maggsmaggs

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 1, 2011 -> 09:46 AM) They are still gambling, and the result could still be one of the league's worst lines. If the Bears win a couple of their gambles, they could have a solid line, maybe even one of the leagues' better lines considering that there is a lot of mass on it this year. If the Bears lose a gamble or someone gets hurt, then they're going to regret not having spent more to upgrade that line. It's this point that irks me so much about the Bears' front office. Yes, the talent is clearly there on the offensive line, but talent does not equal productive. There is absolutely no reason the Bears should go into an NFL season, banking on "if it all goes right, this line becomes serviceable or solid." This is the NFL, and nothing ever goes according to plan. They needed to bring at least a couple veteran free agents in as depth guy who could start if necessary. The Bears are one injury away on the O-line from just a horrible situation (and you know that injury will happen). Sure we have three first-round picks starting on the offensive line (Carimi, Spencer and Williams), but one hasn't proven anything in the NFL, and the other two are horrible busts. The other two guys we are counting on are a 2010 seventh-round pick who is still incredibly raw and Garza who is solid, but aging. I think Angelo has done a solid job on the defensive side of the ball except neglecting cornerback thus far, but it boggles my mind that the organization feels the worst offensive line by far in the NFL last year can be fixed by adding a rookie tackle and a center who Seattle couldn't wait to see leave. Jay Cutler can be a really really damn good NFL quarterback, but the Bears refuse to give him the necessary help in that endeavor. So who are the back-ups even? Lance Louis? Frank Omiyale? Then who? I mean, not only do we have a bad starting core, but we have absolutely no depth whatsoever. The Bears just better hope this isn't the year where the D is struck by injuries.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 06:29 PM) I will say this, since we're all focusing on the negative (even though lots of players remain). I f***ing love the Marion Barber signing. He's a high-motor guy who is going to make those 3rd and shorts really attainable. Well I will be positive in saying that I love the Okoye and Ghoston signings. Both are young and athletic, and could thrive with the Bears in the 4-3 scheme where they aren't counted on as starters, but rather spot duty. QUOTE (WHarris1 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 06:41 PM) So evidently based on Angelo's press conference there will be no more OL additions. DUMB. STUPID. IDIOTIC. Regardless of the Kreutz-Spencer swap, which seems lateral, we still have Swiss-cheese-sized holes at guard and tackle.

Rios. Nothing I hate more than a guy who dogs it. Dunn is performing worse, but Rios has a horrible attitude.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 03:45 PM) That's what I'm saying too though...intangibles really don't do that much if a guy simply doesn't have it any more. But if two players are quite similar in ability, intangibles should be the deciding factor. I mean, if this was Shaun O'Hara, I would have no issues with the move because he is clearly better. I just don't see the upgrade in the Spencer move.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 03:31 PM) But it does mean that it's hard for any move to even be a lateral move, and easy for it to be an upgrade. But this lateral move also comes at the expense of all the intangibles that Kreutz brings. While those things aren't as important as on-the-field production, the intangibles still have their place. Add to the fact that now you have pissed off some of the key players of the Bears, including the coach, it creates a rift between the front office and team. The latter part is what bugs me the most because it is REALLY easy to upgrade from 2010, but we haven't. Chris Harris has joined the Bears' front office bashing:

This tweet from Brad Biggs, very nicely surmises the clusterf*** that now is the Bears offensive line.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 02:43 PM) This front office is a joke. I've kept my mouth shut since free agency started b/c I kept hoping for the best, but enough is enough. Angelo doesn't deserve a job. He is terrrible. This is exactly how I feel. From Angelo's draft-day fiasco to his horrible drafting ability to his inability to improve the biggest two areas of need for this team (WR/OL), he is just a bad GM.

Who wants to bet Brent Morel will be benched next game?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 02:19 PM) Bears still have money to sign another olineman. Spencer sounds better the more I read. He had some injuries, one back injury, plus a broken hand, but he toughed through them most of the time. Played 16 games in 3 of his 5 seasons, 14 in another season, and 11 in another. So not quite as injury prone as I initially feared. Still, Kreutz was Mr. dependable. I just think that both players are comparable in current ability, granted Spencer has considerably more upside. But Kreutz ruled that locker room and kept everyone in line. Spencer was not guaranteed a starting job this free agency, so what would have been the harm in signing both. Olin for the one-year deal like he wanted, and Spencer to a multi-year deal that is back loaded with the intention of him starting for this team in 2012 and beyond?

Angelo gonna talk to the media at 5:30 today, most likely to announce the Spencer thing and talk about not bringing Olin back. I am sure Angelo will sound like a complete boob once again.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 02:04 PM) DOubly punk move by Guillen. That was bad. I knew Weaver was gonna throw at their next batter, but I wish he just hit him in his ass instead of throwing over his head.

