getting the money eventually, but eventually you gotta just pay the reaper and get out from under this.

You need to build this defense again, you need to get rid of the cap problems. You need to draft better so the team has players to move up. I would say draft, cut peppers absorb the 8 million hit, dont mess with cutlers contract, accept the 22 million dollar hit this year so you have room next year.

And exactly the problem Seattle is going to face when Wilson comes off his rookie salary...

 

[Jim Rome is Flaming]

I'd love Ealy, assuming Peppers is gone. I didn't know Garza was a FA, maybe have to pick a C higher than Ikard, though I still like him. 2nd and 3rd should be used on secondary and DT depending on who is available.

 

[richig07]

I'd love Ealy, assuming Peppers is gone. I didn't know Garza was a FA, maybe have to pick a C higher than Ikard, though I still like him. 2nd and 3rd should be used on secondary and DT depending on who is available.

IMO, this team is totally starting from scratch on the defensive side of the football. We're not a team looking for "pieces". I'm taking the best defensive player in each of the first four rounds. Somewhere a center has to be in there too, depending on what goes on in FA.

 

[NCChiFan]

IMO, this team is totally starting from scratch on the defensive side of the football. We're not a team looking for "pieces". I'm taking the best defensive player in each of the first four rounds. Somewhere a center has to be in there too, depending on what goes on in FA.

I think your opinion is correct, which is another valid reason for dumping Peppers. But, man, that's just one more body you have to find in the off season.

 

[richig07]

I think your opinion is correct, which is another valid reason for dumping Peppers. But, man, that's just one more body you have to find in the off season.

Yeah, it's tough, but IMO it has to be done.

I mean, I love Pep, Briggs, and Tillman. However, potentially keeping them around only prolongs the rebuilding process, and creates a hole that we'll have to fill down the line.

 

[anotheridiot]

I'd love Ealy, assuming Peppers is gone. I didn't know Garza was a FA, maybe have to pick a C higher than Ikard, though I still like him. 2nd and 3rd should be used on secondary and DT depending on who is available.

I sure hope they go with Boggs at center this year over garza. I dont think center is a position they need to draft. Late round pick on a combo offensive lineman to play center and guard would be my choice on the offensive side. A fast receiver to maybe return kicks and a backup interior guy should be the only offense we need to draft. all the rest should be on D.

 

[anotheridiot]

And exactly the problem Seattle is going to face when Wilson comes off his rookie salary...

Why are you harping on Wilson? Is Seattle actively compiling dead salary towards their cap by restructuring their players contracts who average 26 years of age?

Baltimore is screwed in 2016 when their quarterback is gonna count 30 million against the cap. Swallow it now, stop passing it down when there is a solid D on the field in 2015.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

Baltimore is screwed in 2016 when their quarterback is gonna count 30 million against the cap. Swallow it now, stop passing it down when there is a solid D on the field in 2015.

Conceivably, that's certainly possible. Of course a lot of that depends on how long Suggs stays healthy. The new contract he signed pays him $4.6 million in 2016. If he is still playing at a high level they will basically be saving the money they would have spent on a defensive star and using that to overpay Flacco. Of course, if Suggs sucks by then, they have nothing.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I sure hope they go with Boggs at center this year over garza. I dont think center is a position they need to draft. Late round pick on a combo offensive lineman to play center and guard would be my choice on the offensive side. A fast receiver to maybe return kicks and a backup interior guy should be the only offense we need to draft. all the rest should be on D.

I bet the only draft pick we use on the offense side this year is a late rounder on an interior lineman. I wouldn't cry for a minute if they let Garza go. While it isn't inconceivable that we draft a WR, I sort of doubt it. The D simply needs everything it can get right now.

 

[leomaz]

If they draft a corner or safety, I hope they are at least 6' or taller......

 

[Jim Rome is Flaming]

If they draft a corner or safety, I hope they are at least 6' or taller......

Agreed. That's one of the reasons I love Fuller.

 

[NCChiFan]

After reading what I've seen in tweets today it has to be at least 3 D lineman draft and at least 1 has to be a DE... And even then, we need to pick up a few more in F/A.... Even with the Austin Lane signing yesterday.