Carlos Guillen almost got his teammate killed by staring at his homerun. Punk move by Guillen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 01:53 PM) Someone pointed out over at Talkbears that $4 million for a C is a ton. Jeff Saturday makes half that. I'll admit it's an overpay, but it's not like the extra $500K is going to financially influence how the Bears can improve their team this year or the future. And it's only a one-year deal.

WTF happened to Lillibridge's short swing? Walker probably got to him.

It's clear that everyone BUT the front office wants Olin back. I mean he is the team leader of the offense just as Urlacher is the leader of the defense. I think this will be a huge mistake, even if Olin is on the downturn of his career. Bears are so far under the cap, it makes no sense to be such penny pinchers on this one-year deal to Olin. Give him the extra $500K, and reward a guy who has been the leader of this franchise for the past decade.

Bears are close to a deal with Chris Spencer, according to a Seahawks' beat writer. At first, I was happy cuz I know he was highly regarded way back when. But then I actually read about what he has done since being in the NFL, and he is a bum, probably worse than Olin. He also can't stay healthy. Not a happy camper here.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 31, 2011 -> 12:14 PM) Yeah...that was an 11 fluke win team that could have been a 12 or 13 win team if they game-planned a little more effectively early in the season. That said...they could have been a 15 win team if they had a moderately good O-Line, and they're a body short on there now. I think they are at least two bodies short. We really don't have one above-average offensive lineman. Carimi could be that, but he is a rookie playing on the left side. Webb is huge, but still super raw. Williams is awful. Garza is decent, but old. Lance Louis blows. We really could use three more starting-level offensive linemen. One center, one guard and one swing tackle. Jay Cutler can be an Pro Bowl quarterback, but he won't ever be more than average at the position with the way the Bears have built the team around him.

So we got our automatic 0-8 between our fifth and sixth hitters, that is always a great start to a game. I don't understand the Rios s***. He is brutal, but more importantly, he dogs it in the field. Him giving less than 100% alone should keep him on the bench in perpetuity.

If Kreutz is not going to be re-signed, we better be signing O'Hara or Spencer tomorrow. If Garza is the starting center this year...

The Red Sox don't bunt because they know wasting outs is stupid.

So what exactly are the Bears waiting for in signing offensive linemen? We clearly need at least two (center and tackle), and probably need another guard, as well. The Bears are under the cap by a significant margin, which makes me pissed when I see them taking their sweet-ass time. Do the Bears management realize that the team only won 11 games largely through smoke and mirrors? Everyone in the division is getting better, meanwhile Jerry Angelo naps on the job.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Jul 30, 2011 -> 02:47 AM) Jonathan Toews dating some slutty Jessica Simpson look-alike? I'm disappointed in him. Being the model-citizen that he is, I always figured he would date a girl like this.... http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoyePCbUGW8/TVmE...ip+2011+073.JPG Kid is out of control. He needs to act his age, which is apparently 40. Yeah that girl is so faking looking. Looks like fake breasts, fake (or way too much time in the sun) tan and the like. Hey, if that's what JT likes, so be it. But I prefer natural-looking women.

Yesterday when the rumors that the Rockies wanted Scherzer + Turner for Ubaldo, I just laughed. Scherzer is arguably as good as Ubaldo right now. They are both the same age. Even if Ubaldo is better, it's not appreciably better for the Tigers to include Turner. Rockies are idiots, and probably won't trade him cuz they have an over inflated perception of how good he is.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jul 30, 2011 -> 08:46 AM) In his 1,633 AB with the Sox, Quentin has hit 103 homers. That is one homer in every 15.85 at bats. Add in his RBI totals and I think most would concede that Carlos is a legitimate slugger. Pence is a consistent 25 HR per season hitter. He's not a slugger. Pence is a better overall player than Quentin because he plays better defense and stays healthy. No matter how well Q performs, he still has that injury label. I think both players are relatively close in overall value, but I would take Pence. And Pence is under control for one more year than Quentin, which is huge. QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 30, 2011 -> 09:10 AM) The Braves are more protective of their pitching prospects than I am a bottle of absolute vodka. They could've had Pence if they wanted. They could have CQ if they want. But with Lowe/Hudson both FAs at the end of next year, they're extremely hesitant to deal any of these guys. I can see why they don't want to deal Teheran, though. Who is to argue though, ya know? You are definitely right, but this is probably why they are the best run organization in baseball over the past 20 years. Meanwhile, we can't wait to trade any prospect.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Jul 29, 2011 -> 06:40 PM) Wouldnt Gohlston be better served trying to be our strong side linebacker? He has the speed and strength, he obviously wasnt the "hybrid" the Jets were looking for but the risk/reward is there depending on how they use him. I really don't think so. He was out of his element in the Jets' 3-4 system as an LB and is much better suited to be a 4-3 DE with his hand on the ground. I have high hopes for him as a pass rushing specialist who could grow into a bigger role.